Dictionary of Unconventional English_13 pot

allusion to Sherlock Holmes, this based on the US cartoon detective US, 1981 no shit, Sherlock! used for pointing out that another person has just made an obvious statement. Sherlock Holmes extends NO SHIT! US , 1989 no-show noun a non-appearance at an appointed time or place US, 1957 nosh up; nosh noun a meal, a period of eating, meal time. After NOSH (to eat) UK, 1964 no sir; nossir used for registering a strong refusal or denial US, 1856 no siree; no siree, Bob absolutely no US, 1848 no soap used for signifying that the deal is off, not a hope, you’re wasting your time US, 1926 no sound, no picture noun a person who does not appear for an appointment SINGAPORE, 2002 no squash noun irreparable brain damage US, 1978 nostril noun in horse racing, any very short distance between winner and loser that is shorter even than a nose US, 1951 no surrenders noun suspenders. Rhyming slang UK, 2003 no sweat no problem; no need to worry. Therefore no sweat will be produced by fear or exertion US, 1955 no-sweat pill noun a potent anti-bacterial pill US, 1986 not! used as a humorous cancellation of what has just been said in jest. Coined a hundred years before it was broadly popularised by Mike Myers in the ‘Wayne’s World’ sketches on Saturday Night Live US, 1893 not a dry seat in the house used of a theatre audience that is helpless with laughter or a male audience that is sexually aroused. A blend of the drama critic’s cliché: ‘not a dry eye in the house’, and PISS YOURSELF (to laugh uproariously) UK, 1974 not a hundred miles from adjective very close to UK, 1821 no-talent assclown noun a socially inept person. From the film Office Space US, 2002 not all there adjective slightly mad, mentally or intellectually disadvantaged UK, 1864 not backward in coming forward not shy UK, 1830 not bad adjective rather good, or (either patronisingly or with reser- vations) quite good UK, 1909 not bloody likely used as an emphatic negative. First used in print (and, presumably, polite society) in George Bernard Shaw’s play, Pygmalion, 1914 UK, 1914 notch verb to wound. Vietnam war usage US, 1991 notchback noun a car with a dent in its boot. A play on the conven- tional ‘hatchback’ US, 1992 notch up verb to achieve UK, 1837 not cricket adjective unfair. From the rigid rules of the game, but now always in phrases ‘it’s not cricket’, ‘that’s not ’, etc UK, 1978 note noun a one-pound note; the sum of £1. Became obsolete in Australia after the introduction of decimal currency in 1966 but it still used in the UK AUSTRALIA, 1863 note from mother noun official permission. US naval aviator usage US, 1986 no-tell motel noun a motel with discreet management favoured by prostitutes and couples seeking privacy US, 1974 notes noun < get good notes in Quebec, to get good marks or grades CANADA, 2002 not even no, not at all US, 1984 not fucking likely used as an emphatic negative UK, 1937 not half adverb used as a very positive intensifier of the verb to which it is attached. Usually as ‘can’t half’, ‘doesn’t half’, ‘don’t half’, etc UK, 1851 not half! used for registering assent, approval, agreement, etc UK, 1920 not half bad adjective quite good UK, 1867 not having any; not having any of adjective refusing to agree UK, 1902 nothing noun 1 something. Also shortened to ‘nothin’. A reversal of sense on the model BAD (good); used in hip-hop culture US, 2000. 2 no more than (the height specified). Used to emphasise shortness AUSTRALIA, 1971. < have nothing on to be greatly inferior to something or someone US, 1906. < nothing shaking nothing happening US, 1975. < nothing to write home about; nothing worth writing home about unremarkable. Probably military in origin UK, 1914. < thank you for nothing!; thanks for nothing! used in refusal or dismissal of help or advice: I owe you no thanks for that and scorn the offer UK, 1969. < you aint seen nothing yet!; you ain’t heard nothing yet! no matter how impressive or extreme something may be there is better or worse yet to come. A catchphrase made famous by the singer Al Jolson in the first ‘talkie’ film, The Jazz Singer, 1927. Especially popular with advertising copywriters US, 1919 nothing adjective inconsequential US, 1960 nothing! when combined with a (partial) repetition of a statement just made, used in denial of that statement US, 1883 nothing-ass bitch noun used as a stern term of contempt for a woman US, 1972 nothing but a thing noun something that is not important US, 1993 nothing but the bacon! used as a stock answer when greeted with ‘what’s shakin?’ US, 1951 nothing but the bottom of the cup; nothing but the bottom of the net used as a humorous comment on a job well done or a remark well made. Coined by ESPN’s Dan Patrick to describe a great shot in golf and basketball US, 1997 nothing doing! used as an expression of rejection or denial UK, 1910 nothing flat adverb very quickly US, 1947 notice noun a contract to do a job, especially an illegal commission UK, 1970 no tilt! used as a euphemism for ‘no shit!’ in expressing surprise or affirmation US, 1983 no time flat adverb very quickly US, 1957 not in my name; not in our name used worldwide by various humanitarian and anti-war protesters as a slogan of disavowal of prevailing attitudes. ‘Not In My Name’ (NITM) was adopted, in November 2000, as the name of a Chicago-based Jewish peace group opposed to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian Territories US, 1994 not likely! used for registering refusal UK, 1893 not many yes, a term of emphatic agreement UK, 1998 not many benny a great deal, a lot; an intensifying agreement UK, 1999 not much to look at adjective unattractive, ugly UK, 1861 not off adjective of a horse – or, more precisely, of a jockey – that is considered not to be trying to win a race UK, 1991 not on adjective unacceptable; impossible; not permissible UK, 1984 not on your life! used for registering emphatic refusal or denial US, 1896 not on your nelly used as an absolute denial, refusal or rejection. Rhyming slang, ‘not on your Nellie Duff’ for PUFF (breath, hence life), thus NOT ON YOUR LIFE! UK, 1941 no-top noun a convertible with its top down US, 1976 not Pygmalion likely! not very likely! Formed on the shocking-in- its-day ‘Not bloody likely!’ in George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion, first seen in London in 1914 UK, 1948 no-trump noun a life prison sentence without chance of parole US, 1976 not the full quid adjective lacking NEW ZEALAND, 1984 nottie noun an unattractive person. A back-formation from HOTTIE (an attractive person) US, 2002 not tonight, Josephine! a catchphrase used by a man to defer his sexual duties to a wife or lover; hence, applied to any 463 no shit, Sherlock! | not tonight, Josephine! postponement. Originally a quotation, apocryphally attributed to Napoleon dashing his mistress’s hopes. In its current sexual context there is obviously a reliance on jocularity of delivery to deflect any serious subtext. Familiar from a music hall poem: ‘I’ll tell you in a phrase, my sweet, exactly what I mean: / Not tonight, Josephine’ (Colin Curzon, ‘Not Tonight, Josephine’) UK, 1960 noughties noun the years 2000 through to 2009 UK, 2001 no VERB about it!; there is no VERB about it! by enclosing the active verb from a preceding statement, an absolute negation of that verb UK, 1924 novhere adjective unattractive; unpleasing. A mock German or Dutch accent US, 1955 Novie boat noun a large, low cost lobster boat built in Nova Scotia US, 1888 now adjective fashionable, in style, current US, 1955 now adverb soon; in time; in a vaguely specified time. A stereotypical example of ‘Wenglish’ (a blending of English and Welsh typical of the valleys of southeast Wales) UK: WALES, 1985 Now American Friends Take All noun the North American Free Trade Agreement. Back-formation from the agreement’s initials CANADA, 2002 now and thener noun in horse racing, a horse that is an uneven or inconsistent performer US, 1951 no way! used for expressing disbelief at that which has just been said US, 1968 no way, Jose used as a humorous, if emphatic, denial. The catchy reduplication makes this a favourite early in a young person’s process of slang acquisition US, 1981 now cut that out used as a humorous attempt to end a tease. A signature line of comedian Jack Benny, heard often on The Jack Benny Show, 1950–65. Repeated with referential humour US, 1954 no what adverb certainly not. Adapted from Afrikaans nee wat SOUTH AFRICA , 1900 nowhere adjective 1 unaware of what is happening, extremely naive, utterly at a loss US, 1843. 2 badly defeated in a race; utterly unsuccessful, to be out of the running US, 1853. 3 without money. Usually in the phrase ‘ain’t nowhere’ GUYANA, 1998. < get nowhere fast to try hard to do something and yet be frustrated in your endeavour UK, 1984. < the middle of nowhere any place that is remote, any place that is an inconvenient distance away from urban ‘civilisation’ or your personal lifestyle requirements UK, 1960 nowhereness noun the state of complete unawareness of current trends or complete lack of grounding in reality US, 1958 now it’s time to say good-bye used as a humorous farewell. A catchphrase television sign-off on The Mickey Mouse Club (ABC, 1955–59). Repeated with referential and reverential humour US, 1956 now-now adverb in the immediate past; immediately; very soon. Adopted from synonymous Afrikaans nou-nou SOUTH AFRICA, 1948 now now used as a gentle admonition to cease UK, 1959 no worries 1 do not worry about that; everything is all right AUSTRALIA, 1969 . 