Dictionary of Unconventional English_11 pot

Rhyming slang, based on the popular song by Jamaican-born Carl DouglasUK , 2002 kunkanounthe vaginaBAHAMAS , 1982 kunkunnounthe vaginaTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003 kushnounin circus and car

kumbanounmarijuanaUK , 1998

kung-fu fighternouna lighter Rhyming slang, based on the popular

song by Jamaican-born Carl DouglasUK , 2002

kunkanounthe vaginaBAHAMAS , 1982

kunkunnounthe vaginaTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

kushnounin circus and carnival usage, moneyUS , 1981

kushempengnounmarijuanaUK , 2001

kustomadjectivecustomUS , 1965

kutchie; kutchinounmarijuana Derived fromKOUTCHIE(a

marijuana pipe)JAMAICA , 1972

Kuwaiti tankernounused as an all-purpose form of abuse

Rhyming slang forWANKER UK , 1998

kvellverbto overflow with joyful pride YiddishUS , 1967

kvetchverbto complain, gripe, whine Yiddish, used by those who

know only five words of the languageUS , 1950

kwaaiadjective1bad, bad-tempered, aggressive From Afrikaans

kwaad (bad, evil) SOUTH AFRICA , 1955.2used as an expression ofapproval; great, excellent, cool A reversal of the existing sense onthe good-equals-bad formulaSOUTH AFRICA , 1974

K-wobblernouna Kenworth truckUS , 1986

K-wordnounkaffir (a black person, especially a black African); alsoapplied in an adjectival sense Euphemistic for all South Africansenses, and offensive in all senses, whether abbreviated or usedconventionallySOUTH AFRICA , 1982

KYnounany sexual lubricant From the branded name of KY Jelly™

US , 1971

KYnicknamethe federal narcotic treatment hospital in Lexington,KentuckyUS , 1962

kyaw-kyawnounsarcastic laughter Also used as a verbUS , 1946

kybonoun an outdoor toilet From a children’s acronym – ‘keep your bowels in order’ US , 1972

Lnoun1LSDUK , 1969.2marijuana Rap and hip-hop slangUS , 1993.

3elevation A surfer ‘gets L’ when his surfboard soars high into

the air on an aerial moveUS , 1991.< take an Lto lose a game

From the designation in newspapers of ‘wins and losses’ as ‘W’s

and L’s’US , 1999

L-12nounan extremely social outcast The ‘L’ is for ‘loser’, twelve

timesUS , 1993

L7; l-sevennouna staid person who is uninterested in or

unsympathetic to the fashionable interests of teenagers The

shapes of L and 7 can combine to form aSQUARE(a conventional

person) This slang may be entirely gestural in expression: the

forefinger and thumb on each hand extended at right angles, left

(L) and right (7) combining to make the shape of a squareUS , 1956

L8Radverbused in text messaging, to mean ‘later’ One of several

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

the homophone ‘eight’UK , 2003

LAnounany amphetamine or other central nervous system

stimu-lant A shortened form of ‘long-acting’ orLA TURNABOUT US , 1986

LAnicknameLos Angeles, CaliforniaUS , 1901

la; la-lanouna toilet An abbreviated ‘lavatory’NEW ZEALAND , 1998

8see:LAR

labnoun1a laboratory UK , 1895.2a Labrador dog Also variants

‘labbie’ and ‘labby’UK , 1984

labbenounthe vagina Possibly derived from ‘labia’US , 1998

labelnounthe name by which a person is knownUS , 1928

labial contactnouna kiss; kissingUS , 1947

labor skatenouna trade union officialUS , 1930

Labournoun< the Labourthe Labour Exchange, later the Job

Centre (government offices where unemployed persons must

register to search for work as a condition for the receipt of state

benefits)UK , 1964

labour day junkienounsomeone who uses heroin only

occasion-allyIRELAND , 1996

labradoodlenouna crossbreed of labrador and poodleUS , 2001

la buenanoun heroin From Spanish buena (good) UK , 2003

lacnouna CadillacUS , 1990

lacenoun1a combination of marijuana and cocaineUK , 1998.

2moneyUS , 1971

laceverbto have sexual intercourse The female is seen here as a

drink to be ‘laced’ by the male’s semenUS , 1996.< lace up your

bootsto prepare for a fightUS , 1998

lace cardnoun1a computer punch card with all the holes punched

outUS , 1991.2the foreskin of an uncircumcised penisUS , 1941

lace curtainnounbeer Rhyming slang, formed on the name of

Burton, and originally applied only to beers from that breweryUK ,

1961

lace-curtain Irishnounmiddle-class Irish-American or Irish

immigrantsUS , 1934

lace-curtain lesbiannouna lesbian whose mannerisms and

affectations do not suggest her sexual preferenceUS , 1969

lacedadjectivedrug-intoxicated, especially marijuana-intoxicatedUS ,

lackadjectivelacking money, style or both Hawaiian youth usageUS ,

lackerynoun< give them lackerya beatingIRELAND , 1989

ladnoun< bit of a lada young man who is full of self-confidencewith which he pursues sensual ambitions An elaboration of ‘lad’

UK , 1960.< one of the ladsa woman, especially a young woman,who is seen to be on equal terms with, or part of a society of,menUK , 2003.< the lad1the penisUK , 2001.2cancer ortuberculosisIRELAND , 1997.< the ladsmale friends, the men of aregular social group, team, etcUK , 1896

laddernounthe main track in a railway yardUS , 1946

laddienounin a deck of playing cards, a jackUS , 1988

laddishadjectiveused, often disapprovingly, of the lively behaviour ofyoung men responding to those things (alcohol, sport, sex) thatappeal to themUK , 1841

laddishnessnounthe lively behaviour of young men responding tothose things (alcohol, sport, sex) that appeal to themUK , 1886

laddonouna spirited youth, a bit of a lad Slightly patronising

la di danoun the Daily Star newspaper Rhyming slang UK , 1998

la-di-da; la-di-dahverbto behave in an affectedly cultured manner,when noted from a lower social stationUK , 1964

la-di-da; la-di-dahadjectivepertaining to the affectedly culturedspeech and manners of the upper-classes, especially when notedfrom a lower social station; hence, pretentious Jocular orpejorative usageUS , 1890

la-di-dah; lardy; la-di-danouna cigar Rhyming slang, cleverlyechoing theLA-DI-DAHstatus of a cigar smokerUK , 1991

ladies’ aidnounin pool, a device used to support the cue stick for ahard-to-reach shot As the terminology suggests, the device isscorned by skilled playersUS , 1990

ladies a plate, gents a crateused in party invitations to requestfemale guests to bring a dish of food and male guests to bringsomething to drinkNEW ZEALAND , 1984

ladies’ delightnounthe penisUK , 2003

ladies’ mannouna man who pays great attention to women; awomaniserAUSTRALIA , 1901

lads-magnouna commercial publication that targets young menwith aspirational features on hedonistic lifestyles and, in particular,pictures of semi-naked young womenUK , 2000

ladynoun1a prostituteUS , 1972.2a homosexual man An example of

CAMPtrans-gender assignmentUK , 1932.3in a deck of playing cards,

a queenUS , 1900.4cocaineUS , 1974

ladyadjectiveeffeminate Recorded in contemporary gay useUK , 2003

ladybitsnounthe female genitalsUK , 2003

Lady Blameynouna drinking glass made by cutting the top off abottle using a kerosene-soaked string Taught to the troops by LadyBlamey, the wife of Sir Thomas Blamey, commander of AlliedLand Forces in the south-west PacificAUSTRALIA , 1945

ladyboynouna person with mixed sexual physiology, usually thegenitals of a male and surgically augmented breasts; a pre-surgerytranssexual or a transvestite A term used most often in associ-ation with the sex industry in Bangkok, Thailand The firstwidespread use of the term was in association with a television

lady cainenouncocaine A compound ofLADY(cocaine) andCAINE

lady from Bristolnouna pistol Rhyming slangUK , 1968

Lady Godiva; godiva; ladynouna five-pound note or the sum of

£5 Rhyming slang for aFIVER; an appropriately financial allusion to

the C11 English noblewoman who rode naked through Coventry to

protest against taxes – according to the legend which arose in the

C13UK , 1960

lady in the red dressnounthe bleed period of the menstrual

cycle An elaboration on red imagery stressing the feminine nature

of the termUS , 1999

lady in waitingnounin male homosexual usage, a man who loiters

in or near public toilets in the hope of sexual encountersUS , 1981

Lady Janenouna common-law wife or girlfriendCANADA , 1987

ladykillernouna man who is sexually fascinating to womenUK , 1811

lady lucknoungood fortune personifiedUK , 1205

Lady Mucknouna woman who is, in the speaker’s opinion,

unjustifiably self-important or esteemed The counterpart toLORD

MUCK UK , 1957

lady of the nightnouna prostituteUK , 1925

Lady SnownouncocaineUS , 1967

lady’s waistnouna small, waisted glass for serving alcoholic drinks

AUSTRALIA , 1934

Lafayettenouna bet Rhyming slangAUSTRALIA , 1989

laffnouna laughUK , 1962

laffverbto laughUK , 1997

laffmeisternouna comedian A combination ofLAFF(a laugh) and

German meister (a master, a champion) UK , 2002

lagnoun1a convict who has been imprisoned for many yearsUK ,

1812.2an act of urination A survival from the obsolete verb form

UK , 1979

lagverb1to inform against a personAUSTRALIA , 1832.2to arrestUK ,

1835.3to be serving a prison sentence Originally, ‘to be

transported for a crime’UK , 1927.4to urinate From an earlier sense

as ‘water’ A variant spelling is ‘lage’UK , 2002

lagenouna convict A variation ofLAG UK , 2002

lager loutnouna hooligan fuelled by alcohol, especially lagerUK , 1987

laggedadjective1exhausted, especially from travelling An

abbrevi-ation of conventional ‘jet lagged’ (suffering disrupted body

rhythms as a result of flying across time zones), from ‘lag’ (to fail

to keep pace)UK , 1999.2drunk Also ‘lagged up’UK , 2000

laggernoun1a contact man in a smuggling enterpriseUS , 1956.2an

informer to the police or authoritiesAUSTRALIA , 1967

laggingnouna prison sentenceUK , 1812

lagging boatnouna drunkUK , 2000

LA glassnouna smokeable methamphetamine that does not

dissolve rapidlyUS , 1989

LahnounLos Angeles, California Rarely heard, and then in northern

California and derisivelyUS , 1978

lahdee; lahdieadjectivesmart or fashionable FromLA-DI-DA

(pretentious)UK , 1973

lah-di-dah; lah-dinouna famous entertainer, a star Rhyming slang

UK , 1979

laid-backadjectiverelaxed, passive, easy-goingUS , 1969

laid in the aisleadjectivevery well dressedUS , 1971

laid outadjectivedrunk to the point of passing outUS , 1928

laid, relayed and parlayedadjectivethoroughly taken advantage of

There are multiple variants of the third element – ‘waylaid’,

lairnouna person who dresses and behaves in a showy manner.Back-formation fromLAIRY A term of great contemptAUSTRALIA , 1923

lairverbto behave in a showy, ostentatious way; to be a lair

lakbay divanoun a dark leafed marijuana Diva is ‘goddess’ in Latin;

‘lacbay’ is Pig Latin forBLACK; this marijuana is a ‘black goddess’

lakesternounin hot rodding, a car with a streamlined body andexposed wheels, designed for racing on dry lake bedsUS , 1993

la-lanouna toiletAUSTRALIA , 1963

lalanounthe vaginaBAHAMAS , 1982

La-La LandnounLos Angeles, CaliforniaUS , 1972

lalapaloozenounin poker, a hand that entitles the player to specialpayment from all other playersUS , 1988

laldynoun< give it laldyto do something enthusiastically, or withgreat vigour Glasgow slangUK: SCOTLAND , 1985.< give someone laldyto beat or thrash someone Glasgow slangUK: SCOTLAND , 1985

lally; lallie; lall; lallette; lyle; lally-pegnounthe leg Polari;usually in the pluralUK , 1967

lally-coversnountrousers Polari, fromLALLY(the leg)UK , 2002

lally-dragsnountrousers Polari; a combination ofLALLY(the leg) and

DRAG(clothing)UK , 2002

lamnoun1in cheating schemes, a victim The victims are like

‘lambs to slaughter’ (easily duped)UK , 1668.2a young, looking male prisoner recently arrived at prison, identified as aneasy sexual conquest by the population of sexual predatorsUS , 1922.

innocent-< on the lamrunning away; trying to escapeUS , 1928.< take it

on the lamto escape, to run awayUS , 1990

lamverbto escape, especially from prisonUS , 1886

lamb-brainedadjectivefoolishNEW ZEALAND , 1998

lamb downverbto defraud a worker out of their entire season pay packet by keeping them drunk until it is all spent NowhistoricalAUSTRALIA , 1850

end-of-Lambeth Walknounchalk Rhyming slang, used by snooker andpool playersUK , 1992

lambsbreadnounmarijuana from Jamaica, with especially largebudsJAMAICA , 2002

lamb’s tonguenouna five-dollar noteUS , 1950

lamenouna naive, conventional, law-abiding personUS , 1960

lameadjective1unfashionable, weak, unspiritedUS , 1935.2short ofmoneyUS , 1988

lamebrainnouna fool, an idiotUS , 1919

lame-brainedadjectivestupidUS , 1929

lame ducknoun1a person or organisation that is handicapped ordisadvantagedUK , 1761.2an act of sexual intercourse Rhymingslang forFUCK UK , 2003

lamed-vovnik

lame-onouna fool, an idiot The suffix ‘-o’ is used here to create a

noun from an adjectiveUS , 1977

lamernounan uninformed Internet user who passes himself off as

an expertUS , 1997

lame rapnounan unfounded arrestUS , 1971

lame stainnouna completely inept, despised personUS , 1997

lamingtonnouna type of small, oblong sponge cake covered with

chocolate and desiccated coconut Probably named after Lord

Lamington, governor of Queensland 1895–1901AUSTRALIA , 1909

lamisternouna fugitive from justiceUS , 1955

lammienouna lamingtonAUSTRALIA , 1998

lammonouna lamingtonAUSTRALIA , 1987

lamonouna person lacking fashion sense and social skillsUS , 1993

lam offverbto escape, to run away An elaboration ofLAM UK , 2003

lamornoun a kiss Possibly from French l’amour (love) UK , 2002

lampnoun1the eye Usually used in the pluralUK , 1811.2a lookUS ,

1926

lampverb1to lookUS , 1907.2to hit, to beatUK , 1954.3to pass time

idly, without purposeUS , 1988

lampedadjectivedrunkUK , 2002

lampersnounthe eyesUS , 1973

lamp habitnounan opium addictionUS , 1949

lamp mannounan electrician, especially in the theatreUS , 1952

lampsnounfemale breastsIRELAND , 1993

lamsternouna fugitive from justice or retributionUS , 1904

lance-comicalnouna lance corporalUK , 1995

lance jacknouna lance corporal Army slangUK , 1912

Lancy; Lankynouna Lancashire – hence, loosely, also a Yorkshire –

employee on the railwaysUK , 1970

landnoun1a frightIRELAND , 1992.2a neighbourhoodUS , 1989.< on

the landmaking a living by farming or other rural occupation

AUSTRALIA , 1902

landverbto succeed in gettingUK , 1854

land icingnounmanure Variant ‘land dressing’ is a term for the

same thingCANADA , 1992

Landienouna Land Rover vehicleAUSTRALIA , 1992

landing decknounthe top of the headUS , 1947

landing gearnoun1the legsUS , 1941.2on an articulated lorry, the

supports that prop up the trailer when it is unhitchedUS , 1971

landing stripnouna woman’s pubic hair trimmed into the shape

of a narrow vertical bar A visual comparisonUS , 2000

landladynouna brothel madameUS , 1879

land linenouna conventional telephone line, as distinguished from

a mobile phone or radioUS , 1987

land of cakesnoun(from the perspective of people on Nova Scotia

islands) the mainlandCANADA , 1984

land of hopenounsoap Rhyming slangUK , 1961

land of the big PXnounthe United States The US seen in its

commercial glory as one big PX (supermarket/department store)

lane; lain; lainenouna sucker, a gullible victimUS , 1933

lane lousenouna driver who appears oblivious to traffic lanesUS ,

1962

lang < on the langplaying truantIRELAND , 1998

langarnounthe penis, also used figuratively as a foolIRELAND , 2002

langerated

langered; langersadjective drunk From Scottish langer (weariness);

ultimately conventional English ‘langour’IRELAND , 1982

languagenounbad language, swearing, obscene speechUK , 1886

Language of the Gardennounin Cape Breton, GaelicCANADA , 2000

languidadjectiveutterly relaxedUS , 1987

Lankynouna native of LancashireUK , 1972 8see:LANCY

Lankyadjectiveof LancashireUK: ENGLAND , 1972

Lao greennouna greenish marijuana grown in Southeast Asia,smoked by US troops in VietnamUS , 1991

Laotian rednouna reddish marijuana, purported to have beengrown in LaosUS , 1990

lap dancenounan intimate sexual performance, involving somedegree of physical contact between a female performer and asitting maleUS , 1988

lap danceverbto engage in a sexual performance in which awoman dancer, scantily clad if at all, grinds her buttocks into asitting male customer’s lapUS , 1993

lap dancernouna woman who performs lap dances in a sex club

US , 1985

La Perousenounalcoholic drink Rhyming slang forBOOZE; from thename of a Sydney suburbAUSTRALIA , 1981

lap jobnounan act of oral sex on a womanUS , 1969

lappernounthe handUK , 2002

lappynounin Queensland, a circuit of a street block in a vehicledone, especially repeatedly, for entertainmentAUSTRALIA , 2003

lap up; lap it upverb1to enjoy receiving flattery; to enthusiasticallyenjoy any distraction or entertainmentUK , 1890.2to approve of andenjoyUK , 1890

lar; lah; lanounused to address a companion or friend MainlyLiverpool useUK , 1982

larcenyverbto manipulate through insincere flatteryUS , 1960

lardnounmoneyUK , 1954

lard-ass; lard-arsenounan overweight personUS , 1918

lard-assed; lard-arsedadjectivefat; in the manner of a fat person

LARD-larfnounnonsense, rubbishUS , 1966

Largactil shufflenounthe stumbling walk of a heavily sedated

prisoner Largactil™ is a brand name for chlorpromazine, an

anti-psychotic drugUK , 1996

largenounin betting, the largest wagering unitAUSTRALIA , 1989.

< give it the largeto boast, to bragUK , 2001

largeverbto live an extreme and hedonistic lifestyle to its fullestextentUK , 2001

largeadjective1famous, successfulUS , 2001.2enthusiasticUS , 1967.

3very enjoyable, wonderfulUS , 1874.< have it large; give it large; have itto enjoy in a very enthusiastic or excessive fashion

UK , 1999

largeadverbimpressively, (of a lifestyle) in an excessive, successful,comfortable or self-indulgent mannerUS , 1883

large chargenouna big thrillUS , 1951

large chest for sale; large chest for sale – no drawersused

by prostitutes as an advertising slogan A punning euphemism,certainly familiar from shopwindow postcards in the 1970sUK , 2001

large one; largenounone thousand US dollars; one thousandpounds sterlingUS , 1972

large-type extreme

larknoun1a light-hearted adventure, a spreeUK , 1802.2a line of work

UK , 1934

larkverbto be criminally active Puns on the senses ‘a line of work’

and ‘behaving mischievously’UK , 1958

lark about; lark aroundverbto have fun by behaving foolishly or

mischievouslyUK , 1813

Larkinnoun< down to Larkin; for Larkinfree, gratis Possibly

fromLARKING(theft)UK , 1977

larkingnountheftUK , 1958

larmernounan alarmistBARBADOS , 1965

larney; lanienouna white man; a boss (it is possible to be both at

once) DerogatorySOUTH AFRICA , 1956

laroped; larruptadjectivedrunk Derives fromLARRUP(to thrash)UK ,

2002

larp; larpingnounthe adult activity of recreating fantasy, generally

quasi-mediaeval, adventures, such as those depicted in Tolkein’s

Lord of the Rings trilogy, usually performed with more enthusiasm

than skill or accuracy An acronym of ‘live-action role-play’ or

‘role-playing’ that first appeared in the early 1990s UK , 2003

larpernoun a live-action role-player From LARP UK , 2003

larrikinnoun1a trouble-making youth, usually a male; a thug or

tough From British dialect, recorded in Warwickshire and

Worcestershire; originally a term of the greatest contempt and the

youths so labelled were the subject of much C19 media hype

Journalist Nat Gould described them (1898) as ‘hideous-looking

fellows, whose features bear traces of unmistakable indulgence in

every loathsome vice’ The amelioration of the term relies on the

difference between a ‘healthy’ disregard for authority and social

convention and an ‘unhealthy’ oneAUSTRALIA , 1868.2a fun-loving,

good-natured mischief-maker; a scallywag Seen as typically

Australian and much romanticised in literature, as C.J Dennis’

character, the Sentimental Bloke Now the prevailing sense

AUSTRALIA , 1891

larrikinadjectiveof or befitting a larrikinAUSTRALIA , 1979

larrikinismnoun1delinquent behaviourAUSTRALIA , 1870.2

good-hearted playfulnessAUSTRALIA , 1987

larrupverbto beat, to thrash, to hit vigorouslyUK , 1823

larrupingnouna thrashing FromLARRUP(to beat)UK , 1889

larrynoun1in a card game, the player who has the last chance to

act in a given situationUS , 1950.2in carnival usage, an unprofitable

day or engagementUS , 1966.< doing a Larryworking as a locum

tenens, a (temporary) substitute in a professional medical position

UK , 2002

Larryadjectivein circus and carnival usage, worthlessUS , 1939

Larry Cadotanouna worthless novelty sold in the circus or carnival

US , 1980

larry-dooleynouna beating; a hiding Origin unknown There is

possibly a connection with a boxer named Larry Foley (1890s), but

this seems hardly creditableAUSTRALIA , 1946

larval stagenounthe initial burst of enthusiastic and single-minded

focus experienced by computer enthusiastsUS , 1991

laseverbto print a document on a laser printerUS , 1991

lashnoun1an attempt; a try-out; a go From the earlier sense (a

fight; fighting) Often in such phrases as ‘have a lash at’, ‘give it a

lash’, etcAUSTRALIA , 1840.2an act of urinationUK , 2001.< on the

lashenagaged in a hedonistic, alcohol-inspired quest for pleasure

UK , 2002

lashverbto dispose of Extends the sense ofLASH(an act of

urination)UK , 2001.< lash intoto do something in a vigorous

manner From Irish dialectIRELAND , 2003

lashed; lashed upadjectivedrunk Possibly fromLASH-UP(a party) or

directly fromLASH(an act of urination), hence a variation ofPISSED

last callnoundeathUS , 1977

last card in the packnoun1a snack Theatrical rhyming slangUK ,

1960.2dismissal from employment Rhyming slang for ‘sack’;sometimes abbreviated to ‘last card’UK , 1992

last-card Louienounin stud poker, a player who stays in a handuntil his last card, improbably hoping for the one card that canproduce a winning handUS , 1951

last chancenounthe upper balcony in a cinema favoured by sexualsUS , 1966

homo-lastishnounthe most recently published issue of a single-interestfan magazineUS , 1982

last milenounin prison, the walk from the death cell to theexecution chamberUS , 1950

last of the big spenders; last of the big-time spendersnoun

used ironically of a mean person, or ruefully of yourselfAUSTRALIA , 1975

LA stopnouna rolling stop at a traffic signal or stop signUS , 1999

last-outnouna work shift that starts at approximately midnight andends eight hours laterUS , 1989

last rose of summernouna hospital patient with an melodramatic belief that death is nearUS , 1994

ever-last waltznounthe walk taken by a prisoner condemned to deathfrom the death cell to the execution chamberUS , 1945

last week’s paynounused in horse racing as the epitome of speed

AUSTRALIA , 1989

last year’s fun on wheelsnouna baby in a pramUS , 1976

lat; lats; lat-housenouna latrine Mainly military useUK , 1984

latchnouna railway engine throttleUS , 1977

latchverbto understandUS , 1938

latchiconouna ruffianIRELAND , 2003

latchkeyadjective(of a child) unsupervised at the end of the schoolday because of working parentsUS , 1944

latch lownounin trucking, a very low gearUS , 1946

lateadjective< late as Ellickproverbially lateBARBADOS , 1965

Late LatenicknameThe Late Late Show, a very popular and running television chat-show hosted by Gay ByrneIRELAND , 1995

long-late-late shownounany television show that airs very late at night

US , 1956

late-nightnoun1a bus ticket found on the street that is still valid.Prized by drug addicts desperate to raise funds to buy their nextdoseUS , 1989.2a party after a partyUS , 2001

late-nighter credit cardnouna length of rubber hose forsiphoning petrol out of other people’s carsCANADA , 1989

late night line; late nightnouncocaineUK , 2002

later; laters; lates; later on; lategoodbyeUS , 1954

later for that!I don’t like that idea at all!US , 1987

later for yougoodbyeUS , 1983

later, ’tatergoodbye An embellishedLATER, with the ‘tater’ (potato)used only for the sake of reduplicationUS , 1978

latexnouna condomUS , 1992

lathernouna condition of excitement; agitation, anxietyUK , 1839

latheredadjectivedrunkUK , 2002

Latinnouna Mexican, Latin American or Spanish-speaking personUS , 1964

latrine Genenouna soldier with a pathological need to be cleanUS , 1946

latrine lipsnouna citizens’ band radio user who employs a

latronicused as a farewell A corruption ofLATER ON US , 1991

latsnoun1the latissimus dorsi muscles on the lower back US , 1939.

2skis Used in Michigan’s Upper PeninsulaUS , 2003 8see:LAT

latteadjective pale Italian latte (milk), widely used for a style of milky

coffee, from which this derives – although latteo (milky) would be

more correct Recorded in contemporary gay useUK , 2003

lattie; lattynouna house or a flat PolariUK , 1859

LA turnabout; LA turnaroundnouna long-lasting amphetamine

US , 1970

lauverbto place PolariUK , 1967

laughnoun< a laughsomething funny, something merely

amusing, often used ironicallyUK , 1930

laughverbto be in a favourable positionAUSTRALIA , 1969.< be away

laughingto make a good startNEW ZEALAND , 1964.< laugh all the

way to the bankto be financially successful, especially in the

face of long odds or disapprovalUK , 1984.< laugh like a drainto

laugh noisily; to guffaw Referring to the noisy rushing of water

down a drain or plugholeUK , 1948.< laugh your bollocks offto

laugh uproariouslyUK , 2001.< laugh your nuts offto laugh

uproariously.NUTS(the testicles) punning onNUT(the head), hence

a dubious pun on the more conventional idiom ‘laugh your head

off’UK , 2000.< laugh your tits offto laugh a great dealUK , 1996

laugh and a joke; laughnouna smoke: a cigarette, a cigar, a pipe

or marijuana prepared for smoking Rhyming slangUK , 1880

laugh and scratchverbto inject a drug, especially heroin Derives

from physical reactionsUK , 1998

laughernounin sports, an easy and overwhelming victoryUS , 1961

laughing academynouna mental institutionUS , 1947

laughing boy; laughing girlnounused ironically as the title of a

gloomy-looking personUS , 1940

laughing Buddhanouna variety of LSDUK , 1996

laughing farmnouna mental institutionUS , 1965

laughing gearnounthe mouthNEW ZEALAND , 1964.< wrap your

laughing gear aroundto eatAUSTRALIA , 1962

laughing grassnounmarijuana Derives from the tendency to

laughter experienced by marijuana smokersUS , 1954

laughing jackassnoun a kookaburra, Dalceo novaeguineae; a

well-known Australian bird with a loud laugh-like call Now but a little

used termAUSTRALIA , 1798

laughing potatonouna new, dry potatoCANADA , 1998

laughing-sidesnounelastic-sided bootsAUSTRALIA , 1937

laughing tobacconounmarijuanaUK , 2003

laughing weednounmarijuana Derives from the tendency to

laughter experienced by marijuana smokersUS , 1925 8see also:

GIGGLEWEED

launchnounin drag racing, a quick and powerful startUS , 1993

launching padnoun1a place where LSD is taken Punning both on

PAD(a place) and LSD as ‘travel’US , 1971.2a lavatory seat in a

(moving) train Inspired by the image of an evacuation into space

UK , 1970

launderverbto pass ill-gotten gains through a system of changes

designed to legitimise their statusUK , 1973

laundromatnouna business used to legitimise money gained in

criminal enterprises A play onLAUNDER(to decriminalise money)

UK , 1998

laundrynoun1a business used by organised crime to give illegally

gained money the appearance of legitimacyUS , 1997.2in

homosex-ual usage, a bulge in a man’s crotch Humourous, suggesting that

the bulge is produced by something other than the man’s genitals

US , 1964

laundry queennounin circus and carnival usage, a female dancer

US , 1981

Laura Nordanounlaw and orderAUSTRALIA , 1971

Laurel and Hardynoun1Bacardi™ (a branded white rum)

Laurel (1890–1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892–1957)UK , 1992.2ayardie (a Jamaican gangster) Rhyming slang, based on filmcomedians Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892–1957)

UK , 2001

lavnoun1a wordUK , 2002.2a lavatory Variant ‘lavvy’ UK , 1913

lavaliersnounthe female breastsUS , 1969

lavenderadjectiveeffeminate, homosexualUS , 1929

lavender fascistnounan uncompromising, politically motivatedhomosexualUK , 1999

lavvy-divernouna plumber From ‘lavvy’ (a lavatory)UK: SCOTLAND , 1985

lawnoun< have the law on someoneto inform the policeabout someoneUK , 1800.< the law1the police, the lawenforcement authoritiesUS , 1893.2your parents Teen slangUS , 1955

lawverb1to arrestUS , 1935.2to impersonate the police for thepurposes of extortionUK , 1956

lawingnounthe act of impersonating a police officer for criminalpurposesUK , 1956

lawnnouna woman’s pubic hairUS , 1964

lax upverbto have a laxative effectUK , 1990s

laynoun1an act of sexual intercourseUS , 1928.2a girl or a womanregarded as a sex-partner, usually with a modifying adjective such

as easy, good, great, etcUK , 1635

layverbto have sex Most often heard in the passiveUK , 1800.< lay

a batchto accelerate a car quickly and in so doing to leaverubber marks on the roadUS , 1969.< lay a cableto defecate

AUSTRALIA , 1979.< lay a fartto fartUS , 1951.< lay a logtodefecate Extended fromLOG(a turd)UK , 2003.< lay chillyto relax

US , 1981.< lay dead1to remain silentUS , 1976.2to stay in oneplace; to stay stillUS , 1949.3to idle, to waste time fooling around.Vietnam war usageUS , 1991.< lay dogto lie motionless in thejungle Vietnam war reconnaissance patrol usageUS , 1991.< lay down some sparksto accelerate a car suddenly from rest,bringing the car frame or body into contact with the road andproducing a shower of sparksUS , 1980.< lay down the lawtodogmatise, especially in an argument; to insist on a mode ofbehaviourUK , 1762.< lay eggsto drop bombsUS , 1998.< lay heatto fartUS , 1998.< lay in the cutto wait in hidingUS , 1976.

< lay it down1in motorcyle racing, to spin out or fall, causingthe motorcyle and the earth to meet; to intentionally throw amotorcyle on its side in the face of an impending accidentUS , 1962.

2to explain the rules of a carnival midway game to a potentialcustomerUS , 1985.< lay it onto inform, to report or explain fully

US , 1975.< lay it on thick; lay it on with a trowel; lay it on

to do something in an excessive mannerUK , 1600.< lay on the ironin motor racing, to move inside another car on a turn,forcing it up and out of the fastest part of the trackUS , 1993.< lay paperto pass counterfeit money or bad chequesUS , 1972.< lay pipe(used of a male) to have sexUS , 1939.< lay the legtoseduce or attempt to seduceUS , 1981.< lay the notetoshortchange someoneUS , 1977.< lay the smack downto engage

in a physical fightUS , 1999.< lay trackto lieUS , 1992

layaboutnounan unemployed idlerUK , 1932

lay and payin casino blackjack games, the practice of laying handsdown, turning them over, and paying or collecting all bets at once

lay-bynounon the railways, a passing trackUS , 1946

lay dead!wait just a minute! Teen slangUS , 1958

laydeeznounladies Jocular; a phonetic spelling of an overly sincere

or quasi-American pronunciationUK , 2001

laydownnouna gullible customer or buyer; an easy victimUS , 1935

lay downverb1to play in a musical performanceUS , 1943.2toremand in custody

laydown merchantnouna criminal who passes or distributes

forged moneyUK , 1996

lay down misèrenouna certainty A card-game usage brought into

wider circulationAUSTRALIA , 1966

layernouna bookmakerUK , 1937

layettenounthe equipment necessary to prepare and inject a

narcotic drugUS , 1882

lay-for-paynounsex with a prostituteUS , 1956

lay-innounpermission from prison authorities to remain in bed in

your cell instead of workingUS , 1972

lay intoverbto attack verbally or physicallyUK , 1838

lay offverb1in betting, for one bookmaker to place a bet with

another bookmaker to reduce the risk of lossAUSTRALIA , 1877.2to

stop aggravating or interfering, to cease Often as an imperativeUS ,

1908

lay-off betnouna hedging betAUSTRALIA , 1966

lay of the daynounin horse racing, the best wager of the day

AUSTRALIA , 1989

lay of the landnounin circus and carnival usage, a lead dancer in a

sexually oriented dance showUS , 1981

lay-onnouna gift of drugsUK , 1997

lay onverbto giveUS , 1936

layoutnoun1an apartment or houseUS , 1883.2the equipment used

to prepare and inject, or smoke, narcotic drugsUS , 1881.3a soldier

who lies hidden in a hole observing enemy movements Korean

war usageUS , 1957

lay outverbto engage in sexual two-timingIRELAND , 2003

lay upverb1to relaxUS , 1962.2to paint graffiti on train carriages

while standing in a sidingUS , 1997

Lazarus ballnounin pinball, a ball that passes between the flippers

but then miraculously bounces back into playUS , 1979

laziosisnounlaziness, presented with humour as a diseaseBELIZE , 1975

lazy armnounin the television and film industries, a hand-held

microphone boomUK , 1960

lazy-bonesnouna loafer, a lazy personUK , 1592

lazyitisnounlaziness, as a ‘medical’ condition A combination of

‘lazy’ and the suffix-ITIS(used to create an imaginary disease)UK ,

1967

Lazy KnicknameHM prison Long Kesh MilitaryUK: NORTHERN IRELAND ,

1979

lazy lobnouna partial erection of the penisUK , 1998

lazy moneynounmoney kept in reserve, especially secretlyAUSTRALIA ,

1989

lazy windnouna cold, biting windAUSTRALIA , 2003

LBJnoun1LSD, especially when combined with some other drug

Probably a jocular transference of initials with those of former US

President Lyndon Baines Johnson, 1908–73 US , 1982.2piperidyl

benzilate, a hallucinogenUS , 1970.3heroinUK , 1998.4phencyclidine,

the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dustUK , 2002

LBJnicknameduring the Vietnam war, the Long Binh military

stockade, South VietnamUS , 1977

LBJ Ranchnicknamethe Long Binh military stockade, South

Vietnam Playing on US President Lyndon B Johnson’s ranch in

Johnson City, Texas, outside AustinUS , 1973

L-bombnounan explicit declaration of loveUS , 2002

LB’snounpounds, extra weightUS , 1986

leadnouna pencilBARBADOS , 1965.< get the lead outto stop

dawdling, to hurry upUS , 1919

leadverb< lead up the garden pathto lead on, to enticeUK , 1925

lead balloonnoun< go down like a lead balloon; go over like

a lead balloonof an action, to be poorly received, to be

unsuccessful, to failUS , 1960

lead cocktail

leadedadjectivecaffeinated Borrowing from the language of car fuelfor application to the world of coffee drinks and, to a lesser extent,soft drinksUS , 1996

Leadernoun< The LeaderFrank Sinatra, US singer (1915–98)US , 1963

leadfootnouna driver who consistently drives faster than necessary

US , 1938

lead-footverbto drive fastUS , 1986

lead in the pencilnounthe ability of a man to achieve an erectionand ejaculateUK , 1925

lead jointnounin circus and carnival usage, a shooting galleryconcession on the midwayUS , 1981

lead on, McDuff!let’s go!; let’s get started! A mis-quotation from

Shakespeare’s Macbeth (‘Lay on, McDuff’) that became a

catchphraseUK , 1912

lead pantsnouna slow-moving, work-averse personUS , 1947

lead-pipe cinchnounan absolute certaintyUS , 1894

lead poisoningnounwounds inflicted by a gun From the lead inbulletsUS , 1883

lead singernouna leader of a criminal gangUS , 1997

lead slednoun1any aircraft that is considered underpowered orunresponsiveUS , 1961.2a CF-100 Canuck jet fighter aircraft Theaircraft first flew in 1950, and is also known asALUMINIUM CROW

andTHE CLUNK CANADA , 1994.3a Boeing 727 aircraft Allegedly fromits heaviness during take off; the plane was produced from theearly 1960s to 1984US , 2002.4the US Air Force F-105 fighter-bomber So named because it was the heaviest single-seat fighterplane in the worldUS , 1968.5in hot rodding and drag racing, a slowcarUS , 1968

leafnoun1marijuanaUS , 1961.2cocaineUS , 1942.3a banknote Anextension of the imagery ofLETTUCE(money)US , 1929

leaf colonelnouna lieutenant colonelUS , 1946

leafernouna cheque, especially when forged or issued fraudulently

UK , 1996

leaf pipenouna credit-card sized pipe for smoking marijuanaUK , 1999

leaguenoun< out of your leagueused of anything or anyone of

a superior quality; to be out of your league is to be of a lesser dition, out-classedUK , 1966

con-leagueynouna Rugby League player or followerAUSTRALIA , 2003

leaknoun1an act of urination The verb ‘leak’, found inShakespeare as a vulgar synonym for ‘urinate’, has beensupplanted by the noun use of the termUS , 1918.2an unauthoriseddisclosure of confidential or secret information; the person makingsuch a disclosureUS , 1939.3in casino gambling, any dealer error orweaknessUS , 1991

leakverb1to urinateUK , 1596.2to sweatUK , 1995.3to ejaculate Alsoembellished as ‘leak out’ or ‘leak off’FIJI , 1984.4to weepUS , 1883.

5to reveal secret or confidential information in an underhanded,secret mannerUS , 1859

leakagenounin a casino or gambling operation, the money lost tocheats and thievesUS , 1963

leakernoun1in gambling, a bettor who loses large amounts ofmoney quicklyUS , 1997.2in motor racing, an engine that is notwell maintained, whether or not it actually leaks lubricants orother fluidsUS , 1993

leak lightnounin television and film-making, unwanted lightUS , 1990

leaky bladdernouna ladder Rhyming slangUK , 1992

leaky faucetnouna urinary tract or reproductive system disordercausing a urinary or vaginal dischargeUS , 1988

leaky leaknounphencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP

or angel dustUS , 2001

leannouna combination of codeine-infused cough syrup andalcohol or sodaUS , 1998

lean and linger

lean and lurchnouna church Rhyming slangUK , 1992

leanernouna shelf or high table in a bar provided for standing

drinkersNEW ZEALAND , 1995

lean onverb1to threaten with force as a means of persuasion; to

bring pressure to bearUS , 1931.2to physically assaultUS , 1911

leapernoun1any central nervous system stimulant, especially

amphetamineUS , 1961.2a cocaine user after sustained cocaine

use From the nervousness produced by cocaine useUS , 1973.3a

person who threatens to or actually does jump to their deathUS ,

1954

leapersnounwads of cotton soaked in Benzedrine™ (amphetamine

sulphate, a central nervous system stimulant) extracted from an

inhalerUS , 1967

leapingadjectivedrug-intoxicatedUS , 1925

leaping heapnouna Harrier aircraft Royal Air Force useUK , 2002

Leaping Lenanoun1a light truckUS , 1971.2a train that ran from

Darwin to Birdum Also known as the ‘abortion express’AUSTRALIA ,

1940

leapsnounanxiety, nervousnessUS , 1922

learnverbto teach In conventional use from about 1300; in C19 it

came to be considered colloquial and, now, vulgarUK , 1937

Leary’snounLSD Named after ‘LSD guru’ Timothy Leary,

1920–1996UK , 2003

lease lousenouna dealer in oil field leasesUS , 1953

leashnouna line attached at one end to a surfer and at the other to

the surfboardUS , 1977

leathernoun1a wallet or purseUS , 1949.2in circus and carnival

usage, a pickpocketUS , 1936.3in homosexual usage, the anusUS ,

1941.4in horse racing, the small whip carried by jockeysUS , 1951

leatherverbto thrash Originally, from early C17, ‘to beat with a

leather strap’; during mid- to late C19 usage became more

gener-alisedUK , 1998

leatheradjectiveused for denoting leather fetishistic and

sado-masochistic symbolism in sexual relationshipsUS , 1964

leather assnounin poker, the bodily manifestation of great patience

US , 1981

leather barnouna bar with a homosexual clientele whose fashion

sense is leather-oriented and whose sexual tastes are

sado-masochisticUS , 1963

leather cesspoolnouna bar or club that caters to low-lifesUS , 1971

leatheredadjectivedrunk Derives fromLEATHER(to thrash)UK , 2002

leatheringnouna physical thrashing; a verbal thrashingUK , 1791

leathernecknouna US Marine Possibly from an earlier usage as

‘Royal Marine’ (aBOOTNECK); ultimately from a leather collar, part

of the historical uniform of both servicesUS , 1890

Leatherneck Squarenicknamefour US Marine bases in South

Vietnam that formed a quadrilateralUS , 1976

leather upverbto prepare the cracks of a safe for the placement of

nitroglycerin which will blast it openUS , 1949

leavenounin pool, the position of the balls after a shotUS , 1990

leaveverb< leave it1to stop talking about something, to change

the subject Often as an imperativeUK , 1997.2used imperatively, to

resist a temptation to get into a fight A widely used call for peace

that appears to be generally ignored and serves, therefore, as little

more than a rhetorical spur in the arsenal of aggressionUK , 2001.

< leave seedsto impregnateUS , 1998.< leave someone cold

to fail to arouse any interest or excitement in someoneUK , 1857.

< leave someone holding the babyto abandon a

responsibility and, instead, leave someone else to deal with any

difficultiesUK , 1928

leave it out!stop that!, shut up!UK , 1982

leave offverbto cease doing something; often as an imperativeUK ,

1400

leavernounin drag racing, a driver who starts before the start signal,

thereby forfeiting the raceUS

leaveritenouna worthless mineralCANADA , 1989

leavesnouncigarette papersUK , 1996

Leb; Lebanesenoun1hashish from cannabis plants cultivated inthe LebanonUK , 1975.2a Lebanese person, or any person from anArabic background ‘Leb’, ‘Lebo’ and ‘Lebbo’ are commonly usedderogatorily by Anglo-Australians, but amongst the Arabic-basedethnic community used positively, much the same as wog

leccy; leckinounelectricityUK , 1999

leccy; leckyadjectiveelectric, as in ‘lecky kettle’, ‘leccy blanket’, etc

UK , 1984

ledgenounan impressive person Shortening ofLEGEND AUSTRALIA , 1988

lee-gateverbto peepUS , 1975

leemnouna completely inept personCANADA , 1994

Lee Marvinadjectivevery hungry Rhyming slang for ‘starving’;based on the name of film actor Lee Marvin, 1924–87UK , 1998

leeryadjective1bad-tempered, disagreeable; insolentUK , 1977.

2distrustful, cautious Originally underworld usage Also spelt

‘leary’UK , 1718

leetnounan Internet user who is categorised, often self-categorised,

as ‘elite’ A reduction of ‘elite’; used (especially on bulletin-boards)

as an antonym forLAMER US , 1998

leet talk; leet; l33t; leet speak; l33t 5p34knouna written slangused for Internet and text communications in which numerals andnon-alphabet characters replace letters AfterLEET(an ‘elite’Internet user)US , 2001

Lee Van Cleef; lee vannounbeef (meat) Rhyming slang, formedfrom the name of a US film actor, 1925–89UK , 1998

left and rightnouna fight Rhyming slangUK , 1961

left fieldnoun< out of left fieldunexpected, unforeseen, fromnowhereUS , 1946

left fieldadjectivedifferent, out of the ordinary Figurative use ofbaseball jargonUS , 1967

left-footernoun1a Roman Catholic Used by Northern IrelandProtestants Probably derives from a turf-cutting spade that ispushed into the ground with the left foot, but there is also asuggestion that a left-footer is simply ‘out of step’ with the ‘right-minded’ userUK , 1961.2a homosexualNEW ZEALAND , 1998

left-handedadjectivehomosexualUS , 1929

left-handed bricklayernouna Freemason An army coinageUK , 1975

left-handed cigarettenouna marijuana cigaretteUS , 1991

left-handernouna criminal Superstition holds the dextrous handed) to be righteous and the sinister (left-handed) to be evilUK , 2000

(right-left-sidedadjectivehomosexual A variation ofLEFT-HANDEDcurrent in

UK prisons, August 2002, explained by one inmate as ‘they are not

on the right side of sexuality’UK , 2002

lefty; leftienouna political left-wingerUS , 1935

lefty; leftieadjectivepolitically left-wing, liberalUK , 1939

legnoun1sex; women as sex objects The functional equivalent of

‘ass’US , 1966.2a straight-leg or infantry soldierUS , 1964 8see:LEG OFMUTTON.< around the legcurrying favour with prison adminis-trationUS , 1989.< find another leg; grow another leg(used of

a racehorse) to perform well in muddy track conditionsAUSTRALIA ,

1989.< get the leg over; get your leg over; get a leg overtohave sex, generally from a male perspectiveUK , 1975.< give someone legto tease someoneUS .< not have a leg to

stand onin an argument or dispute, to be in a defenceless

pos-itionUK , 1594

legverbto shoplift by hiding merchandise between your legs under

a skirtUS , 1972.< leg a handin poker, to reserve the right to

make a bet even though the player has a good handUS , 1979.

< leg itto walk, to walk fast, to run; to hurry; to run awayUK , 1601

legalnouna lawyerUK , 1996

legal aidnounlemonade Glasgow rhyming slangUK: SCOTLAND , 1988

legal beaglenouna lawyer, especially one who is sharply intelligent

or keenUS , 1949

legal eaglenouna lawyerUS , 1939

legalesenounin computing, inpenetrable languageUS , 1991

legal highnounany substance that is not restricted by drug control

legislation that mimics (or is claimed to mimic) the effect of an

illegal drugUK , 2004

legalize itverbin trucking, to slow down to the speed limitUS , 1976

legal needlenounthe legal speed limitUS , 1976

leg bailnounescape from jail or prisonUK , 1759

leg before wicket; LBWnouna ticket, especially in the sense of

something pleasing or satisfying Rhyming slang, from the

cricketing term (and its abbreviation)UK , 1962

leg busnounthe adult leg when walking and carrying/dragging a

child alongUK , 2002

legendnoun1an impressive personAUSTRALIA , 1989.2a surfer with an

old-fashioned, long surfboardAUSTRALIA , 1991

legendadjectiveexcellent, admirableIRELAND , 2003

legernouna stand at a racecourse some distance from the finishing

post After St Leger, a famous English horse raceAUSTRALIA , 1907

leggernoun< do a leggerto run away, to escape on footIRELAND ,

1991

legginsnounthe rubbing of the penis between the thighs of another

man until reaching orgasmUS , 1934

leggnernouna year’s prison sentenceUK , 1950

leggo!let go! An urgent sloveningUS , 1884

leggo beas’adverbwild, disorderly From ‘let go beast’ (an

uncontrolled animal)JAMAICA , 1991

leggo beastnouna promiscuous young womanGRENADA , 1976

leggynouna cord attached to a surfer and their surfboardUS , 1987

leg ironsnounclimbing irons used in electric and telephone line

workUS , 1980

legitnoun< on the legitlegitimate; legitimatelyUS , 1930

legitadjective1legitimateUK , 1909.2used to describe serious theatre

(drama, as opposed to variety, revue, etc), the acting or an actor

employed thereinUK , 1908

legitadverb honestly, legitimately UK , 1908

legitsnoundice that have not been alteredUS , 1977

leglessadjective1drunkUK , 1976.2in horse racing, lacking ability

AUSTRALIA , 1989

legmannounan assistant who does the leg workUS , 1923

legonounan infantry soldier, not attached to an airborne divisionUS ,

1971

leg of beefnouna thief Rhyming slangUK , 1992

leg of lambnounan impressive person Jocular alteration ofLEGEND

AUSTRALIA , 1996

leg of mutton; legnouna button Rhyming slangUK , 1992

leg of porknounchalk Rhyming slangUK , 1998

leg openernounsomething, usually an alcoholic drink, which assists

in persuading a woman into having sexual intercourseAUSTRALIA ,

1945

legover; leg overnoun(from a male perspective) conventional

sex-ual intercourse Often in phrases ‘a bit of leg over’, ‘get your leg

leg piecenouna dance performance in which the female dancersare scantily dressed or nakedUS , 1973

leg-pullnounan act of teasing or mockery FromPULL SOMEONE’S LEG

US , 1895

leg-ropeverbto marry or tie down in a relationshipNEW ZEALAND , 1956

legsnoun1in the entertainment industry, staying power andcontinuing popularityUS , 1978.2stamina in sport; staying power

AUSTRALIA , 1986.3the duration of the intoxication from a centralnervous system stimulantUS , 1989.4(of a shot in pool)momentum, forceUS , 1835.5an ability to continue or lastAUSTRALIA ,

1995.6a bicycle messengerCANADA , 1993.< do your legsin policeslang, to severely damage your career prospectsUK , 1999.< have legs all the way up to your armpits/bumto have long,beautiful legsAUSTRALIA , 1944

leg shownouna stage performance featuring bare-legged femaledancersUK , 1882

Leicester square; leicesternouna chair Rhyming slangUK , 1998

lekker; leckeradjectivepleasant, excellent, delicious, etc FromAfrikaansSOUTH AFRICA , 1847

lel; lellverbto take Polari; the original Romany sense impliedseizure or arrestUK , 1889

lemnouna person who is on his or her own A shortening of

‘lemon’ Teen slangUK , 2003

lemacnouna Camel™ cigaretteUS , 1989

lemonnoun1in used-car sales, a mechanically unsound vehicle, orone with a dubious historyUK , 2005.2a simple-minded foolUS , 1906.

3anything or anyone that is undesirable Probably from the leastvaluable symbol on a fruit-machineUS , 1906.4in marketing, awoman who lives alone and is unlikely to be interested in financialsector products Fruit-machine imagery, informed by the previoussense; the complete opposite is aPLUM UK , 1998.5a lesbian.Perhaps playing onFRUIT AUSTRALIA , 1983.6a heavily diluted narcotic

US , 1952.7a woman’s pubic hair, hence the vaginaUK , 1976.8inpool, a person who loses intentionallyUS , 1990.9a light-skinnedblack personUS , 1970.< up the lemon; up the lemon puff

pregnant Rhyming slang forUP THE DUFF(pregant); a lemon puff is

a popular biscuitUK , 2001

lemonadjectiveostentatiousUK , 2000

lemon 714nouna tablet of the recreational drug methaqualone,best known as Quaaludes™ Quaaludes™ were originallymanufactured by Rorer, and were stamped ‘Rorer 714’ Lemoneventually bought the patent from Rorer, continuing the ‘714’stamp Virtually all pills stamped with ‘714’ today are counterfeit

US , 1993

lemonadenoun1a spade, either as a suit of cards or in theoffensive slang sense of a black personUK , 1992.2poor qualityheroin Often shortened to ‘lemon’US , 1957

lemonadeverbin poolroom betting, to miss a shot or lose a gameintentionallyUS , 1967

lemonade standnounthe small house-like cabin on a lobster boat

US , 1978

lemon and dashnoun a wash-place Rhyming slang UK , 1961

lemon and limenountime Rhyming slangUK , 1992

lemon and limesnouna variety of MDMA, the recreational drugbest known as ecstasyUK , 1996

lemon barleynouncocaine Rhyming slang forCHARLIE UK , 1996

lemon curdnoun1a young woman Rhyming slang forBIRD.Sometimes abbreviated to ‘lemon’UK , 1988.2a piece of excrement.Rhyming slang forTURD UK , 1998

lemon dropnoun1a police officer Rhyming slang forCOP.Sometimes abbreviated to ‘lemon’UK , 1998.2a birth control pill.Alluding to a popular hard sweetUS , 1970

lemon flavour; lemonnouna favour Rhyming slangUK , 1998

lemon playernouna person who plays lemon poolUS , 1969

lemon poolnouna pool swindle in which a skilled player lets anopponent win until high stakes are bet and then wins, making itlook like he was extremely lucky

lemon popnouna piece of plastic or thin metal used to slip

between the moulding and the top of the window on push-button

locking cars, from which a loop of dental floss is dropped over the

post on the door and yanked to open the doorUS , 1996

lemon squashnouna wash Rhyming slangUK , 1992

lemon-squeezer; lemonnouna fellow, a man Rhyming slang for

GEEZER UK , 1979

lemon squeezyadjectiveeasy Rhyming slang, taken from an

elabor-ation ofEASY-PEASY UK , 1998

lemon tartnouna fart Rhyming slangUK , 2003

lemon teanounurination; an act of urination Rhyming slang for

WEEorPEE, perhaps inspired by the appearance of the drinkUK , 1998

lendnouna loan A colloquial or dialect term, also recorded in

Australia and New ZealandUK , 1575

lengthnounthe penis, especially when erectNEW ZEALAND , 2002.

< you would not walk the length of yourselfused of a very

lazy personUK: SCOTLAND , 1988

Len Huttonnouna button Rhyming slang, formed from the name

of a famous cricketer, 1916–90; probably no longer in useUK , 1992

lenllonouna marijuana cigaretteUS , 2001

Len Lottadjectivehot Rhyming slang alluding to an Australian

jockeyAUSTRALIA , 1989

Lenny the Lionnouna male homosexual Rhyming slang forIRON

(IRON HOOF), which is itself rhyming slang forPOOF(a male

homo-sexual); formed from the name of a ventriloquist’s dummy, a

slightly effeminate lion, created by Terry Hall, popular on UK

television during the 1950s and 60sUK , 1992

leñonounmarijuana; a marijuana cigarette Spanish for aLOG US , 1955

leñosnounphencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or

angel dust Probably related toLEÑO(marijuana)US , 1984

lensnouna dose of LSD; LSDUS , 1994

Leo Fender; Leoadjectivehomosexual Rhyming slang forBENDER(a

homosexual) Leo Fender (1909–91) was an inventer and designer

of electric guitarsUK , 2002

Leo Sayernounan event that lasts all day, especially a drinking

spree or a rave Rhyming slang for ‘all-dayer’, based on the name

of singer/songwriter Leo Sayer (b.1948)UK , 2002

Leo’s lootnounthe major portion of criminal profits A play on

‘lion’s share’UK , 1956

leppingnounin a highly emotional stateIRELAND , 1951

leptaadjectiveelevenUK , 2002

lergy lergnouna completely non-existent diseaseUS , 1947 8see:

DREADED LURGI

Leroynounused as a term of address by US soldiers for black

soldiers from the rural southUS , 1991

lesnouna lesbianUK , 1929

lesbadjectivelesbianUS , 1968

lesbian bed deathnouna marked drop in libido experienced in

some long-term lesbian relationshipsUS , 1994

lesbienouna lesbianAUSTRALIA , 1966

lesbie friendsnouna pair of lesbians Punning onLESBIEand the

phrase ‘let’s be friends’ Generally used by teenagers as an

innuendoAUSTRALIA , 1987

lesbo; lezbonouna lesbianUS , 1927

lesbronouna male who prefers the company of lesbians A

compund of lesbian and brother UK , 2005

les girlsnounlesbiansUS , 1982

lesionairenounan AIDS patient Gallows humour to an extremeUS ,

1989

leslienouna lesbianUS , 1967

Leslie Ashverbto urinate Rhyming slang forSLASH, formed from

the name of the British actress (b.1960)UK , 2003

leso

leso; lezo; lezzoadjectivelesbianAUSTRALIA , 1987

lessienouna lesbianUS , 1938

lessieadjectivelesbianAUSTRALIA , 1987

letverb< let flyto hit out, to attack physically or verballyUK , 1859.

