Rhyming slang, based on a vibrant area of north LondonUK , 1998 Camden rulesnounpoor table manners.. From the cannabis plant, 2001 Canada flashnounin the Canadian military, a visible ide
Trang 1CambodieadjectiveCambodian Vietnam war usageUS , 1964
Camden Locknouna shock Rhyming slang, based on a vibrant area
of north LondonUK , 1998
Camden rulesnounpoor table manners A tribute to Camden, New
JerseyUS , 1986
camenouncocaine Probably by misspelling or mishearing of ‘cane’
(cocaine)UK , 1953
camelnoun1in twelve-step recovery programmes such as Alcoholics
Anonymous, a person who maintains sobriety From the sense of
‘dry as a camel’US , 1998.2a poor performing racehorseAUSTRALIA ,
1989.3a marijuana cigaretteUS , 1976
camel drivernounan ArabUS , 1985
camelfuckernounan Arab OffensiveUS , 1998
camel jockey; camel jocknouna Arab; anyone mistaken for an
Arab Used with contemptUS , 1961
camel’s humpnounan act of defecation Rhyming slang forDUMP
UK , 2003
camel stopnouna taxi stand New York police slang; an allusion to
the preponderance of immigrants in New York’s taxi-driving
workforceUS , 2003
camel toenounthe condition that exists when a tight-fitting pair of
trousers, shorts, bathing suit or other garment forms a wedge or
cleft between a woman’s labia, accentuating their shapeUS , 1994
cameranouna police radar unitUS , 1976
Camilla Parker-Bowlesnouna Rolls Royce car, usually called a
‘rolls’ Rhyming slang, formed on the name of the mistress (later
wife) of Prince Charles, Prince of Wales Variants are ‘Camilla
Parker’, ‘Parker-Bowles’ and ‘Parker’UK , 1998
Camillenoun1a homosexual man who moves from one
unfortunate, failed love affair to anotherUS , 1972.2a melodramatic
hospital patient who always feels on the verge of dying From the
novel by Alexandre DumasUS , 1994
camisolenouna strait jacket used to restrain the violent or insane
US , 1949
cammies; camiesnouna camouflage uniformUS , 1971
camonouncamouflageUS , 1984
camouflagenounthe disguise and staged personality assumed by
an expert card counter playing blackjack in a casino in the hope of
avoiding detection and ejectionUS , 1991
campnoun1ostentation, flamboyant behaviour; extravagance of
gesture, style etc; also, deliberately overt effeminacy used to signal
homosexuality May be further refined (or otherwise) asHIGH CAMP
orLOW CAMP US , 1999.2a dramatically effeminate homosexual man
In Australia not necessarily a flagrantly effeminate homosexualUS ,
1923.3a habitual resting place for wild animalsAUSTRALIA , 1947.4a
temporary location to stay atAUSTRALIA , 1994.5a resting or holding
place for stock animalsAUSTRALIA , 1845.6a restAUSTRALIA , 1899.7jail
US , 1968 < in campof a government or military officer, being
based away from the regular place of dutyINDIA , 2003
campverb1to exhibit humorously exaggerated, dramatic, effeminate
mannerisms (usually but not exclusively of a homosexual male)
Variants are ‘camp around’, ‘camp about’ and ‘camp it up’US , 1925.
2to stay at a place temporarily; to have a short rest Originally
(1840s) meaning ‘to stop travelling or working and set up a quick
camp for making refreshments’AUSTRALIA , 1848.3to sit on a man’s
face during heterosexual love-making A rare non-gay usage, from
the conventional sense ‘to take up temporary residence’UK , 2001.
4(of wild animals) to rest or sleepAUSTRALIA , 1861
campadjective1ostentatious, effeminate, affected; usually applied to
behaviour or style Possibly French in origin; however it may well
be an ironic reversal of ‘unkempt’ (ungroomed) or, less likely,
derive from the acronym KAMP: ‘known as male prostitute’ UK ,
1909.2homosexual In Australia not necessarily flagrantly
effeminateAUSTRALIA , 1941
campaignnoun< on a campaigndrunkUK , 2002
campaignverbin horse racing, to run a racing stable as a business
camp as a row of tentsadjective1flagrantly homosexualAUSTRALIA ,
1965.2(often, but not exclusively, of homosexual men) ostentatious, effeminate, extravagantly styled Elaboration ofCAMP(ostentatious, etc.), punning on conventional ‘camping’ The phase is often ornamented with adjectives that describe the tents as ‘frilly’, ‘pink’, etcUK , 1967
camp as Christmasadjective(often, but not exclusively, of homo-sexual men) ostentatious, effeminate, extravagantly styledUK , 1999
camp bitchnounan overtly, extravagently effleminate male homo-sexualUS , 1964
campernoun1any person Usually described as a ‘happy camper’ or
‘unhappy camper’, but sometimes simply as a ‘camper’US , 1987.
2a restaurant customer who lingers too long at their tableUS , 1995
camperynouna showing-off of qualities that are considered camp
UK , 1976
campnessnouna tendency towards or, simply, a quality of effeminacy or flamboyance, hence of homosexual behaviourUK , 1971
camp thief; camp robbernicknamethe grey jay or Canada jay Also known by these names in the US since 1893, this bird is nicknamed for its habit of scrounging food at outdoor work and play sites
CANADA , 1893
campusnouna prison’s groundsUS , 1982
campyadjectivemelodramatically and blatantly homosexualUS , 1965
Cam rednounCambodian red marijuanaUS , 2003
cam-sticknoun a stick of face makeup used for camouflage Military
UK , 2001
Cam tripnouna highly potent strain of marijuana from Cambodia
An abbreviated form ofCAMBODIA TRIP UK , 2001
cannoun1a jail or prisonUS , 1912.2a toilet; a bathroom or water closetUS , 1914.3the buttocksUS , 1914.4an imprecise amount of marijuana, usually one or two ounces Derived from the practice
in the 1940s of selling marijuana in Prince Albert tobacco cansUS ,
1967.5one ounce of marijuana Probably from a pipe tobacco
container, possibly a shortening of ‘cannabis’ US , 1959.6marijuana Probably a shortening of ‘cannabis’ but possibly from ‘can’ (a measured amount of cannabis)UK , 1986.7a Saracen armoured-car
UK , 1995.8a railway tank carriageUS , 1946.9a carUS , 1970.10a safe
US , 1949.11in electric line work, an overhead transformerUS , 1980.
