Tom-tom, a street instrument, a kind of small drum beaten with the fingers, somewhat like the ancient tabor; a performer on this instrument. “Hark! ’tis the Indian drum.”
Tommy, See [DICKEY].
Tommy, bread,—food generally. Sometimes applied by workmen to the supply of food which they carry in a bag or handkerchief as their daily allowance. Tommy-bag is the term for the bag or handkerchief in which the “daily bread” is carried.
Tommy, truck, barter, the exchange of labour for goods, not money. Both term and practice, general among English operatives for half-a-century, are by a current fiction supposed to have been abolished by Act of Parliament.
Tommy Dodd, in tossing when the odd man either wins or loses, as per agreement. A phrase in frequent use in London. A music-hall song has been given with this title and on this subject.
Tommy-master, one who pays his workmen in goods, or gives them tickets upon tradesmen, with whom he shares the profit.
Tommy-shop, a shop where wages are paid to mechanics or others, who are expected to “take out” a portion of the money in goods. Also, a baker’s shop.
Tongue, “to TONGUE a person,” i.e., to talk him down. Tongued, talkative.
Tony Lumpkin, a young, clownish country fellow. From She Stoops to Conquer.
Tool, as “a poor TOOL,” a bad hand at anything.