A patronising elaboration of CUNT UK: NORTHERN IRELAND , 2001 cuntinessnoununpleasant or stupid characteristics of a personUK , 2001 cuntingadjectiveused as an intensifier, generally den
Trang 1on ‘green’, the colour of the cucumber and a slang term for
‘inex-perienced’ Often shortened to ‘cuke’US , 1962
cucumbersnoun< the cucumbersin prison, Rule 43, which
allows a prisoner to be kept apart from the main prison
community for ‘safety of self or others’ Rhyming slang
(‘numbers’)UK , 2003
cudanoun1a barracudaUS , 1949.2a Plymouth Barracuda carUS , 1965
cuddle and kissnoun1an act of urination Rhyming slang forPISS
Sometimes shortened to ‘cuddie’UK , 1992.2a girl; a girlfriend
Rhyming slang for ‘miss’; formed in a time when a cuddle and
kiss were the only realistic objectives for a young man with love
on his mindUK , 1938.3piss, in the phrase ‘take the piss’ (to make a
fool of ) Rhyming slangUK , 1992
cuddle bunnynounan attractive girlUS , 1946
cuddled and kissed; cuddledadjectivedrunk Rhyming slang for
PISSED UK , 1998
cuddle puddlenouna group of people lying together, especially
after taking the type of recreational drugs that enhance feelings of
togetherness; a communal jacuzziUK , 2003
cuddle seatnounin a cinema, a double seat provided for a couple’s
convenience Probably adopted from the brand name Cuddleseat™
(a baby carrier) introduced in 1947AUSTRALIA , 1984
cuddynoun a horse From British dialect cuddy (a donkey) AUSTRALIA ,
1897
cudja?could you? Apparently coined by television production
company Brighter Pictures but rapidly gained wider useUK , 2002
cudsnounthe countrysideUK , 1995
cuenoun1barbecued meatUS , 1992.2barbecueUS , 1908.3a tip or
gratuityUS , 1970.< put your cue in the rackto die; to retire
AUSTRALIA , 1989
cueballnoun1a bald personUS , 1941.2a crew-cut haircutUS , 1955.
3one-eighth of an ounce of cocaineUS , 1993
cue biternounan actor who proceeds with his lines without letting
the audience react appropriately to the cue lineUS , 1973
cue-bownouna charge of ‘conduct unbecoming an officer’ filed
against a police officerUS , 1975
cuesnounheadphones worn by musicians overdubbing a tapeUS ,
1979
cuffnoun< off the cuffunrehearsed, improvised From the
discreet aide-memoire some performers or speakers jot on their
cuffsUS , 1938.< on the cuff1on creditUS , 1927.2admitted to a
theatre without paying for a ticketUS , 1973
cuffverb1to handcuff someoneUK , 1851.2to shine something, to
polish somethingUS , 1973.3to drink to excessTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ,
1956.4to admit someone to an entertainment without chargeUS ,
1951.5in an illegal betting operation, to accept bets at odds and in
a proportion guaranteed to produce a loss for the bookmakerUS ,
1951
cuff down; cuff upverbto assault someone; to beat someone
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1966
cuff link faggot; cuff link queennouna wealthy, ostentatious
homosexual maleUS , 1965
cuff linksnounhandcuffsUS , 1982
cuffsnounhandcuffs Originally used of C17 iron fetters, now used
as a shortening of ‘handcuffs’UK , 1861
cukenouna cucumber A domestic colloquialismUS , 1903
CULused in computer message shorthand to mean ‘see you later’
US , 1991
culchienouna person from rural Ireland A derogatory term coined
during the 1940s at University College Galway for students of
agriculture; probably from Irish Coillte Mach (County Mayo),
regarded (wrongly) as a remote place Other possible etymologies:
coillte (woods) and cúl and tÍ (a rear entrance to an important
house, used by social inferiors)IRELAND , 1958
cullnoun1a prisoner re-assigned to an undemanding job after
, 1990.
that is cast off by a stable because it has failed to perform wellUS ,
1947.< on the cull listunmarriedUS , 1933
cully; cull; culnouna man, a fellow, a companionUK , 1661
cultural jammer; jammernouna cultural activist who creatively subverts advertising materialUS , 1990
culture fruitnounwatermelonUS , 1973
culture jam; jamnouna message subverted by anticorporate activistsUS , 2001
culture jamming; jammingnounthe act of inverting and subverting advertising matter by anticorporate activists Derives from the conventional sense of ‘jam’ (to disrupt a signal)US , 1995
culture vulturenounan enthusiast for intellectual and artistic culture and cultural eventsUS , 1947
cultusadjectiveworthless, bad, useless, insignificant From the Chinook trading jargonUS , 1851
cultus couleenouna stroll or ride for pleasureCANADA , 1963
cultus potlatchnouna present for which nothing is expected in return, especially one of little valueCANADA , 1940
cumnounamyl nitrite A drug associated with sexUS , 1992 8see: COME and variants
cumbucketnouna despised personUS , 1975
cum catchernouna condom UsesCOME; CUM(semen) to describe a condom’s purposeUK , 1998
cum drumnouna condom; especially a condom with a bulbous extension to collect semen Phonetically similar to ‘condom’US , 1987
cummy facenounin a pornographic film or photograph, a close-up shot of a man’s face as he ejaculatesUS , 1995
cum shawnounanything procurred through other than legitimate channels From the Chinese for a ‘present’ or ‘bonus’, originally applied to a payment made by ships entering the port of Canton
UK , 1925
cungnounmarijuanaUS , 1995
cunkerernouna blundering, poorly trained technician From ‘cunk’, imitative of the metallic sound of a clumsily handled toolGUYANA , 1998
cunning as a Maori dogadjectivevery cunning; sly ‘Maori dog’ is now usually replaced by less objectionable epithets like ‘shithouse rat’NEW ZEALAND , 1947
