Slang and uncoventional english part 104 pot

wingnut noun a person who is easily angered or flustered. As a piece of hardware, a ‘wingnut’ is easily tightened – the basis for its application to a person US, 1990 wings noun 1 any powdered drug, especially cocaine, heroin or morphine. Because wings give you the lift that gets you HIGH US, 1953. 2 insignia worn by motorcyle gang members signifying sexual conquests US, 1966. < get your wings to use heroin for the first time. A nod to aviation terminology US, 1989 wing-wang noun the rectum US, 1970 wing wipe noun a crew member of a military jet aircraft. A term used by the infantry US, 1990 wingy noun a person with one arm US, 1980 wingy adjective very loose-fitting, giving the appearance of extreme thinness TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 wink noun the penis UK, 2001 winker noun the vagina. The imagery of an eye that opens and closes UK, 1970 winkie noun 1 the vagina UK, 2001. 2 a sideways punctuation face indi- cating laughter, generally formed as ;-) US, 1995 winking noun < like winking; like eyes-a-winking very quickly UK, 1827 winkle noun a boy’s penis; a small penis US, 1966. < have on the winkle to be obsessed by something UK, 1969 winkle-trip noun a male striptease act performed for an all-female audience on a Thames pleasure boat UK, 1980 winky; winkie noun the penis; a small penis; a boy’s penis. Usually juvenile, occasionally derisory; probably a variation of WINKLE UK, 1984 winner noun a loser socially. Sardonic, cruel US, 1964 winners noun dice that have been altered so as to roll numbers other than seven, useful to the shooter in craps US, 1950 winners and losers noun trousers. Glasgow rhyming slang on ‘troosers’ UK: SCOTLAND, 1985 winny-popper noun the penis. A schoolchildren’s term CANADA, 1968 wino noun 1 a lowly drunk US, 1913. 2 a wine connoisseur NEW ZEALAND, 1997 win or lose noun any and all alcoholic drinks. Rhyming slang for BOOZE UK, 1992 wino time noun a short jail sentence US, 1992 winter noun any period between carnival seasons, regardless of the actual time of year US, 1966 winter blossoms noun the older, female, winter residents of a hotel UK, 1977 winterer; winteroverer noun a person who spends the winter in Antarctica ANTARCTICA, 1958 Winterpeg nickname Winnipeg, Manitoba CANADA, 2002 winter wear noun the foreskin on an uncircumsised penis US, 1983 win-win adjective said of a situation in which the parties involved all feel that they have done well US, 1977 wipe noun a handkerchief US, 1981 wipe verb 1 to dismiss or reject a person; to wash your hands of someone AUSTRALIA, 1941. 2 in drag racing, to defeat another car. Created by back-formation; when a car is defeated, the name of the driver is wiped from the list of those competing, so the driver is ‘wiped’ US, 2003. < wipe the clock to set a train’s air brake valve at the position used for full emergency application. An allusion to the sudden drop of the pressure needle on the air gauge to zero US, 1975. < wipe the floor with; wipe up the floor with; wipe the earth with; wipe the ground with to inflict an absolute defeat on someone; to surpass someone UK, 1896 wiped adjective 1 infatuated UK, 2004. 2 drunk US, 1968. 3 exhausted US, 1996 wiped out adjective very drug-intoxicated US, 1974 wipe-off noun 1 a cursory washing of the body using little water US, 1953. 2 a total wreck; a write-off AUSTRALIA, 1945 wipe off verb to wreck or ruin something AUSTRALIA, 1962 wipe-out noun a fall from a surfboard, usually caused by a wave. A major word of the surfer’s lexicon; it was the title and one-word lyric of the 1963 ‘surf instrumental’ by the Surfaris that featured a drum solo practised on the school desk of many an early 1960s schoolboy AUSTRALIA, 1962 wipe out verb 1 to destroy something; to kill or wound someone US, 1968. 2 to remove someone from their position UK, 1969 wire noun 1 a telegraph message; a telegram UK, 1876. 2 areport;infor- mation. A vestigial term from the era of telegraphy UK, 1925. 3 news transmitted privately TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1938. 4 a bookmaking operation US, 1981. 5 a small microphone and transmitting device worn on the person as part of law enforcement interception of oral communications US, 1973. 6 the penis IRELAND, 1991. 7 the buttocks TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1968. 8 in a pickpocketing team, the thief who actually picks the victim’s pocket UK, 1851. 9 in horse racing, the finish line US, 1974. 10 amphetamines UK, 2003. 11 in pool, the score string US, 1993. < have your wires crossed; get your wires crossed to be at cross purposes; to be affected by a mutual misunderstanding UK, 2001. < on the wire in pool, having scored or having been awarded a score as part of the handicapping of a game US, 1993 wire verb 1 to send a telegraph message UK, 1859. 2 to use a small microphone or transmitting device to intercept oral communi- cations US, 1973. 3 in skateboarding, to analyse and plan a difficult manoeuvre or trick US, 1976 wired adjective 1 intoxicated on amphetamines or cocaine. Also used with ‘up’ US, 1966. 2 tense, anxious UK, 1979. 3 well-rehearsed US, 1995. 4 used of a pair in stud poker, dealt in the first two cards of a hand US, 1981 wired to the moon adjective extremely drug-intoxicated. An elabor- ation of WIRED (drug-intoxicated) UK, 1995 wired up adjective 1 intoxicated on central nervous system depress- ants US, 1979. 