Rhyming slangAUSTRALIA , 1969 gay as a French hornadjectiveundoubtedly homosexualUK , 2001 gay-assadjectiveextremely out of fashionCANADA , 2002 gay barnouna bar catering to a homosexual
Trang 1gatternouna drink; alcohol, especially beer English gypsy useUK ,
1841
gatteredadjectivedrunk Possibly a variation ofGUTTERED UK , 2003
gauchingadjectiveused to describe the glazed-eyed, open-mouthed
state of an intoxicated drug takerUK , 1996
gaugenouna shotgunUS , 1993
gavel and wig; gavelverbto probe your eye or your anus in order
to relieve an irritation Rhyming slang forTWIG UK , 1992
gavversnounthe police English gypsy and underworld useUK , 2000
gawd; gaw; gornoungod Phonetic spelling of Cockney
pronunciation, subsequently treated as almost euphemisticUK , 1877
gawd love-a-duck!; cor love-a-duck!used as a mild expression of
shock or surprise A variation ofLORD LOVE-A-DUCK! UK , 1948
gawjonoun 8see:GORGER
gawknounin circus and carnival usage, a local who loiters as the
show is assembled or taken downUS , 1981
gaynouna homosexualUS , 1953
gayadjective1homosexualUS , 1933.2catering to or patronised by
homosexualsUS , 1954.3bad, stupid, out of style General pejorative
in juvenile use; a reversal of the politically correct norm much as
‘good’ isBADandWICKEDis ‘good’US , 1978
gay 90snounUS Treasury 3.5% bonds issued in 1958, due to return
in 1990US , 1960
gay and friskynounwhisky Rhyming slangUK , 1919
gay and heartynouna party Rhyming slangAUSTRALIA , 1969
gay as a French hornadjectiveundoubtedly homosexualUK , 2001
gay-assadjectiveextremely out of fashionCANADA , 2002
gay barnouna bar catering to a homosexual clienteleUS , 1953
gay bashingnounviolent beatings targeted on homosexualsUS , 1997
gay boynouna homosexual male, especially one who is flamboyant
and youngUS , 1945
gaycatverbto have a good, carefree timeUS , 1924
gay chickennouna young homosexual maleUS , 1959
gaydar; gadarnounthe perceived or real ability of one homosexual
to sense intuitively that another person is homosexualUS , 1982
gayernouna homosexual An elaboration ofGAY UK , 2003
gay for payadjectivesaid of a heterosexual man who portrays a
homosexual man in a film or other theatrical performanceUS , 1997
gay ghettonouna section of a city largely inhabited by openly
homosexual men Probably coined by Martin Levine, who wrote
‘Gay Ghetto’, published in Journal of Homosexuality, Volume 4
(1979) Examples include Greenwich Village and Chelsea in New
York, the North Side in Chicago and the Castro in San Francisco
Unlike all other ghettos, they are affluentUS , 1971
gay gordonnouna traffic warden Rhyming slang, probably formed
from the Gay Gordons, a traditional Scottish danceUK , 1992
gaylordnouna homosexual man An elaboration ofGAYvia a
somewhat obscure male forename; introduced to the UK, and
possibly coined by, comedian Sacha Baron-Cohen (b.1970)UK , 2001
gaylyadverbin a manner that is recognised as obviously homosexual
UK , 2002
gay-marryverbto commit to a lifelong relationship with someone
of the same sexUS , 1999
gaymonounused as an insult by very young childrenUK , 2004
gayola; gay-olanounextortion of homosexuals by the policeUS , 1960
gay plaguenounAIDS This term, with overtones of pious hate and
biblical retribution, spread the misconception that the AIDS
epidemic was exclusively reserved for ‘ungodly’ homosexualsUS ,
1982
gay radarnounthe ability to recognise a homosexualAUSTRALIA , 1994
gay-tasticadjectiveespecially wonderful or fabulous in a way that
appeals to homosexuals
gay ’til graduationadjectivetemporarily or situationally homosexual
or bisexualUS , 1996
Gaza IInounConcordia University, Montreal, formed of Sir George and Loyola Universities in 1974CANADA , 2002
gazebbiesnounthe female breasts Vietnam war usageUS , 1965
gazellenoun< in a gazellefeeling good Obsolete teen slang
CANADA , 1946
gazillionnouna very large, if indefinite, numberUS , 1995
gazongasnounthe female breastsUS , 1978
gazooknoun1a loud loutUS , 1901.2a boyUS , 1949
gazookusnounin carnival usage, a genuine articleUS , 1924
gazoonynoun1a fellow, especially a low-lifeUS , 1914.2a manual labourer in a carnivalUS , 1966.3the passive participant in anal sex
US , 1918
gazoozieverbto swindleUS , 1992
