shake and bakenoun1a non-commissioned officer fresh out oftrainingUS, 1985.2a portable fire shelter used by workers fighting forest firesUS, 1991 shake and shiver; shakenouna riverUK, 19
Trang 1shake and bakenoun1a non-commissioned officer fresh out of
trainingUS, 1985.2a portable fire shelter used by workers fighting
forest firesUS, 1991
shake and shiver; shakenouna riverUK, 1960
shakedownnoun1a search of a person or placeUS, 1914.2an act of
extortionUS, 1902
shake downverb1to search a person or a placeUS, 1915.2to extort
US, 1872
shakersnouna bar featuring topless dancersUS, 1994
shaker wirenouna motion-detector system used for perimeter
security in prisonsUS, 1996
shakesnounany disease or condition characterised by trembling,
especially delirium tremens UK, 1782
shake-upnouna mixture of wine and corn whiskyUS, 1973
Shakey IslesnicknameNew Zealand Noted for its earthquakes
AUSTRALIA, 1933
shake your shirt!hurry up!NEW ZEALAND, 2002
shakey sidenounthe west coast of the US, especially California A
term popularised during the citizens’ band radio craze of 1976,
recognised by many but used by few A reference to the seismic
instability of the west coastUS, 1976
ShakiesnounNew Zealand From the sobriquet ‘the shakey isles’
AUSTRALIA, 1989
Shakynouna Chevrolet carUS, 1965
shaky jakenicknamethe Jacobs radial engine, powering
Canadian-built variants of the Anson, a training and liaison aircraftCANADA,
1995
shamnouna streetwise young male; a friend; an untrustworthy
indi-vidualIRELAND, 1989
shamverbduring the Vietnam war, to fabricate an injury or
aggravate a real injury in the hope of being sent homeUS, 1991
sham-battleverbto engage in youth gang warfareUS, 1949
shambolicadjectivedisordered, chaotic From ‘shambles’UK, 1958
sham dunknounin poker, a poor hand that wins a pot as a result of
successful bluffingUS, 1996
shame-faceadjectiveshyCAYMAN ISLANDS, 1985
shameful!used as a humorous admission that you have been
cleverly ridiculedUS, 1963
shame outverbto ridicule vociferouslyUS, 1963
shamerationnounthe epitome of shameUS, 1963
shammernouna soldier who prolongs a legitimate absence from
the frontline to avoid combatUS, 1970
shampoonoun1champagne A soundalike punUK, 1957.2a scene in
a pornographic film or photograph depicting a man ejaculating
onto a person’s hairUS, 1995
shamrocknounMDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy
UK, 1998
shamshesnoungood-looking men Possibly back slang from
‘smashers’UK, 1947
shamusnouna police detective; a private detectiveUS, 1925
shanghainoun1a sudden and unexpected transfer of a prisoner to
another facility as a form of punishmentAUSTRALIA, 1977.2a
handheld catapult Probably from northern British dialect shangie,
a variant of shangan, from Scottish Gaelic seangan: ‘a cleft stick
for putting on a dog’s tail’AUSTRALIA, 1863
shanghaiverb1to abduct someone; to compel someone to do
something From military usage, ‘to transfer forcibly’US, 1934.2to
transfer a prisoner without warningAUSTRALIA, 1980.3to detail
someone to a task; to enlist someone to do something that they
are not entirely willing to do From US nautical slang describing a
method of recruiting sailors consisting of drugs and forceUS, 1915
Shania Twain; shanianouna pain Rhyming slang, formed from
the name of the popular Canadian singer (b.1965)UK, 2003
shanknouna homemade knife or stabbing and slashing weaponUS,
shankverbto stab someone, especially with a homemade weapon
US, 1955
shanks’s ponynounwalking, as a mode of transport Ultimately from ‘shank’ (the leg)UK, 1898
shantnouna drink; a drinking sessionUK, 1999
shantverbto drink heavilyUK: SCOTLAND, 2002
shantoozynoun a female singer A corruption of chanteuse UK, 2002
shantynoun1a brakevan (caboose)US, 1977.2in poker, a hand consisting of three cards of the same rank and a pair
Conventionally known as a ‘full house’US, 1988
shanty Irishnounpoor Irish immigrantsUS, 1970
shantyman’s smallpoxnounmarks from hard physical fighting
CANADA, 1965
shapenoun1a person of unconventional physical appearance DisparagingUK: SCOTLAND, 1985.2a surfboardAUSTRALIA, 1963
shapeverb1to improve your behaviour or attitudeUK, 1960.2to adopt a fighting stance; to prepare to fightUK, 1855
shapesnoundice altered by cheats so as to be not true cubesUS, 1950
shape up or ship out!used as a last warning to someone whose ways need mendingUS, 1956
sharewarenouncomputer software that is freely available but for which the developer asks a paymentUS, 1988
sharknoun1an unscrupulous businessman or lawyer given to unethical practice and exploitation Derives from the voracious appetites and predatory behaviour of the fishUK, 1713.2a loan sharkUS, 1990.3a swindler The variant ‘sharkie’ also existsUK, 1599
sharkverbin a dice game such as craps, to make a controlled (cheating) throw of the diceUS, 1950
shark and tattiesnounfish and chipsNEW ZEALAND, 1984
shark baitnoun1a person who swims out past the surf at a beach;
a person in shark-infested watersAUSTRALIA, 1920.2a person with very pale skin Hawaiian youth usageUS, 1982
shark citynounLooe, CornwallUK, 1981
shark-fuckernouna surferAUSTRALIA, 1987
sharkingnoun1among women, the practice of man-hunting; sub-sequently also used by men hunting women Also used in the verb form ‘shark’ In 1999, in answer to the question ‘What are you doing tonight?’ a professional Soho media-type in her mid-20s offered a non-verbal shorthand: she placed both hands palm to palm above her head in imitation of a shark’s finUK, 1999.2the illegal loaning of money at extremely high interest ratesUS, 1974
shark meatnounan easy victim of a cheat, swindler or hustlerUS, 1990
