1890. Notes and Queries, 7 S. x. 286. Under the heading Topsy-Turvydom, the author says . . . the Japanese do many things in a way that runs directly counter to European ideas.
Top-yob, subs. phr. (back slang).—A
pot-boy.
Torch-cul, subs. phr. (old).—Bumfodder
(q.v.)—B. E. and
Grose.
Torch-race, subs. phr. (Winchester:
obsolete).—Formerly,
part of the breaking-up ceremony
of the winter half-year. On the
last morning the boys, after early
chapel, rushed out of gates, each
bearing a burning birch broom,
up College Street and along the
wall of the close up to the old
White Hart Inn, where breakfast
was prepared before the chaises
started. This subsequently gave
way to a race of Seniors in sedan
chairs.
Tormentor, subs. (nautical).—1. A
long iron fork: used by cooks at
sea.
2. (theatrical).—A first groove wing.
3. (common).—A back-scratcher (q.v.), sense 1.
Tormentor-of-catgut, subs. phr.
(old).—A fiddler; a catgut-scraper
(Grose).
Tormentor-of-sheepskin, Subs.
phr. (old).—A drummer (Grose).
Torn-down, subs. (prov. and
American).—An unruly, unmanageable
person: as adj. = (1) rebellious;
(2) overpowering.
1870. Baker, New Timothy, xxxii. You know I was a girl onst; led the General a dance of it, I tell you. Yes, a real torn-down piece I was.
Torpid (or togger), subs. (Oxford).—(1)
A second-class racing eight:
corresponding to the Cambridge
slogger (q.v.); (2) one of the
crew; and (3) in pl. the Lent
races: also as adj.
1853. Bradley, Verdant Green, ii. xii. The Misses Green [saw] their brother pulling in one of the fifteen torpids . . . immediately in the wake of the other boats.
1861. Hughes, Tom Brown at Oxford, xxvii. The torpids being filled with the refuse of the rowing men—generally awkward or very young oarsmen—find some difficulty in the act of tossing.
1884. Pall Mall Gazette, 19 Feb. Twenty-six torpid eights were out at Oxford in training for the races. Ibid., 26 Feb. An undergraduate who is one of their best torpids.
1889. Felstedian, Feb., 11. After the Torpids will come the Clinker Forms—an institution hitherto unknown in Oxford.
1890. Dickens, Dict. Oxford, 18. The Torpid Races last six days.
1900. Westminster Gazette, 21 Feb., 8. 3. Oxford University Torpids. These races were concluded to-day.
1900. St. James's Gaz., 19 Feb. 6. 2. The Torpid races were continued at Oxford on Saturday in fine and pleasant weather, the attendance being large.
4. (Harrow).—A boy who has not been two years in the school.
Torrac, subs. (back slang).—A
carrot. 'Ekat a torrac' = an
obscene retort.
Torril, subs. (Halliwell).—A
worthless woman, or horse.
Torturer of Anthems, subs. phr.
(old).—A chorister; a hallelujah
howler (q.v.).
1809. Malkin, Gil Blas [Routledge], 170. 'I am perfectly well acquainted with that city,' said the brazen-lunged torturer of anthems.
Tortle, verb. (American: Philadelphia).—To
shamble away.
