Slang and uncoventional english part 30 pdf

daisy cutter noun 1 a 10,000 to 15,000 pound bomb used to clear jungle and create an instant landing zone in Vietnam US, 1967. 2 in cricket, a fast ball bowled in such a way that it barely clears the surface of the pitch UK, 1863 Daisy Dormer adjective warmer, especially of the weather. Rhyming slang, formed on the name of a music hall entertainer; originally used as a noun in the sense as a ‘bed-warmer’ UK, 1960 Daisy Dukes noun very short and very tight shorts. Named after a character on the unforgettable US television programme Dukes of Hazzard US, 1993 daisy roots; daisies; daisys noun boots. Rhyming slang, always in the plural UK, 1859 daiture adjective 8see: DACHA dak noun 1 marijuana NEW ZEALAND, 1998. 2 a C-47A Skytrain plane, also known as a DC-3, most commonly used to transport people and cargo, but also used as a bomber and fighter US, 1975 dak; dack verb to pull another’s trousers down as a prank AUSTRALIA, 2000 dakhi noun a black person. Scamto youth street slang (South African townships) SOUTH AFRICA, 2005 da kine used at any time to mean anything. Hawaiian youth usage. Can be used as a noun, pronoun, adjective and suffix US, 1951 daks; dacks noun shorts or trousers. From a proprietary name AUSTRALIA, 1970 dallacking verb play acting, fooling IRELAND, 2000 Dallie; Dally noun a Dalmatian, especially an immigrant to New Zealand from that area or the Balkans in general NEW ZEALAND, 1940 Dally noun a New Zealander whose heritage is Croatian (Dalmatian) NEW ZEALAND, 1950 dally verb in western Canadian rodeos, to loop the lariat around the saddle horn CANADA, 1987 dally adjective good, kind, nice, sweet. Possibly a variation of DOLLY (attractive) UK, 2002 dam noun a menstrual cup (a device worn internally, used instead of tampons) US, 2001 Dam nickname < the Dam Amsterdam UK, 1996 dama blanca noun cocaine. Spanish for ‘white lady’ US, 1976 damage noun 1 expense; cost. Probably from damages awarded at law. Especially familiar in the (jocular) phrase, ‘what’s the damage?’ (how much?) UK, 1755. 2 a problem US, 1988. < do damage to cost a lot US, 1997 damaged goods noun 1 an ex-virgin US, 1916. 2 a person who is mentally unstable UK, 2002 dame noun 1 a woman. While the term originally reflected on the woman involved (an implication of common status), it now reflects more on the speaker, suggesting a tough or old-fashioned viewpoint UK, 1720. 2 in a deck of playing cards, a queen US, 1996 Dame Judi Dench; Dame Judi; Judi Dench; Judi noun a stench. Rhyming slang, formed from the name of celebrated actress Dame Judi Dench (b.1934) UK, 1998 damfino used as a jocular abbreviation of ‘damned if I know’ US, 1882 dammit noun used, for the purposes of comparison, as the represen- tation of something insignificant. Adapted from ‘damn-it’. Examples include ‘soon as dammit’ (exceedingly quick, or almost immediate); ‘near as dammit’ (very close indeed); etc UK, 1908 damn noun something of little or no worth. Usually in phrases like ‘not worth a damn’, ‘not care a damn’ and ‘not give a damn’. There is a stongly fought historical argument that this derives from ‘dam’ (an Indian coin of little value); the Oxford English Dictionary prefers ‘damn’ (a ‘profane utterance’) as the object of this etymology UK, 1760 -damn- infix used as an intensifier US, 1867 damn’; damn adjective damned; used for implying anything from distaste to hate for whoever or whatever is so described. A shortening of DAMNED UK, 1775 damn!; damn it! used for registering annoyance or irritation UK, 1589 damn all noun nothing UK, 1922 damn and bastar dry! used as a mild oath. Modelled on conven- tional ‘damn and blast’ UK, 2000 damn and blast noun the last position in a race. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 damn and blast verb to curse, to condemn UK, 2003 damn and blast! used for expressing anger or frustration. A common coupling of DAMN! and BLAST! UK, 1943 damnation alley noun in roulette, the twelve-number column on the left of the layout. So named because a dealer may not see a cheat place a late bet in the column, which is sometimes out of the dealer’s line of sight US, 1979 damned adjective used as an all-purpose intensifier, generally to nega- tive effect UK, 1596. < as be damned very, extremely IRELAND, 1939 damned tooting used for expressing emphatic agreement. Folksy US, 1963 damn-fool; damfool adjective foolish, silly. From ‘damned fool’ (an absolute fool) UK, 1959 damn skippy absolutely! without a doubt! An intensive affirmative US, 1994 damn well adverb certainly, assuredly, very much UK, 1934 Damon Hill; damon noun a pill, especially an amphetamine. Rhyming slang, formed on the name of the UK’s Formula 1 World Champion (1996) racing driver Damon Hill (b.1960); a discreetly playful reference to SPEED (an amphetamine) UK, 1998 damp adjective allowing the importation of alcohol for personal consumption but not for public sale. A play on the extremes of ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ US, 1991 damp blanket noun in the theatre, a bad review US, 1981 damper noun 1 a solitary confinement cell; a cellUS, 1992. 2 asafe deposit box in a bank US, 1872. 3 a bank US, 1932. 4 a simple, unleavened, savoury bread traditionally cooked in the ashes of a campfire. So named because it ‘dampens’ the appetite. Now also applied to a similar style of bread available at bakershops AUSTRALIA, 1825 damper verb to mute, to quiet US, 1979 damps noun central nervous system depressants. A playful allusion to ‘amps’ as ‘amphetamines’ US, 1992 damp squib noun a failure; a dud; a fizzler. A ‘damp squib’ is, literally, a ‘wet firework’ AUSTRALIA, 1946 Dan noun 1 a man in charge of a male public convenience. From the children’s rhyme, ‘Dan, Dan, dirty old man, / Washed his face in the lavatory pan’ UK, 1954. 2 a Roman Catholic. Glasgow slang UK: SCOTLAND , 1988 dance noun a fight. Ice hockey usage CANADA, 1970. < what’s the dance? what’s going on?; what’s going to happen? Used among prisoners UK, 2002 dance verb 1 of a batsman in a game of cricket, to swiftly advance beyond the crease to meet the pitch of a ball UK, 1995. 2 (used of a wink in tiddlywinks) to wobble around US, 1977. 