Where does the UK expression "Alright Mate" come from?

Question

In the UK it is very common for men to greet each other saying "Alright Mate", where does this expression come from?

Answer 1

This is easy. Its not like an obseure one like haw did "Ok" come about.

This is a shortened version of "are you alright mate?

And im sure they say this all over there world, not just UK

Answer 2

Alright is a variant spelling of "all right" usually used in informal contexts

"Alright" has been in use since the late 19th century; while some authorities still consider it wrong or nonstandard, it frequently appears in print in journalistic and business settings and in informal communication. This is in contrast to the similar words "already" and "altogether", which have been used as compound words and two separate words (all ready and all together) since the Middle Ages.

The word is often used to indicate ambivalence toward something: "the play was alright." It is also used as an exclamation of great pleasure: "We won the championship! Alright!"

"Alright" is commonly used as a greeting in the United Kingdom, as in: "Alright mate?", "Alright (name)?", or just "Alright?" In this context, it is sometimes reduced to "Right?", "A'ight?", "Ei?", or even a mere grunt

Answer 3

Steve Urwin... your alright mate, your alright!

Answer 4

Australia not UK