"Vv" in Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English potx

Vv V noun 1 Valium™ US, 1984. 2 sildenafil citrate marketed as Viagra™, an anti-impotence drug taken recreationally for performance enhancement, in combination with other chemicals that stimulate the sexual appetites UK, 2000. 3 a V-sign UK, 2002. 4 a visit US, 2002. 5 a five year prison sentence. From the Roman numeral for five US, 1945 . 6 five dollars US, 1962. 7 marijuana US, 1979 v adjective very. Upper-class society origins (perhaps from abbreviation use in school) into wider middle-class usage UK, 1982 V-8 gang noun a youth gang that uses large American cars NEW ZEALAND , 1984 V-8s noun men’s shorts US, 1972 VA noun the vagina. Adopted from the standard abbreviation for the state of Virginia, punning the phonetic similarity US, 1998 Vaalie; Valie noun an inhabitant of the region formerly known as Transvaal. Often derogatory or patronising SOUTH AFRICA, 1976 vac noun a vacation UK, 1709 vacation noun time spent in jail or prison US, 1971 vacaya noun 1 any mechanical or electrical device that produces sound; a jukebox; a record player UK, 2002. 2 a mobile phone. From the earlier, more general sense (a device that produces sound) UK, 2002 vada; varda; vardi; vardo; vardy verb to see; to look; to observe. Polari UK, 1859 vadavision; vardavision noun a television UK, 2002 VAF! (when first noticing an attractive person) ‘look!’. Polari; an acronym for ‘VADA absolutely FANTABULOSA!’ UK, 2002 vag noun 1 a vagrant US, 1868. 2 vagrancy; a criminal charge of vagrancy US, 1859 vag verb to charge someone with vagrancy US, 1859 vage; vag; vadge; vaj noun the vagina US, 1986 vaggerie; vagary; vagarie verb to go; to leave; to travel. Probably from Italian vagare (to roam) UK, 2002 vagina vandal noun a rapist US, 1962 val noun 1 a tablet of diazepam (trade name Valium™), an anti- anxiety agent US, 1986. 2 value UK, 2000. 3 a resident of the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County, California US, 1982 valentine noun a very short jail sentence US, 1949 Valentine noun in college, a notification of academic deficiency US, 1968 Valentine Dyalls; valentines noun haemorrhoids. Rhyming slang for PILES, formed on the actor Valentine Dyall, 1908–85 UK, 1998 valet noun in a deck of playing cards, a jack or knave US, 1988 vali; vallie; vally noun Valium™, a branded tranquillizer UK, 1996 valley noun the antecubital vein at the inside of the elbow, a prime site for intravenous drug injections US, 1970 Valley noun < the Valley 1 the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles County, California US, 1994. 2 a low-lying area east of Seventh Avenue in Harlem, New York US, 1966 valley dolls noun LSD UK, 2003 Valleyite noun a resident of the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles US, 1985 valve job noun sex in a car US, 1997 vamoose verb to go; to leave. Spanish vamanos (let us go) US, 1834 vamp noun a woman that makes it her habit or business to captivate men by an unscrupulous employment of her sexual charms UK, 1911 vamp verb 1 (of a woman) to flirt, and otherwise employ an obvious sexuality to attract a mate UK, 1927. 2 to smell bad TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1973 vampire noun a medical operative who draws off a patient’s or donor’s blood; a member of any National Blood Transfusion collecting team. Jocular and affectionate, usually UK, 1961. < take the vampire’s kiss; take the vampires to tease someone, to pull someone’s leg. Rhyming slang for TAKE THE PISS UK, 1998 van noun a brakevan (caboose) US, 1977 Van nickname the city of Vancouver, British Columbia CANADA, 2002 V and A nickname Victoria and Albert Museum UK, 1937 vandoo noun in the Canadian Forces, a member of the Royal 22nd Regiment, the francophone army unit CANADA, 1995 V and T noun vodka and t onic UK, 1997 V and X noun in carnival usage, a five-and-ten cent store US, 1981 Van Gogh noun a trucker operating with a citizens’ band radio. A trucker without a citizens’ band radio is said to be driving ‘without ears’, and hence the artistic allusion US, 1976 Vangroovy noun Vancouver, British Columbia CANADA, 2002 vanilla adjective 1 white-skinned, Caucasian. Originally black usage, now widespread US, 1994. 