Have you ever seen TTFN at the end of an email and wondered what it means? Click here for a complete guide to the meaning of TTFN.

You may have seen it in an email, a text message, or even a letter (if you’re old school), but maybe you’ve been a little puzzled at what TTFN means. Obviously, it’s an acronym for something, but what does it stand for?

TTFN is an abbreviation used every once in a while, but it isn’t commonplace anymore. Because of this, many people don’t understand what it means or how to use it.

So today, we’re going to give you a complete guide to the word TTFN. By the end, you’ll have all the info on the definition of this word, its history, and how to use it.

What’s The Definition of TTFN?

TTFN is an acronym that stands for “ta-ta for now.” To some people, it might seem like a strange phrase without much meaning. Here’s a definition of the phrase “ta-ta for now”:

An informal way of saying goodbye for a short period, implying a reunion soon. Most commonly used at the end of an email or text

Some people use the phrase “ta-ta for now” on its own without the abbreviation. However, this phrase is less common in American English-speaking countries and more common in British English-speaking countries.

The initialism TTFN today is far more common than the full phrase. It’s most commonly seen online, whether on social media, in a text, or at the end of an email.

Where Did TTFN Come From?

To get the full history of TTFN, let’s first look at the history of the phrase “ta-ta for now.” The word ta-ta has its origins in the early 19th century. During this time, the word was an adaptation of infant speech, and it was primarily used in nursery settings by children, nannies, and the like to say goodbye.

This was a mostly child-like phrase, so it did not have much use outside of the nursery setting. Then, Charles Dickens used the phrase in his work The Pickwick Papers. Because his writings were so popular, people started to use ta-ta more often.

The phrase “ta-ta for now” did not come about until the 1940s. A British public radio comedy show called It’s That Man Again was incredibly popular during World War II. There was a character on the show named Mrs. Mopp who would leave every scene by saying, “Ta-ta for now!”

As the show progressed, the characters began to use a lot of acronyms to poke fun at the military’s growing use of acronyms during the time of the war. To make this joke, they shortened the show’s name to ITMA from It’s That Man Again, and Mrs. Mopp’s signature catchphrase goodbye would be shortened to TTFN. And thus, the acronym was born.

Significant Usages of TTFN

Since the word was coined, TTFN has become a popular line that has been used in several important moments.

In the 1966 Batman television show, Catwoman uses the acronym to say goodbye to Batman, leaving him puzzled at what the acronym meant.

Two years later in the Disney short film Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day, Tigger’s voice actor Paul Winchell famously ad-libbed TTFN into the script. A.A. Milne didn’t write it into the original books, but this usage quickly became iconic.

When Can I Use TTFN?

TTFN is a fairly casual word. It’s perfect for an informal context when you want to make a nice cheery goodbye, but in a formal setting like a speech or very important email, it might not be the best word to choose. However, there are some notable exceptions. Here are a few times when you could use TTFN.

When Signing Off an Email

TTFN is a great way to close out a normal, run-of-the-mill email that you send at work. When you’re sending and receiving emails all day, it can be good to make some of them casual. TTFN is a great way to loosen up your email signature if the moment is right.

In a Quick Text

TTFN can also be used in a text message. Once you’ve wrapped up the conversation with your friend, a nice TTFN can be the perfect way to close a casual conversation.

As a Comical Farewell

Because TTFN is mostly used in online circles today, it can make for a comical goodbye to physically speak out the acronym when saying goodbye to someone in person.

To Lighten a Serious Moment

In certain situations, a slightly comical goodbye can be a great way to bring some lightheartedness to a serious moment. In Britain, “ta-ta for now” has become so common that many people often use it as their last words before passing away.

What Are Some Examples of TTFN in a Sentence?

Here are some examples of TTFN used in a sentence to help clarify its meaning and how to use it:

Alright, honey, I’m off for my business trip, so TTFN!

TTFN, LOL, TTYL, I just can’t keep all of these internet acronyms straight!

If you could get me that project by EOD Thursday, that would be great! Thanks, TTFN!

I’m headed to the grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner. TTFN!

What Are Some Synonyms of TTFN?

Here are some synonyms for TTFN:

TTYL
See you later
Goodbye
Toodle-oo
So long
Bye-bye
See you
Sayonara
Adieu

Time To Say TTFN

There you have it: TTFN! Now, you’ve mastered today’s word of the day and are ready to sign your emails off with style. Use TTFN in your writing, speech, texts, and more. And if you need a refresher on TTFN, its definitions, or its history, come back to this article for all of the information you’ll need.

Sources

Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.

TTFN Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How to Use It

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