"Tt" in Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English ppsx

Tt T noun 1 marijuana. The simplest abbreviation of TEA UK, 1950. 2 cocaine. Probably an abbreviation of another slang term for ‘cocaine’ such as TOOT UK, 2003. 3 a tee shirt UK, 2003. < to a T precisely, exactly UK, 1693 T nickname the local rail system serving urban and suburban Boston, Massachusetts. used with ‘the’. From the official designation ‘Boston Transport’ US, 1987 ta thank you. An abbreviation of ‘thanks’ or ‘thank you’; originally childish or juvenile, now widespread UK, 1772 tab noun 1 a tablet, usually one taken as a recreational drug; a single dose of LSD. Originally medical and pharmaceutical jargon, added to the vocabulary of drugs users in the 1950s UK, 1961. 2 a tabloid newspaper US, 1951. 3 a bill, especially in a restaurant or bar US, 1946. 4 a cigarette. Originally northern dialect, spread with media usage UK, 1934. 5 a walk or march across country UK, 1982. 6 an enterprise, an activity US, 1946. < run a tab to order drinks without paying for each one, paying instead the entire bill at the end of the session US, 1995 tab verb 1 to march or otherwise travel on foot across country. Military UK, 1982. 2 to make a drug into tablet form US, 1967 tabasco noun napalm US, 1991 tabbed adjective dressed stylishly US, 1980 tabla noun a surfboard. Spanish, imported to the US from Mexico by American surfers US, 1977 table noun a pinball machine UK, 1977 table dance noun in a strip-club, a semi-private sexual performance near or on a customer’s table US, 1992 table grade adjective used of a woman, sexually appealing. A clear suggestion of oral sex, or eating US, 1972 table-hopper; table-topper noun a necrophile US, 1987 table manners noun in poker, a player’s mannerisms, which may provide clues as to the relative strength of his hand US, 1981 table muscle noun the stomach US, 1984 table pussy noun a woman with good looks and manners US, 1970 tablescor e verb to take food left on restaurant tables US, 1997 table talk noun in poker, idle chatter that does not rise to the level of intentionally distracting talk US, 1979 table time noun a time-based charge for playing pool US, 1993 table zamboni noun a cleaning rag used by a bartender. Zamboni is an ice resurfacer used on ice rinks US, 1987 tab out verb to pay a bar bill and leave the bar US, 1992 tabs noun the ears US, 1970 tacit noun < take a tacit to stop talking US, 1947 tack noun 1 anything that demonstrates a quality of vulgarity, bad taste or kitsch US, 1986. 2 a tattoo US, 1992. 3 marijuana UK, 1996 tacked adjective drunk or drug-intoxicated US, 2004 tacked back adjective covered with tattoos US, 1989 tacked out adjective in trucking, running at full speed. A construction from ‘tachometer’ US, 1971 tacker noun a child. From British dialect (Devon and Cornwall) AUSTRALIA, 1942 tackety bit; tackety noun the female breast. Glasgow rhyming slang for TIT from the local pronunciation of ‘tackety’ (steel-tipped and -heeled) boots UK: SCOTLAND, 1988 tackie noun a tyre SOUTH AFRICA, 1978 tackies noun running shoes, trainers SOUTH AFRICA, 1913 tackiness noun a state of unrefined vulgarity US, 1977 tackle noun 1 the male genitalia. Originally ‘a man’s tackle’ sub- sequent familiarity reduced the necessity for ‘a man’s’ UK, 1788. 2 food and drink; ’stuff’; more recently, drugs UK, 1857 tackle verb to court; to flirt TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1987 tacky adjective vulgar, unrefined, unattractive, aesthetically unappealling; ’cheap and nasty’ US, 1862 taco adjective Mexican. Offensive. From the Mexican street food US, 1990 taco bender noun a Mexican or Mexican-American. Offensive US, 1992 Taco Hell nickname a Taco Bell™ fast-food restaurant US, 1990 tacoland noun a Mexican or Mexican-American neighbourhood. Offensive US, 1981 taco wagon noun a car embellished with bright colours, chrome and other accessories associated with Mexican-American car enthusiasts US, 1960 tad adjective little; a small amount. Perhaps from dialect tad (toad) UK, 1940 tadger noun the penis. Originally dialect; survives in rhyming slang FOX AND BADGER UK, 1961 tadpole noun an OH-6 light observation military helicopter. From its shape US, 1991 tadpole factory noun the testicles UK, 2003 ta ever so thank you. An elaboration of TA and variation of THANKS EVER SO UK , 1970 Taff ia; Taf ia noun a notional conspiracy of influential Welsh people, especially Welsh-speakers, that control many areas of Welsh life for its own benefit. A blend of TA F F (Welsh) and ‘mafia’ (a criminal association) UK: WALES, 1980 Taff y; Taf f noun a native of Wales. From Welsh Dafydd (David – the Welsh patron saint and everyday christian name) as heard by English ears. Taffy since about 1700; Taff since 1929 UK, 1964 tag noun 1 the stylised signature of a graffiti artist. From ‘tag’ (a label) US, 1998. 2 a stylised signature often confused with graffiti US, 1997. 3 a nickname, or popular designation US, 1950. 4 a number plate US, 1972. 5 a planned murder US, 1982. 6 in the television and film industries, a very short final scene US, 1990 tag verb 1 to shoot and hit someone or something US, 1992. 2 to strike or hit someone or something US, 1975. 3 to catch or arrest someone, or convict someone of a crime US, 1966. 4 to spray-paint graffiti in a signature styling US, 1980. 5 to tattoo part of the body US, 1993. 6 to bestow a nickname on someone US, 1960. 7 to identify someone or something US, 1951 tag-along noun someone who joins an activity without invitation US, 1961 tag and bag verb to put a name tag on a corpse and place the body in a body bag. Vietnam war usage US, 1981 tagger noun a person who writes his signature in a stylised fashion on public walls, subways, etc US, 1997 tagging crew noun a group of graffiti artists US, 1989 tag plant noun a prison number plate manufacturing shop US, 2000 tag shop noun the area in a prison where number plates are manufactured US, 1958 Taig; Teague nickname a Catholic. From the anglicised spelling of the Irish name/nickname Tadhg UK, 1971 tail noun 1 the backside, buttocks and/or anus UK, 1303 . 2 a woman, regarded as a sexual object; women, collectively, categorised with the same regard UK, 1846. 3 an act of sexual intercourse or sexual intercourse in a general sense. The earlier, obsolete, senses of ‘penis’ and ‘vagina’ come together in a logical consequence UK, 1933. 4 a person who is following someone else closely and secretly US, 1914 . 5 in prison, an informer US, 1990. 6 the term of a prisoner’s parole US, 1992. 7 in hot rodding, a fox tail or racoon tail tied to the car US, 1960. < bust your tail to give the maximum effort US, 1996 tail verb to follow someone closely and secretly US, 1907. < tail ’em in the gambling game two-up, to throw a pair of tails AUSTRALIA, 1911 tail-better noun in the gambling game two-up, a player who bets on tails AUSTRALIA, 1963 tail-end Charlie noun someone at the rear of any group or expedition. Originally the name given to the rear gunner on a Royal Air Force bomber, hence ‘the man at the back’ UK, 1941 tailgate verb 1 to walk very closely behind another person. A vari- ation of the conventional sense UK, 2003. 2 to eat and drink clustered in parking lot before a sports event US, 1995 tailgunner noun a homosexual male NEW ZEALAND, 1998 tailie noun in the gambling game two-up, a player who bets on tails AUSTRALIA, 1919 tail lights noun LSD UK, 1998 tailor noun in gin, a win without the opponent scoring US, 1950 tailor -made; tailor; taylor noun a factory-made cigarette US, 1924 tail pain noun anal pain TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 taily noun the penis US, 1982 taima noun marijuana. Possibly an elision of Spanish Tailandés (Thai) and marijuana UK, 1998 taint noun the perineum US, 1955 t’aint no crack, but a solid fact what I am saying is the truth US, 1973 Taj Mahal noun a dome covering radar antennae at NORAD air defence radar stations CANADA, 1995 take noun 1 an opinion; a view. Possibly from television and film jargon, ‘take’ (a recorded scene), suggesting a point of view UK, 2001. 2 stolen property, especially money US, 1888. 3 atheftAUSTRALIA, 1975. < on the take accepting bribes US, 1930 take verb 1 (of a male) to have sex with someone UK, 1915. 2 to defeat someone UK, 1939. 3 to successfully swindle someone UK, 1946. < take advantage (of a man) to seduce someone, to have sex with someone, to force sex upon someone. Euphemistic, but often jocular US, 1928. < take back water to back down on a brag or dare; to refuse a challenge. This phrase is derived from rowing CANADA, 1972. < take care of someone to kill someone; to kill one or more, especially as an expedient solution to a problem UK, 1984. < take in laundry to wear underwear internally UK, 2001. < take it in the shorts to be abused or defeated US, 1994. < take it lying down to submit tamely UK, 1961. < take it Nelson to relax UK, 1996. < take on for the team to accept responsibility for an unpleasant task for the greater good of a group. Originally a baseball team, used as an ex post facto expla- nation of a batter advancing to first base after being hit with a pitch US, 2001. < take one to be open to bribery UK, 1970. < take one for the team in a social situation, to pay attention to the less attractive of a pair of friends in the hope that your friend will have success with the more attractive member of the pair US, 2002. < take someone apart to absolutely defeat someone in a fight; to reprimand someone severely UK, 1984. < take someone for a ride 1 to swindle or deceive someone US, 1925. 