2 ordinary, simple, basic. Derives from the plainest ice-cream variety US, 1977. 3 of sex, conventional; of homo- sexual sex, gentle, traditional, emotional US, 1984. 4 used of pornography, relatively high-brow, designed for couples and first- time viewers US, 2000 vanilla fudge noun a judge. Rhyming slang UK, 2004 Vanity Fair noun a chair. Rhyming slang, formed from the title of Thackeray’s novel UK, 1961 Vanna noun used as a term of address between homosexual males. From Vanna White, of television game show fame US, 1990 Vanouver noun any vacuum cleaner. Rhyming slang for HOOVER UK, 1992 vap verb when throwing dice, to snap your fingers BARBADOS, 1965 vap; vaps noun an impulse; a sudden urge TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1957 vapour lock noun a temporary loss of common sense or memory. An allusion to a mechanical problem with the carburettor of an internal combustion engine US, 1996 vapourware noun in computing, a program that is announced well before it is completed and released US, 1991 varda d’amour noun the look of love. A combination of polari and French UK, 1992 varder; varda noun a look. Polari UK, 1996 vardo noun in gypsy or traveller use, a trailer, a wagon, a caravan UK, 1934 varicose alley noun the platform that extends from a stage used by strippers out into the audience US, 1945 varicose vein noun a baby; a child. Glasgow rhyming slang on Scottish dialect wean (pronounced ‘wayne’) UK: SCOTLAND, 1996 vark noun used as a term of abuse, especially applied to a police officer. A contemptuous term, from Afrikaans vark (pig) SOUTH AFRICA , 1975 varnish noun on the railways, a passenger train US, 1946 varnish verb < varnish the cane (from the male perspective) to have sex US, 1968 vasso noun vaseline AUSTRALIA, 1998 VAT noun vodka and tonic. Initialism, punning on value added tax; made popular by 1980s television series Minder UK, 1994 Vatican roulette noun birth control by the rhythm method US, 1979 vato; bato noun a guy. Border Spanish used in English conversation by Mexican-Americans US, 1950 vato loco; bato loco noun a wild guy US, 1965 vault noun a hotel baggage checkroom US, 1954 va va voom noun style; a powerful or seductive style. Used as a song title by Cinerama ‘Va Va Voom’, 1998, and as an advertising strap line for Renault’s Clio™ (2001+) US, 1996 VC noun the Viet Cong; a member of the Viet Cong US, 1966 8see: VICTORIA CROSS V-card noun a person’s virginity US, 2001 VCR noun a vicious campus rumour US, 1966 VD bonnet noun a condom. A reference to the prevention of venereal disease US, 1972 V-Dub; Vee-Dub noun a Volkswagen motor vehicle. Shortening of vee double-u,thatis,Volkswagen AUSTRALIA, 1970 veal cutlet noun in gambling cheating schemes, a victim US, 1962 veal of the sea noun the green sea turtle BAHAMAS, 1982 veddy adverb very. A jocular pronunciation, approximating a child’s, or an American’s (attempting a ‘British’ accent), rendering of ‘very’ UK, 1859 vee noun sex involving three people, two of whom are focused on the pleasure of the third US, 1995 veeblefetzer noun a corporate manager. Not a term of endearment US, 1997 vee dub noun a completely depillated female pubis. Also as a verb and, thus, an adjectival participle. From a similarity in shape and finish to the bonnet of a Volkswagen Beetle US, 2003 veep noun a vice president US, 1949 8see: VIP vee wee noun a Volkswagen motor vehicle UK, 1984 veg noun vegetables UK, 1898 Vegemite-driller noun a male homosexual AUSTRALIA, 1985 Vegemite valley noun the anus and rectal passage. Use is often suggestive of homosexual activity. Vegemite™ is a dark brown foodstuff AUSTRALIA, 2003 vegetable noun 1 a person who is mentally and physically incapaci- tated to a degree that renders the comparison with a plant organism fair if cruel UK, 1921. 2 a person with an inactive, undemanding lifestyle. A derogatory use arising from the semi- conventional medical sense above UK, 2001 vegetable garden noun a group of neurologically depressed hospital patients US, 1978 vegetation noun relaxation US, 1986 vegged out adjective relaxed and inactive US, 2001 veggie noun 1 a vegetable US, 1955. 