Tomn.1
/tɒm/, U.S. /tɑm/ 1. A familiar shortening of the male forename Thomas.† a. Used to refer to a generic representative of a certain type of person, typically in combination with another word or phrase which functions as a kind of surname, and denotes or alludes to an occupation, distinguishing feature, or characteristic. Obsolete except in specific combinations: see Compounds 1b.See also tomfool n., Tom Tailor n. 1.† c. (The name of) a lunatic; (also) a person who feigns insanity in order to obtain money by begging; short for Tom o' Bedlam n. at Compounds 1b(b). Obsolete.
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c1400 (c1378) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Laud 581) (1869) B. iv. l. 17 And also tomme trewe-tonge-telle-me-no-tales.
c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vesp.) (1873) C. xxiii. l. 162 Here syre was a sysour þat neuere swor treuthe, Or tomme to-tonged [a1425 Huntington HM 143 Tomme two-tonge] ateynt at eche enqueste.
1542 N. Udall tr. Erasmus Apophthegmes ii. f. 179v For his malaparte toungne called at home..Parrhesiastes, (as ye woulde saye in englyshe), Thom trouthe, or plain Sarisbuirie.
1581 J. Bell tr. W. Haddon & J. Foxe Against Jerome Osorius f. 68v They will all condemne you for tomme trifler.
1592 R. Greene Quip for Vpstart Courtier sig. G Last to you Tom tapster, that tap your small cannes of beare to the poore, and yet fill them halfe full of froth.
1598 Health to Gentlemanly Profession Seruingmen sig. Biij The Clowne, the Slouen, and Tom althummes.
1600 J. Lane Tom Tel-Troths Message 713 But sooth to say, Tom-teltroth will not lie, We heere haue blaz'd Englands iniquitie.
a1640 J. Day & H. Chettle Blind-beggar (1659) sig. C2 I think not, but thou and this Tom Tawny coat here gulls me.
a1750 A. Hill Wks. (1753) IV. 67 Honest Tom Tar, of unpacific fist.
1793 Universal Mag. Apr. 272/2 Tom Dingy, who affects the utmost slovenliness of apparel.
b. (A generic name for) a man or boy, esp. one considered ordinary or unexceptional; a fellow, a chap. Frequently in collocation with other common male forenames: see also Tom, Dick, and Harry at Phrases 1b.
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?1563 in I. W. Archer et al. Relig., Politics, & Society in 16th-cent. Eng. (2003) 77 They..layed siege thervnto, encamping them selfes rounde aboute the walles in grete nombers, every Hick and Tom making him self a capitan.
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 898 Dicke the Sheepheard blowes his naile: And Thom beares Logges into the hall. View more context for this quotation
1622 J. Taylor Sir Gregory Nonsence sig. B5v I neither care what Tom, or Iacke, or Dick sed.
1697 in M. Prior State-poems 64 Pity it is that Men of noble Fame, should lose their Honour merely for the Name. 'Cause Tom's a Knave, must every Tom be so.
1709 Brit. Apollo 29 June–1 July She'll Whore and be Merry, With Ralph, Tom, and Harry.
1865 A. Smith Summer in Skye I. 46 Thereafter Tom, Jack and Harry; for every cab, carriage and omnibus..is now allowed to fall in.
1874 Railroad Gaz. 12 Sept. 355/1 Their advancement will depend upon what they know, and not upon their getting in favor with some Tom or Hank.
1917 Ladies' Home Jrnl. June 29/3 Some Tom or Bob or Bill..who is doing his ‘bit’..on the other side of the English Channel.
2007 Winchester (Virginia) Star 27 Oct. b6/2 The mediation has fallen in the trap prepared by the government by making the negotiations an arena for every Jack, Tom and Harry.
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the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > mentally ill person > [noun] > mad person
woodman1297
madmanc1330
lunatic1377
franticc1380
madwomana1438
March harec1500
Bedlam beggar1525
fanaticc1525
bedlama1529
frenetic1528
Jack o' Bedlam1528
Tom o' Bedlam1569
crack-brain1570
madbrain1570
Tom1575
madcap1589
gelt1596
madhead1600
brainsick1605
madpash1611
non compos1628
madling1638
bedlam-man1658
bedlamerc1675
fan1682
bedlamite1691
cracka1701
lymphatic1708
shatter-brain1719
mad1729
maniaca1763
non compos mentis1765
shatter-pate1775
shatter-wit1775
insane1786
craze1831
dement1857
crazy1867
crackpot1883
loony1884
bug1885
psychopath1885
dingbat1887
psychopathic1890
ding-a-ling1899
meshuggener1900
détraqué1902
maddiea1903
nut1908
mental1913
ding1929
lakes1934
wack1938
fruitcake1942
nutty1942
barm-pot1951
nutcake1953
nutter1958
nutcase1959
nut job1959
meshuga1962
nutsy1964
headcase1965
nutball1968
headbanger1973
nutso1975
wacko1977
nut bar1978
mentalist1990
the mind > possession > poverty > mendicancy > [noun] > beggar > Bedlam beggar
Bedlam beggar1525
bedlama1529
Tom1575
1575 J. Awdely Fraternitye of Vacabondes (new ed.) sig. A2 An Abraham man is he that..fayneth hym selfe mad..and nameth himselfe poore Tom.
1608 W. Shakespeare King Lear xi. 45 Who giues any thing to poore Tom . View more context for this quotation
1683 R. Dixon Canidia i. ii. 6 We treat Mad-Bedlams, Toms and Besses, With Ceremonies and Caresses.
1768 Coll. Poems Several Hands II. 75 So when, where Bedlam's air dress'd vision's dwell, Tom stalks a straw-crown'd monarch in his cell.
1803 Morning Post 12 Feb. A Mad Tom, from Bedlam, was well dressed with straw.
d. In traditional Yorkshire sword dancing: a clown who performs with the dancers. Cf. tomfool n. 2. rare.
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society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > performance of jester or comedian > [noun] > jester or comedian
jugglerc1175
foolc1300
jangler1303
fool sagec1330
ribald1340
ape-ward1362
japer1377
sage fool1377
harlotc1390
disporter?a1475
jocular?a1475
joculatora1500
jester?1518
idiot1526
scoffer1530
sporter1531
dizzardc1540
vice1552
antic1564
bauble-bearer1568
scoggin1579
buffoon1584
pleasant1595
zany1596
baladine1599
clown1600
fiddle1600
mimic1601
ape-carrier1615
mime1616
mime-man1631
merry man1648
tomfool1650
pickle-herring1656
badine1670
puddingc1675
merry-andrew1677
mimical1688
Tom Tram1688
Monaghan1689
pickled herring1711
ethologist1727
court-foola1797
Tom1817
mimer1819
fun-maker1835
funny man1839
mimester1846
comic1857
comedian1860
jokesman1882
comique1886
Joey1896
tummler1938
alternative comedian1981
Andrew-
1817 G. Young Hist. Whitby II. vi. 880 During the dance, two or three of the company, called Toms or clowns..are making antic gestures and movements to amuse the spectators.
2010 Folk Music Jrnl. 9 813 This image portrays a thirteen-strong company comprising six dancers..and three Toms or Clowns.
e. Originally U.S. slang (derogatory). Chiefly in African-American usage. A black person regarded as behaving in an obsequious, ingratiating, or servile manner towards a white person, or white people generally; short for Uncle Tom n.
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the world > people > ethnicities > division of mankind by physical characteristics > black person > [noun]
AfriceOE
MoorOE
EthiopOE
blomana1225
Ethiopiana1325
blue mana1387
Moriana1387
black mana1398
blackamoor1525
black Morian1526
black boy1530
molen1538
Nigro1548
Nigrite1554
Negro1555
neger1568
nigger1577
blackfellow1598
Kaffir1607
black1614
thick-lipsa1616
Hubsheea1627
black African1633
blackface1704
sambo1704
Cuffee1713
Nigritian1738
fellow1753
Cuff1755
blacky1759
mungo1768
Quashie1774
darkie?1775
snowball1785
blue skin1788
Moriscan1794
sooterkin1821
nigc1832
tar-brush1835–40
Jim Crow1838
sooty1838
mokec1847
dinge1848
monkey1849
Siddi1849
dark1853
nigre1853
Negroid1860
kink1865
Sam1867
Rastus1882
schvartze1886
race man1896
possum1900
shine1908
jigaboo1909
smoke1913
golliwog1916
jazzbo1918
boogie1923
jig1924
melanoderm1924
spade1928
jit1931
Zulu1931
eight ball1932
Afro1942
nigra1944
spook1945
munt1948
Tom1956
boot1957
soul brother1957
nig-nog1959
member1962
pork chop1963
splib1964
blood1965
non-voter1966
moolinyan1967
Oreo1968
boogaloo1972
pongo1972
moolie1988
1956 ‘B. Holiday’ & W. Dufty Lady sings Blues xi. 116 He'd bugged me so and practically made me feel like a Tom for not sitting down with him.
1968 N. Giovanni in W. King Black Short Story Anthol. (1972) 26 Toms, I told him, only have power if we let them have power. I mean, if a tom says get off the streets and you get off the streets, then that's your fault, not his.
1973 R. Ludlum Matlock Paper ii. 14 The African studies may be in trouble. That ‘Tom’ I recruited from Howard turned out to be..a little to the right of Louis XIV.
2006 P. E. Sanders & B. Cohen Zebra Murders iii. 42 There'd been so few black cops for so long that no one knew what to make of us... I used to say that we were ‘Toms’ outside the Hall of Justice and ‘niggers’ in it.
2. The name of certain exceptionally large bells; chiefly with modifying word or specifying place name, as Great Tom, Mighty Tom, Tom of Lincoln, Tom of Oxford, Tom of Exeter, etc. Hence attributive, applied to bell towers or other architectural features associated with such bells (esp. with reference to that at Christ Church, Oxford), as Tom Tower, Tom Gate, Tom Quad.