< let it all hang outto behave in an uninhibited manner; to

be free of convention; to hide nothing Originally black musicians’usage; adopted into the counterculture of the 1960s and 70s, thenabsorbed into the psychobabble of ‘alternative’ and ‘new age’therapies, where it remains currentUS , 1970.< let off; let one off; let go; let one go; let one looseto fartUK , 1970.< let on

to reveal a secretUK , 1725.< let ripto let go with considerable, ormaximum, force; to shout; to accelerate,UK , 1843.< let someone down easily; let someone down gentlyto disappointsomeone in as non-hurtful a manner as possibleUK , 1834.< let someone have itto attack someone, to give someone a beating

or a severe reprimand The ambiguous nature of the phrase ‘Lethim have it, Chris’ is key to understanding the 1952 murder of apoliceman by teenager Chris Craig: did the instruction given by19-year-old Derek Bentley mean hand over the gun to the policeofficer, or shoot him? Bentley was executed and posthumously

pardoned The 1991 film of the crime is entitled Let Him Have It

UK , 1848.< let the eel swim upstreamto have sexUS , 2001

letch; lechnoun1a sudden, powerful sexual urgeUK , 1796.2a lecher

US , 1943

letch; lechverbto behave lecherously; to ogleUS , 1943

letch waternounpre-orgasm penile secretions; semen Ultimatelycomes from ‘lechery’UK , 2002

letchy; lechyadjectivelecherousUK , 1968

letdownnouna disappointmentUK , 1861

let George do it!on the railways, used as a humorous attempt todelegate an unpleasant task Pullman porters, low men on thefood chain of railway workers, were known as GeorgeUS , 1975

let in onverbto admit into a secretUS , 1929

let it lay!forget about it!US , 1947

let’s be having you!used as a summons to work This phrase alsoserves as the foundation for a well-known slang-pun on thelocation of lesbians: ‘Lesbie Avenue’UK , 1984

let’s face it!used for expressing a requirement for an honestappraisal of the facts when confronting or discussing something;often used as meaningless verbal paddingUK , 1937

let’s get ready to rumble!used for evoking the onset of a tition of some sort Made famous by Michael Buffer, whointroduced boxing, sporting and entertainment events with thesignature ‘Let’s get ready to rumble’ Wildly popular in manycontextsUS , early 1990s

compe-let’s have some!let’s fight A call to armsUK , 2000

let’s squirm, wormused as an invitation to danceUS , 1945

let’s talk trashused as a formulaic greetingUS , 1951

letterbombnouna piece of e-mail with features that will disrupt thecomputers of some or all recipientsUS , 1991

letter from homenouna black AfricanUS , 1972

letterhacknouna fan who corresponds with many other fansUS , 1978

lettersnounthose abbreviations of degree, or degrees, or other cational qualifications, honours or awards for gallantry that aredisplayed after a person’s nameUK , 1961

edu-letterzinenouna fan magazine that only publishes lettersUS , 1976

let the dog see the bone!; let the dog see the rabbit!acatchphrase used by, or of, someone who wishes to do or seesomething.UK , 1961

lettienouna lesbian Gay slang, originating among those known inthe racial categorisation of South Africa as Cape colouredsSOUTH AFRICA , 2000

lettiesnounlodgings Polari, from parleyaree; the plural of ‘letty’ (abed)UK , 1859

lettuce

lettuce leavesnounmoney, especially one-pound notes Used by

beatniks of the late 1950s and early 60s; extending the imagery of

LETTUCE(money)UK , 1966

lettyverbto sleep Polari; from ‘letty’ (a bed)UK , 2002

levelnoun< on the levelhonest, truthful, trustworthy Also used

as an adverbUS , 1872

leveladjectivegood, excellentCANADA , 1993

level; level withverbto speak or act honestly, to be frank about

something previously concealed, to tell the truthUS , 1921

level bestnounyour absolute best or utmostUS , 1851

levelsnounlegitimate, square, unaltered diceUS , 1950

levels on the splonknounin betting odds, evens Used in racing

circles, especially amongst bookmakersUK , 1967

levels you devils; levelsnounin betting odds, evensUK , 1967

leviathannouna heavy backer of horsesAUSTRALIA , 1874

leviathanadjective(of a bookmaker or gambler) wealthy, heavy

bettingAUSTRALIA , 1950

Levy and Frank; levynounan act of masturbation; also used as a

verb Rhyming slang forWANK, formed from the name of a

well-known firm of public house and restaurant proprietorsUK , 1958

Lewinskynounan act of oral sex Usually in the passive phrase ‘get

a Lewinsky’ but the active ‘give good Lewinsky’ has been used In

1995 Monica Lewinsky was a White House intern; she was a central

figure in US President Bill Clinton’s later attempt to exclude oral

sex from a general definition of sexual relationsUS , 1999

Lexnickname1the Federal Narcotics Hopsital in Lexington, Kentucky

US , 1960.2a Lexus carUS , 1997

leznouna lesbianUS , 1929

lezverb< lez it upto behave (sexually) as lesbiansUK , 2003

lezadjectivelesbianUS , 1969

lezo; lezzonouna lesbianAUSTRALIA , 1945

lezzanouna lesbianUK , 2002

lezzernouna lesbianAUSTRALIA , 1968

lezzie; lezzynouna lesbian Usually offensiveUS , 1938

LF gearnoun the proceeds of a long firm fraud UK , 1977

liamba; liandanouncannabis African slangUS , 2001

liarverbto tell liesUK , 1999

liardnouna pathological liarTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

liar’s benchnouna settee in front of a country storeUS , 1963

libnoun1liberation Usually allied to a specific political cause, most

famously ‘women’s lib’UK , 1970.2liberty UK , 1996.3Librium™, a

branded depressantUK , 2003

libverbto release from prison Abbreviated from ‘liberate’UK , 2000

libbernouna feminist From ‘Woman’s Liberation’ as the name for

the feminist movement of the late 1960sUS , 1972

libbonouna libertyUK , 2000

libe; libesnouna libraryUS , 1915

liberateverb1to steal Coined in irony by US soldiers during World

War 2, and then recycled by the political and cultural left of the

1960sUS , 1944.2to take control ofUS , 1968

liberatedadjectivefree from narrow, conventional thinkingUS , 1970

liberatinouna notional grouping of people who promote liberal

principles Formed with the suffix-ERATI Used, in a derogatory

sense, by British politician David BlunkettUK , 2004

liberationnoun1theft in the name of a cause Said either with

irony or a complete lack of humour, depending on the

self-righteousness of the speakerUS , 1970.2left-wing politicsUS , 1968

libertynouna twenty-five-cent piece From the inscription on the

coinUS , 1947

liberty actnounin the circus, an act in which horses perform

without ridersUS , 1973

library

lice binnouna dirty, unsanitary placeUS , 1971

licensenounfreedom to break the law in an area by virtue of havingbribed the policeUS , 1950

-licioussuffixused in combination with a general or generic teristic to describe the object as especially attractive within or withregard to the genreUK , 2002

charac-licknoun1a musical phraseUK , 1932.2a small amountUS , 1814.3inbetting, a huge winAUSTRALIA , 1989.4a robberyUS , 2002.5a fastspeedUK , 1847.6an intoxicating experience with crack cocaineUK ,

2000.7any mistake, from a slight error to a complete disaster.Vietnam war usageUS , 1991.8oral sexUS , 1973.9a serving of ice-creamNEW ZEALAND , 1998.< the lickanything that is currently con-sidered as stylish, fashionable or bestUK , 2003

lickverb1to beat, to thrashUK , 1535.2to shoot and killUS , 1994.3tomove or act quicklyBERMUDA , 1985.4to smoke (marijuana)JAMAICA ,

2000.< lick arse; lick assto behave in a subservient manner Avariation ofKISS ARSE UK , 1959.< lick buttto behave subserviently

A variation ofKISS BUTT US , 1990 8see:KISS ARSE.< lick like lizardto use a technique of short, quick laps while performingoral sex on a womanJAMAICA , 2002.< lick shitto lick crack cocainefor a short-lived sensation of intoxicationUK , 1996.< lick the cat

to perform oral sex on a womanUS , 2001.< lick the dew off her lilyto engage in oral sex on a womanUS , 2001.< lick the rocktouse crack cocaineUK , 1996

lick aboutverbto live a carefree, hedonistic lifeBARBADOS , 1965

lick-boxnouna person who performs oral sex on womenUS , 1949

lick downverbto physically assault, to force submission Elaboration

ofLICK(to beat)UK , 1994

lickedadjectivedefeatedUK , 1976

lickety-splitadverbspeedily, headlong In recognisable variationsfrom 1831 and uncertain spelling from 1848US , 1831

lickle; likkleadjectivelittle Originally childish and twee as ‘lickleme’ and ‘ickle me’, and continues to be so Contemporary use in

UK black patois, however, is not cuteUK , 1994

lick lengthphrase used to refuse or reject ‘To lickLENGTH’ (thepenis) is ‘to perform oral sex’, used here to suggest an extremelyunlikely alternativeUK , 2001

lick-mouthnouna gossipBARBADOS , 1965

lick-mouthadjectivesalacious, gossip-bearing, inappropriatelyconcerned with the business of othersBARBADOS , 1980

lick my helmet!used emphatically to dismiss or reject Based on

HELMET(the head of the penis)UK , 2001

lick papersnounthe thin paper used to roll a marijuana cigarette Aterm first applied to paper used to hand-roll tobacco cigarettes,and then later, and briefly, to paper used to roll marijuana ciga-rettesUS , 1986

licksnouna beating From conventional ‘lick’ (a blow) Probablysince late C18, contemporary usage mainly blackUK , 1994

licorice stick; liquorice sticknouna clarinetUS , 1935

lidnoun1a hatUS , 1896.2a motorcyle helmet with face protectionUS ,

1994.3a submarine hatch coverUK , 1979.4in a card game, the topcard of the deckUS , 1988.5an approximate measure (variouslytwenty-two grams, or one to two ounces) of loose, uncleanedmarijuana Derived from the lid of a tobacco tin, a convenientmeasure of sufficient marijuana to roll about forty cigarettesUS ,

1966 8see:SAUCEPAN LID.< on its lid(of a vehicle) overturned

US , 2004.< out of your liddrug-intoxicatedUK , 2003.< put the lid on; put the tin lid onto conceal something; to bring someactivity or enterprise to an (unwelcome) endUK , 1909

lid-poppersnounan amphetamine or other central nervous systemstimulant The ‘lid’ in question is a headUS , 1971

lid-proppernounan amphetamine or other central nervous systemstimulantUS , 1967

lidsnoununits of currencyIRELAND , 2003

lieverbto talkUS , 1973.< lie through your teethto lie deliberately

UK , 1952

lie box a polygraph

lie-downnounin prison, time spent in the segregation unitUK , 1996

lie downverbin pool, to play below your skill level to lure strangers

into playing against you for moneyUS , 1993

lie lowverbto be in hiding; to behave in a manner that ought not

to attract attentionUK , 1880

lie sheetnouna truck driver’s log bookUS , 1971

lieut; lootnouna lieutenantUS , 1759

lieutynouna lieutenantUS , 1998

lifenounlife imprisonmentAUSTRALIA , 1833.< go for your lifeto

partake enthusiastically; to go all outAUSTRALIA , 1920.< have a

life; get a lifeto enjoy a well-rounded life including work, family,

friends and interestsUS , 1985.< in the lifehomosexualUS , 1963.

< not for the life of youexpresses the impossibilty of your

doing, understanding ‘something’, etc HyperboleUK , 1809.< the

life1the criminal lifestyle; the lifestyle of prostitutionUS , 1916.

2the business and lifestyle of professional wrestlingUS , 1999.

< there’s life in the old dog yet; there’s life in the old girl

yethe, or she, is still very much alive, and, especially, capable of

lifed-upadjectivesentenced to life imprisonmentUK , 2002

life in Londonnounused for describing an easy, carefree lifestyle

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1991

life jacketnouna condom Safe sex saves livesUS , 1989

life offverbto sentence someone to life imprisonmentUK , 2000

life of Rileynouna pleasurable, carefree existence Occasionally

spelt ‘Reilly’UK , 1919

life on the installment plannouna series of prison sentences

with brief periods of freedom between, which have the cumulative

effect of a life sentenceUS , 1949

lifernoun1a career member of the armed forcesUS , 1962.2a

prisoner sentenced to penal servitude for lifeAUSTRALIA , 1827.3a

person who has been given a traffic ticket Ironic usageUS , 1984.4a

drug addictUS , 1971

lifer’s dreamnouna Soviet-made SKS Type 54 carbine rifle, used by

the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong during the Vietnam war

Treasured as the ultimate war trophy by US Marines in VietnamUS ,

1990

life savernounheroinUK , 2003

Liffey waternounporter (ale); any dark beer or stout, especially

Guinness™ Rhyming slang Later use is heavily influenced by the

association of Guinness with water drawn in Dublin from the River

LiffeyUK , 1961

liftnoun1the act of shopliftingUS , 1971.2the early euphoric

sen-sation after using a drugUS , 1973

liftverb1to stealUK , 1526.2to arrestUK , 1979.3to work out with

weightsUS , 1990.4to transfer matter from one periodical to

another Used by journalists and printersUK , 1891

liftbirdnounany troop transport plane Vietnam war usageUS , 1982

lift doesn’t go to the top floordescriptive of a foolUK , 1999

liftedadjectivedrug-intoxicatedUS , 1942

lifternounan explosive charge Mining slangNEW ZEALAND , 1965

liftienoun a ski-lift operator CANADA , 1996

lift-one-drag-onenouna person with a pronounced limpUS , 1997

lift-opnoun a ski-lift operator US , 1995

liftsnounhydraulic lifts installed in a car, operated from within the

car body to make the car rise or fall suddenly A key component of

aLOWRIDER’s carUS , 1980

lignouna music industry social eventUK , 1983

liggernouna shameless name-dropping hanger-on attached to a

lightnouna tracer bulletUS , 1965

lightverb< light a shuckto depart suddenly, to move fast Thisphrase is derived from the use of flaming cornhusks for light

CANADA , 1903.< light the rugsin drag racing, to accelerate in afashion that makes the tyres smokeUS , 1965.< light the wienies

in drag racing, to smoke the tyres when the race beginsUS , 1965

lightadjective1short of funds, especially in the context of a paymentowedUS , 1955.2in poker, owing chips to the collective bet on ahandUS , 1967.3(used of an arrest warrant) susceptible to attack by

a skilled defence attorneyUS , 1973.4unarmed; without a weapon

US , 1974

light across the carpetadjectivehomosexualUK , 2000

light and bitternouna shitter (in all senses) Rhyming slang,formed from a mix of beersUK , 2003

light artillerynoun1the equipment needed to inject a drugUS , 1950.

