subs. (GROSE: now recognised).—1. ‘A gentle blow.’ Whence TO TAP (or TAP ON THE SHOULDER) = to arrest (GROSE); TAPPER = a bailiff: also SHOULDER-TAPPER.
2. (old).—In pl. = the ears: see HEARING CHEATS.
3. (Eton College).—The only place, recognised by the authorities, where a boy can get beer.
Verb. (colloquial).—Out of TAP = to broach, also TO TAP ONE’S CLARET = to draw blood (see CLARET); TO TAP THE WIRES = to intercept a telegram; TO TAP A JUDY = to deflower (GROSE); TO TAP A HOUSE = to burgle; TO TAP THE ADMIRAL (see ADMIRAL); TO TAP A GUINEA = to change it (GROSE).
1853. REV. E. BRADLEY (‘Cuthbert Bede’), The Adventures of Mr. Verdant Green, an Oxford Freshman, xi. He was thoroughly conversant with the sporting slang of Tintinnabulums Life when he told Verdant that his CLARET had been repeatedly TAPPED.
TO BE ON ONE’S TAPS, verb. phr. (American).—On the alert; on one’s feet, ready to move.
TO GET THE TAP, verb. phr. (tailors’).—To get the upper hand.
ON TAP, adv. phr. (colloquial).—Available; at hand; on view.