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society > faith > artefacts > division of building (general) > tower or steeple > [noun] > bell-tower > for great bell
Tom Tower1613
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > percussion instrument > bell > [noun] > very large bell
Tom1613
1613 W. Gamage Linsi-woolsie i. lxiii. sig. E4 So, Tom thy sound which all thy mates excels, Doth thine Oxonians cause to flie their Hoasts.
1631 R. Johnson Tom a Lincolne (ed. 6) ii. sig. B4v He sent..a thousand pound in treasures, to be bestowed vpon a great Bell to bee rung at his Funerall, which Bell hee caused to bee called Tom a Lincolne, after his owne name.
1667 Mr. White in J. Playford Hilton's Catch that catch Can (new ed.) 80 Great Tom is Cast, and Christ church Bells ring..and Tom comes last.
1685 H. Aldrich in J. Hilton Catch that catch Can (new ed.) sig. B1 The Dev'l a Man will leave his Can, 'till he hears the mighty Tom.
1705 E. Hickeringill Priest-craft 54 Whose Tongue was as clamorous and loud almost as Tom a Lincoln.
1787 ‘P. Pindar’ Ode upon Ode (ed. 5) 43 Thus when the Oxford Bell, baptiz'd Great Tom, Shakes all the City with his iron Tongue, The little tinklers might as well be dumb.
1818 A. Taylor Young Travellers 51 Having crossed the road and entered, by Tom gate, the great quadrangle or square.
1839 Penny Cycl. XIV. 8/2 The old bell, called the Tom of Lincoln..being exceeded only by ‘Mighty Tom’ of Oxford..and ‘Great Tom’ of Exeter.
1853 ‘C. Bede’ Adventures Mr. Verdant Green iii. 24 As he looks across the Christ Church Meadows and rolls past the Tom Tower.
1886 J. Ruskin Præterita I. xi. 369 I..amused myself till Tom rang in.
1922 S. Gardner Guide to Eng. Gothic Archit. 56 The central tower [of Lincoln Cathedral], called the Tom Tower, is perhaps the finest Gothic tower in existence.
1933 Musical Q. 19 385 As loud as Tom of Lincoln.
1940 Sewanee Rev. 48 175 Liddell..lived in the northeast angle of ‘Tom Quad’, and her professorial chum lived in the northwest angle.
2012 R. Shepherd Westminster xi. 84 ‘Great Tom’ became the hour bell of St Paul's Cathedral and, remarkably, after two re-castings, still rings out.
3. The jack of trumps in the card game gleek. Cf. Tib n.1 2. historical and rare after 17th cent.
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society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > other card games > [noun] > gleek > specific cards
Tom1647
Tiba1658
tiddy1662
towser1680
tumbler1680
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > card or cards > [noun] > picture-card > jack > in specific games
pur1592
Tom1647
maker1753
his heels1754
bragger1807
nob1821
right bower1839
1647 J. Cleveland Char. London-diurnall 14 That Gamester needs must over-come, That can play both Tib, and Tom.
1662 J. Cotgrave Wits Interpreter (ed. 2) 365 The Ace is called Tib, the Knave Tom, and the four of Trumps Tidie.
1674 C. Cotton Compl. Gamester vii. 95 If you have neither Tib, Tom, Tiddy, King, Queen, Mournival, nor Gleek, you lose because you count as many Cards as you had in tricks.
1969 V. Bartlett Past of Pastimes ix. 120 The ace was known as Tib ; the knave was Tom; four was Tiddy; five and six were Tower and Tumbler, and counted double.
4. With reference to an animal.
a. A male cat; = tomcat n. 1.Attested earlier as a conventional name for a male cat; see note in etymology at tomcat n.
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the world > animals > family unit > [noun] > male
malea1393
he1567
Tom1826
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Felidae (feline) > felis domesticus (cat) > [noun] > male
Gilbert?a1500
boar-cat1607
ram-cat1672
tomcat1772
tomling1821
Tom1826
1826 Townley's High Life below Stairs (rev. ed.) ii. i. 35 Your cat has kittened—two Toms and two Tabbies!
1872 London Society Jan. 74/2 A real tortoiseshell tom, in whose coat not one white hair could be found!
1905 Daily News 24 Jan. 8/1 Tiger, their cat (a beautifully marked tabby tom, aged five).
1962 G. Butler Coffin in Oxf. ii. 38 The undying burning hate of one un-neutered tom for another.
2004 Park Home & Holiday Caravan Feb. 47/2 She is somewhat unusual in that she is a ginger queen (most ginger cats are toms).
b. A male bird; esp. (now only) a male turkey.Quot. 1840 could be analysed as showing the related attributive use of the noun which is attested earlier; cf. Compounds 2a.
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the world > animals > birds > [noun] > male
cock1324
tread-fowlc1386
cock bird1600
Tom1840
the world > animals > birds > order Galliformes (fowls) > [noun] > member of Meleagrididae (turkey) > male
cock of India1546
brissel-cockc1565
guinea-cock1577
turkey-cock1578
gobbler1725
bubbly jock1785
staga1825
Tom1840
longbeard1974
1840 North Amer. & Daily Advertiser (Philadelphia) 12 June The story..about a tom, or male turkey, performing the duties of the female or hen turkey.
1875 W. D. Parish Dict. Sussex Dial. 123 I bought two hens and a tom off old Mis Cluckleford.
1884 Bazaar, Exchange & Mart 17 Dec. 2205/2 Hamburghs... Redcaps, four hens and tom, prize strain, handsome birds.
1893 G. D. Leslie Lett. to Marco xxxii. 214 The tom [i.e. a male swan] is very gallant in defence of his mate.
1939 S. J. Marsden & A. R. Lee Turkey Raising (U.S. Dept. Agric. Farmers' Bull. No. 1409) (rev. ed.) 9 As a rule good fertility will result when several toms are kept with a flock of hens.
2000 N.Y. Times 20 Nov. c16/2 The males, called toms later on, are fated to become cutlets, deli meats and processed products like turkey dogs and sausages.
5. A kind of long wooden trough used for washing gold-bearing material in order to separate out the gold; = Long Tom n. 2. Now chiefly historical.
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society > occupation and work > equipment > equipment for treating ores > [noun] > for washing ore > for gold
scour1619
rocker1828
cradle1833
pan1835
Long Tom1839
Tom1839
wash-bowl1848
gold washer1849
sluice1851
wash-pan1851
tub1853
gold pan1854
mining pan1858
pan mill1869
Tommy1892
1839 Amer. Railroad Jrnl. 15 Feb. 98 The Tom is generally placed directly along side of the pit to be worked, the gravel thrown into the machine between A and B, and, if of a clayey nature..is rubbed backwards, until the stones are clean.
1851 Sacramento Transcript 1 May 2/3 He informs us that four friends of his took a tom and went down to the creek, where they commenced washing a pile of earth which had been washed with a rocker twice before.
1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Miner's Right II. xiv. 27 We drove and raised our wash-dirt.., and afterwards separated it..by the old-fashioned expedient of a ‘tom’.
1958 J. Carew Black Midas vi. 112 The tom was a lightwood box eight feet by two and not very deep.
2004 S. Rivera Calif. Gold Rush 27 Miners threw dirt into the tom and the water washed it away.
6. Australian and New Zealand. A timber prop or brace used to secure something (e.g. part of a mine or building, or loose cargo), esp. by being wedged against an overhead structure. Cf. tom v. 2.
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society > occupation and work > workplace > places where raw materials are extracted > mine > [noun] > prop or support
crown tree1449
punch1462
prop1613
slider1653
sole1653
yoking1653
stow-blade1681
pit-bar1708
fork1747
head tree1747
studdle1758
lock piece1778
pit-prop1794
puncheon1815
stow-fork1824
plank tubbing1839
sprag1841
gib1847
chock1853
Tom1858
bratticing1866
pack1867
breastboard1877
brattice1881
wall-plate1881
strap1883
stretcher1883
1858 R. W. Stevens On Stowage Ships & their Cargoes 154 It is..lifted and propped up by ‘toms’ or ‘shores’ sufficiently high to allow the lower casks to be entered.., when (if necessary) the toms are removed, and all the tiers properly stowed.
1887 Auckland Weekly 7 May 19 In tapping under the rafter, the tom slipped, lifted the catch, and opened the dam.
1932 I. L. Idriess Prospecting for Gold 237 A tom is a prop, you jam one end under the roof with the other end resting on the floor.
1977 J. Doughty Gold in Blood 90 I wedged in the short ‘toms’ of timber to support the ‘back’ (roof) while I lay on my side, squeezed under the overhang.
1991 Hist. Places 29 The trips of the driving dam were held in place by a tom... The knocker tripped the trigger which in turn released the tom.
7. With reference to a woman.
a. Australian and New Zealand colloquial. Originally: a girlfriend, a sweetheart; (later) any girl or woman. Cf. tom-tart n. at Compounds 1a. Now rare.
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the world > people > person > woman > [noun]
wifeeOE
womaneOE
womanOE
queanOE
brideOE
viragoc1000
to wifeOE
burdc1225
ladyc1225
carlinec1375
stotc1386
marec1387
pigsneyc1390
fellowa1393
piecec1400
femalea1425
goddessa1450
fairc1450
womankindc1450
fellowessa1500
femininea1513
tega1529
sister?1532
minikinc1540
wyec1540
placket1547
pig's eye1553
hen?1555
ware1558
pussy?a1560
jade1560
feme1566
gentlewoman1567
mort1567
pinnacea1568
jug1569
rowen1575
tarleather1575
mumps1576
skirt1578
piga1586
rib?1590
puppy1592
smock1592
maness1594
sloy1596
Madonna1602
moll1604
periwinkle1604
Partlet1607
rib of man1609
womanship?1609
modicum1611
Gypsy1612
petticoata1616
runniona1616
birda1627
lucky1629
she-man1640
her1646
lost rib1647
uptails1671
cow1696
tittup1696
cummer17..
wife1702
she-woman1703
person1704
molly1706
fusby1707
goody1708
riding hood1718
birdie1720
faggot1722
piece of goods1727
woman body1771
she-male1776
biddy1785
bitch1785
covess1789
gin1790
pintail1792
buer1807
femme1814
bibi1816
Judy1819
a bit (also bundle) of muslin1823
wifie1823
craft1829
shickster?1834
heifer1835
mot1837
tit1837
Sitt1838
strap1842
hay-bag1851
bint1855
popsy1855
tart1864
woman's woman1868
to deliver the goods1870
chapess1871
Dona1874
girl1878
ladykind1878
mivvy1881
dudess1883
dudette1883
dudine1883
tid1888
totty1890
tootsy1895
floozy1899
dame1902
jane1906
Tom1906
frail1908
bit of stuff1909
quim1909
babe1911
broad1914
muff1914
manhole1916
number1919
rossie1922
bit1923
man's woman1928
scupper1935
split1935
rye mort1936
totsy1938
leg1939
skinny1941
Richard1950
potato1957
scow1960
wimmin1975
womyn1975
womxn1991
1906 E. Dyson Fact'ry 'Ands i. 8 I may be wrong in thinkin' your tom was tryin' t' mash ther man shootin' off ther camera.
