Slang and uncoventional english part 5 pptx

Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the US film actor b.1940UK , 2003 alphaadjectiveused for intensifying a personal insult.. Rhyming slang forPONCEan effeminate maleUK , 2003 alpine

but originally from the advertising matter for Broadway Melody,

1929, the first Hollywood musicalUS , 1929

all starnouna drug user who abuses many different drugsUS , 1992

all systems gonouna state of readiness Often humorous; adopted

from the jargon of space explorationUS , 1974

all thatnounsexual activity A shortening of the conventional,

already partially euphemistic ‘all that sort of thing’UK , 1970

all thatadjectivesuperlative, very goodUS , 1991

all that and a bag of chips!nounused for expressing strong

approvalUS , 1997

all that and then somenouneverythingUS , 1998

all the bestgood bye By ellipsis from conventional ‘all the best of

luck/fortune’, etcUK , 1968

all the better for seeing youused as a ‘witty’ riposte to the

greeting: ‘How are you?’ A catchphraseUK , 1977

all the eighthsnouna seven-eighths point movement in a stock

priceUS , 1988

all the fivesnounfifty-five In Bingo, House or Tombola, the

for-mula ‘all the’ announces a double number Varies numerically,

from ‘all the twos’ (22) to ‘all the eights’ (88) Recorded by Laurie

Atkinson around 1950UK , 1943

all the goadjectivein the height of fashionUK , 1793

all thereadjective1saneUK , 1864.2alert, aware, sharpUK , 1880

all the same khaki pantsused for expressing the sentiment that

there is no difference between the matters in question Khaki

trousers are the regular schoholboy uniform, eliminating personal,

social or class differenceTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1996

all the wayadjectivein the military, destined for leadershipUS , 1982

all the wayadverbto a championshipUS , 1959

all the way liveadjectiveexcellent, superlativeUS , 1982

all the world and his dognouneverybody A humorous variation

ofALL THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE AUSTRALIA , 1984

all the world and his wifenouneverybody Generally with a sense

of hyperboleUK , 1738

all-timeadjectiveexcellentUS , 1964

all-timer’s diseasenounused by surfers humorously to describe a

person’s proclivity to exaggerate when recounting surf conditions

or their accomplishmentsUS , 1991

all tits and teethadjectiveused for describing a woman who makes

the most of a distracting smile and breastsUK , 1967

all to buggeryadjectiveawry, bungled, utterly confused,

unsatisfactory, mixed-upUK , 1984

all to cockadjectiveawry, bungled, utterly confused, unsatisfactory,

mixed-upUK , 1948

all to helladjectiveutterly ruinedUS , 1968

all twoadjectivebothBARBADOS , 1975

all upadjective1(of things) exhausted, fruitless, ruined; (of people)

bankrupt, defeated, doomed to die Especially in the phrase ‘all up

with’UK , 1818.2(of betting) with the winnings of one bet forming

the stake of the nextAUSTRALIA , 1933

allusadverbalwaysUK , 1852

all vanillanounin poker, a spade flushUS , 1948

all wind and piss; all wind and wateradjectiveboastful; not

backing up words with actionUK , 1961

all wool and a yard wideadjectiveexcellent, reliableUS , 1882

alma maternouna prison where a criminal has served time From

Latin for ‘fostering mother’; adopted with obvious irony from its

English school or university use, first recorded in 1718US , 1949

almightyadjectivegreat; impressiveUK , 1824

almond rocknoun1a frock, a dress Rhyming slangUK , 1979.2the

penis Obsolete rhyming slang forCOCK Also shortened to

almond rocks; almonds; rocksnounsocks Rhyming slang, based

on a confection popular from the mid-C19, can be presumed therefore to be late C19 in origin In the mid-C20 it was popularly abbreviated to ‘almonds’; later use seems to favour ‘rocks’, i.e

‘cotton rocks’ A specialised military variation arising during World War 1 was ‘army rocks’UK , 1979

Aloha Airlinesnicknamean aviation unit attached to the 25th Infantry Division during the Vietnam warUS , 1991

alone playernouna card cheat who works aloneUS , 1961

Al Pacinonouna cappuccino coffee Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the US film actor (b.1940)UK , 2003

alphaadjectiveused for intensifying a personal insult From conven-tional usage indicating a premier exampleUK , 2005

alphabet citynicknamean imprecisely defined area on the lower east side of Manhattan, near Avenues A, B, C and DUS , 1980

Alphonsenoun1a pimp Rhyming slang forPONCE UK , 1943.2a homosexual Rhyming slang forPONCE(an effeminate male)UK , 2003

alpine snownouncocaine ingested off a woman’s breastsUK , 2001

alpine sticknounan oversized frankfurterNEW ZEALAND , 1984

Alponounsausage topping for a pizza An allusion to a branded dog foodUS , 1996

alrightniknouna person who has succeeded in material termsUS , 1968

alrighty!used for expressing agreement or satisfactionAUSTRALIA , 1997

also-rannounanyone not performing very well Originally applied in horse racing to any horse placed fourth or worse and thus not winning any money on the raceUS , 1896

altarnouna toiletUS , 1962

alteredadjectivevery drunk A suggestion of a completely altered state of perceptionUS , 1991

alter egonouna false identification card that permits a minor to be served alcoholUS , 1990

alter kocker; alte kakernouna mean and nasty old man Yiddish for German for ‘old shitter’US , 1968

altogethernoun< the altogethercomplete nudityUK , 1894

alum; alumnnounan alumnus or alumnaUS , 1934

aluminium cookienouna compact disc (CD)UK , 2002

aluminium crownicknamea CF-100 Canuck jet fighter aircraft The aircraft first flew in 1950, and is also known asLEAD SLEDandTHE

CLUNK CANADA , 1950

aluminumnoun< the aluminumin horse racing, the inside rail

AUSTRALIA , 1989

aluminum overcastnounany very large military aircraftUS , 1961

Alvinnouna naive, easily-cheated person Circus and carnival usage

US , 1949

always late in take off, always late in arrivalnicknamethe Italian airline Alitalia Most airlines seem to attract jocular nicknames This is one of the more memorable, 2002

