corner verb 1 to force someone into an embarrassing or difficult pos- ition. Figurative US, 1824. 2 to go around a corner of a racecourse; to drive a vehicle around a corner, especially at speed UK, 1861 corner boy noun 1 an urban youth who idles in the street US, 1971. 2 a fellow prisoner from a prisoner’s neighbourhood US, 1991 corner game; cornering noun a confidence trick in which payment is received before the promised delivery of goods or sexual services will take place ‘around the corner’ – the delivery, of course, is never made UK, 1956 corner man noun a person who is not part of the criminal underworld but whose sympathies lie with the underworld in its constant strife with law enforcement US, 1964 cornet player noun a cocaine user US, 1977 corn-fed adjective unsophisticated, simple, rustic US, 1924 cornfield clemency noun escape from a rural prison US, 1992 cornfield meet noun a head-on train collision US, 1931 cornflake noun 1 a youthful, sexually inexperienced male who is the object of an older homosexual’s desire US, 1979. 2 the cap badge worn by Canadian Forces recruits. Named because of its resemblance to a cornflake in colour and shape CANADA, 2001 cornflake adjective fake. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 corn game noun in a carnival, a Bingo game US, 1960 cornhead noun a long-haired adherent to the racist, fascist philos- ophy espoused by shaved-head skinheads US, 2000 cornhole noun the anus US, 1922 cornhole verb 1 to take the active role in anal sex US, 1938. 2 to victimise someone; to force someone into submission. A figurative use of the previous sense US, 1974 corn husk noun a condom, especially one manufactured for anal intercourse. Derives from CORNHOLE (anal sex); conventionally, ‘husk’ is the membranous outer covering of the maize plant UK, 1998 Cornish pasty; Cornish adjective appetising; sexually alluring. Rhyming slang for ‘tasty’ UK, 1992 corn man noun a man who is emotionally and sexually inexperi- enced TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 corn mule noun homemade alcohol using corn as a base US, 1949 corn off the cob noun mawkish, sentimental music or entertainment. An elaboration of CORN AUSTRALIA, 1984 corn on the cob adjective used as an intensifier UK, 1997 cornpone noun an unsophisciated, crude rural southerner. Poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti regularly referred to US President Lyndon B. Johnson as ‘Colonel Cornpone’ in his poems; cartoonist Al Capp created General Jubilation T. Cornpone, master of grabbing defeat from the jaws of victory US, 1919 cornrip noun a prostitute BARBADOS, 1965 corn row noun hair tied in tight braids separated by rows of bare scalp US, 1946 corn-row verb to fix hair in tight braids US, 1971 corn snake noun a dried corn stalk gusting across a road. Biker (motorcyle) usage US, 2003 corn stalker noun a marijuana cigarette rolled in the outer leaf of a corn cob and sealed with honey US, 2003 corny adjective mawkish, sentimental, hackneyed US, 1932 8see: CORNED BEEF corp noun a corporal, generally as a term of address. Military UK, 1959 corpie noun a police officer SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS, 1996 Corpo nickname Dublin Corporation IRELAND, 2000 corporation noun a prominent belly UK, 1753 corporation cocktail noun an intoxicating drink made by bubbling coal gas through milk. Current in the 1970s, until wholesale conversion to natural gas UK, 1984 corporation pop noun tap water. Formed from ‘pop’ (a soft drink) and the ‘corporation’ that supplied water to domestic consumers; used in northern England UK: ENGLAND, 1997 corpse noun 1 an actor’s on-stage blunder or fit of laughter. From the verb UK, 1978. 2 a corporal. In Royal Air Force use UK, 2002 corpse verb of an actor, to blunder and so confuse yourself or another actor; while acting, to fall prey to irresistible laughter UK, 1873 corpse cop noun a homicide detective US, 1985 corpser noun an actor who is prone to disruptive laughter. From CORPSE (to blunder) UK, 2002 corpsing noun involuntary laughter, especially among actors. From the verb UK, 2002 corpuscle noun used as a humourous synonym for ‘corporal’ US, 1968 corr noun a fight. English gypsy use, from Romany koor (to fight) UK, 2000 corral noun a group of prostitutes working for a single pimp US, 1971 corroboree noun any gathering or party; a celebration. Figurative use of the original sense as ‘a traditional dance ceremony held by Australian Aboriginals’, from the extinct Australian Aboriginal language Dharug, spoken in the Sydney region. Now considered politically incorrect AUSTRALIA, 1833 corroded adjective ugly US, 1980 corset noun a bullet-proof vest US, 1949 corvey; corvee noun in Quebec, a community work project. Originally the word, from French, meant ‘community work repairing the road in the spring’. In French, it carries the sense of ‘what a bore!’ but in English, it is still used CANADA, 2002 corybungus noun the buttocks. Homosexual usage; perhaps from COREY (the penis) UK, 2002 cosa noun marijuana. From the Spanish for ‘thing’, so functionally the equivalent of ‘stuff’, an intentionally vague inreference to the drug US, 1992 cosh; kosh noun a bludgeon, a truncheon UK, 1869. < under the cosh at a disadvantage; under control UK, 1958 cosh verb to strike someone with a cosh UK, 1896 co-signer noun a fellow prisoner who is willing to vouch for you or to defend you with action US, 1989 coskel adjective dressed in conflicting, clashing colours TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1996 cosmic adjective 1 wonderful, excellent, fabulous. The teenage appetite for superlatives is OUT OF THIS WORLD UK, 1977. 2 esoteric, difficult to grasp US, 1980 cosmic rays noun the source of an unexplained computing problem US, 1991 cosmos noun phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust US, 1977 cossie; cozzie noun 1 a theatrical costume UK, 1967. 