Yes, ta is a word. An informal word, but all the same ta is used in many areas in England instead of the more conventional thank you. In turn, thank you (or if you prefer it, ta) to Ellen Hawley, author of Notes from the U.K., for asking why we say ta, and therefore providing the inspiration for this post.
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary (11th ed.) identifies “ta” as a British expression. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (5th ed.) labels it “chiefly British,” and describes it as a “baby-talk alteration of thank you.”
Ta means 'thank you'.
Britannica Dictionary definition of TA. British, informal. — used to say “thank you”
Yes, it's a British English colloquial or slang word for 'thank you'. It's not used much these days and usually only when spoken, not written. It's very colloquial for 'thanks' - but it's used in a very informal way.
Another classic case of Australians shortening everything. Meaning 'thank you', ta is usually used for the times when you are in a rush or want to send a quick text to show your appreciation for something.
Ta. 'Ta' means 'thank you'.
Clarity around the role of a teaching assistant (TA) in Australia can be a challenge. The term 'teaching assistant' refers to an adult who works in the classroom to support teachers.
Ta is also part of Northern English dialect, and is widely used in the North. An interesting theory is that it could have originated from the Scots Gaelic expression for thank you, tapadh leibh. Or possibly from a Scandinavian language in the times of Viking invasions.
TA, int. An exclamation of impatience or exasperation.
Tickety-boo – means OK and may have originated from a Hindi word meaning everything is fine. It's one of those nice-sounding words you will hear when someone wants to express everything is going exceptionally well.
“Cheers, mate” is the same as the English word, Thank You, while “No worries” or No drama” translates to “You're welcome” in Australian slang. If you notice, the word “mate” is often used.
In British English, ma'am has become uncommon, although it is prescribed when addressing a queen more than once: after first addressing her as Your Majesty, one uses ma'am.
General Conversation:
Ta/Cheers – An abbreviation of thanks.
Ta' – Thank you. Tellin' ye' – Emphasizing agreement.
Etymology. From Middle English thanks, thankes, from Old English þancas (“thanks”), from Proto-Germanic *þankōs, nominative plural of *þankaz (“thought, gratitude”), from Proto-Indo-European *teng- (“to think, feel”).
Hearing “heaps” is HEAPS common in Australia. It's basically used in place of “very” or “a lot.” If something is amazing, it's heaps good. If you're feeling especially grateful— thanks heaps!
“Cheers!”
Aussies use “cheers!” in a number of instances: to say thank you, in celebration, when drinking, and to say hello and goodbye. Get ready to hear “cheers mate!” a lot. No matter how strange sounding these Aussie slang terms are at first, you will inevitably adopt them in no time. Welcome to Straya!
The term "lad" is also used in Australian youth culture to refer to the Eshay subculture which is more similar to the chav or football casual subcultures, rather than the middle class student subculture the term refers to in the United Kingdom.
Hooroo = Goodbye
Australian goodbye is “Hooroo”; sometimes they even “cheerio” like British people, a UK slang word.