2 available for homosexual relations US, 1961 wire-fu noun a technique that employs wires and pulleys to create choreographed martial art fights. Formed on ‘kung fu’ US, 1997 wirehead noun a computer hardware specialist US, 1991 wire room noun an illegal betting establishment’s telephone office US, 1950 wires noun any central nervous system stimulant US, 1977 wire store noun a big con based on a supposedly corrupt telegraph official who claims he can delay the reporting of race results to the benefit of the victim US, 1969 wire to wire noun in horse racing, the entire distance of the race, from start to finish US, 1951 wise verb to inform or educate someone; to explain something US, 1905. < wise up; wise up to to learn, realise or understand something US, 1919 wise adjective < be wise; be wise to; get wise; get wise to to be aware of something; to be warned about something US, 1896. < put wise; put wise to to make someone aware of something; to warn someone about something US, 1913 -wise suffix in the manner of, or to do with, a conjoined subject US, 1942 wiseacre noun a smart alec UK, 1595 wiseass noun an obnoxious person with delusions of cleverness US, 1971 wisecrack noun a smart, humorous, sometimes cruel remark US, 1924 wisecrack verb to make smart, humorous and sometimes cruel remarks US, 1946 wisecracker noun someone who makes smart, humorous and sometimes cruel remarks US, 1923 wisecracking adjective given to making smart, humorous and sometimes cruel remarks US, 1915 wise guy noun a recognised member of an organised crime enterprise US, 1975 703 wingnut | wise guy wise monkey noun a condom. Rhyming slang for DUNKY,influenced perhaps by the usual number of wise monkeys and a PACKET OF THREE UK , 1992 wisenheimer noun a smart alec, a wise guy UK, 1904 wisepuss noun an obnoxious person with delusions of cleverness. A variation of WISEASS US, 1971 wish verb to greet someone INDIA, 1979 wishbone noun in hot rodding, a triangular suspension control device US, 1993 wishing book noun a mail-order catalogue US, 1975 wish-was noun someone who wishes that he were something that he is not US, 1991 wishy-washy adjective 1 weak; uncertain UK, 1703. 2 in poor condition TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1993 wiss noun a urination. Glasgow slang UK, 1996 wisteria adjective clingy. From the characteristics of the plant; a contemporary gay usage UK, 2003 wit noun a witness US, 1999 wit! ‘what was just said is not funny!’ US, 1986 witch noun < the witch any powdered drug; cocaine, heroin, etc US, 1949 witch doctor noun a doctor who specialises in internal medicine US, 1985 witches’ knickers noun plastic bags caught up in trees or shrubs IRELAND, 2000 witch hazel noun heroin US, 1959 witch’s brew noun LSD enhanced with botanical drugs from plants such as deadly nightshade or jimsonweed US, 1970 witch’s cackle noun the male genitals. Rhyming slang for WEDDING TACKL E UK , 2003 with authority! used as a humorous comment on a remark made or action taken without hesitation and boldly. Coined on ESPN’s Sports Center while narrating footage showing a basketball slam dunk US, 1997 with it adjective aware of all that is happening; stylish; part of a subculture US, 1945 without adjective clueless; out of touch; out of style US, 1999 wiwi noun a French person. A Maori approximation of the French ‘oui, oui’ NEW ZEALAND, 1998 wix adjective excellent. Urban youth slang. Probably a reduction of WICKED UK, 2005 wizard noun 1 an expertly skilled person UK, 1620. 2 in computing, a person who has specific and detailed expertise US, 1983. 3 in pinball, an expert player US, 1977 wizard adjective excellent, marvellous. Magical origins; mainly used by the privileged and officer classes until after World War 2, then widespread. Of upper-class society use: ‘[ ] still used, though almost always in inverted commas’ (Ann Barr and Peter York, The Official Sloane Ranger Handbook, p.159, 1982) UK, 1922 wizard! used for expressing approval UK, 1933 wizard’s sleeve noun a capacious vagina. Coined for humorous magazine Viz UK, 1999 wizz noun 8see: WHIZZ, WHIZZO wizzard; wizzard of oz noun an ounce of marijuana. This plays on the conventional abbreviation ‘oz’ (ounce) and, by association with the film The Wizard of Oz, 1939, which contains the song ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’, suggesting where this measure of marijuana might take you. The misspelling ‘wizzard’, if deliberate, may be punning on WHIZZ (amphetamine) UK, 2001 wizzo noun the weapons officer on a military aircraft US, 1998 wizzy adjective excellent, exciting, wonderful; used for registering general approval. A variation of WIZARD UK, 1998 wizzy-wizzy verb to whisper BARBADOS, 1965 wobble verb < wobble the job to cause trouble among workers on a unionised worksite CANADA, 1989 wobble board noun a simple musical instrument made of a sheet of stiff material that is wobbled rhythmically. Invention of the instrument and its name is credited to Australian artist and entertainer Rolf Harris (b.1930) AUSTRALIA, 1957 wobbler noun 1 an outburst of temper UK, 1983. 2 in trucking, a spoke wheel US, 1971. < throw a wobbler to have a fit of bad temper or anger US, 2003 wobblestick noun a gear lever on a truck or car US, 1971 wobblies; wobs noun a powerful and deep vibration of the board while skateboarding fast US, 1976 wobbly noun afitofangerUK, 1977. < thr ow a wobbly to have a fit of bad temper or anger NEW ZEALAND, 1984 Wobbly noun a member of the anarchist trade union the International Workers of the World US, 1914 wobbly adjective uncertain; undecided; risky UK, 1884 wobbly egg; wobbly; egg noun a capsule of Temazepam™, a branded tranquillizer; any central nervous system depressant; in the plural it refers to the drug in general. From the characteristic nature of gelatine, the original method of manufacturing the capsules UK, 1996 wobbly hole noun in trucking, the neutral gear US, 1971 wobbly orange noun a warrant officer in the Royal Air Force. A ludicrous re-use of the initials UK, 2002 wodge; wadge noun a large amount. Originally used of a bulky mass UK, 1860 wog noun 1 any person of non-white ethnicity; a native of the Indian subcontinent; an Arab; any (non-British) foreigner, as in ‘the wogs begin at Calais’. Derogatory, patronising. Derives possibly from an abbreviation of ‘golliwog’ (a caricature, black-faced, curly-haired doll) but the widest usage is in reference to Asians and not black people. Popular, unproven etymology has ‘wog’ as an acronym of ‘Western(ised) [or] Wily Oriental Gentleman’ UK, 1929. 