1933 N. Lindsay Saturdee 181 Who's yer tom? She must be yer sweetheart. Why don't yer up an' kiss her?
1951 D. Stivens Jimmy Brockett 102 ‘You did, darling,’ one of the little social toms said. She was a nuggety little sheila.
b. British slang. A prostitute.
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society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > prostitution > [noun] > a prostitute
meretrixOE
whoreOE
soiled dovea1250
common womanc1330
putec1384
bordel womanc1405
putaina1425
brothelc1450
harlot?a1475
public womanc1510
naughty pack?1529
draba1533
cat1535
strange woman1535
stew1552
causey-paikera1555
putanie?1566
drivelling1570
twigger1573
punka1575
hackney1579
customer1583
commodity1591
streetwalker1591
traffic1591
trug1591
hackster1592
polecat1593
stale1593
mermaid1595
medlar1597
occupant1598
Paphian1598
Winchester goose1598
pagan1600
hell-moth1602
aunt1604
moll1604
prostitution1605
community1606
miss1606
night-worm1606
bat1607
croshabell1607
prostitute1607
pug1607
venturer1607
nag1608
curtal1611
jumbler1611
land-frigate1611
walk-street1611
doll-common1612
turn-up1612
barber's chaira1616
commonera1616
public commonera1616
trader1615
venturea1616
stewpot1616
tweak1617
carry-knave1623
prostibule1623
fling-dusta1625
mar-taila1625
night-shadea1625
waistcoateera1625
night trader1630
coolera1632
meretrician1631
painted ladya1637
treadle1638
buttock1641
night-walker1648
mob?1650
lady (also girl, etc.) of the game1651
lady of pleasure1652
trugmullion1654
fallen woman1659
girlc1662
high-flyer1663
fireship1665
quaedama1670
small girl1671
visor-mask1672
vizard-mask1672
bulker1673
marmalade-madam1674
town miss1675
town woman1675
lady of the night1677
mawks1677
fling-stink1679
Whetstone whore1684
man-leech1687
nocturnal1693
hack1699
strum1699
fille de joie1705
market-dame1706
screw1725
girl of (the) town1733
Cytherean1751
street girl1764
monnisher1765
lady of easy virtue1766
woman (also lady) of the town1766
kennel-nymph1771
chicken1782
stargazer1785
loose fish1809
receiver general1811
Cyprian1819
mollya1822
dolly-mop1834
hooker1845
charver1846
tail1846
horse-breaker1861
professional1862
flagger1865
cocodette1867
cocotte1867
queen's woman1871
common prostitute1875
joro1884
geisha1887
horizontal1888
flossy1893
moth1896
girl of the pavement1900
pross1902
prossie1902
pusher1902
split-arse mechanic1903
broad1914
shawl1922
bum1923
quiff1923
hustler1924
lady of the evening1924
prostie1926
working girl1928
prostisciutto1930
maggie1932
brass1934
brass nail1934
mud kicker1934
scupper1935
model1936
poule de luxe1937
pro1937
chromo1941
Tom1941
pan-pan1949
twopenny upright1958
scrubber1959
slack1959
yum-yum girl1960
Suzie Wong1962
mattress1964
jamette1965
ho1966
sex worker1971
pavement princess1976
parlour girl1979
crack whore1990
1941 V. Davis Phenomena in Crime xix. 255 Tom, old prostitute.
1955 M. Hastings Cork & Serpent i. 12 I'll bet she's holding out on us. We know these toms, sir.
1977 Time Out 17 June 18/1 What doesn't appear in the film but is very revealing about police mentality, is the filing room on prostitutes (or Toms as they are called).
1993 L. la Plante Prime Suspect 2 v. 90 It's possible that Nadine was a tom as well..perhaps Harvey was a small-time pimp?
Phrases
P1. † a. Tom and Tib: used to refer to any ordinary boy and girl, or man and woman, taken at random (cf. Tib n.1 1); a typical couple; a pair of lovers or sweethearts. Cf. Jack and Jill n. 1. Obsolete.
ΚΠ
1567 T. Drant tr. Horace Arte of Poetrie sig. Aviijv What Tom, and Tib do rectefie, what lykes the carter clowne [L. siquid fricti ciceris probat et nucis emptor], The wyse men take not in good parte.
1606 N. Breton Choice, Chance, & Change sig. K2v When Tom, and Tib, were in their true delight, And hee lou'd her, and she held him full deere.
1689 W. Winstanley Poor Robin sig. C5 When Tib and Tom upon a Holy-day, Make fair assault on such good things as they.
b. Tom, Dick, and (also or) Harry: used to refer to any average men, taken at random; ordinary people generally; anyone at all.For examples of similar collocations with other common male forenames, see sense 1b.
ΚΠ
1730 Speech Mr. J. Checkley upon Tryal 12 They affirm, that once upon a time.., Tom, Dick, and Harry, ay, every individual Man, Woman, and Child, had a Right to the whole World.
1864 A. Trollope Can you forgive Her? I. xxxii. 254 Didn't he want to squander every shilling of the property,..property which I could give to Tom, Dick, or Harry tomorrow, if I liked?
1906 I. Zangwill Let. 29 Oct. in K. Gregory First Cuckoo (1978) 64 And have these wise and witty ladies less right than Tom, Dick or 'Arry to a direct influence on the government of their country?
2003 S. Brown Free Gift Inside! 145 Consider management consultancy, where every Tom, Dick, and Harry claims to possess the secret of corporate success.
P2.
Tom come tickle me n. †(a) a card game (obsolete); (b) U.S. a kind of parlour game involving tickling (now historical and rare).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > other card games > [noun] > others
laugh and lie down1522
mack1548
decoyc1555
pinionc1557
to beat the knave out of doors1570
imperial1577
prima vista1587
loadum1591
flush1598
prime1598
thirty-perforce1599
gresco1605
hole1621
my sow's pigged1621
slam1621
fox-mine-host1622
whipperginnie1622
crimpa1637
hundred1636
pinache1641
sequence1653
lady's hole1658
quebas1668
art of memory1674
costly colours1674
penneech1674
plain dealing1674
wit and reason1680
comet1685
lansquenet1687
incertain1689
macham1689
uptails1694
quinze1714
hoc1730
commerce1732
matrimonya1743
tredrille1764
Tom come tickle me1769
tresette1785
snitch'ems1798
tontine1798
blind hazard1816
all fives1838
short cards1845
blind hookey1852
sixty-six1857
skin the lamb1864
brisque1870
handicap1870
manille1874
forty-five1875
slobberhannes1877
fifteen1884
Black Maria1885
slapjack1887
seven-and-a-half1895
pit1904
Russian Bank1915
red dog1919
fan-tan1923
Pelmanism1923
Slippery Sam1923
go fish1933
Russian Banker1937
racing demon1938
pit-a-pat1947
scopa1965
1769 Literary Reg. 1 117/1 I wish the ladies and gentlemen of the court were as much masters and mistresses of those games that would play for the welfare of the kingdom, as they are in those of All Fours, Tom come tickle me, and My Lady's Hole!
1801 M. Trumbull Let. 2 Jan. in H. M. Morgan Season in N.Y. 1801 (1969) 77 We were escorted home by Roswell Colt who spent the evening with us—after he was gone we had fine fun playing—Tom come tickle me.
1820 W. Irving Little Brit. in Sketch Bk. vii. 112 We played at All-Fours, Pope-Joan, Tom-come-tickle-me, and other choice old games.
1850 Boston Investigator 10 July No domestic amusement is countenanced of a higher grade than the blindman's-buff and Tom-come-tickle-me.
1899 J. W. Howe Reminiscences ii. 19 My grandfather was a stately old gentleman..fond of a game of whist. With us children he used to play a very simple game called ‘Tom, come tickle me.’
2005 M. Caldwell New York Night (new ed.) iii. 73 The pastimes seem to have been simple, even juvenile by later measures..: playing parlor games like Tom Come Tickle Me (in which the object was not to laugh when someone tickled your knee.)
P3. † Tom Bray's bilk n. slang Obsolete rare (in cribbage) the laying down of an ace and a two; cf. bilk n. 1.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > entertainment > pastimes > game > card game > cribbage > [noun] > actions or tactics
bilk1791
go1794
Tom Bray's bilk1819
muggins1948
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. 219 Tom Bray's Bilk, laying out ace and deuce at cribbage.
P4.
Tom Cox's traverse n. chiefly Nautical (now historical and rare) a circular route which ends back where it began, esp. when undertaken to give a false impression of purposeful activity; frequently in to work Tom Cox's traverse (and variants): to go round in a circle; (also) to pretend to be busy in order to evade real work.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > travel by water > other nautical operations > [noun] > action of work-shy sailor
Tom Cox's traverse1803
1803 Man in Moon 17 Dec. (1804) 86 At last, the player-men clewed up the mainsail, and begun a great deal of scrimidging, or fighting like Tom Cox's Traverse, up one hatchway and down another.
1836 Slavery in Amer. Aug. 48/2 I have been amused at the dexterity with which a real ‘man of war's man’ would evade duty on ship-board, in a dark night, by ‘coming up one hatch-way and going down another.’ The sailor's [sic] call it ‘working Tom Cox's traverse’.
