"Cc" in Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English pdf

Border Spanish used in English conversation by Mexican-AmericansUS, 1974 California bankrollnouna single large-denomination note wrapped around small-denomination note, giving the impres

Cnoun1the Viet Cong; a member of the Viet CongUS, 1966.

2cocaineUS, 1921.3amphetamines Heard as ‘the C’UK, 2003.

4methcathinone Heard as ‘the C’US, 2003.5a woman viewed as a

sexual object An abbreviation ofCUNT US , 1976.6a CBE

(Commander of the Order of the British Empire) Civil servant

usage; suggestive of a casual familiarity with the honourUK, 1961.

7contraceptionUS, 1997.8one hundred dollarsUS, 1839.9in poker,

the third player to the left of the dealerUS, 1988.10the

commission charged by a bookmakerUS, 1960

C-47nouna clothes peg Used by television and film crews, mocking

the formality of the official jargon of their craftUS, 2003

cabnoun< take a cabto dieUS, 2000

caballonoun1heroin Spanish for ‘horse’US, 1970.2a person who

smuggles drugs into a prison Spanish for ‘horse’, which is almost

aMULE US , 1992

cabaretverb1to lie in bed masturbatingUS, 1950.2to use an

addictive drug in a semi-controlled patternUS, 1958

cabbagenoun1moneyUS, 1903.2the vagina Perhaps from the

image of leaves peeling backUS, 1967.3low grade marijuana From

the quality of the leavesNEW ZEALAND, 2002.4a coronary artery

bypass graft A loose pronunciation of the acronym CABG US, 1994

cabbageverb1to become vegetable-likeUK, 2001.2to smoke

marijuana, especially low grade marijuanaNEW ZEALAND, 1998

cabbageadjectivepoor-qualityNEW ZEALAND, 1990

cabbage cutternounon the railways, a freight engineUS, 1977

cabbagedadjective1mentally and physically exhausted Punning on

‘a vegetative state’UK, 1992.2under the influence of MDMA, the

recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK, 1991.3drunkUK, 2002

cabbage-eaternouna German or Russian immigrant OffensiveUS,

1942

cabbage hatnouna Royal Marine After the uniform green beretUK,

1979

cabbage outverbto relaxNEW ZEALAND, 2003

cabbage patchnouna remote, insignificant placeUS, 1862

cabbage patchnickname1the state of Victoria, Australia Also

referred to as ‘cabbage garden’ and ‘the cabbage state’ Hence, a

native may be a ‘cabbage patcher’, ‘cabbage gardener’ or ‘cabbage

stater’AUSTRALIA, 1882.2Kingston prison in PortsmouthUK, 1996

Cabbagetownnicknamea mixed residential and business area near

downtown in Toronto This term was likely derived from the days

when poor people lived downtown and presumably could only

afford to eat cabbageCANADA, 1958

cabby; cabbieverbto drive a motor vehicle; to be driven Army use

UK, 1974

cabellonouncocaine, 2003

cabeznoun intelligence From the Spanish cabeza (head) TRINIDAD

AND TOBAGO, 1956

cab freightnounan attractive woman passenger in a truckUS, 1961

cabin carnouna brakevan (caboose)US, 1977

cabin stabbingnoun(from a male perspective) an act of

conven-tional sexual intercourse As in the title of the 1990 song ‘Cabin

Stabbing’ by Super Cat (William Maraugh)JAMAICA, 2001

cab jointnouna brothel whose customers are spotted and

transported by taxi driversUS, 1930

cabledadjective(of a vehicle) equipped with a winchUS, 2004

cábógnounan ignorant male; a rustic clodhopperIRELAND, 2004

caboodlenounall of somethingUS, 1848

caboosenoun1the buttocksUS, 1919.2the final participant in serial

1970.3the youngest child in a familyUS, 1969.4a jailUS, 1865.5asmall house or shackTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1956.6a cooking shed

CAYMAN ISLANDS, 1985

caboose bouncenouna train consisting of nothing more than anengine and a brakevan (caboose)US, 1929

cabouchenoun 8see:BAROUCHE

cabronnouna guy, especially a brutish or dim-witted one BorderSpanish used in English conversation by Mexican-AmericansUS, 1974

cab savnouncabernet sauvignon wineAUSTRALIA, 1990

ca-canoun1excrement Probably from Spanish children’s speech;used by non-Spanish speakers Sometimes seen spelt as ‘kaka’ orother such variationsUS, 1952.2nonsenseUS, 1980.3marijuana,especially if poor quality, adulterated or fakeUS, 1969.4heroin,especially low quality heroinUS, 1986.5drugs, not necessarily heroin

US, 1995

caca-holenounthe anusTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003

cack; cak; kacknoun1excrementAUSTRALIA, 1972.2rubbish,nonsenseUK, 1997.3someone or something extremely funny

AUSTRALIA, 1989

cack; cak; kackverb1to fall asleepUS, 1959.2to defecate Like manyother words for bodily functions, ‘cack’ was part of everyday con-ventional speech for many years before slipping into impoliteusage in the late C19UK, 1436.< cack itto be very nervous orworried; to feel thoroughly frightened A variation ofSHIT IT UK , 2002.

< cack your dacks1to lose control of your bowelsAUSTRALIA,

1992.2to become scaredAUSTRALIA, 1992.< cack yourself1to beterrified Literally ‘to shit yourself’; used figuratively (most of thetime), often as an exaggerationUK, 2000.2to laugh uncontrollably Avariant is ‘cack yourself laughing’AUSTRALIA, 1987

cack; kackadjectivecontemptible, unpleasant, inferior Variantspellings abound – ‘cak’, ‘kak’, etcUK, 1996

cackersarnienounthe condition that exists when someone pullsyour trousers or underpants forcefully upward, forming a wedgebetween buttock cheeks; the act of putting someone in that pos-ition Mainly used by schoolboys FromCACK(excrement, faeces)andSARNIE(sandwich)UK, 2003

cack-handedadjectiveleft-handed; clumsyUK, 1854

cackiesnountrousers, especially khakisUS, 1990

cackleverb1to chatter; to talk inconsequentiallyUK, 1530.2toconfess and/or to inform on othersUS, 1949.3as part of acontrolled roll of dice, to give them the appearance and sound ofbeing shaken while actually preventing their turningUS, 1963

cackle cratenounin trucking, a truck hauling chickensUS, 1946

cackle factorynouna mental hospitalUS, 1950

cackynoun1a yellowish-brown colour From the adjective sense(shitty), giving a joke at the expense of ‘khaki’UK, 1984.2humanexcrement ChildishUK, 1961

cackyadjective1covered with excrement; hence filthy, malodorous

UK, 1937.2in the language of striptease, overtly if not excessivelysexualUS, 1981

cactonoun the moth Cactoblastis cactorum, a successful biological

control of introduced prickly pearAUSTRALIA, 1941

cactusnounin hospital usage, a severely burnt patientUS, 1994.< in the cactusin trouble, especially with one personNEW ZEALAND,

1953.< out in the cactusin a very remote areaNEW ZEALAND, 1963

cactusadjectiveruined, wreckedAUSTRALIA, 1945

cactus juicenountequila; mescalUS, 1971

cadnoun1an ill-bred, ill-mannered loutUK, 1827.2a Cadillac carUS,

withCANexpanded toCADILLAC US , 2001.5a railway conductorUS,

1977

cadaver cadetnouna necrophileUS, 1987

cadburynouna person who gets drunk on very little alcohol

Referring to the advertising slogan of Cadbury Dairy Milk

chocolate, which has ‘a glass and a half of full cream milk’

AUSTRALIA, 1996

caddie shacknounany small building where gold caddies

congregate and wait for workUS, 1953

caddyadjectivesharp, stylish, fashionableUS, 1984

Caddy; Caddienouna Cadillac carUS, 1929

caddy blackjacknouna private game of blackjackUS, 1981

caddy-old-punchnounan improvised, brown-paper kiteGUYANA, 1996

cadetnoun1a pimpUS, 1904.2a new drug userUS, 1949

cadgeverbto beg; to wheedle something from someoneUS, 1812

cadgernouna beggar; a scroungerUK, 1851

cadie; caddy; caddienouna hat; originally a bush name for a

slouch hat English gypsy useAUSTRALIA, 1898

cadillacnoun1cocaineUS, 1953.2one ounce of a powdered drugUS,

1950.3phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel

dustUS, 1994.4a cup of coffee with cream and sugarUS, 1989.5a

note-and-string based method of communication in prisonUS, 2000.

6the maximum amount which may be spent at a prison canteen

US, 1989.7in the language of the homeless, a shopping cartUS, 1997.

8the US Army M-1 tankUS, 1991.9a large surfboard used for

big-wave conditionsUS, 1965

Cadillac bunknouna single prison bed in a setting where most

beds are two-tiered bunk bedsUS, 1989

cadillac expressnounthe drug methcathinoneUS, 1998

Cadillac pushernouna person whose job it is to push carts with

garments through the streetsUS, 2002

café au laitnouna person of mixed race with skin the shade of

milky coffeeUK, 1961

caffnouna caféUK, 1931

caffufflenounchaos, confusionBARBADOS, 1975

caffuffleverbto confuse someone or somethingBARBADOS, 1965

cagenoun1an elevatorUS, 1938.2a brakevan (caboose)US, 1931.3an

abandoned houseUS, 2000.4a car Bikes (motorcycle) usageUS, 1981.

5the bodyUS, 1973

caged lionnounin horse racing, a racehorse battling back from

apparent defeat to win a raceAUSTRALIA, 1989

cage girlnouna ticket seller in a theatreUS, 1952

cageyadjectivewary, non-commital, cautiousUS, 1893

caggie; kaggienouna cagoule or kagool (a weatherproof

outer-garment)UK, 1984

cahoo-holenouna pothole in the roadCANADA, 1992

cahootsnoun< in cahoots withconspiring or planning with

someoneUS, 1829

Cain and Abel; Cainnouna table Rhyming slang, based on the

sons of Adam and Eve who are remembered as the first murderer

and his victim; recorded by Ducange Anglicus in 1857UK, 1857

caine; canenouncocaine, crack cocaineUS, 1983

Caisse Popnounin Quebec, a kind of cooperative bank The term is

shortened from Caisse Populaire or ‘popular bank’, a French term

universally used by anglophonesCANADA, 2001

caknoun 8see:CACK

cakenoun1a beautiful girl or young womanUS, 1941.2the female

breastUS, 1957.3the vaginaUS, 1967.4breadTRISTAN DA CUNHA, 2000.

5a meal provided as compensation in addition to wagesUS, 1973.

6money; a good deal of money Extends, perhaps, fromBREAD

(money) but ‘cake’ has traditionally been associated with wealth

‘Qu’il mangent de la brioche’ – ‘Let them eat cake’, attributed to

Queen Marie-Antoinette (1755–93) on being told that her people

had no breadUS, 1965.7marijuana resinUK, 2001.8a round disc of

crack cocaine . a rural person Derogatory .

< get your caketo date your girlfriendUS, 2001.< off your cakeconfused, drug-intoxicated The latter meaning gained datesfrom the late C20 and the distinction between the two senses may

be blurredUK, 2000

cakeadjective1easyUS, 1968.2homosexual Clipped fromFRUITCAKE

(a homosexual man)UK, 2001

cake boynounan attractive, usually younger homosexual maleUS, 1995

cake-cuttingnounshort-changingUS, 1993

cakedadjective1to be wealthy, monied FromCAKE(money).Variants include ‘caked out’, ‘caked up’ and ‘cakeholed’UK, 1940s.

2drug-intoxicatedUS, 1994

cake-eaternoun1an effeminate young man, who may or may not

be homosexual An important word of the flapper era, but seldomheard thereafterUS, 1916.2a person who enjoys performing oralsex on womenUS, 1967

cakeheadnounan idiot, a foolUK, 1998

cake holenoun1the vaginaUK, 2001.2the mouth Also heard as

‘cake ‘ole’UK, 1943

cake-oadjectiveall right, correct, safe, suitable, what is required,comfortable Back slang forOK UK , 2001

cakesnoun1the buttocks, especially female buttocksUS, 1993.2crackcocaineUK, 2003

cake tinnicknamethe Wellington, New Zealand, sports stadiumNEW ZEALAND, 2001

cakewalknounan easy or overwhelming success Originally a boxingterm for an easy victory, then expanded to general useUS, 1897

cakeyadjectivefoolish, daftUK: SCOTLAND, 1985

calabash cutnouna haircut in which the hair is cut on a lineequidistant from the top of the head A ‘calabash’ is a squash, andthe suggestion is that a hollowed out squash shell was used toguide the scissorsTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1990

calaboosenouna jail, especially a local one From the Spanish

calabazo (dungeon) US, 1792

calamity howlernouna person who predicts disasterUS, 1892

Calamity Janenounin a deck of playing cards, the queen of spades.Martha Jane ‘Calamity Jane’ Canary (1852–1903) was a legendaryfigure in the settling of the western USUS, 1988

calbonounheroin Probably from a confusion ofCABALLO(heroin)UK, 2003

calc outverbto calculate somethingUS, 1999

calculatornoun1in horse racing, a parimutuel clerk who calculatesoddsUS, 1976.2in poker, a player skilled at assessing the hands ofother playersUS, 1988

Calcuttanoun1butter Rhyming slangUK, 1998.2a Calcutta sweep

calendarnouna prison sentence of one yearUS, 1926

calendar days; calendar timenounthe bleed period of awoman’s menstrual cycleUS, 1954

calfnoun1a young teenage girlUS, 1959.2a Cadillac carUS, 1980 8see:

COW’S CALF.< have a calfto become emotionally overwrought;

to lose control A variation born ofHAVE A COW US , 1999

calf-licknouna limp quiff, or a tuft of hair on someone’s foreheadwhich will not lie smoothly Northern dialect in wider useUK, 1954

calf slobbernounmeringueUS, 1960

calf’s tailnounthe cord attached to a railway whistleUS, 1946

Calgary Redeyenouna drink made of tomato juice and beer

calibrateverbto correct someone’s information or opinion Derives

from making minor adjustments to high-tech weaponryUS, 2003

calico clucknouna female railway workerUS, 1975

Cali dreamersnouna variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best

known as ecstasy The whole plays on the song ‘California

Dreamin’ by The Mamas and Papas, 1966UK, 1999

CalifasnicknameCalifornia Border Spanish used in English

conversation by Mexican-AmericansUS, 1974

California bankrollnouna single large-denomination note wrapped

around small-denomination note, giving the impression of a great

deal of moneyUS, 1980

California biblenouna deck of playing cardsUS, 1960

California blackjacknounin blackjack, an ace and a nine, which

produce a score of 20, not 21US, 1982

California blanketsnounnewspaper used as beddingUS, 1926

California C-notenouna ten-dollar noteUS, 1983

California coffeenouninexpensive wineUS, 1976

California cornflakesnouncocaineUS, 1976

California Crybaby Divisionnicknamein the Korean war, the 40th

California National Guard DivisionUS, 1989

California ecstasynounMDMA, the recreational drug best known

as ecstasy, originating in California, 1999

California girlnouna variety of marijuanaUS, 2002

Californiannouna variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best

known as ecstasyUK, 1996

Californian northern lightsnouna hybrid marijuana grown in

California The northern lights (aurora borealis), a luminous

atmos-pheric display, is a metaphor for potent effects and a romantic

simile for the plant’s appearanceUS, 1999

California pimpingnounworking as a pimp in a relaxed,

low-press-ure styleUS, 1972

California quailnouna tablet of the recreational drug

methaqualone, the recreational drug best known as Quaaludes™

US, 1997

California sunrisenoun1a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug

best known as ecstasy; a blend of amphetamine and caffeine

marketed as MDMAUK, 1996.2LSD A variation ofCALIFORNIA

SUNSHINE UK , 1998

California sunshinenounLSDUS, 1977

California tiltnouna car with the bonnet (hood) sloping downward

to a front end that is lower than the rear endUS, 1976

California tiresnountyres with little remaining treadUS, 1971

California turnaroundnounany powerful central nervous system

stimulant So potent that a trucker who takes one can drive to

California and backUS, 1976

Californicatornouna Californian, especially one who has moved to

Oregon or Washington stateUS, 1978

calipersnoundice that are true to an extremely minute tolerance,

approximately 1/1000th of a inchUS, 1950

Cali red beardnouna distinctive marijuana grown in CaliforniaUS,

1999

callnoun1an opinion; a predictionUS, 1999.2the initial flooding of

sensations after injecting heroinUS, 1973

callverb< call Earlto vomitUS, 1968.< call for a cab(of a

jockey) to make jerky arm movements as he battles to remain in

the saddleUK, 1961.< call for Herbto vomit An echoic play on

the sounds produced by a sudden expulsion of vomitAUSTRALIA,

1984.< call for Hughieto vomit Onomatopoeic play on Hughie

as the involunatary sounds of vomiting A joke current in the

1970s described getting drunk on green crème de menthe and

calling for television personality Hughie Green (1920–97)UK, 1974.

< call for the butterto have completed a task or arrived at

your destination Fishing skippers who claimed the ability to

locate fish by the taste of the bottom mud would smear butter on

a lead weight, lower it to the bottom, and then taste the mud

brought to the surface on the buttered lead .< call hogs

to snoreUS, 1973.< call it onto challenge another gang to a gangfightUS, 1955.< call Ralphto vomitUS, 1983.< call someone full-mouthto address your elder without using an honorific Mr orMrsGUYANA, 1995.< call someone rawto address your elderwithout using an honorific Mr or MrsANGUILLA, 1995.< call the shotsto be in a position of power; to direct the actions of others

US, 1967

callabonouna collaborationUS, 2002

callalloonouna confused set of circumstances; a mix-up From thename of a popular stewTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003

call booknouna list, formal or highly informal, kept by a poolhustler, of locations where money can be made playing poolUS, 1990

call boynoun1a male prostitute whose clients book his services bytelephoneUS, 1942.2a boy or young man who called railwayworkers to workUS, 1898

calleynounmarijuana FromKALIandCOLLIE JAMAICA , 1975

call girlnouna prostitute who makes bookings with customers bytelephoneUS, 1922

call housenouna brothel from which prostitutes are procured bytelephoneUS, 1913

callibogusnounan alcoholic drink of spruce beer, rum or whisky,and molassesCANADA, 1995

calling cardnoun1a fingerprintUS, 1949.2needle marks on a druguser’s armUS, 1971.3during the Vietnam war, a printed cardidentifying the unit, left on the bodies of dead enemy soldiersUS, 1990

calling stationnounin poker, an unskilled player who calls betsprematurelyUS, 1979

call itverbwhile working as a prostitute, to state the price expectedfor the service requestedUK, 1987

Call Me Godnouna CMG (Commander of the Order of St Michaeland St George) A pun elaborated on the initials; used by civilservants demonstrating a jocular familiarity with the honourUK, 1961

call moneynouna demand for payment of a debtUS, 1989

call of the great outdoorsnouna need to defecate or urinate Anelaboration of ‘a call of nature’ which is the conventionaleuphemismUK, 1965

call outverbto challenge someone to a fightUS, 1980

call that George!used for expressing finality or completion

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1983

call-upnounin prison, a summons to a governor’s officeUK, 2001

Callynickname 8see:CARLY

cally doshnounmoneyUK, 1988

calmernouna barbiturate or other central nervous system antUK, 1999

depress-Calumet fevernoun(among Ottawa valley lumbermen) fear ofriding logs down the slide at Calumet, QuebecCANADA, 1964

Calvin Kleinnoun1wine Rhyming slang, formed on the name ofAmerican fashion designer Calvin Klein (b.1942) Sometimesshortened to ‘Calvin’UK, 1998.2a fine Rhyming slang, formed onthe name of fashion designer Calvin Klein (b.1942)UK, 1998

Calvin Klein specialnouna mixture of cocaine and the reational drug ketamine A back formation from the initialsUS, 1995

rec-Calvinsnounblue jeans or underwear designed by Calvin KleinUS, 1982

camnoun1camouflage MilitaryUK, 1995.2a camera, 2003

Camberwell carrotnounan exceptionally long and fat marijuanacigaretteUK, 1987

CamboadjectiveCambodianUS, 1976

Cambodian rednounmarijuana from Cambodia Named after itsreddish hueUS, 1973

Cambodia tripnouna highly potent strain of marijuana fromCambodia

CambodieadjectiveCambodian Vietnam war usageUS, 1964

Camden Locknouna shock Rhyming slang, based on a vibrant area

of north LondonUK, 1998

Camden rulesnounpoor table manners A tribute to Camden, New

JerseyUS, 1986

camenouncocaine Probably by misspelling or mishearing of ‘cane’

(cocaine)UK, 1953

camelnoun1in twelve-step recovery programmes such as Alcoholics

Anonymous, a person who maintains sobriety From the sense of

‘dry as a camel’US, 1998.2a poor performing racehorseAUSTRALIA,

1989.3a marijuana cigaretteUS, 1976

camel drivernounan ArabUS, 1985

camelfuckernounan Arab OffensiveUS, 1998

camel jockey; camel jocknouna Arab; anyone mistaken for an

Arab Used with contemptUS, 1961

camel’s humpnounan act of defecation Rhyming slang forDUMP

UK, 2003

camel stopnouna taxi stand New York police slang; an allusion to

the preponderance of immigrants in New York’s taxi-driving

workforceUS, 2003

camel toenounthe condition that exists when a tight-fitting pair of

trousers, shorts, bathing suit or other garment forms a wedge or

cleft between a woman’s labia, accentuating their shapeUS, 1994

cameranouna police radar unitUS, 1976

Camilla Parker-Bowlesnouna Rolls Royce car, usually called a

‘rolls’ Rhyming slang, formed on the name of the mistress (later

wife) of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales Variants are ‘Camilla

Parker’, ‘Parker-Bowles’ and ‘Parker’UK, 1998

Camillenoun1a homosexual man who moves from one

unfortunate, failed love affair to anotherUS, 1972.2a melodramatic

hospital patient who always feels on the verge of dying From the

novel by Alexandre DumasUS, 1994

camisolenouna strait jacket used to restrain the violent or insane

US, 1949

cammies; camiesnouna camouflage uniformUS, 1971

camonouncamouflageUS, 1984

camouflagenounthe disguise and staged personality assumed by

an expert card counter playing blackjack in a casino in the hope of

avoiding detection and ejectionUS, 1991

campnoun1ostentation, flamboyant behaviour; extravagance of

gesture, style etc; also, deliberately overt effeminacy used to signal

homosexuality May be further refined (or otherwise) asHIGH CAMP

orLOW CAMP US , 1999.2a dramatically effeminate homosexual man

In Australia not necessarily a flagrantly effeminate homosexualUS,

1923.3a habitual resting place for wild animalsAUSTRALIA, 1947.4a

temporary location to stay atAUSTRALIA, 1994.5a resting or holding

place for stock animalsAUSTRALIA, 1845.6a restAUSTRALIA, 1899.7jail

US, 1968.< in campof a government or military officer, being

based away from the regular place of dutyINDIA, 2003

campverb1to exhibit humorously exaggerated, dramatic, effeminate

mannerisms (usually but not exclusively of a homosexual male)

Variants are ‘camp around’, ‘camp about’ and ‘camp it up’US, 1925.

2to stay at a place temporarily; to have a short rest Originally

(1840s) meaning ‘to stop travelling or working and set up a quick

camp for making refreshments’AUSTRALIA, 1848.3to sit on a man’s

face during heterosexual love-making A rare non-gay usage, from

the conventional sense ‘to take up temporary residence’UK, 2001.

4(of wild animals) to rest or sleepAUSTRALIA, 1861

campadjective1ostentatious, effeminate, affected; usually applied to

behaviour or style Possibly French in origin; however it may well

be an ironic reversal of ‘unkempt’ (ungroomed) or, less likely,

derive from the acronym KAMP: ‘known as male prostitute’ UK,

1909.2homosexual In Australia not necessarily flagrantly

effeminateAUSTRALIA, 1941

campaignnoun< on a campaigndrunkUK, 2002

campaignverbin horse racing, to run a racing stable as a business

camp as a row of tentsadjective1flagrantly homosexualAUSTRALIA,

1965.2(often, but not exclusively, of homosexual men) ostentatious,effeminate, extravagantly styled Elaboration ofCAMP(ostentatious,etc.), punning on conventional ‘camping’ The phase is oftenornamented with adjectives that describe the tents as ‘frilly’, ‘pink’,etcUK, 1967

camp as Christmasadjective(often, but not exclusively, of sexual men) ostentatious, effeminate, extravagantly styledUK, 1999

homo-camp bitchnounan overtly, extravagently effleminate male sexualUS, 1964

homo-campernoun1any person Usually described as a ‘happy camper’ or

‘unhappy camper’, but sometimes simply as a ‘camper’US, 1987.

2a restaurant customer who lingers too long at their tableUS, 1995

camperynouna showing-off of qualities that are considered camp

UK, 1976

campnessnouna tendency towards or, simply, a quality ofeffeminacy or flamboyance, hence of homosexual behaviourUK, 1971

camp thief; camp robbernicknamethe grey jay or Canada jay Alsoknown by these names in the US since 1893, this bird is nicknamedfor its habit of scrounging food at outdoor work and play sites

CANADA, 1893

campusnouna prison’s groundsUS, 1982

campyadjectivemelodramatically and blatantly homosexualUS, 1965

Cam rednounCambodian red marijuanaUS, 2003

cam-sticknoun a stick of face makeup used for camouflage Military

UK, 2001

Cam tripnouna highly potent strain of marijuana from Cambodia

An abbreviated form ofCAMBODIA TRIP UK , 2001

cannoun1a jail or prisonUS, 1912.2a toilet; a bathroom or waterclosetUS, 1914.3the buttocksUS, 1914.4an imprecise amount ofmarijuana, usually one or two ounces Derived from the practice

in the 1940s of selling marijuana in Prince Albert tobacco cansUS,

1967.5one ounce of marijuana Probably from a pipe tobacco

container, possibly a shortening of ‘cannabis’ US, 1959.6marijuana.Probably a shortening of ‘cannabis’ but possibly from ‘can’ (ameasured amount of cannabis)UK, 1986.7a Saracen armoured-car

UK, 1995.8a railway tank carriageUS, 1946.9a carUS, 1970.10a safe

US, 1949.11in electric line work, an overhead transformerUS, 1980.

12in drag racing, nitromethane fuelUS, 1968.< in the cannottrying to winUS, 1951

canverb1to discharge someone from employmentUS, 1908.2to stopsomething, to cease somethingUS, 1906

canabnoun marijuana Also variant ‘canaib’ From the cannabis

plant, 2001

Canada flashnounin the Canadian military, a visible identificationbadgeCANADA, 1995

Canada honkernouna Canada gooseUS, 1927

Canada potatonouna Jerusalem artichokeCANADA, 1998

Canadiannoun1a Jewish personUS, 1950.2a multiple betUK, 1991

Canadian baconnounin homosexual usage, an uncircumcisedpenisUS, 1987

Canadian blacknoundark marijuana from CanadaUS, 1969

Canadian bouncernounthe central nervous system depressantSeconal™, manufactured in CanadaUS, 1971

Canadian passportnouna hair style in which the hair is wornshort at the front and long at the back Most commonly known as

1972 when the legislation was amended to allow the Tote to ate as an on-course bookmakerUK, 1984

oper-canal boats

canal conchnouna promiscuous woman The ‘conch’ at issue is of

the vaginal typeTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1985

canal wrenchnounin oil drilling, a shovelUS, 1954

canamonoun marijuana From the Spanish cañamo (hemp) and

cañamo indio (cannabis) US, 1971

can-a-pissnouna can of beerNEW ZEALAND, 1998

canappanoun marijuana The Italian name given to the cannabis

plantUS, 1938

canarynoun1a female singerUK, 1886.2a police informer Canaries

sing, as do informersUS, 1929.3a person who is perceived to bring

bad luckUS, 1974.4a capsule of pentobarbital sodium (trade name

Nembutal™), a central nervous system depressantUS, 1973

canaryverbto inform to the policeUS, 1958

can-cannoungossipTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1956

cancelverb< cancel someone’s ticketto kill someoneUS, 1970

Cancel Canada’s FreedomnicknameFor the Co-Operative

Commonwealth Federation, a leftist political party that evolved

into Canada’s New Democratic Party The parody of the acronym

CCF arose from critics feeling that the party was too global in its

outlook and not nationalistic enoughCANADA, 1985

cancelled sticknouna tobacco cigarette that has been emptied of

tobacco and refilled with marijuanaUS, 1966

cancernoun1any artificial sweetener Because of the belief that the

sweeteners are carcinogensUS, 1986.2rust or corrosion on a car

bodyUS, 1975

Cancer Alleynounany area with high levels of environmental

carcinogensUS, 1981

cancer centernouna tobacco shopUS, 1955

cancer sticknouna cigaretteUS, 1958

Canconnoun Canadian Content, a percentage of which is required in

broadcastingCANADA, 2002

CanCultnoun Canadian Culture Subsidised by the government, and

enjoying a measure of world recognition, this industry is the site

of much infighting and jealousyCANADA, 2002

c and b thereused as an invitation to an eventTRINIDAD AND

TOBAGO, 1987

c and dnouncocaine and marijuanaUK, 1997

C and Enoun1a member of the church who only goes to services

at Christmas and EasterUK, 1966.2in craps, a bet on any craps and

elevenUS, 1985

C and Hnouncocaine and heroin A borrowing of a branded name

for sugar; sometimes used with the sugar company’s advertising

slogan: ‘pure cane sugar from Hawaii’US, 1980

can die!used for expressing despondencySINGAPORE, 2002

candlenoun1a semi-solid stalactite of nasal mucusUK, 2000.2an

emergency flareUS, 1971

candle moneynouna pay-out on fire insurance Police and

underworld use; derives from a candle left burning in an insured

property, perhaps deliberatelyUK, 1958

candlesticknounin electric line work, a fiberglass downlead bracket

US, 1980

C and Mnouna mixture of cocaine and morphineUS, 1950

can-doadjectiveconfident, optimismticUS, 1921

candynoun1any barbiturate capsuleUS, 1969.2cocaineUS, 1931.3a

sugar cube treated with LSDUS, 1972.4crack cocaineUK, 2003.

5inexpensive plastic or acrylic jewelleryUS, 1949.6cashUS, 2003.

