Chapter T to Taghairm of T by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

   N.B. We have several of these old phrases; one of the best is, “Brandy is Latin for goose” (q.v.).

Tachebrune (2 syl.). The horse of Ogier le Dane. The word means “brown-spot.” (See Horse .)

Taenia Rationis Show of argument. Argument which seems prima facie plausible and specious, but has no real depth or value.

“Mr. Spencer is again afflicted with his old complaint tænia rationis, and takes big words for real things.”- Era Olla: Mr. Spencer's First Principles.

Tae'-pings Chinese rebels. The word means Universal Peace, and arose thus: Hung-sew-tseuen, a man of humble birth, and an unsuccessful candidate for a government office, was induced by some missionary tracts to renounce idolatry, and found the society of Taë-ping, which came into collision with the imperial authorities in 1850. Hung now gave out that he was the chosen instrument in God's hands to uproot idolatry and establish the dynasty of Universal Peace; he assumed the title of Taë-ping-wang (Prince of Universal Peace), and called his five chief officers princes. Nankin was made their capital in 1860, but Colonel Gordon (called Chinese Gordon) in 1864 quelled the insurrection, and overthrew the armies of Hung.

Taffata or Taffety. A fabric made of silk; at one time it was watered; hence Taylor says, “No taffaty more changeable than they.” “Notre mot taffeta est formé, par onomatopée, du bruit que fait cette étoffe. ” (Francisque- Michel.)
    The fabric has often changed its character. At one time it was silk and linen, at another silk and wool. In the eighteenth century it was lustrous silk, sometimes striped with gold.
   Taffata phrases. Smooth sleek phrases, euphemisms. We also use the words fustian, stuff, silken, shoddy, buckram, velvet, satin, lutestring, etc., etc., to qualify phrases and literary compositions spoken or written.

“Taffata phrases, silken terms precise,
Three-piled hyperboles.”
Shakespeare: Love's Labour's Lost, v. 2.

Taffy A Welshman. So called from David, a very common Welsh name. David, familiarly Davy, becomes in Welsh Taffid, Taffy.

Tag Rag, and Bobtail The vulgus ignobilë. A “tag” is a doe in the second year of her age; a “rag,” a herd of deer at rutting time; “bobtail,” a fawn just weaned.
    According to Halliwell, a sheep of the first year is called a tag. Tag is sometimes written shag.

“It will swallow us all up, ships and men, shag, rag, and bobtail.”- Rabelais: Pantagruel, iv. 33.

Taghairm (2 syl.). A means employed by the Scotch in inquiring into futurity. A person wrapped up in the hide of a fresh-slain bullock was placed beside a waterfall, or at the foot of a precipice, and there left to meditate on the question propounded. Whatever his fancy suggested to him in this wild situation passed for the inspiration of his disembodied spirit.

“Last evening-tide
Brian an augury hath tried,
Of that kind which must not be
Unless in dread extremity,
The Taghairm called.”
Sir Walter Scott: Lady of the Lake, iv. 4.