T.L.

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Pronunciations

T.L. (tee-EL) listen

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Definitions

  • n. One who sucks up to someone; a bootlicker, sycophant.

Example Sentences

  • “How do you think he got where he is? He’s the worst T.L. you ever saw!” (NJY)

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Languages of Origin

  • Yiddish

Etymology

  • initialism of תּחת לעקער tókhes leker 'buttocks licker'

      • Who Uses This

      • Older: Jews who are middle-aged and older
      • Ashkenazim: Jews with Ashkenazi heritage

      Regions

      • North America

      Dictionaries

      • The New Joys of Yiddish, by Leo Rosten and Lawrence Bush (New York, 2003[1968]).

      Alternative Spellings

      TL

Notes

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