12in drag racing, nitromethane fuelUS , 1968 < in the cannot trying to winUS , 1951
canverb1to discharge someone from employmentUS , 1908.2to stop something, to cease somethingUS , 1906
canabnoun marijuana Also variant ‘canaib’ From the cannabis
plant, 2001
Canada flashnounin the Canadian military, a visible identification badgeCANADA , 1995
Canada honkernouna Canada gooseUS , 1927
Canada potatonouna Jerusalem artichokeCANADA , 1998
Canadiannoun1a Jewish personUS , 1950.2a multiple betUK , 1991
Canadian baconnounin homosexual usage, an uncircumcised penisUS , 1987
Canadian blacknoundark marijuana from CanadaUS , 1969
Canadian bouncernounthe central nervous system depressant Seconal™, manufactured in CanadaUS , 1971
Canadian passportnouna hair style in which the hair is worn short at the front and long at the back Most commonly known as
aMULLET US , 2000
Can Airnouna putative merged Air Canada/Canadian Airlines conglomerationCANADA , 1991
canal boatnounthe Horserace Totaliser Board, the Tote Rhyming slang The Tote was created by an Act of Parliament in 1928 This term (unlike synonymousNANNY GOAT) does not appear until after
1972 when the legislation was amended to allow the Tote to oper-ate as an on-course bookmakerUK , 1984
canal boats
Trang 2canal conchnouna promiscuous woman The ‘conch’ at issue is of
the vaginal typeTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1985
canal wrenchnounin oil drilling, a shovelUS , 1954
canamonoun marijuana From the Spanish cañamo (hemp) and
cañamo indio (cannabis) US , 1971
can-a-pissnouna can of beerNEW ZEALAND , 1998
canappanoun marijuana The Italian name given to the cannabis
plantUS , 1938
canarynoun1a female singerUK , 1886.2a police informer Canaries
sing, as do informersUS , 1929.3a person who is perceived to bring
bad luckUS , 1974.4a capsule of pentobarbital sodium (trade name
Nembutal™), a central nervous system depressantUS , 1973
canaryverbto inform to the policeUS , 1958
can-cannoungossipTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1956
cancelverb< cancel someone’s ticketto kill someoneUS , 1970
Cancel Canada’s FreedomnicknameFor the Co-Operative
Commonwealth Federation, a leftist political party that evolved
into Canada’s New Democratic Party The parody of the acronym
CCF arose from critics feeling that the party was too global in its
outlook and not nationalistic enoughCANADA , 1985
cancelled sticknouna tobacco cigarette that has been emptied of
tobacco and refilled with marijuanaUS , 1966
cancernoun1any artificial sweetener Because of the belief that the
sweeteners are carcinogensUS , 1986.2rust or corrosion on a car
bodyUS , 1975
Cancer Alleynounany area with high levels of environmental
carcinogensUS , 1981
cancer centernouna tobacco shopUS , 1955
cancer sticknouna cigaretteUS , 1958
Canconnoun Canadian Content, a percentage of which is required in
broadcastingCANADA , 2002
CanCultnoun Canadian Culture Subsidised by the government, and
enjoying a measure of world recognition, this industry is the site
of much infighting and jealousyCANADA , 2002
c and b thereused as an invitation to an eventTRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO , 1987
c and dnouncocaine and marijuanaUK , 1997
C and Enoun1a member of the church who only goes to services
at Christmas and EasterUK , 1966.2in craps, a bet on any craps and
elevenUS , 1985
C and Hnouncocaine and heroin A borrowing of a branded name
for sugar; sometimes used with the sugar company’s advertising
slogan: ‘pure cane sugar from Hawaii’US , 1980
can die!used for expressing despondencySINGAPORE , 2002
candlenoun1a semi-solid stalactite of nasal mucusUK , 2000.2an
emergency flareUS , 1971
candle moneynouna pay-out on fire insurance Police and
underworld use; derives from a candle left burning in an insured
property, perhaps deliberatelyUK , 1958
candlesticknounin electric line work, a fiberglass downlead bracket
US , 1980
C and Mnouna mixture of cocaine and morphineUS , 1950
can-doadjectiveconfident, optimismticUS , 1921
candynoun1any barbiturate capsuleUS , 1969.2cocaineUS , 1931.3a
sugar cube treated with LSDUS , 1972.4crack cocaineUK , 2003.
5inexpensive plastic or acrylic jewelleryUS , 1949.6cashUS , 2003.
