to place. The ‘swag’ and the ‘swagman/swaggie’ are Australian cultural icons AUSTRALIA, 1841. 5 a person’s possessions when travelling light. Metaphoric use of the swagman’s swag AUSTRALIA, 1987 . 6 abedrollAUSTRALIA, 1865. 7 clothes. The best known meaning of ‘swag’ (stolen property) originally referred especially to linens and clothes. Here the sense narrows to the type of goods with no suggestion of theft UK, 1999. 8 money US, 1976 . 9 a large amount of something AUSTRALIA, 1882. 10 inferior quality marijuana. It seems unlikely that this usage should derive from the C19, now obsolete adjective ‘swag’ (worthless) but stranger etymologies have happened US, 2001. < on the swag carrying a swag and travelling as an itinerant AUSTRALIA, 1982 SWAG noun a joking and derogatory prediction or estimate. A ‘scientific wild-assed guess‘ CANADA, 1995 swag verb 1 to move articles in a hurried manner. Extends from the sense ‘to hustle’ UK, 1956. 2 to hustle or hurry someone UK, 1958 swag adjective 1 stolen US, 1979. 2 inferior UK, 2004 swag bag noun a bag for loot or special contraband US, 1974 swaggie noun a swagman AUSTRALIA, 1891 swagman noun an itinerant man looking for work; a tramp AUSTRALIA, 1859 swag off verb to lock a prisoner’s possessions away UK, 1996 SW AK; SWALK; SWANK written on an envelope, or at the foot of a lover’s letter, as lovers’ code for ’sealed with akiss’. Embellish- ments included a ‘loving’ kiss and a ‘nice’ kiss. Widely known, and well used by servicemen, then a nearly mandatory sign-off line in any American teenage love letter of the 1950s and 60s, now a part of the coded vocabulary of texting UK, 1925 swallow noun a drink of alcohol UK, 1822 swallow verb 1 to easily accept something as true UK, 1594. 2 to accept something that has happened without complaint or acknowledgement. A shortening of ‘swallow your pride’ UK, 2000. < swallow a dictionary to be loquacious or sesquipedalian; to habitually use long or erudite words AUSTRALIA, 1957. < swallow a gun to commit suicide by gunshot to the mouth US, 1981. < swallow spit to stop talking; to be quiet US, 1993 . < swallow the olive to lose your composure and concentration US, 1961 swallow and sigh noun a collar and tie. Rhyming slang UK, 1938 swallower noun a person who swallows semen during oral sex AUSTRALIA, 1987 swally noun a drink; a drinking session. Glasgow slang from ‘swallow’ UK: SCOTLAND, 1985 swami noun a poker player with the annoying habit of coaching other players US, 1996 swamp verb to drink an alcoholic beverage after eating UK, 1983 swamp-donkey noun a particularly unattractive woman UK, 1998 swamped adjective drunk US, 1945 swamper noun 1 a labourer who loads or unloads cargo US, 1981 . 2 rubber boots worn during mud season. Michigan Upper Peninsula usage US, 2003 swamp rat noun any person living near or coming from near the great swamps of the southern US US, 1978 swampy noun a rural New Englander who is thoroughly and steadfastly rural. An abbreviation of SWAMP YANKEE US, 1963 swamp Yankee noun a rural New Englander who is thoroughly and steadfastly rural US, 1939 swan verb < swan about; swan around; swan off to move idly or with no apparent purpose (although pleasure is often presumed). The imagery of swans gliding on water; originally military, of armoured vehicles (perhaps sliding over mud) UK, 1942 swan dive noun to pretend to be injured or fouled while playing a team sport CANADA, 2002 Swanee river noun the liver. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 swank noun a drink of sweetened water BARBADOS, 1965 swank and wank verb to preen in a self-satisfied manner. A neat, rhyming combination of ‘swank’ (to behave in a pretentious manner) and WANK (to masturbate) UK, 2002 swanky adjective showy; conceited; pretentious; pretentiously grand. First recorded as Wiltshire dialect UK, 1842 Swan Lake; swan noun a cake. Rhyming slang, formed from the ballet by Tchaikovsky UK, 1992 swannie noun a bush shirt. From the branded Swanndri™ shirt NEW ZEALAND , 1998 swanson noun acowardUS, 2004 swap verb < swap cans (used of a male homosexual couple) to take turns as the active participant in anal sex US, 1965. < swap lies and swat flies to engage in prolonged, aimless conversation US, 1962. < swap slop to kiss US, 1947. < swap spit to kiss long and hard US, 1952 swap out verb to exchange roles in homosexual sex after one partner achieves satisfaction US, 2002 swapper noun a married person who engages in spouse swapping at sex parties US, 1967 swarming noun a gathering swiftly formed as the result of a snowball-effect proliferation of instant text message communi- cation UK, 2003 swash noun foaming water after a wave breaks on shore US, 1963 swass noun sweaty buttocks. A contraction of ‘sweaty’ and ‘ass’ CANADA, 2003 swatch noun a quick look UK: SCOTLAND, 1911 swatty-blouse noun an effeminate intellectual NEW ZEALAND, 1995 swave and blaze adjective suave and blasé. An intentional mispronunciation, meant to be humorous US, 1967 swear verb < swear and cuss a bus. Rhyming slang UK, 1938. < swear by to have a great confidence in something UK, 1815 sweat noun a worry or difficulty. Usually used in the negative, most often as ‘no sweat!’ US, 1979 sweat verb 1 to coerce someone through intense pressure, usually not involving physical force US, 1947. 2 to admire or desire someone or something US, 1999. 3 to disclose that a pool player is in fact a skilled betting professional US, 1990. 4 to gamble nervously and cautiously US, 1991. < sweat blood 1 to make an unsparing effort UK, 1911. 2 to be very afraid UK, 1924. < sweat bullets to experience a high degree of nervous tension, usually sweating profusely US, 1977. < sweat cobs to perspire heavily UK, 1978. < sweat it to worry UK, 1998. < sweat like a glassblower’s arse to perspire heavily UK, 2003. < sweat on to wait with nervous expectation UK, 1917. < sweat the brass in horse racing, to race a horse day after day, without giving it a rest period US, 1951. < sweat your guts out to labour extremely hard; to make the utmost effort UK, 1890 sweatback noun an illegal immigrant to the US who is working. A WETBACK who is working, and thus sweating US, 1962 sweat box noun 1 a police interview room UK, 1971. 