cunning as an outhouse ratadjectivevery cunning indeedNEW ZEALAND , 1996
cunning as a shithouse ratadjectiveextremely craftyNEW ZEALAND , 1917
cunning kicknouna place for secreting moneyAUSTRALIA , 1979
cunnynounthe vagina A play onCUNT(the vagina) and ‘con(e)y’ (a rabbit)UK , 1615
term originally applied to a weak shooterUS , 1892
cuntnoun1the vagina The most carefully avoided, heavily tabooed word in the English languageUK , 1230.2a woman, especially as an object of sexual desireUK , 1674.3sex with a womanUK , 1670.4a despicable person, female or male When used as a reductive term
of abuse, ‘cunt’ is usually more offensive than the male equivalentsUK , 1860.5among homosexuals, a boy or young man as
a sexual objectUS , 2004.6among homosexuals, the buttocks, anus and rectumUS , 1972.7among homosexuals, the mouthUS , 1972.8a person you admire or pretend to grudgingly admire; a form of address between friends Mainly jocular usageUK , 2001.9an idiot, a foolUK , 1922.10to a drug addict, a vein used for injecting a drug, especially the vein found on the inside of the elbowUS , 1960.11an unfortunate or difficult situation; an unpleasant task; a problem A logical extension of earlier, still current senses (an irritating person
or object)UK , 1931
cunt and a halfnounan extremely unpleasant person This intensification ofCUNT(an unpleasant person) was originally used
Trang 2cunt booknouna pornographic book, especially one with
photo-graphs or illustrationsUS , 1969
cunt breathnouna despicable personUS , 1992
cunt capnouna narrow green garrison cap worn by enlisted men
Probably of World War 1 vintage The Chinese Army refer to the
same article as a ‘cow’s-cunt-cap’ Soldiers learn the term in the
first few days of training They now learn not to use the term in
the presence of womenUK , 1923
cunt collarnouna desire for sexUS , 1965
cunt eaternounany person who performs oral sex on a womanUS ,
1998
cuntedadjectivedrunkUK , 2003
cunt-eyedadjectivesquintingUK , 1916
cunt facenouna despicable personUS , 1948
cunt-facedadjectivedespicableUS , 1974
cunt fartnouna despicable personUS , 1996
cuntfucknounan extremely unpleasant individual BothCUNTand
FUCKare synonymous here, each serving to intensify the otherUK ,
2002
cunt hairnouna very small distanceUS , 1957
cunt hair grassnounan oatgrass or spike rushUS , 1945
cunt hatnouna felt hat Probably from the shape of the crease in
the crownUK , 1923
cuntheadnouna despised foolUS , 1971
cunt-holes!used for registering frustration, annoyance or angerUK ,
2000
cunt hooknounthe hand Usually in the pluralUS , 1994
cunt-hooksnoun1a gesture that is used to insult or otherwise
cause offense, in which the forefinger and middle-finger are
extended to form a V-shape, the palm turned in towards the
gesturer An alternative name for aV-SIGN UK , 1984.2an unpleasant
personUK , 2001
cunt houndnouna man obsessed with the seduction of womenUS ,
1960
cuntienouna contemptible person A patronising elaboration of
CUNT UK: NORTHERN IRELAND , 2001
cuntinessnoununpleasant or stupid characteristics of a personUK ,
2001
cuntingadjectiveused as an intensifier, generally denoting
disapprovalUK , 2000
-cunting-infixused as an intensifier, generally negativeUK , 2000
cuntishadjective1unpleasant; stupidUK , 2000.2weak, cowardlyUS , 1975
cunt juicenounvaginal secretionsUS , 1990
cunt-lappernouna person who performs oral sex on a womanUS ,
1916
cunt-lappingnounoral sex on a womanUS , 1970
cunt-lappingadjectivedespisedUS , 1923
cunt-lickingnounoral sex on a womanUS , 1996
cunt-lickingadjectivedespisedUS , 1985
cunt lightnounin the pornography industry, a light used to
illuminate the genitals of the performersUS , 1995
cunt like a Grimsby wellynounan unusually large and pungent
vagina Grimsby is a fishing port on the north east coast of
England; the comparison to a ‘welly’ (Wellington boot) is obvious
UK , 2002
cunt mannouna heterosexual man; a womaniser UsesCUNTin the
generalised sense as ‘women’UK , 1999
cunt offverbto make someone angry; to annoy someoneUK , 2001
cunt pienounthe vagina, especially as an object of oral sexUS , 1980
cunt pricknouna despicable person A compound of two terms of
abuse that may need strengthening after overuseUK , 1997
cunt racket
cunt ragnoun1a sanitary towelUS , 1968.2a despicable person or thingUS , 1971
cunt’s actnouna major deceptionAUSTRALIA , 1985
cunt screennouna strip of canvas stretched between the open rungs of the accommodation ladder up which lady guests would ascend above the heads of the boat’s crew Similar in purpose and effect to aVIRGINITY CURTAIN UK , 1984
cunt-simpleadjectiveobsessed with sex; easily distracted by women
US , 1982
cunt sniffnouna contemptible or loathesome individual As usage
ofCUNT(a contemptible person) becomes evermore mainstream, elaborations are necessary to maintain the derogatory effect ‘Cunt sniff’ contrivesCUNT(vagina) and conventional ‘sniff’ (to inhale, to smell) to suggest something of no more worth than the odour of
a woman’s genitalsUK , 2001
cunt splicenounany improvised spliceUS , 1956
cunt starvernouna prisoner serving time for not making mainten-ance paymentsAUSTRALIA , 1950
cunt stretchernounthe penisUS , 2001
cunt-struckadjectiveobsessed with sex with a woman or womenUK , 1866
cunt-suckernoun1a person who performs oral sex on womenUK ,
1868.2a despised personUS , 1964
cunt-suckingnounoral sex on a womanUS , 1998
cunt-suckingadjectivedespisedUS , 1964
cunt teasenouna woman who signals an interest in sex with another woman but does not have sex with herUS , 1971
cunt-ticklernouna moustacheUS , 1967