2 a swimming costume AUSTRALIA, 1926 cost verb to be expensive UK, 1933. < cost a bomb to be very, or unexpectedly, expensive UK, 1984. < cost a packet to be very, or unexpectedly, expensive UK, 1984. < cost an arm and a leg to be very, or unexpectedly, expensive US, 1956 Costa del noun when combined with a place name, an area that is peopled with criminals. After COSTA DEL CRIME UK, 2003 Costa del Crime noun Spain’s Costa del Sol. In the late 1970s, a diplomatic breakdown between Britain and Spain (over Gibraltar) created a safe haven for British criminals. One of the effects of a major armed robbery in London in 1983 was this journalistic coinage UK, 1984 Costa del Sludge noun the Spanish Riviera. A bitter reference to pollution UK, 1980 Costa Geriatrica noun the south coast of England; Spain’s Costa Brava; any coastal area popular as a retirement destination; hence, also applied to non-coastal areas such as Henley-on-Thames. A jocular but nevertheless derisive reference to the number of old people that retire to the seaside UK, 1977 cosy noun an act of sexual intercourse. Used by upper-class society females; from the verb sense (to snuggle) UK, 1982 corner | cosy 164 cot noun abedAUSTRALIA, 1954 cot case noun an incapacitated person, such as a drunk or insane person. That is, ‘a person who should be confined to a bed’ AUSTRALIA, 1932 cotch noun any improvised place to sleep JAMAICA, 1972 cotch verb to vomit. From Afrikaans kots SOUTH AFRICA, 1974 cotched adjective relaxed, especially in a post-dance or post-drug-use situation. Used by some teenagers for ‘chilled out’ UK, 2003 cotics noun narcotics, especially heroin US, 1942 cottage noun a public lavatory used for homosexual encounters UK, 1932 cottage verb to seek homosexual contact in a public urinal. After COTTAGE (a public lavatory) UK, 1971 cottage cheese noun cellulite. A purely visual coining US, 1997 cottage queen noun a homosexual man who seeks sexual contact in public toilets. A combination of COTTAGE (a public lavatory) and QUEEN (a homosexual man) UK, 1992 cottager noun a homosexual man who seeks sexual contact in public toilets. After COTTAGE (a public lavatory) UK, 2000 cottaging noun 1 the practice of engaging in homosexual encounters in public toilets UK, 1972. 2 the practice of going down to your ‘cottage’ – a second and often quite a large house – in the country for the weekend UK, 1984 cotton noun 1 cotton used for straining a dissolved narcotic (heroin, cocaine or morphine) before injection; the bits of cotton saturated with drugs can be aggregated for an injection US, 1933. 2 female pubic hair US, 1970 8see: COTTON WOOL cotton ball noun a burst of flak fire as perceived from the air US, 1990 cotton brothers noun cocaine, heroin and morphine. From the cotton strainer used when prepararing these drugs US, 1938 cotton-chopper noun used as a term of address, especially to someone with a southern accent US, 1977 cotton fever noun an intense illness sometimes suffered after injecting heroin leached from used cottons US, 1989 cottonhead noun a heroin addict who habitually uses cotton used by other addicts to leach out heroin for his use US, 1970 cotton mouth noun a dryness of the mouth as a result of smoking marijuana or hashish, 2003 cotton on to; cotton on; cotton to verb to form, or have, a liking or fancy for something or someone; to understand or come to understand AUSTRALIA, 1907 cottonpicker noun a fellow; used as a term of address, especially from trucker to trucker US, 1919 cotton-picking adjective used as a folksy intensifier US, 1952 cotton shooter noun a drug addict who injects residue aggregated from cotton swatches used to strain drugs US, 1951 cotton slut noun a person who will attend an event for the sole purpose of obtaining a tee-shirt being given to those in attend- ance US, 2001 cottontail noun an attractive woman US, 1962 cotton-top noun an old person. An allusion to the white hair with which some older people are blessed US, 2000 cotton wool; cotton noun a casual quest for a sexual partner. Rhyming slang for PULL, in the phrase ON THE PULL (to quest or be questing for a sexual partner) UK, 1998. < wrap in cotton-wool; keep in cotton-wool to cosset; to be extremely protective of someone UK, c.1890 couch noun < on the couch 1 undergoing psychotherapy US, 1961. 2 in gambling, without further funds US, 1996 couch casting noun the practice of casting roles in performances based on the actor’s willingess to have sex with the casting director US, 1973 couch commander noun someone watching television with a remote control US, 1991 couch dance noun a sexual dance performed in a sex club, with the dancer grinding on the lap of a man seated on a couch US, 1990 couchie noun 8see: KOUTCHIE couch lock noun a feeling of inertia as a result of smoking marijuana UK, 2004 couch potato noun a person who habitually idles, watching television. Possibly a pun on ‘boob-tuber’ (a television addict) and a ‘potato’ as a ‘tuber’; it may also play on VEGETABLE (a person with an undemanding existence); the ‘couch’, of course, is where the potato is planted. One of the very few slang words or phrases where it is seemingly possible to trace the coining; in July 1976 a group of friends in California coined the term, which was first used in commerce in 1977 and then hit the big time with the Official Couch Potato Handbook (1983) US, 1976 couch surfer noun a person who sleeps on a friend’s couch overnight NEW ZEALAND, 2003 cough noun 1 a confession. After COUGH (to confess) UK, 1978. 2 a piece of information or good evidence. Police use; from COUGH UP (to disclose) UK, 1984. 3 money paid out. From COUGH UP (to pay) US, 2000 cough verb 1 to confess US, 1899. 2 in drag racing, to suffer complete engine failure. Used as a transitive verb; ‘you cough your engine’ US, 1968. < cough your cud to vomit NEW ZEALAND, 1989 cough! said humorously while pretending to grab at another man’s testicles. From the practice in medical examinations of cupping the testicles and testing the healthy movement that is occasioned by a cough UK, 1984 cough and a spit noun 1 a small part in a play or a film UK, 1984. 2 a short distance UK, 2003 cough and choke verb to smoke. Also used as a noun to mean ‘a cigarette’ UK, 1998 cough and die verb (used of a computer program) to cease operating by virtue of a design feature US, 1991 cough and drag noun a cigarette. Rhyming slang for FAG (a ciga- rette), pitched somewhere between irony and black humour UK, 1992 cough and sneeze noun cheese. Rhyming slang, generally thought to date from late C19 UK, 1961 cough and splutter noun butter. Rhyming slang UK, 1978 cough drop noun an attractive girl SOUTH AFRICA, 1946 cough it up – it might be a gold watch! used as jocular encouragement to someone with a hacking cough UK, 1978 cough syrup noun money paid to police informers US, 1951 cough up verb 1 to pay; to hand over something US, 1890. 