2 the waiting area outside the room in which a parole hearing is to take place US, 1962. 3 a vehicle for transporting prisoners in small individual cubicles UK, 1996. 4 in trucking, a sleeping compartment behind the seat US, 1971 sweat chovey noun a gymnasium or weights room. A combination of ‘chovey’ (an otherwise obsolete term for a shop) with a product of working-out UK, 2002 sweater noun 1 a casino employee or executive who cheats gamblers US, 1977. 2 in a casino or other gambling establishment, a person who observes but does not participate in a game US, 1968. 3 a person who worries US, 1966 sweater meat noun thefemalebreastsUS, 2004 sweater puppies noun the female breasts US, 1995 sweater queen noun a neatly and nicely dressed homosexual male US, 1997 sweat room noun a small room in a police station where suspects are interrogated or ‘sweated’ UK, 1974 633 SWAG | sweat room Sweatshop noun < the Sweatshop the Apollo Theatre, New York US, 1949 sweaty sock; sweaty noun a Scot. Rhyming slang for JOCK (a Scot); derogatory, both in its own imagery and as demonstrated in the usage by football supporters to taunt rivals. Certainly in use in the Newcastle-upon-Tyne area in 1990 UK, 2002 swede noun 1 the head; hence, the hair on the head. From the shape of the vegetable UK, 1999. 2 a potentially naive provincial police officer investigating complaints in London. A nuance used by the Metropolitan Police UK, 1999 swede-basher; swede noun a person from the countryside; an unsophisticated type. Derives from the root vegetable UK, 1943 swedeland noun the countryside as seen from the town. Derogatory. From SWEDE-BASHER (a person from the countryside; an unsophisticated type) UK, 1967 swedey noun < the swedey the provincial police of ‘Operation Countryman’ drafted to London, from 1978 to the early 1980s to investigate alleged corruption in the Metropolitan Police, particu- larly in the Flying Squad. Derisive; formed on SWEDE (a provincial police officer), punning on THE SWEENEY (the Flying Squad) UK, 1980 swedge verb to fight UK: SCOTLAND, 1999 Swedish adjective sexually permissive. From the Swedish attitude to pornography UK, 2000 Swedish fiddle noun among loggers, a cross-cut saw. The reference to Sweden likely alludes to the ‘Swedish saw’ CANADA, 1942 Swedish headache noun an aching in the testicles from sexual activity that does not culminate in ejaculation US, 1932 Swedish massage noun ejaculation achieved with the man’s penis between the woman’s breasts UK, 1973 sweedie noun a friend, an acquaintance; recognised as a form of address with shallow sincerity. An ironic mid-Atlantic approxi- mation of SWEETIE; identified and popularised in BBC television comedy Absolutely Fabulous (1992–2001) UK, 2002 Sweeney noun < on your Sweeney on your own IRELAND, 1996. < the Sweeney the Flying Squad, Metropolitan Police branch C1 (1921–48), subsequently C8; a member of the Flying Squad. Rhyming slang formed from ‘Sweeney Todd’ for ‘Flying Squad’. Sweeney Todd was the legendary ‘Demon Barber of Fleet Street’. Brought to widespread popular attention by television police drama series The Sweeney, originally broadcast from 1974–78, which gave the impression that all police work was about guns and fast cars UK, 1938 sweep noun 1 in combat, a search and destroy mission or a concerted search through an area US, 1977. 2 a concerted effort to find someone or something illegal US, 1974 sweep verb to systematically search for surveillance devices US, 1985 . < sweep the leaves to drive at the back of a group of trucks travelling together, watching for police from the rear US, 1976 sweeper noun 1 in mountain biking, a tree limb overhanging the trail at approximately face height US, 1992. 2 an expert hired to search for and locate surveillance devices US, 1985 sweet noun 1 an effeminate male homosexual US, 1990. 2 an amphet- amine tablet US, 1994 sweet adjective 1 all right UK, 1890. 2 excellent; in style; admirable US, 1982. 3 amenable. A shift in the earlier (C18–19) sense as ‘gullible, unsuspicious’ UK, 1999. 4 when combined in phrases meaning nothing, absolute UK, 1958. 5 homosexual US, 1972. 6 drunk BARBADOS, 1965 sweet! used to express approval UK, 2003 sweet-arse adjective used for describing someone or something with approval. A variation of SWEET UK, 1998 sweet as adjective satisfying and easy, especially of a crime. A shortening of the familiar SWEET AS A NUT UK, 2001 sweet as a nut adjective satisfying and easy, especially of a crime UK, 1937 sweet BA noun nothing whatsoever. A euphemistic variation of SWEET BUGGER ALL UK, 1958 sweet bugger all noun absolutely nothing at all. A sarcastic or emphatic variation of BUGGER ALL UK, 1918 sweet chat noun flattery TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1977 sweet cop noun an easy job AUSTRALIA, 1918 sweet count noun in dominoes, a good hand US, 1997 sweet daddy noun a pimp US, 1957 sweet deedee noun in horse racing, a combination wager conventionally known as the ‘daily double’ US, 1968 sweet dreams noun heroin UK, 1998 sweet dying Jesus an affectionate exclamatory oath CANADA, 1985 sweeten verb 1 in poker, to increase the amount bet US, 1963. 2 in the television and film industries, to make subtle improvements in the soundtrack US, 1990 sweetened air noun candy floss US, 1981 sweetener noun 1 a bribe UK, 1996 . 2 cash US, 2003 Sweet evening breeze noun 8see: EVENING BREEZE sweet F anny Adams; sweet FA noun 8see: FANNY ADAMS sweet fuck all noun absolutely nothing at all. A sarcastic or emphatic variation of FUCK ALL UK, 1969 sweethead noun a marijuana user US, 1997 sweetheart noun 1 used as an endearment or what is intended to be an endearing form of address. Often patronising UK, 1290. 2 used as a menacing form of address. An ironic variation of the genuine endearment UK, 1977 sweetheart adjective used of a trade union overly sympathetic to, if not controlled by, management US, 1959 sweet Heaven! used as a mild expletive, or register of shock, surprise, etc UK, 2002 sweetie noun 1 a sweetheart US, 1925 . 2 used as a wheedling, patronising form of address US, 1971. 