Slang and uncoventional english part 75 ppsx

piss-head noun a drunk; a habitual drinker. A combination of PISS (alcohol) with -HEAD (a user) UK, 1961 piss-hole noun 1 the entrance to the urethra US, 1996. 2 a urinal UK, 1959. 3 an unpleasant location UK, 1973 piss-hole bandit noun a homosexual man who seeks sexual contact in a public urinal UK, 1977 piss house noun a public toilet US, 1947 piss in verb to win or achieve something easily NEW ZEALAND, 1998 pissing adjective used as an intensifier, generally denoting disapproval UK, 1984 pissing contest noun a duel of unpleasantries US, 1983 pissing match noun a dispute based on mutual negative attacks. From the graphic if vulgar image of two men urinating on each other US, 1992 pissing rain noun heavy or persistent rainfall UK, 2000 piss in the hand noun something that is very simple NEW ZEALAND, 1984 piss it verb to succeed or achieve very easily UK, 1982 piss-off noun an annoyance, an irritation UK, 2000 piss off verb 1 to depart. Also used in an exclamatory or imperative sense UK, 1958. 2 to irritate or annoy someone. First recorded in the normally slang-free poetry of Ezra Pound US, 1937. 3 to get rid of someone AUSTRALIA, 1972 piss play noun sexual behaviour involving urination and urine US, 1999 piss-poor adjective extremely poor or feeble. Brought into general usage from British service usage during World War 2 UK, 1946 pisspot; piss-pot noun 1 a vessel for urine. Originally conventional; it slipped into vulgar use during the C18 whilst still being very much a household necessity UK, 1440. 2 a terrible thing or place US, 1964. 3 a drunkard; a despicable person. Figurative use of the sense as ‘a chamber pot’ AUSTRALIA, 1969. 4 a US military M-1 helmet US, 1990 piss-proud adjective having an erect penis as a result of urinal press- ure UK, 1788 piss-take noun an act of mockery or teasing UK, 1977 piss-take verb to mock; to tease; to deride; to ridicule UK, 2002 piss-taker noun a mocker; a person who ridicules something UK, 1976 piss-taking noun mockery UK, 1967 piss-to-windward noun an entirely inept person BARBADOS, 1965 piss tube; pee pipe noun a metal tube partially buried in the ground, into which soldiers urinate. Vietnam war usage US, 1977 piss-up noun a drinking session UK, 1952. < couldn’t organise a piss-up in a brewery used of an inefficient person or organis- ation. Formed on PISS-UP (a drinking session) UK, 1984 piss up; piss up large verb to drink beer or other alcoholic beverages NEW ZEALAND, 1998 piss-weak adjective puny and cowardly AUSTRALIA, 1971 pisswhacker noun a type of cicada which releases a liquid when held AUSTRALIA, 1981 piss-willie noun a despicable coward US, 1977 pissy noun a heavy drinker AUSTRALIA, 1979 pissy adjective 1 unpleasant, distasteful UK, 1997. 2 puny; insignificant; weak AUSTRALIA, 1985. 3 angered, crotchety, fussy US, 1973. 4 given to drinking AUSTRALIA, 1979. 5 drunken AUSTRALIA, 1971 pissy adverb extremely BAHAMAS, 1982 pissy-ass adjective dirty, inconsequential US, 1975 pissy-eyed adjective drunk NEW ZEALAND, 1998 pistol noun 1 the penis US, 2002. 2 a hired gunman US, 1964. 3 a reliable person US, 1984. 4 a lobster that has lost one or both claws US, 1975. 5 in electric line work, an underground cable terminator US, 1980 pistola noun a cigarette enhanced with freebase cocaine US, 1979 Pistol Pete noun a chronic male masturbator US, 2002 pistorically; pistoratically adverb very (drunk) BARBADOS, 1965 pit noun 1 the armpit US, 1965. 2 the vein at the antecubital site, opposite the elbow, commonly used for drug injections US, 1964. 3 Pitocin™, a drug used for inducing labour US, 1994. 4 phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust US, 1994. 5 the area in a club or concert hall where dancers can slam dance. An abbreviation of MOSH PIT US, 1995. 6 abedUK, 1948. 7 an inside jacket pocket US, 1958. < no pit no trouble. From ‘armpit’ to ‘pit’ to ‘sweat’ to ‘trouble’ US, 1968 pit verb to sweat under the arms US, 1966 PITA used as Internet shorthand to mean ‘pain in the ass/arse’ US, 1995 pit bull noun a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy UK, 1996 pitch noun a persuasive or exaggerated sales act or talk UK, 1876 pitch verb to play the active sexual role in a homosexual relationship US, 1966. < pitch a stink to complain loudly BAHAMAS, 1982. < pitch a tent to have an erection US, 2001. < pitch it strong; pitch it high to make a forceful case for something UK, 1837. < pitch woo; pitch the woo to commence a courtship US, 1867 pitch and toss noun a boss. Rhyming slang AUSTRALIA, 1945 pitcher noun 1 the active partner in homosexual sex US, 1966. 2 a dealer in a casino card game US, 1973 pitchhole noun a deep pothole in a road CANADA, 1962 pitch in verb 1 to commence work in a vigorous manner; to join in with another, or others, doing such work US, 1847. 2 to start eating; to eat heartily US, 1937 pitch up; pitch verb to arrive UK, 2003 pit cupcake noun in motor racing, a female hanger-on in search of romance with drivers or members of the pit crew US, 1992 pit girl noun a female casino employee whose job is to provide company and encouragement for heavy-betting gamblers US, 1963 pit guard noun an underarm deodorant US, 1968 pit lamp verb to engage in illegal jacklighting in hunting; also, to dismiss someone from employment. The first meaning of this slang term comes from the use of a lamp like a miner’s lamp CANADA, 1966 pit room noun abedroomANTARCTICA, 2000 pits noun in a hospital, the medical screening area US, 1978. < the pits the very bottom; the depths; the nadir; the worst. Perhaps from ‘armpits’ US, 1953 pit stop noun 1 while driving, a stop at a restaurant, petrol station or rest area to use the lavatory and/or buy food and drink; a visit to the toilet US, 1968. 2 a short stay in prison, especially one occasioned by a parole violation US, 1984. 3 an underarm deodorant US, 1969 Pitstop nickname used as a humorous nickname for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania US, 1981 pitter-patter verb 1 to walk in small, quiet steps US, 1864. 