1892. Fairholt [Lilly, Works, ii. 272. Note]. Tantony-pouch—I imagine the allusion is to a pouch or purse . . . having a cross . . . on the reverse . . . known as St Anthony was by his cross. This familiar mode of using the saint's name is preserved in the saying, 'He follows him like a tantonie pig,' the saint always being pictured with one of these animals.
2. See Saint.
Tantrum, subs. (colloquial).—1.
Usually in pl. = a pet (q.v.);
the sullens; angry whims (Grose).
1754. Foote, Knights, ii. I am glad here's a husband coming that will take you down in your tantrums; you are grown too headstrong and robust for me.
1796. Burney, Camilla, iii. v. He was but just got out of one of his tantarums.
1820. Greville, Memoirs, 20 Nov. He threw himself into a terrible tantrum . . . they were obliged to let him have his own way for fear he should be ill.
1844. Thackeray, Barry Lyndon, xvii. If in any of her tantrums or fits of haughtiness . . . she dared, etc.
1853. Lytton, My Novel, xi. ii. He has been in strange humours and tantrums all the morning.
d.1876. Reade, Art, 250. She went into her tantrums and snapped at and scratched everybody else that was kind to her.
2. (venery).—The penis; see Prick.
1675. Cotton, Scoffer Scofft [Works (1770), 282]. Twixt some twelve and one o'clock, He tilts his tantrum at my nock.
Taoc, subs. (back slang).—A coat.
Thus Kool the delo taoc =
Look at the old coat: also in
contemptuous reference to the
wearer. Taoc-tisaw = a waistcoat;
and taoc-ittep = petticoat.
Tap, subs. (Grose: now recognised).—1.
'A gentle blow.'
Whence to tap (or tap on the
shoulder) = to arrest (Grose);
tapper = a bailiff: also shoulder-tapper.
2. (old).—In pl. = the ears: see Hearing Cheats.
3. (Eton College).—The only place, recognised by the authorities, where a boy can get beer.
Verb. (colloquial).—Out of tap = to broach, also to tap one's claret = to draw blood (see Claret); to tap the wires = to intercept a telegram; to tap a judy = to deflower (Grose); to tap a house = to burgle; to tap the Admiral (see Admiral); to tap a guinea = to change it (Grose).
1853. Bradley, Verdant Green, xi. He was thoroughly conversant with the sporting slang of Tintinnabulums Life when he told Verdant that his claret had been repeatedly tapped.
To be on one's taps, verb. phr. (American).—On the alert; on one's feet, ready to move.
To get the tap, verb. phr. (tailors').—To get the upper hand.
On tap, adv. phr. (colloquial).—Available; at hand; on view.
Tape, subs. (old).—1. Spirits:
hence red-tape = brandy;
white (or blue) tape = gin:
cf. Ribbon (Grose).
1755. Connoisseur [Notes and Queries, 7 S. x. 78]. Every night cellar will furnish you with Holland tape [gin] three yards a penny.
1823. Egan, Randall's Scrap Book. With tape in the morning, and punch in the night. Ibid. The tape I pour into the glass.
