▪ I. tatting, n.
(ˈtætɪŋ)
[Origin unknown: perh. an arbitrary formation. It has the form of a verbal n. from tat v.2; but that verb is of more recent appearance, as if merely a back-formation from tatting.]
a. n. A kind of knotted lace, netted with a small flat shuttle-shaped instrument from stout sewing-thread; used for edging or trimming, and sometimes for doyleys, parasol covers, etc. (called in F. frivolité, Ger. frivolitäten). b. vbl. n.1 The action or process of making this. Also attrib. as tatting-cotton, tatting-edging, tatting-net, tatting-shuttle, tatting-stitch, tatting-work.
(Tatting-shuttles exist which are said to have been used before 1820.)
| 1842 Mrs. Gaugain Lady's Assist. Knitting, etc. II. 411 Common Tatting Edging. Ibid. 412 If the Tatting has not been properly worked, this scollop will not draw. All Tatting stitches must be formed with the loop round the fingers. 1864 Sat. Rev. 22 May, It retires to talk scandal over her tatting with any fashionable old maid with whom the party may be tormented. 1865 Reader 28 Oct. 479/3 In 1851 the Census showed a return of 902 pupils in the various arts of crochet laces, point lace.., pillow lace,..plain sewing, knitting and tatting. 1877 Knight Dict. Mech., Tatting-shuttle, a small shuttle used in tatting. 1895 Times 2 Jan. 13/2 Orders for cotton embroidery edgings, trimmings, and tattings have been disappointing. 1901 C. Morris Life on Stage 46 The ‘tatting’ craze was sweeping over the country [U.S.A.] then [c 1863]; everybody wore tatting, and almost everybody made it. |
▪ II. tatting, vbl. n.2
(ˈtætɪŋ)
[f. tat v.3 + -ing1.]
Rag- or scrap-collecting (see also quot. 1926). Cf. totting (s.v. tot n.5).
| 1926 Glasgow Herald 14 Dec. 10/7 The word ‘tatting’..appears..to mean the annexation by dustmen..of stray articles of small value found in dustbins. 1969 Listener 6 Feb. 169/2 Now,..scrap-collecting and dealing are the biggest stand-by, with ‘tatting’ (rag-collecting), [etc.]. 1977 Scollins & Titford Ey up, mi Duck! III. 52 Tattin', going round collecting scrap, as a scrap-merchant does. |