Your elbow is close but you can't bite it
― ledge, Friday, 15 January 2021 14:55 (three years ago) link
I've always said "Tickling the ivories" but I just heard two people say "Tinkling the ivories" on Sky News. That doesn't seem right.
― Fronted by a bearded Phil Collins (Tom D.), Tuesday, 25 October 2022 06:59 (one year ago) link
I've overwhelmingly heard "tinkling" used but "tickling" is wittier and sounds better.
― assert (matttkkkk), Tuesday, 25 October 2022 07:34 (one year ago) link
OTM
― Fronted by a bearded Phil Collins (Tom D.), Tuesday, 25 October 2022 07:54 (one year ago) link
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Tickling was first, and is obviously correct as far as I'm concerned. It's a perfect visual description of fiddling about on a piano.
What would it be to tinkle a piano? If it's supposed to describe the sound of piano playing, twinkling the ivories would be better.
― Hideous Lump, Tuesday, 25 October 2022 10:42 (one year ago) link
Balls! Click the link
― Hideous Lump, Tuesday, 25 October 2022 10:44 (one year ago) link