sharkyadjectiveused of a surfboard nose, pointedUS, 1991
Sharon; Shaznouna stereotypical working-class young woman Pejorative, in the sense that such a woman is socially unacceptable; from a name widely associated in the 1980s and 90s with that generation and class Shaz is a diminutive of Sharon
UK, 1994
Sharon Stone; sharonnouna telephone, especially a mobile phone Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the US film actress (b.1958)UK, 1998
sharpnoun1in gambling, a cheat A shortened from ofSHARPER UK ,
1797.2a number sign (#) on a computer keyboardUS, 1991
sharpadjectivestylish, fashionable, attractiveUS, 1944 < you are so sharp you’ll cut yourselfused to note someone’s (over-) cleverness, also to reprove someone for that over-cleverness; especially implying a sharp-tongued clevernessUK, 1910
sharp and bluntnounthe vagina Rhyming slang forCUNT UK , 1937
sharpenverb< sharpen the pencilto have sex Possibly derisive, the use of ‘pencil’ indicates a small penisUS, 2001 < sharpen your pencilto reduce the priceUK, 1997
sharp endnounin any given endeavour, the position which is exposed to the greatest difficuty or criticism; the vanguard From
Trang 2sharpernounin gambling, a cheaterUK, 1681
sharpering omee; sharpernouna police officer Polari; a variation
ofCHARPERER;CHARPERING OMEE UK , 2002
sharper’s toolnouna fool Rhyming slangUK, 1937
sharpestadjective< not the sharpest tool in the boxapplied to
someone of below average intelligenceUK, 2002
sharpienoun1a gambling cheatUS, 1942.2in pinball, a player who
can play for long periods of time without paying because of his
ability to win free gamesUS, 1977.3a stylishly dressed teenage
delinquent FromSHARP(stylish) During the 1960s and 70s only,
coming after theBODGIEandWIDGIEand precedingPUNK ROCK
AUSTRALIA, 1965.4an uncircumcised penisUS, 2002
sharpishadverbquicklyUK, 1984
sharpsnouna hypodermic needle and syringe Drug addict usage,
borrowed from the medical terminology for any skin-piercing
deviceUS, 1994
sharpshootverbto question a speaker after a lectureUS, 1968
sharpshooternoun1a man whose wife is always pregnant; a man
whose children are of the desired sexFIJI, 1994.2an intravenous
drug user who usually hits a vein on the first attempt to inject a
drugUS, 1986.3in electric line work, a narrow blade shovel used in
hard dirtUS, 1980.4in oil drilling, a long, narrow shovelUS, 1954
sharp topnounin a deck of playing cards, an aceUS, 1988
shastanouna sexual partner who is not particularly attractive, but
who was available at the time An allusion to Shasta™ soda, not
especially liked but available and inexpensiveUS, 2001
shatverb< shat along on my uppersto have fallen on hard
timesCANADA, 1999 < shat itto have been frightened into giving
up A variation in the past tense ofSHIT IT(to be afraid)UK, 2000
shat onadjectivehaving been insulted and humilated The past
tense ofSHIT ON UK , 2000
shatteredadjective1very tired, exhaustedUK, 1930.2emotionally
battered; depressed Prison usageNEW ZEALAND, 1997.3very drunkUK,
1962
shavenouna man with a shaved head; a shaved head Unlike the
SKINHEAD, a ‘shave’ has no racist or Nazi ideologyNEW ZEALAND, 1997
shaveverb1to alter the edges or surfaces of dice for use by a cheat
US, 1974.2in hot rodding, to remove body trim from a car
prepatory to customising the carUS, 1950s to 70s < shave pointsto
reduce scoring during a sports contest in furtherance of a
gambling conspiracyUS, 1982
shave and a haircut – two bitsdescribes a particular repeated
musical phrase that is characterised by the rhythm of the words in
the spoken phrase This musicalRIFFis often credited to guitarist
Bo Diddley (b.1928) but the rhythm was already familiar as a
pattern of raps used for door-knockingCANADA, 1940
shave offverbto deliver a severe reprimand; to rant disapprovingly
on any topic Royal Navy slangUK, 1989
shave off!used to denote surprise, disgust, frustration or
amazement The Royal Navy is the only arm of the UK military
that may allow a beard to be worn, hence the adoption, as
expletive, of the order ‘Shave off!’UK, 1989
shavernoun1a discounter of notes, at high interest ratesCANADA,
1946.2in the Korean war, a booby trap used by South Korean
troops to sabotage North Korean transportation cartsUS, 1982
shave-tailnoun1a cigarette stubUS, 1949.2a newly promoted
second lieutenantUS, 1970
shazam!; shazzam!used for registering triumph An incantatory
ritual from the comic book character created by Bill Parker and
C.C Beck in 1940 – a metaphorically God-like character whose
name is called on by the superhero Captain Marvel in moments of
crisis; Shazam is an acronym of Solomon (wisdom), Hercules
(strength), Atlas (stamina), Zeus (power), Achilles (courage) and
Mercury (speed) US, 1940
shenoun1cocaineUS, 1958.2used of an effeminate homosexual
man, heUK, 1950.3the penis An owner’s usage, in much the same
shearsnounplaying cards that have been trimmed for cheatingUS, 1961
shebangnounany thing, matter or business at issue at the moment Usually as ‘the whole shebang’ The former senses of ‘a hut’, ‘vehicle’ or ‘tavern’ are all but forgottenUS, 1869
shebangverbto ingest cocaine by spraying a solution of cocaine and water up the noseUK, 2002
shebeennoun an unlicensed drinking place Irish síbín (illicit whisky)
led to original use in Ireland Adopted in the C20 for use in South African townships and UK West Indian communitiesIRELAND, 1847
she-bill; she-notenouna two-dollar noteUS, 1996
shednounin poker, a hand consisting of three cards of the same rank and a pair Known conventionally as a ‘full house’US, 1988.
