cheerio

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See also: Cheerio

English

Etymology

From cheer and/or cheery +‎ -o.

Pronunciation

Interjection

cheerio

  1. (UK, Ireland, Commonwealth, informal) Goodbye, an interjection said upon parting.
    • 1921, P. G. Wodehouse, Indiscretions of Archie, ch. XIII. Rallying Round Percy:
      "In that case," said Archie, relieved, "cheerio, good luck, pip-pip, toodle-oo, and good-bye-ee! I'll be shifting!"
    • 2019 October 23, Pip Dunn, “The next king of Scotland”, in Rail, page 50:
      But we all knew it wasn't the final end of the HST. This wasn't "goodbye", more like a "cheerio, see you someplace soon".
  2. (rare) Hello; a greeting.
    • 1947, Anita Bell, He Done Her Wrong:
      Cheerio, everybody! What a delightful gathering of charming femininity!

Usage notes

Rarely used in North America. Although likely to be understood, it is likely to be considered humorous, and may be used in a parody of British English and Irish English speakers.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

cheerio (plural cheerios)

  1. (Queensland, New Zealand) A small saveloy often consumed with tomato sauce at parties.
    • 1978, New Zealand. Parliament. House of Representatives, Parliamentary Debates, page 4230:
      The man who has gone around the cocktail circuit pounding cheerios to the end of time did not come in here and open his mouth once on the Bill.

Synonyms

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia