A small kind of tide-water turtle. See a note by Mr. N. W. Hill of N.Y., Notes and Queries, 11 S. iv. 106.
1705. A small kind of Turtle, or Tarapins (as we call them).—Beverley, ‘Virginia,’ iii. 14.
1804. The water was quite brackish, and sea turtle, teraquins, &c., were driven up to the town.—Mass. Spy, Oct. 3.
1808. Lo! Mammoth to a Tarrapin transformed by our Embargo.—Song in The Repertory, Boston, Sept. 2.
1816. See TOTE.
1822. Now and then they may be tempted to those snug suppers of oysters and terrapins, which you see advertised for their accommodation.—Mass. Spy, Feb. 27: from the National Gazette.
1826. See OPOSSUM.
1838. The imputation of hostility to merchants was made against Mr. Jefferson, and his “terrapin policy” was long the theme of the politician, the press, the jester, and the caricaturist.—Mr. Thomas H. Benton of Mo., U.S. Senate, March 14: Cong. Globe, p. 214, App.
1839. “Go it, ye terrapins!”—Mr. Wise’s speech in Congress: The Jeffersonian, Albany, Feb. 2, p. 404.
1839. See SWARTWOUT. (Same phrase.)
