tiffin, n.
Forms:
Also 18 tiffing.(Show Less)
Etymology: Appears to have originated in the English colloquial or slang tiffing , verbal noun < tiff v.2 to take a little drink or sip (compare quot. 1785), which has been specialized in Anglo-Indian use.
1785 F. Grose Classical Dict. Vulgar Tongue
Tiffing, eating, or drinking out of meal time.
1867 H. Wedgwood Dict. Eng. Etymol.
Tiffin, now naturalised among Anglo-Indians in the sense of luncheon, is the North country tiffing (properly sipping).
Anglo-Indian.
In India and neighbouring eastern countries, A light midday meal; luncheon.
1800 W. Ward Jrnl. 22 Dec. in G. Smith Life W. Carey
(1885)
vi. 137
Krishna came to eat tiffin (what in England is called luncheon) with us.
1803 M. Elphinstone in T. E. Colebrooke Life M. Elphinstone
(1884)
I. v. 116
We were interrupted by a summons to tiff. at Floyer's. After tiffin Close said he should be glad to go.
1810 T. Williamson E. India Vade-mecum I. 352
The [Mahommedan] ladies, like ours, indulge in tiffings (slight repasts).
1818 M. M. Sherwood Stories Church Catech.
(ed. 4)
xvi. 102
She gave them a good tiffing about one o'clock.
1831 E. J. Trelawny Adventures Younger Son II. 115
When the gong sounds one, you will find tiffin in the hall.
1896 ‘H. S. Merriman’ Flotsam xx
I'll call for you after tiffin.
1906 Peking & Tientsin Times 9 May 1/2
Those wishing to have tiffins at the forthcoming spring meeting will please apply at the secretary's office. Price $2.00 per tiffin.
1800—1906(Hide quotations)
Compounds
attrib., as tiffin-bell, tiffin-table, tiffin-time. tiffin-carrier n. a tiered container for transporting meals.
1814 M. M. Sherwood Hist. Little Henry & his Bearer 62
The tiffin-time was very stupid to the little boy.
1852 Life in Bombay 34
The preparation of the tiffin table.
1890 W. C. Russell My Shipmate Louise vi
The tiffin-bell rang.
1960 R. P. Jhabvala Householder i. 13
He always brought his breakfast with him in a tin tiffin-carrier.
1814—1960(Hide quotations)
Derivatives
ˈtiffin v. (a) intr. to take tiffin, to lunch; cf. tiff v.4; (b) trans. to provide with tiffin.
1866 M. E. Braddon Lady's Mile xi
I'd tiffin them if they were my visitors.
1880 P. Gillmore On Duty 51
Here I tiffined.
1903 R. Gower Rec. & Reminisc. 388
We tiffined at a tea-house in the village.
1866—1903(Hide quotations)