What is "tit for tat"

Tit \Tit\, n.

1. A small horse.
   --Tusser.

2. A woman; -- used in contempt.
   --Burton.

3. A morsel; a bit.
   --Halliwell.

4. [OE.; cf. Icel. titter a tit or small bird. The word probably meant originally, something small, and is perhaps the same as teat. Cf. Titmouse, Tittle.] (Zo["o]l.)

   1. Any one of numerous species of small singing birds belonging to the families Parid[ae] and Leiotrichid[ae]; a titmouse.

   2. The European meadow pipit; a titlark.

      Ground tit. (Zo["o]l.) See Wren tit, under Wren.

      Hill tit (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of Asiatic singing birds belonging to Siva, Milna, and allied genera.

      Tit babbler (Zo["o]l.), any one of several species of small East Indian and Asiatic timaline birds of the genus Trichastoma.

      Tit for tat. [Probably for tip for tap. See Tip a slight blow.] An equivalent; retaliation.

      Tit thrush (Zo["o]l.), any one of numerous species of Asiatic and East Indian birds belonging to Suthora and allied genera. In some respects they are intermediate between the thrushes and titmice.

1550s, possibly an alteration of tip for tap "blow for blow," from tip (v.3) "tap" + tap "touch lightly." Perhaps influenced by tit (n.2).

a. Having the characteristic of returning bad for bad. n. 1 (context idiomatic English) equivalent retribution, an eye for an eye, returning exactly what you get. 2 (context Cockney rhyming slang English) hat.

n. an equivalent given in return

Tit for tat is an English saying dating to 1556, from "tip for tap", meaning "blow for blow," i.e., retaliation in kind—or more broadly, an equivalent to an action given in return. It has related meanings and use as a concept in biology, social psychology, business, as well as in the mathematical area of game theory. The concept in its various forms has found use in the real world in attempting to explain a form of reciprocated altruism in animal communities, and as a strategy for managing activities in technology areas.

Tit for Tat is a 1935 short comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy. It was the only direct sequel they made, following the story of the previous year's Them Thar Hills. Tit for Tat was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film (Comedy), but did not win.

Tit for Tat is an 1856 novel written anonymously by "A Lady of New Orleans".

Tit for tat is an English saying meaning "equivalent retaliation".

Tit for Tat may also refer to:

• Tit for Tat (novel), an 1856 novel written anonymously
• Tit for Tat (film), a 1935 short comedy film starring Laurel and Hardy
• "Tit for Tat" (7th Heaven), an episode of the TV series 7th Heaven
• "Tit for Tat" (Ain't No Taking Back), a 1968 Christmas song by James Brown
• "Tit for Tat", a song by Eddy Grant on the album Reparation
• "Tit for Tat", a song by Benjamin Britten

"Tit for Tat (Ain't No Taking Back)" is a Christmas song recorded by James Brown. Released as a single in 1968, it charted #86 Pop.

Tit for Tat is a 1921 British silent comedy film directed by Henry Edwards and starring Edwards, Chrissie White and Eileen Dennes.