Dictionary of Unconventional English_9 pdf

Rhyming slang, from comedy halfnoun1used colloquially as an elliptical noun when the originalnoun is omitted, especially of a half pint of beerUK , 1937.2a childtravelling at half-fareUK

HnounheroinUS , 1926.< the HHouston, TexasUS , 1998

H-17nounin casino blackjack gambling, a rule that the dealer must

draw a card if he has a 17 made with an ace counting 11 points

The ‘h’ is forHIT US , 1996

H8verbin text messaging, hate A variant spelling; one of several

constructions in which a syllable pronounced ‘ate’ is replaced by

the homophone ‘eight’UK , 2002

habnouna habitual criminalUS , 1963

habitnounan addiction to any drugUK , 1881

habitualnoun< the habituala criminal charge alleging habitual

criminal statusUS , 1972

Habra Dabra and the crewnounany random representatives of

the populace The functional equivalent of ‘Tom, Dick and Harry’

BARBADOS , 1965

hachenounheroin The Spanish pronunciation of the letter ‘h’US ,

1955

hachi; hodgynounthe penisUS , 1954

hacknoun1a journalist, a reporterUK , 1810.2a prison guardUS , 1914.

3a solution to a computer problem; an impressive and

demanding piece of computer workUS , 1981.4in computing, a

quick, often temporary, fix of a problemUS , 1983.5a single act of

unlawfully invading and exploring another’s computer system by

remote meansUS , 1983.6an opportunist Used at Oxford University

UK , 1980.7a taxiUS , 1928.8a hot rodUS , 1958.9a brakevan (caboose)

US , 1916.10a game of Hacky SackUS , 1997

hackverb1to tolerate, endure, survive Usually used with ‘it’US , 1952.

2to bother, to annoyUS , 1893.3to unlawfully invade and explore

another’s computer system by remote meansUS , 1983.4to

investi-gate the possibilities of a computer purely for the pleasures of

discovery; to create new possibilities for a computer without

commercial considerationUS , 1983.5to work with a computerUS ,

1981.6to drive a taxiUS , 1903.7to play with a hacky sack beanbag

US , 1995.< hack buttsto smoke cigarettesCANADA , 1993.< hack

itto cope with, to accomplishUS , 1952

hack around; hack off; hackverbto waste time, usually in a

context where time should not be wastedUS , 1888

hack drivernounin horse racing, a jockeyUS , 1951

hacked; hacked offadjectiveannoyedUS , 1936

hackernoun1a person who uses their computer expertise in any

effort to breach security walls and gain entry to secure sitesUS ,

1963.2a person with a profound appreciation and affection for

computers and programmingUS , 1981.3an expert in any fieldUS ,

1983.4a taxi driverBAHAMAS , 1982

hackettenouna female journalist PatronisingUK , 1984

hackienouna carriage or taxi driverUS , 1899

hack modenounwhile working on or with a computer, a state of

complete focus and concentrationUS , 1991

Hackney Wicknouna penis Rhyming slang forPRICK Hackney Wick

is an area of East London, located considerably closer to the source

of Cockney rhyming slang than the more popular synonym

HAMPTON WICK UK , 1998

hacktivistnouna cultural activist and skilled computer-user who

invades a corporate website to leave subversive messagesUK , 2001

hacky sacknouna beanbag used in a game in which a circle of

players try to keep the bag from hitting the ground without using

their hands A trademarked product that has lent its name to a

game and to rival productsUS , 1989

haddock and cod; haddocknounused as a general pejorative, a

sod Rhyming slangUK , 1962

haffienoun 8see:HALF-JACK

ha-fucking-ha!; ha-bloody-ha!; ha-di-fucking-ha!; hardy fuckin’ ha, ha!used as a jeering response to unfunny jokes; and

to dismiss impossible suggestionsUK , 1976

hagverbto annoy, to botherBARBADOS , 1965

hagged outadjective1exhaustedUS , 1968.2(of a woman) ugly From

‘hag’ (an unattractive woman), possibly punning onSHAGGED; SHAGGED OUT(tired)US , 2001

Haggis McBagpipenicknameBritish Columbia radio and televisionpersonality Jack WebsterCANADA , 1989

ha-hanouna glass of beer; beerUS , 1979

ha-ha bird; ha-ha pigeonnouna kookaburra, a well-knownAustralian bird From its call which resembles human laughter

AUSTRALIA , 1938

ha-ha-funnyadjective 8see:FUNNY HA-HA

Haightnickname< the Haightthe Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood

of San FranciscoUS , 1967

Haight-Ashburynicknamea neighbourhood in San Francisco, theepicentre of the hippie movement in the mid- to late 1960s Fromthe intersection of Haight and Ashbury Streets More recentlyreferred to simply asTHE HAIGHT US , 1987

hailnoun1crack cocaine Based on the drug’s resemblance to pieces

of hailUS , 1994.2in soda fountain usage, iceUS , 1935

hailernounin the television and film industries, a bullhornUS , 1977

Hail Marynoun1a last-minute, low-probability manoeuvreUS , 1994.

2in poker, a poor hand that a player holds into high betting in thehope that other players are bluffing and have even worse hands

US , 1996

hail smiling mornnounthe erect penis, an erection Rhyming slangforHORN UK , 1980

haint; hain’ta have-not; to have not Verb and noun A vulgarcontractionUK , 1971

hairnoun1courageUS , 1959.2in computing, intricacyUS , 1981.< get

in someone’s hairto annoy or irritate someoneUS , 1949.< let

your hair downto behave in a (more than usually) uninhibitedmannerUS , 1933.< put hair on your chest; put hairs on your

chesta quality ascribed to an alcoholic drink or, whenencouraging a child to eat, used of food (especially crusts andbrussel sprouts); also applied more broadly to robust or challengingquestions of aesthetic taste or preferenceUK , 1964.< tear your

hair; tear your hair outto behave in a highly agitated manner,especially as a result of worryUK , 1606.< wear your hair out

against the head of the bed; wear your hair out on the bedheadto go bald A jocular explanationUK , 1961

hairbagnouna veteran police officerUS , 1958

hairbaggernounan experienced police officerUS , 1958

hairballnoun1an obnoxious, boorish person, especially when drunk

US , 1981.2a large, powerful waveUS , 1981

hairball!terrifying!US , 1998

hairblowernouna severe telling-off, a scoldingUK , 2002

hairburgernounthe vulva, especially in the context of oral sexUS ,

hair burner; hair bendernouna hair stylistUS , 1964

haircutnoun1a short prison sentence From the short period of

time between haircutsUK , 1950.2a lowering of the true mileometer

(odometer) reading of a motor vehicle to increase its resale value

NEW ZEALAND , 1990.3marijuanaUK , 2003.4a sore on a man’s penis as

the result of a sexually transmitted infection From the popular

belief that the sore was caused by a woman’s pubic hairTRINIDAD

AND TOBAGO , 2003

haircutadjectivedescribes an image of fashionability that is without

deeper significanceUK , 2000

hairdressernouna homosexual From the presumption that all

hairdressers are gayUK , 2001

hair-dryadjectivewithout getting your hair wetUS , 1991

haired upadjectiveangry From a dog’s bristling back when angryUS ,

1914

hair fairynouna homosexual male with an extravagant hairdoUS ,

1964

hair in the gatenounin television and film-making, any foreign

object in the camera gateUS , 1990

hair pienoun1the vulva; oral sex performed on a woman Also

spelt ‘hare’ pie or ‘hairy’ pieUS , 1938.2a pizza with an errant hair

embedded in it Limited usage, but cleverUS , 1996

hairpinsnounhomosexual code phrases inserted casually into a

conversation, trolling for a responseUS , 1950

hairtreenouna man who wears his hair long and styled as a fashion

statementUS , 1996

hair-trunknounin horse racing, a bad-looking horse that performs

poorlyUK , 1948

hairynoun1a long-haired, bearded individualUK , 1976.2a former

non-commissioned officer training to become an officer Military

UK , 1981.3a young woman with a reputation for sluttishness

Glasgow slangUK: SCOTLAND , 1985.4heroin A phonetic distortion of

HARRY US , 1973

hairyadjective1dangerous; scary (especially if thrilling)US , 1945.2bad,

difficult, undesirable A popular term in C19, resurrected in later

C20 youth usageUK , 1848.3in computing, complicatedUS , 1983.

4good, impressiveUS , 1959

hairy-arse; hairy-arsedadjectivedescribes a thuggish, insensitive

bruteUK , 2001

hairyback; hairynounan Afrikaner DerogatorySOUTH AFRICA , 1970

hairy banknouna prostitute’s vaginaGUYANA , 1998

hairy bellynounin dominoes, the 6–6 pieceUS , 1959

hairy chequebooknounthe vagina, as used for payment in kind

instead of moneyAUSTRALIA , 1996

hairy clamnounthe vagina An almost subtle combination ofFISH

and visual imageryUK , 2000

hairy eyeballnouna hostile stare Deriving, perhaps, from the

eyelashes that mask the eyeUS , 1995

hairy fairyadjectiveof a man, effeminate to some degree A pun on

AIRY-FAIRY(delicate, insubstantial) andFAIRY(a homosexual man)UK ,

1978

hairy goatnouna racehorse that is a slow runner or poor performer

AUSTRALIA , 1933

hairy gobletnounthe vaginaUK , 2001

hairy growlernounthe vaginaUK , 2001

hairy legnoun1a man CItizens’ band radio slangUK , 1981.2a

railway fettlerAUSTRALIA , 1969

hairy maclarynouna female who invites sexual foreplay but stops

short of intercourseNEW ZEALAND , 1998

ha-janoun 8see:HALF-JACK

hale and heartyadjectivea party Rhyming slangUK , 1992

Hale and Pace; halenounthe face Rhyming slang, from comedy

halfnoun1used colloquially as an elliptical noun when the originalnoun is omitted, especially of a half pint (of beer)UK , 1937.2a childtravelling at half-fareUK , 1961

halfadverb1used in exaggerations, as in ‘I half killed him’UK , 2001.

2used to reverse what is being said, which is usually formed as anegative, and thus stress the intention, i.e ‘not half bad’ is prettygoodUK , 1583

half a barnoununtil 1971, ten shillings; post-decimalisation, fiftypenceUK , 1911

half a Cnounfifty dollars A shortened allusion to $100 as a ‘C-note’

US , 1967

half a casenounfifty centsUS , 1950

half a chipnounsixpence, a sixpenny bitUK , 1950

half a cocknounfive pounds (£5) Based on rhyming slangCOCKLE AND HEN(ten)UK , 1950

half a cracknouna half-crown coin, half-a-crown, two shillings andsixpence A coin and coinage that paid the price of decimalisation

in 1971UK , 1933

half a dollarnoun1a prison sentence of 50 yearsUS , 1990.2a crown coin; two shillings and sixpence Pre-decimalisation, that ispre-1971, a half-crown coin was valued at two shillings andsixpence (equivalent to 12½ p), and, presumably, at the point ofcoinage, a pound was worth approximately four US dollarsUK , 1916

half-half a football fieldnounfifty crystals of crack cocaineUK , 2001

half-a-mannouna short personUS , 1997

half a monouna very short but vaguely defined time A shortening

of ‘half a moment’UK , 1896

half and halfnoun1oral sex on a man followed by vaginalintercourseUS , 1937.2a hermophroditeUS , 1935.3a pint drinkcomprising equal measures of two different beersUK , 1909

half and halfadjective1mediocreTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1958.

2bisexualUS , 1975

half a nickernoun1pre-decimalisation, ten shillings; after 1971,fifty pence FromNICKER(one pound)UK , 1895.2a vicar Rhymingslang Also variant ‘half-nicker man’UK , 1974

half-applenounin television and film-making, a standard-sized crateused for raising objects or people, half as high as a standard

half a yardnounfifty dollarsUS , 1961

half-bakedadjectiveintellectually deficient DialectUK , 1855

half-chatnouna half-caste Also used in AustraliaUK , 1909

half-cocknoun< go off at half-cockgenerally, to start withoutbeing ready; in sex, to ejaculate prematurely or without being fullyerect A variation ofHALF-COCKED UK , 1904

half-cockadjectiveill-considered; inferiorUK , 2002.< at half-cock

not fully prepared or readyUK , 2000

half-cockedadjective1not fully capable; not completely thoughtout; unfinished; incomplete Derives from the mechanism of agunUS , 1833.2drunkAUSTRALIA , early C19.< go off half-cockedgen-erally, to start without being ready; in sex, to ejaculate prematurely

or without being fully erect Gun imagenyUK , 1809

half colonelnouna lieutenant-colonelUS , 1956

half-cutadjectivedrunkUK , 1893

half-cutsnountrainers (sneakers)BARBADOS , 1998

halfersnoun< go halfers; go haufersto share equally betweentwo partiesUK: SCOTLAND , 1985

half-friedadjectiveof eggs, fried on one side only The Indian-Englishequivalent toSUNNY SIDE UP INDIA , 1979

half Gnouna half-gallon jar of alcoholNEW ZEALAND , 1971

half-gone

half-halfadjectivemediocreFIJI , 1996

half-heartyadjectiveof medicore health, recovering from an illness

but not completely recoveredBARBADOS , 1965

half-hetnouna bisexualUS , 1995

half hournouna short prison sentence A little bravado in this

prisoner’s exaggerationUK , 2002

halfienouna half-caste personAUSTRALIA , 1945

half-inchverbto steal; to arrest Rhyming slang forPINCH(to steal or

to arrest)UK , 1925

half-ironnouna heterosexual or bisexual man who associates with

homosexuals From ‘iron’ (a homosexual male)UK , 1950

half-jack; ha-ja; haffienouna half-bottle (375 ml) of spiritsSOUTH

AFRICA , 1953

half-loadnounfifteen packets of heroinUS , 1973

half-mannouna kneeboarder, or a surfer who rides without standing

US , 1991

half-mastadjective1(used of a penis) partially but not completey

erectUS , 1972.2partially loweredUS , 1871

half of margenouna police sergeant Rhyming slang forSARGE,

formed from a measure of margarineUK , 1998

half-ounceverbto cheatUK , 1960

half-ounce dealnounin prison, a trade that swaps a half ounce of

tobacco for a single marijuana cigaretteUK , 1996

half ounce of baccynouna Pakistani, especially a Pakistani child

An elaboration (perhaps a reduction) ofOUNCE OF BACCY(PAKI)UK ,

1992

half ouncernouna physically intimidating individual employed to

control the clients of any establishment, usually of a premises

offering entertainment, e.g pub, club, concert venue, music

festival, etc; a ‘chucker-out’; door-security Rhyming slang for

BOUNCER, with a degree of ironyUK , 1992

half past sixadjectiveincompetent A sexual reference, with the

hands of the clock indicating impotenceSINGAPORE , 2002

half past twonouna Jewish person Rhyming slangUK , 1960

halfpenny dip; ha’penny dip; ha’pennynoun1a sleep Rhyming

slang forKIP UK , 1980.2a ship Rhyming slangUK , 1961

halfpenny stamp; ha’pennynouna tramp Rhyming slangUK , 1992

half-pick ducknounan incomplete accountTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1975

half-pieadjectivehalf-heartedAUSTRALIA , 1941

half-pieadverbnot fullyAUSTRALIA , 1992

half piecenoun14g (½ oz) of a powdered drug, especially heroinUS ,

half-powernouna worker working with a hangoverUS , 1980

half-racknounin the US, half a case of beer (12 bottles or cans); in

Canada, a six-pack of beerUS , 1997

half-scooped; hauf-scoopedadjectivetipsyUK: SCOTLAND , 1988

half-seas-overadjectivehalf-drunkUK , 1700

half-sheetnouna punishment, usually a fine, received by a prison

warder This generalised term derives from the half-sheet of blank

paper that an officer is given to explain his conductUK , 1950

half smartadjectivestupidUS , 1927

half-soakedadjectivemoderately competentUK , 2001

half stampnouna tramp Rhyming slangUK , 1984

half-stepverbto make a half-hearted, insincere effortUS , 1990

half-steppernouna person who does things only halfway and

cannot be counted onUS , 1981

half tankedadjectivemildy drunkAUSTRALIA , 1971

half track

half-witnouna stupid foolUK , 1755

half your luckyou’re so lucky! Elliptical for ‘I wish I had half yourluck’AUSTRALIA , 1933

halibut headnounto the indigenous peoples of Alaska, a whitepersonUS , 1965

halternouna necktieUS , 1960

halvsiesnoun1half a share of something that is to be divided.Variants include ‘halfsies’ and ‘halfies’US , 1927.2mutual oral sexperformed simultaneouslyUS , 1985

hamnoun1an amateur shortwave radio operator and enthusiastUS ,

1919.2theatrical anticsUS , 1930.3in circus and carnival usage, food

or a mealUS , 1981.4any type of alcoholic drinkUS , 1997.5amember of the armed forces in complete dress uniformUS , 1991.

