subs. (old).—Sixpence: 6d.: e.g., ‘The Kiddy tipt the rattling-cove a TANNER for luck’ = ‘The lad gave the coachman sixpence for drink’ (GROSE): see RHINO. Hence TANNERGRAM = a telegram: when the minimum cost was reduced from 1s. to 6d.
1843. DICKENS, Martin Chuzzlewit, xxxvii. The Man in the Monument replied, ‘A TANNER.’ It seemed a low expression, compared with the Monument.
1877. W. H. THOMSON, Five Years’ Penal Servitude, iii. 239. A ‘shise’ half-bull, and a ‘duffing’ TANNER.
1896. Oamuru (N.Z.) Mail, 13 June. TANNERGRAMS is the somewhat apt designation which the new sixpenny telegrams have been christened in commercial vernacular.
1897. MARSHALL, Pomes, 31. This worn-out TANNER ’Arry gave me once, To show his love was true, and not no bunce.
1899. R. WHITEING, No. 5 John Street, xxviii. ‘There’s a whole TANNER’S worth for nix,’ she says, as with deft fingers she makes me a giant buttonhole from the wild growths.
1901. W. S. WALKER, In the Blood, 20. On this trip Billy had pinched a TANNER dropped in the gutter.
