so long

interjection

, Informal.

1. goodbye:

   I said so long and left.

so long

sentence substitute

1. informal.
   farewell; goodbye

adverb

1. slang.
   for the time being; meanwhile

Word History and Origins

Origin of so long¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Idioms and Phrases

Good-bye, as in So long, we'll see you next week . The allusion here is puzzling; long presumably means “a long time” and perhaps the sense is “until we meet again after a long time,” but the usage has no such implication. [ Colloquial ; first half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

Superhero titles — for so long the movie industry’s version of IBM stock — have been on an especially strange ride.

From Washington Post

He is homeless, and said he recalls being handcuffed so long people were forced to urinate on themselves.

From Voice of San Diego

In other words, the system had its points-so long as Americans were willing to trade representativeness for effectiveness.

From The Daily Beast

That is to say, the last pipe of all before the so-long indomitable intellect abdicates, and the body succumbs to weariness.

From Project Gutenberg

Al had not seen the bay, and the talk tapered off desultorily to a final "So-long, see yuh later."

From Project Gutenberg

"So-long," called Connie, as he stood beside the sled a half-hour later.

From Project Gutenberg

The other nodded; then, with a "so-long," he cut across the street and disappeared into an office where he had business.

From Project Gutenberg

“So-long, kid,” he called, as his head sank to the level of the sidewalk.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• goodbye
• send-off
• sendoff