2 to talk persuasively or glibly UK, 1979 Pittsburgh feathers noun coal US, 1949 Pitt Street farmer noun (especially in New South Wales) a city person with a small country property, often run at a loss for tax purposes. From Pitt Street, a principle street in Sydney AUSTRALIA, 1945 pitty noun a pit bull dog. Formerly known as a Staffordshire Terrier or an American Pit Bull Terrier US, 1990 pitty adjective messy, dirty US, 1975 pity pot noun used in twelve-step recovery programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous as a name for the imaginary place where the addict sits feeling sorry for himself US, 1995 pivvy noun a very small amount BARBADOS, 1965 pix noun photographs or films. An abbreviation of the pronunciation of ‘pictures’ US, 1932 piss-head | pix 500 pixie noun 1 a male homosexual. The term was enshrined in US popular/political culture during the McCarthy hearings in April, 1954. Joseph Welch, the lawyer for the US Army, demanded to know the origins of a doctored photograph, asking if it had come from a ‘pixie’, alluding to a suspected homosexual relationship involving Roy Cohn, a member of McCarthy’s staff. Senator McCarthy asked Mr Welch to define the term, which he happily did: "I should say, Mr Senator, that a pixie is a close relative of a fairy" US, 1941. 2 a frequent user of marijuana UK, 1983. 3 an amphet- amine tablet US, 1994. 4 hair that has been chemically straightened US, 1972 pixies noun < away with the pixies daydreaming NEW ZEALAND, 1998 pixilated adjective whimsical, slightly crazy; befuddled; drunk US, 1848 pizlum noun a pig’s penis US, 1952 pizza noun 1 marijuana US, 1965. 2 a large area of grazed skin. Skateboarders’ slang; from the appearance of the wound UK, 1998 pizza cutter noun in drag racing, an extremely narrow front wheel US, 1993 pizza dude noun the pizza delivery person US, 1988 pizzaface noun a person with a bad case of acne US, 1971 pizza plate noun in electric line work, an insulated tool attachment formally known as a fork suspension attachment US, 1980 pizzazz; pizazz; p’zazz noun energy, vim, vigour, excitement US, 1937 PJ noun an unofficial, unlicensed if not illegal, job. An abbreviation of ‘private job’ TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1990 PJ’s noun pyjamas US, 1964 PK noun preacher’s kid. Used without regard to denomination or even religion, applied even to children of rabbis; denotating a certain bond among those who have grown up in the shadow of organised religion US, 2004 placa noun a nickname, especially the artistic representation of the nickname on a public wall. Spanish slang used by English-speaking Mexican-Americans US, 1974 placcy; placky; plakky; plaggy; plazzy adjective plastic UK, 1999 place noun < you make the place untidy; you are making the place untidy used as an ungracious or jocular invitation to be seated UK, 1978 placenta poker noun the penis. Jocular UK, 2003 plague noun < the plague 1 the bleed period of the menstrual cycle UK, 1961. 2 HIV US, 1990 plague verb to trouble, torment, tease, bother or annoy someone. A weakening of the conventional sense UK, 1594 plagued adjective infected with HIV US, 1990 plaguer noun a person infected with HIV US, 1990 plain Jane noun 1 an unremarkably ordinary or unattractive woman UK, 1912. 2 an innocent looking, performance-enhanced unmarked motorway patrol car US, 1992 plait your shit! used for registering dismissal, either of a notion or apersonAUSTRALIA, 1971 plamas noun flattery, exaggeration IRELAND, 1999 plane verb in the language of wind surfing, to hydroplane US, 1985 planet noun when combined with a personal characteristic or interest, applied to a person’s narrow or exclusive focus on that characteristic or interest. A remote place that it is hard to contact UK, 2001. < on another planet very drug-intoxicated UK, 1999 Planet Zog noun a supremely unrealistic place; the home of unrealistic ideas; where daydreamers go. To be said to have arrived from Planet Zog is ‘to have no idea what’s going on’ UK, 2003 plank noun 1 a stupid person. The phrase THICK AS TWO SHORT PLANKS (stupid) gave rise to the adjective PLANKY (stupid), hence ‘plank’ UK, 1999. 2 an electric guitar. From the instrument’s original construction in the late 1940s, and an insult hurled at early Fender guitars UK, 2000. 3 a heavy surfboard, especially an older wooden one US, 1957. < make the plank in homosexual usage, to take the passive position in anal sex US, 1981. < put the plank to someone (from a male perspective) to have sex with someone. A variation of PLANK (to have sex) in which ‘plank’ is understood to be a ‘penis’ UK, 2001 plank verb 1 to have sex with. A ‘plank’ may be a ‘floorboard’ or, possibly, a ‘table’; hence this probably originates from an occurrence on a wooden surface in much the same way as BED (to have sex); it may also be a reference to the erect penis which is, no doubt, ‘stiff as a board’ US, 1972. 2 to conceal something UK: SCOTLAND , 1823 plank-spanker noun a guitarist. From PLANK (a guitar) UK, 1998 plank-whacker noun a guitarist. From PLANK (a guitar) UK, 2001 planky adjective stupid. From THICK AS TWO SHORT PLANKS UK, 1984 plant noun 1 a person, such as a magician’s assistant, who has been secretly placed in an audience, in order to assist whoever is addressing or manipulating that crowd US, 1926. 2 apolice surveillance action US, 1984. 3 a cell used for solitary confinement US, 1976. 4 an electrical generator US, 1985. 5 the equipment and work animals of a drover or other rural worker travelling through the countryside AUSTRALIA, 1867 plant verb 1 to bury a body US, 1855. 2 to deliver a blow; to drive a ball UK, 1808. 3 to station a person for use in an underhand manner UK, 1693. 4 to incriminate someone suspected of a crime by hiding evidence where it is certain to be found by the appropriate auth- orities UK, 1865. < plant it in motor racing, to accelerate to the fullest extent possible US, 1965 plantation noun any small garden CAYMAN ISLANDS, 1985 planting noun a burial US, 1977 plant you now, dig you later used as a farewell US, 1947 plaque whacker noun a dental hygienist US, 2001 plaster-caster noun a groupie who makes plaster casts of celebrities’ penises US, 1968 plastered adj ective drunk US, 1912 plaster of Paris; plaster noun the backside, the buttocks. Rhyming slang, extending the sequence ARIS – ARISTOTLE – BOTTLE; BOTTLE AND GLASS – ARSE UK, 1998 plastic noun 1 a credit card; consumer credit in general US, 1979. 2 a person who is liable to act in an unpredictable manner UK, 2003. 