6overtimeUK , 1970

hamverb1to over-act, to be an inferior actorUS , 1930.2to walkUS ,

1962.< ham it upto behave theatrically, to exaggerateUS , 1955

ham actor; ham actress; hamnounan unsubtle actorUS , 1881

ham and beefnoun a chief prison warder Rhyming slang UK , 1962

ham and egg; hamnounthe leg Rhyming slangUK , 1932

ham-and-eggernoun1in professional wrestling, a wrestler whoseregular role is to lose to help the careers of others A slight vari-ation on the boxing originalUS , 1999.2in oil drilling, an operatorwho has suffered loss after loss and is now burdened with poorcreditUS , 1954.3an inconsequential person who has achieved little

US , 1985

ham and eggingnouna general system or understanding thatallows different members of a sports team to achieve best per-formances at complementary timesUS , 1997

ham and eggs capnoun 8see:SCRAMBLED EGGS CAP

hambonenoun1a male striptease act A popular male display inthe 1960sAUSTRALIA , 1964.2a tromboneUS , 1934.3a telephone.Rhyming slangUK , 1992.4a black prisonerUS , 1989

hamburgernouna socially inept outcast High school usageUS , 1949

hamburger helpernoun1crack cocaine The drug bears someresemblance to a brand name food productUS , 1994.2a linearamplifier for a citizens’ band radioUS , 1976

Hamburger HillnicknameDong Ap Bia Mountain in South Vietnam,close to the Laos border Taken at great cost by the US Marines inbattle in May 1969, and then quietly abandoned a week later Ofmarginal tactical importance and ultimately symbolic of the lack

hamfatnounan amateur performerUS , 1911

hamhock circuitnouna tour of black bars and nightclubsUS , 1975

Hamiltonnouna ten-dollar bill From the engraving of AlexanderHamilton on the noteUS , 1948

hammedadjectivedrunkUS , 1997

hammernoun1the penisUS , 1967.2a handgunUS , 1994.3heroinNEW ZEALAND , 1982.4an attractive girl or young womanUS , 1970.5a pizzawith ham toppingUS , 1996.6an accelerator pedal Citizens’ bandradio slang, often as ‘back off the hammer’ (to slow down) and

‘put the hammer down’ (to accelerate)US , 1974.7in shuffleboard,the eighth and final shotUS , 1967.8in bar dice games, the playerwho wins the chance to play firstUS , 1971.< on your hammer

1following close behind; tailing FromHAMMER AND NAIL AUSTRALIA ,

1942.2badgering FromHAMMER AND TACK AUSTRALIA , 1955.< put the

hammer onto press someone for somethingIRELAND , 1984

hammerverb1to drive a vehicle at maximum speedAUSTRALIA , 1960.

2to inflict a resounding defeatUK , 1948.3to beat upUK , 1973.4tostretch physical limitsUK , 2002.< get hammered1while surfing,

to be knocked from your surfboard and violently thrashed by thesurfUS , 1988.2in mountain biking, to experience a violent accident

hammer and discusnounfacial hair, whiskers Rhyming slangUK ,

1998

hammer and nail; hammerverbto follow, to tail Rhyming slang

UK , 1961

hammer and tacknounthe back Rhyming slangAUSTRALIA , 1977

hammer and tongsadverbenergetically, vigorously, strongly;

violently From the vigorous use a blacksmith makes of these tools

UK , 1708

hammer-blowedadjectivedrunkUK , 2002

hammeredadjectivedrunkUS , 1960

hammerheadnounone of several kinds of inferior horseUS , 1941

hammerheadingnoun1an act of taking a recreational drug cocktail

of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy, and

Viagra™ (a branded drug that enables a male erection) From the

after-effect of a throbbing headacheUK , 2003

hammeringnouna defeat, a significant defeat; a beatingUK , 1900

hammer mannouna male of considerable sexual prowess Related

to the expression ‘going at it hammer and tongs’ to describe

highly energetic sexual activityIRELAND , 1997

hammersnounthe female thighsUS , 1980

hammer-slammernounan airframe technician US Army usageUS ,

1998

hammer timenouna decisive point; the time to launch a military

attack Adapted from a catchphrase attached, in the late 1980s, to

California rapper MC HammerUS , 2003

hammocknouna sanitary towel Generally used by young males,

often in the jocular formula: ‘hammock for a bleeding lazy cunt’

UK , 2003

hammock for twonouna brassiereUS , 1963

hammock seasonnounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycle

The image of a sanitary towel as aWEE HAMMOCKor ‘mouse’s

hammock’SOUTH AFRICA , 2001

hammyadjectivemelodramatic, theatricalUS , 1899

hammy; hammienouna hamstringAUSTRALIA , 1986

ham patchnouna telephone connection enabled by shortwave

radioANTARCTICA , 1997

Hampden roarnounthe state of affairs, the current situation

Rhyming slang forTHE SCORE, formed from the name of Scotland’s

national stadium and the roar of a football crowdUK: SCOTLAND , 1985

Hampstead Heath; hampsteads; ampstids; hampsnounthe

teeth Rhyming slang, from a rural area of north LondonUK , 1887

Hampton Court; hamptonnounsalt Rhyming slang, formed on a

historic Surrey location Do not confuse it with Hampton Wick

(the penis)UK , 1992

Hampton Wick; Hampton; Wicknoun1a penis Rhyming slang

forPRICK(the penis), after a suburb of London A polite

euphemism in its reduced formsUK , 1960.2a fool Rhyming slang

forPRICK(general term of offence)UK , 1977

ham sandwichnounlanguage Glasgow rhyming slang; this is a

convincing rhyme in the appropriate accentUK: SCOTLAND , 1988

ham shanknoun1an American Rhyming slang forYANK Originally

a World War 2 Merchant Navy coinage to describe American ships

or men, subsequently adopted by the AmericansUK , 1960.2a bank

Rhyming slangUK , 1994.3an act of masturbation Rhyming slang

hamster crab; crabnouna type of scratch (a manipulation of a

record to create a musical effect) Derives from the crab-like

movements of the DJ’s fingers; ‘hamster’ is a reference to the

hamster-switchUK , 2002

hamster-stylenouna method of manipulating record turntables in

hamster switch is a crossfader reverse switch, so named for the

‘BulletProof Scratch Hamsters’ who are credited with its invention

in the mid-1990sUK , 2002

Hancockverbto sign A shortened version ofJOHN HANCOCK Fromhis admirable signature on the Declaration of IndependenceUS , 1967

handnounfive; in betting, odds of 5–1 From theTICK-TACKsignalused by bookmakersUK , 1991.< do it with one hand tied

behind your backto do something very easilyUS , 1889.< hand

has no hairused for expressing a willingness to accept money inthe present situationTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1982

handverb< hand it toto admit the superiority of someone orsomethingUS , 1914

HANDin text messaging, have a nice day UK , 2003

hand and a halfnounin betting, odds of 11–2 In bookmakerslangHANDis 5–1, here the addition of a ‘half’ increases the odds

to 5½-1 or 11–2UK , 1991

hand and fistadjectivedrunk Rhyming slang, always used in full,forPISSED UK , 1992

H and Badjective sexually aroused; hot and bothered US , 1968

handbagnoun1an attractive male escort for a woman at a socialengagementAUSTRALIA , 1967.2a male homosexualAUSTRALIA , 1992.

3money Also variant ‘hambag’UK , 1984

handbag-positiveadjectiveapplied to a confused and disorientedpatient, lying in a hospital bed, clutching their handbag or purse

A jocular medical conditionUK , 2002

handbagsnouna minor verbal or physical disagreement, especially

on a sports pitchUK , 2003

Handbagsnicknamesecond battalion, Royal Green JacketsUK , 1995

handbags at dawna minor verbal or physical disagreementUK , 2001

handbags at ten pacesa conflict that, despite its potential forviolent confrontation, comes to nothing more than posturing Thenumber of paces may varyUK , 1991

handballverbto insert your lubricated hand into your partner’srectum or vagina, providing sexual pleasure for bothUS , 1979

handballingnounthe insertion of a hand and fist into a person’srectum or vagina for sexual gratificationUS , 1999

hand bombverbto throw a just-caught salmon using both hands

handbrakienouna handbrake turnAUSTRALIA , 1996

H and Cnoun a mixture of heroin and cocaine A play on ‘hot and

cold’, shown on taps as H and CUS , 1971

hand cannonnouna large pistol Used for effect, quaintly fashionedUS , 1929

old-handcuffnounan engagement or wedding ringUS , 1926

handcuffedadjectivemarriedUS , 1945

hand-doodlenounto masturbateUS , 1968

H and Enounhigh explosivesUS , 1971

-handedsuffixdenotes the specific or general size of a gang whencombined with a unit of measurement, e.g two-, ten-, mob-handedUK , 1999

hand fuckverbto insert a lubricated fist into a partner’s rectum orvagina, leading to sexual pleasure for bothUS , 1979

handfulnoun1a troublesome person who is difficult to control;something difficult to controlUK , 1887.2a prison sentence of fiveyearsUS , 1930.3in a restaurant or soda fountain, fiveUS , 1967.4inracing, five As high as you can count on one hand To win by ‘acouple of handfuls’ is to win by ten lengthsUK , 1937.5five pounds(£5)UK , 1961.6gambling odds of 5–1, especially amongbookmakersUK , 1984.< get a handful; have a handfulto

hand gallopnounan act of male masturbationUS , 1971

hand grenadedadjective(used of a racing car engine) exploded and

damagedUS , 1980

handicapnouna sexually transmitted infection, especially

gonorrhoea Rhyming slang forCLAP UK , 1992

handicap chase; handicapnouna face, especially an ugly face

Rhyming slangUK , 1992

handienounan act of manual masturbation FromHAND JOB

AUSTRALIA , 1994

handiesnounfondling of hands by loversAUSTRALIA , 1915

handing outnounin prison, the act of separating an imprisoned

mother from her baby (subject to disciplinary exceptions the

parent and child may spend up to eighteen months in a mother

and baby unit)UK , 1996

hand jig; hand gignounmasturbationUS , 1962

hand jivenoun1a rhythmic pattern of hand-movements performed

to music as a substitute for more usual forms of dance; hence,

obscure hand signalsUS , 1958.2an act of masturbating a maleUK ,

2003

hand jobnoun1manual stimulation of another’s genitalsUS , 1937.

2in trucking, cargo that must be hand-loadedUS , 1971

hand-jobverbto masturbate another personUS , 1969

handlenoun1a name, a nicknameUS , 1837.2a self-attributed

identity used on citizens’ band radioUS , 1974.3a big noseUS , 1750.

4a glass of beer served in a 10-fluid-ounce glass with a handle

AUSTRALIA , 1943.5a half-pint glass of beerNEW ZEALAND , 1994.6in

horse racing, the total amount bet, either on a given race or an

entire seasonUS , 1951.< get a handle onto gain a means of

comprehending or controlling someone or somethingUS , 1972

handleverbto stay in control Hawaiian youth usage as an

intransitive verbUS , 1981.< handle swollen goods(of a male) to

masturbate Punning a criminal activity: ‘to handle stolen goods’

UK , 2001

handlernoun1a drug dealer who deals in large quantities to

retail-level sellersUS , 1953.2in drag racing, a driverUS , 1968

handlesnounin basketball, ball-handling skillUS , 1997

handle-slammernouna person who manipulates the handles of a

slot machine that is in need of repair, forcing the machine to pay

out regardless of the spinUS , 1984

hand like a footnounin card games, a very bad hand of cards

A pun that was previously used of poor handwriting Currently in

popular use at Internet sites devoted to pokerUK , 1956

handmadenoun1a large penis An allusion to the belief that

excessive masturbation will produce a larger-than-average penisUS ,

1967.2a hand-rolled cigaretteUS , 1988

hand muckernounin gambling, a cheat who switches cardsUS , 1979

handoutnounin prison, the act of giving a prisoner’s property to a

visitor for removalUK , 1996

hand over fistadverbvery quickly, especially applied to making or

losing moneyUK , 1888

hand queennouna male homosexual who favours masturbating his

partnerUS , 1964

hand-rearedadjectiveendowed with a large penis A reference to

masturbation, presumably with the suggestion that such

manipu-lation promotes growthUK , 1961

hand reliefnounmasturbation in the context of a hand massage –

a sexual service offered in some massage parloursUS , 1988

hand ridenounin horse racing, a race run without using a whipUS ,

1974

hand-rollednouna marijuana cigarette Mildly euphemistic, and

thus mildly humorousUS , 1978

handsnoun< put your hands upto confess, especially to admit

to a crime The universal gesture of surrender The singular ‘put

your hand up’ seems unlikely; it smacks of a schoolchild seeking

attentionUK , 1970

hands and feet

hands and heelsadjectivein horse racing, used for describing a ride

in which the jockey did not use his whipAUSTRALIA , 1989

handshakenoun1the synchronisation mechanism of twocomputers or two programsUS , 1991.2to engage in mutualmasturbationUS , 1961

hand shandy; handy shandynounan act of male masturbation

UK , 1997

hand shoenouna gloveUS , 1977

hands off cocks – feet in socks!; hands off your cocks and pull up your socks!; hands off cocks – on with socks!; hands off cocks, on socks!used for awakening sleeping men.Military usageUK , 1976

handsome!excellent, first-rate; used for registering approvalUK , 1997

hand thingnounthe act of masturbating a man A variation of

HAND-JOB US , 2001

hand-to-gland combatnounan act of masturbation, especially ifconducted with vigour A pun on ‘hand-to-hand combat’AUSTRALIA , 1998

hand toolsnounlockpicks, screwdrivers and other tools used byburglarsUS , 1982

hand to roufnounin betting, odds of 5–4 A combination ofHAND

(five) andROUF(four)UK , 1991

hand upverbto incriminateUK , 2002

handwaveverbto oversimplify or give a cursory explanation of acomplicated pointUS , 1981

handynounamong antique dealers, an antique small enough toconceal in the palm of the handUK , 2003

handyadjectivegood at fightingUK , 1997

haneadjectivedisgusting An abbreviation ofHEINOUS US , 1993

hangnoun1a little bit Used as a euphemism for ‘damn’; always inthe negativeUK , 1861.2used as a euphemism for ‘hell’SOUTH AFRICA ,