2 in a car, to take a planned victim to a convenient spot for murder US, 1927. < take stoppo to escape. Based on ‘stoppo’ (a getaway) UK, 1956. < take the biscuit used in the context of surprise or annoyance at something which is remarkable or extraordinary UK, 1907. < take the cake used in the context of surprise or annoyance at something that is startingly improbable US, 1900. < take the cheese to be considered in the most negative manner; in a figurative sense, to take the prize for being worst UK, 1997. < take the micky; take the mickey; take the mick; tak e the michael to make fun of someone; to pull someone’s leg. All vari- ations of rhyming slang MIKE BLISS; MICKY BLISS (PISS); literal and euphemistic translations of TAKE THE PISS. The variations on ‘mickey’, ‘mick’ etc. may be given an initial capital UK, 1935. < take the piss; tak e the piss out of someone 1 to make a fool of someone; to pull someone’s leg. To PISS and hence deflate a bladder gives the central idea of deflation, in this case by making a fool of; perhaps coincidentally an inflated bladder (on a stick) is the mediaeval comedy prop associated with a fool UK, 1984. 2 to implement a urine test. A literal pun on the sense ‘to tease someone’ UK, 1996. < take the ta-ta kiss; take the ta-ta to make a fool of someone; to pull someone’s leg. Rhyming slang for TAKE THE PISS, formed on a goodbye kiss UK, 1992. < take yourself in hand (of a male) to masturbate UK, 1953 take a little, leave a little used as a description of the standing orders that carnival workers have for cheating customers US, 1985 take a running jump!; take a running jump at yourself! used as a contemptuous expression of dismissal UK, 1933 take a train! used as an all-purpose insult US, 1951 takedown noun the amount earned US, 1990 take down verb to arrest and convict someone US, 1997. < take someone down a peg to reduce a person’s self-esteem; to force a brash or bumptious person to conform UK, 1959 take-down brights noun the very bright lights on a police car used when ordering a driver to pull over US, 1992 take-homes noun a several-day supply of methadone US, 1989 take it away! commence the entertainment!; start the music! UK, 1984 take-man noun the member of a criminal gang who actually steals the money AU S TRALIA, 1975 take money noun the proceeds of a robbery or other illegal scheme US, 1975 take night to make day used for describing an all-out effort TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1986 taken short adjective desperate to urinate or defecate UK, 1890 take-off noun 1 in a gambling operation, the amount of the bet money taken by the house US, 1950. 2 a mimicking impression; a parody US, 1846. 3 in surfing, the catching of a wave and start of a ride US, 1970 take off verb 1 to use a drug, especially to inject a drug US, 1952. 2 to bring someone to orgasm US, 1975. 3 to go; to leave UK, 1959. 4 in surfing, to catch the momentum of a wave and begin a ride US, 1970. 5 to rob a place; to steal something US, 1960. 6 to mimic or parody someone or something UK, 1766. < take off a piece of work to masturbate US, 2002 take-off artist noun an escaped prisoner UK, 1996 take on verb to have sex with someone US, 1972 take-out noun in poker, the minimum number of chips that a player can buy from the bank at once US, 1967 take out verb 1 to kill someone US, 1939. 2 to win a game, an award a prize or the like AUSTRALIA, 1976 taker noun a thief who snatches a chain from the wearer’s neck. Recorded by a Jamaican inmate of a UK prison, August 2002 UK, 2002 takey-ah-ways noun take-away food. Pronounced with a mock Maori accent NEW ZEALAND, 1998 take you everywhere twice – the second time to ap ologise used as a jocular reprimand to a companion who has just said or done something contrary to the accepted social code; or (replacing you with him or her) to the company at large, as a humorous acknowledgement of such a faux pas UK, 2002 take your pick adjective stupid. Rhyming slang for THICK, possibly formed from the title of a television quiz show broadcast between 1955 and 68 UK, 1998 takkies noun running shoes SOUTH AFRICA, 2001 takkouri noun hashish. A corruption of Tunisian takrouri (hashish) UK, 1998 talala noun the vulva and vagina TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1959 talc; talco noun cocaine. Another white powder as a metaphor US, 1984 talent noun 1 a categorisation of sexually attractive people (within a given area), usually by heterosexual men of women and by tail | talent 638 homosexual men of men; occasional use by women increased in the 1990s UK, 1947. 2 an intelligent, resourceful criminal US, 1962. < the talent in the entertainment industry, the actors, the performers US, 1991 talented adjective attractive US, 1996 Tale of Two Cities; tale o’ twos adjective thefemalebreasts. Rhyming slang for TITTIE(S), formed from the title of Charles Dickens’ novel, 1859. Often spoonerised as ‘Sale of Two Titties’ UK, 1960 Taliban adjective given as a nickname to any eccentric or unconventional student, especially one of Arab ethnicity. Teen slang, post 11th September 2001; from the Muslim fundamentalist government. The words ‘terrorist’ and ‘fundamentalist’ are also current as nicknames US, 2002 talk verb 1 to betray someone; to inform on someone US, 1924. 2 to have a sexual relationship in prison US, 1982. 3 (used of a truck) to emit a clear sound from the smokestack US, 1971. < talk game to analyse the business of prostitution US, 1972. < talk noise to exag- gerate; to lie US, 1986. < talk shit 1 to disparage someone or something; to exaggerate US, 1965. 2 to talk nonsense US,mid-C20. < talk smack to disparage someone or something US, 1993. < talk stink to malign someone or something. Hawaiian youth usage US, 1981. < talk story to gossip; to engage in idle conversation. Hawaiian youth usage US, 1981. < talk the hind legs off a donkey to talk until a listener is distracted; to talk persuasively. The surviving variation of many de-legged creatures: ‘bird’ (1929), ‘cow’ or ‘dog’ (1887), ‘horse’ (mainly dialect), ‘jackal’, etc UK, 1915. < talk though your neck to talk nonsense UK, 1899. < talk through your arse; talk through your ass; talk out of your arse to talk nonsense UK, 1985. < talk through your hat to talk (ill-informed) nonsense US, 1888. < talk to Ralph Beukler to vomit CANADA, 2002. < talk to Ralph on the big white phone to vomit US, 1989. < talk to the canoe driver to perform oral sex on a woman US, 1971. < talk to the seals to vomit. Surfer usage US, 1997. < talk trash to engage in aggressive verbal sparring; to speak offensively US, 1967. < talk turkey to speak candidly and openly about an important issue US, 1903 talk and walk noun the practice of professing psychological improvement in a prison therapeutic setting to improve your chances of parole US, 1971 talk at verb to talk to someone. The ‘at’ is a folksy affectation that decreases the formality of the statement US, 1999 talkdown noun the conversational technique used to guide an LSD user who is having a difficult time back to reality US, 1994 talker noun in the circus or carnival, a person who entices customers into the side show US, 1960 talkie noun a film with sound; a film. Mainly historical, as an opposite to silent films US, 1913 talking handbag noun a portable radio UK, 1996 talking head noun an expert guest on a television or radio news show US, 1977 talking woman noun a female performer who banters with the audience as she strips off her clothes US, 1950 talkman noun an electrical torture device attached to a prisoner’s face. Gulf war usage, punning on the Walkman™ portable music device US, 1991 talk of the devil! said of a person who, while being spoken of, arrives unexpectedly; hence, an ungracious, though not necessarily unfriendly, greeting to that person. A shortening of the proverb ‘Talk of the Devil, and he’s presently at your elbow’ UK, 1666 talk powder noun any central nervous system stimulant US, 1988 talk to the hand; tell it to the hand (because the face isn’t listening); speak to the hand used for expressing a complete lack of interest in what is being said. Usually followed with ‘because the face don’t give a damn’ or something in a similar vein, accompanied by a gesture of a raised hand, palm facing the other person US, 1995 talk -up noun in sales and marketing, a raising of awareness and expectations. A jargon-like variation of ‘praise’ UK, 1999 tall adjective 1 used of a jail sentence, lengthy US, 1992. 