Alzheimer’s avenuenounan area in a hospital or nursing home frequented by memory-impaired patientsAUSTRALIA , 1987

amnoun an amateur UK , 2000

amateur half-hour; amateur hournouna poorly organised event

US , 1939

amateur nightnoun1New Year’s Eve Just as amateur Christians attend church only twice a year, or amateur Jews attend services only twice a year, amateur drunks only drink to oblivion once a yearUS , 1977.2a night when the tips left by a restaurant’s customers are lowUS , 1995.3sex with a chance acquaintance who

is not a prostituteUS , 1960

amazer machine; amazernounin trucking, a police radar unit used for measuring vehicle speedUS , 1976

Amazonnouna tall, strong, sexually attractive womanUS , 1954

Amazon Annienicknamea cannon designed to fire atomic shellsUS ,

ambassadornouna representative of a drug dealerUS , 1997

ambernounbeer In constructions such as ‘quaff an amber’NEW

ZEALAND , 1959

amber fluidnounbeerAUSTRALIA , 1906

amber gamblernouna motorist who speeds up through a yellow

lightNEW ZEALAND , 1979

ambidextrousadjectivebisexual A pun on the ability to use either

handUS , 1966

ambisextrousadjectivebisexual A pun that puts sex in

‘ambidextrous’US , 1926

Ambitious CitynicknameHamilton, Ontario Hamilton has thrived

through steel and car assembly, benefiting by the Auto Pact

between the US and CanadaCANADA , 1965

ambonoun1an ambulanceAUSTRALIA , 1996.2an ambulance driver

Commonly heard in New ZealandAUSTRALIA , 1998

ambovnoun in prison use, the Association of Members of Boards of

Visitors; a member of the association An initialism UK , 1996

ambulancenouna brakevan (caboose)US , 1977

ambulance chasernouna disreputable solicitor, especially one who

arrives or has an agent arrive at the scene of a disaster to seek

clients from among the victims; in UK usage since the 1990s,

solicitors who advertise on television for ‘no-win no-fee’ clients

From the image of following an ambulance to an accidentUS , 1896

ambush academynounduring the Vietnam war, training in jungle

warfare, especially of the unconventional sortUS , 1991

ambush alleynicknamethe section of Route 19 between An Keh

and the base of the Mang Giang Pass, South Vietnam So named

by truckers after countless Vietcong ambushes, borrowed from the

Korean war (1952) where the term was used for any dangerous

roadUS , 1965

am dramadjective amateur dramatic; hence, exaggerated, unsubtle,

histrionicUK , 1985

amebiateverbto get drunkUS , 1966

amechenouna telephone From actor Don Ameche’s performance

as Alexander Graham Bell in a 1939 filmUS , 1941

amen!used for expressing strong approvalUS , 1934

amen cornernounthe front rows of pews in a church where the

most devout sit, approving the words of the preacher with shouts

of ‘Amen!’US , 1860

Americalleynicknamein Vietnam, the 23rd Infantry Division, which

played a key role in the massacre of Vietnamese civilians at My

Lai The 23rd was formally named the Americal Division The

‘calley’ variant referred to a key participant in My LaiUS , 1991

American Airlinesnounin hold ’em poker, the ace of diamonds

and ace of hearts as the first two cards dealt to a player From the

initials AAUS , 1981

American taxpayernounany violator of routine traffic laws From

the vociferous indignation voiced when stopped by a police officer

US , 1962

American tweezersnounany specialty tool used by a burglarUS ,

1982

American Wakenouna farewell party for those emigrating to

America in the late C19 and early C20IRELAND , 1997

American waynounrelatively peaceful co-existence by rival

organ-ised crime familiesUS , 1992

Amerika; Amerikkkanounthe United States A spelling favoured

by the political counterculture in the late 1960s and early 1970s;

in the second form, ‘kkk’ signifies the white supremacist Ku Klux

Klan Rap artist Ice Cube’s 1990 album ‘AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted’

gave the KKK spelling high-profile exposureUS , 1969

AmerikanadjectiveAmericanUS , 1969

Amerikillnicknamethe 23rd Infantry Division DerogatoryUS , 1991

AMF

amidshipsadverb(used of a blow to the abdomen) across the central area of the body From the naval term for the middle of a shipUK , 1937

a mighty roar went up from the crowdused as a humorous comment on a lack of response to a joke or comment Coined by Keith Olberman on ESPN ‘to describe players or fans who do not seem to be as happy as they should be following a home run, touchdown, or victory’US , 1997

amigonounused as a term of address Spanish for ‘friend’US , 1974

Amish golfnouncroquet An allusion to the perceived joy that the Amish people take in playing croquetUS , 1969

Amityville; ’VillenicknameDetroit, Michigan, US Coinage is

claimed by rap-artist Eminem, after the 1979 film The Amityville Horror US , 2000

ammonoun1ammunition, actual or figurativeUS , 1911.2cashUS , 2003

ammunitionnoun1a gambler’s bankrollUS , 1983.2a tampon or sanitary towel; tampons or sanitary towelsUK , 1984

amoebanoun1phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP

or angel dustUS , 1994.2a Commodore Amiga™ personal computer

US , 1991

amonianounpneumoniaBAHAMAS , 1982

Amos and Andynounbrandy; shandy Rhyming slang, based on a

US radio comedy that ran from 1928–43UK , 1974

ampnoun1an ampoule (a glass vessel of drugs intended for

hypodermic injection)UK , 1968.2an ampoule of methadone, used

to break a heroin addictionUK , 1985.3amphetamine , 2004.4an

amplifier, especially one for electric instruments US , 1967.5an

amputation; an amputee Medical slang US , 1942

ampedadjective1under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant, usually amphetamines or methamphetamineUS , 1972.