1960.3a person who regularly spends time in one place, or aroundpeople and places that are in some way associatedUS , 1996.4a job

US , 1950.< get the hang of somethingto learn how to dosomethingUS , 1847.< give a hang; care a hangto care, to beconcerned – usually in a negative contextUK , 1861

hangverb1to turn, especially but not exclusively applied to driving

a vehicle Usually in the phrase ‘hang a left/right’ (to make aleft/right turn)US , 1967.2to tolerate, to keep up withUS , 1993.3usedfor registering annoyance, impatience, etc, as in ‘hang theexpense’ From the sense ‘to execute by hanging’UK , 1392.4to idle

US , 1941.5(used of a computer program) to wait in suspension forsomething that will not occurUS , 1983.< hang crepein ahospital, to manage a patient’s expectations by leading them toexpect the very worstUS , 1994.< hang fiveto surf with five toesextended over the front edge of the boardUS , 1963.< hang hard

to suffer a hangoverUS , 1996.< hang heelsto surf with yourheels extended backwards over the tail of the surfboardUS , 1977.

< hang her alongside awhile before we heist her aboard

(of an idea or plan) to urge someone to think about it before we

do anythingCANADA , 1992.< hang it up1to insultUS , 1989.2tostop talking; to shut upUS , 1963.3to retire Or ‘hang them up’US ,

1936.< hang looseto do little and to do it without angstUS , 1955.

< hang on the ironto put snow chains on a truck’s tyresUS ,

1961.< hang on the leg(used of a prisoner) to associate andcurry favour with prison authoritiesUS , 1992.< hang on the wall

(used of a groupie) to loiter at a rock and roll club in the hopes ofmaking contact with a musicianUS , 1969.< hang one ontopunchAUSTRALIA , 1974.< hang paper1to pass counterfeit money

US , 1976.2to pass cheques with fraudulent intentUK , 1996.< hang

tento surf with all the toes of both feet extended over the front

of the boardUS , 1963.< hang tightto stay put, to stay resolvedUS ,

1947.< hang up your jockto quit or retireUS , 1983.< hang

your hatto live, to resideUS , 1969.< hang your ownin circusand carnival usage, to brag A metaphor derived from the image ofthe braggart hanging posters advertising himselfUS , 1981

hang about

hang about!used for demanding a pause in an activity Always

imperative, sometimes used to indicate that the speaker has

suddenly understood somethingUK , 1974

hangarnounin trucking, a garageUS , 1976

hangar-flyingnouna group conversation among combat pilots,

reliving combat missionsUS , 1918

hang aroundverbto idle, to pass time aimlessly, to socialiseUS , 1830

hangar queennounan aircraft that spends an inordinate amount of

time being repairedUS , 1943

hangashore; angishorenouna person who does not go out fishing

and thus is regarded as lazy Originally from the Irish word

aindeiseoir (a wretch), this word was adapted by folk etymology to

apply to the fishing culture of Atlantic CanadaCANADA , 1988

hangchernouna handkerchiefTRISTAN DA CUNHA , 1963

hang-downnounthe penisUS , 2001

hanged upadjectivedrug-intoxicatedUS , 1949

hangernoun1a piece of paper currency that has not fallen all the

way through the slot on a casino table where cash is droppedUS ,

1980.2in pool, a ball that is at rest right at the edge of a pocketUS ,

1937.3a handgun cartridge that fails to detonate immediately after

being struck by the firing pinUS , 1957.4a handbag with a strapUS ,

1950

Hanger Lanenouna nuisance, an annoyance, a frustration, an

irri-tation Rhyming slang forPAIN, formed from the name of a

traffic-junction on London’s North Circular road, probably coined by a

driver in a jamUK , 1992

hang-gutnouna paunchy stomachBAHAMAS , 1982

hangingadjective1of inferior qualityUK , 2002.2drunk; exhaustedUK ,

2002

hanging baconnounthe outer labia of the vaginaUK , 2002

hanging Johnnynounthe penis in a flaccid stateUS , 1980

Hanging SamnounGeneral Samuel T Williams of the US Army

Williams fought Pancho Villa in Mexico, and then in World War 1,

World War 2, Korea and VietnamUS , 1972

hang it!; hang it all!used for registering annoyance, irritation or

despairUK , 1703

hangmannouna difficult personNEW ZEALAND , 2002

hangnailnouna slow-moving person, a dawdler, especially a slow

driver Rhyming slang for ‘snail’, from the characteristics of the

creatureUK , 1998

hang onverb1to wait; to wait while using a telephone Often used

in the imperativeUK , 1959.2to make a criminal charge againstUS ,

1957

hangoutnouna place where people gather to socialise At times a

negative connotationUS , 1892

hang outverb1to spend time with someone, usually a friend or

friendsUS , 1867.2to monitor a citizen’s band radio channelUS , 1976

hangtimenountime spent waiting for something to happenUS , 1991

hang tough!used for expressing support when departingUS , 1990

hang upverb1when combined with an article symbolic of a trade,

profession or sport, to retire from that field of endeavour ‘Hang up

your fiddle’, which carries the generalised sense of retiring, is first

recorded in 1833; however the current wide use may well owe its

generation to Western films, particularly the cliché of an aged or

disabled gun-fighter hanging up his guns Of modern variations

‘Hang up (one’s) tits’ is recorded of a retiring female impersonator

in 1984 In 2003 a brief search of contemporary sources reveals a

hairdresser hanging up his scissors, a judge hanging up the wig

and robe, a Malayan who has hung up his Kalashnikov, a chef who

hangs up his toque and white jacket, and a war correspondent

who has hung up her flak jacket; jockeys hang up their silks,

boxers hang up their gloves, sumo wrestlers hang up their

loincloths, etcUK , 1833.2in a prayer group, to pray last If ‘to pray

first’ is toDIAL, then it is only logical that ‘to pray last’ is ‘to hang

up’US , 1990.< hang up a shingleto go into business for yourself

hangup; hang-upnoun1an emotional problem, neurosis or bitionUS , 1952.2in foot-propelled scootering, a seizing-up of awheel during the performance of a trickUK , 2000

inhi-hanhichnounhashish Probably a misspelling of ‘hashish’UK , 2003

hanknoun< take your hankto masturbateUS , 1967

hank booknouna pornographic book or magazineUS , 1974

hank freaknouna person obsessed with masturbatingUS , 1967

Hank Marvinadjectivevery hungry Rhyming slang for ‘starving’;based on the name of popular guitarist Hank Marvin (b.1941)UK , 1998

hanktyadjectivesuspiciousUS , 1966

hanky; hankienouna handkerchief; a tissue (often qualified as apaper hankie) In the US a childish shortening virtually conven-tional in the UKUK , 1895

hanky code; hankie codenouna designation of a person’s sexualpreferences, signalled by the colour of the handkerchief and thepocket in which it is wornUS , 1991

hanky panknouna carnival game in which the customer is allowed

to win small, inexpensive prizesUS , 1985

hankypankadjective(used of a carnival game) inexpensiveUS , 1950

hanky-panky; hankie-pankienoun1trickery, mischief, especially of

a sexual natureUK , 1841.2a boyfriend Teen slangUK , 2003

Hannibal Lecternouna ticket inspector Rhyming slang, formedfrom the name of a fictional serial killer who caught the popularimagination, created in 1981 by author Thomas Harris andportrayed on film in 1986 by Brian Cox, and, most famously, byAnthony Hopkins from 1992UK , 1998

Hanoi Hannahnouna composite character on Radio Hanoi whobroadcast during the Vietnam war with a target audience of UStroops and a goal of lessening troop moraleUS , 1967

Hanoi Hiltonnicknamea North Vietnamese prisoner of war camp,formally known as the Hoa Lo Prison (1964–1973) The title of a

1987 film starring Michael Moriarty and Jeffrey Jones as USprisoners of war trying to survive in the campUS , 1970

hanyaknouna smokeable methamphetamineUK , 1998

hapnoun1an event or activity An abbreviation of ‘happening’;usually found in questions such as ‘What’s the hap?’US , 1971.2abite; a mouthful Directly from AfrikaansSOUTH AFRICA , 1978

hapas capasnoun a writ of habeas corpus US , 1950

ha’pennynounthe female genitals From the small value halfpennycoinUK , 1984 8see:HALFPENNY DIP, HALFPENNY STAMP

ha’porthnouna small or negligible measure of something (cost,potency, wit, etc) A colloquial contraction of ‘halfpennyworth’ thatorginally, surely, suggested greater value and less contemptUK , 1976

ha’p’orth; haporth; apethnouna fool A contraction of

‘halfpennyworth’ signifying something of little value; gentlycontemptuous and usually qualified as ‘daft ha’porth’, ‘silly apeth’,etcUK , 1974

happenverbto be successfulUS , 1949

happeningnoun1an unstructured event built around music, drugsand a strong sense of bondingUS , 1959.2a party at which there ismuch drinking; a booze-upAUSTRALIA , 1971

happeningadjectivemodern, fashionable, chic In common withmany words that define the times, ‘happening’ is now deeplyunfashionable, surviving in irony and the vocabularies of thosewho were there when it was ‘happening’US , 1977.< it’s all

happening!used when more than one thing happens at thesame time; used of a general state of excitementUK , 1976

happilyadverbin computing, operating without awareness of animportant factUS , 1991

happinessnounMDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy

work Originally military, in the form ‘are you happy in the

Service?’UK , 1943

-happysuffixmentally unbalanced or obsessed in the manner

denoted by earlier or current circumstances, or impending fate, as

affixed Originally military, fromHAPPY(slightly drunk); thus

‘bomb-happy’ (nerves shattered by exposure to imminent death or

mutilation), ‘demob-happy’ (obsessed by demobilisation, release

from service)US , 1931

happy as a pig in shitadjectiveextremely happyUK , 1944

happy as Larryadjectiveextremely happy Just exactly who the

proverbially happy Larry was is one of those snippets of

infor-mation lost in timeAUSTRALIA , 1905

happy bagnouna holdall in which an armed robber carries the

equipment of his tradeUK , 2002

happy bunnynouna person who is very contented Childish

imagery, originally business jargon.A contented worker, or team

member Often with a negative sense: ‘not a happy bunny’US , 1998

happy campernounused as a humorous description of a contented

person Often said with sarcasm or used in the negativeUS , 1981

happy cigarettenouna marijuana cigaretteUS , 1982

happy-clappyadjectivefilled with spiritual joy, sometimes applied to

Christians but rarely in the conventional ChurchUK , 1993

happy daynouna mixture of bottled strong ale and draught beerUK:

happy dustnouncocaine, morphine or any powdered mind-altering

drug Imparts a sense of nostalgia, not unlikeWACKY BACCY

(marijuana) The term of choice for cocaine in George Gerswhin’s

Porgy and Bess US , 1922

happy fagnouna marijuana cigaretteUK , 2002

happy gasnounnitrous oxide, laughing gasAUSTRALIA , 1986

happy hackingused as a farewellUS , 1981

happy happy joy joyused as a humorous, often sarcastic,

celebratory remark First heard in the Ren and Stimpy cartoon

(1991–1995), and then popularised with a broader audience by

Keith Olberman on ESPNUS , 1997

happy herbnounmarijuanaUK , 1998

happy hournouna period of time in the late afternoon when a bar

serves free snacks and drinks at reduced pricesUS , 1959

happy hoursnounflowers Rhyming slangUK , 1960

happy little Vegemitenouna happy person, especially a child

From an advertising jingle for Vegemite™, a yeast-based spread

popular in AustraliaAUSTRALIA , 1988

happy mealnouna mixture of chemical stimulants and

depress-ants A Happy Meal is more usually a product of McDonalds™

fast-food restaurantsUK , 2001

happy pienounthe vaginaUS , 1974

happy pillnoun1an amphetamine or other central nervous system

stimulantUK , 1956.2a Prozac™ tabletUK , 2001.3a tablet of MDMA,

the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK , 2003

happy powdernouncocaineUK , 1998

happy Sallynounstrong, homemade whiskyUS , 1986

happy shopnounan off-licence (a liquor store)US , 1972

happy slapverbto physically assault a randomly chosen person and

film the incident on a mobile phoneUK , 2005

happy slappernouna person who, as part of popular youth craze,

violently attacks a randomly chosen individual while the incident

is filmed by an accompliceUK , 2005

happy slappingnounan apparently motiveless violent attack on a

randomly chosen innocent person while the incident is filmed by

an accomplice; or such attacks collectively; or the teenage craze

happy sticknouna marijuana cigarette enhanced withphencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust

US , 1999

happy trailsnouncocaine From the cowboy song known by thosewho came of age in the US in the 1950s and 60sUS , 1993

happy trailsused as a farewell A catchphrase television sign-off

sung on The Roy Rogers Show (NBC, 1951–57) Repeated with

referential humourUS , 1951

happy valleynounthe cleft between the buttock cheeksUS , 1970s

Happy Valleynicknamethe Vinh Thanh Valley, during the war adangerous area northeast of An Khe, South VietnamUS , 1983

hapsnounthe latest; something that is popular Often heard as ‘thehaps’US , 1961

haraminouna shrewd or cunning person; used as a term of abuse it

may carry the same sense as ‘bastard’ From Urdu haram (that which is sacred), hence Urdu harami (a rogue) There is anecdotal

evidence that it has been in UK since the 1960s Current inPakistan and Indian street slang, as is the equivalent but more

abusive Urdu term haramzada (a son of wickedness; aBASTARD)

INDIA , 2003

harassverbto flirtTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

Harbour CitynicknameSydneyAUSTRALIA , 1964

harbour light; harbouradjectiveright Rhyming slangUK , 1961

hardnoun1an erectionUS , 1961.2hardcore sexual materialUS , 1977.