3 an effeminate man, usually an effeminate homosexual. A pejorative, adopted by gays as an ironic endearment US, 1972. 4 a sweet (an individual chocolate- or sugar-based item of confectionary). From ‘sweetmeat’, but now considered a childish extension of ‘sweet’; generally heard in the plural UK, 1860. 5 tablets for medication or recreation. From the sense as ‘confectionary’ UK, 2000. 6 the drug Preludin™, a stimulant that suppresses the appetite US, 1970. 7 an amphetamine or MDMA tablet UK, 1994 sweetie-pie noun a sweetheart; a dear friend; a CAMP form of address. An extension of all variants of SWEETIE as an endearment. In 1947 the animated cartoon Tweety Pie won an Oscar UK, 1928 sweet Jesus noun morphine; heroin US, 1967 sweet Jesus! used as a mild expletive, or register of shock, surprise, etc UK, 2002 sweet leaf noun marijuana US, 2001 sweet limburger! used for expressing disapproval. A signature line of Colonel Sherman Potter on M*A*S*H (CBS, 1972–83). Repeated with referential humour US, 1983 sweet Lucy noun 1 muscatel wine US, 1973. 2 any cheap wine US, 1997. 3 a solution of hashish and wine US, 1948. 4 marijuana US, 1969 sweet mack noun a pimp who controls his prostitutes through charm and attention US, 1972 sweetman noun a man who is supported by his lover; a pimp TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1939 sweet Miss Adams noun 8see: FANNY ADAMS sweet name noun any affectionate nickname TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1971 sweetness noun used as an endearment UK, 1992 sweet on infatuated by someone or something UK, 1740 sweet shit in a bucket! used for registering anger, frustration or despair US, 1970 sweet spot noun in surfing, the forward position on the surfboard that maximises speed and the back position that maximises the ability to manoeuver AUS TRALIA, 2003 Sweatshop | sweet spot 634 sweet stuff noun powdered drugs; cocaine, heroin or morphine US, 1936 sweet-talk verb to flatter someone, to convince someone through kind words US, 1936 sweet thing noun an attractive young woman US, 1971 sweet tooth noun an addiction to morphine US, 1961 swell noun a well-dressed, fashionable man UK, 1786 swell adjective good; attractive; stylish. A key piece of slang for more than a century, eventually displaced by COOL UK, 1812 swellbow noun a swollen elbow. Skateboarders’ and scooter-riders’ slang; an elision of ‘swell’ and ‘elbow’ UK, 1998 swell pipes noun in circus and carnival usage, a good singing voice US, 1981 swell-up noun crack cocaine UK, 1998 swerve noun 1 a deception, practical joke or false report US, 1997. 2 intoxication US, 2001. < get your swerve on to drink to the point of intoxication US, 1998 swerve verb 1 to avoid someone or something. From the conven- tional sense (to change direction abruptly); probably a shortening of BODY-SWERVE UK: SCOTLAND, 1985. 2 to make a late change in your plans. Teen slang UK, 2003 swerve past verb to visit a place briefly; to go out of your way UK, 1999 swift adjective 1 good, clever US, 1970. 2 of police, corrupt UK, 1977 swiftie noun 1 a deceitful trick; a con AUSTRALIA, 1945. 2 an alcoholic drink quickly drunk, a ‘swift drink’. The spelling ‘swifty’ is also used UK, 2001 swifting noun in the police, an action of making a quick arrest when it may not be clear that all elements of the offence can be proved. From ‘swift ’un’ (a quick, possibly unfair arrest) UK, 1999 swig noun an act of drinking deeply, especially of intoxicating liquor UK, 1621 swig verb to drink, especially deeply, and especially of intoxicating liquor. From SWIG (a drink) UK, 1654 swill noun a drink UK, 2001 swill cup noun a combination of leftover alcoholic beverages US, 2003 swiller noun a public house UK, 2001 swim noun < in the swim active socially, up to date with trends and fashions UK, 1869 swim verb 1 to parade ostentatiously. A variation of SWAN (to move with no purpose) UK, 1952. 2 to move through a stadium or auditorium, experiencing a concert from different perspectives US, 1994 swimmer noun 1 a car that has been driven or fallen into a body of water US, 1962. 2 in horse racing, a horse that peforms very well on wet track conditions AUSTRALIA, 1989 swimmers noun a swimming costume AUSTRALIA, 1967 swimmies noun swimwear; a swimming costume UK: SCOTLAND, 1988 swindle sheet noun 1 a record of reimbursable business expenses that is completed by a travelling sales representative or business executive. An implicit suggestion that these records are not always entirely honest US, 1949. 2 in trucking, a trucker’s daily log book US, 1971 swine noun 1 an unpleasant person, especially a coarse or degraded person; a sensualist UK, 1842. 2 apoliceofficer;thepoliceUS, 1997. 3 a prison guard US, 1976. 4 a difficult or awkward thing. From the sense as ‘an unpleasant person’ UK, 1933. 5 leather, especially leather car upholstery US, 2002 swing noun 1 a bag (or similar receptacle) that is used to transfer contraband items between prison cells by being attached to a length of string (or similar) and swung from one cell window to another. Also called a ‘swinger’ UK, 1996. 2 a punch delivered with a wide sweep of the arm, especially in the phrase: take a swing at UK, 1910. 3 an employee’s rest period in a shift system; a pattern of working that incorporates such rest periods; hence, time off work US, 1917. 4 aconsensualorgyUS, 1969 swing verb 1 to enjoy frequent casual sex with different partners UK, 1964 . 2 to have fun, especially in a currently fashionable or unconventional activity; hence, to be fashionable US, 1957. 3 to accomplish something, especially something that is difficult UK, 1933 . 4 to be executed by hanging. Hanging has been the principal form of execution in the British Isles since the C5; the death penalty was abolished in the UK in 1965 (except for crimes of treason, piracy with violence and arson in the Royal Dockyards) UK, 1542. 5 to play jazz with feeling and a basic understanding of the medium US, 1933 . 6 to cheat or swindle someone US, 1952. 7 to steal something. Casino usage US, 1980. 8 in high-low poker, to declare for both high and low US, 1979. < swing both ways to be bisexual UK, 1972. < swing it 1 to malinger; to shirk responsibility; to evade duty. Variation of SWING THE LEAD UK, 1959 . 