Dictionary of Unconventional English_16 docx

A variation ofGIVE A SHIT UK , 1971 shiteadjective1poor quality, inferiorUK , 1997.2awful; unhappy;emotionally upsetUK , 2002 shite!used as an expression of frustration, anger, etcUK , 1

< up to shitno good; hopelessAUSTRALIA , 1978 < when the shit

hits the fan; when the shit fliesthe moment when a crisis

starts, especially if such trouble has been expectedUK , 1966.

< you’re shit and you know you areused by football fans as a

chant to disparage (and enrage) the opposing team and fansUK ,

2001

shitverb1to defecate Conventional English for about 500 years

from the C14, then, sometime in the C19, slipped into vulgarity

UK , 1308.2to deceive someone; to lie to someone or stretch the

truth An abbreviated form ofBULLSHIT US , 1934 < shit a brickto

have a difficult time accepting something; to react with angerUS ,

1971 < shit all overto surpass someone or something by a great

degreeUK , 2003 < shit into win easily or by a large margin

AUSTRALIA , 1979 < shit itto be very nervous or worried; to be

thoroughly frightened An allusion to the bowel-loosening effect of

terrorUK , 2000 < shit it into do something with easeAUSTRALIA ,

1992 < shit nickelsto be very frightenedUS , 1968 < shit on

someoneto disparage or abuse someoneUK , 1984 < shit or get

off the potto get out of the way and let someone else try to do

it; make your mind up Originally directed at dice playersCANADA ,

1966 < shit the life out of someoneto frighten someone

Variation of conventional ‘scare the life out of’ combined with

SCARE THE SHIT OUT OF UK , 1999 < shit your pants1to soil your

underpants by accidental defecationUK , 2001.2to be terrified To

lose control over your excretory functions is noted as a symptom

of extreme terror; however, this is used figuratively (most of the

time), often as an exaggerationUK , 1994 < shit your shortsto

behave in a nervous or frightened mannerUS , 2002 < shit

yourselfto be terrified Losing control over your excretory

functions is noted as a symptom of extreme terror; it is used here

(and most of the time) in a figurative sense, certainly as an

exag-gerationUK , 1914

shitadjective1inferior; shoddy; valueless; unpleasant; disliked for

whatever reasonUK , 1930.2unfashionable; in poor tasteUK , 2001.

3badUS , 1950.4despicableUS , 1977.5goodUK , 1996

shit!used for registering annoyance, frustration, despair, etcUK , 1920

shit a brick!; shit-a-brick!; shit on a brick!used for expressing

annoyance, disgust or shockAUSTRALIA , 1968

shit-allnounnothing, nothing at all A variation ofFUCK ALL US , 1981

shit and a shavenouna short sentence of imprisonment An

inference that the sentence is for no more time than it takes to

get ready to go outUK , 1996

shit and derision!; shit and corruption!; shit and molasses!

used for registering annoyance and frustration Originally air force,

describing weather conditionsUK , 1982

shit and gitverbto leave quicklyUS , 1994

shit and shinolanounin poker, three two’sUS , 1948

shitareenouna toiletUK , 1994

shit-assadjectivedespicable, of poor qualityUS , 1967

shit-ass; shirt-arsenouna despicable personUS , 1942

shitbagnouna despicable person or objectUK , 1964

shitbagverbto denigrate or criticise someone or something

AUSTRALIA , 1986

shitballnouna despicable personUS , 1998

shitbirdnouna despicable personUS , 1952

shit-blitznounan intensive media campaign of attack designed to

present a negative image of someone or somethingUK , 2004

shit bowlnouna toiletUS , 1967

shit boxnoun1the anusUK , 1997.2a despicable personAUSTRALIA ,

1979.3a small and shoddy dwellingAUSTRALIA , 1995.4the Chevrolet

ChevetteUS , 1992

shit-boxadjectiveno goodAUSTRALIA , 1995

shitbrains; shit-brainnouna stupid personUS , 1970

shit-burnernouna person assigned to the task of cleaning out

latrines, dousing the spoils with fuel and burning the mixture

Coined during the Vietnam warUS , 1991

shitcan any rubbish bin . a cheap car

shitcanverb1to throw something away; to discharge someone fromemploymentUS , 1975.2to denigrate or criticise someoneAUSTRALIA , 1950

shitcanadjectiverubbishyUK , 1998

shit-chutenounthe rectumUS , 1977

shit creeknoun< up shit creek; up shit creek without a paddle; up the creekstranded, in trouble EmbellishmentsaboundUS , 1941

shitcuntnouna contemptible person; used as a harsh term ofcontempt When neitherSHITnorCUNTis abusive enough thiscombination may serveUK , 1979

shit disturbernouna troublemakerUS , 1977

shitenounexcrement; hence rubbish A variation onSHIT

phonetically similar to German Scheiße UK , 1976 < give a shitetocare, to be concerned – usually in a negative context A variation

ofGIVE A SHIT UK , 1971

shiteadjective1poor quality, inferiorUK , 1997.2awful; unhappy;emotionally upsetUK , 2002

shite!used as an expression of frustration, anger, etcUK , 1937

shit-eaternouna coprophiliacUS , 1996

shit-eatingadjectivesycophanticUK , 1974

shit-eating grinnouna broad smile, ingratiating and unctuousUS , 1957

shite-awfuladjectivebeing of very inferior qualityUK: SCOTLAND , 1996

shit eh!wow!AUSTRALIA , 1972

shitehawknouna despicable, worthless personUK , 2000

shiteheadnouna contemptible person; used as a general term ofabuse A variation ofSHITHEAD UK , 1997

shitepokenouna despicable personUS , 1926

shitersnoun< put the shiters up someoneto frighten someone

UK: SCOTLAND , 1996

shitersadjectivescared FromSHIT-SCARED(terrified) and other ations on the themeUK , 2002

vari-shiteyadjectivefaeces-covered; of poor qualityUK: SCOTLAND , 1994

shit-facenoun1a despised personUK , 1937.2used as an intensifier

of the degree of intoxicationUS , 1977

shitfacedadjectivedrunkUS , 1968

shitfire!used as an oathUS , 1970

shit fitnoun1a bad case of diarrhoeaUS , 1975.2a tantrumUS , 1968

shit-for-brainsadjectivestupidUS , 2003

shit-for-brains; shite-for-brainsnounan idiotUS , 1994

shit-fucknouna despicable personAUSTRALIA , 1997

shit happensused for conveying the inevitability of misfortune Atremendously popular catchphrase in the mid-to late 1980s in the

US, spawning dozens of jokes with the predictable punch-line, shirts with lists of various religions’ interpretations of the phrase,etcUS , 1983

tee-shit-hawknouna seagullCANADA , 1993

shitheadnounan objectionable, obnoxious, despised personUK , 1961

shitheapnouna motor vehicle that is in poor repair or that lackspowerAUSTRALIA , 1984

shitheelnouna despicable personUS , 1935

shit heroinnounheroin, especially if of poor qualityUK , 1950

shithole; shiteholenoun1a bad place; a dirty, run-down ordisreputable placeUS , 1965.2the anusUK , 1937

shithooknoun1the handUS , 1970.2a thoroughly unpleasant person

US , 1968.3a CH-47 Chinook helicopter Vietnam war usageUS , 1991

shit-hotnouna highly skilled fighter pilotUS , 1983

shit hotadjectiveexcellent, wonderful A positive sense ofSHIT

intensifiesHOT(popular, fashionable)UK , 1961

shithousenoun1a toilet bowl; a toilet; a lavatoryUK , 1795.2a

extremely unpleasant individualUK , 1999.5a cowardUK , 2002 < to

the shithouseto hellAUSTRALIA , 1987

shithouseadjective1disgusting, nasty, unpleasantAUSTRALIA , 1971.2no

good; hopeless; abysmalAUSTRALIA , 1973

shithouse rumournoungossip A blunt version of the kinder and

gentler ‘latrine rumour’US , 1968

shitkickernoun1a tough, belligerent personUS , 1954.2a

country-dweller, a peasantUS , 1966.3a person employed to do menial jobs

AUSTRALIA , 1950.4a prostitute Far less common than the term

MUDKICKER US , 1967.5a fraudster, especially one who adopts a pose

of extreme modestyUS , 1981

shitkickersnounheavy work shoes or work bootsUS , 1974

shitlessadverbcompletely, entirely, to a great degreeUK , 1936

shitlipsnouna person who talks nonsense Extended fromSHIT

(rubbish, nonsense) with ‘lips’ representing the mouth that emits

itUS , 1991

shit listnounan imagined list of those in disfavourUS , 1942

shitloadnouna great deal ofUS , 1991

shitmanused as an intensifier of what followsUS , 1967

shitmobilenouna poor quality motor vehicleAUSTRALIA , 1995

shit-nastyadjectivevery unpleasantUK , 2001

shit off!go away!UK , 1966

shitogramnounan especially virulent e-mail messageUS , 1991

shit on a shinglenounminced or creamed beef on toast A visual

simile in UK military use, possibly of US originUS , 1994

shit on a stringnounan elusive or difficult taskUS , 1981

shit or bustverbto make a determined final effort A less extreme

variation ofRIP, SHIT OR BUST UK , 2005

shit ordernouna dirty or untidy condition, especially when applied

to military accommodation or equipmentUK , 1971

shit-outnouna cowardUK , 2000

shit outverbto run away; to yieldUK , 1999

shit out of luckadjectivevery unluckyUS , 1983

shitpackernounan anal-sex enthusiastUS , 1964

shit papernountoilet paperUS , 1969

shitparcelnouna prison officerUK , 1996

shitpickernouna notional menial, demeaning jobUS , 1971

shit pienouna comparative example for anything of no valueUK ,

1999

shit pitnouna field-latrine MilitaryUK , 1995

ShitportnicknameNorfolk, VirginiaUS , 1982

shitpotnoun1a contemptible, worthless individualUK , 1937.2a great

deal ofUS , 1968.3marijuana of inferior quality A combination of

synonymsSHITandPOT US , 2001

shitpunchernouna male homosexualNEW ZEALAND , 1998

shitsnoun< for shits and gigglesfor no good reason Something

is done, for example, for shits and gigglesUS , 2001 < put the

shits up someoneto frighten someoneUK , 2002 < the shits

1diarrhoeaUK , 1947.2the worstUS , 1971.3fear Following logically

from the earlier sense as ‘diarrhoea’UK , 1967

shit sandwichnouna troubling, odious situationUS , 1968

shit-scaredadjectiveterrifiedUK , 1958

shit-shapedadjectiveused of a prison cell that has been daubed

with excrement A pun on ‘ship-shape’ From private

correspondence with a serving prisoner in 2001UK , 2001

shit, shave, shower, shineused as a jocular reminder of a man’s

tasks before going out on the town Multiple variants, probably

coined in the US Marine Corps as a pre-liberty litanyUS , 1968

shitshovernouna male homosexual An obvious allusion to anal

intercourseUK , 1996

shitstabbernouna male homosexualUK , 2002

shit stain a stupid, despicable person

shitstainadjectivedespicable, unpleasant, foolishUS , 1995

shit-sticknouna despised personUS , 1964

shit sticks!used as a mildly profane expression of disappointment

shit-stirringnounharassing; heckling; troublemakingAUSTRALIA , 1971

shit stompersnounheavy work bootsUS , 1975

shit stoppernouna prankUS , 1981

shit stoppersnoundrain-pipe trousers (a tight-cut, narrow-leggedpart of a Teddy Boy’s ‘uniform’)UK , 2003

shitstorm; shit stormnounan extremely serious situationUS , 1962

shit streetnounan unpleasant place to be; serious trouble You can

be ‘in’ or ‘up’ shit street; a similar location toSHIT CREEK UK , 1961

shitsureadverbcertainly, definitelyUS , 1981

shittalaynouna Chevrolet carUS , 1992

shit-talkverbto engage in bragging, insulting conversationUS , 2004

shittedadjectiveafraid A variation ofSHIT-SCARED UK , 1997

shitternoun1an example of somethingUK , 2005.2a toilet orbathroomUS , 1969.3a criminal, usually a burglar, who fetishisticallydefecates at the scene of the crimeUS , 1970.4a liar; a braggart; abluffer A shortened form ofBULLSHITTER US , 1982.5a cowardUK , 2000.

6a horseUS , 1958.7a prison cell used for solitary confinementUS ,

1972.8the hell Used as an intensifierAUSTRALIA , 1971

shit the bed!used for registering wonder or satisfaction An ation ofSHIT! UK , 2002

elabor-shit ticketnouna piece of toilet paperAUSTRALIA , 1996

shittingadjectiveused as a negative intensifierUK , 1966

shitting in high cotton (and wiping with the leaves)enjoyingprosperous timesUS , 1984

shitting-itadjectivescared; very nervousUK , 1996

shittingsnoundiarrhoeaBAHAMAS , 1982

shitting upnounin prison, a deliberate act of protest by decorating

a cell with excrementUK , 1996

shit trainnouna great number; a lot ofUS , 1989

shittynouna bad moodAUSTRALIA , 1979

shittyadjective1awful; of poor qualityUS , 1924.2in a bad mood

shit upverbto scare someoneUK , 2000

shitvillenounany remote, forsaken townUS , 1977

shitworknounany unglamorous occupation, often dirty workUK , 1968

shitwrapnouna despicable personUS , 2001

shivverbto stab someoneUS , 1951

shiv; chiv; shivvienouna homemade knife-like weapon, especiallyone fashioned in prison Almost certainly evolved from C17 ‘chive’(knife)US , 1915

shivareenouna group mockingUS , 1805

Shiva Skunknounin British Columbia, a local variety of marijuana

CANADA , 2002

shiver and shake; shivernouna cake Rhyming slangUK , 1998

shivoonoun a party; a celebration From French chez vous (at your

place)AUSTRALIA , 1844

shivvernouna criminal who attacks victims with a knifeUS , 1957

shiznitnounthe very best; something of great quality Used with

shizzle; fo’ shizzlecertainly; emphatically yes A hip-hop, urban

black coinage; the opening sound of ‘sure’ elaborated to a pattern;

especially in rhyming reduplications, ‘fo’ shizzle my nizzle’ (for

sure my nigger), ‘fo’ shizzle my sizzle’ (for sure my sister) and ‘fo’

shizzle my bizzle’ (for sure my brother)US , 2003

shizzle my mizzle fizzle dizzle!used as a contemptuous

expression of dismissal Popular hip-hop cryptography disguising

’suck my mother fucking dick!’US , 2003

shizzyadjectivegreatUK , 1993

shlemiel; schlemiel; schlemihlnouna bungler with chronic bad

luck Yiddish During the opening montage of the US situation

comedy Laverne and Shirley (ABC, 1976–83), the lead characters,

played by Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams, skip down a

Milwaukee sidewalk singing ‘1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8, Shlemiel,