2 any language that isn’t English AUSTRALIA, 1988. 3 a germ that causes an illness AUSTRALIA, 1941 wog adjective 1 foreign UK, 1956. 2 of non-Anglo-Celtic origin AUSTRALIA, 1944 wogball noun soccer AUSTRALIA, 1984 wog box noun a large portable stereo system associated, stereotypically, with black youth culture UK, 1990 woggy adjective 1 characteristic of a non-white person AUSTRALIA, 1988. 2 of non-Anglo-Celtic background AUSTRALIA, 1968 wojus adjective inferior; of poor quality IRELAND, 2004 woke-up adjective informed; up-to-date US, 1968 wolf noun 1 a sexually aggressive man US, 1945. 2 in prison, an aggressive, predatory homosexual US, 1952. 3 in homosexual anal sex, the active participant US, 1940. 4 a prison sentence of 15 years US, 1990s wolf verb to act in a sexually aggressive manner US, 1974 wolf bait noun an attractive young woman US, 1960 Wolfhounds noun the 27th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Division. Formed in 1901, named by the White Russians in World War 1, distinguished fighters in World War 2, Korea and Vietnam US, 1968 wolf in the pack noun a traffic police car in the midst of other cars US, 1962 wolf pack noun a group of friends who play poker at cardrooms, taking advantage of unskilled strangers US, 1996 wolf-pack verb 1 to engage in criminal gang activity US, 1982. 2 to congregate with other teenagers around their cars at shopping centre carparks, drinking beer and idling US, 1989 wolf ticket noun a threat or other act of intimidation used to coerce US, 1974 wolf whistle noun a distinctive whistle (generally, a sharply terminated rising note, followed by one that rises briefly before descending and fading) used as a declaration of appreciation for a wise monkey | wolf whistle 704 sexually attractive person. After WOLF (a sexually aggressive man), and generally, but not exclusively, in the vocabulary of men US, 1952 wolf-whistle verb to whistle in a distinctive declaration of appreci- ation for a sexually attractive person. From the noun US, 1955 wollie; woolah noun crack cocaine added to a marijuana cigarette or cigar US, 1989 wolly noun 8see: WALL Y wollyback noun anyone living in a rural area IRELAND, 1995 wolver noun the penis. Rhyming slang, formed from Midlands’ town Wolverhampton as an elaboration of ‘hampton’, the shortened form of HAMPTON WICK (PRICK) UK, 1967 woman in the sun noun heroin. Collected in private correspondence with certain musicians UK, 2001 womb noun the rectum US, 1983 wombat noun 1 a dull, uninteresting or stupid person. From the name of a stocky native nocturnal marsupial AUSTRALIA, 1905. 2 in computing, a waste of money, brains and time US, 1991 wombat-headed adjective stupid; fat-headed. First used by the bushranger Ned Kelly in his famous ‘Jerilderie Letter’ in 1879 AUSTRALIA, 1971 womb broom noun the penis US, 1973 womb duster noun the penis US, 1977 womble noun 1 in prison, an inmate detailed as a litter collector. After the children’s characters created by Elizabeth Beresford, and in a BBC television series launched in 1973 UK, 2003. 2 afoolUK, 1986 womble verb to pick up litter. From the raison d’être of children’s television characters in The Wombles, who collected litter in the 70s from 1973, and again from 1998 UK, 1996 womb sweeper noun the penis US, 1978 womb-trembler noun something that causes great excitement UK, 2001 women and children off the street! in shuffleboard, used as a humorous commentary on a hard shooter US, 1967 womp; whomp verb to beat someone US, 1964 wonder star noun methcathinone UK, 1998 wonder veg noun any mushroom with a hallucinogenic effect UK, 1996 wonder wand noun the penis. An elaboration of WAND (the penis) US, 2001 wong verb in casino blackjack, to play several hands at a table where the count of cards played favours the player, and then to move on to another table. Named after Stanford Wong, a blackjack expert US, 1991 wonga noun 1 money. From Romany wanger or wonger, defined by George Borrow in Romano Lavo-Lil, 1907, as ‘Coal. Also a term for money; probably because Coal in the cant [criminal] language sig- nifies money’. Romany ‘wongar-camming miser’ is literally ‘one who loves coal’. (Now obsolete ‘coal’, also ‘cole’, meant ‘money’ from the mid-C17, and all but faded away by C20). Variants include ‘wong’ and ‘wonger’ UK, 1953. 2 marijuana UK, 1985 wonk noun a student who studies harder than contemporaries con- sider necessary; a political professional who is studious and therefore well informed. Derogatory US, 1962 wonkey; wonky adjective broken US, 2001 wonk out verb to study excessively US, 1987 wonky adjective 1 unbalanced; out-of-true. Variation of obsolete sense of ‘wanky’ (inferior, damaged) UK, 1919. 2 unsound or unreliable UK, 1925. 3 intellectual; out of touch with reality US, 1970 won’t do itself used before tackling any task as an expression of resigned determination. A very clichéd truism if not a catchphrase UK, 1999 woo noun sexual foreplay NEW ZEALAND, 1998 wood noun 1 the fully erect penis US, 1991. 2 the penis TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1950. 