2beansUS , 1946

light, bright, damn near white; bright, white and dead white

adjective(used of a black person) very light-skinnedUS , 1945

light colonelnouna lieutenant colonelUS , 1954

lightemnouncrack cocaine Evocative of the urging ‘light ‘em up’

lighternouna crewcut haircut Teen slangUS , 1951

light-fingeredadjectiveinclined to thieveryUK , 1547

lightfootnouna sneak thiefUK , 1996

light greennoun1a white person; a Caucasian Marine usage inVietnamUS , 1991.2marijuana, especially inexpensive, low grademarijuanaUS , 1973

lighthousenounin dominoes, a double played by a player who has

no matching piecesUS , 1964

light housekeepingnouncohabitation as an unmarried coupleUS , 1971

lightienouna childUK , 2000

light infantrynounbedbugs, body lice and/or fleasUS , 1949

light in the loafersadjectivehomosexual A wonderful, fashioned euphemismUS , 1967

old-lightningnounany amphetamine, methamphetamine or othercentral nervous system stimulantUS , 1977

lightning and thundernounwhisky and sodaUS , 1945

lightning bugnouna helicopter equipped with a powerful searchlight or flares, usually teamed with several gunshipsUS , 1990

lightning flashnounLSD A variation onFLASH UK , 1998

lightning hashishnounhigh quality hashish retained by dealers fortheir own useUS , 1982

light offverbto experience an orgasmUS , 1971

light of love; lovenoun a prison governor Rhyming slang UK , 1996

light of my lifenouna wife Rhyming slang, often with ironic orparodic intentUK , 1998

light onadjectivein sparse supply ofAUSTRALIA , 1944

light on her feetadjective(of a man) homosexualUS , 1967

light outverbto leave, especially in a hurryUS , 1865

light pipenounfibre optic cableUS , 1991

light rationsnounin horse racing, a drastic diet undertaken by ajockey to lose weightAUSTRALIA , 1989

lightsnoun1the eyesUK , 1820.2in poker, the chips owed by a playerwho bet without sufficient funds to back his betUS , 1996

lights on but there’s nobody home; lights on but nobody homesaid of someone who appears to be normal but is empty-

lights out!used to warn of the presence of policeUS , 1997

light stuffnounmarijuana or any non-addictive illegal drugUS , 1969

light upverb1to light a cigarette or a pipe, etcUK , 1861.2to share

drugs with othersUS , 1922.3to shoot someoneUS , 1967.4to train a

police car’s red light on a carUS , 1962

lightweightnoun1a person who is not taken as a serious threatUS ,

1878.2a marijuana smoker who cannot consume as much of the

drug as othersUS , 2001

light yearsnounan immeasurably great time, distance or style

between one thing and another From the conventional measure

of the distance light travels in a yearUK , 1971

likeverb< like a pricein horse racing, to hold a horse back from

winning unless the odds on the horse are highUS , 1951

likeadverb1(preceding an adjective) in the manner described, eg

‘like crazy’US , 1959.2in a manner of speaking; as it wereUK , 1778.

3(after an adjective) in the manner described Performing the

function of the suffix ‘- ly’AUSTRALIA , 1867

likeconjunctionas A conventional C16 usage that is now considered

poor or unconventional EnglishUK , 1886

like1used for reducing the specificity, precision or certainty of what

is being said, eg ‘could you like help me?’ In the wake of disaster,

use of ‘like’ all but disappears Linguist Geoffrey Nunberg first

observed this after shootings at a San Diego high school in March

2001, and language columnist Jan Freeman of the Boston Globe

made the same observation after the terrorist attacks in New York

and Washington on 11th September 2001 There is no need for

distance in certain situationsUS , 1950.2habitually used in informal

speech as inconsequential ornamentationUS , 1982.3used as an

introduction to a gesture or expressionUS , 2003.< be likeused for

indicating a quotation, or a paraphrase of what was said, or an

interpretation of what was said, or a projection of what was

thought but not saidUS , 1982

like anythingadverbwith vigour or speed; used, as an intensifierUK ,

1681

like a plasterer’s radioadjectivesemen-spatteredUK , 2002

like as not; as like as notadverbprobably, possibly, likelyUK , 1897

like beef?do you want to fight? Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1981

like butter!nice, smooth, lovely A catchphrase from a Mike Myers

Saturday Night Live skit US , 1992

like hell!used as an expression of disbelief or contradictionUK , 1922

like it’s my jobused as an intensifierUS , 2003

likelyadjective< a likely storyused ironically as an expression of

profound disbeliefUK , 1984

like no otheradverbextremelyUS , 2002

like realused for expressing doubtSINGAPORE , 2002

like thatadjectivevery closely associated (often described with an

accompanying gesture) May be figurative or metaphoricalUK , 1998

likewiseI agree, especially when reciprocating a compliment Often

in the (parodic) elaboration ‘likewise, I’m sure’CANADA , 1984

l’ilnounnot muchUS , 1987

l’iladjectivelittle A colloquial contractionUK , 1881

lilnounthe female breast Usually in the pluralUK , 2003

lilacadjectiveeffeminately homosexualUK , 1978

lillnounthe handUK , 2002

Lilley and Skinnernoun1dinner Rhyming slang; after the shoe

shop, established in 1835UK , 1976.2a beginnerUK , 1961

Lillian Gishnoun1fish Rhyming slang, based on the name of film

actress Lillian Gish (1893–1993)UK , 1960.2an act of urination;

urine Rhyming slang forPISH UK , 1988

Lillian Gishedadjectivedrunk Glasgow rhyming slang forPISHED,

formed from the name of film actress Lillian Gish (1893–1993)UK:

SCOTLAND , 1988

lilliesnounthe handsUS , 1973

Lilly; Lily; Lilly F-40nouna capsule of secobarbital sodium, brand

name Seconal™, a barbiturate From the manufacturer

lilynoun1the penis Most commonly heard when describingurination asKNOCK THE DEW OFF THE LILY US , 1974.2an ear-trumpet.Also used figuratively, as in ‘get your lily at the key-hole’ (toeavesdrop)UK , 1979

Lily; Lily Law; Lilly Law; Lillian; Lucy Lawnounused as apersonification of a police officer, especially a policeman; thepolice An example ofCAMPtrans-gender assignment Sometimesaccompanied by Inspector Beastly.US , 1949

lily on a dustbinnounsomething out of place; an incongruousthingAUSTRALIA , 1943

lily padnouna flat disc of wood British Columbian logging usage

CANADA , 1989

Lily the Pink; Lillynouna drink Rhyming slang, based on ‘Lily thePink’ a popular song which begins: ‘We’ll drink-a-drink-a-drink’UK , 2001

lily-whitenoun1the handUS , 1935.2an unidentified terrorist with

no history or past suspicion of criminal activity Used during a

report on a bomb explosion in Ealing, West London, BBC Television News, 3rd March 2001 UK , 2001

lily-whiteadjectivepopulated entirely by white people; discriminatingagainst black peopleUS , 1903

lily whitesnounbed sheetsUS , 1946

limanounmarijuana Possibly implying Peruvian cultivationUK , 1998

limbnoun< on the limbin horse racing, said of a horse forced tothe outsideUS , 1964.< out on a limbin a difficult or exposedpositionUS , 1897

limbernecknounin electric line work, a lineman’s helper orgroundman So named because of the need to look upwards alldayUS , 1980

limbonoun1a prisonUK , 1590.2marijuana cultivated in Colombia.Possibly derived from the effect of intoxicationUS , 1981

limbo lognounin mountain biking, a tree limb overhanging the trail

at approximately face heightUS , 1992

limburgernouna girl who cannot get a date From the song ‘Dancethis Mess Around’ by the B-52’sUS , 1984

limby; limbienounan amputee, especially a member of the armedforces who has lost a limbNEW ZEALAND , 1978

limeverb1to relax; to loiterUK , 2005.2to take part in an informalgatheringTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1941.3in the illegal production ofalcohol, to whitewash the interior of a fermenterUS , 1974

lime acidnounLSDUS , 1970

limernounan idlerBARBADOS , 1964

limeskinnouna worn-out felt hatBARBADOS , 1965

limeynouna Briton Derives, as an abbreviation of ‘lime-juicer’, fromthe compulsory ration of lime juice that was issued in the BritishNavy; originally used of British immigrants in Australia, NewZealand and South Africa; in this more general sense since 1918

US , 1917

limeyadjectiveBritishAUSTRALIA , 1888

limitnounthe maximum prison sentence for a given offenceUS , 1949.

< go the limitto have sexual intercourseUS , 1922.< the limit

the degree of anything that is the extreme (or beyond) of whatyou are prepared to tolerate It may be ‘the dizzy limit’, ‘the giddylimit’ or ‘just about the fucking limit’US , 1904.< the sky’s the limitthe possibilities of something are boundlessUK , 1933

limonoun a limousine US , 1929

limoadjectiveluxurious From the luxury afforded by aLIMO(alimousine)UK , 1982

limpverbin poker, to reserve the right to make a bet even thoughholding a good handUS , 1979

limpadjectivedrunkUS , 1982

limp dick; limp pricknounsomeone who is weak or cowardly TheflaccidDICK(penis) as a symbol of impotencyUS , 1970

limpernouna defective used carUS , 1978

limp out; limp

limp wristnounan effeminate man, almost always homosexual;

used as a symbol of homosexualityUS , 1950

limpy-go-fetchnouna disabled personUS , 1997

limpy upadjectivedisabledBAHAMAS , 1966

Lincolnnoun1a five-dollar noteUS , 1945.2a five-dollar prostituteUS ,

1965

Lincoln dropnounthe small tray near a shop’s cash till with

pennies which customers may use for making exact paymentsUS ,

1997

Lincoln Tunnelnounin homosexual usage, a loose anus and

rectum Homage to the tunnel connecting New Jersey and

ManhattanUS , 1981

linenoun1a dose of powdered cocaine arranged in a line for

snortingUS , 1973.2a vein, especially in the context of injecting

drugsUS , 1938.3political philosophy An important term of the

New Left in the US, often modified by ‘correct’, a precursor of

pol-itical correctnessUS , 1968.4an assembly line in a factoryUS , 1996.

5collectively, the prostitutes in a brothel who are available for sex

at a given momentUS , 1987.6an attractive femaleAUSTRALIA , 1941.7a

special verbal approach, especially as an introduction to seduction

A chat-up lineUK , 1903.8in the business of dealing with stolen

goods, twice the actual priceUS , 1969.9the area housing a prison’s

general populationUS , 1989.10in sports betting, the points or odds

established by a bookmaker that govern the betUS , 1977.11money

US , 1972.< do a line1to inhale a measured dose of a powdered

drug, especially cocaineUS , 1979.2to make an amorous approach;

to dateAUSTRALIA , 1934.< down the linea psychiatric hospitalNEW

ZEALAND , 1963.< go on lineto become part of a (criminal or

street) gangUK , 2005.< on the lineat risk, at stake, in jeopardyUS ,

1940

line crossernounin the Korean war, a soldier who crossed the main

line of resistance to find and retrieve prisoners of warUS , 1967

line doggynounan infantry soldierUS , 1967

line dutynounin the language surrounding the Grateful Dead, the

hours spent waiting in queue to buy tickets or to enter a concert

venueUS , 1994

line fortyused for expressing the price of twenty dollarsUS , 1946

line jumpernounan enemy spy who sneaks across allied lines

Korean war usageUS , 1957

linemakernounin a sports betting operation, the oddsmakerUS , 1976

linennouna letterUS , 1947

linen draper; linennouna newspaper Rhyming slangUK , 1857

linernouna short promotional statement recorded for a radio

station by a famous artist or personality, professing that they listen

to that stationUS , 2001

linersnouncashUS , 2003

linesnoun1cocaine A multiple ofLINE(a single dose of cocaine);

used in contemporary gay societyUK , 2003.2moneyUS , 1973.< do

linesto use cocaineUS , 2001.< get linesin bodybuilding, to

achieve definition, or well-developed and sculpted musclesUS , 1984

line screwnouna prison guard assigned to a cell blockUS , 1976

line stormnounan equinoctial gale, at the time of the solstice

CANADA , 1960

line swinenouna driver who appears oblivious to traffic lanesUS ,

1962

line-upnoun1serial sex between one person and multiple partners

US , 1913.2the place where waves line up to breakAUSTRALIA , 1963.3a

display of the prostitutes available for sex in a brothel at a given

momentUS , 1978

line upverbto arrangeUS , 1906

line worknounthe addition of fine lines or other markings on the

design of a card to aid a cheatUS , 1979

lingonounslang or another unconventional English language dialect,

jargon or vocabulary Conventional ‘lingo’ (since 1660) is ‘a

linguistnouna person who enjoys performing oral sex Leading,inevitably, to cunning punsUS , 1967

linguistic exercisenounoral sexUS , 1964

lingynounthe penisBAHAMAS , 1982

linknouna police officer, prosecutor or judge who has been bribed

US , 1964.< the linka person who provides what is needed at aparticular moment From the conventional ‘missing link’US , 1986

linkedadjective1dating (someone) steadily and exclusivelyUS , 1966.

