I found out when looking into the term “tomboy” that a “tom” was a term for a boisterous and unruly boy. The word “tom” does come from tomcat as others have said because unneutered tomcats are often loud and unruly. I suspect Peeping Tom has a similar “tom” origin: an unruly boy that peeps on girls.
I found out when looking into the term “tomboy” that a “tom” was a term for a boisterous and unruly boy. The word “tom” does come from tomcat as others have said because unneutered tomcats are often loud and unruly. I suspect Peeping Tom has a similar “tom” origin: an unruly boy that peeps on girls.