tatterdemalion tatterdemalion (tat"erdemalion)

[Early 2. To go ip; carry tales. See tattling, p. a. mod. E. also tatterdemallion, tatter dem a lean, totter dem a lion, tatter tim all i on; appar. a fanciful term, Those tatter tim all ions will have two or three horses, some foure or five, as well for service as for to eat. Capt. John Smith , True Travels, I. 40. Why, among so many millions of people, should thou and I onely be miserable totter dem a lions , rag-a-muffins, and lowsy des per ates? Mas singer and Dekker , Virgin-Martyr, iii. 1 Gent. Mine Host, what's here? Host. A Tatter dem a lean, that stayes to sit at the Ordi nary to day. Heywood, Royal King (Works, ed. Pearson, 1874, VI. 31). tattered (tat'erd), a. [Formerly and dial. also tottered; Shak ., Tit. And., iv. 2. 168.