7anything good or enjoyableUS, 1984.8a girl with extremely

conservative sexual moresUS, 1961

candyverbto enhance a marijuana cigarette with another drugUS,

1982

candyadjectiveexcellentUS, 1991

candy apple rednounbright red; in hot rodding, a clear coated

metallic red paintUS, 1963

candy-armedadjectiveinjured Used for describing pitchers in the

candy-assnouna weak personUS, 1970

candy-ass; candy-assedadjectiveweak, ineffective, timidUS, 1952

candy-bar punk; candy-bar fagnouna male prisoner whose ual favours are bought with purchases from the prison shopUS, 1972

sex-candy butchernouna walking vendor who sells sweetsUS, 1966

candy C; candy ceenouncocaine An elaboration ofCANDY

(cocaine) by combination withC(cocaine)US, 1953

candycaine; candycanenouncocaine Punning on the Christmashard peppermint ‘candy cane’ and ‘cocaine’US, 1989

candy flipnoun1a combination of LSD and MDMA, the reational drug best known as ecstasy, taken at the same timeUS,

rec-1992.2an LSD-based drug-experience enhanced with a multiplicity

of other intoxicants FromCANDY(cocaine)US, 1996

candy flossnounthe recovered entrails of someone who has beenhit by a train From the technique employedUK, 2002

candy grabbersnounin electric line work, channel lock pliersUS, 1980

candy kidnouna girl who wears a lot of inexpensive plastic oracrylic jewelleryCANADA, 2002

candy makernouna male homosexual who masturbates a partner

to ejaculation and then licks and swallows the semenUS, 1964

candymannoun1a drug dealer, especially a cocaine dealer; a heavycocaine userUS, 1969.2a field enforcement official of the FederalCommunication CommissionUS, 1976

candy pailnouna chamber potCANADA, 1987

candy sticknouna cigarette with a menthol filterUS, 1984

candy storenouna casino with rules that favour gamblersUS, 1991

candystore dicenounmass-produced dice that are imperfect evenwhen unaltered by a cheatUS, 1974

candy stripernouna teenaged volunteer nursing assistant in ahospital From their pink and white uniformsUS, 1963

candy wagonnounin trucking, a truck with a light loadUS, 1942

candy wrappernouna hundred-dollar note Probably because of itsassociation with the snorting of cocaine, or ‘nose candy’US, 1983

canenoun1a short crowbar used by criminals for breaking andentering An ironic allusion to a gentleman’s caneUK, 1937.2sugar

US, 1990 8see:CAINE

caneverb1to defeat someone in a humiliating fashionUK, 1937.2tohave sexUS, 1966.3to do something to excess or, at least, to thelimitUK, 2001.< cane the loopto play the 9th, 10th and 11thholes at St Andrews golf course, Scotland, in two under parUK, 1986

canedadjectivedrug-intoxicated, drunkUK, 1997

cane itverb1to drive at speed To ‘cane’ (to punish) a motorUK,

1997.2to react, especially beyond sensible physical limitations, tochemical stimulants taken recreationallyUK, 2002

can housenouna brothelUS, 1906

Caniacnounan ice hockey fan of the Montreal Canadiens whotravels to other cities to see playoff games The term comes from

the combining into one word of shortened forms of ‘Canadiens’ and ‘maniacs’ CANADA, 2002

can I do you now, sir?a catchprase that is usually appropriate to

context Adopted from the radio comedy It’s That Man Again, otherwise known as ITMA, that was broadcast on the BBC from

1939–49; the catchphrase was spoken by Mrs Mopp, the officechar, played by Dorothy Summers Still heard occasionallyUK, 1939

can I speak to you?used as the commonest euphemism for ’Areyou willing to listen to a corrupt proposal I am about to put toyou?’UK, 1977

canisternoun1a safeUS, 1950.2the headUK, 2000

can it!be quiet!; stop talking!US, 1919

canklenouna thick ankle Possibly, as a compound of ‘calf’ and

cannedadjective1tipsy, drunkUS, 1918.2of music, recorded,

especially to serve as background music DerogatoryUK, 1904.

3recorded, repetitiveUS, 1903

canned goodsnoun1a virginUS, 1967.2a male who has never

experienced passive anal sexUS, 1972

canned heatnouna gel formed with liquid ethanol and saturated

calcium acetate solution; when ignited, the alcohol in the gel

burns Used as a source of fuel in portable cooking stoves and as a

source of alcohol by truly desperate derelictsUS, 1950

canned upadjective drunk on canned beer or lager UK, 1999

cannibalnouna person who performs oral sexUS, 1916

cannonnoun1a large handgunUS, 1846.2a large surfboard designed

for big-wave conditionsUS, 1965.3an extra large marijuana cigarette

UK, 1999.4a muscular armUS, 1989.5a pickpocketUS, 1909

cannonballnoun1an express trainUS, 1894.2a dive in which the

diver grips and tucks their knees against their chest to maximise

the splashUS, 1949

cannonballadjective(used of a road race) unofficial, illegalUS, 1992

cannon-cockernouna member of an artillery unit Vietnam war

usageUS, 1952

cannon foddernouninfantry soldiers Used with sympathy or

derision by journalists, agitators and, occasionally, the troopsUK,

1948

cannynouna bird; a pheasant English gypsy useUK, 2000

canoenouna marijuana cigarette which burns unevenly or is holed

The resemblance to a simple canoe: ‘a log with a hole in one

side’, 2001

canoeverb1to have sexUS, 1954.2(used of a marijuana cigarette) to

burn only on the topUS, 1989

canoe inspectionnouna medical inspection of a woman’s genitals

for signs of a sexually transmitted diseaseUS, 1964

canoe lickingnounthe act of oral sex on a womanUS, 2001

canoe-makernouna forensic pathologist From the image of the

body on the autopsy table, opened up to resemble a canoeUS, 1970

Canoe Unicknamethe US Naval Academy at Annapolis The 1998

Naval Academy yearbook included a CD-ROM supplement entitled

Canoe U, providing a virtual tour of the Naval Academy US, 1963

can of cokenouna joke Rhyming slangUK, 1998

can offverbto fall offNEW ZEALAND, 1984

can of gasnouna small butane torch used in the preparation of

crack cocaineUS, 1992

can of oil; canovnouna boil Usually reducedUK, 1961

can of striped paintnouna mythical task assigned to a newly

hired helperUS, 1963

can of whip-ass; can of whup-assnouna notional repository for a

physical beatingUS, 1984

can of wormsnoun1a complex issue or situation, consideration of

which may cause further problems, scandal or unpleasantnessUS,

1927.2a can of c-ration spaghettiUS, 1991

canonicaladjectivein computing, in the usual and accepted form

Literally, ‘according to religious law’US, 1981

can openernouna curved bar used by criminals to prize open a

safeUS, 1949.

can or no canused for expressing the decision-making process

used by a big-wave surfersUS, 1991

cansnoun1the female breastsUS, 1959.2headphonesCANADA, 1977.

3money English gypsy useUK, 2000

can shooternouna criminal who specialises in breaking into safes

US, 1949

can spannernouna tin opener Royal Navy useUK, 1979

cantaloupenouna misfit; an outcastUS, 1985

cantaloupsnoundice weighted by a cheat to show a four, five or six

2a railway employee on an unexpected or extended tea breakUK,

1970.3an orderly corporal on duty in a Royal Air Force StationInstitute, NAAFI or Junior Ranks’ Club Roughly contemporary withthe sense as ‘ladies’ man’; still current in the early 1970sUK, 1961

canteen lettersnounan extra two letters per week if an inmatepays for stamps Prison useUK, 1978

canteen punknouna prisoner who engages in sexual acts forpayment in goods bought at the prison canteen or shopUS, 1974

canternounthe speed with which a prisoner believes that his prisonsentence will race by From conventional ‘canter’ (a horse’s easyspeed of movement, not quite a gallop), thus a prisoner’s boast of

an ‘easy ride’UK: SCOTLAND, 2000

can’t go swimmingexperiencing the bleed period of a woman’smenstrual cycleUS, 1999

can’t hear you – your mouth’s full of shitused as a refusal toacknowledge what someone else is saying, implying that what isbeing spoken is nonsense or offensive Used by some comedians

as a ‘heckle put-down’UK, 1994

can’t-help-itnounan imagined disease From an earlier sense ofthe term as ‘menstruation’US, 1919

can’t-missnounin horse racing, a racehorse that is a sure thing towin a race to the extent that a sure thing is a sure thingUS, 1951

can to can’tall day, from early morning (when you can just see) tolate evening (when you can’t see)US, 1919

can’t-see-umnounany small, annoying insectUS, 1985

can’t take you anywhere!used as a jocular reprimand to acompanion 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, 1975

Canucknouna Canadian, especially a French-Canadian Insulting.Most likely to be heard in portions of the US bordering Canada.During the 1972 campaign for US President, a newspaper in NewHampshire printed an anonymous letter accusing candidateSenator Muskie of having used the term ‘Canuck’ to describe thestate’s French-Canadian population The sound and fury created

by the accusation stunned Muskie, and by the time it was learntthat the letter had been a concoction of President Nixon’s electioncampaign the damage had been doneUS, 1835

CanuckadjectiveCanadian InsultingUS, 1955

can-upnouna particularly bad fall while skiingUS, 1963

canvasnoun1a strait jacketUS, 1949.2a sports shoe, whether or notmade from canvasFIJI, 1997

canvasbacknouna boxer or fighter whose lack of skills leads him tofind himself on his backUS, 1955

canyonnounthe vaginaUS, 1980

canyon-divenounoral sex performed on a womanUS, 1980

canyon slickernouna condom CombinesCANYON(the vagina) with

a waterproof outergarmentUK, 1998

capnoun1a bullet; a shotUS, 1925.2a capsule of drugsUS, 1929.3apsychoactive mushroom Conventionally, the domed upper part of

a mushroom; possibly an abbreviation of ‘liberty cap’, the namegiven to psilocybin mushroomsUS, 1999.4the amount ofmarijuana that will fit into the plastic cap of a tube of lip glossUS,

1989.5crack cocaine Sometimes in the pluralUK, 1998.6used as aterm of address for someone whose actions are provoking physicalviolence Hawaiian youth usage; an abbreviated form of ‘capillary’

US, 1982.7captainUS, 1759.8a capital letter Originally used byprinters, then publishers and authors . a recapped tyre

1971.10the penisFIJI, 1993.11in casino gambling, a chip of one

denomination on top of a stack of chips of another denomination

US, 1991

capverb1to package a drug in capsulesUS, 1952.2to shoot someone

US, 1970.3to insult someone in a competitive, quasi-friendly spirit;

to outdo someoneUS, 1944.4to steer business to someoneUS, 1973.

5in casino gambling, to add to an existing bet, usually illegallyUS,

1980.6to assist in a fraudulent scheme by fast talk that helps lure

the victim into the swindleUK, 1811.7to fly on combat air patrol

(CAP) Royal Air Force useUK, 1979

Cape Breton attache casenouna plastic bagCANADA, 1980

Cape Cod turkeynounsalt codUS, 1865

Cape Doctornounthe strong southeasterly trade wind that blows in

Cape Town over summerSOUTH AFRICA, 1861

cape hornnouna condom The southernmost tip of the South

American continent puns on ‘cape’ (an outer garment, often

waterproof ) worn on aHORN(the erect penis) A similar pun was

behind the C19 sense, now obsolete, as ‘the vagina’ – the

southernmost tip, often subject to stormy weather, where many

men have been lostUK, 1998

capellanouna hat An affected elaboration of ‘cap’; easily confused

with the obsolete sense (a coat) which derives directly from Italian

UK, 1993

Cape of Good Hopenoun1soap Rhyming slang, based on the

South African headland; sometimes shortened to ‘cape’UK, 1925.

2the Pope Rhyming slangUK, 1994

capernoun1a criminal undertaking, especially a swindle or theftUS,

1925.2that which is going on; business; an undertakingAUSTRALIA,

1954.3the time devoted to pleasure; a hedonistic lifestyle Probably

from the conventional sense (a dance)UK, 2001.4cocaine

Etymology uncertain; possibly rhyming slang: ‘cape of good hope’,

for ‘dope’UK, 2001.5a costume worn for erotic effectUK, 2002

caperverbto commit a criminal undertaking, especially a swindle or

theftUS, 1976

caper carnouna car used for a crime and then abandonedUS, 1981

capey; capienouna person who is part of the non-white, or

‘coloured’ population in South Africa’s Cape province A term that

has survived apartheidSOUTH AFRICA, 1977

capisce?; capeesh?do you understand? Thanks to gangster films

and television programmes, almost always a blatant affectation

with an organised, Sicilian ring to itUS, 1977

capitaladjectiveattractive, good-lookingUS, 2001

capital Hnounheroin An embellishment ofH(heroin)US, 1975

capital prizenouna sexually transmitted infectionUS, 1948

cap mannouna confederate in a swindleUS, 1971

Cap’n Crunchnicknamea captain of a British Columbia provincial

ferry who had a spectacular collisionCANADA, 1989

caponouna leader of a Mafia organisationUS, 1952

caponnounan effeminate or homosexual maleUS, 1945

cap onverbto look at someone or somethingUS, 1971

capoonkleadjectiveconfusing, confusedUS, 1982

cappernoun1a clincher; something that beats all othersUK, 1960.

2in a drug-selling enterprise, a person who fills capsules with a

drugUS, 1958.3in a confidence swindle, a person who lures the

victim into the swindle From the verbCAP US, 1753.4in an auction,

a dummy bidderUS, 1853

capsnounheroinUK, 1998

capsulanouncrack cocaineUK, 2003

capsule connouna prisoner convicted on drug chargesUS, 1970

captainnoun1a railway conductorUS, 1946.2the person buying the

drinksAUSTRALIA, 1953.< out with the captainout drinking

Especially in the Maritime provinces, the Captain is of course

Captain Morgan rumCANADA, 2001

Captain Bobnicknamecorrupt businessman Robert Maxwell

(1923–1991)UK, 1994

Captain Cookadjectiveill Rhyming slang forCROOK(ill), formed onthe name of explorer Captain James Cook (1728–1779)AUSTRALIA, 2002

Captain Cook; captain’snouna look Rhyming slang, after CaptainJames Cook, 1728–79, British sea explorer who ‘discovered’ theeast coast of AustraliaAUSTRALIA, 1960

Captain Grimesnickname The Times newspaper Rhyming slang UK: ENGLAND, 1982

Captain Hicksnounin craps, the number sixUS, 1941

Captain Kirknouna Turk Rhyming slang, based on a famouscharacter of the original television and film science fiction

adventure series Star Trek, since 1969 UK, 1998

captain of the headnounan orderly assigned to latrine dutyUS, 1947

captain’s lognoun1a lavatory Rhyming slang for ‘bog’, based on afamous detail of television and film science fiction adventure

series Star Trek, since 1969 UK, 1998.2the penis A Star Trek cliché

punning onWOOD(the erect penis)US, 2001

captain’s mannouna police officer designated to pick up bribesfrom criminals for his superior officersUS, 1972

Captain TripsnicknameJerry Garcia (1942–1995), lead guitarist andspiritual bedrock of the Grateful DeadUS, 1994

capturenounan arrest and imprisonmentUK, 1958

captureverb< capture the bishop(of a male) to masturbate.Punning ‘capture’ with ‘to lay hands on’; a variation ofBASH THE BISHOP(to masturbate)UK, 2005

capunnouncapital punishmentUS, 1992

caputadjective 8see:KAPUT

cap worknounthe alteration of dice for cheating by making themresilient on certain surfaces, which makes them more likely tobounce off the altered sidesUS, 1950

carnoun1a clique of prisonersUS, 1989.2a radioUS, 2002.3inlobstering, a slatted box in the water in which lobsters are keptuntil they are soldUS, 1978

caramelnoun< drop a caramelto defecateUK: SCOTLAND, 1988

carameladjectivemixed raceUS, 1994

caramellonouna type of hashish from Morocco From the Spanishfor ‘caramel’; the Spanish spell the word with one lUK, 2003

caravannicknamethe section of Mountjoy jail where members ofthe travelling community are incarceratedIRELAND, 1996

carbnouna carburettorUS, 1942

car bangernouna criminal who specialises in stealing from carsUS, 1982

carbie; carbynouna carburettorNEW ZEALAND, 1956

carbonouncarboyhydratesUS, 1977

carbolic dipnounthe bath or shower with carbolic dip given toprisoners when they arrive at a prisonUS, 1950

car branouna cover placed on the front of a car in the hope orbelief that it will foil radar speed-detectionUS, 1990

carburettornouna tube with holes used for smoking marijuana; ahole that is designed to let air into a pipe used for smokingmarijuana As its automotive namesake forces a mixture of fueland oxygen into an engine, the marijuana-related carburettorforces a mixture of marijuana smoke and air into the smoker’slungsUS, 1967

carcassnounone’s body; oneselfAUSTRALIA, 1956

car catchernouna rear brakeman on a freight trainUS, 1946

car cloutnouna thief who breaks into and steals the contents ofcarsUS, 1962

cardnoun1a tactic held in reserve and then used to win an tage Usually in the expression ‘playing the (fill in the blank) card’

advan-US, 1973.2an eccentric; a lively personalityUK, 1836.< go through the cardto have everything on offer; to cover somethingcomprehensively Originally, ‘to back every winning horse at a race-meeting.’ .< on the cardin railway slang, on time

cardverb1to ask someone for proof of age before selling or serving

them alcoholUS, 1975.2to trade credit card numbers illegallyUK,

1998

cardboardnounin horse racing, a betting ticketAUSTRALIA, 1989

cardboard boxnounany sexually transmitted infection Rhyming

slang forPOX UK , 1980

cardboard cavernounin caving and pot-holing, a caver who gives

up at the first sign of wetness DerogatoryUK, 2004

cardboard citynouna prison segregation unit Derives from the fact

that the furniture in such prison cells is often made from

cardboardUK, 1996

card-carryingadjectivedevout, dedicated First used in the late

1940s to describe fervent leftists in the US as ‘card-carrying

Communists’, the term was given new life in 1988 when

Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis described

himself as a ‘card-carrying member of the American Civil Liberties

Union’US, 1963

cardenalesnounbarbiturates From the Spanish for ‘cardinal’ (a red

bird)US, 1997

cardernouna person employed to place prostitutes’ advertising

cards in telephone boxes and other public placesUK, 1994

cardi; cardie; cardy; Cardinoun1a cardigan knitted woollen

jacket Named after James Brudenell, the seventh Earl of Cardigan

(1797–1868) whose cavalry troops, during the Crimean War

(1853–56), wore a similar garment for warmthUK, 1987.2an

inhabi-tant of the country of Ceredigion, formerly Cardiganshire; any

person who is reluctant to part with cash Probably originates with

the frugal practices of Cardiganshire hill farmersUK: WALES, 2002

cardiesnounelectronic gambling machines that display playing

cardsAUSTRALIA, 1998

cardinalnoun< the cardinal is homeused for conveying that

the speaker is experiencing the bleed period of the menstrual

cycleUS, 1980

card mobnountwo or more card cheats working togetherUS, 1979

cardsnoun< on the cardslikely, probableUK, 1849

cards speaknounin high-low poker, the rule that players need not

declare whether they are playing for a low or high handUS, 1996

card surfingnoun1a moving of custom between credit cards to

achieve financial advantageUK, 2000.2a criminal act in which a

criminal closely observes a person using an automatic cash

machine (by looking over his or her shoulder) and notes the

per-sonal identity number that is enterered on the keypad; the user’s

card is subsequently stolen, without making the user aware of the

theft, and fraudulent withdrawals of cash are the criminal’s reward

Also known as ‘shoulder surfing’US, 1992

careverb< not care lessto be absolutely unconcernedUS, 1966

care bearnouna person working in a prison who is seen to be too

sympathetic to the prisoners’ needs Derogatory; based on cute

cartoon characters The Care Bears, originally created in 1981 for

US greeting cards, and subsequently animated for television and

CARE packagenoun1a box of treats and/or necessities, sent to

someone away from home with the hope of cheering them up

Suggested by CARE packages sent by the United NationsUS, 1962.

2a small amount of a drug disguised for safe carrying and later

useUK, 1983

carewarenouncomputer software offered free by its developer, with

the request that the user make a contribution to a charity in place

of paying a fee for the softwareUS, 1991

carganounheroin Border Spanish used in English conversation by

Mexican-Americans, from its literal sense as ‘a charge (of

cargonounostentatious jewellery worn as a status symbolUK, 1994

carhopnoun1an employee in a drive-in restaurant who servescustomers in their carsUS, 1939.2a girl who chooses partners onthe basis of their carUS, 1995

cariolenouna horse-drawn sleighCANADA, 1965

carjackverbto steal a car from its driver under threat of bodilyharm An elision of ‘car’ and ‘hijack’US, 1991

car jockeynoun1a race car driverUS, 1977.2a parking attendantUS, 1956

cark; karkverbto die Origin unknown Suggestions that it is from

‘carcass’, or from ‘cark’ (the harsh cry of a crow) are not veryconvincingAUSTRALIA, 1977

car keynouna screwdriver used for breaking into carsUK, 1996

cark it; kark itverbto dieAUSTRALIA, 1982

Carl Rosanouna poser, a poseur; hence, as ‘the old Carl Rosa’, fraud

or deceipt Rhyming slang, formed on the name of Germanmusician Carl Rosa, 1842–89; in 1873 he founded the Carl RosaOpera which is now Britain’s oldest opera companyUK, 1977

Carly; Callynicknamelager manufacturers Carlsberg™; lagermanufactured by Carlsberg™ ‘Carly’ may be used for the basicbrand lager or Carlsberg Special Brew, or combined with ‘extra’ forCarlsberg Extra, and ‘special’ for Carlsberg Special BrewUK: SCOTLAND, 1988

carmabisnounmarijuana A visual pun on the word ‘cannabis’ and

a quasi-spiritual reference toKARMA(fate); possibly an error inspelling or readingUS, 1977

carn!come on! A call of encouragement especially commonamongst sports spectators Eye-dialect rendering of typicalAustralian pronunciation Commonly preceding the name of ateam beginning with ‘the’, e.g ‘carn the Blues’ (come on theBlues)AUSTRALIA, 1965

carnaused in exortationsAUSTRALIA, 1967

carnalnounamong Mexican-Americans, a very close male friend.Border Spanish used in English conversation by Mexican-AmericansUS, 1950

carnappernouna person who habitually steals cars On the pattern

of ‘kidnapper’UK, 1984

carnenounheroin From the Spanish for ‘meat’US, 1986

carney; carnynouna carnivalUS, 1931

carnienoun1a young person under the legal age of consent Anabbreviated reference to ‘carnal knowledge’; sometimesembellished as ‘carnie kid’.NEW ZEALAND, 1984.2a carnation

AUSTRALIA, 1968.3cocaineUK, 2003

carnival croquetnounthe shell gameUS, 1966

carnival lousenouna person who follows a carnival from town totown and associates with carnival employees, but is not onehimselfUS, 1981

carnynoun1any person employed by or associated with a travellingcarnivalUS, 1939.2the insider’s language used by carnival workers

US, 1948

carny Biblenounthe Amusement Business magazineUS, 1985

carny divorcenounan arrangement in which a man and womanwho are living together without benefit of a wedding end theirrelationship, often consisting of one ride backwards around on aferris wheelUS, 1985

carny’s ChristmasnounLabor Day (the first Monday in September)

US, 1981

carny weddingnounan arrangement in which a man and womanlive together without benefit of a wedding, often consisting of oneride around on a ferris wheelUS, 1980

Carolinanoun1in craps, a nineUS, 1950.2a friend, a mate AGlasgow rhyming slang extension of ‘china plate’ (mate), a piece ofCockney rhyming slangUK, 1988

Carolina spreadnounsignificant weight gain below the waistUS, 1981

Carolina stockernounin drag racing, a stock car with illegalequipment or with an illegally large engine

carpnoun1anchovies as a pizza toppingUS, 1996.2a black prisoner

US, 1989.3a carpenter, especially on a theatre setUS, 1952

car parknounan informer Rhyming slang forNARK(an informer)UK,

1992

carpedadjectivedrug-intoxicatedUK, 1996

carpenternounan orthopaedistUS, 1994

carpenter’s dreamnouna flat-chested woman From the pun ‘flat

as a board, and easy to screw’US, 1974

carpetnoun1a three month period of imprisonment A shortening

of ‘carpet bag’ rhyming slang for ‘drag’ an obsolete term for ‘a

three month sentence’; this origin is now mainly forgotten;

therefore it has since been reasoned that ‘carpet’ is so-called

because it easy to doUK, 1903.2a three year sentence of

imprisonmentUK, 1956.3in betting, odds of 3–1UK, 1967.4a sum

of £3UK, 1954.5three hundred pounds, £300 Ticket-touting slang

Also spelled ‘carpits’UK, 2002.6an artificial grass playing surfaceUS,

1978.< clean the carpet(of a female) to masturbateUS, 2001.

< matching carpet and drapes; carpet and drapes that

matchapplied to a person, usually a woman, whose hair is

neither bleached nor dyed A jocular suggestion that the hair on

the head is of the same natural shade as the pubic hairUS, 1999

carpet and a halfnounin betting, odds of 7–2 In bookmaker

slangCARPETis 3–1, here the addition of a half increases the odds

to 3½–1 or 7–2UK, 1991

carpetbaggernouna person who interferes in local politics without

being a true part of the local communityUS, 1868

carpet burgernounoral sex performed on a womanUS, 2001

carpet burnnouna rawness of the skin due to frictional contact

with a carpet On the model of ‘rope-burn’ Tends to be used

mainly of knees and elbows and generally in the context of

wounds received in the course of unconventionally located

love-makingUS, 1986

carpet controlnounan obsessive belief, held whilst under the

influ-ence of crack cocaine, that there are useable traces of crack

cocaine on the floor A variation onCARPET PATROL From a discreet

correspondentUK, 2001

carpet crawlernouna young childUS, 1976

carpet gamenouna swindle in which the swindler holds and then

steals the wallet of a customer going to see a non-existent

prostituteUS, 1967

carpet jointnouna fancy, high-class casinoUS, 1961

carpet munchernouna cunnilinguist; hence, and especially, a

lesbianUS, 1994

carpeto; carpitonounthirty pounds £30 Ticket-touting slang From

CARPET(£300)UK, 2002

carpet patrolnounsmokers of crack cocaine who search the floor

for droppings of crack cocaineUK, 1998

carpet slashingnouna dance party From the more commonCUT A

RUG US , 1947

carpet walkernouna drug addictUS, 1971

car-poppingnouncar-theft FromPOP(to steal)UK, 1996

Carrie; Carrie Nation; Carry; Carry NationnouncocaineUS, 1955

carrier pigeonnouna messenger or courierUS, 1933

carrotnouna marijuana cigaretteUS, 2001

carrot crunchernoun(from an urban perspective) a country-dweller

UK, 1977

carrot eater; carrot snappernouna Mormon OffensiveUS, 1968

carrot-topnouna red-headed personUS, 1889

carrynoun1any victim of a crime who must be taken from the

scene by stretcherUS, 1958.2a consignment or substantial quantity

of drugsUK, 1996

Carrynoun 8see:CARRIE

carryverb1to carry a firearmUS, 1971.2to be in possession of drugs

US, 1961.3to have surplus moneyUK: NORTHERN IRELAND, 1996.4to

lead or be in charge of somethingUS, 1972.< carry a big spoon

to stir up troubleAUSTRALIA, 1989.< carry a caseto be out ofprison on bail A neat play on a basic travel requirement and a

‘court case’UK, 1996.< carry a torchto yearn for an unrequitedlove or a love affair that is over; to be devoted to someonewithout having your devotion reciprocatedUS, 1927.< carry it to the doorto serve all of a prison sentenceUS, 2002.< carry news

to gossipTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1970.< carry someone’s bagsto

be romantically involved with someoneUS, 1973.< carry the bannerto stay up all nightUS, 1980.< carry the bugin circususage, to work as a night watchman FromBUG(a torch)US, 1981.

< carry the can back; carry the canto take the blame orpunishment on behalf of another; to be made a scapegoat; to dothe dirty work while another gets the credit Navy originsUK, 1929.

< carry the mail1to buy drinksAUSTRALIA, 1966.2to commit amurder for hireUS, 1971.3to move quicklyUS, 1946.< carry the shit bucketto perform the lowliest tasksAUSTRALIA, 1977.< carry the silksin horse racing, to race for a particular ownerUS, 1951.

< carry the stickto live without a fixed abodeUS, 1978.< carry the targetin horse racing, to run in the last position for anentire raceUS, 1976.< carry the wheelsto accelerate so quicklythat the vehicle’s front wheels lift off the groundUS, 1968.< carry your bat outin cricket, to survive your team’s inningsundismissedUK, 1934

carryallnouna vehicle for transport, either wheeled or on rails forsnowCANADA, 1963

carry-awaynouna robbery in which a safe is taken and opened atleisure away from the crime sceneUS, 1958

carry daynounin television and film-making, a day in which thecast and crew are paid but do not have to workUS, 1990

carry downverbto arrest someoneTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1971

carrying all before heradjectiveof a woman, having a generousbust or obviously pregnant JocularUK, 1984

carryings-onnounconspicuous behaviourUK, 1859

carrying weightadjectivedepressed Beatniks’ use, late 1950s-60s;from the notion of being under a heavy burdenUK, 1984

Carry Nationnoun 8see:CARRIE

carry-onnoun1a fuss; an uproar; an outbreak of excited behaviour

UK, 1890.2any continuing activity or catalogue of detailsUK, 2001

carry onverb1to behave in a conspicuous way, to make a fussUK,

1828.2to be involved in a flirtatious or adulterous relationship.Generally phrased ‘carry on with’, specifying the other personUK,

1856.3to act in an ostentatiously effeminate manner in publicUS, 1963

carry tosnoun(around Shigawake in the Gaspe) social welfare Theword is pronounced ‘carry toss’CANADA, 1998

carry your ass!go away!GUYANA, 1998

carsey; karseynoun a brothel From the Italian casa (a house)

which is also its original useUK, 2002

car-shopverbto break into a car to steal its contentsUS, 1997

cartverb1to carry something somewhere From the conventionalsense (to transport by cart)UK, 1964.2in cricket, to hit the ball orattack the bowling with unrestrained powerUK, 1903

Carter’s Little Liver Pillsnounany central nervous system lantUS, 1976

stimu-cart-napverbto steal a shopping trolley A jocular combination of

‘cart’ and ‘kidnap’UK, 1996

car toad; car tink; car tonk; car whackernouna railwayinspector Named for the squatting position taken when inspectingthe underside of a carUS, 1946

carton-pushernouna person who sells cigarettes that have beenstolen or smuggled from a state with lower taxesUS, 1978

car tricknounan act of sex between a prostitute and customer in acarUS, 1968

carts; cartznouna man’s genitaliaUK, 1992

cartuchonouna package containing marijuana cigarettes, equivalent

to a packet of cigarettes From ‘cartouche’ (a roll or case of paper,

etc., containing a charge for a firearm), or Spanish cartucho (a roll

or case of paper)

cartwheelnoun1a feigned drug withdrawal spasmUS, 1936.2an

amphetamine tabletUS, 1966.3a silver dollar pieceUS, 1949

cartzo; catso; cartesnoun the penis From Italian cazzo (to thust)

UK, 1702

carveverb1in skateboarding, to take a turn sharplyUS, 1976.2in

surfing, to change the course of the surfboard by digging it into

the waterUS, 1980.3in mountain biking, to travel at great speed

around cornersUS, 1996.4in foot-propelled scootering, to turn

sharply while in mid-jump Glossed as ‘pulling off a big, fast, aerial

scoot-turn’UK, 2000.5to outplay another musician in a competition

of solosUS, 1970.< carve some beefto grant sexual favours; to

consent to sexUS, 2001.< carve someone’s knobto make

someone understandUS, 1953.< carve up the mobto surf

recklessly through a crowd of surfers or swimmersAUSTRALIA, 1964.