2ready for anything, very excited, psyched upUS , 1986.3(used of a music system) equipped with powerful amplifiersUS , 1995.4silent

US , 1993

ampernounan ampersand (&)US , 1991

amphetnounamphetamineUS , 1982

amphoterriblenicknamethe antifungal drug Amphotericin B A nickname based on the drug’s severe side effectsUS , 1994

amp jointnoun marijuana and amphetamine (or possibly another

drug) mixed and rolled for smoking in a cigaretteUK , 1998

Am SamnicknameAmerican SamoaUS , 1982

amscrayverbto leave Pig Latin version of ‘scram’US , 1934

-amundosuffixused as a humorous mechanism to form a slang equivalent Popularised by the Fonz (Henry Winkler) on the US

television programme Happy Days, set in the 1950s, which aired

from 1974 until 1984US , 1992

AMWnouna vacuous female celebrity or hanger-on An abbreviation

of ‘actress, model, whatever’ US , 1988

amy; amienounamyl nitrite; an ampoule of amyl nitriteUS , 1966

amylnounamyl nitrate or butyl nitrate, when taken recreationally or

to enhance sexual arousalUS , 1971

amyl housenouna dance music genreUK , 1996

analnounanal sex A brief search of the Internet reveals an overwhelming and mainly heterosexual use of ‘anal’ in this sense

US , 2000

anal & oralnounanal sex and oral sex, when advertised as services offered by a prostituteUK , 2003

anal amigonouna male homosexualUK , 2003

anal groundsmannouna homosexual manUK , 1983

analogadjectivein computing, pertaining to the world outside the Internet A figurative extension of a technical termUS , 1997

anchornoun1a brake Originally truck driver usage, and then widespreadUK , 1936.2a younger brother or sister A younger sibling

is likely to hold you back or prevent you from going out with your

4a parachutist who hesitates before jumpingUK , 1943.5a brakevan

(caboose)US , 1977.6a pick-axeUK , 1863

anchorverb1to stay put, to remainUS , 1906.2to waitUS , 1990.3to

the apply the brakes of a car or truckUS , 1946

anchoredadjectivemarriedUS , 1949

anchor icenounice formed along the bottom of bodies of water

This northern phenomenon is also known as ‘ground ice’CANADA ,

1945

anchor mannounin casino blackjack, the gambler immediately to

the dealer’s rightUS , 1985

ancientadjectiveunfashionable, out of styleUS , 2004

ancient Marynounan AM radioUS , 1976

and a halfused for intensifying the preceding nounUK , 1832

and all that1used for intensifyingUS , 1992.2et ceteraUK , 1931

and all that caperet ceteraUK , 1964

and all that jazzand so on FromJAZZ(nonsense)US , 1959

and a merry Christmas to you too!used ironically in response to

a disparagement or an insultUK , 1976

and and andand so on, etcUK , 1984

and away we go!used as a humorous signal that something has

just started A signature line of comedian Jackie GleasonUS , 1954

and coand the rest of them (of people or things with something in

common)UK , 1757

Anderson cartnouna cart made from a cut-down car and pulled by

horses, during the 1930s depression; later, any car that ran out of

petrol or broke downCANADA , 1987

Andes candynouncocaine A near reduplication based on the

cocoa grown in the Andes MountainsUS , 1990

and everythingused for completing a list or a thought If anything

less sincere than synonymous et cetera UK , 1984

and like it!used in anticipation of a grousing reponse to an order

Naval useUK , 1943

and like thatet cetera; and so onUS , 1977

and monkeys might fly out of my buttused as a reflection of

the high unlikelihood of something happeningUS , 1992

androadjectiveandrogynousUS , 1999

androidnouna patient with no normal laboratory valuesUS , 1994

and so it goesused as an ironic affirmation The signature sign-off

of television journalist Linda Ellerbee, with homage to Kurt

Vonnegut’s use of ‘so it goes’ Repeated with referential humour

US , 1992

and thatet cetera; and that sort of thing Also widely used in

AustraliaUK , 1821

and that ain’t hayused for humorous assertion that the topic of

discussion is no small thing Both Abbot and Costello in the film It

Ain’t Hay and Mickey Rooney in Girl Crazy used the phrase in

high-profile ways in 1943 It stayed popular for most of the decade

US , 1943

and that’s the truth!used as a humorous affirmation of what you

have just said A signature line of the Edith Ann character played

by Lily Tomlin on the television comedy programme Rowan and

Martin’s Laugh-In (NBC, 1968–73) Repeated with referential

humourUS , 1968

and that’s the way it is!used as a humorous affirmation The

signature sign-off of television newsman Walter Cronkite, who

ended his nightly newscast thus from 1962 until 1981 Repeated

with referential humour, often imitating the lilt and bass of

Cronkite’s voiceUS , 1962

and then someand more; and much more Probably an

elabor-ation of C18 Scots ‘and some’US , 1908

and there was much rejoicingused as a humorous comment on

a favourable reaction Popularised in the US by Keith Olberman of

ESPN, borrowed from Monty Python and the Holy Grail US , 1975

and will!used for expressing a commitment to do somethingUS ,

Andy Capp’s Commandosnicknamethe Army Catering Corps, the ACC A humorous elaboration of the official military abbreviation Andy Capp is the workshy hero of a long-running cartoon stripUK , 1995

Andy Gumpnounthe surgical removal of the mandible in the treatment of jaw cancer The post-operative patient looks like they have no chin, resembling the comic strip characterUS , 1980

Andy Gump chinnouna receding chinUS , 1970

and you know that!used for expressing approval or praiseUS , 1992

and you too!; and you!used as a sharp rejoinder to an insultUK , 1961

Andy Pandynoun1an effeminate man, heterosexual or homosex-ual From a BBC television puppet who first appeared in 1950UK ,

1983.2a brandy Rhyming slangUK , 2000

Andy Rooneynounin poker, any player, usually short, who is inclined to complain An allusion to the US television journalist’s statureUS , 1996

ANFOnoun any nuisance of foreign origin Acronym in use during

the 1970s by the British Army in Northern Ireland, borrowing the

initials from Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil, a type of explosive UK , 1984

angelnoun1an outside investor, especially one who backs a theatrical production Theatrical originsUS , 1891.2a male homosex-ual Originally referred to the passive partner, but later to any homosexualUS , 1927.3a nurse In the UK Angels was a BBC

television drama series about nurses broadcast 1975–83US , 1991.

