Rhyming slang for KNACKERS, formed on the name of Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer b.1937UK , 1992 ketnoun1the recreational drug ketamineAUSTRALIA , 1996.2a kettle NEW ZEALAND , 1998
Trang 1Knoun1one thousand dollars; one thousand pounds Also spelt
‘kay’US , 1965.2a kilometreUK , 1996.3a kilogram, especially of an
illegal drugUS , 1974.4the recreational drug ketamine Ketamine
hycrochloride is an anaesthetic used recreationally for its
hallucinogenic propertiesUS , 1996.5leaves of catha edulis, a
stimu-lant also called ‘qat’, originating in the Horn of Africa and the
Arabian peninsula, legally available in the UK and similar to
amphetamine in effect when chewed Also known as ‘khat’ and
‘kat’UK , 1996.6in a deck of cards, a kingUS , 1991.7a knighthood.
Used by civil servants; suggestive of a casual familiarity with the
honourUK , 1961.8oral sex on a woman performed according to the
strictures of the ‘Kivin Method’US , 2001
K2noun1phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or
angel dustUS , 1970.2a hybrid marijuana Named after the second
highest place on earthUK , 2003
KAnouna known associate of a criminalUS , 1986
kaalgatadjective in the nude, naked From Afrikaans kaal (bare) and
gat (hole; anus) SOUTH AFRICA , 1978
kabaknounmarijuanaUK , 2003
kabayonoun heroin A phonetic approximation of Spanish caballo
(horse);HORSE(heroin)US , 1977
ka-chingused as a representation of the sound of a sale entered on
a cash registerUS , 1995
kacknounfaecesNEW ZEALAND , 1984 8see:CACK
kacksnoun1trousers A variation ofKECKS; sometimes spelt ‘cacks’
Noted in teenage use and still current in 2003UK , 1983.
2underpants, knickers Sometimes spelt ‘kaks’IRELAND , 1991.
< relax the kackstake it easyIRELAND , 2003
kaffnouna marijuana cigaretteUK , 2003
kaffallnounthe face Polari; probably an elaboration ofECAF US , 1993
kaffiesnountrousersUK , 2002
kaffirnoun1a black person, especially a black African Offensive,
contemptuous, often abusive; its use is actionable under South
African law as a crimen injuria (a wilful injury to a person’s dignity
caused by, for instance, the use of obscene language or racial
insults) Also applied in an adjectival senseSOUTH AFRICA , 1607.2any
person who does not accept Islam From the Hindi for ‘infidel’
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003
Kaffliknouna CatholicUK: SCOTLAND , 1998
kag; kaggagenounuseless or unwanted equipment Royal Marine
slang; combining ‘baggage’ andKACK UK , 1989
kahunanoun1a great or important person or thing From a
Hawaiian term for ‘priest, wise man’; in this sense often used with
‘big’US , 1987.2in computing, an intelligent and wise practitioner
US , 1991.3a type of marijuanaUK , 2003
kainounfood; also, drink ‘Kai’ is the term for ‘food’ in many
Polynesian languages, but in Australia borrowed either from New
Zealand English, where it is taken from Maori, or from various
Melanesian pidginsAUSTRALIA , 1872
kaka holenoun1the anusTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2001.2by extension,
a despicable personTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2001
kakalaylaynoundancing with clear sexual overtonesTRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO , 1998
kaka pipenouna sewage discharge pipeANTARCTICA , 2003
kaksnounKhaki trousersUS , 1968
kalakitnounmarijuanaUK , 2003
kale
Kalgoorlie coolernouna hessian-walled cabinet for keeping foodstuffs cool by evaporation After the West Australian mining town KalgoorlieAUSTRALIA , 1962
kali; kali weednounmarijuana from Jamaica Rastafarians consider the smoking of ‘kali’ to be a religious act This spirituality is apparent in a number of Hindi words adopted into their lexicon Conventionally, Kali is the Hindu goddess of time, mother and creator of all things, the personification of cosmic forceJAMAICA , 1982
kali mistnouna variety of marijuanaUK , 2002
kali waternounchampagne FromKAYLIED; KALIED(drunk)UK , 1981
kalsominernouna person who claims mining experience and skills
he does not have The word is derived from ‘calcimine’, a kind of whitewashCANADA , 1964
kamikazenouna fall from a surfboard while standing near the nose
of the boardAUSTRALIA , 1963
kampadjectivea homosexual male Rare spelling variant ofCAMP, based on the incorrect folk etymology that it is a C19 acronym for
‘known as male prostitute’ AUSTRALIA , 1974
kanganoun1a kangaroo By shorteningAUSTRALIA , 1917.2money From rhyming slang ‘kanga(roo)’ forSCREW AUSTRALIA , 1953
kangaroonoun1a Jewish person Rhyming slang, sometimes corrupted to ‘kanker’ or ‘canker’UK , 1943.2crack cocaineUS , 1994.
3a tractor adapted for apple-pickingCANADA , 1989.4a prison warder Prisoners’ rhyming slang forSCREW(a prison warder), often reduced
to ‘kanga’UK , 1996
kangarooverbto use a toilet, especially a public toilet, by squatting
on the seatAUSTRALIA , 1942
kangaroo courtnouna body that passes judgment without attention to due processUS , 1853
kangarooernouna hunter of kangaroosAUSTRALIA , 1836
kangaroo-hopverb(of a motor vehicle) to jerk about because the clutch is not released smoothly, an engine problem or the like
AUSTRALIA , 1943
kangaroosnoun< have kangaroos loose in the top paddock
to be slightly crazyAUSTRALIA , 1908
Kangaroo’s Arsenouna notional brand name applied to poor qual-ity or cheap Australian wineUK , 2002
Kangaroo ValleynicknameEarls Court, London A favourite haunt of Australian touristsAUSTRALIA , 1965
kangkalang; kangkatangnounchaos; arguingTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1993
Kansas City rollnouna single large-denomination note wrapped around small-denomination notes, giving the impression of a great deal of moneyUS , 1964
Kansas grassnounmarijuana originating in KansasUS , 2003
Kansas yummynounan attractive woman who is not easily seduced A term that need not, and usually does not, apply to a woman actually from KansasUS , 1985
Kantworknouna Kenworth truck Said with irony of an extremely reliable and respected truckUS , 1976
kanyanounmarijuanaUS , 1995
kappa slappernouna girl member of a sub-cultural urban adolescent grouping that dresses in Kappa™ clothing Certainly in Cheshire, possibly more widespread Formed from the Kappa brand name andSLAPPER(a sexually promiscuous woman)UK , 2003
kaput; caputadjectiveused up, useless, destroyed From the German
Trang 2karachinouna mixture of heroin, phenobarbital and the recreational
drug methaqualone, best known as Quaaludes™; heroin Named
after Karachi in Pakistan, the source of much heroinUK , 1998
kareemnouna car While appearing to be an elaboration of ‘car’ this
is rhyming slang, based on the name of legendary basketball
player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (b.1947)UK , 2002
Karen Carpenter AirlinesnicknameQuebecair, a charter airline
with service from Canada to Europe which, allegedly, rarely had
food on board Karen Carpenter, of the music family, died at age
32 in 1983 of acute anorexia nervosaCANADA , 2002
karmanounfate, luck, destiny A Buddhist concept adopted by
hippies, vaguely understood, simplified and debased in all-purpose
usage ‘Good karma’ is recognition or portent of good luck, while
‘bad karma’ generally ascribes blameUS , 1967
karzynouna lavatory; also used in a figurative sense From the
Italian casa (a house) which is also its original use Many slang
words have alternate spellings but users of the karzy have more
choices than most: ‘khazi’; ‘kharzi’; ‘kharzie’; ‘kazi’;‘ karsi’;‘ carsey’;
‘carsie’; ‘carzie’; ‘cawsey’; ‘cawsy’ The variations spelt with a
‘k’date from the mid-C20 Brendan Behan, Borstal Boy, 1958, uses
‘cawsy’UK , 1961
kashitterynoun(among Nova Scotians of German descent) a verbal
fussCANADA , 1999
Kashmirnounpungent and very powerful hashish originating in
Kashmir, northern IndiaUK , 1999
kateverbto act as a pimpUS , 1976
kate; Katenoun1an attractive prostituteUS , 1949.2used as a term
of address among male homosexualsUS , 1965.< the katethe
army Shortened form of obsolete rhyming slang ‘Kate Carney’ (or
Karney), for ‘army’; Kate Carney was a popular music hall
entertainer in the late C19UK , 1964
Kate and Sidneynounsteak and kidney, especially in a steak and
kidney pudding or pie Rhyming slang that appears to be a
Spoonerism until you look againUK , 1998
Kate Bushnounmarijuana Named after British singer Kate Bush
(b.1958), disguisingKB(KIND BUD) and gently punning onBUSH UK ,
1996
Kate Mossverbto masturbate Rhyming slang forTOSS, formed from
the name of the British model (b.1974)UK , 2003
Kathleen Mavourneennoun1a habitual criminalAUSTRALIA , 1917.