2 to achieve something by trickery or influence UK, 1959. < swing the lead to malinger; to shirk responsibility; to evade duty. Popular etymology holds this to be the ‘sounding-lead’ with which the depth of water is measured; in practice ‘heaving the lead’ is a skilled task. The term certainly has naval origins UK, 1917 swing by verb to visit briefly; to go out of your way UK, 2001 swingdom noun a culture of casual sexual interaction US, 1997 swinger noun 1 a person who freely enjoys life’s pleasures US, 1959. 2 someone who engages in spouse or partner swapping US, 1964. 3 a person who has died by hanging US, 1987. 4 a prisoner who has attempted suicide by hanging UK, 1996. 5 in trucking, a large load US, 1971 swing gang noun in the television and film industries, the crew that prepares and dismantles the set US, 1990 swinging noun consensual swapping of sexual partners as a deliberate activity UK, 1976 swinging adjective 1 lively and alert and progressive; uninhibited; fashionable UK, 1967. 2 of a court case, adjourned until a later date AUSTRALIA, 1975 swinging dick noun an ordinary fellow. Sometimes euphemised (barely) as ‘swinging Richard’ US, 1966 swingle noun an unmarried person in search of a sexual partner US, 1968 swing oil noun to a golfer, beer or alcohol US, 2000 swing-out noun a fight between youth gangs US, 1972 swings and roundabouts the rough and the smooth; used of a fluctuating situation where the average outcome remains constant whatever action is taken. A reduction of the proverb ‘what you lose on the swings you gain on the roundabouts’ UK, 1983 swing shift noun a work schedule that begins late in the afternoon and continues until the middle of the night, traditionally from 4 pm until midnight US, 1943 swipe noun 1 a heavy blow delivered with a swinging motion (may be applied to a bat addressing a ball, or a hand hitting flesh) UK, 1807. 2 an instance of adverse criticism. Extended from the pre- vious sense UK, 1932. 3 an objectionable person UK, 1929. 4 the penis US, 1969. 5 potent, homemade pineapple-based alcohol. Hawaiian usage US, 1982. 6 to drink great amounts of kava, a tranquillity- inducing herbal beverage FIJI, 1997 swipe verb 1 to hit someone. From an earlier sense, ‘to swing the arms in a circular motion’ UK, 1851. 2 to steal something US, 1889. 3 to take something, but not necessarily to steal it UK, 1947 swipe me! a euphemistic cry of surprise, replacing ‘fuck me!’. A slight variant of the obsolete and hence euphemistic ‘swive’ (to have sex) UK, 1955 swipes noun 1 in horse racing, a groom US, 1947. 2 beer. Originally (1786) ‘a small beer’ UK, 1805 swish noun 1 a homosexual male, especially of the dramatically effeminate type US, 1941. 2 weak alcohol made by letting water stand in old screech barrels CANADA, 2001 swish verb 1 (of a homosexual male) to behave in a flamboyant, camp or effeminate manner US, 1960. 2 (among drug users) to distribute drugs, especially hallucinogenic drugs NEW ZEALAND, 1982 swish adjective 1 fashionable; elegant. Colloquial, from Devonshire dialect UK, 1879 . 2 blatantly homosexual. Also variant ‘swishy’ US, 1941 635 sweet stuf f | swish swish Alps noun the Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California. A homosexual enclave US, 1983 swisher noun a hollowed-out cigar refilled with marijuana US, 1999 swish faggot noun an effeminate, melodramatic homosexual man US, 1980 swish tank noun a holding cell in a jail where homosexual suspects and prisoners are kept US, 1992 Swiss Army knife; swiss army noun a wife. Rhyming slang, formed on a commercial tool that is marketed in a wide range of variations UK, 1998 Swiss banker noun used as an all-purpose form of abuse. Rhyming slang for WANKER UK, 2003 Swiss-cheeze up verb to shoot a person or place full of holes. The image of a piece of cheese such as Emmental US, 2002 switch noun 1 a switchblade knife that opens with a button-operated spring US, 1949. 2 in a sexually oriented massage parlour, a massage given to the masseuse by the customer US, 1982. 3 the buttocks US, 1949 switch verb to act upon bisexual impulses US, 1970. < switch lanes to change allegiance. Used by teenage gang members UK, 2003 switchable noun a person who is willing to play either the sadist or masochist role in a sado-masochism encounter US, 1979 switchboard jockey noun a telephone operator US, 1957 switched on adjective 1 in fashion, up-to-date and well-informed UK, 1964. 2 drug-intoxicated US, 1972. 3 excited by music; aroused by a sexual opportunity. Electrical imagery UK, 1977 switcher noun a bisexual US, 1966 switcheroo noun a swapping; an exchange US, 1933 switchfoot noun a surfer who can surf with either foot forward, depending on the conditions US, 1964 switch hitter noun 1 a bisexual US, 1960. 2 a person who masturbates with first one hand and then the other US, 2002 switchies noun sex involving more than two people US, 1983 switch list noun on the railways, a menu US, 1977 switch monkey noun a railway pointsman US, 1977 switch off verb 1 to stop paying attention; to lose interest UK, 1921. 2 to knock someone out. Electrical imagery UK, 2000 swizzle; swiz; swizz noun a swindle; a disappointment half-jokingly described as a ‘swindle’ UK, 1913 swole adjective upset; provoked; angry US, 1998 swoles noun muscles. From ‘swollen’ US, 2004 swoll adjective muscular US, 1997 swollen-headed adjective conceited UK, 1928 swonked adjective exhausted by heavy work CANADA, 1953 swoon verb to seduce or romance someone UK, 2003 swoonie nickname the contemporary dollar coin. In 2002, with the Canadian dollar dropping in value, this parody nickname is derived from LOONY CANADA, 2002 swoontime noun the approximate time when young people congregate somewhere to socialise US, 1953 swooper noun a prisoner who collects discarded cigarette-ends (to roll new ones). The swooper swoops on his prey UK, 1996 swoop squad; swoop team noun a unit of prison officers detailed to discover drugs and other contraband UK, 1996 swoosh noun the name given to the tick-shaped logo of Nike™, the sports shoe manufacturer US, 2001 S-word noun 1 the word ‘shit’ US, 1999. 2 the word ‘sex’ US, 1988. 