2 a vegetarian. The variant spelling ‘veggy’ is also used UK, 1975 vegie adjective of school subjects, of the easiest grade AUSTRALIA, 1992 vego noun a vegetarian AUSTRALIA, 1996 vego adjective vegetarian AUSTRALIA, 1988 veg out verb to relax and do nothing US, 1995 veins noun < get veins in bodybuilding, to achieve definition, or well-developed and sculpted muscles US, 1984 velcro noun a lesbian. Figurative use of Velcro™, from the French velours croché (hooked velvet), a branded material fastener UK, 2000 velvet noun 1 gambling winnings US, 1974. 2 a passenger train carriage US, 1977. < on velvet in good shape US, 1997 velvet fog nickname singer Mel Tormé (1925–99) US, 2000 vendor noun ajukeboxUS, 1965 vendor’s noun a commercial bottled beer, even when obtained from a bootlegger CANADA, 1999 vengeance noun < with a vengeanc e to a great degree, very much UK, 1568 vent verb to express frustrations in larger-than-life dimensions. What an earlier generation would have called ‘let off some steam’ US, 1996 vent; vent act noun a ventriloquist UK, 1893. < take it to the vent to commit suicide US, 1989 ventilate verb to shoot someone. From the image of bullet holes ventilating the body US, 1947. < ventilate the block in hot rodding and drag racing, to blow a rod out through the engine US, 1960s ventilator noun a machine gun US, 1962 Vera Lynn; Vera noun 1 gin. Rhyming slang, based on the name of singer Vera Lynn (b.1917) known from World War 2 as ‘the forces’ sweetheart’ UK, 1952. 2 a cigarette paper. Rhyming slang for SKIN (a cigarette paper) UK, 1992 verandah over the toy shop noun a paunch or beer-belly AUSTRALIA, 1987 vera vice; victoria vice; veras noun the police vice squad. A CAMP elaboration UK, 1996 verbal; verbals noun 1 a conversation, a talk UK, 1997. 2 a verbal statement given to the police, often self-incriminatory UK, 1963 verbal; verbal up verb to fake a confession of criminal guilt UK, 1979 verbal diarrhoea noun unwarranted verbosity UK, 1823 verballing noun the act of faking a criminal confession UK, 1974 vergla noun freezing rain. The word is borrowed, modified but pronounced fairly correctly, from the French verglas, which means the same thing CANADA, 2002 Veronica Lake noun steak. Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the US film actress, 1919–73 UK, 1992 verrrry in-ter-est-ing; very interesting, but stupid used as a humorous comment on a remark or event; used for humorously dismissing what has just been said. A signature line on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In (NBC, 1968–73), uttered by Arte Johnson while playing a wacky Nazi soldier. Repeated with referential humour US, 1969 versatile adjective bisexual UK, 2002 versing preposition < be versing to compete against. A corruption of the preposition ‘versus’, almost always heard in the progressive form US, 1984 versioning noun a technique in hip-hop music of blending different periods and styles of recorded music US, 2000 vert noun in skateboarding, an almost vertical ramp UK, 2003 vertical bacon sandwich noun the vagina. From the resemblance UK, 2002 vertical jockey noun an elevator operator US, 1953 very adjective excellent US, 1989 very adverb very much, absolutely UK, 2002 very à la adjective absolutely in fashion. Generally contemptuous, disparaging or ironic in tone UK, 1984 vest noun a show-off US, 1965 vestibules noun the testicles UK, 2003 vestige noun a brassiere. Recorded as a contemporary gay usage UK, 2003 vest out verb to retire from police service after vesting in the pension plan with 15 years of service. New York police slang US, 1997 vet noun 1 an ex-member of the military US, 1848. 