tommyknocker

English

Etymology

From Cornwall.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈtɒmiːnɒkə/

Noun

tommyknocker (plural tommyknockers)

1. (folklore) A mythical creature, like a brownie or leprechaun, believed to live in underground tunnels; later associated with dead miners.
   • 2006, Thomas Pynchon, Against the Day, Vintage, published 2007, page 335:

     Then he's down one of these adits, talking to the tommyknockers, more'n likely.