3an addictive drugNEW ZEALAND , 1982.4coinsUS , 1950

hardadjective1of drinks, intoxicating, spiritous, ‘strong’US , 1789.

2(used of drugs) powerfully addictiveUS , 1955.3fine, excellentUS ,

1948.4muscular, tonedUS , 1990.5of rock music, serious,uncompromising, with a strong rhythmic forceUS , 1960s.6of ravemusic, relentlessly rhythmicUK , 1998.7of pornographic material,descriptive of anything that is more explicit than society finds gen-erally acceptable A flexible standard depending on where you are

US , 1969.8in craps, a point made with a matching pair A bet on a

‘hard’ number means that the only combination that will win is apair Often used in the phrase ‘the hard way’US , 1930.9(used ofstraightened hair) heavily greasedUS , 1970.10in blackjack, said of ahand without an ace or with an ace and a value of 12 or higher

US , 1978.11(used of a theatre ticket) reserved for a specific seatUS , 1973

hardadverb< go hardto engage in gunfireUS , 2003

hard anklenouna working man, especially a truckerUS , 1976

hard-arsed; hard-ass; hard-assedadjectiveuncompromising,unyielding, tough, stubbornUK , 1903

hard asknouna difficult challengeNEW ZEALAND , 2000

hard-assnouna strict, unforgiving, unrelenting personUS , 1966

hard-assverb1to endure a difficult situationUS , 1967.2to treatharshlyUS , 1970

hard at itadjectivevery busy, especially when engaged on a lar taskUK , 1749

particu-hardbackadjectiveoldJAMAICA , 2000

hardballnoun1competition or conflict with no holds barredUS , 1972.

2crack cocaineUK , 2003

hardballernouna person who competes or pursues an interest with

an intense focus and little thought as to the consequencesUS , 1984

hardbellynouna teenage girl or young woman Biker (motorcyle)usageUS , 1988

hard bitnouna prison sentence that is especially difficult to serve, 1996

hard-boiledadjectivecallous, cynical, emotionally uninvolved, tough;describing the characteristics of macho tough guys in ‘hard-boiled’pulp fiction Figurative usage of the solid properties of hard-boiledeggs, or clothing vigorously boiled in starch; applied by Mark Twain(1835–1910) to refer to rigid rules of grammar (1886); in the early1900s it applied to hard or stiff clothing; by 1918 it was beingused to describe a person who stuck rigidly to the rules; fromwhich the current sense evolved

hardbootnouna person from KentuckyUS , 1923

hard candynoun1heroinUS , 1970.2a person who has been

ident-ified for revenge by a prison gangUS , 1997

hard-casenouna hardened, tough personUS , 1836

hard-caseadjectiveeccentric, unconventionalNEW ZEALAND , 1971

hard catnouna well-dressed, popular maleUS , 1959

hard-chargeverbin car racing, to drive aggressivelyUS , 1965

hard chawnouna thugIRELAND , 2003

hard cheddarnounbad luckUK , 1931

hard cheesenounbad luck Often said in commiserationUK , 1876

hardcorenoun1amyl nitrite Perhaps from ‘hardcore’ as a grade of

pornography because of the drug’s reputation as a sexual relaxant

UK , 1996.2a regular soldier of the North Vietnamese Army or the

Viet CongUS , 1991

hardcoreadjective1of pornography, graphic, explicit The gradations

betweenSOFTCOREand ‘hardcore’ vary over time and place; in

general, the erect penis, penetration and ejaculation are the

hallmarks of hardcore pornographyUS , 1970.2extremeUS , 1997

hardcoreadverbextremelyUS , 1997

hard cutadjectiverough, tough, hard-livingCANADA , 1962

hard-doer; hard doernouna person who struggles valiantly against

difficulties Literally, a person who ‘does it hard’ A term of

approbationAUSTRALIA , 1910

hard dressernounan aggressive, ‘mannish’ lesbianUS , 1967

hard-earnednounmoney, especially that identified as earnings, 1975

hard-earsnounsaid of a stubborn personTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

har-de-har-harused as a vocalisation mocking laughterUS , 1957

hardfistnouna violence-prone, tough personCANADA , 1955

hard graftnounhard workAUSTRALIA , 1873

hard-graftingadjectivehard-workingAUSTRALIA , 1972

hard guynouna serious, violent criminalUS , 1916

hard hatnounan elite, full-time Viet Cong soldierUS , 1965

hard headnouna criminal who uses explosives to break into safes

US , 1949

hard hitnounan act of defecation Rhyming slang forSHIT, especially

in the phrase ‘go for a hard hit’UK , 1978

Hard Johnnoun1an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation

(FBI)US , 1945.2a tough, uncompromising personUS , 1961

hard knockadjectivetoughened by life Having been through the

SCHOOL OF HARD KNOCKS US , 1977

hard labournouna neighbour Rhyming slangUK , 1992

hard legnounan experienced, cynical prostituteUS , 1967

hard linenouncrack cocaineUK , 1998

hard linesnounbad luck Probably of nautical origins Often said in

commiserationUK , 1824

hard-lookverbto stare at aggressivelyUS , 1994

hard macknouna brutish pimp who relies on force and the threat

of force to control his prostitutesUS , 1972

hard mannoun1a professional thug; a person not afraid of violent

actionUS , 1970.2an uncompromising politician or businessmanUK ,

1976

hard moneynouncashUS , 1972

hard-mouthverbto threaten or disparageTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1960

hard nailnouna hypodermic needleUS , 1955

hard-nosedadjectivestubborn, uncompromisingUS , 1927

hard nutnouna dangerous foe; a tough individual; a difficult

challenge Clipped from ‘a hard nut to crack’US , 1884

hard nut to cracknoun 8see:TOUGH NUT

hard of hearingadjectiveundisciplined, disobedientTRINIDAD AND

hard-onnoun1the erect penis; an erectionUS , 1888.2a grudgeUS ,

1931.3a stubborn, belligerent personUS , 1968.4a prized possession;something to be desired Derives from the sense as ‘an erection’,via the idea that inanimate objects can beSEXY(desirable)UK , 1999.

5a desire forUS , 1971

hard onadjectiveaddicted toBAHAMAS , 1982

hard onenounin necrophile usage, a corpse that has stiffened withrigor mortisUS , 1987

hard pimpnouna pimp who relies on violence and the threat ofviolence to control his prostitutesUS , 1973

hard-pushedadjectivein difficulties, especially financialUK , 1834

hard ricenounduring the Vietnam war, weapons and ammunition

US , 1985

hard rocknouncrack cocaine An elaboration ofROCK UK , 1998

hardshell Baptistnouna member of the Primitive Baptist Church,

or any other rigidly orthodox BaptistUS , 1838

hard shellsnounpowerfully addictive drugs, such as heroin,morphine and cocaineUS , 1960

hard, soft and wetdenotes all that is necessary to operate acomputerUK , 1998

hard sportsnounsadomasochistic sex-play involving defecation,especially when it is offered as a service in a prostitute’sadvertisingUK , 2003

hard spotnounan ambush using tanks or other armour as part ofthe ambushUS , 1991

hard stuffnoun1alcoholic drink other than beer or wineAUSTRALIA ,

1832.2addictive drugs such as heroin or cocaineUS , 1950.3coinsUS , 1788

hardtailnouna motorcyle with no rear shock absorbersUS , 1992

hard timenouna long prison sentence, whether in absolute terms

or relative to the crime or relative to the prisoner’s ability tosurviveUS , 1927

hard-timernouna prisoner serving a long sentenceUS , 1986

hard upadjective1in want of money, impoverishedUK , 1818.2inneed of something specifiedUK , 1840

hardwarenoun1weapons, usually gunsUS , 1865.2ostentatiousjewelleryUS , 1939.3silverwareUS , 1962.4any medal or trophyawarded in a competitionUS , 1921

hardware shopnouna homosexual male brothelUK , 1987

hardware storenouna poker game in which players generally betbased on the value of their hands and do not bluff An allusion tothe True Value chain of hardware stores in the USUS , 1996

hard wordnoun< put the hard word on someone1to asksomeone for sexual intercourseAUSTRALIA , 1936.2to make a ferventrequest of someoneAUSTRALIA , 1918

hard yakka; hard yackernounhard workAUSTRALIA , 1888

hard yardnouna difficult challengeNEW ZEALAND , 2000

hard yardsnounexacting work Originally a sporting metaphor

AUSTRALIA , 2001

hare and houndnouna round of drinks Rhyming slang; a variation

ofFOX AND HOUND UK , 1992

hare-and-hound racenouna long motorcyle race in the desertUS , 1965

haricot bean; haricotnouna male homosexual Rhyming slang for

Harlem heaternounany improvised source of heat, such as leaving

an oven door open to heat the room New York police slangUS , 1997

Harlem sunsetnounthe blood-red line on freshly razor-slashed skin

figuratively used to emphasise negative black characteristics; here,

combined with an allusion to ‘blood red sunsets’, the suggestion is

that only black people get into razor fightsUS , 1940

Harlem taxinouna large, luxury car painted in an extravagant

colourUS , 1962

Harlem tennisnounthe game of crapsUS , 1983

Harlem toothpicknouna pocket knife; a switchbladeUS , 1944

Harley wrenchnouna hammer Humorous biker (motorcyle) usage,

suggesting a low degree of sophistication among motorcyle

mech-anicsUS , 2003

harmonicnoun Indian tonic water Rhyming slang UK , 1984

harm reducernounmarijuana A reference to the claim that

smoking tobacco mixed with marijuana will cause less harm than

unadulterated tobaccoUK , 2001

harnessnoun1reinforcement on the outside of a safeUS , 1949.2a

uniformUS , 1853.3the leather clothing worn by some motorcyle

riders and embraced as a fashion statement by othersUS , 1993

harnessadjectiveuniformedUS , 1903

harness racknounan old horseCANADA , 1987

Harold Lloyd; haroldnouncelluloid (as a housebreaking tool, used

for forcing locks) Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the

legendary silent film comedian, 1893–1971UK , 1959

Harold Macmillan; ‘aroldnouna villain Rhyming slang, formed

from the name of a British prime minister (1957–63) and

statesman, 1894–1986UK , 1992

Harold Pinter; ‘aroldnouna splinter Rhyming slang, formed from

the name of a playwright (b.1930)UK , 1992

haroldsnounknickers Probably rhyming slang, fromHARRY TAGGS,

shortened to Harry, thus HaroldAUSTRALIA , 1971

harpnoun1a harmonicaUS , 1887.2an Irish-American or an Irish

personUS , 1898

harpicadjectivemad, crazy, eccentric A play onROUND THE BEND

(mad) and branded toilet cleaner Harpic’s advertising slogan

‘cleans round the bend’ It is interesting to note that a cocktail of

blue curacoa, kahlua, vodka and lemonade is named Harpic –

probably not just for the colour Also used as a nicknameUK , 1961

harpistnouna harmonica player FromHARP(a harmonica)UK , 1993

harpoonnouna needle used to inject drugs intravenously, especially

a hollow needle used in an improvised contraptionUS , 1938

Harris tweednounamphetamine Rhyming slang forSPEED UK , 1983

Harrynounheroin Giving an personal identity and disguise toH

(heroin)US , 1954

Harry-big-buttonnounany cheap electrical appliance characterised

by unfashionable design, especially large control knobsUK , 2002

harry-carrynoun suicide From Japanese hara-kiri (ritual suicide by

disembowelment)UK , 1996

Harry Freemansnounanything that is free Royal Navy, from

obsolete ‘drink at freeman’s quay’ (to drink at another’s expense)

UK , 1962

Harry Hillnouna tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known

as ecstasy Rhyming slang for ‘pill’; based on the name of UK

comedian Harry Hill (b.1964)UK , 2001

Harry Hoofnouna male homosexual Glasgow rhyming slang for

POOF UK: SCOTLAND , 1985

Harry Hugginsnouna fool, an idiot, often with an implication that

the fool is a victim (and a fool to be so) Rhyming slang for

MUGGINS(an idiot)UK , 1992

Harry Jamesnounthe nose A pun on ‘trumpet’, connected to

band leader and trumpet player Harry James (1916–83)UK , 1958

Harry Laudernouna prison warder Rhyming slang, formed from

the name of the Scottish comedian and singer, Sir Harry Lauder,

1870–1950UK , 1961

Harry Limenountime Rhyming slang, formed from the name of

the character played by Orson Welles in the 1950 film The Third

Harry Monk; harrynounsemen Rhyming slang forSPUNK; ally reducedUK , 1992

gener-Harry Selbynounused in a theatre programme as a fictitious namefor an actor Less common thanGEORGE SPELVIN , but serving the

Harry Tateadjectivelate Rhyming slang, formed from the stagename of musical hall performer Ronald Hutchinson, 1872–1940

Harry X-erswith Harry preceding and -ers suffixed, a personifiedvariation of an adjective or adverb Mainly nautical, in applicationssuch as ‘Harry Nuders’ (naked)UK , 1925

harshnounmarijuana, hashish Probably a play on thepronunciation ofHASH(hashish) but may well refer to the quality

Hart, Schaffner and Marxnounin poker, three jacks An allusion

to a men’s clothing manufacturerUS , 1988

harum-scarumadjectivereckless, carelessUK , 1751

harum-scarumadverbrecklessly, wildlyUK , 1691

harvest moon; harvestnouna black person Rhyming slang for

COON UK , 1992

Harvey Nicholnouna predicament Rhyming slang forPICKLE,formed from the name of London department store HarveyNicholsUK , 1932

Harvey Nicholsnounpickles, savoury condiments Rhyming slang,formed from the name of a London department storeUK , 1960

Harvey Nicks; Harvey Nic’snicknameHarvey Nichols, afashionable department storeUK , 1991

Harvey Smithnouna v-sign as an insulting gesture Following anincident on 15th August 1971 when show-jumper Harvey Smithused the gesture at the British Jumping Derby and as a result wasdisqualified (a decision subsequently overturned); his spontaneousaction swiftly became part of UK folkloreUK , 1979

Harvey Wallbangernounany unsafe, reckless and/or drunk driver

US , 1976

hasnoun hashish An abbreviated variation of HASH UK , 1998

has-beennouna person whose best days and greatest achievementsare in the pastUK , 1606

has beensnoungreen vegetables, especially cabbage Rhyming slangforGREENS UK , 1984

hasbiannouna former lesbian; a woman who took lesbian lovers incollege, but who reverted to heterosexuality after graduation fromcollegeUS , 1995

hashnoun1hashish (cannabis resin or pollen) Variant spellingsinclude ‘hashi’, ‘hashis’ and ‘haschi’ Derived from the Arabic wordfor ‘herb’ or ‘grass’, as though it were the herb ‘par excellence’

on a computer keyboardUS , 1991.< make a hashto spoil, to

make a mess of somethingUK , 1833

hashverbto serve alcoholic drink that is not the brand claimedUS ,

1979

hash and trashnounbackground noise during a citizens’ band

radio transmissionUS , 1976

Hashburynicknamethe Haight-Ashbury neigbourhood of San

Francisco A blending of the two street names and an allusion to

the drug-using propensities of the area’s residentsUS , 1967

hashcakenouna confection that has marijuana or hashish as a

major ingredientUK , 2000

hash cannonnouna device for smoking marijuana or hashish, used

to force smoke deep into the lungsUS , 1970

hashernouna waitress in an inexpensive restaurantUS , 1908

hash housenouna restaurant that serves inexpensive, simply

prepared food, catering to working menUS , 1868

hash jointnouna hash houseUS , 1895

hash outverbto discuss until an issue is resolvedUS , 1995

hashovernouna general feeling of lethargy or malaise following

marijuana use A play on ‘hangover’ andHASH(marijuana)UK , 1996

hash-puppynouna dog trained to sniff-out marijuana A play on

Hush Puppies™, US branded footware, introduced in 1958

AUSTRALIA , 1970

hash-slingernouna waitress or cookUS , 1868

hasslenouna problem, trouble, harassmentUS , 1946

hassleverb1to harass, annoyUS , 1959.2to engage in mock

plane-to-plane aerial combatUS , 1979

hasta la bye-byegoodbye Intentionally butchered SpanishUS , 1990

hasta la vista, baby!see you later! Popularised by Tone Loc in his

1989 rap hit ‘Wild Thing’US , 1990

hasta lumbagoused as a humorous farewell An intentional

corruption of the Spanish hasta luego (until later) US , 1977

hatnoun1in drag racing, a crash helmetUS , 1968.2a condomUS , 1992.