< carve yourself a slicefrom the male point of view, to have

sexUK, 1984

carved upadjective(used of a bodybuilder) without fatUS, 1984

carve-upnoun1a fight; a battle; a gang warUK, 1961.2an act of poor

driving in which one vehicle cuts in front of anotherUK, 1984.3a

division of loot, profits or the legacy of a willUK, 1935.4a swindle

UK, 1937

carve upverb1of a driver, to cut in front of another vehicle and

force the driver of that vehicle to brake or take other emergency

actionUK, 1984.2to spoil the chances of another’s businessUK, 1961.

3to swindle an accomplice out of a shareUK, 1937

carvienoun1a fellow prisoner who shares in a supply of tobacco,

perhaps by subscription to a common supplyUK, 1950.2a prisoner

who deals in contraband tobacco; a tobacco baron From the

earlier sense (a prisoner who shares your tobacco) This sense

describes the prisoner who carves up the supply UK, 1996

carving knifenouna wife Rhyming slangUK, 2003

car washnounduring the Vietnam war, an establishment in

Vietnam where a man went for a haircut, bath, massage and sex

US, 1977

car whackernoun 8see:CAR TOAD

casanounthe operator of a gambling establishment or game

Spanish for ‘house’TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1952

casabasnounthe female breastsUS, 1970

Casablancanouna wanker (an all-purpose term of abuse) Rhyming

slangUK, 2003

Casablanca goldnouna variety of hashish produced on the higher

slopes of the Rif MountainsUK, 2003

Cascadianounan imaginary proposed state or area formed of the

states of Washington and Oregon and British ColumbiaCANADA, 1995

casenoun1a promiscuous womanAUSTRALIA, 1967.2a patient with a

sexually transmitted infectionUS, 1994.3a love-affairUK, 1860.4to

engage in an adulterous relationshipUK, 1977

caseverb1to look over a place or person, especially in anticipation

of criminal activityUS, 1914.2to work as a prostitute A cynical

vari-ation of ‘go case’ (to have sex with)UK, 1996.3to tease someone, to

scold someoneUS, 1971.4to put a prisoner on report for a breach

of regulationsUK, 1950

case!used for asserting that all has gone as plannedTRINIDAD AND

TOBAGO, 1966

case acenounin card games, the fourth and remaining ace when

three have been playedUS, 1960

case gamenounin pool, a situation in which each player can win

with their next shotUS, 1985

case notenoun1a one-dollar noteUS, 1962.2a gambler’s last money

US, 1962

case outverbto engage in sexual foreplayUS, 1963

casernoun1a skilled card-counter in blackjackUS, 1983.2in poker,

the last card in a particular rank or suit in a deal A term borrowed

from the card game of faroUS, 1963.3a strict prison officer; one

with a reputation for putting prisoners on reportUK, 1950.4a five

shilling piece; five shillings Recorded earliest in Australia Became

obsolete after the introduction of decimal currency in 1966

. a sexually aggressive boy

Casey Jonesnoun1in poker, a player who draws the last card of arank, the case card John Luther ‘Casey’ Jones (1864–1900) was anAmerican locomotive engineer whose death in a train accidentmade him a legend celebrated in ballad and songUS, 1988.2inpool, a case game (one that either player can win with their nextshot)US, 1993

cashverbto finish consuming something Usage is in the context ofdrug or alcohol consumptionUS, 2001

cash and carriagenounmarriage Rhyming slang Derives onlyfromCASH AND CARRY(to marry) as the term ‘cash and carriage’ has

no other existenceUK, 1992

cash and carriedadjectivemarried Rhyming slang, fromCASH AND CARRY(to marry); not ‘cashed’UK, 1961

cash and carryverbto marry Rhyming slangUK, 1961

cash assnounsex for moneyUK, 1987

cash cownounany business or business-sector that provides asteady cash flowUS, 1974

cashedadjectivecompletely consumed, emptyUS, 1997

cashed upadjectivewith a ready supply of moneyAUSTRALIA, 1930

cashernouna front trouser pocket Pickpockets’ use, because that iswhere coins are usually carriedUK, 1974

cashewnouna psychiatric patientUS, 1994

cashienouna cash transaction that is tax-free by virtue of not beingreportedNEW ZEALAND, 1995

cash-innouna profitable product or activity that is tied into – andwould not exist without – another product or activity that has agreater presence in the marketplaceUK, 1970

cash inverb1to die A shortened form of ‘cash in your chips’US,

1891.2to take advantage of something and profit therebyUS, 1904

cashishnounmoneyUK, 2000

cashmerenouna jumper, whether actually cashmere or notUS, 1970

cash money!used for expressing great joy or pleasureUS, 2002

casholanounmoneyUS, 1977

cash salenouna US Marine newly arrived in Vietnam and enced in combat Cash Sales was the name of an outlet found onmarine bases in the US; a marine newly arrived in Vietnam lookedlike and smelled like a Cash Sales outletUS, 1990

inexperi-cash talknouna Canadian male game in which participantsaggressively insult each otherCANADA, 2002

cash upverb1to get moneyAUSTRALIA, 1958.2to pay someoneUK, 1983

casino-hopverbto move from one casino to anotherUS, 1993

casino perfectsnounhigh quality dice used in casinos The dice arealmost certain to roll true because they are milled to a veryprecise toleranceUS, 1997

casket nailnouna cigarette Far less common thanCOFFIN NAIL US , 1969

caspernouna very pale white person, especially a tourist at thebeachUS, 1991

Casper; Casper the ghostnouncrack cocaine Based on thecartoon-strip character Casper the Friendly Ghost; from the cloud

of smoke produced when smoking the productUS, 1994

cass-cassadjectivemessy, slovenelyGUYANA, 1998

castverb< cast an eyeballto look Teen slangUS, 1958.< cast the runesin computing, to operate a program that will not workfor anyone elseUS, 1991

casters-up modeadjectivein computing, brokenUS, 1991

cast-eyenouna squintBELIZE, 1998

casting couchnounthe notional or real sofa in a director’s office,used for sex with an actor hoping for a part Based on thecommonly held belief that a sexual performance is all the auditionrequiredUS, 1931

cast-ironadjectiveirrefutableUK, 1943

cast iron college a local jail Carnival usage

castlenoun1a house or apartmentUS, 1953.2in cricket, the wicket

that a batsman is defendingUK, 1959

castledadjectivein cricket, bowled out FromCASTLE(a wicket that is

being defended)UK, 2003

castornoun< on the castorpopular, well-regarded Extended from

CASTOR(excellent)AUSTRALIA, 1953

castoradjectiveexcellent; all rightAUSTRALIA, 1944

Castor and Pollux; Caster and Polluxnounthe testicles The

classical twins of the Zodiac provide the source for this rhyming

slang forBOLLOCKS UK , 1992

Castronicknamea neighbourhood in San Francisco, California,

dominated by homosexual men since the early 1970s Castro

Street is the main artery of the neighbourhoodUS, 1987

Castro clonenouna homosexual who conforms to a clean-cut,

fashionable image The Castro is a predominantly gay

neighbourhood in San FranciscoUS, 1986

cast upverbto vomitBARBADOS, 1965

casualnoun1a member of a violent faction of football supporters (A

FIRM), aligned to a football team and identified by a uniform of

casual wear In use since the late 1970s Examples recorded

include Aberdeen Soccer Casuals, Cambridge Casuals, Celtic

Casuals, Darlington Casuals, Fine Young Casuals (Oldham FC),

Suburban Casuals (Southampton)UK, 1989.2a youth fashion from

the late 1970s, based on designer labels In the 1980s a

working-class trend, in the 1990s a positive symbol of urban chic; also

refers to a follower of this fashion style A variant is ‘caj’UK, 1980

casualadjectiveexcellent, fashionable, trendy Youth usageUS, 1963

catnoun1a manUS, 1920.2a black personUS, 1972.3a spiteful,

gossiping woman A back-formation fromCATTY(spiteful, sly)UK,

1950.4the vaginaUK, 1720.5a passive homosexual male; any male

homosexual In prison ‘cats’ are ‘young prisoners who, though

usually heterosexual prior to incarceration, submit to the passive

role in homosexual relations in prison’ But also in prison ‘cat’ is

used to refer to known homosexuals who are often segregated

from other inmates Outside of prison the term is used generally

of homosexual men: perhaps an extension of the meaning as ‘a

woman’ The suggestion that it is a shortening of ‘catamite’ has

no supporting evidenceAUSTRALIA, 1950.6a lion; a tiger; a leopard

Circus usage, usually in the pluralUK, 1953.7in circus and carnival

usage, a trouble-making southern rusticUS, 1981.8a poorly

performing racing greyhoundAUSTRALIA, 1989.9in poker, a

nonstandard hand such as the ‘little cat’, ‘big cat’, etcUS, 1988.

10heroinUS, 1993.11methcathinone US, 1995.12a category UK, 1984.

13a Caterpillar™ tractor or other type of heavy equipmentUS, 1918.

14a catalytic converter, an emissions-control deviceUS, 1993.15a

hydraulic catapult on an aircraft carrier US, 1962.16a catamaran UK,

1984.17a boat of any descriptionUK, 1961.< let the cat out of

the bagto disclose a secretUK, 1760.< on the catstaying away

from home at nightUS, 1965.< on the cat hopin railway slang,

on timeUS, 1946.< put a cat among the pigeons; set the cat

among the pigeonsto stir up troubleUK, 1976.< something

the cat dragged in; something the cat has brought inused

as the epitome of someone who is bedraggledUK, 1928

Catnouna Cadillac carUS, 1945

catverb1to stay away from home overnight, prowling for sin From

the alleycat as a role model for behaviourUS, 1949.2to pursue

someone in the hopes of sexual relationsUS, 1946

Cat Anoun the categorisation of most secure prisons, thus the

cat-egory for highly dangerous prisoners or those considered most

likely to escape ‘Cat B,’ ‘Cat C’, and ‘Cat D’ are also used in

decreasing order of required security These categories have been

in force since 1966UK, 1996

Cat Averb to categorise a prisoner as Cat A ‘Cat B’, ‘Cat C’ and ‘Cat

D’ are also used in decreasing order of required security UK, 1996

catalog mannouna gambling cheat whose superficial knowledge of

cheating is acquired from studying catalogues of cheating devices

A derisive term when used by cheats who carefully hone their

craftUS, 1945

cat and classnouncataloguing and classification Librarians’ useUK,

cat and mousenouna house Rhyming slangUK, 1857

catapultnounin the language of windsurfing, a high-speed exitfrom the board assisted by high windsUS, 1985

catatonianounin computing, the condition that exists when acomputer is in suspended operation, unable to proceedUS, 1981

catatonicadjective(of a computer) caught in an inextricable ation and thus suspended beyond reach or responseUS, 1991

oper-catawampusadjectivecrooked, bentUS, 1851

catbird seatnounan advantageous position Coined or at the veryleast popularised by humourist James Thurber in 1942US, 1942

catboxnounthe Middle EastUS, 1998

catcallnouna derisive jeerUS, 1839

catchnoun1a person who is considered matrimonially orromantically desirableUK, 1749.2a prostitute who has beenrecruited to work for a pimpUS, 1973.3in Keno, the number ofwinning numbers that a player has markedUS, 1972.4a hiddencondition or consequenceUS, 1855

catchverb1(used of a pimp) to recruit a prostitute to work for him;

to recruit a woman to work as a prostituteUS, 1972.2(used of aprostitute) to engage a customerUS, 1968.3to play the passive sex-ual role in a homosexual relationshipUS, 1966.4to take calls orcomplaints called in to a police station; to be assigned a caseUS,

1958.5in an illegal number gambling lottery, to winUS, 1949.6ingin, to draw a cardUS, 1971.< catch (some) leadto be shotUS,

1970.< catch a bulletto be shotUS, 1992.< catch a buzztosmoke marijuana and become intoxicatedUS, 1997.< catch a crabin rowing, to err in a stroke, disrupting the timing andmomentum of the rowingUS, 1949.< catch a dummyin prison,

to refuse to speakUS, 1990.< catch a fishin poker, after making

a small bet with a good hand (the bait), to lure another player intoincreasing the betUS, 1988.< catch a gladto act with spon-taneous joyTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1984.< catch a hitto be scolded

or harshly criticised Marine usage in the Vietnam warUS, 1991.

< catch a horseto urinate A euphemismAUSTRALIA, 1942.

< catch a payto be beaten and robbedUS, 1997.< catch a run

to wet one side of a marijuana cigarette to promote even burning

US, 1997.< catch a stackto rob someone with a lot of cashUS,

1987.< catch a vapsto become suddenly inspiredGRENADA, 1998.

< catch airto become airborne while skateboarding or surfing

US, 1987.< catch assto have a hard timeTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,

1956.< catch no ballto fail to understandSINGAPORE, 2002.

< catch on the flipper; catch on the (old) flip-flopto makecontact on your return Citizens’ band radio slangUS, 1976.

< catch on the reboundto become emotionally involved with

a person who has just been rejected from another relationship.Probably the pun from which the emotional conditionON THE REBOUNDderivesUK, 1864.< catch on the reverse; catch on the reboundto make contact on a return journey Citizens’ bandradio slangUS, 1976.< catch someto engage in heavy sexualcaressingUS, 1968.< catch squealsto take calls or complaintscalled into a police stationUS, 1969.< catch the bumpsin astriptease act, to synchronise the dancer’s pelvic thrusts with thedrum and cymbal beatUS, 1981.< catch thrillsto engage in anactivity that excites or stimulates Hawaiian youth usageUS, 1982.

< catch tricks(used of a drummer in a performance) to createsound effects on sightUS, 1973.< catch wreckto achieve respectfor your actionsUS, 1995.< catch your death of cold; catch your deathto catch a very bad cold Dating is obscure; the tra-ditional Yorkshire folk song ‘On Ilkley Moor baht’at’ contains theline ‘Then thee will catch thy death of cold’ which, while theintent may be literal, means no more than ‘[If you go out on]Ilkley Moor without a hat [ ] you will catch a bad cold’UK, 1872.

< catch yourself onto recover your common sense Usually inthe imperativeUK, 1984

catch 22nouna self-cancelling dilemma Coined by Joseph Heller

for his 1955 novel Catch 22, which was originally to be titled

‘Catch 18’ – until Mila 18 by Leon Uris was published US, 1977

catch coltnounan illegitimate childUS, 1901

catch drivernounin harness racing, a driver hired on the day of the

catchernoun1the passive partner in homosexual sexUS, 1966.2a

peripheral member of an illegal drug enterprise hired to retrieve

drugs hurriedly thrown out of a window to avoid confiscation and

arrestUS, 1989

catcher’s mittnouna dense jungle area with a heavy Viet Cong and

North Vietnamese presence northeast of Phu Loi Based on a

vague resemblance between the area and a catcher’s mitt on a

mapUS, 1990

catch handnouna casual workman who moves from job to job to

get more favourable rates and conditions but has no intention of

staying with any job until its completionUK, 1964

catch itverb1to get it into trouble with an authority, especially to

incur a beating or a severe telling offUK, 1835.2to be killedUS, 1982

catch onverb1to understand; to grasp the meaning or significance

of somethingUS, 1884.2to become popular or fashionableUK, 1887

catch oneverbto drink or use drugs to the point of mild

intoxi-cationUS, 1997

catchyadjectiveattractive, appealing, especially if vulgarly soUK, 1831

catch you laterused as a farewellUS, 1947

Cat CitynicknameCathedral City, California A resort town just south

of Palm Springs in the Coachella ValleyUS, 1981

cat daddynouna male with charm and charismaUS, 2002

caterpillarnounduring the war in Vietnam, a convoy of

non-combat vehicles on a passably secure roadUS, 1991

caterpillarverbin mountain biking, to pedal with a fluctuating,

inefficient cadenceUS, 1992

catever; kerterveradjective bad From Italian cattivo (bad) but via

earlier senses as ‘an odd occurence or person’UK, 2002

cat-eyenounan irregular work shiftUS, 1977

cat eyesnouneyes that are anything other than dark brownUS, 1982

catfacenouna pucker left in a garment after ironingUS, 1952

cat fevernouncatarrhal gastroenteritis, suffered by troops in the

field in VietnamUS, 1945

cat fightnouna no-holds-barred fight between womenAUSTRALIA, 1967

catfishnouna person who speaks too much and thinks too littleUS,

1954

catfish rownouna black neighbourhood in a southern US city For

the setting of his 1935 folk opera Porgy and Bess, George Gershwin

used Catfish Row, a fictionalisation of an alleyway named Cabbage

Row off Church Street in Charleston, South CarolinaUS, 1965

cat got your tongue?‘why aren’t you talking?’; used for mocking

or asking why a temporary speechlessness has struck Elliptical for

‘has the cat got your tongue?’; generally addressed to a child but

equally patronising when asked of an adultUK, 1911

cathverbto insert a catheter into a patient Medical useUK, 1980

cat-haulverbto interrogate someone fiercely From a form of

punishment used with slaves – a cat was forcibly dragged by the

tail down the slave’s bare backUS, 1951

cat headnouna biscuitUS, 1962

Catherine Wheelnounin the youth trend for ‘souped-up’

motor-scootering, a lifting of the front wheel off the ground due to

sudden acceleration performed in conjunction with a flaming trail

Probably from the Catherine Wheel firework as a fiery elaboration

ofWHEELIE UK , 2004

Cathonouna member of the Catholic ChurchAUSTRALIA, 1996

cat holenouna one-time, one-man field latrine dug by the user in

VietnamUS, 1978

Catholicnouna pickpocketUS, 1949

Catholic aspirinnouna tablet of Benzedrine™ (amphetamine

sulphate), a central nervous system stimulant From the cross

scores on the white tabletUS, 1973

cathousenouna brothelUS, 1893

cat in hell’s chancenouna very slim chance or possibility In 1796,

Francis Grose recorded ‘No more chance than a cat in hell without

claws’ Almost always phrased in the negative: ‘not a cat in hell’schance’ (no chance whatsoever)UK, 1796

cat lappernouna lesbian; someone who enjoys performing oral sex

on womenUS, 1967

cat-lick; cat-lickernouna Roman CatholicUS, 1942

cat-lifenouna prison sentence of two or more consecutive lifetermsUS, 1992

cat mannouna burglar who relies on stealthUS, 1962

catnipnoun1poor quality, adulterated or entirely fake marijuana

Catmint, the botanical genus nepeta, known in the US as ‘catnip’,

may be passed off as marijuana to the unsuspecting, or mixedwith genuine marijuana as a make-weight; consequently anyimpotent marijuanaUS, 1962.2a marijuana cigarette An ironicadoption of the previous senseUK, 2003

cat outverbto sneak awayUK, 1983

cat packnouna loosely defined group of wealthy, famous andfashionable peopleUS, 1971

cat pannouna bowl used for washing the vagina FromCAT(thevagina)TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003

cat-piss-and-peppernouna noisy, unrestrained argumentBARBADOS, 2003

cat pissernounwindscreen wipersUS, 1992

cat plantnouna facility where crude oil is separated by catalysisUS, 1960

cat racknouna game concession in a carnival in which a playerthrows balls at stuffed cats on a platform or fenceUS, 1960

catsnoun1trousersUK, 2002.2heavy rain From the older (1738) andmore familiar adverb formUK, 1976.3stocks without proven per-formanceUS, 1997

cat’s arsenounanything very good, superlative or exceptional;someone who is considered the best by themselves or othersUK, 1984

cat’s assnoun1an extraordinarily good or extraordinarily badexample of somethingUS, 1967.2a knot or kink in a wire or rope

US, 1942

cat’s barnouna female-only or mixed-sex barNEW ZEALAND, 1953

cat’s breakfastnounan unpleasant mess A variation ofDOG’S

BREAKFAST UK , 1984

cat’s eyesnounin craps, a roll of threeUS, 1945

cat shitnounused as a basis for comparison when describingsomeone who is meanUS, 1970

cat shotnouna take-off from an aircraft carrier assisted by acatapult Vietnam war usageUS, 1959

cat’s meatnounan easily accomplished taskNEW ZEALAND, 1962

cat’s meow; cat’s miaownounanything very good, superlative orexceptional; someone who is considered the best by themselves orothersUS, 1921

cat’s mothernoun< ‘she’ is the cat’s mother; ‘she’ is a cat’s motheraddressed as a catchphrase reproof to a child who fails toshow proper respect by referring to the mother, or any other adultwoman, as ‘she’ Occasionally ‘she is ‘the cat’; at other times ‘she’

is ‘the cat’s grandmother.’UK, 1897

cat’s nutnounan extraordinary thing or personUS, 1928

cat’s pajamas; cat’s pyjamasnounanything very good, superlative

or exceptional; someone who is considered the best by themselves

or others Coined by, or inspired by, an illustration by New YorkJournal sports cartoonist Thomas Aloysius ‘TAD’ Dorgan(1877–1929); in the UK by 1923 but rare by 1939 Still occasion-ally recordedUS, 1922

catspraddleverbto beat someone with the fistsTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1998

cat’s pricknounan elongated ember at the lit end of a cigaretteUK, 2003

cat’s whiskersnounanything very good, superlative or exceptional;

A variation ofCAT’S PAJAMAS From the 1960s on, usage is mainly

AustralianUK, 1927

cattienouna mail-order catalogueUK, 1988

cattlenounracehorsesAUSTRALIA, 1989

cattle callnouna mass auditionUS, 1952

cattle dognoun1a Catholic school studentNEW ZEALAND, 1998.2a

catalogue Punning on the similarity of the pronunciation

AUSTRALIA, 1984

cattle trucknoun1any large truck used to transport troops

Vietnam war usageUS, 1968.2in oil drilling, a bus that transports

workers to the oil fieldsUS, 1954.3a driver-operated omnibusUK,

1973

cattle truck; cattleverb‘fuck’, generally in a figurative or expletive

sense Rhyming slangUK, 1961

cattle wagonnouna large car, especially a station wagonUS, 1973

cat tranquillizernounthe recreational drug ketamineCANADA, 2002

cattyadjective1sly, spiteful, mean-spiritedUK, 1886.2nimble and

sure-footed in a cat-like manner Lumberjacks’ useCANADA, 1984

catty-catnounthe vaginaUS, 1980

catty-cattyadjectivepromiscuousTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003

cat wagonnouna mobile brothelUS, 372

cat-walkverbon a motorcyle or bicycle, to perform a wheelstand

and then ride forward on the rear wheelUS, 1992

cat walkernouna burglar who steals at nightUK, 1990

cat washnouna quick cleaning of the body using a washcloth but

not a full bath or showerBAHAMAS, 1982

catweednounmarijuanaUK, 1996

cat worknouncriminal employment as a cat-burglarUK, 1956

caught shortadjective1unprepared, especially with regards to bodily

functionsAUSTRALIA, 1964.2embarrassed by an untimely lack of

whatever is requiredUK, 1984

caught using purpleadjectiveapprehended making non-farm use of

tax-free farm petrol To help ease the strain on farm budgets, the

prairie provinces allow farmers to buy petrol for farm equipment

exempt from certain taxes The petrol is dyed purple Police in

rural areas check It also means being caught at some other

tech-nical illegalityCANADA, 1987

Cauliflower Alleynounthe boxing world Journalists’ use

Extending the punningTIN-EAR ALLEY UK , 1961

cauliflower ear; cauliflowernounan ear that has been damaged

and deformed by blows Originally and still used as a boxing term

US, 1896

caulksnoun< put the caulks to someoneto stamp with

studded boots on someone’s face Lumberjacks’ and loggers’ use;

‘caulks’ are the spiked studs on their specialised waterproof boots

CANADA, 1961

caulk upverbto use spiked working boots to stamp on someone

Lumberjacks’ and loggers’ use; ‘caulks’ are the spiked studs on

their specialised waterproof bootsCANADA, 1939

causeverb< cause a vacancyin poker, to win a hand that drives

a player from the gameUS, 1988

’cause; cos; coz; cuzbecause An accepted and conventional term

in C16 that has slipped into dialect and vulgar useUK, 1977

cause itverbto cause trouble to, or damage somethingUK, 1974

cavadjectivecavalier In the pornography industry, an attitude

towards sexually transmitted diseaseUS, 1995

cavaliernounthe uncircumcised penis Probably of Royal Navy

origin, then juvenile; derives as an antonym ofROUNDHEAD(a

circumcised penis)UK, 2002

cavalrynoun< the cavalry are coming; the cavalry are here

help is coming; help is here From the literal military sense,

prob-ably informed in use by film WesternsUK, 1984

Cav and Pagnickname the short operas Cavalleria Rusticana, by

paired as a double bill Cavalleria Rusticana was first performed in

1890, Pagliacci in 1892 UK, 2002

cavenoun1a deep sore at the site of repeated drug injectionsUS,

1973.2the vagina From the conventional meaning (a large hole orcrevice)UK, 2001.< keep caveto keep a lookout Extends from

CAVE!pronounced ‘kay-vee’ (beware!); school slangUK, 1906

caveverbto have sex with someoneUS, 1973

cave!beware! School slang, pronounced ‘kay-vee’, from Latin cavere

(to beware) Still familiar, but mainly from its convenience as acrossword clue to a generation who read a certain sort ofchildren’s fictionUK, 1868

cavemanadjective1obsoleteUS, 1974.2used of any skateboardingmanoeuvre performed in an old-fashioned styleUK, 2004

cave tubingnouna floating exploration of underground river andcave systems on an inflated rubber tubeBELIZE, 2003

caviarnoun1human faecal matter in the context of a sexual fetish

A euphemism used in pornographyUK, 2002.2residue in whateverutensils are used for manufacturing crack cocaineUS, 1993.3amixture of marijuana and crack cocaine prepared for smoking in acigaretteUS, 1989.4cocaine; crack cocaineUK, 2003

caviar cannounan armoured tank from the former Soviet Union

US, 1952

Cavite all starnounmarijuana, probably from the Philippines.Cavite was a US military base and is now an ‘Export ProcessingZone’, ninety miles south of ManilaUS, 1977

cav of the cavnicknamethe First Squadron of the Ninth US Cavalry.Organised in 1866, the Ninth Cavalry saw action in every warthrough to VietnamUS, 1991

cavvynouna substitute horse, or personCANADA, 1987

cazhadjective 8see:KAZH

cazooledadjectivedrunkUS, 1968

CBnounused as an abbreviation forCOCKBLOCK US, 1980

CBadjective could be Used in tentative diagnoses, such as ‘could be

CCnoun1Canadian Club™ whisky US, 1971.2cocaine offered as a gift

by a dealerUS, 1989.3a prison segregation unit An abbreviation of

CARDBOARD CITY UK , 1996

CCverbto send someone to a prison segregation unit, or to replacecell furniture with cardboard items FromCARDBOARD CITY(the seg-regation unit)UK, 1996

CCWnounthe criminal charge of carrying a concealed weapon Asthe US moved to the right, gun enthusiasts have been successful

in enacting legislation in many states that permit – not forbid –carrying concealed weapons, changing the meaning of the

acronym to ‘concealed-carry weapon’ US, 1973

CDnouna condom Scamto youth street slang (South Africantownships)SOUTH AFRICA, 2005

C-Daynounthe day when new car models were available for civilianpurchase after the end of World War 2US, 1944

C-ductnouncocaineUS, 1986

C-dustnouncocaineUS, 1970

cecilnouncocaine A disguise likeCHARLIE, another man’s nameUK, 1996

Cecil B DeMillenounany large job that evolves into a chaoticmess New York police slangUS, 1997

Cecil Gee; cecilnounone thousand pounds The high streetdesigner menswear shop Cecil Gee is used for ‘dressing up’ thecommonG(£1,000) Noted in use by television presenter JohnnyVaughanUK, 2002

ceech

ceefanouna cat A play on ‘c for cat’NEW ZEALAND, 1998

ceiling betnounthe highest bet permitted in a given game or

situ-ationUS, 1988

ceiling chickennounan Air Canada baggage handler with a

particu-lar assignmentCANADA, 1994

ceitfuladjectivedeceitfulGUYANA, 1996

celebnouna celebrityUS, 1916

celebrity-fuckernouna person who seeks out sexual relationships

with famous peopleUS, 1969

celestial dischargenoundeath in a hospitalUS, 1994

cellnouna wireless telephone that is part of a system in which a

geographical area is divided into sections served by a limited-range

transmitter An abbreviation of ‘cell phone’ a term first heard in

the late 1980s as an abbreviation of ‘cellular’US, 1997

cellverbto occupy a prison cellUS, 1901

cell 99nouna prison morgueUS, 1949

cellarnounin a sports league, the last place in team standingsUS, 1950

cellar dealernouna card cheat who deals from the bottom of a

deckUS, 1988

cellar flap; cellarverbto borrow something Rhyming slang forTAP

(to borrow)UK, 1960

cell blocknoun1a condom A clever play on words: ‘cell’ (a basic

life-form) representing spermatazoa, combined with ‘block’ (a

bar-rier); the whole ironically suggesting imprisonment (of the penis)

UK, 1998.2a school classroom Teen slangUS, 1958

cellie; cellynoun1in jail or prison, a cellmateUS, 1966.2a cellular

telephoneUS, 1999

cell-shockedadjectivederanged from life in prison An obvious,

although sharp, play on ‘shell-shocked’US, 1990

cell spinnouna surprise search of a cell by prison authorities From

SPIN(to search)UK, 1996

cell tasknounin prison, a pin-up A focus on location and

inspi-ration for a prisoner’sTASK(masturbation)UK, 1996

cell warriornouna prisoner whose actions outside his cell do not

match his aggressive words uttered in the safety of his cellUS, 2001

cement armnounan intravenous drug user’s arm that is toughened

with scar tissue over the veinsUS, 1973

cementedadjectivevery drunkUK, 1983

cementheadnouna stupid personUS, 1949

cement mixernoun1a dancer who rotates her pelvis in a

simu-lation of sexual intercourseUS, 1951.2a dance, a ball A beatnik

term not recorded until 1984UK, 1984.3a loud car or truckUS, 1914

cement overcoatnounhardened cement in which a murder victim

is concealedUS, 1969

cement overshoesnounconcrete poured around a person’s feet,

used to weigh them down when their body is disposed of in a

body of waterUS, 1962

census officenounin prison, the office where incoming and

outgoing mail is checkedUK, 1996

centnouna dollarUS, 1957.< like a cent worth of shaved ice

humiliated, belittledTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1987

centerfieldnoun1in craps, a field bet on the nineUS, 1985.2in

blackjack played in casinos, the seat directly across from the dealer

US, 1985

centrenounin the gambling game two-up, the bets placed with the

person spinning the coinsAUSTRALIA, 1911

Centrenoun< the Centrethe central parts of the Australian

mainlandAUSTRALIA, 1899

centurionnouna cricketer who scores 100 runsBARBADOS, 1886

centurynoun1a $100 noteUS, 1859.2one hundred pounds (£100)

UK, 1861.3one hundred yardsUS, 1989.4one hundred milesUS, 1956.

