----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Learning Kingdom's Cool Word of the Day for May 14, 1999
----------------------------------------------------------------------
tomboy [n. TOM-boi]
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally, a tomboy was a boy or girl who acted rudely or
boisterously, but over time the meaning has shifted and now the word
is exclusively applied to a girl who acts like a boisterous boy.
In 1605, English author Richard Verstegen defined a tomboy as "a wench
that skippeth as a boy." Although Verstegen claimed the word derived
from Old English tumbian (to dance), source of modern English tumbler
(acrobat), the actual source is simpler.
This is one of several words in which "tom" is a way of showing
maleness. We also have tomcat (a male cat), "tom turkey" (a male
turkey), tomtit (a cheeky, bold little bird) and "every Tom, Dick and
Harry," a general way of saying "just about everyone," with an
included sense of maleness that is not always enforced. There is also
tomfoolery (from "Tom Fool," a generic name for a crazy man) and "Tom
Thumb," which is sometimes used as a derogatory label for a very small
man.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Cool Word of the Day list membership: 93,904
----------------------------------------------------------------------
To subscribe, visit http://www.tlk-lists.com/join/
To unsubscribe, visit http://www.tlk-lists.com/change/
To become a sponsor, visit http://www.tlk-lists.com/sponsor/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright (c) 1999, The Learning Kingdom, Inc.
http://www.LearningKingdom.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------