3 the word ‘socialism’ US, 1987 sword fighting noun a sexual act in which two erect penises compete for or share the attention of a single person performing oral sex UK, 2002 swordsman noun 1 a man with an impressive reputation for his sex- ual prowess UK, 1998. 2 a male homosexual UK, 1983 sword swallower noun a person who performs oral sex on a man. The working title of the 1970s pornographic classic Deep Throat was Sword Swallower US, 1964 swot verb to study, especially at the last possible moment before an examination NEW ZEALAND, 1984 swot; swat noun an extra-studious student UK, 1850 swot vacnoun student holidays from school or university AUSTRALIA, 1983 swy noun 1 the gambling game two-up. Ultimately from German zwei (two), possibly via Yiddish AUSTRALIA, 1913. 2 two; a two-year prison sentence; two shillings; two pounds; two ounces of tobacco. From German zwei (two). The spelling ‘swi’ is also used AUSTRALIA, 1921 swy game noun the gambling game two-up AUSTRALIA, 1946 swy school noun a group of people playing the gambling game two- up AUSTRALIA, 1944 sXe noun used as an identifying word by members of the Straight Edge youth culture. The ‘s’ and ‘e’ are, obviously, the initials of ‘Straight Edge’, while the ‘X’ represents the rubber stamp marked on the hands of under-age patrons at youth clubs US, 2000 Sydney Harbour noun a barber. Rhyming slang AUSTRALIA, 1942 Sydney or the bush all or nothing AUSTRALIA, 1915 Sylvester Stallone; sylvester adjective alone. Rhyming slang, formed on the US film actor (b.1950) UK, 1998 synch noun < in synch; in sync in accord with. Figurative use of the abbreviated in synchronization (working together) US, 1961 syndicat noun in Quebec, a trade union CANADA, 2002 syndicate noun 1 a criminal organisation US, 1929. 2 a small group of close friends. Joining CREW and POSSE as crime terms applied to friends US, 1993 synergy noun 4-bromo-2, 5-dimethoxyphenethylamine, a mild hallucinogen US, 1995 syph noun syphilis US, 1914 syrup noun prescription cough syrup, used recreationally US, 1995 syrup head noun a person who abuses for non-medicinal purposes non-prescription medication containing dextromethorphan (DXM) US, 2003 syrup of fig; syrup of figs; syrup noun a wig. Rhyming slang. Syrup of figs is used as a laxative. Noted in use among criminals by David Powis, The Signs of Crime, 1977; as a showbusiness term by Red Daniells, 1980, and in wide and general use by Ray Puxley, Cockney Rabbit, 1992 UK, 1977 syrupped up adjective intoxicated by cough syrup taken for non- medicinal purposes US, 1970 system noun 1 the criminal justice system; jail US, 1995. 2 an audio system, especially a loud car audio system US, 1993 systems kicker noun in prison, a rebellious inmate. One who kicks against the system UK, 1996 SYT noun a youthful, attractive homosexual male; a sweet young thing US, 1979 swish Alps | SYT 636 Tt T noun 1 marijuana. The simplest abbreviation of TEA UK, 1950. 2 cocaine. Probably an abbreviation of another slang term for ‘cocaine’ such as TOOT UK, 2003. 3 a tee shirt UK, 2003. < to a T precisely, exactly UK, 1693 T nickname the local rail system serving urban and suburban Boston, Massachusetts. used with ‘the’. From the official designation ‘Boston Transport’ US, 1987 ta thank you. An abbreviation of ‘thanks’ or ‘thank you’; originally childish or juvenile, now widespread UK, 1772 tab noun 1 a tablet, usually one taken as a recreational drug; a single dose of LSD. Originally medical and pharmaceutical jargon, added to the vocabulary of drugs users in the 1950s UK, 1961. 2 a tabloid newspaper US, 1951. 3 a bill, especially in a restaurant or bar US, 1946. 4 a cigarette. Originally northern dialect, spread with media usage UK, 1934. 5 a walk or march across country UK, 1982. 6 an enterprise, an activity US, 1946 . < run a tab to order drinks without paying for each one, paying instead the entire bill at the end of the session US, 1995 tab verb 1 to march or otherwise travel on foot across country. Military UK, 1982. 2 to make a drug into tablet form US, 1967 tabasco noun napalm US, 1991 tabbed adjective dressed stylishly US, 1980 tabla noun a surfboard. Spanish, imported to the US from Mexico by American surfers US, 1977 table noun a pinball machine UK, 1977 table dance noun in a strip-club, a semi-private sexual performance near or on a customer’s table US, 1992 table grade adjective used of a woman, sexually appealing. A clear suggestion of oral sex, or eating US, 1972 table-hopper; table-topper noun a necrophile US, 1987 table manners noun in poker, a player’s mannerisms, which may provide clues as to the relative strength of his hand US, 1981 table muscle noun the stomach US, 1984 table pussy noun a woman with good looks and manners US, 1970 tablescor e verb to take food left on restaurant tables US, 1997 table talk noun in poker, idle chatter that does not rise to the level of intentionally distracting talk US, 1979 table time noun a time-based charge for playing pool US, 1993 table zamboni noun a cleaning rag used by a bartender. Zamboni is an ice resurfacer used on ice rinks US, 1987 tab out verb to pay a bar bill and leave the bar US, 1992 tabs noun the ears US, 1970 tacit noun < take a tacit to stop talking US, 1947 tack noun 1 anything that demonstrates a quality of vulgarity, bad taste or kitsch US, 1986. 2 a tattoo US, 1992. 3 marijuana UK, 1996 tacked adjective drunk or drug-intoxicated US, 2004 tacked back adjective covered with tattoos US, 1989 tacked out adjective in trucking, running at full speed. A construction from ‘tachometer’ US, 1971 tacker noun a child. From British dialect (Devon and Cornwall) AUSTRALIA, 1942 tackety bit; tackety noun the female breast. Glasgow rhyming slang for TIT from the local pronunciation of ‘tackety’ (steel-tipped and -heeled) boots UK: SCOTLAND, 1988 tackie noun a tyre SOUTH AFRICA, 1978 tackies noun running shoes, trainers SOUTH AFRICA, 1913 tackiness noun a state of unrefined vulgarity US, 1977 tackle noun 1 the male genitalia. Originally ‘a man’s tackle’ sub- sequent familiarity reduced the necessity for ‘a man’s’ UK, 1788. 