2an indefinite jail sentenceAUSTRALIA , 1910
Kathleen Mavourneenadjectivelasting for an indefinite time
From the refrain of a popular song ‘It may be for years, it may be
forever’AUSTRALIA , 1903
katydidnounany Kenworth truckUS , 1971
kayanounmarijuana; a marijuana cigaretteJAMAICA , 1978
Kaybeckernouna French-speaking Canadian An intentional
‘Quebec’ corruptionUS , 1975
kayfabenounthe protection of the inside secrets of professional
wrestlingUS , 1993
kaylied; kaliedadjectivedrunkUK , 1978
kayropnounpork Back slangUK , 1992
kazh; kasj; cazhadjectivepleasant in a casual sort of way A word
deeply rooted in the Valley Girl ethicUS , 1981
KBnoun1a rejection, a setback FromKNOCKBACK UK , 1996.2high
quality marijuanaUS , 1997
KBverbto refuse; to reject Abbreviated and adapted fromKNOCK
BACK(to reject)UK , 1998
k-barnouna US Marine Corps survival knifeUS , 1979
K-boynounin a deck of playing cards, a kingUS , 1943
KC; Kay CeenicknameKansas City, MissouriUS , 1895
K capsulenouna capsule containing a mixture of the recreational
drug ketamine and MDMA, the recreational drug best known as
ecstasy FromK(ketamine)UK , 2002
keb
kebabnounthe vaginaUK , 2001
kecks; kegsnountrousers A northern variation of obsolete ‘kicks’ (trousers), now well known Also spelt as ‘keks’ and ‘kex’ In Glasgow, the meaning is specialised to ‘men’s underpants’UK , 1900
kednounin India, used generically for a gym shoe or a canvas shoe From a branded range of shoesINDIA , 1979
keenouna kilogram (especially of drugs) Alternative spelling forKEY
UK , 1997
keeblernouna white personUS , 1992
keechnoun1excrement, shit Also applied figuratively Variants include ‘keegh’ and ‘keek’UK: SCOTLAND , 1988.2a contemptible person Extends from the previous senseUK: SCOTLAND , 1985
keechverbto defecateUK: SCOTLAND , 1988
keechyadjectivesoiled with excrement FromKEECH(excrement, faeces)UK: SCOTLAND , 1985
keekverbto peek DialectUK: SCOTLAND , 1911
keel oververbto collapse From the conventional sense (to capsize)
UK , 1897
keenadjectivegood, fashionable Still heard, but by the late 1960s used almost exclusively with irony, especially when intensified with
‘peachy’US , 1915
keenernoun1a sycophantUS , 2003.2a school pupil who is enthusiastic about school work From conventional ‘keen’ (eager) Shortened to ‘keeno’UK , 1984
keen onadjectiveenthusiastic aboutUK , 1889
keepverbto be in possession of drugsUS , 1966.< keep Bachelor’s
Hall(of a man) to live alone, even temporarily In use in the US
as well as CanadaCANADA , 1999.< keep dogto act as lookoutUK ,
1995.< keep him honestin poker, to call a player who is suspected of bluffingUS , 1963.< keep it darkto say nothing about something; to keep a secret Used mainly as an imperative
UK , 1857.< keep nixto keep lookoutIRELAND , 1989.< keep on
keeping onto persevere in the face of all discouragement or misfortuneUS , 1977.< keep something under your hatto maintain secrecy about something; especially used as an impera-tive for discretionUK , 1953.< keep tabs on someone; keep a
tab on someoneto keep an account of; to note someone’s movements or activity, to follow and record The original use was
of simple accounting: ‘to keep a (financial) table on’US , 1889.
< keep the peekto serve as a lookout during a criminal actUS ,
1976.< keep your coolto retain your self-possessionUS , 1975.
< keep your head downto stay out of trouble Military origins
UK , 1996.< keep your mouth off somethingto stop talking aboutTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1971.< keep your nose cleanto stay out of trouble, to behave yourselfUS , 1887.< keep yowto act as lookout while an illegal activity takes placeAUSTRALIA , 1942
keepernoun1something or someone worth keepingUS , 1984.2any weapon or instrument that can be used as a weaponUS , 1992.3an arrest that results in criminal charges being filedUS , 1987.4in common-law, a spouseTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1884.5the person running a two-up gambling game Shortening ofRING-KEEPER
AUSTRALIA , 1941
keep inverbused in a range of expressions to suggest that someone has a satisfactory supply of income, for example ‘enough cash to keep him in petrol’AUSTRALIA , 1936
keep it real!stay honest!, tell the difficult truth!US , 1997
keep-missnouna kept mistressBARBADOS , 1965
keep on trucking!persevere!; continueUS , 1972
keepsnoun< for keepspermanentlyUS , 1861
keep the greasy side down and the shiny side upused as an admonition to drive safely Popularised during the citizens’ band radio craze of the later 1970sUS , 1976
keep up your front to make your game!don’t give up!US , 1968
keep your hair on!don’t get upset!NEW ZEALAND , 1984
keep your shirt on!calm down!, relax!, compose yourself!UK , 1854
kegnoun1a barrel of beerAUSTRALIA , 1895.2beerNEW ZEALAND , 1998.
Trang 3more generally, a drum containing a very large amount of this or
similar drugsUS , 1970.4in television and film-making, a 750-watt
spotlight that resembles a beer kegUS , 1990
keggernouna party with a generous supply of beer FromKEG(a
beer barrel)US , 1966
keggingadjectivegood, funUS , 1991
keg-legsnoungenerously oversized thighs or calves Anecdotal
evidence of 1960s UK usage, often as an unkind name shouted at
girls with ‘fat’ thighsUS , 1999
keglernouna bowler From the GermanUS , 1962
keg-on-legsnouna prodigious drinker of beerAUSTRALIA , 1996
keg partynouna party at which a keg of beer is supplied for the
guestsAUSTRALIA , 1950
keister; keester; keysternoun1the buttocks From the German
US , 1931.2a travelling bag or satchelUS , 1881.3a safeUS , 1913.4a jail
or prisonUS , 1949
keister banditnounan aggressive male homosexual who takes the
active role in anal sexUS , 1950
keister stashnouna container of contraband hidden in the rectum
US , 1967
keister stashverbto hide (contraband) in your rectumUS , 1967
Keith Moonnouna crazy person Rhyming slang forLOONformed
from the name and nickname of rock musician ‘Moon the Loon’,
1946–78UK , 1992
kekinounthe vagina From the HindiTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003
kellynoun1the stomach, the abdomen, the belly Rhyming slang,
abbreviated fromDERBY KELLY UK , 1970.2a hatUS , 1908
kelly bownounmoney Glasgow rhyming slang, perhaps from the
name of a gang in the Govan area of GlasgowUK: SCOTLAND , 1985
kelpernicknamea native of the Falkland IslandsFALKLAND ISLANDS
(MALVINAS) , 1900
kelsey hairnounstraight hairUS , 1976
kelt; keltchnouna white personUS , 1912
Kembla Grange; Kemblanounsmall change Rhyming slang, after
a racecourse just south of SydneyAUSTRALIA , 1955
kempnouna customised carUS , 1953
Ken Doddnouna roll of banknotes Rhyming slang for ‘wad’ formed
from the name of the British comedian (b.1929) who fell foul of
the taxman in 1989UK , 1992
Ken Dodds; kenny’snounthe testicles Rhyming slang forCODS
formed from the name of British comedian Ken Dodd (b.1929)UK ,
1992
kenna; kennernouna house A variation of ‘ken’ (a house) English
gypsy useUK , 1923
kennecnouna non-gypsy or traveller English gypsy useUK , 2000
kennelnoun1a houseUS , 1947.2a prison cellUK , 1996
kennernouna school pupil who is enthusiastic about school work
From conventional ‘keen’ (eager) Shortened to ‘keeno’UK , 1984
Kennienounany Kenworth truckUS , 1971
Kennington Lanenounpain, a pain Rhyming slang, formed from a
street name in South LondonUK , 1961
Kenny Whoppernounin trucking, a Kenworth truckUS , 1976
Kenosha Cadillacnounany car manufactured by American Motors
American Motors had its main factory in Kenosha, WisconsinUS ,
1976
Kentish Townnouna halfpenny or penny Rhyming slang for
‘brown’, from the copper colour of the coinUK , 1961
Kentucky bluenounmarijuana grown in Kentucky, ‘the Bluegrass
State’ A play onGRASS(marijuana)US , 1969
Kentucky chromenountrim on a truck painted with aluminiumUS ,
1971
Kentucky right turnnouna move to the left before making a
Kentucky waterfallnouna hairstyle in which the hair is worn short
at the front and long at the back Best known as aMULLET US , 2001
Kentucky windagenounthe adjustment of the aim of a rifle based
on intuitionUS , 1945
Kepler Wesselsnounthe testiclesAUSTRALIA , 1984
keptienouna kept woman supported by a rich benefactorUS , 1950
keptivenouna youthful, sexually inexperienced male who is supported by an older homosexualUS , 1987
kept mannouna procurer of prostitutes; a man who makes his living off the earnings of prositutesUS , 1987
kerb crawlingnounsoliciting for prostitution from a vehicle
AUSTRALIA , 1989
kerb-crawlingadjectiveworking as a prostitute from a vehicle
AUSTRALIA , 1972
kerchief codenouna designation of a homosexual man’s sexual preferences, signalled by the colour of the handkerchief and the pocket in which it is worn For example, a black handkerchief worn on the left signifies that the wearer is into ‘Heavy S&M, Top’, while on the right it means ‘Heavy S&M, Bottom’US , 1978
kerching!used in response to a profitable triumph Echoic of a cash till Popularised by BBC television children’s programme
Kerching!, the story of a 14-year-old entrepreneur UK , 2002
kerdoing!; kerdoink!; gerdoying!used as a representation of a moment of violent impact; crash!; wallop! Echoic Originally recorded in Royal Air Force useUK , 1945
keristnounused for ‘Christ’AUSTRALIA , 1971
Kermit the Frognouna lavatory Rhyming slang forBOGformed
from the name of a television puppet character in The Muppet Show, from 1976 UK , 1992
kernelnouna swollen groin glandBARBADOS , 1965
keronounkeroseneAUSTRALIA , 1930
kerosene cowboynounan air force jet pilotNEW ZEALAND , 1996
kerplopnounused for imitating the sound of something being droppedUS , 1969
kerry-fistedadjectivesaid of a left-handed personCANADA , 1992
Kerry Packeredadjectivetired, exhausted Rhyming slang for
KNACKEREDformed on the name of Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer (b 1937)UK , 2003
Kerry Packers; kerry’snounthe testicles Rhyming slang for
KNACKERS, formed on the name of Australian media tycoon Kerry Packer (b.1937)UK , 1992
ketnoun1the recreational drug ketamineAUSTRALIA , 1996.2a kettle
NEW ZEALAND , 1998
ketaineadjectiveused to describe someone or something in bad taste This term, from Quebec French, is used by both anglophones and francophonesCANADA , 1997
Ketama; Ketama crumblenounvarieties of hashish from the Ketama region of MoroccoUK , 2003
kettlenoun1a fob watch; a wristwatch Possibly rhyming slang,
‘kettle on the hob’ for ‘fob’; a red kettle is a gold watch, a white or tin kettle is silverUK , 1889.2a steam locomotive From the image
of steam risingUS , 1934.3a boiler of a steam engineUS , 1828.4in electric line work, an overhead transformerUS , 1980
kettledadjectivedrug-intoxicatedUK , 1992
kettle on the hob; kettlenounBob (the diminutive form of Robert) Rhyming slang, originally for ‘bob’ (a shilling); recorded in use between 1946–52UK , 1961
Kevin; Kevnouna working-class youth considered to be a vulgar or threatening presence This derogatory usage by Kevin’s upper- and middle-class contemporaries derives from the commonness of the name Originally restricted to Cornwall and LondonUK , 1998
Kevin Costner; kevinnouna male who pretends to date his female
friend(s) Teen slang, after the 1992 film The Bodyguard which
Trang 4kewladjectivegood, sophisticated, self-possessed Variation ofCOOL.
