trinkum-trankum

English

Etymology

Apparently a humorous alteration and reduplication of trinket, with Latinized ending.

Noun

trinkum-trankum (plural trinkum-trankums)

1. (obsolete, slang, dialectal) A trinket.
   • 1749, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, translated by [Peter Anthony] Motteux, edited by [John] Ozell, The History of the Renowned Don Quixote de la Mancha. […], 8th edition, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Innys, […], →OCLC, part I, book III, page 154:

     But Toralva, having a long noſe, ſoon ſmelt his deſign, and then what does ſhe do, think ye, but comes after him bare-foot and bare-legg’d, with a pilgrim’s ſtaff in her hand, and a wallet at her back, wherein they ſay ſhe carry’d a piece of looking-glaſs, half a comb, a broken pot with paint, and I don’t know what other trinkums trankums to prink herſelf up.

   • 1798, [Joanna Baillie], A Series of Plays: In Which It Is Attempted to Delineate the Stronger Passions of the Mind. Each Passion Being the Subject of a Tragedy and a Comedy., London: […] T. Cadell, Jun. and W. Davies, […], page 275:

     I believe you may buy those trinkum, trankum ornaments for Mariane whenever you please.

   • 1820, Robert Anderson, The Poetical Works of Robert Anderson, Author of “Cumberland Ballads,” &c. […], volume II, Carlisle: […] B. Scott, […], page 167:

     But, shaf o’ sec odd trinkum-trankums! / Thur hawf-witted varmen bang aw: / They’d freeten aul Nick, sud tey meet him— / A dandy’s just fit for a show!

   • 1821, Micah Balwhidder [pseudonym; John Galt], Annals of the Parish; or, The Chronicle of Dalmailing, During the Ministry of the Rev. Micah Balwhidder, Written by Himself, Philadelphia, Pa.: M. Carey & Sons […], page 82:

     What then could be said for her singing Italian songs, and getting all the newest from Vauxhall in London, a box-ful at a time, with new novel-books, and trinkum-trankum flowers and feathers, and sweetmeats, sent to her by a lady of the blood royal of Paris?

   • 1842 January, [John Fisher Murray], “The World of London. Part VIII. Foreigners in London.”, in Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, volume LI, number CCCXV, Edinburgh, London: William Blackwood & Sons, […], page 23:

     […] cheap gun shops, trinkum-trankum shops; […]

   • 1869, [M. J. E.] S[anders], “The Purser’s Daughter. (A Tale.)”, in The Ladies’ Cabinet of Fashion, volume XXXIV, second series, London: George Vickers, […]; Rogerson and Tuxford, […], chapter IV, page 175:

     […] now and then they would superstition, that should either party prove perhaps throw even a glittering bracelet and inconstant, it will change its blue colour to a trinkum trankum ormolu trifles, perhaps some green one.

     Hyphenated in the 1875 version.