gazumpverb1to raise the selling-price of a property after agreeing the terms of sale; hence to outbid an agreed sale A specialisation
of the sense ‘to swindle’UK , 1971.2to swindleUK , 1928
gazumpingnounthe act of raising the selling-price of a property after agreeing the terms of sale; hence, outbidding an agreed sale From the verbGAZUMP UK , 1971
gazundernouna chamberpotAUSTRALIA , 1981
gazunderverbof a house-owner or a swindler, to reduce the selling price of a property, especially shortly before exchange of contracts, with a threat that the sale must go through on the new terms A play onGAZUMP UK , 1988
GBnoun1sex between one person and multiple, sequential partners An abbreviation ofGANG BANG US , 1972.2any barbiturate
or central nervous system depressant An abbreviation ofGOOFBALL
US , 1966.3goodbyeUS , 1945
GBHnoun1the criminal charges of grievous bodily harm and
malicious wounding; the act of causing serious injury Initialism
UK , 1949.2the recreational drug GHB A jumbling of the letters in GHB gives an abbreviation forGRIEVOUS BODILY HARM UK , 1996
GBH of the brainnounthe activity of studying FromGBH(physical assault and damage)UK , 1996
GBH of the eardrumsnounloud music FromGBH(physical assault and damage)UK , 1996
GBH of the earhole; GBH of the earnouna verbal assault Extended from the criminal offence ofGBH(grievous bodily harm).
Usually jocularUK , 1984
G bitnouna prison sentence to a federal penitentiaryUS , 1950
g’byegoodbyeUK , 1925
G-carnouna federal law enforcement agency carUS , 1981
GCM!used as an expression of frustration or wonder An initialism
of ‘God, Christ, Moses’SOUTH AFRICA , 1984
g’day; gooday; giddayhello! An extremely common, and now iconic, Australian greetingAUSTRALIA , 1928
GDInouna college student who is not a fraternity or sorority
member, a god-damn independent US , 1966
G-dognouna good friendUS , 1998
GEnounthe electric chair Homage to General ElectricUS , 1990
gearnoun1marijuana; heroin; drugs in generalUS , 1954.2anything, especially anything illicit, intentionally undefinedAUSTRALIA , 1975.
3the equipment and paraphernalia associated with drug use, especially syringes, etcUK , 1996.4stolen goodsUK , 1956.5stuff, thingsUK , 1415.6clothesAUSTRALIA , 1970.7(of a woman) the obvious physical attributes Extended from the purely genital senseUS , 1953.
8a homosexualUS , 1972 < get your arse into gear; get your ass into gearto stop idling, to apply yourself to an activity, to start doing something usefulUS , 1914
gearadjectivevery good, outstanding Brought to the world by the Beatles, dropped from fashionable use in the mid-1960s; revived in the UK, later C20, and continues in ironic useUK , 1951 < gear for something
Trang 2gear bonger; gear bangernouna poor driver, especially one who
crashes the gearsUS , 1971
gear-boxnounthe vagina A survival and technological updating of
obsolete ‘gear ’(the vagina), used in East Anglia, notably SuffolkUK ,
1972
gear downverbto dress upBARBADOS , 1965
gearedadjectiveavailable for homosexual relationsUS , 1935
geared upadjectivedressed up Also used of motorcyclists in full
protective wearUK , 1979
gear headnounin mountain biking, a bicycle mechanicUS , 1992
gear jammernouna truck driver who has a difficult time shifting
gears, especially one who is constantly clashing the gears as he
shiftsUS , 1929
gear-levernounthe penis Historically ‘gear’ has meant both male
and female genitals so the derivation here is ambiguous
Remembered by Beale as the term used by UK National
Servicemen (National Service ran from 1946–60)UK , 1973
gearsnounthe testiclesUS , 1952
gedankenadjectivein computing, impractical or poorly designed
From the German for ‘thought’US , 1983
gedunknoun1ice-cream, sweets, potato crisps and other junk food;
the ship store where junk food can be bought A US Navy termUS ,
1927.2a place where sweets and snacks are soldUS , 1956
gedunk trucknouna catering truckUS , 1992
geenoun1a man, a fellowUS , 1907.2opium; heroin Possibly a
respelling of the initial letter of a number of synonyms, or from
Hindi ghee (butter), or playing on the sense asHORSE(heroin)US ,
1938.3$1,000 From the first letter ofGRAND($1,000)US , 1936.4a
piece of praise Possibly from the verb sense ‘to encourage’UK , 1998.