US , 1998
keynoun1a kilogram From the first syllable of ‘kilogram’; the one
unit of the metric system that at least some Americans have
graspedUS , 1966.2the declaration, under the Habitual Criminals
Act, that one is a habitual criminal; an indefinite sentence under
this act The joke being that one is given the key to let oneself in
and outAUSTRALIA , 1944.3a prison officer Often ‘keys’, even in the
singularUS , 1934
keyadjectiveexcellent, greatUS , 1980
keyedadjective1excitedUS , 1968.2drug-intoxicated From an earlier
sense as ‘drunk’US , 1972
key happyadjectiveused of a prison officer who is keen to keep
inmates locked in their cellsUK , 1996
keyholeverb(used of a bullet) to enter a target sidewaysUS , 1957
keyholingnouneavesdropping From the notion of spying at a
keyholeUK , 2001
key mannouna person declared a habitual criminalAUSTRALIA , 1944
key pickernouna thief who operates in hotels, stealing keys left at
the front desk for safekeeping by guests before they are retrieved
by a hotel clerkUS , 1954
keystonenounin circus and carnival usage, a local prosecutorUS ,
1981
keys to St E’snounphencyclidine, the recreational drug known as
PCP or angel dust A phencyclidine user in Washington might well
find himself at St Elizabeth’s hospital for treatmentUS , 1984
key upverb1to unlock a doorUS , 1991.2to become drug-intoxicated
US , 1964
K-factornoun(when on a skiing holiday) the presence and number
of Germans Upper-class society slang; euphemistic forKRAUT(a
German)UK , 1982
KFCnouna male homosexual who is under the age of consent An
elaboration ofCHICKEN, from the branding of Kentucky Fried
Chicken™ fast-food outlets; recorded in use in contemporary gay
societyUK , 2003
KGBnoun1a potent variety of marijuana An abbreviation ofKILLER
GREEN BUD, playing on the familiar initialism of Komitet
Gosudarstvennoi Bezopasnosti, the Soviet Union’s Committee of
State Security, 1954–91US , 1997.2the policeUK , 1982.3the security
office of a prisonUS , 1991
K gravenouna state of extreme intoxication with the recreational
drug ketamineUS , 2002
khakinouna uniformed police officerUS , 1986
khaki downverbto dress like other members of a youth gang,
including khaki trousersUS , 1985
khaki wackyadjectiveattracted to men in military uniformUS , 1944
khatnounamphetamine; methcathinone; MDMA, the recreational
drug best known as ecstasy From the common name for the
African plant that contains the stimulant cathinone as its main
active ingredientUS , 2003
khayfnouna marijuana cigaretteUK , 2003
khazinouna toiletUK , 1983
khaziverbto be very nervous, scared or afraid FromKHAZI(a toilet)
hence ‘to shit yourself’ – based on the bowel-churning properties
of fearUK , 2001
Khe Sanh shufflenouna method of walking honed by combat,
always on the lookout for enemy fire Referring to the US air base
in Vietnam during the warUS , 1989
kholanouna potent variety of marijuanaNETHERLANDS , 1990s
K-holenouna state of intense confusion induced by use of the
rec-reational drug ketamineUS , 1993
Khyber-divernouna homosexual maleAUSTRALIA , 1992
Khyber Pass; Khybernounthe buttocks, the posterior, the anus
Rhyming slang forARSEbased on the geographical feature that
links Afghanistan and Pakistan
kinoun1a kilogramUS , 1966.2in prison, cocoa or chocolateUK , 1950
kibbles and bitsnounsmall pieces of crack cocaine A reference to
a popular dog food product, suggesting that the pieces of crack cocaine bear some resemblance to the productUS , 1993
kibitzverbto comment while others play a game From Yiddish
(ult-imately German) kiebitzen (to look on at cards) US , 1927
kibitzernouna watcher rather than a participant, especially one who
offers unsolicited advice From Yiddish kibitser The Kibitzer, a play
by Jo Swerling (1929), made both the title and Edward G Robinson, its star, famous in the USUS , 1922
kibosh; kyboshnoun1an end, a finish Almost always heard in the context of ‘put the kibosh on’ or ‘to’UK , 1836.2(of
pre-decimalisation currency) one shilling and sixpenceUK , 1845
kibosh; kyboshverbto put an end toUK , 1884
kicknoun1pleasure, funUS , 1928.2a fad, a temporary preference or interestUS , 1946.3the sudden onset of the effects of a drugUS , 1912.
4a trouser pocketUS , 1846.5(of pre-decimalisation currency) sixpence, 6d Rhyming slang that would be more convincing if the
‘kick’ was plural; usually as ‘and a kick’ in denominations such as
‘two and a kick’ (two shillings and sixpence)UK , 1700.6moneyUS ,
1947.7a bribeUS , 1953.8anything that is shared with anotherUS ,
1995.9the start of a horse raceAUSTRALIA , 1988.< hit the kickto payAUSTRALIA , 1972
kickverb1to stop using; to break an addictionUS , 1927.2to defer the gratification of a drug injection by slowly injecting the drug while drawing blood from the vein to mix with the drug in the syringe
US , 1952.3to complainUS , 1857.4to release from police custodyUS ,
1994.5(of a jockey) to urge a horse on in a raceAUSTRALIA , 1982.6(of
a horse) to speed up in a raceAUSTRALIA , 1980.7in surfing, to force the nose of the surfboard up out of the waterUS , 1973.8in trucking, to shift gearsUS , 1971.9in gambling, to raise a betUS , 1963.
< kick assto be especially energetic and exciting; to succeed by your vigorous efforts ‘Kick arse’ and ‘Kick butt’ are common vari-ationsUS , 1979.2to use force, to beat upUS , 1962.< kick ass and
take namesto overwhelm someone or something in a methodical and determined fashionUS , 1962.< kick brassto complain stronglyTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1986.< kick for the other
teamto be homosexualAUSTRALIA , 1987.< kick it; kickto idle, to relaxUS , 1983.< kick mudto work as a prostituteUS , 1963.< kick
out the jamsto remove all obstacles, to fight for freedomUS , 1968.