3a womanUS , 1963.4on the railways, an incompetent workerUS , 1977.

5a US Marines drill instructorUS , 1991.6twenty-five dollarsUS , 1973.

7anything bought with a bribe, used as code for a bribeUS , 1973.

8the up-arrow or caret key (^) on a computer keyboardUS , 1991.9a

dose of LSDUS , 1994.10in pinball, a piece of plastic that indicates a

value when lit Conventionally known as a ‘playfield insert’US , 1977.

< get hatto leaveUS , 1966.< in the hatmarked for murder by a

prison gangUS , 2003.< throw your hat in firstto test out a

situ-ation before taking partAUSTRALIA , 1953.< wear more than one

hat; wear several hatsto simultaneously hold more than one

post, or position of responsibilityUS , 1924

hat and coatnouna boat, especially a refrigerated cargo ship

Rhyming slangUK , 1992

hat and feather; hattonnounweather Rhyming slangUK , 1992

hat and scarfnouna bath Rhyming slang, with Cockney

pronunciation.UK , 1992

hatchnoun1the vaginaUS , 1967.2the mouthUS , 1968

hatchverb< hatch itto forget about somethingUS , 1968

hatcherynouna psychiatric ward or mental institutionUS , 1994

hatchet jobnounan unwarranted and harshly critical attack on

someone’s or something’s reputationUK , 1944

hatchet mannoun1a person who is called upon to perform

distasteful tasks From the literal image of a paid assassin armed

with a hatchet; sometimes abbreviated to a simple ‘hatchet’US ,

1937.2a physically aggressive athlete, especially one who is tasked

with roughing up an opponentUS , 1971

hatchintannouna gypsy site English gypsy use, from Romany

hatsh (stop, rest) UK , 2000

hatch, match and dispatchverb(of a local preacher) to carry a

person through life’s big eventsCANADA , 1992

hatch, match and dispatch; hatches, matches, dispatches;

hatched, matched, dispatched

announcements of births, marriages and deaths A neat mation of life, originally applied by journalists to such newspapercolumns; later recognised by church authorities as the times whenmost people are prepared to be part of a service or congregation

sum-UK , 1937

hateverbused in the phrase ‘hate to say’ as a substitute for ‘have’

US , 2003.< hate someone’s gutsto hate someone intenselyUK , 1918

hatedadjective1bad, unpleasantUS , 1989.2(used of a girl) beautifulbeyond imagination Usually as ‘hatedBETTY’US , 1988

haternouna jealous or envious personUS , 2001

hater juicenounderogatory speechUS , 2003

hating lifeadjectivedepressedUS , 1989

hatless tap dancenoun(among Canadian Forces personnel) themarch into the Commanding Officer’s office to face a charge

hatstandadjectivemad, crazy From the cartoon character ‘Roger

Irrelevant: he’s completely hatstand’ in the comic Viz UK , 2003

hatternoun1a solitary worker in a rural or remote area, especiallyone who suffers from social phobia Originally applied to minerswho worked their claims without a partner Possibly from thephrase ‘your hat covers your family’ (you are alone in the world),though no doubt the concept of the ‘mad hatter’ must have had

an influence Now only historicalAUSTRALIA , 1853.2a homosexualman FromBROWN-HATTER(a gay man)UK , 1984

Hattie Jacques; Hattiesnoundelirium tremens, the shakes.Rhyming slang, based on the name of actress and comedienneHattie Jacques (1924–80)UK , 2002

hat tricknounthree consecutive successes, usually in a sportingcontext; three linked events Originally and conventionally acricketing term, recorded to mark the bowling of three wicketswith consecutive balls; achieving this phenomenal feat entitled thesportsman to a new hat from his club, hence ‘hat-trick’

Subsequently adopted by other sports for lesser feats of three,such as three goals scored in a football match (which may well not

be rewarded with a hat)UK , 1909

hattyadjectiveused to describe the qualities of an elaborate hatUK , 1959

hat up!used for urging departureUS , 1971

haulnounthe proceeds of a crime or business operationUS , 1950

haulverb< haul assto go swiftlyUS , 1918.< haul buttto movequicklyUS , 1968.< haul coal(used of a white person) to have sexwith a black personUS , 1972.< haul someone over the coalstogive a stern reprimand to someoneUK , 1795.< haul the mail1intrucking, to drive faster to make up for lost timeUS , 1971.2in hotrodding and drag racing, to perform at the highest potentialUS , 1993

haulernoun1in the usage of youthful model road racers (slot carracers), a fast model road carUS , 1997.2a very fast drag racing car

US , 1960s to 70s

haurangiadjectivedrunkNEW ZEALAND , 1960

haveverb1to have sex with someoneUK , 1594.2to believesomething, to acceptUK , 2001.3to outwit, to cheat, to deceiveUK ,

1805.< have a noI don’t have Korean war usage from Japanesepidgin; a supply officer’s perfect answer to a requisition forsupplies not in stockUS , 1951.< have a pop atto attack,especially verbally A variation of ‘have a pop at’ (to try) adopting adifferent sense of ‘pop’ (to hit)UK , 2001.< have got ‘em; have

got ‘em badto have the delirium tremens, to have a fit of nerves

or depression or ‘the blues’UK , 1893.< have got it bad; have

got it badlyto have fallen in love or to be infatuatedUK , 1911.

< have had it1to be faced with an unavoidable prospect ofdefeat or ruin; to be defeated, to be ruined; to be dead or to have

something; to be sick and tired of somethingUK , 1984.< have

had it up to hereto have had more than enough of; to be sick

and tired of An elaboration ofHAVE HAD IT; here accompanied with

a gesture that indicates the neck or the top of the headUK , 1984.

< have itto fightUK , 1999.< have it away1to escape from

imprisonment or arrest; to get awayUK , 1958.2to stealUK , 1984.

< have it in forto bear a grudge against; to wish to harmUK ,

1840s.< have it made; have got it madeto be on the point of

succeeding; to be faced with no (more) obstacles; to have it easy

US , 1955.< have it off1to have sexUK , 1937.2to succeed in a

criminal enterpriseUK , 1936.< have it on your dancersto

escape; to run away An elaboration ofHAVE IT ON YOUR TOES UK ,

1984.< have it on your toes; have it away on your toesto

escape; to run awayUK , 1958.< have legsof an idea, to have the

ability to progress Media jargon that has seeped into wider usage

UK , 1999.< have one in the departure loungeto feel the

urgent need to defecateUK , 2002.< have yourselfto indulge

yourself or provide yourself with somethingUS , 1929

have-a-goadjectivedescribes a person who bravely attempts to

prevent a crime; intrepidUK , 1971

have a good onegoodbye Slightly cooler than urging someone to

‘have a good day’US , 1984

have an apple!get lost, forget it, calm downCANADA , 1959

have been!I’ll see you later! Youth usageUS , 1949

have offverb1to steal fromUK , 1994.2to use without respect A

vari-ation of the previous senseUK , 1999.3to defeat, to overthrow, to

supplantUK , 2001

have onverbto take up a challenge; to accept an invitation to fight

or competeAUSTRALIA , 1941

have you been?have you used the lavatory? EuphemisticUK , 1969

have you ever wanted a bindi?used with humour to

accompany a threatened knuckle blow to a companion’s forehead

A catchphrase that offers a red mark in the centre of the forehead

UK , 2003

Hawaiiannoun1very potent marijuana cultivated in HawaiiUS , 2001.

2a marijuana cigaretteUK , 2003

Hawaiian blacknouna dark leafed marijuana from Hawaii, 2003

Hawaiian diseasenounsexual abstinence due to an absence of

women An allusion to the mythical illness ‘lakanuki’ (lack of sex)

US , 1987

Hawaiian headnouna strain of marijuana, known elsewhere as

New Zealand green, Thai Buddha or Tasmanian tigerUS , 2002

Hawaiian homegrown haynounmarijuana grown in HawaiiUK ,

2003

Hawaiian numbernounany elaborate production number in a

show or movieUS , 1973

Hawaiian sunshinenounLSDUS , 1982

haw-eaternounan Ontarian from Manitoulin IslandCANADA , 1998

hawgnouna large motorcyle, especially a Harley-DavidsonUS , 1984

hawknoun1LSD May be used with ‘the’US , 1966.2a lookoutUS , 1956.

3any cold night wind, especially a strong wind that blows off Lake

Michigan across Chicago, Illinois Often with ‘the’US , 1946

HawknicknameColeman Hawkins, a leading jazz saxophonist of the

1920s and 1930sUS , 1949

hawkverb1to expectorate sputumUS , 1989.2to watch closely, to

check outUS , 1886.3to make an aggressive romantic approachUS ,

1993.< hawk the fork(of a woman) to work as a prostitute

AUSTRALIA , 1978.< hawk your muttonto work as a prostituteUK ,

1937

hawkernounexpectorated sputumUS , 1974

Hawkesbury Riversnounthe shivers From the name of a river in

New South WalesAUSTRALIA , 1941

hawk-eyeverbto watch closelyUS , 1979

hawkinsnouncold weather An embellishment and personification

ofHAWK US

hawkshawnouna detective From the name of a detective in the

1863 play The Ticket of Leave Man by Tom Taylor, and later and more relevantly from the comic strip Hawkshaw the Detective,

drawn by Gus Mager (1913–22, 1931–48) In UK West Indian use

US , 1888

hawkshawverbto snoop, to inquireUS , 1946

haw mawsnounthe testicles Glasgow rhyming slang forBAWS (BALLS), from a cry to attract your mother’s attentionUK: SCOTLAND , 1988

haynoun1a bed, either in the context of sleep or of sexUS , 1903.

2marijuana A play onGRASS US , 1934.3moneyAUSTRALIA , 1939

hayburnernouna horse, especially a poor-performing racehorseUS , 1904

hay buttnouna marijuana cigaretteUS , 1942

hayed upadjectivemarijuana-intoxicatedUS , 1952

hay headnouna marijuana userUS , 1942

haymakernoun1a powerful fist blow to the headUS , 1902.2incricket, a batsman’s powerful but reckless shotUK , 1954

haymakingverbin cricket, powerful but reckless battingUK , 1986

hayonouncocaine From a Caribbean name for the coca plantUS , 1984

hayronnounheroin Possibly a deliberately perverse pronunciation

UK , 2003

hayseednouna rustic or country yokel Strongly suggests a highdegree of unsophisticationUS , 1851

hay shakernouna farmerUS , 1924

haystacknounthe back, the rear Rhyming slang ‘Going round thehaystack’ is noted as a possible euphemism for paying a visit to atoiletUK , 1960

hay wagonnouna brakevan (caboose)US , 1977

haywireadjectiveout of control; crazy; in wild disorder; chaotic Theimage of wire on a bale of hay that flails wildly when cutUS , 1920

hazenoun1LSD A shortened form ofPURPLE HAZE US , 1994.2a iety of marijuana, 2002

var-hazeverbto bully, insult and ridicule a homosexual A specialisednuance of the conventional sense (to punish, to bully)UK , 1977

hazedadjectivedrug-intoxicatedUS , 2001

Hazelnounheroin AbbreviatedWITCH HAZEL(heroin), and sequently disguised as ‘Aunt Hazel’US , 1949

sub-haz-matnoun hazardous material US , 1983

HBInoun house breaking implements Initialism UK , 1950

H bombnounheroin mixed with MDMA, the recreational drug bestknown as ecstasy Extended fromH(heroin), playing on thedevastating power of a nuclear weaponUK , 2002

H capnouna capsule of heroinUS , 1990

he; himnounthe penis A derivation immemorialUK , 1970

headnoun1a member of the counterculture, usually involvingdrugsUS , 1966.2a habitual user of drugs In the Vietnam war, theterm differentiated between a person who smoked marijuana and

aJUICERwho abused alcoholUS , 1953.3a state of drug intoxication

US , 1952.4enough marijuana to fashion a single cigaretteUK , 1996.

5a fan of hip-hop musicUS , 2003.6a respected graffiti artistUS , 1997.

7a familiarising term used to address both sexes, but more ally male Head can also be used to designate certain groups, forexample, a ‘D4 [Dublin 4] head’ is a post southside person, notnecessarily living in the D4 postcodeIRELAND , 1997.8oral sexUS , 1941.

gener-9the penisTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003.10a talking head With thisshortened form, a good expert guest on a television or radio showbecomes ‘good head’US , 2001.11deceptionTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ,

1993.12a crime victimUS , 1987.13a toiletUS , 1942.14music playedwithout a musical scoreUS , 1946.15a railway workerUS , 1990.< bite

someone’s head off; snap someone’s head offto attackverbally, especially as a disproportionate responseUK , 1984.< do it

standing on your head; do on your headto achieve with ease

UK , 1896.< do your head into emotionally overload, confuse and

down to itto plead guilty From bending the head in unspoken

affirmativeAUSTRALIA , 1975.< give headto perform oral sexUS ,

1956.< have a head like a sieveto be very forgetful, 1984.

< have your head screwed; have your head screwed on

right; have your head screwed on the right wayto be

shrewd and businesslike, to have a practical intelligenceUK , 1821.

