Tike

Tike is a variant spelling of the English noun tyke, used to refer to a small child or an impudent or troublesome person. The word tyke is the more common form in contemporary English, but tike appears as an alternate spelling in some texts, dialect writings, and informal usage. In everyday speech, both forms can be used affectionately to describe a young child, as in “little tike,” or more pejoratively to describe someone who is rambunctious or mischievous, depending on tone.

Etymology and usage: The word tyke is attested in English from the early modern period, and its exact origins are uncertain. Over time, spellings have varied, including tyke, tyk, teek, and tike. Because tike is a nonstandard variant, its appearance is more common in informal writing, regional dialects, or attempts to reflect nonstandard pronunciation.

Other uses: In onomastics, Tike may occur as a surname or given name in some languages or communities, though this is relatively uncommon. There is no widely recognized separate meaning of “tike” beyond its role as a regional or variant spelling of “tyke.”

See also: Tyke; Tyke (surname).