Etymology

tatum

T1A1T1U1M3

Today it means: The shortest statistically significant time interval between successive notes in a rhythmic phrase or a musical piece. Full definition →

Old English Tāta
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tatum · noun1

Coined by American computer scientist Jeffrey A. Bilmes in 1993, initially as a blend of temporal + atom, but deliberately changed from tatom to tatum to honor master jazz pianist Art Tatum, who was known for his exceptional celerity.

Tatum · proper noun2

  1. Old English · inherited fromTāta
  2. English todayTatum

From Tatham, from Old English Tāta, a personal name of unknown meaning + hām.

Words from the same roots

Old EnglishTāta all →

tate

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.