2 a prison doctor SOUTH AFRICA, 1974 veterano noun an experienced, respected gang member. Spanish used by English-speakers US, 1975 veterinarian noun a physician who regards his patients as of animal intelligence US, 1978 Vette noun aCorvettecarUS, 1994 vex verb to engage someone in an abusive verbal attack UK, 2001 VG adjective very good. Abbreviation UK, 1982 Vatican roulette | VG 680 Vgirlnoun a woman who is attracted to men in military uniform US, 1960 Viaggy noun a Viagra™ tablet UK, 2002 vibe verb to create and enjoy a good atmosphere UK, 2001 vibe; vibes noun the atmosphere generated by any event; mood; nuances intimately related to all senses. An abbreviation of ‘vibration’, which has the same meaning US, 1960 vibed up adjective excited; in the mood UK, 1983 vibe off verb to take inspiration from someone or something UK, 1999 vibe out verb to intimidate someone UK, 1983 vibes noun a vibraphone UK, 1940 vibey adjective fashionably atmospheric; in tune with the zeitgeist. From the 1990s; a positive sense of VIBE (the atmosphere of an event) UK, 1999 vibrations noun the atmosphere generated by any event; mood; nuances intimately related to all senses US, 1966 vibrator noun a motorcyle US, 1962 vic noun 1 a victim US, 1968. 2 a sucker or an easy target for crime US, 1969 Vic nickname Victoria, a southern state of Australia AUSTRALIA, 1902 Vicar of Bray noun 1 a tray. Rhyming slang, formed from a C18 song UK, 1960. 2 the number three; three. Rhyming slang for TREY UK , 1960 vice noun a police vice squad. Usually used with ‘the’ UK, 1966 vice president noun in poker, the player with the second best hand US, 1988 vice versa noun reciprocal oral sex between two lesbians. The earliest known lesbian periodical in the US (1947) was named Vice Versa US, 1963 vicey adjective sinful; depraved TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1993 vicious adjective handsome US, 1982 vick verb to steal. Probably an evolution from ‘victim’ US, 1993 Vicky noun a Ford Victoria sedan, first built in the 1930s and then revived in the 1950s US, 1965 vicky; vick noun a two-fingered gesture that is used to insult or otherwise cause offence. Glasgow slang; the forefinger and the middle finger are extended to form a V shape, with the palm turned in towards the gesturer UK: SCOTLAND, 1985 vicky-verky vice-versa. Used as a song title by Squeeze, 1981 UK, 1961 Victor Charlie nickname the Viet Cong US, 1966 Victoria noun used of a person otherwise described as nouveau riche. After singer and footballer’s wife Victoria Beckham (b.1975); recorded as a contemporary gay usage UK, 2003 Victoria Cross; VC noun something of little or no value. Rhyming slang for TOSS, formed from the highest military honour for valour UK, 1992 Victoria Monk noun semen. Rhyming slang for SPUNK, after the music hall singer, best remembered for ‘Won’t You Come Home, Bill Bailey?’, Victoria Monks, 1884–1972 UK, 1960 Victory V noun 1 urine; an act of urination. Rhyming slang for PEE or WEE, formed from the Churchillian gesture or Victory V branded medicinal-confectionery UK, 1998. 2 a Triumph car. Citizens’ band radio slang; ‘victory’ as a synonym for ‘triumph’ UK, 1981 vid noun 1 a video cassette, a video recording UK, 2000. 2 amusic video US, 1985 video-nasty noun an exceptionally unpleasant horror film, available on video UK, 1982 vidrio noun heroin. The Spanish for GLASS (heroin) UK, 2003 Viet noun a Vietnamese person US, 1966 Vietnam rose noun any sexually transmitted infection AUSTRALIA, 1988 Viet shits noun diarrhoea US, 1991 vig noun 1 interest owed on an illegal loan. A shortened form of VIGORISH US, 1990. 2 profit. Freely adapted from VIGORISH (interest on a loan) UK, 2001 vigorish noun the interest owed on an illegal loan. Yiddish slang from the Russian vyigrysh (winnings-out-to-pay) US, 1966 vikes noun the prescription drug Vicodin™ US, 1996 Viking queen noun in homosexual usage, a muscular, blonde man US, 1987 vill noun a village or town. Found in the poetry of the early C18, but not particularly thereafter until the war in Vietnam US, 1976 village noun a notional community of racecourse bookmakers UK, 1991 Village noun < the Village Greenwich Village, New York, a small neighbourhood below 14th Street and west of Broadway, haven to Bohemians US, 1952 village adjective unsophisticated, out of touch with trends US, 2002 village bike noun 1 a promiscuous woman. As with the TOWN BIKE, ‘everyone has ridden her’ UK, 1995. 