Cunt TownnicknameNorfolk, Virginia A major naval base, and hence a hotbed of prostitutionUS , 1982
cunt wagonnouna car perceived to attract womenUS , 1974
cuntyadjectiveunpleasantUS , 1972
cupnoun1the vaginaUS , 1973.2a cup of tea Both figurative and practicalUK , 1952
cup and saucernounthe fifth wheel on a tractor trailerUS , 1961
cupcakenoun1a cute girlUS , 1939.2a male homosexual, especially if youngUS , 1996.3a haircut shaped like a boxUS , 1989
cupcakesnoun1the female breasts Possibly informed, if not inspired, by a brassiere’s ‘cups’UK , 2002.2well-defined, well-rounded buttocksUS , 1972.3LSDUK , 2003
Cup Daynounthe day on which the Melbourne Cup horse race is runAUSTRALIA , 1876
cupful of cold sicknounthe epitome of worthlessnessNEW ZEALAND , 1998
cupid’s itchnounany sexually transmitted infectionUS , 1930
cupid’s measlesnounsyphilis; any sexually transmitted infectionUS , 1970
cupla focalnouna paltry knowledge of Irish, literally a few words, enough for a display of national pride but not nearly enough for a conversationIRELAND , 1996
cup of chino; cup of cheenonouna cappuccinoAUSTRALIA , 1987
cup of teanoun1something that is to your taste Variants are ‘cup
of char’ and ‘cuppa’UK , 1932.2an act of urination Rhyming slang forPEEorWEE UK , 1992
cup of teaverbto see Rhyming slangUK , 1992
cuppa; cuppernouna cup of tea or coffeeUK , 1934
cuppienouna female hanger-on at a World Cup sailing competition
US , 1996
cupsnounsleepUS , 1948.< in your cupsdrinking; drunkUK , 1406
race is runAUSTRALIA , 1882
curanounheroin; specifically an injection of heroin at a moment of great need From Spanish for ‘cure’
Trang 3curate’s eggnounsomething that is good in parts From the phrase
‘good in parts – like a curate’s egg’UK , 1961
curbnoun< against the curbwithout moneyUS , 1995.< to the
curb1destitute; suffering from hard timesUS , 1989.2rejected in
romanceUS , 1993.3vomitingUS , 1989
curbverbto stop or slow downUS , 1953
curb hopnouna person who takes orders and serves food to
customers seated in their carsUS , 1937
curb serveverbto sell crack cocaine on a street cornerUS , 1995
curbstonernounin the used car business, a dealer who operates
with low overheads and a small inventoryUS , 1968
curenoun1treatment for drug addiction Generally after ‘the’US ,
1953.2suicideUS , 1949
curedadjective< get curedto get richUS , 1957
Cureheadnounsomeone who dresses in black similar to members
of the band the Cure or other goth-rock bands, wears makeup and
has the specific hairstyle of the lead singerIRELAND , 1991
curernounan alcoholic drink taken to alleviate the symptoms of a
hangoverUK: SCOTLAND , 1996
cure-the-plaguenounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycle
From the C14 belief that drinking menstrual blood was a remedy
for bubonic plagueUS , 2000
curfuffle; gefuffle; kerfufflenouna disturbance or disorder of
any kindUK: SCOTLAND , 1813
curlnounthe concave face of a wave as it breaksUS , 1963
Curlnoun used of a bald man, or one with curly hair, as a form of
address A barely abbreviated form ofCURLY AUSTRALIA , 1984
curliesnounpubic hair Used both literally and figuratively to suggest
complete control over someoneUS , 1973
curl the mo; curl a moadjectivegreat; terrific; excellentAUSTRALIA ,
1941
curl the mo!; curl a mo!terrific!AUSTRALIA , 1954
curlynouna challenging situationNEW ZEALAND , 1998
Curlynounused of a bald-headed man Ironic or, perhaps, the man
so-dubbed began with curly hair and, like the word itself, evolved
into this senseUK , 1961
curlyadjective1(mainly of decisions, questions, etc) difficult
AUSTRALIA , 1963.2excellent, attractive Possibly a shortened variation
ofCURL THE MO UK , 1981.< to give someone the curly lipto say
something displeasingUS , 1989
curly donouna curly hair style popular with black men and women
in the mid-1970sUS , 1975
curly wolfnounan aggressive, belligerent man A term from the
American westUS , 1910
curpnounthe penis Back slang, ‘kcirp’ forPRICK(the penis) Only
ever in limited use, by 2003 completely redundantUK , 1981
currant breadadjectivedead Rhyming slangUK , 1992
currant bunnoun1a nun Glasgow rhyming slangUK , 1996.2the
sun Rhyming slang Sometimes shortened to ‘currant’UK , 1938.
< on the currant bunon the run Rhyming slang, in
underworld and police useUK , 1959
Currant Bunnickname The Sun, a daily newspaper Rhyming slang,
acquired from the solar originalUK , 1979
currant cakeadjectiveawake Prison rhyming slangNEW ZEALAND , 1999
currant-cakesnoun delirium tremens Rhyming slang forSHAKES; a
back-formation fromCURRANT-CAKEY(shakey)UK , 1992
currant-cakey; currant-cakieadjectiveshakey Rhyming slangUK ,
1932
currants and plumsnounthe gums Rhyming slangUK , 1992
currynounverbal support on the emphatic end of the scaleNEW
ZEALAND , 1998.< give someone curry1to attack someone That
is, make it ‘hot’ for themAUSTRALIA , 1936.2to make someone’s life
difficult, to reprove someone Possibly from the hot nature of
curry , 1936.< the CurryCloncurry, generally called ‘The
Curry’, is the western Queensland base of the Flying Doctor ServiceUK , 1962
curry citynicknameBradford, West Yorkshire Citizens’ band radio slang, reflecting the large immigrant populationUK , 1981
curry-mouthadjectivefond of Indian foodTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1987
curry munchernouna person from the Indian subcontinent DerogatoryNEW ZEALAND , 1991
cursenoun1the bleed period of the menstrual cycle Used with
‘the’US , 1930.2a swagman’s bundle of personal effects, a swag Variants are ‘curse of Cain’ and ‘curse of God’AUSTRALIA , 1921.