4cocaineAUSTRALIA , 1942.5in aviation, a 1000-foot increment of altitudeUK , 1943.6in air combat, a misleading image or blind spot

US , 1998

Angelnoun1a member of the Hell’s Angels motorcyle gangUS , 1965

angel cakenounan attractive girlUS , 1962

angel dustnoun1phencyclidine, the recreational drug also known

as PCP Originally a veterinary anaesthetic, it became a popular recreational drug regarded as a cheaper substitute for other illicit drugsUS , 1970.2money borrowed informally from a friendUS , 1976

angel facenounan effeminate manUS , 1949

angel foodnouna member of the US Air Force as an object of homosexual desireUS , 1988

angel gearnounneutral gear while coasting down a hillNEW ZEALAND , 1989

angel hairnounphencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP

or angel dustUS , 1994

angelina sororitynounthe world of the young homosexual male

US , 1972

angel kissnouna freckleUS , 1972

angel mistnounphencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP

or angel dustUS , 1994

angel pussnounused as an endearing term of addressUS , 1936

Angel’s biblenouna Harley-Davidson motorcyle manualUS , 1992

angels in a skynounLSDUK , 2003

angel’s kissnouna night breeze Korean war usageUS , 1961

angel’s seatnounthe cupola on top of a brakevan (caboose)US , 1946

angel teatnouna whisky with a rich bouquetUS , 1945

angel tracknounan armoured personnel carrier used as an aid stationUS , 1971

angel with a dirty facenouna male homosexual who due to caution or fear has yet to act upon his desire After the 1938

Warner Brothers film Angels With Dirty Faces US , 1941

AngienouncocaineUS , 1994

angishorenoun 8see:HANGASHORE

anglenouna scheme, especially an illegal oneUS , 1920

angle shooternouna poker player who exploits other players by

Anglonoun1a white person The term was brought to the

mainstream by Mexican-Americans in the southwestern USUS , 1943.

2an Anglo-Australian Used as a derogatory term by people from a

Mediterranean or Middle Eastern background, opposing the term

‘wog’AUSTRALIA , 1982

Angloadjectiveof or pertaining to Anglo-AustraliansAUSTRALIA , 1982

Anglo-Bangloadjectiveof Anglo-Indian birthUK , 1984

Angola black; Angolanouna potent marijuana from East AfricaUS ,

1982

angoranounin horse racing, the totalisator Rhyming slang, from

‘tote’ to ‘angora goat’ to ‘angora’AUSTRALIA , 1989

angryadjective(used of a penis) sexually aroused, erectUS , 1970

angry ninenicknameduring the Korean war, an AN/GRC-9 radioUS ,

1994

angryphonenounan anglophone (a native English speaker in

Quebec)CANADA , 2002

animalnoun1a person displaying vulgar manners, attitudes, etc; a

despicable human being; a bruteAUSTRALIA , 1892.2in American

football, an extremely physical playerUS , 1978.3used among

musicians as a nickname for a drummer From the

character/puppet/musician ‘Animal’ (legendarily, based on Keith

Moon, 1946–78, the original drummer with The Who ) who

appeared in The Muppet Show, from 1976, and in subsequent film

and television Muppet projectsUK , 1976.4an aggressive approach to

surfingAUSTRALIA , 1985.5in prison, a sex offender ContemptuousUK ,

1996.6a thing of a given sortUK , 1922.7LSDUS , 1994.8amyl nitrate

UK , 2002.9in the Vietnam war, a gang-rigged set of claymore mines

US , 1983.10a furpieceUS , 1959 < go animalto act wildly, without

inhibitionUS , 1968

animal!used for expressing approvalUK , 2003

animal carnouna brakevan (caboose)US , 1938

animal runnounthe wild behaviour of some military personnel on

shore leaveUK , 1987

Animals of the Armynicknameduring the Vietnam war, used as a

name for the Airborne RangersUS , 1984

animal trainernouna person who engages in sexual activity with

animalsUS , 1978

animal zoonouna rowdy college fraternityUS , 1967

animenouna type of Japanese animation, often adapted to sexual

themesJAPAN , 1991

anklenouna womanUS , 1942

ankleverb1to walk; to travelUS , 1926.2in television and film

making, to disassociate yourself from a projectUS , 1990 < ankle a

showto walk out of a performanceUS , 1973

ankle-biternoun1a petty, narrow-minded bureaucratUS , 1990.2a

child Also ‘knee biter’ Humorous, not particularly kind to children

US , 1963

ankle braceletsnounthe < and > characters on a computer

keyboardUS , 1991

ankledadjectivedrunk A Bristol usageUK , 2002

ankle expressnounwalkingUS , 1919

ankle-slappernouna small waveUS , 1991

ankletsnounleg ironsUS , 1950

Annabel Giles; annabelsnounhaemorrhoids Rhyming slang for

‘piles’, formed from the name of the UK television presenter

(b.1960)UK , 2003

annexverbto stealUS , 1845

Annie from Arkansasnounin craps, an eightUS , 1993

Annie Rooneynounan outburst of bad temperUK , 1988

Annie’s alleynounthe vagina Attested by a police matron at the

San Francisco Women’s Detention Center in April 1949; a woman

prisoner was thought to be concealing $13.00 ‘in Annie’s Alley’US ,

1949

annihilated

annishnounan anniversary issue of a single-interest fan magazine

US , 1982

anointverbto whip someoneUS , 1962

anoraknoun1a studious and obsessive hobbyist widely character-ised as boring and unfashionable From the stereotypical wardrobe

of certain groups of hobbyists such as trainspottersUK , 1991.2by extension, a person who is socially inept and therefore unable to