1858 Adelaide Times 16 Feb. 3/3 The prisoners..received their allowance, but one of them ‘worked Tom Cox's traverse’, and presented himself at the capstan-head for a second glass.
1901 Austral. Town & Country Jrnl. (Sydney) 16 Feb. 40/2 What's the good of this lubber? It's about time we had a king who'd do something for his living, 'stead of always working Tom Cox's traverse.
1988 R. Woodman Baltic Mission (2000) iv. 53 They knew when to ‘lay Tom Cox's traverse’ and avoid work.
Compounds
C1.
a. † tom-pin n. Obsolete rare a large pin.† tom-tart n. [perhaps rhyming slang for sweetheart n.] Australian colloquial Obsolete (originally) a girlfriend, a sweetheart; (later) any girl or woman; cf. tart n. 2a.† tom-tommy n. [compare Tommy n.1 6] English regional (East Anglian) Obsolete a double-breasted plough; = tom-plough n.
ΚΠ
1847 J. O. Halliwell Dict. Archaic & Provinc. Words II. 880/1 Tom-pin, a very large pin.
tom-plough n. English regional (East Anglian) a double-breasted plough; = tommy plough n. at Tommy n.1 Compounds.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > double mould-board plough
strike plough1789
tommy plough1814
tom-plough1833
strike-furrow plough1846
lister1887
1833 Ipswich Jrnl. 14 Sept. The Utensils, Implements and Harness—..one tom plough.
1849 W. Raynbird & H. Raynbird On Agric. Suffolk vi. 301 The tom or tommy plough is a plough with a double breast for ridging, or for clearing out furrows.
1960 G. E. Evans Horse in Furrow x. 135 We went through the furrows with a double-tom or tom-plough—a plough with two breasts.
ΚΠ
1882 Sydney Slang Dict. 8 Tom-tart, Sydney, phrase for a girl or sweetheart.
1909 Sunday Times (Perth, Austral.) 10 Jan. 4/7 A tousled-haired tom-tart of the factory-hand order.
1912 Sun (Kalgoorlie, W. Austral.) 25 Feb. 5/2 One fresh girl every day in the week and two on Sundays, with casual tom-tarts and clyners thrown in.
tom toe n. chiefly English regional (East Anglian in later use) the big toe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > external parts of body > limb > digit > toe > [noun] > big toe
thumble-toec1440
thumb?a1475
big toe1699
tom toe1823
hallux1831
1823 E. Moor Suffolk Words 437 Tom toe, the great toe of either foot.
1905 W. P. Merrick in Eng. Dial. Dict. VI. 183/1 [W. Midlands] He had an old wapse sting his tom-toe, and it laid him up for a long time.
1949 S. Grapes Boy John Lett. (1974) 21 She set her fut right onter Granfar's big tom toe. My hart he hallered, an sed a bad ward.
1972 Guardian 23 Feb. 12/2 An octogenarian farm worker..pointed out that, just as one's largest toe is the ‘tom toe’, so it followed naturally that the largest tit was the tom-tit.
ΚΠ
a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830) Tom-tommy,..a plough with a double breast, to clear out furrows.
tom trot n. chiefly English regional (northern) (now chiefly historical) a type of treacle toffee, traditionally eaten around Guy Fawkes Night (5 November).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > confections or sweetmeats > sweets > [noun] > a sweet > toffee
taffy1817
Everton toffee1822
toffeea1825
hardbake1825
stickjaw1827
tom trot1829
tameletjie1838
butterscotch1847
peanut candy1856
caramel1884
treacle toffee1885
Harrogate toffee1890
brittle1892
peanut brittle1892
saltwater taffy1894
brickle1907
spin1913
hokey-pokey1939
1829 J. T. Brockett Gloss. North Country Words (new ed.) Tom-trot, candy made of treacle. Same as Taffy.
1833 Figaro in London 27 Apr. 62/2 Your petitioners therefore pray that..you will graciously introduce into your act a clause, by which the sale of tom trot, allacampane, brandy balls,..and all other sweetmeats of every kind and description whatsoever shall still be lawful upon the Lord's day.
1914 Folk-lore 25 376 At the small shops gingerbread was sold at this season, and also sticks of twisted toffee, ‘Tom Trot’—made at no other time.
2014 C. Pincher Dangerous to Know xvii. 207 She sold sweets, including a special toffee she made called Tom Trot, which I recall as short, dark brown sticks which were delightful to suck.
b. Preceding another word or phrase treated as a kind of surname, so as to form a name or nickname, often applied familiarly or contemptuously.See also Tom Pudding n., Tom Tailor n. 2, Tom Thumb n., Tom Tiddler's ground n.† (a) In personal names used generically with the meaning ‘a stupid or foolish person, an oaf’, as Tom Cony, Tom Dingle, Tom Towly. Cf. Tom doodle n. at Compounds 1b(b). Obsolete.See also tomfool n. 1a, Tomnoddy n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupid, foolish, or inadequate person > foolish person, fool > fool, simpleton > [noun]
boinarda1300
daffc1325
goky1377
nicea1393
unwiseman1400
totc1425
alphinc1440
dawc1500
hoddypeak1500
dawpatea1529
hoddypolla1529
noddy1534
kimec1535
coxcomb1542
sheep1542
sheep's head1542
goose1547
dawcock1556
nodgecock1566
peak-goosea1568
hottie tottie?c1570
Tom Towly1582
wittol1588
goose-cap1589
nodgecomb1592
ninny1593
chicken1600
fopdoodle16..
hoddy-noddy1600
hoddy-doddy1601
peagoose1606
fopster1607
nazold1607
nupson1607
wigeon1607
fondrel1613
simpleton1639
pigwidgeon1640
simpletonian1652
Tony1654
nizy1673
Simple Simon?1673
Tom Farthing1674
totty-head1680
cockcomb1684
cod1699
nikin1699
sap-pate1699
simpkin1699
mackninnya1706
gilly-gaupus?1719
noodle1720
sapskull1735
gobbin?1746
Judy1781
zanya1784
spoony1795
sap-head1798
spoon1799
gomerel1814
sap1815
neddy1818
milestone1819
sunket1823
sunketa1825
gawp1825
gawpy1825
gawpus1826
Tomnoddy1826
Sammy1828
tammie norie1828
Tommy1828
gom1834
noodlehead1835
nowmun1854
gum-sucker1855
flat-head1862
peggy1869
noodledum1883
jay1884
toot1888
peanut head1891
simp1903
sappyhead1922
Arkie1927
putz1928
steamer1932
jerk-off1939
drongo1942
galah1945
Charley1946
nong-nong1959
mouth-breather1979
twonk1981
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupid, foolish, or inadequate person > stupid person, dolt, blockhead > [noun]
asseOE
sotc1000
beastc1225
long-ear?a1300
stock1303
buzzard1377
mis-feelinga1382
dasarta1400
stonea1400
dasiberd14..
dottlec1400
doddypoll1401
dastardc1440
dotterel1440
dullardc1440
wantwit1449
jobardc1475
nollc1475
assheada1500
mulea1500
dull-pate15..
peak1509
dulbert?a1513
doddy-patec1525
noddypolla1529
hammer-head1532
dull-head?1534
capon1542
dolt1543
blockhead1549
cod's head1549
mome1550
grout-head1551
gander1553
skit-brains?1553
blocka1556
calfa1556
tomfool1565
dunce1567
druggard1569
cobble1570
dummel1570
Essex calf1573
jolthead1573
hardhead1576
beetle-head1577
dor-head1577
groutnoll1578
grosshead1580
thickskin1582
noddyship?1589
jobbernowl1592
beetle-brain1593
Dorbel1593
oatmeal-groat1594
loggerhead1595
block-pate1598
cittern-head1598
noddypoop1598
dorbellist1599
numps1599
dor1601
stump1602
ram-head1605
look-like-a-goose1606
ruff1606
clod1607
turf1607
asinego1609
clot-poll1609
doddiea1611
druggle1611
duncecomb1612
ox-head1613
clod-polla1616
dulman1615
jolterhead1620
bullhead1624
dunderwhelpa1625
dunderhead1630
macaroona1631
clod-patea1635
clota1637
dildo1638
clot-pate1640
stupid1640
clod-head1644
stub1644
simpletonian1652
bottle-head1654
Bœotiana1657
vappe1657
lackwit1668
cudden1673
plant-animal1673
dolt-head1679
cabbage head1682
put1688
a piece of wood1691
ouphe1694
dunderpate1697
numbskull1697
leather-head1699
nocky1699
Tom Cony1699
mopus1700
bluff-head1703
clod skull1707
dunny1709
dowf1722
stupe1722
gamphrel1729
gobbin?1746
duncehead1749
half-wit1755
thick-skull1755
jackass1756
woollen-head1756
numbhead1757
beef-head1775
granny1776
stupid-head1792
stunpolla1794
timber-head1794
wether heada1796
dummy1796
noghead1800
staumrel1802
muttonhead1803
num1807
dummkopf1809
tumphya1813
cod's head and shoulders1820
stoopid1823
thick-head1824
gype1825
stob1825
stookiea1828
woodenhead1831
ning-nong1832
log-head1834
fat-head1835
dunderheadism1836
turnip1837
mudhead1838
donkey1840
stupex1843
cabbage1844
morepork1845
lubber-head1847
slowpoke1847
stupiditarian1850
pudding-head1851
cod's head and shoulders1852
putty head1853
moke1855
mullet-head1855
pothead1855
mug1857
thick1857
boodle1862
meathead1863
missing link1863
half-baked1866
lunk1867
turnip-head1869
rummy1872
pumpkin-head1876
tattie1879
chump1883
dully1883
cretin1884
lunkhead1884
mopstick1886
dumbhead1887
peanut head1891
pie-face1891
doughbakea1895
butt-head1896
pinhead1896
cheesehead1900
nyamps1900
box head1902
bonehead1903
chickenhead1903
thickwit1904
cluck1906
boob1907
John1908
mooch1910
nitwit1910
dikkop1913
goop1914
goofus1916
rumdum1916
bone dome1917
moron1917
oik1917
jabroni1919
dumb-bell1920
knob1920
goon1921
dimwit1922
ivory dome1923
stone jug1923
dingleberry1924
gimp1924
bird brain1926
jughead1926
cloth-head1927
dumb1928
gazook1928
mouldwarp1928
ding-dong1929
stupido1929
mook1930
sparrow-brain1930
knobhead1931
dip1932
drip1932
epsilon1932
bohunkus1933
Nimrod1933
dumbass1934
zombie1936
pea-brain1938
knot-head1940
schlump1941
jarhead1942
Joe Soap1943
knuckle-head1944
nong1944
lame-brain1945
gobshite1946
rock-head1947
potato head1948
jerko1949
turkey1951
momo1953
poop-head1955
a right one1958
bam1959
nong-nong1959
dickhead1960
dumbo1960
Herbert1960
lamer1961
bampot1962
dipshit1963
bamstick1965
doofus1965
dick1966
pillock1967
zipperhead1967
dipstick1968
thickie1968
poephol1969
yo-yo1970
doof1971
cockhead1972
nully1973
thicko1976
wazzock1976
motorhead1979
mouth-breather1979
no-brainer1979
jerkwad1980
woodentop1981
dickwad1983
dough ball1983
dickweed1984
bawheid1985
numpty1985
jerkweed1988
dick-sucker1989
knob-end1989
Muppet1989
dingus1997
dicksack1999
eight ball-
1582 R. Stanyhurst tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis Ded. sig. Aiv What Tom Towly is so simple, that wyl not attempt, too bee a rithmoure?