3 in a casino or other gambling establishment, a person who watches without playing. An abbreviation of DEADWOOD US, 1950. < have the wood on someone to have an advantage over someone AUSTRALIA, 1949. < on the wood 1 in horse racing, racing along the rail US, 1994. 2 in hot rodding and motor racing, throttled to the maximum US, 1993 Woodbine; woodie; woody; wood noun any cheap cigarette. From branded ‘Wild Woodbine’™ cigarettes, manufactured by WD & HO Wills and among the cheapest to be had UK, 1916 wood burner noun an attractive female. A suggestion that the woman consumes WOOD in the ‘erect’ sense of the word US, 1990 wooden verb to beat someone with a club of some sort AUSTRALIA, 1905 wooden adjective in poker, said of a hand that is unplayable US, 1951 wooden aspro noun a blow to the head with a police baton NEW ZEALAND , 1980 wooden cat noun a Morris Traveller car. Citizens’ band radio slang; OLD CAT is a Morris Minor; this ‘cat’ is amended for the wooden bars in the model’s design UK, 1981 woodener noun a sentence of imprisonment for 30 days. Rhyming slang, WOODEN SPOON for MOON (a month’s imprisonment) UK, 1950 wooden hill; little wooden hill noun the stairs. Nursery use, especially in the phrase CLIMB THE WOODEN HILL TO BEDFORDSHIRE (to go upstairs to bed) UK, 1961 wooden horses noun a carousel BARBADOS, 1965 wooden Indian noun a poker player who does not talk or display emotion US, 1996 wooden leg noun an egg. Rhyming slang UK, 1998 wooden overcoat noun a coffin. A bleakly cynical euphemism, since 1903. Later variations are ‘wooden kimono’, 1926 and ‘wooden suit’, 1968 UK, 1903 wooden plank noun an American, especially an American in the UK. Rhyming slang for YANK UK, 1992 wooden spoon noun 1 a notional trophy awarded to an individual or a team placed last in a competition. From an actual wooden spoon that was customarily presented to the lowest on the Mathematical Tripos list at Cambridge University UK, 1858. 2 a month’s imprisonment. Rhyming slang for MOON UK, 1998 wooden-spooner noun in a sporting competition, an individual or team that comes last. From WOODEN SPOON UK, 1954 wooden-spoonist noun in a competition, an individual or team that comes last. From WOODEN SPOON UK, 1927 woodentop noun 1 a uniformed police officer. After the children’s television puppet show The Woodentops (1955–58). The variant ‘woody’ is also used UK, 1982. 2 a fool; also attributed as an adjective. After the sense ‘a police officer’ UK, 1983 Wood family noun used as a humorous description of empty seats in a theatre UK, 1952 woodfoot noun numbing of the foot in cold water. Surfing usage US, 2004 woodie noun 1 a Wills Woodbine™ cigarette UK, 1931. 2 awooden powerboat, especially one built between the 1920s and 60s US, 2001 wooding noun among vagrant alcoholics, a task of collecting firewood UK, 1966 woodpecker noun a machinegun AUSTRALIA, 1898 woodpile noun 1 a xylophone US, 1945. 2 the area in a prison yard where white prisoners exercise. Formed from PECKERWOOD (a white person) and IRON PILE (weightlifting equipment) US, 1989 woodpile cousin noun an actual, if distant, blood relative US, 1975 wood rash noun any injury, especially grazing, sustained when riding a skateboard on a wooden ramp. A combination of location and appearance; ironically modest US, 2001 woods noun the vulva; a woman’s pubic hair. Usually used with ‘the’ US, 1968 woods French noun a limited ability in French CANADA, 1980 woodshed verb to rehearse, especially in private US, 1936 705 wolf-whistle | woodshed woodsman noun a male pornography performer who can be counted upon to maintain an erection as long as needed and to ejaculate more or less on demand US, 1995 woodster noun a male pornography performer whose erections can be counted on US, 2000 woodsy noun a party held in the country US, 1967 woodwork noun < come out of the woodwork; crawl out of the woodwork; creep out of the woodwork (of someone or something unpleasant) to appear; to arrive on the scene; to emerge. Usage is often with humorous intent but the allusion is to insects normally found in the woodwork – woodworm, deathwatch beetle, cockroach, etc UK, 1973 woody; woodie noun 1 an erection. US pornographer Joey Silvera is given credit for coining this term, which did not stay within the confines of pornography for long US, 1985. 2 a car with wood or synthetic wood paneling on its body US, 1962 8see: WOODBINE woody pill noun a genuine or a generic Viagra™ tablet. Based on WOODY (an erection) UK, 2002 Woody Woodpecker noun a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy, embossed with a representation of the popular animation character UK, 1999 woof verb 1 to vomit US, 1978. 2 to eat very quickly. Possibly from ‘wolf down’ UK, 1943. 3 to threaten or intimidate someone; to engage someone in ritualistic, quasi-friendly insulting US, 1967 woof! used as a shout of approval, especially as a male declaration of appreciation for a sexually desirable female. Originated by television talk show host Arsenio Hall in 1989; the barking is accompanied by a pumped raised hand, fist clenched US, 1992 woofer noun an unattractive woman or man. A variation of DOG UK, 1995 woofter noun a homosexual man. A variation of POOFTER (a male homosexual) UK, 1977 woofterish adjective ineffecutal NEW ZEALAND, 1993 wook noun a quintessential rural hippie. From the Wookie character in the George Lucas Star Wars films US, 2004 wool noun 1 pubic hair; by extension, sex US, 1972. 