tallywoman

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

tally +‎ woman

Noun[edit]

tallywoman (plural tallywomen)

  1. A woman who conducts the tally trade.
  2. (informal, regional, archaic) A woman who cohabits (with someone) outside of marriage.
    • [1890, F.C. Birkbeck Terry, “Tally-woman”, in Notes and Queries[1], page 297:
      It is used in Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cheshire, and, I dare say, various other counties. A tally-woman is the mistress of a married man, who is said to live tally with her.]

See also[edit]