< kick sawdustin circus and carnival usage, to follow or join a showUS , 1981.< kick someone’s teeth so far down their
throatto beat someone upAUSTRALIA , 1972.< kick something
into the long grassto postpone somethingUK , 2003.< kick
something into touchto finish an activity, to stop doing something or stop something happening A sporting allusionUK ,
2000.< kick ten bells out of; kick ten bells of shit out ofto physically beat someone very severely A variation ofKNOCK SEVEN
BELLS OUT OF UK , 1996.< kick the bucketto dieUK , 1785.< kick
the gongto fool aroundUS , 1945.< kick the tinto contribute moneyAUSTRALIA , 1965.< kick to the curbto break off a relation-shipUS , 1991.< kick up bobsy-dieto make a fussNEW ZEALAND ,
1960.< kick upstairsto promote to a higher-sounding but less-important positionUK , 1887.< kick with the left footto be a CatholicUK , 1984.< kick your own arseto berate yourself A Glasgow variation of the more familiar ‘kick yourself’UK: SCOTLAND ,
1988.< kick yourselfto blame yourself, especially to berate yourselfUK , 2003
kickadjective1excellentUS , 1972.2out of styleUS , 1999
kick aboutverbto be aroundAUSTRALIA , 1933
kick alongverbto serve out a prison sentence without letting it get you downAUSTRALIA , 1950
kick aroundverb1to discuss somethingUS , 1939.2to idle; to pass time doing nothingUS , 1993
kick-assadjective1fantastic, excellent, thrillingUS , 1980.2vigorous, powerful, aggressive, assertiveUS , 1970
kickbacknoun1a commission on a more or less shady dealUS , 1930.
2the resumption of drug use after a prolonged period of non-use
US , 1971
kick back
Trang 5kickdownnoun1an object or commodity that has been donatedUS ,
1997.2the automatic shift into the next lower gear that occurs
with an automatic transmission when applying full throttleUS , 1993
kick downverbto give, to provideUS , 1992
kickdown gearnounin a car, a gear designed for sudden bursts of
accelerationUS , 1965
kickernoun1an unforeseen complicationUS , 1941.2in poker, an
unmatched card held in the hand while drawingUS , 1963.3in the
illegal production of alcohol, any nitrate added to the mashUS ,
1974.4a small, yeast-rich amount of an alcoholic beverage used to
start the fermentation process in a homemade alcohol-making
ventureUS , 1992.5in television and film-making, a small light used
to outline objects in the foregroundUS , 1990.6in dominoes, the
6–1 piece or any piece with a 5US , 1959.7a member of a civilian
air crew dropping supplies by parachute to troops in remote areas
The handlers literally kicked the supply crates with parachutes out
of the plane doorsUS , 1990.8a member of the Mountjoy prison
riot squadIRELAND , 1996.9on the railways, a jammed air brake valve
US , 1975.10a linear amplifier for a citizens’ band radioUS , 1976
kick inverbto contribute, to share an expenseUS , 1906
kicking; kickin’adjectiveexcellent, wonderful, etcUS , 1988
kick in the ass; kick in the pantsnounin horse racing, a horse
heavily favoured to win a raceUS , 1951
kick in the balls; kick in the arse; kick in the ass; kick in the
pants; kick in the headnouna grave disappointment; a serious
setbackUK , 1989
kick-offnoun1a start; a beginning; the time something begins A
figurative use of a sporting actualityUK , 1875.2a rough-house fight
UK , 2001
kick offverb1to begin; to get goingAUSTRALIA , 1924.2to sleep off the
effects of an illegal drugUS , 1951.3to dieUS , 1908.4to make a fuss,
to raise an objectionUK , 2000
kick onverb1to commenceAUSTRALIA , 1949.2to keep on; to
persevere, to continue, especially against adversityAUSTRALIA , 1949
kick outverb1while surfing, to step on the rear of the surfboard
while raising the lead foot and then to pivot the board to end a
rideUS , 1962.2to leave a gangUK , 1996
kickout holenounin pinball, a hole in the playfield that registers a
score and then ejects the ball back into playUS , 1977
kick padnouna drug rehabiliation facilityUS , 1973
kick potsverbto work mess hall dutyUS , 1991
kick rocks!go away!US , 2001
kicksnounshoesUS , 1897
kicks racenouna drag race with no prize, entered for the fun of
competing and winningUS , 2003
kick-startverbto give a good start to something; to get something
working wellAUSTRALIA , 1992
kick sticknouna marijuana cigarette A combination ofKICK(an
intoxicating effect) andSTICK(a cigarette)US , 1967
kick upverb1to complain vigorously, to respond unfavourably and
therefore cause problems or trouble Usually in phrases such as
‘kick up a row’, ‘kick up a fuss’, ‘kick up trouble’, etcUK , 1789.2(of
a jockey) to urge a horse on to a burst of speedAUSTRALIA , 1960
kickyadjectiveamusing, entertainingUS , 1942
kidnoun1a childUK , 1618.2used as a form of address, usually
affectionateUK , 1959.3the passive member of a male homosexual
relationship, especially in prisonUS , 1893.4a (young) follower of a
stated music style A UK rock band called the Heavy Metal Kids
was formed in 1973UK , 2003.< our kidthe eldest boy in the
family A colloquial term from the north of EnglandUK , 1984
kidverbto fool, to pretendUK , 1811
Kid Creolenoununemployment benefit; the local offices from
which unemployment benefit is managed Rhyming slang forTHE
DOLE UK , 2000
kiddernoun1a teaser, a mockerUK , 1888.2used as an affectionate
kiddienounthe boss A variation ofTHE MAN; ‘kiddy’ (late C18) is a mainly obsolete term for ‘man’, surviving here and as ‘Kid’ when applied to a boxerUK , 2000
kiddie can; kiddie carnouna school busUS , 1976
kiddie fiddlernouna paedophileUK , 2003
kiddie strollnouna street in Vancouver where under-age prostitutes workCANADA , 2002
kiddiwink; kiddywink; kiddiewinkienouna child An elaboration
ofKID; also recorded as ‘kiddywinkle’, ‘kiddywinky’ and ‘kiddlywink’
UK , 1957
kiddlesnouna young womanUS , 1947
kiddonoun1used as a term of address, often affectionatelyUS , 1905.
2a youngster, a teenager An elaboration ofKID US , 1942
kiddy; kiddienouna small childUK , 1858
kiddyananounantique toys The conventional suffix ‘-ana’ combined withKIDDY(a child)UK , 2003
kiddy copnouna police officer assigned to juvenile crimeUS , 1975
kiddy kingdomnounblissBARBADOS , 1965
kiddy pornnounchild pornographyUS , 1977
kid fruitnouna male homosexual who achieves gratification from performing oral sex on young men or boysUS , 1961
kid glovesnoun< with kid glovesdelicately, gently, circumspectly, in such a manner so as to avoid upsetUS , 1888
kid in the khaki shirtnounin horse racing, an imaginary jockey who wins races on horses not favoured to winAUSTRALIA , 1989
kidneynounthe brain; by extension, intelligenceTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003
kidney-busternouna truck, especially a military truck, that rides roughlyUS , 1938
kidney punch; kidneynouna lunch Rhyming slangUK , 1960
kidney-wiper; kidney-scrapernounthe penis A ribald celebration
of a penis of heroic dimensionsUS , 1888
kidology; kiddologynouna notional science of teasing or deceiving; a notional science of dealing with childrenUK , 1964
kidsnouna group of homosexual men friendsUS , 1972
Kidsnoun< The KidsAll My Children, a popular television daytime
dramaUS , 1987
kid shownouna circus or carnival side showUS , 1980
kid-simplenouna male homosexual who is obsessively attracted to young men and boysUS , 1962
kidstakenouna fake Rhyming slang, fromKIDSTAKES(a pretence)UK , 1992
kidstakesnounchildish behaviour, especially childish pretence or kidding around; joking From ‘kid’ (to trick) and ‘stakes’ (games, competitive undertaking) This unusual sense for the word ‘stakes’
is also found in the obsolete Australian World War 1 slang term
‘bluff-stakes’ (a deceitful attempt to coerce someone by bluffing)
AUSTRALIA , 1912
kid-stuff; kid’s stuff; kids’ stuffnounany activity characteristic of,
or suitable for, children; hence, something easy to doUS , 1929
kielbasanoun the penis From kielbasa (a red-skinned Polish
sausage)US , 1978
kifeverbin circus and carnival usage, to swindleUS , 1931
kiffnouna marijuana cigaratteUK , 2003
kiff-kiffnouna modest, suppressed laughTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003
kikenouna Jewish person Not much room for anything but hate with this word It is believed that the term originated at the Ellis Island immigration facility in New York harbour, where Jewish immigrants who could not write were instructed to make a circle,
or kikel in Yiddish US , 1904
kike; kike itverbto walkUS , 1979
kike killernouna club or bludgeonUS , 1982
kikinouna homosexual male A derisive, short-lived insider term;
Trang 6kikiadjective1in a homosexual relationship, comfortable with
playing both roles in sexUS , 1941.2bisexualUS , 1970
Kilburn priory; Kilburnnouna diary, especially a police diary
Rhyming slangUK , 1992
killnoun1in roller derby, an extended attack on the other team’s
jammer (a skater who is eligible to score)US , 1999.2semenUS , 1998.
