taptoe

Forms

taptoe m (plural taptoes, diminutive taptoetje n)^[1]

Etymology

It is formed from Dutch tap (“tap of a cask”) + toe (“shut”), literally “the tap is shut” or “shut the tap”.^[2][3][1] The tap is that of the cask: in the evening the military police went round the inns to have the casks closed, so that no more drink was drawn for the soldiers.^[2][4][5] ⟨Tap toe⟩ thus meant “that's it, enough”, and became the name of the evening signal that sent soldiers to their quarters.^[2][5] The same compound is Low German tapto, with the East Frisian saying ⟨’t is tap tô⟩ “drinking is over”; compare German Zapfenstreich (“tattoo”).^[3][6][7] De Vries thought the word probably came from Low German, as Wallenstein had a signal sounded every evening after which nothing more might be drawn, to stop his soldiers drinking.^[7]

Earliest recorded meaning

The oldest record is the phrase hier de tap van toe “enough of this” of 1639.^[2][4][8] As a noun, taptoe is first recorded in 1688, in a text saying that the Retraite of Tap-toe is to be beaten at ten o'clock in summer and nine in winter.^[2][3][9]

Semantic evolution

In 1726 a writer explains ’t is tap toe from the drumbeat at nine in the evening in garrison towns.^[3] The predicative use het is taptoe “it is enough, basta”, recorded in 1721 and 1864, came from this.^[3][2] The noun was also used on board warships for the end of the day's work, of death in figurative use, and of the closing time of inns.^[3] By extension taptoe became the military concert given after the evening signal (recorded 1925 of a great parade, 1929 of a concert), and then any military music performance and parade.^[2]

English took the word as tap-to in the 1640s and as tattoo in the 1680s;^[10][11] De Vries and De Tollenaere date English taptoo 1644–1833 and tattoo 1706.^[10][11] The transferred English sense “drumbeat” is recorded from 1755.^[10] Danish and Swedish tapto came from Dutch or Low German, and Russian took the word in 1720.^[12][7] Indonesian taptu means both the signal and a military display.^[12][1]

Timeline

• 1639 – Hier de tap van toe “enough of this” is recorded.^[2][4]
• 1640s – English tap-to is first recorded.^[10]
• 1688 – Tap-toe is first recorded as the evening signal for soldiers.^[2][3][9]
• 1720 – Russian borrows the word.^[7]
• 1726 – ’t Is tap toe is explained from the evening drumbeat in garrisons.^[3]
• 1864 – Dat is taptoe “that is enough” and taptoe “evening drum” are recorded.^[2]
• 1925 – Taptoe is used of a great military parade with music.^[2]
• 1929 – Taptoe is used of a military concert.^[2][3]

Meanings

Noun

1. The evening signal calling soldiers to their quarters.^[13][3]
2. A tattoo, a military music performance and parade.^[13][1]

Word family

• taptoemuziek

Related words

• tap
• toe
• English tattoo
• German Zapfenstreich

References

1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Philippa, Marlies; Debrabandere, Frans; Quak, Arend; Schoonheim, Tanneke; Sijs, Nicoline van der (2003–2009), Etymologisch woordenboek van het Nederlands, 4 vols., Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press; online via etymologiebank.nl
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Vries, Matthias de; Winkel, L. A. te, et al. (1882–1998), Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal, 29 vols., 's-Gravenhage / Leiden: Nijhoff / Sijthoff / SDU; supplement 2001; gtb.ivdnt.org
4. ^ a b c Veen, P. A. F. van; Sijs, Nicoline van der (1997), Etymologisch woordenboek: de herkomst van onze woorden, 2nd ed., Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Lexicografie
5. ^ a b Pluim, T. (1911), Keur van Nederlandsche woordafleidingen, Purmerend: Muusses
6. ^ Franck, Johannes; Wijk, Nicolaas van (1912), Franck's Etymologisch woordenboek der Nederlandsche taal, 2nd ed., 's-Gravenhage: Nijhoff
7. ^ a b c d Vries, Jan de (1971), Nederlands etymologisch woordenboek, Leiden: Brill
8. ^ Haeringen, C. B. van (1936), Etymologisch woordenboek der Nederlandsche taal: Supplement, 's-Gravenhage: Nijhoff
9. ^ a b Sijs, Nicoline van der (2001), Chronologisch woordenboek: de ouderdom en herkomst van onze woorden en betekenissen, Amsterdam / Antwerpen: Veen
10. ^ a b c d Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
11. ^ a b Vries, Jan de; Tollenaere, Félicien de (2004), Etymologisch woordenboek: onze woorden, hun oorsprong en ontwikkeling, 23rd ed., Utrecht: Het Spectrum, p. 379
12. ^ a b Sijs, Nicoline van der (2010), Nederlandse woorden wereldwijd, Den Haag: Sdu; with additions from the Uitleenwoordenbank (2015)
13. ^ a b Van Dale Groot woordenboek hedendaags Nederlands (2014), Utrecht / Antwerpen: Van Dale Uitgevers