3 a condom US, 1993. < on the plastic using stolen credit cards, etc UK, 1977. < pull plastic (used of a prisoner) to place your belongings in a plastic rubbish bag when you are transferred US, 1997 plastic adjective conventional; superficial; shallow US, 1967 plastic badge noun a private security guard US, 2001 plastic fantastic noun 1 a credit card or credit card transation NEW ZEALAND , 1995. 2 a yacht with a fibreglass hull NEW ZEALAND, 1986 plastic fantastic adjective wonderful. If not coined, widely popularised by Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 song, ‘Plastic Fantastic Lover’ US, 1970 plastic gangster; plastic noun a tough guy who is not anywhere near as tough as he pretends UK, 1996 plastic hippie noun a person who assumes the outer trappings of the counterculture without fully immersing himself in it US, 1967 plastic job noun cosmetic surgery US, 1953 plastic money noun a credit card or cards; consumer credit in general US, 1974 plastics noun prison-issue plastic cutlery UK, 1996 plate noun 1 a plate of food brought by a guest to a party. The notion of ‘bringing a plate’ to supplement the food laid on by the host is an Australian social tradition AUSTRALIA, 1961. 2 abadgeUS, 1949. 3 a phonograph record US, 1935. < on a plate; on a platter easily acquired; with little or no effort required UK, 1935 plate verb 1 to engage in oral sex. Rhyming slang for ‘plate of ham’, GAM (to perform oral sex) UK, 1968. 2 to engage in oral stimulation of the anus UK, 2003 plate and dish noun a wish. Rhyming slang UK, 1998 501 pixie | plate and dish plater noun 1 in horse racing, a horse that competes in minor, low- paying races. From the practice of awarding a silver plate instead of a cash prize US, 1923. 2 in horse racing, a farrier US, 1976 plates and dishes; plates noun a wife. Rhyming slang for MISSIS UK, 1960 plates of meat; plates noun the feet. Rhyming slang, since 1857; abbreviated to ‘plates’ since 1896 UK, 1857 plats noun platform shoes US, 1997 platter noun a phonograph record US, 1931 platter pusher noun a radio disc jockey US, 1973 platters of meat; platters noun the feet. Rhyming slang; an elabor- ation of PLATES OF MEAT since 1923; the abbreviation ‘platters’ since 1945 UK, 1923 play noun 1 sexual activity US, 1995. 2 a manoeuvre; a tactical move US, 1982. 3 a legitimate scheme or a criminal venture. From the pre- vious sense US, 2000. 4 the deception surrounding a confidence swindle US, 1940. 5 in horse racing, a bet US, 1994. < in play falling into a confidence swindle US, 1997 play verb to work as a pimp; to hustle US, 1977. < play ball 1 to have sex. Punning on BALL (to have sex) and ‘play ball’ (to cooperate with) US, 2001. 2 to stop idling and start working US, 1977. 3 to cooperate with someone else; occasionally applied to inanimate objects such as computers US, 1957. < play bingo to try to determine the reason for a cash shortage by comparing orders with receipts US, 1996. < play catch-up in an athletic contest, to try to catch up and surpass an opponent that at the moment is leading US, 1971. < play checkers to move from empty seat to empty seat in a cinema, looking for a sexual partner. Homosexual usage US, 1972. < play dead to act dumb US, 1953. < play for the other team to be homosexual US, 1997. < play handball to smoke crack cocaine. A highly euphemistic code US, 1993. < play hard to get to resist amorous advances (especially while intending to acquiesce); hence, more generally, to be reluctant to comply with what is expected UK, 1945. < play hookey; play hooky to absent yourself from school or work US, 1848. < play inside right to be mean with money. Rhyming slang for TIGHT, elaborated into football terminology UK, 1998. < play it by ear to improvise as circumstances dictate. As a musician picking up a tune without sheet music to guide UK, 1984. < play it cool to remain calm and composed UK, 1942. < play mums and dads; play dads and mums to have sex. An adult version of a children’s game. ‘Play fathers and mothers’ is also recorded but in the strongest current usages it seems that the female comes first UK, 1967. < play past something to overcome an obstacle or impediment to progress US, 1972. < play silly buggers to be a nuisance; to cause trouble or disruption; to ‘mess about’ UK, 2001. < play someone cheap to assume that someone is stupid US, 1947. < play the blocks to idle on a street corner BAHAMAS, 1982. < play the chill 1 to act calm US, 1920. 2 to snub someone US, 1985. < play the kerbs to sell drugs on the street US, 1989. < play the queens to have sex with a passive, effeminate male prisoner US, 1984. < play the whale to vomit AUSTRALIA, 1971. < play them as they lay used as a wisely humorous acceptance of the need to work with what has been given to you US, 1992. < play too close to take advantage of another’s good nature by excessive teasing or abuse US, 1992. < play took and banjo to sing or whistle a secular tune on a Sunday or religious holiday BARBADOS, 1965. < play up to someone to humour someone; to flatter someone, to take your cue from another; to behave according to expectations. Originally in theatrical use UK, 1809. < play with yourself to masturbate. The earliest usage recorded of this sweet little euphemism is by James Joyce IRELAND, 1922 play around verb to have an extra-marital amorous liaison US, 1943 play-away noun a weekend at someone else’s place in the country. Upper-class society usage; predates BBC television childrens’ programme Playaway, 1984 UK, 1982 playback noun a scheme by which the odds on a particular horse race are engineered lower by heavy betting on that horse US, 1963 Playboy noun a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy UK, 2004. < the Playboy a pubic hairstyle UK, 2002 play dough noun bread found in a US Army combat ration. Word play on the inedible mix of flour, water and salt called ‘play dough’ and played with by children US, 1991 played adjective out of money US, 1984 player noun 1 a person who takes pride in the number of sexual partners they have, not in the depth of any relationship; a selfish pleasure-seeker US, 1968. 2 a pimp US, 1972. 3 a schemer; an import- ant figure in a field US, 1995. 4 a drug user or drug seller US, 1971. 5 an active member of a terrorist organisation. Used by police, military and other security services UK, 1995. 6 in casino gambling, a craps player US, 1974. 