3 to cause a car to bounce up and down by use of hydraulic lifts US, 1980. < dance ass to ignore the needs of others TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003. < dance in the rain room to take a shower in prison US, 1989. < dance on the carpet to be called into a superior’s office for questioning about possible misconduct or poor work performance US, 1946 danceable adjective of music, suitable for dancing to. The earliest sense (1860) was of a dancing partner being suitable to dance with UK, 1937 dance fever noun Fentany™, a synthetic narcotic analgesic that is used as a recreational drug UK, 2004 dancehall noun 1 in a prison in which death sentences are executed, the execution chamber US, 1928. 2 in oil drilling, a large flat-bed truck US, 1954 dance of death noun a relationship or marriage between two addicts. Used in twelve-step recovery programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous US, 1998 185 daisy cutter | dance of death dancer noun 1 a boxer who evades his opponent rather than engaging him US, 1949. 2 a cat burglar; a sneak thief UK, Since C19 dancers noun < have it on your dancers to run away. A variation of (have it) ON YOUR TOES UK, 1977 dancing noun in railway slang, the condition of locomotive wheels slipping on the rail UK, 1970 dancing academy noun used as a euphemism and legal dodge for an after-hours homosexual club US, 1974 dancing girls noun in dominoes, the seven tiles with a five US, 1959 Dan Dares noun flared trousers. Rhyming slang for, ‘flares’, formed on Dan Dare, the comic strip ‘pilot of the future’, first seen in The Eagle in 1950 UK, 1996 D and D verb 1 to leave a restaurant without paying your bill. An abbreviation of DINE AND DASH US, 1997. 2 to fail to lead; to escape responsibility. Said to stand for (to) ‘delegate and disappear’ CANADA, 1995 D and D adjective 1 drunk and disorderly. Abbreviated from an official cause of arrest UK, 1899. 2 deaf and dumb. Usage is both literal (applied to beggars) and figurative (applied to someone who knows nothing and will say nothing). US, 1937 dander noun 1 anger. Possible etymologies: ‘dander’ (dandruff ), ‘dunder’ (ferment), or Romany dander (to bite), dando (bitten) UK, 1831. 2 a leisurely stroll. Also used as a verb. In the north of Ireland it is pronounced ‘donder’ IRELAND, 2002. < get your dander up to become annoyed or angry US, 1831 Dandies noun < the Dandies the Dandenong Ranges outside Melbourne AUSTRALIA, 1981 D and M noun a serious conversation, generally relating to personal relationships. Standing for DEEP AND MEANINGFUL AUSTRALIA, 1996 dandruff noun 1 snow US, 1976. 2 cocaine UK, 2001 dandy noun 1 anything first-rate or excellent UK, 1784. 2 agradeof‘D’ US, 1965. 3 in South Australia, a small container for ice-cream. Origin unknown. Perhaps originally a brand name AUSTRALIA, 1954 D and Z noun a demilitarised zone US, 1991 dang used as a mild oath or intensifier. A euphemised ‘damn’ US, 1821 dange adjective extremely good. Rhymes with ‘strange’, short for ‘dangerous’ CANADA, 2002 danged adjective used as a euphemism for ‘damned’ US, 1962 danger noun an aggressive flirt FIJI, 1993 danger is my business used as a humorous response to a suggestion that a proposed activity is dangerous. The motto of cartoon secret agent Cool McCool (NBC, 1966–69), used with referential humour US, 1966 danger wank noun an act of masturbation with the threat of being discovered as an added stimulus UK, 2003 dangle noun the penis US, 1936 dangle verb < dangle the cat to drive a Caterpillar truck US, 1971 dangleberries noun pieces of dried faecal matter clinging to the hairs surrounding the anus UK, 1984 dangle from verb from a male perspective, to have sex. Heard in the 1970s: ‘Cor! I could dangle from that!’ UK, 1961 dangler noun 1 the penis US, 1971. 2 a person who has died by hanging US, 1987. 3 a lorry’s trailer UK, 1951. 4 a freight train US, 1977 dangling bits noun the external male genitals. Variant of DANGLY BITS AUSTRALIA , 1979 dangly bits noun the external male genitals AUSTRALIA, 2000 daniel noun the buttocks US, 1946 Daniel Boone squad; Daniel Boone team noun US soldiers who engaged in cross-border reconnaissance in Cambodia during the Vietnam war US, 1991 Daniels noun the buttocks US, 1973 Danish pastry noun a transsexual. An allusion to Denmark’s standing as an early pioneer in sex-change operations US, 1997 dank noun a very potent marijuana. In conventional English, ‘dank’ conjures the ‘stinky’ STINKWEED (marijuana) smell of WEED (marijuana) growing in a damp place; or possibly from the slang adjective ‘dank’ (excellent). Recorded with the use of ‘the’ US, 1998 dank adjective 1 inferior; inefficient; bad; unpleasant. Originally recorded as a military term, the semi-conventional usage arrived on a US campus 40 years later providing the spur for the sense that follows UK, 1984. 2 excellent; brilliant. BAD is ‘good’, WICKED is ‘excellent’ US, 1989 Dan Leno noun a festive event, a jollification, especially a coach trip to the seaside. Rhyming slang for ‘a beano’ (a jollification); formed on the professional name of Victorian comedian Dan Leno (George Galvin), 1860–1904 UK, 1992 Danny La Rue adjective blue, applied to any shade whether actual or figurative. Rhyming slang, formed on the name of popular ‘comic in a frock’ Danny La Rue (b.1926) UK, 1992 Danny La Rue; Danny noun a clue. Rhyming slang, based on popular ‘comic in a frock’ Danny La Rue (b.1926) UK, 2002 Danny Marr noun a car. Rhyming slang, based on an unrecognised source UK, 1996 Dan O’Leary noun a tour of police duty in which the police officer works every possible minute US, 1958 dan up verb to spruce up TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 dap noun a handshake hooking thumbs, used by black US soldiers in Vietnam US, 1972 dap verb to greet another with a ritualistic handshake; to show respect in greeting US, 1973 dap adjective well-dressed, fashionable. A shortened ‘dapper’ US, 1956 DAP adjective dead-ass perfect. Golf usage US, 2000 dap down verb to dress nicely US, 1980 dapper noun a person dressed in style US, 1974 dapper adjective perfect, excellent, admirable. Possibly punning on the conventional sense of ‘dapper’ (neat and tidy) and TIDY (good, correct). Black usage UK, 2000 dapper Dan noun any well-dressed man US, 1970 daps noun 1 gym shoes, plimsolls, tennis shoes, trainers. Originally ‘slippers’, certainly in this general sense since the 1950s, adapting to succeeding fashions UK, 1924. 