< the killthe moment when a sale is confirmed A hunting
image with the salesperson as the hunter and the customer as
prey; a variation of the sense ‘to win’UK , 1999
killverb1to cause someone to laugh uproariouslyUK , 1856.2to cause
pain to someoneUK , 1800.3to excite, to please, to thrillUS , 1844.4to
excelUS , 1900.5to cover with graffitiUS , 1997.6in the sport of
clayshooting, to hit the target accuratelyUK , 1983.7in handball,
racquetball and squash, to hit the ball so low on the front wall that
it cannot be returnedUS , 1970.8in pool, to strike the cue ball such
that it stops immediately upon hitting the object ballUS , 1984.9in
volleyball, to hit the ball downward with great force from the top
of a jumpUS , 1972.10in bar dice games, to declare that a formerly
wild point is no longer wildUS , 1976.11to finish consuming
somethingUS , 1995.< kill big sixto play dominoesUS , 1990.< kill
brain cellsto get drunkUS , 1983.< kill the changekeep the
changeUK , 2000.< kill the clockin a game governed by time, to
delay the game near the end when winningUS , 1970.< kill the
sinto relieve all the blame of somethingBAHAMAS , 1982.< would
kill a brown dogto be lethal; (of food) dreadful, disgusting,
inedibleAUSTRALIA , 1966
killadjectiveexcellentUS , 1985
Killarney carrotnouna large marijuana cigarette A regional
vari-ation of theCAMBERWELL CARROT IRELAND , 2000
kill buttonnounthe switch button under a motorcyle hand grip
that turns the engine offUS , 1962
Kill Citynouna ‘branded’ variety of heroinUK , 2002
killed endnounin bowls, an end (a stage of play) that has to be
replayed when the jack is driven out of boundsUK , 1900
kill ’em and count ’emused as a creed by US troops in Vietnam,
referring to the importance attached to body counts of enemy
deadUS , 1984
killernoun1an extraordinary example of somethingUK , 1835.2a
marijuana cigaretteUS , 1943.3paramethoxyamphetamine, PMAUK ,
2004.4an animal ready to be killed for meatAUSTRALIA , 1897.5hair
pomadeUS , 1945
KillernicknameJerry Lee Lewis, an early US rocker (b.1935)US , 1982
killeradjective1very goodUS , 1951.2extremely difficultUS , 1982
killer B’snicknameon a sports team, a group of skilled, spirited
second stringersUS , 1991
killer-dillernouna remarkably attractive or successful thing; a wildly
good time or thrillUS , 1938
killer green budnouna potent strain of marijuanaUS , 1980s
killer Kanenounused as a generic name for a scouting and
assassination specialist in the US armed forcesUS , 1991
killer rimnouna gold-plated or chrome-plated spoked car wheelUS ,
1994
killer sticknouna marijuana cigaretteUS , 1982
killer weednoun1marijuanaUS , 1967.2phencyclidine mixed with
marijuana or another substance in a cigaretteUS , 1978
killer whiffer!used for acknowledging an especially bad-smelling
fart Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1982
kill feenouna fee paid when a creative project is cancelledUS , 1982
kill-firenounan aggregation of Claymore land minesUS , 1986
kill game!used as warning to end a conversationUS , 2000
killicknouna leading handAUSTRALIA , 1960
killingnouna great financial successUS , 1888
killingadjectiveextremely funny From the notion encompassed in
the phrase ‘to die laughing’UK , 1874
killing boxnouna strategic situation in which it is relatively easy to
kill ragnouna cloth used by a male to clean up after masturbating
US , 1998
killsnounin the language surrounding the Grateful Dead, the very best concert tapes Always with ‘the’US , 1994
kill switchnounin a racing car, a switch that deactivates the car’s electric system, used in an emergencyUS , 1993
kill team; killer teamnouna small unit of highly trained scouts sent on a mission to kill enemyUS , 1984
kill-time jointnounin circus and carnival usage, a cocktail lounge
or barUS , 1981
kilo mannouna drug dealer who deals at the wholesale level, buying and selling kilogramsUS , 1992
kilosnoununwanted body weightAUSTRALIA , 1989
kilternounmarijuana; a marijuana cigaretteUS , 1969
kiltie kiltie cauld buma childish chant directed at any male wearing a kilt An elaboration of ‘kilt’, repeated, then ‘cold’ (spelt phonetically in a Glasgow accent) andBUM(the buttocks)UK: SCOTLAND , 1996
Kimberleyadjectiveused derogatorily or jocularly to denigrate by association something as better than it is From Kimberley, Western Australia; in such uses as ‘Kimberley mutton’ (goat meat) and ‘Kimberley oyster’ (a meat fritter)AUSTRALIA , 1945
kimchinountrouble ‘Kimchi’ is used as a euphemism forSHIT, with the comparison between excrement and the Korean dish made with salted and fermented cabbage not particularly favourable to the dishUS , 1979
’kin; ’kingadjectiveused as an intensifier A shortening ofFUCKING
UK , 2000
’kin’ arse’olesused as an exclamation of surprise, anger, amazement Lazily or deliberately abbreviated fromFUCKING
ARSEHOLES! UK , 1984
kindnounmarijuana, especially high quality marijuana As is the case with many drug slang terms, ‘kind’ is a bit amorphous, at times referring to a marijuana cigarette, at times to the smoker, at times to the drug itselfUS , 1997
kindaadjectiveapproximately, sort of A ubiquitously contracted ‘kind of’US , 1963
kinda sortaadjectivealmostUS , 1995
kind budnounpotent marijuana A combination ofKIND(marijuana) andBUD(marijuana) that suggests twice the normal potencyUK , 1997
kindernoun1high quality marijuanaUS , 2002.2(especially in New South Wales) kindergarten; a kindergartenAUSTRALIA , 1955.3a child
in kindergartenAUSTRALIA , 1985
kindergartennouna reformatory for juvenile offendersUS , 1949
kinderwhorenouna young woman whose dress suggests both youthful innocence and sexual abandonUS , 1994
Kindest Cutnouna vasectomyCANADA , 2002
Kindly Call Me Godnouna KCMG (Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George) A pun elaborated on the initials; used by civil servants demonstrating a jocular familiarity with the honourUK , 1961
kindy; kindienounkindergarten; a kindergartenAUSTRALIA , 1969
kineahora!God forbid! From the German (not one) and Hebrew (evil eye)US , 1968
kinell!; ’kin’ ’ell!; kinnel!used as a register of shock or amazement A contraction ofFUCKING HELL! UK , 1982
kingnoun1an aggressive, ‘mannish’ lesbianUS , 1964.2a male leader
of a group of Australian AboriginalsAUSTRALIA , 1830.3a skilled person (at a specified thing); an adeptAUSTRALIA , 1919.4in Keno, any single number that a player circles to bet onUS , 1972.5an outstanding piece of graffiti artUS , 1997.6cocaineUK , 2002
kingadjectivegreat; excellentAUSTRALIA , 1964
king and queen; kingnouna bean, a baked bean Rhyming slang,
Trang 7king brownnoun(especially in Western Australia) a 750 ml bottle of
beer Named after a large venomous Australian snake; such beer
bottles are typically of brown glassAUSTRALIA , 2003
king budnounmarijuanaUK , 2003
king crabnounin hold ’em poker, a king and a three as the first two
cards dealt to a particular player In the game of craps, a three is
sometimes referred to as a ‘crab’US , 1981
King Dicknouna brick Rhyming slangUK , 1961
King Dickie; King Dickynouna bricklayer Rhyming slang for
‘brickie’UK , 1961
kingdom-comenoun1the after-life; a notional point in the
far-distant futureUK , 1785.2the buttocks Rhyming slang forBUM UK ,
1979
King Farouknouna book Rhyming slang, formed from the name
of the Egyptian king, 1920–65UK , 1998
kingfishnouna powerful or political figure Predates but influenced
by the adoption as a nickname for the governor of Louisiana,
Huey P Long (1893–1935)US , 1926
king georgenouna gambler who tips generouslyUS , 1979
King Hassannouna variety of hashish from Morocco Named to
honour the Moroccan King who gave official permission for the
cultivation of a marijuana cropUK , 2003
king-hitnouna powerful punch; a punch or blow that drops a
person; the winning blow in a fight; now, a cowardly and unfair
punch given to someone unawares or from behindAUSTRALIA , 1917
king-hitverbto deliver a powerful punch to someone, especially
from behind or when they are unawaresAUSTRALIA , 1949
king-hit merchantnouna person who king-hits others; a cowardly
thugAUSTRALIA , 1944
kingienouna kingfishAUSTRALIA , 1936
king james versionnounthe most authoritative and best in its
classSINGAPORE , 2002
King Kongnoun1cheap and potent alcohol, usually illegally
manufacturedUS , 1940.2the penis A pet name from the legendary
(fictional) beastUK , 2001.3in motor racing, a Dodge or Plymouth
with a cylinder head with hemispherical combustion chambers,
built for stock car racingUS , 1965.4a powerful drug addictionUS ,
1970
King Kong pillnounany barbiturate or central nervous system
depressantUS , 1977
King Learnounthe ear Rhyming slang, formed from the name of a
Shakespeare characterUK , 1932.< on the King Learon the
scrounge Rhyming slangKING LEAR, for ‘the ear’, extended into a
variation ofON THE EARHOLE UK , 1992
King Learadjectivehomosexual Rhyming slang forQUEER UK , 1960
King Muhammednouna variety of hashish from MoroccoUK , 2003
king of the hillnounan important man in a limited circumstance
From the adult cartoon series King of the Hill, 1997 US , 1977
king of the ringnouna leading bookmakerAUSTRALIA , 1966
king of the troughnounin the Maritime Provinces, used as a
nonsense reply to ‘how are you?’CANADA , 1998
kingpinnounan indispensable leaderUS , 1867
king’s elevatornounmonumental mistreatment A back-formation
from ‘the royal shaft’US , 1969
king’s habitnouncocaine Surely not a reference to the British royal
family.UK , 1986
king’s headnouna shed Rhyming slang, formed ironically from the
name of a pubUK , 1992
kingshit niggernouna black person who is in charge of an
enterprise or eventUS , 1978
king snipenouna foreman of a railway track crewUS , 1916
King SpliffnicknameBob Marley (Robert Nesta Marley, 1947–81),
rastafarian, reggae singerUK , 1999
king’s ransomnounan enormous amount of money; an exorbitant
priceAUSTRALIA
King Tutnouna book that translates dreams into ‘lucky’ lottery numbersBAHAMAS , 1982
’kin hell!used for registering anger, amazement, despair, surprise, etcUK , 1993
kinknoun1a criminalUS , 1962.2a thiefUS , 1950.3non-conventional sexuality, especially when fetishistic or sado-masochisticUK , 1959.