1693 T. Southerne Maids Last Prayer iii. i. 32 Come, let me rub you down, Tom dingle.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Tom Conney, a very silly fellow.
1711 Brit. Apollo 21–23 Feb. Never yet Woman..had..such a poor wretched Tom Dingle.
1772 T. Nugent tr. J. F. de Isla Hist. Friar Gerund I. ii. iv. 339 Phoo! thou Tom Dingle! what does Ver veris signify?
1906 ‘M. Corelli’ Treasure of Heaven vi. 78 Any amount o' Tom Conys what don't know a real cuckoo from a sham un'.
(b) † Tom Astoner n. (also Tom Estenor) Nautical slang Obsolete a bold, dashing, or adventurous young man.† Tom Brown n. slang Obsolete rare (in cribbage) twelve points scored from a player's hand, or (in the case of the dealer) from the crib.† Tom doodle n. (also Tom-a-doodle) Obsolete a clown, a fool; a stupid or foolish person, an oaf; cf. doodle n. 1.† Tom Double n. [originally with allusion to the character of Tom Double in C. Davenant True Picture mod. Whig (1701); see quot. 1701] Obsolete (the name of) a duplicitous or untrustworthy person. † Tom Farthing n. [apparently after the name of a character in a satirical song (see quot. 16741)] Obsolete an impotent man; an inept or unsatisfactory lover.† Tom Long n. Obsolete the name of (the type of) an untrustworthy messenger whose messages are never delivered or take an inordinately long time (originally and chiefly in Tom Long the Carrier); (hence) a person who takes a long time over any task or action.Cf. earlier John Long n. at John n. Compounds 1a.† Tom of all trades n. Obsolete (the name of) a person who is able to carry out many different kinds of work; = Jack of all trades n.† Tom Pat n. slang and cant. Obsolete (a) a parson; a preacher; (b) a shoe, a boot. [In sense (a) perhaps < Tom n.1 + a shortening of either pater n.2 or patrico n. Although sense (b) is sometimes associated with the Romani people, its second element is not of Romani origin.] † Tom Po n. [perhaps shortened < Tom Poker n.] Obsolete rare (the name of) a ghost, a bogeyman; cf. Tom Poker n.† Tom Poker n. Obsolete (the name of) a bogeyman or bugbear, typically invoked to frighten children.† Tom Tiler n. (also Tom Tyler) Obsolete (a generic name for) an ordinary man; (later also) a henpecked husband.In later use probably influenced by the plot of Tom Tyler and his Wife, a play first performed in the mid to late 16th cent. and which concerns a man subdued and dominated by his wife.† Tom Tram n. Obsolete the name of a character appearing in various popular tales and ballads as the epitome of a prankster or comical rogue.† Tom tumbler n. Obsolete (the name of) an evil spirit, a devil.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > fashionableness > [noun] > dandy
popa1500
miniona1513
prick-me-daintya1529
puppy?1544
velvet-coat1549
skipjack1554
coxcomb1567
musk cat?1567
physbuttocke1570
Adonis?1571
Adon1590
foretop1597
musk-cod1600
pretty fellow1600
sparkc1600
spangle-baby1602
flash1605
barber-monger1608
cocoloch1610
dapperling1611
fantastica1613
feather-cock1612
trig1612
jack-a-dandy?1617
gimcrack1623
satinist1639
powder puffa1653
fop1676
prig1676
foplinga1681
cockcomb1684
beau garçona1687
shape1688
duke1699
nab1699
smirk1699
beau1700
petty master1706
moppet1707
Tom Astoner1707
dapper1709
petit maître1711
buck1725
toupee1727
toupet1728
toupet-man1748
jemmy1753
jessamy1753
macaroni1764
majoc1770
monkeyrony1773
dandyc1780
elegant1780
muscadin1794
incroyable1797
beauty man1800
bang-up1811
natty1818
ruffian1818
exquisite1819
heavy swell1819
marvellous1819
bit of stuff1828
merveilleux1830
fat1832
squirt1844
dandyling1846
ineffable1859
guinea pig1860
Dundreary swell1862
masher1872
dude1877
mash1879
dudette1883
dand1886
heavy gunner1890
posh1890
nut1904
smoothie1929
fancy-pants1930
saga boy1941
fancy Dan1943
1707 E. Ward Wooden World Dissected 80 It's barbarous..to have the Bread thus pick'd from our Mouths by little Tom Estenors.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Tom Astoners, dashing fellows; from astound or ‘astony’, to terrify.
ΚΠ
1819 J. H. Vaux New Vocab. Flash Lang. in Memoirs II. 219 Tom Brown, twelve in hand, or crib.
ΚΠ
1698 E. Ward O Raree Show 1 The first that appeard was a great Tom-a-doodle, With a Cap like Bushel, to cover his Noddle.
1708 E. Ward London Terræ-filius No. 5. 10 That one Tom-doodle of a Son, who..if he happens to be Decoy'd..to fling away Two Pence in Strong Drink, he Talks of nothing but his Mother.
1761 Scotch Portmanteau opened at York 130 What a Zany..what an Hare-brained Fellow, what a Tom Doodle he has got in his Diocese.
1866 W. Thornbury Greatheart I. ii. 24 Why, I should be a ‘letter-pooch’ and a ‘tom-doodle’, if I didn't know the road across every moor thirty mile round Camelford!
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > intelligibility > equivocal quality, ambiguity > [noun] > exploiter of
mealmouth1546
Tom Double1704
double-meaner1712
mealy-mouth1861
amphibian1902
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > evasive deception, shiftiness > [noun] > double-dealing, duplicity > a double-dealer
ambidexter1395
doubler1556
Tom Double1704
1701 C. Davenant True Picture mod. Whig 9 In two days no Body was more caress'd and taken notice of than honest Tom Double.]
1704 L. Charles Cassandra I. 71 That you be not thought a True Tom-Double, either set down your Principles, and stand by them; or else Renounce them; but do not Betray them.
1706 tr. J. B. Morvan de Bellegarde Refl. upon Ridicule 145 Tom-doubles are to be avoided as Enemies that would betray you.
1756 Trial Roger for Murder Lady Betty Ireland 11 If you believe Tom Double's Evidence, the Prisoner is certainly guilty.
Tom Drum n. see drum n.1 Phrases 3.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > lack of understanding > stupid, foolish, or inadequate person > foolish person, fool > fool, simpleton > [noun]
boinarda1300
daffc1325
goky1377
nicea1393
unwiseman1400
totc1425
alphinc1440
dawc1500
hoddypeak1500
dawpatea1529
hoddypolla1529
noddy1534
kimec1535
coxcomb1542
sheep1542
sheep's head1542
goose1547
dawcock1556
nodgecock1566
peak-goosea1568
hottie tottie?c1570
Tom Towly1582
wittol1588
goose-cap1589
nodgecomb1592
ninny1593
chicken1600
fopdoodle16..
hoddy-noddy1600
hoddy-doddy1601
peagoose1606
fopster1607
nazold1607
nupson1607
wigeon1607
fondrel1613
simpleton1639
pigwidgeon1640
simpletonian1652
Tony1654
nizy1673
Simple Simon?1673
Tom Farthing1674
totty-head1680
cockcomb1684
cod1699
nikin1699
sap-pate1699
simpkin1699
mackninnya1706
gilly-gaupus?1719
noodle1720
sapskull1735
gobbin?1746
Judy1781
zanya1784
spoony1795
sap-head1798
spoon1799
gomerel1814
sap1815
neddy1818
milestone1819
sunket1823
sunketa1825
gawp1825
gawpy1825
gawpus1826
Tomnoddy1826
Sammy1828
tammie norie1828
Tommy1828
gom1834
noodlehead1835
nowmun1854
gum-sucker1855
flat-head1862
peggy1869
noodledum1883
jay1884
toot1888
peanut head1891
simp1903
sappyhead1922
Arkie1927
putz1928
steamer1932
jerk-off1939
drongo1942
galah1945
Charley1946
nong-nong1959
mouth-breather1979
twonk1981
the world > health and disease > ill health > a disease > disorders of internal organs > reproductive organ disorders > [noun] > of male > impotence > person
fumbler1640
Tom Farthing1674
1674 Women's Petition against Coffee 6 Tom Farthing, Tom Farthing, where hast thou been, Tom Farthing? Twelve a Clock e're you come in, Two a Clock e're you begin, And then at last can do nothing: Would make a Woman weary.]
1674 Mens Answer to Womens Petition against Coffee 4 Let such Tom Farthings be forbidden the decoction of the rare Arabian Berry.
