Tool, to drive a coach, or any other vehicle. To “handle the ribbons” in fine style.
Tool, a very little boy employed by burglars to enter at small apertures, and open doors for the larger thieves outside.
Tooler, a pickpocket. Moll-tooler, a female pickpocket.
Tooley Street tailor, a self-conceited, vainglorious man. The “three tailors of Tooley Street” are said to have immortalized themselves by preparing a petition for Parliament—and some say, presenting it—with only their own signatures thereto, which commenced, “We, the people of England.”
Tooth, “he has cut his eye TOOTH,” i.e., he is sharp enough, or old enough, to do so; “old in the TOOTH,” far advanced in age,—said often of old maids. From the stable term for aged horses which have lost the distinguishing marks in their teeth.
Tootsies, feet, those of ladies and children in particular. In married life it is said the husband uses this expression for the first six months; after that he terms them “hoofs.”
Top, the signal among tailors and sempstresses for snuffing the candle; one cries TOP, and all the others follow; he who last pronounces the word has to snuff the candle.
Top-dressing, in journalism, is the large-type introduction to a report, generally written by a man of higher literary attainments than the ordinary reporter who follows with the details.
Top-heavy, drunk.