Black and Tan

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Black and Tan

n. pl. Black and Tans

1. A two-toned drink consisting of a layer of ale topped by a layer of stout.

2. A member of a paramilitary force recruited in Britain and sent to Ireland as part of the Royal Irish Constabulary to suppress the Sinn Fein rebellion of 1919 to 1921.

[Sense 2, from the colors of the original uniforms of the force, which combined khaki army trousers with dark-colored police jackets and caps due to lack of supply.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

black and tan

(Brewing) a mixture of stout or porter and ale

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Black′ and Tan′

n., pl. Black and Tans.

a member of an armed force sent by the British government to Ireland in 1920 to suppress revolutionary activity: so called from the color of their uniforms.

black′-and-tan′

adj.

(of a dog) being of a black color with tan markings above the eyes and on the muzzle, chest, legs, feet, and breech.

[1855–60]

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Noun

Black and Tan - an English recruit (who wore a uniform that was black and tan) serving in the Irish constabulary to suppress the Sinn Fein rebellion of 1919 to 1921

military recruit, recruit - a recently enlisted soldier

References in periodicals archive ?

The Black and Tan sneaker takes inspiration for the fine balancing act of a Stout (Guinness) on top a Pale Ale (Harp) in a pint glass." Nike officials told Fox News that the sneakers had been "unofficially named by some" and were officially dubbed the Nike SB Dunk Low.

Nike apologizes for controversial 'Black and Tan' sneakers

"The Black and Tan sneaker takes inspiration for the fine balancing act of a stout on top a pale ale in a pint glass," said the company, not realising the Black and Tans were the detested rabble of ex-jailbirds sent over by the British in the 1920s to kill Republicans.

Nike just do it wrong on Paddy's day

Black and Tan is also a term reviled in Ireland, a sneering reference to the British forces accused of mistreating Irish citizens in the 1920s.

Nike apologizes for shoe-naming gaffe

The Black and Tans were an auxiliary regiment of the British Army.

I FELT LIKE BLACK AND TAN SERVING IN 'NAM; Irish veteran of American war in return to Indo-China

The Black and Tan sneaker takes inspiration for the fine balancing act of a stout [Guinness] on top of a pale ale [Harp] in a pint glass."

Nike on back foot over Black and Tan trainers

CONTROVERSY Nike's Black and Tan trainers have outraged Irish Americans

Nike on back foot over Black & Tans; St Patrick's Day 1

An IRA rifleman, he was involved in attacks on British auxiliaries at Castlemaine and Castleisland, where up to 12 Black and Tan troops died.