2 proper respect US, 1997 Dapto dog noun an person of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern background. Rhyming slang for WOG. Named after the Dapto Dogs, a greyhound racing track at Dapto, south of Sydney AUSTRALIA, 1983 DAR noun a hard-working student; a damned average raiser US, 1955 darb adjective in circus usage, excellent US, 1981 darbies noun 1 a set of handcuffs or fetters; shackles. Derives from a C17 moneylender’s bond called Father Darby’s or Derby’s bands UK, 1665. 2 fingerprints UK, 1950 Darby noun < on your Darby alone, on your own. Rhyming slang, formed on DARBY AND JOAN (the conventional archetype of an elderly married couple or inseparable companions) UK, 1942 Darby and Joan noun 1 an inseparable couple, with connotations of possible homosexuality. Extending the conventional sense of ‘an archetypal elderly married couple’ UK, 1975. 2 a telephone. Rhyming slang, formed on the conventional archetype of an elderly married couple or inseparable companions. UK, 1961. 3 a loan. Rhyming slang AUSTRALIA, 2002 Darby and Joan verb to moan. Rhyming slang, formed (perhaps ironically) on the conventional archetype of an elderly married or inseperable couple UK, 1992 Darby bands noun the hands. Rhyming slang, from the old (possibly C16) expression ‘Father Darby’s bands’ (a binding agreement between a money lender and a borrower) UK, 1992 dare noun a challenge, an act of defiance. In conventional use from late C16 to late C19, usage thereafter is colloquial UK, 2002 darg noun a certain fixed amount of work for a given time period AUSTRALIA, 1927 dancer | darg 186 dark noun < i n the dark (used of a bet in poker) made without having seen your cards US, 1990 dark verb to spoil, especially by behaving aggressively UK, 1990s dark adjective 1 bad, inferior, unpleasant, nasty; used as an all-purpose negative UK, 1997. 2 unreachable by telephone. A condition usually resulting from a failure to pay your bill US, 2004. 3 good. On the BAD (good) model, the reverse of sense 1 UK, 1998. 4 evil, 2000. 5 secret AUSTRALIA, 1877. 6 untelevised US, 2000 dark and dirty noun rum and coke (Coca-Cola™ or similar). The drink is made, and the term is formed, of dark rum and a fizzy accompaniment the colour (some may think) of dirty water. Royal Marines coinage UK, 1979 dark as an abo’s arsehole adjective extremely dark AUSTRALIA, 1971 dark brown adjective of a voice, low, well-modulated and sexually attractive. Originally of a female voice, then more general UK, 1946 dark cheaters noun sunglasses US, 1949 dark days noun a type of bet in an illegal numbers game lottery US, 1957 darkers noun sunglasses TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1987 dark eyes noun dizziness BARBADOS, 1965 Dark Gable noun a handsome black man. Punning on the name Clark Gable. The nickname has been taken by more than one, but perhaps nobody more prominent than Mohammed Ali who briefly called himself Dark Gable in 1981 US, 1959 dark-green adjective 1 excellent US, 1954 . 2 black. Marine humour in Vietnam – a black marine was said to be ‘dark-green’ US, 1991 dark horse noun 1 in horse racing, a horse that is deemed a poor performer but one that might surprise all and win US, 1951. 2 a racehorse that has been trained in secret AUSTRALIA, 1877. 3 aperson who keeps things about themselves secret AUSTRALIA, 1917. 4 a candidate or competitior of whom little is known. A figurative use of racing slang UK, 1865 darkie noun 1 used as a flattering and affectionate term of address for an attractive, dark-skinned woman TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1990. 2 a piece of excrement AUSTRALIA, 1972 8see also: DARKY dark meat noun a black person as a sexual object US, 1888 dark money; dark time noun extra wages paid for night work UK, 1970 dark o’clock noun night UK, 1995 darks noun dark glasses BERMUDA, 1985 dark shadow noun a tightly-cropped hair cut that stops short of absolute baldness UK, 1999 darkside noun a category of rave music UK, 2002 dark thirty noun late at night US, 1984 dark time noun night US, 1976 darktown noun a neighbourhood populated largely by black people US, 1916 dark ’un noun of dock-workers, a 24-hour shift AUS TRALIA, 1957 dark-white paint noun used as the object of a prank errand for a novice painter US, 1966 darky; darkie noun 1 a black person. Originally used in a paternalistic, condescending manner, but now mainly to disparage US, 1775. 2 an Australian Aboriginal AUSTRALIA, 1845. 3 a Polynesian person NEW ZEALAND, 1863 Darky Cox noun a box in a theatre auditorium. Rhyming slang, of unknown derivation UK, 1961 darkytown noun a neighbourhood with a large population of black people US, 1971 darl; darls noun used as an address or endearment, darling UK, 1930 darling noun 1 used both as a general and a theatrically arch form of address UK, 1933. 2 used as a term of address between male homo- sexuals US, 1949 darling adjective charming, sweet. An affectedly feminine or effeminate usage UK, 1805 Darling Buds of May; Darling Buds adjective homosexual. Rhyming slang for GAY formed on the title of a 1958 novel by H.E. Bates and, especially, from a 1991 BBC television adaptation UK, 1992 darling daughter noun water. Rhyming slang. One of several terms that have ‘daughter’ as the common (dispensible) element UK, 1992 darlings noun the prostitutes of Darlinghurst and King’s Cross, Sydney AUSTRALIA, 1984 Darling shower noun a dust storm. Ironic; probably from areas of the outback by the western reaches of the Darling River AUSTRALIA, 1945 Darlo nickname 1 Darlington, County Durham UK, 1984. 