5in motor racing, 100 miles per hourUS, 1965

centuryverbto save one hundred dollarsUS, 1970

century note

’ceptexceptUK, 1851

cerealnounmarijuana, especially when smoked in a bowl, 1999

certnoun1a certaintyUK, 1889.2a horse that is considered to be a

certain winner; a likely winner in any contest UK, 1889

certifiableadjectivementally deranged Carried over from an earlierlegal requirement to certify a person as insaneUK, 1939

cessnounmarijuana, possibly of inferior qualityUS, 1995

cess!; ciss!used as an expression of contempt or disgust, also used

for registering disappointment Directly from Afrikaans sies.

Variants include ‘sis!’, ‘sies!’ and ‘siss!’SOUTH AFRICA, 1862

cestnounmarijuanaUK, 2003

CFAnounsomeone not originating from a particular place in the

Maritime Provinces An acronym for ‘come from away’, well

known to Newfoundlanders and other coastal peopleCANADA, 2002

CFBadjective very clear indeed An abbreviation of ‘clear as a fucking bell’ Vietnam war usage US, 1980

CFDnoun a chilled 12-ounce can of beer An abbreviation of ‘cold frothy dog’ US, 2002

CFMadjectivesexually suggestive An abbreviation ofCOME-FUCK-ME US,

1989

C-Hnouna cheating scheme in poker involving two players; if oneplayer signals that he is holding a good hand, his confederateraises the bet An abbreviation of ‘crooked-honest’US, 1988

chaadjectivefashionable, trendy, stylishUS, 1992

chabobsnounthe female breastsUS, 1962

chachnounthe vagina; a despised womanUS, 2003

cha-chaverbto have sexUS, 1980

chaff banditnouna racehorse that does not win enough to pay itswayAUSTRALIA, 1989

chaffynouna fellow prisonerUK, 1996

chainnouna bus or van used to transport prisonersUS, 1984.< off the chainexcellentUS, 2001.< pull someone’s chain1to teasesomeone; to mislead someoneUS, 1962.2to control someone’sactions against their will; to treat someone with contempt Theimage of a dog on a leash Variants are ‘jerk someone’s chain’ and

‘yank someone’s chain’US, 1962

Chainnoun< The Chainthe Aleutian IslandsUS, 1886

chain-drinkverbto drink one beverage after another, barely pausingbetween drinksUS, 1976

chain gangnoun1a railway crew assembled from the first availableworkersUS, 1946.2the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of London.After the chains of officeUK, 1976

chain itverbto chain smokeUK, 2001

chains and canesnounrestraint and corporal punishment whenadvertised as services offered by a prostituteUK, 2003

chain-sawverbto exhange positions with someone; to take over; tocut inUK, 2003

chain-smokeverbto smoke cigarettes continuously and addictively

UK, 1934

chainsucknounin mountain biking, a condition that occurs whenthe bicycle chain doubles back on itself and gets jammed betweenthe frame and the chain ringsUS, 1996

chairnoun1the electric chair; the death penaltyUS, 1895.2amotorcycle sidecarUK, 1984

chairbackernounan unordained, self-taught preacherUS, 1955

chairborneadjectivein the miliary, assigned to a rear-echelonsupport job A pun on ‘airborne’, applied to ‘chairbornecommandos’, ‘chairborne generals’, the ‘chairborne infantry’,

‘chairborne rangers’, etcUS, 1943

chairman of the boardnounthe most important person of a set

of people Probably extended from its use as a nickname for Frank

chairwarmernounan idler, a loaferUS, 1960

chale!no! never! Border Spanish used in English conversation by

Mexican-AmericansUS, 1950

chalewanouna marijuana pipe, usually made from coconut shell

and tubing, used ritually by RastasJAMAICA, 2001

Chalfont St Giles; chalfontsnounhaemorrhoids Rhyming slang

for ‘piles’, formed from the name of a village in Buckinghamshire

UK, 1980

chalicenouna pipe for smoking marijuana A word with wider

religious significance adopted into ritual by Rastafarians and hence

into more general use Celebrated in the song ‘chalice to chalice’

by Tappa Zukie, 1996JAMAICA, 1990

chalknoun1a white person Not flatteringUS, 1945.

2methamphetamine or amphetamineUS, 1966.3crack cocaine

From the appearanceUK, 2003.4a potent homemade ‘wine’ made

from yeast, sugar, water, and rice or fruitUS, 2001.5low quality beer

US, 1949.6in sports betting, the contestant or team favoured to win

US, 1991.7chocolate syrupUS, 1946.< by a long chalkby much;

by a great degree In the later C20 the predominant usage

becomes ‘not by a long chalk’ with the meaning as ‘grossly

inferior’UK, 1859

chalkverb1to prepare cocaine for inhalation The image of white

chalk linesUK, 1997.2to chemically lighten the colour of cocaine

for buyers who believe that the white colour reflects purityUS, 1989.

3to observe something or someoneUS, 1959.4to ban a gambler

from a table, game or casinoUS, 1950.5to steal somethingUS, 2001

chalk and talknounteaching; those methods of teaching which are

currently considered old-fashioned Slightly contemptuous

AUSTRALIA, 1942

chalk-eaternounin horse racing, a bettor who consistently bets on

favourites From the old custom of a bookmaker chalking odds on

a blackboardUS, 1951

chalked upadjectiveunder the influence of cocaineUS, 1955

chalkernouna very fat personUS, 1990

chalker and talkernouna teacher Later use is slightly

contemptuousAUSTRALIA, 1942

Chalk Farm; chalknounthe arm Rhyming slang, formed on the

name of an area of north LondonUK, 1857

chalk handnounin poker, a hand that is almost certain to winUS,

1988

chalk horsenounin horse racing, the favourite in a raceUS, 1951

chalkienouna school teacher From the use of chalk on a

blackboardAUSTRALIA, 1945

chalk it upverbto claim or give someone the credit for something

UK, 1923

chalk it up!used for drawing attention to a triumph or

extraordi-nary happening, often accompanied by a gesture of chalking a

figure 1 on a wallUK, 1923

chalk mannounthe police employee who chalks the outline of a

corpse where it has fallen before the body is removedUS, 1992

chalk peoplenounpeople who live far from the oceanUS, 1991

chaloupenouna wide, heavy, large American car French used by

the English-speaking in QuebecCANADA, 1992

chambermaidnouna railway machinist working in a roundhouse

US, 1946

chamber of commercenoun1a toilet A pun on ‘chamber pot’US,

1960.2a brothelUS, 1949

chamber pipenouna type of pipe used to smoke marijuanaUS, 1992

champnoun1a drug addict who does not inform on others when

questioned by the policeUS, 1960.2a champion US, 1868.3used

between contemporary, unrelated males as a familiar form of

addressUK, 2001

champagnenoun1human urine in the context of a sexual fetishUS,

1987.2a well-paying customer of a prostituteUS, 1992

champagne blonde

champagne Charlienouna man who enjoys a luxurious, ifsomewhat dissipated, lifestyle After a music hall song about anoted drinker of champagneUK, 1868

champagne chinsnounfolds of flesh creating the image of morethan one double chin as a result of the good lifeUK, 1997

champagne drugnouncocaineUS, 1998

champagne housenounwealthy clubbers Champagne, generallyprefixed with a sense of derision or criticism (asCHAMPAGNE SOCIALISM), combines withHOUSE(MUSIC) (the umbrella-genre forcontemporary club music)UK, 1999

champagne socialismnouna belief in socialist ideals apparentlycontradicted by an expensively indulgent lifestyle Critical andderisiveUK, 1987

champagne socialistnouna person attached to socialist politicswho enjoys a luxurious lifestyleUK, 1987

champagne tapnouna bloodless sample from a lumbar puncture,.traditionally rewarded by a bottle of champagne from the consult-antUK, 2002

champagne tastes and mauby pocketsnounsomething said to

be possessed by those who do not have the money to live the style that they affectBARBADOS, 1976

life-champagne tricknouna wealthy, big-spending customer of aprostituteUS, 1973

champersnoun champagne The original word is abridged and the

suffix ‘-ers’ is added; this process of amendment, credited tostudents at Oxford University, is discussed by Partridge and Beale

in the appendix to the 8th edition of the Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English and called ‘Oxford -er(s)’ UK, 1955

championnouna completely inept and unlucky personSINGAPORE, 2002

championadjectiveexcellent Mainly, or stereotypically from thenorth of EnglandUK, 1937

championadverbexcellently Mainly, or stereotypically from thenorth of EnglandUK, 1937

chanceverb< chance your armto take unnecessary risksUK, 1966

chance ’emverbwhile surfing, to decide to ride a big waveUS, 1991

chancernounan opportunist, especially one who takes risks in

pursuit of criminal gain; someone who takes or creates chances

UK, 1884

chance would be a fine thing!; chance is a fine thing!‘I wish

I had that opportunity!’ or ‘You wouldn’t know what to do if yougot the opportunity!’ or ‘that is very unlikely!’ Each variant has allmeaningsUK, 1912

chancre mechanicnouna military medic, especially one assigned

to diagnose and treat sexually transmitted infectionsUS, 1944

chandeliernoun1where non-existent bids in a fraudulent auctionare said to come fromUK, 2003.2a homosexual Rhyming slang for

QUEER Shortened to ‘shandy’UK, 1998

chandelier signnouna dramatic reaction to being touched in apainful area It is said that the patient ‘hits the ceiling’ or ‘hits thechandelier’US, 1994

chanelnouncocaine A slightly forced formation, playing on thename of designer Coco ChanelUS, 1976

changnouncocaineUK, 2002

changenoun1moneyUS, 1972.2an approximation or a fractionUS,

1975.< the changethe menopause Elliptical forCHANGE OF LIFE

UK, 1934

changeverb< change addressto leaveTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003.

< change tuneto retreatUS, 1991.< change waterto engage

in an unproductive activity From lobstermen, who refer to thehauling and baiting of an empty trap as ‘changing water’US, 1975.

< change your luck(used of a white person) to have sex with ablack person; to have sex with a person of the sex with whom onewould not ordinarily have sexUS, 1916.< change your tunetoalter your professed opinion or manner of speechUK, 1578

change artistnouna swindler who gives customers too little

change machinenouna prostitute who charges very little for sexUS,

1963

change of lifenounthe menopauseUK, 1834

change of lucknoun(used of a white person) sex with a black

personUS, 1916

change raisernouna swindler who tricks cashiers into giving him

too much changeUS, 1960

changesnoundifficultiesUS, 1973

changiesnounchanging roomsUK, 2001

chanknouna chancre; any sexually transmitted infectionUS, 1960

chankverbto eat loudly and rudelyUS, 1844

channelnouna vein, especially a prominent vein suitable for drug

injectionUS, 1994

channelverbin car customising, to lower the body of the carUS, 1965

Channel BorenicknameUK television Channel 4UK, 1999

channel fevernouna strong desire by someone at sea to be back

on landUK, 1929

channel fleetnouna street Rhyming slangIRELAND, 1960

channel-surfverbto browse distractedly through a variety of

television programmes, switching from channel to channelUS, 1994

channel swimmernouna heroin user Punning on ‘channel’ as ‘a

vein’US, 1959

chantverbto singUK, About 1386

chantoosienounin Montreal, a female nightclub singer The word is

adapted from French chanteuse (a woman who sings) CANADA, 2002

chapnoun1a man, a fellowUK, 1704.2a young fellow who wouldn’t

yet know about the ways of the worldIRELAND, 1992.3a juvenile

offender or detention centre inmate who is top of the pecking

orderUK, 1978

chapeladjectivebeing part of a chapel’s congregationUK, 1946

chapel hat pegsnounused for comparisons with things that are

exaggeratedly conspicuous or obvious when not normally soUK,

1984

chapessnouna girl; a woman A jocular extension ofCHAP(a man)

UK, 2003

chapopotenounheroinUK, 2003

chappedadjective1depressedUS, 1990.2irritated, angryUS, 1966

chapped offadjectivevery angryUS, 1963

chappie; chappynouna man, a fellow Originally (1820s) a

diminutive forCHAP(a man), meaning ‘a little fellow’; in the

current sense and as a form of address by 1880s Current usage

however is often ironic, probably affected by Chappie™, a branded

dog foodUK, 1882

chapsnoun< the chaps(of men) a grouping of peers; usUK, 1978

chapstick lesbiannouna lesbian who is athletic or has a notable

interest in sports Formed on the model ofLIPSTICK LESBIAN UK , 2004

chapter and versenouncomplete detail; detailed knowledgeUS, 1956

chapter heraldnouna Hell’s Angels motorcycle gang member A

play on ‘herald angels’ combined with the fact that Hell’s Angels

are grouped into ‘chapters’UK, 1984

char; cha; chahnoun tea From Chinese – Mandarin ch’a (tea)

used conventionally from C17UK, 1919

characternoun1a man; a fellow; a personUK, 1931.2a person with

an underworld lifestyleUS, 1958.3a chilled 12-ounce bottle of beer

US, 2002

charas; churusnounhashish from IndiaINDIA, 1957

charcoaladjective(used of skin colouring) grey-brownBAHAMAS, 1982

chardienounchardonnayAUSTRALIA, 2003

chargenoun1an intoxicated sensation, emotional or narcoticUK,

1950.2intense excitementUS, 1960.3marijuana From an earlier

sense meaning ‘drugs in general’; it contains a charge – produces

aKICK US , 1941.4an injection of a drugUS, 1925.5an alcoholic drink

. prison contraband secreted in a prisoner’s rectum

NEW ZEALAND, 1997.7a person arrested and held in chargeUK, 1970.

8a Charge Nurse, the nurse in charge of a ward, especially if male.Often after ‘the’UK, 1961

chargeverbto go surfingUS, 1991.< charge it to the rain and let the dust settle itto pay for something on credit without fullyexpecting to pay the chargeUS, 1946

charge accountnouna person who can be counted upon to postbail if you are arrestedUS, 1976

charged; charged upadjectivedrug-intoxicatedUS, 1942

charge ’em!used as an exortation to action Hawaiian youth usage

US, 1982

chargernouna bullet-shaped container for anal concealment andstorage of drugsUK, 1996

charge upadjectiveexcited; drunkTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003

charideenouncharity seen as a self-serving, publicity-seekingenterprise Comedians Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehousecaptured this heavily ironic mid-Atlantic pronunciation for thecomic caricatures Smashie and NiceyUK, 2001

Charingnouna horse Rhyming slang, from Charing Cross (considered by traffic-planners to be the absolute centre of London); therhyme-word was pronounced ‘crorse’ in C19 CockneyUK, 1857

-chariotnoun1a car Ironic, jocularUS, 1935.2a brakevan (caboose)US, 1945

charity dame; charity mollnounan amateur prostitute, or oneundercutting the going-rateAUSTRALIA, 1953

charity fucknounsexual intercourse engaged in by one partner as

an act of generosityUS, 1978

charity girlnounan amateur prostitute or promiscuous womanUS, 1916

charity hopnounin baseball, the last long hop taken by a groundball, making it simple to fieldUS, 1967

charity stuffnouna woman who, while promiscuous, does notprostitute herselfUS, 1950

Charlesnoun1cocaine More familiarly known asCHARLIE(cocaine)

UK, 1997.2a Viet Cong; the Viet CongUS, 1966.3a female’sunderwearUS, 1968

Charles Dancenouna chance Rhyming slang, formed on thename of the British actor born in 1946UK, 1998

Charleynoun1the penisUS, 1969.2heroin, 2002 8see: CHARLIE and variants

charley horsenouna muscle crampUS, 1888

Charley Paddocknounused as a personification of a hacksawUS, 1949

charley pricenouna large rat An allusison to Sir Charles Price,member of the Houses of Assembly of Jamaica for St Mary,1756–61, and three times speaker, who introduced a large species

of rat to Jamaica to kill cane ratsJAMAICA, 2002

charleysnounthe testiclesUS, 1964

Charley’s deadbetween schoolgirls, used as a warning that a slip

or petticoat can be seen below the hem of a skirtUK, 1974

Charley Wheelernouna girl Rhyming slang forSHEILA(a girl)

UK, 1982.2scared, afraid Probably a shortening of rhyming slang

CHARLIE HOWARD(a coward)UK, 1958

Charlie; charlienoun1cocaine The phonetic alphabet has ‘Charlie’for ‘C’ in use from around the same time that ‘charlie’ for

‘cocaine’ first appears Also spelt ‘charley’US, 1935.2crack cocaine

UK, 2000.3a member of the Viet CongUS, 1965.4the Viet CongUS,

1966.5a fool Often as ‘a right charlie’ or ‘a proper charlie’.Possibly a reduction ofCHARLIE HUNT(aCUNT) somewhat softened,

or simply a jocular nomination, perhaps referring to a professional

.

or white men in generalUS, 1928.7a woman Short forCHARLIE

WHEELER(a woman)AUSTRALIA, 1942.8a female prostituteAUSTRALIA,

1950.9the bleed period of the menstrual cycleAUSTRALIA, 2002.10a

glass or bottle of Carlsberg™ lager Used by the British Army in

Germany in the 1950s and 1960s Noted by Beale, 1974UK, 1974.

11a dollarUS, 1924.12in poker, the third player to the left of the

dealerUS, 1988.< go to see Uncle Charlieto use cocaine,

especially to go to a lavatory for discreet ingestion of the drugUK,

2001

charlie bendernouna prolonged session of cocaine abuse A new

influence,CHARLIE(cocaine), for a traditionalBENDER(a drinking

session)UK, 1997

Charlie birdnounduring the Vietnam war, a helicopter used by a

tactical commanderUS, 1974

Charlie boynounan effeminate man PatronisingUS, 1896

Charlie Brownnouna citizens’ band radio set The name of a

much-loved cartoon character, created in 1950 by Charles M

Schulz, disguises a conventional initialismUK, 1981

Charlie Chaplinnouna chaplain, especially a prison chaplain After

the famous comedy actorSOUTH AFRICA, 1974

Charlie Chaseverbin horse racing, to finish second Rhyming

slang, from ‘Charlie Chase’ (to place)AUSTRALIA, 1989

Charlie Chester; charlienoun a paedophile, a child molester; often

used as a nickname for a headmaster Rhyming slang, used by

schoolchildren, formed, for no reason other than a convenient

rhyme, from the name of the comedian and broadcaster, 1914–96

UK, 2003

Charlie Clore; Charlienoun1twenty pounds (£20) Rhyming slang

forSCORE Formed, no doubt with irony, on the name of British

financier Charles Clore (1904–79), a 1960s symbol of great wealth

UK, 1998.2a floor, the floor Rhyming slang, as above, but without

any ironyUK, 1998

charlie cocainenouncocaineUK, 1997

Charlie Congnounthe Viet Cong; a Viet CongUS, 1970

Charlie Cookenouna look Rhyming slang, formed on the name of

Chelsea and Scotland midfielder Charlie Cooke (b.1942) who was

especially well-known from the mid-1960s to the late 70sUK, 1998

charlied; charleyed; charlied up; charleyed-upadjective

cocaine-intoxicatedUK, 1999

Charlie Drakenoun1a brake Rhyming slang, formed on the name

of British comedian and recording artist Charlie Drake (1925–

2006); in the late 1950s and early 60s he was one the UK’s most

famous entertainers The plural, unusually, is Charlie DrakesUK,

1998.2a break Rhyming slang, formed as aboveUK, 1998

Charlie Howardnouna coward Rhyming slangUK, 1936

Charlie Hunt; Charlienoun1the vagina Rhyming slang forCUNT

Also variant spelling ‘Charley Hunt’, shortened to ‘Charley’UK, 1961.

2a fool Rhyming slang forCUNT UK , 1961

Charlie is my darlingused as a catchphrase by cocaine-users

From an old Scottish folk-song celebrating Bonnie Prince Charlie,

1720–88, playing onCHARLIE(cocaine)UK, 2002

Charlie Noblenounan exhaust stack or chimney Originally

nautical, referring to a ship’s smokestackUS, 1940

Charlie Potatoesnounan important manUK, 2000

Charlie Pridenouna ride in or on something Rhyming slang,

formed on the US country and western musician (b.1938)UK, 2003

Charlie ratsnounUS Army c-rations A combination of the phonetic

alphabet and an abbreviation of ‘rations’US, 1982

Charlie Ridgenouna ridge in the mountainous region west of Da

Nang at the base of Ba Na Mountain; during the Vietnam war, also

used as a jocular, generic term for any piece of landscape in

VietnamUS, 1980

Charlie rocketsnouna marine contraption in Korea, a small cart

with 144 tubes that fire 42-pound projectiles over a range of

approximately 5,200 yardsUS, 1957

Charlie Ronce; Charley Roncenouna ponce (a man who lives off

Variants are ‘Joe Ronce’ and ‘Johnnie Ronce’ Rhyming slang,frequently reduced to ‘Charlie’ but never ‘Joe’ or ‘Johnnie’UK, 1977

charliesnounthe female breasts Always in plural; of uncertain vationUK, 1909

deri-Charlie’s Angelsnounpolice women From the cult televisionseries about three female detectives that commenced broadcasting

in 1976 and is first recorded in this sense in the same yearUS, 1976

Charlie Sheardnouna beard Rhyming slangUK, 1980

Charlie Smirke; Charley Smirkenouna fool Rhyming slang for

BERK, formed from a British champion jockey of the 1930s–50sUK, 2003

Charlie Tomnoun a communist terrorist Military slang, based on

early phonetic alphabetUK, 2001

Charlie Wheelernouna woman Rhyming slang forSHEILA, afterCharles Wheeler, the Australian artist of nudesAUSTRALIA, 1953

charlie willynouna real or imagined state of sexual arousal as aresult of cocaine usage CombinesCHARLIE(cocaine) withWILLY(thepenis), 1999

charmverbto talk to someoneUS, 1989

Charmin’nouna timid prisoner From the advertising slogan forCharmin’™ toilet paper – ‘Please don’t squeeze the Charmin’’US, 1976

charming!used for expressing disapproval An ironic variation ofthe conventional sense, signalled with heavy emphasis on the firstsyllableUK, 1956

charmsnounthe parts of a woman’s body that are imagined in asexual context or revealed for titillating effectUK, 1937

charm schoolnounany leadership training course Originally applied

to officer training in the militaryUS, 1971

charperverbto search for something, to seek somethingUK, 2002

charperer; charpering omee; charpering ominouna policeofficer FromCHARPER(to seek) andOMEE(a man)UK, 1893

charpering carseynouna police station FromCHARPERER(apoliceman) andCARSEY(originally, a house)UK, 1893

charranouna person of Indian descent living in Durban A termthat is acceptable in Hindu-to-Hindu conversation, but not foroutsidersSOUTH AFRICA, 1970

ChartocracynicknameCanada, in which the Charter of Rights andFreedoms gives courts wide powersCANADA, 2002

charvernoun1a woman, especially when objectified sexually; an act

of heterosexual intercourse with a woman A consequent usage ofthe verbCHARVER(to have sex)UK, 1979.2any member of asubcultural urban adolescent group that wears hip-hop dress andjewellery (and acts older than their years)UK, 1996.3a femalemember of the sub-cultural urban youth grouping loosely ident-ified asCHAV A narrowing of the previous non-gender-specificsenseUK, 2005

charver; charvaverb to have sex From Romany charvo (to

interfere with)UK, 1962

charvering donnanouna prostitute A combination ofCHARVER(tohave sex) and ‘donna’ (a woman)UK, 2002

Chasnoun1cocaine A conventional diminutive ofCHARLIE(cocaine)

UK, 1999.2a Viet Cong; the Viet Cong Also spelt ‘chaz’ One of not

a few variants ofCHARLIE US , 1991

Chas and Daveverbto shave Rhyming slang, formed (perhapsironically) on the names of two bearded Cockney musicians,Charles (Chas) Hodges and Dave Peacock, who have been known

as a double-act since 1975 Also used as a nounUK, 1992

chasenounin horse racing, a steeplechase raceUS, 1976

chaseverb1to vigorously pursue a person responsible for somematter and who can achieve a specific result, such as the com-pletion of a piece of work or the provision of urgently neededdocuments A variant is ‘chase up’UK, 1958.2in poker, to playagainst an opponent’s superior handUS, 1963.3to smoke any drug

An abbreviation and broadening of the meaning ofCHASE THE DRAGON(to smoke heroin)UK, 1998.< chase the bagto engageyourself in a near constant search for drugs to buy .

< chase the dogto loaf on the jobUS, 1954.< chase the

dragonto inhale heroin smoke, especially from heroin burnt on a

piece of aluminium foilUS, 1961.< chase the kettleto use drugs

US, 1997.< chase the nurse; chase the white nurseto

become addicted to morphineUS, 1992.< chase the tigerto

smoke heroinUK, 2002.< chase your losseswhen losing at

gambling, to bet more and more and with less discretion in an

increasingly frustrating attempt to win back what has been lostUS,

1998

chasernoun1a drink taken immediately after anotherUS, 1897.2a

womaniserUS, 1894.3a prison guardUS, 1982.4a military police

officer assigned to escort prisoners in transport Short for ‘brig

chaser’US, 1927.5a supplementary message that demands to know

what action has been taken on a previous message A military

usageUK, 1969.6a crack cocaine user with obsessive compulsive

behavioursUS, 1992

chase-upnouna car chase or informal car raceUK, 1967

chaspingadjectiveexcellentUK, 1983

chassisnoun1a human bodyUS, 1930.2the female breastsUS, 1957.

