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Fine Dictionary

tickler

WordNet
  1. (n) tickler
    a file of memoranda or notices that remind of things to be done
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
  1. Tickler
    A book containing a memorandum of notes and debts arranged in the order of their maturity.
  2. Tickler
    A prong used by coopers to extract bungs from casks.
  3. Tickler
    One who, or that which, tickles.
  4. Tickler
    Something puzzling or difficult.
Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
  1. (n) tickler
    One who or that which tickles or pleases.
  2. (n) tickler
    Something which puzzles or perplexes; something difficult to understand or answer; a puzzle.
  3. (n) tickler
    A narrow difficult passage or strait on the coast of Newfoundland.
  4. (n) tickler
    A memorandum-book kept to tickle or refresh the memory; specifically, a book used by bankers, showing, in the order of their maturity, notes and debts receivable by the bank. There is usually a tickler for each month of the year.
  5. (n) tickler
    A small bottle containing about half a pint (of spirits), or just enough to “tickle”; also, a dram of whisky or brandy.
  6. (n) tickler
    A small weapon carried on the person, as a pistol or a knife.
  7. (n) tickler
    A strap with which to whip.
  8. (n) tickler
    A prong' used by coopers to extract bungs from casks.
  9. (n) tickler
    A large longicorn beetle, Monohammus titillator, with extremely long antennæ: so called from the habit it has (in common with most of the Cerambycidæ) of gently touching now and then the surface on which it walks with the tips of its long antennæ.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
  1. (n) Tickler
    something difficult, a puzzle: a banker's memorandum-book: a dram of spirits
Idioms

Rib tickler - A rib tickler is a story or joke that will make you laugh a lot. Alternately, a joke might "tickle your ribs".

Etymology

Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary M. E. tikel, unstable, tikelen, freq. of tick, to touch lightly.

Usage in the news

Detroit's Capitol Park is a quiet triangle of benches and planters surrounded by grand old buildings that are better described as sky-ticklers than skyscrapers. lansingcitypulse.com

It was 1998, and Ron Hash didn't need a tickler to remind him that the millennium loomed closer each day. destinationcrm.com

Ahmad Bradshaw wants to run the ball, and he's not a good tickler . ashingtonpost.com

From 'Mary Tyler Moore' to 'SNL,' a timeless tickler . ashingtonpost.com

The tickler file circa 1888. chronicle.com

(AP) — Police are on the lookout for the naked tickler . usatoday.com

The naked tickler struck again in New Smyrna Beach over the weekend. usatoday.com

'Youth in Revolt' an obscenely genial Frenchified tickler. bohemian.com

The Wired magazine founder offers a brain tickler for entrepreneurs by suggesting they involve customers more intimately in their businesses. inc.com

Usage in literature

On so auspicious an occasion, I prefer to take it in the form of a Gum-Tickler. "Our Mutual Friend" by Charles Dickens

He also carried, amongst other trinkets, a sword-stick, which he called his 'Tickler. "Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit" by Charles Dickens

But they returned with a gentle tone upon them that softened even the edge of Tickler. "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens

What could be more natural, looking at all the circumstances of the Tickler engagement? "Framley Parsonage" by Anthony Trollope

Now dat he knows you's seed your fadder, he'll likely hab somet'ing 'tickler to say to you. "The Middy and the Moors" by R.M. Ballantyne

Then she puts up the rib tickler and grabs me by the wrist. "Shorty McCabe" by Sewell Ford

So we named this a tickler. "The Creature from Cleveland Depths" by Fritz Reuter Leiber

M'pa went ... got him these heah fancy hoss ticklers theah. "Ride Proud, Rebel!" by Andre Alice Norton

The Easy Ticklers were next in the procession. "Rootabaga Stories" by Carl Sandburg

All records beaten as a fun-maker, rib-tickler, and laugh-provoker. "Daisy Brooks" by Laura Jean Libbey