2 you’re welcome US, 2001. 3 yes indeed; certainly AUSTRALIA, 1986 nowt noun nothing; a worthless person. Dialect word from northern England for conventional ‘naught’; made popular by the televison programme Coronation Street, and in clichéd phrases such as ‘nowt so queer as folk’ UK, 1998 now then! used as a mild rebuke, or a call for attention UK, 1791 nowty adjective moody, grumpy. Manchester dialect into wider use UK, 1999 no wucking furries do not worry about that! An intentional Spoonerism of ‘no fucking worries’, both euphemistic and jocular. Also, in the shortened forms ‘no wuckers’ and ‘no wucks’ AUSTRALIA, 1996 now what? can you top what I just said? US, 2001 now you’re asking! used in response to a difficult question UK, 1959 now you’re railroading! used on the railways as an all-purpose expression of praise US, 1977 now you tell me!; now he tells me! used when information that has just been supplied is given too late to be of use. A Hebraism US, 1969 nozzle noun the penis US, 1994 NRC adjective (by police) nobody really cares US, 1992 ’n stuff used either as a substitute for ‘et cetera’ or to complete a sentence that has run out of steam US, 2001 NT noun in pornography, a scene showing nipple teasing (or torture) US, 2000 NTBH adjective unavailable for sexual encounters; ugly. Gay usage. The definition varies with the point of view; either way it derives from ‘not to be had’ UK, 2002 nu adjective in rock music, new UK, 2002 nub noun the clitoris UK, 2002 nubbies noun short, matted hair on its way to growing into dreadlocks JAMAICA, 1980 nubbin noun 1 the clitoris. Making ‘rubbin’ the nubbin’ female masturbation UK, 2004. 2 the penis US, 1968 nub bush noun a black female. A shortened ‘nubian’ and a coarse BUSH. Vietnam war usage US, 1991 nubian noun in homosexual usage, a black man US, 1987 nuddy adjective nude, naked AUSTRALIA, 1953 nude adjective (used of a car) stripped of chrome US, 1977 nudge noun in pinball, subtle physical force applied to the machine to affect the trajectory of the ball without activating the tilt mech- anism US, 1979 nudge verb 1 to nag; to annoy. Yiddish. Various transliterations including ‘nudzh’, ‘nudj’ and ‘noudge’ US, 1968. 2 to drink (alcohol) heavily AUSTRALIA, 1979. 3 in pool, to touch the cue ball with the cue stick accidentally while preparing to shoot US, 1993 nudge-nudge adjective gossipy, especially of gossip with a sexual inference. From NUDGE NUDGE – WINK WINK! UK, 2003 nudge nudge – wink wink! used as an indicator of lust or an inference a lewd sexual behaviour. A catchphrase, originally ‘nudge nudge – wink wink – say no more!’, written by Eric Idle for BBC television comedy Monty Python’s Flying Circus (‘Is your wife a goer eh? Know what I mean? Know what I mean? Nudge nudge. Nudge nudge. Know what I mean? Say no more know what I mean?’), 1969 UK, 1979 nudger noun 1 the penis UK, 2001. 2 a pickpocket UK, 1996 nudge show noun a safe family comedy US, 1973 nudie noun a performance or film featuring naked women but no sexual activity US, 1935 nudie adjective featuring naked or near-naked women US, 1966 nudie book noun a men’s magazine featuring pictures of naked women UK, 1977 nudie booth noun a private enclosure affording privacy while a paying customer views a nude woman or nude women, usually through a glass partition US, 1994 nudie-cutie noun a genre of sex film popular in the 1960s, featuring frolicking, cute, nude women US, 1967 nudnik; noodnik noun apest,afoolUS, 1925 nuff adjective enough. Once abbreviated, ‘enough’ could not be spelt ‘nough’ and understood, hence this phonetic variation. UK school dinner ladies in the 1960s accompanied their service with the question, slovened by repetition, ‘nuff?’. Since the 1980s it has been widely used in the black community US, 1840 nuff respect used as a greeting and to register admiration, assent or approbation. Misspelling of ‘enough respect’. West Indian and UK black usage UK, 1994 nuff said used as an assertion that nothing more needs to be said US, 1840 nug noun 1 afemaleUS, 1993. 2 marijuana. Variant ‘nugs’ US, 1997 noughties | nug 464 nugget noun 1 a fool, an idiot, especially if prone to violent behaviour or mentally handicapped. Figurative use of ‘nugget’ (a lump) for ‘the head’ US, 1990. 2 a new, inexperienced soldier or pilot US, 1966. 3 an attractive girl US, 1998. 4 a young enthusiast of heavy metal music US, 1983. 5 an amphetamine tablet US, 1994. 6 a piece of crack cocaine US, 1994. 7 a one-pound coin. Prison slang, current February 2002 UK, 2002 nuggets noun the testicles US, 1963 nuggety; nuggetty adjective 1 (of a person) compact, strong and tough; stocky AUSTRALIA, 1856 . 2 (of an animal) small, sturdy and strong AUSTRALIA, 1893 nugs noun 1 female breasts US, 1994. 2 great waves for surfing US, 1991 nuisance noun < the nuisance the bleed period of the menstrual cycle. Euphemism US, 1999 nuisance grounds noun a rubbish dump CANADA, 2002 nuke verb 1 to attack with a nuclear bomb US, 1962. 2 to lay waste, to ravage, to devastate. A metaphorical, if less dramatic, sense US, 1969. 3 to heat in a microwave oven US, 1984. 4 in computing, to delete US, 1991 nuke; nook noun a nuclear weapon US, 1958 nuke and pave verb to reformat the hard drive of a computer US, 2001 nuke-and-puke noun a microwave frozen dinner US, 1990 nuke-knob noun a bald or shaved head US, 1997 number noun 1 a person, particularly someone attractive, originally of a woman US, 1896. 2 a prostitute’s client (especially in a male homosexual context) US, 1967. 3 a casual sex-partner US, 1970. 4 sex involving more than two people US, 1973. 5 a situation US, 1908. 6 a job, a position UK, 1948. 7 used as a vague catch-all susceptible of several meanings, usually related to sex or drugs US, 1978. 8 in prison, a sex offender; a convicted paedophile. Such prisoners are kept apart from the main body of the prison on rule number 43 UK, 1996. 9 in craps, any roll except the shooter’s point or a seven US, 1950. 10 a marijuana cigarette US, 1963. 11 a song UK, 1878. < do a number on 1 to use emotional pressure, to humiliate US, 1971. 2 to kill US, 1982. < have your number; get your number to understand you, to know your weaknesses, to be in a position to criticise you UK, 1853 number 3 noun 1 cocaine. C (cocaine) is the third letter of the alphabet US, 1953. 2 heroin UK, 2003 number 9 noun MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy UK, 2003 number cruncher noun a computer designed especially for arithmetic operations UK, 1966 number dummy; number grabber noun a clerk in a railway yard US, 1946 numbered off; on the numbers adjective in prison, used of sex offenders, convicted paedophiles, etc. Such prisoners are kept apart from the main body of the prison on rule number 43 UK, 1996 number four; number 4 noun heroin UK, 1998 number one noun 1 yourself, your own interests UK, 1705. 2 urination. The plural variant ‘number ones’ is also used UK, 1902. 3 a closely cropped haircut. Originally mililtary, from the most extreme setting on the clippers; it is also possible to have a ‘number two’, etc UK, 1925 number one; numba one adjective the very best. Although coined in the 1830s in a pure English sense, it took on a pidgin or mock pidgin tone in the C20; very popular in the Vietnam war US, 1838 numbers noun 1 an illegal lottery based on guessing a number determined by chance each day US, 1897. 2 a telephone number US, 2002. < by the numbers precisely, correctly US, 1918. < do numbers to urinate or defecate TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1990. < take the numbers down in horse racing, to disqualify a horse from a race and announce a new winner US, 1947. < the numbers in prison, Rule 43, which allows a prisoner to be kept apart from the main prison community for ‘safety of self or others’. Explained by former Cabinet Minister Jonathan Aitken, describing his prison experience 1999–2000, Have I Got News for You, 28th November, 2003 UK, 2003 numbers banker noun the operator of an illegal numbers racket or lottery US, 1959 numbers drop noun a place where bets on an illegal lottery are turned in or made US, 1957 numbers game noun sex expressed in numeric terms. The most common is, of course, 69, with other lesser known variants US, 1964 number ten; numba ten adjective the very worst. Southeast Asian pidgin, commonly used during the Vietnam war UK, 1953 number ten thousand adjective worse than the very worst. Vietnam war usage US, 1968 number three noun sexual relief, by any means (conventional, non- conventional or unaccompanied). The next in a logical sequence: NUMBER ONE (urination); NUMBER TWO (defecation) UK, 1984 number two adjective applied to illegal or irregular activity. ‘Number one’ is all things legal and above-board INDIA, 2003 number two; number twos noun defecation. Adult usage of children’s bathroom vocabulary US, 1936 number two man noun a skilled card cheat adept at dealing the second card instead of the top card in a deck US, 1979 Numbies noun Players’ Number 6™ cigarettes UK: SCOTL AND, 1988 numbnuts noun an idiot US, 1960 Numbo noun Number 6, a branded cigarette UK, 2001 numb out verb to feel or show the effects of crack cocaine UK, 1996 numbskull; numskull noun a dolt; a fool UK, 1742 numerologist noun a person who claims to have devised a winning system for an illegal numbers gambling lottery US, 1949 numero uno noun 1 the very best. Spanish for ‘number one’ US, 1960. 