7anything good or enjoyableUS , 1984.8a girl with extremely
conservative sexual moresUS , 1961
candyverbto enhance a marijuana cigarette with another drugUS ,
1982
candyadjectiveexcellentUS , 1991
candy apple rednounbright red; in hot rodding, a clear coated
metallic red paintUS , 1963
candy-armedadjectiveinjured Used for describing pitchers in the
candy-assnouna weak personUS , 1970
candy-ass; candy-assedadjectiveweak, ineffective, timidUS , 1952
candy-bar punk; candy-bar fagnouna male prisoner whose sex-ual favours are bought with purchases from the prison shopUS , 1972
candy butchernouna walking vendor who sells sweetsUS , 1966
candy C; candy ceenouncocaine An elaboration ofCANDY
(cocaine) by combination withC(cocaine)US , 1953
candycaine; candycanenouncocaine Punning on the Christmas hard peppermint ‘candy cane’ and ‘cocaine’US , 1989
candy flipnoun1a combination of LSD and MDMA, the rec-reational drug best known as ecstasy, taken at the same timeUS ,
1992.2an LSD-based drug-experience enhanced with a multiplicity
of other intoxicants FromCANDY(cocaine)US , 1996
candy flossnounthe recovered entrails of someone who has been hit by a train From the technique employedUK , 2002
candy grabbersnounin electric line work, channel lock pliersUS , 1980
candy kidnouna girl who wears a lot of inexpensive plastic or acrylic jewelleryCANADA , 2002
candy makernouna male homosexual who masturbates a partner
to ejaculation and then licks and swallows the semenUS , 1964
candymannoun1a drug dealer, especially a cocaine dealer; a heavy cocaine userUS , 1969.2a field enforcement official of the Federal Communication CommissionUS , 1976
candy pailnouna chamber potCANADA , 1987
candy sticknouna cigarette with a menthol filterUS , 1984
candy storenouna casino with rules that favour gamblersUS , 1991
candystore dicenounmass-produced dice that are imperfect even when unaltered by a cheatUS , 1974
candy stripernouna teenaged volunteer nursing assistant in a hospital From their pink and white uniformsUS , 1963
candy wagonnounin trucking, a truck with a light loadUS , 1942
candy wrappernouna hundred-dollar note Probably because of its association with the snorting of cocaine, or ‘nose candy’US , 1983
canenoun1a short crowbar used by criminals for breaking and entering An ironic allusion to a gentleman’s caneUK , 1937.2sugar
US , 1990 8see:CAINE
caneverb1to defeat someone in a humiliating fashionUK , 1937.2to have sexUS , 1966.3to do something to excess or, at least, to the limitUK , 2001 < cane the loopto play the 9th, 10th and 11th holes at St Andrews golf course, Scotland, in two under parUK , 1986
canedadjectivedrug-intoxicated, drunkUK , 1997
cane itverb1to drive at speed To ‘cane’ (to punish) a motorUK ,
1997.2to react, especially beyond sensible physical limitations, to chemical stimulants taken recreationallyUK , 2002
can housenouna brothelUS , 1906
Caniacnounan ice hockey fan of the Montreal Canadiens who travels to other cities to see playoff games The term comes from
the combining into one word of shortened forms of ‘Canadiens’ and ‘maniacs’ CANADA , 2002
can I do you now, sir?a catchprase that is usually appropriate to
context Adopted from the radio comedy It’s That Man Again, otherwise known as ITMA, that was broadcast on the BBC from
1939–49; the catchphrase was spoken by Mrs Mopp, the office char, played by Dorothy Summers Still heard occasionallyUK , 1939
can I speak to you?used as the commonest euphemism for ’Are you willing to listen to a corrupt proposal I am about to put to you?’UK , 1977
canisternoun1a safeUS , 1950.2the headUK , 2000
can it!be quiet!; stop talking!US , 1919
canklenouna thick ankle Possibly, as a compound of ‘calf’ and
‘ankle’US , 2000
CanLitnoun Canadian literature CANADA , 2002
cannatt
Trang 3cannedadjective1tipsy, drunkUS , 1918.2of music, recorded,
especially to serve as background music DerogatoryUK , 1904.
3recorded, repetitiveUS , 1903
canned goodsnoun1a virginUS , 1967.2a male who has never
experienced passive anal sexUS , 1972
canned heatnouna gel formed with liquid ethanol and saturated
calcium acetate solution; when ignited, the alcohol in the gel
burns Used as a source of fuel in portable cooking stoves and as a
source of alcohol by truly desperate derelictsUS , 1950
canned upadjective drunk on canned beer or lager UK , 1999
cannibalnouna person who performs oral sexUS , 1916
cannonnoun1a large handgunUS , 1846.2a large surfboard designed
for big-wave conditionsUS , 1965.3an extra large marijuana cigarette
UK , 1999.4a muscular armUS , 1989.5a pickpocketUS , 1909
cannonballnoun1an express trainUS , 1894.2a dive in which the
diver grips and tucks their knees against their chest to maximise
the splashUS , 1949
cannonballadjective(used of a road race) unofficial, illegalUS , 1992
cannon-cockernouna member of an artillery unit Vietnam war
usageUS , 1952
cannon foddernouninfantry soldiers Used with sympathy or
derision by journalists, agitators and, occasionally, the troopsUK ,
1948
cannynouna bird; a pheasant English gypsy useUK , 2000
canoenouna marijuana cigarette which burns unevenly or is holed
The resemblance to a simple canoe: ‘a log with a hole in one
side’, 2001
canoeverb1to have sexUS , 1954.2(used of a marijuana cigarette) to
burn only on the topUS , 1989
canoe inspectionnouna medical inspection of a woman’s genitals
for signs of a sexually transmitted diseaseUS , 1964
canoe lickingnounthe act of oral sex on a womanUS , 2001
canoe-makernouna forensic pathologist From the image of the
body on the autopsy table, opened up to resemble a canoeUS , 1970
Canoe Unicknamethe US Naval Academy at Annapolis The 1998
Naval Academy yearbook included a CD-ROM supplement entitled
Canoe U, providing a virtual tour of the Naval Academy US , 1963
can of cokenouna joke Rhyming slangUK , 1998
can offverbto fall offNEW ZEALAND , 1984
can of gasnouna small butane torch used in the preparation of
crack cocaineUS , 1992
can of oil; canovnouna boil Usually reducedUK , 1961
can of striped paintnouna mythical task assigned to a newly
hired helperUS , 1963
can of whip-ass; can of whup-assnouna notional repository for a
physical beatingUS , 1984
can of wormsnoun1a complex issue or situation, consideration of
which may cause further problems, scandal or unpleasantnessUS ,
1927.2a can of c-ration spaghettiUS , 1991
canonicaladjectivein computing, in the usual and accepted form
Literally, ‘according to religious law’US , 1981
can openernouna curved bar used by criminals to prize open a
safeUS , 1949.
can or no canused for expressing the decision-making process
used by a big-wave surfersUS , 1991
cansnoun1the female breastsUS , 1959.2headphonesCANADA , 1977.
3money English gypsy useUK , 2000
can shooternouna criminal who specialises in breaking into safes
US , 1949
can spannernouna tin opener Royal Navy useUK , 1979
cantaloupenouna misfit; an outcastUS , 1985
cantaloupsnoundice weighted by a cheat to show a four, five or six
US , 1983
can’t be bad!used as an expression of, sometimes envious,
approval or congratulation
canteennoun1a truck stopUS , 1976.2goods purchased against earnings credited, or cash Prison useUK , 1978
canteen boatnounthe rear craft in a sea-borne minesweeping for-mationUK , 1995
canteen cowboynoun1a ladies’ man, especially one who loiters in the NAAFI (the armed forces shop or canteen) for the purpose of meeting women Royal Air Force use, still current in the 1970s Formed on USDRUGSTORE COWBOY(a young man who loiters in or around a drugstore for the purpose of meeting women)UK , 1943.
