2006-07-24 07:29:25 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Mythology & Folklore
cockney rhyming slang - Thomas Moore -whore
2006-07-24 07:36:25 · answer #1 · answered by TAFF 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
"Tom" meaning a prostitute is a slang term used in London UK, and, if TV shows are to be believed, its usage is particularly prevalent in the Police Force.
With such a London connection, the instant suspicion is that Cockney rhyming slang may be involved. Cockney rhyming slang definitely already has two other meanings for the word "tom", namely jewellery (from tomfoolery) and **** (from Tom Tit), which just goes to show that context is everything when trying to understand a Cockney. Some have claimed that "tom" meaning a prostitute derives from "Thomas More" equalling "whore".
Another theory revolves round "tom" being an abbreviation of "tomboy", which used to carry a pejorative meaning of a bold or immodest woman, in contrast to today's sense of simply "boyish or boisterous girl".
There may well be other possibilities, but given the fact that this is such a London term - and I've never heard it used anywhere else - I favour the rhyming slang theory.
Here are some relevant entries in Slang and Euphamism, A Dictionary, by Richard A. Spears, Signet Books, 1991:
Tom: a prostitute
Tomato: a prostitute (U.S. underworld, early 1900s)
Tomboy: a rude and sexually uncontrolled girl; a strumpet (Primarily British, 1500s - 1800s)
Tomrig: a girl or woman, especially one who is sexually loose (colloquial, early 1700s - 1900s)
Tom Tart: a sexually loose woman. Rhyming slang for "tart"
2006-07-24 14:48:36 · answer #2 · answered by Tom 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Victorian times toms was a slang term for lesbians. I guess that this might have something to do with it but I cannot be sure as I have heard a lot of names for prostitutes like prozzas, street girls, night women, whores, hoes, and so on but have never herd of tom being used in this context before.
2006-07-24 15:20:41 · answer #3 · answered by monkeymanelvis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Never heard of a prostitute being called a Tom.
2006-07-24 14:34:27 · answer #4 · answered by i_troll_therefore_i_am 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
actually toms means TOMORROW when prostitutes would talk to other girls they use the slang e.i c ya toms. it was made as a London slang 1900 but people use it all over the world to this day in text on messenger..in fact lol i use it....i hope this has sorted this question out..
oh and yes the police know them as toms..
2006-07-27 04:45:54 · answer #5 · answered by power_of_me123 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tom is short for tom cats which stay out all night shagging hence the reference to prostitutes hun!
2006-07-24 19:10:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its not the prostitutes that r the tom its their clients that r the toms
2006-07-25 00:10:16 · answer #7 · answered by dude 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tom is right but i prefer curious mans answer lol
2006-07-26 07:46:23 · answer #8 · answered by draytondon 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tom cats
2006-07-27 03:15:42 · answer #9 · answered by GRUMPY /UK 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well Tom cats hang around in alleyways, and will have sex with any of the opposite sex who comes by..
2006-07-24 14:33:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