< off your shedin a state of mental confusion, insane A vari-ation ofOFF YOUR HEAD UK , 1991
shedverbin poker, to discard a card or cardsUS, 1967
sheddedadjective drunk Recorded by ‘e-cyclopaedia’, BBC News,
20th March 2002, with the somewhat oblique explanation ‘as in
"My shed has collapsed taking most of the fence with it"’UK, 2003
sheddernouna moulting lobsterUS, 1978
shedfulnouna great quantity A variation ofSHED LOAD UK , 2002
shed load; shedloadsnouna great quantity Probably euphemistic forSHITLOADrather than a genuinely approximate measureUK, 1997
shed rownounin horse racing, the row of barns where horses are stabledUS, 1951
sheebanouna sensimilla variety of marijuana; a type of hashish produced from the pollen of the plant Derived, perhaps, from
CHIBA(a marijuana variety)US, 2003
Sheelanounan effeminate man or boy Defined by Bernard Share
in Slanguage, 2003, as a man or boy who takes an interest in
‘affairs properly belonging to women’IRELAND, 2003
sheennouna car An abbreviation of ‘machine’US, 1968
Sheenanouna melodramatic black homosexual male From the
comic book, Sheena, Queen of the Jungle US, 1980
sheenynouna Jewish personUK, 1816
sheepnouna woman who volunteers to take part in serial sex with members of a motorcyle club or gangUS, 1972
sheep-dippingnounthe use of military equipment or personnel in
an intelligence operation under civilian coverUS, 1989
sheep-fuckernouna New ZealanderAUSTRALIA, 1991
sheep-herdernounan inferior driverUS, 1976
sheepienounhair permed into a fleece of curlsUK, 2001
sheep’s backnounthe wool industryAUSTRALIA, 1962
sheep’s eyesnouna look that indicates attraction or sexual interest
UK, 1811
sheepshagger; sheep shaggernoun1a native of Wales Literally,
‘someone who has sex with sheep’; derogatoryUK, 1997.2a New Zealander Reflecting the high density population of sheep in New ZealandUK, 2000.3an AustralianNEW ZEALAND, 1999
sheepshaggingadjectivecontemptibleUK, 2002
sheepskinnoun1a university diplomaUS, 1843.2an executive criminal pardonUS, 1962.3a condomUS, 1991
sheeronounthe head English gypsy useUK, 2000
sheeshadjectivevery stylish; unnecessarily ornamented; elaborate;
fussy Probably from French slang chichi (used of affected looks
and manners)UK, 1967
sheesh!used as a mild expletive Euphemistic for, and possibly a slovening of, ‘Jesus!’US, 1997
sheetnoun1a police record of arrests and convictions Probably a shortenedRAP SHEET,but earlier sources for ‘sheet’ than this raise questionsUS, 1958.2a one-pound note; £1 in value This survived, perhaps surprisingly, the introduction of the coin in 1983UK, 1968.
3a newspaperUS, 1981.4one hundred doses of LSD soaked into
Trang 3sheetverbto charge someone with a criminal offence Police useUK,
2002
sheet!used for registering surprise, rage, etc May be a euphemism
or an emphasised pronunciation ofSHIT!depending on your needs
US, 1995
sheet rockingnouna combination of crack cocaine and LSDUK, 2003
sheetsnouna daily report of recent criminal activity, circulated
among police going on shiftUS, 1975 < between the sheetsin
bed, especially in a reference to sexUK, 1865
sheet writer; writernounin an illegal sports betting operation or
lottery; a functionary who takes and records betsUS, 1949
sheezynoun< for sheezya very attractive teenager or young
woman Adopted fromFO’ SHEEZY(certainly)SOUTH AFRICA, 2003
she-henouna transvestite or transgender personUS, 1970
sheilanouna woman; a girl From the given name Sheila In the
C19 spelt ‘shelah’ and ‘shaler’, settling down to its current form in
the early part of the C20 Although not highly derogatory it
certainly is not complimentary, and many women take exception
to it Women as a rule do not refer to other women as ‘sheilas’
AUSTRALIA, 1832
shekelsnounmoney From the ancient Babylonian unit of weight
and coinUS, 1883
shelfnoun1an informerAUSTRALIA, 1916.2solitary confinementUS,
1967.3in circus and carnival usage, an upper sleeping berthUS, 1981.
< on the shelfunlikely to marryUK, 1839
shelfverbto inform on someoneAUSTRALIA, 1936
shelf lifenounthe period of time during which something or
someone remains popular or in demand From the literal sense
meaning the period of time during which a product may be
stored and remain suitable for useUS, 1996
shelfwarenouna computer program bought but not usedUS, 1991
shellnoun1a bullet From the conventional senses as ‘an explosive
projectile’ or ‘cartridge case’UK, 2001.2a person who is somewhat
lacking in mental facultiesUS, 2002.3a safe with a thin door and
wallsUS, 1950
shellverbto move quickly, most likely derived from Shell Motor
SpiritBARBADOS, 1965
shellackingnouna beating; a defeatUS, 1931
shell backnouna reactionary Originally nautical, meaning ‘an
experienced sailor’UK, 1943
she’ll be righteverything will be okayAUSTRALIA, 1947
she’ll be sweeteverything will be all rightAUSTRALIA, 1957
shell-likenounthe ear Extracted from the phraseWORD IN YOUR
SHELL-LIKE UK , 1994
Shell Mexnounsex Rhyming slang, formed from the oil company
UK, 1992
shell outverbto payUK, 1801
shellsnounmoney Probably adapted from ‘clamshell’ ($1)UK, 1997
shemalenouna transvestite, transsexual or other transgender
person; a person with mixed sexual physiology, usually the genitals
of a male and surgically augmented breastsUS, 1954
shemozzle; schemozzle; schlemozzlenouna fuss; an altercation;
a difficulty; an unfortunate incident An East End corruption of
German schlimm (bad) and Hebrew mazel (luck), thus Yiddish
schlimazel (an unlucky person) UK, 1889
shenanigansnountrickery; mischiefUS, 1855
shepherdnouna firefighter assigned to a hook-and-ladder truck
Probably named for the hook which he carries, evocative of a
shepherd’s staffUS, 1954
shepherdverbin croquet, to guide your ball illegally through the
hoop by pushing with your malletUS, 1977
Shepherd’s Bushnoun1dismissal from employment Rhyming
slang forTHE PUSH, from an area of west LondonUK, 1992.2the face
Rhyming slang forMUSH(the face), from an area of west London
shepherd’s pie; shepherd’snounthe sky Rhyming slangUK, 1992
shepherd’s plaid; shepherdsadjectivebad Rhyming slangUK, 1932
sherbert; sherbetnounalcoholic drink, especially beer; a drink of beer Originally (late C19) any warm alcoholic drink; ultimately
Turkish sherbet (a cooling non-alcoholic drink) AUSTRALIA, 1904
sherbet dab; sherbetnoun a taxi, a cab Rhyming slang UK, 1998
sherbet dipnoun a gratuity, a tip Rhyming slang UK, 1992
Sheridan Morleyadverbunwell Rhyming slang for ‘poorly’; based
on the name of noted author, radio presenter and theatre critic Sheridan Morley (b.1941)UK, 2001
shermnoun1a marijuana cigarette that has been supplemented with phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel
dust From Shermans™, a cigarette brandUS, 1982.2crack cocaine
US, 1993.3a social outcastUS, 1998
sherman tank; shermannoun1an American Rhyming slang for
YANK, based on the main US battle tank of World War 2UK, 1979.