be, or not interested in becoming, part of a peer groupUK , 1999

anorakyadjectivestudious and obsessiveUK , 2001

A N Othernounused in speech as an all-purpose formula for an unknown identity A written convention that has taken on a life of its ownUK , 2003

another country heard fromused for humorously acknowledging that someone who had previously been silent has spoken upUS , 1970

another day, another dollara humorous expression of a day-by-day philosophy of lifeUS , 1939

anotherynounanother, especially another drink of beerAUSTRALIA , 1963

answernouna rap artist’s response to another’s songUS , 1995

answerverbto score soon after an opponent has scoredUS , 1979

answer recordnouna rap song released in response to another songUS , 1995

Antarctica monsternounfireANTARCTICA , 1977

Antartic 10nounany moderately good-looking person of the sex that attracts you The humour lies in the fact that a ‘ten’ in Antarctica would be a ‘five’ anywhere elseANTARCTICA , 1991

antenounthe money required to begin a projectUS , 1895

anteaternoun1in trucking, a short-nosed C-model Mack tractorUS ,

1971.2an uncircumcised penisUS , 1970

antenna platoonnounduring the Vietnam war, a platoon with an unusually large number of radios assigned to itUS , 1989

ante upverbto provide money for a projectUS , 1865

anthemnounin contemporary dance music and club culture of the 1980s, 90s and on, any song that fills the dance floor and gets clubbers singing alongUK , 2003

anti-franticadjectivecalm, collectedUS , 1983

antifreezenoun1alcoholUS , 1953.2heroinUS , 1994

anti-proliferation devicenouna condomUK , 1998

antique HPnounan old homosexual man HP is an abbreviation of

HOMEE-PALONE(a man)UK , 2002

antsyadjectiveagitated, anxiousUS , 1950

antwackyadjectiveold-fashioned, especially of clothes Liverpool use; possibly from ‘antiquey’UK , 2002

anus banditnouna predatory male homosexualUS , 1962

anxiousadjectivegoodUS , 1944

anybody in there?do you have any intelligence?AUSTRALIA , 1995

anyhooadverbanyhow A deliberate mispronunciationUS , 1946

any kinenounanything Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1981

any more for any more?does anyone want more food?; also used to announce a final opportunity to purchase somethingUK , 1977

any old howadverb1in an untidy or disordered stateUK , 1933.2in any case, anywayUK , 1958

anyone can cooknicknamethe Army Catering Corps, the ACC A humorous elaboration of the official military abbreviationUK , 1995

anyone for tennis?used for humorously suggesting an activity Seen as quintessentially British and enormously witty in its many variant formsUS , 1951

anyroadanyway Also used as an adverb Northern dialect, widely

familiar from television programmes such as Coronation Street UK ,

anything for a laughserves as a justification for doing something

because you have no choice in the matter Often ruefulUK , 1969

anything for a quiet wifea catchphrase that means exactly what

it says A jocular perversion of the proverbial saying ‘anything for a

quiet life’UK , 1977

any-to-comenounin gambling, a type of conditional bet in which

all or part of a winning is returned on another bet May be

abbreviated as ATCUK , 2001

Anytown USA; Anytownnouna notional American town that

rep-resents the appearance or values of stereotypical small-town

AmericaUK , 1992

anywhereadverbin possession of drugsUS , 1946 < not get

anywhereto fail to reach your goal, to not succeed in achieving

your objectUS , 1932

Anzac biscuit; Anzacnouna popular biscuit made with oats, sugar,

flour and golden syrupAUSTRALIA , 1923

A-OKadjectivecompletely acceptable US Navy Captain Alan G

Shepard was widely credited for introducing the term to the

general public during the first US space flight Shepard later

denied ever having said ‘A-OK’, insisting that he had been spelling

out awkward – ‘AWK’US , 1959

A-one; A-1adjectiveexcellent, first-class Originally of ships, then of

persons and thingsUS , 1846

AOSused for suggesting that there are no good options in a

par-ticular situation An abbreviation of ‘all options suck’ or ‘all

options stink’ US , 2001

a over kadverb knocked upside down An abbreviation of ‘arse over

kite’ NEW ZEALAND , 1998

a over tadverbhead over heels An abbreviation ofARSE OVER TIT UK ,

1984

ApachenounFentanyl, a synthetic narcotic analgesic that is used as

a recreational drugUK , 2004

Apache landnouna rough or dangerous urban areaUK: SCOTLAND ,

1988

apartmentnouna prison cellUS , 1949

apartment girlnouna prostitute who works out of her own

apartment or comes to a customer’s apartmentUS , 1992

apartment housenounin bar dice games, a roll from the cup in

which some dice are stacked on top of others, invalidating the roll

US , 1971

APBnounin police work, an all points bulletin, broadcast to all who

are listeningUS , 1957

apcraynounnonsense; rubbish A Pig Latin version ofCRAP US , 1937

apenounin the entertainment industry, a technical member of a

film crewUS , 1970

apeadjectivecrazed, frenzied, demonstrating rage or delight Based

on the behaviour of apes in films – not in real lifeUS , 1955 < go

apeto lose control; to react unrestrainedlyAUSTRALIA , 1988

ape barsnounhigh handlebars on a customised motorcycleUS , 1966

ape drapenouna hair style in which the hair is worn short at the

front and long at the back Most commonly known as a ‘mullet’

