subs. (common).—Drumming the fingers on any resonant surface, or tapping the floor with one’s feet, acts of vacancy or impatience.
1817. SCOTT, The Search after Happiness, st. xv.
| His sugar-loaves and bales about he threw, | |
| And on his counter beat the DEVIL’S TATTOO. |
1837. R. H. BARHAM, The Ingoldsby Legends, ‘The Lady Rohesia’ (ed. 1862), p. 181. Her tears had ceased; but her eyes were cast down, and mournfully fixed upon her delicate little foot, which was beating the DEVIL’S TATTOO.
1841. BULWER-LYTTON, Night and Morning, bk. III., ch. vi. Mr. Gawtrey remained by the fire beating the DEVIL’S TATTOO upon the chimney-piece.
1855. THACKERAY, The Newcomes, II., 130. Lady Kew (loq.): ‘Have you been quarrelling as much as usual?’ ‘Pretty much as usual,’ says Barnes, drumming on his hat. ‘Don’t beat that DEVIL’S TATTOO.’