1678 Poor Robin's True Char. Scold 6 She has either quite forgot his Name, or else she likes it not; which makes her Rebaptize him with more noble Titles, as White-liver'd Raskal, Drunken Sot, Sneaking Ninkompoop, or pitiful lowsy Tom Farthing.
1707 in H. Playford Wit & Mirth (new ed.) III. 95 Jove in his Throne was a Fumbler Tom Farthing, and Jockey and Jenny together did lie.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > rate of motion > slowness > [noun] > one who or that which moves slowly > slow-moving person
Vulcan1600
Tom Long1602
dawdlea1764
dawdler1818
slowcoach1828
society > leisure > the arts > literature > style of language or writing > copiousness > [noun] > prolixity > one who
wire-drawer1566
Tom Long1785
1602 ‘A. Philalethes’ Answere Fraudulent Let. G. Blackwels Pref. sig. ¶iijv For as I hear say, Tom Long Carier is comming on his iorney (in the wide way to perdition) with Antichrist.
1661 Dialogue Two Giants in Guildhall 13 They might as well have sent them by Tom Long the Carrier.
1664 A. Brome Songs & Other Poems (ed. 2) xxxvii. 247 Thou may'st like Tom. Long for ever go, And ne'r come where thou art assign'd unto.
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue Tom Long, a tiresome story teller; it is coming by Tom Long, the carrier, said of any thing that has been long expected.
Tom o' Bedlam n. (also Tom of Bedlam) now historical (the name of) a lunatic, a madman, esp. one claiming to have been licensed to beg on release from the Hospital of St Mary of Bethlehem in London (see bedlam n. 2); (also) a person feigning insanity in order to obtain money by begging; cf. Abraham man n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > health and disease > mental health > mental illness > mentally ill person > [noun] > mad person
woodman1297
madmanc1330
lunatic1377
franticc1380
madwomana1438
March harec1500
Bedlam beggar1525
fanaticc1525
bedlama1529
frenetic1528
Jack o' Bedlam1528
Tom o' Bedlam1569
crack-brain1570
madbrain1570
Tom1575
madcap1589
gelt1596
madhead1600
brainsick1605
madpash1611
non compos1628
madling1638
bedlam-man1658
bedlamerc1675
fan1682
bedlamite1691
cracka1701
lymphatic1708
shatter-brain1719
mad1729
maniaca1763
non compos mentis1765
shatter-pate1775
shatter-wit1775
insane1786
craze1831
dement1857
crazy1867
crackpot1883
loony1884
bug1885
psychopath1885
dingbat1887
psychopathic1890
ding-a-ling1899
meshuggener1900
détraqué1902
maddiea1903
nut1908
mental1913
ding1929
lakes1934
wack1938
fruitcake1942
nutty1942
barm-pot1951
nutcake1953
nutter1958
nutcase1959
nut job1959
meshuga1962
nutsy1964
headcase1965
nutball1968
headbanger1973
nutso1975
wacko1977
nut bar1978
mentalist1990
1569 ‘L. Avale’ Commem. Edmonde Boner sig. C.iijv The sonne of a villaine ingrosse. Whiche was the sonne of a Cutpurse. Whiche was the sonne of a Tom of Bedlam.
a1616 W. Shakespeare King Lear (1623) i. ii. 132 Tom o' Bedlam.
1671 J. Glanvill Further Discov. Stubbe 28 [I] am afraid that some will think, that I am not well in my Wits, because I seriously answer such a Tom of Bedlam.
a1697 J. Aubrey Brief Lives (1898) II. 82 It happened one time, that a Tom of Bedlam came-up to him [sc. Thomas More], and had a mind to have throwne him from the battlements.
1710 Divine Rights of Brit. Nation & Constit. Vindicated 89 The Pamphlet, like its Parent, is very rude and very silly, and raves throughout like a true Tom a' Bedlam.
1743 Westm. Jrnl. 6 Aug. You are proud, it should seem, of your Affinity with my Acquaintance Tom o' Bedlam.
1880 J. H. Shorthouse John Inglesant (1881) I. 72 Wandering beggars and halfwitted people called ‘Tom o' Bedlams’ who were a recognised order of mendicants.
1989 Iowa Rev. 19 98 There goes a screaming Tom O'Bedlam—a side-show for the man in a fine suit, on a great street at lunchtime.
ΘΚΠ
society > occupation and work > worker > workers according to type of work > [noun] > odd-job or handyman
factotum1562
Magister factotum1573
Johannes factotum1592
Jack of all trades1618
Tom of all trades1631
John-of-all-trades1639
handyman1742
odd man1743
gimcrack1766
Jack of all work1773
orraman1802
bottle washer1835
Jack1836
odd-jobs man1859
roustabout1862
hob-jobber1873
rouster1882
odd-jobber1886
knockabout1889
orra-loon1895
rouser1896
trouncer1896
leatherneck1898
loppy1898
rouseabout1901
bluetongue2002
1631 T. Powell Tom of All Trades Ep. Ded. 13 Our Tom of all Trades hereupon Askt what was his condition.
?1687 Jovial Tom (single sheet) My name is Tom of all Trades, I range the Land about, And have good store of trading, let who's will go without.
ΘΚΠ
society > faith > church government > member of the clergy > priest > kinds of priest > [noun] > ignorant
Sir John Lack-latinc1534
patrico?1536
hedge-priest1550
Tom Pat1710
1710 G. L. Amorous Gallant's Tongue (ed. 5) 109 A Parson, Tom Patt.
1728 Street-robberies, Consider'd 35 Tom Pat, a Parson.
1789 Solitary Castle I. xi. 169 As to that matter, you may call a Tom-pat a black bird if you please,..but I think him more like a wood-pecker; for you may see him every Sunday, up to his ears in oak, just thrusting his head out of his nest.
1873 C. G. Leland Eng. Gipsies & their Lang. vi. 86 Bats, a low term for a pair of boots, especially bad ones..generally called, however, by the Romany in England, Tom Pats.
1890 A. Barrère & C. G. Leland Dict. Slang, Jargon & Cant II. 362/1 Tom-pats, in canting, shoes.
Tom Pepper n. colloquial (originally Nautical) the name of a character proverbially said to have been so great a liar that he was expelled from Hell; (hence) an outrageous liar; frequently in a bigger liar than Tom Pepper and variants.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > disregard for truth, falsehood > [noun] > a liar
liarc950
gabbera1325
fabler1362
wernard1362
leasing-mongerc1380
false sayera1382
leasing-maker1424
leasing-bearerc1440
contriver1477
drivelard1530
falsifier1532
lie-teller1552
Ananias1572
lick-dish1575
falsificator1609
fabulist1626
cracka1640
leaser1641
commentiter1645
prevaricator1650
cracker1652
bugiarda1670
rapper1758
pseudologist1804
Tom Pepper1818
wrinkler1819
lie-monger1830
untruther1889
tale-teller1894
1818 ‘A. Burton’ Adventures Johnny Newcome iv. 248 A Defence which might Have made Tom Pepper blush outright.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Tom Pepper, a term for a liar.
1885 D. D. Porter Adventures Harry Marline i. 18 He is a bigger liar than Tom Pepper, who was kicked out of a certain unmentionable place for lying.
1914 D. Coolidge Bat Wing Bowles iv. 45 They said you was a worser liar than old Tom Pepper—and he got kicked out of hell fer lyin'.
1977 G. F. Newman Prisoner's Tale ii. 31 Lynn accepted that all screws were Tom Peppers, and told whatever lies suited them.
2002 S. Burke Deadwater ix. 90 Talk, you lying white bitch; talk, you fucking Tom Pepper, 'cause you knows, Lida, if anyone fucking knows.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > fairy or elf > [noun] > imp, goblin, or hobgoblin
thursec725
puckOE
puckleOE
goblina1350
hurlewaynes kin1399
Hoba1500
bogle?1507
chimera?1521
hobgoblin1530
chyppynutie?1553
bearbug1560
boggard1570
bugbear?c1570
empusa1572
puckerelc1580
puck bug1582
imp1584
urchin1584
fear-babea1586
hob-thrush1590
hodge-poker1598
lar1598
poker1598
bogle-bo1603
mormo1605
foliot1621
mormolukee1624
buggle-boo1625
pug1631
black man1656
feind1659
Tom Poker1673
duende1691
boodie?a1700
worricow1711
bolly1724
Tom Po1744
fleying1811
pooka1824
booger1827
alp1828
boll1847
bogy1857
beastie1867
boogie1880
shag boy1882
the mind > emotion > fear > quality of inspiring fear > quality of terribleness > [noun] > one who or that which terrifies > object of terror (usually imaginary)
buga1425
buggart1440
gay horse1483
bogle?1507
chimera?1521
bog1527
terriculament1548
bugbear1552
bull-bear1561
hag1563
boggard1574
scare-bug1583
bull-beggar1584
kill-cow fray1589
poker1598
bug-boy1601
bogle-bo1603
mormo1605
mock-beggar1611
mormolukee1624
Tom Poker1673
raw-head1678
hobgoblin1709
bugaboo1733
Tom Po1744
spectre1774
bogy-man1862
bogy1865
1744 Z. Grey in Butler's Hudibras (new ed.) II. 207 (note) You are afraid you shall meet Tom Po.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > fairy or elf > [noun] > imp, goblin, or hobgoblin
thursec725
puckOE
puckleOE
goblina1350
hurlewaynes kin1399
Hoba1500
bogle?1507
chimera?1521
hobgoblin1530
chyppynutie?1553
bearbug1560
boggard1570
bugbear?c1570
empusa1572
puckerelc1580
puck bug1582
imp1584
urchin1584
fear-babea1586
hob-thrush1590
hodge-poker1598
lar1598
poker1598
bogle-bo1603
mormo1605
foliot1621
mormolukee1624
buggle-boo1625
pug1631
black man1656
feind1659
Tom Poker1673
duende1691
boodie?a1700
worricow1711
bolly1724
Tom Po1744
fleying1811
pooka1824
booger1827
alp1828
boll1847
bogy1857
beastie1867
boogie1880
shag boy1882
the mind > emotion > fear > quality of inspiring fear > quality of terribleness > [noun] > one who or that which terrifies > object of terror (usually imaginary)
buga1425
buggart1440
gay horse1483
bogle?1507
chimera?1521
bog1527
terriculament1548
bugbear1552
bull-bear1561
hag1563
boggard1574
scare-bug1583
bull-beggar1584
kill-cow fray1589
poker1598
bug-boy1601
bogle-bo1603
mormo1605
mock-beggar1611
mormolukee1624
Tom Poker1673
raw-head1678
hobgoblin1709
bugaboo1733
Tom Po1744
spectre1774
bogy-man1862
bogy1865
1673 Remarks upon Remarques 98 He scares Children in the Country, and cries don't go to London, for Tom Poker will get you and put you into his Pocket.