2 used derogatively of someone who is not from the city; a stereotypical country- dweller; a YOKEL.FromWOOLLY BACK UK, 2001 woola; woolas; wooly; wool noun crack cocaine or phencyclidine sprinkled over marijuana which is then smoked in a cigarette; a hollowed-out cigar filled with marijuana and phencyclidine US, 1995 woolah noun 8see: WOLLIE woolie noun a female’s pubic hair NEW ZEALAND, 1994 woolies noun winter clothing US, 1945 Woolies nickname high street shop FW Woolworth’s, later Woolworth’s AUSTRALIA, 1944 woollies noun marijuana and crack cocaine mixture; marijuana and phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust UK, 1998 Woolloomooloo Yank noun an Australian who puts on an American accent AUSTRALIA, 1945 woolly noun 1 a black person. Variants include ‘wooley head’ US, 1969. 2 in CID slang, a uniformed police officer UK, 1965 woolly back noun 1 a stereotype of the unsophisticated country- dweller. An allusion to the intelligence and appearance of sheep UK, 1981. 2 a Welsh person US, 2003 woollyback breaker noun a citizens’ band radio user from North Wales. Citizens’ band radio slang BREAKER (a citizens’ band user) with an allusion to sheep UK, 1981 woolly mitten noun a kitten. Rhyming slang UK, 1998 woolly nose noun a railway fettler AUS TRALIA, 1969 woolly-pully noun a military-issue heavy jumper. A customised woollen pullover UK, 1984 woolly vest noun a pest. Rhyming slang UK, 1998 woolly woofter; woolly noun a male homosexual. Rhyming slang with POOFTER AUSTRALIA, 1988 Woolwich and Greenwich noun spinach. Rhyming slang, formed from two London locations for crossing over the Thames UK, 1992 Woolwich Ferry noun sherry. Rhyming slang, formed from a transport across the Thames UK, 1992 Woolworth noun in hold ’em poker, a five and a ten as the first two cards dealt to a player. Woolworth’s was the most famous five and dime store in the US US, 1981 Woolworth’s finest noun in shuffleboard, a ten US, 1967 wooly bear noun in caving and pot-holing, a fibre-pile undersuit US, 1997 wooly blunt; woolly blunt noun a marijuana and crack cocaine cigarette UK, 2003 woop noun 8see: WHOOP Woop Woop noun an imaginary remote place AUSTRALIA, 1918 wooshed up adjective having been whisked to a froth (as of a milkshake); figuratively of anything having been subjected to random inflation (see citation) UK, 1999 wooter noun the penis US, 1981 wooz noun marijuana. From WOOZY (intoxicated) UK, 2003 wooziness noun a fuddled state, muzziness; often used to describe a morning-after-the-night-before feeling US, 1977 woozy adjective unsteady; dizzy; disoriented; intoxicated with drugs or drink. Anglicised by Conan Doyle in 1917 US, 1897 wop noun an Italian immigrant or Italian-American US, 1914. < up the wop 1 pregnant NEW ZEALAND, 1981. 2 broken; unsound NEW ZEALAND , 2001 wop adjective Italian US, 1961 wopcacker noun a superlative example of something AUSTRALIA, 1941 wop-jawed adjective in circus and carnival usage, amazed by an act or demonstration US, 1981 wop-wops noun remote back country NEW ZEALAND, 1984 word noun < get a word in edgeways to contribute to a conversation. Generally in a negative form UK, 1984. < put the word on someone to proposition someone AUSTRALIA, 1975. < take the word in the illegal production of alcohol, to warn someone about a pending law enforcement raid US, 1974. < the word 1 gossip, rumours US, 1961. 2 an order US, 1962 word verb to speak to someone AUSTRALIA, 1905 word! used for expressing assent US, 1987 word in your shell-like noun a brief and discreet (one-sided) conversation. variation of ‘word in your ear’; ‘shell-like’, which does not appear outside of this phrase until later, derives from a similarity of shape between the ear and some (delicate, pink) shells UK, 1985 words noun a quarrel (of violent words not actions). A refinement of a sense that has served since 1462 UK, 1862 word up verb to speak to someone in a flattering manner AUSTRALIA, 1985 word up 1 used for expressing agreement US, 1986. 2 used as a greeting. Used in the hip-hop community US, 2003 work noun 1 the betting slips in an illegal lottery or gambling oper- ation US, 1972. 2 cheating in gambling, especially in craps. The statement ‘There’s work down’ means that altered dice or cards are in play US, 1950. 3 dice or cards that have been altered for the purpose of cheating US, 1963. 4 crack cocaine US, 1989. 5 sex US, 1959. < do the work on someone to kill someone US, 1994. < have your work cut out; have your work cut out for you; have all your work cut out to have enough, or all you can manage, to do – anything more would be too much. From an earlier sense (to have your work prepared for you) UK, 1856 work verb 1 to cheat at gambling US, 1963. 2 to have sex with someone US, 1957. 3 to sell drugs US, 1993. 4 to dilute a powdered drug US, 1989. < to get worked to be knocked from your surfboard and pummelled by the ocean US, 1987. < work a woodsman | work 706 ginger (of a prostitute) to rob a client. From GINGER AUSTRALIA, 1953. < work for Standard Oil to drive a truck that burns excessive amounts of fuel or oil US, 1971. < work like a charm to achieve a purpose with absolute ease. From the idea of a magic charm influencing the action UK, 1882. < work like a nigger to work very hard. Praise and contempt in equal parts US, 1836. < work the cuts (used of a prostitute) to solicit customers on the streets US, 1987. < work the glory rode to affect religious conversion while in prison in the hope of receiving an early parole US, 1976. < work the hole to rob drunks sleeping on underground platforms or in the carriages US, 1953. < work the kerb (of a prostitute) to ply for trade from passing motorists UK, 2002. < work the nuts to operate a shell game in a circus midway or carnival US, 1980. < work the other side of the street to be on opposing sides of a bipolar situation; to make a living as a criminal US, 1982. < work your bollocks off to work very hard UK, 2002. < work your ticket to obtain a discharge from employment on the grounds of physical injury or ill health; orig- inally military but in the prevailing compensation culture applied to any employment situation where benefits of discharge are con- siderable, and thus fraudulent endeavour is often implied UK, 1899 workar ound noun in computing, a temporary fix of a problem US, 1991 worker noun 1 a professional wrestler who puts on a good perform- ance US, 1999. 