tomfoolery

Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to: navigation, search

Contents

English [edit]

Etymology [edit]

Tom (a common man) +‎ foolery

Pronunciation [edit]

  • (UK) IPA: /ˌtɒmˈfuːl.ə.ɹi/, X-SAMPA: /%tQm.fu:l.@.r\i/

Noun [edit]

tomfoolery (countable and uncountable; plural tomfooleries)

  1. Foolish behaviour
  2. (Cockney rhyming slang) jewellery.

Notes [edit]

Ironically enough, the word "jewel" traces its etymology back to Latin "iocus" ('jest, joke') so this Cockney rhyming slang term makes quite a bit of sense.

Translations [edit]