Meaning of titfer | Babel Free

Definitions

A hat.

Cockney, slang

Examples

“And one of the greatest exponents of rhyming slang I ever knew once addressed this question⟳ to me: "Tell⟳ me, is my titfer on solicitor's fee?" Now I got "titfer" immediately, of course. The question⟳ had something to do with his hat. But after trying for fifteen minutes to work⟳ out what "solicitor's fee" meant, I had to give⟳ up. Almost compassionately the expert explained. A solicitor (attorney) usually charges six shillings and eightpence, or colloquially speaking, six and eight. Six and eight is rhyming slang for straight. So all he wanted to know⟳ was if his hat were on straight.”

“"Thee's a right rotten skinflint, Barnaby," Victoria hissed at her husband. "Mabel and me're going to have⟳ new folderols if it costs thee thy whole company by God! And we wants titfers like⟳ her's by God!" / "Wot?" / "Yes wot! Titfers—hats!"”

“Words like⟳ ‘rough’ and ‘rude’ were used instead, especially by a stuck-up girl called Jessica, whose mother was a milliner. A posh milliner at that – so Jessica said. We didn’t let⟳ on that we were ignorant enough not to know⟳ what she was talking about. That would have⟳ made her swankier than ever. But Auntie Viv came to the rescue⟳ when she told me that it meant a lady who made hats. When I told this to Winnie she laughed and went straight up to Jessica and said ‘Ow’s yer muvver gettin’ on wiv the titfers, eh?’ / Jessica obviously knew that ‘titfers’ was a Cockney word for hats. Her face⟳ went all mean⟳ and white.”

“On this trip⟳ I heard him say⟳ something that I had not heard for a long time. He always called his hat a Titfer, and I know⟳ this is part of the cockney slang phrase "Tit for Tat." This slang is where the last⟳ syllable [tat], rhymes with the word that is being talked about, in this case, it's the word hat. The slang has been around for many years.”

“"We understand⟳ that it's New Year's Eve, sir. But we have⟳ had several complaints from local residents, and we have⟳ been asked to come⟳ and kindly request⟳ that you turn⟳ your music down." / "Not a problem Occifers," I say⟳, because there were two of them. Lulu has appeared in the doorway and wants to flirt with the Occifers and try⟳ on their titfers. They smile⟳ at her but don't say⟳ anything.”

“Tommy remembered Uncle Johnny standing up from his chair in the snug and settling his titfer on his head, what made him look⟳ as if he were a bookie.”

CEFR level