1788 ‘Nurse Lovechild’ Tommy Thumb's Song Bk. 5 This in particular, I insist on,..that you never mention a Bull Beggar, Tom Poker, Raw Head and Bloody Bones, &c.
a1825 R. Forby Vocab. E. Anglia (1830) Tom Poker,..the great bugbear and terror of naughty children, who inhabits dark closets [etc.].
1902 Longman's Mag. Nov. 41 I tells him them days o' Tom-pokers be gone.
ΘΚΠ
society > society and the community > social class > the common people > [noun] > one of the common people
Jackc1390
fellowa1400
commonerc1400
populara1525
plebeianc1550
ungentle1562
Tom Tiler1582
roturier1586
vulgarity1646
little man1707
pleb1795
man of the people1799
the man in the street1831
snob1831
man1860
oickman1925
society > society and the community > kinship or relationship > marriage or wedlock > married person > married man > [noun] > husband > henpecked husband
John Thomson's man?a1513
Tom Tiler1582
henpeck1711
jerry-sneak1820
monkey-man1840
1582 R. Stanyhurst in tr. Virgil First Foure Bookes Æneis 108 An Epitaph..such as oure vnlearned Rythmours..make vpon thee death of euery Tom Tyler.
a1625 J. Fletcher Womans Prize ii. vi, in F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Comedies & Trag. (1647) sig. Ooooo2/2 She shall Tom Tilers, And brave ones too.
1853 Notes & Queries 10 Sept. 240/1 The ignominious Tom Tiler (North Country for hen-pecked husband).
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > performance of jester or comedian > [noun] > jester or comedian
jugglerc1175
foolc1300
jangler1303
fool sagec1330
ribald1340
ape-ward1362
japer1377
sage fool1377
harlotc1390
disporter?a1475
jocular?a1475
joculatora1500
jester?1518
idiot1526
scoffer1530
sporter1531
dizzardc1540
vice1552
antic1564
bauble-bearer1568
scoggin1579
buffoon1584
pleasant1595
zany1596
baladine1599
clown1600
fiddle1600
mimic1601
ape-carrier1615
mime1616
mime-man1631
merry man1648
tomfool1650
pickle-herring1656
badine1670
puddingc1675
merry-andrew1677
mimical1688
Tom Tram1688
Monaghan1689
pickled herring1711
ethologist1727
court-foola1797
Tom1817
mimer1819
fun-maker1835
funny man1839
mimester1846
comic1857
comedian1860
jokesman1882
comique1886
Joey1896
tummler1938
alternative comedian1981
Andrew-
1688–9 (title) Tom Tram of the west, son-in-law to Mother Winter.
1702 M. Prior in J. Dryden Sylvæ (ed. 3) 203 All your Wits that flear and sham, Down from Don Quixot to Tom Tram.
1739 ‘R. Bull’ tr. F. Dedekind Grobianus 39 To a Book..in Dutch, entituled, the Life of Uyle-Spegel, or Owl-glass; a Hero of equal Rank with Tom Tram in English.
1894 Folk-lore 5 100 The ‘Enfance’ tales, of the Tom Tram type.
ΚΠ
1568 U. Fulwell Like wil to Like sig. A.iii Sancte benedicite, whom haue we heer? Tom tumbler or els some dauncing bear? Body of me it were best go no near.
1603 S. Harsnett Declar. Popish Impostures xxi. 135 Ware where you walke for feare of bull-beggers, spirits, witches, vrchins, Elues,..the fire-drake, the puckle, Tom thumbe, hobgoblin, Tom-tumbler, Boneles, and the rest.
1708 N. Rowe Royal Convert Epil. sig. A4 To no Enthusiastick Rage we swell, Nor foam, nor act Tom Tumbler out of Zeal.
Tom Turdman n. now archaic and historical a man employed to empty cesspools, outdoor privies, etc.
ΚΠ
1694 P. A. Motteux tr. F. Rabelais Pantagruel's Voy.: 4th Bk. Wks. iv. xv. 66 Do you call this a Wedding? By St. Briget's Tooth, I had rather be at that of a Tom T—d-Man.
1697 Night-walker Jan. 26 All the Difference I knew betwixt a Bawd and a Procurer was only such as was betwixt a Common Tom-Turdman, and a Person of Quality's House-Maid, who emptied Close Stools.
1736 Gentleman's Mag. May 272/1 Pimps, parasites, and usurers, and dunners; Tip-staffs, tom-turdman, messengers of state.
?1760 Nimble & Quick 4 It would puzzle a philosopher to give the preference to a chimney-sweeper or a Tom turdman, they are both such useful members of the community.
1893 J. S. Farmer & W. E. Henley Slang III. 173/1 Gold-finder.., an emptier of privies. Also Tom-turd-man.
1946 ‘J. Lane’ Madame Geneva i. iv. 65 ‘The very smell of it [sc. gin] is somehow evil.’ ‘So is that of a close-stool and a Tom-turdman, yet both benefit mankind.’
1975 G. Legman Rationale of Dirty Joke II. xv. 921 The creation of sewers..almost entirely did away with the former profession of privy-cleaner, having been preceded by the ‘night-man’ or ‘Tom Turdman’.
C2.
a. Preceding words for birds, and occasionally other animals, with the sense ‘male’; chiefly (now only) with reference to turkeys (cf. sense 4b). See also tomcat n.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > family unit > [adjective] > male
hea1382
malea1398
Tom1833
1833 New Eng. Farmer 3 Apr. 299/2 A pair of young Tom Turkeys, shot on Mount Tom.
1859 J. R. Bartlett Dict. Americanisms (ed. 2) Tom-Dog, male dogs, as well as cats, take the prefix ‘tom’, in some parts of the West.
1893 G. D. Leslie Lett. to Marco xxxii. 214 The tom-swan..landed on a likely spot.
1905 Daily Chron. 31 Oct. 4/7 In his part [sc. Hampshire] people spoke of tom-rats, tom-rabbits, tom-mice, tom-hedgehogs [etc.].
1980 Washington Post 20 July m13 Here is a place where in the spring tom turkeys sometimes gobble, seeking hens to mate with.
2009 J. W. Richards Money, Greed, & God vii. 172 Several times a year, they receive twenty thousand tom chicks from Canada and house them in the ‘brooder’ barn for four weeks.
b. In names of animals. See also tomcod n. N.E.D. (1912) lists also Tom-hoop (compare hoop n.2 2) but this has not been traced elsewhere and perhaps reflects a confusion with Tony-hoop, a regional name for the bullfinch (1830 or earlier).† Tom-noup n. [compare nope n.1] English regional (west midlands) Obsolete the great tit, Parus major.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > birds > order Passeriformes (singing) > arboreal families > family Paridae > [noun] > genus Parus (tit) > parus major (great tit)
great titmouse1544
ox-eye1544
tomtit1648
black cap1802
oven's nesta1825
pick-cheesea1825
Tom-noup1832
saw-sharpener1885
1832 Mag. Nat. Hist. 5 661 A greater titmouse (Pàrus major L.), or Tom Noup (as we call him here [sc. near Shrewsbury]), has annually, or nearly so, built [a nest] in my pump.
1879 G. F. Jackson Shropshire Word-bk. Tom-noup, Parus major, the Great Titmouse... It is proverbially said of a swaggering, pretentious little man that, ‘'E's like a Tum-noup on a round o' bif’.
1887 T. Darlington Folk-speech S. Cheshire 289 Yander's a Tum-nowp i' the gooseberry bushes.
Tom Titmouse n. now rare (a name for) the tomtit (tomtit n. 1a).Frequently as a proper name, personifying the bird; cf. jenny wren n. 1, robin redbreast n. I.
ΚΠ
1576 G. Gascoigne Complaynt of Phylomene in Steele Glas sig. Kv Sometimes I wepe To see Tom Tyttimouse, so much set by.
1640 Cawwood the Rooke i. sig. A3 In a short time there were come unto the Court of Sylvia, Rubert the Robin, Mavis the Magpie, Phillip the Sparrow..with Philomel the Nightingall, Tom Titmouse, Parvis the Wren..and Maybird the Cuckoo.
c1776 in Roxburghe Ballads (1889) VI. 308 Says Tom Tit-Mouse then, ‘There be some men That will change nine times a day’.
1838 Chambers's Edinb. Jrnl. 12 May 125/2 If..it [sc. a hedge] ever got the length of affording so much as shelter to a kitty-wren or a tom-titmouse.
1922 M. Webb Seven for Secret xvii. 160 Like tom-titmice to a bone they come.
1956 N. K. Duffy Amer. Childhood Jan. 62/1 Tom Titmouse sings and whistles Upon a tiny twig; The icy winds are blowing And ruffling up his wig.
Derivatives
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Felidae (feline) > felis domesticus (cat) > [noun] > male
Gilbert?a1500
boar-cat1607
ram-cat1672
tomcat1772
tomling1821
Tom1826
1821 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) III. 244 We are promised to succeed him a Black Tomling.
tomship n. humorous the fact or condition of being a tomcat; (also) a mock title of respect for a tomcat.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > mammals > group Unguiculata or clawed mammal > family Felidae (feline) > felis domesticus (cat) > [noun] > male > personality of
tomship1821
1821 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) III. 240 Moved by compassion (his [sc. a cat's] colour and his tomship also being taken into consideration), I consented to give him an asylum.