2 yourself US, 1973 nummy noun a fool, a dim-witted person. A shortened ‘numbskull’ US, 1902 nummy adjective delicious. Probably after YUMMY (delicious) US, 1989 num-nums noun the female breasts US, 1993 numpty; numptie noun afoolU K: SCOTLAND, 1911 nunce; nince noun a fool. Student use; derogatory UK, 2002 nunga noun the penis AUSTRALIA, 1971 nunga-muncher noun a person who performs oral sex on men AUSTRALIA, 1971 nun’s cunt noun used as a comparison for something that is cold, dry or tight CANADA, 1985 nun’s fart noun a treat made with leftover piecrust dough, cinnamon and sugar CANADA, 1992 nunu; nuzni noun the vagina TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1994 nunya noun used for conveying that something is ‘none of your business’ US, 2000 nurds noun the testicles US, 1981 Nuremburg trials; nuremburgs noun haemorrhoids. Rhyming slang for ‘piles’ UK, 1998 nurse verb in a card game, to nervously fondle and adjust your cards US, 1988 nursery noun 1 a reformatory for juvenile offenders US, 1950. 2 a gentle slope where beginning skiers practice US, 1963 nursery race noun in horse racing, a relatively short distance race for two-year-olds US, 1976 nursery rhyme noun time served in prison. Rhyming slang UK, 2000 nursery rhymes noun the Times. Rhyming slang; ironically, perhaps, suggesting that some content of the esteemed newspaper is of a similar character to the more newsworthy nursery rhymes UK, 1998 nu-skool adjective applied to a new variation on an old theme UK, 2003 nut noun 1 a regular and recurring expense US, 1909. 2 an act of sexual intercourse; sex as an activity. Extending back from NUT (an orgasm) US, 1991. 3 an orgasm, especially of a male US, 1968. 4 semen 465 nugget | nut US, 1991. 5 the female breast. Usually in the plural UK, 2002. 6 the head; hence, brains, intelligence UK, 1846. 7 acrazyperson,an eccentric, a crank. Probably by back-formation from NUTTY (crazy) US, 1908. 8 an enthusiast US, 1934. 9 apersonUK, 1856. 10 in horse racing, a horse picked by a racing newspaper to win a race US, 1951. 11 in horse racing, the tax levied on bets by the track and the state US, 1990. 12 abankrollUS, 1951. 13 a rugby ball NEW ZEALAND, 1998. < crack the nut in gambling, to make enough money to meet the day’s expenses US, 1961. < do your nut 1 to explode with anger UK, 1919. 2 to go mad, to feign madness UK, 1959. < make the nut to suffice US, 1966. < nod the nut to plead guilty. Formed on NUT (the head); from bending the head in unspoken affirmative AUSTRALIA, 1975. < off your nut 1 in a state of drunkenness or drug intoxication. Parallel to the sense as ‘mad’; possibly the original sense, a variation of OFF YOUR HEAD UK, 1860. 2 in a state of madness. A variation of OFF YOUR HEAD UK, 1873. < on the nut in horse racing, to have lost a large amount of money betting US, 1951. < out of your nut drunk or drug- intoxicated. A variation of OUT OF YOUR HEAD UK, 1999 nut verb 1 to head-butt an opponent’s face. Derives from NUT (the head) UK, 1937. 2 to execute IRELAND, 2001. 3 to have sex US, 1971. 4 to orgasm, especially of a male US, 1999 nut and gut adjective mental and physical UK, 2002 nutbag noun a mesh restraint used by police to restrain violent people US, 1997 nutbox noun a mental hospital US, 1965 nutcake noun an eccentric or crazy person US, 1967 nut case noun an eccentric; a madman. Combines NUT (a lunatic) with conventional medical use of ‘case’ AUSTRALIA, 1944 nut-chokers noun men’s underpants. Formed on NUTS (the testicles) AUSTRALIA, 1971 nutcracker noun 1 a stern person; a strict disciplinarian, especially a woman who crushes a man’s spirit US, 1977. 2 a railway roundhouse mechanic US, 1977 nutcrackers noun the testicles. Rhyming slang for KNACKERS; extending, and, possibly deliberately, disguising, NUTS (the testicles) UK, 1998 nutcrusher noun a hard man (or woman); a strict disciplinarian. Crushed nuts are a standard ingredient in many sweet recipes, hence this readymade pun and variation of BALLBREAKER UK, 1999 nutcut noun the critical point in an enterprise or operation US, 1972 nut-cutting noun the most critical and distasteful stage in a project or operation. An image from the West and cattle raising US, 1968 nut farm noun a hospital for the mentally ill US, 1940 nut flush noun in poker, a hand with all cards of the same suit and an ace as the high card US, 1979 nut graf noun in journalism, the key paragraph in an article UK, 2005 nut hatch noun a mental institution US, 1942 nuthouse noun a mental hospital US, 1906 nut hustle noun a swindle involving a prostitute and a confederate US, 1978 nut job noun someone who is mentally unstable US, 1972 nut man noun a male homosexual AUSTRALIA, 1985 nut mob noun a group operating three-shell games in carnivals US, 1950 nut nectar noun semen US, 1996 nut-nut noun 1 a crazy person. By reduplication of NUT (a crazy person) UK, 2000. 2 in high-low poker, a hand that is the best poss- ible hand either high or low US, 1996 nut off verb to send a prisoner to a secure psychiatric hospital. From NUT (a crazy person) UK, 1996 nut out verb 1 to think out; to work out AUSTRALIA, 1919. 2 to act mentally ill US, 1966 nut player noun in poker, a player who only plays a hand that is excellent as dealt. From NUTS (thebestpossiblehandinagiven situation) US, 1979 nutrients noun food US, 1993 nut role noun the act of feigning eccentricity or mild insanity US, 1969 nut-role; nut-roll verb to feign mental instability US, 1967 nut-runner noun in car repair, a pneumatic wrench US, 1993 nuts noun 1 the testicles; the scrotum US, 1863. 2 in poker, the best possible winning hand at a given moment US, 1977. 3 the advantage in a bet US, 1990. < do your nuts over to become infatuated with someone AUSTRALIA, 1987 . < get your nuts off to ejaculate US, 1932. < have your nuts in the wringer to be trapped in a very weak position UK, 1998. < the nuts excellent, outstanding, very impressive. Possibly, a shortening of MUTT’S NUTS UK, 2000. < the nuts are running the fruitcake used of any situation that is managed by those who are incapable. A neat variation, formed on NUT (a mad person) and FRUITCAKE (a mad person) of THE LUNATICS ARE RUNNING THE ASYLUM UK , 2001 nuts adjective enthusiastic about; having a strong liking for; sexually infatuated UK, 1785 nuts! used as an expression of defiance. From the sense as ‘testicles’, thus BALLS! US, 1910 nut sack noun the scrotum US, 1971 nutso noun a crazy person, an eccentric. From ‘nuts’ (crazy) US, 1975 nutso adjective crazy US, 1979 nut splitter; nut buster noun a railway machinist US, 1903 nuts to ! when combined with a name, a noun or a pronoun, used for expressing defiance of that person or thing. Used as a euphemism for ‘balls to !’ UK, 1984 nutsy adjective eccentric, odd, crazy US, 1923 nutted adjective drug-intoxicated UK, 1997 nutter noun a crazy person; a lunatic; an eccentric. Extended from NUT (a lunatic) UK, 1958 nutters adjective crazy, wildly mad UK, 1982 nutty noun any confectionery; used generically for all chocolate and sweets. Royal Navy slang UK, 1987 nutty adjective 1 crazy, eccentric US, 1892. 2 excellent. A variation on ‘crazy’ US, 1953 nutty as a fruitcake adjective insane, crazy. An elaboration of NUTTY UK , 1935 nutty putty noun in electric line work, a compound formally known as Seal-A-Conn, used for covering connectors US, 1980 nut up verb 1 to lose your composure completely US, 1972 . 2 in poker, to shift into a more conservative mode of betting US, 1982 nut ward noun the psychiatric ward of a prison US, 1984 NWAB adjective (of a girl) promiscuous, because she will neck with any boy. Youth usage US, 1949 n-word noun the word ‘nigger’. This clumsy euphemism was popularised during the 1995 O.J. Simpson murder trial by F. Lee Baily’s cross examination of Mark Fuhrman about a taped interview that Fuhrman had given in 1985 US, 1987 nyaff noun an irritating or contemptible person, especially if that person is short. Probably derived from Scots nyaff (of a dog, to bark) UK: SCOTLAND, 1985 nyam noun food; something to eat. From the verb. West Indian, hence UK black UK, 1828 nyam verb to eat. African origins, from ‘yam’ (a sweet potato) JAMAICA, 1790 nylon disgusters noun a pair of men’s close-fitting and revealing nylon swimming trunks AUSTRALIA, 2003 nymph noun a nymphomaniac US, 1916 nymphet noun a sexually attractive, or sexually adventurous, young girl. First applied to a real, as opposed to mythic, creature by Vladimir Nabokov, Lolita, 1955 UK, 1999 nympho noun a nymphomaniac. A creature of men’s dreams; used to disparage a woman whose sexual appetites may threaten to make the dream come true US, 1910 nut | nympho 466 Oo O noun 1 an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire). Used by civil servants; suggestive of a casual familiarity with the honour UK, 1961. 