ticky box

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See also: ticky-box

English

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Alternative forms

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Pronunciation

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Etymology 1

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From ticky (a tick mark) +‎ box. (This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “Or could be forming an informal adjective tick + -y?”)

Noun

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ticky box (plural ticky boxes)

  1. (informal) A blank square on a form in which a check mark or cross may be placed in order to indicate a selection.
    • 2006, Kay Sambell, Liz McDowell, Alistair Sambell, “Supporting diverse students: developing learner autonomy via assessment”, in Cordelia Bryan, Karen Clegg, editors, Innovative Assessment in Higher Education, Routledge, →ISBN, page 164:
      At college I took a sort of ticky box approach to doing my work. I'd say to myself, right, I've done that, I've measured that, I've read that.
Synonyms
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Etymology 2

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From tickey (South African threepenny coin) +‎ box.

Noun

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ticky box (plural ticky boxes)

  1. (South Africa, slang) A payphone; Alternative spelling of tickey box
    • 2008, Paula Nangle, The Leper Compound, Bellevue Literary Press, →ISBN, page 96:
      They were trying to figure out how to call long distance from the ticky box.