< carry the curse; hump the curseto go on the tramp After
CURSE(a swag)AUSTRALIA , 1959
curseverb< curse stink; cuss stinkto use a great deal of profanityTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1960
curse of Evenounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycle Adopted from poetic and literary useUK , 1929
curse of Mexiconounin a deck of playing cards, the two of spades
US , 1949
curse of Scotlandnounin a deck of playing cards, the nine of dia-mondsUK , 1715
curse ragnouna sanitary towel Formed onCURSE(the bleed period
of the menstrual cycle)UK , 1961
curtainnounused in conjunction with a precedent noun, indicating isolation, hostility, aggression and/or dangerUS , 1955
curtain-climbernouna small childUS , 1973
curtain-raisernounthe first game of a seasonUS , 1950
curtainsnoun1the end, implying death or dismissal Theatrical origin (the final curtain of a play)US , 1901.2the labia majora US ,
1982.< curtains and carpet that match; matching curtains
and carpetsaid when a person’s hair colour matches the colour
of their pubic hairUS , 2003
curtain-twitchernouna person who spies on the comings and goings of the world from behind a curtained windowUK , 2002
curvenoun< ahead of the curveanticipating events or trends;
on the cutting edgeUS , 1980.< behind the curvelagging behind trends or developmentsUS , 1989
curve-breakernouna diligent, smart student A student whose per-formance upsets the grading curveUS , 1955
curvedadjectivecorrupt, crooked, criminal A variation ofBENT UK , 1999
curve-killernouna student who excels A reference to the grading curveUS , 1959
curvy crawlernouna prostitute, a streetwalker A play onKERB CRAWLING(soliciting prostitutes from a vehicle)UK , 1984
cushnoun1the vagina; sex; a woman as a sexual objectUS , 1960.
2loose tobaccoUS , 1950.3moneyUS , 1900
cushadjectivecomfortable, unstrained A shortened form ofCUSHY US , 1931
cushionnouna passenger railway carriageUS , 1913
cushtyadjectiveexcellent, great A roughly contemporaneous vari-ation ofCUSHY(easy, comfortable); attributed to market traders since the late 1910s; much more widespread since 1981 through
usage in BBC television comedy series Only Fools and Horses UK , 1985
cushyadjective easy, comfortable, unstrained From Hindu khush (pleasant) or Romany kushto (good) UK , 1915
cuspyadjective(used of a computer program) well-designed, highly functionalUS , 1981
cussnoun1a person; a creature Usually, slightly contemptuous, reproachful or humorous; probably derived as a shortening of
CUSTOMER , pehaps influenced in later usage by CUSS(a curse)US ,
1775.2a curse A dated euphemism that survives in the term
TINKER’S CUSS(a thing of little value)US , 1848
cussbudnouna person who uses a great deal of profanityTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1977
Trang 4cussednessnouncantankerousness, contrarinessUS , 1866
cuss fightnouna loud, angry argumentUS , 1923
cussienounan HM Customs & Excise officialUK , 2002
cuss outverbto reprimand someone with a heavy reliance on
profanityUS , 1863
cuss wordnouna profanity AfterCUSS(a curse)US , 1872
custard and jelly; custardnountelevision; a television Rhyming
slang forTELLY UK , 1974
custard cream; custardverbto dream Rhyming slang, formed on
a biscuit.UK , 1992
custardsnounacne, pimples, spots From the colour of the swelling
or the pusAUSTRALIA , 1942
custard tartnouna traffic wardenUK , 1981
custernouna person who poses as a member of a youth gang but
is not accepted as a gang memberUS , 1995
custienouna buyer of illegal drugs Simply put, an abbreviation of
‘customer’US , 1997
customernoun1a person, or any creature, generally qualified as a
type, as in ‘an ugly customer’ or ‘an awkward customer’UK , 1589.
2any person who is subject to a social worker’s professional or
charitable attention A patronising categorisation, now replaced
with the equally dishonest ‘client’UK , 1966.3a motorist being
stopped by a police officer for a traffic violationUS , 1962.4a
poten-tial shop-lifter In UK Disney Stores in the mid-1990s staff were
instructed to refer to customers as ‘guests’ – anyone referred to as
a ‘customer’ was instantly the subject of an unwelcome attention
UK , 1995.5a prisonerUS , 1949
cutnoun1an adulterant used to dilute a drug; a dilution of a drug
US , 1966.2a share, usually of profits, often of ill-gotten gains
AUSTRALIA , 1911.3a reduction of a prison sentenceUS , 2002.4any
district where goods are bought and sold with a minimum of
questions askedUK , 1950.5any place where young people
congregate to socialiseUS , 1953.6someone’s appearance Usually
derogatoryIRELAND , 1997.7a stage or a degreeUK , 1818.8of music, a
recording or a special part of one From the verb senseUS , 1975.
9in hip-hop music, a sample or part of a tune that is played
repeatedlyUS , 2000.10the vaginaUS , 1967.11a press cuttingUK , 2003.
12a hitting of the open hand with a cane for corporal
punishment Formally common in the Australian school system,
now the practice is obsolete The term is commonly found in the
plural as the punishment was generally so givenAUSTRALIA , 1915
cutverb1in the drug trade, to dilute drugsUS , 1937.2to dilute
anything by the addition of a secondary ingredient Extended from
the previous sense (to dilute drugs)US , 1985.3(of a drug) to take
effectUK , 1998.4to fartUS , 1967.5to engage in an informal musical
competition in which musicians attempt to better each other in
extended jazz solosUS , 1937.6to record a songUS , 1937.7to skip
something, to fail to attend somethingUK , 1794.8to leave quickly
UK , 1790.9to ignore a person, either as a single act or as continuing
behaviourUK , 1634.10to tease or disparage someoneUS , 1975.11to
divide or share out legal profits or criminal gainsUK , 1928.12to
perform surgeryUS , 1970.< be cut out for somethingto have
the appropriate qualities for somethingUK , 1645.< be cut out to
be a gentlemanto be circumcisedUK , 1961.< cut a chogieto
leave quickly Korea and Vietnam war usageUS , 1981.< cut a fat
onein drag racing and hot rodding, to drive at top speedUS , 1968.
< cut a husto do someone a favour Marine slang in Vietnam
US , 1991.< cut a melonto fartUK , 1998.< cut a ratto fartUS ,
1995.< cut a rugto dance expertlyUS , 1942.< cut a rustyto
show offUS , 1838.< cut ass; cut arse1to leave, especially in a
hurryUS , 1972.2to assault someoneTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1980.
