When people tell me to "have a good one" what do they mean have a good one what?

Question

People are always saying, "have a good one" - one what? I'm confused, do they want me to have a good trip, good heart attack, good visit, good journey - I don't know what they mean. If they mean day, why can't they just say, "Have a good day"? Is that too difficult? What's up with this "have a good one" stuff?

Answer 1

Here in America we like things fast,. We like fast cars, fast food, anything that gets us fast results. So when socializing we say things like Hey, How are you? We really don't want to get into deep conversations. I guess "Have a good one" is have a good day or have a good whatever. It doesn't get personal. It's kind of cold. Are we losing our human touch????

Answer 2

I would venture to guess that this phrase is one that came from "the street."
Language that has devolved into "street Lingo", as they call it, ('lingo' being short for linguistics of course) seems to generally be shortened versions of everyday, or common, words and phrases.
My only guess is that the uneducated, poor, and lazy "street people", commonly referred to as "peeps," do not fully grasp the English language and therefore feel the need for their own language.
It is of my opinion that the street phrase "have a good one" is designed to not offend by offering the recipient of the phrase the choice as to what they would like to have a good one of. Perhaps it is around what some have deemed "The Holidays", which used to be called Christmas, and someone chooses to give someone a generic greeting in our days of Political correctness. How would they do this? They could simply say: "Merry Christmas", but it is totally possible that this person does not celebrate Christmas and therefore has been given the greatest of all offenses and ruining this persons mood for a good deal of time.
The "street peeps" have created the phrase in question, have a good one, for just such occassions. The responsibility for the meaning is placed on the recipient, relieving the offerer of all means of any guilt associated with creating a social faux pas. An athiest recipient may simply assume that the offerer is saying to have a good DAY, while a Christian may assume that they meant have a good Christmas.
Further reducing the chance of offense is the term "good" itself. Good is more of a neutral positive. It does not mean the same as great, or exceptional. In all actuality is it really rather boring and dull, without wishing ill on the recipient.
Other common phrases that have been offered into common usage by the uneducated street person are:
"What's up?" A bastardization of: What have you been doing with yourself recently?
"Word!" Clearly a shortened statement meaning: I have heard what you have to say, and I am in complete and total agreement with you.

So the next time that a person tells you to "have a good one" simply ask yourself what is important to you at that time, and thank the person for offering a kind word.
To all my "homies" "out there" I would like to say: "peace out", "keep the faith", and of course "Have a good one."

Answer 3

Most of the time it means have a good "day". But if someone is going for a trip, it could mean enjoy your trip. You have to be able to judge it by the context of the sentence.

I think you are being too critical here. I have never heard of anyone confused by the meaning of this. This is an excepted form of speach all over the English speaking world.

Just get used to it and move on.

Answer 4

A good heart attack.

Answer 5

To me "have a good one" means to have a good day, drive, vacation, or what ever I may be doing. It covers everything you may be involved in. I don't think they mean to tell you to have a good heart attack or something that may hurt you. They just mean for you to have everything good.
So, have a good one!

Answer 6

I say that to all of my customers. I was asked this question before.

My answer was that it's what you want to interpret it as. I what them to have a good time at whatever they do.

I'd say have a good day, but people will just give you crap about hows its the worst day of their life. People seem to be combative like that. Instead I let them decide what's good for them and whats not.

Have a good life, good day, good 5 second orgasm, it's all good to me as long as they leave my store in a better mood. I let the customer's fill in the rest of the blank for me.

Answer 7

have a good one leaves your options open. "have a good one" CAN be trip, day or yes even heart attack. usually it means day but it can cover lots of other bases

Answer 8

It means "Have a good day". You should be happy that people think enough of you to say it at all. You need to relax, if something this tiny is on your nerves, you will lead a miserable life.

Answer 9

"Have a good one" from my perspective is 'what I desire'. When people say 'have a good one' is in fact giving me the choice of what good thing I desire or want and that is the 'one' they wish for me.

Answer 10

Day