TTFN

abbreviation for

1. ta-ta for now

More About TTFN

What does TTFN mean?

TTFN is short for ta-ta for now. It is a way of saying “goodbye” or, more casually, “see ya later.”

How is TTFN pronounced?

[ tee-tee-ef-en ] or [tah-tah fer nou ]

What are other forms of TTFN?

ttfn

What are some other words related to TTFN?

• cya
• ttyl

Where does TTFN come from?

Ta-ta is an informal way of saying “goodbye,” especially in British English. TTFN, standing for ta-ta for now, was popularized during World War II by the radio comedy program It’s That Man Again. On that show, the character Mrs. Mopp used ta-ta for now and TTFN as a catchphrase. The program itself shortened its name to ITMA, satirizing the many military acronyms used during the war.

<iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fxscOC2tFnY" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

TTFN spread outside of its native England thanks to an overly friendly stuffed tiger. In Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day—a 1968 Disney animated film based on the book Winnie-the-Pooh by the English author A. A. Milne—the character Tigger uses TTFN to say goodbye. TTFN does not appear in Milne’s books and was ad-libbed by Tigger’s voice actor, Paul Winchell, based on a suggestion from his wife. Tigger used TTFN as a catchphrase in all of his appearances afterwards.

<iframe loading="lazy" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R24Ro8_iIL8" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

After Winchell, the role of Tigger passed to voice actor Jim Cummings, who kept the TTFN tradition alive in the many TV shows, films, and video games Tigger appeared in.

How is TTFN used in real life?

Thanks to Winnie the Pooh’s massive popularity, TTFN is intimately associated with Tigger, appearing in a variety of merchandise and memorabilia.

TTFN! check out that tigger tail pic.twitter.com/ZgOo66CcBR

— Showcase of Wishes (@ShowcaseWishes) July 29, 2015

However, TTFN still sees plenty of non-Tigger-related usage among speakers of U.K. English online as a fun, cute, familiar, and convenient way of saying bye.

The negativity on here has finally outweighed the information and enjoyment I get. Doubt my presence will be missed. TTFN

— Ex-Carrot in London (@adders66) September 10, 2018

 

More examples of TTFN:

“We LYLAS, But It’s Time To Say TTFN As AOL Instant Messenger Signs Off For Good”

—NPR (headline), December 2017