2 Darlinghurst, Sydney AUSTRALIA, 1937 darls noun darling AUSTRALIA, 1967 darn!; darn it! used for registering annoyance, frustration, etc. A euphemistic variation of DAMN! US, 1781 darnation noun damnation. Euphemistic; despite the weakening of ‘damnation’, there is still evidence of use US, 1798 darned adjective used as an intensifier. Euphemistic for DAMNED US, 1807 darned tooting! used as a mock oath affirming that which has just been said. Usually used in a self-mocking way, conjuring the image of an older, confused, country bumpkin US, 1963 darn straight! you are right! Used with irony, playing with the use of the heavily euphemised ‘darn’ US, 1994 Darren Gough noun a cough. Rhyming slang, formed on the name of Yorkshire and England cricketer (b.1970) UK, 1998 dartboard noun < had more pricks than a second-hand dartboard used of a sexually promiscuous woman. Such a woman may be described as ‘a second-hand dartboard’. Currently popular in Australia UK, 1982 daru noun rum. From Hindi BARBADOS, 1965 Darwin rig noun an adaptation of the typical business suit worn by men in far northern Australia. Generally a short-sleeved shirt, and often short trousers. A tie is normally included, but a coat is defi- nitely not. Named after Darwin, a major city in the tropical north AUSTRALIA, 1964 Darwin stubbie; Darwin stubby noun a 2.25 litre bottle of beer. An ironic term: a STUBBIE is one of the smallest bottle sizes. The city of Darwin is located in the tropical north and is well known for prodigious beer-drinking AUSTRALIA, 1972 dash noun 1 a dashboard UK, 1902. 2 an escape from custody US, 1952. < have a dash at to make an attempt, to try. The surviving form of ‘do your dash’ AUS TRALIA, 1923 dash verb to depart in a hurry UK, 1932 dash!; dash it!; dash it all! used as a general purpose expletive. Euphemistic only when deliberately replacing DAMN! but note that SHIT is disguised in the extended variations UK, 1800 dashed adjective damned. Euphemistic; dated UK, 1881 dash on to verb to chastise UK, 1979 dash-pot noun a device that can be installed in a car engine to prevent the car from stalling when the driver suddenly lifts their foot off the accelerator US, 1960 dash up the channel noun from the male perspective, sexual intercourse. A work-related coinage used by (southern) England coastal fisherman UK, 1961 dat noun pork JAMAICA, 2000 date noun 1 a person with whom an appointment or romantic engagement is made. From the conventional sense that defines the appointment US, 1925. 2 a prostitute’s customer US, 1961. 3 a sex- ual liaison between a prostitute and a customer. An ironic euphemism US, 1957. 4 a prisoner’s expected date of release from prison US, 1989. 5 a foolish or silly person. Especially in the phrase ‘soppy date’; later use is generally affectionate UK, 1914. 6 the anus; the buttocks. First recorded in Australia in 1919 as ‘a word signifying contempt’. Possibly a case of rhyming slang reduced to its first element, DATE AND PLUM, BUM AUSTRALIA, 1919 187 dark | date date verb 1 (used of a prostitute) to have sex with a customer for pay US, 1951. 2 to caress the buttocks. From DATE (the buttocks) AUSTRALIA, 1984. 3 to poke in the anus; to goose AU STRALIA, 1972 date and plum; date noun thebuttocks,thebackside,theanus. Rhyming slang for BUM UK, 1998 date bait noun 1 an attractive person of either sex who is sought- after as a date US, 1944. 2 anything that might serve as an incentive for a date US, 1986 date driller noun the active participant in anal sex NEW ZEALAND, 1998 date-packer noun a male homosexual AUSTRALIA, 1985 date roll noun toilet paper AUSTRALIA, 2003 date with DiPalma verb (of a male) an act of masturbation. DiPalma alias ‘the hand’ US, 2001 daughter noun 1 a form of address between homosexual men. This CAMP adoption of the feminine form is also reflected in the cross- gender assignment of pronouns UK, 1992. 2 a male homosexual in relation to the man who has introduced him to homosexuality US, 1949 dauncey adjective pregnant. The ‘Lucy is Enceinte’ episode of the television comedy I Love Lucy (1950–57), which aired on 8th December 1952, was the first US television treatment of pregnancy. Lucy avoided the word ‘pregnant’, instead saying that she was ‘feeling real dauncey’, explaining that it was a word that her grandmother ‘made up for when you’re not really sick but you just feel lousy’. The word enjoyed brief popular usage US, 1952 Dave Clark adjective dark. Rhyming slang, formed from the name of UK drummer, leader of the Dave Clark Five (b.1942) UK, 2004 Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich adjective rich. Rhyming slang, jocularly contrived from a 1960s UK pop group UK, 2004 David Bowie adjective windy. Rhyming slang for, ‘blowy’, formed on the name of singer and musician David Bowie (David Robert Jones, b.1947) UK, 1992 David Gower; David noun a shower. Rhyming slang, based on the name of cricketer and television personality David Gower (b.1957) UK, 2002 Davina McCalls noun nonsense. Rhyming slang for BALLS, formed from the name of UK television presenter Davina McCall (b.1967) UK, 2004 davvy noun a sofa or couch. A corruption of ‘Davenport’ US, 1997 Davy Crockett noun a pocket. Rhyming slang, formed on the name of an American folk-hero who lived from 1786–1836; he was not an inspiration for slang until the actor Fess Parker brought him to life in 1954 and a succession of Disney-made television adventures UK, 1961 Davy Jones’s locker; Davy Jones’s; Davy’s locker noun 1 the last resting place of those lost at sea; the sea. Davy Jones has been used as a personification for the ’spirit of the sea’ since 1751, his locker is mentioned in The Journal of Richard Cresswell, 1774–7; the etymology, however, is another mystery of the deep. Jones may arise from Jonah (and his biblical adventures at sea), Davy may have been added by Welsh sailors in honour of St David UK, 1777. 2 a door knocker. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 Davy Large noun a barge. Rhyming slang, formed on the name of a docker who later became a Trade Union official UK, 1961 daw noun a silly, empty person; an obdurate unreasoning person IRELAND, 1997 dawamesk noun marijuana UK, 2003 daw-daw; daw-yaw adjective slow-witted. This seems to derive from a yokelish DOH! Certainly the metropolitan notion of countrysiders at the time this slipped into usage was through BBC radio’s ‘everyday story of country folk’, The Archers, first broadcast nationally in 1951; actor Robert Mawdesley certainly introduced such a meaningless syllable into his portrayal of Walter Gabriel, an irascible rogue who gave the appearance of being more slow-witted than he actually was UK dawg noun 1 a dog. A rural, southern ‘dog’ US, 1979. 