2a railway employee on an unexpected or extended tea breakUK ,
1970.3an orderly corporal on duty in a Royal Air Force Station Institute, NAAFI or Junior Ranks’ Club Roughly contemporary with the sense as ‘ladies’ man’; still current in the early 1970sUK , 1961
canteen lettersnounan extra two letters per week if an inmate pays for stamps Prison useUK , 1978
canteen punknouna prisoner who engages in sexual acts for payment in goods bought at the prison canteen or shopUS , 1974
canternounthe speed with which a prisoner believes that his prison sentence will race by From conventional ‘canter’ (a horse’s easy speed of movement, not quite a gallop), thus a prisoner’s boast of
an ‘easy ride’UK: SCOTLAND , 2000
can’t go swimmingexperiencing the bleed period of a woman’s menstrual cycleUS , 1999
can’t hear you – your mouth’s full of shitused as a refusal to acknowledge what someone else is saying, implying that what is being spoken is nonsense or offensive Used by some comedians
as a ‘heckle put-down’UK , 1994
can’t-help-itnounan imagined disease From an earlier sense of the term as ‘menstruation’US , 1919
can’t-missnounin horse racing, a racehorse that is a sure thing to win a race to the extent that a sure thing is a sure thingUS , 1951
can to can’tall day, from early morning (when you can just see) to late evening (when you can’t see)US , 1919
can’t-see-umnounany small, annoying insectUS , 1985
can’t take you anywhere!used as a jocular reprimand to a companion who has just said or done something contrary to the
accepted social code; or (replacing you with him or her) to the company at large, as a humorous acknowledgement of such a faux pas UK , 1975
Canucknouna Canadian, especially a French-Canadian Insulting Most likely to be heard in portions of the US bordering Canada During the 1972 campaign for US President, a newspaper in New Hampshire printed an anonymous letter accusing candidate Senator Muskie of having used the term ‘Canuck’ to describe the state’s French-Canadian population The sound and fury created
by the accusation stunned Muskie, and by the time it was learnt that the letter had been a concoction of President Nixon’s election campaign the damage had been doneUS , 1835
CanuckadjectiveCanadian InsultingUS , 1955
can-upnouna particularly bad fall while skiingUS , 1963
canvasnoun1a strait jacketUS , 1949.2a sports shoe, whether or not made from canvasFIJI , 1997
canvasbacknouna boxer or fighter whose lack of skills leads him to find himself on his backUS , 1955
canyonnounthe vaginaUS , 1980
canyon-divenounoral sex performed on a womanUS , 1980
canyon slickernouna condom CombinesCANYON(the vagina) with
a waterproof outergarmentUK , 1998
capnoun1a bullet; a shotUS , 1925.2a capsule of drugsUS , 1929.3a psychoactive mushroom Conventionally, the domed upper part of
a mushroom; possibly an abbreviation of ‘liberty cap’, the name given to psilocybin mushroomsUS , 1999.4the amount of marijuana that will fit into the plastic cap of a tube of lip glossUS ,
1989.5crack cocaine Sometimes in the pluralUK , 1998.6used as a term of address for someone whose actions are provoking physical violence Hawaiian youth usage; an abbreviated form of ‘capillary’
US , 1982.7captainUS , 1759.8a capital letter Originally used by printers, then publishers and authors . a recapped tyre
Trang 41971.10the penisFIJI , 1993.11in casino gambling, a chip of one
denomination on top of a stack of chips of another denomination
US , 1991
capverb1to package a drug in capsulesUS , 1952.2to shoot someone
US , 1970.3to insult someone in a competitive, quasi-friendly spirit;
to outdo someoneUS , 1944.4to steer business to someoneUS , 1973.
5in casino gambling, to add to an existing bet, usually illegallyUS ,
1980.6to assist in a fraudulent scheme by fast talk that helps lure
the victim into the swindleUK , 1811.7to fly on combat air patrol
(CAP) Royal Air Force useUK , 1979
Cape Breton attache casenouna plastic bagCANADA , 1980
Cape Cod turkeynounsalt codUS , 1865
Cape Doctornounthe strong southeasterly trade wind that blows in
Cape Town over summerSOUTH AFRICA , 1861
cape hornnouna condom The southernmost tip of the South
American continent puns on ‘cape’ (an outer garment, often
waterproof ) worn on aHORN(the erect penis) A similar pun was
behind the C19 sense, now obsolete, as ‘the vagina’ – the
southernmost tip, often subject to stormy weather, where many
men have been lostUK , 1998
capellanouna hat An affected elaboration of ‘cap’; easily confused
with the obsolete sense (a coat) which derives directly from Italian
UK , 1993
Cape of Good Hopenoun1soap Rhyming slang, based on the
South African headland; sometimes shortened to ‘cape’UK , 1925.
2the Pope Rhyming slangUK , 1994
capernoun1a criminal undertaking, especially a swindle or theftUS ,
1925.2that which is going on; business; an undertakingAUSTRALIA ,
1954.3the time devoted to pleasure; a hedonistic lifestyle Probably
from the conventional sense (a dance)UK , 2001.4cocaine
Etymology uncertain; possibly rhyming slang: ‘cape of good hope’,
for ‘dope’UK , 2001.5a costume worn for erotic effectUK , 2002
caperverbto commit a criminal undertaking, especially a swindle or
theftUS , 1976
caper carnouna car used for a crime and then abandonedUS , 1981
capey; capienouna person who is part of the non-white, or
‘coloured’ population in South Africa’s Cape province A term that
has survived apartheidSOUTH AFRICA , 1977
capisce?; capeesh?do you understand? Thanks to gangster films
and television programmes, almost always a blatant affectation
with an organised, Sicilian ring to itUS , 1977
capitaladjectiveattractive, good-lookingUS , 2001
capital Hnounheroin An embellishment ofH(heroin)US , 1975
capital prizenouna sexually transmitted infectionUS , 1948
cap mannouna confederate in a swindleUS , 1971
Cap’n Crunchnicknamea captain of a British Columbia provincial
ferry who had a spectacular collisionCANADA , 1989
caponouna leader of a Mafia organisationUS , 1952
caponnounan effeminate or homosexual maleUS , 1945
cap onverbto look at someone or somethingUS , 1971
capoonkleadjectiveconfusing, confusedUS , 1982
cappernoun1a clincher; something that beats all othersUK , 1960.
