Where "Laters" Comes From
"Laters" is a casual shortening of "see you later," emerging in Australian and British informal English from the 1990s and becoming widespread with text messaging and digital communication in the early 2000s. The plural form — "laters" rather than "later" — is characteristic of this class of informal farewell.
It signals informality and ease, appropriate among friends and unsuitable in any formal context. In Australian English it sits alongside "catch ya," "see ya," and "no worries" as part of the low-key, minimum-effort farewell tradition.
Source:
"Right, I'm off. Laters!"
How Aussies Actually Use It
It's a quick, informal way to end a conversation or text without much ceremony.
It's most common among younger Australians and in casual, text-style exchanges.
🎓 Want to sound like a true Aussie?
Watch Down Under English on YouTube for real Australian pronunciation, slang lessons, and culture — taught by an Australian educator.
Watch on YouTube →