2 a lesbian. Rhyming slang for DYKE UK, 2003 village pump noun a girl who is free and easy sexually CANADA, 1992 village ram noun a sexually aggressive male TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1964 villain noun a professional criminal; someone with a criminal record UK, 1945 Ville noun < the Ville Pentonville prison, London UK, 1903 -ville suffix used for making or emphasising an adjective; used in combination with a characteristic to describe a place or a con- dition. Modern usage began with the US beats and travelled back to the UK. By the mid-1970s the US form was presumed obsolete having been replaced by ‘-city’. It survives in the UK without obvious irony US, 1891 Vincent nickname the Viet Cong; a member of the Viet Cong US, 1965 Vincent Price; vincent noun ice. Rhyming slang, formed from the US actor, 1911–93, particularly famed for his roles in horror films UK, 1992 Vincent Van Gogh; vincent noun a cough. Rhyming slang, based on the predominant UK pronunciation of impressionist artist Vincent Van Gogh (1853–90) UK, 2002 vine noun 1 a men’s suit; clothing US, 1932. 2 the penis US, 1972 vine down verb to dress up US, 1969 vinegar stroke; vinegar noun the final penile thrust culminating in ejaculation when copulating or masturbating. Alluding to the facial expression of the male. Also, in the plural, ‘the final thrusts pre- ceding ejaculation’. UK comedian Phill Jupitus, who uses this term to describe the closing moments of his act, explains: ‘Just before a bloke comes he looks like you’ve popped a teaspoon of vinegar into his mouth’ AUSTRALIA, 1961 viney bones noun rubber bands. Used by motorcyclists. Douglas Dunford, of the Beaulieu Motor Museum, gives the following etymology: ‘Originated with the famous [motorcycle] trials rider Hugh Viney of the ‘30s who used to cut up old inner-tubes and supply his mates with bands to fix their riding numbers.’ UK, 1984 Vinnies; St Vinnies nickname a St Vincent de Paul charity store AUSTRALIA, 1970 vino noun 1 wine, especially cheap wine. From Spanish and Italian vino (wine) AUSTRALIA, 1919. 2 a drinker of doctored cheap wine UK, 1966 vinyl noun used generically for musical recordings produced on such material UK, 1976 violet noun < come up smelling of violets to emerge unscathed from a difficult or troublesome situation, used especially of someone who is consistently and remarkably lucky. Probably somewhat dated by the time it was recorded. The form survives as ‘come up smelling of roses’ UK, 1981 violin cases noun large, heavy shoes US, 1946 vip; veep noun a very important person US, 1945 681 V girl | vip; veep viper noun 1 a marijuana dealer US, 1958. 2 a marijuana user. A term of the 1930s with some lingering use until the 1960s US, 1938 viper’s weed; viper’s drag noun marijuana; a marijuana cigarette US, 1938 VIP massage noun a sexual service offered in some massage parlours, in which a hand-massage includes masturbation of the client UK, 2003 VIP services noun sexual intercourse, as distinct from masturbation, when advertised as a service offered by a prostitute UK, 2003 viral marketing noun word-of-mouth as a deliberate marketing tactic US, 2000 virgin noun 1 a person who has not contracted a sexually transmitted infection US, 1947. 2 a letter which has not been postmarked US, 1977 virgin adjective used of a green on a par-3 hole, untouched by any ball of a foursome US, 2000 virgin bride; virgin noun a ride, especially in the sense an act of sexual intercourse. Rhyming slang, now rare AUSTRALIA, 1902 virgin ears noun used, usually in the first person, for a claim of innocence in matters sexual US, 1970 Virgin f or short – but not for long applied to girls named Virginia. Part-catchphrase, part-nickname; often irresistible, always hilarious UK, 1984 virginia noun the vagina BAHAMAS, 1982 Virginia vitamin noun any central nervous system stimulant US, 1977 virginity curtain noun a canvas screen secured to the underside of a warship’s accommodation to preserve the modesty of those who go up and down the gangway from those who look up. Similar in purpose and design to a CUNT SCREEN UK, 1969 Virgin Mary noun a non-alcoholic version of the Bloody Mary, made with tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire and/or Tabasco sauce, celery, salt and black pepper; unadulterated tomato juice. A tasty pun, using ‘virgin’ as ‘non-alcoholic’ US, 1993 virgin pie noun cherry pie US, 1952 virgin principle noun the belief among gamblers that a beginner will have good luck US, 1993 virgin state noun the period when a person has started using an addictive drug but is not yet fully addicted US, 1970 virtual Friday noun the last day in a working week shortened by a holiday at the end of the week US, 1991 virus noun 1 HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus US, 1992. 