2 a member of a drug-selling enterprise who sells drugs on the street US, 1995. 3 a gambling cheat US, 1962. 4 in the circus or carnival, a large blown-up balloon shown by the concession selling packages of balloons US, 1980 workie noun a worker UK, 2002 working adjective in craps, said of a bet that will be in effect on the next roll US, 1981 working boy noun a male prostitute US, 1987 working class noun a glass. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 working classes noun spectacles, glasses. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 working end noun the dangerous end of a tool or weapon US, 1992 working fifty noun a large piece of crack cocaine bought at a wholesale price US, 1990 working girl noun a prostitute US, 1968 working john noun an honest, hard-working man US, 1957 workingman’s weed noun marijuana. An allusion to the 1970 album ‘Workingman’s Dead’ by the Grateful Dead, a band well known for the use of recreational drugs UK, 2000 working-over noun a beating-up, a thrashing UK, 1984 working parts noun the genitals UK, 1995 working stiff noun a hard-working labourer US, 1966 work is the curse of the drinking classes a catchphrase that reverses a popular cliché. Attributed to Oscar Wilde UK, 1946 work out verb to masturbate US, 2002 work over verb to beat someone up; to thrash someone (both physically and figuratively) UK, 1927 works noun the equipment used to prepare and inject drugs US, 1934. < get on someone’s works to annoy someone AUSTRALIA, 1956. < in the works already in progress, due to happen CANADA, 1973. < the works the complete treatment US, 1899 works adjective in motor racing, supported by the car manufacturer US, 1965 works for me! used for expressing agreement. A signature line of Los Angeles Police Department Detective Sergeant Rick Hunter on the television police drama Hunter (NBC, 1984–91). Repeated with referential humour US, 1991 world noun < the world during the war in Vietnam, back home, the US, life outside the military US, 1970 world of shit noun a very dangerous situation US, 1984 worlds noun commerically manufactured cigarettes US, 1990 worm noun 1 a computer program that maliciously duplicates itself repeatedly in a host computer until it clogs and crashes the system US, 1990. 2 a coiled condenser used in the illegal production of alcohol US, 1974. 3 a facial blemish BARBADOS, 1965. 4 phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust US, 1981. 5 an inexperienced oil field worker US, 1984. < wet down the worm to perfom oral sex on a man US, 2001 worm and snail; worm noun afingernail. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 worm dirt noun chewing tobacco. An obvious visual comparison US, 2001 worms noun < are you keeping it for the worms?; are you saving it for the worms? said, probably in frustration, to a female rejecting sexual advances or to one who is presumed to be a virgin. ‘It’ being a state of virginity, ‘the worms’ signifying death US, 1977 Wormtown nickname Worcester, Massachusetts US, 1997 wormy adjective nervous or anxious, especially when manifested in the stomach NORFOLK ISLAND, 1992 worra laff! what a laugh! A phonetic slovening, probably of Liverpool origin UK, 1999 worry verb 1 to steal something CAYMAN ISLANDS, 1985. 2 (said of a jockey in horse racing) to ride a horse US, 1951 worse for wear adjective 1 somewhat drunk UK, 1984. 2 hung over US, 1979 worse luck! more’s the pity! UK, 1861 worth adjective < not worth two cents to jingle on a tombstone of a person, without any redeeming qualities CANADA, 1988 . < worth a few bob; worth a bob or two of people, fairly wealthy; of things, fairly valuable. From BOB (a shilling, now equiv- alent to 5p but not of equal value) UK, 1981 wossface noun a person whose name is unknown, forgotten, to be avoided, or hardly worth mentioning. A slurring of WHAT’S-HIS-FACE UK , 2001 wossie noun 8see: WUSSIE wot pronoun what UK, 1829 wotcher; watcha; what yer used as a greeting. Elision of the C16 greeting ‘what cheer’. Stereotypically Cockney but in wider use. The earliest recorded use is ‘"Wot cher!" all the neighbours cried, / "Who’re yer goin’ to meet, Bill? Have you bought the street, Bill?"’ (Albert Chevalier, ‘Wot Cher!’ or ‘Knocked ‘em in the Old Kent Road’, 1891) UK, 1953 wot no ? used humorously for registering an absence or a shortage. A misspelling of ‘what’ provides this endlessly variable graffiti catchphrase, presented in a speech-bubble, or as a caption to a drawing of Chad, or Mr Chad looking over a wall, this used to highlight or protest about another World War 2 shortage. The for- mula has lingered in speech but Chad slowly faded from view UK, 1945 wotsit noun an unnamed thing. Reduction of the phrase ‘what is it?’, usually seen as WHATSIT; this variation is possibly inspired by Golden Wonder’s Wotsits™, a popular cheesy flavour snack UK, 1997 wotsit in a sock noun the penis. A specific variation of WHATSIT (an unspecified object) UK, 2005 wouldn’t it? used for expressing exasperation. Elliptical for such phrases as ‘wouldn’t it make you sick’, though mostly euphemistically so for such phrases containing profanity, such as ‘wouldn’t it give you the shits’ or ‘wouldn’t