ficker

n. [ See Tick. ] 1. One who, or that which, ticks, or produces a ticking sound, as a watch or clock, a telegraphic sounder, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A telegraphic receiving instrument that automatically prints off stock quotations (
stock ticker), market report, or other news on a paper ribbon or “tape.” [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

3. an electronic instrument receiving information by transmision from a remote source and displaying it in readable fashion, not necessarily on paper tape (e.g. on a video display terminal or moving ribbon of electronically controlled lights). [ PJC ]

4. The heart. [ Colloq. ] [ PJC ]

Ticker tape Tape from or designed to be used in a stock ticker, usu. of paper and being narrow but long. --
Stock ticker, an electro-mechanical information receiving device connected by telegraphic wire to a stock exchange, and which prints out the latest transactions or news on stock exchanges, commonly found in the offices of stock brokers. By 1980 such devices were largely superseded by electronic stock quotation devices. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]