Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

toco for yam

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.70 in modern English

Syllables: to-co -for yam
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

3

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Retribution; punishment.

British usage; Obsolete; Slang; Uncountable

Etymology

See toco (“corporal punishment”); but the construction is uncertain and has been variously explained in slang dictionaries. It may have the sense of one thing given for another in retribution (like tit for tat), or may suggest a beating given instead of food (yam being food in West Indian pidgin).

Usage

Inflected Forms

toko for yam (alternative)

Questions

What does toco for yam mean?: Retribution; punishment.
Where does toco for yam come from?: See toco (“corporal punishment”); but the construction is uncertain and has been variously explained in slang dictionaries. It may have the sense of one thing given for another in retribution (like tit for tat), or may suggest a beating given instead of food (yam being food in West Indian pidgin).

How to pronounce toco for yam

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