Chapter Tike to Tirled of T by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Ting The general assembly of the Northmen, which all capable of bearing arms were bound to attend on occasions requiring deliberation and action. The words Volksthing and Storthing are still in use.

“A shout filled all the Ting, a thousand swords
Clashed loud approval.”
Frithiof-Saga (The Parting).

Tinker The man who tinks, or beats on a kettle to announce his trade. John Bunyan (1628-1688) was called The inspired Tinker.)

Tintagel or Tintagil. A strong castle on the coast of Cornwall, the reputed birth-place of King Arthur.

“When Uthur in Tintagil passed away.”
Tennyson: The Coming of Arthur

Tintern Abbey Wordsworth has a poem called Lines Composed a few Miles above Tintern Abbey, but these lines have nothing whatever to do with the famous ruin, not even once alluding to it.

Tintoretto the historical painter. So called because his father was a dyer (tintore). His real name was Jacopo Robusti. He was nicknamed Il Furioso, from the rapidity of his productions. (1512-1594.)

Tip Private information, secret warning. In horse-racing, it means such secret information as may guide the person tipped to make bets advantageously. A “straight tip” comes straight or direct from the owner or trainer of the horse in question. A man will sometimes give the police the “tip,” or hint where a gang of confederates lie concealed, or where law-breakers may be found. Thus, houses of ill-fame and keepers of clandestine gaming houses in league with the police, receive the “tip” when spies are on them or legal danger is abroad.

“If he told the police, he felt assured that the `tip' would be given to the parties concerned, and his efforts would be frustrated.”- Mr, Stead's defence, November 2nd, 1885.

   He gave me a tip - a present of money, a bride. (See Dibs.)

Tip of my Tongue To have a thing on the tip of my tongue means to have it so pat that it comes without thought; also, to have a thing on the verge of one's memory, but not quite perfectly remembered. (In Latin, in labris natat.)

Tip One the Wink (To). To make a signal to another by a wink. Here tip means “to give,” as tip in the previous example means “a gift.”

Tiphany according to the calendar of saints, was the mother of the Three Kings of Cologne. (See Cologne .)

Tiphys A pilot. He was the pilot of the Argonauts.

“Many a Tiphys ocean's depths explore,
To open wondrous ways untried before.”
Hoole's Ariosto, bk. viii.

Tipperary Rifle (A). A shillelagh or stick made of blackthorn. At Ballybrophy station an itinerant vendor of walking-sticks pushed up close to their Royal Highnesses [the Prince and Princess of Wales] ... The Prince asked him what he wanted, and the man replied, “Nothing, your honour, but to ask your honour to accept a present of a Tipperary rifle,” and so saying he handed his Royal Highness a stout hawthorn. The Prince sent the man a sovereign, for which a gentleman offered him 25s. “No,” said the man, “I would not part with it for twenty-five gold guineas.” In a few minutes the man had sold all his sticks for princely prices. (April 25th, 1885.)

Tippling Act (The), 24 Geo. II., chap. 40, which restricted the sale of spirituous liquors retailed on credit for less than 20s. at one time. In part repealed. A “tippler” originally meant a tavern-keeper or tapster, and the tavern was called a “tippling-house.” At Boston, Lincolnshire, in 1577, five persons were appointed “tipplers of Lincoln beer,” and no “other tippler [might] draw or sell beer” ... under penalties.

Tippling House A contemptuous name for a tavern or public-house.