2 opium US, 1933. 3 an ovation. Most commonly heard in the term ‘standing O’ US, 1984 O nickname the Nuestra Familia prison gang US, 2000 -o suffix used for making colloquial or slang nouns and nicknames. In Australia, where there was no influence from Spanish, this suffix originated from early nominal uses of the cries of various street vendors. Thus the milkman used to sing out ‘milk-oh!’ and so became the MILKO, the rabbit seller cried ‘rabbit-oh!’ and so became the RABBIT-O. It is appended to monosyllablic words or to the first syllable of polysyllabic words AUSTRALIA, 1865 OAE noun anybody who has spent at least one winter in Antarctica. An abbreviation of ‘old Antarctic explorer’ ANTARCTICA, 1960 oafo noun an oaf, a socially inferior fool, a lout. A conventional ‘oaf’ embellished UK, 1959 Oak; the Austrian Oak nickname Arnold Schwarzenegger (b.1947), the dominant bodybuilder in the steroid-enhanced 1970s US, 1984 oak and ash noun cash. Rhyming slang UK, 1960 oaktoe noun the numbing of toes by cold water, creating the sen- sation that your toes are wooden. Surfing usage US, 2004 OAP noun an over-anxious patient. Doctors’ shorthand, playing on the conventional abbreviation for ‘old age pensioner’ UK, 2002 oar noun < put your oar in; put in your oar; shove in your oar to interfere in someone else’s business UK, 1730 oars and rowlocks noun nonsense. Rhyming slang for BOLLOCKS UK, 1998 oasis noun 1 abarUS, 1956. 2 in motor racing, a refreshment stand US, 1965 oatburner; oatmuncher noun in horse racing, a racehorse that does not perform well US, 1916 oater noun a cowboy film, story or song US, 1946 oatie noun < go for an oatie to go to the toilet. A darkly humorous Antarctic euphemism recalling Captain Oates’s heroic last words to his tent-mates in 1912: ‘I am going outside, and may be some time’ NEW ZEALAND, 1996 oatmeal noun a small, mushy wave US, 1991 oatmeal Chinaman noun in mining in the Cariboo, a Canadian CANADA, 1963 oatmeal savage noun aScotsmanCANADA, 1954 oats noun 1 sexual gratification. Usually in phrases such as: ‘have your oats’, ‘get your oats’, ‘need’, ‘want’, etc. Perhaps from ‘sow your wild oats’ (to commit youthful indiscretion) UK, 1923. 2 money which a carnival worker steals from his boss US, 1985. 3 enthusiasm US, 1831. < off your oats off your food UK, 1890. < on his oats (used of a racehorse) racing without the benefit of a stimulant US, 1994 oats and barley; Oats noun Charley or Charlie. Rhyming slang. Ostensibly and rarely a man’s given name but usually in its older slang senses (a nightwatchman; to make a Charlie of; a ponce; etc) UK, 1859 oat soda noun beer. An evolution of BARLEY POP US, 1994 obbo; obo; obbs; obs noun surveillance, observation; a lookout. Varying abbreviations for ‘observation’ UK, 1933 OBE adjective overcome by events; overtaken by events US, 1986 OBE (used of a bettor in debt) owes bookies everywhere AUSTRALIA, 1989 OBH noun someone who smokes marijuana constantly. An abbrevi- ation of ‘original buddha head’ US, 1995 obies; OB’s noun old brown sherry, a drink especially popular among students. Formed on the initials OB SOUTH AFRICA, 1979 obit noun an obituary UK, 1874 obliterated adjective very drunk US, 1987 oblivion noun the state of complete intoxication US, 1984 oboy noun marijuana. Presumably this drug is, on occasion, greeted with an exclamation of delight: ‘Oh boy!’ UK, 2001 obs noun 1 observation. Probably military origin UK, 1999. 2 in a hospital, obstetrics UK, 1985 obscure adjective in computing, completely beyond all understanding US, 1991 obscuro adjective weird, strange (or simply obscure) US, 1997 obzocky adjective lacking grace and coordination TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1956 OC noun 1 organised crime US, 1975. 2 the synthetic opiate oxycodone used recreationally US, 2001 OC nickname Orange County, California. Immediately south of Los Angeles US, 2001 ocal; opal noun the eye. Punning variations on OGLE (the eye) UK, 2002 occy; occi noun an octopus AUSTRALIA, 1968 occy strap; ockie strap noun an elastic strap. An abbreviation of ‘octopus strap’ AUSTRALIA, 1981 ocean noun 1 in pool, the expansive centre of a table US, 1993. 2 in oil drilling, salt water encountered while drilling US, 1954 ocean liner noun a black eye. Rhyming slang for SHINER UK, 1992 ocean rambler noun a herring; a sardine UK, 1961 oceans noun a large amount of something UK, 1840 -ocentric suffix used with humour as a suffix attached to a person’s name, suggesting that they believe that the world revolves around them US, 1996 ocker; Ocker noun 1 an Australian male who is especially boorish and uncouth; the stereotypical Australian male yob. Originally a colloquial nickname for someone named Oscar. It became associ- ated with typical male boorishness in the 1970s partly under the influence of a character named Ocker in the television comedy The Mavis Bramston Show (1965 68) AUSTRALIA, 1971 . 2 Australian English AUSTRALIA, 1979 ocker; Ocker adjective characteristic of an ocker AUSTRALIA, 1972 ockerdom noun the state of being an ocker AUSTRALIA, 1974 Oclubnoun in the US armed forces, an officer’s club US, 1986 -ocracy suffix when linked with a subject, used to designate (and mock) a grouping that may be dominant, or aspiring to dominance, or pretending superiority within that subject-area. A sarcastic or humorous application of ‘-cracy’ (power, rule), found in such words as ‘democracy’, ‘plutocracy’, etc. The root in all con- ventional senses ends with an ‘o’; in colloquial or journalistic usage the ‘o’ is incorporated UK, 1860 ocs noun the synthetic opiate oxycodone used recreationally US, 2000 octopus noun a sexually aggressive boy US, 1932 OD noun a drug overdose US, 1959 OD verb to overdose, to take an excessive dose of a drug, usually heroin US, 1966 o-dark-hundred noun very early in the morning. Mock military time US, 1982 oday noun money. A Pig Latin construction of DOUGH US, 1928 odd noun 1 a small number over and above a round number UK, 1845. 2 the police; a police-officer UK, 1958 oddball noun an eccentric US, 1948 oddball adjective eccentric, peculiar US, 1957 oddball trick noun a prostitute’s customer who pays for fetishistic sex US, 1973 odd bod noun 1 an eccentric UK, 1955. 2 an extra person in a given situation NEW ZEALAND, 1984 odd-lot noun apolicecarUK, 1958 odds noun 1 a vague number, as a part of a greater number. A vari- ation on ODD UK, 1958. 2 (of money) small change. A shortening of ‘odd coins’ UK, 2002. < make no odds to make no difference, not better or worse. Originally (from 1776) conventional, now colloquial UK, 1826. < over the odds more than is expected; more than is tolerable UK, 1922. < what’s the odds? what’s the differ- ence? UK, 1840 odds verb to risk, to chance; to avoid. Perhaps deriving from ‘to bet against the odds’ UK, 1958 odds and sods noun bits and pieces. Now used as a variant of con- ventional ‘odds and ends’; originally military slang for ‘miscellaneous men or duties’ UK, 1935 odds-on adjective 1 very probable, most likely. Adopted from gambling use to denote any form of actuarial or notional likelihood UK, 1888. 2 in horse racing, said of odds that pay less than even money US, 1974 o-dom noun an odometer (a milometer) US, 2000 OD’s noun a drab olive military uniform US, 1955 OE noun Old English™ malt liquor US, 1997 Oedipus Rex; Oedipus noun sex. Rhyming slang, based on a king of ancient Thebes used by psychiatrists as a model for the sexual relationship between a boy and his mother UK, 1979 ofaginzy noun a white person US, 1946 ofay noun a white person. Origin unknown. Suggestions of a Pig Latin etymology (foe) are implausible. More plausible are suggestions of a basis in an African language or the French au fait (socially proper) US, 1925 ofer; o-for adjective used to describe a male pornography performer who either cannot achieve an erection or cannot ejaculate when needed. Borrowing from sports lingo, identifying the performer as ‘oh’ (zero) for however many tries US, 1995 off noun 1 the start of a race; the beginning of something, the start of a journey. From racing UK, 1959. 2 time off, a day off, etc. By ellipsis SOUTH AFRICA, 1966. 3 a warning given to an illegal betting operation by corrupt police of a pending raid US, 1952. 4 in dominoes, a piece that does not contribute to the value of your hand US, 1959 off verb 1 to kill US, 1967. 2 to sell, especially contraband US, 1960 off adjective 1 distant, aloof, negative UK, about 1555. 2 having lost interest in; averse to UK, 1908. 3 disgusting, revolting AUSTRALIA, 1987. 4 of a street-prostitute, being with a client (and, therefore, off the street where the service is offered for sale) UK, 1959. 5 not using drugs US, 1952. < be off!; be off with you! go away! Old- fashioned, but still in use UK, 1842 offbeat adjective unconventional, but not unique US, 1938 off-brand cigarette noun a marijuana cigarette US, 1980 off-brand stud noun a male homosexual US, 1962 off-by-one error noun in computing, any simple and basic error, such as starting at 1 instead of 0 US, 1991 off colour adjective 1 applied to jokes that may be considered impolite or indecent UK, 1875. 2 unwell UK, 1876 offensive potatoes noun canned potatoes ANT ARCTICA, 2003 offer verb < offer someone out to challenge someone to a fight AUSTRALIA, 1943 office noun 1 a warning; a private signal UK, 1818. 