2an act of masturbation Rhyming slang forWANK UK , 1992
shermedadjectiveintoxicated with phencyclide, an animal tranquillizerUS, 1990
shermsnoun1phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dustUS, 1981.2crack cocaineUS, 1994
Sherwin-Williams overhaulnounin the used car business, a paint job and no further effort to repair or restore a car for sale Sherwin-Williams is a paint manufacturerUS, 1992
she-sheadjectiveeffeminateBARBADOS, 1965
she’s rightthat’s okay; everything is all rightAUSTRALIA, 1938
sheuchnounthe cleft between the buttocks Glasgow slang from
broader Scots sheuch (a trench, a ditch) UK: SCOTLAND, 1996 < up the sheuchmistakenUK: SCOTLAND, 1996
shibbynouna man who does houseworkUK: SCOTLAND, 1996
shibbyadjectivepositive; pleasing Probably coined by Phil Ashton for
the 2001 film Dude Where’s My Car? in which it is used as a
replacement for nouns, verbs, adjectives, proper names, etc.; the original intention in the film was to use the word to mean
‘marijuana’; when all drugs references were removed the word remained This multi-purpose word is also used as a replacement for any verb, and as a lover’s nicknameUS, 2004
shicer; sheisternouna despicable man; a cheat; a welsher From
German scheisser (a shitter) UK, 1846
shicknouna slice, a share, a rake-off Perhaps from Schick, a US manufacturer of safety and electric razors since 1926UK, 1968
shicker; shickered; schickeradjective drunk From Yiddish shiker
(drunk); like many words for ‘intoxicated’ (or the causes thereof ), there are a number of understandably inconsistent spellings, including: ‘shiker’, ‘shikker’, ‘shikkered’, ‘shikkured’ and ‘shikkared’
AUSTRALIA, 1898
shieldnouna police officerUS, 1965
shiftverb1to move or be moved from prison to prisonUK, 1996.2to engage in sexual activity The exact type of sexual activity is not specified, unlike, for example,RIDEwhich implies penetrative sex
IRELAND, 1998 < shift your arse; shift your assto start moving;
to move with speedUK, 1996 < shift your cock(of a man) to start moving; to move with speedUK, 1997
shiftlessnounin the car sales business, equipped with an automatic transmissionUS, 1953
shiftynounsex with a prostituteUS, 1954
shikse; shiksa; shixanouna Gentile womanUK, 1892
shikse from Dixienounthe ultimate in Gentile femininity The reference to Dixie is soley for the rhyme; it does not connote that the woman in question is from the southUS, 1945
shillnoun1in a confidence swindle, a confederate who appears to
be prospering as a result of the scheme which is designed to fleece the victimUS, 1940.2a person posing as an enthusiastic and satisfied customer in order to boost sales by a confederateUS, 1916
shillverbto pose falsely as a satisfied customer or successful gambler in order to encourage genuine customers, gamblers, etc
Trang 4shillelaghnoun1in hot rodding, a Chevrolet engine, especially a
V-8 Only related to the Irish blackthorn cudgel in sound US, 1965.2in
horse racing, a jockey’s whipAUSTRALIA, 1989
shillingsnounmoneyUK, 2000
shillings and pence; shillingsnounsense Rhyming slang, updated
toPOUNDS AND PENCEin the wake of 1971’s decimalisationUK, 1992
shilly-shallyverbto be undecided; to hesitate Rarely heard in the
US, but understood in contextUK, 1782
shilly-shallyingnounindecision, hesitationUK, 1842
shimnoun1a plastic strip used for forcing locksUS, 1968.2a person
whose sex is not easily guessed on the basis of their hair and
clothingUS, 1970
shimverbto force a lock with a plastic stripUS, 1972
shimmynoun1the game chemin de fer US, 1961.2an undershirt
Perhaps an abbreviation of ‘chemise’NORFOLK ISLAND, 1992
shimmy actnouna feigned seizureUS, 1988
shimmy dancernouna woman who performs sexual dancesUS, 1962
shindignouna party A rural term that moved to the city; it gained
wide usage as a result of the musical television programme
Shindig which aired on ABC from September 1964 until January
1966US, 1871
shinenoun1a black person Abusive in any contextUS, 1908.2a
government bureaucrat From the shine on the seat of the
bureau-crat’s trousersUS, 1987.3alcoholUS, 1933.4a still used in the illegal
production of alcoholUS, 1974.5an act of oral sex A possible play
on spit and polish as a means of getting a shine; it seems only to
have been noted in the pluralUK, 2002 < take a shine to
someoneto take a liking to someone or somethingUS, 1839
shineverb1to speak evasively and avoid a subject, often through
flatteryUS, 1993.2to mock someoneUS, 1993.3on the railways, to
start a work shiftUS, 1977 < shine for someoneto appeal to
someoneUS, 1949 < shine onto ignore something completelyUS,
1981
shine boxnouna nightclub for an exclusively black clientele; a
nightclub providing entertainment by black jazz musicians
CombinesSHINE(a black person) and otherwise obsolete ‘box’ (a
tavern, from French boîte) US, 1940
shine parlournounan establishment that sells alcohol illegally, by
the drink The ‘shine’ is an abbreviatedMOONSHINE US , 1978
shinernoun1a black eyeUS, 1904.2a torchUS, 1950.3a railway
lanternUS, 1946.4in carnival usage, a diamondUS, 1981.5in
gambling, an object that reflects, enabling the user to cheat by
seeing cards as they are dealtUS, 1997
shiner playernounin gambling, a cheat who uses a shiny object to
reflect the cards as they are dealtUS, 1997
shineynouna clerk A reference to the shiny seat of a clerk’s
trousers – caused by an excess of sitting down In Royal Air Force
use, 2002UK, 2002
shin fightnouna sham gang fightUS, 1958
shinglenoun1a name plate above a prison cell doorUS, 1961.2a car
number plateUS, 1976.3a lawyerUS, 1958 < a shingle short
lacking a full complement of intelligence From ‘shingle’ (a
wooden roofing tile), thus ‘a shingle short of a roof’AUSTRALIA, 1844
shining timenounstarting time for workUS, 1946
Shinnernouna member of Sinn FeinIRELAND, 1921
shinolanounused as a contrast in describing ignorance as not
knowing shit from shinola Shinola was a patented name (1903)
for a boot polishUS, 1940
shinplasternouna dollarCANADA, 1963
shiny and bright; shinyadjectiveright Rhyming slangUK, 1992
shiny-arsenouna desk worker Disparaging During World War 2
used of base personnel who saw no combatAUSTRALIA, 1945
shiny buttonsnounmoneyUS, 1947
shiny wing pilotnouna pilot who has just completed his flight
instruction training
shipnoun< on the shipin prison, an unofficially worded instruction for immediate transfer to another prisonUK, 1996
ship; ship out; ship offverbto move or be moved from prison to prisonUS, 1950
ship drivernouna US Navy officer Gulf war usageUS, 1992
shipfuckernouna rabble rouser; a troublemakerUS, 1970
ship in full sail; shipnounale Rhyming slangUK, 1857
shipoopinouna womanUS, 1954
shippienouna prostitute focused on visiting sailors as customers
NEW ZEALAND, 1999
ship’s anchornouna contemptible person Rhyming slang for
WANKER UK , 2003
ship-ticknounin college, a notification of academic deficiencyUS, 1968
shiraleenouna swag Now only historicalAUSTRALIA, 1892
shirt-lifternouna male homosexualAUSTRALIA, 1966
shirtyadjectiveangry, especially if only temporarily; characteristically ill-tempered From ‘shirt’ as a symbol of anger in such obsolete phrases as: ‘lose your shirt’ or ‘have your shirt out’ (to become angry)UK, 1897
Shishkaberrynounin British Columbia, a local hybrid strain of marijuanaCANADA, 2002
shishkebobnounthe penis Rhyming slang forKNOB(the penis); based on the appropriately shaped Turkish dish shish kebab (roast meat on a skewer)US, 1999
shistyadjectivecold-hearted, meanUS, 2004
shitnoun1heroinUS, 1950.2marijuanaUS, 1946.3crack cocaineUK,
1996.4narcotics; drugs in generalUS, 1967.5things; possessionsUS,
1969.6anything at allUS, 1995.7nothing; something of no value
IRELAND, 1922.8et ceteraUS, 1999.9used as a basis for extreme com-parisonsUS, 1957.10a foul moodAUSTRALIA, 1973.11troubleUS, 1937.