4in a deck of playing cards, a kingUS , 1951
kinkernouna circus performer, especially an acrobat or contortionist Not praiseUS , 1909
kink pienouna pizza with sausage and mushroom toppings From the initials for the toppings: S & M Limited usage, but cleverUS , 1996
kinkyadjective1used for describing any sexual activity that deviates from the speaker’s sense of sexually ‘normal’; also of any article, enhancement or manner of dress that may be used in such activityUS , 1942.2eccentric, bizarreUS , 1847.3illegal; dishonest In prison, used without a sense of perversionUS , 1903.4stolenUS , 1950
kinky blaggardnouna persuasive talker who gets the desired result There seems to be an element of envy in ‘a blagger who gets away with it’ Probably a variation on ‘lucky bastard’ UK , 2001
kinnikiniknountobacco of mixed leaves and bark and some real tobaccoCANADA , 1987
kipnoun1sleep; a period of sleep Following the sense as ‘bed’UK ,
1893.2a bedUS , 1859.3an undesirable place; a place that is dirty or disorderedIRELAND , 1991.4a small, narrow bat of wood used to toss the coins in a game of two-up Origin unknown May be connected
to the dialect word kep (to throw up into the air, to throw up a ball
and catch it)AUSTRALIA , 1887.< on the kipasleepUS , 1950
kipverbto sleepUK , 1889
kip bagnouna bedroll or sleeping bagUS , 1949
kip doughnounmoney to be spent on lodgingUS , 1950
kip downverbto go to bed, to prepare for bed, to sleep Mainly services usage, a variation of kipUK , 1959
kipe; kypeverbto stealUS , 1934
kippernoun1someone with red hairIRELAND , 2001.2the vaginaUK ,
1984.3a Royal Navy sailor; hence, a English person Derogatory
AUSTRALIA , 1943.4a doss-house; a bed; anywhere to sleep Used by down-and-outsUK , 1984.< do someone up like a kipperto ruin
a person’s chances A variation ofKIPPER UK , 1984
kipperverbto ruin a person’s chancesUK , 1961
kipper and bloaternoun1a motor vehicle, a motor Rhyming
slangUK , 1979.2a photograph Rhyming slang on a London pronunciation of ‘photo’ Can be shortened to ‘kipper’UK , 1992
kipper and plaice; kippernouna face, especially one that is not particularly attractive Rhyming slangUK , 1992
kipper feastnounoral sex performed on a woman From the tired comparison between the smell of fish and the smell of the vagina
UK , 1983
kipper’s knickersnounthe acme of perfection, the best Always used ‘with’ the; this is a Glasgow variation on such constructions
asBEE’S KNEESandCAT’S PAJAMAS UK: SCOTLAND , 1988
kippsnouna brakevan (caboose)US , 1977
kippyadjective(of a woman) attractive, well-dressedCANADA , 1988
kipsynouna house or dwelling From ‘kip’ (a doss house) and the diminutive suffix ‘-sy’AUSTRALIA , 1905
kishkesnounthe intestines Yiddish, from the RussianUS , 1902
kismetnounfate, luck, predestination From Turkish, Farsi and/or ArabicUS , 1849
kissnoun1in games such as pool and marbles, a shot that barely touches anotherUS , 1973.2a student who curries favour with the teacher An amelioration ofKISS ASS US , 1963
kissverb1in games such as pool and marbles, to cause one object
to barely touch anotherUS , 1978.2in pool, to try to make a shot by bouncing the object ball off another ballUS , 1990.3to perform oral sexUS , 1941.< kiss and tellto reveal personal and confidential infor-mation, usually of a sexual natureUS .< kiss arse; kiss ass
Trang 8to behave subserviently A figurative use of perhaps the most
demeaning act that one human can demand another to perform
Mediaeval engravings show devil-worshippers pledging their utter
subservience to Satan by lifting his goat-tail and kissing his
backside; at that time both ‘kiss’ and ‘arse’ were conventionally
available to describe such an activityUK , 1968.< kiss buttto
behave subserviently A variation ofKISS ARSE US , 2001.< kiss
goodbyeto concede defeat; to accept an involuntary lossUS , 1906.
< kiss Maryto smoke marijuanaUS , 1968.< kiss the couchto
dieAUSTRALIA , 1989.< kiss the eighth polein horse racing, to
finish far behind the leaderUS , 1976.< kiss the fishto smoke
hashishUS , 1971.< kiss the porcelainto vomitUS , 1984.< kiss
the toeto drink a shot of Yukon Jack™ whisky in a single gulp, in
a glass containing a pickled human toeCANADA , 2002.< kiss your
ass goodbyeto concede defeat, to lose all hope of success or
survivalUS , 1995.< kiss your sisterin poker, to come out even in
a gameUS , 1996.< kiss your teethto make a scornful sound
JAMAICA , 2003
KISSsimple enough to be easily understood, even by the slowest
person Acronym for ‘keep it simple, stupid!’ US , 1960
kiss and crynounthe part of Canadian figure skating championship
rinks where contestants wait for their resultsCANADA , 2002
kiss and cuddlenouna muddle Rhyming slang that is never
reduced to its first elementUK , 1992
kiss-and-rideadjectivepertaining to areas at transport interchanges
designated for dropping off and picking up motor vehicle
passengers without parkingAUSTRALIA , 1974
kiss-ass; kiss-arsenouna sycophant; one who curries favour in a
self-demeaning fashionUS , 1973
kissernoun1the mouth Originally boxing slangUK , 1860.2the face
US , 1904.3a sycophant Shortened ‘ass-kisser’US , 1951
kissing Mrsnounthe act of rubbing the clitoris with the penis
Elaborated onTHE MRS(vagina)UK , 2001
kiss it!used as contemptuous expression of dismissal A shortening
ofKISS MY ARSE! UK , 1999
kiss kissgoodbyeUS , 1991
kiss-me-arsenounin British Columbia ocean waters, the marbled
murreletCANADA , 1989
kiss-me-ass; kiss-me-tailadjectiveinconsequential; pettyTRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO , 1972
kiss me Hardy; kiss menounBacardi™ (a branded white rum)
Rhyming slang, formed from Lord Nelson’s legendary last words
UK , 1992
kiss me quick; kiss menounthe penis; a fool Rhyming slang for
PRICK, reflecting, to some degree, the type of person who will wear
a ‘comical’ novelty hat bearing the legend ‘kiss me quick’ when
the opportunity arisesUK , 1992
kiss-me-quick; kiss-me-kwikadjectivedescribes a seaside resort
given to cheap, dated commercialism A kiss-me-quick hat is, in
many ways, a cultural touchstoneUK , 2003
kiss-me-quick hatnounany novelty hat sold at a funfair or seaside
resort, especially one bearing a slogan The predominant legend
writ large on such hats was ‘kiss me quick’UK , 1963
kiss my arse!; kiss my ass!used as a contemptuous expression of
dismissalUK , 1996
kiss my chuddies!used as an expression of disdain or rejection
Formed onCHUDDIES(underpants), possibly coined and certainly
popularised as a catchphrase by Goodness Gracious Me, a BBC
comedy sketch programme scripted and performed by four British
Asian comedians, first heard on Radio 4 in 1996 but better known
from television, since 1999UK , 2003
kiss my grits!used for humorously expressing defiance A signature
line of Polly Holiday’s character Florence Jean ‘Flo’ Casteleberry on
the television comedies Alice (CBS, 1976–85) and Flo (CBS,
1980–81) Repeated with referential humourUS , 1980
kiss my tits!
kiss of deathnouna generally innocent or well-meant action or contact that results (often predictably) in disastrous consequences
By association with the kiss by which Judas betrayed JesusUK , 1948
kiss-offnoun1a complete rejectionUS , 1926.2any form of compen-sation paid to someone who has been dismissed or rejectedUK , 2002
kiss offverbto dismiss, to rejectUS , 1904
kiss upverbto curry favourUS , 1965
kissynounan effeminate maleUS , 1964
kissyadjectivein homosexual usage, exciting, worthy of enthusiasm (usually of an inanimate object)US , 1949
kissy-facenounprolonged kissing Introduces a childish toneUS , 1958
kitnoun1clothes Conventionally used for sports clothingUK , 2001.
