toy English · revision 6139

+ {{infobox|confidence=unknown|attested=1303}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /tɔɪ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English toye, of unknown or uncertain origin.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(NODE 1998)^(Etymonline) [[dum|toi]] (Dutch tooi) “attire, finery” agrees in form but not in sense.^(SOED 2002)^(Etymonline) Barnhart and Etymonline suggest that the modern sense, a plaything, may instead come from [[nl|tuig|t=tools, apparatus, stuff, trash]], as in [[m|nl|speeltuig|t=plaything]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) which is cognate with [[de|Zeug|t=stuff]] and [[m|de|Spielzeug|t=plaything, toy]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Amorous sport or dalliance: 1303, in Mannyng's ''Handlyng Synne''.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In the 16th century the word was used broadly, often of abstract things: antics and tricks, a trifling speech or frivolous piece of writing, a lively tune, a whim, an unreasonable dislike.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Word Origins describes it as first a funny story or remark, then a prank or frivolous entertainment.^(Cresswell 2021)^(NODE 1998) The narrowing ran through the idea of an object meant for amusement rather than serious use:^(Etymonline) a piece of fun about 1500,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) a thing of little value, a trifle, in 1530 in Palsgrave,^(Barnhart 1988) and a plaything for children before 1586 in Sidney's ''Arcadia'', the 1580s in Etymonline.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) A small article is in Shakespeare's ''Taming of the Shrew'' (1596).^(Barnhart 1988) As an adjective of small things, especially very small dogs, it is from 1806, in the journals of Lewis and Clark.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) The verb, to trifle or play, is from before 1529 in Skelton,^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989) often of amorous dallying in the 16th century,^(Etymonline) and ''to toy with'', to handle idly, is by 1832.^(Etymonline) [[toy boy|alt=Toy boy]], a young male lover of an older woman, is from the 1980s.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1303 – amorous sport.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * c. 1500 – a piece of fun.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * before 1529 – the verb, to trifle.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1530 – a trifle.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1580s – a plaything for children.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1806 – a toy dog.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1980s – toy boy.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # An object for children to play with.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something of little importance; a [[trifle]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A small ornament; a [[bauble]].^(AHD)

+ # A dog of a very small breed.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # ''(toy with)'' To amuse oneself idly with; to play with something or someone without seriousness.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(toy with)'' To consider an idea casually.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[toylike]]

+ * [[toyer]]

+ * [[toyless]]

+ * [[toymaker]]

+ * [[toyshop]]

+ * [[boy toy]]

+ * [[English toy spaniel]]

+ * [[toy dog]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[toy boy]]

+ * [[boy]]

+ * [[trifle]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}