7 a hip-hop artist. Also variant ‘playa’ US, 1995 player hater noun someone who is envious or jealous of another’s social success US, 1999 player of the pink oboe noun a person who performs oral sex on a man. Coined by satirist Peter Cook (1937–95) for a sketch performed in Amnesty International’s The Secret Policeman’s Ball. UK, 1979 play-for-pay adjective 1 available for paid sex US, 1956. 2 receiving compensation while competing as an amateur athlete US, 2003 playground’s muddy noun experiencing the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 2001 playing noun amongst women prisoners, homosexual flirtation and involvement UK, 1980 playing bingo adjective in prison, said of a sex offender. From the call of the numbers in RULE FORTY-THREE UK, 1996 playing with confederate money adjective having silicone breast implants. Very impressive to look at but ultimately valueless. Coined for US television comedy Seinfeld, 1993–98 US, 2003 play-lunch noun a mid-morning break at primary school; also, the food eaten during this break AUSTRALIA, 1962 playmates noun the testicles UK, 2002 play out verb 1 (of a DJ) to perform in public; (of a dance record) to be included in a DJ’s repertoire UK, 2003. 2 to escape from confine- ment US, 1972 play-play adjective make-believe BARBADOS, 1965 playtime noun a time in a prison’s schedule when the inmates are out of their cells mixing with each other. From school usage UK, 1996 please; per-lease; puh-lease used for humorously asking please or expressing scepticism. An affectation popularised in any number of television situation comedies in the mid- to late 1980s and thereafter a staple of US popspeak US, 1990 pleasure and pain noun rain. Rhyming slang UK, 1960 pleb noun 1 an unsophisticated or uneducated person. An abbrevi- ation of conventional ‘plebeian’ (a lower-class person) UK, 1865. 2 an annoying person; a nuisance. A generally derogative application of the sense as ‘a plebeian’ UK, 1981 pleb; plebbie; plebby adjective of a plebeian character; coarse; uneducated UK, 1962 pleckie noun a plectrum UK: SCOTLAND, 1988 pledges noun cash US, 2003 plenty adverb very UK, 1934 plenty-plenty adverb to a great extent BAHAMAS, 1982 plier noun in a confidence swindle or sales scheme, an agent who for a commission locates potential victims US, 1988 pliers noun a railway ticket inspector’s punch US, 1946 plimmie noun a plimsoll (a rubber-soled canvas shoe) UK, 1994 pling noun an exclamation mark (!) on a computer keyboard US, 1991 pling verb in circus and carnival usage, to beg US, 1981 plink noun cheap wine. Variant of PLONK with a change of vowel influenced by other couplets such as ‘ding dong, ‘sing song AUSTRALIA, 1943 plinker noun an inexpensive, simply designed gun marketed for casual use US, 1982 plater | plinker 502 plod; plodder; PC Plod; Mr Plod; the plod noun a uniformed police officer; the police. Derives from Mr Plod the Policeman, a character in the Noddy stories of Enid Blyton (1897–1968), poss- ibly a pun on ‘plodding the beat’ or, simply, ‘to plod’ (to proceed tediously) UK, 1977 ploddite noun a police officer UK, 2003 plod shop noun a police station UK, 1996 plokta verb in computing, to press keys randomly in an effort to obtain a response from the computer. An acronym of‘press lots of keys to abort’ US, 1991 plonk noun 1 cheap wine. Alteration of French blanc,fromvin blanc (white wine); occasionally used of other alcoholic drinks AUSTRALIA, 1930 . 2 alcohol, especially beer NEW ZEALAND, 1984. 3 a woman police constable UK, 1996. 4 the surreptitious wagering of a large amount of money AUSTRALIA, 1981 plonk verb 1 to place something, especially with a lack of finesse AUSTRALIA, 1942. 2 (of a male), to have sex. In use among National Servicemen in the 1950s UK, 1984. 3 to wager money AUSTRALIA, 1981 plonker; plonk noun 1 the penis UK, 1947. 2 a fool; used (often humorously) as an everyday form of abuse. Euphemistic extension of the previous sense for name-calling as PRICK. Popularised from the early 1980s by BBC television situation comedy Only Fools and Horses UK, 1966 plonkie adjective foolish; displaying the qualities of a plonker UK, 2001 plonko noun an alcoholic AUSTRALIA, 1963 ploo adjective a ‘plus’ attached to a grade US, 1968 plooky adjective pimply, spotty. Extended from PLUKE; PLOOK (a spot) UK: SCOTLAND, 1985 plootered adjective drunk. Probably from Scottish plouter (to splash in water) UK, 1984 plop noun excrement US, 1984 plop verb to fall or to drop heavily UK, 1839 plop down verb to lay down forcefully; to lie down with abandon US, 1986 ploppy noun an unskilled gambler who describes his systems to all around him UK, 1996 plot up verb 1 to establish a singular, group or gang presence in an area and represent it as the territory of that individual, group or gang UK, 1999. 2 to conceal something UK, 2001 plotzed adjective drunk. From German plotzen (to burst) via Yiddish plotz (to burst) US, 1962 plow noun marijuana. The means by which you become PLOWED (drug-intoxicated) UK, 2003. < get your plow cleaned to be killed in combat US, 1968 plow verb (used of a male) to have sex US, 1970. < plow the field to drive off the road at a high rate of speed into a field US, 1962 plowboy noun a rustic; an unsophisticated person from the far reaches of the countryside. Disparaging UK, 1569 plowed adjective 1 drunk US, 1974. 2 drug-intoxicated. From the pre- vious sense US, 1981 plow jockey noun 1 afarmerUS, 1951. 2 a soldier who cannot keep cadence when marching, who appears to be walking as if behind a plough with one foot in the furrow US, 1946 plu noun tea AUSTRALIA, 1960 pluck noun 1 wine US, 1964. 2 the recruiting of a prostitute to work for a pimp; a prostitute recruited to work for a pimp US, 1973 pluck verb 1 to recruit a prostitute into the services of a pimp US, 1973. 2 (used of a male) to have sex with a virgin BAHAMAS, 1982. < pluck the chicken to swindle a victim in a phony investment or sales scheme US, 1988 plucky adjective brave, daring UK, 1842 plug noun 1 a piece of publicity, a promotional pitch US, 1902. 2 a tampon. Understood to be a variation on conventional ‘plug’, possibly from abbreviation of technical jargon ‘catamenial plug’ (a tampon) US, 2001. 3 a bullet hole UK, 2001. 4 a poker player with a steady, competent and predictable style of play US, 1988. 5 a horse that has seen its best days US, 1860. 6 a temporary worker US, 1997 plug verb 1 to support, to endorse, to promote US, 1927. 