12a contemptible person Figurative use of excrement, since C16; often in combination as ‘regular shit’, ‘arrogant shit’, etcUK, 1508.
13criticismUK, 2003.14abuse; unfair treatmentUK, 1980.
15nonsenseUK, 1930.16used as a term of endearment Especially common in the phrase ‘little shit’US, 1970.17businessUS, 1994.18in the recording industry, a hit singleUS, 1982.19excrement; an act of defecation Conventional from the C16, since the C19 has been considered vulgarUK, 1585.20used as a meaningless discourse markerUK, 1997.21a bombardment, especially with shrapnel A military usage recorded in use in the Falkland Islands during 1982
UK, 1931 < all about like shit in a fieldeverywhereUK, 1999.
< drop someone in the shitto get someone blamed and into trouble A variation ofLAND IN THE SHIT; a conventional sense of
‘drop’ combined withIN THE SHIT(in trouble)UK, 2001 < fall in the shitto get into trouble A conventional sense of ‘fall’ combined withIN THE SHIT; leading to the clichéd envy of ‘he could fall in the shit and come out smelling of roses’UK, 1984 < get your shit togetherto take control of your personal condition; to get your mind and emotions under control; to become organised
A variation of ‘pull yourself together’US, 1969 < give a shitto care, to be concerned – usually in a negative contextUK, 1970s.
< have shit for brainsto be stupid; to lack intelligence
AUSTRALIA, 1986 < have shit on the liverto be irritableAUSTRALIA,
1935 < have your shit together; get your shit togetherto be focused, organised, self-confidentUS, 1970 < in deep shitin serious troubleUS, 1999 < in the shit1in considerable trouble You can beIN DEEP SHIT,FALL IN THE SHITorLAND(someone else)IN
THE SHIT UK , 1937.2in combatUS, 1987 < land in the shitto get someone blamed and into trouble A conventional sense of ‘land’ (to set down) combined withIN THE SHIT, generally heard as ‘landed (someone) in the shit’UK, 1984 < like shit off a shovel
extremely fast, swift, promptUK, 1998 < not for shitof a person’s ability to do something, not at all, by no means, not in any circumstancesUK, 2001 < run shit downto discuss something; to inform someone; to explain somethingUS, 1970 < talk shitto say disparaging thingsUK, 1993 < the shitthe bestUS, 1990 < the shit will flythere will be troubleUK, 1974 < three kinds of shit
a lot of troubleAUSTRALIA, 1995 < treat someone like shitto
Trang 5< up to shitno good; hopelessAUSTRALIA, 1978 < when the shit
hits the fan; when the shit fliesthe moment when a crisis
starts, especially if such trouble has been expectedUK, 1966.
< you’re shit and you know you areused by football fans as a
chant to disparage (and enrage) the opposing team and fansUK,
2001
shitverb1to defecate Conventional English for about 500 years
from the C14, then, sometime in the C19, slipped into vulgarity
UK, 1308.2to deceive someone; to lie to someone or stretch the
truth An abbreviated form ofBULLSHIT US , 1934 < shit a brickto
have a difficult time accepting something; to react with angerUS,
1971 < shit all overto surpass someone or something by a great
degreeUK, 2003 < shit into win easily or by a large margin
AUSTRALIA, 1979 < shit itto be very nervous or worried; to be
thoroughly frightened An allusion to the bowel-loosening effect of
terrorUK, 2000 < shit it into do something with easeAUSTRALIA,
1992 < shit nickelsto be very frightenedUS, 1968 < shit on
someoneto disparage or abuse someoneUK, 1984 < shit or get
off the potto get out of the way and let someone else try to do
it; make your mind up Originally directed at dice playersCANADA,
1966 < shit the life out of someoneto frighten someone
Variation of conventional ‘scare the life out of’ combined with
SCARE THE SHIT OUT OF UK , 1999 < shit your pants1to soil your
underpants by accidental defecationUK, 2001.2to be terrified To
lose control over your excretory functions is noted as a symptom
of extreme terror; however, this is used figuratively (most of the
time), often as an exaggerationUK, 1994 < shit your shortsto
behave in a nervous or frightened mannerUS, 2002 < shit
yourselfto be terrified Losing control over your excretory
functions is noted as a symptom of extreme terror; it is used here
(and most of the time) in a figurative sense, certainly as an
exag-gerationUK, 1914
shitadjective1inferior; shoddy; valueless; unpleasant; disliked for
whatever reasonUK, 1930.2unfashionable; in poor tasteUK, 2001.
