Here is a complete reference of typical sayings in The Handmaid's Tale.
Sayings in Gilead[]
- “Under His Eye”: Intended for saying hello or goodbye. Refers to the belief that God is always watching. Also believed to be a reference to the undercover Guardians or Eyes stationed all over Gilead.
- “Blessed day/evening”: the Gilead alternative to saying “good morning/afternoon/evening”.
- “Praise be”: said when one is glad or thankful about something, such as good weather or a pregnancy. Shortened version of commonly used Biblical phrase, “Praise be to Thee/God”.
- “Blessed be the fruit”: the typical greeting to a Handmaid in Gilead. The phrase also has Biblical ties to encouraging fertility.
- “May the Lord open”: the classic response to “blessed be the fruit.” It also suggests that they’re praying for God to bring fertility to the Handmaid - asking God to ‘open’ the Handmaid's womb to a new soul.
- “We've been sent good weather”: one of the few small-talk phrases Handmaids are allowed, typically used while on their shopping excursions. The proper reply is “Which I receive with joy” or “praise be”.
- “Godspeed”: an expression of good wishes to a person starting a journey. Example: “Godspeed, June.” Used by a Martha helping June and baby Nicole escape Gilead in Season 2 finale The Word 2×13.
- “Go in grace”: said sometimes when leaving or when someone is heading to face or do something difficult.
Other[]
- "Nolite te bastardes carborundorum" - is a mock-Latin aphorism, translated as ‘Don't let the bastards grind you down’. The phrase itself has no meaning in Latin and can only be mock-translated as a Latin-English pun. This phrase was found carved into a closet in the Waterford household, presumably by June's predecessor. June later shouts it at her execution to rally the Econopeople to fight back.