2 any secret signal used by gambling cheats to communicate among themselves US, 1950 . 3 a hint or tip AUSTRALIA, 1874. < give the office in prison, to explain the way things are, especially to a new inmate UK, 1996 office bike noun a woman who readily has sexual intercourse with fellowstaffinanoffice AUSTRALIA, 1945 office hours noun 1 minor discipline issued by a US Marine Corps company commander US, 1898. 2 inpoker,pairsof9sand5s,ora straight from 9 to 5 US, 1963 office piano noun a typewriter US, 1945 officer material noun a mentally deficient enlisted soldier US, 1945 office worker noun a shirker. Rhyming slang, used by manual labourers, with a subtext of bitter irony UK, 1992 offie; offy noun an off-licence (a shop licensed to sell alcoholic drinks for consumption off the premises) UK, 1977 off it adjective drug-intoxicated. A variation of OFF YOUR HEAD UK, 1998 offshore adjective foreign US, 1997 offsider noun an assistant. Originally (late C19) an assistant/apprentice to a bullock-driver who worked on the ‘off side’ AUSTRALIA, 1903 offski verb to go away, to leave UK, 2001 off to another NASA convention used for humour when someone who has been displaying their ignorance leaves a room US, 1991 off-trail adjective unconventional, eccentric US, 1954 Offy noun a racing engine or any other piece of equipment manufactured by Meyer-Drake US, 1993 OG noun 1 your mother. An abbreviation of OLD GIRL US, 1878. 2 a founding member of a youth gang. An abbreviation of ORIGINAL GANGSTER US , 1993 oggin noun the ocean ANTARCTICA, 2003 ogle noun the eye. Survives mainly as a part of the polari vocabulary; usually in the plural UK, 1676 ogle; ogale verb in homosexual use, to look longingly or amorously at a man. From the wider conventional sense first recorded in the 1680s UK, 1682 ogle and leer noun gonorrhoea. Rhyming slang UK, 2003 ogle fake; ogle riah fake; ogle fake riah noun a false eyelash. Polari; literally ‘articles (of hair) made for the eye’ UK, 1992 ogle fakes noun spectacles. Polari; literally ‘articles made for the eye’ UK, 2002 ogle filters noun sunglasses. Polari; based on OGLE (the eye) UK, 2002 ogle riahs noun eyelashes. Polari; a combination of OGLE (the eye) and RIAH (the hair) UK, 2002 ogle riders noun the eyebrows or eyelashes UK, 2002 ogle shades noun glasses; sunglasses. Polari; based on OGLE (the eye) UK, 2002 Ogopogo noun a legendary monster in Okanagan Lake, British Columbia CANADA, 1964 ogoy noun heroin US, 1977 oh, behave used as a catch-all catchphrase, usually in the context of a sexual innuendo. Wildly popular for several years after the release of the first Austin Powers film in 1997 US, 1997 oh, fiddle-faddle! used as a non-profane expression of frustration. Used with regularity by the Aunt Bee character on The Andy Griffith Show (CBS, 1960–68). Repeated with referential humour US, 1963 Ohio bag noun one hundred grams of marijuana. Under Ohio’s decriminalisation laws, this is the maximum amount for a fine for simple possession US, 1982 ohmigod!; omigod! used for expressing surprise or horror US, 1982 oh my Gawd; oh my good Gawd adjective bald. Rhyming slang; the second variation is reserved for extreme baldness UK, 1992 oh my stars! used for expressing frustration. Popularised by the sexy blonde witch Samantha on Bewitched (ABC, 1964–72). Repeated with referential humour US, 1966 oh nelly! used for humorously expressing surprise or upset US, 1997 oddball | oh nelly! 468 ohnosecond noun an instant of realisation when you have made a mistake, especially in computing. A punning combination of ‘nanosecond’ and the exclamation ‘oh no!’ UK, 2002 oh-shit noun a criticism US, 1997 oh snap! used as a mild oath US, 2002 oh the pain, the shame! used as a humorous comment on humiliation. Coined on the television programme Lost in Space (1965–68), and then revived and popularised by Keith Olberman on ESPN US, 1997 oh yeah? used in questioning veracity or likelihood, or confirming that a person being addressed has understood or is in agreement US, 1930 oi!; oy! a meaningless noise used to draw attention or cry in protest. Derives from the obsolete ‘hoy!’, which was a combination of ‘ho!’ and ‘hullo!’ UK, 1936 oicery noun the sleeping quarters of the officer in charge (OIC) ANTARCTICA, 1959 -oid suffix used as a suffix that embellishes without changing the base word’s meaning US, 1978 oik noun someone considered to be a social inferior; a disagreeable youth. Originally a public school coinage used to categorise status: ‘a townee’; then generalised as ‘working-class’; also used within that circle as general abuse for an unpopular fellow pupil or someone from a rival school. Generated from HOICK (to hawk and spit) UK, 1925 oil noun 1 alcohol US, 1912. 2 a potent distillate of marijuana or hashish US, 1996. 3 heroin UK, 1998. 4 news; information about something. Metaphorically because oil is essential for the smooth running of a machine AUSTRALIA, 1915. 5 in horse racing, confidential and reliable information about a horse AUSTRALIA, 1989 . 6 in pool, extreme spin imparted to the cue ball to affect the course of the object ball or the cue ball after striking the object ball US, 1912. < the oil the complete truth, the lowdown NEW ZEALAND, 1998 oil verb 1 to inject yourself with a drug, especially heroin US, 1981 . 2 to bribe US, 1982. < oil it to study late into the night US, 1975 oil and water king noun aboard ship, the engineer controlling fresh water distillation US, 1986 oil burner noun 1 a serious drug addiction US, 1938. 2 in trucking, a diesel engine US, 1971. 3 in horse racing, a fast horse US, 1951 oil-burning adjective (used of a drug addiction) severe US, 1972 oil can noun a railway tank wagon US, 1946 oil-can verb (of a boat) to make a hollow booming sound striking the water US, 1990 oiled; oiled up adjective 1 drunk US, 1737. 2 readied; well-prepared UK, 1999 oilies noun work clothes US, 1954 oil in the can noun in horse racing, a horse believed by its backers to be a sure winner US, 1951 oil leak noun a Sikh. Rhyming slang UK, 1998 oil merchant noun a smooth-talking swindler US, 1935 oil patch noun the oil industry US, 1980 oil slick noun a Spaniard. Rhyming slang for SPIC UK, 1992 oil tanker noun used as an all-purpose form of abuse. Rhyming slang for WANKER UK, 1992 oil well noun in a deck of playing cards, an ace. From the visual comparison of an ‘A’ with an oil well US, 1988 oily adjective mean-spirited, tough US, 1958 oily rag noun 1 a worker’s assistant UK, 1994. 2 a cigarette. Rhyming slang for FAG (a cigarette). Also shortened to ‘oil-rag’ and ‘oily’ UK, 1932 oink noun a police officer. A far less common usage than the related PIG (police) US, 1970 oink verb to lure by greed US, 1954 oinseach noun afemalefoolIRELAND, 2001 Oirish adjective Irish. From the stereotypically Irish pronunciation of ‘Irish’ UK, 1962 OJ noun 1 marijuana. Possibly, an initialism of ‘oint-jay’ (JOINT) US, 1970 . 2 a marijuana cigarette dipped in liquid opium or heroin. In other words, an ‘o pium joint’. Popular with US troops in Vietnam US, 1970. 3 an online jockey who hosts Internet discussions. Initialism, on the model of DJ (disc jockey) UK, 1998 OK when appended to a slogan, used as a strengthening affirmative, especially when phrased ‘X rule (or rules) OK’. Nigel Rees, Graffiti Lives, OK, 1979, writes: ‘The addition of "OK" to slogans first became noticeable in Northern Ireland during the early 1970s, as in "Provos Rule, OK" referring to the Provisional IRA’ UK, 2002 OK; okay noun 1 consent, approval US, 1841. 2 a bribe paid by an illegal gambling establishment to the authorities to stay in business US, 1979 OK; okay verb to approve US, 1988 OK; okay adjective 1 comfortable, at ease. Especially common as ‘OK about’ or ‘OK with’ US, 1978. 2 safe, unhurt US, 1839. 3 decent, mediocre, satisfactory. In 1963, the late Allen Walker Read published his extensive and definitive research on the term, tracing its coinage to 1839 as an abbreviation of ‘oil korrect’, itself a then-popular slang term US, 1839 OK; okay used for expressing assent, approval, understanding, or agreement US, 1839 OK Corral noun a group of men masturbating while watching a female. An extrapolation of the GUN DOWN image, alluding to the site of a famous American gun battle in 1881 US, 2002 oke noun used as an affectionate or patronising term of address or reference to a man or boy. A shortened form of OKIE SOUTH AFRICA, 1970 okey-dok e noun 1 a swindle or deception US, 1969. 