3badUS, 1950.4despicableUS, 1977.5goodUK, 1996
shit!used for registering annoyance, frustration, despair, etcUK, 1920
shit a brick!; shit-a-brick!; shit on a brick!used for expressing
annoyance, disgust or shockAUSTRALIA, 1968
shit-allnounnothing, nothing at all A variation ofFUCK ALL US , 1981
shit and a shavenouna short sentence of imprisonment An
inference that the sentence is for no more time than it takes to
get ready to go outUK, 1996
shit and derision!; shit and corruption!; shit and molasses!
used for registering annoyance and frustration Originally air force,
describing weather conditionsUK, 1982
shit and gitverbto leave quicklyUS, 1994
shit and shinolanounin poker, three two’sUS, 1948
shitareenouna toiletUK, 1994
shit-assadjectivedespicable, of poor qualityUS, 1967
shit-ass; shirt-arsenouna despicable personUS, 1942
shitbagnouna despicable person or objectUK, 1964
shitbagverbto denigrate or criticise someone or something
AUSTRALIA, 1986
shitballnouna despicable personUS, 1998
shitbirdnouna despicable personUS, 1952
shit-blitznounan intensive media campaign of attack designed to
present a negative image of someone or somethingUK, 2004
shit bowlnouna toiletUS, 1967
shit boxnoun1the anusUK, 1997.2a despicable personAUSTRALIA,
1979.3a small and shoddy dwellingAUSTRALIA, 1995.4the Chevrolet
ChevetteUS, 1992
shit-boxadjectiveno goodAUSTRALIA, 1995
shitbrains; shit-brainnouna stupid personUS, 1970
shit-burnernouna person assigned to the task of cleaning out
latrines, dousing the spoils with fuel and burning the mixture
Coined during the Vietnam warUS, 1991
shitcan any rubbish bin . a cheap car
shitcanverb1to throw something away; to discharge someone from employmentUS, 1975.2to denigrate or criticise someoneAUSTRALIA, 1950
shitcanadjectiverubbishyUK, 1998
shit-chutenounthe rectumUS, 1977
shit creeknoun< up shit creek; up shit creek without a paddle; up the creekstranded, in trouble Embellishments aboundUS, 1941
shitcuntnouna contemptible person; used as a harsh term of contempt When neitherSHITnorCUNTis abusive enough this combination may serveUK, 1979
shit disturbernouna troublemakerUS, 1977
shitenounexcrement; hence rubbish A variation onSHIT
phonetically similar to German Scheiße UK, 1976 < give a shiteto care, to be concerned – usually in a negative context A variation
ofGIVE A SHIT UK , 1971
shiteadjective1poor quality, inferiorUK, 1997.2awful; unhappy; emotionally upsetUK, 2002
shite!used as an expression of frustration, anger, etcUK, 1937
shit-eaternouna coprophiliacUS, 1996
shit-eatingadjectivesycophanticUK, 1974
shit-eating grinnouna broad smile, ingratiating and unctuousUS, 1957
shite-awfuladjectivebeing of very inferior qualityUK: SCOTLAND, 1996
shit eh!wow!AUSTRALIA, 1972
shitehawknouna despicable, worthless personUK, 2000
shiteheadnouna contemptible person; used as a general term of abuse A variation ofSHITHEAD UK , 1997
shitepokenouna despicable personUS, 1926
shitersnoun< put the shiters up someoneto frighten someone
UK: SCOTLAND, 1996
shitersadjectivescared FromSHIT-SCARED(terrified) and other vari-ations on the themeUK, 2002
shiteyadjectivefaeces-covered; of poor qualityUK: SCOTLAND, 1994
shit-facenoun1a despised personUK, 1937.2used as an intensifier
of the degree of intoxicationUS, 1977
shitfacedadjectivedrunkUS, 1968
shitfire!used as an oathUS, 1970
shit fitnoun1a bad case of diarrhoeaUS, 1975.2a tantrumUS, 1968
shit-for-brainsadjectivestupidUS, 2003
shit-for-brains; shite-for-brainsnounan idiotUS, 1994
shit-fucknouna despicable personAUSTRALIA, 1997
shit happensused for conveying the inevitability of misfortune A tremendously popular catchphrase in the mid-to late 1980s in the
US, spawning dozens of jokes with the predictable punch-line, tee-shirts with lists of various religions’ interpretations of the phrase, etcUS, 1983
shit-hawknouna seagullCANADA, 1993
shitheadnounan objectionable, obnoxious, despised personUK, 1961
shitheapnouna motor vehicle that is in poor repair or that lacks powerAUSTRALIA, 1984
shitheelnouna despicable personUS, 1935
shit heroinnounheroin, especially if of poor qualityUK, 1950
shithole; shiteholenoun1a bad place; a dirty, run-down or disreputable placeUS, 1965.2the anusUK, 1937
shithooknoun1the handUS, 1970.2a thoroughly unpleasant person
US, 1968.3a CH-47 Chinook helicopter Vietnam war usageUS, 1991
shit-hotnouna highly skilled fighter pilotUS, 1983
shit hotadjectiveexcellent, wonderful A positive sense ofSHIT
intensifiesHOT(popular, fashionable)UK, 1961
shithousenoun1a toilet bowl; a toilet; a lavatoryUK, 1795.2a
Trang 6extremely unpleasant individualUK, 1999.5a cowardUK, 2002 < to
the shithouseto hellAUSTRALIA, 1987
shithouseadjective1disgusting, nasty, unpleasantAUSTRALIA, 1971.2no
good; hopeless; abysmalAUSTRALIA, 1973
shithouse rumournoungossip A blunt version of the kinder and
gentler ‘latrine rumour’US, 1968
shitkickernoun1a tough, belligerent personUS, 1954.2a
country-dweller, a peasantUS, 1966.3a person employed to do menial jobs
AUSTRALIA, 1950.4a prostitute Far less common than the term
MUDKICKER US , 1967.5a fraudster, especially one who adopts a pose
of extreme modestyUS, 1981
shitkickersnounheavy work shoes or work bootsUS, 1974
shitlessadverbcompletely, entirely, to a great degreeUK, 1936
shitlipsnouna person who talks nonsense Extended fromSHIT
(rubbish, nonsense) with ‘lips’ representing the mouth that emits
itUS, 1991
shit listnounan imagined list of those in disfavourUS, 1942
shitloadnouna great deal ofUS, 1991
shitmanused as an intensifier of what followsUS, 1967
shitmobilenouna poor quality motor vehicleAUSTRALIA, 1995
shit-nastyadjectivevery unpleasantUK, 2001
shit off!go away!UK, 1966
shitogramnounan especially virulent e-mail messageUS, 1991
shit on a shinglenounminced or creamed beef on toast A visual