shlamazzel, Hassenpepper Incorporated’, giving ‘shlemiel’ its

highest profile to dateUS , 1948

shlepnoun1stealing from parked carsUS , 1950.2influenceUS , 2002

shlep; schlepverbto move or travel laboriously From Yiddish

schlep or schlepen (to drag) IRELAND , 1922

shlepper; schleppernounan inconsequential person; a nobodyUS ,

1934

shlepper bag; schlepper bagnouna tote bagUS , 2000

shlimazel; schlimazelnouna person with chronic bad luck A

blend of German and Hebrew, literally translated as ‘bad luck’US ,

1948

shlock; schlack; schlocknounshoddy, defective or cheaply made

merchandise From German to Yiddish to American slangUS , 1915

shlocker; schlockernouna cheaply produced horror or thriller film

A compound ofSHLOCK;SHLOCK(something cheap or inferior) and

SHOCKER UK , 2002

shlocky; schlockyadjectiveshoddyUS , 1968

shlongnoun1the penis From the Yiddish Also spelt ‘schlong’US ,

1969.2a hairstyle in which the hair is worn short at the front and

long at the back An ellision of ‘short-long’ Better known, perhaps,

as aMULLET US , 2005

shlubbyadjectiveill-mannered; poorly dressed Yiddish from the

Slavic zhlob (a coarse person) US , 1968

shm-; schm-prefixused for creating a Yiddish-sounding reduplication

of an English word, usually with the intention of diminishing the

importance of the original wordUS , 1929

shmagmanounmarijuanaUK , 2003

shmaltz; schmaltznounexcessive sentimentality, especially in

music, writing, etc From German schmaltz (fat, lard) via Yiddish,

with a suggestion of something too greasy to be easily digestedUS ,

1935

shmamsnounthe female breasts Derives, apparently, from

MAMMARIESon the Yiddish model of reduplication (‘mams,

shmams’)UK , 2003

’shmannouna first-year college student, a freshmanUS , 1987

shmatte; schmattenoun1the clothing tradeCANADA , 2002.2a less

than elegant house dress YiddishUS , 1970

shmear; schmearnouna bribeUS , 1950

shmear; schmearverbto bribe someoneUS , 1985

shmeck; schmeck; shmeenounheroin; cocaine From German

schmecken (to taste), but note an assonant similarity toSMACK

(heroin)US , 1932

shmecker; schmeckernouna heroin user Yiddish, formed from

SHMECK US , 1952

shmecklernouna heroin user or addictUS , 1988

shmeer; schmearnouna package or deal From the YiddishUS , 1969

shmegegge; schmageggynounan incompetent person An

American-born ‘Yiddish’ wordUS , 1975

shmendricknouna naive, cowardly person From the name of a

character in an operetta by Abraham GolfadenUS , 1980

shmo; schmo; schmolnouna gullible, hapless fool An American

into the American lexicon, US cartoonist Al Capp introduced the

‘shmoo’ in the L’il Abner comic strip The loveable and selfless

‘shmoo’ loved to be eaten and tasted like any food desiredUS , 1948

shmooze; schmoozenounan agreeable conversation; persuasivetalkUS , 1939

shmooze; schmoozeverbto gossip; to chat, to engage in idle talk;

to network; to persuade someone indirectly Yiddish from theHebrewUS , 1897

shmoozyadjectivechatty; friendlyUS , 1954

shmuck; schmucknoun1a fool; an objectionable person Takeninto general usage from Yiddish; the literal meaning is ‘penis’,hence the original Yiddish usage in this sense had a particularlyderogatory tone The variant ‘schmuck’ seems to have been

adopted in error due to a similarity in sound to Yiddish schmuck

(jewel)UK , 1892.2the penisUK , 2003

shmuck; schmuckverbto make a fool of someoneUS , 2001

shmucko; schmuckonouna reprehensible personAUSTRALIA , 1987

shmutter; schmutternounclothing, especially a suit From Yiddish

shmatte (a rag), ultimately from Polish szmatte (a rag) UK , 1977

shmutz; schmutznounfilth; dirt Yiddish from GermanUS , 1959

shnitzel; schnitzelnounthe penisUS , 1967

shnooknounan inoffensive, unassertive person; a ‘nobody’.American Yiddish coinageUS , 1948

shnookeredadjectivedrunkUS , 1985

shnorrer; schnorrernouna freeloader Yiddish from the German for

shocked-asadjectivevery shockedUK , 2001

shockernouna person or thing that is shockingly badAUSTRALIA , 1962

shock jocknouna radio personality who tests the limits and tries towin listeners by outrageous language, thoughts or stuntsUS , 1986

shock shopnouna room where electric shock therapy isadministeredUS , 1962

shock treatmentnounin the used car business, a very lowassessment of the value of a customer’s trade-in carUS , 1980

shoddy-doonounpalms slapped in greetingUS , 1976

shoddy-droppernouna vendor of low quality clothing passed off ashigh qualityAUSTRALIA , 1950

shoenoun1a detective An abbreviation ofGUMSHOE US , 1988.2ablack person A play onBOOT US , 1960.3in drag and motor racing, adriverUS , 1980.4among Quebec anglophones, the CentreHospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke The word ‘shoe’ indicateshow the acronym CHUS is pronounced, leaving off the lastconsonant in the French wayCANADA , 2001.5a linear amplifier for acitizens’ band radioUS , 1976

ShoenicknameWillie Shoemaker (b.1931), the most successful jockey

in the history of horse racing in the USUS , 1977

shoebite; shoe-bitenouna blister on the foot caused by a shoe’srubbingINDIA , 1979

shoe bootnouna prostitute Rhyming slangUK , 2003

shoe clerknouna poker player who withdraws from a hand at anysign of serious bettingUS , 1996

shoe dognouna shoe salesmanUS , 1997

shoegazernounan aficionado of ‘serious’ introspective rock music;hence the music itselfUK , 1999

shoegazingnoun‘serious’, introspective rock musicUK , 2003

shoe laces and collar buttonsnounin poker, a hand consisting of

a pair of aces and a pair of twos

shoe-leather expressnounwalkingUS , 1949

shoemakernouna boy who is not particularly intelligent Teen slang

US , 1955

shoesnoun1tyresUS , 1917.2car wheel rimsUS , 2003

shoes and socks; the shoesnounsyphilis; hence any sexually

transmitted infection Rhyming slang forPOX UK , 1992

shoestringnouna very small amount of money; a low budgetUS ,

1904

s-h-one-tnounused as a euphemism for ‘shit’UK , 2002

shonknouna person who engages in dishonest business dealings

Back-formation fromSHONKY AUSTRALIA , 1982

shonkernounthe noseUK , 1998

shonkynouna dishonest personAUSTRALIA , 1979

shonkyadjectiveof an item, phoney; of business dealings, dishonest

AUSTRALIA , 1969

shooadjectivewell-dressed Teen slangUS , 1958

shoo-flynoun1a police officer assigned to investigate the integrity

of other policemenUS , 1958.2on the railways, a temporary track

bypassing an unusable section of trackUS , 1946

shoofti; shuftinouna lookAUSTRALIA , 1944

shoo-innouna person, idea or thing with no serious competition

Originally (1935) applied to a fixed horse race and four years later

in a more general senseUS , 1939

shookadjectiveexcited; enthusiasticUS , 1973

shookoninfatuated withAUSTRALIA , 1868

shook-upadjectivealienated; confused; dehumanisedUS , 1914

shoopverbto have sex From the song by Salt-N-PepaUS , 1994

shooshnounsilenceAUSTRALIA , 1949

shooshverb< shoosh your noiseto become quiet Especially

when used as an injunctionUK , 2003

shootnoun1anything legitimate, unscripted or unstagedUS , 1996.

2heroinUK , 2002

shootverb1to ejaculate Most likely a shortened form of the C19

‘shooting one’s roe’IRELAND , 1922.2to inject a drug intravenously

US , 1914.3to depart Variants include ‘shoot off’ and ‘shoot out’UK ,

1897.4to flirt; to make sexual advancesUS , 1967.5to throw or toss

somethingAUSTRALIA , 1929.6to play Usually as ‘shoot pool’, ‘shoot

crap’, etcUS , 1926.7to drink alcohol in shot glass unitsUS , 1991.8to

pick a pocketUS , 1969.9used as an imperative, to start; to continue

US , 1915.10(used of a plant) to show signs of producing fruitCAYMAN

ISLANDS , 1985 < he shoots, he scores; he shoots, he scores,

he winsused for registering admiration of a small but telling

per-sonal victory A cliché of football commentary applied to the

ordinary moments of life; always in the third person, even if used

of the first personUK , 2002 < shoot a beaverto look for and see

a girl’s crotchUS , 1966 < shoot a blagto gossipTRINIDAD AND

TOBAGO , 1992 < shoot a good stickto play pool wellUS , 1961.

< shoot a jug; shoot a peterto break into a safe using

explosivesUS , 1950 < shoot a waveto surf a wave, especially if

difficultUS , 1963 < shoot an air rifle; shoot an air gunin

pool, to bet without money to back your betUS , 1990 < shoot an

azimuthto take a compass bearingUS , 1991 < shoot blanks

(said of a male) to engage in sex with a low or non-existent sperm

countUS , 1960 < shoot down in flamesto absolutely defeat in

an argumentUK , 1942 < shoot for twoto defecate A

combi-nation of basketball terminology and children’s bathroom

vocabularyUS , 2003 < shoot gravyto inject a mixture of blood

and drug solution that has been reheated after failing to make a

direct hit on the veinUS , 1973 < shoot itto lie Euphemistic

vari-ation ofSHOOT THE SHIT(to tell tall tales)UK , 1959 < shoot off

your mouth; shoot your mouth offto speak with a complete

lack of discretion; to speak boastfullyUS , 1864 < shoot the breeze

to chat idlyUS , 1919 < shoot the bullto engage in small talkUS , 1902.

< shoot the conto engage in goal-oriented, truth-deficient

conversationUS , 1965 < shoot the crow; shoot the crawto

abscond; to depart hurriedly, especially without paying money that is

owedUK , 1887 < shoot the curl; shoot the tubeto surf through

the hollow part of a waveUS < shoot the doughnutto aim

artillery strikes at enemy forces encircling a US defensive position

US , 1990 < shoot the duckto skateboard crouched on one legwith the other leg extended outwardUS , 1976 < shoot the piertosurf, or attempt to surf, through the pilings of a pierUS , 1962.

< shoot the scales(used of a truck driver) to bypass a weighstationUS , 1963 < shoot the shit; shoot shitto engage in idleconversation; to tell liesUK , 1984 < shoot the Vto make a V-sign(the first and index fingers raised from a clenched fist, knucklesforward) ‘Shoot’ as ‘to fire a gun’ accentuates the aggressive ordismissive nature of this actionUK , 2000 < shoot the worksonthe railways, to make a sudden, emergency stopUS , 1977 < shoot your boltto ejaculateNEW ZEALAND , 1998 < shoot your cuffs

(used of a man wearing a suit or sports jacket) to straighten yourarms so that the cuffs of the shirt extend beyond the jacketsleeves The modern version of the older (1878) ‘shoot your linen’

UK , 1909 < shoot your loadfiguratively, to exhaust your resourcesearly in a contestUS , 1954 < shoot your trapto talk too much

US , 1947 < shoot your wadto ejaculateUS , 1972

shoot!1yes! Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1982.2used as a euphemismfor ‘shit’ in an exclamationUS , 1934

shoot and scootverbto engage in warfare involving brief contactwith the enemy and then a quick withdrawalUS , 1987

shoot-em-upnounused as a loose category for any film orcomputer game with violent gunplay as a main element inadvancing the storylineUK , 2002

shooternoun1a gun; a pistol, especially a revolverUK , 1840.2a fessional killerUS , 1972.3a criminal who specialises in breaking intosafesUS , 1949.4an intravenous drug userUS , 1991.5in a functionallycompartmentalised illegal drug enterprise, the person who holdsand turns over the drugs to buyersUS , 1987.6a pinball playerUS ,

pro-1977.7in pinball, the device that propels a ball into the playfield.Known conventionally as a ‘plunger’US , 1977.8a television cameraoperatorUS , 1986

shooting gallerynouna place where addicts congregate to buy andinject drugsUS , 1951

shooting matchnounall of something; the entire matterUS , 1968

shoot it!in surfing, used to encourage a surfer to catch a wavebreaking behind themUS , 1957

shoot (someone) outverbto train or prepare someoneUS , 1972

shoot throughnouna person who fails to honour an undertaking.Royal Navy slang, from the verb sense ‘to go absent without leave’

UK , 1989

shoot throughverbto depart hastily; to go absent without leave

AUSTRALIA , 1947 < shoot through like a Bondi tramto departhastily Referring to trams formerly running from the centre ofSydney to Bondi beach, noted for their speed Appearing slightly

earlier (1945, Australian National Dictionary) was the variant ‘go

through like a Bondi tram’AUSTRALIA , 1951

shoot upverbto inject heroin or another drug intravenouslyUS , 1914

shoot-up; shoot-up mannouna person who promotes a card game

or other activity involved in a swindleUS , 1977

shootynouna shotgun Jamaican gang terminologyUS , 1995

shopnoun1any place of business, where you workUK , 1779.2anyhome or apartment where drugs are soldUS , 1997.3a theatricalengagement; a jobUK , 1888

shop; shop upverbto inform the police authorities against, orreveal the whereabouts of, someone with the expected result ofarrest and imprisonment for the subject The original (1583) sense

‘to imprison’ began, during C19, to also mean ‘to cause to beimprisoned’, which sense survivesUK , 1976

shop aroundverb1to search for and compare different possibilities.Extended from the practice of making actual comparisonsbetween shopsUK , 1922.2to search for a conversation on a citizens’band radioUS , 1976

shop doornounthe fly on a man’s trousersUS , 1965

shopping accidentnounan impulse purchase later regretted

shoppyingnounshopliftingAUSTRALIA , 1975

shoppying jobnounan act of shopliftingAUSTRALIA , 1975

shore dinnernouna sailor, as seen by a homosexualUS , 1965

shortnoun1a car, especially a restored older car or hot rodUS , 1914.

2a drink of spirits (as opposed to wine, beer, etc), or a spirit and a

mixer Used of drinks taken in short measures, although the

orig-inal use is also of undiluted alcoholUK , 1837.3the unsmoked butt

of a cigaretteUK , 1990.4a brief napUS , 1976.5in lobstering, a lobster

that is not legal sizeUS , 1978.6a railway carriage left between

stationsUS , 1977

shortadjective1lacking money; lacking enough money to meet an

obligationUS , 1960.2near the end of a prison sentence or military

tour of dutyUS , 1967.3used of an amount of a drug, underweight

US , 1989 < a NOUN (part) short of a NOUN (whole)used as

the central part of a generally humorous formula – a something

short of a greater – that infers a lack of mental capacity, not

completely sane, ‘not all there’ Inspiration for these phrases

seems to be universal: ‘one planet short of a full galaxy’ Religions

account for, among others: ‘one candle short of a menorah’; ‘two

candles short of a mass’; ‘a few wafers short of a communion’;

’several fishes short of a miracle’ UK politics and current affairs:

‘quite a few red boxes short of a successful Prime Minister’;