2in prison, contraband goodsUK , 1996.3the equipment needed to prepare and inject heroin or another drugUS , 1959.4in prison, a letterUK , 1996
kit and caboodlenounall of somethingUS , 1888
Kit Carsonnouna former Viet Cong who has become a scout or translator for the US Army The allusion is to the scouting abilities
of Kit Carson (1809–68), a legend of the US WestUS , 1970
kitchemanouna pub, a club or a bar English gypsy use, from
Romany kitshima (a tavern) UK , 1979
kitchennoun1an illicit methamphetamine laboratoryUS , 1989.2in pool, the end of the table where the cue ball is placed at the start
of the game Technically, it is the area between the head string and the head rail of the tableUS , 1990.3the hairs on the back of the neckUS , 1987.4in shuffleboard, the scoring area of the court
US , 1967.5a brakevan (caboose)US , 1977.6the cab of a railway engineUS , 1946.< down in the kitchenin trucking, in the truck’s lowest gearUS , 1971
kitchen baitnounin shuffleboard, a shot made to entice the opponent to try to go after the discUS , 1967
kitchen doornounthe fly on a pair of trousersTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003
kitchen labnouna laboratory where illegal drugs are manufactured, whether or not it is located in a kitchenUS , 1970
kitchen racketsnoun in Cape Breton, a ceilidh or house dance
CANADA , 2000
kitchen rangenoun1a change (of scene or costume) Theatrical rhyming slangUK , 1960.2change (small coins) Sometimes abbreviated to ‘kitchen’UK , 1992
kitchen sinknouna stink Rhyming slang, also used as a verbUK , 1992
kitchen sinkadjectiveof a piece of dramatic fiction, grittily realistic
in a domestic settingUK , 1960
kitenoun1a letter, note or message Largely prison usageUS , 1859.2a cheque, especially a blank or worthless cheque; a stolen credit card or cardsUK , 1805.3a criminal who deals in cheque and credit card fraud Variation ofKITER US , 2001.4a hand-rolled tobacco ciga-retteUS , 1992.5a foolAUSTRALIA , 1961.6a Christian Prison usageNEW ZEALAND , 1997.7the faceUS , 2001.8an ounce of drugsUS , 1958.9a bus
UK , 1954.10any type of aircraft Modern use has a mainly ironic toneUK , 1917.11a glider used in hang-gliding; a hang-glider
AUSTRALIA , 1996.12a newspaperAUSTRALIA , 1919.< fly a kite; lay a
kiteto fraudulently issue or pass a worthless cheque Based on
KITE(a cheque); probably criminal in intent but possibly issued in hopeIRELAND , 1805
kiteverb1to obtain money or credit from a cheque that is drawn against uncollected funds in a bank accountUS , 1839.2to send a note or letterUS , 1924
kite bluenouna worthless cheque An elaboration ofKITE AUSTRALIA , 1975
kite-flyingverbpassing worthless chequesUK , 1956
kite-mannouna criminal specialising in cheques and bills of exchange; an issuer of worthless chequesUK , 1950
kiternouna criminal who issues worthless and fraudulent cheques
Trang 9kiting-booknouna cheque bookUK , 1962
kit katnoun1a fool Rhyming slang forPRATTformed from a
popular branded chocolate confectionery barUK , 1998.2the
rec-reational drug ketamineAUSTRALIA , 1996
kitschnounin any of the arts, a work considered to be inferior or
pretentious or in dubious taste From German kitschen (to throw
together, especially if hastily)UK , 1926
kitschyadjectivevulgarly sentimentalUS , 1967
kittennouna young girlUS , 1923
kittensnoun< have kittensto become overly excitedUS , 1900
kittlenounthe collection of empty beer containers that accumulate
on a table during a drinking sessionAUSTRALIA , 2003
kittynoun1a pool of money Originally a poker termUS , 1887.2the
vagina A diminutive ofPUSSY US , 2000.3a womanUS , 1936.4a guy, a
young man An extension ofCAT US , 1952.5a jail or prisonUS , 1950.
6a Cadillac carUS , 1970
kitty litternounany mixture of sand and salt or other compounds
sprinkled on a snowy road or an oil spill on a roadUS , 1976
kiwinouna person who shirks workUS , 1991
Kiwinouna New Zealander Named after the national bird of New
Zealand The kiwi is a flightless bird native to New ZealandNEW
ZEALAND , 1918
Kiwiadjectiveof or relating to New Zealand or New Zealanders
AUSTRALIA , 1935
Kiwi Fernsnicknamethe New Zealand women’s international Rugby
League team From the logo of New Zealand Rugby League: a
pictogram of a kiwi and a fernNEW ZEALAND , 1998
Kiwi greennouna variety of marijuana grown in New ZealandNEW
ZEALAND , 1976
KJnoun1high quality marijuana From ‘kind joint’US , 1997.2a
marijuana cigarette enhanced by phencylidineUS , 2001.
3phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust
US , 1972
klahowya(h)used as a greeting A word from the Chinook jargon
CANADA , 1964
K landnounthe catatonic intoxication experienced when taking the
recreational drug ketamineUS , 1995
klapverb to slap, to smack From Afrikaans klop SOUTH AFRICA , 1960
klatawanouna journeyCANADA , 1963
klebbiesnounsmall denominations in any foreign currency Royal
Navy slang hasICKIEas the generic unit of foreign money, which
then subdivides into one hundred ‘klebbies’UK , 2003
kleenexnoun1a youthful, sexually inexperienced male who is
tem-porarily the object of an older homosexual’s desireUS , 1987.
2MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUS , 1994
klep; kleppernouna kleptomaniac; a thiefUK , 1889
kleptonouna kleptomaniacUS , 1953
klimnounany powdered milk From the branded product
manufactured by BordenTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003
klingonnouna crack cocaine addict A play on ‘cling on’, describing
an addict’s behaviour; based on the Klingons, creatures from outer
space in television science fiction series Star Trek US , 2003
Klondikenoun1a prison cell used for solitary confinement An
allusion to Klondike, Alaska, the epitome of remotenessUS , 1982.
2brass or copper, often stolen, sold for scrapUS , 1980
klooch; klootchnouna wife, an Indian woman The term comes
from Chinook jargon for ‘female/wife’CANADA , 1963
klotsickadjective(among Nova Scotians of German descent) said of
a cake that has fallen, failed to rise, or rose and then fellCANADA ,
1975
kluge; kludgenounin computing, a makeshift solution to a
hardware or software problemUS , 1962
klutz; clutznouna clumsy, awkward person Yiddish, from German
US , 1956
klutzy; clutzy
KMAGnounduring the Korean war, the US advisors assigned to Republic of Korea troops – the Korean Military Advisory Group The Korean troops performed so poorly early in the war that the
initials took on a new meaning – Kiss My Ass Goodbye US , 1952
knackedadjectiveexhausted Used by teenagers too exhausted to manage every syllable ofKNACKERED(exhausted)UK , 1982
knackernounan unfit or useless individual, especially if overweight Royal Navy slang: any food with a high calorie count may be called ‘fat knacker pie’UK , 1987
knackerverb1to ruin; to kill From the conventional sense (to slaughter a horse)UK , 1887.2to stealIRELAND , 1998
knacker drinkingnoundrinking alcohol outsideIRELAND , 1991
knackeredadjectivetired, worn-out, exhausted Derives from the obsolete ‘knacker’ (a worn-out horse)UK , 1949
knacker out; knackerverbto tire outUK , 1946
knackersnoun1the testicles From an earlier sense (castanets)UK ,
1866.2nonsense Identical in use to all senses ofBALLSorBOLLOCKS
UK , 1984.< off your knackersdrunk or drug-intoxicatedUK , 2001
knackers!used for registering anger, frustration, dismissal, etc Identical in use toBALLS!orBOLLOCKS! UK , 1984
kneadverb< knead the noodle(of a male) to masturbateUS , 2001
knee-bangersnounlong shortsUS , 1991
kneecapverbto break someone’s kneecap or shoot them in the kneecap, almost always as a planned act of retributionUS , 1974
kneehigh to a grasshopperadjectivevery young Many variations
on this theme have been recorded since ‘knee-high to a toad’,
1814, and continue to be coinedUS , 1914
kneelverb< kneel at the altar1to engage in anal sexUS , 1962.
2to kneel while performing oral sex on a manUS , 1965
kneelonouna surfer who rides kneelingAUSTRALIA , 1985
knee machinenouna short surfboard, a kneeboard or bellyboard
US , 1977
kneesiesnounknee-to-knee contact, usually out of sight such as under a restaurant tableUS , 1947
knee-slappernouna small, white-water waveUS , 1991
knees-upnounan energetic dance party, a lively gathering From the song ‘Knees up Mother Brown!’ by Weston and Lee, 1939UK , 1963
knee-trembleverbperforming sexual intercourse while standing
AUSTRALIA , 1985
knee-tremblernoun1sex while standingAUSTRALIA , 1896.2a sexually attractive womanUK , 1999
knicker-nickernouna stealer of clothes (especially underwear) from
a clotheslineUK , 1984
knickersnoun< keep your knickers on!stay calm!, don’t get excited!; don’t lose your temper!UK , 1973
knickers!used as an expression of dismissal, contempt or annoyance A children’s ‘naughty’ word, now in adult handsUK , 1971
knickers in a twist; knickers in a knotnounan agitated or flustered condition; a state of panic A figurative sense of an uncomfortable conditionAUSTRALIA , 1978
knick-knacknoun1a trinket; a small trivial article pleasing for ornamentUK , 1682.2a small penisUS , 1981
knife and forknoun1a meal, especially in a restaurantUK , 2001.