simile in UK military use, possibly of US originUS, 1994
shit on a stringnounan elusive or difficult taskUS, 1981
shit or bustverbto make a determined final effort A less extreme
variation ofRIP, SHIT OR BUST UK , 2005
shit ordernouna dirty or untidy condition, especially when applied
to military accommodation or equipmentUK, 1971
shit-outnouna cowardUK, 2000
shit outverbto run away; to yieldUK, 1999
shit out of luckadjectivevery unluckyUS, 1983
shitpackernounan anal-sex enthusiastUS, 1964
shit papernountoilet paperUS, 1969
shitparcelnouna prison officerUK, 1996
shitpickernouna notional menial, demeaning jobUS, 1971
shit pienouna comparative example for anything of no valueUK,
1999
shit pitnouna field-latrine MilitaryUK, 1995
ShitportnicknameNorfolk, VirginiaUS, 1982
shitpotnoun1a contemptible, worthless individualUK, 1937.2a great
deal ofUS, 1968.3marijuana of inferior quality A combination of
synonymsSHITandPOT US , 2001
shitpunchernouna male homosexualNEW ZEALAND, 1998
shitsnoun< for shits and gigglesfor no good reason Something
is done, for example, for shits and gigglesUS, 2001 < put the
shits up someoneto frighten someoneUK, 2002 < the shits
1diarrhoeaUK, 1947.2the worstUS, 1971.3fear Following logically
from the earlier sense as ‘diarrhoea’UK, 1967
shit sandwichnouna troubling, odious situationUS, 1968
shit-scaredadjectiveterrifiedUK, 1958
shit-shapedadjectiveused of a prison cell that has been daubed
with excrement A pun on ‘ship-shape’ From private
correspondence with a serving prisoner in 2001UK, 2001
shit, shave, shower, shineused as a jocular reminder of a man’s
tasks before going out on the town Multiple variants, probably
coined in the US Marine Corps as a pre-liberty litanyUS, 1968
shitshovernouna male homosexual An obvious allusion to anal
intercourseUK, 1996
shitstabbernouna male homosexualUK, 2002
shit stain a stupid, despicable person
shitstainadjectivedespicable, unpleasant, foolishUS, 1995
shit-sticknouna despised personUS, 1964
shit sticks!used as a mildly profane expression of disappointment
US, 1964
shit-stirverbto tell tales, or spread rumours, with the specific intention of causing trouble A limited variation of ‘stir the shit’
UK, 1999
shit-stirrernouna troublemaker; a person who heckles or harasses, especially for the fun of itAUSTRALIA, 1971
shit-stirringnounharassing; heckling; troublemakingAUSTRALIA, 1971
shit stompersnounheavy work bootsUS, 1975
shit stoppernouna prankUS, 1981
shit stoppersnoundrain-pipe trousers (a tight-cut, narrow-legged part of a Teddy Boy’s ‘uniform’)UK, 2003
shitstorm; shit stormnounan extremely serious situationUS, 1962
shit streetnounan unpleasant place to be; serious trouble You can
be ‘in’ or ‘up’ shit street; a similar location toSHIT CREEK UK , 1961
shitsureadverbcertainly, definitelyUS, 1981
shittalaynouna Chevrolet carUS, 1992
shit-talkverbto engage in bragging, insulting conversationUS, 2004
shittedadjectiveafraid A variation ofSHIT-SCARED UK , 1997
shitternoun1an example of somethingUK, 2005.2a toilet or bathroomUS, 1969.3a criminal, usually a burglar, who fetishistically defecates at the scene of the crimeUS, 1970.4a liar; a braggart; a bluffer A shortened form ofBULLSHITTER US , 1982.5a cowardUK, 2000.
6a horseUS, 1958.7a prison cell used for solitary confinementUS,
1972.8the hell Used as an intensifierAUSTRALIA, 1971
shit the bed!used for registering wonder or satisfaction An elabor-ation ofSHIT! UK , 2002
shit ticketnouna piece of toilet paperAUSTRALIA, 1996
shittingadjectiveused as a negative intensifierUK, 1966
shitting in high cotton (and wiping with the leaves)enjoying prosperous timesUS, 1984
shitting-itadjectivescared; very nervousUK, 1996
shittingsnoundiarrhoeaBAHAMAS, 1982
shitting upnounin prison, a deliberate act of protest by decorating
a cell with excrementUK, 1996
shit trainnouna great number; a lot ofUS, 1989
shittynouna bad moodAUSTRALIA, 1979
shittyadjective1awful; of poor qualityUS, 1924.2in a bad mood
AUSTRALIA, 1971.3drunkUS, 2003
shitty end of the sticknounan unfair position to be in;
inequitable treatmentUK, 1974
Shitty Mcshit!used for registering frustration, annoyance, anger, etc.SHIT!intensified by an elaborated reduplicationUK, 2000
shit upverbto scare someoneUK, 2000
shitvillenounany remote, forsaken townUS, 1977
shitworknounany unglamorous occupation, often dirty workUK, 1968
shitwrapnouna despicable personUS, 2001
shivverbto stab someoneUS, 1951
shiv; chiv; shivvienouna homemade knife-like weapon, especially one fashioned in prison Almost certainly evolved from C17 ‘chive’ (knife)US, 1915
shivareenouna group mockingUS, 1805
Shiva Skunknounin British Columbia, a local variety of marijuana
CANADA, 2002
shiver and shake; shivernouna cake Rhyming slangUK, 1998
shivoonoun a party; a celebration From French chez vous (at your
place)AUSTRALIA, 1844
shivvernouna criminal who attacks victims with a knifeUS, 1957
shiznitnounthe very best; something of great quality Used with
Trang 7shizzle; fo’ shizzlecertainly; emphatically yes A hip-hop, urban
black coinage; the opening sound of ‘sure’ elaborated to a pattern;
especially in rhyming reduplications, ‘fo’ shizzle my nizzle’ (for
sure my nigger), ‘fo’ shizzle my sizzle’ (for sure my sister) and ‘fo’
shizzle my bizzle’ (for sure my brother)US, 2003
shizzle my mizzle fizzle dizzle!used as a contemptuous
expression of dismissal Popular hip-hop cryptography disguising
’suck my mother fucking dick!’US, 2003
shizzyadjectivegreatUK, 1993
shlemiel; schlemiel; schlemihlnouna bungler with chronic bad
luck Yiddish During the opening montage of the US situation
comedy Laverne and Shirley (ABC, 1976–83), the lead characters,
played by Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams, skip down a