2 afellowyouth gang member US, 2003 dawner noun an engagement between a prostitute and customer that lasts all night, until dawn US, 1987 dawn patrol noun any activity that requires staying up all night or getting up very early. Originally a military term, later applied figuratively US, 1945 day noun < not your day; it’s not your day; it just isn’t your day used for expressing a rueful, philosophical acceptance of a day when everything seems to go wrong UK, 1984 day! good day!, hello! An shortening of G’DAY UK, 1907 day and night noun 1 a light ale. Rhyming slang, first recorded in 1960, and still fairly current UK, 1960. 2 light (illumination). Rhyming slang UK, 1992 day-and-night merchant noun a lorry driver who breaks the law by driving more than 11 hours in 24 to undercut other drivers UK, 1964 day-for-day adverb serving a prison sentence without any reduction in the sentence for good behaviour US, 1990 dayglo; day-glo adjective used of dazzlingly vivid, rebelliously bright, fluorescent colours. Day-Glo™ paints were introduced in 1951, the name was soon applied to the wider world of tastelessness UK, 1962 day job noun a conventional job, usually used to finance a person’s true interest or passion US, 1994 daylight noun in horse racing, the non-existent second-place finisher in a race won by a large margin. Used with humour AUSTRALIA, 1989. < he (she) wouldn’t give you daylight in a dark corner said of a person with a reputation for meanness. Glasgow use UK, 1988 daylight in the swamp! used for rousing people from bed. A logger term US, 1936 daylight robbery noun an exorbitant price UK, 1949 daylights noun 8see: LIVING DAYLIGHTS day number noun in an illegal number gambling lottery, a wager on a number for a single day’s drawing US, 1949 day player noun an actor who is called for a single day’s work on a television programme or film set US, 1988 days noun < good old days the past, remembered fondly and better than it ever was. Evolved from the early C19 ‘good old times’ UK, 1986 day’s dawning; days a dawning noun morning. Rhyming slang UK, 1960 days of rage noun a series of violent confrontations between radical members of the Students for Democratic Society and the police in downtown Chicago in the autumn of 1969 US, 1970 day to day adjective unencumbered by thoughts of the long term, living one day at a time US, 1983 dazzle dust noun face powder. Obsolete teen slang CANADA, 1946 DB noun 1 a dead body US, 1973. 2 a socially inept person. An abbrevi- ation of DOUCHE BAG US, 2003 DBI a doctors’ (unofficial) code for classifiying a despicable, offensive or unhygienic person, in a measure indicated by a suffixed numeral. An initialism for dirt bag index’. UK, 2003 DC noun a hamburger with every possible trimming and condiment US, 1966 DD noun a person who is deaf and dumb US, 1926 DD adjective by extension, said of a criminal who gives up no infor- mation at all if arrested US, 1950 D day noun used as a designation for the start of an action. Originally applied to military actions, then expanded to general use. For example, in a US veteran’s hospital, it is the routine day that Ducolax™ suppositories are given bed-bound patients US, 1944 d-dog noun a dog trained to detect hidden drugs US, 1992 DDT! used for disparaging, urging the listener to drop dead twice. Youth usage; punning on the insecticide now banned but used with great effectiveness to kill mosquitos in the years after World War 2 US, 1947 deacon noun a prison warden US, 1949 date | deacon 188 deacon verb to present a job or product in the best possible light, placing more importance on the first impression than on the actual quality US, 1855 deacon seat noun 1 the seats nearest a fire US, 1975. 2 in a lumber camp, the long bench in the bunkhouse US, 1851 deacon’s nose noun the flat lobe at the nether end of a chicken which is like a mammal’s tail, base for the tail-feathers. This part of the chicken or turkey is also known in the US as ‘the pope’s nose’ and in the UK as ‘the parson’s nose’ CANADA, 1967 dead noun 1 acorpseBARBADOS, 1971. 2 in any card game, cards that have been discarded US, 1973 dead adjective 1 absolute UK, 1894. 2 used for expressing a very high degree of trouble UK, 2002. 3 (of a place) dull, boring; without interest AUSTRALIA, 1945. 4 in a bar, used for describing any drink that has been abandoned UK, 1985. 5 (of a racehorse) not run on its merits; ridden to lose deliberately AUSTRALIA, 1957. 6 (used of dice) weighted to have one face land up more often than the law of averages would predict US, 1993. 7 in bar dice games, no longer wild. If a game is played with ‘aces wild’ (assuming the point value of any other die), a call of ‘aces dead’ after the first call of a hand nullifies the ‘wild’ status US, 1976. 8 in pinball, said of a bumper that scores when hit but does not propel the ball back into play US, 1977. 9 in pool, said of a shot made such that the cue ball stops completely after striking the object ball US, 1990. < not be f ound dead with; not be seen dead with used to deny the possibility that you will have anything whatsoever to do with someone or something UK, 1915. < not be seen dead in; not be found dead in used in expressions of dislike and dismissal for items of clothing; may also, with slight variation, be applied to a place UK, 1961 dead adverb very, absolutely, extremely, completely. A general intensifier UK, 1589 dead air noun silence. Telecommunications usage US, 1976 dead alive noun in Bingo (also House and Tombola), the number five UK, 1981 dead-alive adverb extremely slowly TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1971 dead as disco adjective completely dead. From the meteoric rise and fall of the disco fad in the 1970s US, 1995 dead ass noun the buttocks in seated repose US, 1950 dead-ass adjective lacking energy US, 1958 dead-ass adverb absolutely US, 1971 dead babies noun semen US, 1998 dead-bang adjective beyond debate US, 1934 dead-bang adverb absolutely US, 1919 deadbeat noun 1 a person who won’t pay his debts, especially one who does not pay child support after divorce. In modern use, often construed with ‘dad’ or ‘parent’ US, 1871. 