Servus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Servus (Hungarian: Szervusz, Polish: Serwus, German: Servus, Ukrainian: Сервус) is a greeting or parting salute.
It originates in the Latin word for servant or slave (Servus). It is used in former Austro-Hungarian Empire, especially in Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Transylvania (part of Romania), also in Germany, Poland and Western Ukraine. The phrase is an ellipsis meaning, "I am your servant" or "At your service".
In Southern Germany, Bavaria, Austria, Slovakia and Romania, Servus is an informal way of expressing "hello" or "goodbye" depending on the context.
[edit] See also
- Ciao, an Italian salute of similar origin.
