Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Covid-19

I recalled some military use of the word relating to cannons, as well as a medical use, so out of curiosity I started looking up the origins of the word.

At least in Italian the origins are the same as "tappo" which is a cover, usually of some recipient such as the cover of a jar, the fuel cap, the screw cap of a container, etc. A "tampone" is a plug or stopper, or perhaps in marine terms a cover or closure for a small opening, as well as the medical uses such as a swab.

In English it still has similar meanings, even if not in every day use, as in Italian.

tampon
[ tam-pon ]
noun
1. a plug of cotton or the like for insertion into an orifice, wound, etc., chiefly for absorbing blood or stopping hemorrhages.
2. such a plug used for absorbing menstrual flow, especially one that is manufactured commercially.
3. a two-headed drumstick for playing rolls.

The military use is a variation of the word which came via the French "tampion" and goes back to the days of muzzle loading cannons on ships.

tampion
[ tam-pee-uh n ]
noun
a plug or stopper placed in the muzzle of a piece of ordnance when not in use, to keep out dampness and dust.

I'll try to remember to translate it as "swab" in future