Teetotaller, a total abstainer from alcoholic drinks. The origin of this term is not known. It is said to be from the expression of a fanatical and stuttering enthusiast in the cause of total abstinence. It has nothing to do with tea.
Teetotally, amplification of TOTALLY.
Te-he, to titter, “Upon this I TE-HE’D.”—Madame d’Arblay. As an interjection it is as old as Chaucer. See Miller’s Tale:—
“Te-he, quod she, and clapt the window to.”
Tell on, to tell about, to talk of, to inform against. (This is formed by a simple misuse of the preposition.)
Ten commandments, a virago’s fingers, or nails. Often heard in a female street disturbance. “I’ll leave the TEN COMMANDMENTS marked on his chump,” shows that the term may be applied to either the fingers or the scratchings. It would be a strange hand, however, that, with the best opportunity, could made five marks simultaneously.
Tench, the Penitentiary, of which it is a contraction. See [STEEL].
Tenpence to the shilling, a vulgar phrase denoting a deficiency in intellect.
Testamur, the slip of paper on which the examiners testify (testari) to the fact that the candidate has satisfied their requirements.—University.
Tester, sixpence. From TESTONE, a shilling in the reign of Henry VIII., but a sixpence in the time of Queen Elizabeth.—Shakspeare. French, TESTE, or TÊTE, the head of the monarch on the coin.