2 a wallet, especially its contents. Rhyming slang for POKE used by pickpockets. Sometimes shortened to ‘okey’ UK, 1961 okey-dok e used for communicating agreement. A shortening of OKEY-DOKEY US, 1936 okey-dokey adjective acceptable US, 1942 okey-dokey used for communicating agreement. An old-fashioned, affected, still popular perversion of OK US, 1932 Oki; Okie noun Okinawa. Coined in World War 2, still used in Vietnam US, 1945 Okie noun a poor, white resident or native of rural Oklahoma; a poor, white resident or native of the south-central US. Used with derision or pride but not neutrally US, 1938 okie; oakie noun used as an affectionate or patronising term of address or reference to a man or boy. Anglicised form of Afrikaans outjie SOUTH AFRICA, 1943 Okie blower noun in trucking, an air scoop attached to the air- intake system US, 1971 Okie chrome noun aluminium paint US, 1961 Okie trap noun a confusing, complicated traffic interchange US, 1962 Oklahoma credit card noun a hose used to steal petrol by siphoning it from a parked car. Presenting the myth of Oklahoma as a state filled with poor, crafty and dishonest people US, 1962 Oklahoma toothbrush noun the penis. In Oklahoma, known as a ‘Texas toothbrush’ US, 1994 OK Yardie noun a stereotypical Briton of the upper- or middle-class who lives in west London’s gangland. A conflation of ‘OK, yah’ (a catchphrase cliché of the social grouping) and YARDIE (a Jamaican gangster) UK, 1998 -ola suffix a meaningless embellishment of a suffix US, 1919 olalliechuk noun (on the Pacific coast) a homebrew made from berries. The name comes from Chinook jargon CANADA, 1966 old noun a dark lager-style beer brewed by the top-fermentation method. As opposed to NEW AUSTRALIA, 1935 old; ol’; ole adjective 1 used to intensify some intensifiers. A slight narrowing of use since first recorded in the 1440s as ‘grand, great, 469 ohnosecond | old; ol’; ole plentiful’ now mainly seen in such constructions as: ‘high old time’ (1858) and ‘gay old boys’ (1887) UK, 1844. 2 old. The first headword is, of course, standard English; the second and third variants are variously colloquial, informal and slang as circumstances dictate UK, 1844. 3 used as a signal of familiarity with the person so described. As spoken in the southern US, not necessarily indicative of affection, cordiality, or good humour US, 1984 . 4 tiresome US, 1864 old bag noun 1 an unattractive or unloveable old woman. Disparaging; possibly a variant of OLD BAT, cognisant of the following sense as ‘an elderly prostitute’ which itself may derive from OLD BAT UK, 1949. 2 an elderly, slatternly prostitute; hence pejorative for a younger prostitute UK, 1961 old bastard noun a man; fellow. Used as an ironic form of friendly personal address, generally amongst males. Such is the love for this expression amongst working-class Australians, a charity organ- isation was formed in the 1970s under the name the Australasian Order of Old Bastards. Part of the rules of the order is that ‘On encountering other O.B.’s in a bar one must administer a hearty slap on the back, accompanied with the cheerful salutation, "Hello you Old Bastard!". Membership card must be carried at all times. Failure to produce same when challenged by fellow O.B. incurs a penalty of one round of drinks’ AUSTRALIA, 1944 old bat noun a disagreeable, middle-aged or elderly woman. An elab- oration of BAT (an ugly woman), originally ‘a prostitute’ UK, 1886 old bill noun 1 the penis UK, 1998. 2 a signal, by hand or word, asking ‘Are there any other cheaters in this game?’ US, 1979 Old Bill noun a police officer; the police. Original usage was singular, now mainly collective. Feasible etymologies, in no particular order of likelihood: i) ‘Old Bill’, a cartoon strip character created by Bruce Bairnsfeather (1888–1959), was a veteran of World War 1 with a distinctive ‘authoritarian-looking’ moustache – a status and description shared by many pre-World War 2 policemen. This deri- vation may be reinforced by the 1917 UK government’s advertising campaign, featuring Old Bill dressed as a special constable, using the heading ‘Old Bill says ’ to disseminate important wartime information. ii) Derived from a blend of popular song ‘Won’t You Come Home, Bill Bailey’ punning with ‘The Old Bailey’ (London’s Central Criminal Court). iii) ‘Old Bill’ was King William IV (1765–1837), during whose reign (1830–37) the police force is wrongly thought to have been established. iv) ‘Kaiser Bill’, Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia (1797–1888), visited England in 1864 when the police uniform changed to helmet and tunic. v) Constables of the watch were nicknamed for the bills or billhooks that they carried as weapons. vi) In Victorian times the ‘old bill’ was the bill, or account, presented by police accepting bribes, or for services rendered. vii) New laws are introduced as parliamentary bills. viii) The London County Council registered all public service vehicles (police, fire and ambulance) with number plates BYL, leading villains to spot unmarked police cars as ‘old Bill’. ix) Similarly, Scotland Yard’s ‘Flying Squad’ (established 1921) was reportedly issued with BYL registrations so that the Squad became known as ‘old Bill’, and hence the police in general. x) In the 1860s, Limehouse police sergeant Bill Smith, of apocryphal memory, was nicknamed ‘Old Bill’ UK, 1958 old bird noun a mature, older or old woman UK, 2003 old bird adjective of a prisoner, having traditional values UK, 2001 old blind Bob noun the penis UK, 1974 old bloke noun the penis AUSTRALIA, 1992 Old Blue Eyes nickname Frank Sinatra, US singer (1915–98) US, 1984 old bollocks noun an older man UK, 2000 old boot; boot noun an unattractive woman, a woman with qual- ities that are considered unattractive UK, 1958 old boy noun 1 the penis US, 1943 . 2 used as a friendly form of address to another man. A colloquial vocative since the C17 UK, 2000. 3 an old man UK, 1500. 4 afatherUK, 1892 old boy network; Old Boy network noun a social and, especially, business connection between former public school pupils which is presumed, by those without such a connection, to give unfair advantages in matters of employment and social advancement; also applied to connections made at university, and at other insti- tutions which may be considered as for the privileged UK, 1959 old breed noun the First Marine Division, US Marine Corps, which saw service in World War 2, North China, Korea and Vietnam US, 1991 old cat noun A Morris Minor car. Citizens’ band radio slang UK, 1981 old chap noun 1 used as a friendly form of address to another man UK, 1822. 2 the penis UK, 1992 old comic noun a Vauxhall Victor car. Citizens’ band radio slang; it sounds like a name a music hall comedian would use UK, 1981 Old Corncob nickname General Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) of the US Army. From his love for a corncob pipe US, 1982 old country noun 1 to the US armed forces at the end of World War 2, the United States US, 1949. 2 Beverly Hills, California. Used with irony by transplants, especially Jewish transplants, to the San Fernando Valley US, 2004 Old Country nickname England or the United Kingdom AUSTRALIA, 1834 old cow noun a despicable old woman AUSTRALIA, 1864 old D noun a mother. Initially ‘dear’ or ‘darling’ UK, 1996 Old Dart nickname England or the United Kingdom; specifically, London. First recorded in use in England in 1832 (Wilkes). ‘Dart’ represents the pronunciation of the word ‘dirt’ in the Essex dialect, and so ‘Old Dart’ would correlate with ‘old sod’ (one’s native district or country) AUSTRALIA, 1892 old dear noun an old woman UK, 1958 8see: OUL ONE old dog noun aRovercarUK, 1981 old face noun a chorus dancer whose long tenure makes her unmarketable US, 1948 old faithful noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 1954 old fart noun an old or older person, especially one who is unpleasant or disliked. Often elaborated as ‘boring old fart.’ US, 1971 old-fashioned look noun a glance of quizzical disapproval UK, 1961 old fellow noun 1 the penis AUSTRALIA, 1968. 2 a father (regardless of age) AUSTRALIA, 1954. 3 used as a friendly form of address to another man; a man UK, 1825 old fogey noun a small lump of dried nasal mucus. Rhyming slang for BOGEY UK, 1998 old folks noun 1 parents (regardless of age) AUSTRALIA, 1957. 2 in circus and carnival usage, monkeys US, 1981 old fruit; my old fruit noun used as a friendly form of address to another man UK, 2003 old gent noun the penis UK, 2000 old girl noun 1 a mother; a wife UK, 1887. 2 an old woman UK, 1791 old git noun any man who is considered past his prime UK, 2000 old grinder noun a promiscuous woman UK, 2000 old hand noun an experienced person, an expert UK, 1785 old hat adjective old-fashioned, out-of-date UK, 1911 old head noun 1 an older prisoner US, 2002. 2 a returning student to a school US, 1963 old horsey noun strong, illegally manufactured whisky US, 1999 old house noun on the railways, a warehouse of salvaged parts US, 1977 oldie noun 1 an older or elderly person UK, 1874. 2 a song from the past that is still popular. A shortened form of GOLDEN OLDIE or ‘oldie but goody’ US, 1939 oldies noun parents (regardless of age) AUSTRALIA, 1964 old iron and brass; old iron noun 2 a pass. Rhyming slang, in military use UK, 1992 old iron and grass; old iron noun 1 grass. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 old Joe noun any sexually transmitted infection US, 1967 old King Cole noun unemployment benefit; a government office from which unemployment benefit is managed. Rhyming slang old bag | old King Cole 470 for THE DOLE; formed on the name of a nursery rhyme character – he was ‘a merry old soul’ so this rhyme may be intentionally ironic UK, 1960 old kit bag noun a cigarette. Rhyming slang for FAG; possibly from the song by George Asaf and Felix Powell: ‘Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile’, 1915 – but still fam- iliar UK, 1998 old lad noun used as a friendly form of address to another man UK, 1588 old lady noun 1 amotherUS, 1877. 