Take your Hook. See “[Sling your Hook].”
Talbot. An inn sign in compliment to the Earls of Shrewsbury.
Talbotype. A process of photography, by means of the Camera Obscura, invented by Fox Talbot in 1839.
Talking Shop. The nickname for the House of Commons. See “[Parliament].”
Tally Ho! From the Norman hunting cry Taillis au (“To the coppice”), raised when the stag made for its native place of safety.
Tallyman. One who supplies goods on the weekly instalment system, so called originally from the acknowledgments for payments that he gave to his customers having to “tally” or agree with the entries in his book. Why such a one should be ashamed of his old-time designation, and now style himself a “Credit Draper,” can only be explained on the ground that the tallyman is in bad odour with the husbands of the guileless women whom he systematically overcharges. See “[Government Stock].”
Tammany Ring. The name given to certain officials of the Democratic party in New York who in 1871 were punished for having during a long series of years plundered the people wholesale. Tammany Hall was the place where they held their meetings. This was originally the headquarters of a benevolent society, but it degenerated into a political club. By way of accounting for the designation, it may be added that Tammany or Tammenund was the name of a famous Indian chief of the Delaware tribe, greatly beloved by his people.
Taming the Alps. A phrase which has lately come into vogue through the popular solicitude to prevent intrepid amateurs from climbing the Alps without the assistance of local guides.
Tantalise. A word based upon the fable of Tantalus, a son of Jupiter, who, because he betrayed his father’s secrets, was made to stand up to his chin in water, with branches of luscious fruit over his head, but when he wished to drink or to eat the water and the fruit receded from him.
Tapestry. From the French tapisserie, based on the Latin tapes, a carpet.