# top of the morning

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/top-of-the-morning
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- He smiled and said, top of the morning to you.
- I always give my coworkers a friendly top of the morning.
- She shouts a loud top of the morning to her sleeping roommates.
- My neighbor always shouts top of the morning to me as he walks his dog.
- The bus driver gave me a cheerful top of the morning while I searched for my ticket.
- You should offer a polite top of the morning when you meet the hiking group at dawn.
- The store manager opens the doors at six and gives a bright top of the morning to the customers waiting in line for the sale.
- The innkeeper greeted his guests with a hearty top of the morning before serving their breakfast.

## Origin

The phrase was once a working-class greeting used throughout the British Isles, possibly in reference to the cream that rises to the top of the morning milk. Its modern association with Irishmen is largely a result of the 1959 film Darby O'Gill and the Little People, which revived the expression for a mid-century audience. While the story of the milk cream is popular, the precise origin remains unproven. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.