2bribedUS , 1964

Link the Chinknounany Vietnamese person War usageUS , 1971

lionnoun1a greatly respected or revered Rastafarian; a great soul

JAMAICA , 1994.2in pool, a skilled and competitive playerUS , 1990

Lionel Bart; Lionelnouna fart Rhyming slang from the name ofthe English composer (1930–99)UK , 1985

Lionel Blairnouna chair Rhyming slang, based on the name of UKdancer and entertainer Lionel Blair (b.1931)UK , 1979

Lionel Blairs; lionelsnounflares (trousers with flared legs).Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the UK dancer andentertainer (b.1931)UK , 1992

lion foodnounmiddle management From a joke, the punch-line ofwhich features a lion boasting of eating one IBM manager a dayand nobody noticingUS , 1991

lion’s lairnouna chairUK , 1992

lion’s roarnounsnoring Rhyming slangUK , 1992

lion’s roarverbto snore Rhyming slangUK , 1992

lion’s sharenouna chair Rhyming slangUK , 1992

lipnoun1impudence; talking backUK , 1803.2a lawyer, especially acriminal defence lawyer From the image of a lawyer as amouthpieceUS , 1929.3in the car sales business, a potential buyer

US , 1997

lipverb1in horse racing, to win by the slightest of marginsAUSTRALIA ,

1989.2to kissUS , 1947

lip inverbto interruptUS , 1899

lip itverbto stop talkingUK , 1999

lipkissernouna regular practitioner of oral sex on womenUS , 1985

lip-locknounoral sex performed on a manUS , 1976

lip musicnounbragging, boasting, teasingUS , 1992

liponounliposuction, a surgical procedure for the cosmetic removal

of fat By ellipsisUK , 1992

lippernouna pinch of chewing tobaccoUS , 1997

lippie; lippynounlipstickAUSTRALIA , 1955

lippyadjectiveimpudent, impertinent; talkative FromLIP

(impudence) With an 1803 UK usage of ‘lip’ as ‘back-chat’, thelikelihood of an earlier adjective sense is highUS , 1865

lip readverbto kiss An inspired use of a conventional senseUK , 1974

lipsnoun< your lips are bleeding!used sarcastically to someoneusing big words JuvenileAUSTRALIA , 1953

lips!used as a cry to summon a makeup artist to apply morelipstick to a performerUS , 1995

lip servicenounoral sexUS , 1975

lipsin’nounthe act of kissing, snogging Teenage slangUK , 2002

lip-sloppyadjectivetalkative to a faultUS , 1962

lip spinachnouna moustacheUS , 1972

lipsticknoun1in the new and used car business, purely cosmetictouchesUS , 1959.2a grease pencil Used by first aid workers to notetourniquet time on an injured personUS , 1962.< lipstick on your dipstickoral sex performed on a manUS , 1970

lipstick lesbian; lipsticknouna feminine, stylish, upwardly mobilelesbianUS , 1984

Lipton’snounpoor quality marijuana An allusion to a popular, ifweak, teaUS , 1964

lip up!stop talking!; say nothing! A variation ofBUTTON YOUR LIP! UK ,

lip worknounoral sex on a womanUS , 1967

LIQnounan off-licence (liquor store)US , 1970

liquidnounmoney, cash Abbreviated from ‘liquid assets’UK , 1997

liquid coshnounany tranquillizer or sedative used by prison

auth-orities to subdue an inmateUK , 1996

liquid couragenounthe bravado produced by alcoholUS , 1942

liquid dietnounused humorously for describing a period when

someone is drinking a lot of alcoholUS , 1991

liquid ecstasy; liquid enounthe recreational drug GHBUS , 1993

liquid gold; LGnounamyl or butyl nitrate From the appearance

and brand nameUK , 1996

liquid grassnountetrahydrocannabinol, the purified pyschoactive

extract of marijuanaUS , 1971

liquid laughnounvomitingAUSTRALIA , 1964

liquid lunchnounalcohol but no food for lunchUS , 1963

liquid skynounheroinUS , 1987

liquid sunshinenounrainUK , 1970

liquid wrenchnounalcohol Like a wrench, alcohol will loosen

thingsUS , 1996

liquid Xnounthe recreational drug GHBUK , 1993

liquored upadjectivedrunk Current use in South CarolinaUS , 1924

liquorheadnouna drunkardUS , 1923

Lisanouna perfect, idealised girlfriendUS , 1993

listenernouna person whose only role in conversation is to listen

and verify what was saidUS , 1982

listen up!used for commanding attention Almost always heard in

the imperativeUS , 1962

Listerineadjectiveanti-American The name of a branded antiseptic

applied as a punning extension of rhyming slang forSEPTIC TANK

(an American)UK , 2003

litadjectivedrunkUS , 1899

-litsuffixliterature, when in combination with a defining styleUK , 2001

lit critnoun literary criticism UK , 2003

lite; -liteadjectivedenotes a less substantial version of an original In

widespread use; a re-spelling of ‘light’, devised as a commercial

strategy to sustain a brand name while advertising that the

product’s less marketable ingredients (sugar, nicotine, etc.) have

been reducedUS , 1962

literallyadverbused as an intensifier In colloquial use this is

gener-ally employed inaccurately or hyperbolicgener-allyUK , 1937

litterbugnouna person who drops litterUS , 1947

litter loutnouna person who drops litterUK , 1927

Little and Largenounmargarine Rhyming slang forMARGE, formed

from the name of a comedy double actUK , 1998

little bird; little birdienounan unnamed sourceUK , 1940

little bitnouna prostituteUS , 1976

little black booknoun1an address book containing clients’ names

and telephone numbers, especially in an illegal enterpriseUS , 1980.

2a (notional) notebook in which bachelors are reputed to keep

girls’ telephone numbersAUSTRALIA , 1984

little black gunnounthe M-16 rifle Vietnam war usageUS , 1968

little blisternouna younger sister Rhyming slangAUSTRALIA , 1996

little bluesnouncapsules of the synthetic opiate oxycodone used

recreationallyUS , 2003

little bombnoun1an amphetamine capsule or tablet Possibly a

direct translation of SpanishBOMBITA(an amphetamine capsule)UK ,

1998.2heroinUK , 1998

little boynouna small, cocktail frankfurter sausageNEW ZEALAND , 1984

little boy bluenouna prison officer Rhyming slang forSCREW UK ,

1992

little boys’ roomnouna toilet, especially one for men Juvenile and

little brown jugnoun a sink or bath plug, an electric plug; a

tampon Rhyming slangUK , 1992

little BushnounUS President George W BushUS , 2003

little casinonounin a deck of playing cards, the two of spadesUS , 1988

little catnounin poker, a hand comprised of five cards betweenthree and eight and no pairs among themUS , 1963

little Dnouna tablet of hydromorphone (trade name Dialudid™), anarcotic analgesicUS , 1986

little deathnounan orgasm Often in the verb phrase ‘have a littledeath’ From the French petite mortUK , 1959

Little DetroitnicknameVan Dien, North Vietnam Like Detroit, VanDien was highly industrialisedUS , 1991

little Dick; little Dick Fishernounin craps, a fourUS , 1957

little dognounin poker, a hand comprised of five cards betweentwo and seven and no pairs among themUS , 1963

little fellanoun1a child (of either gender)UK , 1959.2a tablet ofMDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK , 2001

little friendnouna fighter planeUS , 1944

little girls’ roomnouna toilet, especially one for womenUS , 1949

little green friendsnounmarijuana budsUK , 2003

little guy; little man; little peoplenouna Japanese soldier; a VietCong or soldier in the North Vietnamese ArmyUS , 1950

little guy with the helmetnounthe penisUS , 2001

little Harlemnouna black ghettoUS , 1951

little helpnouna linear amplifier for a citizens’ band radioUS , 1977

little Hitlernouna self-important person who wields a smallamount of official authority with despotic zealUK , 1957

little housenounan outside toiletAUSTRALIA , 1886

Little Italynouna neighbourhood populated by a large number ofItalian immigrants and Italian-AmericansUS , 1970

little jobsnounurination by a childAUSTRALIA , 1968

little Joenouna roll of four in craps Often elaborated with arhyming place name, in the pattern ‘little Joe from Kokomo’ (orChicago, Idaho, Lake Tahoe, Mexico, Ohio, Tokyo)US , 1890

little Joe in the snownouncocaineUS , 1992

little Judasnounthe sliding door in a confession boxIRELAND , 1995

Little KoreanicknameFort Leonard Wood, Missouri Based on acomparison of the climatesUS , 1968

little ladynounthe wifeAUSTRALIA , 1917

little lunchnouna mid-morning break at schoolAUSTRALIA , 1982

little madam; proper little madamnouna spoilt, conceited orbad-tempered female childUK , 1787

little mannoun1the penisUK , 1998.2a tradesman An upper- ormiddle-class female’s patronising termUK , 1984 8see:LITTLE GUY

little man in a boat; little man; man in the boat; boy in the boatnounthe clitoris The ‘little man’ or ‘boy’ represent theclitoris as a small penis, and the vulva is imagined to be boat-shapedUK , 1896

little Miss Muffetverbused as an emphatic rejection Rhymingslang for ‘stuff if’, formed from the name of a nursery rhymecharacterUK , 1992

Little MonicknameMaureen Connolly (1934–1969), who dominatedwomen’s tennis for several years in the early 1950s until a career-ending accident in 1953 Connolly’s aggressive style was compared

to the Missouri, a battleship with the nickname that she was given

US , 1953

little mugginsnounyour child FromMUGGINS(yourself, as a fool)

UK , 2000

little Nellnoun a door bell Rhyming slang, formed from the name

of a Charles Dickens’ heroineUK , 1992

little office

little old lady in tennis shoesnounused as a stereotype of an

energetic, quirky old woman In 1972, Sports Illustrated titled an

article about tennis great Hazel Wightman (1886–1974) ‘The Little

Old Lady in Tennis Shoes’US , 1984

little peternouna gas or electric meter Rhyming slangUK , 1992

little pigsnounsmall sausagesUS , 1946

little ploughmannounthe clitorisUS , 1980

little Rnounduring the Korean and Vietnam wars, rest and

rehabilitation Distinguished from theBIG R(rotation home)US , 1960

littlesnounin pool, the solid-coloured balls numbered 1 to 7US , 1990

little Saigonnicknamea neigbourhood with a large number of

Vietnamese immigrants and businessesUS , 1979

Little Sir Echonouna person who always agrees with his superiors

AUSTRALIA , 1989

little sistersnouna group of US magazines aimed at womenUS , 1986

little smokenounmarijuanaUK , 1998

little thingnouna bulletUK , 2001

little Tokyonounan urban neighbourhood with a high

concen-tration of Japanese peopleUS , 1945

little white mousenouna tampon Used euphemistically in mixed

companyAUSTRALIA , 1996

little womannounthe wife Intentionally archaic, revoltingly coy,

and condescendingUK , 1795

littlie; littleynouna childAUSTRALIA , 1953

littl’unnouna childAUSTRALIA , 1962

lit upadjectivedrunk or drug-intoxicatedUS , 1899

liveverb< live caseoto cohabit for sexual purposes From ‘caseo’

(a brothel, or overnight hire of a prostitute)UK , 1956.< live it up

to have a good time, to enjoy an extravagent lifestyleUS , 1951.

< live largeto enjoy a life full of material pleasuresUS , 1975.

< live on the smell of an oil ragto live on very meagre

meansAUSTRALIA , 1903

liveadjective1(used of the potential customer of a prostitute) eager

to spend moneyUS , 1969.2in horse racing, said of a horse that has

attracted heavy bettingUS , 1975.3extreme, intense, exciting, good

US , 1987.4impressiveUS , 1991

live baitnounone young drug user selling drugs to other young

usersUS , 1951

lived-in looknouna complete messUS , 1968

live gaffnouna premises that is occupied whilst being burgled

Based onGAFF(a place of residence or business)UK , 1956

live gigverbto masturbate; to have sex Rhyming slang forFRIG UK ,

2003

live long and prosperused as a humorous parting From the

orig-inal Star Trek television series US , 1991

livenernoun1a dose of cocaine Abbreviated from conventional

‘enlivener’, ascribing to cocaine the bracing attributes of a

pick-me-up; an earlier (late C19) use was as ‘the first drink of the day’

UK , 1999.2any alcoholic drink that serves as a pick-me-upUK , 1887

live onenouna person worth noticingUS , 1896

liverishadjectivehaving symptoms loosely diagnosed as the result of

a disordered liver Coined for an advertismentUK , 1896

Liverpool kissnoun1a head butt to your opponent’s face A

regional variation of theGLASGOW KISS UK , 1986.2a blow struck on

the mouthUK , 1968

liver roundsnounused in a hospital as humorous code for a

drinking party to be held on hospital groundsUS , 1989

live, spit and dienounLSD An elaboration of the initials.UK , 2003

livewarenoun1a human being A playful evolution of ‘software’

and ‘hardware’UK , 1966.2a living organismUS , 1991

live wirenouna male homosexual Prison slangUK , 2002

living daylights; daylightsverblife; spirit Ultimately from

‘daylights’ (the eyes) but here in the consequent sense, ‘vitality’ or

‘vital organs’

living shit; living crapused in combination with various transitiveverbs to intensify the action to a severe level us, 1983

livitynouna vocation or calling in life A Rastafarian termJAMAICA , 1992

livvenernounan alcoholic drink Probably fromLIVENER(a drink thatserves as a pick-me-up)UK , 1979

lizardnoun1an uncooperative, dirty hospital patient with scaly skin

US , 1978.2the penisUS , 1962.3a mechanical device used by cardcheats to hold cards in the player’s sleeveUS , 1988.< flog the lizard; drain the lizard(of a male) to urinateAUSTRALIA , 1968

lizard hitnounthe last draw on a water pipeUS , 1997

lizardsnounlizard-skin shoesUS , 1980

lizard scorchernouna railway cookUS , 1977

lizzienouna lesbianUK , 1949

Lizzienouna car, especially a Ford A shortened form of ‘Tin Lizzie’(the US stock market nickname for the Ford Motor Company)US , 1913

LK; LK Clark; Elkie Clarknouna mark; a place and time ofstarting Rhyming slangUK , 1962

LLnounmarijuana A play on the name of rap artist and film actor

LL Cool J:COOL(agreeble) andJ(aJOINT)UK , 1998

LLDBnounthe special forces of the Army of the Republic ofVietnamUS , 1985

llescanoun marijuana From Portugese lhesca (tinder) Similar to

YESCAwhich derives in the same way from SpanishUS , 1970

Lloyd’s Listadjectivedrunk Rhyming slang forPISSED, formed fromthe title of the newspaper that reports maritime newsUK , 1998

loachnounduring the Vietnam war, a light observation helicopter.From the initials LOHUS , 1973

loadnoun1an ejaculation’s worth of semenUS , 1927.3a stock ofillegal drugsUK , 1978.425 bags of heroin It is interesting to notethat a ‘half load’ adds up to 15 bags (of heroin)US , 1969.5a dose of

a drugUS , 1952.6a codeine pill combined with a Doriden™sleeping pill, producing an opiate-like effectUS , 1989.7a state ofintoxicationUS , 1947.8any sexually transmitted infectionAUSTRALIA ,

1936.9an inept, ludicrous, stupid or unpleasant personUS , 1950.10acarUS , 1937.11fabricated evidenceAUSTRALIA , 1975.12a car in poorconditionUS , 1937.< get a load ofto look at; to observeUS , 1922.

< take a load offto sit downUS , 1922

loadverb1to fabricate evidenceAUSTRALIA , 1975.2to alter (dice); toweight (dice) to score a certain pointUS , 1962

load callnounin a telephone swindle, a repeat call to a recentvictimUS , 1985

loadedadjective1drunk or drug-intoxicated The abbreviated ation of a mainly obsolete range of similes beginning ‘loaded to’

vari-US , 1879.2wealthyUS , 1948.3pregnantUS , 1973.4full of thesymptoms of a coldUK: SCOTLAND , 1988.5armed with a gunUS , 1952.