2in a drug-selling enterprise, a person who fills capsules with a
drugUS , 1958.3in a confidence swindle, a person who lures the
victim into the swindle From the verbCAP US , 1753.4in an auction,
a dummy bidderUS , 1853
capsnounheroinUK , 1998
capsulanouncrack cocaineUK , 2003
capsule connouna prisoner convicted on drug chargesUS , 1970
captainnoun1a railway conductorUS , 1946.2the person buying the
drinksAUSTRALIA , 1953 < out with the captainout drinking
Especially in the Maritime provinces, the Captain is of course
Captain Morgan rumCANADA , 2001
Captain Bobnicknamecorrupt businessman Robert Maxwell
(1923–1991)UK
Captain Cookadjectiveill Rhyming slang forCROOK(ill), formed on the name of explorer Captain James Cook (1728–1779)AUSTRALIA , 2002
Captain Cook; captain’snouna look Rhyming slang, after Captain James Cook, 1728–79, British sea explorer who ‘discovered’ the east coast of AustraliaAUSTRALIA , 1960
Captain Grimesnickname The Times newspaper Rhyming slang UK: ENGLAND , 1982
Captain Hicksnounin craps, the number sixUS , 1941
Captain Kirknouna Turk Rhyming slang, based on a famous character of the original television and film science fiction
adventure series Star Trek, since 1969 UK , 1998
captain of the headnounan orderly assigned to latrine dutyUS , 1947
captain’s lognoun1a lavatory Rhyming slang for ‘bog’, based on a famous detail of television and film science fiction adventure
series Star Trek, since 1969 UK , 1998.2the penis A Star Trek cliché
punning onWOOD(the erect penis)US , 2001
captain’s mannouna police officer designated to pick up bribes from criminals for his superior officersUS , 1972
Captain TripsnicknameJerry Garcia (1942–1995), lead guitarist and spiritual bedrock of the Grateful DeadUS , 1994
capturenounan arrest and imprisonmentUK , 1958
captureverb< capture the bishop(of a male) to masturbate Punning ‘capture’ with ‘to lay hands on’; a variation ofBASH THE BISHOP(to masturbate)UK , 2005
capunnouncapital punishmentUS , 1992
caputadjective 8see:KAPUT
cap worknounthe alteration of dice for cheating by making them resilient on certain surfaces, which makes them more likely to bounce off the altered sidesUS , 1950
carnoun1a clique of prisonersUS , 1989.2a radioUS , 2002.3in lobstering, a slatted box in the water in which lobsters are kept until they are soldUS , 1978
caramelnoun< drop a caramelto defecateUK: SCOTLAND , 1988
carameladjectivemixed raceUS , 1994
caramellonouna type of hashish from Morocco From the Spanish for ‘caramel’; the Spanish spell the word with one lUK , 2003
caravannicknamethe section of Mountjoy jail where members of the travelling community are incarceratedIRELAND , 1996
carbnouna carburettorUS , 1942
car bangernouna criminal who specialises in stealing from carsUS , 1982
carbie; carbynouna carburettorNEW ZEALAND , 1956
carbonouncarboyhydratesUS , 1977
carbolic dipnounthe bath or shower with carbolic dip given to prisoners when they arrive at a prisonUS , 1950
car branouna cover placed on the front of a car in the hope or belief that it will foil radar speed-detectionUS , 1990
carburettornouna tube with holes used for smoking marijuana; a hole that is designed to let air into a pipe used for smoking marijuana As its automotive namesake forces a mixture of fuel and oxygen into an engine, the marijuana-related carburettor forces a mixture of marijuana smoke and air into the smoker’s lungsUS , 1967
carcassnounone’s body; oneselfAUSTRALIA , 1956
car catchernouna rear brakeman on a freight trainUS , 1946
car cloutnouna thief who breaks into and steals the contents of carsUS , 1962
cardnoun1a tactic held in reserve and then used to win an advan-tage Usually in the expression ‘playing the (fill in the blank) card’
US , 1973.2an eccentric; a lively personalityUK , 1836 < go through the cardto have everything on offer; to cover something comprehensively Originally, ‘to back every winning horse at a race-meeting.’ < on the cardin railway slang, on time
Trang 5cardverb1to ask someone for proof of age before selling or serving
them alcoholUS , 1975.2to trade credit card numbers illegallyUK ,
1998
cardboardnounin horse racing, a betting ticketAUSTRALIA , 1989
cardboard boxnounany sexually transmitted infection Rhyming
slang forPOX UK , 1980
cardboard cavernounin caving and pot-holing, a caver who gives
up at the first sign of wetness DerogatoryUK , 2004
cardboard citynouna prison segregation unit Derives from the fact
that the furniture in such prison cells is often made from
cardboardUK , 1996
card-carryingadjectivedevout, dedicated First used in the late
1940s to describe fervent leftists in the US as ‘card-carrying
Communists’, the term was given new life in 1988 when
Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis described
himself as a ‘card-carrying member of the American Civil Liberties
Union’US , 1963
cardenalesnounbarbiturates From the Spanish for ‘cardinal’ (a red
bird)US , 1997
cardernouna person employed to place prostitutes’ advertising
cards in telephone boxes and other public placesUK , 1994
cardi; cardie; cardy; Cardinoun1a cardigan knitted woollen
jacket Named after James Brudenell, the seventh Earl of Cardigan
(1797–1868) whose cavalry troops, during the Crimean War
(1853–56), wore a similar garment for warmthUK , 1987.2an
inhabi-tant of the country of Ceredigion, formerly Cardiganshire; any
person who is reluctant to part with cash Probably originates with
the frugal practices of Cardiganshire hill farmersUK: WALES , 2002
cardiesnounelectronic gambling machines that display playing
cardsAUSTRALIA , 1998
cardinalnoun< the cardinal is homeused for conveying that
the speaker is experiencing the bleed period of the menstrual
cycleUS , 1980
card mobnountwo or more card cheats working togetherUS , 1979
cardsnoun< on the cardslikely, probableUK , 1849
cards speaknounin high-low poker, the rule that players need not
declare whether they are playing for a low or high handUS , 1996
card surfingnoun1a moving of custom between credit cards to
achieve financial advantageUK , 2000.2a criminal act in which a
criminal closely observes a person using an automatic cash
machine (by looking over his or her shoulder) and notes the
per-sonal identity number that is enterered on the keypad; the user’s
card is subsequently stolen, without making the user aware of the
theft, and fraudulent withdrawals of cash are the criminal’s reward
Also known as ‘shoulder surfing’US , 1992
careverb< not care lessto be absolutely unconcernedUS , 1966
care bearnouna person working in a prison who is seen to be too
sympathetic to the prisoners’ needs Derogatory; based on cute
cartoon characters The Care Bears, originally created in 1981 for
US greeting cards, and subsequently animated for television and
filmUK , 1996
career girlnouna ewe that refuses to nurse her youngNEW ZEALAND ,
2002
career manglernounin the Canadian military, a Career Manager
CANADA , 1995
care factor: zero!nounI don’t care about what you just said!US ,
1997
CARE packagenoun1a box of treats and/or necessities, sent to
someone away from home with the hope of cheering them up
Suggested by CARE packages sent by the United NationsUS , 1962.
