The term "Hasta la vista" is a Spanish farewell that can be literally translated as "Until the sighting" and means "See you later" and "Goodbye". In 1970, Bob Hope comically delivered the "Hasta la vista, baby" saying to Raquel Welchin the beginning of their Rocky Racoon tribute on Raquel Welch's special Raquel. This term, with the added word "baby"—"Hasta la vista, baby"—was later used in a popular hit song from 1987, "Looking for a New Love" by Grammy Award winner Jody Watley. It was also used in the 1988 Tone Lōc single "Wild Thing". A Serbian girl group named Hurricane also have a song named Hasta la vista, which was scheduled to represent Serbia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.
The ''Terminator'' franchise
''Terminator 2: Judgment Day''
"Hasta la vista, baby" became a famous catchphrase when it was used in the 1991 film', which was written by James Cameron and William Wisher Jr. The phrase is featured in an exchange between the film's characters John Connor and The Terminator, where the former teaches the latter the use of slang:
John Connor: No, no, no, no. You gotta listen to the way people talk. You don't say "affirmative" or some shit like that. You say "no problemo". And if someone comes on to you with an attitude, you say "eat me". And if you want to shine them on, it's "hasta la vista, baby". T-800:''' Hasta la vista, baby.
The Terminator says the phrase again prior to shattering the liquid nitrogen–frozen T-1000 with a gunshot, famously interpreting the vocative comma with a protracted pause before the word "baby". In the European Spanish version of the film, the phrase was dubbed as "Sayonara, baby" to preserve its humorous nature among Spanish-speaking audiences. However, in the Hispanic American version of the film, the phrase remains untouched.
''Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines''
The phrase is once again uttered in the 2003 film' by John Connor while talking to the T-850, thinking it's the same Terminator he met years prior. The machine replies that it is a different T-101:
John Connor: Do you even remember me? Sarah Connor? Blowing up Cyberdyne? "Hasta la vista, baby"? Ring any bells? T-850: That was a different T-101. John Connor: What, do you guys come off an assembly line or something? T-850: Exactly. John Connor:''' Oh man, I'm gonna have to teach you everything all over again.
Politics
Schwarzenegger has since used the phrase during public speeches as part of his political career. During the 1992 Republican primaries, Pat Buchanan challenged President George H. W. Bush for the nomination. Schwarzenegger joined Bush in New Hampshire and urged voters to send Pat Buchanan a message: "Hasta la vista, baby." On October 7, 2003, Schwarzenegger was elected Governor of California in a recall election. The Michigan Daily titled its article "Voters bid 'hasta la vista' to Davis". On November 17, 2008, Schwarzenegger said in an interview on CNN: "There are so many different challenges California has — it's the greatest state in the greatest country in the world. Hasta la vista, baby!" In 2008, Schwarzenegger met with Chilean presidentMichelle Bachelet during her state visit to California. Bachelet closed her public speech with the phrase "Hasta la vista" and imitated Schwarzenegger's accent.
Other usage
The phrase was also the title of the Skin album Hasta la Vista, Baby! and part of the title of U2's 1997 live album .
