I was today years old when I learned this. Thank you. Absolutely brilliant!
That’s only one theory- the other theory is that it’s from the Irish verb for ‘to grant’, as Tories were the wealthy land-owning class who bequeathed land rights
The most likely answer though isn’t from either of these, rather, it’s just an abbreviation of ‘Conservatory’, but that’s not as fun a story, is it?
Tóraidhe* it should be, it’s the old spelling so the fada isn’t necessary. Related to tóir, which means ‘pursuit’. If it seems unusual that the Tories would take an insult to use as a way to refer to themselves, it’s happened before: ‘Yankee’ is an example.
That entomology is disputed, and the first known introduction to England of term was referring to (probably fantasised) Irish assassins.
*Kinky boots intensifies*
That’s why there’s a place called “Tory Island” off the coast of Donegal.
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Wikipedia confirms.
I did not expect that.
I was today years old when I learned this. Thank you. Absolutely brilliant!
That’s only one theory- the other theory is that it’s from the Irish verb for ‘to grant’, as Tories were the wealthy land-owning class who bequeathed land rights
The most likely answer though isn’t from either of these, rather, it’s just an abbreviation of ‘Conservatory’, but that’s not as fun a story, is it?
Tóraidhe* it should be, it’s the old spelling so the fada isn’t necessary. Related to tóir, which means ‘pursuit’. If it seems unusual that the Tories would take an insult to use as a way to refer to themselves, it’s happened before: ‘Yankee’ is an example.
That entomology is disputed, and the first known introduction to England of term was referring to (probably fantasised) Irish assassins.
*Kinky boots intensifies*
That’s why there’s a place called “Tory Island” off the coast of Donegal.