2 a destitute person; a bum or derelict AUSTRALIA, 1892 dead beat adjective exhausted UK, 1821 dead bird noun in horse racing, a certainty AUS TRALIA, 1889 Dead board noun an Internet bulletin board system designed by, and for, fans of the Grateful Dead US, 1994 dead cat noun in circus usage, a lion, tiger, or leopard that is on display but does not perform US, 1981 dead cat on the line noun used as a representation of something that is wrong or immoral US, 1970 dead centre noun a cemetery. Jocular UK, 1961 dead cert noun a certainty. Originally sporting and gambling usage UK, 1889 dead-cert adjective certain AUSTRALIA, 1993 dead cinch noun a certainty. An intensification of CINCH (a certainty) UK, 1927 dead-cinch adjective certain. From the noun sense UK, 2001 dead drop noun in espionage or a sophisticated criminal venture, a location where a message can be left by one party and retrieved by another US, 1986 dead duck noun an absolute failure, a person or thing with no possi- bility of success US, 1829 dead end noun in bowls, an end (a stage of play) that has to be replayed when the jack is driven out of bounds UK, 1990 deaders noun meat JA MAICA, 2000 dead eye dick noun a person who is an excellent shot AUSTRALIA, 1986 deadfall noun a dishonest, disreputable, vice-ridden drinking establishment US, 1837 dead finish noun the end AU STRALIA, 1881 dead fish noun a gambler who places small bets to prolong the inevitable US, 1963 deadfoot noun a slow vehicle US, 1976 dead from the neck up adjective brainless, stupid, insensitive UK, 1930 dead gaff noun a premises with no-one in UK, 1956 dead give-away noun a notable indication, or betrayal, of guilt, or defect US, 1882 dead hand noun in poker, any hand held by a player who has bet all of his chips or money on the hand US, 1947 deadhead noun 1 a person who rides free on a railway, bus or aeroplane, usually because of their employment with the carrier US, 1841. 2 aboringpersonUS, 1907. 3 a non-playing observer of gambling US, 1974. 4 a person given a ticket or tickets for having performed minor services in a theatrical production US, 1973 Deadhead noun a follower of Grateful Dead, a band strongly associ- ated with psychedelic drugs, seen by many to epitomise the hippie ideal. Grateful Dead’s choice of name was the result of browsing a dictionary; usually abbreviated to ‘The Dead’; their 30- year career as a live band came to an end in 1995 with the death of guitarist Jerry Garcia US, 1972 deadhead verb 1 to discourage. A gardening image of deadheading roses to discourage growth UK, 2001. 2 to ignore UK, 2002. 3 to coast in a car with a depleted petrol supply US, 1976. 4 (used of an airline or railway employee) to ride as a passenger in available seating US, 1854 deadhead adverb without cargo US, 1987 dead heart noun the arid inland regions of Australia AUSTRALIA, 1906 dead horse noun tomato sauce. Rhyming slang AUSTRALIA, 1966 dead house noun a funeral parlour BARBADOS, 1965 dead-leg noun 1 a useless person UK, 2003. 2 a corking of the thigh AUSTRALIA, 1996 dead letter perfect adjective of an actor, absolutely certain of your lines UK, 1952 dead lice < dead lice are falling off; dead lice are dropping off used for describing someone who is very slow-moving or lazy US, 1960 dead line noun in prison, a line the crossing of which will bring gun fire from guards US, 1962 deadline verb to remove from action for repairs. Vietnam war usage US, 1991 dead loss noun 1 a person or thing that is utterly inefficient, or a complete failure, or an absolute waste of time or money UK, 1927. 2 a boss. Rhyming slang, adopting the non-rhyming sense: ‘a person that is utterly inefficient or an absolute waste of money’ UK, 1992 deadly adjective 1 excellent. Especially common in Australian Aboriginal English US, 1970. 2 very boring US, 1955 deadly adverb excessively, extremely, very UK, 1688 deadly embrace noun in computing, the condition resulting when two processes cannot proceed because each is waiting for another to do something US, 1981 deadly treadly noun a bicycle. Rhyming elaboration of TREADLY, with the suggestion that it is risky to ride AUSTRALIA, 2003 dead man noun an earth anchor for a wire or cable UK, 1840 dead man’s arm noun a steamed roll pudding NEW ZEALAND, 1985 189 deacon | dead man’s arm dead man’s ears noun stewed dried apricots NEW ZEALAND, 1992 dead man’s hand noun in poker, a hand with a pair of aces and a pair of eights. Although it is the modern belief that this was the hand held by Wild Bill Hickok when shot to death in 1876 in Deadwood, Dakota Territory, early uses of the term (which also sometimes referred to three jacks with two red sevens) make no mention of Hickok. In 1942, Damon Runyon wrote that the hand with jacks was sometimes called the ‘Montana dead man’s hand’ US, 1888 dead man’s head noun a spherical plum pudding NEW ZEALAND, 1994 dead man’s pull-ups noun an exercise in which a person hangs with their arms extended from a bar, lifts their chin over the bar, and then lowers themself to the full arm-extended position US, 1996 dead man’s rounds noun ammunition held pointed toward the bearer US, 1991 dead man’s zone; dead Marine zone noun a demilitarised zone. Back-formation from the initials DMZ US, 1984 dead marine noun an empty bottle AU STRALIA, 1854 dead meat noun 1 used for expressing a very high degree of trouble. Originally applied only in situations where death was certain, but then softened to include lesser consquences US, 1974. 2 a prostitute. An allusion to the flesh that is sold in a butcher’s shop, as opposed to that which is freshly given UK, 1961 dead money noun 1 obviously counterfeit paper money US, 1956. 2 in poker, money bet by a player who has withdrawn from a hand US, 1992 deadner noun a blow, a thump IRELAND, 2003 dead-nuts adverb completely US, 1887 deado noun acorpseUS, 1919 deado; dead-oh adjective deep asleep; unconscious. Possibly from the earlier sense (very drunk), however DEAD in ‘dead drunk’ serves as an intensifier, whereas the sense here may be a literal allusion UK, 1984 dead-on adjective accurate UK, 1889 dead on arrival noun 1 heroin. From official jargon for those who are delivered to hospital too late UK, 1998. 2 phencyclidine, the rec- reational drug known as PCP or angel dust. In honour of the drug’s fatal overdose potential US, 1993 dead pan noun a complete lack of facial emotion US, 1927 deadpan adjective without expression; displaying no emotion US, 1928 dead pigeon noun 1 in a criminal enterprise, a double-crosser US, 1964. 