2 drug- intoxicated. A play on HIGH US, 1946 tallboy noun a 16-ounce can of beer US, 1984 tall grass noun in circus and carnival usage, an extremely remote location US, 1981 tallie; tally noun chiefly in Queensland, a tall, 750 ml bottle of beer AUSTRALIA, 2003 tall or der noun an excessive demand, a difficult thing to achieve US, 1893 tall poppy noun an eminent, wealthy or successful person when viewed as needing deflation AUSTRALIA, 1902 tall poppy syndrome noun the habit of denigrating successful people. An outgrowth of the Australian’s strong sense of egalitarianism and habit of siding with the underdog AUSTRALIA, 1983 tall story; tall tale noun an elaborate lie; an (enjoyable) exagger- ation UK, 1846 tall wine noun sex in which the woman below the man moves and keeps her buttocks up off the bed TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1986 Tally adjective Italian UK: SCOTLAND, 1985 tallywhacker; tallywacker noun the penis US, 1966 tam noun a knitted hat used by a Rastafarian to contain his dreadlocks. An abbreviation of conventional ‘tam o’shanter’ JAMAICA, 2002 tamale noun the vagina. The imagery is of a savoury dish (originally from Mexico): a rolled pancake with a spicy filling US, 1998 tamboo bamboo noun the penis. An allusion to a musical instrument made from a length of bamboo TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1980 Tammie noun a capsule of Temazepam™, a branded sleeping pill US, 1997 tammy noun a tampon UK, 2001 tamp verb to walk US, 1953 Tampa; Tampa pilot noun in shuffleboard, a hide disc on your side of the court near the apex of the ten US, 1967 tampax noun filter-tipped cigarette(s). From the similarity in appearance between the white tubes of manufactured cigarettes and Tampax™, a well-known brand of tampons UK, 1984 tampi; tampee noun marijuana JAMAICA, 1975 tamping noun abeatingUS, 1967 tampon noun 1 a snobbish, unpleasant person. An allusion to the nature of tampons in the sense that they are all ‘stuck up cunts’, punning on ‘stuck-up’ (snobbish) and CUNT (an unpleasant person) UK, 2001. 2 a fat marijuana cigarette US, 1997. < maybe your tampon will be flushed perhaps you will be feeling better; maybe your mood will have improved. Note south Wales dialect tamping (angry) US, 1988 tampon dick noun a contemptible man UK, 1997 tamp up verb to beat someone physically US, 1962 tampy noun marijuana BAHAMAS, 1982 ta muchly thank you very much. A deliberate solecism used for humorous effect UK, 1969 tan verb 1 to consume something voraciously; to do something briskly or with urgency UK: SCOTLAND, 1988. 2 to burgle somewhere UK: SCOTLAND, 1988. < tan someone’s hide; tan someone’s arse to beat someone on the buttocks (as a punishment) UK, 1670 T and A noun visual depictions of sexually provocative females. From TITS AND ASS; TITS AND ARSE US, 1993 T and T verb to tape record and trace the origin of a phone call US, 2001 tangerine dream noun a type of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy. Named for the colour of the tablet and after a German group that plays electronic, synthesized music UK, 1996 Tangier tiger noun a low grade variety of hashish from the foothills of the Rif Mountains UK, 2003 639 talented | Tangier tiger tangle noun < on the tangle drinking; on an alcohol binge NEW ZEALAND , 1966 tangle verb to fight US, 1990. < tangle ass to brawl US, 1950. < tangle assholes to become involved in a confrontation US, 1985 tanglefoot noun 1 strong, homemade whisky US, 1860. 2 barbed wire staked to the ground as a defensive perimeter around a military camp or base US, 1990 tango noun a type of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy. From the colour of the tablet; possibly an abbreviation of TANGERINE DREAM, or named after Tango™, a branded carbonated orange drink that, according to the product’s advertising, has a surreal effect on all who drink it UK, 1996 tango boat noun an armoured landing craft US, 1971 tango november noun a token black soldier in an otherwise white unit or corps, especially the officer corps. From the military phonetic alphabet ‘TN’, short for ‘token nigger’ US, 1990 tank noun 1 a jail cell, especially one in a local police station US, 1912. 2 an intentional loss in a competition. Originally boxing slang. Also called a ‘tank job’ US, 1955. 3 a room in the Pentagon where the Joint Chiefs and Staff meet jointly with the Operations Deputies US, 1986. 4 asafeNEW ZEALAND, 1937. 5 a safe burglary. Prison slang. NEW ZEALAND, 1999. 6 of money, all you have with you UK: SCOTLAND, 1988. 7 an old and heavy surfboard US, 1988. 8 a heavy-set woman TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1964. 9 an ugly girl US, 1966. 10 money. Probably evolves from TANKER (a prizefighter who accepts payment to throw a fight in a fixed boxing match) UK, 1991. < go in the tank used of an athletic contest, lost on purpose US, 1955. < in the tank drunk US, 1975 tank-ass noun buttocks that are disproportionately large US, 2001 tanked adjective 1 drunk or drug-intoxicated. Also used as ‘tanked up’ UK, 1893. 2 in computing, not operating US, 1991 tanker noun 1 ahiredthugUK, 2003. 2 a heavy drinker. From TANK UP (to drink) CANADA, 1984. 3 a boxing match or other athletic contest that has been fixed US, 1955 tanker wanker noun someone who flies in air-to-air refuellers. A Royal Air Force term, formed by rhyming the airborne ‘tanker’ with an all-purpose pejorative; reported by Squadron Leader G.D. Wilson, 1979 UK, 1979 tankman noun a safe-blower AUSTRALIA, 1972 tank money noun funds that are employed to give a fraudulent impression of substance or wealth UK, 2000 tank town noun a small, unimportant town. A possible railway etymology US, 1906 tank tracks noun in the Canadian military, folds that develop along the top of the official beret CANADA, 1995 tank-up noun a drinking binge NEW ZEALAND, 1959 tank up verb 1 to administer fluids to a dehydrated hospital patient US, 1994. 2 to consume large quantities of something, especially alcohol US, 1902 tanner noun in pre-decimalisation currency, sixpence, 6d; a coin of that value. Inflation has rendered the conversion from 6d to 2½p meaningless UK, 1811 tanorexia noun an addiction to sunbathing, especially by means of sunbeds. A punning combination of ‘tan’ and ‘anorexia’ which sacrifices the meaning of anorexia for a journalistic tag UK, 1997 tanorexic noun a person who is addicted to sunbathing, especially by means of sunbeds US, 1998 tans noun the standard US Army summer khaki uniform US, 1990 Tans noun the Black and Tans IRELAND, 1992 tantie noun < tantie come to town to experience the bleed period of your menstrual cycle TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 tanty noun a tantrum AUSTRALIA, 1987 tan valise noun a blonde prostitute US, 1960 tap noun 1 a blow given or received in a fight UK, 1996. 2 amurderUS, 1963. 3 in circus and carnival usage, the admission price US, 1981 tap verb 1 to borrow something, especially money UK, 1953. 2 to ask f or, or imply readiness to accept, a tip. Used by ships’ stewards UK, 1961. 3 to successfully attract a partner for sexual intimacy UK, 2002. 4 to have sex US, 1949. 5 to kill someone US, 1963. 6 to intercept a telephone communication. From an earlier sense of intercepting a telegraphic message UK, 1869. 7 in poker, to bet all of your chips, or an amount equal to an opponent’s bet, depending on context US, 1947. < tap a kidney to urinate US, 1997. < tap the pot in bar dice games, to bet the total amount of the pot US, 1971 tap city noun when gambling, the position of being out of funds US, 1976 tap code noun a method of cell-to-cell communication in a prison where talking is forbidden US, 1982 tap dancer noun 1 a black person who curries favour from white people with obsequious conduct US, 1974. 2 a delivery truck driver US, 1971 tape and tuck verb (used of a male) to tape your penis and testicles between your legs in an effort to pass as a woman AUSTRALIA, 1985 tape dance verb to buy a block of stock at a price slightly higher than the last price on the tape for that stock US, 1988 tapioca noun 1 semen; an urgent need to ejaculate semen. The unsettling image of a hot milk-pudding UK, 1980. 2 a joker (the playing card). Rhyming slang UK, 1992 tapo noun an inadvertent error in a taped message US, 1982 tap-out noun a complete depletion of funds, especially in gambling US, 1979 tap out verb 1 to run out of money, usually as a result of gambling US, 1939. 2 in a casino, to relieve a dealer from duty US, 1961 tapped adjective 8see: DOOLALLY tapped-out adjective having been emptied. A figurative use of ‘tap’ (to draw off liquid) UK, 2001 tapper noun 1 a persistent borrower UK, 1981. 2 a boy who persists in asking a girl for a date when reason would dictate a strategic retreat. Teen slang US, 1951. 3 someone who sells the police false or useless information in return for a small sum UK, 1959 tappers noun dice that have been loaded with mercury that shifts when the dice are tapped US, 1962 tap up verb to approach someone with a proposal UK, 2001 tar noun 1 coffee. Citizens’ band radio slang, from the colour rather than the consistency US, 1976. 2 crude, dark, gummy heroin, usually from Mexico US, 1992. 3 opium. From the colour and consistency of raw opium US, 1936. 4 crack cocaine and heroin mixed and smoked together UK, 2002. 5 rum TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003. 6 a sailor. Probably a shortening of obsolete ‘tarpaulin’ UK, 1676 tara; ta-ra; tarra; tra goodbye. Originally northern, now more widespread through the agency of Coronation Street and other television programmes; possibly a slovening of TA-TA UK, 1958 tar and feather; tar noun a leather jacket. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 Tara Palmer-Tomkinson; Tara Palmer; tara noun a drama. Rhyming slang, formed from the name of a celebrity-socialite; gen- erally applied to a minor inconvenience UK, 2000 tararabit goodbye. A Liverpudlian elaboration of TARA (goodbye), thus ‘goodbye [for] a bit’ UK, 1984 tar baby noun a black person. Offensive. From the Br’er Rabbit stories by Joel Chandler Harris US, 1962 tar beach noun a flat urban rooftop, used for sleeping or drug use US, 1970 tardust noun cocaine. A pun on STARDUST (cocaine) UK, 2003 tariff noun 1 the portion of a life-sentence to be served in custody. A nuance of the conventional sense UK, 2002. 