‘various wheezes short of a Scottish parliament’; ‘a few pence

short of a euro’; ‘a few pence short of a first-class stamp’; ‘a few

digits short of a dialling code’; ‘a couple of programmes short of a

series’ Sports and games: ‘one player short of a cricket team’; ‘a

couple of cubs short of a full Lion’s pack’; ‘one helmet short of a

huddle’; ‘two cards short of a full-house’; ’several pawns short of a

full set’; ‘several pieces short of a full set’ Animals are also

popular: ‘two sheep short of a flock’; ‘a couple of kangaroos short

of a full paddock’ Food and drink: ‘several currants short of a

bun’; ‘one liquorice stick short of a Pontefract cake’; ‘two bottles

short of a crate’; ‘a nosebag short of a sack of oats’; ‘two luncheon

vouchers short of a ploughman’s’; ‘several prawns short of a

cocktail’; ‘a few stock-cubes short of a full polar ration’; ‘several

gondolas short of a Cornetto [a branded ice-cream associated with

Venice]’ Fashion: ‘three diamond clusters short of a tiara’; ‘several

gemstones short of a full tiara’; ‘more than a Dolce short of a

Gabbana [Dolce & Gabbana is a well-known fashion-house]’ And

so on Two final examples, both with obviously limited circulation

but they demonstrate the possibilities: ‘a few billion neurons short

of a full load’; ‘a few shards of pottery short of a full

anthropological theory’UK , 1941 < a sheep short of a paddock

lacking a full complement of intelligenceAUSTRALIA , 1994 < get

shortto near the end of a prison sentence or military enlistment

US , 1951 < have short arms and long pocketsto be stingy

AUSTRALIA , 1966

short-and-curliesnounpubic hairUS , 1967 < have by the short

and curliesto hold someone at a disadvantage; to exercise

complete control over someone Fanciful but convincing imagery

in which ‘short and curlies’ represent pubic hairs; a variation of

HAVE BY THE SHORT HAIRS UK , 1948

short-armverbto perform a rectal examinationUS , 1994

short-arm bandit; short-arm heisternouna rapistUS , 1950

short-arm inspection; small-arm inspectionnounan inspection

for a sexually transmitted infection Soldiers or prisoners are lined

up, each holding his penis At the command ‘Skin it back and

milk it down’, each man ‘milks’ down his penis from the base to

the tip so that the inspecting doctor can check for pus at the tip

of the urethraUK , 1919

short-arm paradenounan inspection of the genitals of a group of

men for sexually transmitted infectionAUSTRALIA , 1977

short-arse; short-assnouna short personUK , 1706

short-arsedadjectivesmall, not tall Extended fromSHORT-ARSE(a

short person)UK , 1997

short busnounused as a reference to the mentally retarded

Referring to the smaller school buses used to transport special

education students in the USUS , 1998

short buynouna purchase of a small amount of drugsUS , 1955

shortcakenounthe act of shortchanging someone deliberately

shortcakeverbto shortchange someoneUS , 1961

shortcake artistnounan expert at shortchangingUS , 1980

shortchange artistnouna swindler who gives customers too littlechangeUS , 1960

short connouna confidence game in which the victim is swindledonce, without being sent home for a bigger prizeUS , 1940

short converbto engage in a short con swindleUS , 1964

short dognouna half pint bottle of alcohol; cheap wineUS , 1968

short endnounin the television and film industries, unexposed filmremaining after cutting off the exposed filmUS , 1990

short eyesnouna child molesterUS , 1976

short fusenounan impending deadlineUS , 1986

short go; short ordernouna drug dose that is smaller than theaddict is accustomed toUS , 1959

short hairsnoun< have someone by the short hairsto holdsomeone at a disadvantage; to exercise complete control oversomeone A figurative use of the literal meaning ‘to hold by thepubic hair’UK , 1888

short heistnounan act of masturbationUS , 1974

short housenouna short person A euphemistic variation ofSHORT

short of carsadjectiveon the railways, without a jobUS , 1977

short onadjectiveless than is adequate, expected or requiredUK , 1922

short onesnoun< have someone by the short onesto haveabsolute control of someone; to force submission A figurative use

of the literal meaning ‘to hold by the pubic hair’; a variation on

HAVE BY THE SHORT HAIRS US , 1971

short pairnounin poker, a pair of tens or lowerUS , 1963

short roundnoungunfire or artillery fired by friendly forcesUS , 1985

shortsnoun1a condition of low or no fundsUS , 1932.2the lastportion of a cigaretteUS , 1992.3in poker, a pair that is beaten by alarger pairUS , 1988

short shortadverbsoonUS , 1976

short-shortsnounvery brief shortsUS , 1958

short skirtnouna Mini car Citizens’ band radio slang, punning onthe length of a mini-skirtUK , 1981

short-sleevesnounin homosexual usage, an uncircumcised penis

US , 1981

short sticknouna stick notched by a US soldier in Vietnamcounting the days until the end of his tour of dutyUS , 1983

shortstopnoun1a temporary arrangement or relationshipUS , 1972.

2a gambler who makes small and conservative betsUS , 1950.3inpool, a very skilled player who is just below the highest tierUS , 1990.

4in a group eating setting, to take a second helping despite anearlier request from another for secondsUS , 1947

short timenouna brief session with a prostitute, long enough forsex and nothing moreUS , 1965

short-timeverb1to serve the final days of a jail sentence or term ofenlistmentUS , 1975.2to engage in a quick sexual encounter with aprostituteUS , 1960

short-timernoun1a soldier near the end of his tour of duty inVietnam All but the US Marines served exactly 12 months inVietnam; the Marines served 13 monthsUS , 1964.2a prisonerwhose release date is approachingUS , 1966.3someone whoseretirement date is rapidly approachingUS , 1993.4a prostituteengaged for a short period of timeUS , 1960

short-timer’s calendarnouna calendar showing the days

shortynoun1a female, especially an attractive oneUS , 1997.2a close

friendUS , 1997.3in a casino, a shorter-than-expected shift at a table

US , 1980

shotnoun1an opportunityUS , 1972.2an attemptUK , 1756.3the right

way to do somethingAUSTRALIA , 1953.4an occurrence or instance; a

thingUS , 1960.5an instance of sexual intercourse An abbreviation

ofSHOT OF COCK US , 1968.6an ejaculationUS , 2001.7an injection of

drugsUK , 1929.8cocaineUK , 2003.9Coca-Cola™US , 1946.10a single

measure of spiritsUS , 2000.11a blow, especially a severe oneUS ,

1996.12an illegal move by a gamblerUS , 1980.13a competent

pickpocketUS , 1976.14a person or thingUK: SCOTLAND , 1988.15an

incident report describing a prisoner’s misconductUS , 1976.

< have a shot atto heckle or harass someoneAUSTRALIA , 1947.

< like a shotexceedingly quicklyUK , 1809 < make a shotto

secret something on your body while shopliftingUS , 1971

Shotnoun< the ShotAldershot (the home of the British Army)UK ,

1925

shotadjectiveespecially of a mechanical contrivance, broken;

wrecked; ruinedAUSTRALIA , 1983 < shot ofrid ofUK: SCOTLAND , 1823

shot!well done!BERMUDA , 1985

shotcallernounthe nominal leader of a youth gangUS , 1995

shot downadjectivedrug-intoxicatedUS , 1982

shot-for-shotnounan arrangement between two homosexuals in

which they switch sex roles to satisfy each otherUS , 1950

shotgunnoun1a pipe with air-holes used for smoking marijuana

The shotgun gives aBLAST US , 1977.2a ritual of drinking beer,

forcing the beer out of the can into the drinker’s mouth by

opening the down-facing top after puncturing the up-facing

bottomUS , 1988.3a potent mix of heroin, cocaine, nitroglycerine,

phenol and kola nut administered to racehorses as a stimulantUS ,

1961.4the front passenger seat in a car Also called the ‘shotgun

seat’ The earliest use of the term, not yet applied to a car, seems

to be in the 1939 film Stagecoach To date, the earliest discovered

use in the sense of a car is in 1963US , 1963.5a male passenger in

a vehicle equipped with citizens’ band radioUK , 1981.6a police

radar unitUS , 1976.7in blackjack, the player to the immediate left

of the dealerUS , 1979.8in electric line work, an insulated line tool

formally known as a grip-all stickUS , 1980.9an unannounced test

US , 1968

shotgunverb1to share marijuana smoke with someone else in the

following manner: you blow through a lighted joint or blunt which

is held with the burning end in your mouth, while your

fellow-smoker inhales the stream of smoke that is producedUS , 1974.2to

smoke an entire marijuana cigarette in one goAUSTRALIA , 1995.

3while treating a hospital patient, to order every possible

treatment to avoid being wrongUS , 1994

shotgunadjective1used of a house or apartment, having rooms set

on both sides of a central hallUS , 1903.2wide-rangingUS , 1994

shotgun!used as a claim on riding in the front passenger seat of a

carUS , 1973

Shotgun Alleynicknamethe A Shau Valley, dense jungle terrain near

the border of South Vietnam and Laos, southeast of Khe Sanh A

shotgunnernouna door gunner on an air gunshipUS , 1990

shot housenounan establishment that sells alcohol illegally, by the

drinkUS , 1978

shot of cocknounsexual intercourseUS , 1968

shot on the swingsnounan instance of sexual intercourseUK:

SCOTLAND , 1988

shot outadjectivein very bad physical shapeUS , 1989

shot rodnouna fast car Teen slangUS , 1955

shottienouna shotgunUS , 1997

shot to shit ruined, utterly spoiled

shotty; shottinounthe front passenger seat in a car A shortened

SHOTGUN US , 2004

shotty-gotty!used as a claim on riding in the front passenger seat

of a car A variation onSHOTGUN! US , 1997

shouldernounin betting, odds of 7–4 From theTICK-TACKsignalused by bookmakersUK , 1991

shoulder bouldernounan abandoned vehicle on the side of theroad The hard shoulder of the road, rhymed and contrived tomake an obstacleUS , 1976

shoulder hoppernouna surfer who surfs in another surfer’s right ofwayUS , 1987

shouldersnoun< on the shouldersin betting, odds of 9–2.From theTICK-TACKsignal used by bookmakersUK , 1991

shousenouna toilet Euphemistic forSHITHOUSE AUSTRALIA , 1941

shouseadjectiveno good Euphemistic forSHITHOUSE AUSTRALIA , 2003

shoutnoun1a drink or round of drinks bought for others; thepurchase of a roundAUSTRALIA , 1854.2your turn to buy drinks forsomeone elseAUSTRALIA , 1882.3your turn to buy anythingAUSTRALIA ,

1911.4a call on the police radio Derived from conventional ‘shout’(used to hail)UK , 1970.5a greetingUS , 1999

shoutverb1to buy a round of drink for othersAUSTRALIA , 1854.2tobuy something as a present for anotherAUSTRALIA , 1949.3to writeexclusively in upper caseUS , 1995 < shout at your shoestovomitUS , 1987 < wouldn’t shout if a shark bit youto bestingyAUSTRALIA , 1986

shout-outnouna greeting; a recognitionUS , 1999

shovenounthe member of a pickpocketing team who jostles thevictim, diverting his attention so that a confederate can actuallypick the victim’s pocketUS , 1981 < give someone the shovetodismiss someone from employment or reject the partner in aromantic relationshipUK , 1899

shoveverbto have sexUK , 1969 < shove itused as a harshrejection of a suggestion A shortened form of ‘shove it up yourass’AUSTRALIA , 1941 < shove it up the assto reject somethingcompletelyUS , 1957 < shove paperto pass counterfeit money orstolen or forged chequesUS , 1962 < shove shit uphillto take theactive role in anal intercourseUK , 1996

shovelverb< shovel coal(of a motor vehicle) to accelerate Anallusion to steam-driven, coal-fired transportsUS , 1976

shovel and broom; shovelnouna room Rhyming slangUK , 1960

shovel and pick; shovelnouna prison Rhyming slang forNICK UK , 2000

shovel and tanknouna bank Rhyming slangUK , 1961

shovelheadnounthe V-twin Harley Davidson engine, manufactured1966–83 Biker (motorcyle) usageUS , 1995

shovel pilotnouna manual workerUK , 2003

shovels and spadesnounAIDS Rhyming slangUK , 1998

shove offverbto go away Naval coinage, from shoving a boat away;often used as an injunctionUK , 1909

shovernouna person who passes counterfeit moneyUS , 1945

shownounan opportunity; a chance; an openingAUSTRALIA , 1876

8see:SHOW PRICE

showverbto arrive; to make an appearanceUS , 1958 < show hard

to reveal to other men that you have an erectionUS , 1975

show and shineverbin car customising, to prepare a car and thenexhibit it in a car showUS , 1993

show-and-tellnouna public display and explanation From thename of a school activity for young childrenUS , 1948

showbiznounthe entertainment industry A reduction of

‘showbusiness’; originally theatricalUS , 1945

showbizzyadjectiveused of the stereotypical excesses ofshowbusinessUK , 1969

showboatverbto show off; to pay attention to the performanceaspects of a task From the C19 river steamers with theatrical per-

show buddynounin the language surrounding the Grateful Dead, a

friend with whom you team up for Grateful Dead toursUS , 1994

showcaseverbto show offUS , 1945

showdownnoun1in prison, private time for sexUS , 1972.2in poker,

the moment when betting is completed and the players show

their handsUS , 1982

showernouna worthless collection of peopleUK , 1941 < not come

down in the last showerto be awareAUSTRALIA , 1902

shower bath; showersnounten shillings; hence 50p Rhyming

slang for ‘half a pound’ UK , 1960

shower capnouna condom Figurative application of a

convention-al itemUS , 1969

shower of shit; shower of shitenounan unpleasant and

worthless collection of people Derogatory An elaboration of

‘shower’UK , 1999

showersnounurination by one person on another, or other acts of

urine fetishism, especially when offered or sought in

advertisementsUK , 2003

shower-spankverb(of a male) to masturbate in the showerUS , 1989

show housenouna homosexual brothelUS , 1981

showienouna person who runs or works in a stall or ride at

agricultural showsAUSTRALIA , 1980

show me the moneyused as a humorous urging that a statement

be backed up A key catchphrase in the US in the late 1990sUS ,

show outverbto behave ostentatiouslyUS , 1993

show ponynouna prissy, prancing fop more concerned with image

than performanceAUSTRALIA , 1964

show price; shownounin gambling racing, the betting odds

displayed by a bookmaker at a point in timeUK , 1976

show shopnouna theatreUS , 1981

showstoppernouna proposal that would lead to a breakdown in

negotiations; a deal-killerUS , 1997

showtimenountime for something to beginUS , 1992

show-upnouna process used by police to have witnesses to a crime

identify the criminalsUS , 1969

show-up boxnouna room in a jail where suspects are shown for

identification by witnessesUS , 1953

show us your titsused as a crass male heckling catchcryAUSTRALIA ,

2000

shpilkesnounan inability to sit stillUS , 1992

SHPOSnouna critically ill hospital patient who fails to follow

medi-cal instructions, worsening their own condition; a sub-human

piece of shit US , 1978

shpritz; schpritzverbto squirt or spray YiddishUS , 1967

shrapnelnoun1low denomination coinsUK , 2005.2the ripple effect

in poker of a player completely losing his composure and infecting

other players with his poor playUS , 1996

shredverbto perform very well; to excelUS , 1977

shredachenounthe headache resulting from extreme exertion while

surfing A punned version of the standard ‘headache’, built on

SHRED(performing well)US , 2004

shreddedadjective1muscular as the result of intense workoutsUS ,

2001.2weary; weakUS , 1986

shredded wheatadjectiveexcellent Rhyming slang forSWEET, based

on the branded breakfast cereal; current in UK prisons February

2002UK , 2002

shreddernouna snowboarderUS , 1995

shreddiesnounmale underpants; army-issue underpants; panties;

disgusting state of bachelor’s underwear; Shreddies™, a brandedbreakfast cereal, are brown and have a woven appearanceUK , 1991

shreddingadjectiveextreme; exciting; goodUS , 1987

shrewdadjectiveattractive; popular; savvyUS , 1962

shrewd headnouna cunning or shrewd personAUSTRALIA , 1915

shrewdienoun1a cunning or shrewd personAUSTRALIA , 1904.2aclever actionNEW ZEALAND , 1998

shrieknoun1distilled, concentrated heroinUS , 1987.2an exclamationmark (!)US , 1983

shrieking sixtiesnounthe latitudes of 60 to 69 degrees south

ANTARCTICA , 1921

shrimpnoun1a short personUK , 1386.2a small penisUS , 1972.

