"a tot" of a house

Posted by James Briggs on July 17, 2003

In Reply to: "A tot" of a house posted by Lewis on July 17, 2003

: : : What does "'a tot' of a house" mean? The sentence was apparently in referenced to a London dwelling.

: : One of my British slang references says "tot" means small regarding a drink. I don't know if that carries over to houses.

:
: 'tot' is a noun that means 'a small one' - it is usually used to indicate a small amount of alcoholic spirit or a child.

'Totting' is east End (of London) slang for the trade of a Rag & Bone man - a man who pushed his cart around the streets buying up old rags, bones and anything else people would sell to him. Long gone in the East End, I guess but, according to Gary, still seen in Sheffield.

• The Rag and Bone Man Lewis 07/18/03