General
tomfoolery
What does tomfoolery mean?
Jewellery — usually the kind being lifted, fenced, or worn flashier than it should be. Tomfoolery rhymes with jewellery, and in proper Cockney shorthand it's just 'tom'. A bloke 'covered in tom' is dripping in chains and sovereign rings, not messing about.
"Geezer walked in dripping in tom — must've had ten grand round his neck."
Frequently asked questions
What does tomfoolery mean in Cockney slang?
In Cockney rhyming slang, tomfoolery means jewellery.
Where does tomfoolery come from?
As rhyming slang, 'tomfoolery' rhymes with 'jewellery,' which is what it stands in for.
How do you use tomfoolery in a sentence?
For example: 'She was dripping in tomfoolery down the market.'
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