Basic Guidelines For English Spellings
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1A kettle of tinned iron.
Generally regarded as of inferior quality, or typical of a poor household.
2A metal kettle, pan, etc., that is beaten to make a cacophonous noise, either in celebration or to show opprobrium, especially on the part of a large group of people. Compare "tin pan". Now chiefly historical.
With use in the context of serenading newly-weds, compare tin-kettle, tin-kettler, and "tin-kettling".
3rare Extended and allusive uses. A piano of poor quality.
Late 17th century; earliest use found in William King (1663–1712), writer. From tin + kettle.