The "Tiger"?

[Monitor]

I am presently reading Gottfried's Brigades of Gettysburg (very informative) and came across an interesting entry. At daybreak on 2 July 1863, Wheaton's 3rd Bridage (62nd NY, 93rd Penn. 98th Penn. 102nd Penn. and 139th Penn.) crossed the Pennsylvania State line. Given the make-up of the Brigade, this was seen as a special moment and Private George Uhler of the 93rd Penn. Regt. noted "Our bands struck up the 'Star Spangled Banner', the men fell into close marching order, taking the correct step from the music, and up went three cheers and a 'tiger' that made the air ring."

Anyone have any idea what a 'tiger' was? Something like a Northern version of 'the rebel yell'?

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

Just an expression meaning an extra-loud cheer.

 

[James B White]

I thought the "tiger" was a separate sound at the end.

From the 1890 Dictionary of Slang, Jargon & Cant:
"In the United States, after three cheers are given, it is usual to add a howl, called 'the tiger,' in order to intensify the applause."

From an 1876 article:
"...there is the supplementary snarl or growl of the 'three cheers and a tiger' which firemen and militia indulge; what the 'tiger' means is a mystery."

 

[frontrank2]

Three rousing cheers is : hip hip huzzah! ( 3 times ) And you growl (roar) like a tiger at the end. Rrrraaaarrr!!!

 

[frontrank2]

From what I've read over the years, three rousing cheers was the norm. But if you had a special circumstance, ( such as a pretty woman visiting or in the vicinity ) the" tiger" was added. And there were certainly other situations that might call for it.

 

[JRJ]

Three rousing cheers is : hip hip huzzah! ( 3 times ) And you growl (roar) like a tiger at the end. Rrrraaaarrr!!!

You had made mention to this on another thread. Glad you were able to find somewhere to plug it in again!

 

[major bill]

Thank you for posting this. I had seen it used by the Detroit Light Guard ca. 1861. Because they wore a tiger badge on their caps, I assumed this was something companies with a tiger in their regalia did. Now I see it was more wide spread than that.

Major Bill

 

[Mark F. Jenkins]

I think I ran across it in the Horatio Hornblower books.

 

[John Hartwell]

The explanation I've heard is that the 'tiger' is the "Huzzah". It was (still is, I believe) the British custom to give three 'hips' (cheers) before the tiger, but Americans have shortened it to two. Goes back at least to Napoleonic times.

Cheers!

jno

 

[Monitor]

Great replies! Also interested to read the history of the 'tiger'.