tick

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

A ticket; score; debt; trust; credit.--Worcester. This word, says Dr. Johnson, seems contracted from ticket, a tally on which debts are scored. Mr. Halliwell says it signifies a tradesman's bill, formerly written on a card or ticket.


You may swim in twentie of their boates over the water upon ticket.--Decker's Gull's Horn Book.

Taking up arms and ammunition from the States united, with whom they went on ticket, and long days of payment, for want of ready money for their satisfaction.--Heylin, Hist. of the Presbyterians (1670), p. 437.

To buy on tick, to go on tick, are the common phrases wherein this now vulgar word is heard. Like many other words once used in good society and by learned men, 'tick' has almost had its day, and is fast sinking into obscurity.

When the money is got into hands that have bought all that they have need of, whoever needs anything else must go on tick or barter for it.--Locke.

Wild. Play on tick and lose the Indies, I'll discharge it all to-morrow.--Dryden, An Evening's Love, Act 3.

They call this the age of inventions; but why does not some fellow take out a patent for providing drinks on tick--he would be a benefactor to his species.--N. O. Delta.

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