subs. (orig. university: now recognised).—1. See quot. 1785 and 1890. Hence (2) a carriage so drawn; and (3) a bicycle for two riders.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. TANDEM. A two-wheeled chaise, buggy, or noddy, drawn by two horses, one before the other; that is, at length.
1831. B. DISRAELI, The Young Duke, i. 2. The Duke of St James … found sufficient time for his boat, his TANDEM, and his toilette.
1885. J. and E. R. PENNELL, A Canterbury Pilgrimage, 45. Two rode a TANDEM; the third, a bicycle; but they were of the time-making species, for whom the only beauty of a ride is that of speed.
1890. Century Dictionary, s.v. TANDEM. A humorous application, prob. first in university use, L. tandem, at length, with reference to time, taken in the E. use with reference to space, ‘at length, stretched out in a single file … one behind the other … as TO DRIVE TANDEM’ (that is, with two or more horses harnessed singly, one before the other instead of abreast).
