Chapter Tom Folio to Tooth of T by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Tomahawk A war-hatchet. The word has slight variations in different Indian tribes, as tomehagen, tumnahagen, tamoihecan, etc. When peace was made between tribes in hostility, the tomahawks were buried with certain ceremonies; hence, to “bury the hatchet” means to make peace.

Tomb of Our Lord This spot is now covered by “The Church of the Holy Sepulchre.” A long marble slab is shown on the pavement as the tomb-stone. Where the Lord was anointed for His burial three large candlesticks stand covered with red velvet. The identity of the spot is doubtful.

Tommy Atkins (A). A British soldier, as a Jack Tar is a British sailor. The term arose from the little pocket ledgers served out, at one time, to all British soldiers. In these manuals were to be entered the name, the age, the date of enlistment, the length of service, the wounds, the medals, and so on of each individual. The War Office sent with each little book a form for filling it in, and the hypothetical name selected, instead of John Doe and Richard Roe (selected by lawyers), or M. N. (selected by the Church), was “Tommy Atkins.”The books were instantly so called, and it did not require many days to transfer the name from the book to the soldier.

Tommy Dodd The “odd” man who, in tossing up, either wins or loses according to agreement with his confederate. There is a music-hall song so called, in which Tommy Dodd is the “knowing one.”

Tommy Shop Where wages are paid to workmen who are expected to lay out a part of the money for the good of the shop. Tommy means bread or a penny roll, or the food taken by a workman in his handkerchief; it also means goods in lieu of money. A Tom and Jerry shop is a low drinking-room.

To morrow never Comes A reproof to those who defer till to-morrow what should be done to-day.

“ `I shall acquaint your mother, Miss May, with your pretty behaviour to-morrow.'- `I suppose you mean to-morrow come never,' answered Magnolia.”- Le Fanu: The House in the Churchyard, p. 118.

Tonans Delirium tonans. Loud talk, exaggeration, gasconade. Blackwood's Magazine (1869) introduced the expression in the following clause:-

“Irishmen are the victims of that terrible malady that is characterised by a sort of subacute raving, and may, for want of a better name, be called `delirium tonans.' ”

Tongue of the Trump (The). The spokesman or leader of a party. The trump means a Jew's harp, which is vocalised by the tongue.

“The tongue of the trump to them a'.”
Burns.

Tongues
   The Italian is pleasant, but without sinews, as still fleeting water.
   The French- delicate, but like an overnice woman, scarce daring to open her lips for fear of marriage her countenance.
   Spanish- majestical, but fulsome, running too much on the letter o; and terrible, like the devil in a play.
   Dutch- manlike, but withal very harsh, as one ready at every word to pick a quarrel.
   We (the English), in borrowing from them, give the strength of consonants to the Italian; the full sound of words to the French; the variety of terminations of the Spanish; and the mollifying of more vowels to the Dutch. Thus, like bees, we gather the honey of their good properties and leave the dregs to themselves. (Camden.)

Tonna (Mrs.), Charlotte Elizabeth, the author of Personal Recollections, (1792-1846.)

Tonsure (2 syl.). The tonsure of St. Peter consists in shaving the crown and back of the head, so as to leave a ring or “crown” of hair.
   The tonsure of James consists in shaving the entire front of the head. This is sometimes called “the tonsure of Simon the Magician,” and sometimes “the Scottish tonsure,” from its use in North Britain.

Tonsures vary in size according to rank.
   For clerics the tonsure should be I inch in diameter. (Gastaldus, ii. sect. i. chap. viii.)
   For those in minor orders it should be 1 1/2 inch, (Council of Palencia under