In a universe where Wookiees roar, lightsabers hum, and the Force flows, there exists a day that unites fans across star systems: May the 4th. But why this date? It’s not just a random alignment of celestial bodies; it’s a playful pun. You see, “May the fourth” sounds eerily similar to the iconic phrase: “May the Force be with you.” So, whether you’re a Jedi Knight, a Sith Lord, or just a casual admirer of droids and starships, let’s explore the origins of this cosmic holiday and discover how to respond when someone greets you with those magical words.
But how did it evolve from a movie quote to a global celebration?
The answer lies in an unexpected place: British politics. On May 4, 1979, Margaret Thatcher became Britain’s first woman prime minister. To congratulate her, the Conservative Party placed an ad in the London Evening News. The message? “May The Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations.” And just like that, the phrase entered the collective consciousness, thanks to the power of the internet and fans spanning star systems.
How to Respond: A Playful Exchange
When someone greets you with “May the fourth be with you,” you have several delightful options:
“And also with you”: Echo the traditional Catholic liturgical greeting. It’s a playful twist on the original phrase and adds a touch of humor.
“I know”: If you want to channel your inner Han, and feel cool about it, this is an author favorite.
“May the Force be with us all”: Stay true to the Star Wars theme. Imagine the cosmic Force enveloping everyone, from Ewoks to protocol droids.
“Thank you”: Sometimes simplicity is best. A straightforward “thank you” works perfectly as a polite acknowledgment of the greeting.
“May the odds always be in your favor”: Combine Star Wars with a nod to The Hunger Games. It’s a fun way to mix fandoms!
“Hurray!”: Express your excitement and join in the celebration with an enthusiastic “hurray!”
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer, so choose the response that resonates with you. And if you’re feeling extra festive, consider having a Star Wars movie marathon or catching up on some of the new series made by Disney.
FAQs
"And also with you" or "and with your spirit" (in line with the updated response during Mass). Other responses include "May the 4th be with us all" or "May the 4th be with us both."
How do you answer "may the force be with you"? ›
Well, the answer varies across the Star Wars franchise, but it's generally accepted that a traditional reply is 'And also with you' or 'May the force be with us all'.
How to respond to "may the Lord be with you"? ›
Immediately after that, the priest will say to you and to the entire congregation, “The Lord be with you.” We've heard those words so many times growing up, and we know exactly what to say after. For years it was, “And also with you.” Now it's “And with your spirit.”
What do people say on May the 4th? ›
The date originated from the pun "May the Fourth be with you", from the Star Wars catchphrase "May the Force be with you." Even though the holiday was not created or declared by Lucasfilm, many Star Wars fans have chosen to celebrate the holiday.
How to respond when someone says they wish they were with you? ›
I would just say something like, “Thank you! That's so sweet of you, “ and leave it at that. The person will know you appreciate the sentiment, but you're not leading him on either.
How to respond when someone says they will always be there for you? ›
When someone says that to you, you genuinely feel good inside, but don't say that you 'feel good' or don't say 'thank you for being there for me', just simple 'thank you' with no words added will suffice. Because see it's by someone's actions you find out whether the person genuinely cares about you.
What is the greeting for May 4th? ›
On Star Wars Day, which is celebrated on May 4th, fans often greet each other with the phrase “May the fourth be with you.” In a universe where Wookiees roar, lightsabers hum, and the Force flows, there exists a day that unites fans across star systems: May the 4th.
What do Sith say instead of May the Force be with you? ›
Uthar Wynn and Yuthura Ban during a mission in the Sith Academy on Korriban state a different version of the saying, namely "May the Force serve you well. This, along with another variation; "May the Force ever serve you," was utilized three centuries later by the Sith Lord Lana Beniko.
What was said after May the Force be with you? ›
After being questioned by New Republic X-Wing pilots, Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin said "May the Force be with you," to which one of the pilots, Carson Teva replied, "And also with you." The engineer Peli Motto used the phrase towards Djarin as he departed her hangar in his N-1 starfighter.
What do they say instead of peace be with you? ›
Up to now, the first well wisher would say, “Peace be with you.” The correct response would be, “And also with you.” Now, the correct response has been updated to: “And also with your spirit.” While some have referred to the Church as having changed the Mass, it has not actually done so.
In the biblical Book of Ruth (2:4) Booz greets his reapers with "The Lord be with you." To which they replied, "The Lord bless you." Instead of this phrase the liturgy uses the "And with your spirit" which in its original Judeo-Christian context means the same as "And also with you."
Why don't Catholics say "and also with you" anymore? ›
Critics of the old translation thought that the language was too conversational to be reverent. On the other side were those who thought that conversational language helped people to pray to God more naturally. One easy place to see the change is when the priest prays a blessing over the bread and wine.
Why is May 4th so special? ›
As most fans know, the fourth day in May became Star Wars Day because of the turn of phrase, "May the force be with you," used by Jedi masters in the movies. The classic slogan was originally flip-flopped in 1978 to greet others on the Fourth of July, according to Lucasfilm.
What does may the 4s be with you mean? ›
It is an annual tradition for “Star Wars” fans to use the phrase “May the 4th be with you” on May 4, because it resembles one of the most iconic phrases in the Star Wars universe, “May the Force be with you”. This phrase is used to wish an individual or group good luck or good will.
How do you respond when someone wishes us? ›
I'll list a few.
- ”Thank you very much.”
- ”And I wish you the same.”
- ”May God bless you, richly.”
- ”I needed to hear that. Thank you.”
- ”That was such a kind thing to say.”
- ”I believe it will be as you say.”
- ” I appreciate that.”,
- ”God is already doing it. Thank you.”
Just smile and nod. At least that's what I would do. It sounds like the reply of “of course!” is just another way of saying “you're welcome.” Sometimes if someone says “thank you” to me, I'll reply with “no problem.”
How do you respond to May I come in? ›
If you want the questioner to come in, the response is “Yes, you may.” If you don't want the questioner to come in, the response is “No, you may not.”
