Harry Tate, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

Harry Tate n.

[rhy. sl.; ult. Harry Tate (1872–1940); note also WWI milit. use Harry Tate’s Cavalry, the Yeomanry (cf. Fred Karno’s army n.), Harry Tate’s Navy, the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, the Fleet Auxiliary and the Motor Boat Reserve]

1. (bingo) the number eight.

a.1945		L. Payne private coll. n.p.: 8 Harry Tate.
1981		P. Wright Cockney Dialect and Sl. 109: 8 = ’Arry Tate.
1992		R. Puxley Cockney Rabbit.
2002		B. Kirkpatrick Wicked Cockney Rhy. Sl.

2. a plate.

1930		(con. 1914–18) Brophy & Partridge Songs and Sl. of the British Soldier.
1960		J. Franklyn Dict. Rhy. Sl.
1969		S.T. Kendall Up the Frog.
1992		R. Puxley Cockney Rabbit.
2002		B. Kirkpatrick Wicked Cockney Rhy. Sl.

3. a state of nerves.

1932		‘P.P.’ Rhy. Sl.
1960		J. Franklyn Dict. Rhy. Sl.
1969		S.T. Kendall Up the Frog.
1972		Dodson & Saczek Dict. of Cockney Rhy. Sl.
1992		R. Puxley Cockney Rabbit.

4. in pl., Player’s Weights cigarettes.

1984

Partridge DSUE (8th edn) 533/2: late C.20.