2 food and drink; ’stuff’; more recently, drugs UK, 1857 tackle verb to court; to flirt TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1987 tacky adjective vulgar, unrefined, unattractive, aesthetically unappealling; ’cheap and nasty’ US, 1862 taco adjective Mexican. Offensive. From the Mexican street food US, 1990 taco bender noun a Mexican or Mexican-American. Offensive US, 1992 Taco Hell nickname a Taco Bell™ fast-food restaurant US, 1990 tacoland noun a Mexican or Mexican-American neighbourhood. Offensive US, 1981 taco wagon noun a car embellished with bright colours, chrome and other accessories associated with Mexican-American car enthusiasts US, 1960 tad adjective little; a small amount. Perhaps from dialect tad (toad) UK, 1940 tadger noun the penis. Originally dialect; survives in rhyming slang FOX AND BADGER UK, 1961 tadpole noun an OH-6 light observation military helicopter. From its shape US, 1991 tadpole factory noun the testicles UK, 2003 ta ever so thank you. An elaboration of TA and variation of THANKS EVER SO UK , 1970 Taff ia; Tafia noun a notional conspiracy of influential Welsh people, especially Welsh-speakers, that control many areas of Welsh life for its own benefit. A blend of TAF F (Welsh) and ‘mafia’ (a criminal association) UK: WALES, 1980 Taff y; Taff noun a native of Wales. From Welsh Dafydd (David – the Welsh patron saint and everyday christian name) as heard by English ears. Taffy since about 1700; Taff since 1929 UK, 1964 tag noun 1 the stylised signature of a graffiti artist. From ‘tag’ (a label) US, 1998. 2 a stylised signature often confused with graffiti US, 1997. 3 a nickname, or popular designation US, 1950. 4 a number plate US, 1972 . 5 a planned murder US, 1982. 6 in the television and film industries, a very short final scene US, 1990 tag verb 1 to shoot and hit someone or something US, 1992. 2 to strike or hit someone or something US, 1975. 3 to catch or arrest someone, or convict someone of a crime US, 1966. 4 to spray-paint graffiti in a signature styling US, 1980. 5 to tattoo part of the body US, 1993. 6 to bestow a nickname on someone US, 1960. 7 to identify someone or something US, 1951 tag-along noun someone who joins an activity without invitation US, 1961 tag and bag verb to put a name tag on a corpse and place the body in a body bag. Vietnam war usage US, 1981 tagger noun a person who writes his signature in a stylised fashion on public walls, subways, etc US, 1997 tagging crew noun a group of graffiti artists US, 1989 tag plant noun a prison number plate manufacturing shop US, 2000 tag shop noun the area in a prison where number plates are manufactured US, 1958 Taig; Teague nickname a Catholic. From the anglicised spelling of the Irish name/nickname Tadhg UK, 1971 tail noun 1 the backside, buttocks and/or anus UK, 1303. 2 a woman, regarded as a sexual object; women, collectively, categorised with the same regard UK, 1846. 3 an act of sexual intercourse or sexual intercourse in a general sense. The earlier, obsolete, senses of ‘penis’ and ‘vagina’ come together in a logical consequence UK, 1933. 4 a person who is following someone else closely and secretly US, 1914 . 5 in prison, an informer US, 1990. 6 the term of a prisoner’s parole US, 1992. 7 in hot rodding, a fox tail or racoon tail tied to the car US, 1960. < bust your tail to give the maximum effort US, 1996 tail verb to follow someone closely and secretly US, 1907. < tail ’em in the gambling game two-up, to throw a pair of tails AUSTRALIA, 1911 tail-better noun in the gambling game two-up, a player who bets on tails AUSTRALIA, 1963 tail-end Charlie noun someone at the rear of any group or expedition. Originally the name given to the rear gunner on a Royal Air Force bomber, hence ‘the man at the back’ UK, 1941 tailgate verb 1 to walk very closely behind another person. A vari- ation of the conventional sense UK, 2003. 2 to eat and drink clustered in parking lot before a sports event US, 1995 tailgunner noun a homosexual male N EW ZEALAND, 1998 tailie noun in the gambling game two-up, a player who bets on tails AUSTRALIA, 1919 tail lights noun LSD UK, 1998 tailor noun in gin, a win without the opponent scoring US, 1950 tailor -made; tailor; taylor noun a factory-made cigarette US, 1924 tail pain noun anal pain TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 taily noun the penis US, 1982 taima noun marijuana. Possibly an elision of Spanish Tailandés (Thai) and marijuana UK, 1998 taint noun the perineum US, 1955 t’aint no crack, but a solid fact what I am saying is the truth US, 1973 Taj Mahal noun a dome covering radar antennae at NORAD air defence radar stations CANADA, 1995 take noun 1 an opinion; a view. Possibly from television and film jargon, ‘take’ (a recorded scene), suggesting a point of view UK, 2001. 2 stolen property, especially money US, 1888. 3 atheftAUSTRALIA, 1975 . < on the take accepting bribes US, 1930 take verb 1 (of a male) to have sex with someone UK, 1915 . 2 to defeat someone UK, 1939. 3 to successfully swindle someone UK, 1946. < take advantage (of a man) to seduce someone, to have sex with someone, to force sex upon someone. Euphemistic, but often jocular US, 1928. < take back water to back down on a brag or dare; to refuse a challenge. This phrase is derived from rowing CANADA, 1972. < take care of someone to kill someone; to kill one or more, especially as an expedient solution to a problem UK, 1984. < take in laundry to wear underwear internally UK, 2001. < take it in the shorts to be abused or defeated US, 1994. < take it lying down to submit tamely UK, 1961. < take it Nelson to relax UK, 1996. < take on for the team to accept responsibility for an unpleasant task for the greater good of a group. Originally a baseball team, used as an ex post facto expla- nation of a batter advancing to first base after being hit with a pitch US, 2001. < take one to be open to bribery UK, 1970. < take one for the team in a social situation, to pay attention to the less attractive of a pair of friends in the hope that your friend will have success with the more attractive member of the pair US, 2002. < take someone apart to absolutely defeat someone in a fight; to reprimand someone severely UK, 1984. < take someone for a ride 1 to swindle or deceive someone US, 1925. 