Etymology Generally agreed to have come from appellativization of Tommy in most senses, but the historical details are apparently largely unknown, including whether such an evolution happened several times (with one sense being independent of another).
UK, Slang A British infantryman, especially one from World War I. Ellipsis of Tommy Atkins.
2
UK, Obsolete, Slang Bread or breadlike foodstuff, generally a penny roll.
3
UK, Obsolete, Slang The supply of food carried by workmen as their daily allowance.
4
UK, Obsolete, Slang A truck, or barter; the exchange of labour for goods instead of money; the scrip by which such exchange occurs.
No. 84. April 6. * * * * * *, aged 13: Works at gimlets and centre-bits, &c.; works from six in the morning till seven at night; has worked here about two years; gets 4s. 6d. a week. Works for one of the men; every man pays his own boy; is paid in tommy; the man he works for gives him a note to the office, Mr. Parsons', for the money; Mr. James Parsons gives him the money, and he gives it to the man, who gives him the tommy for the money. It is John Parsons's Tommy-shop; doesn't know if his name is over the door, can't read. The man he works for behaves well to him; does not beat him; likes his work, has nothing to complain of. Went to a day-school about three years ago, but for a very little time. His father could not afford to pay for it; it was only 2d. a week, but they could hardly get bread enough at that time. Never goes to a Sunday-school; his clothes is ript so bad his father's ashamed on him going. Not badly grown; meagre, not unhealthy; dirty, and in rags.1842, Commissioners for Inquiring into the Employment and Condition of Children in Mines and Manufactories, “Evidence of the Employment of Children”, in Appendix to the Second Report of the Commissioners: Trades and Manufactures, Reports and Evidence from Sub-Commissioners, Part 2. Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of Her Majesty, London: William Clowes and Sons, page 19:
'Don't talk tommy, Guy!' she exclaimed half wrathfully. 'As if I could possibly put on two left shoes without knowing it, even if I could get them on. […]'1927, Ernest Bramah [pseudonym; Ernest Brammah Smith], Max Carrados Mysteries:
8
Obsolete, Slang Synonym of dicky (“detachable shirt front”).
Etymology Generally agreed to have come from appellativization of Tommy in most senses, but the historical details are apparently largely unknown, including whether such an evolution happened several times (with one sense being independent of another).
1
UK, Obsolete, Slang To pay (employees) according to the truck system, with goods instead of money.
Tommy
noun
Etymology From Tom + -y.
1
Abbreviation, Colloquial, Ellipsis Ellipsis of Tommy Atkins, a typical private in the British army; a British soldier.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "Tommy, 'ow's yer soul?" But it's "Thin red line of 'eroes" when the drums begin to roll1892, Rudyard Kipling, Tommy:
And every night now he played pontoon, that game of the Tommies, with Mrs Bolton, gambling with sixpences.1928, D[avid] H[erbert] Lawrence, chapter XV, in Lady Chatterley’s Lover, [Germany?]: Privately printed, →OCLC:
2 more examples
Meanwhile the Tommies had discovered several large tins of ham in the captured lorry. 'That,' said the big Nazi, 'is for our tea.' 'No,' said a Tommy sergeant-major. 'That's for our tea. For you, chummy, we've kept a nice bit of bull.'1949, Stephen Peter Llewellyn, Journey Towards Christmas, page 142:
He liked the Germans better than he did the French; but for all that, if he went down the back streets of a night, it was with three or four British Tommies, in case the Jerries weren't as friendly as they made out.1974, GB Edwards, The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, New York, published 2007, page 129:
2
Broadly, Colloquial Any common soldier; a member of the rank and file.
May was in New Zealand when war broke out, and immediately left for France, where she worked in a military hospital in a converted high school in Marseilles. Writing home, she said that the French officers were said to be 'fussy' so she was glad to be nursing the Tommies (meaning French rank and file): 'they are brave and good, and patient, and such grateful patients. They are helpful to each other, and take such an interest in their fellow sufferers.'2017, Janet Tolerton, Make Her Praises Heard Afar: New Zealand Women Overseas in World War One, →ISBN, page 38:
Here, here, here again! Coquettes, flirts, harlots, adultereſſes, tulips, pinks, roſes, lilies, violets, wormwood, fennel, and hemlock! Unnatural, unnatural, unnatural! Tommies, Tommies, Tommies! Women kiſſing women; doating, languiſhing, dying, pining, crying, caterwauling, for each other! Ha, ha, ha! O the madneſs of this age!1777, [Anon.], “Number XVII. A faſhionable, diſgraceful Paſſion expoſed.”, in The Laughing Philosopher, Dublin: Printed for James Williams, →OCLC, page 91:
4
Abbreviation, Ellipsis Ellipsis of tommy boy.
5
penis
Resolutely I refrained from thrusting or withdrawing for a minute or two and then drew out slowly to her lips and as I pushed Tommy gently in again, she leaned up and kissed me passionately.1922, Frank Harris, “X”, in My Life and Loves: