subs. (old).—1. A woman: generic [cf. TOM = man), a usage that long lingered (B. E. and GROSE); hence (2) a term of endearment (HALLIWELL): also a calf; and (3) contemptuously, a wanton. Cf. TIB OF THE BUTTERY = goose (sometimes = an endearment).
1582. STANYHURST, Æneis [ARBER], 102.
| A coy TYB … | |
| That the plat of Carthage from mee by coosinage hooked … | |
| Hath scornd my wedlock. |
1598. SHAKESPEARE, All’s Well that Ends Well, ii. 2. 22. As fit … as your French crown for your taffeta punk, as TIB’S rush for Tom’s forefinger.
| Ibid. (1609), Pericles, iv. 6. 176. | |
| Thou art the damned door-keeper to every | |
| Coistrel that comes inquiring for his TIB. |
1652. R. BROME, A Joviall Crew, ii.
| As Tom or TIB, or Jack, or Jill, | |
| When they at Bowsing Ken do swill. |
1677. E. COLES, English-Latin Dictionary. A TIB, mulier sordida.
1693. Cambridge Dictionary. TIB, a poor sorry woman; mulier-cula impura.
4. (provincial).—The anus: see BUM.
5. (back slang).—A bit: hence TIB FO OCCABOT = a bit of tobacco.
TO TIB OUT, verb. phr. (Charterhouse).—To go beyond bounds.
1854–5. THACKERAY, The Newcomes, xli. When I was a boy I used what they call to TIB OUT and run down to a public-house in Cistercian Lane—the ‘Red Cow,’ sir.