US , 1995

ape hangersnounhigh handlebars on a customised motorcyle A

term based on the visual aspect, with the handlebars forcing an

ape-like poseUS , 1965

apeshitadjective< go apeshitto lose control; to go crazyUS , 1951

apethnoun 8see:HA’P’ORTH

ape wagonnouna brakevan (caboose)US , 1977

aphroditenouna nightgown Rhyming slang for ‘nightie’NEW

ZEALAND , 1875

A-pienounapple pieUS , 1967

A-plugnouna plug inserted in the rectum as part of a

sadomasochistic encounter An abbreviation for ‘ass-plug’ US , 1979

apoplecticadjectivebehaving in a violently temperamental manner

apostlesnoun< the apostlesin craps, a roll of twelveUS , 1999

appnounan applicationUK , 1996

appallingadjectiveobjectionable, ugly, etc An example of overused society and middle-class hyperboleUK , 1937

apparatchiknounan office worker in a support roleUS , 1974

appienounan appendectomy patientUS , 1985

applausenouna sexually transmitted infection, especially gonorrhea

An excruciating pun onCLAP US , 1990

applenoun1a person Usually heard with a qualifying adjective such as ‘bad’ or ‘rotten’US , 1887.2the gullible victim of a confi-dence swindleUS , 1992.3a native American Indian who curries favour with the white establishment by embracing white cultural values A variation on a theme – red on the outside, white on the insideUS , 1980.4a particular type of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy Sometimes embellished to ‘apple E’ or

‘green apple’UK , 1996.5a capsule of secobarbital sodium (trade name Seconal™), a central nervous system depressantUS , 1980.6a self-propelled barracks barge From the ship’s official designation

as an ‘APL’US , 1971.7the vaginaUS , 1980.8a one-hundred dollar noteNEW ZEALAND , 1998.9the heart An abbreviation of ‘apple tart’, and by rhyming slang to ‘heart’NEW ZEALAND , 1989.10a citizens’ band radio enthusiast of unlimited zealUS , 1976

Applenoun< The AppleNew York CityUS , 1938 8see:BIG APPLE

apple and pipverb1to sip Rhyming slangUK , 1972.2to urinate Rhyming slang, formed on back-slang ‘sip’/PISS Also used in a noun senseUK , 1960

apple boxnounin the television and film industries, any device used to raise an actor or object to the desired heightUS , 1977

apple-catchersnouna type of roomy underpantsAUSTRALIA , 1965

apple core; applenountwenty pounds; in betting, odds of 20–1 Rhyming slang forSCORE UK , 1974

apple fritter; applenounbitter (beer) Rhyming slangUK , 2002

appleheadnouna dull, stupid personUS , 1951

Apple Isle; Apple IslandnounTasmania The island state is noted for is apple-growing industryAUSTRALIA , 1906

apple jacksnounpieces of crack cocaine From a resemblance to a popular breakfast cerealUS , 1994

apple-knockernoun1a rustic, especially a naive oneUS , 1919.2an outdoor toilet From the image of apples dropping onto the outhouse roofUS , 1975

apple orchardnouna location where police wait parked, certain that they will soon witness a driving infractionUS , 1970

apple pie ordernouncomplete and perfect orderUS , 1975

apple pipsnounthe lips Rhyming slangUK , 1960

apple-polishernouna person who shamelessly curries favour from those above him Several variant forms are attestedUS , 1927

applesnounthe female breastsUS , 1942

applesadjective1satisfactory, good Possibly rhyming slang for

‘apples and rice’, ‘nice’AUSTRALIA , 1943.2in good shape or condition

NEW ZEALAND , 1998

apples and pears; applesnounstairs Rhyming slangUK , 1857

apple tart; applenouna fart Rhyming slangUK , 2003

apple upverbto become frightenedUS , 1966

apple zverbto undo something A figurative use of the ‘undo last command’ function on an Apple Macintosh™ computerUS , 2003

applicationnoun< take an application(used of a pimp) to probe the psyche of a woman who is a candidate to come to work for youUS , 1972

apprenticenounin horse racing, a jockey who has ridden for less than a yearUS , 1947

appronoun< on approon approvalUK , 1874

appropriateverbto steal something Ironic military useUS , 1960

appynounan appendectomyUS , 1994

apricots the testicles

April foolnoun1a tool Rhyming slang, originally meaning a

burglar’s tool then in more general use as a workman’s toolUK ,

1960.2a weapon such as a handgun, knife, etc Rhyming slang; a

narrower sense of the much earlier ‘tool’UK , 2002.3a stool, usually

a bar stool Rhyming slangUK , 1960

April in Paris; Aprilnounthe backside, the buttocks Rhyming

slang forARIS UK , 1998

April showernouna flower Rhyming slangUK , 1960

April showersnounbeer by Flower & Sons, ‘Flower’s’ Rhyming

slangUK , 1992

apronnoun1a woman or wifeUS , 1970.2the gross daily receipts from

a carnival concessionUS , 1990 < out of the apron(used of

gambling in a casino) using money borrowed from the casinoUS ,

1982

aqua; acquanoun water From and synonymous with Latin aqua via

Italian acqua UK , 2002

aqua bootverbto vomit into the oceanUS , 1991

A-rabnounan Arab Not flattering, but more oafish than derogatory

The slang sense of the word is gained strictly through

pronunciation – a long first ‘A’, two drawn out syllables, and a

light twang with the second In his 1962 rock/novelty record ‘Ahab

the Arab’, Ray Stevens gave a loud public voice to this

pronunciationUS , 1972

Arabnoun1used as a term of mild abuse There is no racist intent

in this term, deriving as it does from ‘street Arab’ an obsolete

term for a homeless childUK: SCOTLAND , 1985.2a doltBERMUDA , 1985.