3the skullUS, 1994.4a carUS, 1947

chastity beltnounin gambling, the loss limit that some players

impose on themselvesUS, 1996

chastity rignouna skin-coloured patch worn over a woman’s vulva

to give the appearance of nudityUS, 1970

chatnoun1a vocabulary, style or manner of speech or writingUK,

1968.2a talent for glibly persuasive speech; the gift of the gabUK,

1968.3a thing, an article, an objectUK, 1906.4the vagina French

chat (cat), thus PUSSY UK , 1937.5an old man, usually a vagrant,

deadbeat and alcoholic, or otherwise degraded Especially in prison

useAUSTRALIA, 1950.6a louse Prison usageAUSTRALIA, 1812

chatverb1to talk persuasively to someone as a strategy for

seduction; to flirt Also ‘chat up’UK, 1898.2to reveal a secret

JAMAICA, 2003.< chat stupidness; chat foolishnessto talk

nonsenseANGUILLA, 1996

chatarranoun heroin Possibly from Spanish chatarra (scrap iron) UK,

2003

chat downverbto engage in flirtatious conversationBARBADOS, 1965

châteauedadjectivedrunk on wine Upper-class society pun on the

French château (origins of good wine) with conventional

‘shattered’, 1982

chateaux cardboardnouncheap wine that comes contained in a

cardboard boxAUSTRALIA, 1996

chat roomnouna network on the Internet that hosts real-time

typed conversationsUS, 1993

Chattanooga choo-choonouna marijuana cigarette made with

two or three rolling papers laid longwaysUS, 1997

chatternounthe flexing of a surfboard riding over choppy water or

the slapping sound createdUS, 1963

chatterverb(used of a car) to vibrate as a result of loose parts in the

drive lineUS, 1954

chatteratinouna grouping of articulate middle-class people,

especially those occupied in academic, artistic or media work

A variation ofCHATTERING CLASS, by a combination of ‘chatter’ and

-ERATI(a suffix that creates a fashionable grouping)UK, 2001

chatterboxnoun1a very talkative person Conventionally

contemptuous, but often affectionate, especially of childrenUK,

1774.2a typewriterUS, 1950

chattering class; chattering classesnounarticulate middle-class

people, especially those occupied in academic, artistic or media

workUK, 1985

chattyadjectivedirty; worn out; in poor repairAUSTRALIA, 1944

chatty, catty and scattyadjectiveof a woman, talkative, spiteful

and incapable of serious thought OffensiveUK, 1969

chatty-chattyadjectivetalkative, gossipy West Indian and UK black

usageUK, 2000

chat upverb1to bluff or to trick someone by the use of convincing

speech . to flatter someone; to flirt with someone

chat-up linenouna conversational gambit intended to initiate aseduction Extended fromCHAT UP(to talk flirtatiously)UK, 1986

chaudnounthe penisUK, 2002

chavnounany member of a subcultural urban adolescent group thatdresses and acts older than their years Variants are ‘chava’,

‘charva’, ‘chavster’ and ‘charver’ Usually derogatory, evencontemptuous; possibly derived from an abbreviation of Chatham,the town in Kent where the genus is reputed to have originated;

possibly from, or influenced by, Romany chavvy (a child) UK, 2003

chavtasticadjectiveunashamedly in the chav styleUK, 2004

chavvy; chavy; chavvienouna child; occasionally used, in aderogatory sense, for a man English gypsy use; ultimately from

Romany chavi (child, daughter) and chavo (child, son) UK, 1860

chawverbto cut something up, to disfigure something A figurativeuse of an old form of ‘chew’UK, 1959

chawbaconnounan unsophisticated country dwellerUS, 1834

ChCh; cheechnicknameChristchurch, New ZealandANTARCTICA, 2003

chethen In phrases such as ‘cheers che’ANTARCTICA, 1985

C headnouna cocaine user or addictUS, 1982

cheapnoun< do the cheapto take a shortcutCANADA, 1994.< on the cheapeconomically, cheaply, and often, too cheaplyUK, 1859

cheapadjectivemean, lacking in generosityUS, 1904

cheap and cheerful; cheap but cheerfuladjectiveinexpensive butacceptable Deprecatory, but not as harsh as the conventional

‘cheap and nasty’UK, 1978

cheap and nastynouna pasty (a small pastry turnover that maycontain a variety of fillings) Rhyming slang, depending on anAustralian accent for intelligent deliveryAUSTRALIA, 1937

cheap as chipsadjectivevery good value; under-priced Thecatchphrase of television presenter and antique dealer DavidDickinson (b.1941)UK, 2000

cheap at the half the price!used for extolling or appreciating avery reasonable price Often ironic It seems likely that this is aperversion of the more sensible claim: ‘cheap at twice the price’

UK, 1977

cheap basingnouncrack cocaine The drug is cheaper and lesspure thanFREEBASEcocaineUK, 1998

cheap Charlienouna cheapskateUS, 1982

cheap heartnouna Purple Heart award resulting from a minorcombat woundUS, 1990

cheapieadjectivecheap; of inferior quality Frequently, but not inally, applied to filmsUK, 1898

orig-cheapie; cheapynounsomething cheap, or that is made available

at a cheaper costUK, 1898

cheapiesnouncheap thrillsAUSTRALIA, 1992

cheap-jackadjectiveused of goods sold cheaply, or of cheap quality

An elaboration of ‘cheap’, but based on a partial misunderstanding

of the conventional ‘cheapjack’ (a travelling hawker with adiminishing scale of ‘bargain’ prices)UK, 1999

Cheap Johnadjectiveshoddy, inferiorUS, 1855

cheap linenouna person who buys inexpensive merchandiseFIJI, 1992

cheaponoun1a cheap, or inferior, thingUS, 1975.2in chess, a trickmove or a game won because of an opponent’s errorUS, 1971

cheapoadjectiveinexpensiveUS, 1972

cheapo-cheapoadjectivevery cheap; of inferior qualityUK, 1977

cheap physical stuffnounsexual activity short of intercourseUS, 1968

cheap playnounin dominoes, a move that scores one pointUS, 1959

cheapshitadjectiveinexpensive and inferior Combines conventional

‘cheap’ withSHIT(rubbish, something of no value)UK, 2000

cheap shotnoun1a petty, unfair insultUS, 1971.2in sports, anunnecessary, unprovoked act of violenceUS, 1970

cheapskate a miserly person

cheapskateadjectivemiserlyUS, 1903

cheapynoun 8see:CHEAPIE

cheatverb1when bodybuilding, to use muscles other than those

designed for use in a particular exerciseUS, 1984.2in the

entertainment industry, to move slightly to create a better camera

angleUS, 1991

cheaternounanything that makes a job easier, such as a short

length of pipe or anything else that is handy to slip over the

handle of a wrench to increase leverageUS, 1941

cheaterbugnouna person who cheatsSINGAPORE, 2002

cheater fivenounwhile surfing, the toes of one foot extended over

the nose of the board only because the surfer has stretched his leg

far forwardUS, 1965

cheatersnoun1eye glassesUS, 1908.2dark glassesUS, 1938.3the eyes

UK, 1977.4padding that enhances the apparent size of a female’s

breastsUS, 1972.5metal skisUS, 1963.6in electric line work, channel

lock pliersUS, 1980

cheater’s barnounan anti-cheating mechanism in a slot machine

US, 1968

cheater slicksnouncar tyres that are smooth but not quite

treadlessUS, 1970

cheat sheetnoun1a written memory aid, usually but not always

clandestineUS, 1957.2in casino gambling, a listing of the payoffs

for a particular ticketUS, 1982

cheat spotnounan establishment that sells alcohol after closing

hoursUS, 1963

cheat throatnounoral sex performed on a man in which the

person doing the performing simulates taking the penis

completely into their mouth without actually doing so A play on

DEEP THROAT, the real thingUS, 1995

che-chenouna light-skinned person; an unlikeable personSAINT KITTS

AND NEVIS, 1996

checknouna gambling tokenUS, 1974

checkverb1to murder someoneUS, 1997.2to forget or ignore

something, often deliberately A variant is ‘check out’UK, 1996.3to

have an intimate relationship with someone West Indian and UK

black youth usageUK, 1998.4as a prank, to pull down a friend’s

bathing suit from behindUS, 1997.< check hatto prepare to

leaveUS, 1966.< check the cheeseto watch girls as they walk by

US, 1959.< check the dictionaryto confirm vague or confusing

orders or directions Vietnam war usageUS, 1991.< check the oil

levelto pentrate a vagina with your fingerCANADA, 2003.< check

the warto stop arguingUS, 1947.< check your nervesto stay

calmUS, 1947.< check your sixused as a warning to a pilot to

check behind his aircraft for enemy planes Based on the clock

configuration, with twelve o’clock being straight ahead and six

o’clock straight behindUS, 1991

checkbook; chequebookadjectivecharacterised by a seemingly

unlimited ability and will to pay for something Applied most

commonly to journalism (paying for news), but also to enterprises

such as baseballUS, 1975

check copverbto use an adhesive placed on a cheater’s palm to

steal chips while sliding a pile of chips in a poker game to the

winnerUS, 1988

check crew; check gang; check teamnouna racially integrated

work crewUS, 1960

checkerboardadjectiveracially integratedUS, 1930

check inverb1to place yourself in protective police custodyUS, 2001.

2to be intitiated into a youth gangUS, 1994

check outverb1to leave prisonUS, 1950.2to die A euphemism not

without its black humourUS, 1927.3to commit suicide while in

prisonUS, 1992

checkout chicknouna woman who works at a shop checkout

AUSTRALIA, 1983

check, please!used as a humorous suggestion that a conversation

is at an end Popularised by Keith Olberman on ESPN, used by

Woody Allen in Annie Hall and Catherine Keener in Being John

check this!listen to this!US, 1998

check writernouna criminal who passes bad chequesUS, 1972

check you later; check ya laterused as a farewellUS, 1982

cheddarnounmoneyUS, 1998

cheeba; cheebnouna potent marijuana, now a generic termUS, 1989

cheechnouna leader of an Italian-American criminal organisation

US, 1977

chee-chee; chi-chinouna person of mixed European and Indianparentage; the English accent of Eurasians in India Derives from

Hindi chhi chhi (dirt, filth) INDIA, 1816

chee-chee; chi-chiadjectiveof mixed European and Asian age; used for describing the English accent of Eurasians in India

parent-Derives from Hindi chhi chhi (dirt, filth) INDIA, 1781

cheeknoun1the buttock Variants are ‘arse-cheek’, ‘ass-cheek’ and

‘butt-cheek’ Usually in the pluralUK, c.1600.2impudence; audacity;effronteryUK, 1840.3a sexually loose femaleUS, 1955

cheekverbto address someone with impudenceUK, 1840

cheekinessnouneffrontery; impudenceUK, 1847

cheek upverbto speak to someone with a decided lack of respect

BAHAMAS, 1982

cheekyadjectiveimpudent, insolentUK, 1859

cheeky-arsedadjectiveimpudent, insolentUK, 1972

cheeky monkeynounan impudent person, often as a term ofaddress and semi-exclamatory Popularised as a catchphrase byComedian Al Read (1909–1987) in the late 1950sUK, 1959

cheeky possumnounan impudent fellow, a cheeky boyAUSTRALIA, 1953

cheekywatternounany alcoholic drink, especially when beingdismissive of its intoxicating propertiesUK: SCOTLAND, 1996

cheeonounmarijuana seeds for chewing Possibly from an ated pronunciation of ‘chew’US, 1973

exagger-cheepverbto betray someone, to inform upon someoneUS, 1903

cheepernouna police informerUS, 1949

cheernounLSD an abbreviation ofBLUE CHEER UK , 1998

cheerful givernounthe liverUK, 1961

cheerigoodbye An abbreviation ofCHEERIO NEW ZEALAND , 1984

cheeribyegoodbye A blend ofCHEERIOand ‘goodbye’UK, 1961

cheerioadjectivetipsySOUTH AFRICA, 1946

cheerio; cheeri-ho; cheerogoodbyeUK, 1959

cheers!1used as a drinking toastUK, 1959.2thank you From thedrinking toastUK, 1976

cheer-upnounan anti-depressant tablet; an amphetamine or othercentral nervous system stimulantUK, 1999

cheerybyesgoodbyeUK: SCOTLAND, 1988

cheesenoun1smegma, matter secreted by the sebaceous glandthat collects between the glans penis and the foreskin or aroundthe clitoris and labia minora From the dull whitish colour of thissubstanceUS, 1927.2in auto repair, a plastic body filler used to fill

in dents on a car body, usually referring to Bondo Body Filler™US,

1992.3the wife Short forCHEESE AND KISSES AUSTRALIA , 1919.4anattractive young womanUS, 1959.5a wedge-shaped piece ofcoloured plastic used in the board game Trivial Pursuit™UK, 2002.

6in pool, a situation where a player needs to make only one shot

to winUS, 1993.7money; a gambler’s bankroll A locutionpopularised by Minnesota Fats, as in, ‘I never lost when we playedfor the cheese’US, 1985.8heroinUK, 2002.9freebase cocaineUS, 1992.

10an amphetamine userUS, 1993.11moneyUS, 2002.12nonsense

US, 1989.13luckUS, 1990.< piece of cheesein poker, a trulyterrible handUS, 1982

cheeseverb1to leaveUS, 1955.2to smile From the urging byphotographers that those having their picture taken say ‘cheese’ toform a smileUS, 1986

cheese!spoken by the subject of a photograph in order to shapethe lips into a smile Often heard in the photographer’sinjunction: ‘say cheese!’

cheese and crackersnounthe testicles Rhyming slang for

KNACKERS UK , 1998

cheese and crackers!used as a non-profane oath A euphemistic

‘Jesus Christ!’US, 1924

cheese and kissesnouna wife Rhyming slang forMISSUS AUSTRALIA ,

1898

cheese and rice!used for expressing surprise or irritationTRINIDAD

AND TOBAGO, 1950

cheeseballnouna corny, socially inept personUS, 1990

cheeseboxnouna telephone device used to transfer calls received

by an illegal operation So named, according to legend, because

the first one was found by police hidden in a cheese boxUS, 1952

Cheeseboxnicknamethe Stateville Prison in Joilet, IllinoisUS, 1992

cheese bunnouna worker who informs on his fellow workersUS, 1960

cheesecakenouna scantily clad woman as the subject of a

photo-graph or artworkUS, 1934

cheesecutternouna wedge-shaped hat From the shape, and the

memory of the vaguely similar late C19/early C20 ‘cheese-cutter

caps’UK, 2000

cheesed off; cheesedadjectivedisgruntled, bored, miserable

‘Cheese off!’ (go away!), a euphemistic exclamation from 1890s

Liverpool, may be the origin On the other hand ‘say cheese’ is a

photographer’s formula to create a smile and if you don’t feel like

smiling you may well be ‘cheesed off’UK, 1941

cheesedognouna socially inept person who perceives himself in

somewhat grandiose termsUS, 1997

cheese-downverbto laugh uncontrollably Military usage; probably

extended fromCHEESE(to smile) but note obsolete naval slang

‘cheese down’ (to coil rope into neat spirals for a harbour stow)UK,

1987

cheese eaternounan informer Playing onRAT US , 1886

cheese-eating surrender monkeysnounthe French; anyone who

does not support American imperialism Coined on The Simpsons

television show as a parody of American arrogance; often used by

arrogant Americans unaware of the irony of their use Such is the

pervasive presence of this term that it was the subject of a

question on Mastermind (11th October 2004) US, 2000

cheese graternouna waiter Rhyming slangUK, 1998

cheese graternicknamethe Chateau Champlain Hotel in Montreal

CANADA, 2002

cheeseheadnoun1a Dutch person Derogatory, if not intentionally

so Probably from the shape and preponderance of Edam and

GoudaUK, 1978.2a resident of the state of Wisconsin Playful but

not particularly kindUS, 2003

cheesemonoungossip A corruption, intentional or not, of the

Spanish chisme (gossip) US, 1997

cheese offverbto annoy someoneUK, 1947

cheese off!go away!US, 1996

cheese on!used for expressing enthusiastic approvalBARBADOS, 1965

cheese-on!; cheese-on and bread!used as a euphemistic cry in

place of ‘Jesus Christ!’BARBADOS, 1996

cheesernoun1a person with smelly feet From the malodorous

quality of ripe cheeseUK, 1976.2a police informerUS, 1979

cheese tablenouna metal hole-lined table used in sheet metal

fabricationUS, 1955

cheesyadjective1of poor quality, inexpensive, shoddyUS, 1863.

2smelly From the malodorous quality of ripe cheeseUK, 1889

cheesy-feetnounused as a derogatory form of address From the

malodorous quality of ripe cheeseUK, 1972

cheesy-footnounbad-smelling feetTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003

cheesy quavernouna raver Contemporary rhyming slang, from a

branded cheese-flavoured snackUK, 2002

cheesy quaver ravernouna member of a social grouping within

the hardcore rave culture, characterised by a fashion for boiler

flavoured snack food, punning on ‘cheesy’ (unfashionable) andusingRAVER(a party goer)UK, 2002

chellumnouna clay pipe for smoking marijuanaSOUTH AFRICA, 2003

Chelsea bunnouna son; the sun Rhyming slang; a variation of

CURRANT BUN UK , 1998

Chelsea Pieradjectivequeer, odd Rhyming slang, formed on aLondon landmark; similar toBRIGHTON PIERbut here ‘queer’doesn’t lead to ‘homosexual’UK, 2003

chemicalnoun1crack cocaineUS, 1994.2any drug with addictivecharacteristicsUK, 2003

chemical generationnouna section of society identified as thefirst to have MDMA, the drug best known as ecstasy, as a rec-reational option, especially those who were actually a part of theattendant dance culture The chemical generation began in thelate 1980s but was probably not identified by this title until thelate 90s; the definitive recreational drug culture was not restricted

to MDMA but its wide use signalled a greater-than-ever-beforeacceptance of man-made and designer drugsUK, 1998

chemically challengedadjectivedrunk ‘Challenged’ is a key word

in the lexicon of political correctness, lending an air of humour tothis useUS, 1994

chemical persuasionnounin caving and pot-holing, explosivesUK, 2004

chemise-lifternouna lesbian; an effeminate homosexual male.Originally, a play onSHIRT-LIFTER(a homosexual man) coined by

Barry Humphries who defined it in A Nice Night’s Entertainment,

1981, as ‘a female invert’; subsequently, derived perhaps by amisunderstanding of the original definition, the male variation hasgained a little currencyAUSTRALIA, 1981

chemistnouna person who uses a mainframe computer for theacademic purposes for which it was designed, depriving thespeaker of the chance to use it for more interesting, less academicpurposesUS, 1991

chemmienouna shirt; a blouse Probably from ‘chemise’UK, 2002

chemmy; shemmynounthe card-game ‘chemin-de-fer’UK, 1923

chemonoun1chemotherapy, a cancer treatment US, 1978.2a liquidoctane booster that is inhaled for its intoxicating effectsUS, 1994

chepnouna kiss, intimate or otherwise; kissingIRELAND, 2001

chequed-upadjectivehaving ready money after receiving paymentfor seasonal workAUSTRALIA, 1905

cherootnouna large marijuana cigaretteUS, 1993

cherrynoun1the hymen; virginity (male or female); the state ofsustained sexual abstinence Combines with a variety of verbs(bust, crack, pop) to indicate the ending of a virgin conditionUS,

1918.2a virgin; someone who because of extenuatingcircumstances has abstained from sex for a long periodUS, 1942.

3by extension, any innocence that can be lostUS, 1956.4byextension, someone who is completely inexperiencedUS, 1946.5apretty young woman, a girlfriend Also spelt ‘cherrie’, ‘cherie’,

‘tcherrie’ and ‘tjerrie’SOUTH AFRICA, 1962.6a young woman regarded

as the object or subject of a transitory sexual relationship Scamtoyouth street slang (South African townships)SOUTH AFRICA, 2005.7of

a male, the ‘virginity’ of the anusUS, 1997.8an entry-level youthgang memberUS, 1981.9in pool, an extremely easy shotUS, 1993.

10in horse racing, a horse that has yet to win a raceUS, 1951.11ingreyhound racing, the inside starting positionAUSTRALIA, 1989.12theclitorisAUSTRALIA, 1985.13a female nippleUS, 1964.14in cricket, anew ballUK, 1953.15the flashing red light on top of a police carUS,

1976.16a blush; a red face From the colourUK, 2001.< pick a cherryin bowling, to knock over a pin that had been previouslymissedUS, 1953

cherryadjective1virginalUS, 1933.2without a criminal recordUS, 1980.

3(used of a car) restored to better than mint conditionUS, 1953

cherryadenounan assistant to Cherie Booth, wife of UK PrimeMinister Tony Blair Both the drink and the aide may be described

as ‘red, sweet and fizzing’UK, 1998

cherryberrynouna uniform red beret of the Parachute Regiment;

cherry boynouna male virginUS, 1974

Cherry Cokeadjectivebisexual Suggests ‘neither one thing nor the

other’UK, 2001

cherry farmnouna prison, or the section of a prison reserved for

first-time offendersUS, 1966

cherry fineadjectiveexcellentUS, 1966

cherry girlnouna virgin US military usage during the Vietnam war

US, 1982

Cherry Hillnicknameduring the Vietnam war, the base camp of the

3rd Battalion, 16th Artillery Regiment, just outside Chu Lai So

named because the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese did not

attack the camp during the 1968 Tet Offensive, hence the ‘cherry’

US, 1990

cherry hog; cherrynouna dog, especially a greyhound Rhyming

slang, formed on the old name for ‘a cherry stone’UK, 1960

cherry juicenounhydraulic fluid in a tank turret traversing system

Vietnam war usageUS, 1991

cherry kicksnounthe first drug injection enjoyed by someone just

released from prisonUS, 1971

cherry menth; cherry methnounthe recreational drug GHBUS, 1995

cherry orchardnouna woman’s collegeUS, 1966

cherry patchnouna poker game being played by a group of poor

players, ripe for the taking by a good professisonalUS, 1982

cherry pickernoun1a boy or youth in a sexual relationship with an

older man Royal Navy useUK, 1961.2a person who targets virgins

for seductionUS, 1960.3the penis A play onCHERRY(virginity)UK,

2003.4one pound (£1) Rhyming slang forNICKER(a pound)UK, 1974.

5a machine, mounted on a rail car or caterpillar tractor, for

picking up logs dropped from cars or on roadsidesCANADA, 1962.6a

craneUS, 1987.7a large bucket on a boom attached to a truck used

to raise a worker to work in an elevated position on power lines,

telephone lines, etcUS, 1991.8an engine hoistUS, 1992.9a railway

pointsman Named because of the red railway signal lightsUS, 1946.

10a prominent, hooked noseUS, 1968

cherry pienoun1in the entertainment industry, extra money

earned for something other than ordinary workUS, 1955.2in circus

and carnival usage, extra work for extra payUS, 1981

cherry-poppingnounthe act of taking someone’s virginityUS, 1975

cherry rednounthe head Rhyming slangUK, 1998

cherry ripenoun1a pipe Rhyming slang, propbably influenced by

‘cherry-wood pipe’UK, 1857.2nonsense Rhyming slang forTRIPE

Can be shortened to ‘cherry’UK, 1960

cherrytopnouna police car; a police car’s coloured lightsUS, 1970

Chessex girlnounan upper-class young woman dressed with the

down-market trappings of vulgar glamour Coined by the Tatler

magazine, July 2003, as a compound of ‘Chelsea’ (a traditonally

well-off area of London) andESSEX GIRL(a social stereotype of a

loud, vulgar, sexually available woman)UK, 2003

chestnouna woman’s breastsUS, 1986.< get it off your chestto

say something that you may have kept private or secret; to confess

UK, 1902

chestbonznounthe marijuana smoker who takes the greatest

inhalation from a shared water-pipeUK, 1999

Chester and Esthernounin craps, a bet on any craps and eleven

A back formation from the initials ‘c and e’US, 1985

chesterfieldnouna sofa or couch Especially in the western

provinces of Canada, this word is the universal term for this

common piece of furnitureCANADA, 1950

Chester the Molestor; Chesternouna lecherous manUS, 1989

chestilyadverbarrogantly, conceitedlyUS, 1908

chestnutnoun1a chestnut horseUK, 1670.2a stale story or outworn

jest Also known as ‘an old chestnut’US, 1880

chestnutsnoun1the testiclesUS, 1971.2the female breastsUS, 1971

chestyadjective1of a woman, who has generously proportioned

breastsUK, 1955.2used of symptoms (such as a cough) that result

someone who is inclined to such a conditionUK, 1930.3arrogant,conceitedUS, 1899

Chev; Chevy; Chevvynouna Chevrolet carUS, 1937

chevoonouna party A variant ofSHIVOO AUSTRALIA , 1963

Chevy Chasenounthe face Rhyming slang, originally for the scene

of a Scottish and English battle recorded in a famous ballad of

1624 The original slang usage, pronounced ‘chivvy’, flourishedfrom 1857 but was presumed obsolete by 1960 The revival,

recorded by www.LondonSlang.com in June 2002, is more likely

inspired by a US bank or the comedy actor Chevy Chase (b.1943)

UK, 2003

Chevy Chasedadjectivedrunk Possibly rhyming slang forSHITFACED

(drunk) fromCHEVY CHASE(face), possibly a variant ofOFF YOUR FACE

(very drunk)UK, 2002

Chevy elevennounin the used car business, a Chevrolet IIUS, 1992

chewnoun1chewing tobaccoUS, 1990.2an act of oral sexUK, 1962.

3food South African school usageSOUTH AFRICA, 1961

chewverb< chew faceto kissUS, 1980.< chew itin skateboarding, to fall from the boardUS, 1976.< chew pillowsto bethe passive partner in anal sexUK, 1979.< chew steel(of aracehorse) to strain against the bitAUSTRALIA, 1989.< chew the cudto consider something; to be very thoughtfulUK, 1749.

-< chew the fatto gossip, to chatter idlyUS, 1907.< chew the ragto discuss something; to complain, to moan; hence, to argue

UK, 1885.< chew the sceneryto over-act in a dramatic anceUS, 1973.< chew the sugar caneto gossipUS, 1978.< chew your tobacco more than onceto repeat yourselfUS, 1893

perform-chew and chokenouna roadside restaurant; a motorway services

US, 1976

chew and spew; chew ’n’ spewnouna fast-food outlet; the foodserved at such a place, especially if the quality of the food is lowerthan expectationsAUSTRALIA, 1998

chewed to loon shitadjectiveground up; ruinedCANADA, 1974

chewersnounthe teethUS, 1970

chewiesnouncrack cocaineUS, 1994

chew out; chewing outnouna rebukeUS, 1964

chew outverb1to perform oral sex on a womanAUSTRALIA, 1985.2torebuke someone harshlyUS, 1929

chew oververbto consider something, to discuss somethingUS, 1939

chewsdaynounTuesday HumorousUS, 1877

chewynoun1crack cocaine mixed with marijuana for smokingUS,

1993.2chewing gum Also spelt ‘chewie’ Usually as a non-countnoun, but can also be used to refer to a single piece of chewinggumAUSTRALIA, 1924

chewy on your boot!I hope your kick goes astray Used as a cry ofdiscouragement in Australian Rules footballAUSTRALIA, 1966

ChinicknameChicago, IllinoisUS, 1895

chiac; shacknounthe dialect of residents of the Shediac, NewBrunswick areaCANADA, 2001

chiack; chiaknounteasingAUSTRALIA, 1869

chiack; chiak; chyackverbto tease someone From C19 Britishcostermonger’s slang ‘chi-hike’ (a hurrah or friendly

commendation)AUSTRALIA, 1853

chiacking; chiakingnounteasingAUSTRALIA, 1853

ChiantishirenicknameTuscany, especially the area around Chianti.Humorously formed in the manner of an English county; from thepopularity of the area with British expatriates and touristsUK, 1986

chibnouna knife or razor used as a weapon Probably a variation of

CHIV(a knife)UK: SCOTLAND, 1973

chibverbto stab or otherwise cut someone with a knife or a razor.FromCHIB(a knife)UK: SCOTLAND, 1990

chibanoun1heroin Probably a misspelling or mishearing ofCHIVA

(heroin)UK, 2003.2marijuana Spanish slang embraced by speakersUS, 1981

English-chiba-chibanounmarijuana, especially potent marijuana from

chibbingnouna deliberate wounding by stabbing or razor-cuttingUK,

2001

chibs; chipsnounthe buttocksUS, 1957

chicanouna girl Spanish; used largely as a term of address, and

largely by those without a working knowledge of SpanishUS, 2000

Chicago bankrollnouna single large denomination note wrapped

around small denomination notes, giving the impression of a great

deal of moneyUS, 1966

Chicago blacknouna dark-leaved variety of marijuana Grown in

and around ChicagoUS, 1971

Chicago contractnouna binding oral agreement, secured by

honourUS, 1992

Chicago greennouna green-leafed variety of marijuana Grown in

and around ChicagoUS, 1967

Chicago G-stringnouna g-string designed to break open, revealing

the dancer’s completely naked stateUS, 1981

Chicago heavy messnounboiled salt porkCANADA, 1961

Chicago leprosynouninfections, scars and abcesses caused by

prolonged intravenous drug useUS, 1992

Chicago pianonounan anti-aircraft gun or other automatic weapon

US, 1941

Chicago pillnouna bulletUS, 1949

Chicago rattlesnakenounsalt porkCANADA, 1947

Chicago typewriternouna fully automatic weaponUS, 1963

chicaminnounmoney The word is adapted from Chinook jargon

‘chikamnin’ (iron, metal)CANADA, 1963

Chicanonouna Mexican-American Originally a slur; by the later

1960s a term of self-identification and prideUS, 1951

Chicano timenounused for denoting a lack of punctualityUS, 1972

chi-chinounfirst aidUS, 1992 8see:CHEE-CHEE

chi-chiadjective1homosexual From the conventional usage

denoting a fussy styleUK, 2002.2fashionable; fussy Also spelt

‘she-she’UK, 1932

chi-chi galnouna lesbianJAMAICA, 2004

chi-chi mannouna male homosexualJAMAICA, 2000

chi-chisnouna woman’s breastsUS, 1961

chicknoun1a young womanUS, 1899.2a male prostituteUK, 1984.3a

friendly fighter aircraftUS, 1951.4cocaine One of many variations

on the cocaine-as-female themeUS, 1990

chickabiddynounused as a term of endearment for a child From a

C18 childish variation on ‘chicken’UK, 1829

chickennoun1a womanUS, 1981.2a boy, usually under the age of

consent, who is the target of homosexual advancesUS, 1914.3a

child, a youthful or inexperienced person; often as an affectionate

form of addressUK, 1711.4a young and inexperienced prostitute,

especially maleUK, 1988.5someone under the legal drinking ageUS,

1990.6used as a term of endearmentIRELAND, 2003.7a test of wills

in which two cars drive directly at each other until one driver –

the loser – veers off courseUS, 1952.8a coward From the

charac-teristics ascribed to the best of ‘chickens’; in an earlier sense,

found in Shakespeare, the meaning is ‘someone timorous and

defenceless’US, 1936.9marijuanaUS, 1997.10a small halibut Alaskan

usageUS, 1997 8see:CHICKEN PERCH.< no chicken; no spring

chickenno longer youngUK, 1860

chickenadjectivescared, cowardly, afraidUS, 1933

chicken bonenouna chocolate-filled hard sweet confection

invented by the Ganong family firm of St Stephen, New Brunswick

CANADA, 2002

chickenbone specialnounany small, local railwayUS, 1970

chicken burnernouna Pontiac ‘Firebird’ carUK, 1981

chicken busnounduring the war in Vietnam, a troop transport bus

From the chicken wire that covered the windows in the hope of

keeping enemy grenades outside the busUS, 1990

chicken catcher in electric line work, an armsling

chicken colonelnounin the US Army, a full colonel From the eagleinsignia of the rankUS, 1918

chicken cookiesnounfrozen ground chicken pattiesANTARCTICA, 1991

chicken coopnoun1a women’s jail or prisonUS, 1949.2an outdoortoiletUS, 1970.3a weight station Citizens’ band radio and truckingslangUS, 1975

chicken cranknounan amphetamine fed to chickens to acceleratetheir egg-layingUS, 1989

chicken curryverbto worry Rhyming slangUK, 2001

chicken dinnernouna pretty womanUS, 1946

chickenfeednoun1a less than generous amount of moneyUS, 1836.

2a task that can be accomplished with ridiculous easeSINGAPORE,

2002.3methamphetamineUS, 1964

chicken filletnouna gel-filled pad placed into a brassiere cup touplift and enhance the appearance of a woman’s breast; a gel-filledfull breast prosthesisUK, 2003

chicken finknounan unlikeable, disloyal personUS, 1973

chickengutsnounbraided military decorationsUS, 1943

chickenhawknoun1during a war, someone who supports the warbut avoids military service themselves Virtually every member ofthe US government that supported the 2003 invasion of Iraqavoided active military service in Vietnam during their youthUS,

1988.2a mature homosexual man who seeks much younger men

as sexual partnersUS, 1965.3by extension, a woman who seeks outyoung male loversUS, 1978

chickenheadnoun1a female who pursues a male solely because ofthe male’s success and visibility as a musician, athlete, etcUS, 1999.

