Black and Tan

noun
1.
Usually, Black and Tans. an armed force of about 6000 soldiers sent by the British government to Ireland in June, 1920, to suppress revolutionary activity: so called from the colors of their uniform.
2.
a member of this force.
3.
(lowercase) a drink made of equal parts of ale and stout or porter.
4.
(lowercase) a black-and-tan dog.
Origin
1880-85 for def 4

black-and-tan

[blak-uh n-tan] /ˈblæk ənˈtæn/
adjective
1.
(of a dog) of a black color with tan markings above the eyes and on the muzzle, chest, legs, feet, and breech.
2.
Informal. composed of or frequented by both blacks and whites:
a black-and-tan musical revue of the 1920s.
Origin
1855-60
British Dictionary definitions for Black and Tan

black and tan

noun
1.
a mixture of stout or porter and ale
Slang definitions & phrases for Black and Tan

black and tan

adjective phrase

Occupied or patronized by both blacks and whites; interracial; salt and pepper: My place was black and tan, for colored and white alike

[1920s+; perhaps fr the same phrase used to describe an 1860s faction of Southern Republicans who proposed proportional representation for black and white voters]