it root you’ AUSTRALIA, 1940 wouldn’t it rip you? used for expressing exasperation AUSTRALIA, 1941 wouldn’t it root you? used for expressing exasperation. Also WOULDN’T IT RIP/ ROTATE YOU? both of which are presumably euphemisms for the ‘root’ form, even though the earliest recorded form is ‘rip’ (1941, Australian National Dictionary). Also, ‘wouldn’t it root your boot’ AUSTRALIA, 1945 wouldn’t it rotate you? used for expressing exasperation. Euphemistic for WOULDN’T IT ROOT YOU AUSTRALIA, 1944 wouldn’t it rot your socks? used for expressing exasperation AUSTRALIA, 1982 707 workaround | wouldn’t it rot your socks? wouldn’t say no used for registering acceptance of something, sometimes as a suggestion that something would be accepted if it were offered UK, 1939 wouldn’t work in an iron lung to be extremely lazy AUSTRALIA, 1971 would you believe ? used for humorously probing for a statement that can be believed. The signature line of spy Maxwell Smart, played by Don Adams, on the television comedy Get Smart (1965–70). Adams had used the line earlier on The Bill Dana Show (NBC, 1963–65). Repeated with referential humour US, 1965 wounded soldier noun a bottle or can of beer that has been partly consumed. Playing on DEAD SOLDIER as ‘an empty bottle’ US, 1991 wound up adjective angry, annoyed. The image is of a clock’s mainspring wound too tight and ready to lose control UK, 2001 wow noun 1 a thing of wonder; a sensational success. From the exclamation ‘wow!’ US, 1920. 2 an exclamation mark (!) US, 1983 Wow nickname the psychiatric hospital in Auckland. The hospital is near the Whau River NEW ZEALAND, 1998 wowser noun a spoilsport of the worst kind; a moral crusader; a prude. Claimed by John Norton, editor of the Sydney Tr ut h (1891–1916) as his own coinage and an acronym from the phrase ‘we only want social evils remedied’, a supposed catchcry of ‘the wowsers’. This story has sadly never been corroborated, and its derivation must be sought elsewhere. The Australian National Dictionary suggests British dialect wow (to howl or bark as a dog, to complain), which seems to fit well, but one correspondent to the Tru th in 1910, after denying the word as Norton’s invention, goes on to say ‘a false sense of public decency forbids the publi- cation of the derivation and true meaning’, which suggests some profane origin AUSTRALIA, 1900 wowserish adjective prudish; puritanical AUSTRALIA, 1906 wowserism noun the characteristic behaviour of a WOWSER; prudishness AUSTRALIA, 1904 wowseristic adjective prudish; puritanical AUSTRALIA, 1907 woz was. A deliberate misspelling, especially in graffiti UK, 1984 woza noun a person who used to be successful or well known. From ‘was a’ UK, 2001 wozzed adjective exhausted NEW ZEALAND, 1998 wrap noun 1 a small paper-wrapping containing powdered drugs UK, 1996. 2 a wrapped roll of coins US, 1977. 3 the end of a session. Originally from the entertainment industry, extended to general situations US, 1972. 4 praise; a compliment or commendation. Variants include ‘wrap-up’, ‘rap’ and ‘rap-up’ AUSTRALIA, 1939 wrap; wrap up noun < wrap yourself around to eat or consume something AUSTRALIA, 1965 wrap; wrap up verb to roll a marijuana cigarette UK, 1999. < wrap round; wrap around to crash a vehicle into an immovable object UK, 1950 wrap-head noun a follower of the Pocomania Afro-Christian religion JAMAICA, 1987 wrapped; wrapped up adjective pleased; overjoyed; enamoured AUSTRALIA, 1963 wrapper noun 1 a motor vehicle. Citizens’ band radio’ slang US, 1976. 2 an unmarked police vehicle. Originally citizens’ band radio slang. Variants include ‘plain wrapper’ and ‘plain wrap’ US, 1976. < in the wrapper 1 drunk US, 1985. 2 in bed US, 1997 wraps noun cigarette rolling papers US, 1994. < under wraps kept in secret UK, 1939 wrap-up noun a female sex-partner who, by a vague yet firm understanding, is regularly available UK, 1970 wrap up verb 1 to cease talking; to stop making a noise. Usually in the imperative, often as a two word exclamation UK, 1958. 2 to complete the final days of a prison sentence US, 1976 wreck verb < wreck my head to agitate me to an extreme degree IRELAND, 2003 wrecked adjective very drunk or drug-intoxicated US, 1968 wrecking crew noun 1 theatre insiders who watch a show’s early performances and spread negative comments about the show US, 1973. 2 crack cocaine UK, 1998. 3 on the railways, a relief crew US, 1946 wren noun a woman US, 1920 wrench noun in drag and motor racing, a mechanic US, 1980 wrench verb 1 to go US, 2002. 2 to disrupt or upset someone US, 1976. 3 in motor racing and hot rodding, to perform mechanical work on a car, whether it literally involves using a wrench or not US, 2004 wrench artist noun a railway mechanic US, 1977 wrencher noun a car enthusiast with considerable mechanical ability US, 2003 wrestle; rassle verb to play a game of bar dice US, 1971 wretch verb to vomit US, 1966 wriggle noun < get a wriggle on to hurry. A variation of GET A WIGGLE ON AUSTRALIA , 1971 wriggle out verb to avoid a responsibility or duty UK, 1848 wriggly adjective out of the ordinary; suspiciously different UK, 1995 wring verb < wring out your mule to urinate US, 1974. < wring out your sock to urinate US, 1988. < wring the rattlesnake to urinate AUSTRALIA, 1971 wringer noun a bankruptcy petition US, 1954 wrinkle noun a clever device, trick or method UK, 1817 wrinkleneck noun in horse racing, a seasoned and experienced horse handler US, 1951 wrinkle room noun a bar frequented by older homosexual men US, 1985 wrinkly noun an old person. A reference to the wrinkled skin of advanced years. Partridge qualified the definition: ‘as applied to anyone over the venerable age of thirty’ UK, 1972 wrist noun 1 a contemptible person. From WRIST JOB (an act of masturbation) – or similar term – hence, this is synonymous with WANKER UK, 1998. 