< cut brushto drive off the road into brushUS , 1962.< cut
cake; cut the strawberry caketo short-change someoneUS ,
1949.< cut card straightto deal in a direct and honest manner
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003.< cut fine; cut it fineto narrow
something down to a minimumUK , 1891.< cut itto perform
sat-isfactorily and so meet a requirement FromCUT THE MUSTARD US ,
1987.< cut loose1to leave someone aloneUS , 1974.2to enjoy
yourself unrestrained by any sense of moderationUS , 1808.< cut
no iceto make no differenceUS , 1896.< cut one offin the
someone one off’ UK , 1948.< cut skin; cut tailto physically assault someone; to beat someoneTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1959.
< cut some slackto relax the pressureUS , 1968.< cut someone
deadto ignore someone completely An emphasised use ofCUT
(to ignore)UK , 1826.< cut someone down to sizeto reduce someone to a true understanding of his or her status or worthUS ,
1927.< cut someone’s lunchto cuckold someone; to steal someone’s partner; to move in on another’s potential pick-up
AUSTRALIA , 1996.< cut tento sit with your legs crossed as others workJAMAICA , 1977.< cut the cheeseto fartUS , 1959.< cut the
coaxto turn off a citizens’ band radioUS , 1976.< cut the gasto stop talking Teen slangUS , 1951.< cut the mustard1to perform satisfactorily and so meet a requirementUS , 1902.2to fart with especially noxious effectUK , 1998.3to have sexUK , 1977.< cut
throatto have sex with a female virginTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003.
< cut to the chaseto get on with it Cinematic imagery; ‘to jump to the next exciting sequence’US , 1983.< cut up jackiesin the circus or carnival, to tell stories about the pastUS , 1980.< cut
up jackpots(used of carnival workers) to engage in carnival insider conversationUS , 1985.< cut up pipesin circus and carnival usage, to gossip, brag or disparage someoneUS , 1981.
< cut up rough1to be, or become, quarrelsome or difficultUK ,
1837.2to resist or show resentment with violenceAUSTRALIA , 1944.
< cut your eyesto look at someone or something with disdain
BARBADOS , 1965.< cut your own hairto be extremely frugal
AUSTRALIA , 1989.< cut your water offin shuffleboard, to hold an oponent to a scoreless half roundUS , 1967.< cut Z’sto sleepUS , 1991
cutadjective1circumcisedUS , 1998.2physically fit, conditioned, well-tonedUS , 1998
cut!; cut it!; cut it out!adjectivestop!, cease!UK , 1859
cut alongverbto depart Often as an imperativeUK , 1902
cut and carriedadjectivemarried Rhyming slangUK , 1960
cut and pastenouncosmetic surgeryUS , 1997
cut and pasteverbto open a patient’s body in surgery only to discover an inoperable condition, and then to close the patient back upUS , 1994
cut and runverbto depart promptly; to decamp hurriedly Of nautical originUK , 1811
cut and scratchnouna match, safety or non-safety Rhyming slang
UK , 1960
cut and shutadjectiveused to describe a secondhand car that has been illegally contrived from the best parts of two damaged cars Often hyphenated as a nounUK , 1968
cut and tucknouna male transsexual who has had his penis removed and an artificial vagina surgically constructedAUSTRALIA , 1985
cut-assnouna beatingTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1959
cutbacknounin surfing, a turn back into the waveUS , 1979
cut buddynouna close friendUS , 1954
cut-downnouna half bottle of rumBARBADOS , 1965
cuteadjective acute, sharp-witted, clever, shrewd UK , 1731
cute hoornounany person, female or male, who is corrupt May be used affectionately as well as pejoratively The present Hiberno-English pronunciation was common in England in C16 and C17, and lasted in common use into C19IRELAND , 2001
cutemupnouna prison doctorUS , 1962
cuterverba twenty-five cent piece A corruption of ‘quarter’US , 1927
cuterationnounthe zenith of cutenessUS , 1963
cutesyadjectivecloying, annoyingly cuteUS , 1914
cut-eyenouna disapproving lookTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1960
cut from timber to brambleadjective(used of a man) sexually active and indiscriminateTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1987
cut-glass sledgehammernouna notional tool that a young, inex-perienced novice is sent to fetchUS , 1960
cut-hip
Trang 5cutienounan attractive or clever young woman Originally (UK, C18)
a ‘clever but shallow person’; this sense is an early example of US
term moved into wider usage by Hollywood filmsUS , 1911
cutie-pienounan attractive womanUS , 1970
cut-innounthe initial contact with the intended victim in a
confi-dence swindleUS , 1977
cut inverb1to attempt a romantic relationship with someone
already romantically involvedUS , 1950.2to seize a share of a
business or enterpriseUS , 1980
cut intoverbto approach someone and draw them into a swindle;
to introduce someone to somethingUS , 1940
cutlass carpenternounan unskilled carpenterTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ,
2003
cut lunchnouna circumcised penis as an object of oral sex
AUSTRALIA , 1985
cut-lunch commandonouna soldier who does not see active
service, especially a reservist A contemptuous term implying that
they get a prepared lunch rather than real army rationsAUSTRALIA ,
1952
cut mannounthe member of a boxer’s entourage responsible for
treating cuts between roundsUS , 1975
cut offverbto lay someone off due to lack of workUS , 1990
cut off the jointnounfrom the male perspective, an act of sexual
intercourseUK , 1961
cut of your jibnounyour general appearance, hence, nature,
character and temperamentUK , 1825
cutornouna prosecuting attorneyUS , 1962
cut outverb1to leaveUS , 1827.2to dieUS , 1955.3to take goods in
payment instead of moneyAUSTRALIA , 1984.4to pay for something
by having sexual intercourse rather than using moneyAUSTRALIA ,
1971.5(of a power-source controlled by automatic technology) to
switch off; to break (electrical) contactUK , 1984.6to serve time in
prison rather than paying a fineAUSTRALIA , 1939
cutsnoun1the definition of body muscle from spaces between the
muscle that have no fatUS , 1984.2any remote locationUS , 1985.