< have your head up your assstupid, unaware, uninformed

US , 1944.< need to have your head readto have ridiculous

ideas That is ‘you need to see a psychiatrist’AUSTRALIA , 1938.< off

your headin a state of mental confusion; drug-intoxicated The

latter meaning dates from the 1960s and the distinction between

the two senses may be blurredUK , 1999.< on your headin

motor racing, flipped (of a race car)US , 1980.< out of your head

in a state of drug or drink intoxication When combined with a

mental or emotional state, the sense varies: ‘with grief’, ‘with

worry’, etcUK , 1996.< pull your head into mind one’s own

businessAUSTRALIA , 1944.< put the head on; stick the head on

to head-butt an opponent’s faceUK: SCOTLAND , 1985.< you need

your head examined; you want your head examininga

catchphrase addressed to someone who has said or done

something stupid Originally ‘you want your head read’ but it

adapted as fashion and technique moved from phrenology to

psychiatryUS , 1942.< you’d forget your head if it wasn’t

screwed ona catchphrase addressed to (or, in the third person,

of ) an absent-minded person Variations are mainly concerned

with the method of fixing: ‘if it wasn’t attached’, ‘…tied on’,

‘…stuck on’, ‘…jammed on’, etcUK , 1979

headverb1to leaveUS , 2003.2to carry (something) on your head

headache!used as a warning in various industries that an object

has been accidentally dropped from a height and that those

working below should immediately take careUS , 1944

headache barnouna steel bar welded onto a bulldozer or other

piece of heavy equipment to protect the operator from branches

or other sources of potential head injuryUS , 1990

headache Marynounlow grade marijuanaUS , 1979

headache racknounthe grill at the rear of a truck cab designed to

protect the driver and any passengers from injury if the load

should shift forward due to a sudden stopUS , 1969

headache sticknouna police nightstickUS , 1919

head-and-a-halfnounan intellectual personAUSTRALIA , 1987

head artistnouna person skilled at giving oral sexUS , 1979

headbangnouna meeting intended to generate creative and

innovative solutions Office jargonUK , 2005

head-bangverbto jerk your head up and down to add to the

enjoyment of fast music Collected from fans of heavy metal

music by Seamus O’Reilly, January 1995US , 1995

headbangernoun1a violent psychoticUK , 1983.2a devotee of heavy

metal musicUS , 1979.3a prisoner who bangs his head against walls,

doors, etcUK , 1996

headbinnouna crazy, unstable personIRELAND , 2001

head casenounan emotionally troubled or mentally disturbed

personUK , 1966

head cheesenounprepuce smegma in a maleUS , 1941

head chicknounthe dominant and favoured prostitute among a

group of prostitutes working for a pimpUS , 1957

head cook and bottle-washernouna person who does all the

work Humorous Originally ‘bottle-washer’ carried the same

meaning with or without the head cook’s help The British

adap-tation of the earlier USCHIEF COOK AND BOTTLE WASHER UK , 1876

head cuntnounthe mouth (as an object of sexual penetration)US ,

1996

head dabnounin mountain biking, a face-first fallUS , 1992

head down and arse upworking busily

head drugsnounamphetaminesUK , 1998

head ’emverb1to take part in the gambling game two-upAUSTRALIA ,

1902.2in the game two-up, to throw a pair of headsAUSTRALIA , 1925

headernoun1a head-first diveUK , 1849.2oral sex An embellishment

of the more commonHEAD US , 1976.3in hot rodding, a type ofexhaust manifold that improves engine performanceUS , 1948

head faggotnouna male homosexual with an appetite forperforming oral sexUS , 1996

head-fakingadjectivestimulating, excitingUK , 1983

headfitnounan uncontrolled outburst of temperUK , 2000

head fucknoun1a state of mental confusionUK , 1996.2somethingthat deliberately confuses or misleadsUK , 2002

headfuckadjectiveconfusing, misleading, especially whendeliberately soUK , 2001

head gamenouna psychological ployUS , 1979

head gasketnouna condom Conventionally, ‘a mechanical seal’,with a further pun onHEAD(an act of oral sex)US , 1964

head geenouna prison wardenUS , 1976

head-huntverbin boxing, to try to hit the opponent in the headUS , 1960

headhunternoun1a person who recruits others for specific jobswith specific firms, especially professionals and executivesUS , 1960.

2a psychiatristUS , 1972.3an oral sex enthusiastUS , 1961.4a sexual maleUS , 1990.5a police officer assigned to investigatecomplaints of misconduct by other policeUS , 1965.6a paid killerUS ,

homo-1982.7a female who trades sex for money or drugsUS , 1995

head jobnounan act of oral sexUS , 1963

head-jobverbto shoot in the headUK , 1993

head jockeynouna practitioner of oral sex on a womanUS , 1971

headless chickennounused as the object of comparison forsomething or someone acting without rhyme or reasonAUSTRALIA , 1957

headlightsnoun1the female breastsUS , 1970.2the female nippleswhen obviously erect although masked by clothing A morenarrowly focused meaning from the previous senseCANADA , 2003.

3large jewels, especially diamondsUS , 1899.4LSDUS , 1994

head like an unplayable lienounan ugly personAUSTRALIA , 1995

head like a robber’s dognounan unattractive personAUSTRALIA , 1971

head motherfucker in chargenounthe leader of an enterpriseUS , 2002

head nigger in chargenounthe leader of an enterpriseUS , 1978

head onadverbin gambling games such as twenty-one, playingdirectly against the dealer without other playersUS , 1963

head over heelsadjectivedeeply, completely (especially indescriptions of love) By ellipsis from the cliché ‘fall head overheels in love’UK , 2003

head over turkeyadverbupside down; head over heelsAUSTRALIA , 1915

head phonesnouna stethoscopeUS , 1982

head plantnounto fall face first while snowboardingUS , 1993

headquarters pukenouna member of the military assigned to therear echelon staff Gulf war usageUS , 1992

head ragnouna bandana or piece of cloth worn with straightened

or processed hairUS , 1973

heads and heelsnouna youthful, sexually inexperienced male who

is the object of an older homosexual’s desire The suggestion isthat you have to lift the inexperienced boy by his head and heels

to get him into position for sexUS , 1979

heads downadjectivein computing, so focused on a task as to beignorant of all elseUS , 1991

head serang; head sherangnounthe person in charge From

Anglo-Indian serang (a captain of a native Indian vessel), from

PersianAUSTRALIA , 1918

head shed a military headquarters Vietnam war usage

head shopnouna shop that retails drug paraphernalia, incense,

posters, lights, and other products and services associated with

drug useUS , 1967

headshrinkernouna pyschiatrist or other therapistUS , 1950

head shrinkingnounthe practice of psychiatryUS , 1964

heads I win, tails you losehowever a situation is resolved I

cannot lose Mocking the principle that a toss of a coin normally

offers a choice of winnerUK , 1832

heads-upadjective1clever, alert From the earlier sense as

‘wide-awake’US , 1934.2in motor racing, said of a competition with no

handicapUS , 1993

heads-upadverb(of a game of pool) with no handicaps in effectUS ,

1993

head-the-ballnouna crazy personUK , 2000

head timenounan opportunity to thinkUK , 1998

head-upadjectivestraightforward, directUS , 2001

healverb< heal with stealto perform surgeryUS , 1994

healthyadjective1(used of a girl) well builtUS , 1970.2large, excellent

UK , 1937

heapnoun1a car, especially an old and run-down carUS , 1921.2a

slovenly woman, usually preceded by an adjective Originally

dialectUK , 1806.3a large number, a great dealUK , 1661

heapadjectivevery A crude borrowing of the speech of native

American Indians as portrayed by pulp fiction and film

screenwritersUS , 1958

heap of coke; heapnouna man Rhyming slang forBLOKE UK , 1851

heap of shitnouna mechanical item that is old, unreliable or

brokenUK , 2000

heapsnoun< give someone heapsto chastise, denigrate or

attack someone unrestrainedlyAUSTRALIA , 1978

hearverbto understandUS , 1973

hearsenouna brakevan (caboose)US , 1930

heartnoun1physical courage, especially as displayed in the

commission of a crimeUS , 1937.2an amphetamine capsule,

especially dextroamphetamine sulphate (trade name Dexedrine™)

From the shape of the tabletUS , 1965.< my heart bleeds for

you; my heart bleedsfaux-sympathy, used ironically for

expressing bitterness or jealousyUS , 1968.< put the heart

crosswaysto shockIRELAND , 1995

heartbeatnoun1any of several signals produced by a computer or

softwareUS , 1991.2a short measure of timeUS , 1985

Heartbreak Hillnicknamea challenging hill at approximately mile

20 of the Boston MarathonUS , 1998

heartburn palacenouna roadside restaurant that features greasy

foodUS , 1971

heart checknouna test of courageUS , 1995

heart check!I defy you!; I dare you!; I challenge you!US , 2001

heartfacenouna form of address used by some homosexual men

UK , 1968

heart scaldnouna troublesome individualIRELAND , 1998

hearts of oak; heartsadjectivepenniless Rhyming slang forBROKE

UK , 1934

heart starternounan alcoholic drink taken upon wakingAUSTRALIA ,

1975

heartthrobnouna very attractive manUS , 1926

heatnoun1pressure, stressUS , 1929.2the policeUS , 1931.3intense

police interest or pressure following a crimeUS , 1928.4a firearmUS ,

1926.5crowd or audience reaction An entertainment industry

term embraced by professional wrestlingUS , 1958.6popularity,

audience appealUS , late 1970s.7in roller derby, a fight, be it scripted

or spontaneous, staged or realUS , 1999.8in pinball, the part of the

pinball machine that rises as a panel in the front of the machine

Conventionally known as the ‘lightbox’US , 1977.9the ultimate, the

bestUS , 1985.10a dildoUS , 1999.< on heatof a woman, sexually

aroused Correctly used of animalsUK .< take the heatto

sunbatheUS , 1968.< take the heat off; take heat offto relievethe pressure on someoneUK , 1979

heated hellnounthe worst of the worstUS , 1945

heaternoun1a revolver The term smacks of gangster filmsUS , 1926.

2a linear amplifier for a citizens’ band radioUS , 1976.3a looking boyUS , 1993.4an excellent thingUS , 2003.5in poker, aperiod of good luck for one playerUK , 2003.6a large cigarUS , 1918.

good-7a cigaretteUS , 1993.< take a heaterto defecateUS , 2001

heater and coolernouna shot of whisky and a glass of beerUS , 1982

heating foodnounany food thought to enhance sexual strengthand passion A euphemism of social and spiritual significance.Those seeking a godly and contemplative life (and, according tocustom, all women, especially widows) should stick to ‘coolingfoods’INDIA , 2003

heat magnetnounanything that draws the attention of the orities Based onHEAT(the police)CANADA , 2002

auth-heat stationnouna police station FromHEAT(the police)US , 1963

heatyadjectiveunder police surveillance or the subject of policeinterestUS , 1967

heavenounan ejection, a dismissal Used in the construction ‘givesomeone (or something) the heave’UK: SCOTLAND , 1985

heaveverbto vomitUS , 1832

heave-honounan ejection, a dismissalUS , 1932

heavennoun1seven or eleven Rhyming slang, used by dicegamblersUK , 1961.2cocaineUK , 2002.3heroinUK , 2003.4a billboard

in the language of graffiti artistsUS , 2002

heaven and hell; heavenverbto give off a bad smell RhymingslangUK , 1992

heaven dust; heavenly dust; heaven flournounany powdereddrug; cocaine; heroin Perhaps a positive alternative toHELL DUST

US , 1933

heavenly blue; heavenly sunshinenounLSDUS , 1977

heavenly bluesnounmorning glory seeds as a psychoactive agent

US , 1982

heaven on a sticknouna very good thingUS , 1990

heavens abovenounloveUK , 1961

heaven sentnounMDMA, the recreational drug best known asecstasyUK , 1996

heavens to Betsy!used as a register of shock, surprise, etc CharlesEarle Funk researched and failed to discover the etymology of this

phrase for Heavens to Betsy!, 1955; he believed that the phrase is

certainly mid-C19 but was unable to discover its usage before 1940

US , 1940

heavens to Murgatroyd!used as a register of shock, surprise, etc

A variation ofHEAVENS TO BETSY!; popularised by Hanna Barbera’sanimated lion Snagglepuss, from 1959; also credited to UScomedian Red Skelton, 1913–97 The identity of Murgatroyd is amysteryUS , 1959

heaves and squirtsnounsymptoms of heroin withdrawal A rathergraphic way of describing vomiting and diarrhoeaUS , 1973

heaviesnounlarge waves Always in the pluralUS , 1961.< the

heaviesserious newspapers, as opposed to the tabloid pressUK , 1950

heaviositynouna quality of some (drug-inspired) heavy rock music

US , 1981

heavynoun1an experienced criminal who relies on violence andforceUS , 1930.2armed robbery; an armed robberUS , 1950.3sexuallyaroused, especially if aggressively so A sense used by prostitutes

UK , 1980.4a physically intimidating prison officer brought in to dealwith rioting prisonersUK , 1996.5a lesbian prison officerUK , 1996.6inthe television and film industries, an antagonistUS , 1926.7anofficer Vietnam war coinageUS , 1976.8an important personUS ,

1925.9heroinUS , 1971.10a potent dose or a potent drug or bothUS ,

1988.11medium gravity beer Not to be confused withWEE HEAVY(abarley wine)UK: SCOTLAND , 1985.12a large aircraftAUSTRALIA , 1962.

