Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (orig. milit.) to scold, to reprimand.

1900		Bulletin (Sydney) 14 Apr. 10/3: This time it was suggested that premier M’Lean should cable to Chamberlain offering the services of the golden fifty to some regular Bwitish force under the command of Bwitish officahs, but poor Johnny was gently ticked off.
1917		W. Muir Observations of Orderly 227: The N.C.O. or officer who administers a reproof (‘ticks him off’), and does so in angry terms, ‘goes off at the deep end.’.
1922		John O’London’s Weekly 4 Feb. 591/3: [advert for Chatto & Windus publisher] A sparkling and delightful novel. ‘Do not by any chance miss “Crome Yellow,” in which Mr. Aldous Huxley ticks off this present world and its vagaries.’.
1934		Wodehouse Right Ho, Jeeves 148: Why, if I had not your interests sincerely at heart, should I have ticked you off, as stated?
1940		V. Hodgson Diaries (1999) 10 July 16: She had been ticked off by one Sister in the usual heartless manner.
1950		A. Buckeridge Jennings Goes To School 37: Even Benedick knew Jennings was in the wrong, ’cos he ticked him off for sneaking.
1958		B.L. Mongomery Memoirs 148: Later, I got properly ticked off by Brooke, the CIGS, for my action in the matter.
1973		A. Buckeridge Speaking of Jennings (1989) 45: You can’t go around ticking Matrons off for cheek.
1988		A. Hollinghurst Swimming-Pool Library (1998) 234: I’ve ticked him off.
1999		Guardian 13 July 17: Mothers have now been ticked off for smoking.
2000		Indep. Rev. 19 May 3: He was soundly ticked off for getting the order wrong.
2021		P. Papathanasiou Stoning 91: ‘Maybe she was turning tricks [...] Nice little earner, till she ticked off a client’.

2. to identify, to mark.

1912		Bulletin (Sydney) 24 Oct. 48/1: Mrs. Mundy stuck to her point, and in four or five days the idea that she was ticked off for a sad end was generally held.
1919		Sun. Times (Perth) 9 Mar. 7/4: When he sizes you up he puts it that he has ‘ticked you off’.
1929		J.B. Booth London Town 91: I’ve got you ticked off to the dot.