2 to disclose something US, 1896 couillon noun a lacrosse-like two ball game played by eastern Canadian Indian women on ice or in a clearing CANADA, 1951 couldn’t-care-less adjective indifferent, uncaring UK, 1947 council gritter; council noun the anus. Rhyming slang for SHITTER UK , 2002 council houses noun trousers. Rhyming slang UK, 1934 count noun the ratio by which a drug is diluted US, 1964 count verb in pool, to make a shot US, 1967. < count days in twelve- step recovery programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous, to track your recovery from addiction US, 1998. < count your money to use the toilet US, 1954 counter noun 1 in poker, a player who to the annoyance of other players repeatedly counts his chips or money US, 1963. 2 a prostitute’s customer US, 1964. 3 in lobstering, a lobster that meets the legal measurement requirements US, 1978 counter hopper noun a dedicated follower of youth fashion UK, 1983 countess noun an older homosexual man US, 1979 country noun < in country during the Vietnam war, in Vietnam US, 1971 country adjective unsophisticated, rural, not world-wise US, 1964 country bama noun a naive, gullible rustic US, 1990 165 cot | country bama country booboo noun any naive, gullible person VIRGIN ISLANDS, BRITISH , 1996 country bookie noun a naive rustic TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1904 country Cadillac noun a pickup truck US, 1976 country club noun 1 a minimum security, comfortable prison gener- ally reserved for corporate and banking criminals US, 1960. 2 anything that appears to be relatively comfortable and undemanding US, 1973 country cousin noun 1 the bleed period of the menstrual period US, 1908. 2 a dozen. Rhyming slang UK, 1909 country dunny noun < all alone like a country dunny completely alone; by yourself; friendless AUSTRALIA, 1988. < like a country dunny glaringly obvious; standing out AUSTRALIA, 1954 country mile noun a long distance or margin US, 1951 country mouse noun in Antarctica, a scientist or scientist’s assistant whose work takes them into the field, away from McMurdo Station ANTARCTICA, 2003 country send noun in a big con, sending the victim away to retrieve money US, 1997 country store noun in the Vietnam war, a military self-service supply centre US, 1968 country straight noun in poker, a hand consisting of four sequenced cards which can be converted into a five-card sequence with the correct draw at either end of the sequence US, 1978 country wool noun homespun wool CANADA, 1956 count store noun a rigged carnival game US, 1985 count the hooks!; count the hoops! in the Canadian military, used for demanding that a subordinate recognises the uniform and rank of the superior rebuking him or her CANADA, 1995 county noun any county jail, where the accused are held before trial and prisoners convicted of misdemeanours are incarcerated for short sentences US, 1953 county adjective in the manner of the landed gentry; snobbish, pretentious in the manner of, or with pretentions to, the gentry UK, 1921 county blues noun a blue uniform issued to prisoners in a county jail US, 1993 County Kilburn nickname the northwest London district of Kilburn. Formed in the manner of an Irish County in recognition of the high density of Irish in Kilburn’s population UK, 2000 county mountie noun 1 a member of the Ulster Defence Regiment (1970–1992). Adopted from the US meaning (a local police officer); a reference to the six counties of Ulster UK, 1981. 2 alocal police officer US, 1975 count your fingers! used with heavy humour to suggest distrust of a person who is shaking, or has just shaken, someone’s hand UK, 1984 county shoes noun inexpensive shoes issued to prisoners by a county jail US, 1973 county time noun time served in a local county jail, as opposed to a state or federal prison. Less than ‘state time’ or ‘hard time’ US, 1996 coup noun 1 a crime UK, 2001. 2 in horse racing, a secret betting plunge in which a great deal of money is bet at favourable odds AUSTRALIA, 1895 Coupe noun a Cadillac Coupe de Ville car US, 1980 coupla noun two. A slovening of ‘couple of’ UK, 1959 couple noun several drinks, especially beers, not necessarily two UK, 1935 couple of bob noun 1 a non-specific amount of money. Pre-1971, when decimalisation changed the face and value of sterling, a BOB was ‘a shilling’ (5p) UK, 1980. 2 a job. Rhyming slang UK, 1992. 3 a lump of phlegm. Rhyming slang for GOB (to spit) UK, 1992 coupon noun 1 the face. Often in the phrase ‘fill in your coupon’ (attack your face) UK, 1980. 2 an ‘I owe you’ which has not and will not be paid off US, 1996. 3 in trucking, a speeding ticket US, 1976 courage noun sexual potency BAHAMAS, 1982 courage pill noun 1 a capsule of heroin US, 1933. 2 a central nervous system despressant UK, 2003 ’course of course UK, 1886 course-a-grunt; course-a-pig noun an error in bricklaying in which opposite ends of a new wall meet at different heights UK, 1978 course note noun paper money in denominations of $5 or greater US, 1950 court noun < hold court in the street to mete out what a police officer deems justice through physical beatings US, 2001 court verb < court Cecil to become addicted to morphine US, 1992 court card noun in a deck of playing cards, any jack, queen or king US, 1961 courtesy flush noun a mid-defecation flush of the toilet as a courtesy to others in a bathroom or other prisoners in the cell US, 1996 court-in noun a ceremonial beating to initiate a new member into a gang US, 1990 court-out noun a ceremonial beating of a person leaving a gang US, 1990 Cousin Charlie nickname the Federal Communications Commission US, 1976 cousin Ella noun an umbrella. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 Cousin Jack noun a Cornish man, especially a miner AUSTRALIA, 1863 cousins noun curly hair on the back of the neck BAHAMAS, 1982 cousin Sis noun a piss (an act of urination); piss (alcohol), especially in the phrase ‘going on the cousin Sis’. Rhyming slang UK, 1998 couta noun abarracoutaAUSTRALIA, 1933 cove noun a fellow, bloke. From Romany kova (a thing, a person) UK, 1567 Covent Garden pardon, especially as a shortened version of ‘I beg your pardon’. Rhyming slang, replacing the original (1857) sense as ‘a farthing’ (a coin that was worth 1/4 of a penny); formed on the name of a fashionable area of central London when it still had a reputation as a market for fruit and vegetables UK, 1992 cover noun 1 an admission fee paid to enter a bar or club. A shortened ‘cover charge’ US, 1986. 