top of the morning

Etymology
A working-class phrase once popular throughout the, possibly in reference to cream rising in milk. Revived into popular consciousness, and associated with Irishmen, by the 1959 film .

Phrase

 * 1)  A generic, cheerful greeting said to someone in the morning.

Usage notes
This term should be considered apocryphal of Irish speech and is a stereotype. While popularly used in the United States when imitating Irish people, or when celebrating one's Irish heritage (e.g. on ), latter-day native Hiberno-English speakers would be unlikely ever to use this phrase. See Hollywood Irish.