cheerio

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See also: Cheerio

English

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Etymology

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From cheer and/or cheery +‎ -o.

Pronunciation

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Interjection

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cheerio

  1. (UK, Ireland, Commonwealth, informal) Goodbye, an interjection said upon parting.
    • 1921, P. G. Wodehouse, Indiscretions of Archie, ch. XIII. Rallying Round Percy:
      "In that case," said Archie, relieved, "cheerio, good luck, pip-pip, toodle-oo, and good-bye-ee! I'll be shifting!"
    • 2019 October 23, Pip Dunn, “The next king of Scotland”, in Rail, page 50:
      But we all knew it wasn't the final end of the HST. This wasn't "goodbye", more like a "cheerio, see you someplace soon".
  2. (rare) Hello; a greeting.
    • 1947, Anita Bell, He Done Her Wrong:
      Cheerio, everybody! What a delightful gathering of charming femininity!

Usage notes

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Rarely used in North America. Although likely to be understood, it is likely to be considered humorous, and may be used in a parody of British English and Irish English speakers.

Derived terms

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Translations

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Noun

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cheerio (plural cheerios)

  1. (Queensland, New Zealand) A small saveloy often consumed with tomato sauce at parties.
    • 1978, New Zealand. Parliament. House of Representatives, Parliamentary Debates, page 4230:
      The man who has gone around the cocktail circuit pounding cheerios to the end of time did not come in here and open his mouth once on the Bill.

Synonyms

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