2 in betting, odds of 5–4. From the TICK-TACK signal used by bookmakers UK, 1991 wristers noun in lobstering, knitted gloves with no fingers US, 1978 wrist job noun 1 an act of masturbation. Used as a song title by Humble Pie in 1969 UK, 1969. 2 used as an all-purpose form of abuse; a substitute form of wanker UK, 2000 wristy adjective having the characteristics of a masturbator; hence, inferior or unpleasant. From WRIST (a contemptible person) UK, 2000 write verb 1 to write a prescription for a narcotic which will not be used for medicinal purposes US, 1953. 2 to create graffiti art US, 1997. < write numbers to take bets on an illegal policy game (numbers lottery) US, 1975 write-off noun any motor vehicle damaged beyond economic repair; any thing (physical or abstract) or person considered to be beyond saving. Originally Royal Air Force slang for ‘a wrecked aircraft’, now thought of as the language of insurance UK, 1918 write off verb to destroy something; to damage something beyond repair, generally a vehicle. From the conventional use ‘to write off the value or the investment’ UK, 1991 writer noun 1 a graffiti artist US, 1997. 2 in a casino, employee who accepts and records bets on Keno US, 1972 8see: SHEET WRITER wrong noun in craps, a bet against the shooter US, 1974 wrong adj ective known to inform the police US, 1953 wrongle noun in craps, someone who bets against the shooter US, 1974 wrong number noun an untrustworthy person US, 1972 wrong-o noun abadpersonUS, 1970 wrong side of noun used of an age that is greater than a stated number UK, 1663 wrong time noun a woman’s menstrual period US, 1954 wrong ’un noun 1 a lawbreaker; someone on the wrong side of the law AUSTRALIA, 1985. 2 a police informer. English gypsy use UK, 2000. wouldn’t say no | wrong ’un 708 3 in prison, a sex offender or convicted paedophile; an informer UK, 1996 wrong-way English noun in pool, spin imparted on the cue ball such that the angle of refraction off a cushion is different, if not opposite, from what would be expected US, 1993 WS noun a sado-masochist encounter involving enemas or urination. An abbreviation for WATER SPORTS US, 1979 WTF used in computer message shorthand to mean ‘what the fuck?’ or ‘who the fuck?’ US, 1991 WUCIWUG what you see is what you get. Quasi-initialism used for text messaging UK, 2001 wudja? ‘would you?’. Apparently coined by television production company Brighter Pictures but rapidly gained wider use UK, 2002 wuffo; whuffo noun in the language of hang gliding and parachuting, anyone other than a fellow expert. Purportedly derived from the question, ‘Wuffo they do that?’ US, 1978 wumpers noun a rubber-soled sandal, especially one made from a car tyre BAHAMAS, 1982 wunch noun a group of bankers. Collective noun. A jokey Spoonerism of ‘bunch of wankers’ UK, 2002 wunzee verb to urinate. An evolution of the children’s vocabulary of NUMBER ONE and NUMBER TWO TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 wurley noun a hut. Originally an Aboriginal dwelling AUSTRALIA, 1839 wurzel noun a person from the countryside. Derogatory; most prob- ably from the television series Wurzel Gummidge, 1979–81, based on the stories about the ‘scarecrow of Scatterbrook’ created by Barbara Euphan Todd UK, 2000 wuss noun a weak, timid person. A blend of WIMP and PUSSY,both meaning ‘a weak and timid person’ US, 1982 wussie; wussy; wossie noun a weak, timid, passive person US, 1982 wuss out verb to back down; to fail to do as promised US, 1977 wussy adjective weak, timid, passive US, 1995 wuwoo noun a mixture of marijuana and cocaine; marijuana. Possibly adapted from a celebratory reaction to the drugs’ effects UK, 2001 wuzzy noun a female. A corruption of the French oiseau,orBIRD (a young woman) UK, 1983 Wyamine noun a Benzedrine™ inhaler. The Wyamine™ inhaler was manufactured by Wyeth Laboratories; it became a generic name for any inhaler with Benzedrine-infused cotton strips, valued by amphetamine users US, 1967 Wyatt nickname sometimes applied to a person who burps loudly and for comic effect. From rhyming slang WYATT EARP (a burp) UK, 1992 Wyatt Earp noun 1 the penis. Rhyming slang for CURP (the penis), formed on the name of the legendary US lawman (1848–1929), possibly informed by the film-myth of Wyatt Earp as a heroic shootist UK, 1980. 2 a belch. Rhyming slang for BURP, based on the name of hero of countless films, Wyatt Earp UK, 1992 wyman noun 8see: BILL WYMAN Wynona Ryder; wynona noun cider. Rhyming slang, based on the name of the popular film actress (b.1971) UK, 2002 wyssa; whizzer; wyzza noun a personal message sent or received in the Antarctic or sub-Antarctic. Derives from the Australian Antarctic Division telex code for ‘with all my/our love darling’ AUSTRALIA, 1959 Wythenshawe white man noun a black man with the manners and standards of contemporary white society. Wythenshawe is a suburb of Manchester UK, 2002 709 wrong-way English | Wythenshawe white man . a citizens’ band radio user from North Wales. Citizens’ band radio slang BREAKER (a citizens’ band user) with an allusion to sheep UK, 1981 woolly mitten noun a kitten. Rhyming slang UK, 1998 woolly. noun 1 a motor vehicle. Citizens’ band radio’ slang US, 1976. 2 an unmarked police vehicle. Originally citizens’ band radio slang. Variants include ‘plain wrapper’ and ‘plain wrap’ US, 1976. <. UK, 1996 wonder wand noun the penis. An elaboration of WAND (the penis) US, 2001 wong verb in casino blackjack, to play several hands at a table where the count of cards played favours the player, and then