Tom Tiddler's ground

noun

Tom Tid·​dler's ground
-ˈtidlə(r)z-
variants or less commonly Tommy Tiddler's ground
1
: a game in which a player designated Tom Tiddler or Tommy Tiddler tries to catch the other players who invade the area designated as his property
2
: a place (as a no-man's-land) where pickings may be sought or had without effective interference
this country was a Tom Tiddler's ground of raiding partiesT. E. Lawrence
the border now became a sort of Tom Tiddler's ground filled with warring KaffirsStuart Cloete

Word History

Etymology

from Tom Tiddler, Tommy Tiddler, name given to the player who is "it"

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Dictionary Entries Near Tom Tiddler's ground

Cite this Entry

“Tom Tiddler's ground.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Tom%20Tiddler%27s%20ground. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

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