2 in computing, a program that duplicates itself maliciously when it finds a host, often with a mechanism that enables it then to spread to new hosts US, 1990 visit verb < to visit Aunt Lillian to experience the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 1968 visitations noun < the visitations the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 1999 visit from the cardinal noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle. Playing on the colour of a cardinal’s robes US, 2000 visit from the French lady noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle. Euphemism, credited to Stella Tilyard, Aristocrats, 1994 US, 1994 visiting card noun an act of defecation at the scene of the crime by the criminal US, 1945 visitor noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 1949 visuals noun hallucinations experienced under the influence of psychoactive mushrooms or peyote US, 1992 vitamin A noun LSD. From the common term ACID US, 1997 vitamin B noun beer US, 1990 vitamin C noun cocaine US, 1984 vitamin D noun dextromethorphan (DXM), an active ingredient in non-prescription cold and cough medication, often abused for non-medicinal purposes US, 2003 vitamin DB noun Dominion Breweries draught bitter NEW ZEALAND, 1998 vitamin E noun MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy. An elaboration of E UK, 1998 vitamin H noun haloperidol, a potent tranquillizer US, 1989 vitamin K; vit K noun ketamine hydrochloride, an anaesthetic used as a hallucinogen US, 1989 vitamin M noun Motrin™ US, 1994 vitamin N noun nicotine; a cigarette US, 2004 vitamin P noun 1 sex. ‘P’ is for PUSSY US, 1989. 2 the game of poker US, 1996 vitamin Q noun the recreational drug methaqualone, best known as Quaalude™ US, 1982 vitamins noun 1 drugs in tablet or capsule form UK, 1996. 2 any central nervous system stimulant US, 1977 vitamin T noun marijuana US, 1997 vitamin V noun valium US, 1994 vittles noun food. An American corruption of the C14 ‘victual’ US, 1946 vizzo noun in prison, a visit UK, 1996 VJ; veejay noun a video jockey, a television presenter of music videos; a visual artist who mixes lights and images in a club environment. Initialism, on the model of DJ US, 1982 VO noun a beautiful woman. An abbreviation of ‘visual orgasm’ US, 1997 voce; votch; voche noun the voice, especially a singing voice; a singer. Theatrical, polari; from Italian voce UK, 1989 vod noun vodka US, 1986 vodders noun vodka UK, 2002 voddie; voddy noun vodka UK, 1988 vodka acid noun LSD UK, 2003 vogue noun 1 a posture that implies, or is part of, a fashion-style US, 2003. 2 a cigarette. Polari UK, 1992. 3 a wheel rim US, 2001 vogue verb 1 to engage in a style competition that values posturing US, 1995. 2 to light a cigarette. From VOGUE (a cigarette) UK, 1993 voice verb to telephone US, 1991 vol noun in prison, a volunteer UK, 1996 volcano noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle CANADA, 2001 Volks noun a Volkswagen car US, 1964 Volksie noun a Volkswagen car, especially the ‘Beetle’ SOUTH AFRICA, 1962 volley noun an abusive verbal attack UK, 1996 volley verb to hit someone. Tennis jargon, ‘volley’ (to strike a ball before it bounces) adopted for a less sporting use UK, 1999 volley dolly noun a woman attracted to male volleyball players US, 1990 volley off verb to engage in an abusive verbal attack UK, 2001 vom verb to vomit CANADA, 1993 vomatose adjective extremely disgusting US, 1983 vomit comet noun 1 any late-night public transport used by drunken passengers. From the probable outcome of movement and alcohol UK, 2003. 