2 a wife, common-law or legal; a girlfriend US, 1836 . 3 the more passive member of a same-sex couple US, 1937. 4 any old woman UK, 1824 Old Lady of Threadneedle Street nickname the Bank of England. From a cartoon by James Gillray UK, 1797 old lady white; old white lady noun a powdered drug: cocaine, heroin or morphine US, 1942 old lag noun 1 a regular prisoner or one who has become institutionalised, a recidivist. From LAG (a prisoner) UK, 1950. 2 a prisoner who has been in jail for a long time AUSTRALIA, 1950 . 3 a former prisoner AUSTRALIA, 1812 . 4 a person who has been contracted to a single employer for a very long time, especially of the armed services. Humorous use of the sense as ‘a convict who has been imprisoned for many years’ UK, 2001 old man noun 1 afatherUS, 1811. 2 a boyfriend or husband UK, 1768. 3 a commanding officer, military or police US, 1830. 4 a pimp in relation to a prostitute US, 1891. 5 an elder amongst the Australian Aboriginals AUSTRALIA, 1848 . 6 used as a form of address to another man UK, 1885. 7 the penis UK, 1984. 8 a shark US, 1965 old man comforts noun high-top shoes with ankle support and extra laces US, 1973 old man kangaroo; old man ’roo noun an adult male kangaroo AUSTRALIA, 1834 old man’s aid noun in pool, a device used to support the cue stick for a hard-to-reach shot. As the terminology suggests, the device is scorned by skilled players US, 1977 old man’s milk noun coconut water mixed with gin TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003 old Mick adjective nauseated, sick. Rhyming slang UK, 1967 Old Miss nickname the University of Mississippi US, 1989 old money noun an earlier system of measuring, when applied to anything except money UK, 2000 old navy noun heroin US, 2002 Old Nick noun mischief. Nearly obsolete US, 1817 old oak noun London. Probably rhyming slang for THE SMOKE; used by trainspotters; however, Garth Andrews, a retired deputy head of Records and Archives at the British Railways Board, wrote to this dictionary in May 2003, to suggest that ‘this has nothing to do with rhyming slang for "smoke". Old Oak Common was the premier engine shed on the Great Western Railway, providing the motive power for crack expresses out of Paddington. It is, of course, possible that Old Oak Common provided the inspiration for the rhyme – if rhyme it is UK, 1970 old pair noun parents IRELAND, 2001 old people noun parents (regardless of age) AUSTRALIA, 1941 old person’s friend noun pneumonia CANADA, 1987 old rag noun a flag. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 old reliable noun the Ninth Infantry Division, US Army US, 1991 olds noun parents AUSTRALIA, 1979 old sailor noun a Morris Marina car. Citizens’ band radio slang; pun on ‘mariner’ UK, 1981 old school noun a past generation with an old-fashioned but reliable way of doing things US, 1970 old shaky noun a C-124 long-range transport aircraft US, 1986 old skool; old school noun the original style of hip-hop music viewed retrospectively; subsequently, any hip-hop music that could not be categorised as house music; finally, any style of music under the hip-hop umbrella that is not absolutely current US, 1989 Oldsmobile noun in hold ’em poker, a nine and an eight as the first two cards dealt to a player. An allusion to the Oldsmobile 98, a popular model US, 1981 Old Smokey noun the electric chair US, 1929 old soak; soak noun a drunkard. From the verb sense (to drink immoderately) UK, 1820 Old Sod noun Ireland UK, 1891 old sort noun a wife, a husband or any partner in a living-together relationship UK, 2000 Old Sparky noun an electric chair, especially Florida’s electric chair US, 1971 old stager noun a person of considerable age or experience UK, 1570 oldster noun an older person UK, 1848 old Steve noun heroin US, 1936 old style noun fashion sense that is excessive to the point of ridicule TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1956 old sweat noun an old soldier; a veteran police officer UK, 1919 old thing; dear old thing noun used as a term of address, usually as an endearment UK, 1864 oldtimer’s disease noun Alzheimer’s disease US, 1988 old Tom noun an aggressive, ‘mannish’ lesbian US, 1978 old woman noun 1 a wife; a woman you cohabit with UK, 1775. 2 a mother UK, 1829. 3 a male who behaves like an old woman AUSTRALIA, 1963 ole gal noun a male roommate US, 1947 o-levels noun oral sex, especially when advertised as a service offered by a prostitute. A play on the name given to ‘ordinary-level’ exam- inations in the British education system UK, 1978 olive oil; olive noun silver foil (used in the preparation of heroin). Rhyming slang UK, 1996 Oliver noun in circus and carnival usage, a police officer US, 1981 Oliver Reed; Ollie; Olly noun 1 tobacco; marijuana. Rhyming slang for WEED (tobacco/marijuana), based on the name of actor Oliver Reed, 1938–99 UK, 1992. 2 amphetamine. Rhyming slang for SPEED (amphetamine), based on the name of actor Oliver Reed, 1938–99 UK, 1992 Oliver Twist adjective drunk. Rhyming slang for PISSED, formed from Charles Dickens’ eponymous hero UK, 1998 Oliver Twist!; oliver! a derisive suggestion that accompanies the offensive gesture of a raised middle finger. An elaboration and extension of TWIST!, formed from Charles Dickens’ famous hero UK, 2001 Ollie Beak noun a Sikh. Rhyming slang, formed from a puppet – a Liverpudlian owl – that used to introduce children’s television programmes in the 1960s UK, 1998 Ollie, Molly and Dolly noun in poker, three queens US, 1948 olly; ollie noun in skateboarding, a jumping manoeuvre, the basis of most skating tricks US, 1989 Oly nickname Olympia, Washington US, 1997 om noun MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy. Possibly from the Buddhist mantra ‘Om’, playing on the drug’s association with ‘trance’ (a contemporary dance music genre formed on repetitive rhythms), or, perhaps, an abbreviation of OMEGA UK, 1996 OM noun a male; a partner; a husband. An abbreviation of ‘old man’. Frequent usage by shortwave radio operators, carried over into citizens’ band radio slang US, 1976 -omatic suffix used as an embellishment that adds nothing to the meaning of the word embellished US, 1982 omee; omey; omer; ome; homee; homi; homie; homey noun a man; a master; a landlord. Polari, from Italian uomo (a man) UK, 1845 471 old kit bag | omee; omey; omer; ome; homee; homi; homie; homey omee-palone; omee-paloney; ome-palone; homee-palone; omi-palome; omie-palome noun a homosexual man. Polari; a combination of OMEE (a man) and POLONE; PALONE (a woman) UK, 1966 omega noun MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy. Possibly a play on ‘the end’ or, perhaps, an elaboration of OM UK, 1996 omen noun low grade phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust US, 1993 omo; OMO adjective used for signalling that a woman’s husband is not at home: old man out. OMO™ is an established branded soap powder UK, 1995 omygod noun a Plymouth Omega US, 1992 on adjective 1 in the bleed period of the menstrual cycle. Euphemistic abbreviation of, or an alternative to, ON THE RAG or ‘on (your) period’ UK, 1971. 2 ready and willing UK, 1888. 3 willing to take part AUSTRALIA, 1880. 4 willing to take part in an amorous liaison AUSTRALIA, 1907 . 5 dating AUSTRALIA, 1945. 6 (of a fight or dispute) begun in earnest AUSTRALIA, 1945. 7 persistently asking AUSTRALIA, 1969. 8 of a criminal enterprise, under way UK, 1969. 9 possible, feasible, worthy of an attempt. Originally recorded in use among billiard and snooker players UK, 1935. 10 having secured a bet AUSTRALIA, 1903. 11 protected from policy action by bribes US, 1973. 12 of a food dish, on the menu UK, 1949. 13 drug-intoxicated US, 1946. < not on not going to happen; forbidden AUSTRALIA, 1972 on preposition 1 (used of a drug) under the influence of US, 1925. 2 so as to affect or disadvantage IRELAND, 1880. 3 to the detriment of, or the disadvantage of, or the ruin of, etc UK, 2000. 4 at or in (a place) AUSTRALIA, 1853 . 5 to be paid for by US, 1871. < be on about to talk in such a manner that the speaker is not entirely understood or listened to by the auditor. As in, ‘What’s he on about now?’ UK, 1984. < be on at to nag, to constantly reprove UK, 1974. < go on about; be on about to grumble; to complain, especially loudly; to talk on a subject for far too long UK, 1863 on and off noun a cough. Rhyming slang UK, 1998 on bob adjective happy. Variation of BOB (pleasant) UK, 2001 once a week noun 1 a magistrate. Rhyming slang for BEAK UK, 1960. 2 impudence. Rhyming slang for CHEEK UK, 1925 once in a blue moon very rarely UK, 1959 once-over noun a brief look that assesses something or someone US, 1913 oncer noun 1 something or someone unique AUSTRALIA, 1966. 2 a person who has sex only once with any given partner US, 1959. 3 a one-pound note UK, 1931. 4 an impudent person. Derives from rhyming slang ONCE A WEEK for CHEEK UK, 1992 one noun 1 an eccentric, amusing or outrageous person UK, 1880. 2 a devotee, or an adherent, or a champion, of something UK, 1888. 3 a grudge; a score; a blow; a kiss; a drink; an act of sexual intercourse; any non-specified noun. By ellipsis of the specific noun UK, 1830. 4 a lie; a joke or an anecdote UK, 1813. 