3permission from a friend to step into a queue at their placeUS ,
1989.4clothingUS , 1978
cutternoun1a surgeonUS , 1970.2an illegal abortionistFIJI , 1994.3a
person who is proficient with the use of a knife or of a weaponUS ,
1947.4a pistolUS , 1908.5a musician who betters another in a
com-petition of solosUS , 1956.6any substance used to dilute a drug,
thereby expanding volume while reducing potencyUS , 1995.7in
American casinos, twenty-five cents Playing on the sound of
‘quarter’US , 1985.8moneyUK , 2000
cut the cackle!stop talking! FromCACKLE(to chatter
inconsequentially) When extended to: ‘cut the cackle and come to
the ‘osses [Horses]’, the meaning is ‘stop the preliminaries and get
down to business’UK , 1889
cut the crap!stop talking nonsense!US , 1956
cuttingnounthe preparation of cocaine for inhalation by chopping
lines of powder with a razor blade or credit card, 2002
cuttingadjectivegood, excellentUK , 2003
cutting gearnounoxyacetylene apparatus used to break into safes
UK , 1977
cutting housenouna place where drugs are diluted for resaleUS , 1974
cutting mannouna best friendUS , 1970
cutting plantnouna shop where stolen cars are dismantled or
alteredUS , 1978
cuttings merchantnounin prison, a prisoner who wields power by collecting newspaper cuttings of reported crimesUK , 2000
cuttynoun1a cousinUS , 2002.2a playful girlIRELAND , 1999
cut-upnouna dishonestly fixed outcome of any event, e.g a compe-tition, an election, a lottery, a job application, etcUK , 1985
cut upverb1to behave without restraintUS , 1846.2(when driving) to overtake in such a manner that other vehicles are adversely affectedUK , 1964
cut-upadjectiveupset, emotionally distressedUK , 1844
cut warnounin lobstering, a rivalry that has escalated to the point where lobstermen are cutting each other’s buoysUS , 1978
cuznouna friendUS , 1979. 8see:’CAUSE
cuzznouna term of address used by one member of the Crips youth gang to anotherUS , 1990
cuzziesnounHM Customs & ExciseUK , 2002
cuzzy-bronouna close and loyal friendNEW ZEALAND , 1991
cwazyadjectiveused as a jocular substitute for ‘crazy’US , 1952
c-wordnounthe word cunt Usually after ‘the’UK , 1986
CYAverbto protect yourself from future criticism for actions being
taken now An abbreviation of ‘cover your ass’ US , 1959
c-yaused in computer messages as shorthand to mean ‘see you’US , 1995
cyberadjectivedenoting an on-line, Internet or digital state or exist-ence A back-formation from ‘cybernetics’ (scientific and mechan-ical systems of control and communication), coined in 1948 by
Norbert Wiener (1894–1964) from the Greek kybernan (to steer, to
govern) Mainly used in unhyphenated combinations as a prefix, but can stand aloneUS , 1966
cyberspacenounthe notional locus where on-line communication takes place and from where a digital existence is supposed Coined
by science fiction author William Gibson (b.1948) to describe ‘the hallucinatory world existing between computers’ in
Neuromancer,1984 US , 1984
cyclenounanabolic steroids Steroids are taken for a fixed time period – a ‘cycle’ – and then not taken for the same time period Professional wrestling usageUS , 2003.< having your cycle
experiencing the bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS , 2001
cycle-lifternouna bicycle thiefINDIA , 1979
cyclonouna rickshaw pulled by a bicycleUS , 1972
cyclonenounphencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dustUS , 1994
Cyclops sausage dognounthe penis Probably jocular imagery of a mythical one-eyed giant crossed with a dachshundUK , 2003
cylindernounthe vagina A mechanics’ simileAUSTRALIA , 1984
Cypnoun a Cypriot Pronounced ‘sip’ UK , 1984
Cyril Lordadjectivebald Rhyming slang; an imperfect rhyme formed
on the name of a British carpet manufacturer (now Carpets International) probably best remembered for an incredibly annoying advertising jingle that haunted the 1960s and 70s Cyril Lord made rugs and, appropriately, aRUGis a ‘hair piece’UK , 1992
Cyril Sneer; cyrilnouna male homosexual Rhyming slang for
QUEERformed from a character in the Canadian cartoon series The Raccoons from the 1980s UK , 2003
cyring callnounin poker, a bet equal to the last bet made in a hesitating fashionUS , 1982
Trang 6Dnoun1LSDUS , 1971.2Dilaudid™, a synthetic opiateUS , 1954.
3narcoticsUS , 1976.4used as a term of address, young man to
young man An abbreviation ofDUDE US , 1997.5a police detective
AUSTRALIA , 1882.6a (pre-decimalisation, 1971) penny From Latin
denarius, a rough equivalent of an old penny and used in the
standard abbreviation for pre-decimal Sterling: £sd or lsdUK , 1387.
7in poker, the fourth player to the left of the dealerUS , 1988.8a
demilitarised zone A shortening of DMZ, the official abbreviation
US , 1991
D&Dnoun dungeons and dragons (a genre of fantasy roleplay games)
UK , 2001
D-5nouna Sony TCD-5M analogue recording tape deck Favoured by
tapers of Grateful Dead concerts until the advent of digital audio
tape in the early 1990sUS , 1994
danounfather, a father An abbreviation of affectionate, informal or
childish ‘dad’ or ‘dada’,especially in ScotlandUK , 1851
DAnoun1a hair-style popular in the early 1950s; the hair was
tapered and curled on the nape of the neck like the feathers of a
duck’s tail Abbreviated fromDUCK’S ARSE/ASS US , 1951.2a drug
addict US , 1946.3a dumb ass US , 2003
da1the Fashionable respelling of phonetic slovening; an essential
element in Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1981.2so; very Hawaiian
youth usageUS , 1981
dabnoun1a fingerprint Police jargon, in everyday use, usually in
the pluralUK , 1926.2a moistened finger-tip covered in powdered
amphetamine Possibly as, and then only partly-inspired by, a
nostalgic reference to a children’s sweet, the Sherbert Dib Dab™, a
lolly dipped into a powdered sugar confectionUK , 2000.3in rugby, a
short, darting run with the ballNEW ZEALAND , 1970.4in cricket, a
batsman’s stroke that deflects the ball gently behind the wicketUK ,
1969.5a criminal charge; a prison disciplinary chargeUK , 1996