2 a single large-denomination note wrapped around small-denomination notes, giving the impression of a great deal of money US, 1964. 3 a recording which has been popularised by someone else. A shortened form of the more formal ‘cover version’ US, 1970. 4 the disguise and staged per- sonality assumed by an expert card counter playing blackjack in a casino in the hope of avoiding detection and ejection US, 1991 cover verb 1 (used of a male) to have sex with a woman. Conventionally applied to a stallion with a mare TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1980. 2 (used of a favourite by sports gamblers) to win by at least the margin established as the pointspread by the bookmakers US, 1991 covered wagon noun 1 an aircraft carrier, especially the USS Langley US, 1933. 2 an ugly or unpleasant woman. Rhyming slang for DRAGON UK, 1992 covered with horseshoes adjective extremely lucky US, 1988 cover for verb 1 to act as a substitute for another worker UK, 1976. 2 to conceal someone’s crime or mistake UK, 1968 covers noun < pull the covers off to reveal someone’s homosexu- ality US, 1981 covey noun a group of gullible people, likely victims for a swindle or crime US, 1964 cow noun 1 a contemptible woman UK, 1696. 2 a fellow, bloke AUSTRALIA, 1941. 3 a despicable person AUSTRALIA, 1894. 4 a prostitute attached to a pimp US, 1859. 5 something that causes annoyance AUSTRALIA, 1904. 6 any unpleasant situation or experience NEW ZEALAND, 1964. 7 acan of evaporated milk. Follows ‘the’ US, 1975. 8 a transport aircraft, usually a C-123 or C-130, outfitted with pumps and large rubberised drums US, 1991. < have a cow to become emotionally country booboo | cow 166 overwrought; to lose control US, 1966. < run cow; work cow to work for personal gain while in the employ of another GUYANA, 1952 Cow & Gate adjective late, in the sense that the bleed period of the menstrual cycle is overdue. Rhyming slang, formed, with heavy irony, on the name of a well-known baby food manufacturer UK, 1998 cowabunga; cuyabunga! used as an expression of triumph. Originally a signature line uttered by Chief Thunderthud on The Howdy Do ody Show (NBC, 1947–60). Embraced by surfers, American soldiers in Vietnam, and the writers of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Simpsons US, 1955 cow and calf noun 1 half; thus, 50 pence (half £1). Rhyming slang. Variants are ‘cow calf’ and ‘cows’ UK, 1950. 2 a laugh. Rhyming slang. Also used as a verb UK, 1992 cow and horse; cow noun sexual intercouse. Rhyming slang UK, 2003 cowardy custard; cowardy, cowardy custard noun acoward. Custard is YELLOW (the colour applied as an adjective for cowardice) and so reinforces the accusation. This taunting form of address is usually hurled or chanted by children UK, 1836 cow belt noun the rural areas of the Indo-Gangetic plain. Journalistic, from the perception that more traditional Hindu values hold sway in such communities, and, therefore, a cow is revered more there than elsewhere in modern India INDIA, 2001 cowboy noun 1 a reckless, impulsive, undisciplined person US, 1926. 2 a flash fellow; a know-all UK, 1978. 3 a young and inexperienced, or irresponsible, driver UK, 1984. 4 a motorist prone to breaking the rules of the road US, 1928. 5 any tradesman (such as a builder, electrician, mechanic or plumber) who is unreliable, irresponsible and, perhaps, unqualified; the sort to make quick money by undercutting regular, trained craftsmen. As in the sign for Patel Brothers Builders: ‘You’ve tried the Cowboys, now try the Indians!’ UK, 1984. 6 a minor criminal given to violence. From such a person’s tendency to ‘come out shooting’ UK, 1977. 7 during the Vietnam war, an unprincipled, untrustworty, hustling Vietnamese person US, 1991. 8 a beginner. Mining usage CANADA, 1959. 9 used as a humorous term of address US, 1999. 10 in horse racing, any jockey with an unconventional style of riding AUSTRALIA, 1989. 11 abow- legged man. From the gait of such a horse-rider UK, 1984. 12 in computing, a person with intelligence, knowledge and dedication to programming US, 1991. 13 in a deck of playing cards, a king US, 1967 . 14 a perfunctory cleaning of the body with a wash cloth but not a full bath or shower BAHAMAS, 1982 Cowboy nickname Nguyen Cao Ky, Prime Minister of South Vietnam after the murder of Diem. So named by President Diem. ‘Cowboy’ is a term the Vietnamese then reserved for only the most flamboyant of gangsters. US Secretary of Defense McNamara condemned Ky as ‘the absolute bottom of the barrel’ US, 1991 cowboy verb 1 to murder someone in a reckless manner US, 1946. 2 to gang-rape someone US, 1957 cowboy Bible noun a packet of cigarette rolling papers US, 1970 cowboy Cadillac noun any pickup truck US, 1976 cowboy coffee noun coffee boiled in an open pot, served without milk or sugar US, 1943 cowboy cool adjective (used of beer) at room temperature US, 1984 cowboy coupe noun a pickup truck decked out with accessories US, 1962 cowboy hat noun a disposable paper toilet seat cover US, 1992 cowboys noun the police; police officers UK, 1960 Cowboys nickname < the Cowboys third battalion, Royal Green Jackets UK, 1995 cowboys and Indians noun a prison sentence of 99 years US, 1990 cow cage noun a livestock carriage on a freight train US, 1946 cow cocky noun a dairy farmer AUSTRALIA, 1902 cow college noun a small rural college, especially one offering degrees in agriculture US, 1906 cow confetti; cowyar d confetti noun nonsense, rubbish. A euphemism for BULLSHIT AUSTRALIA, 1941 cow cunt noun a despicable person US, 1988 cow-cunted adjective possessing a slack and distended vagina US, 1980 Cowdenbeath noun the teeth. Glasgow rhyming slang, formed from a Scottish town (and football team) UK: SCOTLAND, 1988 cow dust time noun evening. A direct translation from Bengali go- dhuli, describing the dust that hangs in the air at that time of day when the cattle are returned from the fields INDIA, 2004 cowgirl noun a sexual position in which the woman is on top, astride and facing her partner US, 1995 cow grease noun butter. Originally ‘cow’s grease’, 1857 UK, 1857 cowing adjective used to intensify. Probably military origins; a euphemism for FUCKING UK, 1962 cowing lush adjective