THE RPTR MISINTERPRETED 'TAXI BACK' TO MEAN 'TAXI BACK TO THE RAMP.'

Narrative

AFTER SEVERAL 'FOR THE OPTION' LNDGS; I REQUESTED A FULL STOP. DURING THE ROLLOUT I RECEIVED A 'TURN R AT NEXT INTXN AND TAXI BACK' FROM THE TWR. I WAS SURPRISED THAT I WAS NOT SWITCHED OVER TO GND AS THE TWR AND PATTERN WAS QUITE BUSY. (IT IS COMMON PRACTICE AT THE FIELD TO REMAIN ON THE TWR FREQ WHEN TAXIING BACK.) IN HINDSIGHT I COULD HAVE BROKEN THE 'ERROR' CHAIN AT THIS POINT. I ANSWERED THE TWR WITH 'TAXI BACK;' TRYING TO KEEP THE FREQ CLR. JUST BEFORE I REACHED THE FUEL PUMP THE TWR ASKED IF I HAD TAXIED TO THE RAMP. I REPLIED THAT I WAS ABOUT TO SHUT DOWN. THE TWR SAID 'OK; JUST LET ME KNOW NEXT TIME.' I REPLIED THAT HE HAD AUTHORIZED ME TO TAXI BACK TO THE RAMP. THE TWR THEN CONTACTED ANOTHER ACFT AND AFTER WAITING A COUPLE OF MINS; WITH A CLR FREQ; I SHUT DOWN. THE PATTERN WAS RATHER BUSY THAT DAY AND THE CTLR HAD HIS HANDS FULL. I WAS TRYING TO HELP BY KEEPING MY REQUESTS AND RESPONSES SHORT. HOWEVER; IN THE FUTURE I WILL BE VERY SPECIFIC; IE; RESPONDING 'TAXI BACK TO XXX RAMP.' I USE THIS PROC IN TKOF REQUESTS AND CLRNC. (RESPONDING WITH RWY NUMBER EVEN IF THE CTLR DID NOT SPECIFY).