13an aircraft carrierUS

heavyverb1to threaten with violence; to menaceUK , 1998.2to

harass, threaten or victimise someone; to coerce someone

threateninglyAUSTRALIA , 1974

heavyadjective1very serious, very intenseUS , 1963.2wonderful,

excellentUS , 1972.3(of drugs) addictiveUS , 1959.4violent, inclined to

use violenceUS , 1902.< get heavyto studyUS , 1955

heavy!used for expressing approvalUK , 2003

heavy Anounan assistant drill instructor, US Marine CorpsUS , 1987

heavy Chevynouna Chevrolet with a big block engineUS , 1992

heavy closernounin a swindle, a person who makes the final deal

with the victimUS , 1986

heavy creamnouna hefty, large-breasted womanUS , 1960

heavy-dutyadjectiveserious, intenseUS , 1935

heavy-fistedadjectivesaid of a gambling house operative who takes

more than the appropriate share of the winnings of a poker game

for the house shareUS , 1951

heavy-footedadjectivepregnantUK: NORTHERN IRELAND , 1996

heavy hammernounany powerful pain medicationUS , 1994

heavy handbagnouna rich (homosexual) boyfriend FromHANDBAG

(money); recorded in use in contemporary gay societyUK , 2003

heavy-handedadjectiveused of a person who pours alcoholic drinks

too generously, or mixes alcoholic drinks at too great a strength

From the conventional sense (clumsy)UK , 1971

heavy hitternouna person with a deserved reputation for violence

A baseball metaphorUS , 1970

heavy lifternouna dangerous, tough personUS , 2001

heavy mannersnounany form of authoritarian control or discipline

experienced by black individuals or communitiesUK , 1994

heavy metal; HM; metalnouna music genre, characterised by

loud amplification, the primacy of electric guitars and simple,

powerful – if occasionally lumbering – rhythmic patterns The

origin may be in military and munitions terminology but the

popular and probable etymology is as follows: ‘The term heavy

metal was originally coined by Beat novelist William Burroughs in

his Naked Lunch, reintroduced into the pop vocabulary by

Steppenwolf in their hit "Born to Be Wild" ("heavy metal thunder")

and subsequently redefined by rock critic Lester Bangs in the

heavy metal fan magazine Creem.’ (Rolling Stone Encyclopaedia of

Rock & Roll, 1983) In fact, William Burroughs wrote of Uranium

Willie, the Heavy Metal Kid, in Nova Express, 1946, 13 years before

Naked Lunch was published Lester Bangs was writing about the

Yardbirds In later use ‘metal’ takes over as the preferred

abbrevi-ation, creating a subtle differentiation understood by fans of heavy

musicUS , 1999

heavy metallernouna musician or fan of heavy metal musicUS ,

1989

heavy mobnoun1a criminal gang that relies on violence; a gang

involved in large scale crimesUK , 1944.2the Metropolitan Police

Flying SquadUK , 1999.3physically intimidating prison officers

brought in to deal with rioting prisonersUK , 1996

heavy paint-work passersnounin a dice cheating scheme, dice

that have been altered by drilling the spots and filling them with

heavy metallic paintUS , 1963

heavy pettingnounmutual sexual caressing that stops shy of full

intercourseUK , 1960

heavy rollernouna very important personUS , 1974

heavy stringsnounuseful and powerful connectionsBAHAMAS , 1982

heavy thumbnounin the usage of youthful model road racers (slot

car racers), a fast, reckless racerUS , 1997

heavyweight Jonesnouna drug dealer who sells drugs in a manner

calculated to lead his customers to addictionUS , 1971

heavy wizardrynounin computing, designs or code that demand a

specialised and deep practical understandingUS , 1991

heavy workernouna criminal who specialises in breaking into safes

heckaadverbvery A euphemisedHELLA US , 1989

heck-cityadverbveryUS , 2004

heckety-hecknounused as a euphemistic alternative to ‘hell’UK , 2003

hecksaadverbveryUS , 2004

heck you!used as a euphemistic replacement for ‘fuck you!’FIJI , 1996

hecticadjective1(used of a wave) fairly treacherousUS , 1988.

2extreme, outrageous (often applied to gruesome or gory acts);

good Teen and youth slang, noted by Sunday Times (South Africa),

1st June 2003SOUTH AFRICA , 2003

hector!used as a euphemism for ‘heck’, itself a euphemism for

‘hell’US , 1965

H’edadjectiveaddicted to heroinUS , 1997

hedgehognounany non-white person; a native of the IndianSubcontinent; an Arab; any (non-English) foreigner Rhyming slangforWOG UK , 1992

hedge hoppernouna crop dusting pilotUS , 1954

hedge monkeynouna member of the counterculture travellers’community DerogatoryUK , 2001

hedge mumpernouna tramp An elaboration ofMUMPER(a tramp).English gypsy useUK , 2000

H-E-double toothpicks!; H-E-double hockey sticks!hell Youthslang, euphemistically spelt outUS , 1997

heebnouna jittery sensation, a fearful feeling An abbreviation of

HEEBIE JEEBIES UK , 1996

heebie-jeebiesnoun1the jitters, a sense of anxiety Thought tohave been coined by US cartoonist Billy DeBeck (1890–1942) for

the comic strip Barney Google US , 1923.2delirium tremens US , 1926.

3symptoms of withdrawal from an addictive drugUS , 1987

heebiesnounjittersUS , 1926

Heeeeere’s Johnny used as a humorous introduction.The drawn-out introduction of US late-night talk show host JohnnyCarson by sidekick Ed McMahon from 1962 until 1992 Widelyrepeated, with variations and referential humourUS , 1980

hee-hawnoun1loud and braying laughterUK , 1843.2nothing of anyworth, zero The value of a donkey’s brayUK , 2000

heelnoun1a dishonourable or untrustworthy individualUS , 1914.2inprofessional wrestling, a wrestler designed by the promoters to beseen by the audience as a villainUS , 1958.3by extension, any figure

in the wrestling business designed by the promoters to be disliked

by the fansUS , 1998

heelverbto leave without paying a billUS , 1966

heel-and-toeverbto run away quicklyCANADA , 1870

heeledadjective1armedUS , 1866.2provided with fundsUS , 1873.3inpossession of drugsUS , 1970

heelernoun1a political party worker who does readily what isorderedUS , 1876.2an opportunistic sneak thiefUS , 1931.3in poker,

an unmatched card retained in a player’s hand when drawingUS , 1967

heelienounin skateboarding, a manoeuvre in which the rider ates the rear wheels of the board while riding forward on the frontwheelsUS , 1976

elev-heelishadjectivein professional wrestling, villainousUS , 1996

heel listnouna list of persons unwelcome as guests at a hotelUS , 1953

heeshnounhashishUS , 1982

heezenounhashishCANADA , 2002

heezie; heezynoun< off the heezie; off the heezie for

skeezieawesome, wonderful, cool, amazing A hip-hop variation

of ‘off the hook’, apparently coined by rapper Snoop Doggy Dog

Hefnickname Hugh Hefner (b.1926), founding publisher of Playboy

magazine, which first appeared in December 1953US , 1968

heffanouna stocky girl or woman A variation of heifer (a young

he-girlnouna person with mixed sexual physiology, usually the

genitals of a male and surgically augmented breastsUS , 2004

hehein a game of on-line poker, used for acknowledging luck in

winning a hand, 2003

Heidinouna young woman with back-to-the-earth, 1960s values and

fashion sense, especially one with pigtailsUS , 2001

heifernouna stocky girl or woman An insult, if not a fighting word

US , 1835

heifer dustnounnonsense A euphemism forBULLSHIT US , 1927

heifer paddocknouna girls’ schoolAUSTRALIA , 1885

heigh-ho!used as a signal of enthusiasmUS , 1930s to 50s

heightnoun< from a great heightused to intensify the infliction

of punishment or suffering Always preceded with the passive

sense of a verb combined with ‘on’, e.g ‘come down on’UK , 1961

heing and sheingnounsexUS , 1993

Heinienouna German; GermanUS , 1904

heinie; heinynoun 8see:HINEY

HeiniesnounHeineken™ beerUS , 1982

heinousadjectiveoffensive, unpleasant Conventional English

elev-ated to slang by attitudeUS , 1982

Heinznouna multiple bet, combining 57 bets Based on the

advertising slogan for, and synonymous with, the products of the

food company H.J Heinz A ‘super heinz’ combines 120 betsUK ,

1983

heir and a sparetwo sons, in the context of a male line of

succession; hence, one and a spare of anything Used as a

mini-mum breeding requirement by powerful and privileged families

whose bloodline justifies their inheritance, applied especially to

monarchiesUK , 2003

heistnouna theft or robberyUS , 1976

heistverb1to accept; when used in the negative, to reject a story or

idea as untruthful or fancifulCANADA , 1999.2to steal, especially to

shoplift There are enough Hollywood heist films to make a genre

Also spelt ‘hyste’UK , 1815

heisternouna thief or robber From the earlier ‘hoister’UK , 1865

Helennounheroin Giving an identity and disguise toH(heroin)US ,

1971

helinoun a helicopter US , 1995

helicopternoun1in skateboarding, a manoeuvre in which the rider

jumps off the board, turns in the air and then lands on the board

US , 1976.2a Chinese-educated personSINGAPORE , 2002

helicopter viewnouna non-detailed overviewCANADA , 2000

hellnoun1used widely in oaths, and to reinforce imprecations, and

questions (often rhetorical) of impatience and irritationUK , 1596.

2crack cocaineUK , 2003.< for the hell of it; for the sheer hell

of it; just for the hell of itsimply for the pleasure or

experi-ence of doing something; also applied to reckless behaviourUK ,

1934.< from hellused for intensifying Humorous, hyperbolicUS ,

1965.< get the hell out; get the hell out of here (or

somewhere)to leave, usually with some hasteUS , 1971.< hell

out ofwhen combined with a verb of violent action, such as

knock, punch, thump, etc, to treat a person extremely roughly

IRELAND , 1922.< play hell with; play merry hell withto cause

severe trouble for someone or somethingUK , 1803.< to hell

intensely, when combined with a wish or hopeUK , 1891.< to hell

with it!used for registering or reinforcing dismissalUK , 1929.

< will I hell!used as an expression of strong disagreement

Often applied in the third person: ‘will he hell!’ or ‘will they hell!’

UK , 1931

hellaadverbextremelyUS , 1992

hellaciousadjectiveespecially nasty or difficultUS , 1929

hell and gone; hell-and-gonenouna far-distant place or point intimeUS , 1938

hell-bentadjectiverecklessly determinedUS , 1835

hellcatnouna wild, fierce womanUK , 1605

hell dustnounany powdered drug; heroin; morphineUS , 1953

hellernouna wild, uninhibited partyUS , 1975

hellerynountrouble, mischief, bad behaviourCANADA , 1965

hell-fire!used as a register of exasperation, frustration, anger, etcUK , 1997

hell-for-stoutadjectivevery strongUS , 1954

hell-holenoun1a horrible, infernal placeUK , 1882.2in a combathelicopter, an approximately 34-inch-square opening in the floor,used for emergencies and roping down to and up from the ground

US , 1976

hellifyingadjectiveused as an adjectival intensifierUS , 1973

hellishadjective1unpleasant, difficultUK , 1569.2used as a positiveintensifier; excellentUK: ENGLAND , 2001

hellishadverbused as a pejorative intensifierUK , 1768

hellishing; hellishunadverbused as an intensifier An elaboration

ofHELLISH(an intensifier) on the model ofFUCKING,SODDING, etc

Hell Pass HolenicknameEl Paso, TexasUS , 1970

hellridenounin mountain biking, any bad trail or bad rideUS , 1992

hell’s bellsused as a mild oathUK , 1832

hell’s half acrenounduring the Vietnam war, an area just north of

Cu Chi, dominated if not controlled by the Viet CongUS , 1991

hell to breakfastnounhere to there, all overUS , 1930

helluvahell of aUS , 1910

hell weeknouna period of extreme harassment, especially of newrecruits to a college fraternity by their older fraternity brothersUS , 1930

helmetnoun1the head of the circumcised penis From the larity in shape to a World War 2 German Army helmetUS , 1970.2auniformed police constableUK , 2002

simi-helonouna helicopterUS , 1965

heloadjectivenoneCANADA , 1963

helpcatnouna tutor; a student assistant A punning allusion toHEP

CAT US , 1955

helpernounany amphetamine or other central nervous systemstimulantUS , 1963

helter skelternouna shelter Originally a World War 2 coinage for

an ‘air raid shelter’ Noted as still in occasional use as a ‘busshelter’UK , 1992

helter-skelteradverbin defiance of order; pell-mellUK , 1593

he-mannounan especially virile or overtly masculine man, amasterful manUS , 1832

hem and hawverbto stutter, to hestitate while beginning asentenceUK , 1786

hempnounmarijuanaUS , 1883

hempen fevernounexecution by hangingUK , 1785

hemp head a frequent user of marijuana

hempsternounanyone involved in the business of retailing hemp.

FromHEMP(marijuana) and conventional, perfectly legal ‘hemp’

UK , 2002

hemptynounleaves from the hemp plantCANADA , 2002

hennoun1a womanUK , 1626.2used for informally addressing a

woman; also, as an endearmentUK: SCOTLAND , 1626.3a flamboyant

feminine male homosexualTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1985.4in a deck of

playing cards, a queenUS , 1988.5the Sea Knight military helicopter

A term used by reconnaissance troops in VietnamUS , 1991

hen applenounan eggUS , 1938

henchnouna person in attractive physical shapeUK , 2005

hen fruitnounan eggUS , 1854

Henley regattanouna conversation Rhyming slang forNATTER,

formed from the famous sporting eventUK , 1998

hen millnouna women’s jail or prisonUS , 1960

Henny; Hen’nounHennessy™ cognacUK , 1999

henny pennynouna female player in a low-stakes game of pokerUS ,

1988

henpeckedadjectiveruled by a domineering woman The surviving

form of the original verb ‘hen-peck’UK , 1680

hen pennouna women’s prisonUS , 1992

henrynounan eighth of an ounce (three and a half grams) of a

drug, especially marijuana or cocaine CuttingHENRY THE EIGHTH

down to sizeUK , 1998

Henrynoun1any Ford Motor Company car or engineUS , 1917.

2heroin From ‘heroin’ toHto HenryUS , 1953

Henry Fondanoun a Honda 90 motorcycle Rhyming slang, used by

(prospective) London taxi drivers; the Honda 90 is the machine of

preference when theyDO THE KNOWLEDGE UK , 1998

Henry IVnounthe human immunodeficiency virusUS , 2001

Henry the Eighthnouneight grams of cocaineUS , 1993

Henry the Fourthnounfour grams of cocaineUS , 1993

Henry the Thirdnouna piece of excrement Rhyming slang for

TURD AUSTRALIA , 1971

Henry was herenounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycleUK:

WALES , 2000

hen’s nightnouna woman-only pre-wedding party held for the

bride-to-be The counterpart of theBUCK’S PARTY AUSTRALIA , 1994

hen’s teethnounthe epitome of that which is exceedingly rare

AUSTRALIA , 1965

hentaiadjectiveovertly pornographic A Japanese term, usually

applied to a style of Japanese animation; one of only a few

Japanese terms to have worked its way into unconventional

English usage, thanks to pornographic websites on the Internet

JAPAN , 1996

hepnounhepatitisUS , 1967

hepadjective1awareUS , 1903.2in step with the latest fashion, latest

music and latest slangUS , 1942

hepatic roundsnounused in a hospital as a humorous code for a

drinking party to be held on hospital groundsUS , 1989

hepatitis rollnouna meat and salad roll Used by Australian troops

during the Vietnam conflict to refer to such rolls commonly sold

by street vendors, and reputed to be the cause of gastrointestinal

and other complaintsAUSTRALIA , 1988

Hepburn’s Hussarsnouna special police force organised by Ontario

Premier Mitch Hepburn to deal with an Oshawa car workers’ strike

CANADA , 1946

hep cat; hepped catnouna fan of jazz or swing music; a stylish

and fashionable manUS , 1938

hepponounhepatitisAUSTRALIA , 1987

heppo rollnouna hepatitis rollAUSTRALIA , 1988

hep squarenouna person who lives a conventional life but has

some awareness of unconventional lifestylesUS , 1972

herbverbto assault a weak personUS , 1995

herbaladjectivepertaining to marijuanaUS , 1995

herbal blissnounMDMA, the recreational drug best known asecstasyUK , 2003

herbal ecstasynouna substance that is not restricted by drugcontrol legislation and is claimed to be a natural substitute forMDMAUK , 2004

herbalsnounmarijuanaUS , 1995

herb and a’nounmarijuana and alcohol A lazy clipping ofHERB

AND AL US , 1980s

Herb and Al; Herbie and Alnounmarijuana and alcoholUS , 1981

herbertnoun1a mischievous child or youth Quite often heard as

‘little herbert’UK , 1999.2a harmless youth; a ridiculous man Anextension of the previous senseUK , 1960.3a man in a specifiedfield of endeavourUK , 1956

