LL-L "Etymology" 2007.11.29 (01) [E]

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L O W L A N D S - L  -  29 November 2007 - Volume 01
Song Contest: lowlands-l.net/contest/ (- 31 Dec. 2007)
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From: Mark Dreyer <mrdreyer at lantic.net>
Subject: LL-L "Etymology" 2007.11.28 (02) [E]

Dear Mark, Sandy, Ron & All:

Subject L-Lowlands "Etymology"

Of course, I immediately wanted to know where the word "tattoo" came from.

My first reaction was "What?!" And then I found that the *Oxford English
Dictionary* agrees with it and it all starts making sense:
[In 17th c. *tap-too*, a. Du. *taptoe* in same sense; f. *tap* the tap (of a
cask), + *toe* = *doe toe* 'shut'. So Sw. *tapto*, Sp. (1706) *tatu*. Cf.
Ger. *zapfenstreich *, LG. *tappenslag*, Da. *tappenstreg*, with the first
element the same, and second element meaning 'stroke, beat'.
Although Du. *tap toe* was in military use in our sense 1 in the 17th c.,
there is reason to doubt if this was its original use. *Tap toe* = *doe den
tap toe* 'put the tap to', 'close or turn off the tap', was app. already in
colloquial use for 'shut up! stop! cease!'; Dr. Kluyver points out, in a
play of 1639 from Emden, *Doch hier de tap van toe* = 'but here we shut up',
or 'say no more'.]

I'd just like to cast a bit of military light on this:

The 'tattoo' is associated with nightfall & the last parade exercise, before
curfew. This is the significance to the soldier of the order (to purveyors
of spiritous liquors) "Tap toe!" = "Taps shut!" In the same sense the
British tapman calls out to his guests in the pub, "Time, gentlemen,
please!" When the sutlers hear it they seal their casks & that drink you're
still busy with is your last, @#%&*+...it! Well, back to unit lines, if you
can still walk, & help a buddy if he needs it.

Gesondheid... Hic!

Mark

•

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