2 to shoot someone US, 1870. 3 (of a male) to have sex with someone UK, 1888. 4 to insert contraband items into the anus during a prison visit UK, 1996. 5 to engage in a fist fight without any weapons US, 1992. 6 on the railways, to use the reverse gear to help stop a train US, 1977. 7 to tease or taunt someone US, 2002. < plug in to help. In the usage of counterculturalists associated with the Rainbow Nation gatherings US, 1997. < plug in both ways (of a male) to be bisexual. A play on AC/DC UK, 1980. < plug your mug to stop talking US, 1947 plug away; plug verb to continue doing something or making an effort, to persist doggedly UK, 1865 plugged in adjective connected to something fashionable US, 1989 plugged nickel noun literally, a five-cent piece that has been altered by the insertion of a plug of base metal; figuratively, something of no value US, 1988 plugger noun a person whose job it is to promote a record or recording artist US, 1945 plughole noun < go down the plughole to become lost; to go to waste; to fail. A variation of DOWN THE DRAIN UK, 1973 plug-ugly noun a violent, rough person US, 1856 pluke; plook noun a spot, boil or other pus-filled skin blemish. Directly from Scottish dialect plook UK, 1997 plum noun 1 the testicle. From its shape and fruitfulness. One notable precursor to its unambiguous sense as a testicle is in the innuendo-laden song ‘Please Don’t Touch My Plums’ by Sammy Cahn, 1913–93, written for the film The Duchess and the Dirtwater Fox, 1976, in which it was sung in a Golden Globe- winning performance by Goldie Hawn UK, 2003. 2 a fool; used as a general term of abuse. From the previous sense UK, 1982. 3 an exceptional person or thing AUSTRALIA, 1956. 4 in marketing, a married man with above-average income who is keen to improve his pension. A specific sense of the general use of ‘plum’ as ‘something desirable’. The opposite is a LEMON UK, 1998. 5 in pool, the plum-coloured four-ball US, 1990. 6 in pool, an easy shot US, 1970 plumb; plum adverb abolutely; completely; utterly. From the earlier, conventional sense (exactly) UK, 1587 plumbay noun the vulva; a woman’s pubic mound TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003 plumber noun 1 a urologist US, 1961. 2 a male pornography performer US, 1995. 3 in the Royal Air Force, an armament tradesman. Still in Royal Air Force use, 2002 UK, 1942. 4 a golfer who is a good putter. Built on ‘drain’ in the sense of putting into the hole US, 2000 plumbing noun 1 the reproductive system US, 1960. 2 any wind instrument US, 1935 plumbing problem noun the inability of a male pornography performer either to maintain an erection or to ejaculate on demand US, 1995 plum-in-the-mouth adjective upper-class, privileged UK, 1926 plummer noun a pickpocket. Misspelling of ‘plumber’ recorded in prison use August 2002 UK, 2002 plummy adjective used for describing an affectedly upper-class manner of speech. The original meaning was ‘rich, desirable’ UK, 1926 plum pud; plum pudd noun good. Rhyming slang AUSTRALIA, 1927 plums noun no sexual contact (when the expectation of intimacy is high). Royal Navy slang; derives, possibly, from a ‘plum’ representing the figure 0 (hence 00 = nothing, nowhere). Alternatively PLUM (the testicle) hence BOLLOCKS (used as a general negative). A ‘plums rating’ is a sailor who has little luck with the opposite sex UK, 1989 plunderphonics noun in music, a style of sampling that alters the original, usually without seeking permission from the copyright holder. A compound of ‘plunder’ (to rob) and ‘phonic’ (of sound). Coinage is credited to electronic music artist John Oswald (b.1953) CANADA, 1985 503 plod; plodder; PC Plod; Mr Plod; the plod | plunderphonics plunge noun 1 a surreptitious wagering of a great amount on a high- odds horse; a large bet. If bookmakers become aware that a great deal of money is being bet on a horse, they shorten the odds AUSTRALIA, 1895. 2 a large cumulative amount of money wagered on acompetitor AUSTRALIA, 1960 plunge verb 1 to stab someone; to kill someone by stabbing UK, 1996. 2 to wager a great deal of money AUSTRALIA, 1877 plunger noun a heavy bettor AUSTRALIA, 1895 plungeroo noun a pinball enthusiast US, 1945 plunked adjective pregnant NEW ZEALAND, 2002 plurry adjective bloody. The Australian Aboriginal English pronunciation of the word BLOODY, occasionally used in a jocular or euphemistic way by non-Aboriginals AUSTRALIA, 1950 plurry adverb bloody AUSTRALIA, 1988 PL -US noun like-minded individuals. Initialism contrived from ‘people like us UK, 1990s plus-15s noun (pedestrian) overpasses connecting buildings in Calgary, Alberta CANADA, 2002 plush noun stuffed animals US, 1985 Plush family noun used as a humorous personification of empty seats in a theatre UK, 1052 plush out verb to completely refurbish a car’s upholstery and interior US, 1993 plus-minus adverb approximately, about. As the mathematical for- mula represented by the symbol ± SOUTH AFRICA, 1970 Pluto pup noun a deep-fried battered saveloy on a stick AUSTRALIA, 1986 Pluto water noun a natural mineral water that acts as a strong laxative US, 1972 pluty adjective wealthy; upscale. An abbreviation of ‘plutocratic’ NEW ZEALAND , 1984 Plymouth Argyll noun a file (a tool). Rhyming slang, formed on the name of a football club UK, 1992 PM noun 1 a post mortem examination of a corpse US, 1989. 2 in horse racing, the odds listed before a race. Also known as the ‘PM line’ US, 1955 PMJI used as Internet discussion group shorthand to mean ‘pardon my jumping in’ US, 1997 PMS noun something or someone irritating or unpleasant. Ascribing the stereotypical symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome US, 2001 PMS verb (of a woman) to feel the emotions associated with pre- menstrual syndrome; thus to feel angry, irritable, irrational, anxious, etc. PMS is the recognised abbreviation for ‘pre-menstrual syndrome’ US, 1990 pneumonia hole noun a car window US, 1973 pneumonia sedan noun a truck with no window glass or being driven with the windows down in cold weather US, 1971 po noun 1 a chamber pot. From the pronunciation of ‘pot’ in French pot de chambre. Survives, mainly, through the efforts of the antique trade UK, 1880. 2 in pool, position. A horrid contraction, but one that is in actual use US, 1993. 