Kiwi Word of the Day #4 – Ta

The wonderful thing about Tiggers
Is Tiggers are wonderful things
Their tops are made out of rubber
Their bottoms are made out of springs
They’re bouncy, trouncy, flouncy, pouncy
Fun, fun, fun, fun, FUN!
The most wonderful thing about Tiggers is
I’m the only one!

The Kiwi phrase “Ta” brought me back to my childhood and my favorite Winnie the Pooh character. Up until now, I believed that Tigger and my mother were the only ones to ever use Ta; and it was always a way of saying goodbye: “T-T-F-N…Ta Ta For Now!”

But I’ve come to realize that there’s an entire nation of “Ta” users!!  However, the Kiwis clearly didn’t grow up with Tigger, for they’ve put their own spin on the word.

Rather than stutter “Ta Ta,” the Kiwis use the word only once and it’s a way of saying “Thanks.”

Merv: Could you pass the butter please?

Katie: Here ya go.

Merv: Ta.

I have to admit that this is another case in which I dig my heels in the ground. For me, “ta” will forever be used in accordance with my beloved Tigger.