出典:Wiktionary
出典:『Wiktionary』 (2024/09/11 19:32 UTC 版)
Origins are unknown, but definitely predate the use of metal flashlights, contrary to the most quoted description of origin.
It is probable that the origin relates to Chinese immigration, as the first law to restrict immigration from a particular country was enacted in 1882 to limit the numbers of Chinese coming to the United States. It is said that many of the illegal immigrants made their way to the US via the Gulf of Tonkin area of what is now Vietnam. It is also possible that the term is related to the Chinese "tong" mob.
tonk (plural tonks)
tonk (countable and uncountable, plural tonks)
Compare Tagalog tong-its, Ilocano tong-it, Pangasinan tung-it.
tonk (uncountable)
Onomatopoeic.
tonk
tonk (plural tonks)
tonk (third-person singular simple present tonks, present participle tonking, simple past and past participle tonked)
(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)
tonk (comparative tonker, superlative tonkest)