3 a promiscuous girl, one who will ‘put out’ US, 1963 PO noun a probation officer or parole o fficer US, 1966 po’ boy noun a public assistance cheque US, 1971 pocaution noun contraception BAHAMAS, 1982 poc doc noun a short television documentary. An abbreviation of ‘pocket documentary’ CANADA, 1995 pocket noun < in pocket in possession of drugs to be sold US, 1989. < in the pocket in poker, dealt face-down US, 1990. < in your pocket of someone else, under your control or direction UK, 1851. < out of pocket out of line; inappropriate US, 1972 pocket verb < pocket the red to put the penis in the vagina. A pun from the game of billiards. Snooker offers a wider choice of puns with PINK and BROWN UK, 1937 pocket billiards noun the manipulation of your testicles for masturbation or comfort, performed by your hand hidden in your trouser pocket. Often in the phrase ‘play pocket billiards’ UK, 1940 pocket change noun a small amount of drugs when that is all that is left. From private correspondence with rock musicians UK, 2001 pocket club noun a police truncheon US, 1962 pocket engine noun a large pocket watch TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1939 pocket man noun in a functionally compartmentalised criminal enterprise, the person who holds the cash US, 1987 pocket pistol noun aroastedcobofcornBARBADOS, 1965 pocket pole noun the penis. Plays on branded Pocket Pals™, a range of collectible ‘whimsies’ US, 2001 pocket pool noun used of a man, self-stimulation or masturbation while clothed. Word play based on ball play; the title of a song by Killer Pussy on the ‘Valley Girl’ soundtrack US, 1960 pocket rocket noun 1 the 1973–74 Oldsmobile Cutlass, the first small car from Oldsmobile US, 1992. 2 any small, fast, imported car US, 1994. 3 an improvised syringe filled with a drug and ready for injection US, 1989. 4 marijuana UK, 1998 poco loco adjective crazy; eccentric. Directly from Spanish poco (little) and loco (mad) UK, 2003 pod noun 1 marijuana US, 1952. 2 a marijuana cigarette CANADA, 1958. 3 the head US, 1960. 4 an orthopaedist US, 1994. 5 the tail of a surfboard CANADA, 1977 PO’d adjective angry; pissed off US, 1957 poddle verb in bowling, to roll the ball into the gutter US, 1962 poddy noun 1 a user of an iPod™ branded digital music player; often used as a nickname for an iPod UK, 2004. 2 a young, unbranded calf. From British dialect poddy (obese) AUSTRALIA, 1872 poddy verb to handfeed a young calf, lamb or foal AUSTRALIA, 1960 poddy-dodge verb to steal unbranded cattle AUSTRALIA, 1919 poddy-dodger noun a person who steals unbranded cattle AUSTRALIA, 1919 poddy-dodging adjective the theft of unbranded cattle AUSTRALIA, 1919 podge noun a short and fat person; fatness. From conventional PODGY UK, 1876 podger verb to have sex. A possible conflation of POKE and ROGER UK: SCOTLAND , 1996 podgy noun a girlfriend, mistress or prostitute. Korean war usage; from the Korean word for ‘vulva’ US, 1968 podgy adjective fat UK, 1846 podner noun used as a jocular term of address. Approximating a Western drawl of ‘partner’ US, 1986 pods noun the female breasts US, 1968 Podunk noun any remote, small town US, 1977 podunk adjective worthless, remote US, 1968 poegaai adjective exhausted; drunk SOUTH AFRICA, 1942 poep noun a fart; faeces; hence, contemptuously, of a person SOUTH AFRICA , 1969 poep verb to fart. From Afrikaans into impolite South African English SOUTH AFRICA, 1983 poep adjective bad, unpleasant. From the noun sense as ‘faeces’ SOUTH AFRICA, 1970 poetical adjective drunk UK, 2001 poets’ day noun Friday, especially when used as an excuse to finish work early on a Friday. An acronym for ‘piss off early – tomorrow’s Saturday’ or ‘push off early – tomorrow’s Saturday’ UK, 1984 po-faced adjective having an impassive expression. Influenced by POKER FACE, but most likely to derive from PO (a chamber pot) or ‘poh!’ (an old exclamation of rejection) UK, 1934 pogey noun 1 a male homosexual who prefers the passive role in anal sex US, 1950. 2 unemployment insurance or welfare CANADA, 1976 plunge | pogey 504 pogey bait noun any food with high calorific, low nutritional content. In prison, sweets, cigarettes or other inducements given to men willing to play the passive role in anal sex US, 1950 poggled adjective of a car, having had crash damage repaired. A car dealers’ term UK, 1968 poggler noun 1 a purse; a wallet UK, 1977. 2 a motor vehicle that has had crash-damage repaired. A car dealers’ term UK, 1977 pogo noun 1 a form of dancing (essentially wildly jumping up and down on the spot) associated with punk rock music UK, 1978. 2 a contemptible person. In army use, a member of the administrative personnel, anyone not in the arms corps. From POGO STICK, rhyming slang for PRICK but influenced by imagery of aimlessly bouncing around as one does on a pogo-stick AUSTRALIA, 1972 pogo-pogo noun cocaine US, 1970 pogo stick noun 1 the penis. Rhyming slang for DICK or PRICK, influenced by apt imagery UK, 2003. 2 a Chinese rocket launcher, used in Vietnam by the Viet Cong US, 1966. 3 in electric line work, any telescoping insulated line tool US, 1980. 4 in poker, a player with wildly fluctuating play and success US, 1996 pogue noun 1 a homosexual male who plays the passive role during anal sex, especially if young. Deriving perhaps from Irish Gaelic pogue (to kiss) US, 1941. 2 a member of the armed forces assigned to the rear echelon, safely away from combat; a soldier newly arrived in combat. Seemingly unconnected to the C19 sense as ‘purse’ with ‘pogue-hunter’ as ‘pickpocket’ US, 1975 pogy noun a jail or prison US, 1970 poindexter noun a serious student US, 1981 point noun 1 a hypodermic needle and syringe US, 1961. 2 apen;a pencil. Gay slang UK, 1971. 3 apercentagepointUS, 1981. 4 a man who ensures that order reigns at a brothel US, 1987 point verb < point Dennis at the Doulton (of a male) to urinate. Doulton is a manufacturer of china AUSTRALIA, 1971. < point Percy (of a male) to urinate. A familiar shortening of POINT PERCY AT THE PORCELAIN AUSTRALIA , 1971. < point Percy at the porcelain (of a male) to urinate. Conventionally ‘point PERCY (the penis) at porcelain (the china of a lavatory). Popularised in the UK in the late 1960s and early 70s via a Private Eye magazine cartoon strip and two films featuring Barry Mackenzie, an OCKER (a loutish Australian) created by Barry Humphries (b.1934). Coincidentally, the famously Australian Mr Humphries appeared in a 1974 film called Percy’s Progress, about a man who had a penis transplant. All of which lends credence to the unproven assertion that this phrase is an Australian coinage AUSTRALIA, 1968. < point the bone to point blame at someone; to accuse someone. Figuratively recalling the Australian Aboriginal ritual practice of pointing a bone at a person in order to wish death upon them AUSTRALIA, 1943. < point the finger to testify on behalf of the prosecution NEW ZEALAND , 1982. < point the finger at to identify someone or something as having a specific responsibility UK, 1833 pointer noun 1 a criminally inclined youth, especially a youth gang member US, 1963. 