tod: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ArchaicHistorical, Regional (UK), Informal (slang sense)
Quick answer
What does “tod” mean?
A bushy mass or clump.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A bushy mass or clump; specifically, a small, bushy clump of heather or similar vegetation.
Historically, a unit of weight for wool (28 pounds, or about 12.7 kg). Also used informally in older British slang to mean 'alone' or 'on one's own' (e.g., 'on one's tod').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The slang phrase 'on one's tod' (alone) is exclusively British. The botanical and historical measure senses are essentially unknown to modern speakers in both regions.
Connotations
In UK, if used, it primarily evokes Cockney rhyming slang (dated/humorous). In US, the word is virtually unknown and carries no connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties. The historical/technical senses are obsolete. The slang phrase is recognized by older generations in the UK.
Grammar
How to Use “tod” in a Sentence
[be] on [possessive pronoun] todVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tod” in a Sentence
adverb
British English
- He spent the evening on his tod.
- She went to the cinema on her tod.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical texts on agriculture or weights and measures.
Everyday
Virtually never used. The slang phrase is archaic.
Technical
Obsolete in textile or botanical terminology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tod”
- Using it as a modern word for 'alone' without the fixed phrase 'on one's tod'.
- Assuming it has a common meaning in American English.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is extremely rare and considered archaic or highly specialised.
It is Cockney rhyming slang from the early 20th century, meaning 'on one's own', derived from the name of the jockey Tod Sloan.
No, in its historical and slang senses, it functions as a noun or within the fixed adverbial phrase 'on one's tod'.
Only for receptive recognition of historical texts or very dated British slang. It is not recommended for active use by learners.
A bushy mass or clump.
Tod is usually historical, regional (uk), informal (slang sense) in register.
Tod: in British English it is pronounced /tɒd/, and in American English it is pronounced /tɑːd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on one's tod (alone, by oneself)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a TOD of wool being TOTED (carried) alone.
Conceptual Metaphor
ISOLATION IS BEING A SINGLE BUSH (from the slang 'on one's tod').
Practice
Quiz
What is the most likely modern context to encounter the word 'tod'?