Timmynoggy
noun ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 A rope used on a ship to prevent other lines and riggings tangling with each other.
"I cannot suggest the derivation of this word, but in the form of Timmynoggy it was well-known all my time in the Navy, 1867-1886. Perhaps its best known application was used in connection with the lower studding-sail. In setting this sail it was hoistered clear of the hammock netting, rolled up and held by a strop and toggle, which was slipped as soon as the sail was clear of the ship—this strop and toggle was called the Timmynoggy. The name Timmynoggy was also applied to the various strop and toggle "gadgets" used in connection with upper yards and top-gallant masts to gain time in sail drill. C.C.G."
- 2 Given to various strop and toggle gadgets on board ship, used in connection with the upper yards to save time in sail drill. broadly
"I cannot suggest the derivation of this word, but in the form of Timmynoggy it was well-known all my time in the Navy, 1867-1886. Perhaps its best known application was used in connection with the lower studding-sail. In setting this sail it was hoistered clear of the hammock netting, rolled up and held by a strop and toggle, which was slipped as soon as the sail was clear of the ship—this strop and toggle was called the Timmynoggy. The name Timmynoggy was also applied to the various strop and toggle "gadgets" used in connection with upper yards and top-gallant masts to gain time in sail drill. C.C.G."
- 3 A device more or less makeshift, to enable something to be done more expeditiously than would be possible in the ordinary way. broadly
"A term for almost any time- or labour-saving device: naval: ca 1850-95. Ex dial. ‘’timmynoggy’’, ‘a notched square piece of wood; used to support the lower end of the “vargood” or long spar serving as a bowline, itself ex dial. ‘’timmy’’, the stick or bat used in the game of rounders. cf. GADEGT"
- 4 Candleholder of iron.
"I wonder if we might here be dealing with yet another variant of the word timmynoggy. This was the name for a candle-holder of iron, and lacking a sliding-piece. But it also had several other nautical meanings in Cornwell. One of these seems especially relevant, since it refers to the notched piece of wood, against which the foot ..."
Example
More examples"I cannot suggest the derivation of this word, but in the form of Timmynoggy it was well-known all my time in the Navy, 1867-1886. Perhaps its best known application was used in connection with the lower studding-sail. In setting this sail it was hoistered clear of the hammock netting, rolled up and held by a strop and toggle, which was slipped as soon as the sail was clear of the ship—this strop and toggle was called the Timmynoggy. The name Timmynoggy was also applied to the various strop and toggle "gadgets" used in connection with upper yards and top-gallant masts to gain time in sail drill. C.C.G."
Etymology
Probably ultimately based on Old French Old French timon (“tiller”) + English guy.
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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.