or taffeta punk, subs. phr. (old).—A courtesan. [TIFFANY = Epiphany: whence TIFFANY silk = a silk for holiday wear: a gauze-like material. TAFFETA also = a transparent silk. Hence TIFFITY-TAFFETY GIRL = one who discloses almost as much as she dissembles: cf. LOOSE-BODIED GOWN; TIFF, verb = to deck, to array; and TAWDRY.] Hence TIFFANY (or TAFFETY) = wanton, soft, yielding.

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  1598.  SHAKESPEARE, All’s Well that Ends Well, ii. 2. 22. As fit as ten groats is for the hand of an attorney, as your French crown for your TAFFETA PUNK.

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  1601.  HOLLAND, Pliny, XI. xxii. The invention of that fine silke, TIFFANIE, sarcenet, and cypres, which instead of appareil to cover and hide, shew women naked through them.

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  1647–8.  HERRICK, Nuptiall Song.

            Say; or doe we not descrie
Some Goddesse, in a cloud of TIFFANIE
          To move; or rather the
    Emergent Venus from the Sea?

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  1769–78.  TUCKER, The Light of Nature Pursued, I. i. 5. Her desire of TIFFING out her mistress in a killing attire.

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