Meaning:
Its source is an Aramaic expression meaning "Twin."
Narrative:
Thomas was the name of one of Jesus' disciples. Some accounts say his full name was Judas Thomas (Judas the Twin), and a nickname was needed to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot.
Many Christians might be shocked to learn that some sects have taught that Thomas was the twin of Jesus himself.
The Biblical Thomas presents an unusual mixture of pessimism and zealous faith. He is called ''doubting Thomas'' because of an incident in the Acts. After the resurrection, he refuses to believe until he sees Jesus for himself. At their meeting, Thomas declares his faith. Jesus gently rejoins that it is better to believe without seeing.
Associations:
''Aunt Tom'' is a term for a woman who does not challenge or question male dominance.
''Devil and Tom Walker'' is an exclamation expressing annoyance or agitation.
In African-American slang, the phrase ''Tom-and-try'' means to submit to racism or act subservient in order to gain something.
In African-American slang, to ''Tom out'' is to inform on a fellow African American to the white authorities.
''Tom'' or ''Tomfoolery'' is British rhyming slang for jewelry.
A ''Tom mix'' is either a drug injection or a difficult situation.
In African-American slang, ''Uncle Tom'' is a derogatory term for a black person who submits to racism or acts servile to white people. The term is derived from the novel Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe.
In African American slang, ''Mister Tom'' is a derogatory term for a black man who has embraced white, middle-class values and culture. It is a variant of ''Uncle Tom.''
In African-American slang, a ''Tomette'' is a young black woman who submits to racism. This is a female version of ''Uncle Tom.''
TM & Copyright © 1998-2007 Oxygen Media. All Rights Reserved