dabverb1to ingest a powdered drug by sucking or licking the
powder collected on a moistened fingerUK , 2001.2in mountain
biking, to touch the ground unintentionally with any part of the
bodyUS , 1992.3of a batsman in cricket, to play a tentative stroke
that gently deflects the ball behind the wicketUK , 1985
dabblenounstolen propertyUK , 1981
dabbleverb1to use addictive drugs without succumbing to the
addictionUS , 1949.2to experiment with homsexualityUK , 1996.3to
operate an (occasional) trade in stolen or illegal goods, especially
antiques or drugsUK , 1996
dab-dabnounto participate in homosexual sex Prison usageUS , 1990
dacha; daiture; degeradjective ten From Italian dieci, via lingua
franca into polariUK , 1996
Dachaunounany military stockade Vietnam war usageUS , 1968
dachsnoun a dachshund UK , 1886
dachsie; dachsynoun a dachshund An affectionate elaboration of
DACHS UK , 1961
dack upverbto light or smoke (a marijuana cigarette)NEW ZEALAND ,
1991
dadnoun1used as a term of address for a man, especially an older
man Often patronizingUS , 1928.2a homosexual prisoner’s ‘owner’
(protector and lover)US , 1992.< be like Dadto keep quiet; to say
nothing From the World War 2 slogan ‘be like Dad: keep Mum’,
playing onMUM(quiet)UK , 1996
-dadsuffixused as a nonce suffix attached to a friend’s nameUS , 1995
da-dah!used as a mock fanfareUK , 2000
Dad and Davenoun1a shave Rhyming slang, after the characters
Dad and Dave, the subject of well-known and well-loved humorous
sketches concerning pioneering life by ‘Steele Rudd’ (Arthur Hoey
Davis, 1868–1935)AUSTRALIA , 1944.2a grave Rhyming slang
AUSTRALIA , 1971
dad-blamedadjectiveused as a euphemism for ‘damned’ ‘Dad’ is a euphemism for GodUS , 1844
dad-blastedadjectivedamned, confounded ‘Dad’ is a euphemism for GodUS , 1840
daddynoun1the very bestUS , 1865.2the most powerful inmate in a borstal (a juvenile offenders penal institution); in prison, the most powerful or very strong inmate, or the prisoner who runs a racket
UK , 1978.3a leader Originally prison slang, especially of a forceful personality among borstal inmates; now in wider useUK , 2001.4the dominant partner in a male homosexual relationshipUS , 1932.5an aggressive, predatory male homosexualUS , 1996.6the woman who plays the active, masculine role in a lesbian relationshipUS , 1940s.
7in the US Army, your supervising officerUS , 1968.8used as a term
of address to a manUK , 1681.9a marijuana cigaretteUK , 2001
daddy-come-to-churchnounan unusual eventUS , 1953
daddy macnounan attractive young manUS , 1997
daddy-onoun1a term of address for a man Also variant ‘daddio’
US , 1947.2the US Federal Communications CommissionUS , 1977
daddypoonounused as an embellishment of ‘daddy’, usually from
a woman to a manUS , 1966
daddy’s yachtnounused rhetorically as a representation of the privileges of civilian life Military sarcasm, in several variations, most commonly ‘Where do you think you are? On your daddy’s yacht’; directed mainly at National Service recruits (1945–62)UK , 1962
daddy tanknouna jail cell reserved for lesbian prisonersUS , 1971
dadgernounthe penis Variation ofTADGER(the penis)UK , 1997
dadrocknoun1990s rock music that sounds like music from a gen-eration earlier, e.g Oasis play dadrock that bears obvious simi-larities to the BeatlesUK , 1999
dadsnouna father, or in general address, a man A variation of ‘dad’
UK , 1984
Dad’s Armynicknamethe Home Guard (1940–45); hence, any grouping of older men with a united purpose Gently derogatory The term survives essentially as a piece of familiar nostalgia mainly because of the popularity of BBC television comedy series
Dad’s Army (1968–77, and which is still being repeated today).
The modern sense is therefore informed by the nature of the characters in the programme; variously bumptious and bumbling, etcUK , 1968
dad’s armyadjectivebarmy, foolish Rhyming slang, after the 1970s television comedy of the UK’s World War 2 Home GuardUK , 1992
daffnounexcrementIRELAND , 1989
daffiesnounstrong liquorUK , 1979
daffodilnouna homosexual manUS , 1935
daffynouna skiing stunt in which one ski is swung up in front of the skier while the other is brought up behind and parallel to the first, the whole being a form of mid-air splits ‘Daffy’ is listed under the heading Freestyle skiing in the official lexicon for the
2002 Winter Olympic GamesUK , 1984
daffyadjectiveodd, eccentric, silly The original meaning of ‘slightly mad’ has softened over the yearsUK , 1884
daffydowndilly; daffadowndillyadjectivesilly Rhyming slang, formed on an informal name for the ‘daffodil’, or perhaps it is simply an elaboration ofDAFFY(silly, daft)UK , 1960
daffy-headedadjectivefeather-brained, daftUK , 1981
daftnicknameNova Scotia’s Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Trang 7daft and barmynounan army Rhyming slang, Note also the
reversed rhyme:DAD’S ARMYfor ‘barmy’UK , 1979
daft as a brush; mad as a brushadjectivecrazy; stupidUK , 1945
daft Dorisnouna foolish womanUK , 2000
daftienouna daft personUK , 1872
dagnoun1a matted lock of wool and excrement on a sheep’s
behind From British dialectAUSTRALIA , 1891.2a person who is
eccentric and humorous; a real character; a wag Formerly
common, now obsolete (but see sense 3) Some have suggested
that the origin of this term lies in the British dialect term ‘a feat
set as a dare’, but the examples given are less than convincing
AUSTRALIA , 1875.3a person who is dull and conservative; a person
who has no sense of fashion; an uncool or unhip person Now the
commonest meaning It is widely believed that it derives from
sense 1, but this is not the case Probably partially from sense 2
and partially a backformation fromDAGGYsense 2 Formerly and
still to some extent quite an insult, equivalent toGEEKandNERD,
but recently also used in an affectionate manner, and jocularly
‘reclaimed’ as a term of approval This reclamation has led to a
semantic shift where the meaning can be ‘uncool in an amusing
or eccentric way’, and thus this sense now overlaps with that of