5 an act of urination. An abbreviation of NUMBER ONE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1987. < do one for me; have one for me a jocular catchphrase addressed to someone on the way to the lavatory UK, 1984. < in one in bar dice games, to make a hand in one roll of the dice US, 1971. < on one in a state of intoxication as a result of use of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy UK, 1999 one adjective used as an emphatic indefinite article UK, 1828 one goodbye. An abbreviation of ONE LOVE. US, 2002 one and a half noun a prison sentence of eighteen months UK, 1961 one and eight noun a plate (in all uses, conventional or slang). Rhyming slang UK, 1992 one and half noun a scarf. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 one and one noun 1 an inhalation of cocaine using both nostrils UK, 2003 . 2 a dose of heroin accompanied by a dose of cocaine US, 1997. 3 a bag of deep-fried cod and chips IRELAND, 1963 one and t’other noun 1 a brother. Rhyming slang UK, 1981. 2 a mother. Rhyming slang UK, 1932 one-armed bandit noun 1 a slot machine gambling device US, 1938. 2 a petrol pump. From a vague similarity in appearance to a fruit machine UK, 1981. 3 that part of an automatic warning system mounted in a diesel locomotive’s cab UK, 1970 one away! used by prison officers to raise the alarm when a prisoner escapes UK, 1950 one day for thief, one day for police used for expressing the conviction that wrongdoers will eventually be caught TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1990 one day job noun a car that can be disassembled and sold in one day after being stolen US, 1992 One Day of the Year noun Anzac Day AUSTRALIA, 1962 one day, one day, congotay one day there will be justice TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003 one-digit midget noun during the Vietnam war, a soldier with less than 10 days to serve before his date of expected return from overseas US, 1984 one ’em verb in the gambling game two-up, to throw a head and a tail AUSTRALIA, 1966 one-eye noun 1 the penis. A variation of the ‘one-eyed bestiary’ US, 1961. 2 in a deck of playing cards, a face card drawn in profile, the jack of hearts, the jack of spades or the king of diamonds US, 1967. 3 a car with only one headlight working US, 1962 one-eyed adjective used in combination with a variety of suitably shaped or characterised nouns to depict the penis UK, 1775 one-eyed jack noun a car with only one headlight working US, 1998 one-eyed monster noun the penis. Neither Cyclops nor the character from the film Monsters Inc US, 1972 one-eyed snake noun the penis. A short ‘one-eyed trouser snake’ US, 2001 one-eyed trouser snake noun the penis AUSTRALIA, 1971 one foot in the grave adjective old, perhaps very old. Used as the title of a popular BBC situation comedy about an ageing (but not elderly) couple, written by David Renwick and broadcast from 1990–2000 UK, 1632 one for his nob noun a shilling. Rhyming slang for BOB that fell into disuse following decimalisation in 1971 UK, 1961 one for Ron noun an extra cigarette taken when one is offered. Typically the person cadging cigarettes says they’ll take one ‘and one for Ron’, when the person giving the cigarettes asks ‘Who is Ron?’ the answer given is ‘one for later on’ AUSTRALIA, 1966 one for the boy noun in horse racing, a bet placed on a horse by the owner and given to the jockey before the race US, 1951 one for the road noun a final drink before leaving a bar US, 1943 one goer noun a race in which only one horse is being run to win AUSTRALIA, 1966 one-hand magazine; one-handed magazine; one-handed literature noun a pornographic magazine. The image of one hand free UK, 1978 one hitter noun a device designed for holding a single inhalation worth of marijuana US, 2003 one hitter quitter; one hitta quitta noun a powerful variety of marijuana. It takes just one HIT (an inhalation) to get an intoxicating effect UK, 1995 one-hit wonder noun a recording artist or group with a single hit song US, 1994 one-holed flute noun the penis. Variation of FLUTE (the penis) UK, 1984 one-horse adjective of little consequence, unimportant, inferior, small US, 1853 one hundred noun a marijuana cigarette dipped in an opium sol- ution US, 1991 One Hung Low nickname used as a name for a Chinaman. Intended to be humorous, as in the imagined book title ‘The Ruptured Chinaman’ by One Hung Low UK, 1984 omee-palone; omee-paloney; ome-palone; homee-palone; omi-palome; omie-palome | One Hung Low 472 [...]... 1965 piece of piss noun anything that can be achieved easily This alliterative variation on PIECE OF CAKE was originally Royal Air Force slang UK, 1949 piece of pistachio noun anything that can be achieved easily Euphemistic elaboration of PIECE OF PISS UK, 2002 piece of shit noun something disgusting or of very poor quality; a person who is greatly disliked US, 1986 piece of skin; piece of flesh noun... pack up verb to stop; to cease an activity; to retire US, 1942 pack of rocks noun a packet of ready-to-smoke marijuana fashioned in the manner of cigarettes An abbreviation of ‘pack of rockets’ UK, 2003 pack out verb to unpack SOUTH AFRICA, 1969 pack-rape noun rape by a gang of men in succession AUSTRALIA, 1969 pack-rape verb (of a gang of men) to serially rape a woman AUSTRALIA, 1965 pack-rapist noun... period of the menstrual cycle A euphemistic fact of life UK, 1961 paint-stripper noun cheap and nasty alcohol UK, 1999 paipsey adjective ugly BARBADOS, 1965 pair noun 1 a pair of female breasts US, 1957 hence manliness or courage US, 1985 2 a pair of testicles, pair of ducks; pair noun in cricket, the score of a batsman who is out for no score in each leg of a match From DUCK (zero) UK, 2003 pair of fives;... is applied to a general swell of grumbling, used by more senior officers of junior ranks in the military, of a workforce as distinct from management, of students in relation to their educators, etc A tireless pun on ‘revolting’ UK, 1984 pedalling with both feet; pedalling verb (used of a vehicle, or driver of that vehicle) to achieve top speed Conjures a misleading image of pedalling a bicycle; the pedal... 1974 piece of ass noun a woman as a sexual object; sexual intercourse US, 1930 piece of brass noun a prostitute Elaboration of BRASS NAIL; BRASS (a prostitute), playing on ‘piece of arse’ (an attractive woman) UK, 2001 piece of cake noun anything that is considered to be easily achieved or acquired Originally Royal Air Force usage US, 1936 piece of change noun a sum of money US, 1946 piece of cunt noun... sexual object US, 1947 piece of duff noun a young male homosexual prostitute, a rent boy On the model of PIECE OF ASS (a woman as a sex object); from DUFF (the buttocks), probably informed by DUFF (inferior), and possibly by a rhyme of PUFF (a homosexual male) UK, 1996 piece off verb to divide an ounce of drugs From PIECE (an ounce) US, 1984 piece of leg noun sex US, 1977 piece of meat noun a woman as a... 1898 outside adjective 1 out of the ordinary US, 1969 2 (of a child) illegitimate TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1952 3 (of a lover) adulterous TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1971 4 in surfing, seaward of the swell US, 1963 outside adverb not in prison US, 1871 < get outside of to eat US, 1869 outside! used for calling to the attention of other surfers the presence of an approaching series of waves seaward US, 1964 8see:... aviator usage US, 1986 one of these fine days at a vague point in the future Minor variations abound: ’some fine day’, ‘one of these fine mornings’, etc UK, 1846 one of those; one of them noun a homosexual UK, 1933 one of those days noun a day when everything seems to go wrong, or is more hectic than usual UK, 1936 one of us noun a male homosexual Especially in the phrase, ‘he’s one of us’ UK, 1961 one on!... mouth of a very sick hospital patient Medical wit; an especially humorous image when the ‘O-sign’ becomes the Q-SIGN (as above but with the tongue hanging out) US, 1980 Ossie Potter noun water Rhyming slang, from the name of a prominent Australian racehorse owner of the 1950s AUSTRALIA, 1989 ossifer; occifer noun a police officer An intentional metathesis, spoken in imitation of the slurred speech of. .. activation of a flipper US, 1977 panic merchant noun a person who habitually panics AUSTRALIA, 1962 panic stations noun a frenzied state of alarmed or confused thinking A jocular adaptation of the military term ‘action stations’ UK, 1961 pan-loaf adjective of a superior social status or well-to-do Glasgow rhyming slang for TOFF – a good rhyme in the local accent – formed from a type of bread with a soft crust . subtext of bitter irony UK, 1992 offie; offy noun an off-licence (a shop licensed to sell alcoholic drinks for consumption off the premises) UK, 1977 off it adjective drug-intoxicated. A variation of. as a BIT OF THE OTHER.Partridge,inthe 1st edition of his Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, 1937, suggests that the unqualified term indicates ‘homosexuality as a criminal offence’. (zero) for however many tries US, 1995 off noun 1 the start of a race; the beginning of something, the start of a journey. From racing UK, 1959. 2 time off, a day off, etc. By ellipsis SOUTH AFRICA,