ta ta

See also: Appendix:Variations of "tata"

English

Alternative forms

• ta-ta, tata, ta tah, ta-tah, tah tah, tah-tah

Etymology

Probably hypocoristic, circa 1823.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /tɑːtɑː/ or IPA^(key): /tətɑː/ or IPA^(key): /təˈtɑː/

• Audio (AU):

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Interjection

ta ta

1. (chiefly UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, informal, colloquial) Goodbye.
   • 1917, Henry Handel Richardson, Australia Felix, 2007, The Echo Library, 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.’

Synonyms

• (goodbye): bye, goodbye, hooroo (Australian); see also Thesaurus:goodbye

Usage notes

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 also in Myanmar (Burma).

Translations

bye — see bye

See also

• ta
• tara
• ta ta for now
• TTFN

Further reading

• “ta ta”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.

Anagrams

• atta