The Art of Literary Nomenclature

ORIGIN:
Alternate spelling of “Tilly“, diminutive of “Matilda“, meaning “strength in battle” or “mighty battle-maid”.

VARIATIONS and NICKNAMES:
Malta, Mathilda, Mathilde, Matilda, Matilde, Mattie, Matty, Maud, Maude, Maudie, Tilda, Tilde, Tilly, etc.

REFERENCES IN LITERATURE:
– Tillie, Mrs. Rosenfeld’s niece who works in the dining room at Mrs. McKee’s boarding-house, and who is courted by the already-married Mr. Schwitter, in K. by Mary Roberts Rinehart (1914).
– Tillie Kronborg, Thea’s eccentric aunt and biggest fan, in The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather (written in 1915 and set in the 1890s).

WRITERS:
– Tillie Olsen (1912-2011), American activist and writer.

Tagged: 1890s, 1910s, English, T

§ One Response to Tillie

• Tilly | The Art of Literary Nomenclature says:

  August 27, 2014 at 8:04 am

  […] Alternate spelling of “Tillie“, diminutive of “Matilda“, meaning “strength in battle” or “mighty […]

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