I never understood why "There, there" is supposed to cheer someone up. Does anyone know?
Learn English – Where did “There, there” (in consoling) come from
idioms
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Best Answer
I don't think it's got much to do with the meaning of the word "there" at all.
It's just a soothing sound that's fairly easy to make. If you repeat it enough times I'm sure it has a somewhat hypnotic effect. Like humming baby to sleep.
LATER: One could go on forever postulating soothing words that could rationally follow one meaningful utterance of the word, but I think this is pointless. It's a kind of mantra, just not as meaningful as Om mani padme hum Which I didn't know meant anything either, until Wikipedia just informed me. But I still wouldn't believe Wikipedia if it told me why we say "There there".
I'll also just point out that earlier on we're much more likely to say "Here" to a distressed child, while presenting a sweet, comforting toy, cuddle, or whatever. Even to a baby too young to understand any words. But curiously, repeating that word rapidly turns it into either an admonition or something cheerleading British MPs say when one of their party scores a political point in 'Parliamentary debate' (if that's not an oxymoron).
In short, the meaning of "There there" is irrelevant to usage, as well as origin.