▪ I. bye-bye1
(ˈbaɪˌbaɪ)
Also by-by, and simply bye.
A sound used to lull a child to sleep; hence, a childish name for ‘sleep’ or ‘bed’.
| a 1500 Carol in Rel. Ant. II. 76 By, by, lulley{ddd}By and lulley. 1636 N. Wallington in Ann. Dubrensia (1877) 32 Pug sang By-babie, with delightfull charmes. 1689 in Gazophyl. Angl. 1721–1800 Bailey, By by..commonly Sung by Nurses to cause their Nurslings to fall asleep. 1867 R. Broughton Cometh up as Flower xxii, Go to bye bye. 1885 Boughton Sk. Rambl. Holland x. 144 Various strange ‘by-by's’ that he has gone to in his time. Nursery Rime. Bye, baby bunting. |
▪ II. bye-bye2
(ˈbaɪˈbaɪ)
Also by-by(e, bye bye, 8 b'uy b'uy and simply b'y.
A colloquial and nursery variant of good-bye.
| 1709 Tatler No. 2, For Hat and Sword He'd call, Then, after a faint Kiss,—cry, B'y, Dear Moll: Supper and Friends expect me. 1736 Bailey, By by, us'd familiarly, and chiefly to Children, instead of Good b'y or God be with you. a 1745 Swift Wks. (1768) VI. 320 B'uy, B'uy, Nic, not one poor smile at parting. 1777 Sheridan Sch. Scand. iii. i, I shall..interrupt you—so bye! bye! 1872 Lever Ld. Kilgobbin xiv. (1875) 95 ‘By-by!’ said Atlee, carelessly, and he strolled away. |