Where does the word tattoo come from?
In the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries field musicians were vital to military commanders to relay orders during the battle. The bands (made up of fifes, drums and bugles) kept the company or regiment in proper cadence while marching. The Taptoo was firmly entrenched as one aspect of the repertoire known in the 18th century military as the “duty” that comprised the fife, bugle and drum calls used to regulate camp and garrison activities. As early as 1688 drummers (the general terms for fifers, drummers and buglers) were expected to “beat all manner of beats, as a Call, a Troupe [sic], a March, a Retreit [sic], a Tato [sic], and a Revally [sic]”. The word “Tattoo” comes from the last order and closing time shouts in Dutch, or horn signals, meaning “Doe den tap toe”, or just “tap toe” (“toe” is pronounced “too”). In the 17th century the word “Tap-too” was encountered by the English Army when fighting in the Low Countries, or Netherlands, during the 100 years war. The phrase: “doe den tap to
