tiptol, noun

Plurals:
tiptols, or tiptolle.
Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Afrikaans, bulbul; see quotations 1912 and 1937.
obs.
Any of several species of bulbul (Pycnonotus) of the Pycnonotidae. See also toppie noun1.
1908 Haagner & Ivy Sketches of S. Afr. Bird-Life 52These birds (sc. bulbuls) are of a general dark brown colour above and are known by various ‘local’ or vernacular names, such as ‘Tiptol’ in the Eastern Cape, ‘Geelgat’ or ‘Kuifkop’ of the Dutch, ‘Topknot’ or ‘Blackhead’ in Natal. It is also occasionally called the ‘Blackcap’.
1912 E. London Dispatch 9 Aug. 3 (Pettman)[Pycnotus layardi] Known to the colonists as ‘Tiptol,’ and to the natives as ‘Kwebula’. Both of these names..are attempts to produce the bird’s song.
1913 C. Pettman Africanderisms 503Tiptol or Tiptolitje, Birds of the genus Pycnonotus are so called.
1937 M. Alston Wanderings 97The black-capped bulbuls, known familiarly as ‘toppies’ or ‘tiptols’ or ‘top-knots’ because of their black-crested heads.
Any of several species of bulbul (Pycnonotus) of the Pycnonotidae.
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19081937