3a street peddler selling fruit or vegetables Originates from

BaltimoreUS , 1935

Arab lovernouna driver who obeys the fifty-five miles an hour

speed limit A term coined during the Arab oil embargo of the

early 1970sUS , 1976

arbitraryadjectiveinsignificant, unimportant Nowhere near as

popular as its conventional cousinRANDOM US , 1986

arcverbin computing, to archive somethingUS , 1997

arc aroundverbto engage in enthusiastic and energetic, if

meaningless and aimless, activity US naval aviator usageUS , 1986

ARC girlnouna female representative of the American Red Cross

Vietnam war usageUS , 1968

Archbishnounan ArchbishopUK , 1994

Archienoun1the notional cause of confusion As in ‘Archie buck

them up’ or ‘Archie fuck them up’; from the late 1960s Jamaican

hit record ‘Archie Buck Them Up’ by Lord CreatorTRINIDAD AND

TOBAGO , 2003.2a young and untrained farm handNEW ZEALAND , 1946

architectnounin poker, a player who bets heavily So called because

his betting builds the pool of betsUS , 1988

arcticadjective1coldUS , 1989.2in poker, said of a very poor hand or

series of very poor handsUS , 1996

Arctic explorernouna user of heroin and/or cocaineUS , 1959

arena ratnoun1a young person who hangs around a skating arena

CANADA , 1957.2a woman who invites sexual relations with

pro-fessional wrestlersUS , 1990

are you for real?used for humorously questioning a person’s

sincerityUS , 1949

are you kidding?you must be joking!; are you serious? Derisive,

ironic and more of an exclamation than a question.US , 1984

are you looking at me?used as a belligerent challenge to a

strangerUS , 1994

are you ready to throw down?used as a call soliciting a response

(’yes, we are’) at a partyUS , 2002

are you stupid or French?used for expressing a dim opinion of

someone’s intellectual firepowerCANADA , 2002

arfnounhalf Written as it’s saidUK , 1854

argnounin computing, an argumentUS , 1981

Argentinanoun< do an Argentinato go missing presumed dead

Argienounan Argentinian This abbreviation is not recorded until the Anglo-Argentine conflict for the Falklands/Malvinas in 1982UK , 1982

argle-barglenounthe sound made by seabirds This Nova Scotia expression seems to imitate the sound it describesCANADA , 1988

argueverb< argue the tossto argue over something already decidedUK , 1925

argy-bargynounan argument, quarrelling Also sometimes known as

‘argle-bargle’UK , 1887

argy-bargyverbto argue From the nounUK , 1888

AriesnounheroinUS , 1994

arisnoun1the backside, the buttocks; the anus Rhyming slang fromARISTOTLE–BOTTLE–BOTTLE AND GLASS–ARSE Also variants

‘arris’ and ‘harris’UK , 1979.2a bottle Also variant form ‘aras’

AUSTRALIA , 1966

ari-stock-ratnouna Canadian person of mixed Indian and French ancestry The pride behind the insult in ‘aristocrat’ has been justified by the honouring of Louis Riel, who led a Metis rebellion during the settling of the Canadian WestCANADA , 1962

Aristotlenouna bottle Rhyming slangAUSTRALIA , 1897

Aristotle’s lanternnouna sea urchinCANADA , 1990

Arizonanounbuttermilk Because a waitress thinks any man drinking buttermiIk ought to be in Arizona for his healthUS , 1946

Arizona stopnouna rolling stop at a traffic signal or stop signUS , 1962

Arizona Territorynounan area southwest of Da Nang, South Vietnam, with imprecise boundaries and a strong Vietcong presenceUS , 1991

arjinounmarijuanaUS , 2001

arknouna dance hallUS , 1953

Arkansas credit cardnouna hose used to syphon petrol from another carUS , 1976

Arkansas fire extinguishernouna chamberpotUS , 1958

Arkansas flushnounin poker, a worthless hand consisting of four cards in one suit and a fifth in anotherUS , 1950

Arkansas gravel; Arkansas pavementnounsmall trees used as a makeshift bridge over a mud holeUS , 1954

Arkansas toad stabbernouna sharp knifeUS , 1994

Arkansas toothpicknouna hunting knifeUS , 1836

Arkansas traveler; Arkansas specialnounany unimportant railway lineUS , 1950

Arkansas wedding cakenouncornbreadUS , 1958

Arky; Arkienouna resident of Arkansas; an unsophisticated rustic from the south central US Often used with contemptUS , 1927

armnoun1a police officerUS , 1956.2the penisUS , 1972 < off the armin food and beverage servers’ argot, served without a trayUS ,

1950 < on the armwithout chargeUS , 1926 < put the arm on

to pressurise with criminal intent, to extort, to blackmail, to threaten; to arrestUS , 1943 < under the armno good, inferior; loathsomeUK , 1958 < up the armin betting, odds of 11–8 From theTICK-TACKsignal used by bookmakersUK , 1991

arm and a legnoun1a high costUK , 1956.2a prison sentence of five

to ten yearsUS , 1991

arm candynoun1someone good-looking enough for you to be seen out withUS , 1992.2recreational drugs that are injected into the armUK , 2002

armchairadjectiveremoved from the action; said of an observer who acts as if he is a participantUS , 1955

armchair generalnouna person whose opinions are entirely unsupported by experienceUS , 1960

