tapster
English
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English tappestere, from Old English tæppestre (“barmaid”), equivalent to tap + -ster.
Noun
tapster (plural tapsters)
- (archaic) One whose business is to tap or draw ale or other liquor.
- Synonym: barkeep
- c. 1597, William Shakespeare, “The Merry VViues of VVindsor”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358, [Act I, scene iii]:
- […] A tapster is a good trade: an old cloak makes a new jerkin; a withered serving-man a fresh tapster.
- 1609, Thomas Dekker, “Lanthorne and Candle-light. Or, The Bell-man’s Second Nights-walke. […] The Second Edition, […]: Jacke in a Boxe. […]”, in Alexander B[alloch] Grosart, editor, The Non-dramatic Works of Thomas Dekker. […] (The Huth Library), volume III, London; Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire: […] [Hazell, Watson, & Viney] for private circulation only, published 1885, OCLC 4797086, pages 292–293:
- There is a Twin-brother to this Falſe-galloper, and hee cheats Inne-keepers onely, or their Tapſters, by learning firſt what Country-men they are, and of what kindred: and then bringing counterfeit letters of commendations from ſuch an Vncle, or ſuch a Coozen (wherein is requeſted, that the Bearer thereof may bee vſed kindely) […]
- 1743, Henry Fielding, chapter XVI, in The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews, and His Friend Mr. Abraham Adams. […], volume I, 3rd edition, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, […], OCLC 1157347657:
- About the second watch a general complaint of drought was made, both by the prisoner and his keepers. Among whom it was at last agreed that the constable should remain on duty, and the young fellow call up the tapster; in which disposition the latter apprehended not the least danger, as the constable was well armed, and could besides easily summon him back to his assistance, if the prisoner made the least attempt to gain his liberty.
- 1878, John Payne, Introduction, in François Villon, Poems, translated by John Payne, New York: Boni & Liveright, c. 1918, p. 33,
- […] in a twinkling the accomplished sharper changes the pitchers and pretending to examine the contents, asks the tapster what kind of wine he has given him […]
Related terms
- tapper
- tapstress
Further reading
- “tapster”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
- tapster in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
Anagrams
- PERSTAT, Prattes, p'taters, partest, patters, perstat, spatter, trap set, trapset
Middle English
Noun
tapster
- Alternative form of tappestere
- 1387–1400, Geoffrey Chaucer, “(please specify the story)”, in The Canterbury Tales, [Westminster: William Caxton, published 1478], OCLC 230972125; republished in [William Thynne], editor, The Workes of Geffray Chaucer Newlye Printed, […], [London]: […] [Richard Grafton for] Iohn Reynes […], 1542, OCLC 932884868, lines 240-42:
- He knew the tavernes wel in every toun / And everich hostiler and tappestere / Bet than a lazar or a beggestere;
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