2 the modified KC-135A reduced-gravity aircraft. The aircraft flies parabolas in order to investigate the effects of zero gravity; passengers are often sick to their stomachs US, 1999 vomiting viper noun the penis UK, 1984 vonce noun 1 marijuana US, 1960. 2 the butt of a marijuana cigarette US, 1965 vonka noun the nose UK, 2002 Von T rapp noun excrement; nonsense, rubbish. Rhyming slang for CRAP, formed from the family whose story is told in The Sound of Music UK, 2003 vote verb to propose something that you want UK, 1814 voyou noun in Quebec, a hoodlum, or more specifically a striker who commits vandalism against the company. The French word viper | voyou 682 here used in English carries the sense of ‘outside the law’ CANADA, 2002 VP noun a sex offender. An initialism of ‘vulnerable prisoner’ UK, 1996 VPL a visible panty line, the most heinous of fashion crimes. Popularised by Paul Simon in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall US, 1967 VRB noun vodka and Red Bull™. Initialism for a popular cocktail (Red Bull is a brand name ‘energy’ drink) UK, 2001 vroom verb to leave noisily US, 1967 vrot adjective rotten; hence, drunk. From Afrikaans SOUTH AFRICA, 1910 VS noun an injection of drugs into a vein. Initialism of a ‘vein SHOT’ US, 1938 V-sign noun a gesture that is used to insult or otherwise cause offence, especially when made in conjunction with threatening or abusive language, e.g. ‘fuck off!’ or ‘up yours!’ with which the sign may be considered synonymous. The forefinger and the middle finger are extended to form a V shape, the palm turned in towards the gesturer; as an obscene gesture it is confined almost entirely to the UK. There is a legend that French archers, when captured by the British at the Battle of Agincourt (1415), had their middle and forefingers – those necessary to draw the bowstring – chopped off. The Welsh bowmen are said to have waggled their two fingers, taunting the French. The earliest written description of a v-sign as both threat and insult is French: ‘[Pangurge] stretched out the forefinger, and middle finger or medical of his right hand, holding them asunder as much as he could, and thrusting them towards Thaumast’ (François Rabelais, 1532). Further derivations abound: 1) Farmer and Henley’s Slang and its Analogues (1890) suggests a representation of cuckold’s horns, however this is traditionally made with the first and fourth fingers. 2) Symbolic of the phallus; the raised middle finger ( FLIP THE BIRD) has been known since Roman times and, it is suggested, the v-sign enlarges the penis or doubles the quotient; or disguises the single finger insult. 3) The fingers represent themselves inserted in the vagina – though why this should be insulting is not explained. 4) Symbolic of female legs or labia spread wide; or represents the tri- angular shape of female pubic hair. 5) A corrupted victory sign – however the Churchillian symbol is first recorded in 1941, contrived by a Belgian Lawyer named Victor De Lavelaye. Probably more than one of the above, except 5, is the truth UK, 1948 Vspotnoun a five-dollar note US, 1949 Vulcan nerve pinch noun when operating a computer, the keyed- combination of the characters Ctrl-Alt-Delete used to restart the machine. A figurative application of a fictional technique used in the television science fiction series, Star Trek US, 2004 vulture noun in trucking, a police plane used for spotting speeders US, 1971 VW noun a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy, identified by VW embossed on the tablet UK, 2002 683 VP | VW . 1969 vinegar stroke; vinegar noun the final penile thrust culminating in ejaculation when copulating or masturbating. Alluding to the facial expression of the male. Also, in the plural, ‘the final. 1970 vino noun 1 wine, especially cheap wine. From Spanish and Italian vino (wine) AUSTRALIA, 1919. 2 a drinker of doctored cheap wine UK, 1966 vinyl noun used generically for musical recordings. quotient; or disguises the single finger insult. 3) The fingers represent themselves inserted in the vagina – though why this should be insulting is not explained. 4) Symbolic of female legs or labia