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BS: what does TRAAA mean?

29 Oct 03 - 12:20 AM (#1043586)
Subject: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Celtaddict

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."


29 Oct 03 - 06:42 AM (#1043696)
Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Snuffy

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


29 Oct 03 - 07:17 AM (#1043715)
Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Steve Parkes

"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


29 Oct 03 - 07:18 AM (#1043717)
Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Steve Parkes

I meant Celtaddict, not Snuffy!


29 Oct 03 - 08:10 AM (#1043741)
Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Trevor

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


29 Oct 03 - 08:18 AM (#1043749)
Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Snuffy

Or in Welsh "Tarawel"


29 Oct 03 - 08:58 AM (#1043771)
Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: George Papavgeris

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


29 Oct 03 - 10:14 AM (#1043813)
Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Steve Parkes

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


29 Oct 03 - 07:49 PM (#1044163)
Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Celtaddict

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


29 Oct 03 - 08:03 PM (#1044176)
Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Joybell

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


30 Oct 03 - 04:16 PM (#1044767)
Subject: RE: BS: what does TRAAA mean?
From: Rapparee

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.