marvellous, wonderful; used as an all-purpose expression of admiration UK: WALES, 2001 cow juice noun milk UK, 1796 cow-kick verb (of a horse) to kick outward and upward like a cow CANADA, 1954 cow lick noun in publishing, inexpensive varnish used on a book cover US, 1986 cowpat noun a single dropping of cow dung UK, 1954 cowpath noun anarrowbackroadUS, 1971 cowpat lotto noun a lottery in which the winner is decided by which part of a paddock a cow first drops dung AUSTRALIA, 1995 cow poke noun a wooden device to keep a cow from going through afenceUS, 1968 cow’s breakfast noun astrawhatCANADA, 1959 cow’s calf; cow and calf; cow’s; calf noun until 1971, ten shillings; thereafter, fifty pence. Rhyming slang for ‘half’ (of £1). Pre-decimalisation, mainly reduced to ‘calf’; in later C20 ‘cows’ predominates UK, 1941 cowsh noun cattle excrement; nonsense. An abbreviation of ‘cow shit’ AUSTRALIA, 1937 cow’s lick noun prison; a prison. Rhyming slang for NICK (a prison) UK, 1962 cowson noun a contemptible man. Literally, ‘the son of a cow’ UK, 1936 cowstroke noun in cricket, a hefty stroke to the leg side UK, 1978 cow-tongue noun a gossip TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 Cow Town nickname 1 Forth Worth, Texas US, 1976. 2 Calgary, Alberta CANADA, 1962 cow trail verb to take a motorcyle cruise in the country for recreation US, 1973 cowyard noun an inexpensive brothel US, 1964 cowyard cake noun a cake or bun containing a few sultanas AUSTRALIA, 1953 cox box noun an electronic device that includes an amplifier/microphone system as well as various measurement functions, used by a coxswain in competitive rowing US, 1999 coxed adjective (of a boat) under the control of a coxswain UK, 2001 coxey; cocksy noun an inexperienced swindler working on a scam by telephone who makes the initial call to potential victims US, 1988 coxy noun a coxswain US, 1966 coyote French noun the mixture of Canadian French, Cree andEnglish spoken by the older Metis CANADA, 1963 coyote ugly adjective very ugly. The conceit of the term is that a man who wakes up with a ‘coyote ugly’ woman sleeping on his arm will, like a coyote caught in a trap, gnaw off his arm to escape US, 1985 cozmo noun phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust US, 1994 cozy adjective dull, boring US, 1993 cozzer noun a police officer; the police. A confusion of Hebrew chazar (pig) and COPPER (a police officer) UK, 1958 167 Co w & Gate | cozzer CP noun corporal punishment US, 1987 c phone noun a mobile telephone. ‘C’ is for ‘cellular’ US, 1997 CP pill noun a large, orange anti-malaria pill taken once a week. Chloroquine-Primaquine US, 1991 CPR strawberry noun a prune CANADA, 1987 CPT; CP time noun a notional system of time in which punctuality is not important. An abbreviation of COLORED PEOPLE’S TIME US, 1925 crab noun 1 acontemptiblepersonUK, 1580. 2 in the language of members of the Bloods youth gang, a member of the Crips youth gang US, 1987. 3 a member of the Royal Air Force UK, 1983. 4 afirst- year college student US, 1947. 5 the vulva. Sometimes expanded to ‘crabby’. BAHAMAS, 1982. 6 in the television and film industries, a device used to support a tripod on a slippery or uneven surface UK, 1960 crab verb 1 (of an aircraft) to fly close to the ground or water; to drift or manoeuvre sideways. From the sideways movement of a crab. An aircraft flying close to the ground may appear to fly diagonally UK, 1943. 2 in the language of parachuting, to direct the parachute across the wind direction US, 1978. 3 in the television and film industries, to move the camera sideways US, 1987. 4 to spoil something UK, 1812. 5 in horse racing, to belittle a horse’s perform- ance UK, 1948 crab adjective perverse; ill-humoured, perpetually mean, cross. A shortening of CRABBY UK, 1961 crab air nickname the Royal Air Force (RAF). Military use; extends from CRAB (a member of the Royal Air Force) UK, 1987 crab bait noun a newly arrived prisoner US, 1976 crabbie noun the vagina BAHAMAS, 1995 crabby adjective ill humoured, perpetually mean, cross. The villain of the extremely popular 1957 To m Terrif i c cartoon series from Terry- Toon Cartoon Studios was the aptly named Crabby Appleton, who was, we remember, ‘rotten to the core’ US, 1908 crab-fat noun an airman in the Royal Air Force. In army and navy use. From the colour and consistency of a blue ointment used to treat CRABS (pubic lice); the blue is of a similar shade to the Royal Air Force uniform. However, this derivation may not be direct, nor strictly accurate. From the early C20, Admiralty grey paint was called ‘crab-fat’ and the anti-lice ointment was claimed as the inspiration for that shade. It seems equally likely, therefore, that this later use should derive from the grey paint UK, 1961 crabfats noun the Royal Air Force. In army and navy use; from the singular sense CRAB-FAT (an airman) UK, 1961 crab-foot noun childlike, scratchy handwriting BELIZE, 1996 crab hole noun a depression in swampy ground NEW ZEALAND, 1964 crab in a barrel noun used as a representation of the inability of people to work together TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 crab-mash verb to do a poor job ironing clothes BARBADOS, 1965 crabs noun 1 pubic lice UK, 1707. 2 in craps, a three US, 1938. 3 by extension, in a deck of playing cards, any three US, 1981 crabs on the rocks noun an itching of the scrotum. A play on CRABS (pubic lice) UK, 1961 crack noun 1 crystalline lumps of concentrated cocaine US, 1985. 2 entertaining conversation in good company. Irish neologism craic (an informal entertainment) combines with earlier Eirrean use of ‘the crack’ (brisk talk, news); ultimately from Old English cracian (crack, a loud noise) IRELAND, 1966. 3 a witticism; a quick and funny remark US, 1884. 4 a witty person US, 1976. 5 asmartpersonFIJI, 1993. 6 a top class racehorse AUSTRALIA, 1960. 7 the vagina. The imagery from which this derives should be apparent; it remains in widespread use UK, 1775. 8 the cleft between the buttock muscles; loosely, the bottom; or, more narrowly, the anus UK, 1999. 9 a passing of wind US, 1946. 10 an instance; one item US, 1937. 11 an opportunity or chance US, 1893. 12 an attempt. In phrases ‘have a crack’, ‘take a crack’, ‘give a crack’, etc US, 1836. 13 of dawn or day, the break, the instant it commences US, 1887. 14 the latest news. Anglo-Irish. Heard on a building site in Lancashire UK, 1979. 