1. Imitation of the sound:
* The most likely origin is from the onomatopoeic quality of the word. It imitates the sound of the drum itself, a low, resonant "tom-tom". This is similar to other words like "bang", "buzz", or "tick-tock", which mimic the sounds they describe.
2. Borrowed from other languages:
* There is some debate about whether the word came from African or Indian languages. Some believe it may be derived from the "tamm-tamm" of the West African Ewe language or a similar phrase in other languages.
* Another potential source is the "tum-tum" word used in India to describe a similar drum.
3. Western mispronunciation:
* However, the word "tom-tom" likely did not become popular until it was used by Western explorers and travelers in the 19th century.
* It's possible that they mispronounced the words they heard in various languages and that "tom-tom" became the standardized version in English.
4. Specific instrument:
* While the word is often used broadly to refer to any drum, in the 19th and 20th centuries, it sometimes referred to a specific type of drum with a round, shallow head and a barrel-like shape.
Overall:
The word "tom-tom" is likely a combination of these factors. It began as an onomatopoeic description, was influenced by words from other languages, and became popularized through Western usage. The exact origin is debated, but its connection to the sound and shape of drums is clear.