Login

Green’s Dictionary of Slang

not on your tintype phr.

also not on your crayon portrait, ...facial expression

[SE tintype, an old-fashioned type of photograph, i.e. a ‘life portrait’, thus var. on not on your life under life n.]

(orig. US) a general term of derision and dismissal.

1893		St Louis Post-Dispatch (MO) 3 Dec. 17/7: ‘Not on your life’ and ‘not on your tintype’ are simply emphatic expressions which explain themselves.
1894		Brooklyn Dly Eagle (NY) 4 Mar. 18/6: ‘Who is the celebrated speechmaker? [...] is it some big politician from down town?’ ‘Not on yur crayon portrait!’ said Slob.
1896		Ade Artie (1963) 50: Not on your tintype.
1904		G.V. Hobart Jim Hickey 35: ‘Not on your lithograph!’ Danny objected.
1905		G.W. Peck Peck’s Bad Boy Abroad 66: I said: ‘Not on your tintype, Mr. Duke.’.
1916		‘A-No. 1’ Snare of the Road 47: A handout for an ornery cuss like you! [...] Not on your daddy’s tintype!
1928		Sacramento Bee (CA) 28 Apr. 32/5: Is she goin’ to wear ’em bloomers? Not on your facial expression!
1930		(con. 1910s) L. Nason A Corporal Once 172: Do you think the Boche will let us get away with that? Not on your tintype.
1947		S. Lewis Kingsblood Royal (2001) 170: But do you suppose the people would have the sense to elect me a Senator? Not on your tintype.
1955		N. Pulliam I Travelled a Lonely Land (1957) 24: Australians [...] don’t all dress like swagmen and sundowners. Not on your tintype!
1978		P. Theroux Picture Palace 131: ‘Not on your tintype,’ I said coldly.