See you in the funny papers is an old-fashioned American slang catchphrase and jocular farewell meaning “goodbye” or “see you later.”
Popular from the 1920s through the 1950s, it playfully references the illustrated cartoon and comic strip sections of daily and Sunday newspapers (commonly known as “the funnies”). It is still occasionally heard today, alongside other common “goodbye” expressions.
Also: I’ll see you in the funny papers, see you in the funny pages, see you in the funnies, see you in the funny sheet
Debunking the “Dark Meaning” and “Contempt” Myth
Some internet forums and automated search summaries claim that see you in the funny papers originally carried a dark, grim undertone, such as saying goodbye before walking into mortal danger or expressing genuine contempt for someone.
This is completely unfounded:
- Purely Jocular and Friendly: Documented early print appearances in the 1920s show the phrase being used casually by Boy Scouts, telegraph operators, university student letters, and family members. It was never a serious insult or a sinister omen.
- The “Silly Goose” Tease: Taking the joke as a vicious insult is like claiming “see you later, alligator” literally insults someone’s appearance. At most, it was a gentle, affectionate tease that a friend’s antics were amusing or goofy enough to warrant a cartoon.
Two Ways to Understand the Metaphor
The charm of the expression lies in its lighthearted ambiguity:
- “You’re a Cartoon Character”: A playful suggestion that the person being addressed is such a funny, absurd, or lively character that they belong in the newspaper comics.
- “We’re All in the Circus Together”: A shared acknowledgment that the everyday world is crazy, hectic, and bizarre, suggesting both the speaker and listener will run into each other inside the colorful chaos of the comic strips.
Origin & History: The 1920s Newspaper Comics Boom
The idiom was born out of the huge cultural impact of American newspaper comic strips during the early 20th century:
“The Funnies” as Mass Entertainment
Before television and the internet, newspapers were the primary source of national entertainment. While the front pages carried serious, often grim news of crime and politics, the color inserts on Sunday, widely called “the funny papers” or “the funnies”, were universally beloved by children and adults alike.
The 1920s Catchphrase Boom
In the 1920s, American slang exploded with whimsical, formulaic rhyming and alliterative farewells (such as “so long, kid,” and later “see you later, alligator”). By 1920–1921, “see you in the funny papers” was widely recorded in American trade journals and campus publications as a trendy, breezy sign-off.
Decline into Vintage Nostalgia
According to lexicographers like Eric Partridge, the phrase peaked between the 1920s and the end of World War II (when American servicemen introduced it to British and Commonwealth troops). While it fell out of everyday youth use by the late 1950s, it remains a well-known piece of vintage Americana.
Sentence Example
“Well, it’s getting late and I have an early shift tomorrow,’ said Frank, grabbing his coat. See you in the funny papers!”
“My grandfather never just said goodbye, it was always ‘I’ll see you in the funny papers, kid.'”
“Thanks for the coffee and all the laughs. See you in the funny pages!”
“He gave a quick wave from the driver’s seat and shouted, ‘See you in the funnies!‘ before pulling out of the driveway.”
Similar and Related Expressions
- See You Later, Alligator: A famous 1950s rhyming catchphrase meaning goodbye (traditionally answered with “After a while, crocodile”).
- See You Around: A casual, non-committal way to say goodbye to an acquaintance.
- Catch You Later: A common informal parting phrase meaning you will speak again soon.