2 a person who is destined to lose US, 1919 dead pony gaff noun of circus and fairgrounds, a bad site. Used by travelling showmen UK, 1961 dead presidents noun US currency notes of any dollar denomination; hence, generically, US money. From the portraits of Washington, Lincoln, Hamilton etc., printed on the different value notes US, 1944 dead rabbit noun the penis in a flaccid state US, 1964 dead ring noun an exact likeness AUSTRALIA, 1915 dead ringer noun an exact likeness US, 1891 dead road noun MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy UK, 2003 dead set; dead-set; deadset adjective complete, utter AU STRALIA, 1965 dead set; dead-set; deadset adverb 1 completely, utterly. From the common collocation of ‘dead completely’ and ‘set against/for/on’ (determined (not) to do something or have something happen) AUSTRALIA, 1947. 2 really; honestly AUSTRALIA, 1987 deadshit noun a despicable person AUSTRALIA, 1961 dead skin noun the white inner peel of an orange BAHAMAS, 1982 dead sled noun in the used car business, a car in extremely poor condition US, 1997 dead soldier noun an empty alcohol bottle or beer can US, 1899 dead spit noun an exact likeness UK, 1901 dead-stick verb to land an aircraft without engine function US, 1962 dead-stick adjective (used of landing an aircraft) without engine function US, 1999 Dead threads noun in the language surrounding the Grateful Dead, the layers of clothes worn by a concert-goer US, 1994 dead time noun time served in jail which does not count towards fulfillment of the prisoner’s sentence US, 1973 dead to rights denoting an absolute certainty that fully justifies arrest on a criminal charge, as when caught red-handed. DEAD intensifies ‘to rights’ (fairly, legally) UK, 1859 dead to the world adjective unconscious, deeply and soundly asleep; unaware of any outside stimulus. Earlier use may also have connoted ‘drunk’ UK, 1899 dead tree format noun paper on which computer output is printed UK, mid-1990s dead trouble noun an extremely difficult situation, deep trouble UK, 1971 dead ’un noun 1 unoccupied premises. Criminal use UK, 1956. 2 a racehorse deliberately ridden to lose AUSTRALIA, 1877 deadwood noun 1 an incompetent or otherwise useless person US, 1887. 2 a flaccid penis. Extended from WOOD (the erect penis) US, 1995. 3 unsold tickets for a performance US, 1934. 4 non-playing observers of gambling US, 1974. 5 a person caught outright committing a crime US, 1992 dead yard noun a ceremony after burial in the deceased’s yard JAMAICA, 2003 deaf and dumb noun the buttocks, the backside, the anus. Rhyming slang for BUM UK, 1992 deafie noun a deaf person. Prominently applied to Dr Eric Williams, Prime Minister of Trinidad from 1956 until 1981 TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1972 deal noun 1 a business transaction, a trade or a bargain US, 1838. 2 an underhand or secret transaction; a trade of questionable legality; a mutually beneficial commercial or political arrangement. A nuance of the broader sense, (a trade, a bargain) US, 1881. 3 a small amount of marijuana or hashish UK, 1978. < bad deal; raw deal; rough deal ill-treatment, exploitative or unfair usage; a swindle US, 1912. < fair deal; square deal an honest and equitable usage. The locus classicus of ‘square deal’ is in a speech delivered by US President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903: ‘We must treat each man on his worth and merits as a man. We must see that each is given a square deal, because he is entitled to no more and should receive no less’ US, 1876. < new deal a new arrangement US, 1834. < the deal; the real deal the very best US, 1986 deal verb 1 to sell drugs US, 1958. 2 to supervise the blackjack game in acasinoUS, 1980. < deal off the top to treat fairly. From the gambling scheme of cheating by dealing off the bottom of a deck US, 1969 deal adverb much. Derived from the noun sense (a considerable amount) UK, 1756 dealer’s band noun an elastic band used by a drug dealer to secure or to facilitate the jetisoning of drugs for sale US, 1966 dealy; dealie noun a thing the correct name of which escapes or is not important to the speaker US, 1997 dean noun 1 a shark AUSTRALIA, 1977. 2 a skilled and experienced poker player US, 1979 deaner; deener; dener; diener noun a shilling. Until decimalisation in 1971; probably from denier (a French coin, the twelfth part of a sou). After the introduction of decimal currency in Australia in 1966, it came to mean a ten cent piece, or its value, a similar coin with about the same comparative value; dying out from the 1980s, now seldom heard UK, 1857 dean of men noun a prison warden US, 1949 dear!; oh dear!; dear oh dear! used as a mild register of anxiety, irritation, regret, etc Probably ‘dear God!’ or ‘dear Lord!’ UK, 1694 dear dear! used as a mild exclamation or oath; often used to add a mild or ironic emphasis to what is being said. By reduplication of DEAR! UK, 1849 dead man’s ears | dear dear! 190 dear dyin’ Moses! used as an elaborate, original curse in coastal Nova Scotia CANADA, 1999 dearg noun a stab or a shot, a sharp punch IRELAND, 2000 dearie noun 1 used by women as a form of address. A less intimate variation of conventional ‘dear’ (a loved one) UK, 1681. 2 used as an affected form of address among male homosexuals. Camp adoption of the previous sense UK, 1962 dearie me!; deary me! used for registering regret. An elaboration of DEAR ME! that is more sorrowful in tone UK, 1785 Dear Jane noun a letter to a girlfriend or wife breaking off the relationship US, 1963 Dear John; Dear John letter; Johnny letter noun a letter from a woman to her husband or boyfriend ending their relationship US, 1945 dear me! used as a mild exclamation or oath; often used to add a mild or ironic emphasis UK, 1773 dear oh dear! 8see: DEAR! dear old thing noun 8see: OLD THING death noun 1 paramethoxyamphetamine or 4-methoxyamphetamine (PMA), a synthetic hallucinogen AUSTRALIA, 1997. 2 someone or something that is exquisitely perfect US, 1965. 3 a difficult situation, such as an exam, a hangover, etc US, 1987. 