6(used of a car) equipped with every possible accessoryUS , 1996

loaded downadjectivepregnantBAHAMAS , 1982

loaded for bear1prepared for an emergency, heavily armed Theterm arose in the late C19 as a literal description of a weaponloaded with ammunition suitable for killing a bear, and then in the1950s came to assume a figurative meaning that dominates today

US , 1927.2in trucking, equipped with a citizens’ band radio With

BEARmeaning ‘police’, the trucker with a citizens’ band radio isbetter prepared to evade speeding ticketsUS , 1976

loadernoun1in American casinos, a blackjack dealer who carelesslyexposes his down card while dealingUS , 1985.2an experienced andskilled confidence swindler who makes a second sale to a priorvictimUS , 1988

load exchangenounthe passing of semen to its maker, mouth tomouthUS , 1970s

loadienouna drug userUS , 1979

loadiesnoundice loaded with weights that affect the rollUS , 1997

load-innounthe carting in and setting up of equipment before aconcert or showUS , 1999

load of cock

load of postholesnounin trucking, an empty trailerUS , 1946

load of toffeenounnonsense FromTOFFEE(flattery), but less sweet

UK , 2001

load planenounan aircraft loaded with illegal drugs being smuggled

US , 1992

loadsnoundice that have been altered with weights so as to

produce a certain scoreUS , 1963

loadsaa large amount of something; a great number of something

A slovening of ‘loads of’UK , 1988

load-upnouna false allegationAUSTRALIA , 1996

load upverb(of the police) to plant incriminating evidence in order

to secure a conviction, arrest or the likeAUSTRALIA , 1983

loafnoun1marijuanaUK , 2003.2a one kilogram unit of hashish

CANADA , 2002

loafverbto strike with the headIRELAND , 1991

loafernounin horse racing, a horse that does not perform well

without constant urging by the jockeyUS , 1976

loaf of bread; loafnounthe head, especially as a source of

intelligence Rhyming slangUK , 1925

loannoun< have a loan ofto play a joke on someone; to pull

someone’s legAUSTRALIA , 1902

loanernouna piece of equipment that is loaned out while the

owner’s piece of equipment is being repairedUS , 1926

loan sharknouna person who loans money privately with usurious

interest rates and criminal collection proceduresUK , 1905

loan-sharkingnounusury with severe repayment termsUS , 1914

lobnoun1in prison, wages, the weekly pay received by prisonersUK ,

1950.2a prisoner who displays excessive zeal on his jobUS , 1951.3a

penis Original use as ‘a partially erect penis’ has been replaced to

mean ‘an erect penis’, as used in the phrase ‘to have a lob on’UK ,

1890.4in a gambling establishment, a hanger-on who runs errands

for gamblersUS , 1979.5in horse racing, a horse pulled back by its

jockey to prevent it from finishing first, second or third in a race

US , 1935

lobverb1to throw or chuck; to place roughly; to plonkAUSTRALIA , 1934.

2(of something airborne) to landAUSTRALIA , 1943.3to arrive at a

place; to turn up, especially unexpectedlyAUSTRALIA , 1911.4(of a

racehorse) to win a raceAUSTRALIA , 1988

lobbynouna lobster or freshwater crayfishAUSTRALIA , 1952

lobby lousenouna non-guest who idles in a hotel lobbyUS , 1939

lobe inverbto listenUS , 1973

LOBNHunintelligent Doctor’s shorthand: an initialism ofLIGHTS ON

BUT NOBODY HOME UK , 2003

lobonounmarijuanaUS , 1984

lob-onnounan erection FromLOB(a penis, especially if erect),

hence ‘to have a lob on’ is ‘to have an erection’, from which

‘lob-on’ now stands alone Acceptable for broadcast in a comedy

context by BBC televisionUK , 2001

lobsternoun1a twenty-dollar noteAUSTRALIA , 1992.2in poker, an

unskilled and/or inexperienced playerUS , 1988.3dried nasal mucus

BAHAMAS , 1982.4an unexpected and unwelcome erectionUK , 2004

lobster clawnounin electric line work, a device formally known as

an adjustable insulator forkUS , 1980

lobster copnouna fisheries officerCANADA , 1959

Lobster Ladnouna young male from Prince Edward IslandCANADA ,

1955

lobster shiftnouna work shift starting at midnightUS , 1942

lobster skinnounbadly sunburnt skin Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1982

lob upverbto arriveAUSTRALIA , 1990

localnoun1a resident of a location, contrasted to the visitorUK , 1835.

2a nearby public house; a public house that has your regular

customUK , 1969.3a person who surfs in an area and asserts

territorial privileges thereUS , 1991.4during a massage, hand

stimu-localadjectivepertaining to or representing the essence of CreolecultureTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1983

localismnounan attitude, defiant if not hostile, of local surferstowards visiting surfers at ‘their’ beachUS , 1991

local smokal; local smokelnounlocal police; a police panda car.BlendsSMOKEY BEAR(the police) with the model ofLOCAL YOKEL(afoolish country-dweller)US , 1976

local talentnouna pretty femaleUS , 1955

local whitenouna light-skinned person, born in TrinidadTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1956

local yokelnounan indigenous inhabitant of a rural area A slightlycontemptuous term, originally used by military personnelUK , 1950

loc’d outadjectivepsychotic from drug useUS , 1993

loced out; loqued outadjectiveexciting, crazyUS , 1995

lochoadjective despicable From the Hindi lchcha (lewd loafer), to the

corrupted Anglo-Indian ‘loocher’TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1989

loci; lokeynouna small locomotive used for hauling logs or coal

CANADA , 1964

locknoun1control; complete controlUS , 1966.2a sure thing, acertaintyUS , 1942.3in poker, a hand that cannot loseUS , 1990.4inbar dice games, a perfect hand that at best can be tiedUS , 1971

lockverbin prison, to reside in a cellUS , 1931.< lock neckto choke

a robbery victim with one arm while rifling through their pocketswith the other handTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1959

lock and loadverbto prepare for an imminent confrontation.Originally military, and originally ‘load and lock’, then reversed forthe sound (perhaps to conform with ‘rock and roll’) and general-isedUS , 1949

lock-downnoun1in prison, a state of security in which all inmatesare locked in their cellsUK , 1996.2any situation in which yourcomplete freedom is restricted Like ‘warden’ (girlfriend or wife),jail slang brought homeUS , 1997

lockedadjective1drunkIRELAND , 2002.2drug-intoxicatedUS , 1997.

rec-lock-innounan after-hours and behind locked doors drinkingsession in a public houseUK , 2003

lock-in-a-socknounan improvised prison weapon – a combinationlock inside in a sockUS , 1996

lock-mortal cinchnounin betting, the surest possible certaintyUS , 1975

lockpickernounan illegal abortionistUS , 1976

locksnounknotted hair in the Rastafarian fashionJAMAICA , 1976

locksmithnoun1in pool, a betting professional who only playsgames that he is sure of winningUS , 1990.2a poker player whoonly plays excellent handsUS , 1966

lockstepnounan undeviating order; absolute conformity Afigurative application of a military style of close-marchingUK , 1955

lockupnoun1a jail or prisonUS , 1839.2in pool, a shot that cannot

be missed or a game that cannot be lostUS , 1990

lock-up lattienouna cell; a jail Polari, formed onLATTIE(a house, aplace)UK , 2003

lock-workernouna thief who steals from hotel roomsUS , 1954

loconounmarijuana An abbreviation ofLOCOWEED US , 1982

locoadjectivecrazy From the SpanishUS , 1887.< go locoto smoke(and experience the effects of ) marijuanaUS , 1942

loco-moteverbto drive fastUS , 1976

locoweednounmarijuana Directly from the name given to several

which may cause frenzied behaviour in grazing stock; ultimately

from Spanish loco (mad) US , 1930

locs; lokesnounsunglassesUS , 1997

lognoun1a turd From a similarity in appearance to a log of wood;

possibly also from the shared characteristic of an ability to float

Especially in the phrasal verbLAY A LOG(to defecate)US , 1973.2a

marijuana cigaretteUS , 1977.3phencyclidine, the recreational drug

known as PCP or angel dustUK , 1998.4a carton of cigarettesUS , 1991.

5the counter surface in a barUS , 1967.6a bar or tavernUS , 1950.7a

heavy, cumbersome surfboardUS , 1963.8a dullardUS , 1895.

< behind the log(used of a betting style in poker) conservative,

even when winningUS , 1971

LOGadjective without money, low on green US , 1997

log birdnouna logistical supply helicopter, used to bring fresh

supplies and provisions to troops in the fieldUS , 1982

log-floggernouna male masturbatorUK , 2003

loggernounan old, wooden surfboardAUSTRALIA , 1985

logger’s smallpoxnounfacial scars caused by spiked boots

Lumberjacks’ and loggers’ useUS , 1938

logic bombnouncode secretly included in a program that causes a

computer to fail when certain conditions are metUS , 1991

logjamnounconstipationUS , 1991

logornounLSDUK , 2003

logyadjectivelethargic, without energyUS , 1997

loidnouna strip of celluloid, used to force locksUK , 1958

loinernounan inhabitant of Leeds in West YorkshireUK , 1950

loin landlordnouna male homosexualUK , 1983

Loisaidanicknamethe Lower East Side of New York A Spanish

adap-tation of English, borrowed back into EnglishUS , 1981

loked outadjectiveimproved, modified, enhancedUS , 1997

LOLnoun (in doctors’ shorthand) a little old lady Medical slang UK ,

2002

LOLused as Internet shorthand to mean ‘laughing out loud’ US , 1991

lolanouncocaineUS , 1993

Lolitanouna young teenage girl objectified sexually; a girl of any age

up to the legal age of consent who dresses in a manner that is

considered sexually provocative or predatory Generic use of a

proper name, after the sexually aware 12-year-old girl in Vladimir

Nabokov’s controversial 1955 novel Lolita and subsequent films in

1962 and 1998UK , 1959

lollapaloozanounan outstanding example of its type ‘Lollapalooza’

was adopted as the title for an annual series of peripatetic music

festivals that commenced in Phoenix, Arizona in July 1991US , 1896

lollapoloosanounin bar dice games, a roll that produces no points

for the playerUS , 1971

lollipopnoun1a police officer Rhyming slang forCOP A shorter

variant is ‘lolly’UK , 1965.3in cricket, a delivery that is easy to play

AUSTRALIA , 1985.4in trucking, a mile marker at the side of the road

US , 1976.5in sport, a clever or ostentatious trick Rhyming slang on

‘lollipop stick’UK , 2003.6a sugar daddy (an older man who supports

or helps support a young woman) Recorded as being used by

‘shopgirls and typists’UK , 1961.7marijuanaFIJI , 2003

lollipop; lollypop; lolly up; lollyverbto betray to the police

Rhyming slang forSHOP(to inform on)UK , 1933

lollipop artistnouna male homosexualUS , 1977

lollipop stopnouna rest stop on a motorway known as a place

where male homosexuals may be found for sexual encountersUS ,

1985

lollynoun1money From rhyming slang on ‘lollipop’ forDROP(a

bribe)UK , 1943.2a sweetAUSTRALIA , 1854.3the vaginaBAHAMAS , 1982.

4the headAUSTRALIA , 1971.< do your lollyto lose self-restraint in

angerAUSTRALIA , 1951

lollybagsnouna pair of men’s close-fitting and revealing nylon

swimming trunks From the resemblance to a paper bag full of

lollygag; lallygagverb1to kiss; to have sexUS , 1868.2to dawdle, todallyUS , 1869

lollypopnoun1an attractive young woman seen only in terms ofher sexualityUS , 1984.2a shop Rhyming slangUK , 2000

lolly scramblenouna distasteful scramble for a portion ofsomething Lollies are sweets, and a ‘lolly scramble’ was originally

a children’s party activity where guests frantically gathered sweetsthrown in the air.NEW ZEALAND , 1984

lolly waternouna soft drinkAUSTRALIA , 1905

lolonounthe penis Children’s vocabularyTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1966

lo-lo; low-lownouna custom-designed low rider carUS , 1997

London taxinounthe buttocks, the anus Rhyming slang forJACKSY

UK , 1992

London to a brickused of something that is an almost certainty.Coined by race-caller Ken Howard (1913–76), literally meaning thatone can safely make an odds-on bet of the city of London against

aBRICK(the sum of ten pounds)AUSTRALIA , 1965

lonely as a bastard on father’s dayadjectivevery lonelyAUSTRALIA , 1971

Lone Rangernoundanger Never in the sense of ‘peril‘ but rather of

‘a chance’UK , 1992

lonesomenoun< on your lonesomealoneAUSTRALIA , 1902

lone wolfnouna criminal who works aloneUS , 1909

longnouna rifleUK , 1995

longadjective(used of money) a lot ofUS , 1947.< as long as your armvery longUK , 1846

long acrenouna baker Rhyming slangUK , 1857

long and flexyadjectivesexy Rhyming slangUK , 2003

long and shortnounwine Rhyming slangUK , 1992

long breadnouna lot of moneyUS , 1963

long connounan elaborate confidence swindle in which the victim

is initially allowed to profit, and then returns with a large sum ofmoney which he losesUS , 1969

long cutnounthe pervasive desire for sweets experienced by a drugaddict withdrawing from drug useUS , 1971

long-day/short-daynounin lobstering, a schedule in which moretraps are hauled every other day than on the intervening daysUS , 1978

long dedgeradjective eleven From Italian undici (eleven) UK , 2002

long-dickverbto win a woman away from another; to cuckoldUS , 1994

long drinknouna sustained, lingering, sexually inquisitive lookUS , 1982

long drink of waternouna very tall thin personUS , 1936

long endnouna confidence game in which the victim is sent for hismoney, as opposed to a confidence game in which the spoils arelimited to the amount on the victim’s personUS , 1963

longer and linger; long and lingernouna finger Rhyming slang,

in which, unusually, both nouns are inflected in the plural form:

‘longers and lingers’; ‘longs and lingers’UK , 1961

long eyenounthe vulvaAUSTRALIA , 1988

long-eyeadjectivecovetousTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1956

long firm; LF; LF scamnouna commercial fraud in which a goodcredit rating is first established and then abusedUK , 1869

long greennouna large amount of moneyUS , 1887

long green linenounan infantry unit marching through the jungle

in single fileUS , 1991

long-gutsnouna tendency to eat too muchGUYANA , 1973

longhairnoun1an intellectualUS , 1919.2a participant in the 1960scountercultureUS , 1969.3classical musicUS , 1951

long-handled underwearnounwarm underwear with long sleevesand legsUS , 1882

longies long underwear