Milwaukee sidewalk singing ‘1–2–3–4–5–6–7–8, Shlemiel,
shlamazzel, Hassenpepper Incorporated’, giving ‘shlemiel’ its
highest profile to dateUS, 1948
shlepnoun1stealing from parked carsUS, 1950.2influenceUS, 2002
shlep; schlepverbto move or travel laboriously From Yiddish
schlep or schlepen (to drag) IRELAND, 1922
shlepper; schleppernounan inconsequential person; a nobodyUS,
1934
shlepper bag; schlepper bagnouna tote bagUS, 2000
shlimazel; schlimazelnouna person with chronic bad luck A
blend of German and Hebrew, literally translated as ‘bad luck’US,
1948
shlock; schlack; schlocknounshoddy, defective or cheaply made
merchandise From German to Yiddish to American slangUS, 1915
shlocker; schlockernouna cheaply produced horror or thriller film
A compound ofSHLOCK;SHLOCK(something cheap or inferior) and
SHOCKER UK , 2002
shlocky; schlockyadjectiveshoddyUS, 1968
shlongnoun1the penis From the Yiddish Also spelt ‘schlong’US,
1969.2a hairstyle in which the hair is worn short at the front and
long at the back An ellision of ‘short-long’ Better known, perhaps,
as aMULLET US , 2005
shlubbyadjectiveill-mannered; poorly dressed Yiddish from the
Slavic zhlob (a coarse person) US, 1968
shm-; schm-prefixused for creating a Yiddish-sounding reduplication
of an English word, usually with the intention of diminishing the
importance of the original wordUS, 1929
shmagmanounmarijuanaUK, 2003
shmaltz; schmaltznounexcessive sentimentality, especially in
music, writing, etc From German schmaltz (fat, lard) via Yiddish,
with a suggestion of something too greasy to be easily digestedUS,
1935
shmamsnounthe female breasts Derives, apparently, from
MAMMARIESon the Yiddish model of reduplication (‘mams,
shmams’)UK, 2003
’shmannouna first-year college student, a freshmanUS, 1987
shmatte; schmattenoun1the clothing tradeCANADA, 2002.2a less
than elegant house dress YiddishUS, 1970
shmear; schmearnouna bribeUS, 1950
shmear; schmearverbto bribe someoneUS, 1985
shmeck; schmeck; shmeenounheroin; cocaine From German
schmecken (to taste), but note an assonant similarity toSMACK
(heroin)US, 1932
shmecker; schmeckernouna heroin user Yiddish, formed from
SHMECK US , 1952
shmecklernouna heroin user or addictUS, 1988
shmeer; schmearnouna package or deal From the YiddishUS, 1969
shmegegge; schmageggynounan incompetent person An
American-born ‘Yiddish’ wordUS, 1975
shmendricknouna naive, cowardly person From the name of a
character in an operetta by Abraham GolfadenUS, 1980
shmo; schmo; schmolnouna gullible, hapless fool An American
into the American lexicon, US cartoonist Al Capp introduced the
‘shmoo’ in the L’il Abner comic strip The loveable and selfless
‘shmoo’ loved to be eaten and tasted like any food desiredUS, 1948
shmooze; schmoozenounan agreeable conversation; persuasive talkUS, 1939
shmooze; schmoozeverbto gossip; to chat, to engage in idle talk;
to network; to persuade someone indirectly Yiddish from the HebrewUS, 1897
shmoozyadjectivechatty; friendlyUS, 1954
shmuck; schmucknoun1a fool; an objectionable person Taken into general usage from Yiddish; the literal meaning is ‘penis’, hence the original Yiddish usage in this sense had a particularly derogatory tone The variant ‘schmuck’ seems to have been
adopted in error due to a similarity in sound to Yiddish schmuck
(jewel)UK, 1892.2the penisUK, 2003
shmuck; schmuckverbto make a fool of someoneUS, 2001
shmucko; schmuckonouna reprehensible personAUSTRALIA, 1987
shmutter; schmutternounclothing, especially a suit From Yiddish
shmatte (a rag), ultimately from Polish szmatte (a rag) UK, 1977
shmutz; schmutznounfilth; dirt Yiddish from GermanUS, 1959
shnitzel; schnitzelnounthe penisUS, 1967
shnooknounan inoffensive, unassertive person; a ‘nobody’ American Yiddish coinageUS, 1948
shnookeredadjectivedrunkUS, 1985
shnorrer; schnorrernouna freeloader Yiddish from the German for
‘begging’US, 1948
shnoz; schnoz; shnozz; scnozznounthe nose A shortening of
SHNOZZLE US , 1942
shnozzle; shnozzola; schnozzle; schnozzolanounthe noseUS, 1930
shoat boatnounin trucking, a trailer used for hauling livestockUS, 1971
shock a brew!have a beer! An intentional corruption of the HawaiianSHAKA US , 1989
shocked-asadjectivevery shockedUK, 2001
shockernouna person or thing that is shockingly badAUSTRALIA, 1962
shock jocknouna radio personality who tests the limits and tries to win listeners by outrageous language, thoughts or stuntsUS, 1986
shock shopnouna room where electric shock therapy is administeredUS, 1962
shock treatmentnounin the used car business, a very low assessment of the value of a customer’s trade-in carUS, 1980
shoddy-doonounpalms slapped in greetingUS, 1976
shoddy-droppernouna vendor of low quality clothing passed off as high qualityAUSTRALIA, 1950
shoenoun1a detective An abbreviation ofGUMSHOE US , 1988.2a black person A play onBOOT US , 1960.3in drag and motor racing, a driverUS, 1980.4among Quebec anglophones, the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke The word ‘shoe’ indicates how the acronym CHUS is pronounced, leaving off the last consonant in the French wayCANADA, 2001.5a linear amplifier for a citizens’ band radioUS, 1976
ShoenicknameWillie Shoemaker (b.1931), the most successful jockey
in the history of horse racing in the USUS, 1977
shoebite; shoe-bitenouna blister on the foot caused by a shoe’s rubbingINDIA, 1979
shoe bootnouna prostitute Rhyming slangUK, 2003
shoe clerknouna poker player who withdraws from a hand at any sign of serious bettingUS, 1996
shoe dognouna shoe salesmanUS, 1997
shoegazernounan aficionado of ‘serious’ introspective rock music; hence the music itselfUK, 1999
shoegazingnoun‘serious’, introspective rock musicUK, 2003
shoe laces and collar buttonsnounin poker, a hand consisting of
a pair of aces and a pair of twos