2a person performing oral sex on a man Also ‘chickhead’ Fromthe bobbing motionUS, 1996.3an aggressive or violent womanUS,

1980.4a foolish, frivolous personUS, 1906

chicken heartverbto fart Rhyming slang, only recorded in the pasttenseUK, 1992

chicken in a basketnounin the Canadian military, an AirCommand badge worn on the tunic until 1992CANADA, 1995

chicken jalfreziadjectivecrazy Contemporary rhyming slang,inspired by a popular curry dishUK, 2002

chickenkillernouna Cuban or Haitian From the stereotype ofCubans and Haitians as voodoo practioners sacrificing chickens inreligious rites; insultingUS, 1970s

chicken orientaladjectiveinsane, crazy Rhyming slang forMENTAL

chicken ranchnouna rural brothel Originally the name of a brothel

in LaGrange, Texas, and then spread to more generic useUS, 1973

chicken runnounthe exodus of people from Rhodesia (nowZimbabwe) for fear of the future; hence, the exodus of peoplefrom South Africa for fear of the futureZIMBABWE, 1977

chicken scratchnouncocaine Probably from the sense, ‘a searchfor crack cocaine’UK, 2003

chickenshitnouna cowardUS, 1929

chickenshitadjectivecowardlyUS, 1934

chicken skinnounthe sensation and physical manifestation of thechills Hawaiian youth usage, instead of the more common ‘goose

chicken’s necknouna cheque Rhyming slang A variation of

GOOSE’S NECK UK , 1998

chicken switchnouna switch that will abort a mission; a notional

switch that will end a projectUS, 1960

chicken tracksnounin electric line work, a device formally known

as an Epoxirod tri-unitUS, 1980

chicken wingnouna bowler whose elbow strays outward from the

body during the backswing motion of rolling the ballUS, 1987

chicken yellownounthe recreational drug PMA Also known as

‘chicken fever’ or ‘chicken powder’US, 2001

chickey-babe; chicky-babenouna young woman, especially a

good-looking oneAUSTRALIA, 1991

chick flicknouna film that is desiged to appeal to a female

audienceUS, 1993

chickie!used as warningUS, 1934

chickie; chickynoun1a lookout or decoyUS, 1934.2a young girl

Teen slangUS, 1919

chickie poonouna young and beautiful girl Recorded in the usage

of counterculturalists associated with the Rainbow NationUS, 1981

chickie runnouna test of wills in which two cars drive at high

speeds towards a cliff; the driver who jumps from his car first loses

US, 1955

chickletnouna young woman Elaboration by conventional

dimin-ution ofCHICK(a young woman)US, 1922

chick litnounliterature directed at young women; literature written

by womenUS, 1993

chick magnetnouna male who is attractive to womenAUSTRALIA, 1995

chicko; chiconouna child Either by elaboration of ‘chick’ (a child)

or adoption of Spanish chico (a boy) Remembered in army service

in the 1960s–early 1970s, by Beale, 1984UK, 1984

chick with a dicknouna transsexual or, rarely, a hermaphrodite

Almost always pluralUS, 1991

chickynouna female Used with an ironic nod towards the

outmoded ‘chick’US, 1994

chiclenounheroin Spanish for ‘gum’, alluding to the gummy

nature of heroin that has not been processed to powder formUS,

1994

chiclet keyboardnouna computer keyboard with small plastic keys

A visual allusion to a branded chewing gumUS, 1991

Chic Murray; chicnouna curry Glasgow rhyming slang, formed

from the name of the Scottish comedian, 1919–85UK: SCOTLAND,

1988

Chicomnouna soldier from the People’s Republic of China; a

Chinese communistUS, 1967

ChicomadjectiveChinese communistUS, 1964

chiddlesnounin Newfoundland, cooked cod roe or cod miltCANADA,

1971

chiefnoun1a Flight Sergeant Royal Air Force use; a hangover from

Chief Petty Officer, the corresponding rank in the Royal Naval Air

Service, a military service that predated Royal Air Force

Sometimes personalised to the diminuitive ‘chiefie’UK, 1942.2a

Petty Officer Royal Navy useUK, 1929.3a Chief Engineer; a

Lieutenant Commander; a First Mate Nautical usageUK, 1894.4a

Chief Inspector Police usageUK, 1961.5LSDUS, 1966.6used as a

term of address Jocular, sometimes suggesting deferenceUS, 1935

chiefverbin a group smoking marijuana, to hog the cigarette or

pipeUS, 1997

chief cook and bottle washernounused as a humorous title for

someone with important duties and responsibilities Often, not

always, used with ironyUS, 1840

chiefienounused as a friendly term of address to a manUK:

SCOTLAND, 1996

chief itch and rubnounan organisation’s key leaderUS, 1960

Chief Nasty-Ass of the No-Wipe-Um Tribenounanyone

chief of heatnouna non-commissioned officer commanding anartillery batteryUS, 1988

chief of staffnouna soldier’s girlfriend back home Vietnam warusageUS, 1965

chief tin shoenouna person who has no money at the moment Amock native Indian nameUS, 1984

chievanounheroin Probably a variation ofCHIVA(heroin)UK, 1998

chiffnoun 8see:CHIV

chiffynounin prison, a razorblade fixed to a toothbrush handle as

an improvised weapon A variation onCHIV UK , 1996

chiggernouna person with Chinese and black ancestors Derogatory

child-proof lidnouna condom A pun on a device designed to

‘keep children out’UK, 1998

chile pimpnouna pimp, especially a Mexican-American pimp, whohas no professional pride and only mediocre success in the field

US, 1972

chiliadjectiveMexicanUS, 1936

chili beannouna Mexican or Mexican-American; any speaking person DerogatoryUS, 1980

Spanish-chili bellynouna Mexican or Mexican-AmericanUS, 1967

chili bowl; chili-bowl haircutnounan untapered haircut that looks

as if the barber simply placed a bowl on the person’s head andtrimmed around the edge of the bowlUS, 1960

chili chasernounan agent of the US Immigration andNaturalization Service Border PatrolUS, 1956

chili chokernouna Mexican or Mexican-American DerogatoryUS, 1990

chili chompernouna Mexican or Mexican-American Derogatory.US, 1970

chili eaternouna Mexican or Mexican-American DerogatoryUS, 1911

chillverb1to kill someoneUS, 1947.2to calm down; to be calmUS,

1979.3to idleUS, 1972.4to suddenly slow down while driving afterspotting a police carUS, 1962.< chill like a megavillainto relax.Especially effective in the participle form – ‘chillin’US, 1992.

< chill the beef; chill the rapto escape prosecution by bribery

or intimidation of witnessesUS, 1950

chilladjective1calm, unexcitedUS, 1987.2excellentUS, 1989

chillaxverbto calm down and relaxUS, 1993

chilledadjectivecalm, relaxedUS, 1992

chilled downadjectivecalm and relaxedUK, 1990s

chilled outadjectiverelaxed, especially after chemically enhanceddancingUK, 1980s

chillennounchildren A phonetic slurringUS, 1971

chillernounin publishing or films, a thriller that ‘chills the blood’

UK, 1961

chillicrackernounan Anglo-Indian Derogatory Derives, presumably,from the use of hot spices in Indian cooking contrasted with thebland, essentially white nature of a crackerUK, 1977

chill outverbto calm down, to relaxUS, 1983

chill pillnouna mythical pill that will induce calmUS, 1982

chillum; chilumnouna pipe for smoking marijuana Originally late

C18 Hindi for the bowl (chilam) of a ‘hookah’ (hugga) intended for

tobacco More than 150 years later a modified usage rolled up inthe West Indies Widely used in the UK thanks, in part, toHEAD SHOP (s)JAMAICA, 1970

chill with you laterused as a farewellUS, 1987

chillyadjective1excellent, fashionable, desirableUS, 1971.2heartedUS, 1971

cold-chilly bin a portable cooler

chilly mostadjectivecalm and collectedUS, 1992

chimenoun1an hourUS, 1946.2the even firing of a multi-cylinder

motocycle engineUK, 1979

chimernouna clock or watchUS, 1973

chimneynoun1a person who smokes, especially a heavy smokerUK,

1937.2in trucking, a smokestack on a cabUS, 1971

chimney sweep runnounin trucking, a job that requires the driver

to handle the freight and get dirtyUS, 1971

chimo!Let’s drink!CANADA, 2002

chimpingnounin digital photography, the activity of reviewing

captured images on a camera’s screen Originally used of White

House press-photographers who accompanied pointing at such

images with a chorus of oohs and aahs and were, naturally,

compared to chimpanzeesUS, 2004

chinnoun1gossip, idle conversationUK, 1862.2on a bomber, the area

immediately below and slightly behind the nose of the planeUS,

1983.< keep your chin upto maintain your courage or

fortitude; often said as an encouraging injunctionUK, 1938

chinverb1to punch someone on the chinUK, 1984.2to talk idlyUS,

1872

chinanoun1a friend, a mate Rhyming slang forCHINA PLATE Also

variant ‘chiner’UK, 1880.2teeth; false teethUS, 1942

Chinanoun1the whole world other than Europe and

English-speaking lands A Cockney view of the world: ‘The place rich folk

go for their holidays The place any person not wearing European

dress comes from’UK, 1961.2heroin FromCHINA CAT(heroin) or

CHINA WHITE(heroin) The lower case variant ‘china’ is sometimes

usedUK, 2003

China catnounstrong heroinUS, 1994

china chinnoun(of a boxer or fighter) a vulnerability to blows on

the chinUS, 1940

China circuitnounin the language of travelling performances, a

circuit of small, unsophisticated towns Named after the

Pennsylvania towns of Pottstown, Pottsville and Chambersburg, all

of which were home to chamber pot manufacturing concernsUS,

1973

China clippernouna dishwasher, human or mechanical Vietnam

war usageUS, 1966

China girlnounFentanyl™, a synthetic narcotic analgesic that is

used as a recreational drugUK, 2004

chinamannouna numbing substance put on the penis to forestall

ejaculationTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003

Chinamannoun1an addiction to heroin or another opiateUS, 1948.

2in politics, a mentor or protector A term from Chicago, a major

cradle of machine politics in the USUS, 1973.3an IrishmanUK, 1956.

4in cricket, a left-handed bowler’s leg-break to a right-handed

batsman Homage to Elliss ‘Puss’ Achong, a 1930s West Indian

cricketer of Chinese ancestryUK, 1937.5an unshorn lock on a

sheep’s rump Thought to resemble a pigtailNEW ZEALAND, 1968.

< must have killed a Chinamanthere must be a reason for

your bad luck Chinese people have been in Australia from the

earliest colonial times and there was formerly great superstition

attached to them Today the word ‘Chinaman’ is long dead and

persists only in this sayingAUSTRALIA, 1982

Chinaman on your back; Chinaman on your necknounthe

painful symptoms and craving need for drugs experienced by an

addict during withdrawalUS, 1959

Chinaman’s chance; Chinaman’snounan absence of luck, no real

chance at all Reflecting the status of the Chinese population of

early C20 USUS, 1911

Chinamatnounan inexpensive Chinese restaurantUS, 1979

china platenouna mate Now generally used as a stock idiom: ‘me

old china plate’AUSTRALIA, 1905

chin armournouna false beard Theatrical usageUS, 1952

China whitenoun1heroin; less frequently, cocaine The presumed

location of the drug’s origin (although it’s just as likely to come

.

tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK,

2002.3Fentanyl™, a synthetic narcotic analgesic that is used as arecreational drugUK, 2004

chinch; chintznouna bedbugUS, 1946

chinchenounheroinUK, 2003

chin-chinused as a toast Originally used as a salutation to ChinesepeopleUK, 1909

chin-chin mannouna male homosexualUS, 1990

chinch padnounan inexpensive, shoddy boarding house or hotel

Chineeadjectiveof presumed Chinese originUS, 1984.< not in a chinee worldimpossible; wholly unacceptable From the notionthat Chinese language and culture are beyond comprehension

4adulterated heroinUK, 1996

Chineseverbin the circus or carnival, to perform heavy labourUS, 1980

Chineseadjectivein horse racing, said of blurred numbers on thetote boardUS, 1947 8see:CHINESE LACQUERED

Chinese acenouna pilot who makes a landing with one winglowered; a pilot who has a reputation for crashing planes onlanding AfterCHINESE LANDING US , 1928

Chinese auctionnouna charity auction, in which a buyer isselected at random for each itemUS, 1997

Chinese burnnouna torment inflicted by grasping a victim’s wrist

or forearm in both hands and twisting the skin harshly in oppositedirections Children’s slang for a juvenile cruelty, known in the UK,Canada and Australia May also be used as a verbUK, 1956

Chinese copynouna reproduction that captures the original’sdefects as well as its strengthsUS, 1979

Chinese curenounan all-natural treatment for the symptomsassociated with withdrawal from heroin addictionUS, 1953

Chinese cutnounin cricket, a batting stroke that unintentionallydeflects the ball off the inside edge of the batUK, 1982

Chinese cutverbin cricket, to perform a Chinese cutUK, 1982

Chinese dollynounin the television and film industries, a dolly onslanted tracksUS, 1987

Chinese dominoesnounin road haulage, a load of bricksUK, 1951

Chinese dragonsnounLSDUK, 2003

Chinese eyedadjectivesquinting through tired eyes following theuse of marijuana Described by racial stereotypeUS, 1998

Chinese fashionadverbsex with both participants lying on theirsides, the active male lying behind his partnerUS, 1980

Chinese fire drillnoun1any situation in which confusion reigns.Frequent use in the Vietnam warUS, 1946.2a prank loved by gener-ations of American youth in which a car full of people stops at ared light and the passengers suddenly leap from the car, runaround it, and get back in as the light turns greenUS, 1972

Chinese flush; Chinese straightnounin poker, a worthless handapproximating but not equalling a flush or straightUS, 1979

Chinese gunpowder; gunpowder

Chinese lacquered; Chineseadjectiveextremely tired Rhyming

slang forKNACKERED(extremely tired) Prison slangUK, 2002

Chinese ladynouna multiple-seat toiletNEW ZEALAND, 1998

Chinese landingnounthe typical angling of an aeroplane when it

lands in Antarctica, with one wing low Humour based on the

premise that ‘one wing low’ has a certain Chinese ring to itUS, 1918

Chinese molassesnounopium; heroin From the appearance of

opium in an early stage of manufactureUS, 1953

Chinese needleworknounintravenous use of narcoticsUS, 1942

Chinese rednounheroinUS, 1977

Chinese rocksnoun1relatively pure heroinUS, 1975.2crack cocaine

UK, 1996

Chinese rongnouna non-existent disease suffered by soldiersUS, 1947

Chinese rotnounany unidentified skin disease or sexually

transmitted infectionUS, 1940

Chinese screwdrivernouna hammerAUSTRALIA, 1974

Chinese speednounginsengUK, 1983

Chinese Texannouna daring, dangerous driver Toronto usage

CANADA, 2002

Chinese tobacconounopiumUS, 1951

chingnoun1in betting, odds of 5–1UK, 1991.2five pounds (£5)

London slangUK, 2000

ching and a halfnounin betting, odds of 11–2 In bookmaker

slangCHINGis 5–1, here the addition of a half increases the odds

to 5½–1 or 11–2UK, 1991

chingazosnounfisticuffs; blows Border Spanish used in English

conversation by Mexican-AmericansUS, 1991

ching! ching! ching!used as a descriptive expression of the speed

of a quick succession of events Echoic of bells ringingUK, 1974

chingerverbto grumble; to complain; to scold; hence, to deter a

prospective customer Used by market tradersUK, 1979

chingonnounan important person; a leader Border Spanish used in

English conversation by Mexican-AmericansUS, 1974

chinguaadjective 8see:CHINKER

chinknoun< another push and you’d have been a chinkused

insultingly as a slur on the morals of the subject’s mother,

imputing that she would have sex with anyone of any raceUK, 1961

Chinknoun1a Chinese person Derives from ‘ching-ching’, the

phonetic interpretation of a Chinese courtesy, adopted as a racist

term, now obsolete; this abbreviated, still derogatory, variation is

much used in Britain and the US Variants are ‘Chinkie’ and

‘Chinky’US, 1878.2a Vietnamese personUS, 1970

Chinkadjective1ChineseUS, 1957.2VietnameseUS, 1970

chinker; chikwa; chinquaadjective five From Italian cinque, via

mid-C19 ligua francaUK, 1996

chinki-chonks; chinky-chonksnounthe Chinese, or Asian people

in general A derogatory or patronising term, playing onCHINKand

CHINKIEin a fashion which suggests a drunken coinageUK, 1978

Chinkie; Chinky; Chinknoun1something of Chinese origin; a

general description of anything perceived to originate in the Far

East Sometimes spelt (with contemptuous familiarity) with a lower

case ‘c’AUSTRALIA, 1879.2a Chinese meal; a Chinese take-awayUS,

chinksnouna small bit of anything, given up grudginglyGRENADA, 1998

chinkynouna small firecrackerUS, 1997. 8see:CHINKIE

chinkyadjective1parsimoniousBARBADOS, 1965.2smallTRINIDAD AND

TOBAGO, 1956

Chinky speednounginsengUK, 1983

chinless wondernounan upper-class man who is nạve or foolish;

circumstances While ‘chinless’ may be an accurate physicaldescription of some, figuratively it is seen to suggest a weakness ofcharacterUK, 1969

chin musicnoungossip, idle conversationUK, 1826

Chinook archnounin western Canada, an archway of cloudforecasting the arrival of Chinook windsCANADA, 1964

Chinook fevernounamong Calgary newcomers, a sort of ill-easelike spring fever, during warm winter days caused by ChinookwindsCANADA, 1963

chin pubesnounsparse facial hairUS, 1995

chinstrapnoun< on your chinstrapextremely tired Military Alsooccasionally, but not military, ‘on your nose’UK, 1995

chintznouna cheapskateUS, 1949 8see:CHINCH

chintzyadjectivecheap, miserly, stingyUK, 1902

chinwagnoun1a friendly conversationUK, 1879.2a chat, aconversationUK, 1879

chinwagverbto chat, to converseUK, 1920

chin-whiskeredadjectivesmall-time, lacking professionalism Alogging termUS, 1930

chipnoun1heroin, particularly when weakened below the marketnormUS, 1974.2a shilling Hence,HALF A CHIP(6d)UK, 1950.3ingames of chance, a counter that represents a monetary valueUS,

1840.4a cash registerUS, 1950.5a chipolata sausage Usually used in

the plural Noted by Anthony Burgess in a letter to Partridge, 1967

UK, 1967.6a quarrelAUSTRALIA, 1947.7a small surfboard made fromlightweight balsa wood Also known as a ‘potato chip’US, 1964

chipverb1to use drugs occasionally or irregularly Applied to allnarcotics but especially heroinUS, 1964.2to depart, to goUK, 1994.

3to find fault with someone; to reprimand someoneAUSTRALIA,

1915.4in shuffleboard, to barely touch another discUS, 1967.

< chip the ivoriesto take part in casual conversationUS, 1945.

< chip your teeth1to become very angryUS, 1962.2to talkincessantlyUS, 1973

Chip; Chippie; Chippynouna member of the California Highway

Patrol Thanks to the 1977–1983 television series CHiPS US, 1977

chip along; chip inverbin poker, to make the minimum betrequiredUS, 1988

chip backverbto rebate an amount, to discount an amount.Second-hand car-dealers’ useUK, 1965

chip dipnounan adhesive placed on a cheater’s palm, enabling him

to steal chips as he helpfully slides a pile of chips in a poker game

to the winnerUS, 1988

chip headnouna computer enthusiastUS, 1993

chip inverb1to contribute to an undertaking; to make a butionUS, 1861.2to interpose smartly in a conversation, discussion

contri-or speech; occasionally, by so doing, to interfereUS, c.1870

chip off the old blocknounsomeone with the same character as aparent; someone with inherited characteristics Originally ‘a chip

of the same (old) block’UK, 1642

chip on your shouldernouna grievance or a sense of inferioritywhich is often manifested in defiance or ill-humoured behaviour.Derives, probably, from juvenile conflict: when two boys weredetermined to fight, a chip of wood was placed on the shoulder ofone, and the other challenged to knock it offUS, 1855

chippernoun1a chip shopIRELAND, 1993.2an occasional ual drug-userUS, 1938.3in prison, an illegal tinder boxUK, 1950

non-habit-chipperadjectivewell, fit, livelyUS, 1840

chippyadjective1impudentUK, 1888.2quarrelsome, dirty, roughUK,

1898.3unwell, especially as a result of drinking alcohol; hungover

UK, 1877

chippy; chippienoun1a fish-and-chip shopUK, 1961.2a person whouses addictive drugs occasionally without developing a habitUS,

1924.3a modest drug addictionUS, 1964.4a young woman, usually

of loose morals, at times a semi-professional prostituteUS, 1886.5acarpenter Also in the reduced form ‘chips’UK, 1916.6cocaineUK,

. marijuana . a person in a gambling casino who

tries to hustle or steal chipsUS, 2003.9an inexperienced gambler

US, 1985 8see:CHIP

chippy; chippieverb1to be unfaithful sexuallyUS, 1930.2to use

drugs occasionally and not habitually Applied particularly to

heroinUS, 1924

chippy chasernouna man obsessed with the seduction of women

US, 1977

chippy joint; chippie jointnouna brothelUS, 1992

chipsnoun1moneyUS, 1840.2the action of looking out or serving as

a watchman If a school boy is smoking a cigarette in the toilet,

his friend will ‘keep chips’ for himSOUTH AFRICA, 2002 8see:CHIBS.

< get your chipsto be dismissed from employmentUK, 1969.

< have had your chipsto have been beaten; to be finished or

utterly defeated; to have been moved; to have been ruined to

have been killed Ultimately from gambling symbolismUK, 1959.

< in the chips1well fundedUS, 1842.2in poker, winningUS, 1988.

< when the chips are downat the crucial momentUS, 1943

chips and peas; chipsnounthe knees Rhyming slangUK, 1998

chips and salsanouna computer’s hardwareUS, 1997

chips and whetstonesnounodds and endsUS, 1927

chiranounmarijuana, especially shredded marijuana Originally

South American Spanish, 1998

chironoun a chiropractor AUSTRALIA, 1991

chirpnoun1a female singerUS, 1944.2a type of manipulation of a

record to create a musical effect Derives from the ‘chirping’

sound that is createdUK, 2002.3a quick use of cocaineUS, 1997

chirpverbto make an exaggerated kissing soundUS, 1950

chirpinessnounliveliness, cheerfulness, a pleasing pertness The

state of beingCHIRPY UK , 1867

chirpsverbto talk persuasively to someone as a strategy for

attempted seduction, to flirtUK, 2004

chirpyadjectivealways happy From the cheerful chirping of

songbirdsUK, 1837

chirrupyadjectivecheerfully chattyUK, 1808

chisboynouna pampered youth Derogatory or disdainful teenage

slang from the South African townshipsSOUTH AFRICA, 2003

chiselnoun< on the chiselinvolved in a swindleUS, 1958

chiselverb1to cheatUK, 1808.2to place small, conservative betsUS,

1950

chisel charternounan illegal bush plane charterCANADA, 1997

chiseledadjectivewithout fat, well sculptedUS, 1984

chiselernoun1a cheat, a petty swindlerUS, 1918.2a gambler who

places small, conservative betsUS, 1950

chislernouna hardy child, usually a boyIRELAND, 1993

chismenoungossip; rumours Border Spanish used in English

conversation by Mexican-AmericansUS, 1974

chitnouna youthful-looking homosexual maleUS, 1987

chitverbto sign a chit accepting responsbility for an item or

amount of moneyUS, 1986

chitarinounmarijuanaUS, 2001

chit-chatnounsmall talkUK, 1605

chit-chatverbto engage in small talkUK, 1821

Chitlin Circuitnounthe notional collection of ghetto bars and

nightclubs where black musicians perform in the hope of having a

hit that will launch them into better venues A term attributed to

black singer Lou RawlsUS, 1967

Chitlins 101nounany black studies course A derogatory term,

drawing from ‘chitterlings’, a dish made with pork innardsUS, 1998

Chi-townnicknameChicago, IllinoisUS, 1922

chiv; chive; chiffnouna knife, a razor or other blade used as a

cutting weapon Of Romany originUK, 1673

chiv; chiveverbto cut someone with a knife or a razor Multiple

variant spellings, including ‘shive’, ‘shiv’ and ‘shife’ Probably from

1725; ‘chiv’ is not recorded until 1812; ‘shiv’ and ‘shive’ are C20variations that hark back to the word’s originsUK, 1812

chivanounheroin From the Spanish of Mexican-AmericansUS, 1967

chixnouna Pacific halibut under 4.5 kgCANADA, 1989

chiznoun1in circus and carnival usage, a swindler An abbreviation

ofCHISELER US , 1981.2an annoying occurrence or circumstance.From the verbCHISEL(to cheat)UK, 1953.3the bestUS, 1997

Chizlernouna Chrysler car or engineUS, 1968

cho!; cha!; chaa!used for registering impatience, disdain ordisappointmentJAMAICA, 1827

choadnoun1the penisUS, 1968.2a person who is easily despised.Sometimes spelt ‘chode’US, 1998

chocnoun1chocolate, a chocolate Variants are ‘choccy’ and

‘chocky’UK, 1896.2a non-white, especially an African A shortening

of ‘chocolate’ that is both derogatory and offensiveSOUTH AFRICA,

1978.3a person of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern background.Short forCHOCOLATE FROG.OffensiveAUSTRALIA, 1987

choc beernounan unfiltered ale, sweeter and fruitier than ditional beer, brewed in Oklahoma From the Choctaw Indians,who are said to have taught immigrant Italians the recipe for thebeerUS, 1954

tra-choccynouna cough after chocolate has been in the mouthUK, 2003

choccy!used for expressing approvalUK, 2003

chochanounthe vagina From SpanishUS, 2002

chocknounhome-fermented, vegetable-based alcoholUS, 1972

chockablock; chockaadjectivejammed close together, crammedfull From C19 nautical slangUK, 1840

chock-a-block (up)adjective(of a man) with the penis entirelyinserted into a sexual partnerAUSTRALIA, 1969

chocker; chockaadjective1completely fullNEW ZEALAND, 1980.

2disgruntled, fed up From ‘chock-full’ (crammed full) or, morelikely,CHOCKABLOCK(crammed full), the variant spellings lendcredence to the latterUK, 1942

chockersnounfeet Market traders’ slangUK, 1979

chockersadjective1completely fullAUSTRALIA, 1981.2(of a man) withthe penis entirely inserted into a sexual partnerAUSTRALIA, 1975

chocko; choconoun1an person of Mediterranean or MiddleEastern background An abbreviation ofCHOCOLATE FROGwith the

‘-o’ suffix OffensiveAUSTRALIA, 1985.2a conscripted soldier ormilitiaman who remained in Australia and did not fight overseas.World War 2; fromCHOCOLATE SOLDIER In World War 1 the term

was simply ‘choc’AUSTRALIA, 1943

chocks away!let’s go!; let’s get on with it! From the woodenblocks that were used to stop an aircraft’s wheels from rolling; totake the chocks away allowed the plane to take offUK, 1943

choco-fannounheroinUK, 2003

chocoholicnouna person who is excessively fond of chocolate

AUSTRALIA, 1969

chocolatenoun1a black personUS, 1906.2amphetaminesUK, 2003.

3opiumUS, 1992.4a twenty rand banknote Urban, especiallytownship slang, from the brown colour of the noteSOUTH AFRICA,

1984.5a southern EuropeanAUSTRALIA, 1989 8see:CHOCOLATEFUDGE, CHOCOLATE THAI.< in the chocolatein considerabletrouble A euphemism forIN THE SHIT UK , 1998

chocolateadjectiveof African heritageUS, 1906

chocolate bobbynouna community police officer Used by ranking policeUK, 1981

lower-chocolate boxadjectivein art, describing a sentimental or romanticstyle such as you might expect on a chocolate box Generally usedwith reproach if not with a degree of contemptUK, 1901

chocolate boxeyadjectivein the decorative arts, sentimentallyromanticUK, 1894

chocolate bunnynouna Vietnamese prostitute who favoured blackAmerican soldiers over white American soldiersUS, 1991

chocolate buttonnounan attractive or petite black person

chocolate canalnounthe rectum Collected during an extensive

survey of New Zealand prison slang, 1996–2000NEW ZEALAND, 2000

chocolate chip cookiesnounMDMA, the recreational drug best

known as ecstasy, mixed with heroin or methadoneUK, 2002

chocolate chipsnoun1desert camouflage uniformsUS, 1991.2a

type of LSD marketed in brown capsulesUK, 1998.3a variety of

MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK, 2003

chocolate dropnoun1a black person OffensiveUS, 1900.2a girl

below the age of sexual consent who regularly has sex with

seamenUK, 1971

chocolate ecstasynouncrack cocaine blended with chocolate milk

powder during processingUS, 1997

chocolate frognoun1a person of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern

background Rhyming slang forWOG OffensiveAUSTRALIA, 1971.2a

police informer Rhyming slang forDOG A chocolate frog is a

popular confectionaryAUSTRALIA, 1971

chocolate fudge; chocolatenouna judge, especially one who

shows leniency Rhyming slang, gently punning on the judge’s

sweet nature or aSWEET(excellent) resultUK, 1992

chocolate heartsnouna variety of LSD, 2001

chocolate highwaynounthe anus and rectumUS, 1977

chocolate rocknouna blend of crack cocaine and heroin that is

smoked, 2002

chocolate rocketnouncrack cocaine blended with chocolate milk

powder during processingUS, 1997

chocolate soldiernouna member of an Australian militia during

World War 2 who did not serve in a theatre of war Derogatory

AUSTRALIA, 1943

chocolate starfishnounthe anus A visual punUK, 1997

chocolate Thai; chocolate thi; chocolatenouna variety of

marijuanaUK, 1995

chocolate timenounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS, 2001

chodnounthe penisUK, 2001

choggy shopnouna shop catering to the needs of servicemen and

women MilitaryUK, 1995

choginouna Korean workerUS, 1951

chogie!move out of here! Korean war usageUS, 1982

choicenounin horse racing, the favoured horse in a raceUS, 1960

choiceadjectiveexcellentUS, 1958

choice!used for expressing strong approvalNEW ZEALAND, 1998

choiceamundoadjectiveexcellentUS, 1991

choirboynoun1a novice criminalUS, 1949.2a newly initiated

member of a youth gangUS, 1956.3a newly recruited police officer

UK, 1996.4a prisoner who informs on others From the sense of ‘to

SING’(to inform) Collected during an extensive survey of New

Zealand prison slang, 1996–2000NEW ZEALAND, 2000

choir practicenounan after-hours gathering of policemen,

involving liberal amounts of alcohol and sex, usually in a remote

public placeUS, 1975

chokenoun1a swallow or drink of alcoholUS, 1958.2an artichoke of

either Jerusalem or globe variety The punning ‘have hearty

chokes for breakfast’ (to be hanged) dates from 1785; it is difficult

to be more accurate with this greengrocers’ usageUK, 1961.3a

Mexican-American Derogatory A shortened form ofCHILI CHOKER

US, 1990.4a garottingAUSTRALIA, 1953.5a nervous shock; something

grievousUK, 1965

chokeverb1to forget Especially in the imperativeUS, 1968.2to fail

to perform under pressureUS, 1986.3to prevent a horse from

winning a race Strictly, and originally, by pulling back on the reins

so strongly that the horse is almost chokedUK, 1962.4in

computing, to reject data inputUS, 1991.5to borrow something; to

scrounge something; to begFIJI, 1993.6to turn off a lightUS, 1950.

