tom
/tɔm/
Definition
- Noun:
- A male turkey: The term "tom" specifically refers to an adult male turkey.
- A male cat: "Tom" is commonly used to denote a male cat, often a non-neutered one.
- (Offensive, ethnic slur): An offensive and derogatory term for a Black man who is perceived as being abjectly servile and deferential to White people.
Usage Examples
- Noun (male turkey):
- The farmer raised a large tom for Thanksgiving.
- You can tell a tom from a hen by its larger size and more colorful plumage.
- Noun (male cat):
- Our new cat is a tom, so we're considering having him neutered.
- That old tomcat is a fierce fighter.
- Noun (offensive slur):
- (Note: Usage examples for this derogatory sense are provided for linguistic understanding only. The term is highly offensive and should not be used.)
Advanced Usage
- "Tom, Dick, and Harry" (idiom): This phrase refers to ordinary, average, or unspecified people, often implying a lack of distinction.
- You can't just let every Tom, Dick, and Harry into the private event.
- "Tomcat" (noun): A common compound word specifically meaning a male cat.
- The neighborhood tomcat patrols the streets at night.
Variants and Related Words
- Tomcat (n): A male cat.
- Tom-turkey (n): A male turkey (less common than simply "tom").
- Tomfoolery (n): Foolish behavior or nonsense. (Etymologically related to "Tom Fool," a term for a stupid person).
Synonyms
- For male turkey: gobbler.
- For male cat: male cat, tomcat.
- For the derogatory term: (This is a specific slur with no direct synonym; related offensive concepts include "Uncle Tom").
Related Phrases
- Peeping Tom: A person who secretly watches others, especially for sexual gratification.
- The police arrested a Peeping Tom outside the apartment building.
Related Idioms
- Every Tom, Dick, and Harry: Every ordinary person; anyone at all.
- This isn't public information; we can't share it with every Tom, Dick, and Harry.
Noun
-
male turkey
-
male cat
-
(ethnic slur) offensive and derogatory name for a Black man who is abjectly servile and deferential to Whites
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