1887 Peoria Med. Monthly Mar. 522 A cat could be thrown through the chinks of the logs without leaving a hair to show that his tomship had ever been about.
1939 Creston (Iowa) News Advertiser 24 Aug. 5/1 ‘Now, all together feller!’ his Tomship would yowl and the night would become hideous.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
tomn.2
/tɒm/, U.S. /tɑm/ colloquial.
A tomato.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > fruit and vegetables > vegetables > fruits as vegetables > [noun] > tomato
love apple1578
tomato1604
wolf's peach1760
pomodoro1842
Jew's ear1883
tom1912
1912 Retail Grocers Advocate (Calif.) 12 Sept. 34/3 Chili Toms.
1920 Chambers's Jrnl. 15 May 384/1 The acreage of ‘outside toms’ is increasing annually.
1976 Coventry Evening Tel. 27 Oct. 9/3 (heading) Summer of the giant toms.
2015 Food Family Living (Tesco) June 33/1 These meaty toms are considered the best for making tomato sauce.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
tomn.3
/tɒm/, U.S. /tɑm/ slang (chiefly British).
Jewellery; = tomfoolery n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > types of ornamentation > jewellery > [noun]
jewelleryc1400
pierreriea1450
usker1536
lapidary1609
bijouterie1815
junk1911
tomfoolery1930
tom1955
1955 P. Wildeblood Against Law 119 Two grand's worth of tom.
1970 G. F. Newman Sir, You Bastard ii. 68 What d'you do with the tom and money you had out of Manor Gardens this afternoon?
1985 L. Griffiths Arthur Daley's Guide to doing it Right 76 They wear the same kind of clothes, the same kind of Tom on their wrists.
2007 F. Foreman Brown Bread Fred ix. 118 Our haul was only a few thousand and a bit of tom.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
tomn.4
/tɒm/, U.S. /tɑm/ colloquial.
A type of hand-beaten drum; a tom-tom.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical instrument > percussion instrument > drum > [noun] > low-pitched drum
tom-tom1909
tom1970
1970 J. Wainwright Freeze thy Blood less Coldly 11 Fatso grinned and notched the buckle of a tom case.
1975 J. Pidgeon Flame v. 65 Around the drum kit he arranged four mikes, one for the bass drum, one for the floor tom, one for the snare, and one overhead.
2000 Country Music People May 34/4 It's the sparsest track here, with Indian toms and plinkety guitar driving the track along behind Heatherly's zesty vocal.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
tomv.
/tɒm/, U.S. /tɑm/ΚΠ
1853 Empire (Sydney) 15 Aug. 2630/6 Several parties are doing exceedingly well by tomming the tailings in the creek.
1881 Ann. Rep. Dept. Mines New S. Wales 1880 119 Several other parties tommed and cradled at Hodson and Matthew's dams.
1906 C. de L. Canfield Diary of Forty-Niner xix. 168 A man named Jenkins was working at the head of Missouri Gulch, ‘tomming’.
2. transitive. To support or secure (loose cargo, part of a mine, etc.) using a timber prop or brace, esp. by wedging the prop against an overhead structure. Often with adverb, as off or up. Cf. Tom n.1 6.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > support > [verb (transitive)] > with wood
tom1858
wood1918
1858 [implied in: R. W. Stevens On Stowage Ships & their Cargoes 154 Tomming up or off is another name for shoring.].
1867 R. W. Stevens On Stowage Ships & their Cargoes (ed. 4) 191 She had on her ceiling a grain-tight platform fitted on riders which were previously ‘tommed up’ to the height required.
1903 Page's Mag. Mar. 239/2 Timber [sc. in a gold mine] was split in two to form the strap... The strap was then temporarily tommed.
1905 Thames Star (Waikato, N.Z.) 16 Nov. 1/7 The foundations [of the crane] have been silled at the ground line and the sills tommed off to the bed plate of the standard.
1953 J. Lindsay Rising Tide i. 23 The beam-ends were not of the kind that could be bolted, and so they needed to be tommed up with wooden struts.
1979 Terminal Operations Coordinator's Handbk. U.S. Army Field Man. 55-17 6-6 The general terms ‘securing’ and ‘dunnaging’ are used interchangeably to describe the procedures by which military explosives are effectively blocked, braced, and tommed aboard merchant-type ships.
2005 W. R. Benedetto Sailing into Abyss ii. 35 I want all hatches tommed down, Wilson told the men.
3. transitive. To address (a person) as ‘Tom’, esp. in a familiar or informal manner. rare.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > addressing or speaking to > speak to or address [verb (transitive)] > in a specific way
thoua1425
thowt1440
yeet1440
ye1483
boy1573
uncle1597
goodfellow1628
thee1657
fellow1665
tutoyer1697
honour1726
pa1823
good man1846
old boy1867
tom1897
1897 W. Drysdale Beach Patrol vi. 107 You have made a brave start, Perry—or Tom, if you insist upon being Tommed.
1900 S. J. Weyman Sophia xxiv. 319 ‘You may Tom me, you don't alter it,’ he answered.
2007 G. Kotis Pig Farm i. ii. 23 Don't you ‘Tom’ me!
4. British slang.
a. transitive. coarse slang. Chiefly of a man: to have sex with (a person). Cf. tomcat v.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > sexual relations > sexual activity > engage in sexual activity with [verb (transitive)] > have sexual intercourse with
mingeOE
haveOE
knowc1175
ofliec1275
to lie with (or by)a1300
knowledgec1300
meetc1330
beliea1350
yknowc1350
touchc1384
deala1387
dightc1386
usea1387
takec1390
commona1400
to meet witha1400
servea1400
occupy?a1475
engender1483
jangle1488
to be busy with1525
to come in1530
visitc1540
niggle1567
mow1568
to mix one's thigh with1593
do1594
grind1598
pepper1600
yark1600
tumble1603
to taste of1607
compressc1611
jumble1611
mix?1614
consort?1615
tastea1616
bumfiddle1630
ingressa1631
sheet1637
carnal1643
night-work1654
bump1669
bumble1680
frig?c1680
fuck1707
stick1707
screw1719
soil1722
to do over1730
shag1770
hump1785
subagitatec1830
diddle1879
to give (someone) onec1882
charver1889
fuckeec1890
plugc1890
dick1892
to make a baby1911
to know (a person) in the biblical sense1912
jazz1920
rock1922
yentz1924
roll1926
to make love1927
shtupa1934
to give (or get) a tumble1934
shack1935
bang1937
to have it off1937
rump1937
tom1949
to hop into bed (with)1951
ball1955
to make it1957
plank1958
score1960
naughty1961
pull1965
pleasurea1967
to have away1968
to have off1968
dork1970
shaft1970
bonk1975
knob1984
boink1985
fand-
1949 E. Partridge Dict. Slang (ed. 3) 1204/2 Tom, (of men) to coït with.
1973 J. Wainwright Touch of Malice 127 Ah tommed thee a few times 'afore we were wed.
2014 J. Higgins Rain on Dead ix. 199 ‘You bastard,’ she shouted. ‘Where in the hell have you been?’... ‘Pull yourself together... I haven't been tomming some tart, I've been talking to the Master.’
b. intransitive. Chiefly English regional (northern). Of a man: to behave like a tomcat; esp. to behave in a sexually adventurous or promiscuous manner; frequently with about, around, etc. Also occasionally of a woman.When used of a woman, perhaps influenced by or falling together with sense 4c.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > [verb (intransitive)] > be promiscuous
to play legerdeheel1605
to put it about1817
to do the (also a) naughty1902
to fool around1923
sleep1928
to play around1929
alleycat1937
to screw around1939
bed-hop1943
tom1950
horse1953
to whore it up1956
swing1964
1950 S. Chaplin Thin Seam 52 Booze, gamblin'; tommed about a bit too.
1968 ‘J. Ross’ Diminished by Death i. 14 I don't buy that a missing woman of this age..from her background..poses a question we can answer by saying she's just tomming around.
2012 J. Cunningham Wee Willie Harris Once Stood On My Foot 213 It seemed to me that if I had a smart bird like Anne on tap, I wouldn't be tomming around with tatty rubbish like this.
2013 B. Bodman Faraday's Eyes 65 ‘Did a bit in the ring when I was a kid,’ he offered, ‘Which stood me in good stead when I was tomming around the valleys.’
c. intransitive. Chiefly of a woman: to practise prostitution; to act as or like a prostitute. Also transitive with it. Cf. Tom n.1 7b, tomming n. 4a.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > licentiousness > unchastity > prostitution > [verb (intransitive)] > practise prostitution
to walk the street(s)1530
to play the harlot (formerly also harlots)1535
whore1547
strumpc1550
strumpet1627
prostitute1631
to be (also to go) on (or upon) the street(s)1754
hustle1930
ho1972
tom1981
1981 A. Sewart Close your Eyes & Sleep xviii. 181 What was she doing? Tomming, to put it bluntly. She was having it off with a bloke.
2007 B. Lightbody Whitechapel iii. 40 She must be tomming it around here.
2008 D. Graham Mutts Nuts xi. 101 She came from a clean happy home always..well looked after by a babysitter when her mother was out tomming.
5. intransitive or transitive with it. Originally U.S. slang (derogatory). Chiefly in African-American usage. Of a black person: to behave towards a white person, or white people generally, in a manner considered to be obsequious or servile; (hence, more generally) to be excessively obedient or ingratiating; = Uncle Tom v. 1. Frequently in to tom it (up). Cf. Tom n.1 1e.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > humility > servility > be servile [verb (intransitive)] > be servile as black person
Uncle Tom1933
tom1963
1963 L. Bennett in Negro Digest Jan. 70/1 They say you are going to chicken out, Papa... They're betting you'll ‘Tom’.
1971 Life 10 Dec. 16 (headline) Tomming it with Tevye.
1972 M. J. Bosse Incident at Naha ii. 94 Virgil just smiled, Tomming it up.
2006 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 26 Feb. 12 Malcolm is selling sandwiches on the train, cynically ‘Tomming it up’ for tips.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, January 2018; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1c1400
n.21912n.31955n.41970v.1853