2 the fee charged by a prostitute TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 Tarka verb to have anal intercourse. Rhyming slang, based on the novel by Henry Williamson (1895–1977), Tarka the Otter, rhyming with ‘ DOT her’ (to have anal sex) UK, 2002 tarmac noun in Canadian military aviation, the ramp section of an air base hangar line CANADA, 1995 tarnation noun used as a euphemism for ‘damnation’ US, 1790 tarred adjective drunk BARBADOS, 1965 tangle | tarred 640 Tarrier noun a Catholic, especially of Irish descent UK, 2002 tart noun 1 a woman AUSTRALIA, 1903. 2 a promiscuous woman UK, 1887. 3 a prostitute UK, 1894. 4 a girlfriend or sweetheart UK, 1864. 5 a wife or female partner. Rhyming slang for ‘sweetheart’ UK, 1864. 6 a weak, ineffectual man. A term of abuse, used to call a man a woman; a wider gender-only sense of ‘tart’ than when applied to a woman UK, 1999 tartan noun cocaine. Etymology unknown UK, 2001 tartan banner noun a sixpenny coin; sixpence. Rhyming slang for TANNER that dropped out of circulation after decimalisation in 1971 UK, 1960 tartanize verb to adapt an English product for Scottish use or sale; hence, the adjective: tartanized UK, 2004 tarted-up adjective 1 dressed like a prostitute; dressed smartly UK, 1947. 2 of a thing, business, building, etc, having a new image or presen- tation. Often derogatory in tone UK, 1984 tart fuel noun bottled alcopop (branded alcoholic beverage with the characteristics of a soft drink) or other alcoholic drinks deemed to be for feminine consumption. A fashionable drink amongst young women who will, when inebriated, it is suggested/hoped by the coiner of this term, relax their moral standards and behave promiscuously UK, 2002 tart’s delight noun a frilly, fussy, looped-up way of hanging lace curtains at windows UK, 1980 tart’s fart noun used as a comparitive measure of little or negligible worth UK, 2002 tart up verb to dress someone up or decorate something smartly. Often with the implication of tastelessness or tawdriness UK, 1952 tarty adjective like a prostitute UK, 1918 Tarzan noun 1 sex outdoors US, 1966. 2 a soldier who is overly anxious to take the highly visible and dangerous point position on a combat march US, 1991. < like ten Tarzan quickly; loudly TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1984 tash; tache noun a moustache UK, 1893 tashered adjective drunk UK, 2002 tash test noun a man’s moustache seen as an indicator of homo- sexuality and, hence, predictive of HIV status. Formed from TAS H (a moustache). A medical observation that, hopefully, was more witty than practical UK, 2002 task noun in prison, an act of masturbation UK, 1996 Tasmaniac noun apersonfromTasmaniaAUS TRALIA, 1867 Tasmanian Tiger noun a strain of marijuana, known elsewhere as New Zealand green, Thai Buddha and Hawaiian head AUSTRALIA, 2002 Tasmanian yawn noun vomiting, especially when experienced crossing the Tasmanian Sea AUSTRALIA, 1995 tassel dance noun a sexual dance focused on the woman’s breasts and the tassels worn attached thereto US, 1977 tassie noun an intaglio (an engraved figure or design). Used by antique dealers UK, 1977 Tassie noun 1 Ta sma nia AUSTRALIA, 1892. 2 aTasmanianAUSTRALIA, 1914 taste noun 1 an alcoholic drink US, 1919. 2 asampleUS, 1990. 3 asmall sample of drugs, especially heroin US, 1952 taste-face noun a heroin user who lends his syringe to others in return for small amounts of heroin US, 1978 -tastic suffix used as an intensifier. On the model of POPTASTIC US, 2003 tasty adjective 1 attractive, sexually appealing UK, 1899. 2 worthwhile; valuable; exhibiting strength UK, 1975. 3 competent; polished. The term can be applied to either the work or the person who did it IRELAND, 1999. 4 used of a known, especially well-respected criminal; capable of physical violence UK, 1975. 5 having a pleasing flavour; appetising. In conventional use from the early 1600s; by mid-C19 considered colloquial UK, 1617 Taswegian nickname a person from Tasmania. Blend of Tasmania and Norwegian AUSTRALIA, 1961 tat noun 1 an article, or collection of articles, of inferior or rubbishy quality; odds and ends of material. The spelling ‘tatt’ is also used UK, 1951. 2 a tattoo US, 1994. 3 a swindle featuring dice and doubled bets US, 1963 tata noun nonsense TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1990 ta-ta goodbye. At first chiefly nursery, now (in the US) simply highly affected UK, 1823 ta-tas noun the shakes AUSTRALIA, 1977 tatas noun the female breasts US, 1995 Tate and Lyle noun style. Rhyming slang, formed from the company that describes itself as ‘world leader in carbohydrate ingredients’ UK, 1992 tater; tatur; tottie noun a potato UK, 1759 tatered adjective drunk US, 1993 taters noun the buttocks US, 1999 taters in the mould; potatoes in the mould; taters adjective cold. Rhyming slang, most commonly used as ‘taters’ UK, 1934 tats noun dice, especially loaded dice or dice marked for cheating UK, 1688 TAT T (in doctors’ shorthand) tired all the time UK, 2002 tatted adjective tatooed US, 1990 tatting down noun an act of tidying away possessions and making ready for travel. Used by late 1980s–early 90s counterculture travellers UK, 1999 tattletale noun 1 in trucking, a device that records time and speed data, used by company officials to assure compliance with laws and regulations. Known conventionally as a ‘tachograph’ US, 1962. 2 in motor racing, a specially designed tachometer that measures and records the engine’s highest speed during a run or lap US, 1965. 3 in trucking, a dangling chain that shows the approximate weight of the load by its distance from the axle US, 1961 Tatts nickname 1 Tattersalls (a racecourse enclosure) UK, 1991. 2 a lottery originally run from Tattersall’s Hotel, Sydney AUSTRALIA, 1916 tatty adjective shabby, tawdry UK, 1933 tatty-bye goodbye. Probably a conflation of TA-TA and ‘bye!’. Popularised by Liverpool comedian Ken Dodd (b.1929); in widespread use by the mid-1970s UK, 1980 taury rope noun the Pope. Glasgow rhyming slang, formed on Scottish dialect for ‘tarry rope’ UK: SCOTLAND, 1988 taw; toy noun in marbles, a marble used for shooting UK, 1709 tawny adjective excellent US, 1993 tax; taxing noun the fee paid to enter a crack house US, 1992 tax verb 1 to steal something; to rob somewhere UK, 1994. 2 to steal valuables from vehicles that are waiting at traffic lights UK, 1996. 3 in Montreal, to forcibly confront and force someone to hand over money, jewellery or clothes CANADA, 2002. 4 in prison, to extort money or other payment such as tobacco from a weaker prisoner by threat of violence UK, 1996. 5 to tease or berate someone US, 2001 taxi noun a call girl. Glossed as ‘Colloquialism used in the appropriate urban circles for a prostitute who operates at a place required by her clients[.]’ by Nigel Hankin, Hanklyn-Janklyn, 2003 INDIA, 2003 taxi bit noun a prison sentence of between five and fifteen years US, 1950 taxi-cab noun a crab; crab meat. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 taxi-cabs; taxis noun pubic lice. Rhyming slang for CRABS UK, 1959 taxi dance verb to work as a taxi dancer US, 1973 taxi dancer; taxi girl noun a woman who will dance and talk with bar patrons, but stops short of prostitution; a prostitute US, 1930 taxing noun 1 the theft of high-price training shoes being worn by the victim UK, 1992. 2 the robbery of drug dealers by drug dealers UK, 2002 taxi rank; taxi noun 1 an act of masturbation. Rhyming slang for WANK UK, 1992. 2 a bank. Rhyming slang UK, 1998 taxi-rank; taxi verb to masturbate. Rhyming slang for WANK UK, 1984 taxpayer noun a building that generates enough rental income to pay the taxes on it US, 1921 641 Tarrier | taxpayer taylaylay noun the vagina TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 TB noun 1 tuberculosis US, 1912. 2 in circus and carnival usage, a dull town where business is poor. An abbreviation of TOTAL BLANK US, 1981 TB adjective loyal, true blue US, 1997 TBF noun severe morbidity, usually terminal. A ‘total body failure’ US, 1989 TBH adjective potentially available for gay sex. Acronym of ‘to be had’ UK, 1970 T-bi rd noun 1 a Ford Thunderbird. First sold in October 1954, the Thunderbird became an American cultural icon US, 1994. 2 Thunderbird™ wine US, 1973. 3 a T-33 jet trainer aircraft US, 1956. 4 a capsule of amobarbital sodium and secobarbital sodium (trade name Tuinal™), a combination of central nervous system depress- ants US, 1993 T- bone noun a Model T Ford car, first built in 1908 US, 1970 T- bone verb while driving a car, to drive into the side of another car US, 1991 Tbowlnoun a toilet US, 1982 TBP in doctors’ shorthand total body pain UK, 2002 TCB verb to take care of business. Coined by the black community and then spread into widespread use US, 1964 T-dot nickname Toronto, Ontario. From the proliferation of high-tech businesses in the city CANADA, 2004 tea noun 1 marijuana US, 1935. 2 in horse racing, a drug (especially cocaine or strychnine) which will stimulate a horse US, 1951. < not for all the tea in China! certainly not!; not at any price AUSTRALIA, 1937 tea and cocoa verb to say so. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 tea and toast noun the mail, the post. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 teabag noun 1 a contemptible person. Rhyming slang for SLAG UK, 2000. 2 a marijuana cigarette US, 1982 tea-bag verb in the pursuit of sexual pleasure, to take a man’s scrotum completely into the mouth, sucking and tonguing it US, 1998 tea-bagger noun in motor racing, a lover of British sports cars US, 1965 teabagging noun the sucking of a man’s entire scrotum US, 1998 teabags verb to steal something. Rhyming prison slang: from TEALEAF (a thief), punning on ‘bag’ (to steal) NEW ZEALAND, 1999 tea boat noun in prison, a financial alliance between several prisoners to pay for tea UK, 1996 tea boy noun a person who runs errands and performs other menial tasks UK, 1968 tea, br eakfast and dinner noun everything TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1990 tea caddy noun an Irish person. Rhyming slang for PADDY UK, 2000 teach noun a teacher UK, 1958 teacher noun a traffic police officer who lectures violators instead of issuing citations US, 1962 teacher arms noun the flabby arms of an overweight person AUSTRALIA, 2000 teacup queer noun an effeminate homosexual man US, 1957 tea’d up adjective marijuana-intoxicated US, 1959 tea for two; teafer noun a Jewish person. Rhyming slang for ‘Jew’ UK, 1992 tea girl noun a quasi-prostitute in a Vietnamese bar who cadges US servicemen into buying her drinks, especially of Saigon tea US, 1966 tea grout noun a Boy Scout. Rhyming slang UK, 1961 tea head noun a user of marijuana US, 1949 tea hound noun a marijuana user US, 1951 tea-leaf verb to rob someone; to steal something. Rhyming slang; from the noun sense UK, 2000 tealeaf; tea-leaf noun 1 a thief. Rhyming slang UK, 1903. 2 asmall penis. A small, limp, black visual metaphor JAMAICA, 2002 tea-leafing adjective inclined to thievery. Rhyming slang for THIEVING extended from TEALEAF (a thief) UK, 1960 team noun a criminal gang UK, 1950. < on the team homosexual, from the homosexual point of view UK, 1993 team adjective dressing in a style that identifies you with a particular group US, 1989 team cream noun an orgy US, 1970 team-handed adjective working together as a gang. From TEAM (a criminal gang) UK, 1996 team Jesus noun a group of zealous, proselytising Christian students US, 2004 tea pad noun an apartment, house or room where marijuana is smoked US, 1938 tea party noun a social party where marijuana is smoked US, 1968 teapot noun 1 a heavy user of marijuana UK, 1983. 2 standing with your hands on your hips NEW ZEALAND, 1998 teapot lid; teapot noun 1 a Jewish person. Rhyming slang for YID UK , 1960. 2 a child. Rhyming slang for KID UK, 1960. 3 apound sterling. Rhyming slang for QUID UK, 1960 teapot lid; teapot verb to fool, to pretend. Rhyming slang for KID UK , 1934 tear noun 1 a spree, a period of self-indulgent enjoyment UK: SCOTLAND , 1985. 2 an expedition to deface advertising billboards US, 2001. 3 a manipulation of a record to create a musical effect that plays a sample in two sections with a jolt-effect in the middle, 2002. < on the tear engaged in a drinking session IRELAND, 2003 tear verb 1 to leave, especially in a hurry US, 1951. 2 to surf aggressively and with skill US, 1988. < tear a passion to tatters in a dramatic performance, to over-act US, 1973. < tear a strip off someone; tear someone off a strip to reprimand someone UK, 1941. < tear it to frustrate or thwart someone’s intentions, usually in the phrase ‘that’s torn it’ UK, 1909. < tear off a chunk to have sex US, 1973. < tear off a tab; tear off a scab to open a can of beer NEW ZEALAND, 1984. < tear off; tear off a piece to have sex US, 1964. < tear someone a new asshole to thrash someone; to abuse someone verbally US, 1968. < tear the arse out of to destroy or spoil something UK, 1999. < tear the roof off to create or intensify mass excitement through the agency of loud music. A refinement of ‘raise the roof’ (to make a great noise) UK, 2001. < tear them apart; tear them up to delight an audience UK, 1933. < tear your pants to commit a social gaffe US, 1947 tear-arse around; tear-arse about; tear ass verb to race about wildly. Elaboration of ‘tear’ (to rush) UK, 1999 tearaway noun a minor criminal, one who tends towards violence at the slightest excuse. Originally a ‘ladies’ tearaway’, a criminal specialising in snatching (tearing away) women’s handbags UK, 1958 teardrop noun 1 a dose of crack cocaine, packaged in the corner of a plastic bag US, 1994. 2 a surfboard that is wide at the rear and narrow at the nose AUSTRALIA, 1963 tearjerker noun a melodramatic or sentimental and sad story or song US, 1921 tear-off noun a minor criminal, one who tends towards violence at the slightest excuse. A variation of TEARAWAY UK, 1966 tearoom; t-room noun a public toilet. From an era when a great deal of homosexual contact was in public toilets; probably an abbreviation of ‘toilet room’, a term used in reported criminal prosecutions of homosexuals in the late C19. A public toilet in Illinois was the focus of Laud Humphrey’s famous sociological study Tearoom Trade US, 1941 tea-room crui ser noun a male homosexual prostitute who frequents public toilets US, 1982 tea-room trade noun a sexual partner found in a public toilet US, 1980 tear-up noun 1 a gang fight; a brawl. From conventional ‘tear-up’ (a commotion) US, 1964. 2 in jazz use, a period of wild, inspired music- making US, 1958. 3 any valueless letter addressed to Scotland Yard. Officially filed in the Metropolitan Police’s General Registry as GM [General Matters]51 UK, 1999 taylaylay | tear-up 642 tease and please noun sexual arousal after which satisfaction is delayed under the pretence that such gratification is denied, especially when advertised as a service offered by a prostitute UK, 2003 teaser noun 1 in horse breeding, a horse used to test a mare’s readiness for breeding US, 1976. 2 in sports betting, a bet that ties two or more games together US, 1975 teaspoon noun a measure of heroin or other narcotic drug UK, 1996 tea strainer noun a trainer (a shoe). Rhyming slang UK, 1992 tea-towel head noun an offensive term for an Arabic person AUSTRALIA, 1981 tea-towel holder noun the anus. A resemblance in shape and detail UK, 2002 tea wagon noun in the television and film industries, the console used by the sound mixer US, 1977 tec noun adetective UK, 1879 tecate; tecatos noun heroin. Directly from Mexican Spanish US, 1982 tecato noun a heroin or morphine addict. Directly from Mexican Spanish US, 1970 tech noun 1 a technical college, an institution that provides further and higher education. Often ‘the Tech’ is used for your local one UK, 2000. 2 a technician; someone employed to deal with techno- logical devices, especially in a creative milieu. Also called a ‘techie’ US, 1942. 3 a nine-millimetre handgun US, 1995 tech dog noun in foot-propelled scootering, a rider with strong tech- nical skills UK, 2000 technical; tech noun in foot-powered scootering, any trick that is performed on a flat surface or ledge and requires a good deal of technical skill UK, 2000 technicolour laugh noun an act of vomiting; vomit AUSTRALIA, 1964 technicolour yawn noun an act of vomiting AUSTRALIA, 1964 techno adjective as a combining form, denotes intrinsic technological expertise or inspiration, especially in relation to computing, gadgetry or music fashions US, 1989 technobabble noun pretentious scientific chatter. Modelled on ‘psychobabble’ US, 1981 technodolt noun a person who is completely technologically illiterate US, 1990 technodweeb noun a person who is passionately interested in tech- nology US, 1990 technosavvy noun someone who understands technology US, 1996 technowords noun a scientific vocabulary US, 1996 teddy noun a bottle of alcohol, legal or otherwise CANADA, 1986 teddy bear noun 1 a dose of LSD identified by the printed picture of a teddy bear UK, 2003. 2 a person who dresses and behaves in a showy manner. Rhyming slang for LA IR AUSTRALIA, 1944. 3 apear. Rhyming slang, formed from a cuddly toy UK, 1992 teddy bear suit noun heavy winter garments issued to US troops during World War 2 and later in Korea US, 1982 Teddy Boy; Teddy; Ted noun a member of a youth cult of the mid- to late 1950s, characterised by a style of dress loosely inspired by fashions of the Edwardian era (1901–10). Edward abbreviates to Teddy and Ted. Teddy boys referred to themselves as Teds UK, 1954 Ted Frazer noun a cut-throat razor. Rhyming slang UK, 1997 Ted Heath noun a thief. Rhyming slang, formed (satirically) on Edward Heath (1916–2005), Conservative Prime Minister 1970–74 UK, 1972 Ted Ray adjective homosexual. Rhyming slang for FA Y; probably formed from the British comedian and actor (1905–77); however, Bodmin Dark, Dirty Cockney Rhyming Slang, 2003, suggests an American jazz musician of the same name UK, 2003 Teds noun 8see: EDWARD HEALTH teedle-ee noun a urination. Glasgow rhyming slang for PEE UK: SCOTLAND , 1988 teed off adjective angry US, 1950 teef verb to steal something. A mispronunciation of ‘thieve’ or an elision of TEA-LEAF (to thieve) UK, 1997 teem noun team. Fashionable misspelling UK, 2002 teenager noun 1 a person aged between 13 and 19. Originally ‘teen- ager’. Since about 1955 has usually been written as one word, and since about 1960 has been regarded as standard English US, 1935. 