7to drink something quicklyUK: SCOTLAND, 1988.< choke a darkie

to defecate Also ‘strangle a darkie’, and ‘sink a darkie’ or ‘teach a

darkie to swim’ when on a flush toiletAUSTRALIA, 1968.< choke

chokeadjectivemany Hawaiian youth usageUS, 1982

choke and chewnouna roadside restaurantUS, 1976

choke and pukenouna restaurant with bad food at low pricesUS, 1988

chokecherry farmernounan unsuccessful farmerCANADA, 1987

chokedadjectiveemotionally upset, annoyed The sense of ‘a lump

in your throat’UK, 1964

choked downadjective1(of a racehorse) experiencing difficultybreathing during a raceUS, 1994.2well-dressedUS, 1980

choked offadjectivedisgusted, fed-upUK, 1980

choke downverbto force yourself to swallow an alcoholic drinkdespite any difficulty with taste or capacityUK, 1988

choked up tightadjectivedressed up, especially with button-downcollarsUS, 1976

choke offverbto punish or berate a prisoner Prison officer slang,from military originsUK, 1962

choke outverbto render someone unconscious through a chokehold that cuts off cerebral blood flow at the carotid artery in theneck, usually applied with a police officer’s baton across the throat

US, 1985

chokernouna necktieUS, 1945

choke ragnouna necktieUS, 1944

choke upverbto lose your composure; to totter on the verge oftearsUS, 1941

chokeyadjectivecrowded, tight-fittingTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003

chokey; chokynoun1a prison; a detention cell; a segregation unit

From Hindustani chauki (a four-sided place or building) UK, 1837.

2the time spent in a prison segregation unit; the punishmentitselfUK, 1996.3a prison diet of bread and water, served aspunishmentUK, 1958

ChokieadjectiveChinese Used of Hong Kong Chinese crew on aRoyal Fleet Auxiliary vessel during the Falklands war The variation

‘chogey’ is remembered by Beale as in Army usage in Hong Kongduring the 1960sUK, 1982

chokingadjective1extremely thirstyUK: SCOTLAND, 1988.2desperate for

a cigarette, a drink, sex or whatever may bring relief or satisfaction

UK, 1997

chokkasnounshoes FromCHOCKERS(feet) English gypsy useUK, 2000

chollynouncocaineUS, 1970

cholonouna young, tough Mexican-American Border Spanish used

in English conversation by Mexican-AmericansUS, 1971

chomeurnounin Quebec, a person receiving unemploymentinsurance benefitsCANADA, 1998

chomonouna child molesterUS, 1992

chompverbto eatUS, 1968

chompersnoun1the teeth; false teethUS, 1950.2a snack or meal

ANTARCTICA, 1963

chongadjectivegood-looking, handsome Used by urban black youths

UK, 2004

chonganounmarijuanaUK, 2002

choo-choonouna train Formed from the child’s imitation of asteam whistleUS, 1898

choofverb1(of a person) to go; to depart As used of a steam train

in stories for childrenAUSTRALIA, 1947.2to smoke marijuana

AUSTRALIA, 2000

choof offverbto depart, to leaveAUSTRALIA, 1972

chook!a call made to domestic chickensAUSTRALIA, 1903

chook; chookie; chuckienoun1an adult domestic chicken, male

‘chuckey’ this word is imitative of the cluck of the hen but also

owes something to ‘chicken’ In general use in British dialect from

C18 as chuck, chuke, and the diminutive chookie, chucky, where it

was also used as a term of endearment from the C19AUSTRALIA,

1900.2a slaughtered chicken dressed for cooking; a cooked chicken

AUSTRALIA, 1948.3cooked chicken meatAUSTRALIA, 1945.4a woman,

especially an elderly womanAUSTRALIA, 1915.5a foolAUSTRALIA, 1955.

6a coward A variation ofCHICKEN AUSTRALIA , 1997.< choke the

chook; milk the chook(of a male) to masturbate Variant of

CHOKE THE CHICKEN AUSTRALIA , 1999.< I hope your chooks turn

into emus and kick your dunny downI wish you bad luck

AUSTRALIA, 1972.< like a chook with its head chopped off; like

a chook without a headwithout rhyme or reason A variant of

HEADLESS CHICKEN AUSTRALIA , 1983

chookas!used for wishing an actor good luck Actors are, by

tra-dition, superstitious , and to actually wish an actor ‘good luck’ in

so many words is thought to be tempting fate; this abstract

(der-ivation unknown) or surreal benediction was used by Evan

Dunstan, an Australian theatrical agent in London during the

1980sAUSTRALIA, 1984

chook chasernouna small motorcycle or its rider A derogatory

term used by riders of larger motorcyclesAUSTRALIA, 1996

chookhousenounan enclosure for domestic chickensAUSTRALIA, 1938

chookienouna foolAUSTRALIA, 1855.< will you chookie!you will

not!; used for emphasising a contradiction of a preceding

statementUK: SCOTLAND, 1985

chook poopnounchicken manureAUSTRALIA, 1986

chook rafflenouna raffle to raise money for charity offering a

dressed chicken as a prizeAUSTRALIA, 1979

chook wheelnouna spinning wheel with numbered pegs used for a

chook raffleAUSTRALIA, 1991

chookyardnounan enclosed yard for domestic chickensAUSTRALIA,

1941

choomnounan Englishman Representing a toney English

pronunciation ofCHUM Used jocularly and mildly derisively

AUSTRALIA, 1916

choonnounwithin house and other contemporary dance styles, a

piece of recorded music A mispronounced and misspelt ‘tune’UK,

2002

chooseverb(of a prostitute) to agree to work for a pimpUS, 1972

choosing moneynounthe money a prostitute pays a pimp to join

his foldUS, 1972

chopnoun1dismissal from employmentUK, 1945.2approvalUS, 1992.

3a share or division of somethingAUSTRALIA, 1919.4a scathing,

cutting remark or jokeUS, 1957.5a short and sudden type of

scratch (a manipulation of a record to create a musical effect)UK,

2002.6a wood-chopping contest Also known as a ‘chops’AUSTRALIA,

1926.7food US military usage during the Vietnam warUS, 1982.8a

dolt, an idiot, a foolSOUTH AFRICA, 2004.< have had the chopto

be no good; to be ruinedAUSTRALIA, 1975.< no chopno good,

inferior From the conventional sense of ‘chop’ as ‘class, rank or

quality’ implied in ‘first chop’, ‘second chop’, etcAUSTRALIA, 1864.

< not much chopnot very good From the British and

Anglo-Indian ‘chop’ (quality)AUSTRALIA, 1847

chopverb1in car and motorcyle customising, to lower the upper

portion of the car body or motorcyle by shortening the structural

supportsUS, 1953.2to cut a car into piecesUS, 1953.3to go into

action as a soldier Extended from the sense ‘to shoot’UK, 2001.4to

kill someoneUK, 2001.5to execute someone by hanging them

Prison use, probably dating from the time when the axe was the

preferred method of official execution Capital punishment was

abolished in the UK in 1965UK, 1950.6to shoot someone to death

US, 1933.7to approve somethingUS, 1992.8to adulterate a powdered

drugUS, 1970.9in handball, to add spin to the ball when hitting it

US, 1970.10(of dice in a crap game) to pass once and then not pass

US, 1981.11in motor racing, to pull sharply in front of another car

US, 1965.< chop it upto talk with enthusiasm and energyUS, 2004.

< chop sinto gossip; to talk idlyBERMUDA, 1985.< chop tento

sit with your legs crossed as others workJAMAICA, 1998.< chop the

clockto reset a vehicle’s mileometer (odometer) to a reduced

measureUS, 1981.< chop woodto drive off a road or motorwayinto a treeUS, 1962.< chop your gumsto engage in idle talkUS, 1948

chop-chopnoun1foodUS, 1951.2a meal Used by UN troops in theKorean war, 1950–53, 1950.3oral sex performed on a man Fromthe vocabulary of Vietnamese prostitutes, taken and used by USsoldiersUS, 1990.4trade union factionalismUS, 1961.5loose-leaftobacco sold illegallyAUSTRALIA, 2001

chop-chopverbduring the Korean war, to eatUS, 1951

chop-chopadverbimmediately; in an instant Pidgin or mock pidgin,sometimes used as an imperativeUK, 1836

chop-chop squarenicknamea large square in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,that, on a Friday, is the chosen site for public execution bybeheading (with a sword) of those the state has sentenced todeath, 2001

chop housenouna restaurantUS, 1956

chop outverbto separate a dose of powdered cocaineUK, 2002

choppedadjective1marijuana-intoxicatedUS, 1995.2uglyUS, 1993

chopped and channeledadjective(of a car) modified by cuttinglarger windows and lowering the body of the chassis frame,producing a sleeker profile that hugs the roadUS, 1965

chopped livernoun1the vaginaUK, 2001.2something of noconsequenceUS, 1954

chopped offadjectiveannoyed, angryUS, 1963

chopped ragnouna parachute which has been altered Vietnamwar usageUS, 1991

chopped topnouna hot rod that has had its roof removedUS, 1960

choppernoun1a helicopterUS, 1951.2a modified motorcyle with anemphasis on function, not form, usually featuring high handlebars.FromCHOP US , 1966.3a bicycle modified with an emphasis onfunction, not form, usually featuring high handlebarsUK, 1977.4thepenisUK, 1973.5a machine gunUS, 1929.6a pistolUS, 1957.7ahacksaw; a hacksaw bladeUS, 1950.8a logger or lumberjackUS, 1975.

9an elderly sow or boar suitable to be turned into pork sausages

NEW ZEALAND, 1988.10a cow destined for slaughter rather than adairy lifeAUSTRALIA, 1987.11a deer-skin mitten with a wool mitteninsert Michigan Upper Peninsula usageUS, 2003.12a car taken inpart-exchange Second-hand car dealers’ slangUK, 1965.13a tickettakerUS, 1960.14a bad mood Used by printers and compositors

No longer in use by 1960UK, 1948

chopperverbto transport something by helicopter FromCHOPPER(ahelicopter)US, 1968

chopper coppersnounthe police in helicopters Quoted as a termused by residents of Berkeley, CaliforniaUS, 1970

chopper jockeynouna helicopter pilot or crew memberUS, 1960

choppersnoun1the teethUS, 1944.2the female legsUS, 1963

choppynouna choppy wave Surfers’ use, reported by Barry Prentice,

1984AUSTRALIA, 1984

choppyadjective1(of railway track) uneven, producing a rough ride

US, 1975.2in autombile racing, describing abrupt movements invertical wheel displacementUS, 1980.3(of a temperature chart)uneven Hospital nurses’ useUK, 1961

chop-ridenouna test-flight to examine a pilot’s suitability tocontinue flying To fail the test would result in theCHOP UK , 1979

chopsnoun1the teeth or mouthUK, 1589.2musical abilityUS, 1968.

3an ability; a technique Extends the skilled sense of jazz ‘chops’

US, 2002.4the female legsUS, 1960

chopsverbto talk Adapted fromCHOPS(the mouth), hence ‘to usethe mouth’UK, 2000

chop shopnouna car body repair shop where stolen cars are altered

or parts are stripped for sale separatelyUS, 1978

chopsockynounoriental martial arts; low-budget martial arts films

Probably a blend of chop suey (a popular Chinese dish) andSOCK

(to hit)US, 1978

chops onverbto talk and talk A variation ofCHOPS UK , 2000

chopstick

chopsticksnoun1the number six Rhyming slangUK, 1980.2mutual,

simultaneous masturbation From the crossing of hands in the

piano piece ‘Chopsticks’US, 1941

chop sueyadjectivemixed up Hawaiian youth usageUS, 1981

chopsyadjectiveloquacious, too talkativeUK, 2001

choptopnouna crewcut haircutUS, 1959

chop-upnouna division of plunderAUSTRALIA, 1966

chornouna thiefFIJI, 1997

chorals; coralsnouna central nervous system depressant, especially

chloral hydrateUS, 1998

chorbnouna spot, a pimple School slangSOUTH AFRICA, 1970

chord-iallyused as a humorous closing in letters between singers

US, 1975

chordyadjective stolen From Romany côr (to steal) UK, 1979

choreverb1to steal something English gypsy use; from original

Romany côr UK, 1979.2to arrest someoneUK, 2000

chorernouna thief Derives fromCHORE(to steal)UK, 1979

chore whorenounan assistantUK, 1996

chorinenouna member of a theatrical chorusUS, 1922

choroverbto steal somethingFIJI, 1989

chorrie; tjorrienouna near-derelict carSOUTH AFRICA, 1961

chorus and verse; chorusnounthe posterior, the backside

Glasgow rhyming slang (reliant on the local accent) forARSE UK , 2002

chosselnouna girlfriendBARBADOS, 1996

chotanounthe police; a police officer Border Spanish used in

English conversation by Mexican-AmericansUS, 1974

choviesnounanchoviesUS, 1996

chownounfoodUS, 1856

Chownouna Chinese person OffensiveAUSTRALIA, 1864

chowverbto eatUS, 1900

ChowadjectiveChinese OffensiveAUSTRALIA, 1903

chowused as a greeting and as a farewell A variation ofCIAO

Recorded in this spelling in a 1961 letter to Partridge from

Nicholas Bentley noting its popularity as a form of both salutation

and goodbye, and particularly at the Royal College of ArtUK, 1961

chowderheadnouna foolUK, 1819

chow downverb1to set to eating Originally military, then spread

into widespread, if affected, useUS, 1945.2to perform oral sexUS,

1994

chow for nowgoodbye An intentional corruption of the Italian

ciao US, 1991

chow hallnouna school cafeteriaUS, 1963

chowhoundnounan enthusiastic eaterUS, 1917

chowmeinerynounin circus and carnival usage, a Chinese

restaurantUS, 1981

chow miaownounChinese food Punning onCHOWas food

gener-ally, a Chinese person, and a shortening of chow mein (itself a root

for the sense ofCHOWas ‘food’) with a convenient rhyme to

suggest catmeat is a staple ingredientAUSTRALIA, 1958

Chriggy; ChriggienounChristmas A variation ofCHRISSYthat was

recorded in 1984 but has since disappeared without traceUK, 1984

Chrimbo; Chrimble; Crimblenoun Christmas UK, 2001

Chrissake!; chrisake!Christ’s sake!UK, 1964

chrissienouna chrysanthemumAUSTRALIA, 1977

Chrissy; ChrissienounChristmasAUSTRALIA, 1966

Christadjectiveused as an adjectival intensifierBAHAMAS, 1982

Christ!used as a register of anger, frustration, wonder, etc

Blasphemous by derivation, probably blasphemous in useUK, 1748

Christ almighty!used as a register of anger, frustration, wonder,

etc Blasphemous by derivation, probably blasphemous in useUK,

Christ almighty wondernouna person of remarkable talent; such

a person who is very aware of how special he or she is; anasounding event A combination of the exclamationCHRIST ALMIGHTY!with ‘wonder’ (an outstanding thing)UK, 1961

christenverb1to give a name to something, to call something by aparticular name After the Christian traditionUK, 1642.2to usesomething for the first timeUK, 2003.< christen the queentourinateAUSTRALIA, 1985

christernouna Christian who proclaims his beliefs to all, whetherthey wish to hear or notUS, 1921

Christianadjective(of a person) decent; (of a thing) civilised, decent,respectable In early use the sense was human as opposed to ani-mal Contemporary use tends towards ironyUK, 1577

Christians in Actionnicknamethe US Central Intelligence Agency.Reverse engineered from the agency’s initialsUS, 1992

christinanoun 8see:CRISTINA

Christinenoun1in homosexual usage, used as a personification ofmethamphetamine powderUS, 1980.2cocaine Another in a longseries of personifications of drugs based on the drug’s first letter

US, 1973

Christ-killernouna Jewish person OffensiveUK, 1861

Christlessadjectivecursed, damnedUS, 1912

Christmas!used as a mild expletive A euphemistic evasion of

CHRIST! UK , 1909

Christmas cardnoun1in trucking, a speeding ticketUS, 1976.2aguard, especially a train guard Rhyming slangUK, 1960.< off your Christmas card list; not on your Christmas card listused as

an expression of displeasure towards someone A jocular threat,often in verb form: ‘to cross someone off your Christmas card list’

UK, 2003

Christmas cheer; ChristmasnounbeerUK, 1992

Christmas crackersnounthe testicles Rhyming slang forKNACKERS

UK, 1974

Christmas dinnernouna winner Rhyming slangUK, 1992

Christmasesnoun< like all your Christmases have come at oncevery happy, delightedUK, 1993

Christmas holdnouna grabbing of another’s testicles That is, ‘ahandful of nuts’AUSTRALIA, 1950

Christmas kittynouna holiday bonus chequeUS, 1954

Christmas lognouna racing greyhound Rhyming slang for ‘dog’UK, 1974

Christmas presentnounin tiddlywinks, a stroke of good luckUS, 1977

Christmas rollnouna multi-coloured assortment of barbituratecapsulesUS, 1973

Christmas shopping; Christmas shop; Christmasnounof amale, masturbation Rhyming slang forSTROP(PING) UK , 1992

Christmas treenoun1a capsule of amobarbital sodium andsecobarbital sodium (trade name Tuinal™), a combination ofcentral nervous system depressantsUS, 1968.2an assortment ofmulti-coloured pillsUS, 1992.3marijuana Draws a parallel betweentwo plants that appear at times of celebrationUS, 1987.4in dragracing, an electronic starting device consisting of a set of lightsUS,

1970.5a bank of red and green-coloured lights that are part of aninstrument panelUS, 1945.6in the car sales business, a car loadedwith accessories and gadgetsUS, 1953.7in trucking, a tractor trailerembellished with many extra running lightsUS, 1971.8in oildrilling, the collection of equipment at the top of an oil wellUS,

1925.9in the television and film industries, a cart used for storingand carrying lighting equipmentUS, 1977.10in the television andfilm industries, a stand with more than one light mounted on it

US, 1987.11in railway terminology, a coloured light signalUK, 1970.

12a woman who over-dresses or over-uses cosmeticsUS, 1960.

13the knee Rhyming slang; the plural is ‘Christmas trees’UK, 1998.

14in electric line work, a pole-mounted auxiliary arm used forhoisting a conductorUS, 1980.15in Nova Scotia, a piece of fishinggear with many lines, hooks, and pegs attachedCANADA, 1980.

< (just) come down off the Christmas treefoolish, enced, gullibleUK, 1999.< lit up like a Christmas treedazzling;

Christ on a bike!; Jesus Christ on a bike!used as a register of

shock or amazementUS, 1986

Christ on a boogie board!used for registering surprise or disbelief

US, 2001

Christ on a crutch!used for expressing exasperationUS, 1928

Christopher Leenounurine; urination; an act of urination

Rhyming slang forPEEorWEE; formed on the name of British film

actor Christopher Lee (b.1922)UK, 1998

Chris Wrennouna fifty pound note An illustration of Sir

Christopher Wren, architect, 1632–1723, featured on Bank of

England £50 notes from 1981UK, 2002

chromenoun1in computing, software features that attract buyers

but add little functionallyUS, 1991.2the best, judged in terms of

appearance; the shiniest examplesUK, 1998.< sit on chromeof a

car, to have alloy wheelsUK, 2005

chromeverbin hot rodding, to add chrome features to a carUS, 1954

chrome domenoun1a bald man; a bald headUS, 1962.2a fibre

helmet used between April and October in Vietnam to protect

soldiers from the sun Aluminium paint gave rise to the ‘chrome’

US, 1991

chrome-platedadjectivenicely dressed High school student usage,

borrowing from car vocabularyUS, 1961

chrome to the domenouna pistol held to the headUS, 1998

chromienouna chromed wheel, popular with hot roddersUS, 1968

chromonoun1a female prostitute From ‘chromolithograph’, a type

of painted lithographic picture, referring to the ‘painted’ (i.e

made-up) faces of prostitutesAUSTRALIA, 1883.2anything that is

inexpensive, shoddy or inferiorUS, 1934

chrondonounpotent marijuana A blend ofCHRONICandINDO US ,

1997

chroned outadjectivesuffering from a hangoverUS, 2001

chronicnoun1potent marijuana A word popularised in hip-hop

usage ‘The Chronic’ by Dr Dre (1992) is one of the biggest-selling

rap albums of all timeUS, 1993.2marijuana mixed with crack

cocaineUS, 1998

chronicadjective1constant; bad, objectionable, severe, unpleasant

From the conventional medical senseUK, 1860.2very goodUS, 1998

chronic bubonicnounmarijuana that is more potent than simple

‘chronic’ or simple ‘bubonic’US, 2001

Chryconicknamethe Chrysler Corporation, a car manufacturerUS, 1993

chubnoun1a moderately overweight personUK, 1838.2the penisUS,

1997

chubverbto smuggle items into a prison by secreting the

contraband up the anusUK, 1996

chub-a-dubnounan act of masturbationCANADA, 2002

chubb; chubb upverbto lock a prison cell door From the

well-known branded lockUK, 1950

chubbiesnounlarge female breastsUS, 1964

chubbynoun1an overweight man as a homosexual object of desire

US, 1971.2an erectionUS, 1997

chubbyadjective(of the penis) erectUK, 2003

chubby-chasernouna person who is sexually attracted to

overweight peopleUS, 1976

chubsternoun1a overweight person From conventional ‘chubby’

(overweight/fat)UK, 2002.2the penisUS, 1997

chuc; chukenouna Pachuco, or young Mexican-American with a

highly stylised sense of fashion and a specialised idiom The

Pachuco was the Mexican zoot-suiter of the 1940s, and his legacy

is seen today in Mexican-American culture The term can be used

either as a term of pride or as a term of derisionUS, 1963

chucknoun1foodUK, 1850.2vomitAUSTRALIA, 1966.3a white man A

diminuitive of Charles or CharlieUS, 1965.4the Viet CongUS, 1981.

5a throw, a toss; in cricket, a thrown ball, an illegal deliveryUK, 1862.

6a shove that leads to a fightBARBADOS, 1965.< give it a chuck

chuckverb1to vomitAUSTRALIA, 1957.2to throw somethingUK, 1593.

3to throw something away, to discard somethingUS, 1911.4tothrow a case out of court Police slangUK, 1970.5to dismisssomeone, to reject someone; to jilt someoneAUSTRALIA, 1932.6toeat excessively when being withdrawn from drug dependenceUK,

1966.7to forget Also ‘chuck it’US, 1947.< chuck a charley; chuck a charlieto have a fit of temperAUSTRALIA, 1945.< chuck

a dummyto feign an illness or injuryUS, 1992.< chuck a mentalto lose your temper and composure in a manner thatsuggests emotional instabilityNEW ZEALAND, 1998.< chuck a seven

1to have a fit of temper From the langauage of dice-playing

AUSTRALIA, 1945.2to die From the game of craps, in which to throw

a seven (except on the first roll) is to loseAUSTRALIA, 1961.< chuck

a six; chuck a sixerto have a fit of temper From dice-playing

AUSTRALIA, 1945.< chuck a willyto have a fit of temperAUSTRALIA,

1945.< chuck a wing-dingto feign a seizure while in prison inthe hope of obtaining drugs in treatmentUS, 1992.< chuck your weight about; chuck your weight aroundto behave in anunpleasant, domineering way; to bully someoneUK, 1909.< chuck yourself about; chuck yourself into somethingto moveabout energeticallyUK, 1984

chuck and jamadjectivecrowdedTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003

chuckedadjectiveacquitted FromCHUCK(to throw a case out ofcourt)UK, 1950

chuckernounin cricket, a bowler who is apt to throw the ballUK, 1882

chucker-outnouna man employed to keep out and get rid ofunwanted patrons; a bouncerUK, 1884

chucker-outernouna bouncerAUSTRALIA, 1998

Chuck Fucknouna man of no real significanceUS, 1997

chuck horrorsnounthe painful symptoms of withdrawal from drugaddictionUS, 1926

chuckienoun 8see:CHOOK

chuck-innouna piece of good fortune; a bonus From an earliersense (to add to a collection)AUSTRALIA, 1916

chuck inverb1to get rid of something, to discard something, toquit somethingUK, 1944.2to contribute somethingAUSTRALIA, 1907.

3to include something as an extraAUSTRALIA, 1965

chuckingnounin cricket, an illegal act of throwing, not bowling, aballUK, 1995

chucking-outnounan ejection, especially from a premisesUK, 1881

chucking-out timenounclosing time in a public house or otherlicensed premises An image of forced ejectionUK, 1909

chuck it downverbto rain, hail or snow, very heavily Sometimeselaborated as, for example, ‘chuck it down with rain’UK, 2002

chucklenounan instance of vomitingAUSTRALIA, 1961

chuckleverbto vomitAUSTRALIA, 1964

chuckleheadnouna foolUK, 1731

chuckleheadedadjectivesimple, dim-wittedUK, 1768

chuck offverb1to voice abuse; to let flyAUSTRALIA, 1915.2to throwsomeone off something A colloquial useUK, 1841

chuck one upverbto salute MilitaryUK, 1984

chuck outverbto eject someone forcibly; to get rid of someone.Usage may be actual, figurative or jocularUK, 1869

chucksnoun1a powerful craving for food associated with withdrawalfrom heroin addiction Also ‘chuckers’US, 1953.2the craving forfood that follows the smoking of marijuanaUS, 1970.3high-topsports shoes, especially Converse’s Chuck Taylor™ shoesUS, 1984

chuck upverb1to yield, to abandon, to give in From pugilism,specifically from the traditional method of conceding defeat; ashortening of ‘chuck up the sponge’UK, 1864.2to vomitAUSTRALIA, 1984

chuck wagonnoun1a truck stop or roadside restaurant A jocularreference to the cooking wagon on cattle drives in the Old WestUS,

. a brakevan (caboose)

chuck you, Farley!used as an expression of derision An

intentional spoonerism of ‘Fuck you, Charley!’, favoured by school

childrenUS, 1976

chudnoun a disgusting person From the film Cannabalistic

Humanoid Underground Dwellers US, 1986

chuddie; chuddynounchewing gum Used by teenagersUK, 1984

chuddiesnoununderpants Directly from Punjabi intoHINGLISH

(Asian English); widely popularised as a catchphraseKISS MY

CHUDDIES!coined by Goodness Gracious Me, a BBC comedy sketch

show scripted and performed by four British Asian comedians, first

heard on Radio 4 in 1996 but better known from television, since

1999; often misunderstood to meanARSE UK , 1996

chuffnoun1the anus or buttocksAUSTRALIA, 1945.2the vaginaUK, 1997.

3pubic hairUS, 1967.4a homosexual male A sexual objectification

from the sense as ‘buttocks’UK, 1961.< the chuffreplaces ‘the

hell’ in phrases such as ‘where the hell?’, a euphemism for ‘the

fuck’ FromCHUFF(the buttocks)UK, 1996

chuffverbto fartUK, 1998

chuff allnothing, nothing at allUK, 1997

chuff boxnounthe vagina; in later use, the anusUK, 1961

chuff chumnouna male homosexual An elaboration ofCHUFF(a

male homosexual) DerogatoryUK, 1961

chuffdruff; muffdruffnoundried flakes of sexual secretions (male

and/or female) clinging to the female pubic hair An ellipsis of

CHUFF(the vagina) orMUFF(the vagina, etc.) and ‘dandruff’UK, 1998

chuffedadjective1pleased, delighted; flattered; very excited

Originally northern English dialect meaning ‘proud’, adopted by

military, then wider society The current, more generalised usage

was possibly spread by jazz fans Embellishments include ‘chuffed

to fuck’; ‘chuffed to arseholes’; ‘chuffed to buggery’; ‘chuffed

pink’; ‘chuffed to little mint-balls’; ‘bo-chuffed’; ‘chuffed to little

naffy breaks’; ‘chuffed to naffy breaks’ and ‘chuffed to oil-bumps’

Often qualified by intensifiersDEAD,REAL,WELL, etcUK, 1957.

2displeased, disgruntled Qualifiers and context may be required

to distinguish usage from the previous sense as ‘pleased’ Variants

include ‘dischuffed’ and ‘dead chuffed’UK, 1961

chuffernoun1a person, euphemistic for ‘fucker’UK, 1997.2a

ciga-rette-smoker A play on ‘puffer’ andCHUFF(the buttocks/an arse)

UK, 2003.3a train From nursery useUK, 1999.4the buttocks An

elaboration ofCHUFF UK , 2004

chuffingadjectiveused as an intensifier, a euphemism for ‘fucking’

UK, 1997

chuffing Nora!used for registering surprise, anger, amazement, etc

A variation ofFLAMING NORA! UK , 1997

chuff it!a general declaration of rejection or dimissal; may also

imply resignation to or acceptance of a situation.FUCK IT!

euphemisticallyUK, 1859

chuff munchernouna lesbian FromCHUFF(the vagina)UK, 1998

chuff nutnouna piece of faecal matter clinging to anal hair

Elaborated onCHUFF UK , 1961

chuff piecenounthe anus, the arse An elaboration ofCHUFF UK , 1962

chuftienounthe vagina A variation ofCHUFF(the vagina)UK, 1998

chuftie plugnouna tamponUK, 1998

chufty badgenouna notional award offered to someone who is

overly proud of a small achievementUK, 2005

chugnouna long, sustained swallow of a drinkUS, 1969

chugverb1to swallow a drink in a single draught An abbreviation of

CHUGALUG US , 1989.2in computing, to operate slowlyUS, 1991

chug-a-lug!used as a drinking toastAUSTRALIA, 1984

chugalug; chuglugverbto drink without pausing to breatheUS, 1936

chuggernouna professional fundraiser who is tasked to confront

passers-by in the street with a charity’s need for regular income

and persuade people to sign agreements to make regular

donations A blend of ‘charity’ andMUGGER(a street robber)UK, 2002

chuggingnouna method of professional fundraising by persuading

passers-by in the street to sign financial agreements for regular

chukenouna knitted capUS, 1966. 8see:CHUC

chukka chapnouna man associated with the game of polo A

‘chukka’ is a period of play in a polo matchUK, 2003

chukka chicknouna woman associated with the game of poloUK, 2004

chumnoun1an associate, a regular companion or a close friend.Originally in conventional use; slipped into colloquial use in C19

UK, 1684.2used (of a male) as a form of address, often patronising

UK, 1684

chumverb1in aerial combat, to fly low over enemy territory inorder to draw enemy ground fire, which is then answered byairpower flying higher and out of sightUS, 1990.2to vomitUS, 1990

chumaverbto kiss From the HindiFIJI, 1996

chum buddynouna close friendUS, 1952

chummerynounin India, a bungalow (or similar) shared by friends(now, usually young and single) FromCHUM(a friend)INDIA, 1888

chummifiedadjectivedrunkUS, 1968

chummynoun1a civilian; a prisoner; a prime suspect; also used as

a patronising form of address Metropolitan Police slang; adiminutive ofCHUM(a friend) that threatens intimacyUK, 1948.