4 in harness racing, the position just behind and outside the leader. Because the horse in that position has to travel farther than horses on the inside and does not have the benefit of a lead horse breaking the wind resist- ance US, 1997. < at the death in the finish. Figurative sense of a conventional ‘end’ UK, 1962. < like death; like death warmed up feeling or appearing extremely unwell UK, 1939. < to death 1 to the extreme; superlative UK, 1998 . 2 frequently and ad nauseum UK, 1937 death adder; death adder man noun an unwelcoming man who lives a solitary life in the Australian outback. From the name given to several species of venomous snake found in Australia. Historically ‘an outback gossip’ was also known as a ‘death adder’ AUSTRALIA, 1951 death adders noun < have death adders in your pockets to be stingy AUSTRALIA, 1944 death ball noun in cricket, any bowled delivery that takes a wicket UK, 1996 death benef it noun in poker, money given to a player to complete abetUS, 1996 death box; fun box noun in snowboarding and skateboarding, an improvised hollow platform such as a wooden or plasic box or barrel, from which to bounce the board US, 1995 death cookie noun in snowboarding, a rock hidden in snow US, 1995 death drinker noun a vagrant alcoholic UK, 2000 death dr op noun butyl chloride when taken recreationally UK, 1984 death metal; deathcore noun a category of heavy metal music that draws on violent, blasphemous and mysogynistic imagery UK, 1992 death mitten noun bags slipped over the hands of murder victims to preserve evidence US, 1992 death on call noun Battery C, 4th Battalion, 77th Infantry of the US Army. A gunship unit with the boast of ‘kill by profession’ US, 1990 death on truckers noun the US Department of Transportation. From the agency’s initials: DOT US, 1971 death pen noun a designated pen with black indelible ink used in hospitals for filling out death certificates US, 1994 death rattle noun in cricket, the noise made when a batsman’s wicket is hit by the ball UK, 1958 death rim noun any expensive car wheel rim. The rim is an invitation to crime and violence, hence the name US, 1995 death row noun a type of bet in an illegal numbers game lottery US, 1957 death seat noun 1 the front passenger seat of a car or truck. From the probability, actual or notional, that the passenger is the least likely to survive an accident US, 1975. 2 in a trotting race, the pos- ition on the outside of the leader. Derives from the difficulty of overtaking from such a position AUSTRALIA, 1982 death spiral noun a downward spiral of an aeroplane from which recovery is nearly impossible and as a result of which impact with the ground is inevitable US, 1990 death tourist noun a person who travels to a country where euthanasia is legal for the purpose of achieving a medically assisted suicide US, 2003 death trip noun 1 LSD enhanced with botanical drugs from plants such as Deadly Nightshade or Jimsonweed US, 1970. 2 heroin UK, 2002. 3 a fascination with death US, 1969 death watch noun attendance upon a man condemned to death. Hanging was institutionalised in C5 Britain; the death penalty was abolished in the UK in November 1965 – except for the crimes of treason, piracy with violence and arson in Royal Dockyards UK, 1950 death wish noun phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust US, 1986 deathy noun a death adder AUSTRALIA, 1951 deazingus noun a dingus, or eye dropper used in drug injecting US, 1973 deb noun 1 a debutante US, 1920. 2 a girl associated with a youth gang, either directly as a member or through a boyfriend. A lovely if ironic borrowing from ‘debutante’ US, 1946. 3 a depressant, sedative or tranquillizer tablet. From a slovenly pronunciation of ‘deps’ (depressants); also recorded in the plural US, 1975. 4 a tablet or capsule of amphetamine. A reversal of the chemical effect in the earlier usage; also noted as a plural UK, 2003. 5 a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy UK, 2003 debag verb to remove someone’s trousers, often with humorous intention, always with some degree of force. From BAGS (trousers) UK, 1914 deball verb to castrate US, 1961 debaucherama noun an orgy. Combines conventional ‘debauch’ with a variation of the suffix- ‘orama’ (indicates largeness) UK, 2000 Debbie Chon noun an overweight soldier. From the Korean; Korean war usage US, 1982 debone verb to bend a playing card so that it can be identified later in another player’s hand US, 1968 debriefing noun an after-flight hotel party attended by a flight crew and flight attendants US, 2002 debris noun marijuana seeds and stems remaining after cleaning US, 1971 debthead noun a prisoner who is continually in debt and, therefore, untrustworthy. A combination of conventional ‘debt‘ with- HEAD (a person considered as a single attribute) UK, 1996 debtor’s colic noun any feigned illness whereby a man can get into hospital, or remain sick in his cell, in order to avoid meeting his creditors UK, 1950 debts noun in prison, a placing (of an inmate) on report UK, 1996 debug verb 1 to clear an area of listening devices US, 1964. 2 to rectify faults of electrical, mechanical or operational nature; to remove faulty programming from a computer UK, 1945 debut verb 1 to subject a boy to his first homosexual experience UK, 1978. 2 to acknowledge your homosexuality US, 1964 decadence; deccadence noun MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy UK, 1998 decaf noun decaffeinated coffee US, 1956 decaf adjective decaffeinated US, 1981 decapitation noun the assassination of a head of state. Media- friendly military jargon US, 2003 decapitation strike noun a military attack intended to kill (or render impotent) an enemy’s leader US, 2003 decayed adjective drunk US, 1966 dece adjective exceptionally good, ‘wonderful’. A shortening of ‘decent’, pronounced ‘deece’ UK, 1977 191 dear dyin’ Moses! | dece . UK, 1922 damn and bastar dry! used as a mild oath. Modelled on conven- tional ‘damn and blast’ UK, 2000 damn and blast noun the last position in a race. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 damn and blast verb. An abbreviation of DINE AND DASH US, 1997. 2 to fail to lead; to escape responsibility. Said to stand for (to) ‘delegate and disappear’ CANADA, 1995 D and D adjective 1 drunk and disorderly. Abbreviated. deaf and dumb. Usage is both literal (applied to beggars) and figurative (applied to someone who knows nothing and will say nothing). US, 1937 dander noun 1 anger. Possible etymologies: ‘dander’