TTFN
Encyclopedia
TTFN is an initialism for a colloquial valediction
, 'ta ta for now', based on 'ta ta', an informal 'goodbye', approximately equivalent to 'bye bye', 'see ya' or 'laters'. The expression came to prominence, in the UK
, during the Second World War
.
TTFN is still used occasionally in ham radio as an ending to a transmission but was brought into popular use in the UK in 1941 in the weekly radio comedy ITMA
by the character Mrs Mopp. From 1939, initialisms, previously rarely used except by the military
, were heard more frequently by the British public. ITMA
satirized
them by coining TTFN, a "pointless" initialism (no easier to say than the phrase on which it was based) and using it as a catchphrase.
TTFN is frequently used in The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
by Tigger
, often followed by a "hoo hoo hoo hoo!" as he bounces away on his tail made out of springs. Tigger
's profound over-usage of the colloquialism ushered in a new era of TTFN users, primarily young U.S. adults who watched Disney Channel
as children.
'Ta ta for now' caught on with the British public so much that it was often uttered by dying people as their last words.
It was a catchphrase of Jimmy Young
, a BBC Radio
disc jockey
and entertainer from 1967, until he retired in 2001.
Valediction
A valediction , or complimentary close in American English, is an expression used to say farewell, especially a word or phrase used to end a letter or message, or the act of saying parting words- whether brief, or extensive.For the greetings counterpart to valediction, see salutation.Alternatively,...
, 'ta ta for now', based on 'ta ta', an informal 'goodbye', approximately equivalent to 'bye bye', 'see ya' or 'laters'. The expression came to prominence, in the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
TTFN is still used occasionally in ham radio as an ending to a transmission but was brought into popular use in the UK in 1941 in the weekly radio comedy ITMA
It's That Man Again
It's That Man Again was a BBC radio comedy programme which ran from 1939 to 1949. The title was a contemporary phrase referring to ever more frequent news-stories about Hitler in the lead-up to World War II, and specifically a headline in the Daily Express written by Bert Gunn...
by the character Mrs Mopp. From 1939, initialisms, previously rarely used except by the military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
, were heard more frequently by the British public. ITMA
It's That Man Again
It's That Man Again was a BBC radio comedy programme which ran from 1939 to 1949. The title was a contemporary phrase referring to ever more frequent news-stories about Hitler in the lead-up to World War II, and specifically a headline in the Daily Express written by Bert Gunn...
satirized
Satire
Satire is primarily a literary genre or form, although in practice it can also be found in the graphic and performing arts. In satire, vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ideally with the intent of shaming individuals, and society itself, into improvement...
them by coining TTFN, a "pointless" initialism (no easier to say than the phrase on which it was based) and using it as a catchphrase.
TTFN is frequently used in The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh is an American animated television series produced by Walt Disney Television that ran from 1988 to 1991, inspired by A. A. Milne's Winnie-the-Pooh stories.-Overview:...
by Tigger
Tigger
Tigger is a fictional tiger-like character originally introduced in A. A. Milne's book The House at Pooh Corner. Like other Pooh characters, Tigger is based on one of Christopher Robin Milne's stuffed animals...
, often followed by a "hoo hoo hoo hoo!" as he bounces away on his tail made out of springs. Tigger
Tigger
Tigger is a fictional tiger-like character originally introduced in A. A. Milne's book The House at Pooh Corner. Like other Pooh characters, Tigger is based on one of Christopher Robin Milne's stuffed animals...
's profound over-usage of the colloquialism ushered in a new era of TTFN users, primarily young U.S. adults who watched Disney Channel
Disney Channel
Disney Channel is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by the Disney-ABC Television Group division of The Walt Disney Company. It is under the direction of Disney-ABC Television Group President Anne Sweeney. The channel's headquarters is located on West Alameda Ave. in...
as children.
'Ta ta for now' caught on with the British public so much that it was often uttered by dying people as their last words.
It was a catchphrase of Jimmy Young
Jimmy Young (disc jockey)
Sir Jimmy Young CBE was a British singer, disc jockey and radio interviewer.-Early life:...
, a BBC Radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
and entertainer from 1967, until he retired in 2001.