Tied House. A public-house owned or financed by a firm of brewers, with the result that the nominal landlord is not allowed to replenish his stock from any other brewer.
Tierra del Fuego. Spanish for “land of fire,” so called from a volcano on the largest island which throws up flame and smoke visible a very great distance out at sea.
Tight. Intoxicated, because a person in this state generally clutches tight hold of a street lamppost or a convenient railing when unable to walk home after a debauch.
Tighten your Purse Strings. See “[Purse Strings].”
Tilbury. The ancient form of the name of the village two miles west of Tilbury Fort was Tillaburgh, after one Tilla, a Saxon, of whom, however, nothing is now known. A small two-wheeled gig without a cover is called a Tilbury, after a London sportsman who introduced it nearly a century ago.
Tinker. A corruption of “tinner,” or tin-worker. This has given rise to the verb “to tinker,” which meant originally to hammer lightly at a thing after the style a tinman, without being able to repair it in a thoroughly workman-like manner.
Tintoretto. The better known name of the famous Italian painter, Jacopo Robusti, because his father was a tintore, or dyer.
Tobacco. From tobaco, the inhaling tube of the North American Indians. By the Spaniards alone has the original spelling of the name, now given universally to the fragrant weed itself, been preserved.
Tobago Island. So called by Columbus on account of its resemblance to the inhaling tube of the Indians, the tobaco.
Toddy. From the Hindoo taudi, a stimulating beverage made from the juice of various palm-trees.