tallyman
|tal-ly-man|
/ˈtælɪmən/
person who keeps count or collects accounts
Etymology
'tallyman' originates from English, specifically the compound of 'tally' + 'man', where 'tally' ultimately came from Anglo-Norman 'tallie' (Old French 'taille') from Latin 'talea', meaning 'a cutting; a notched stick used for accounts'.
'talea' in Latin passed into Old French 'taille' and Anglo-Norman 'tallie', which became Middle English 'tally'; this combined with 'man' in English to form 'tallyman' in modern English.
Initially, it meant 'a man who keeps a tally (count) using tally sticks or account records,' and later broadened to 'any scorekeeper,' and regionally to 'a door-to-door installment collector' and an 'election teller.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who keeps count or records numbers/scores; a scorekeeper or recorder.
The tallyman recorded each goal as the match progressed.
Synonyms
Noun 2
in British usage, a door-to-door collector for hire-purchase or installment payments; a debt collector.
The tallyman called every Friday to collect the payments.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/10 05:24