15 wood; firewood. English gypsy use UK, 1851. < on crack out of your mind. Used in situations where there is no crack cocaine involved, usually humorously in a statement such as ‘What are you, on crack?’ US, 1995 crack verb 1 to speak US, 1897. 2 to ask for something US, 1928. 3 to reveal a secret; to inform on someone US, 1922. 4 to tease someone; to taunt someone; to insult someone US, 1930. 5 to arrest someone US, 1952. 6 to break and enter using force with the intent of committing a crime within UK, 1725. 7 to change paper money into coin. Originally used by seamen in Liverpool; phrased in use as, for example: ‘Can you crack a fiver?’, meaning ‘Can you change a five pound note?’ UK, 1961. 8 to have sex with a girl who is a virgin FIJI, 1992. 9 in surfing, to catch a wave AUSTRALIA, 1957. 10 to strike something or someone in such a way that a sharp noise is produced; to slap, to smack, etc UK, 1836. 11 in cricket, to hit a ball hard UK, 1882. 12 to drum with expertise. A shortening of ‘crack a hand’ TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003. < crack a bennie to break a Benzedrine™ (amphetamine sulphate) inhaler open US, 1970. < crack a fat to achieve an erection AUSTRALIA, 1968. < crack a grain to suffer aching testicles TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003. < crack a Judy; crack a Judy’s tea-cup to take a woman’s virginity. Formed from conventional ‘crack’ (to break, to open) and JUDY (a girl or woman) UK, 1937. < crack a laugh to burst into laughter TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003. < crack a lay to divulge something secret AUSTRALIA, 1941. < crack a rat to fart US, 1998. < crack a short to break into a car US, 1970. < crack a smile to smile broadly, especially of someone who is usually serious UK, 1990. < crack an egg 1 in bowls, to play with just sufficient weight to move a bowl or a jack an inch or two SOUTH AFRICA, 1968. 2 in curling, to touch a stone lightly with the bowled stone CANADA, 1960. < crack the nut to meet an operation’s daily operating expenses US, 1980. < crack wise to insult someone with a degree of sarcasm and humour. Imparts a slight air of the old gangster life US, 1921. < crack your cherry to lose your innocence or virginity US, 1970. < crack your face to smile broadly, especially of a usually serious person UK, 1966. < get cracking to start, to begin work UK, 1937 crack adjective excellent UK, 1793 crack about verb to act vigorously and aggressively. Field Marshal Montgomery spoke of his army, after it had crossed the Rhine in 1945, as having the chance to ‘crack about on the plains of North Germany’ UK, 1945 crackalacking; crackalackin’ verb happening; doing; occurring; working. Also, in the greeting ‘what’s crackalackin?’ US, 2003 crack along; crack on verb to move swiftly. From the use of a whip to encourage speed UK, 1837 crack attack noun the intense craving for crack cocaine felt by an addict US, 1992 crack baby noun 1 a child born with an addiction to crack cocaine US, 1990. 2 someone who is behaving very foolishly. Comparing the person to a baby born addicted to crack cocaine US, 1993 crack back noun marijuana mixed with crack cocaine UK, 1998 CrackBerry noun a person who enjoys an obsessive relationship with a BlackBerry mobile telecommunications device UK, 2005 CrackBerry nickname the BlackBerry™, a wireless instant-messaging device CANADA, 2002 crack cooler noun pieces of crack cocaine soaked in a wine cooler drink US, 1994 crack-crack noun hands that are badly chapped NORFOLK ISLAND, 1992 crack down verb 1 to repress; to suppress by draconian means, especially used of campaigns against lawless persons or acts. Usually before ‘on’ or ‘upon’ UK, 1940. 2 in horse racing, to be determined to win a race US, 1994 crack down on verb to seize or make off with something AUSTRALIA, 1961 cracked adjective mentally impaired UK, 1692 cracked ice noun diamonds that have been removed from their settings US, 1962 cracked out adjective suffering symptoms of heavy crack cocaine usage US, 1988 cracked squash noun a fractured skull US, 1985 CP | c racked squash 168 crack ’em up noun a vehicular accident US, 1977 cracker noun 1 a poor, uneducated, racist white from the southern US US, 1966. 2 a person of Anglo-culture CANADA, 2001. 3 anything excellent. From CRACK (excellent). Contemporary usage is due in part to comedian Frank Carson who has ‘It’s a cracker!’ as a catchphrase UK, 1914. 4 an excellent performance in a game AUSTRALIA, 1986. 5 an attractive woman UK, 1914. 6 the buttocks US, 1948. 7 a person who breaches a computer system’s security scheme. Coined by hackers in defence against journalistic misuse of their word US, 1991. 8 a criminal who specialises in breaking into safes. An abbreviation of ‘safe cracker’ US, 1982. 9 asafeCANADA, 1976. 10 a pound (£1); a pound-note. Often used in phrases such as ‘not have a cracker’ AUSTRALIA, 1934. 11 the least amount of money AUSTRALIA, 1934. 12 afireworkAUSTRALIA, 1907. 13 a gramophone record US, 1947. 14 a brothel AUSTRALIA, 1955. 15 a tooth. Usually in the plural UK, 1978. < go off like a cracker to explode into a rage AUSTRALIA, 1995. < not worth a cracker entirely worthless AUSTRALIA, 1941 cracker adjective excellent NEW ZEALAND, 1964 cracker! used for expressing approval UK, 2003 cracker-ass noun athinpersonUS, 1966 crackerbox noun 1 a plain, box-like house US, 1945. 2 a jail from which escape is simple; a safe which is simple to break into US, 1950. 3 a brakevan (caboose) US, 1977. 4 a military truck used as an ambulance US, 1950 cracker-box adjective plain, simple, unsophisticated US, 1911 Crackerdom noun an area inhabited predominantly by racist white people US, 1987 cracker factory noun a mental hospital US, 1970 crackerjack noun an excellent example of something US, 1895 crackerjack adjective highly skilled, excellent US, 1899 cracker night noun a night which is celebrated with fireworks. Currently this is used to commemorate the birthday of Queen Elizabeth II, though it was previously used to celebrate other occasions AUSTRALIA, 1951 crackers noun LSD. From the practice, at least in Boston, of saturating animal cracker biscuits with LSD and selling it in that form US, 1967 crackers adjective crazy, mad UK, 1925 crack gallery noun a building or room where crack cocaine is sold and smoked US, 1989 crack girl noun a girl or woman addicted to crack cocaine US, 1980s crack hardy verb to endure something bravely; to put on a brave face AUSTRALIA, 1904 crackhead noun 1 a person addicted to crack cocaine US, 1986. 