Why do people say "cheerio"?

[KurtNYC]

Real brits say "cheers" -- Isn't "cheerio" from that Lionel Bart song in "Oliver!" Is there another origin for "cheerio"?

The breakfast cereal? If so, should my answer be "Chex" ?

[miss_kitty]

1. they say it because the like the oaty goodness of a

good-bye phrase

[KurtNYC]

3. So it is good for their heart... I see now

[miss_kitty]

5. yeah. i think you can knock a lot of points off your cholesterol

by saying it every day.

[pagerbear]

2. I say Count Chocula

[Deja Q]

4. That's because to say 'frosted flakes' would imply that they are...

drunken idiots. :D

[tg]

6. Because ...

... after you've said "Pip pip, ..." what else can you say. The real trick is to be the one who says "Ta, Ta." first.
- Chief Lee Brit