2 in a car, to take a planned victim to a convenient spot for murder US, 1927. < take stoppo to escape. Based on ‘stoppo’ (a getaway) UK, 1956. < take the biscuit used in the context of surprise or annoyance at something which is remarkable or extraordinary UK, 1907. < take the cake used in the context of surprise or annoyance at something that is startingly improbable US, 1900. < take the cheese to be considered in the most negative manner; in a figurative sense, to take the prize for being worst UK, 1997 . < take the micky; take the mickey; take the mick; take the michael to make fun of someone; to pull someone’s leg. All vari- ations of rhyming slang MIKE BLISS; MICKY BLISS (PISS); literal and euphemistic translations of TAKE THE PISS. The variations on ‘mickey’, ‘mick’ etc. may be given an initial capital UK, 1935. < take the piss; take the piss out of someone 1 to make a fool of someone; to pull someone’s leg. To PISS and hence deflate a bladder gives the central idea of deflation, in this case by making a fool of; perhaps coincidentally an inflated bladder (on a stick) is the mediaeval comedy prop associated with a fool UK, 1984. 2 to implement a urine test. A literal pun on the sense ‘to tease someone’ UK, 1996. < take the ta-ta kiss; take the ta-ta to make a fool of someone; to pull someone’s leg. Rhyming slang for TAKE THE PISS, formed on a goodbye kiss UK, 1992. < take yourself in hand (of a male) to masturbate UK, 1953 take a little, leave a little used as a description of the standing orders that carnival workers have for cheating customers US, 1985 take a running jump!; take a running jump at yourself! used as a contemptuous expression of dismissal UK, 1933 take a train! used as an all-purpose insult US, 1951 takedown noun the amount earned US, 1990 take down verb to arrest and convict someone US, 1997. < take someone down a peg to reduce a person’s self-esteem; to force a brash or bumptious person to conform UK, 1959 take-down brights noun the very bright lights on a police car used when ordering a driver to pull over US, 1992 take-homes noun a several-day supply of methadone US, 1989 take it away! commence the entertainment!; start the music! UK, 1984 take-man noun the member of a criminal gang who actually steals the money AUSTRALIA, 1975 take money noun the proceeds of a robbery or other illegal scheme US, 1975 take night to make day used for describing an all-out effort TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1986 taken short adjective desperate to urinate or defecate UK, 1890 take-off noun 1 in a gambling operation, the amount of the bet money taken by the house US, 1950. 2 a mimicking impression; a parody US, 1846. 3 in surfing, the catching of a wave and start of a ride US, 1970 take off verb 1 to use a drug, especially to inject a drug US, 1952. 2 to bring someone to orgasm US, 1975 . 3 to go; to leave UK, 1959. 4 in surfing, to catch the momentum of a wave and begin a ride US, 1970. 5 to rob a place; to steal something US, 1960. 6 to mimic or parody someone or something UK, 1766. < take off a piece of work to masturbate US, 2002 take-off artist noun an escaped prisoner UK, 1996 take on verb to have sex with someone US, 1972 take-out noun in poker, the minimum number of chips that a player can buy from the bank at once US, 1967 take out verb 1 to kill someone US, 1939. 2 to win a game, an award a prize or the like AUSTRALIA, 1976 taker noun a thief who snatches a chain from the wearer’s neck. Recorded by a Jamaican inmate of a UK prison, August 2002 UK, 2002 takey-ah-ways noun take-away food. Pronounced with a mock Maori accent NEW ZEALAND, 1998 take you everywhere twice – the second time to apologise used as a jocular reprimand to a companion who has just said or done something contrary to the accepted social code; or (replacing you with him or her) to the company at large, as a humorous acknowledgement of such a faux pas UK, 2002 take your pick adjective stupid. Rhyming slang for THICK, possibly formed from the title of a television quiz show broadcast between 1955 and 68 UK, 1998 takkies noun running shoes SOUTH AFRICA, 2001 takkouri noun hashish. A corruption of Tunisian takrouri (hashish) UK, 1998 talala noun the vulva and vagina TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1959 talc; talco noun cocaine. Another white powder as a metaphor US, 1984 talent noun 1 a categorisation of sexually attractive people (within a given area), usually by heterosexual men of women and by tail | talent 638 homosexual men of men; occasional use by women increased in the 1990s UK, 1947. 2 an intelligent, resourceful criminal US, 1962. < the talent in the entertainment industry, the actors, the performers US, 1991 talented adjective attractive US, 1996 Tale of Two Cities; tale o’ twos adjective thefemalebreasts. Rhyming slang for TITTIE(S), formed from the title of Charles Dickens’ novel, 1859. Often spoonerised as ‘Sale of Two Titties’ UK, 1960 Taliban adjective given as a nickname to any eccentric or unconventional student, especially one of Arab ethnicity. Teen slang, post 11th September 2001; from the Muslim fundamentalist government. The words ‘terrorist’ and ‘fundamentalist’ are also current as nicknames US, 2002 talk verb 1 to betray someone; to inform on someone US, 1924. 2 to have a sexual relationship in prison US, 1982. 3 (used of a truck) to emit a clear sound from the smokestack US, 1971. < talk game to analyse the business of prostitution US, 1972. < talk noise to exag- gerate; to lie US, 1986. < talk shit 1 to disparage someone or something; to exaggerate US, 1965. 