2a small amount of a drug disguised for safe carrying and later
useUK , 1983
carewarenouncomputer software offered free by its developer, with
the request that the user make a contribution to a charity in place
of paying a fee for the softwareUS , 1991
carganounheroin Border Spanish used in English conversation by
Mexican-Americans, from its literal sense as ‘a charge (of
cargonounostentatious jewellery worn as a status symbolUK , 1994
carhopnoun1an employee in a drive-in restaurant who serves customers in their carsUS , 1939.2a girl who chooses partners on the basis of their carUS , 1995
cariolenouna horse-drawn sleighCANADA , 1965
carjackverbto steal a car from its driver under threat of bodily harm An elision of ‘car’ and ‘hijack’US , 1991
car jockeynoun1a race car driverUS , 1977.2a parking attendantUS , 1956
cark; karkverbto die Origin unknown Suggestions that it is from
‘carcass’, or from ‘cark’ (the harsh cry of a crow) are not very convincingAUSTRALIA , 1977
car keynouna screwdriver used for breaking into carsUK , 1996
cark it; kark itverbto dieAUSTRALIA , 1982
Carl Rosanouna poser, a poseur; hence, as ‘the old Carl Rosa’, fraud
or deceipt Rhyming slang, formed on the name of German musician Carl Rosa, 1842–89; in 1873 he founded the Carl Rosa Opera which is now Britain’s oldest opera companyUK , 1977
Carly; Callynicknamelager manufacturers Carlsberg™; lager manufactured by Carlsberg™ ‘Carly’ may be used for the basic brand lager or Carlsberg Special Brew, or combined with ‘extra’ for Carlsberg Extra, and ‘special’ for Carlsberg Special BrewUK: SCOTLAND , 1988
carmabisnounmarijuana A visual pun on the word ‘cannabis’ and
a quasi-spiritual reference toKARMA(fate); possibly an error in spelling or readingUS , 1977
carn!come on! A call of encouragement especially common amongst sports spectators Eye-dialect rendering of typical Australian pronunciation Commonly preceding the name of a team beginning with ‘the’, e.g ‘carn the Blues’ (come on the Blues)AUSTRALIA , 1965
carnaused in exortationsAUSTRALIA , 1967
carnalnounamong Mexican-Americans, a very close male friend Border Spanish used in English conversation by Mexican-AmericansUS , 1950
carnappernouna person who habitually steals cars On the pattern
of ‘kidnapper’UK , 1984
carnenounheroin From the Spanish for ‘meat’US , 1986
carney; carnynouna carnivalUS , 1931
carnienoun1a young person under the legal age of consent An abbreviated reference to ‘carnal knowledge’; sometimes embellished as ‘carnie kid’.NEW ZEALAND , 1984.2a carnation
AUSTRALIA , 1968.3cocaineUK , 2003
carnival croquetnounthe shell gameUS , 1966
carnival lousenouna person who follows a carnival from town to town and associates with carnival employees, but is not one himselfUS , 1981
carnynoun1any person employed by or associated with a travelling carnivalUS , 1939.2the insider’s language used by carnival workers
US , 1948
carny Biblenounthe Amusement Business magazineUS , 1985
carny divorcenounan arrangement in which a man and woman who are living together without benefit of a wedding end their relationship, often consisting of one ride backwards around on a ferris wheelUS , 1985
carny’s ChristmasnounLabor Day (the first Monday in September)
US , 1981
carny weddingnounan arrangement in which a man and woman live together without benefit of a wedding, often consisting of one ride around on a ferris wheelUS , 1980
Carolinanoun1in craps, a nineUS , 1950.2a friend, a mate A Glasgow rhyming slang extension of ‘china plate’ (mate), a piece of Cockney rhyming slangUK , 1988
Carolina spreadnounsignificant weight gain below the waistUS , 1981
Carolina stockernounin drag racing, a stock car with illegal equipment or with an illegally large engine
Trang 6carpnoun1anchovies as a pizza toppingUS , 1996.2a black prisoner
US , 1989.3a carpenter, especially on a theatre setUS , 1952
car parknounan informer Rhyming slang forNARK(an informer)UK ,
1992
carpedadjectivedrug-intoxicatedUK , 1996
carpenternounan orthopaedistUS , 1994
carpenter’s dreamnouna flat-chested woman From the pun ‘flat
as a board, and easy to screw’US , 1974
carpetnoun1a three month period of imprisonment A shortening
of ‘carpet bag’ rhyming slang for ‘drag’ an obsolete term for ‘a
three month sentence’; this origin is now mainly forgotten;
therefore it has since been reasoned that ‘carpet’ is so-called
because it easy to doUK , 1903.2a three year sentence of
imprisonmentUK , 1956.3in betting, odds of 3–1UK , 1967.4a sum
of £3UK , 1954.5three hundred pounds, £300 Ticket-touting slang
Also spelled ‘carpits’UK , 2002.6an artificial grass playing surfaceUS ,
1978 < clean the carpet(of a female) to masturbateUS , 2001.
