BS: what does TRAAA mean?

Subject: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Celtaddict
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 12:20 AM

A friend from across the pond adds at the end of posts, "Tra." I assumed this was one of those expressions like "Ta ta." It expanded to "Traaa." It now seems to have escalated to "TRAAAAAAAAA." Is this random, or a stuck key, or maybe something I am supposed to know or understand?
In our family "LOL" was added to messages to mean "lots of love" so I am still getting used to "laughing out loud."

Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Snuffy
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 06:42 AM

Tra, tara and tata are the same word pronounced with varying amounts of care and precision- they all mean the same as bye-bye

TTFN (tata for now) is an English abbreviation that probably dates back 50 years

Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 07:17 AM

"Ta-ta" (short "A" on first "ta", long on second) is the correct form (hyphen optional). It's supposedly derived from a nursery form of valediction. "TTFN" goes back to a popular wartime radio show, ITMA [It's That Man Again], with comedian Tommy Handley, and reflects the BBC's obsession with initials. "Ta-ta" goes back a much longer way, and there was a music hall song, Put on your ta-ta, little girlie [... and come for a ta-ta with me]; here the meaning has been extended to include "hat" and "walk". The second "T" is elided in some areas to give "Tarra", or even "Traa".

You came to the right place, Snuffy!

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 07:18 AM

I meant Celtaddict, not Snuffy!

Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Trevor
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 08:10 AM

Or as you and I might say Steve (and Snuffy, as he works in the Black Country), 'Tararabit!'

Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Snuffy
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 08:18 AM

Or in Welsh "Tarawel"

Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 08:58 AM

And the derivative "tatty bye" has nothing to do with purchasing potatoes in Ireland

Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 10:14 AM

"Tatty-bye" was coined by comic Ken Dodd, unless anyone knows of an earlier occurrence?

Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Celtaddict
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 07:49 PM

I love this site.
Next time I write him back I'll close, "Tarawel."

Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Joybell
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 08:03 PM

Ta muchly! for all this wonderful info. Fond Tatawells with and from Joy

Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Rapparee
Date: 30 Oct 03 - 04:16 PM

Tarawa in an atoll in the South Pacific, scene of a battle in WW2.

"Taytee" is spelled "tatee" and accepted in Idaho as a synonym for "potato." So is "spud" of course. Never call anyone from Idaho a "spud dud" or an "Idahoer" as both are considered insults.