Tumbies, subs. (University).—Ablutions; tubbing (q.v.).
1853. Bradley, Verdant Green. Our hero soon concluded his tumbies and his dressing.
Tumble, verb, (old colloquial).—To dance. [Formerly dance and tumble were popularly synonymous; moreover, the professional dancers of mediæval times were also acrobats; and, pictorially, Herodias' daughter is often represented as walking on her hands.] Hence tumbler (or tumbester) = a female dancer, and (modern) an acrobat. As subs. =(1) a dance; and (2) a Catherine WHEEL (q.V.).
1380. Wyclif, Bible. The doutir of Herodias daunside [ether tumblide, margin] in the myddil, and pleside Heroude.
[?]. MS. Harl., 1701, f. 8. Herodias douter, that was a tumbestere and tumblede byfore him. Ibid., 19. Hyt telleth that Eroud swore To here that tumbled yn the flore.
1383. Chaucer, Cant. Tales, 'Pardoner's Tale,' 15. Comen tombe-*steres . . . the verray deueles officeres To kindle and blowe the fyr of [lecherye],
1605. Jonson, Fox, ii. 3. A common rogue, come fiddling in to the osteria with a tumbling whore.
1626. Fletcher, Noble Gentleman, ii. 1. There is no tumbler runs through his hoop with more dexterity Than I about this business.
1801. Strutt, Sports and Pastimes, 288. The tumbler is walking upon his hands.
1824-8. Landor, Imag. Conv., 'General . . . Lacy and Cura Merina.' A tumble of heels over head, a feat performed by beggar boys on the roads.
2. (colloquial).—To understand, perceive, assent to, accept: cf. 'fall in with,' 'concur,' and Fr. tombre d'accord.
1851-61. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. I. 15. The high words in a tragedy we call jaw-breakers, and say we can't tumble to that barrikin.
1897. Marshall, Pomes, 12. The courtship was progressive, and you'll tumble to their bliss.
1898. Pink 'Un and Pelican, 73. You're labouring under a great misapprehension. You're only here by the month—not on a ninety-nine years' lease! Do you tumble?
1899. Kernahan, Scoundrels & Co., xx. As soon as the members tumble to it . . . the chairman will spring to his feet. . . .
1899. Whiteing, John St., xxi. Bill tips me the wink to pretend not to tumble to their lingo.
1900. Lynch, High Stakes, xxiii. He didn't tumble to all the cop's nice boch.
1902. Free Lance, 19 July, 362. 2. So be simple, even silly, and the public, willy-nilly, Most assuredly will TUMBLE to your jokelets.
3. (Stock Exchange).—To fall rapidly in value: of prices.
4. (venery).—(a) To rumple, touzle (q.v.), mess about (q.v.); (b) to possess a woman: also TO TUMBLE IN; A TUMBLE-IN = the act of kind; TO DO A tumble (of women) = to lie down to a man, TO SPREAD (q.V.). TO TUMBLE TO pieces = to be brought to bed; tumbling-ripe = ready for the act, wanton, COMING (q.v.). Whence to tumble a bed = to pile in the act; tumble-a-bed = (1) chambermaid: see Scotch warming-pan; and (2) a whore.
c. 1615. Fletcher, Woman's Prize, i. 1. Do all the ramping, roaring tricks a whore Being drunk and tumbling-ripe.
1772. Bridges, Burlesque Homer, 4. What priest beside thyself e'er grumbl'd To have his daughter tightly tumbl'd?
Phrases.—To tumble IN = to go to bed; to tumble UP = (a) to rise from one's bed, and (b) to come, or move quickly: also TO TUMBLE ALONG; TO TUMBLE to = to set to vigorously: also