3marijuanaUK , 2003

shrimp job; shrimpnounthe act of toe-sucking for sexual pleasure

A foot-fetishist’s view of an appetising similarity between toes andshrimpsUK , 1999

shrimp queen; shrimpernouna person with a fetish for the toes

shroomersnounmushrooms as a pizza toppingUS , 1996

shroomsnounpsychoactive mushroomsUS , 1987

shroudnounfrom the perspective of a man not accustomed todressing up, a suitUS , 1962

shtarkernouna strong and brave person Yiddish, from GermanUS , 1959

shtetlnouna predominantly Jewish neighbourhood From theGerman for ‘village’, originally applied to small Jewish villages ineastern EuropeUK , 1949

shtick; schtick; shtik; schtiknoun1a theatrical routine, an act;

hence a style, routine or behaviour From German stück (a bit, a

piece) into Yiddish, and thence more widespreadUS , 1961.2an area

of interest From the Yiddish for ‘piece’ or ‘play’US , 1968

shtuck; schtuck; schtook; stuknountrouble Not Yiddish despiteappearances, although probably formed on the Yiddish model of areduplicated word commencing with a ‘sh’ sound, in which case

‘shtuck’ is a variant of ‘stuck’ (in a difficult situation)UK , 1936

shtum; shtoom; stummadjectivequiet; saying nothing Anglicised

phonetic spelling of synonymous German stumm which, it is

presumed, reached England through YiddishUK , 1958

shtunk; shtonknouna nasty person; a jerk Yiddish, from German

US , 1977

shtupnounan act of sexual intercourseUS , 1986

shtup; shtoop; schtupverbto have sex Yiddish from the Germanfor ‘to push’US , 1965

shubsnouna party Urban youth slangUK , 2005

shucknoun1nonsense; something of little worthUS , 1851.2adeception; a teaseUS , 1959.3in poker, a card that may be discardedand replacedUS , 1981

shuckverbto deceive someone in a blustery, teasing manner Oftenused with ‘jive’US , 1959 < shuck the iceto remove stolen dia-monds from their settingsUS , 1949

shuckernouna striptease dancerUS , 1981

shuckmannouna swindlerUS , 1965

shucksused as a register of dismay or contempt Used whereSHIT!might doUS , 1847

shucky darnused as a mock, mild oath

shufflenoun1the movement by a surfer forward on the board

while surfing, executed without crossing the feetUS , 1965.

2counterfeit moneyUS , 1950

shuffleverb< shuffle off to Buffaloto leave The reference to

Buffalo, New York, is for the sake of rhyme and adds nothing to

the meaningUS , 1986 < shuffle the deckon the railways, to

switch wagons onto side tracks at stations along a lineUS , 1946

shufti; shuftie; shufty; shooftinouna quick look Military

adoption of Arabic sufti (did you see?) UK , 1943

’shun!Attention! A military command, abbreviated from the

extended delivery ‘Atten shun!’UK , 1888

shunk; shunkienouna toiletUK: SCOTLAND , 1988

shuntnouna car accidentUK , 1959

shuntverbin motor racing, to bump a competitorUS , 1965

shunternouna drug dealer who becomes addicted and continues to

deal in order to fund the habit Formed onPUNTER(a customer)

UK , 2000

shurrit!be quiet! A phonetic slurring ofSHUT IT! UK , 1982

shurrup!be quiet! A slurring ofSHUT UP! UK , 1964

shushverbto steal something Polari; a possible variant sense and

spelling ofZHOOSH(to swallow)UK , 2002

shush bagnouna bag for carrying away stolen property Polari; from

SHUSH(to steal)UK , 2002

shushernouna person who is employed to keep people quiet on

the street outside a nightclub From ‘shush!’ (be quiet!)UK , 2004

shushingnounthe work of keeping people quiet on the street

outside a nightclubUK , 2004

shush the mush!be quiet!, shut up! A combination of

convention-al ‘shush!’ andMUSH(the mouth or face)UK , 2004

shush upverbto become quiet Often in the imperative Combines

conventional ‘shush!’ (be quiet!) withSHUT UP UK , 1999

shutverb< shut the gatein motor racing, to pass another car

and immediately pull in front of the other car, minimising its

ability to pass in returnUS , 1965

shut-doornouna rejection; a refusal The image of a door being

slammed in your faceUK , 2001

shuteye; shut-eyenounsleepUK , 1896

shuteyesnouna sex offenderUS , 1982

shut-innouna person who stays at home and never goes outUS , 1904

shut it!be quiet!UK , 1886

shutoutnounany situation in which a person fails to score, literally

or figurativelyUS , 1957

shutternoun1the eyelidUS , 1945.2a gunman Recorded by a

Jamaican inmate in a UK prison, August 2002UK , 2002

shutterbugnoun1a photography enthusiast; a photographerUS , 1940.

2a photographer who selects subjects for personal sexual

gratification, often without the subject’s knowledge or consentUS ,

1999

shut the fuck up!be quiet! An intensified, very imperativeSHUT UP!

(be quiet!)US , 1991

shuttup!be quiet!; stop talking! A variation ofSHUT UP! UK , 1955

shut upverbto cease talking; to stop making a noise Used as a two

word exclamation the sense is imperative or (since the 1960s)

disbelievingUS , 1840

shut up!verbused as a humorous, kind, even flirtatious way to

change the subjectUS , 1978

shut UP!shut up The difference between the slang ‘shut up’ and

the colloquial is the emphasis on a drawn out ‘up’ with register

rising slightly for the ‘up’US , 1989

shut-up sandwichnouna punch in the mouthCANADA , 2002

shut your crunch!be quiet!UK , 1978

shut your face!be quiet!; shut up!UK , 1809

shut your head!

shut your teeth!be quiet!; stop talking!UK , 2003

shut your trap!be quiet! FromTRAP(the mouth)UK , 1959

shuzzitnounmarijuana A discreet variation ofSHIT US , 1971

shvartz; schvartznouna black person; an Indian or Pakistaniperson Also seen as ‘schwartz’, ‘schvartze’ and ‘ schvartza’ The

Yiddish term schvartz (from the German for ‘black’) is an adjective, with schvartzer as the noun for ‘a black person’ ‘Schvartz’ the

adjective became an inside, ‘code’ word among Jews for ‘a blackperson’US , 1961

shvartz; schvartz; schwartz; schvartzeadjectiveblack, especially

as a skin colour DerogatoryUK , 2002

shvitz; schvitzverbto perspire Yiddish, from GermanUS , 1992

shvontz; shwantznounthe penisUS , 1965

shyverbto cook opium pellets for smokingUS , 1946

shyadjective1having less of something than is desired, required ornecessaryUS , 1895.2in debt; owing moneyUS , 1950

shylocknoun1a person who illegally loans money at very highinterest rates and often has violent collection procedures The

allusion to Shakespeare’s usurious money-lender in The Merchant

of Venice cannot be missed US , 1930.2in circus and carnival usage,the show’s office secretaryUS , 1981

shylockverbto engage in usurious loan practicesUK , 1930

shypooadjectiveinferior; shoddyNEW ZEALAND , 1952

shysternoun1a lawyer, especially an unprofessional, dishonest orrapacious lawyer; any dishonest professional In his Origin of theTerm Shyster, slang lexicographer Gerald Cohen demonstrates thecraft of slang etymology at its highest: ‘coined by New Yorkjournalist Mike Walsh’US , 1843.2a very poorly attended circus per-formanceUK , 1953

siamesedadjectivein motor racing and repair, closely connected orjoined togetherUS , 1993

sibnoun a sibling UK , 2000

Siberianounsolitary confinementUS , 1984

sicenounin craps, the point and number sixUS , 1950

Sicilian pricenoundeath, usually slow and painful, as punishment

US , 1997

sicknounwithdrawal symptoms suffered by a drug addictUS , 1972.

< on the sickin receipt of sickness benefitUK , 1996

sickadjective1suffering the symptoms of withdrawal from a drugaddictionUS , 1938.2experiencing the bleed period of the menstrualcycleBAHAMAS , 1982.3infected with HIV or suffering from AIDSUS ,

1990.4scary Perhaps from the sensations arousedUS , 1995.

5tedious, boring; disaffectingUK , 1973.6excellent; wonderful Onthe principle thatBADmeans ‘good’US , 1987.7in poker, withoutfurther fundsUS , 1988

sick and tired ofadjectivebored or fed-up with someone orsomethingUK , 1783

sick and wrong!used for conveying a strong disagreement ordisapprovalUS , 1989

sick as an ANIMALadjectivephysically sick, but not necessarilyvomiting The earliest recorded is ‘dog’ (1705); followed by ‘horse’(1765); ‘cat’ shows up in 1915, and ‘sonofabitch’ in 1953 ‘Sick as

a parrot’ is a jocular variation from 1979 On 20th November

2000, Judith Keppel was the first contestant to win a million

pounds on the television quiz Who Wants To Be A Millionaire; the

first question she answered (for £100) was: ‘Complete this phrase

As sick as a – Puffin – Penguin – Parrot – Partridge’UK , 1999

sick-bay commandonouna soldier who feigns illness to avoidcombat dutyUS , 1991

sickenernounanything that is depressing or disappointingUK , 2001

sickestadjectivebestTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1987

sickie; sickynouna feigned illness cited as grounds for missingworkAUSTRALIA , 1953

sickle; motorsicklenoun a motorcycle Re-pronounced abbreviation

sicklernouna person suffering from sickle-cell anaemiaUS , 1994

sicknessnounthe range of symptoms experienced when a drug

addict is deprived of the drugUS , 1987

sickonounan emotionally or psycho-sexually disturbed personUS ,

1963

sickoadjectivedepravedAUSTRALIA , 1993

sick padnouna sanitary towelUS , 1966

sick puppynouna perverted personUS , 1984

sick squidnounsix pounds A play on on ‘sixQUID’UK , 2002

sick to death ofadjectivebored or fed-up with someone or

somethingUK , 1890

siddinounmarijuanaUK , 1998

sidenoun1a recorded tune or song Early gramophone records held

one recording on each sideUS , 1936.2a girlUS , 1972.3a group of

friendsTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1973 < on the sidesomewhat; to

a noticeable degreeUK , 1713 < on the side1describes an

extra-marital sexual liaisonUS , 1893.2of work or commerce, extra to

regular or legitimate practice, often discreetly soUK , 1961.3used as

an announcement that you are monitoring a citizens’ band radio

channel; describes someone monitoring a citizens’ band radio

channelUS , 1976 < over the sideengaged in private business or

sexual liaisons during duty hours Originally navy, ‘over the side (of

a ship)’, meaning ‘absent without leave’; adopted into police use

UK , 1970 < put on sideto assume airs and graces Possibly

derived from the game of billiardsUK , 1878

side < on the … sidesomewhat; to a noticeable degreeUK , 1713

side armsnoun1in poker, the lower value pair in a hand consisting

of two pairsUS , 1988.2sugar and creamUS , 1945

sideboardsnounside whiskersUK , 1857

sideboxverbto surround someone in a menacing mannerUK , 1982

side-busternouna person whose deeds do not match his

description of his deedsUS , 1989

side combnounhair parted on the side Hawaiian youth usageUS ,

1982

side dishnouna mistressUS , 1949

sidehill winder; sidehill gougernouna mythical animal whose

legs are shorter on one side than the other from years of grazing

on a hillsideUS , 1975

sidekicknouna close friend and accompliceUS , 1906

sidemannounin a whe-whe lottery game, an assistant to the banker

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1966

side-roadernouna rural marijuana thief; a person who grows

marijuana in a remote outdoor gardenNEW ZEALAND , 1990

’sidesadverbin addition; used to introduce a further matter An

abbreviation of ‘besides’ UK , 1579

side squeezenouna partner in romance other than your primary

partner; a romantic affairUS , 1991

sidewalk pizzanouna puddle of vomitUS , 1997

sidewalk Susienouna prostituteUS , 1949

sidewaysadjective1of a sum of money being gambled, split each

way (to win or place) Racing slangUK , 1960.2in motor racing, out

of control, whether or not the car is actually sideways to the track

trafficUS , 1973

sideways tripnouna suicide in prisonUS , 1984

sidewindernoun1a South Asian prostitute; a promiscuous South

Asian female The allusion is to a poisonous snake found in North

AmericaUS , 1997.2an unknown but very fast horseCANADA , 1974.3in

trucking, a U-model Mack truck with a slightly off-centre driver’s

compartmentUS , 1971

side worknounprostitutionUS , 1996

sideys; sidiesnounside whiskers An abbreviation of ‘sideburns’ or

‘sideboards’UK , 1967

sidity; sididy; sedittyadjectivearrogant, boastful, showing offUS ,

sieg heilsnounhaemorrhoids Rhyming slang forPILES UK , 2003

sievenouna hospital or admitting physician that freely admitspatientsUS , 1994

sieveverbto drill holes in a safe for the placement of explosives to

be used in opening itUS , 1970

siffnounsyphilisUS , 1972

siftverbto move swiftly through a crowd Adopting conventional

‘sift’ (to pass through a sieve), perhaps incorporating a gentle pun

on ‘shift’ (to move)UK , 1997

SIG(in doctors’ shorthand) a bad-tempered, thoroughlyobjectionable individual An (unofficial) medical initialism:STROPPY

(bad-tempered) ignorant GIT(objectionable individual)UK , 2002

sightnouna large quantityUK , 1390

sightverbto understandBAHAMAS , 1980

sightadverbvery much Often used with ‘damn’, ‘damned’ oranother intensifierUK , 1928

sight-hitverbto stare at someone or something; to ogle someone

INDIA , 1979

signal-to-noise ratio; s/n rationounthe amount of useful contentfound on an Internet site A figurative use of a technical termUS , 1997

signaturenounthe backblast of flame or smoke from a weaponUS , 1990

signifyverbto engage in ritualistic insults, goading and teasing.UnlikeDOZENS, signifying does not make a person’s mother thesubject of the teaseUS , 1932

sign on verbto register unemployed; hence to be unemployedUS , 1885

signsnounhand signals showing youth gang affiliationUS , 1993

Sigourney Weavernounthe vagina Rhyming slang forBEAVER,formed from the name of the US actress (b.1949)UK , 2003

sig quotenounin computing, an aphorism automatically includedwith the user’s formatted signatureUS , 1991

silencernouna motorcyle muffler The UK conventional English

‘silencer’ is US slangUS , 1973

silentadjectiveof an entry in a criminal’s file, unofficial; showingcrimes for which the criminal was not charged but probablycommittedUS , 1990

silent but deadlyadjectiveapplied to the unpleasant smell thathangs in the air as a result of a silent fart Unpleasant but hardlydeadly Anecdotal evidence and experience place this term in the1970sUK , 1999

silent captainnounin shuffleboard, the scoreboardUS , 1967

silent deathnounan electric train By comparison with steamengines, at the date (around 1950) of the introduction of electrictrainsUK , 1970

silent flutenounthe penis Variation ofFLUTE(the penis)UK , 1788

silent flute of lovenounthe erect penisUK , 2003

silent nightnoun a light ale Rhyming slang UK , 1992

silent violentnounan unpleasantly aromatic fart that polluteswithout warning, a silent fart A variation ofSILENT BUT DEADLY UK , 2003

silknoun1a white personUS , 1960.2a homosexualUS , 1972.3in thecategorisation of sexual activity by teenage boys, a touch of a girl’scrotch outside her underwearUS , 1986.4moneyUS , 1950.5heroinUK ,

2002 < hit the silk; take to silkto open a parachute afterjumping from a planeUS , 1933

silkadjective1white-skinnedUS , 1960.2homosexualUS , 1962

silk and satinnounany combination of central nervous systemstimulants and central nervous system depressantsUS , 1980

silk departmentnounthe very bestAUSTRALIA , 1989

silk glovenouna guard on a passenger train Not praiseUS , 1977

silk hatnounin circus and carnival usage, an egocentristUS , 1981

silkies

silksnounsilk or nylon socksUS , 1972

silk-stockingadjectivewealthyUS , 1970

silkyadjectiveexcellent; pleasing; smoothUS , 1973

silky-straightnounany hairstyle with artificially straightened hairUS ,

1981

Silky Sullivannounin horse racing, any horse that comes from far

behind to win a race Ridden by Willie Shoemaker, the original

Silky Sullivan came from 30 lengths behind to win the 1958 Santa

Anita Derby by three lengthsUS , 1997

silly affairsnounused as a humorous synonym for ‘Civil Affairs’US ,

1968

silly as a two-bob watchadjectivevery sillyNEW ZEALAND , 1984

silly billynouna fool Formed on Billy, a familiar diminutive of

William; originally used as a nickname for William Frederick, Duke

of Gloucester (1776–1834) and William IV (1765–1837), then as a

popular name for a clown, especially a clown’s juvenile stoogeUK ,

1834

silly bollock; silly bollocksnouna contemptible foolUK , 1999

silly cuntnouna foolUK , 2000

silly dustnouna powdered drugUK , 2003

silly seasonnounfrom a police perspective, the summer as a

period of counterculture, pop, rock and dance festivals From the

familiar journalistic sense Used by late 1980s–early 90s

counterculture travellersUK , 1999

silly side binnounpsilocybin or psilocin, in powder or capsule

form Nonsense pun on the chemical nameUK , 1999

sillyvilliannouna civilian, seen from the cynical eyes of the military

US , 1963

silly walknounin computing, an absurd procedure that must be

followed A borrowing from Monthy PythonUS , 1991

sillywatternounany alcoholic drink, especially in reference to a

drinker’s foolish behaviourUK: SCOTLAND , 1996

silvernoun1marijuana Based on the colour of the leavesUK , 2000.

