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According to the Urban Dictionary:

to toodle pip a dear friend means to say goodbye in a very friendly way.

How common is this expression? Can I use it without any fear to be misunderstood?

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The expression was common among upper-class English people around 100 years ago but is now very much obsolete. If you use it now you run a severe risk of not being understood or of being considered foolish. The Urban Dictionary is a VERY BAD source of information for English learners.

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  • Are there any modern alternatives to it?
    – Untapped Soul
    Aug 14, 2020 at 10:21
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    'Toodle pip' was an old-fashioned slang expression for 'goodbye'. I've never heard it used as a verb to toodle-pip someone.
    – Kate Bunting
    Aug 14, 2020 at 14:54
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    The etymology is fun. Toodle from "toodle-oo" probalby from a "tout a l'heure" (see you soon, in French) and "pip" probably from the sound of a bicycle bell. "Toodle pip" was always an exclaimation, not a verb. Modern alternative: "See you later", which could be shortened to "see you"
    – James K
    Aug 14, 2020 at 15:27
  • Thank you both Kate Bunting and James K. That is very actually very interesting.
    – Untapped Soul
    Aug 14, 2020 at 16:08

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