… but had a direct of mine (from the UK) use in IM today.
[Q] From Christopher Key: “Several of my Canadian friends use the term tickety-boo to describe an event that is proceeding quickly. Any idea where this one originates?”
[A] It’s certainly common in Canada, but is very probably British in origin. The usual meaning, by the way, is more that something is satisfactory, all in order, or OK.
We can’t be sure what its origin is. Eric Partridge always contended that the word was forces’ slang, most probably from the Royal Air Force, and that it dates from the early 1920s or thereabouts (though the Oxford English Dictionary doesn’t find a written example before 1939). Considering the number of Canadians who flew with the RAF during World War II, its move to Canada isn’t surprising.
The difficult bit is taking the word back any further than the 1920s. It could combine that’s the ticket — with much the same sense — with the childish phrase peek-a-boo. But some find a link with the British Army in India, suggesting it comes from the Hindi phrase tikai babu, which is translated as “it’s all right, sir”.
I know it’s been in use in Britain for ages because Rimmer in Red Dwarf uses it on several occasions and that’s a pretty old series these days.
“I know it’s been in use in Britain for ages…pretty old series these days.”
Because Les is 15.
It’s quite old fashioned- you won’t hear it a lot. Rather Wodehouse.
But he’s a very precocious 15. 🙂
And, yes, I can just imagine Bertie saying, “So, Jeeves, looks like all’s right as rain and tickety-boo, eh?” In fact, now I’m not sure if I’ve got a false memory, but I think I can recall Hugh Laurie saying something using that phrase.
Okay, I definitely need to start using this.
The thing about Hugh Laurie is that Lieutenant (Say it correctly) George may have said it. Or even House when annoying the Aussie minion.
On Monday put your head round a door at work and say “Everything Tickety-Boo”. Whilst they look at you confused say “Top Hole” and leave.
(You’re mission, should you choose to accept it, is to start talking like an ‘Honourable’ from 1927).