2in American casinos, a silver coin or $1 chipUS , 1980.3moneyUS ,

1966.4a type of bet in an illegal numbers game lotteryUS , 1957

silver and goldadjectiveold Rhyming slangUK , 1998

silver bikenouna metal syringe Drug addict usageUS , 1970

silver bulletnoun1an ideal, usually notional, solution to a problem

From the mythology that a silver bullet is fatal to a werewolf; this

symbol was also adopted by the eponymous hero of television

western The Lone Ranger, 1956–62 UK , 2002.2a martiniUS , 1988

silver goosenouna proctoscopeUS , 1989

silver hazenouna hybrid strain of marijuana From the frosty

colour of the leafUK , 1999

silver ladynouna hypodermic needle and syringeUS , 1993

silvermineverbto patrol a casino in search of coins left in the tray

of a slot machine or dropped on the floorUS , 1985

silver plateplease Intentionally butchered s’il vous plaît US , 1990

silversnounany coinsTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

silver spoonnoun1used as a metaphor of wealth at birth,

especially in the expression ’born with a silver spoon in your

mouth’US , 1972.2the moon Rhyming slangUK , 1992

silver surfernounan elderly or retired person who uses the

Internet Adopting the identity of cartoon superhero the Silver

Surfer, created in 1966 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby for Marvel

Comics; this puns ‘silver’ (the hair colour) and ‘surfer’ (someone

who browses the Internet)UK , 2001

silvertailnoun1a member of the privileged class Derogatory

AUSTRALIA , 1891.2a prisoner who enjoys privilegesAUSTRALIA , 1950

silvertailadjectivepretentiousAUSTRALIA , 1962

silvery moonnouna black person Rhyming slang forCOON UK , 1979

silvery spoonnouna black person Rhyming slang forCOON UK , 1977

simnoun a simulator; a simulation UK , 1979

simmer down

simoleonnouna dollarUS , 1896

simpnoun a fool; a simpleton US , 1903

simpadjective1foolish FromSIMP(a simpleton)US , 2000.

2fashionableUS , 1965

simple asvery easy The familiarity of the phrase ‘it is as simple as

that’ has allowed a gradual clipping; first the verb was generallyconsidered unnecessary to express the intention, then ‘as’ wasslurred aside, finally ‘that’ is understood; it is as simple as thatUK , 2001

simple pimpnouna pimp who fails to live up to the high standards

of his fellow pimpsUS , 1972

simple Simonnoun1a diamond (the precious stone; the suit ofcards); Double Diamond™ (a branded beer) Rhyming slang,formed from a nursery rhyme characterUK , 1992.2psilocybin, ahallucinogenic mushroomUS , 1970

simp twisternounin circus and carnival usage, a carouselUS , 1981

sinnoun< as sinextremely, especially in phrases ‘ugly as sin’ and

‘miserable as sin’UK , 1821

sin!used for registering shock or surprise Ironic euphemism for

FUCK! UK , 2001

sin binnoun1in team sports, an off-field area a player can be sent

to for a period as a punishment for breaking the rulesCANADA , 1970.

2in prison, a punishment cell or the punishment blockUK , 1996.

3a panel van or the like used for sexual encountersAUSTRALIA , 1984.

< in the sin binostracisedAUSTRALIA , 1995

sin-binverb1to temporarily remove a person from duty or officewhile they are under investigation for some misdeedAUSTRALIA , 1983.

2in team sports, to send a player to the sin binAUSTRALIA , 1983

since Adam was a pupfor a very long timeAUSTRALIA , 1956

since Hector was a pupfor a very long timeUS , 1904

since timefor a very long timeUK , 2003

sin citynounthe neighbourhood in An Khe, Vietnam, housingbrothels, bars and other vice densUS , 1968

Sinead O’Connor; Sineadnoun a doner kebab Popney rhyming

slang, based on the name of Irish singer Sinead O’Connor

(b.1966) Popney was contrived for www.music365.co.uk, an

Internet music siteUK , 2001

sine-diedadjectivepermanently barred (from a bar or sporting

endeavour) From Latin sine die (without a day) used in legal

language for ‘an indefinite adjournment’UK: SCOTLAND , 1996

singverb1to give information or evidence, usually to the policeUS ,

1929.2in carnival usage, to make a sales pitchUS , 1981.3in a bigstore confidence swindle, to provide false information to theintended victim, 1997 < sing in the choirto be homosexual.Cute codeUS , 1994 < sing like a canaryto give information orevidence, usually to the police An elaboration ofSING US , 1950

Singapore greynounhashish purportedly manufactured inSingaporeUS , 1971

singbirdnouna police informerUS , 1982

sing-cerelyused as a humorous closing in letters between singers

US , 1975

singernoun1in a confidence swindle, a participant who passesinformation about the false enterprise to the victimUS , 1985.2intrucking, a recapped tyre Named after the road noiseUS , 1971

Singin’ JohnnynounhomebrewCANADA , 1998

single eyenouna Japanese person Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1982

single-fishnouna urination Glasgow rhyming slang forPISH(aPISS)

oper-single-OadjectiveselfishUS , 1950

singles barnouna bar that caters to a young, unattached clientele

single-skinnernouna single fenceUK , 2002

single-stakes-aboutnounin gambling, a type of conditional betUK ,

2001

singlienouna single manUK , 1995

Singlishnouna Singaporean adaptation of the English language; a

variety of English used in Sri LankaSINGAPORE , 2001

sing onverbin the context of a calypso song, to disparage or tease

someoneTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1958

singular!great!US , 1992

sinistered areanounin Quebec, a disaster area The French phrase

zone sinestress is the source of this phrase when used in English

in this wayCANADA , 2001

sinknounin the language of hang gliding, falling air that increases

the speed of descentUS , 1977 < behind the sinkdepleted of

fundsUS , 1974

sinkverbto down a drinkAUSTRALIA , 1911 < sink the pinkto have

sex Snooker imageryUS , 2001

sinkernoun1a doughnutUS , 1962.2a dent on a surfboard that

requires a resin fillerUS , 1986

sin loi, motherfuckersorry about that Xin loi or sin loi is

Vietnamese meaning something in the nature of ‘sorry about

that’ It was widely heard and widely used by US troops in Vietnam

US , 1990

sinnernouna personIRELAND , 1991

Sipnicknamethe state of MississippiUS , 1970

sipverb< sip at the fuzzy cupto perform oral sex on a woman

US , 1980 < sip suds; sip on sudsto drink beerUS , 1986

siphonverb< siphon the python; syphon the python1(of a

male) to urinate A jocular construction rhyming a reasonably

con-ventional use of ‘syphon’ withPYTHON(the penis)AUSTRALIA , 1968.

2(of a male) to have sexUS , 1984

Sippienouna member of the Student Information Processing Board

at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology AcronymUS , 1990s

sippleadjectiveslipperyTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1973

sip-sipverbto whisper, especially when gossipingBAHAMAS , 1982

sir and missnounsyphilis Rhyming slangUK , 2003

Sir Anthony Blunt; Sir Anthonynouna fool; a despicable fool

Rhyming slang forCUNT, probably coined by comedian and satirist

Peter Cook (1937–95) Sir Anthony Blunt (1907–83) was an art

historian and traitor who spied for the Soviet Union (‘the fourth

man’) and, eventually, had his knighthood removedUK , 1979

Sir Charlesnounthe Viet CongUS , 1982

Sir Walter Scottnoun a pint glass, a pint pot Rhyming slang,

formed from the name of the Scottish novelist and poet,

1777–1832UK , 1992

sisnoun1used as a term of address for a sisterUK , 1656.2used as a

form of address for a girl or young woman; also (when used by a

man of a younger woman) may imply no sexual interestUS , 1859

sissified; sissy; cissyadjectiveeffeminate FromSISTERviaSIS US , 1846

sissynounan effeminate boy or man, especially a homosexual; a

cowardUS , 1879

sissy barnoun1on a motorcyle or bicycle, a back rest for the

passenger seated behind the driver The suggestion is that a manly

man or tough woman has no need for the back restUS , 1969.2a

bar patronised by homosexualsUS , 1982

sissy sticknounin pool, a mechanical device used to support the

cue on hard-to-reach shotsUS , 1970

sissy tanknouna jail holding cell reserved for homosexual prisoners

US , 1981

sisternoun1used as a form of address for a woman whose name is

unknownUS , 1906.2a black womanUS , 1968.3a form of address

between homosexual men ThisCAMPadoption of the feminine

form is also reflected in the cross-gender assignment of pronouns

UK , 1992.4a fellow homosexualUS , 1949.5a female fellow member

sister actnouna relationship, usually sexual, between two uals with the same orientationUS , 1965

homosex-sister girlnounused as a female-to-female term of address, oftensternlyUS , 1989

sister hixnounin craps, a sixUS , 1983

sisterhoodnounthe bond that unites male homosexualsUS , 1979

sistrennoun(of women) friends Conventional ‘sisters’ with religiousand political overtones adopted for everyday use by the WestIndian and UK black communitiesUK , 2000

sitnoun1in harness racing, the position immediately behindanother horse, thus using the other horse as a wind-breakUS , 1997.

2in horse racing, a contract for a jockey to ride a raceAUSTRALIA , 1989

sitverb< sit like Miss Queenieto sit with your legs crossed asothers workDOMINICA , 1977 < sit on your handsto refrain fromapplause at a moment when applause would be appropriateUS ,

1981 < sit tightto stay where you are; especially to remain inplace when it would be easier to goUK , 1999 < sit up and beg

describes elderly cars and old-fashioned bicycles and motorcycles;also the position adopted by drivers of such vehiclesUK , 1979

sit-and-grabnounin a carnival, a food concession with seatingUS , 1960

sit-arseverbto wait; to do nothing A contraction of ‘sit on yourarse’UK , 2001

sit beside hernouna spider Rhyming slang that seems to have itsorigins in the nursery rhyme ‘Little Miss Muffet’UK , 1992

sitchnouna situationUS , 1967

sitcomnouna situation comedy A protocol for television comediessince the early 1950s in which the humour is drawn from theconfluence of characters and situationsUS , 1964

sit-downnoun1a meeting or conversation over a meal or whilesittingUK , 1861.2in organised crime, a discussion of a disputebetween members of the crime enterprise with a final andbinding decision rendered by a leader or group of leadersUS , 1975.

3a base camp or town in the rear, away from combat Vietnamwar useUS , 1990

sit downverbto join a poker gameUS , 1963

sit-down moneynounamongst Australian Aboriginals, governmentwelfare or unemployment benefitsAUSTRALIA , 1978

sit hardverb(of ducks) to stay on an egg-nest as long as possible inthe approach of dangerCANADA , 1958

sit inverb1to play by invitation with a band to which the musiciandoes not belongUS , 1936.2to join a poker gameUS , 1967

sit on it!used as an expression of disapproval Popularised in the

1970s by frequent use on the television series Happy Days US , 1979

sitrepnouna situation report MilitaryUK , 1995

sit-stillnounin horse racing, a style of riding based on patienceUS , 1976

sitternoun1a woman who works in a bar, encouraging malecustomers to drink and to buy them drinksUS , 1987.2a hostess in

a brothel, neither prostitute nor madamAUSTRALIA , 1985.3a personwho monitors and comforts an alcohol or drug addict who isgoing through the initial stages of detoxification A term used intwelve-step recovery programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous

US , 1998.4a person who guides another or others through an LSDexperience An allusion to the practice of babysittingUS , 1966.5inpool, a ball perched on the lip of a pocketUS , 1924

sitting breechesnounthe trousers worn (figuratively) by visitorswho have over-stayed their welcomeBARBADOS , 1965

sitting britchesnounthe trousers worn (figuratively) by an idler orlaggardUS , 1963

sitting downnounin fencing, the ‘on guard/en garde’ position.From the bending of the legsUK , 1988

sitting ducknoun1an easy target Originally military; figurative use

of hunting imageryUK , 1944.2a stolen car discovered by policethrough serendipitous checking of number plates

sitting on a goldmineused admiringly of a sexually attractive

person, especially one who does not take financial advantage of

his or her attractionUS , 1972

sit uponnounthe posterior EuphemisticUK , 1961

sitzmarknounamong British Columbia skiers, the imprint left in

the snow from a skier’s fallCANADA , 1989

Siwashnouna stupid person Originally from Chinook jargon, this

term was used by explorers for Native American Indians, but over

time it has become an insult both to the native peoples and to

the person so designatedCANADA , 1976

Siwashverbto place a non-Native American Indian person on the

list of people not allowed to buy alcoholCANADA , 1989

Siwash blanketnounlow cloud coverCANADA , 1998

Siwash loggernouna beachcomber This term carries on the early

derogatory use of siwash for any Indians or their customsCANADA ,

1962

Siwash windnouna storm that comes on quicklyCANADA , 1998

sixnoun1a lookout during a crimeUS , 1987.2a six-pack of a beverage

US , 1992.3a six-fluid-ounce glass of beerAUSTRALIA , 1972.4a unit

commanderUS , 1976 < behind the sixwithout fundsUS , 1967.