sense 2AUSTRALIA , 1966.4a daring actNEW ZEALAND , 1984
dagverb1to engage in anal sexUS , 2001.2to participate in serial,
reciprocal, homosexual oral sexUS , 1990
dag!used for expressing surpriseUS , 1987
dagdomnounthe notional realm of dagsAUSTRALIA , 1990
dagenouna foreigner, an immigrant FromDAGO(a foreigner, an
immigrant, etc.)AUSTRALIA , 1955
Dagenham dustbinnouna Ford car Citizens’ band radio slang
Dagenham in Essex is the best-known as the major manufacturing
base for Ford carsUK , 1981
Africa for a relatively non-toxic herb (genus: Leonotis varieties:
Cape, red and wilde) which is smoked like tobacco; however, for a
slang user one herb predominatesSOUTH AFRICA , 1955.2a marijuana
cigaretteUS , 1955
dagga rookernouna marijuana smoker CombinesDAGGAwith
Afrikaans rooker (a smoker) In respectable circles a ‘dagga rooker’
is recorded as ‘a scoundrel; a wastrel’SOUTH AFRICA , 1998
daggernouna lesbian An abbreviation of the fullBULLDAGGER US , 1980
dagger of desirenounthe erect penis JocularUK , 2003
daggersnoun< throw daggers; give the daggersto look angrily
at someone Variations of the conventional form ‘look daggers’UK ,
2002
daggilyadverbin a daggy mannerAUSTRALIA , 1972
dagginessnounthe state of being daggyAUSTRALIA , 1990
daggyadjective1unfashionable; uncoolAUSTRALIA , 1981.2(of clothes,
personal appearance, etc.) dirty, filthyAUSTRALIA , 1967.3cheap or
trashy looking in a sexually promiscuous wayUS , 1997.4(of sheep)
having dags; (of wool) soiled with excrementAUSTRALIA , 1895
dagonoun1an Italian or Italian-American A slur, originally applied
to Spaniards, then to Spaniards, Portuguese and Italians, and now
only to ItaliansUS , 1857.2any foreigner Liverpool useUK , 1968.3in
hot rodding, a dropped front axle, especially on older FordsUS , 1965
DagonicknameSan Diego, CaliforniaUS , 1931.< the DagoFrank
Sinatra, American singer (1915–1998)US , 1963
dagoadjectiveforeignAUSTRALIA , 1900
dago bombnouna type of fireworkUS , 1960
dago rednouninexpensive, inferior red wineUS , 1906
dagotownnouna neighbourhood dominated by Italian-Americans
US , 1960
Dagwoodnouna large and elaborate sandwich Named after the
sandwiches made by the Dagwood Bumstead character in the
Blondie comic strip US , 1948
Dagwood dognouna deep-fried battered frankfurter on a stick
daikon legsnounshort, pale and fat legs Hawaiian youth usage The ‘daikon’ is also known as an Asian, Oriental or Chinese radish;
it is stubby and whiteUS , 1981
dailiesnounfilm scenes filmed one day, rush processed and delivered for viewing by the director and others the same or next dayUS , 1970s
dailynouna regular (daily) bet with a bookmakerUK , 1984
daily-dailynounduring the Vietnam war, anti-malaria pills taken daily, in addition to a second medication taken once a weekUS , 1982
daily doublenounin poker, two consecutive winning hands A borrowing from horse racingUS , 1996
daily dozennounphysical exercises, performed on rising; hence, a limited group (or the measure thereof ) of anything (voluntarily) experienced on a daily basis It is unlikely that the ‘dozen’ was ever a precise sumUK , 1919
Daily Expressnouna dress Rhyming slang, formed on the title of a leading national newspaperUK , 1992
Daily Expressverbto dress Rhyming slang, formed on the title of a leading national newspaperUK , 1992
Daily Getsmuchworsenickname the Daily Express Coined in the 1970s by satirical magazine Private Eye UK , 1975
Daily Liarnickname the Daily Mail Jocular UK , 1984
Daily Mail; dailynoun1a tail; hence, rectum, arse Rhyming slang, based on the title of a major newspaperUK , 1956.2a tale, especially
‘glib patter’ or the story told by an informer; a confidence-trickster’s patter Rhyming slang, formed on the title of a leading national newspaperUK , 1960.3a prostitute; a sexually available woman Rhyming slang forTAIL(a woman objectified sexually) or
BRASS NAIL(a prostitute), formed on the title of a leading national newspaperUK , 1977.4bail Rhyming slang, formed on the title of a leading national newspaperUK , 1977.5a nail Rhyming slang, formed on the title of a leading national newspaper; used by carpentersUK , 1961.6ale Rhyming slangUK , 1960
Daily-Tell-the-Talenickname the Daily Mail UK , 1960
Daily Torygraphnickname the Daily Telegraph From the paper’s
political biasUK , 2003
daintiesnoununderwear, especially women’s underwear worn by transvestitesUS , 1972
dairy; dairiesnounthe female breast(s) Elaborated as ‘dairy arrangements’ in 1923; most later use tends towards ‘dairy’ for ‘a breast’, with ‘dairies’ as a natural plural; however, ‘dairy’ is orig-inally recorded as both singular and plural (in the context of a single female); it is current in the plural sense in Scamto (urban youth slang in South African townships)UK , 2005.< the dairythe best A play on conventional ‘cream’UK , 2003
dairy boxnouna sexually transmitted infection Rhyming slang, formed on a branded chocolate assortment manufactured by NestléUK , 1992
daisynoun1an excellent thing or personUS , 1757.2an attractive young womanUS , 1876.3a male homosexual Often used in Peter
O’Donnell’s Modesty Blaise stories, 1962–2001 US , 1944
daisy bell!hell! Rhyming slang, formed on the name of a music hall song (‘Daisy Bell’ also known as ‘A Bicycle Made for Two’, by Harry Dacre, 1892)UK , 1992
daisy chainnoun1a group of people, arranged roughly in a circle,
in which each person is both actively and passively engaged in oral, anal, or vaginal sex with the person in front of and behind them in the circle A term that is much more common than the practiceUS , 1927.2an abstract grouping of people who have had sex with the same person at different timesUS , 1990.3figuratively and
by extension, a series of events that return to the beginningUS ,
1954.4in computing, a network architecture in which a single cable connects all nodesUS , 1995.5a confidence swindle where funds from successive victims are used to keep the swindle alive with the earlier victimsUS , 1985.6a series of (Claymore) mines attached to each other and rigged for sequential detonation From