Tom

Origin of: Tom

Tom

Tom, as in the male of species of animals and birds, as in a tom cat, dates from the late 18th century. Tom in South Africa is slang for money and derives from British rhyming slang, tomfoolery/jewellery, jewellery being synonymous with wealth and hence money. The British rhyming slang dates from the late 19th century, but the South African usage is from the mid-20th century. In Britain, Tom, as in the man’s name, is slang for prostitute. The latter meaning has nothing to do with rhyming slang and is simply underworld/police slang for an aggressive, loud, masculine, prostitute. This usage dates from the mid-19th century.