2 a large facial blemish US, 1976 pointers noun female breasts with prominent pointed nipples US, 1983 point-fi ve noun a homosexual FIJI, 1995 point-out noun a member of a confidence swindle who introduces the intended victim to someone whom he identifies as a former acquaintance with good connections, who then lures the victim further into the swindle US, 1997 pointy-head noun an intellectual. Derogatory US, 2000 pointy-head; pointy-headed adjective intellectual, if at the expense of common sense. Derogatory US, 1972 Poirot noun a Belgian police officer. After Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s famous fictional detective UK, 2002 poison noun 1 a narcotic or an alcoholic drink, especially a person’s favourite. Used in a jocular tone US, 1805. 2 narcotics, especially heroin US, 1984 poisoner noun a cook to a group of rural workers, especially shearers AUSTRALIA, 1905 poison shop noun a pharmacy US, 1988 poke noun 1 a wallet or purse US, 1859. 2 money; a roll of money US, 1926 . 3 the stomach US, 1975. 4 power, especially horsepower UK, 1965. 5 a punch; a hard hitting verbal thrust. Both uses derive from the conventional sense (a thrust, a push) UK, 1788. 6 an inhalation of marijuana or opium smoke US, 1955. 7 marijuana. From ‘pokeweed’, Phytolacca americana, a strong smelling shrub native to North America UK, 2001. 8 a woman sexually objectified UK, 1937. 9 a poor person who attempts through demeaning behaviour to be accepted by upper-class people BAHAMAS, 1982 poke verb 1 (from a man’s point of view) to have sex with a woman UK, 1868. 2 used as an emphatic rejection. Synonymous with STUFF or FUCK IT! UK, 2003. 3 to smoke marijuana US, 1982. 4 to inject a drug UK, 2003. < poke borak to make fun of someone or something; to deride someone or something; to ridicule someone or something. Contextually in this phrase ‘borak’ means ‘rubbish; nonsense’. It has its origins in the Australian Aboriginal language Wathawurung where it expressed negation AUSTRALIA, 1873. < poke mullock at to deride someone; to make fun of someone AUSTRALIA, 1916. < poke squid (of a male) to have sex US, 1982 poked adjective exhausted NEW ZEALAND, 1978 pokee noun the vagina. Children’s vocabulary TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1974 poker noun 1 the erect penis US, 1969. 2 in fencing, any weapon with a stiff, heavy blade. A derisory term, from the similarity to a conven- tional poker UK, 1988 pokerarse noun someone who is not relaxed or easy going IRELAND, 1992 poker face noun a blank expression that gives nothing away US, 1885 poker voice noun an even speaking tone that does not reveal any underlying emotion US, 1986 pokey noun a jail US, 1919 pokey adjective 1 of an enclosed space, small and dark; inadequate UK, 1849. 2 dawdling, slow. From SLOWPOKE US, 1991 pokie noun an electronic poker machine NEW ZEALAND, 2002 pol noun a politician US, 1942 Polack; Polak noun a Polish immigrant or a Polish-American. Disparaging US, 1898 Polack; Polak adjective Polish US, 1964 Polack fiddle noun a bucksaw, a one-man tool. Because of the skill attributed to Polish loggers in handling a bucksaw US, 1975 Poland-and-China noun a black and white police car US, 1962 polari; palare; parlare noun a slang vocabulary used by theatricals and homosexuals. Variants include: ‘polare’ and ‘parlaree’. Probably from Italian parlare (to talk). This ‘language’ itself derives in great part from Italian and Romany roots, incorporating back slang, Cockney rhyming slang and Yiddish among its influences. The earliest form, known as ‘parleyaree’, was used by C17 actors who, as a despised section of society, needed a discreet means of communication; as theatricals achieved a degree of respectability so the use of the language changed and polari emerged. By the late 1930s the tolerance of theatre-life had attracted many homo- sexuals who, as a despised section of society, needed a discreet means of communication UK, 1966 polari; palare; parlare verb to talk, especially to talk in polari UK, 1997 polari lobe noun the ear UK, 2002 polari pipe noun a telephone UK, 2002 Polaroid noun a police radar unit used for measuring vehicles’ speed US, 1976 pole noun 1 the penis UK, 1972. 2 an aircraft’s control column UK, 1981. 3 in planespotting, a telescope UK, 2003. < up the pole 1 pregnant IRELAND, 1922. 2 in a bad way; at a disadvantage AUSTRALIA, 1906. 3 insane UK, 1896 pole verb 1 from a male perspective, to have sex UK, 1984. 2 to steal something NEW ZEALAND, 1964. < pole on to impose on someone; to not do one’s fair share of work AUSTRALIA, 1906 505 pogey bait | pole poleaxe verb to shock someone into helplessness; to stupify someone. From the antique weapon that combines an axe and a hammer UK, 2003 poleaxed adjective drunk. From the sense ‘to render helpless; to stupify’ UK, 2002 pole buddy noun in electric line work, a transformer gin US, 1980 polecat noun 1 a police car. From the animal’s black and white fur US, 1976. 2 in the television and film industries, a lamp support US, 1990 poleclimbers noun heavy work boots with steel-reinforced toes and arches US, 1995 poledad noun an annoying, new-to-the-sport skateboarder US, 1964 pole dance noun a sexual dance performed with a vertical pole as a main prop US, 2000 pole day noun in motor racing, the first day of qualifying heats when the pole position is decided US, 1973 pole hog noun in Canadian military aviation, a pilot who tries to keep his hand on the control column CANADA, 1995 pole in the hole nickname the Spire monument in O’Connell Street, Dublin IRELAND, 2003 pole jockey noun a telephone or power lineman US, 1960 pole orchard noun the half-acre of utility poles at the Fort Gordon, Georgia Signal Corps School where linemen are given climbing instruction US, 1968 poles noun trousers. Vietnam war slang US, 1991 pole work noun utilisation of a pole by a dancer in a sex club US, 2001 poley; poly noun a hornless cow or bull AUSTRALIA, 1843 poley adjective 1 of a beast, hornless. From British dialect poly, polly, poll, variant of polled (de-horned) AUSTRALIA, 1843. 