2 cocaine UK, 2002 teener noun one sixteenth of an ounce US, 1993 teen-flick noun a film intended for teenagers UK, 2003 teenie noun 1 a younger teenager US, 1968. 2 one-sixteenth of a dollar. Trader usage US, 1992 teensy adjective tiny. A childish corruption US, 1899 teensy-weensy adjective very small US, 1906 teenth noun asixteenth of an ounce (of drugs) UK, 2001 teeny adjective very small UK, 1825 teenybop adjective of or for teenyboppers US, 1967 teenybopper noun a young teenager, especially a girl US, 1965 teenyhooker noun a young female prostitute US, 1982 teeny weeny adjective tiny. ‘Teeny’ came from ‘tiny’, and then the reduplicative ‘teeny weeny’, which is often found in the same breath as ‘itsy bitsy’ US, 1931 tee off verb 1 to annoy or to irritate someone US, 1961. 2 to fart UK, 1998 tees noun dice on which some numbers are repeated, usually made with identical numbers on opposite sides US, 1950 teeth noun cocaine; crack cocaine. From the resemblance of the drug to small teeth US, 1994. < my back teeth are floating Iam desperate to urinate UK, 2001 TEETH (in doctors’ shorthand) tried everything else, try homeopathy. Medical slang UK, 2003 teeth and tits used to remind dancers that an attractive smile and a distracting display will stop an audience noticing the footwork. Theatrical UK, 2005 teething tr oubles noun initial problems with any new device, invention, enterprise, technology, etc UK, 1937 teev noun a television AUSTRALIA, 1982 teflon adjective describes a person to whom blame doesn’t stick. From the non-stick properties of polytetrafluoroethylene, trademarked as Teflon™ US, 2004 tekno noun the recreational drug ketamine. Back slang for ‘on ket’ UK, 2004 tele noun a television set; television. Early use mainly US (as television itself), adopted enthusistically in the UK in the mid-50s US, 1940 telegram noun 1 a message designed for mass distribution from prisoner to prisoner, passed from one cell to the next US, 1992. 2 in prison, a written notice given to an inmate who has been placed on report for an offence UK, 1996 telegraph verb to inadvertently disclose or reveal your intentions to an opponent UK, 1925 telephone noun a bilingual Canadian who serves as a go-between for English and French speakers CANADA, 1979 telephone booth noun in poker, a player who regularly ‘calls’ (matches the bet of the previous player) US, 1988 telephone number noun a long prison sentence US, 1950 telephone numbers noun 1 a large sum of money US, 1979. 2 in horse racing, a winning bet at high odds US, 1934 telephone pole noun 8see: FLYING TELEPHONE POLE telephone tag noun the serial leaving of messages when two people who are trying to talk by telephone can never reach each other US, 1979 telescope noun the penis. A jocular euphemism US, 1968 teletubby; telletubby noun a husband. Rhyming slang for HUBBY, formed on Teletubbies, a BBC television programme for young children, first seen in 1996 UK, 1998 643 tease and please | teletubby; telletubby tell noun 1 an unintentionally honest reaction; a revealing piece of body-language. Adopted from gambling jargon UK, 1999. 2 in gambling, any mannerism that reveals the relative value of the player’s hand US, 1991 tell verb < I’ll tell you what; tell you what I’ll tell you something; this is how it is; often as the introduction to a suggestion UK, 1596. < tell it like it is 1 to speak directly, candidly and with a self-righteous conviction of access to a great truth US, 1965. 2 to tell the whole truth. In black usage originally US, 1964. < tell on someone to inform on someone UK, 1539. < tell someone where to get off to severely rebuke someone; to scold someone US, 1900. < tell the tale in a swindle, to explain to the victim just how he will profit from the arrangement being proposed US, 1989 tell < tell someone where to stick i t to emphatically reject. A variation of ‘stick it up your arse’ UK, 1999 teller noun a skateboarder whose tales of accomplishments are exag- gerated US, 1984 telling-off noun a scolding, a reprimand. From TELL OFF UK, 1911 tell it to the marines! used for registering disbelief. Formed, apparently, from an inter-service jibe against the credulity of the marines UK, 1806 tell me another one used for registering disbelief UK, 1914 tell off verb to scold or reprimand someone UK, 1919 telltale noun in the language of wind surfing, a streamer on the mast used to determine wind direction US, 1985 tell-tale-tit noun someone who tells tales. A nursery term, featured in children’s playground rhymes UK, 1841 telly noun television US, 1940. < off the telly as seen on television UK, 2000 Telly nickname Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley, California US, 1966 telly- prefix telephone. Used for constructions such as ‘tellypole’ or ‘tellywires’ US, 1970 temazzies; temazies; temmies; temazes; tems noun Temazepam™, a branded tranquillizer UK, 1998 temp noun a temporary worker US, 1980 temp verb to work as a temporary worker US, 1980 temper noun a restaurant customer who leaves a 10% tip US, 1995 temperanc e punch noun a non-alcoholic fruit punch drink US, 1957 temple balls; temple bells; temple hash noun potent hashish shaped as small balls, claimed to originate in Nepal US, 1971 temple du vin noun Le Clos Jordan, a winery to be designed by Frank Gehry on the Jordan Bench, on Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula, Canada’s main wine-producing area CANADA, 2002 ten noun 1 a perfectly beautiful woman. Based on a grading scale of one to ten, popularised in the 1979 film 10 starring Bo Derek US, 1979. 2 a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy US, 2003 ten adjective very good. Teen slang, from the marking of schoolwork UK, 1977 ten-bob twist noun a drug sale involving drugs, usually marijuana, costing ten shillings UK, 1983 ten-cent line noun in an illegal betting operation, the ten percent charge for making a bet US, 1973 ten-cent pistol noun a dose of heroin that is either adulterated with a poison or contains a more pure heroin than usual, sold or given to someone with the intent of injuring or killing them US, 1966 ten-cent rock noun ten dollars’ worth of crack cocaine US, 1991 ten commandments noun bare feet. As Long John Silver said, it is good to have ten toes TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 tend verb to mind your own business US, 1995 ten-days noun any temporary job TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 ten-day sweat noun treatment for a sexually transmitted infection, involving heat therapy and sulpha-based drugs US, 1949 tender adjective 1 in poker, said of a hand that is probably unplayable US, 1988. 2 weakened by oxidation; rusty CANADA, 1992 tenement noun in hold ’em poker, a ten and nine US, 1996 ten F noun a gall bladder patient. Often a fat, fair, fecund, fortyish, flatulent, female with foul, frothy, floating faeces US, 1985 ten-man job noun a very tough man, a very hard man to arrest UK, 1998 Tennant Creek noun a Greek person. Rhyming slang, from the name of a goldmining town in the Northern Territory AUSTRALIA, 1977 tenner noun 1 a ten-pound note; the value of £10; a ten-dollar note UK, 1845. 2 a prison sentence of ten years US, 1950. 3 in the television and film industries, a 10,000-watt spotlight US, 1990 Tennessee top hat noun a hairstyle in which the hair is worn short at the front and long at the back. Better known, perhaps, as a MULLET US, 2000 tennies noun tennis shoes; trainers US, 1965 tennis, anyone? used for humorously suggesting an activity. Seen as quintessentially British and enormously witty in its many variant forms US, 1951 tennis racket; tennis noun a jacket. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 tennis shoes noun tyres US, 1976 ten one hundred noun the act of urination US, 1976 ten over noun a surfing stance in which the surfer’s ten toes extend over the nose or front of the board US, 1991 ten percenter noun a person who buys and resells stolen goods US, 1976 tens noun amphetamine UK, 2003 tense adjective used of a computer program, smart and economical US, 1983 tension noun crack cocaine US, 1993 tensky noun a ten-dollar note. The ‘sky’ is a meaningless decorative embellishment US, 1962 ten-spot noun 1 a ten-dollar note US, 1954. 2 a ten-pound note. Adopted directly from the previous sense UK, 1984. 3 a ten-year prison sentence US, 1965 Tenth Street noun a ten-dollar note US, 1946 ’tention noun in poker, a ten US, 1951 tent peg noun an egg. Rhyming slang UK, 1949 tent pole noun an erect penis. From the image of an erect penis pushing up against a sheet US, 1992 tent squirrel noun in circus and carnival usage, a performer US, 1981 tenuc; teenuc noun the vagina; an unpleasant or despicable person. Back slang for CUNT UK, 1904 termination dust noun the first snow of the winter. Because it terminates construction in the north US, 1957 termite noun acarpenterUS, 1963 terper noun a professional dancer. An abbreviation of Terpischore, daughter of Jupiter and Mnemosyne, the muse of dancing US, 1973 terps; turps noun a cough syrup containing elixir of terpin hydrate and codeine, abused for non-medicinal purposes US, 1971 terr; ter; terro; terry noun a guerilla soldier; a terrorist. Originally Rhodesian military slang SOUTH AFRICA, 1978 terra-poo noun a crossbreed of terrier and poodle US, 2001 terrible adjective excellent US, 1960 terrible Turk noun work. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 terribly adverb used as a positive intensifier with the meaning exceedingly, greatly, very UK, 1833 terrier noun a railway track worker US, 1977 terrif adjective terrific. Not a lot of thought goes into clipped adjectives, and with a few exceptions they do not last long US, 1951 Territory rig noun any of various adaptations of formal attire worn by men in far northern Australia AUSTRALIA, 1964 tell | Territory rig 644 terrorist noun a teacher who intimidates his pupils into learning. Teen slang, post 11th September 2001 US, 2002 terrorize verb to cover something with graffiti US, 1997 terror track noun in cricket, a wicket best suited to fast bowlers UK, 1996 Terry to on noun a prostitute’s pimp. Rhyming slang for HOON AUSTRALIA , 1973 Terry Waite adjective late. Rhyming slang, formed (surely with irony) on the church envoy and hostage negotiator (b.1939) who was held hostage in Beirut for 1,760 days between January 1987 and November 1991 UK, 1998 tess noun a young man TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1960 test verb < test the shocks to have sex in a car US, 1997 tester noun a sample of drugs UK, 2000 testicules noun the testicles UK, 2003 test-tube baby noun a poker player whose experience is largely limited to simulated computer poker games US, 1996 test-tube wallah noun a forensic scientist. Police use UK, 1971 tete noun the female breast TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 Texas Cadillac noun a Chevrolet Suburban sports utility vehicle CANADA, 1991 Texas gate noun a cattleguard CANADA, 1997 Texas mi cke y noun a very large bottle of alcohol CANADA, 2001 Texas p ot noun marijuana cultivated in Texas US, 2003 Texas Ranger; TR noun danger. Glasgow rhyming slang UK: SCOTLAND , 1988 Texas rat noun in the used car business, a car previously owned by a salesman or other long-distance driver US, 1968 Texas stop noun slowing down but not fully stopping as required by law at a stop sign US, 1962 Texas sunflowers noun in craps, a roll of two fives US, 1983 Texas tea noun 1 marijuana US, 1938. 2 oil US, 1984 Texas toothbrush noun the penis. In Texas, known as an ‘Oklahoma toothbrush’ US, 1994 Texas Volkswagen noun aCadillacUS, 1956 Texica n noun aTexanUS, 1984 Tex-Mex noun marijuana, of Tex an-Mexican origin UK, 1998 Tex Ritter; tex noun bitter (beer). Rhyming slang, formed from the US cowboy film actor, 1907–74 UK, 1992 text verb to send a text message on a mobile phone UK, 2001 textile noun among naturists, a person who wears clothes UK, 1995 textile adjective clothed, as distinct from nude. From the noun sense UK, 1995 tezzers noun the testicles UK, 2003 TFB too fucking bad US, 1996 TFTF an after-dinner bloated condition unsuited to the advancement of romance. A coded message: ‘too fat to fuck’ UK, 2002 TG noun a young member of a youth gang US, 2001 TGIF Thank God it’s Friday. Notable variations: the restaurant chain ‘T.G.I. Friday’s’, established in New York in 1965, now worldwide; and the controversial UK television programme TFI Friday, 1996–2000 US, 1941 T-grams noun a grandmother US, 1998 TH noun in betting, odds of 8–1 UK, 1991 Thai Buddha noun a strain of marijuana, known elsewhere as New Zealand green, Tasmanian tiger and Hawaiian head AUSTRALIA, 2002 Thai green noun a strain of marijuana originating in Thailand UK, 2002 Thai stick noun marijuana cultivated in Thailand, soaked in hashish oil, wound on short thin sticks of bamboo which are bundled for sale; a cigarette rolled from marijuana cultivated in Thailand US, 1975 Thai weed; Thai noun marijuana cultivated in Thailand; marijuana from Thailand soaked in hashish oil UK, 1997 Thames trout; trout noun a condom. Appears to be a London coinage, probably after the rare appearance of a condom floating down the River Thames; remembered by a correspondent from Sheffield as a 1970s usage UK, 2004 thang noun thing. Slang by vowel exchange US, 1977 thanie noun heroin UK, 2003 thank fuck used in relief when others may be grateful to God. Euphemistic use of ‘fuck’ for what might otherwise border on blasphemy UK, 1999 thank goodness used as a register of heartfelt or exaggerated grati- tude UK, 1872 thanks a bunch used as an insincere or derisory declaration of gratitude UK, 2003 thanks a bundle used as an insincere or derisory declaration of gratitude UK, 1990 thanks a million thank you very much indeed. Usually sincere, but occasionally derisory UK, 1984 thanks awfully thank you! Quintessentially English middle- and upper-class UK, 1890 thanks but no thanks used when declining an offer UK, 1979 thanks ever so thank you! UK, 1914 thank you and good night! used in final dismissal of a foolish suggestion, or in surrender to overwhelming misfortune. A valedictory phrase that became a broadcasting cliché which inspired a catchphrase UK, 1975 thank-you-m’am noun a bump or dip in a road which produces a moment of slight uneasiness in the stomach US, 1960 that adjective used as a mildly derogatory prefix to a (usually proper) noun UK, 1976 that adverb to such a degree; so; very. In conventional use from the mid-C15, but by C20 considered colloquial or dialect UK, 1999 that pronoun used persuasively in anticipated commendation UK, 1849 that and this noun urine; an act of urination. Rhyming slang, PISS, also employed as a verb UK, 1961 Thatcher noun a type of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy. From Margaret Thatcher (b.1925), former UK Prime Minister 1979–90, later Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven; her name is used here by an illicit drug manufacturer, perhaps as a tribute to her commitment to free enterprise UK, 1996 Thatcher wagon noun a car with the back cut away CANADA, 1987 that had to hurt! used as a humorous if not particularly sympath- etic observation of a painful event US, 1992 that’ll be the day! used of something that is not very likely to occur or be done AUSTRALIA, 1941 that’ll happen used as a humorous comment on something that should not happen or never happens. Coined and popularised by ESPN’s Keith Olberman US, 1997 that plays used for expressing approval US, 1966 that’s chalk! that’s great! BAHAMAS, 1982 that’s close used for expressing doubt about a statement or request US, 1973 that’s dead! used for expressing a strong negative US, 1991 that’s that used in final emphasis of a preceding statement: that’s all there is, there is no more UK, 1872 that’s the name of that tune used for summing up or signalling the end of an explanation. A signature line of actor Robert Blake on the television police drama Baretta (ABC, 1975–78). Repeated with referential humour, especially after Blake’s arrest in the early 2000s for the murder of his wife US, 1978 that’s the ticket! used as a humorous expression of assent. From a skit on Saturday Night Live featuring Jon Lovitz as a pathological liar US, 1986 645 terrorist | that’s the ticket! that’s what I’m talking about! I agree strongly! Almost a cliché US, 2002 that’s word! used for expressing strong assent US, 1992 that time noun the bleed period of a woman’s menstrual cycle US, 1954 that way adjective homosexual. Shortened from the euphemistic phrase ‘that way inclined’ UK, 1956 thaw shay noun a spendthrift IRELAND, 2000 THC noun marijuana. The psychoactive chemical in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC US, 1971 THC doctors’ shorthand for what the homeless require from a day and night’s hospitalisation: three hots and a cot (three meals and abed) UK, 2002 the adjective 1 my. Colloquial UK, 1838. 2 used in the formation of colloquial nicknames for places. Thus Alice Springs becomes ‘the Alice’; Mount Isa becomes ‘the Isa’; Cloncurry becomes ‘the Curry’; Wollongong becomes ‘the Gong’ AUSTRALIA, 1883 theatrical noun an actor. Generally seen in the plural UK, 1859 Thelma Ritter; the thelma noun a toilet; the anus. Rhyming slang for SHITTER, formed from the name of the US film actress, 1905–69 UK, 1998 Thelonius Monk; thelonius noun semen. Rhyming slang for SPUNK, formed from the name of the US jazz pianist, 1917–82 UK, 1992 them’s my orders used as an apology for acting in accordance with orders US, 1973 them’s the breaks used as a world-wise expression of resigned acceptance of a misfortune US, 1988 them’s the rules used as a humorous deference to protocol or rules US, 1997 them things noun marijuana cigarettes US, 1992 the nerve of the scurve! used as a humorous exclamation, half admiring US, 1975 there adverb < be there to be alert and alive to your situation UK, 1890. < have been there; have been there before to have experienced something UK, 1877. < have someone there to cause someone to be at a loss; to nonplus someone UK, 1937 there it is used as a common form of assent by US soldiers in Vietnam US, 1991 there I was with Davey Crockett used as a humorous introduction to a story. A signature line used by the Trooper Duffy character played by Bob Steele on the television comedy FTroop (ABC, 1965–67). Repeated with referential humour US, 1967 Theresa Truncheon; Theresa noun a police officer; the police. An example of CAMP trans-gender assignment, in this case an assonant play on ‘truncheon’ as stereotypical police equipment UK, 1992 there’s no answer to that! used in answer to a question, implying an innuendo within the question which renders an answer unnecessary. A catchphrase of British comedian Eric Morecambe, 1926–84, widely adopted as a useful face-saver UK, 1975 there you are noun tea (a drink). Rhyming slang for CHAR UK, 1992 there you are then!; there you are! used as the (triumphant) last words in an argument as a point is proved. Often preceded by ‘so’ or ‘well’ UK, 1907 there you go! used for expressing approval US, 1970 thermos bottle noun a tanker lorry. From the shape US, 1976 these and those noun 1 the toes. Rhyming slang UK, 1960. 