< matching carpet and drapes; carpet and drapes that
matchapplied to a person, usually a woman, whose hair is
neither bleached nor dyed A jocular suggestion that the hair on
the head is of the same natural shade as the pubic hairUS , 1999
carpet and a halfnounin betting, odds of 7–2 In bookmaker
slangCARPETis 3–1, here the addition of a half increases the odds
to 3½–1 or 7–2UK , 1991
carpetbaggernouna person who interferes in local politics without
being a true part of the local communityUS , 1868
carpet burgernounoral sex performed on a womanUS , 2001
carpet burnnouna rawness of the skin due to frictional contact
with a carpet On the model of ‘rope-burn’ Tends to be used
mainly of knees and elbows and generally in the context of
wounds received in the course of unconventionally located
love-makingUS , 1986
carpet controlnounan obsessive belief, held whilst under the
influ-ence of crack cocaine, that there are useable traces of crack
cocaine on the floor A variation onCARPET PATROL From a discreet
correspondentUK , 2001
carpet crawlernouna young childUS , 1976
carpet gamenouna swindle in which the swindler holds and then
steals the wallet of a customer going to see a non-existent
prostituteUS , 1967
carpet jointnouna fancy, high-class casinoUS , 1961
carpet munchernouna cunnilinguist; hence, and especially, a
lesbianUS , 1994
carpeto; carpitonounthirty pounds £30 Ticket-touting slang From
CARPET(£300)UK , 2002
carpet patrolnounsmokers of crack cocaine who search the floor
for droppings of crack cocaineUK , 1998
carpet slashingnouna dance party From the more commonCUT A
RUG US , 1947
carpet walkernouna drug addictUS , 1971
car-poppingnouncar-theft FromPOP(to steal)UK , 1996
Carrie; Carrie Nation; Carry; Carry NationnouncocaineUS , 1955
carrier pigeonnouna messenger or courierUS , 1933
carrotnouna marijuana cigaretteUS , 2001
carrot crunchernoun(from an urban perspective) a country-dweller
UK , 1977
carrot eater; carrot snappernouna Mormon OffensiveUS , 1968
carrot-topnouna red-headed personUS , 1889
carrynoun1any victim of a crime who must be taken from the
scene by stretcherUS , 1958.2a consignment or substantial quantity
of drugsUK , 1996
Carrynoun 8see:CARRIE
carryverb1to carry a firearmUS , 1971.2to be in possession of drugs
US , 1961.3to have surplus moneyUK: NORTHERN IRELAND , 1996.4to
lead or be in charge of somethingUS < carry a big spoon
to stir up troubleAUSTRALIA , 1989 < carry a caseto be out of prison on bail A neat play on a basic travel requirement and a
‘court case’UK , 1996 < carry a torchto yearn for an unrequited love or a love affair that is over; to be devoted to someone without having your devotion reciprocatedUS , 1927 < carry it to the doorto serve all of a prison sentenceUS , 2002 < carry news
to gossipTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1970 < carry someone’s bagsto
be romantically involved with someoneUS , 1973 < carry the bannerto stay up all nightUS , 1980 < carry the bugin circus usage, to work as a night watchman FromBUG(a torch)US , 1981.
< carry the can back; carry the canto take the blame or punishment on behalf of another; to be made a scapegoat; to do the dirty work while another gets the credit Navy originsUK , 1929.
< carry the mail1to buy drinksAUSTRALIA , 1966.2to commit a murder for hireUS , 1971.3to move quicklyUS , 1946 < carry the shit bucketto perform the lowliest tasksAUSTRALIA , 1977 < carry the silksin horse racing, to race for a particular ownerUS , 1951.
< carry the stickto live without a fixed abodeUS , 1978 < carry the targetin horse racing, to run in the last position for an entire raceUS , 1976 < carry the wheelsto accelerate so quickly that the vehicle’s front wheels lift off the groundUS , 1968 < carry your bat outin cricket, to survive your team’s innings undismissedUK , 1934
carryallnouna vehicle for transport, either wheeled or on rails for snowCANADA , 1963
carry-awaynouna robbery in which a safe is taken and opened at leisure away from the crime sceneUS , 1958
carry daynounin television and film-making, a day in which the cast and crew are paid but do not have to workUS , 1990
carry downverbto arrest someoneTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1971
carrying all before heradjectiveof a woman, having a generous bust or obviously pregnant JocularUK , 1984
carryings-onnounconspicuous behaviourUK , 1859
carrying weightadjectivedepressed Beatniks’ use, late 1950s-60s; from the notion of being under a heavy burdenUK , 1984
Carry Nationnoun 8see:CARRIE
carry-onnoun1a fuss; an uproar; an outbreak of excited behaviour
UK , 1890.2any continuing activity or catalogue of detailsUK , 2001
carry onverb1to behave in a conspicuous way, to make a fussUK ,
1828.2to be involved in a flirtatious or adulterous relationship Generally phrased ‘carry on with’, specifying the other personUK ,
1856.3to act in an ostentatiously effeminate manner in publicUS , 1963
carry tosnoun(around Shigawake in the Gaspe) social welfare The word is pronounced ‘carry toss’CANADA , 1998
carry your ass!go away!GUYANA , 1998
carsey; karseynoun a brothel From the Italian casa (a house)
which is also its original useUK , 2002
car-shopverbto break into a car to steal its contentsUS , 1997
cartverb1to carry something somewhere From the conventional sense (to transport by cart)UK , 1964.2in cricket, to hit the ball or attack the bowling with unrestrained powerUK , 1903
Carter’s Little Liver Pillsnounany central nervous system stimu-lantUS , 1976
cart-napverbto steal a shopping trolley A jocular combination of
‘cart’ and ‘kidnap’UK , 1996
car toad; car tink; car tonk; car whackernouna railway inspector Named for the squatting position taken when inspecting the underside of a carUS , 1946
carton-pushernouna person who sells cigarettes that have been stolen or smuggled from a state with lower taxesUS , 1978
car tricknounan act of sex between a prostitute and customer in a carUS , 1968
carts; cartznouna man’s genitaliaUK , 1992
cartuchonouna package containing marijuana cigarettes, equivalent
to a packet of cigarettes From ‘cartouche’ (a roll or case of paper,
etc., containing a charge for a firearm), or Spanish cartucho (a roll
or case of paper)
Trang 7cartwheelnoun1a feigned drug withdrawal spasmUS , 1936.2an
amphetamine tabletUS , 1966.3a silver dollar pieceUS , 1949
cartzo; catso; cartesnoun the penis From Italian cazzo (to thust)
UK , 1702
carveverb1in skateboarding, to take a turn sharplyUS , 1976.2in
surfing, to change the course of the surfboard by digging it into
the waterUS , 1980.3in mountain biking, to travel at great speed
around cornersUS , 1996.4in foot-propelled scootering, to turn
sharply while in mid-jump Glossed as ‘pulling off a big, fast, aerial
scoot-turn’UK , 2000.5to outplay another musician in a competition
of solosUS , 1970 < carve some beefto grant sexual favours; to
consent to sexUS , 2001 < carve someone’s knobto make
someone understandUS , 1953 < carve up the mobto surf
recklessly through a crowd of surfers or swimmersAUSTRALIA , 1964.