2 a crazy person. From CRACKED (mentally impaired) UK, 2002 crack house noun a building or room where crack cocaine may be bought and consumed US, 1985 crackie noun 1 a crack cocaine user US, 1997. 2 in the Maritime Provinces, a small yapping dog CANADA, 1959 crack-in noun a burglary US, 1949 cracking adjective 1 very fast, vigorous. Also used as an adverb UK, 1825. 2 excellent. Also used as an adverb UK, 1833 crack in the shack noun a homosexual in a jail cell US, 1984 crack it verb 1 to succeed in some endeavour; to attain a desire AUSTRALIA, 1936. 2 to succeed in gaining sexual intercourse; to have sex AUSTRALIA, 1941. 3 to work as a prostitute AUSTRALIA, 1945 crackle noun banknotes. From the sound of new money UK, 1950 crackling noun a woman or women regarded as sexual pleasure. This probably blends the pleasures to be had from tender, juicy meat and CRACK (the vagina). Conventionally ‘crackling’ is the crisped skin of roast pork UK, 1947 crack mama noun a homeless woman addicted to crack cocaine US, 1997 crack off verb (of a male) to masturbate UK, 2003 crack on verb 1 to tell someone something; to reveal a secret AUSTRALIA, 1965. 2 to go ahead. A variation of the sense ‘to hurry’, hence ‘to move forward’ UK, 2001. 3 to flirt; to try to seduce someone US, 1982. 4 to succeed in gaining sexual favours from another AUSTRALIA, 1955 8see: CRACK ALONG crack out verb 1 to escape from prison US, 1950. 2 in a swindle, to relieve the victim of his money quickly US, 1977 crackpot noun a person who is somewhere in the continuum between odd and crazy UK, 1883 crackpot adjective (of ideas and schemes) crazy, fantastic, unrealistic US, 1934 crack regiment noun the Women’s Royal Army Corps, and its predecessor (from 1938–46), the Auxiliary Territorial Service. A pun on CRACK (excellent) and CRACK (the vagina) UK, 1995 crack salesman noun 1 a youthful, attractive homosexual male prostitute US, 1979. 2 a pimp US, 1949 cracksman noun a burglar; a safe-breaker. Originally ‘a house- breaker’. As in the title of the 1963 film starring Charlie Drake US, 1797 crack smile noun a slash from ear to mouth, especially one inflicted for failure to pay for drugs US, 1993 cracksmoker noun a person whose sanity is open to question, whether or not they actually smoke crack US, 1997 crack troops noun female soldiers. A pun on ‘crack’ – here used in the vaginal sense, not the expected expert sense US, 1947 crack-up noun 1 a nervous breakdown US, 1936. 2 a cause for laughter US, 1961 crack up verb 1 to undergo a nervous breakdown US, 1917. 2 to praise someone highly US, 1829. 3 to amuse someone greatly; to cause laughter; to start laughing, especially uproariously US, 1942 crack weed noun marijuana laced with crack cocaine UK, 2003 crack whore noun a prostitute motivated by a desire to buy crack cocaine US, 1990 cracoid noun a crack cocaine addict US, 1990 cradle noun 1 your domicile, be it a room, apartment or house CANADA, 1993. 2 any open-top railway goods wagon, such as a gondola US, 1977 cradle baby noun a novice citizens’ band radio user. Based on the initials CB US, 1976 cradle rape noun sex with a girl under the age of consent US, 1969 cradle-rocker noun in placer mining, a trough on a rocker shaken to separate gold flecks from sand and earth CANADA, 1995 cradle-snatch verb to have a sexual relationship with someone much younger than yourself. The image of the partner as a baby UK, 1938 cradle-snatcher noun a person who has a noticeably younger lover. Also known as a ‘cradle-robber’ US, 1907 Craft’s disease noun senile dementia. From the spurious acronym ‘can’t remember afucking thing’ AUSTRALIA, 1996 craftsman noun a socially inept dolt US, 1992 crafty Alice noun used as the epitome of a woman’s wiles UK, 1969 crafty butcher noun a male homosexual. Punningly derived, with Chrismas-cracker-motto corniness, because ‘a crafty butcher takes his meat through the back door’ UK, 2003 cram verb to study hastily for an examination UK, 1810 cram-book noun a book used for hasty study UK, 1883 cram it! used for registering an imperative rejection US, 1957 crammer noun 1 a period of intense studying for an examination UK, 2005. 2 a teacher who prepares students for examination; a student in a period of intense study for an examination; hence, an insti- tution where students are given such intense preparation UK, 1813 cramming noun intensive study especially in preparation for an examination UK, 1821 cramp noun an unpleasant person US, 1992 cramp verb < cramp someone’s style to hamper or prevent someone from doing, or being at, their best. From sporting use US, 1917 169 crack ’em up | cramp cramper noun a small cage in which a prisoner of war is confined US, 1986 cran noun a hiding-place for stolen goods UK, 2003 crane noun 1 in skateboarding, a manoeuvre in which the rider crouches on one foot, extending the other leg outwards US, 1976. 2 a superior with a great deal of influence. New York police slang US, 1997 crank noun 1 methamphetamine hydrochloride in powdered form; any amphetamine; methcathinone US, 1969. 2 a mentally unstable person; an unreliable, unpredictable person; a person who is obsessed by a single topic or hobby US, 1833. 3 a prison guard who takes pleasure in making life difficult for prisoners US, 1981. 4 a prison bully US, 1958. 5 a crankshaft. Hot rodder usage US, 1948. 6 the penis US, 1968. 7 an act of masturbation AUSTRALIA, 1985 crank verb 1 to use amphetamines or methamphetamine, central nervous system stimulants US, 1970. 2 to inject a drug. Also known as ‘crank up’ UK, 1978. 3 to turn up the volume of music to very loud US, 1994. 4 to excel US, 1988. 5 in computing, to perform well US, 1991. 6 in a card game, to deal the cards US, 1988. < crank tail to physically assault someone TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1971 crank adjective insane FIJI, 1995 crank bug noun an insect that is seen by someone under the influ- ence of methamphetamine but not by others US, 1977 crankcase verb the head US, 1960 crank commando noun an amphetamine or methamphetamine addict UK, 1970 cranked; cranked out; cranked up adjective 1 stimulated by meth- amphetamine or amphetamines US, 1971. 