< take sixto re-enlist in the military for six yearsUS , 1968

six-and-eightnouna poor condition Rhyming slang forSTATE UK , 1980

six-and-eightadjectivehonest, legitimate Rhyming slang for

STRAIGHT(honest)UK , 1959

six and fournounheroin mixed with other substances Probably

from the ratio of ingredientsUK , 1996

sixernoun1anything that counts or scores as six, especially a six in

cricketUK , 1870.2a six-pack of beerUS , 1993.3a jail sentence of six

monthsUS , 1949.4a corporal punishment of six strokes with a

cane A variation ofSIX OF THE BEST UK , 1927

sixesnouna small drink of rum Originally costing six centsTRINIDAD

AND TOBAGO , 1968 < all the sixessixty-six In Bingo, House or

Tombola the formula ‘all the’ announces a double numberUK , 1943

six feet underadjectivedead and buriedUK , 1942

six-for-fivernouna money lender who operates informally to

advance workers money on their wagesUS , 1953

sixie; sixie from Dixienounin craps, the number sixUS , 1985

six moonnouna six-months prison sentenceUK , 2000

six o’clock girlnouna thin girlUS , 1947

six o’clock jumpnounan enema given to a patient the night before

surgeryUS , 1946

six o’clock swillnouna last minute rush for drinks in a hotel bar

prior to six o’clock closing time Now obsolete as opening hours

for hotels have been expandedAUSTRALIA , 1955

six of the bestnouna corporal punishment of six strokes with a

caneUK , 1912

six-packnoun1a well developed and defined abdominal

musculature From the superficial resemblance between the

muscles and a six-pack of beer cansUS , 1997.2a car carburettor

system with six barrelsUS , 1993

six-packernouna man with well-developed and defined abdominal

musculature; a well-built man Teen slangSOUTH AFRICA , 2003

six-packsnounin craps, a roll of twelveUS , 1999

sixpennyworthnouna prison term of six monthsUK , 1957

six, six, and a kicknounmilitary discipline consisting of six

months imprisonment, six months forfeiture of pay and a

bad-conduct discharge from the serviceUS , 1991

sixteennounan M-16 rifleUS , 1985

sixteenthnouna sixteenth of an ounce (of drugs)US , 1988

six titsnounin poker, three queensUS , 1948

six-to-five!; sixty-five!; sixty fifth street!used as a warning

among criminals or swindlers that a police officer is nearbyUS , 1950

six to fournouna whore Rhyming slang, from racing oddsUK

six-to-sixnoun1a prostitute From their working hours – evening

to dawnFIJI , 1996.2a conversation between two unit commanders

US , 1991

six-treynounsixty-three; 63rd StreetUS , 1972

sixty daysnounin dice games, a roll of sixUS , 1962

sixty-eightnounused as a humorous variation on sixty-nine – yougive me oral sex and I’ll owe you oneUS , 1982

sixty-four dollar question; sixty-four thousand dollar question; sixty-four million dollar questionnouna question

that gets to the heart of the matter The US radio quiz show Take

It or Leave It offered a highest prize of $64, giving rise to the

catch-phrase ‘sixty-four dollar question’ The phrase gainedcurrency and three decimal places in televised quiz shows on bothsides of the AtlanticUS , 1942

six up!used as a warning in the usage of counterculturalists ated with the Rainbow Nation gatherings and the Grateful Deadthat law enforcement officials are approachingUS , 1994

associ-size queennouna homosexual male or a woman who is attracted

to men with large penisesUS , 1963

sizzlenoun1a sister, in the sense as a female companion, especially

in the phrase ‘fa’ shizzle my sizzle’ A hip-hop, urban blackcoinage, formed as a rhyming reduplication ofSHIZZLE(sure, yes).After ‘fa’ shizzle my nizzle’ (yes my nigger)US , 2003.2an illegal drug

skanouna rhythmic musical style that evolved into reggae Coinage,

in the late 1950s or very early 60s, is generally credited toJamaican bassist Cluet Johnson when trying to explain the soundand rhythm of ya-ya music; Cluet Johnson is also recorded asusing ‘skavoovee’ and ‘love skavoovie’ as a nonsensical butAmerican-sounding greetingJAMAICA , 1993

skagged upadjectiveintoxicated by or addicted to heroinUK , 1993

skangernouna member of a Dublin/Kilkenny subcultural urbanadolescent, teenage and young-adult-male grouping that is given tohanging around and causing troubleIRELAND , 2001

skanknoun1a girl whose sole attraction is her immorality and ual availability An abusive description possibly derived from

sex-‘skunk’US , 1966.2a prostituteUS , 2002.3a confidence trick; a fraud.AfterSKANK(to steal) West Indian, hence UK blackUK , 1994.

4nastiness, filthUS , 1995

skankverb1to work a confidence trick; to operate a fraud; to workbehind someone’s back West Indian and UK black slang whichspread into wider criminal circles An earlier, surviving usage is adance style, which imagery suggests the possible etymology is of afigurative dance around the victim of the trickUK , 2000.2to move

to reggae rhythms in a particular loose-limbed styleJAMAICA , 1992.

3to steal somethingUK , 1997

skank offverbto play truantUK , 1997

skank-pitnounan unpleasant, distasteful placeUS , 1999

skankyadjectiveugly; cheap; nastyUS , 1975

skat; skattienounused as a term of endearment From Afrikaans

schat (treasure) SOUTH AFRICA , 1964

skatenoun1an easy taskUS , 1976.2an extremely unattractive womanwho is seen as a sex object, especially one who is ravaged by age.Possibly from obsolete ‘skate’ (an inferior horse) and influenced bythe sense ‘an unpleasant man’UK , 2002.3an unpleasant manUS ,

1896.4a lazy and/or incompetent worker US Army usageUS , 1998.

5an act of letting someone escape wrongdoing withoutpunishmentUS , 1992.6a tyreUS , 1976.7a motorcyleUS , 1970 8see:

ROLLERSKATE < do a skateto vanishNEW ZEALAND

skateverb1to get away with something; to escape punishmentUS ,

1945.2to win easilyUK: SCOTLAND , 1996.3in the used car business, to

steal another salesman’s saleUS , 1975.4to danceIRELAND , 1991.5to

be without moneyTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1996

skate Bettynouna girl who associates with skateboarders, perhaps

skateboarding herselfUS , 1989

skate jockeynouna driver of a small car, especially a sports car

Citizens’ band radio slang, combines ‘skate’ (small car) with

another form of ‘driver’US , 1976

skate ratnouna devoted, perhaps skilled skateboarderUS , 1989

skatingadjectivedrunkUK , 1984

skednounin remote country regions, a schedule for a radio call

AUSTRALIA , 1946

skedverbto schedule A shortening of the US pronunciationUS , 2004

skedaddle; skiddadleverbto leave in a hurry Originally US Civil

War slang, with claims of Swedish and Danish origins probably

skeefnounan attractive femaleJAMAICA , 2000

skeefadverb disapprovingly From Afrikaans skeef (askew) SOUTH

AFRICA , 1969

skeenteennounused as an imaginary high numberUS , 1968

skeetnoun1a girlUK , 2003.2in poker, a nonstandard hand consisting

of a 9, a 5, a 2, one card between 5 and 9 and one card between 2

and 5US , 1963

skeetverb1to ejaculateUS , 2002.2to eject liquid from a syringeUS ,

1971

skeevenouna disgusting individualUS , 1976

skeeve; skeeve outverbto disgustUS , 1976

skeevienouna disgusting person Teen slangUS , 1955

skeevie; skeevyadjectivedisgustingUS , 1976

skeevosanouna disgusting individual An extension ofSKEEVE(a

disgusting individual)US , 1995

skeezeverbto have sexUS , 1990

skeezernouna woman who will perform sex for crack cocaineUS ,

1990

skeezixnouna fool After a character (a foundling, adopted by Walt

and Phyllis Rumpus Blossom, who grew up to be the father of

Chipper and Clovia) in Frank O King’s newspaper comic strip

Gasoline Alley US , 1975

skeffnouna confidence swindleTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1975

skegnoun1a surfer The variant ‘sceg’ also existsAUSTRALIA , 1985.2a

member of a subcultural social grouping of pubescent or

adolescent girlsIRELAND , 2001.3a fin on a surfboardUS , 1962

skeg-firstadverbwhile surfing, said of the beginning of a ride with

the tail of the surfboard pointing towards shoreUS , 1988

skeg-headnouna surferAUSTRALIA , 1988

skein of thread; skeinnouna bed Rhyming slangUK , 1979

skeletons fucking on a tin roofused as a perfect simile for a

rattling noiseUS , 1961

skell; skelnouna vagrant, especially of the thuggish sort Seemingly

related to the C17 ‘skelder’, an honorable cant term for ‘a

pro-fessional beggar’ which was long obsolete when ‘skell’ started to

show up in New York in the early 1970s A favourite word of police

television dramas in the 1990s; the screeplay by Gardner Stern for

episode 2 of season 2 of NYPD Blue that aired in September 1994

was titled For Whom the Skell Rolls US , 1957

skerricknouna small amount of something From British dialect

AUSTRALIA , 1854

sketchnoun1a situation, an arrangementUK , 2000.2a term of

endearment for someoneIRELAND , 1997 < keep sketchto keep

sketchadjectivesuspicious; threateningUS , 2003

sketchynounan odd or weird person Used amongst foot-poweredscooter-ridersUK , 2000

sketchyadjectivedangerous; possibly dangerousUS , 2002

skew-whiff; skiwiftadjectiveawry; askew; at the wrong angleUK , 1754

skiverbin soccer, to kick the ball unnecessarily high in the airUS , 1945

-skisuffixused in combination to intensify an adjective or adverbUK: SCOTLAND , 1988

ski bumnouna ski enthusiast who spends as much time as possibleskiing and as little time as possible workingUS , 1963

ski bunnynouna female who is learning to ski; a female who visitsski resorts for the company but does not skiUS , 1963

skidnounheroin, especially when heavily adulteratedUS , 1977

skidverbwhile snowboarding, to slide down a slope sidewaysUS , 1993

skid artistnouna getaway driverUK , 1996

Skid Blvd.nouna jocular honorific for a living area for poor people

skidoonouna snowmobileCANADA , 1961

skidooverb1to depart hastilyUS , 1905.2to travel by skidoo (asnowmobile)CANADA , 1986

skid rownoun1in any town, the run-down area where the sociallydisadvantaged and marginalised tend to congregateUS , 1931.2inprison, cells for troublesome prisonersUK , 1996

skidsnoununderpants Derives fromSKID MARK(s) (faecal stains inunderwear)UK , 1996 < put the skids under(of a person orcircumstances) to ensure the imminent dismissal of someone; todismiss someone from employmentUK , 1948

skid shotnounin pool, a shot made with backspin on the cue ball

US , 1993

skiedadjectivedrug-intoxicated A play on ‘sky’ not ‘ski’, as ‘HIGHinthe sky’US , 1989

skiffnounan attractive girlBAHAMAS , 1982 8see:SKIT

skifflenoun1a music genre, a sort of poor-man’s rock ’n’ roll,played on homemade or low budget instruments, popular in thelate 1950s Originates in 1930s and 40s US black society, meaning

a house-party at which a subscription was charged to cover costsand raise money to meet the rent Music was played by groups ofamateur musicians From conventional ‘scuffle’ (an impromptustruggle)UK , 1957.2a very short hairstyleJAMAICA , 1999

skill!used as a register or exclamation of approvalUK , 2003

skimnounmoney stolen from a business or enterprise, skimmedfrom the business funds like cream from milkUS , 1988

skimverbto divert a portion of your earnings or winnings to avoidpaying taxes or to avoid paying your superiors in the enterprisetheir shareUS , 1966

skimagedadjectivedrunk English gypsy useUK , 2000

skimmernouna hatUS , 1972

skimmingverbcriminal acquisition of credit or debit card details byuse of an electronic readerUK , 2003

skim moneynounmoney taken from an enterprise’s net proceedsbefore any accounting of the proceedsUS , 1981

skimpynounin Western Australia and the Northern Territory, atopless barmaidAUSTRALIA , 2003

skinnoun1a personUK , 1958.2an immature or inexperienced youngperson Royal Navy slangUK , 1989.3contact between hands ingreeting, acknowledgement or congratulations .4sex .

5a woman as a sex objectTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1936.6the foreskin

UK , 1961.7a condom Literally, ‘an extra layer of (latex) skin’US , 1965.

8a thin paper used to roll marijuana or tobacco cigarettesUS , 1996.

9one dollarUS , 1930.10in carnival and amusement park usage, a

shirtUS , 1982.11a walletUS , 1950.12a tyre, especially a well-worn

oneUS , 1954.13fist fightingUS , 1957.14an American Indian An

abbreviated form of ‘redskin’US , 1989 8see:SKINHEAD < get

under your skinto irritate; to become constantly irritatingUK ,

1896 < no skin off your noseit makes no difference to you

Variations have included: ‘no skin off your ear’, ‘off your ass’, ‘off

your bugle’, ‘off you’ and ‘off Jeff’ (thus, any person’s name)UK ,

1926

skinverb1to inject (a narcotic) into the skin as opposed to a vein

US , 1953.2to swindle someoneUS , 1819.3to defeat someoneUS , 2002.

4in hot rodding, to remove a car’s upholsteryUS , 1958.5to surf

without a wetsuitUS , 1991 < skin (it) backto withdraw the

foreskin from your penis, either as part of a medical inspection or

masturbationUS , 2002 < skin teethto smile; to grin The image

of showing your teeth West Indian and UK blackJAMAICA , 1994.

< skin the catto perform oral sex on a womanUS , 2000

skinadjective1young, youthful; fresh, new Royal Navy slangUK , 1989.

2used of a film or a publication featuring nudityUK , 1977

skin and blisternouna sister Rhyming slangUK , 1925

skin beaternouna drummerUS , 1947

skin beefnouna prison sentence for an unspecified sexual crimeUS ,

1976

skin booknouna sex-themed bookUS , 1970

skin boynounan uncircumcised maleNEW ZEALAND , 1999

skin chimneynounthe vaginaUK , 2002

skin complaintnouna bullet woundUS , 1982

skinder; skinnernoungossip; slanderous rumour From the verb

SOUTH AFRICA , 1979

skinder; skinnerverbto gossip From AfrikaansSOUTH AFRICA , 1942

skinderernouna gossip FromSKINDER(to gossip)SOUTH AFRICA , 1993

skinderingnounan act of gossiping FromSKINDER(to gossip)SOUTH

AFRICA , 1981

skin divernoun1a five-pound note; the sum of £5 Glasgow

rhyming slang forFIVER UK: SCOTLAND , 1988.2a person who performs

oral sex on a male The reverse of a ‘muff diver’US , 1969

skin fightingnouna fight between members of rival gangs in which

weapons or at least lethal weapons are forbiddenUS , 1967

skin flicknoun1a pornographic filmUS , 1968.2a slide used by a

dermatologist to illustrate diseases during teaching roundsUS , 1980

skin-flick housenouna cinema showing pornographic filmsUS , 1972

skinflintnouna mean personUK , 1700

skin flutenounthe penis Often arises in the phrase ‘play the skin

flute’ (to perform oral sex)US , 1941

skinfulnounmore than enough alcohol to achieve a drunken state

UK , 1788

skin full ofnoundrunkUS , 1985

skin gamenoun1in gambling, a rigged game that honest players

always loseUS , 1962.2the science of dermatologyUS , 1980

skingraftnounan intramuscular injection of a drugUS , 1968

skin habitnouna drug addiction based on intramuscular, not

intravenous, injectionsUS , 1972

skinhead; skinnoun1a member of a youth fashion and gang

movement, characterised by close-cropped or shaven scalp and

smart utilitarian wear, associated with football hooliganism, racist

violence and neo-Nazism Early in the 1970s Richard Allen, a

pseudonym of James Moffat (1922–93), published a series of

‘youthsploitation’ novels under the general title Skinhead UK , 1969.