2 the n ose. Rhyming slang AUSTRALIA, 1960. 3 clothes. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 the shot heard ’round the world noun the homerun hit by New York Giants Bobby Thompson to defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the final game of a three-game playoff series for the National League Championship in 1951. An allusion to the first skirmish of the American Revolution on the village green in Lexington, Massachusetts, on 19th April 1775 US, 1951 thesp noun an actor. An abbreviation of the conventional ‘thespian’ UK, 1962 thews noun muscles; the thighs; the forearms. A variation of the conventional sense as ‘vigour’; only recorded in the plural UK, 1966 They noun the mysterious authority over all authority, the power behind the throne. Beloved in the political culture of the 1960s US, 1968 Theydon Bois noun noise. Rhyming slang, formed from the name of an Essex village UK, 1992 thick adjective 1 in close association, familiar, intimate. Often elaborated as THICK AS THIEVES UK, 1756. 2 stupid, dense UK, 1935. 3 sexually appealing, attractive, well built US, 1998. 4 of a bet, large UK, 1991 thick-a adjective very dense. Used in Maine, as in ‘thick-a-fog’, ‘thick- a-snow’ or ‘thick-a-vapor’ US, 1978 thick and thin noun 1 the chin. Rhyming slang UK, 1992. 2 gin. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 thick as a docker’s sandwich adjective very stupid. ‘Thick as’ is used as the basis for many similes UK, 1998 thick as a plank adjective very stupid. The simplified variation of THICK AS TWO SHORT PLANKS UK, 1980 thick as a pudding adjective very stupid. A north of England vari- ation on a theme; the ‘pudding’ is a Yorkshire pudding UK: ENGLAND , 2003 thick as pigshit adjective very stupid UK, 1999 thick as thieves adjective in close association, familiar, intimate, inseparable UK, 1833 thick as two short planks adjective very stupid. Originally military; one of the best-known modern variations on a Shakespearean theme UK, 1984 thick dick; thick Dick noun a stupid person. Teen slang UK, 1982 thick ear noun a blow round the head. From the swelling of the ear – if the blow is accurate UK, 1909 thick end of the stick noun an unfair position to be in, or inequitable treatment UK, 1957 thick head noun a headache, especially one that results from drinking alcohol UK, 1991 thickhead adjective idiotic, foolish, stupid. From the noun sense UK, 1999 thickie; thicky; thicko noun a fool. Variations of THICK UK, 1968 thick on the ground adjective abundant, numerous, crowded UK, 1893 thick piss noun semen NEW ZEALAND, 1998 thief noun in horse racing, a horse that runs worst when its chances seem best US, 1976 Thief Row noun London Heathrow airport. Jocular but telling UK, 1999 thieve noun < on the thieve engaged in the occupation or act of stealing UK, 2001 thieving adjective inclined to thievery. Originally in conventional use UK, 1598 thighbrows noun female pubic hair that escapes the confines of underwear or swimwear UK, 2002 thigh-highs noun stockings worn up the middle of the thigh US, 1995 thigh opener noun a vodka gimlet US, 1985 thighslapper noun in pantomime, the role of principal boy. From the traditional gesture by which an attractive actress convinces an audience of her manhood UK, 2003 T. Hill noun Tommy Hilfiger™ clothing US, 1998 thimble and thumb; thimble noun rum. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 thimble-titted adjective small breasted US, 1994 thin noun in prison, a key UK, 1996 thin blue line noun the police. From the image of, and originally recorded as, a line of police holding back a crowd UK, 1984 thing noun 1 used to replace any noun that the user cannot or does not wish to specify. Also called a ‘thingy’ US, 1968. 2 the penis. Since Chaucer, and still UK, 1386. 3 the vagina. Euphemism. Early use implied in obsolete ‘thingstable’ (1785) where ‘thing’ replaces CUNT that’s what I’m talking about! | thing 646 [...]... 1961 tin flute noun a suit A variation of WHISTLE AND FLUTE in Glasgow rhyming slang UK: SCOTLAND, 1988 t’ing noun thing West Indian and UK black pronunciation UK, 1994 ting noun money; a payment, especially in an illegal context TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1989 ting-a-ling noun 1 the penis BAHAMAS, 1982 2 a ring (jewellery) Rhyming slang UK, 1992 3 in playing cards, a king Rhyming slang UK, 1992 tin grin noun... 657 Toiling Tillie | tom tits; toms Toiling Tillie noun used as a personification of the stereotypical female office worker US, 1955 to’ing -and- fro’ing noun 8see: TO -AND- FRO’ING toke noun 1 an inhalation of marijuana smoke US, 1962 2 marijuana UK, 2001 3 a dose of a drug US, 1994 4 cocaine UK, 2003 5 in casino gambling, a gratuity either in the form of betting chips or in the form of a bet made in the... person or thing AUSTRALIA, 1878 2 in cricket, ‘a fast ball of exceptional quality, especially one that narrowly misses the stumps’ UK, 1959 trims noun playing cards altered for cheating by slightly trimming off the edges of certain cards US, 1979 Trini adjective Trinidadian TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1973 Trini by boat noun a long-standing immigrant in Trinidad TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1987 Trinidad time; Trini time... 1953 tin arse; tin arsed adjective lucky AUSTRALIA, 1919 Tina Turner; tina noun 1 a profitable activity Rhyming slang for, ‘earner’; formed from the popular US singer and actress (b.1938) UK, 2001 2 Rhyming slang for GURNER (a person intoxicated by MDMA) UK tin bath; tin noun 1 a laugh Rhyming slang UK, 2002 2 a scarf Rhyming slang UK, 1992 tin can noun 1 a safe that is easily broken into by criminals... 1904 and in Australia in 1910 NEW ZEALAND, 1996 3 a piece of scrap from wreckage CANADA, 1983 tinker’s cuss; tinker’s damn; tinker’s toss noun something of no value UK, 1824 tinkle noun urine, the act of urination US, 1960 < give a tinkle to telephone someone From the ringing bell of original telephones UK, 1938 tinkle verb to urinate Children’s vocabulary, used coyly by adults US, 1960 tinklebox noun... 1980 three-point c and b noun a painful parachute landing The three points were the head, heels and buttocks, while the ‘c and b’ was a ‘crash and burn’ US, 1991 three-rounder noun a petty criminal, a small operator From the three-round bouts of junior and novice boxing UK, 1961 threes noun 1 the third landing or floor level in a prison UK, 1978 2 in poker, three cards of the same rank in a hand US, 1967... topmost in quality, the best US, 1935 tops adverb at the most US, 1987 tops and bottoms noun 1 in poker, a hand consisting of a pair of aces (the highest card) and a pair of twos (the lowest card) US, 1951 2 a roll of trimmed paper ‘topped’ and ‘bottomed’ with a genuine banknote to give the impression of a weighty roll of money UK, 1959 3 a combination of Taluin™, a painkiller, and the antihistamine Pyribenzamine™,... abbreviation of ‘take off and die’ US, 1988 toadie noun the vagina US, 1998 toadskins noun money A play on FROGSKIN CANADA, 1912 toad-stabber; toad-sticker noun a knife US, 1945 to and fro noun snow Rhyming slang UK, 1992 to -and- fro’ing; to’ing -and- fro’ing noun a constant moving about UK, 1961 to and from noun an English person Rhyming slang for POM AUSTRALIA, 1946 toast noun 1 something that is completely... 1919 tinhorn noun a cheap and offensive person US, 1887 tinhorn adjective shoddy; inconsequential; inferior US, 1886 tin Indian noun a Pontiac car US, 1993 tinker noun 1 a member of the travelling community Conventionally ‘an (itinerant) mender of pots, pans, kettles etc.’, but now more generally applied IRELAND, 1997 2 a child, especially a mischievous child Remembered in use in New Zealand in 1904 and. .. habit of ticking-off observations in a note book UK, 1977 tick in cow’s arse noun something or someone who is very close to something or someone else TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1982 ticking-off noun a reprimand UK, 1984 tickle noun 1 a robbery or other profitable criminal enterprise Probably derives from the image of a poacher ‘tickling a trout’, an activity for the ‘light-fingered’ UK, 1938 2 in the sport of . Remembered in use in New Zealand in 1904 and in Australia in 1910 NEW ZEALAND, 1996. 3 a piece of scrap from wreckage CANADA, 1983 tinker’s cuss; t inker’s damn; tinker’s toss noun something of no value UK,. especially in an illegal context TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1989 ting-a-ling noun 1 the penis BAHAMAS, 1982. 2 a ring (jewellery). Rhyming slang UK, 1992. 3 in playing cards, a king. Rhyming slang UK,. world of music) UK, 1961 tin flute noun a suit. A variation of WHISTLE AND FLUTE in Glasgow rhyming slang UK: SCOTLAND, 1988 t’ing noun thing. West Indian and UK black pronunciation UK, 1994 ting