idioms - In which countries is that “long time no see” greeting common?


I used to hear this greeting several times a day when in Singapore.


In other English-speaking countries, is this idiomatic expression known, do people consider it funny, or just a terrible misconception of English?



Answer



"Long time no see" is used in the UK.


It is informal. I do not know how widespread its use is but I expect people of most UK social groups and of most UK regions would recognise and understand it even if it was not a form of greeting they would use themselves.


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