armchair ridenounin horse racing, an easy victoryUS , 1976

Armenian chromenounaluminium paintUS , 1961

arm holenounthe armpitBAHAMAS , 1982

armo

armornouna female’s figureUS , 1997 < in the armor(used of

beer) in a canUS , 1967

armpiecenounan attractive woman chosen as a social companion

for the impression she makes on othersUS , 1983

armpitnoun1a highly undesirable town or placeUS , 1968.2an

obnoxious, unfriendly personUS , 1968

armpit of the world; armpit of the universenounthe worst

placeUS , 1968

armsnoun< get your arms aroundto grasp the meaning ofUS ,

1989

armshousenouna gang fight Urban youth slang, probably from a

use of firearms in such conflictsUK , 2005

arm-stretchernouna heavy suitcaseUS , 1992

armstrongadjectivedone by hand, necessitating arm strength rather

than mechanical leverageCANADA , 1963

armstrong methodnounthe technique of using hand and arm

strength to get a job doneCANADA , 1987

arm trophynouna stunning and sexually appealing companion,

valued for the prestige attached to their presenceUS , 1994

armynouna large bankroll Alluding to the green of currency and

military uniformsUS , 1990

army banjonouna shovel or other entrenching toolUS , 1991

army bratnouna person who grew up the child of a career

member of the armyUS , 1931

army crapsnouna game of craps in which the shooter serves as the

bankerUS , 1984

Army Criminal Corpsnicknamethe Army Catering Corps, the ACC

An elaboration of the official military abbreviationUS , 1995

army gamenounany game of chance played in an aggressive

and/or dishonest fashionUS , 1890

army marblesnoundice From the view that soldiers are fond of

dice gamesUS , 1963

army oddsnounin a dice game, the true odds, not approximate

odds often used in street gamesUS , 1962

Army Peace Corpsnounthe US Army Special Forces Highly trained

killers, so an ironic termUS , 1990

army rollnouna controlled roll of the dice by a skilled cheat in a

game of crapsUS , 1963

army tanknounan American serviceman Rhyming slang forYANK

Recorded among Australian prisoners-of-war in the Far East

AUSTRALIA , 1945

arnoldnounporkJAMAICA , 1988

aroha jobnouna job done out of friendship without charge or at

reduced rates From the Maori word for ‘love’NEW ZEALAND , 1985

aromanounamyl nitrite or butyl nitriteUS , 1980

aroma of mannounan ampoule of amyl nitrite Originally a brand

name; later used genericallyUS , 1992

-aroosuffixused as a festive if meaningless embellishment of a noun

US , 1941

-aroonisuffixused as a meaningless embellishment of a word A

highly affected style of speaking invented and marketed with

limited success by jazz musician Slim GaillardUS , 1946

around the worldnoun1the oral stimulation of all parts of a

partner’s bodyUS , 1951.2in Keno, a bet made on the numbers

found in the eight corners of a Keno ticket – 1, 10, 31, 40, 41, 50,

71 and 80US , 1969

arrest-me-rednouna bright red colour of paint on a car, bound to

attract the attention and interest of law enforcementUS , 1992

arrownounan amphetamine tabletUS , 1993 < bust an arrow;

blow an arrowin a carnival or small circus, to become lost when

travelling from one town to another In the past, advance men

would paste arrows along the roadside to show the way to the next

stop; if you missed an arrow, you got lostUS , 1973 < like an

arrowin poker, said of a sequence of five cards conventionally

arrowverbto assign a task to someoneSINGAPORE , 2002

arrow of desirenounthe penis A poetic image drawn from William Blake’s ‘Jerusalem’, 1808UK , 2003

’Arry’s gatorsThank you A play on Japanese arrigato (thank you) AUSTRALIA , 1958

arsenoun1the posterior, the buttocks In conventional usage from Old English until early C18, at which time it was deemed impolite language and began a celebrated existence in slang, rarely appearing in print with all four letters in place It was not until

1860 that the AmericanASSappeared The spelling in Australia is

‘arse’, but pronounced with a long ‘a’ and no ‘r’ Since the 1980s there has been some encroachment of the American ‘ass’, but this is still strongly associated with the USUK , c1000.2the base, the bottom; the tail end; the seat of a pair of trousersAUSTRALIA , 1945.

3yourself; your body or personUK , 1979.4a fool; a despicable personAUSTRALIA , 1944.5boldness, gall, gumption, impudence; hence, luck as a result of thisAUSTRALIA , 1958.6dismissal, especially from a job; rejection Generally with verbs ‘give’ and ‘get’AUSTRALIA ,

1955 < ask me arseused when refusing to cooperate or when withholding information Other variations used are: ‘ask me bollix’,

‘ask me sack’, ‘ask me left one’ (’Me’ is a common Hiberno-English pronunciation for ‘my’.)IRELAND , 1991 < get off your arse; get off your assto start doing something Often in the imperativeUK , 1979 < get your arse in gearto start making an effortUK , 2000 < make an arse ofto make a mess of something;

to botch somethingUK: SCOTLAND , 1996 < not know your arse from a hole in the groundto be completely ignorant (of a given subject)UK , 1982 < not know your arse from your elbow

to be ignorantUK , 1930 < on your arsein dire straits, especially financialUS , 1917 < out on your arseejected, evicted, expelled A variation of ‘out on your ear’UK , 1998 < put on the arse bitto indignantly tell someone what you think of him or herAUSTRALIA ,

1975 < take it up the arseto submit to a more powerful force

UK , 2000 < the arse drops out of; the arse falls out of(of a financial venture) to fail dismallyAUSTRALIA , 1969 < up someone’s arsevery close behind, in close proximityUK , 1997 < up your own arsevery self-involvedUK , 2000 < you couldn’t find your arse with both handsyou are stupidUK , 1999 < your arse is nippin buttonsyou are nervous, you are full of trepidationUK: SCOTLAND , 1988 < your arse offto a great degree; vigorously Used to intensify verb meanings, thus ‘to work your arse off’ means ‘to work hard’; very common with the verb ‘work’ and the verb ‘fuck’ and its synonymsUK , 1972

arseverb1to make a mess of something, to botch somethingUK: SCOTLAND , 1996.2to eat something greedily, to consume something quicklyUK: SCOTLAND , 1996.3of a vehicle, to reverseUK , 1959

arseadjectiveinferior, shoddy, valueless, unpleasant, disliked for whatever reasonUK , 2002

arse aboutadjectiveback to frontAUSTRALIA , 1979

arse about; arse aroundverbto idle, to fool aboutUK , 1664

arse about faceadjectiveback to frontUK , 1984

arse allnounnothing, nothing at all On the model ofFUCK ALL

(nothing)UK , 2002

arse bandidonouna male homosexual, especially the active partner

in anal sex DerogatoryUK , 2001

arse biscuitnouna fart A variation ofAIR BISCUIT UK , 2003

arse cleavage; arsehole cleavagenounthe cleft between the buttocks when partially displayed above a slipped-down trouser waistbandUK , 2002

arse crawlernouna sycophant Often reduced toCRAWLER UK , 1937

arse cressnounthe hair surrounding the anusUK , 2002

arsedadjectivebothered; worried Popularised since the mid-1990s

by television situation comedy The Royle Family UK , 1999

-arsed; -arsesuffixused to intensify a characteristicUK , 2000

arse end; a-endnoun1the back or tail endAUSTRALIA , 1955.2the end, the final partUK , 1942

arse-firstadverbback-to-frontAUSTRALIA , 1962

arsefuck