2 to talk nonsense US,mid-C20. < talk smack to disparage someone or something US, 1993. < talk stink to malign someone or something. Hawaiian youth usage US, 1981. < talk story to gossip; to engage in idle conversation. Hawaiian youth usage US, 1981. < talk the hind legs off a donkey to talk until a listener is distracted; to talk persuasively. The surviving variation of many de-legged creatures: ‘bird’ (1929), ‘cow’ or ‘dog’ (1887), ‘horse’ (mainly dialect), ‘jackal’, etc UK, 1915. < talk though your neck to talk nonsense UK, 1899. < talk through your arse; talk through your ass; talk out of your arse to talk nonsense UK, 1985. < talk through your hat to talk (ill-informed) nonsense US, 1888. < talk to Ralph Beukler to vomit CANADA, 2002. < talk to Ralph on the big white phone to vomit US, 1989. < talk to the canoe driver to perform oral sex on a woman US, 1971. < talk to the seals to vomit. Surfer usage US, 1997. < talk trash to engage in aggressive verbal sparring; to speak offensively US, 1967. < talk turkey to speak candidly and openly about an important issue US, 1903 talk and walk noun the practice of professing psychological improvement in a prison therapeutic setting to improve your chances of parole US, 1971 talk at verb to talk to someone. The ‘at’ is a folksy affectation that decreases the formality of the statement US, 1999 talkdown noun the conversational technique used to guide an LSD user who is having a difficult time back to reality US, 1994 talker noun in the circus or carnival, a person who entices customers into the side show US, 1960 talkie noun a film with sound; a film. Mainly historical, as an opposite to silent films US, 1913 talking handbag noun a portable radio UK, 1996 talking head noun an expert guest on a television or radio news show US, 1977 talking woman noun a female performer who banters with the audience as she strips off her clothes US, 1950 talkman noun an electrical torture device attached to a prisoner’s face. Gulf war usage, punning on the Walkman™ portable music device US, 1991 talk of the devil! said of a person who, while being spoken of, arrives unexpectedly; hence, an ungracious, though not necessarily unfriendly, greeting to that person. A shortening of the proverb ‘Talk of the Devil, and he’s presently at your elbow’ UK, 1666 talk powder noun any central nervous system stimulant US, 1988 talk to the hand; tell it to the hand (because the face isn’t listening); speak to the hand used for expressing a complete lack of interest in what is being said. Usually followed with ‘because the face don’t give a damn’ or something in a similar vein, accompanied by a gesture of a raised hand, palm facing the other person US, 1995 talk -up noun in sales and marketing, a raising of awareness and expectations. A jargon-like variation of ‘praise’ UK, 1999 tall adjective 1 used of a jail sentence, lengthy US, 1992. 2 drug- intoxicated. A play on HIGH US, 1946 tallboy noun a 16-ounce can of beer US, 1984 tall grass noun in circus and carnival usage, an extremely remote location US, 1981 tallie; tally noun chiefly in Queensland, a tall, 750 ml bottle of beer AUSTRALIA, 2003 tall order noun an excessive demand, a difficult thing to achieve US, 1893 tall poppy noun an eminent, wealthy or successful person when viewed as needing deflation AUSTRALIA, 1902 tall poppy syndrome noun the habit of denigrating successful people. An outgrowth of the Australian’s strong sense of egalitarianism and habit of siding with the underdog AUSTRALIA, 1983 tall story; tall tale noun an elaborate lie; an (enjoyable) exagger- ation UK, 1846 tall wine noun sex in which the woman below the man moves and keeps her buttocks up off the bed TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1986 Tally adjective Italian UK: SCOTLAND, 1985 tallywhacker; tallywacker noun the penis US, 1966 tam noun a knitted hat used by a Rastafarian to contain his dreadlocks. An abbreviation of conventional ‘tam o’shanter’ JAMAICA, 2002 tamale noun the vagina. The imagery is of a savoury dish (originally from Mexico): a rolled pancake with a spicy filling US, 1998 tamboo bamboo noun the penis. An allusion to a musical instrument made from a length of bamboo TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1980 Tammie noun a capsule of Temazepam™, a branded sleeping pill US, 1997 tammy noun a tampon UK, 2001 tamp verb to walk US, 1953 Tampa; Tampa pilot noun in shuffleboard, a hide disc on your side of the court near the apex of the ten US, 1967 tampax noun filter-tipped cigarette(s). From the similarity in appearance between the white tubes of manufactured cigarettes and Tampax™, a well-known brand of tampons UK, 1984 tampi; tampee noun marijuana JAMAICA, 1975 tamping noun abeatingUS, 1967 tampon noun 1 a snobbish, unpleasant person. An allusion to the nature of tampons in the sense that they are all ‘stuck up cunts’, punning on ‘stuck-up’ (snobbish) and CUNT (an unpleasant person) UK, 2001. 2 a fat marijuana cigarette US, 1997. < maybe your tampon will be flushed perhaps you will be feeling better; maybe your mood will have improved. Note south Wales dialect tamping (angry) US, 1988 tampon dick noun a contemptible man UK, 1997 tamp up verb to beat someone physically US, 1962 tampy noun marijuana BAHAMAS, 1982 ta muchly thank you very much. A deliberate solecism used for humorous effect UK, 1969 tan verb 1 to consume something voraciously; to do something briskly or with urgency UK: SCOTLAND, 1988. 2 to burgle somewhere UK: SCOTLAND, 1988. < tan someone’s hide; tan someone’s arse to beat someone on the buttocks (as a punishment) UK, 1670 T and A noun visual depictions of sexually provocative females. From TITS AND ASS; TITS AND ARSE US, 1993 T and T verb to tape record and trace the origin of a phone call US, 2001 tangerine dream noun a type of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy. Named for the colour of the tablet and after a German group that plays electronic, synthesized music UK, 1996 Tangier tiger noun a low grade variety of hashish from the foothills of the Rif Mountains UK, 2003 639 talented | Tangier tiger . ‘loving’ kiss and a ‘nice’ kiss. Widely known, and well used by servicemen, then a nearly mandatory sign-off line in any American teenage love letter of the 1950s and 60s, now a part of the coded. contraction of ‘sweaty’ and ‘ass’ CANADA, 2003 swatch noun a quick look UK: SCOTLAND, 1911 swatty-blouse noun an effeminate intellectual NEW ZEALAND, 1995 swave and blaze adjective suave and blasé. An. (Devon and Cornwall) AUSTRALIA, 1942 tackety bit; tackety noun the female breast. Glasgow rhyming slang for TIT from the local pronunciation of ‘tackety’ (steel-tipped and -heeled) boots UK: SCOTLAND,