ta ta
See also: Appendix:Variations of "tata"
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Probably hypocoristic, circa 1823.
Pronunciation edit
Interjection edit
- (chiefly Commonwealth, informal, colloquial) Goodbye.
- 1917, Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix, The Echo Library, published 2007, page 229:
- “ […] Well, ta-ta, sweetheart! Don′t expect me back to lunch.”
- 1923 (recorded 1900), Ed Smith (Cranbrook Courier), Reminiscences of Kootenay Pioneers, recalling an event claimed to be the origin of the place name Ta Ta Creek; viewed in British Columbia archives),
- Red put the spurs to his horse and galloped away: “Ta ta, friends, I′ve business up the trail.”
- 1967, Joan Lindsay, Picnic at Hanging Rock[1], page 55:
- ‘No more questions? Then I′ll be off. Ta-ta.’
Usage notes edit
Dated and rarely used in the United States, sometimes used in Canada. Although likely to be understood, it is likely to be considered rather humorous, particularly if used in a parody of British English speakers. The word is very commonly used in India and Myanmar (Burma).
Synonyms edit
- (goodbye): bye, goodbye, hooroo (Australian); see also Thesaurus:goodbye
Descendants edit
Translations edit
bye — see bye
See also edit
Further reading edit
- “ta ta”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.