2 excited; intensified. Mechanical imagery US, 1957 cranker noun a bowler who in delivering the ball lifts it high over his head in the backswing US, 1987 cranking; cranking up noun the act of injecting a drug UK, 2000 cranking adjective amusing; pleasing; exciting; good US, 1982 crank off verb to consume something US, 2001 crank out verb to create something, to make something. The impli- cation is of mechanical manufacture, but that is not necessarily the intention US, 2001 crank time noun the time set or needed to start up a helicopter US, 1991 cranny noun 1 the vagina. An adoption, probably in C19, of the con- ventional sense; it remains in circulation mainly as an occasional variation of a pornographer’s theme; the male-inspired ‘cranny- hunter’, however, is no longer evident UK, 1937. 2 a toilet US, 1968 crap noun 1 nonsense UK, 1898. 2 excrement UK, 1846. 3 an act of defecation US, 1926. 4 marijuana US, 1961. 5 weak or highly diluted heroin US, 1942. < take a crap to defecate US, 1952 crap verb to defecate UK, 1673 crap adjective inferior, shoddy, valueless, unpleasant, disliked for whatever reason. From the earlier sense (excrement) US, 1916 crap antenna noun the ability to detect when someone is speaking nonsense AUSTRALIA, 1987 crap around verb to idle; to pass time doing nothing; to waste time US, 1935 crap artist noun a convincing liar US, 1934 crap-ass noun a despicable person US, 1975 crap-ass adjective shoddy, inferior US, 2000 crapaud-foot writing; crapaud hand noun illegible penmanship TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 crapaud-going-to-wedding noun childlike, scratchy handwriting GRENADA, 1996 crap course noun an easy college course US, 1956 crape-hanger noun a doomsayer US, 1949 crap hat noun in a paratroop regiment, a non-jumper. From the different colour of the uniform beret (a non-jumper is not allowed to wear the red ‘cherry berry’ beret) UK, 2000 crap heap noun a dilapidated vehicle AUSTRALIA, 1974 craphole noun a bad place, a disgusting place US, 1939 craphouse noun 1 a toilet US, 1934. 2 a dirty, unpleasant place US, 1934 crapness noun a lack of style or worth UK, 2000 crap off verb to annoy someone AUSTRALIA, 1974 crapola noun used as an embellished ‘crap’ in any and all of its senses UK, 1959 crap out verb 1 to be completely exhausted; to go to sleep US, 1956. 2 to die US, 1929. 3 to come to an end of a horizontal passage while caving or pot-holing. The horizontal equivalent of the conventional mining-term ‘bottom out’ UK, 2004 crapper noun 1 a toilet US, 1927. 2 the anus, the rectum; the buttocks UK, 1998. < in the crapper in horse racing, finishing in fourth place or worse US, 1976 crapper dick noun a police officer who patrols public toilets in search of illegal homosexual activity US, 1950 crappereena noun a toilet UK, 1979 crappers noun < in crappers ditch in severe trouble. A strikingly unpleasant image akin to UP SHIT CREEK NEW ZEALAND, 1998 crappers adjective very drunk UK, 1987 crappo noun a resident of Jersey (in the Channel Islands) according to those on Guernsey UK, 1991 crappy adjective 1 of poor quality. From CRAP (excrement), synonymous with SHITTY US, 1942. 2 befouled with excrement UK, 1846 craps noun dice, especially used in craps US, 1965 craps! used for expressing disgust TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 crapshoot noun an unpredictable, risky situation US, 1971 craptabulous adjective of extremely inferior quality. a combination of CRAP and FANTABULOUS sometimes used to celebrate that which is so bad it is good UK, 2005 craptacular adjective of extremely inferior quality. A combination of CRAP and spectacular sometimes used to celebrate that which is so bad it is good. Coinage is credited to the writers of cartoon character Bart Simpson in The Simpsons US, 2004 craptastic adjective of extremely inferior quality. A combination of CRAP and fantastic sometimes used to celebrate that which is so bad it is good US, 2003 craptitude noun a state of existence comprising generally negative qualities such as poor taste and feebleness. A variation of CRAPNESS that seems to carry a suggestion of decrepitude UK, 2000 crap up verb 1 to fill something with clutter US, 1946. 2 to spoil something; to ruin something US, 1953. 3 to address someone with a complete lack of sincerity US, 1950 crapweasel noun a deceitful and/or annoying person UK, 2005 crash verb 1 to enter a party or social event without an invitation US, 1921. 2 to enter a place with force with the intention of commiting a crime US, 1924. 3 to stay somewhere temporarily; to sleep somewhere US, 1945. 4 to go to sleep UK, 1943. 5 to return to normal perceptions after a drug intoxication; to experience an associated feeling of post- intoxication depression or dismay US, 1967. 6 (used of a computer program) to fail completely without warning US, 1983. 7 (used of a police case) to fail or be dropped UK, 1996. 8 to hit something, to strike something US, 1989. 9 to escape from jail or prison US, 1970. 10 in circus and carnival usage, to change money US, 1981. 11 to pass something; to give something out. Teen slang, recorded in Leicestershire UK: ENGLAND, 1977. 12 to intubate a hospital patient quickly and urgently US, 1994 . 13 to perform a high-priority job as soon as possible US, 1986. < crash and burn 1 to fail US, 2003. 2 in computing, to fail in a dramatic and spectacular fashion US, 1991. < cr ash the ash to offer someone a cigarette UK, 1950s crash box noun in cars, a manual transmission not equipped with synchromesh, requiring forceful gear shifts US, 1965 crash car noun an old, inexpensive car used in the distribution of illegal alcohol US, 1974 crash cart noun a mobile cart used to carry equipment. Originally hospital use, since expanded US, 1982 cramper | crash cart 170 . US, 1991 cough and drag noun a cigarette. Rhyming slang for FAG (a ciga- rette), pitched somewhere between irony and black humour UK, 1992 cough and sneeze noun cheese. Rhyming slang, generally. soldiers in Vietnam, and the writers of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Simpsons US, 1955 cow and calf noun 1 half; thus, 50 pence (half £1). Rhyming slang. Variants are ‘cow calf’ and ‘cows’ UK,. 1984 cough and a spit noun 1 a small part in a play or a film UK, 1984. 2 a short distance UK, 2003 cough and choke verb to smoke. Also used as a noun to mean ‘a cigarette’ UK, 1998 cough and die