2loose and broken pieces of anything A closely related word with

a different but perhaps related meaning is used in New Englandand the Canadian maritime provinces fishing: ‘chum bait’,

‘chumming’CANADA, 1999

chummyadjectivevery friendly, intimate, sociableUS, 1884

chumpnoun1a fool; a naive person who is easily dupedUS, 1876.

2the headUK, 1859.< off your chumpin any degree, madUK, 1864

chumpverb1to act foolishlyUS, 1971.2to swindle someone, to cheatsomeoneUS, 1930

chump changenouna small amount of moneyUS, 1968

chump educatornoun1a trade newspaper or magazine used toeducate outsiders on the industry’s secretsUS, 1981.2in the circus

or carnival, Billboard magazine US, 1980

chump expensesnounminor expensesUS, 1969

chump heisternouna carnival ferris wheelUS, 1980

chump jobnouna legal, legitimate job, especially a low-paying andmenial oneUS, 1972

chump offverbto better or out-insult someone in a verbal duelUS, 1972

chump twisternouna carouselUS, 1961

chunckverbin pinball, to hit the ball into a scoring bumper withsuch force that the bumper fails to respondUS, 1977

chundernoun1vomitAUSTRALIA, 1953.2an instance of vomiting

AUSTRALIA, 1983.3in poker, a weak hand that winsUS, 1996

chunderverb1to vomit Probably rhyming slang for ‘Chunder Loo’(spew); from the name of an advertising comic strip character thatran in the early C20 The widely held theory that it derives from aclipping of the phrase ‘Watch under!’, used by seasick passengers

on liners to warn the lower decks of an impending vomit-shower,

is nothing but ingenious triflingAUSTRALIA, 1950.2to manglesomeoneAUSTRALIA, 1986.3to churnAUSTRALIA, 1962

chunderernouna person who habitually vomits, especially as aresult of excessive drinkingAUSTRALIA, 1971

chunderingnounvomitingAUSTRALIA, 1964

chunderishadjectivebiliousAUSTRALIA, 1991

chunderousadjectivesickeningAUSTRALIA, 1967

chunknouna large amountUS, 1889

chunkverb1to throw somethingUS, 1835.2to vomitUS, 1994.3inAmericans casinos, to bet a great deal, especially to do so unwisely

US, 1985.4to engage in a fist fightUS, 1990

chunka-chunkaadjectiveused for representing a steady musicalrhythm EchoicUK, 2003

chunk downverbto eatUS, 1968

chunker an M79 grenade launcher Vietnam war usage

chunk of beef; chunka; chunkernouna chief, a boss Rhyming

slang; probably no longer in useAUSTRALIA, 1942

chunk of changea lot of moneyUS, 2002

chunky; chunks; chunkiesnounhashish From the similarity in

appearance to a block of chocolateUS, 1971

chuntnounan inept, unlikeable personUS, 2004

churchnounLSDUK, 2003.< the churchthe Investigations

Department of HM Customs & ExciseUK, 2001

churchienouna religious proponent of virtueNEW ZEALAND, 1997

church is out1an opportunity has passedUS, 1966.2no hope

remains; there is nothing to be doneUS, 1966

church keynouna can and bottle opener With the advent of

pull-ring (1962), the pop-top (1963), and the stay-on tab can (1974), the

device and term all but disappearedUS, 1951

Church of Englandnounin craps, a bet that the next roll will be 1,

2, 11 or 12 A back-formation fromC AND E, itself the initials of

‘crap-eleven’, the conventional name of the betUS, 1983

church ratnouna self-serving, pious personTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1993

church trampnouna student who changes his church affiliation as

necessary to attend various church social functionsUS, 1963

church wardennouna pipe with a long stem Originally made of

clay but the name refers to the shape not the material In 2003

this type of pipe is enjoying a small revival in fashion as a result of

the films in the Lord of the Rings trilogy UK, 1863

churnverbto schedule unnecessary return visits to a doctor to

increase feesUS, 1991.< churn butterto have sex Vietnam war

usage; slang based on visual imagesUS, 1991

churn outverbto produce a large quantity of something, especially

without too much concern for the finished article’s qualityUK, 1912

chutnouna male homosexual; homosexual practices between men

Possibly fromCHUTE(the rectum),CHUTNEY(sodomy) or as a

vari-ation ofCHUFF(a homosexual male)UK, 1977

chutverbto chew chewing gumAUSTRALIA, 1945

chutenoun1the rectumUS, 1976.2the coin slot on a pinball

machineUS, 1977.3especially in Quebec, a waterfallCANADA, 1947.

4in sailing, a spinnakerUS, 1990.5a parachuteUK, 1920.6in the

usage of youthful model road racers (slot car racers), a straight

portion of trackUS, 1997.< through the chutesmuggled from

VenezuelaTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1987

chutesnouna subway (underground) systemUS, 1950

chutneynounsodomy From a similarity in colour and texture

between conventional ‘chutney’ and faecal matterUK, 1984

chutney farmer; chutney ferretnouna male homosexual

Derogatory FromCHUTNEY(sodomy)UK, 1996

chuttynounchewing gumAUSTRALIA, 1942

chutzpah; chuzpahnoungall, intestinal fortitude, extreme

self-con-fidence One of the best-known Yiddish words in the USUS, 1892

CHVnoun Council House Vermin, i.e people who, it appears, can

only afford to live in council housesIRELAND, 2003

ciacito, babyused as a farewell A catchphrase television sign-off of

Daisy Fuentes, the too-hip host on the MTV cable network in the

1990s Repeated with referential humourUS, 1994

ciao; ciaougoodbye From an Italian greeting and farewell, affected

by English-speakers as a fashionable or ironic farewellUK, 1959

’cid; cid; sidnounLSD An abbreviation ofACID US , 1986

-cide; -icidesuffixthe conventional suffix, that creates the meaning

‘murder’ or ‘murderer’, when used to make a flippant or

nonce-word In June 2003 a quick search of the Internet reveals

‘Bushicide’, ‘Saddamicide’ and ‘Iraqicide’UK, 1866

Cider CitynicknameHereford, Herefordshire; Taunton, Somerset

Both are historic centres of cider-makingUK, 1981

ciderheadnouna cider drinker Combines conventional ‘cider’ with

-HEAD(a habitual user)UK, 1998

cig a cigarette or cigar

cigarnoun1a reprimand, especially at workUS, 1960.2in circus andcarnival usage, any complimentUS, 1981

cigar!correct! An extrapolation from ‘Close, but no cigar’US, 1991

cigarettenounan untalented or personality-free roller derby skater.The cigarette lagged back in the packet, hence the punning term

US, 1999

cigarette holdernounthe shoulder Rhyming slangUK, 1998

cigarette papernouna packet of heroin or another drugUS, 1936

cigarette pimpnouna pimp whose lack of professional pride leadshim to solicit customers for his prostitutesUS, 1972

cigarette rollnouna type of parachute malfunctionUS, 1962

cigarette swag; cigarette paper swagnouna small pack ofpossessions and necessary items carried by a tramp From the sizeand shape of the packAUSTRALIA, 1938

cigarette with no namenouna marijuana cigaretteUS, 1980

ciggernouna cigaretteAUSTRALIA, 1922

ciggy; ciggienouna cigaretteUS, 1915

ciggyboo; ciggieboonouna cigaretteUK, 1958

ciggybuttnouna cigaretteUS, 1998

Cilla Black; Cillanounthe back Rhyming slang, formed on thename of singer and television presenter Cilla Black (b.1943)UK, 1992

CIL spinnernounan illegal charge of dynamite to ‘catch’ fish in thewater without using hooks or netsCANADA, 1989

cinchnoun1a certaintyUS, 1890.2in horse racing, a horse that isvirtually certain to winUS, 1960

cinchersnounbrakesUS, 1942

Cincy; CincinicknameCincinatti, OhioUS, 1899

cinder dicknouna railway detectiveUS, 1925

cinderellanounthe nose Rhyming slang for ‘smeller’UK, 1992

cinderellaadjective1the colour yellow; in snooker, the yellow ball.Rhyming slangUK, 1992.2cowardly Rhyming slang forYELLOW UK , 2002

Cinderella libertynouna short release from military duty and frombase restrictions Cinderella had to be home by midnight, as donavy and marine troopsUS, 1961

Cinderella teamnouna sports team that wins a tournament orchampionship that it had little hope of winningUS, 1971

cindersnoun< take to the cinderson the railways, to quit a job

US, 1977

cinder trailnouna railway trackUS, 1962

cinnamon sticknouna penis with faeces stains after anal sexUS, 1979

cipaillenounin Quebec, a deep-dish meat pieCANADA, 1998

cipheringnounarithmeticUS, 1905

circlenounany group of people playing footbagUS, 1997

circleverb< circle a game(of a bookmaker) to limit the amountthat may be bet on a given game or race when the bookmakersuspects that the game or race is fixedUS, 1978.< circle the drain1to be near deathUS, 1994.2by extension, said of a project

or enterprise that is nearing collapseUS, 1997

Circle CitynicknameLeeds, West YorkshireUK, 1981

circledadjectivemarriedUS, 1960

circle jerknoun1group male masturbation, sometimes mutual andsometimes simply a shared solitary experienceUS, 1958.2any non-productive, time-wasting exerciseUS, 1973.3a series of exit consoles

on websites that link back on themselves, creating an infinite loop

US, 2004

circle-jerkverbto participate in group male masturbationUS, 1971

Circle Knounthe recreational drug ketamine A punning allusion to

a US national chain of convenience storesUS, 1998

circle worknounthe driving of a car in tight circles to form circulartracks on the groundAUSTRALIA, 1996

circs

circuitnouna series of homosexual parties held each year around

the US, with participants flying from city to city for the festivities

US, 1990s

circuit girlnouna travelling prostituteUS, 2002

circuit queennouna male homosexual who follows the circuit from

party to partyUS, 1994

circular filenouna wastebasketUS, 1947

circulationnountrafficCANADA, 2001

circusnoun1sexual behaviour that is public, fetishistic or bothUS, 1878.

2a state of affairs; a noisy and confused institution, place, scene or

assemblageUS, 1899.3a temporary company of people (often moving

from place to place), engaged in the same endeavour, e.g lawn

tennis, motor racing, etc A specialisation ofCIRCUS(an assemblage)

UK, 1958.4a group of aircraft engaged in displays of skilful flying

Military originsUK, 1916.5feigned spasms by a drug addict to

convince a doctor to prescribe a narcoticUS, 1949

circus bees; circus squirrelsnounbody liceUS, 1981

circus cowboynouna youthful, attractive homosexual male

prostitute A matching of the USMIDNIGHT COWBOYwith London

geographyUK, 1987

circus simpleadjectiveobsessed with the circusUS, 1975

circus tentnounan apartment or house where customers pay to

view sexual exhibitionsUS, 1959

cissyadjectiveeffeminate From ‘sister’CANADA, 1915

citizennoun1an ordinary person outside a gang or clubUS, 2000.2a

fellow member of a youth gangUS, 1953.3a prisoner who has

earned the respect of other prisonersUS, 1989

citsnoun< the citsMinneapolis and St Paul, MinnesotaUS, 1966

Citynoun< The CitySan Francisco, California Uniformly used by

northern Californians, who shun’FRISCO US , 1955

-citysuffixa good example of the precedent nounUS, 1930

city blocknounin horse racing, a large margin of victory or a large

leadUS, 1951

city collegenouna jail, especially the New York City jailUK, 1796

city flyernouna small truck used for local deliveriesUS, 1971

city Jakenouna person sophisticated in urban waysUS, 1966

city kittynouna local police officialUS, 1976

city lightnounthe low-intensity setting on headlightsUS, 1950

city mousenounin Antarctica, a member of support personnel who

never leaves McMurdo StationANTARCTICA, 2003

city of the newly-wed and nearly-deadnicknameVictoria, British

ColumbiaCANADA, 1989

city slickernouna smoothly persuasive rogue of a type

stereotypically associated with city life; a sophisticated city-dweller

The second sense is derogatoryUS, 1924

city tittiesnounsmall bumps delineating lanes on motorways and

roadsUS, 1992

city totenouna coat Rhyming slang, formed on the name of a

bookmaking firmUK, 1998

civiliannoun1anyone who is not a member of the group with

which the speaker identifies, especially a motocyle gangUS, 1946.

2a non-regular officerUS, 1947.3in twelve-step recovery

programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous, a person who is not

involved in and does not need to be involved in a recovery

programmeUS, 1998

civil serpentnounused as a humorous synonym for ‘civil servant’

US, 1980

civviesnoun1civilian clothes Military usageUK, 1889.2manufactured

cigarettes Prison slang, remembering the pleasures of being a

CIVVY(a civilian) and a gentle play onCIGGY; CIGGIES UK , 1996

civvynouna member of the general public, not a member of the

uniformed services: military, police, prison, fire, etc Abbreviated

from ‘civilian’UK, 1895

civvyadjectivecivilian Military useUK, 1915

civvy street

CJnounphencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angeldustUS, 1994

C-jamnouncocaineUS, 1986

c-jamenouncocaineUS, 1968

C-jointnouna place where cocaine is soldUS, 2002

CJ’snouna pair of men’s close-fitting and revealing nylon swimmingtrunks Standing forCOCK JOCKS AUSTRALIA , 2003

CKnoun1Calvin Klein™ clothing Favoured by members of theBloods youth gang, to whom the initials also stand for ‘Crip Killer’

US, 2000.2a mixture of cocaine and the recreational drug ketamine

US, 1995.3cocaineUS, 1971.4a man who feels that he has todisparage other men in front of women An abbreviation ofCOCK-

KNOCKER US , 2002

CK1nouna mixture of nine parts cocaine and one part the reational drug ketamine The brand name of a popular fragrance

rec-by Calvin KleinUK, 2001

clackverbto rattle the dice when switching altered dice in or out of

a game; always inadvertent and usually disastrous to the cheatUS, 1950

clackernoun1the backside; the anus Probably from ‘clacker’ aratcheted noise-making device, alluding to farting Not aperversion of ‘cloaca’AUSTRALIA, 1960.2a young woman; a group ofyoung women; young women in general MilitaryUK, 1984.3adollarUS, 1918.4a triggering device for claymore minesUS, 1990

clackersnounthe teeth; false teethUS, 1950

clacker valvenounthe female genitaliaUK, 2003

clagnounexcreta, faeces; rubbishUK, 2003

claggyadjectiveunpleasantly bedaubed with excreta FromCLAG UK , 2003

clag nutnouna small lump of excreta or toilet paper that clings tothe anal hair FromCLAG(faeces)UK, 2003

claimverb1to arrest someoneUK, 1970.2to challenge someone to afightIRELAND, 1989

claimingnouna method of casino cheating, in which a cheat claimsthat a slot machine malfunctioned and they received no payment

or inadequate payment from a winUS, 1985

Claire Raynersnountrainers (footwear) Based on the name ofClaire Rayner, popular agony aunt and novelistUK, 1997

clamnoun1the vaginaUS, 1916.2the anusUS, 1983.3the mouthUS, 1825.

4a dollarUS, 1886.5a betting chip in a poker gameUS, 1988.6in amusical performance, a missed cue or an off-key noteUS, 1955

clam; clam upverbto stop talkingUS, 1916

clambakenouna session in which jazz musicians collectivelyimprovise FromCLAM(a missed note)US, 1937

clam damnouna condom CombinesCLAM(the vagina) with ‘dam’(a barrier)US, 1990s

clam-diggersnouncalf-length trousers The suggestion is that thetrousers are an appropriate length for digging for clams in mudflatsUS, 1947

clam gunnouna shovel or other digging implementUS, 1927

clampverb< clamp it toto have sexUS, 1963

clam patchnounthe passenger seat on a motorcyle Biker(motorcyle) slang, coarsely referencing women asCLAM(the vagina)

US, 2003

clampersnounthe teethUS, 1970

clamp it!be quiet!UK: SCOTLAND, 1988

clampsnounhandcuffsUS, 1949

clamsnounmoneyAUSTRALIA, 1992

clam-shelledadjective< get clam-shelledto be engulfed by awave while surfingUS, 1991

clam squirtnounvaginal secretionsUS, 1974

Clannoun< the Clana group of performers and friendssurrounding Frank Sinatra in the 1950s and 60s Better known as

clangernoun1an error, a mistakeUK, 1957.2a cowardAUSTRALIA, 1953.

3in poker, a drawn card that does nothing to improve your hand

Also known as a ‘clang’US, 1996

clangeroonouna memorably bad misjudgement An intensification

ofCLANGER(an error) with the suffix-EROO; mainly theatrical in use

UK, 1957

clangersnountesticlesUK, 1961

clanknounan armoured tankUS, 1982

clankverb1to be nervousUS, 1955.2to reject a romantic overture or

partnerUS, 1959

clank clank!used in response to an Australian’s claim of ancestry

that goes back to the days of the early settlers Echoic of

transported prisoners’ chainsAUSTRALIA, 1968

clanked upadjectiveanxious, nervousUS, 1953

clanksnoun delirium tremens US, 1980

clapnoun gonorrhoea From old French clapoir (a sore caused by

venereal disease); the term was normal register for centuries,

slipping into colloquial or slang in mid-C19UK, 1587

clapverbto kill someoneUS, 2002.< clap beefto have sex with a

womanJAMAICA, 1980.< clap eyes onto see someone or

somethingUK, 1838

clap checkernouna member of the Medical Corps Vietnam war

usage, identifying medics by the least glorious of their dutiesUS,

1991

clap clinicnouna medical pratice that treats all sexually transmitted

diseaseUS, 1976

clapped-out; clappedadjective1unserviceable as a result of use or

neglectUK, 1946.2(of persons) exhausted, no longer effectiveUK, 1946

clappersnounthe testicles Derives from the clapper of a bell, and is

almost always in the pluralUK, 1959.< like the clappers; like

the clappers of hell; like the clappers of fuckvery fast; very

hard Possibly rhyming slang for ‘clappers of a bell’, ‘hell’UK, 1948

clappyadjectiveinfected with a sexually transmitted infection,

especially gonorrhoeaUS, 1937

clapsnoungonorrhoea Largely black usageUS, 1965

clap shacknouna clinic or hospital ward where sexually transmitted

infections are treatedUS, 1952

clap sticksnounin the television and film industries, the clapboard

used for synchronising sound and pictureUS, 1987

claptrapnoun1nonsense, rubbish From the conventional sense

(language designed to win applause)UK, 1915.2a brothel with a

high incidence of sexually transmitted infectionsUS, 1987

clarabellenountetrahydrocannabinal (THC), the psychoactive

ingredient in marijuanaUS, 1971

Clarencenicknamea cross-eyed person From Clarence, a cross-eyed

lion that out-acted the human cast in BBC television’s Daktari,

1966–69UK: SCOTLAND, 1988

claretnounblood Conventional claret is a fortified Bordeaux red

wine; the visual connection is obviousUK, 1604

Clarissenounused as a term of address among male homosexuals

US, 1965

claritynounMDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUS,

1989

Clark Gablenouna table Rhyming slang, formed on the name of

US film actor Clark Gable, 1901–60UK, 1992

Clark Kentadjectivehomosexual Rhyming slang forBENT, formed

from the ‘secret identity’ of SupermanUK, 2003

clartnoun1used as a term of friendly address Most likely from UK

blackBLOODCLAATorPUSSYCLAAT(a contemptible person) into wider

youth usageUK, 2004.2excrement; also as a euphemism for all

senses of ‘shit’ From Scottish and dialect clarty (sticky with dirt;

sticky; dirty) Also used in the pluralUK, 1977

clarynouna clarinetUS, 1942 8see:JULIAN CLARY

classnounelegant style or behaviour, refined taste, a state of

classverbto attend a classUS, 2002

class A’snoun1cocaine, heroin and other drugs that are legallycategorised as Class A narcoticsUK, 1999.2in the US Army, thedress uniformUS, 1968

classicadjective1excellentUS, 1964.2handsome, well-dressedUS, 1998

classic sixnouna common layout of an apartment in Manhattan –two bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen and smallmaid’s roomUS, 2002

class up the assnouna superlative styleUS, 1972

classyadjectiveof superior quality; stylish; havingCLASS UK , 1891

classy chassisnounan attractive female bodyUS, 1955

clatnouna dirty personUK: SCOTLAND, 1985

clatchnounyour personal belongingsANTARCTICA, 1989

clatterverbto smack someone, to hit someone, to beat someone

upUK, 1979

clattersnouna smacking FromCLATTER(to smack)UK, 1979

’clavaed upadjective used when a balaclava helmet is worn UK, 2000

Clavennounsomeone who purports to know everything From the

Cliff Claven character on the television comedy Cheers US, 1991

clawnouna pickpocketUS, 1914

clawverbto pick a glass up from its topUS, 1998.< claw off a lee shoreto face serious difficulties in a task or project NauticaloriginsUS, 1963

claynoun1a claymore mineUS, 1994.2tetrahydrocannabinal (THC),the psychoactive ingredient in marijuanaUS, 1971.3hashishUS, 1992

clay eaternouna poor rural dwellerUS, 1841

clay pigeonnouna person who is easily victimisedUS, 1972

Clayton’snounany substitute for a desired thingNEW ZEALAND, 2002

Clayton’sadjectivefalse, pretend, faux From the proprietary name of

a substitute alcoholic drink which was widely advertised as ‘thedrink you have when you’re not having a drink’AUSTRALIA, 1984

cleanverb1by gambling, fraud or theft, to take all of someone’smoney A variant is ‘clean out’UK, 1812.2to remove seeds, stemsand foreign matter from marijuana leavesUS, 1967.3to rid yourself

of altered dice, altered cards or any evidence of cheatingUS, 1950.

4in mountain biking, to succeed in negotiating an obstacle or set

of obstacles without accidentUS, 1996.< clean it upto clarify orexplain somethingUS, 1942.< clean out the kitchen; clean up the kitchento perform oral sex on a womanUS, 1941.< clean road for monkey to runto labour for someone else’s benefit

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003.< clean someone’s bonesto thrash ordefeat someone soundly in a fightUS, 1963.< clean someone’s clock1to severely defeat someone, physically or in a competition

US, 1959.2in trucking, to pass another vehicle, especially anothertruck, at high speedUS, 1971.< clean the booksto induce acriminal to confess to a series of unsolved crimesUS, 1984.

< clean the cage outto perform oral sex on a womanUK, 2002.

< clean the clockon the railways, to make an emergency stop

An allusion to the air gauge that drops to zero in an emergencystopUS, 1977.< clean the kitchento lick your sex-partner’s anus

UK, 2002.< clean the pipesto ejaculate; to masturbateUS, 1998.

< clean the tablein pool, to shoot all of the remaining balls inone turnUS, 1989.< clean the tube(of a male) to masturbate.Using ‘tube’ to mean ‘the penis’US, 2001.< clean up the calendar(used of the police) to extract from a criminalconfessions clearing up a number of crimes, regardless of hisactual guilt, in exchange for lenient treatment on another crime

US, 1992

cleanadjective1drug-freeUS, 1949.2unarmedUS, 1952.3innocent; free

of suspicion; without a trace of guilt; without a criminal recordUS,

1925.4not subject to police surveillanceUS, 2003.5(used of anillegal betting operation) unafraid of police intervention because ofbribes paid to the policeUS, 1951.6excellent, fashionable, stylishUS,

1963.7(used of a theatrical performance) completely sold outUS,

1973.8in circus and carnival usage, without valueUS, 1981.9(of anobject ball in pool) directly into the pocket without touching acushion or another ball

cleanadverbcompletely as in ‘He got clean away’ or ‘I clean forget’

UK, 1999

clean and readyadjectiveprepared; dressed nicelyUS, 1980

cleanernoun1in the used car business, a customer who does not

have a car to trade inUS, 1956.2a hired killerUS, 2000.3in circus

and carnival usage, the person who retrieves money from paid

players who have been allowed to win a concession game to drum

up businessUS, 1981

cleanersnoun< take someone to the cleaners1to thrash

someoneUK, 1976.2to thoroughly swindle or rob someoneUS, 1907.

3to forcibly strip someoneUK, 1996

clean freaknouna person who is obsessed with cleanlinessUS, 1967

cleaning crewnounthe members of a criminal enterprise who rid

the crime scene of possible evidence and at times any bodies

resulting from the crimeUS, 1997

cleaning kitnounthe equipment needed to rid a crime scene of

possible evidenceUS, 1997

clean outverbto thrash someoneUS, 1862

clean peelernounto a surfer, a perfect waveUS, 1997

clean sheetsnouna bed or cot Vietnam war usageUS, 1991

cleanskinnoun1a person without a criminal record Originally

applied to an unbranded sheepAUSTRALIA, 1943.2a novice From the

conventional sense (an unbranded stock animal)AUSTRALIA, 1907.3a

person of integrity, especially in a political context From the sense

of ‘a person without a police record’AUSTRALIA, 1942.4in horse

racing, a jockey who has never been disqualified in a race

AUSTRALIA, 1989

cleansleevenouna low-ranking military recriutUS, 1909

clean-the-kitchennouncorned beef hashUS, 1946

clean timenounthe amount of time that has passed since a

prisoner was last in troubleUS, 1989

clean-upnoun1a good alibiUS, 1990.2a wave that breaks seaward of

most surfers, causing them to lose their boards and thus cleaning

up the areaUS, 1964

clean upverbto make a profit, especially a big oneUS, 1831

cleanup teamnounthe members of a criminal enterprise who rid a

crime scene of any possible evidence and at times bodies resulting

from the crimeUS, 1997

clean wheelsnouna motor vehicle to be used in crime that has

never been previously stolen or come under prior police suspicion

in any wayUK, 1977

clean worksnouna new needle and syringe A concept and term

new in the age of AIDSUS, 1993

clearnoun< in the clearwith no evidence against you; therefore,

innocent or apparently soUK, 1934

clearverbto steal somethingUK, 1998.< clear the channelto stop

talkingUS, 1962.< clear your tubesto ejaculate; to masturbate

AUSTRALIA, 1985

clear as mudadjectiveanything but clear; confusedUK, 1842

clearinghousenounan illegal lottery More commonly known as a

NUMBERSgameUS, 1951

Clear Lakenounmethamphetamine purportedly manufactured in

the Clear Lake region of northern CaliforniaUS, 1989

clear lightnouna stage in some LSD experiences in which the user

feels receptive to enlightmentUS, 1971

clearly!I agree!US, 2002

clear offverbto depart Often used as an imperativeUK, 1816

clearskinnounused as a variation of all senses of ‘cleanskin’

AUSTRALIA, 1943

clear-skinnedadjectivewith a light complexionBARBADOS, 1965

clefverbto compose a tune or songUS, 1948

Clemnounin the circus or carnival, a fight with customersUS, 1891

Clement Freudnouna haemorrhoid Rhyming slang, formed from

Freud (b.1924), father ofEMMA FREUDwhose name has asynonymous purposeUK, 2003

clemonounexecutive clemency granted to a convicted prisonerUS, 1960

clennedaknounin Quebec, a child’s taffy cone (a sweet confection)

CANADA, 1998

clerknounin American casinos, an exceptionally skilled dealerUS, 1980

clerks and jerksnounclerical support personnel and officers.Vietnam war usage The high degree of cynicism about officersfound in enlisted men was even more intense in VietnamUS, 1975

cleveradjective< damned clever these Chinese; dead clever these Chinese; clever chaps these Chinesea catchphraseused as a comment upon an explanation given about some device

or machine, especially if the explanation has not beenunderstood A back-handed tribute to Chinese ingenuityUS, 1955

clever bollocksnouna clever personUK, 2001

clever clogsnouna clever person A variation of ‘clever boots’UK, 1866

clever creepnouna forensic chemist Police useUK, 1971

clever dicknoun1a clever, rather too clever, person Derisive orsarcastic in useUK, 1887.2a brick Rhyming slangUK, 1992

clever Dickienouna bricklayer Rhyming slang for ‘brickie’,extended fromCLEVER DICK(a brick)UK, 1992

clever drawersnouna knowledgable person DisparagingUK, 1966

clevergutsnouna clever person Childish and sarcasticUK, 1959

cleverkinsnouna clever personUK, 1937

cleverlyadverb(used of a racehorse winning a race) easilyUS, 1960

clever Mikenouna bicycle Rhyming slang for ‘bike’UK, 1961

clever sticksnouna clever person A variation on the theme of

‘clever boots’; often used as a juvenile tauntUK, 1946

clevienounthe vaginaUK, 2002

clew upverbto hide, to go into hiding Of naval originsUK, 1962

clicknoun1a gang A corrupted spelling of ‘clique’US, 1879.2akilometer Also spelt ‘klick’ or ‘klik’ Vietnam war usageUS, 1962

clickverb1to have a successful encounter with a hitherto unknownmember of the opposite sexUK, 1937.2to get along instantly andfamouslyUK, 1915.3to suddenly understand something; tosuddenly make sense in contextUK, 1939.4to perform at the rightmoment as needed by a friendUS, 1989.5to enjoy an amorousrelationshipIRELAND, 2003.6of a woman, to become pregnant (or inAustralia, of a cow)UK, 1937.7in the theatre or other forms ofentertainment, to be a successUS, 1926.8in horse racing, to win araceUS, 1951.9to be well acceptedUS, 1982.10to be selected oraccepted for a duty or a fate; to be killed A military colloquialism

UK, 1917

clickernoun1crack cocaine mixed with phencyclidine, the reational drug known as PCP or angel dustUS, 1994.2a brickUS,

rec-1989.3in circus and carnival usage, a free passUS, 1981

clickersnounfalse teethUS, 1950

clicksnounapproval; applauseUS, 1997

clicks and mortar; C&Mnouna business that combines tradingfrom traditonal business premises with Internet-based commerce

A play on ‘bricks and mortar’, a traditional businessUS, 1999

clientisedadjectivehaving come to a point of view that is insympathy with a client’s or subject’s outlook or situationUK, 2003

Cliffienouna student or alumna of Radcliffe College, HarvardUniversityUS, 1961

C lightnounin the pornography industry, a light used to illuminatethe genitals of the performers ‘C’ is inCUNT US , 1991

climaxnoun1amyl nitrite Because of the orgasm-enhancing teristics of the drugUS, 1992.2heroinUK, 1998

charac-climbnoun1cat burglaryUK, 1936.2a marijuana cigarette A climb isnecessary if you wish to getHIGH(intoxicated)US, 1946

climbverb< climb the wooden hill; climb the wooden hill to Bedfordshireto go upstairs to bed A combination ofWOODEN