2 of a container, missing a handle AUSTRALIA, 1901 polgarize verb during the Vietnam war, to give unrealistic and optimistic reports of the US progress in the war. Named after Thomas Polgar, CIA station chief in Saigon in the early 1970s US, 1990 po-lice noun the police. By stressing the first syllable, the conven- tional term becomes unconventional US, 1970 police discount noun a great, if not complete, reduction in the price of goods or services provided to police in their area of duty US, 1975 policeman noun in horse racing, a horse entered in a claiming race solely for the purpose of permitting the owner to claim another horse in the race US, 1951 policeman lesion noun in an x-ray, a lesion that is unmissable. Medical wit; the lesion must be so obvious that a policeman would spot it UK, 2002 policeman’s helmet noun the glans of the erect penis. From a similarity in shape to the traditional headwear of the British constable UK, 1961 police pimp noun an informer to the police AUSTRALIA, 1956 police psychology noun brute physical force US, 1973 policy noun an illegal lottery. Better known as the NUMBERS racket US, 1843 policy banker noun the operator of an illegal numbers racket or lottery US, 1975 polio weed noun extremely potent marijuana. Marijuana so strong as to reduce the user to a ‘polio-like’ condition US, 1982 polis noun the police; a police officer. Mainly Scottish and Irish use UK, 1878 poli sci noun political science. College shorthand US, 1971 polish noun oral sex performed on a man NEW ZEALAND, 1998 polish verb < polish the mug to wash your face US, 1962 polish and gloss; polish verb (of a male) to masturbate. Rhyming slang for TOSS UK, 1992 polisher noun an alcoholic who drinks metal polish UK, 1966 Polish jew noun a firecracker US, 1991 Polish martini noun a shot of whisky and a glass of beer US, 1982 Polish matched luggage noun two shopping bags from Goldblatt’s, a low-end Chicago department store chain US, 1982 polish off verb to defeat someone; to finish or get rid of something; to eat something without leaving anything (especially with gusto) UK, 1873 Polish smoking jacket noun a sleeveless tee-shirt or undershirt vest US, 2002 Polish victory lap noun circling a track in the opposite direction to which a race has been run in celebration of victory. A calculated creation in 1988 of driver Alan Kulwicki, who died in an aeroplane crash in 1993 US, 1990 political holy water noun alcohol CANADA, 1999 politician noun in prison, a trusted prisoner given responsibilities and liberties exceeding those of normal prisoners US, 1946 politico; politicko noun a politican either ambitious or unscrupulous, or both. From the Italian or Spanish UK, 1893 pollakaun noun a hoard of money; savings IRELAND, 2000 Pollard’s cellar noun a notional representation of homelessness BARBADOS, 1965 pollatic adjective drunk UK, 2002 pollie noun a politician AUSTRALIA, 1967 pollutant noun amphetamine; MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy. It makes you POLLUTED (intoxicated) UK, 2003 polluted adjective 1 drunk US, 1976. 2 warped, perverse US, 1988 polly noun a politician US, 1974 Polly Flinder noun 1 a window. Rhyming slang, noted as a ‘shiner’s (window cleaner’s) term’ UK, 1961. 2 a cinder, especially when used to describe over-cooked food. Rhyming slang, formed from the nursery rhyme character Polly Flinders UK, 1992 polly parrot noun a carrot. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 polo noun a mixture of heroin and a motion-sickness drug. From the middle syllables in ‘scopolamine’ UK, 2002 polo mint noun 1 without money. Rhyming slang for SKINT,basedon the famous ‘mint with the hole’ UK, 2002. 2 a girlfriend; a young woman. Rhyming slang for BINT. Also based on the branded mint sweet UK, 2003. 3 a traffic roundabout. Citizens’ band radio slang, from the similarity of shape with Polo™ branded peppermints UK, 1981 polone; pollone; polony; polonee; noun a woman; a girl; an effeminate man. Polari. Also variants with an ‘a’ to include ‘palone’, ‘paloney’ and ‘palogne’ UK, 1934 Polski noun a Polish immigrant or Polish-American US, 1997 polvo noun 1 phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust US, 2001. 2 powdered drugs; heroin; cocaine. Directly from Spanish polvo (powder): POWDER (heroin). Also variant ‘polvito’ UK, 1980 polvo blanco noun cocaine. From Spanish for ‘white powder’ UK, 1998 poly noun 1 a person who loves and has sex with multiple partners. An abbreviation of ‘polyamorous’ US, 2000. 2 a polytechnic UK, 2002. 3 marijuana of a supposedly Polynesian origin UK, 1997. 4 a surfboard manufactured with polyurethane US, 1963 8see: POLEY polyster queen noun a girl or woman with no fashion sense US, 1985 Pom; pom noun an English person, or more loosely, a person from Britain. Shortening of POMMY AUSTRALIA, 1912 Pom; pom adjective English, or more loosely, British AUSTRALIA, 1960 Pomland nickname England AUSTRALIA, 1984 Pommified adjective having taken on an English character AUSTRALIA, 1936 Pommy; Pommie noun an English person, or more loosely, a person from Britain. Originally used of English immigrants to Australia, it is a shortening of the now obsolete ‘Pomegranate’, rhyming slang for ‘immigrant’. The rhyming slang term and the shortened variants ‘Pom’ and ‘Pommy’ all appear in the lexical record at the same time. The occasional spelling ‘pommygrant’ shows the poleaxe | Pommy; Pommie 506 . Polish loggers in handling a bucksaw US, 1 975 Poland -and- China noun a black and white police car US, 1962 polari; palare; parlare noun a slang vocabulary used by theatricals and homosexuals. Variants. ‘polare’ and ‘parlaree’. Probably from Italian parlare (to talk). This ‘language’ itself derives in great part from Italian and Romany roots, incorporating back slang, Cockney rhyming slang and Yiddish. young woman. Rhyming slang for BINT. Also based on the branded mint sweet UK, 2003. 3 a traffic roundabout. Citizens’ band radio slang, from the similarity of shape with Polo™ branded peppermints