Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Toodle-oo


My daughter and I were saying toodle-oo the other day on the
phone and it got me to thinking about the origins of the word, which
I often find fascinating. Here's what I found at Take Our Word For It.
Number two is my guess.

Toodle-oo was originally tootle-oo and first appeared
in writing between 1905 and 1907. There are several
theories as to its origin:

1. It comes from the word tootle meaning "to depart",
which itself comes colloquially from toddle "to walk
sometimes", as a toddler does;

2. It is a Cockney corruption of French à tout à l'heure
"I'll see you soon"; or

3. It arose as an onomatopoeic imitation of the old
bulb-blown horns found on early motor cars
(like the one that Harpo Marx used so effectively),
which were often sounded on departing.

24 comments:

  1. Leave it to Americans to bastardize a saying so effectively! Although I do think British when I hear it...maybe it's the Brit's fault!

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  2. I choose option number two. It reminds me of Eliza Dolittle's father.

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  3. Well we used that phrase all the time in England but I have to admit I don't recall ever seeing it written.
    I always thought of 'the jazz age' when using/hearing it - those lovely old motor cars with running boards and jump seats, bob-haired flappers, cream flannel trousers. What a time that was - wish I had been there!

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  4. I LOVE this post! Maybe because I often sign a quick note with "Toodles," or maybe because that photo is so hilarious, too, but it's wonderful, anyway! Interesting--I'll bet you're right about its origins. Sounds reasonable to me. Great post.

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  5. Funny image and interesting post. And now can you tell us the origin of "Ta, ta" ?

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  6. Willow...I haven't heard that expression in ages...but it reminded me so of my friend Josie...she is British...and she says Toodles now and then when we are parting from a phone conversation...

    A fun memory...old Harpo :)

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  7. Great post! It does bring to mind "British" to me as well when I hear it...

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  8. Oh Willow, I use "toodles" all the time....but never once have given any thought to the origins....but now I know (at least I have my pick of theories) and I'm glad....thank you for this informative post.

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  9. Thanks for the smiles! I'm with you, I would venture to guess that the origin of the saying is theory number two.

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  10. Very interesting! I choose number 2, too! Funny pic of Mr. Marx!

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  11. Very interesting, thanks for the education!

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  12. Very interesting Willow! Are you familiar with "A Word A Day"? http://wordsmith.org/awad/

    Anu sends such interesting words and their origins to your e-mail box every day for free!

    This weeks theme, interestingly enough, is "words borrowed from Irish" ;-)

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  13. Strange, isn't it, that we use words or phrases....we all understand, but we never consider where it came from. Hmmmmm

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  14. By the way.....it's probably French...just my guess.

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  15. Your Stone Fruit Cobbler looks yummy....I wish I had some; but until then...."Toodle-loo"
    The Bach

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  16. Pretty cool. I think #2 is a safe bet!

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  17. I have another theory: it's short for "I have to toddle off (or 'toodle') to the loo now!"

    Your blog title showed up on my new blogroll and got me worried. I thought you were saying goodbye to the blog world, and after I had just found your site which would have really been a downer as it adds such warmth to my blog ventures!

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  18. That’s most interesting. Of course, I find words, their meanings, and especially their derivation fascinating. Thanks for the research.

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  19. That’s most interesting. Of course, I find words, their meanings, and especially their derivation fascinating. Thanks for the research.

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  20. Thanks for your post, Willow. I, too, enjoy discovering the origin of certain words and phrases. I always thought, though, that the expression was "toodle-oo." Anyway, here is a site that might provide a few insights: http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/toodle-oo.html Love the photo!!

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  21. i'm more familiar with the use of "toodles" i guess but definitely think british when i hear it. i like this word origin theme!

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  22. Fascinating, I love etymology!
    Funny, we were wondering about the other day the origins of the word toodle-pip ... which I guess is another step on from the oo version :)

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  23. Totally interesting! I mostly lean towards the last.
    Toot Toot!
    Yes, I can see the teens and hipsters having fun with the word.

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)