Wayne’s Word – Cheerio

It’s a little nod to Wayne’s World, but instead of ‘party time, excellent’ (if you are aware of the cult nineties classic) I will be diving into one WORD each day. It could be something I learned, something bizarre that happened, a favourite word that I have rediscovered or just a thought that won’t leave me alone.

If you’re joining in on today’s word, feel free to use this tag to connect your post to the series: #WaynesWord

Today’s word is CHEERIO.

Cheerio (not the cereal) is one of those wonderfully British and Irish words that manages to be both cheerful and comforting. It is most often used as a farewell and feels warmer and friendlier than a simple “goodbye.”

Growing up in Northern Ireland, cheerio was a word I heard all the time. It was a perfectly ordinary way to end a conversation, whether you were leaving a shop, saying goodbye to neighbours, or finishing a phone call. Since moving to Australia, however, I can hardly remember hearing it at all. Perhaps it simply never took hold here, or perhaps it belongs to an older generation.

In fact, I’m not even sure I hear it much when I’m back home these days. Is that a sign that I’m getting older or is cheerio quietly fading from everyday use as younger people favour other expressions? I suppose anguage is always changing, and words that once seemed commonplace can suddenly become little reminders of another time.

Anyways, the timing of this word feels especially fitting, as I’m literally heading home to Northern Ireland (using the free WiFi up in the sky) for a few weeks’ holiday. So, for now, it’s only appropriate to say cheerio! Not goodbye, just a warm farewell until my next blog post. Have a lovely weekend everyone and chat to you all soon.