2a British Leyland ‘Allegro’ car Citizens’ band radio slang, playing

onAGGRO UK , 1981

skinhounda sexually aggressive personCANADA , 2002

skin housenouna brothel or place where the entertainment is of a

sexual nature

skin magazine; skin magnouna magazine featuring photographs

of nudes, usually womenUS , 1968

skin man; skinnernouna sex offenderUS , 1976

skinnernoun1a big win on an unbacked horse or other racecompetitor; a betting coupUK , 1874.2a gambling cheatUS , 1974.3apolice officerUS , 1965

skinnynoun1inside information, rumour or factUS , 1959.2in circusand carnival usage, a ten-cent pieceUS , 1981

skinnyadjective1miserly; niggardlyUK , 1998.2prepared with low-fat ornon-fat milkUS , 1997

skinny as a broom; skinnynouna bridegroom Rhyming slangUK , 1992

skinny-dipverbto swim in the nudeUS , 1966

skinny dipping in the love pondnounfrom a male perspective,the act of sex without a condomUS , 2001

skinny Dugannounin craps, any combination of sevenUS , 1985

skinny endnounin horse racing, a third place finishAUSTRALIA , 1989

skinnymalinknouna thin personUK: SCOTLAND , 1911

skinny-minnyadjectivevery thin; small and thinUS , 1997

skin one; skin two; skin threenounused as a rating system by USforces in Vietnam for the films shown on base; the systemevaluated films on the amount of nudity Higher ratings reflectedhigher amounts of nudityUS , 1990

skin outverbto clean something out; to finish somethingCANADA , 1999

skinpixnounpornographic filmsUS , 1964

skin popnounan injection of a drug into the skin or muscle, notinto a veinUS , 1952

skin-popverbto inject a drug into the skin or muscle, not into avein Usually practised in the early stages of drug useUS , 1952

skin poppernouna drug user who does not inject the drug into aveinUS , 1967

skin-poppingnounan act of injecting a drug subcutaneously, notinto a veinUK , 1973

skin-pumpverbto inject a drug under the skin, not into a veinUS , 1952

skinsnoundrumsUK , 1926

skin shakenouna thorough search of a person’s body, includingorificesUS , 1967

skin shownouna show featuring women approaching or reachingnudityUS , 1973

skinsmannoun1a drummerUK , 1983.2a prolific loverBARBADOS , 1965

skintadjectivehaving little or no money, penniless Figurative cation of conventional ‘skinned’UK , 1925

appli-skint as a kipper’s backboneadjectivehaving no money An oration and intensification ofSKINTpunning on ‘skinned’, the orig-inal derivationUK , 1956

elab-skintoadjectivehaving little or no money, penniless A variation of

SKINTused in GlasgowUK: SCOTLAND , 1988

skin tradenounthe sex industry in all its facetsUS , 1986

skin upverb1to roll a marijuana cigarette FromSKIN(cigarettepaper)UK , 1990.2to expose a woman’s genitals and breastsTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1986

skinznouna sexually attractive womanUS , 1993

skipnoun1a skipper (a captain, a leader, etc)UK , 1830.2a coach; used

as a term of address for a coach A shortened form ofSKIPPER US ,

1970.3a uniformed police sergeant An abbreviation ofSKIPPER(a

US police captain or sergeant)UK , 2002.4an Anglo-Australian FromSkip, shortening of Skippy, the name of the kangaroo star of the

children’s television programme Skippy, The Bush Kangaroo AUSTRALIA , 1987

skipverb< skip itto forget it; to drop the subject; to dispense withsomething Often used as an imperativeUS , 1934 < skip ontoleaveUS , 1989 < skip the cinders; skip the tiesto walk along a

skipadjectiveAnglo-AustralianAUSTRALIA , 1995

skip and jumpnounthe heart Rhyming slang forPUMP UK , 1992

skip-outnouna hotel guest who leaves without paying the billUS ,

1958

skip outverbto leave in a hurry in order to avoid obligationsUK , 1865

skippernoun1a police chief, captain or sergeant Jocular, from the

C14 nautical senseUS , 1929.2a sport’s team captain From the use

as ‘a ship’s captain’, originally (in this sense) used of the captain of

a curling teamUK , 1830.3a mid-level boss in an organised crime

enterpriseUS , 2003.4a prison wardenUS , 1950.5a railway guardUS ,

1946.6a derelict property used as shelter by the homeless From

the C16 when the original sense was ‘a barn’ (from Welsh ysgubor

or Cornish sciber), hence ‘a bed out of doors’ and, finally, the

current useUK , 1925.7in poker, a hand with five cards sequenced

by twosUS , 1963

skipperverb1to live rough FromSKIPPER(a place of rest for the

homeless)UK , 1845.2to move from house to house, staying a few

nights at each, with all your worldly possessions in towUS , 1971

skippiesnouninexpensive shoesUS , 1990

skippynouna homosexual maleUS , 1970

skip ratnouna litter collectorUK , 1996

skirtnouna woman or women objectified sexually In conventional

English usage until the late C19 when Victorians deemed it slang;

not necessarily pejorative or contemptuous, however various

compounds, some now obsolete, objectify women: ‘a light skirt’ (a

loose woman), aBIT OF SKIRTor ‘piece of skirt’ (a woman as sex

object), ‘flutter a skirt’ (to be a harlot) ‘run a skirt’ (to keep a

mistress) and ‘the skirt’ (women, collectively)UK , 1899

skit; skiffnouna small amount of snowCANADA , 1990

skitchverbin icy winter conditions, to grab the bumper of a passing

car and use your feet as skis as you are pulled alongUS , 1997

skitch!attack! A command inciting a dog to attackAUSTRALIA , 1955

skitenoun1a boasterAUSTRALIA , 1897.2boastful talkAUSTRALIA , 1860.3a

glancing blowUK: SCOTLAND , 1985 < on the skiteengaged in a

drinking bingeIRELAND , 1992

skiteverb1to boast From British dialectAUSTRALIA , 1857.2to hit

someone or something with a glancing blowUK: SCOTLAND , 1911

skittersnoun diarrhoea Recorded as ‘skitter’ in the Scots Dialect

Dictionary, 1911 UK: SCOTLAND , 1988

skitteryadjectiveworthlessIRELAND , 1992

skittleverb1to knock someone or something downAUSTRALIA , 1938.

2to kill someoneAUSTRALIA , 1971

skittle meonnouna sexually available womanJAMAICA , 2002

skittlesnoundextromethorphan (DXM), an active ingredient in

prescription cold and cough medication, often abused for

non-medicinal purposesUS , 2003

skitzadjectiveused for expressing approvalUK , 2003

skivenounan evasion of duty, work or occupation; an instance of

such evasionUK , 1958

skiveverbto evade a duty, work or occupation; to play truant from

school Possibly from dialect skive (to skim or dart about), more

probable is French esquiver (to avoid, to slip away) Adopted into

military slang during World War 1, and in widespread use by the

middle of the centuryUK , 1919

skivernouna person who evades work or duty, a shirkerUK , 1941

skivingadjectivework-shy FromSKIVE(to evade work, to shirk)UK , 1959

skivviesnoununderwear Originally applied to an undershirt or vest,

now to underwear in generalUS , 1918

skivvynoun1a domestic servant, especially a maid-of-all-workUK ,

1902.2during the Vietnam war, a prostituteUS , 1991

skivvyverbto perform heavy, boring, menial household chores

From the nounUK , 1984

skizziestadjectivethe bestUS , 1960

skoal; skol

skolly; skollie; scollynounespecially in Cape Town, a non-white

street hoodlum or petty criminal From Dutch schullen (to lie low)

via AfrikaansSOUTH AFRICA , 1934

skoofernouna marijuana cigaretteUS , 1980

skookumadjectivebig; powerful; terrific; smartCANADA , 1965

skoonnounone dollarUS , 1988

skooshnoun1something that is easily achieved or accomplishedUK: SCOTLAND , 1985.2any carbonated soft drinkUK: SCOTLAND , 1985

skooshedadjectivedrunkUK: SCOTLAND , 1996

skop, skiet and donnernounphysically violent and threatening

behaviour or activity From Afrikaans skop, skiet en donder (to stop, shoot and beat up) In South African colloquial use: skop (to kick,

to enjoy yourself ); skiet (to shoot, to gamble with dice, to lie);

DONDER(beaten up, also an abusive term of address); skiet and donder (used of action entertainment, ‘blood and thunder’) SOUTH AFRICA , 1970

skosh; skoshinouna small amount Korean pidgin, used by USsoldiers in Korea and brought back to the US as ‘skosh’ The wordwas given a second wind in the 1970s with a radio advertisementfor jeans that promised ‘just a skosh more room’ in the crotcharea for menUS , 1970

SKPnounan escaped prisoner A play on ‘escapee’US , 1962

skrepnouna worn-out, decrepit prostituteTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1973

skronknounin contemporary music, dissonant soundsUK , 1996

skronkyadjectiveof an electric guitar’s sound or style of playing,excitingly raw and basic; hence, applied to fans of such musicUS , 2003

skuanounfrozen chicken The ‘skua’ is a large predatory gull; thecomparison with chicken is not in the nature of praiseANTARCTICA , 1991

skuif; skuifie; skyf; skyfienouna cigarette, especially a hand-rolledtobacco cigarette, or one containing marijuana From Afrikaans

skuif (a puff of smoke) SOUTH AFRICA , 1946

skullnoun1oral sexUS , 1973.2a confidence swindleTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1979.3a passenger in a lorry Road hauliers’ slangUK , 1951.

4in circus and carnival usage, a free ticketUS , 1981 < out of your skullvery drunk or drug-intoxicated Variation onOFF YOUR HEAD

UK , 1968 < take a skullin a dramatic performance, to reactslowly to a lineUS , 1973

skullverb1to strike someone; to attack someoneIRELAND , 1997.2toshun someoneJAMAICA , 2003

skull and brainsnounoral sexUS , 2002

skull crackernounstrong, homemade whiskyUS , 1999

skulldragverbin prison, to awake a prisoner in the early hours forimmediate transfer to another prisonUK , 1996

skulledadjectivedrunkUS , 1955

skull-frynounchemically straightened hairUS , 1970

skull fucknounan intense assault on all the sensesCANADA , 2002

skullfuckverb1to perform oral sex on a man; (from the maleperspective) to receive oral sexCANADA , 2002.2(notional) to have sexwith a head in symbolic victory A less realistic variation of theprevious senseUS , 2000

skullienouna skullcapUS , 1993

skull jobnounan act of oral sexUS , 1971

skull moneynounmoney earned in illegal waysUK , 2000

skull sessionnouna group analysis and discussion; a conferenceUS , 1959

skunknoun1a woman, especially a promiscuous woman withdeficiencies in the area of hygieneUS , 1965.2an unpleasant man; acontemptible person After the North American animalUK , 1841

skunkverbin various games, to defeat an opponent by anoverwhelming marginUS , 1843

skunk beernouninexpensive, bitter, poor quality beerUS , 1997

skunked

skunk juice; skunk juicer; skunk junkernounan illegal linear

amplifier for a citizens’ band radioUS , 1976

skunk oilnounany odorising agent injected into natural gasUS , 1954

skunk weed; skunknounan extremely potent variety of marijuana

which will produce an hallucinogenic effect; also, good quality

marijuanaUS , 1982

skynoun1in a casino, the ubiquitous overhead surveillance system

An abbreviated form ofEYE IN THE SKY US , 1991.2a hatUS , 1976

skyverb1to jump high and with great elanUS , 1980.2to leave

quickly Vietnam war slangUS , 1982

sky-blue-pinknounan unknown, indeterminate or fantasy colour

JocularUK , 1942

sky divernouna five-pound note; the sum of £5 Glasgow rhyming

slang forFIVER UK: SCOTLAND , 1988

sky hooknoun1in oil drilling, a non-existent tool that is often the

subject of hazing of new workersUS , 1954.2a citizens’ band radio

antennaUS , 1976

sky jockeynouna fighter pilot Gulf war usageUK , 1991

sky juicenouna cheap refreshment of flavoured iceJAMAICA , 1972

skylarkverb to park a vehicle Rhyming slang UK , 1964

sky mannouna preacher A variant of the more commonSKY PILOT

sky-piecenouna hatUS , 1948

sky pilotnouna clergyman, especially in the forces or the prison

service Originally nautical slangUK , 1887

skyrocketverb(of prices or statistics) to increase steeplyUS , 1895

sky rocket; skynounpocket Rhyming slangUK , 1879

sky scoutnounan air force chaplainUS , 1945

skyscrapernounpaper; writing paper; toilet paper; a newspaper

Rhyming slangUK , 1992

sky-shootersnounsunglassesUS , 1997

sky sixnounGod From ‘sky’ (a unit commander)US , 1876

sky’s the limitnounin poker, any game played with no limit on the

amount of betsUS , 1967

slabnoun1a road; a highway A specific application of the generally

conventional use as ‘a broad, solid mass’US , 1976.2a thick, dark,

cold waveUS , 1991.3a sandwich Teen slangCANADA , 1946.4a

cardboard carton of 24 cans or bottles of beerAUSTRALIA , 1997.5a

phonograph record; any audio recordingUS , 1974.6a package of

crack cocaineUS , 1998.7crack cocaine that is heavily adulteratedUS ,

1992

slabverbin necrophile usage, to engage in sexual activity with a

corpseUS , 1987

slabbed and slidadjective‘dead and gone’; also used in prison of

an ex-prisoner who has been forgottenUK , 1950

slab boynouna necrophileUS , 1987

slab housenouna modest restaurant serving barbecued meatUS ,

1975

slabsnounthe testicles Back slangUK , 1960

slacknoun1less than harsh treatmentUS , 1968.2moneyUS , 1972.3in

a military patrol, the soldier immediately behind the lead soldier

in formationUS , 1971

slackverbto wear trousers, especially jeans, oversized, baggy and

saggingUS , 1992

slackadjective1of a woman, objectionable; of loose moralsAUSTRALIA ,

1977.2of poor quality, below standard, unacceptable; lewd, vulgar

UK , 1994.3unproductive; inefficient; lazyUS , 1978.4dreadful; awful;

patheticNEW ZEALAND , 1981.5contemptibly unfair; unkindAUSTRALIA ,

slack Alicenouna slovenly woman A fictitious friend called SlackAlice featured in the television comedy monologues of LarryGrayson during the early and mid-1970sUK: ENGLAND , 2002

slackarsenouna lazy personAUSTRALIA , 1971

slack-arseadjectivetired out, lazy or bothNEW ZEALAND , 1998

slackernouna person who avoids work, study and responsibility.The most recent burst of popularity for the term is not its firstUS , 1898

SlackersnicknameHalifax, Nova Scotia The following etymology is

offered by William Pugsley in his 1945, Slackers, Sinners and other Seamen: so called because of the relatively slack discipline ashore

following duty at seaCANADA , 1945

slack jawnouna dolt; a stupid personUS , 1994

slack mannounin a combat march, the second man in lineUS , 1989

slackmeisternounsomeone who has perfected the art of doingnothingUS , 1987

slacknessnoun1lewd and vulgar language West Indian and UKblack patoisUK , 1994.2sexual aggression, promiscuity or perversion

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1940

slagnoun1a contemptible personUK , 1943.2a prostitute; a sexuallypromiscuous womanUK , 1958.3an unattractive womanAUSTRALIA ,

1988.4a petty criminal; petty criminalsUK , 1955.5a coward Theearliest of many meanings, all of which are pejorativeUK , 1788.6anegative criticismAUSTRALIA , 2003.7an insultUK: SCOTLAND , 1985

slagverb1to verbally attack, to slander Variants include ‘slag off’and ‘slag down’UK , 1971.2to spitAUSTRALIA , 1965

slag aboutverbto move around; to come and goUK , 1979

slag-bagnouna contemptible woman A rhyming combination of

SLAG(a contemptible person; a sexually promiscuous woman) and

BAG(an unattractive woman)UK , 1997

slagging ragnouna parachute that is slow to open or does notopen at allUS , 1991

slaggynouna groupie who is promiscuous and sluttish, even bygroupie standardsUS , 1969

slaggyadjectivesluttishUK , 1943

slakeverb< slake the snake(of a male) to have sexUS , 1984

slamnoun1a jail or prison A shortened form ofSLAMMER

sometimes; used as a pluralUS , 1960.2sexual intercourseUS , 1982.

