Tick:
To have something on tick is to have it on credit. Tick in this
instance is an abbreviated form of "ticket", i.e. the note that was
written to record the debt. For an alternative explanation see 'Tab',
above.
To
tick/tell off someone implies a reprimand, often by a superior to an
inferior in a relationship. Both expressions invoke the idea of
checking off a list of offences or complaints against the offender.
'Tick' in British English is the mark called a 'check' mark in US
English; to 'tell' has the meaning of 'count' or 'add' in both British
and US English, e.g. bank teller.
Ticket: That's the ticket implies that everything is just right;
perfect; correct. Ticket is a variant of "etiquette" which has the
meaning "of appropriate conduct", i.e. correct and proper.
Time: A high old time describes a thoroughly enjoyable time, but why
"high"? The basis is probably from the German Hochzeit = Wedding but
which literally translates as High Time. The expression "high days and
holidays" could well have the same root.
Tip Top: To be in tip top condition means to be in the best of shapes.
A suggested origin came on a TV programme about the Wedgwood factory.
In one part they talked about the best position in a Black Country kiln
being at the 'Tip Top'. Thanks to Ian Harling for this.
Tinker: If someone doesn't give a tinker's dam (or cuss) then they are
reckoned to be completely indifferent to the outcome of an event. Dam
(note the lack of a terminal "n") is used today to describe a structure
for holding back water; so it was in the days of Tinkers. They used to
travel the country earning their livings mending pots and pans and
sharpening knives. They would mend the pots by filling the leak on the
inside with some clay and then repairing the outside with permanent
material. When this was done the clay was discarded. The clay stopper
was the tinker's dam. The dam was also known as a cuss. Both were
worthless, hence the saying.
An alternative explanation is based on the supposed frequency that
tinkers swore - so frequent that the value of their 'damn' was
worthless. You choose - I prefer the first explanation.
Toady: If you call someone a toady then you imply that the person, in
order to further his own ends, will say or do anything to please his
superior. The saying comes from the days of travelling medicine men in
the wild west. They used to sell useless potions to a gullible public.
Taking advantage of the popular belief that toads were poisonous the
quack doctor would arrange for an accomplice to swallow, or seem to
swallow, a toad. One gulp of the potion and the accomplish would walk
away fit and unharmed. A true toady.
Toast: When we raise a glass of wine to drink someone's health we drink
a toast. Why on earth should we drink a piece of partly burnt bread?
The explanation goes as follows:
In the days of Charles II and earlier, it was the custom to put pieces
of toast into tankards of beer in order to improve the flavour.
According to a story told in the Tatler, a celebrated beauty of the
time was bathing in the Cross Bath in Bath. One of her admirers is said
to have taken a glass of the water in which she was bathing and drunk
her health to the assembled company. Another admirer, somewhat the
worse for drink, said that he would jump into the water for, "although
he liked not the liquor, he would have the toast", meaning, of course,
the lady herself. From that time on we have drunk toasts.
Tod: to be on your tod is to be alone, by yourself. This is an example
of rhyming slang, based on the name of Tod Sloane (1874-1933), a famous
US jockey who won many races. Thus, he was often out in front, alone;
hence 'to be on your Tod Sloane', which then lost the 'Sloane' with the
passage of time.
Tom: A simpleton can be described as a Tom fool but why should Tom be
singled out for this degradation? There seems to be no answer. Tom
appears to have been chosen for no now identifiable reason, unlike
Jack. An early example of 'Tom' to describe a madman is in
Shakespeare's King Lear (3.iv) when Edgar, in disguise and apparently
living in a hovel, uses the name and also speaks the phrase 'Poor Tom's
a-cold'. So clearly the association is very old, with Shakespeare
seemingly using a well established convention. Apparently, back in
medieval times, it was reckoned great sport to watch the antics of
insane people in asylums like Bedlam in London, where inmates were
sometimes given the nicknames 'Tom o' Bedlam' and 'Tom Fool'. The OED
states:- 1356-7 Durham Acc. Rolls "Pro funeracione Thome Fole" [from
1337 frequently mentioned as 'Thomas fatuus'].1565 Calfhill "I might
byd them tell them, as Tom foole did his geese".
Tommy rot: That's a load of tommy rot is a way of describing poor
quality goods or ideas. The tommy in this instance is said to be slang
for bread, provisions etc. I can't find out on what basis, but it is
certainly defined as "bread" in the 1811 dictionary. In any case,
before the repeal of the Truck law, many employers paid their workers
in vouchers which could only be exchanged for goods from company owned
shops. The workers had no choice but to accept this type of payment and
the goods were frequently of poor quality. Since part of the goods
always consisted of bread, then the shops were said to supply tommy rot.
Tongs: If a heated argument is under way then the participants can be
said to be going at it hammer and tongs. The analogy here is that of
the blacksmith who, in order to finish a piece before it cools too
much, must use his hammer and tongs with great speed and power.
Top: To sleep like a top is to sleep very soundly. This seems an odd
way of describing a good sleep. However, the top referred to is indeed
the child's toy. When it is spinning, it appears to be still. It is
this apparent stillness that gave rise to the simile, first used in
1613.
Touch: A touch & go situation is one where the outcome is
potentially dangerous, perhaps even disastrous. The expression is
another with a nautical background. In the days of sail often the only
way to transfer goods, or even a person, between ships was to bring the
two vessels so close that they actually touched. This was clearly
highly dangerous thus, when the transfer was successfully completed,
the next event was to Go and separate the vessels as quickly as
possible.
If
you're out of touch with a situation, then you've lost contact with
things. The comparison seems obvious but the saying has its roots in
actual touching. In the 18th century military drills required every
soldier to be within touching distance of the men on either side; he
had to brush arms with his companions when marching. If he didn't do so
then he was deemed out of touch