< carve yourself a slicefrom the male point of view, to have
sexUK , 1984
carved upadjective(used of a bodybuilder) without fatUS , 1984
carve-upnoun1a fight; a battle; a gang warUK , 1961.2an act of poor
driving in which one vehicle cuts in front of anotherUK , 1984.3a
division of loot, profits or the legacy of a willUK , 1935.4a swindle
UK , 1937
carve upverb1of a driver, to cut in front of another vehicle and
force the driver of that vehicle to brake or take other emergency
actionUK , 1984.2to spoil the chances of another’s businessUK , 1961.
3to swindle an accomplice out of a shareUK , 1937
carvienoun1a fellow prisoner who shares in a supply of tobacco,
perhaps by subscription to a common supplyUK , 1950.2a prisoner
who deals in contraband tobacco; a tobacco baron From the
earlier sense (a prisoner who shares your tobacco) This sense
describes the prisoner who carves up the supply UK , 1996
carving knifenouna wife Rhyming slangUK , 2003
car washnounduring the Vietnam war, an establishment in
Vietnam where a man went for a haircut, bath, massage and sex
US , 1977
car whackernoun 8see:CAR TOAD
casanounthe operator of a gambling establishment or game
Spanish for ‘house’TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1952
casabasnounthe female breastsUS , 1970
Casablancanouna wanker (an all-purpose term of abuse) Rhyming
slangUK , 2003
Casablanca goldnouna variety of hashish produced on the higher
slopes of the Rif MountainsUK , 2003
Cascadianounan imaginary proposed state or area formed of the
states of Washington and Oregon and British ColumbiaCANADA , 1995
casenoun1a promiscuous womanAUSTRALIA , 1967.2a patient with a
sexually transmitted infectionUS , 1994.3a love-affairUK , 1860.4to
engage in an adulterous relationshipUK , 1977
caseverb1to look over a place or person, especially in anticipation
of criminal activityUS , 1914.2to work as a prostitute A cynical
vari-ation of ‘go case’ (to have sex with)UK , 1996.3to tease someone, to
scold someoneUS , 1971.4to put a prisoner on report for a breach
of regulationsUK , 1950
case!used for asserting that all has gone as plannedTRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO , 1966
case acenounin card games, the fourth and remaining ace when
three have been playedUS , 1960
case gamenounin pool, a situation in which each player can win
with their next shotUS , 1985
case notenoun1a one-dollar noteUS , 1962.2a gambler’s last money
US , 1962
case outverbto engage in sexual foreplayUS , 1963
casernoun1a skilled card-counter in blackjackUS , 1983.2in poker,
the last card in a particular rank or suit in a deal A term borrowed
from the card game of faroUS , 1963.3a strict prison officer; one
with a reputation for putting prisoners on reportUK , 1950.4a five
shilling piece; five shillings Recorded earliest in Australia Became
obsolete after the introduction of decimal currency in 1966
. a sexually aggressive boy
Casey Jonesnoun1in poker, a player who draws the last card of a rank, the case card John Luther ‘Casey’ Jones (1864–1900) was an American locomotive engineer whose death in a train accident made him a legend celebrated in ballad and songUS , 1988.2in pool, a case game (one that either player can win with their next shot)US , 1993
cashverbto finish consuming something Usage is in the context of drug or alcohol consumptionUS , 2001
cash and carriagenounmarriage Rhyming slang Derives only fromCASH AND CARRY(to marry) as the term ‘cash and carriage’ has
no other existenceUK , 1992
cash and carriedadjectivemarried Rhyming slang, fromCASH AND CARRY(to marry); not ‘cashed’UK , 1961
cash and carryverbto marry Rhyming slangUK , 1961
cash assnounsex for moneyUK , 1987
cash cownounany business or business-sector that provides a steady cash flowUS , 1974
cashedadjectivecompletely consumed, emptyUS , 1997
cashed upadjectivewith a ready supply of moneyAUSTRALIA , 1930
cashernouna front trouser pocket Pickpockets’ use, because that is where coins are usually carriedUK , 1974
cashewnouna psychiatric patientUS , 1994
cashienouna cash transaction that is tax-free by virtue of not being reportedNEW ZEALAND , 1995
cash-innouna profitable product or activity that is tied into – and would not exist without – another product or activity that has a greater presence in the marketplaceUK , 1970
cash inverb1to die A shortened form of ‘cash in your chips’US ,
1891.2to take advantage of something and profit therebyUS , 1904
cashishnounmoneyUK , 2000
cashmerenouna jumper, whether actually cashmere or notUS , 1970
cash money!used for expressing great joy or pleasureUS , 2002
casholanounmoneyUS , 1977
cash salenouna US Marine newly arrived in Vietnam and inexperi-enced in combat Cash Sales was the name of an outlet found on marine bases in the US; a marine newly arrived in Vietnam looked like and smelled like a Cash Sales outletUS , 1990
cash talknouna Canadian male game in which participants aggressively insult each otherCANADA , 2002
cash upverb1to get moneyAUSTRALIA , 1958.2to pay someoneUK , 1983
casino-hopverbto move from one casino to anotherUS , 1993
casino perfectsnounhigh quality dice used in casinos The dice are almost certain to roll true because they are milled to a very precise toleranceUS , 1997
casket nailnouna cigarette Far less common thanCOFFIN NAIL US , 1969
caspernouna very pale white person, especially a tourist at the beachUS , 1991
Casper; Casper the ghostnouncrack cocaine Based on the cartoon-strip character Casper the Friendly Ghost; from the cloud
of smoke produced when smoking the productUS , 1994
cass-cassadjectivemessy, slovenelyGUYANA , 1998
castverb< cast an eyeballto look Teen slangUS , 1958 < cast the runesin computing, to operate a program that will not work for anyone elseUS , 1991
casters-up modeadjectivein computing, brokenUS , 1991
cast-eyenouna squintBELIZE , 1998
casting couchnounthe notional or real sofa in a director’s office, used for sex with an actor hoping for a part Based on the commonly held belief that a sexual performance is all the audition requiredUS , 1931
cast-ironadjectiveirrefutableUK , 1943
cast iron college a local jail Carnival usage