3in foot-powered scootering, a very hard fallUK , 2000

slamverb1to inject an illegal drug intravenouslyUS , 1996.2toviolently jar a mix of alcoholic spirit (usually a shot of tequila) andcarbonated soft drink To prepare aSLAMMERfrom the action ofslamming a covered glass containing the mixture down on a hardsurface, e.g a bar counterUK , 2001.3to hide prison contraband inyour rectumUS , 2000.4to defecateUS , 2001.5to criticise someone orsomething harshlyUS , 1916.6to refuse to work Prison usageUS ,

1950.7in hot rodding and car customising, to modify a car’ssuspension so as to lower the bodyUS , 1993.8while riding asurfboard or skateboard, to lose your balance and fallUS , 1984.9toslam danceUS , 1995

slam bamnoun1homemade whiskyUS , 1980s.2a hastily preparedsandwich consisting only of bread and bolognaBAHAMAS , 1995

slambangverbto successfully cheat other gamblersUS , 1950

slam-bangadverbwith force or noiseUK , 1840

slam booknouna book with a series of questions to which friendswrite answersUS , 1969

slam danceverbto dance in a violent manner popular in punk andpost-punk settings Slam dancing was good fodder for popular

television in the US, with the Chips episode that aired on 31st January 1982 and the Quincy episode of 2nd December 1982,

both of which centred around the relatively new phenomenonUS , 1981

slam downverbto confine someone to a jail cellUS , 1989

slam dunknoun1in the language of wind surfing, an unintended,sudden end of a ride when the board steers too hard to windward

.

slam-dunkverbto defeat someone convincingly, if not

overwhelmingly From the basketball sense of jamming the ball

through the hoopUS , 1992

slam-dunkadjectivecertainUS , 1992

slam hammer; slam pullernouna tool used by car thieves to pull

out the cyclinder of the ignition lockUK , 1977

slammedadjectiveincarceratedUS , 1982

slammed backadjectiveunder the influence of heroinUS , 1997

slammernoun1a doorUS , 1946.2a jail or prison Also in UK useUS ,

1952.3solitary confinementUS , 1984.4a mix of alcoholic spirit

(usually a shot of tequila) and carbonated soft drink, violently

jarred together and gulped down whilst fizzingUK , 2001.5a person

who slam dancesUS , 1995.6an illegal linear amplifier for a citizens’

band radioUS , 1976

slammin’; slammingnounMDMA, the recreational drug best

known as ecstasyUK , 2003

slammingadjectiveexcellent; beautiful; fabulous Originally late C19;

current usage started in 1980s black society and spread with

hip-hop musicUS , 1994

slammin’, jammin’, throw down happy feet!used for

expressing great pleasureUS , 1986

slam partnernouna partner for sex, pure and simpleUS , 1993

slam upverbto imprison someoneUS , 1990

slangnounin carnival and amusement park usage, a watch chainUS ,

1981

slangverb1to sell drugs, especially crack cocaineUS , 1991.2to berate

someone with abusive languageUK , 1844.3to exhibit or perform in

a circus, fair or market; to perform on a stageUK , 1789

slangedadjectivein fetters; in chainsUK , 1812

slangernoun1a drug dealerUS , 1997.2a showman Circus use; from

obsolete slang (a travelling show; a single performance of a

travelling show)UK , 1933

slanging matchnounan exchange of harsh abuseUK , 1896

slangsnounslang words or terms Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1972

slanguagenouna slang vocabulary A jargon-like attempt to dignify

slang as a languageUS , 1879

slanguistnouna linguist with a special interest in slang; an expert

user of a slang vocabulary An inevitable construction that lends

some dignity to a misunderstood academic; it is first recorded in

William Safire’s New York Times column, 26th October 1980,

although ‘slangist’ was recorded in 1885 as ‘a user of slang’US , 1980

slantnouna South Asian person OffensiveUS , 1942

slanternoun1a dishonest trickAUSTRALIA , 1864.2the eyeUS , 1970

slant-eyenouna person from southern Asia OffensiveUS , 1962

slant sixnouna six-cylinder engine configured with all six cylinders

in line slanted over 30 degrees Introduced in 1959 for the

Plymouth Valiant, it is considered by many to be the most durable

engine ever manufactured commerciallyUS , 1960

slantvillenouna neighbourhood dominated by South Asian people

US , 1959

slanty-eyed; slant-eyenouna car of Japanese manufacture

Citizens’ band radio slang; a specific application for generally racist

termsUS , 1976

slapnoun1a beating From the conventional use (to hit with an

open hand); as withSPANKit is applied with heavy ironyUK , 2001.

2a prison sentence From a conventional ‘slap’ given as a

punishmentUK , 2000.3theatrical makeup cosmetics You slap it on;

theatrical; survives in the face of lighting technology that has

made much makeup unnecessary Also variant ’schlep’UK , 1860

slapverb1to increase the charge for something; to implement a

punitive conditionUK , 1922.2especially in jazz or funk music, to

play the double bass or bass guitar by pulling at the strings and

letting them ’slap’ back ‘Slap-style’ is also known as ‘thumb-style’

US , 1933 < slap skins1to have sexUS , 1995.2to slap palms in

greeting, farewell or approvalUS , 1967 < slap the bacon in the

panto have sexUS < slap the iron to herto put snow

chains on a truck’s tyresUS , 1961 < slap the monkey(of a male)

to masturbate A variation ofSPANK THE MONKEY UK , 2002

slapadverbexactly; perfectlyUK , 1829

slap and ticklenoun1sex A little slap and tickle never hurt anyone

UK , 1984.2a pickle Rhyming slangUK , 1992

slap-backadjectiveself-congratulatoryUK , 2001

slap circuitnounthe underworldUS , 1963

slap-downnouna humiliating situationUS , 1986

slap downverbto contradict and prevent someone’s action,especially when it is done with humiliating effectUK , 1938

slap hammernouna hammer designed for pulling dents but used

to break open the top of a car’s steering column to obtain access

to the ignitionUS , 1996

slap-happyadjective1dazed; confusedUS , 1936.2obsessed withmasturbationUS , 1962

slapheadnouna bald person, whether naturally so or shavenUK , 1990

slapheadadjectivebald-headedUK , 1997

slap-in-the-chopsnouna shot of pure alcoholBERMUDA , 1985

slap on the wristnounany minor punishmentUK , 2002

slappernoun1a sexually promiscuous woman Possibly fromSLAP

(makeup) or, simply, the sound of flesh on fleshUK , 1999.2a small,heavy clubUS , 1976.3a windscreen wiperUS , 1976

slappingnouna beatingUK , 1997

slapsnounplastic flip-flops (sandals) Skateboarding usageUS , 1976

slapsie-maxinouna taxi Rhyming slangNEW ZEALAND , 1963

slap-slapnouna small police club that fits into a police officer’shandUS , 1962

slap-upadjective(of a meal) excellent, generously provisioned,superior Originally (1823) used to describe anything or anyonethat was considered excellentUK , 1889

slashnoun1a urinationUK , 1950.2the vaginaUS , 1972.3an attractive,white womanUS , 1987

slashverb1to urinateUK , 1950.2to cut a military-style peaked cap insuch a way that the downward angle of the peak is exaggeratedUK ,

2001.3to surf aggressively back and forth across the face of a wave

US , 1991

slash-and-burnadjectiveruthless; unconcerned with theconsequences of a tactic From a term describing a jungleagricultural practice first recorded in the early 1940sUS , 1989

slashernoun1a person who takes a perverse pleasure fromvandalism by slashingUS , 1954.2in prison, a self-mutilatorUK , 1996.

3a surgeon Often teamed with anaesthetists as ‘GASSERSandslashers’UK , 2002.4in greyhound racing, a dog that cuts to theinside rail after the first turnUS , 1997

slash-housenouna toiletAUSTRALIA , 1971

slatnoun1used to denote five shillings, or the post-decimalisationequivalent of 25p Originally (1788) ‘a half-crown coin’; sub-sequently, perhaps as a result of inflation, used of a crown (a five-shilling coin) and its value Thus, pre-1971, ‘half-a-slat’ was ‘a half-crown coin; half-a-crown in value’, and so it remained, despitemetrication, to represent equivalent valuesUK , 1979.2a dollarUS ,

1969.3a jail or prison sentenceUS , 1973

slatenounmarijuanaUK , 1996

slateverbto criticise someone or something harshlyUK , 1848

slatingnounan instance of harsh criticismUK , 1870

slatsnoun1ribsUS , 1898.2prison barsUS , 1950.3skisUS , 1963

slaughternouna concealed location used by criminals for the ision or transfer of recently stolen goodsUK , 1970

div-slaughterverb1to utterly defeat someoneUK , 2001.2to severelycriticise someone or somethingUK , 1991.3to use a concealedlocation for temporary storage, distribution or transfer of recentlystolen goodsUK , 2001

slaughteredadjectivevery drunk or drug-intoxicatedUS , 1989

slaughterhousenoun1a premises where a drug dealer stores drugs

UK .2a school Teen slangUS

Slaughter on the Waternounthe 1995 America’s Cup sailing race,

a lopsided victory by New ZealandUS , 1996

slavenoun1in a sado-masochistic relationship, a person who

endures many forms of humiliation, including extreme pain and

public displays of submissionUS , 1963.2a submissive prisoner who

performs all types of menial tasks for othersUS , 1988.3a jobUS , 1946

slaveverbto work, especially at a menial jobUS , 1974

slave braceletnouna bracelet showing romantic devotion to

anotherUS , 1947

slave-drivernouna stern taskmasterUS , 1854

slave marketnoun1any place where day labourers congregateUS ,

1978.2a National Employment Service officeCANADA , 1960

slave trainingnounthe process of instructing, and conditioning the

behaviour of, a sexual submissive in order that the submissive’s

menial service and status become part of a sexual relationship,

especially when used in a dominant prostitute’s advertising matter

UK , 2003

slayverbto cause someone to laugh uproariouslyUK , 1927

slayernounan assertive young woman An allusion to the

eponymous lead in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Teen slangUK , 2003

sleazenoun1sordidness, sleaziness; immoralityUK , 1967.2political

corruptionUS , 1983.3a person with low moral standardsUS , 1976

sleazebagnounan undesirable, unlikeable person A useful term

when you cannot decide whether to call someone aSCUMBAGor a

SLEAZEBALL US , 1992

sleazeballnounan utterly despicable personUS , 1983

sleazemeisternounan acknowledged expert on, or practitioner of,

sordidness, sleaziness, immorality or political corruption By a

combination ofSLEAZEand German meister (master) US , 1993

sleazonouna despicable, sleazy personUS , 1972

sleazoidnouna person of low characterUS , 1986

sleazyadjective1cheap; inferior; lowUS , 1941.2disreputable, especially

in a sexually enticing wayUK , 1960

slebnouna celebrity A phonetic slurring and reductionUK , 1997

slednoun1a motorcycle Biker (motorcycle) usageUS , 2003.2a carUS ,

sledgernounin cricket, a fielder who baits, taunts and abuses an

opponent as tactical gamesmanshipUK , 2002

sledgiedadjectiveunder the influence of MDMA, the recreational

drug best known as ecstasyUK , 1991

sledgingnounthe practice of needling an opponent in order to put

them off their game Originally, and still principally, in cricket, but

now also used in reference to other sportsAUSTRALIA , 1975

sleekitadjectivecunning, sly DialectUK: SCOTLAND , 1911

sleepnoun1a prison sentence of one yearUS , 1949.2cocaine Rich

irony; if you do, you won’tUS , 1987

sleepverb< sleep with someoneto have sex with someoneUK ,

1819 < sleep with the fishesto be dead as a result of a murder

US , 1972

sleep aroundverbto be sexually promiscuousUS , 1928

sleepernoun1a barbiturate capsule; a sleeping tabletUS , 1961.

2heroinUK , 1998.3a book, film, song, etc, that, having failed to sell

successfully on its initial release, eventually becomes a ‘hit’UK , 1984.

4in sports, a player who performs exceptionally well in spite of

very low initial expectationsUS , 1878.5in betting, uncollected

winnings; a stake that is illegally retained by the bookmaker when

a bet is wonUK , 1956.6in circus and carnival usage, money that a

.

gambler has forgotten is hisUS , 1981.8in dominoes, an unusedpiece that rests numbers-downUS , 1997.9in hot rodding, a conven-tional-looking, deceptively high-performing carUS , 1965.10a trainwith sleeping carriagesUS , 1958.11a rock just below the landsurfaceCANADA , 1987

sleeper jumpnounany long distance move between performances

US , 1973

sleeping Billnouna police truncheonUS , 1949

sleeping policemannouna speed bumpUK , 1973

sleeping timenouna very short jail or prison sentenceUS , 1992

sleep offverbto serve a short prison sentence without difficultyUS , 1950

sleep onverbto give overnight consideration to something; to putoff making a decision until the following dayUK , 1519

sleep-outnoun1an enclosed verandah, or part thereof, fitted with abed for sleepingAUSTRALIA , 1927.2chiefly in Victoria, a separateoutbuilding used as sleeping quartersAUSTRALIA , 2003

Sleepy-Rnounthe Canadian Pacific RailwayCANADA , 1987

sleepy seedsnounthe deposits of mucus formed about the eyesduring sleepUS , 1975

sleetnouncrack cocaine From the drug’s resemblance to sleetUS , 1994

sleevenouna condomUK , 1998 < on the sleeveused of someonewho injects drugs From the need to roll up a sleeve beforeinjectingUK , 1996 < put the sleeve on someoneto arrestsomeoneUK , 1996

sleeveverbto tattoo the lower half of the armUS , 1989

sleeveenadjectivesly, deviousIRELAND , 2004

sleevesnouna wetsuit of any styleUS , 1977

sleezernouna person, usually female, who is substandard in someimportant wayUS , 1992

sleigh ridenounthe use of cocaine or heroin; cocaine or heroin.Building on theSNOWmetaphorUS , 1973

sleveennounin Newfoundland, a person not to be trusted, a rascal

CANADA , 1968

sleveredadjectivedrunk Hip-hop, urban slang noted in connection

with a legal dispute over rap lyrics by BBC News, 6th June 2003 UK , 2003

slewnouna large amountUS , 1839

slew; slew a headverbto distract someone, especially in thecommission of a crimeAUSTRALIA , 1975

slicenoun1a woman or women, objectified sexually From thephrase ‘take a slice’ recorded in 1796 as ‘to intrigue, particularlywith a married woman, because a slice of a cut loaf is notmissed’; the etymology is further thought to trace back to theproverbial phrase ‘it is safe taking a shive [a slice] of a cut loaf’,and ‘shive’ is easily exchanged with ‘swive’ (to have sex) Perhapsfrom an image of the vagina as a slice in the flesh, but also taking

a slice of bread as something necessary and in plentiful supplyUK ,

1796.2an act of sexual intercourse (with a woman) After the vious sense, possibly influenced by synonymousPORTION UK , 1955.

pre-< cut off a sliceto have sex (with a woman) A punninglycontrived verb form of ‘slice’ (an act of sexual intercourse)UK , 1980

sliceverb< slice breadto make a payoffUK , 1970

slicedadjective1muscular, lacking body fat, well-sculptedUS , 1984.

2circumcisedUS , 1988

slice of knuckle pienouna punch in the mouthUK , 1962

slice of toastnouna ghost Rhyming slangUK , 1992

slicknoun1a car tyre without a tread, used in drag racing Usuallyheard in the pluralUS , 1960.2a glossy magazineUS , 1953.3in pool, askilled player who bets on his own abilityUS , 1990.4a field ofcriminal expertiseUS , 1992.5an unarmed aircraftUS , 1990.6ahelicopter used for troop transportUS , 1971

slickadjective1attractive; charmingUS , 2001.2in lowball poker, able