2pork Rhyming slangUK , 1992.3the money that a betting pool player leaves in reserve for living expensesUS , 1990.< do you
need a knife and fork?; do you want a knife and fork?a catchphrase jibe directed at a driver struggling to find the right gearUK , 1975
knife and gun clubnouna hospital casualty departmentUS , 1994
knife-happyadjective(used of a surgeon) over-eager to treat with surgeryUS , 1961
KnifepointnicknameHM Prison Highpoint in SuffolkUK , 2000
knightnounin homosexual usage, a person with syphilisUS , 1981
knight of the asphalt
Trang 10knitnouna shirt or sweaterUS , 1972
knitverb< like knitting fogimpossibleUK , 2003
knitting circlenounin homosexual usage, a group of men who are
too engaged in conversation to seek sexUS , 1981
knitting needlenounin oil drilling, a tool used to splice wire cable
US , 1954
knitting needlesnouna rapid movement of blades and series of
clicks produced when two fencers are practising From the
simi-larity in sound and action to that of knitting needles, not the
earlier, obsolete ‘knitting needle’ (a sword)UK , 1988
knivesnoun< at it like knivesvery sexually activeUK , 1985
knobnoun1the headUK , 1673.2the penisUK , 1660.3a fool; an
obnoxious, despised personUK , 1997.4the kneeUS , 1970.5a sexually
transmitted infectionUK , 1966.< polish a knobto perform oral
sex on a manUS , 1947
knobverbto have sex with someone Derives fromKNOB(the penis)
but usage is not gender-specificUK , 1988
knobbernoun1oral sex performed on a maleUS , 1989.2a fool, used
as a general term of contempt An elaboration ofKNOB US , 1990
knobbingadjectiveused as an intensifier Substitutes forFUCKING UK ,
2000
knobbly kneenouna key Rhyming slangUK , 1992
knobbynouna motorcyle tyre with large treads, used for riding on
dirt and trailsUS , 1973
knob-cheesenounsmegma collected under the foreskin A variation
ofCOCK CHEESE UK , 1997
knob-endnouna despised personUK , 1998
knob gagnouna joke about a penisUK , 2003
knob-gobblingnounoral sex on a manUS , 1980
knobhead; nobheadnouna despised person; a fool FromKNOB
(the penis)US , 1926
knob jobnounoral sex performed on a manUS , 1968
knob-jockeynouna homosexual male; a promiscuous heterosexual
female A rider of theKNOB(the penis)UK , 1998
knob offverbgo awayUK , 2001
knobsnounthe female breasts, especially the nipplesUS , 1968.
< with knobs onwith interest, intensified, with embellishments
UK , 1930
knob throbnoun(of a male) an intense desire for sexUK , 1998
knocknoun1a setback, especially a monetary lossUK , 1889.2a bite
(that moment when a fish takes the bait) Used by anglersUK , 1969.
3a promiscuous womanAUSTRALIA , 1965.< do a knock1to
partake in an amorous outing; to go on a dateAUSTRALIA , 1934.2to
have sex From ‘knock’ (an act of sexual intercourse)AUSTRALIA , 1933.
< on the knock1on credit; engaged in hire purchaseUK , 1968.
2to be working as a prostituteUK , 1969.< take a knockto suffer
a setback or a financial lossUK , 1649.< take the knockto fail to
meet your debtsAUSTRALIA , 1966
knockverb1to criticise, to disparageUS , 1865.2to defraud, to cheat,
especially by passing a fraudulent cheque or by obtaining and
dishonouring a credit arrangementUK , 1962.3to steal; to robUK ,
1919.4to arrestUS , 1987.5to killAUSTRALIA , 1911.6to woundAUSTRALIA ,
1917.7to exhaust; to debilitateAUSTRALIA , 1957.8to have sexual
intercourse with someoneUK , 1598.9to make an amorous
approach to (a person)AUSTRALIA , 1934.10to be unable to make a
move in a game, such as dominoes Almost certainly derived from
the player’s action of knocking on the table to signal an inability
to moveUK , 1984.11to disclose that a pool player is a professional
US , 1990.12to post (a letter)US , 1947.< couldn’t knock the skin
off a rice puddingweak, impotent; used contemptuously of an
inferior fighterUK , 1946.< knock ’em cold; knock ’em deadto
amaze an audience, to have a sensational success From boxing
UK , 1961.< knock a chunk offto have sex from the male
perspectiveUS , 1973.< knock a fadeto leaveUS , 1973.< knock a
scarfto eat a mealUS , 1947.< knock at the doorin horse
racing, to have nearly won several recent racesUS , 1960.< knock
bootsto have sex, especially anal sexUS .< knock dogto be
for sale at a low priceTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003.< knock for six
1to utterly overcome, to inconvenience gravely Cricketing imagery, where a ‘six’ or ‘sixer’ is a shot that clears the boundary
UK , 1902.2to astoundUK , 1949.< knock into a cocked hatto damage someone or something very considerably By late C20 other violent verbs often replace ‘knock’US , 1833.< knock into
the middle of next week; knock into next weekto hit violently, even fatally; especially, to deliver a blow that causes insensibility Originally used of boxersUK , 1821.< knock it offto have sexual intercourseAUSTRALIA , 1983.< knock it on the head
to stop talking; to stop doing something Often as an imperative
AUSTRALIA , 1965.< knock it outto have sexUS , 1980.< knock one
offto have sex, especially in a perfunctory mannerUS , 1924.
< knock one outto masturbate to orgasm Possibly related to
KNOCK OUT(to manufacture or supply cheaply)UK , 1990.< knock
out tongueto kiss with open mouthsUS , 1993.< knock seven
bells out of someoneto physically beat someone very severely
UK , 1929.< knock someone rottento punch or strike fiercely; to daze (a person) by hitting them; to stunAUSTRALIA , 1965.< knock
someone’s eyes outto astound someoneAUSTRALIA , 1940.
< knock something on the headto finish an activity, to stop doing something or stop something happening Often as the exclamatory injunction (knock it on the head!) Obviously derives from a final blow that renders someone unconscious, or kills a snake, or drives a nail homeUK , 1871.< knock spots offto surpassUS , 1856.< knock the drawing room out of someone
to condition or toughen someone physicallyNEW ZEALAND , 1952.
< knock the slack outto accelerate (a truck or car)US , 1976.
< knock your wigto comb your hairUS , 1947
knockaboutnounan itinerantAUSTRALIA , 1889
knock aboutverb1to be aroundAUSTRALIA , 1889.2to wander without purpose and without a homeTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1904.3to beat someoneUK , 1926
knockaboutadjective1experienced, well-travelledAUSTRALIA , 1965.2of theatrical entertainment, noisy and violent, slapstickUK , 1892
knock aroundverb1to spend time with no fixed abode; to travel about as an itinerantAUSTRALIA , 1901.2to spend time (with someone); to idleUS , 1846
knockaroundadjectiveexperienced in the ways of the world, especially the underworldUS , 1949
knockbacknoun1a refusal; a rejectionAUSTRALIA , 1918.2an ‘offer by
a bookmaker to accept a wager at lower odds or for a lesser stake,
in part at full odds with the balance at reduced odds, or at SP (starting price) terms only’UK , 2001
knock backverb1to reject, especially sexual advancesAUSTRALIA , 1918.
2to drinkUK , 1931.3to cost a person a specified amount For example the phrase ‘that knocked him back a fiver’UK , 1961.
< knock back with a stickto get more than enough casual sex A jocular boast of sexual prowessAUSTRALIA , 1950
knockdownnounan introduction (to someone)US , 1959
knock downverb1to earnUS , 1929.2to make a sale at auction From the significant action of an auctioneer’s gavel in marking the conclusion of a saleUK , 1760.3to stealCANADA , 1976.4to robUS ,
1976.5to spend the entire sum of money earned for seasonal work
in a drinking spree Once a veritable institution this practice was especially common amongst shearers and sailorsAUSTRALIA , 1845.
6to drink A variation ofKNOCK BACK(to drink)UK , 1960.7to introduceUS , 1953
knock-down drag-outadjective(of a fight) viciousUS , 1827
knockedadjectivedrunkUS , 1974
knock ’em down rainsnounin tropical Australia, seasonal torrential rainAUSTRALIA , 1946
knockernoun1an inveterate critic; a person addicted to finding faults and making criticismsUS , 1898.2a person who defaults (deliberately) on a hire-purchase agreement A narrowing of an earlier use applied to a person who contracts a debt with no intention of repaying itUK , 1968.3a thief or confidence trickster posing as a door-to-door salesmanUK , 1996.4in circus and carnival usage, a member of the audience who warns others that something is a fraudUS , 1981.5someone who discloses that a pool player is in fact a professionalUS .6in pinball, a sound effect