Herbienounin Antarctica, a powerful blizzardANTARCTICA , 1987

Herbie Alleynounthe passage between Black Island and WhiteIsland, through which fast-moving Antarctic blizzards develop

herculesnounespecially potent phencyclidine, the recreational drugknown as PCP or angel dustUS , 1981

herdnoun1a packet of Camel™ cigarettesUS , 1945.2a quantity ofsomethingIRELAND , 1991

Herdnoun< The Herdthe 173rd Airborne Brigade, US Army.The first major US combat unit sent to VietnamUS , 1991

herdverbin hot rodding, to drive (a hot rod)US , 1933

herdernoun1a prison guard assigned to a prison yardUS , 1992.2inhorse racing, a jockey or horse that forces the other horses tobunch up behind itUS , 1951.3on the railways, a yard pointsmanUS , 1930

here and therenouna chair Rhyming slang, always used in fullUK , 1992

here’s howused as a toastUK , 1896

here we go; here we go againused for registering resignation atthe commencement of an anticipated, predictable or otherwiseundesirable eventUK , 1954

her indoors; ‘er indoors; ’ernounthe wife of the user Coined for

television comedy drama series Minder,1979–94 UK , 1984

Herman Finknounink Rhyming slangUK , 1960

Herman the Germannounthe penisUS , 1991

hermitnouna poker player wearing headphones during playUS , 1996

heronoun1heroinUS , 1953.2a surfer whose opinion of his own skillsexceeds his actual skillsUS , 1985

hero gearnounenemy paraphernalia taken from the battlefieldUS , 1961

heroinanounheroinUS , 1994

herone heroin

hero of the underworldnounheroin An elaboration ofHERO

(heroin)US , 1986

heroxnoun4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylaimine, a mild

hallucinogenUS , 1995

herring and kipper; herringnouna striptease dancer Rhyming

slang forSTRIPPER UK , 1992

herringbonernouna dairy farmerNEW ZEALAND , 2002

herring chokernoun1a person from New Brunswick or elsewhere

in the Canadian Maritime ProvincesUS , 1899.2a ScandanavianUS ,

1936

herring snappernouna ScandanavianUS , 1930

herselfnouna wife, your wife, a female partnerIRELAND , 1989

Hershey Highwaynounthe rectumUS , 1973

Hershey roadnounthe rectumUS , 1974

Hershey squirtsnoundiarrhoea A joking if unpleasant allusion to

Hershey™ chocolateUS , 1972

he-shenouna man living as a woman, either as a transvestite or

transsexual; an effeminate maleUS , 1871

hesher; heshen; heshnouna fan of heavy metal musicUS , 1997

hesh girl; hash girlnouna prostitute who works in cheap drinking

establishments Urban and township slangSOUTH AFRICA , 1973

he shoots! he scores!used for celebrating a minor accomplish

-ment From the television programme Saturday Night Live US , 1991

hesitation marksnounscars on the inner wrist from failed suicide

attemptsUS , 1972

hesslenounheroinUK , 1998

hetadjective heterosexual US , 1972

hetboynoun a heterosexual male Internet shorthand US , 1995

heternoun a heterosexual UK , 1980

heteronoun a heterosexual UK , 1933

hetgirlnoun a heterosexual female Internet shorthand US , 1995

het up; all het upadjectiveexcited From a dialect variation of

‘heated’ or ‘heated up’US , 1909

hexnouna number sign (#) on a computer keyboardUS , 1991

hexynounhexamine (a solid fuel provided in small blocks) Military

UK , 1995

hey?1pardon? Used alone or as the introduction to a question that

is formed using a standard interrogativeSOUTH AFRICA , 1961.2used at

the end of a question for emphasis or as a means of demanding a

responseSOUTH AFRICA , 1969

heyused as a discourse break that raises emphasis or focusUS , 1974

hey-diddle-diddlenouna swindle, a deception Rhyming slang for

FIDDLE UK: SCOTLAND , 1988

hey-heynouna good timeUS , 1985

hey now1used as a greetingUS , 1946.2used for getting attentionUS ,

1987

hey-presto!a command used by stage magicians; hence, used for

registering a sudden or surprising transformation; cynically used

for ‘as if by magic’ when a predictable change occursUK , 1731

hey rubenouna fight between swindlers of any sort and their

victimsUS , 1900

hey, rube!used as an insider request for help in a fight Originally

and principally an expression used in the circus and carnivalsUS ,

1900

hey-younounan uncouth or insolent person From the signature

conversational gambit employed by such peopleUK: SCOTLAND , 1988

HFHused as a jaded abbreviation of a jaded ‘ho-fucking-hum’US ,

1990

H-headnouna habitual user of heroinUK , 1978

HHOJ; HHOKused in computer message shorthand to mean

‘ha-ha only joking’ or ‘‘ha-ha-‘ha-ha only kidding’ US , 1991

hi-ballnouna central nervous system stimulant, especially

hiccupnouna fault in administration, an interruption to anysmooth-running procedureUK , 1974

hiccupverbin computing when transferring data, to inadvertentlyskip some data or send some data twiceUS , 1995

hicknounan unsophisticated, simple person from the far ruralreaches A familiar form of ‘Richard’ Now chiefly US useUK , 1565

hickeynoun1a bruise on the skin caused by a partner’s mouthduring foreplay; a suction kissUS , 1942.2a favourable movie review

US , 1997.3in dominoes, a type of side betUS , 1981.4in pool, a ruleinfractionUS , 1992

Hickeynouna notional province where there are no manners orcourtesyBARBADOS , 1965

hickory dickory dock; hickory dickorynouna clock Rhymingslang; an elaboration ofDICKORY DOCK, from the nursery rhymewhich continues ‘A mouse ran up the clock’UK , 1998

hiddyadjective1drunkUS , 1989.2hideousUS , 1990

hidenoun1the human skinUK , 1607.2impudence; effrontery; cheek

AUSTRALIA , 1902.3a walletUS , 1932.4a horseUS , 1934.5in hot rodding,

a tyreUS , 1960

hideverb< hide the salamito have sex ‘Sausage’ as ‘penis’imagery; a variation of the earlierHIDE-THE-WEENIE US , 1983

hide and seeknounimpudence Rhyming slang for ‘cheek’UK , 1992

hideawaynouna pocketUS , 1945

hi-de-hia greeting, answered by ‘ho-de-ho’ First recorded duringWorld War 2; adopted by Jimmy Perry and David Croft as the title(and catchphrase) of a television situation comedy set in a 1950sholiday camp (BBC, 1980–88); the call and response greeting isstill heard, but often ironicUK , 1941

hideolaadjectiveugly A variation of conventional ‘hideous’UK , 1992

hidesnoundrums Jazz slangUK , 1986

hide-the-baloneynounsexual intercourseUS , 1973

hide-the-sausagenounsexual intercourseAUSTRALIA , 1971

hide-the-weenienounsexual intercourseUS , 1968

hideynounthe children’s game hide and seekAUSTRALIA , 1957

hi diddle diddlenoun1middle, especially the middle of a dartboard Rhyming slangUK , 1992.2a swindle, a deceptionUK , 1992.3aviolin, a fiddle Rhyming slangUK , 1998

hidingnouna beating; a heavy defeatUK , 1809

hiding to nothingnoun< on a hiding to nothingfaced with asituation in which any outcome is unfavourableUK , 1905

hidsadjectivelacking fashion sense An abbreviation of the tional ‘hideous’US , 2002

conven-hidy-hole; hidey-holenouna hiding placeUK , 1817

hidy-ho, neighborused as a humorous greeting A catchphrase

salutation from the US television comedy Home Improvements

(ABC, 1991–99) Repeated with referential humourUS , 1991

hifalutinadjective 8see:HIGHFALUTIN

higgledy-piggledyadjectivein a confused jumble Probably derived

as a rhyming elaboration of the disordered huddle in which pigsexistUK , 1598

highnoun1the sensation produced by consuming drugs or alcohol

US , 1944.2a sense of exhilaration, unrelated to drugsUS , 1970

HighnounMiller High Life™ beerUS , 1967

highadjective1drunk or drug-intoxicatedUK , 1627.2under the ence of a drug, especially marijuanaUS , 1931.3bad-smelling

influ-TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1935.< at high warbleangry, especiallywithout justification Naval aviator usageUS , 1986

high and lightadjectivepleasantly drug-intoxicatedUS , 1952

high and mighty; high-and-mightyadjectivearrogant, imperious

UK , 1825

high and tightnouna man’s haircut in which the sides of the headare shaved and a quarter-inch of hair is left on top A military termfor a military haircutUS , 1988

high as a kiteadjectivevery drunk or drug-intoxicated Rhyming

high-assadjectivehaughty; arrogantUS , 1931

highballnoun1in the used car business, a knowingly inflated price

US , 1975.2a signal to a train engineer to increase speedUS , 1897.3a

glass of milkUS , 1946

highballverb1to travel fastUS , 1912.2to see Probably playing on

EYEBALL US , 1965

high beamsnoun1erect nipples on a woman’s breasts seen

through a garmentUS , 1986.2the wide open eyes of a person

under the influence of crack cocaineUS , 1994

high bountiousadjectivevery bad-smellingTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

highboynounin hot rodding, a coupe, sedan or roadster that sits on

top of the frame rails at stock height, that has not been lowered

US , 1968

highbrownouna person of superior intellectual quality or interests;

a person who affects interests that imply an intellectual superiority

US , 1907

highbrowadjectiveof superior intellectual quality or interestUK , 1884

high-brownadjectiveof mixed black and white heritage Originally

white usage, then adopted by African-AmericansUS , 1915

high campnounan ostentatious, highly mannered style A refined

variation ofCAMP US , 1966

high capverbto brag, to banter, to gossipUS , 1990

high divernouna person who enjoys or excels at performing oral

sex on women A construction built on the image of going down

US , 1981

high dragnounelaborate female clothing worn by a manUS , 1963

higher-highernounthe upper echelons of military commandUS , 1991

highfalutin; hifalutinadjectiveabsurdly pompous, snobbish

Probably an elaboration of ‘high-flown’ or similar; ‘highfaluting’

(the ‘g’ is optional) was originally hyphenated which lends strength

to this etymology Yiddish hifelufelem (ostentatious, self-glorifying)

is also possibleUS , 1839

high fivenoun1a greeting or sign of approval accomplished by

slapping open palms with arms extended above head-level The

greeting and term originated in sport but quickly spreadUS , 1980.

2HIV A construction based on an abbreviation of ‘high’ to ‘hi’

and conversion of ‘V’ to the Roman numeral fiveUS , 2003

high fiveverbto raise your open hand above your head and slap it

against the open hand of someone elseUS , 1981

high furnounthe refuelling of a hovering helicopterUS , 1991

high gradenounmarijuana Recorded by a Jamaican inmate of a

UK prison, August 2002UK , 2002

high hard onenounforceful sexUS , 1986

high hatnounopium From an earlier sense (a large opium pill)US ,

1896

high-hat; high-hattedadjectivesnobbish, superior, superciliousUS ,

1924

high-heel boynouna paratrooperUS , 1948

high holynounin the usage of counterculturalists associated with

the Rainbow Nation gatherings, an older, experienced member of

the counterculture Often used with a degree of irony and lack of

reverenceUS , 1997

high horsenouna position of arrogant superiorityUS , 1947

high ironnounthe main line of a railwayUS , 1930

high-jiveverbto tease, to taunt, to belittleUS , 1938

high jumpnouna court higher than a local magistrate’sAUSTRALIA ,

1944.< be for the high jump1to be faced with a severe official

reprimand or punishment Of military origin With variations ‘be

up for the high jump’ and ‘be in for the high jump’UK , 1919.2to

be engaged to be marriedIRELAND , 1992

highland flingnounto sing Rhyming slang, credited to a 1950s

recording by Billy Cotton and Alan BreezeUK , 1992

highlighternouna political leader or spokesman among prisoners

US , 1976

highly

highly illogicaladjectiveillogical A signature line of the Vulcan Mr

Spock on the first incarnation of Star Trek (NBC, 1966–69).

Repeated with referential humourUS , 1968

high maintenanceadjective(used of a person) requiring a great deal

of attention and/or money; needyUS , 1989

highnessnoun< her highness; his highnessyour spouse.Affectionately ironicUK , 1961

high noonnoun1in craps, a roll of twelveUS , 1982.2a spoon.Rhyming slang, formed from the title of the 1952 filmUK , 1992

high-noseverbto snub; to ignoreUS , 1954

high numbernounan especially fashionable member of the Modyouth fashion movementUK , 1986

high octaneadjectivecaffeinated Borrowing from the language ofcar fuel for application to the world of coffee drinks and, to alesser extent, soft drinksUS , 1995

high off the hogadverbprosperouslyUS , 1970

high playnounshowy spending designed to impressUS , 1972

high pocketsnounthe stature of a tall, thin manUS , 1912

high pullernouna devoted player of casino slot machines, especiallythose with higher bets and higher payouts A play on the term

HIGH ROLLER US , 1985

high-ridernouna car or truck that has been structurally altered toride very high; a person who drives such a car or truckUS , 1982

high-ridersnountrousers worn above the waistUS , 1975

highrollverbto spend freely and to live fastUS , 1975

high rollernoun1a gambler who makes large bets and spendsfreelyUS , 1881.2in television and film-making, a large, tall, three-legged light standUS , 1990

high rollingadjectivematerially successful FromHIGH ROLLER(a bigspender)US , 1890

highsnounin pool, the striped balls numbered 9 to 15US , 1990

high-school Harrietnouna high-school girl who is dating a collegeboyUS , 1966

high-school Harrynounan immature college male; a typical school studentUS , 1959

high-high-school horsenounin horse racing, a racehorse that seems towin only when the odds are very high Based on the humoroussuggestion that the horse is so smart it can read the posted odds

high-sideverbto show offUS , 1965

high speed, low dragadjectivecompetent, reliable, dependable.Vietnam war usageUS , 1991

high sphincter tonenounsaid of a person with a high degree ofinhibition and a conservative natureUS , 1994

high spotnounthe outstanding part or feature of somethingUK , 1926

high steppernounpepper Rhyming slangUK , 1992

hightailverbto move very quickly Almost always used with ‘it’US , 1919

high teanouna social gathering of male homosexualsUS , 1981

high tidenounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS , 1970

high-upnouna person of high rank or importanceUK , 1929

high waistnounvigorous sex The ‘high’ suggests the woman’sability to lift the man up from below during sexTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

high-waistadjective(used of a woman) skilled at sexTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

high wall jobnouna burglary that requires climbingUK , 1996

high-watersnounlong trousers that are too short or short trousers