5a market trader’s or circus entertainer’s assistant who is
discreetly positioned in the crowd to incite responsesUK , 1934.6a
strong, respected, manipulative prisonerUS , 1951.7any device used
to secure a needle to an eye dropper as part of an improvised
mechanism to inject drugsUS , 1960.8the vagina The term gives
rise to the ‘gee bag’ condom, ‘missed by a gee hair’ (a near miss
or accident) and the expression ‘do ya the gee’ said by a boy to a
girl and meaning ‘do you have sex’IRELAND , 1991.9a horseUK , 1879
geeverb1to encourage, to incite From the commands to a horse:
‘gee up!’UK , 1932.2to inform From the initial letter ofGRASS(to
inform)UK , 1996
gee!; jee!an exclamation used for expressing surprise,
astonishment or shock Probably a euphemism for ‘Jesus!’; later
use is often ironicUS , 1895
geechnounmoneyUS , 1968
geecheenounan uneducated, rural black person, especially one who
is not easily understoodUS , 1905
gee’d upadjective1drug-intoxicated Originally of opium (GEE),
gradually less discriminatingUS , 1936.2excited Influenced by the
meaning as ‘drug-intoxicated’ but actually fromGEE(to encourage)
UK , 1932.3dressed in clothing associated with youth gangsUS , 1995
geedusnounin circus and carnival usage, moneyUS , 1981
gee-eyedadjectivecompletely drunkIRELAND , 2001
gee-geesnoun1horse races Singular ‘gee gee’ is a ‘(race)horse’ and
‘the gee gees’ means ‘horse racing’UK , 1869.2veterinary drugs
IRELAND , 1996
gee headnouna frequent Paregoric userUS , 1970
geeknoun1a carnival freak, usually an alcoholic or drug addict, who
would sit and crawl in his own excrement and occasionally bite
the heads off snakes and chickens Perhaps from German gucken
(to peep, to look) or synonymous German slang or dialect kefken
US , 1928.2a student whose devotion to study excludes all other
interests or society; someone who is considered too studious;
someone obsessed with computers PejorativeUS , 1980.3an
offensive, despicable person; a clumsy person; a socially awkward
personUK , 1876.4a prostitute’s customer with fetishistic desiresUS ,
1993.5an awkward skateboarder or a pedestrian who gets in the
wayUS , 1976.6crack cocaine mixed with marijuanaUK , 1998.7a
geekverb1to display severe anxiety when coming off cocaine intoxicationUS , 1993.2to act foolishlyUS , 1998.3to look, watch, peer
AUSTRALIA , 1966
geek-a-monouna geekUS , 1991
geekedadjective1in a psychotic state induced by continuous use of amphetamine or methamphetamineUS , 1989.2sexually aroused while under the influence of a central nervous system stimulant
US , 1989.3marijuana-intoxicatedUS , 2002.4jittery, childishly excited
US , 1984
geeked outadjectiveunordinary; injuredUS , 2002
geekernoun1a user of crack cocaineUS , 1990.2a starerAUSTRALIA , 1979
geekeratinounan elite grouping of people involved in information technologyUS , 2000
geeker rentalnouna car stolen by a crack cocaine addict who then trades use of the car for drugsUS , 2002
geekingadjectiveinept; unfashionable; awkwardUS , 1987
geekishadjectiveobsessed with computers; socially ineptUS , 1986
geek outverbto enter a highly technical mode which is too difficult
to explainUS , 1991
geek-o-zoidnouna student whose devotion to study excludes all other interests or society, hence an unpopular student; someone who is considered too studious; someone obsessed with computers An elaboration ofGEEK UK , 2002
geeksploitationnounan act, or general policy, of taking profitable advantage of the enthusiasm and willingness to work of young computer programmers; also used of entertainment designed to appeal to the technologically-obsessed A combination ofGEEK(a studious-type or IT obsessive) and ‘exploitation’US , 1996
geeksternouna geekUS , 1991
geekyadjectivesocially inept; overly involved with computersUS , 1981
geesnounhorse racingUK , 1959
geesernouna small amount of an illegal drugUS , 1952
geetnouna dollarUS , 1947
geetsnounmoneyUS , 1949
geetusnounmoneyUS , 1926
gee-upnoun1an act or instance of stirringAUSTRALIA , 1995.2a swindler’s confederate who leads others to spend their money
AUSTRALIA , 1899
gee upverb1to motivate; to encourageAUSTRALIA , 1955.2to teaseUK , 1983
gee whiz!used for registering shock, surprise, disappointment, or for emphasis Elaboration ofGEE! US , 1876
gee willikers!used as a mock oath There are countless variantsUS , 1851
geeznoun1a friendUK , 2003.2a look A variant ofGEEK AUSTRALIA , 1981
geeze; geazeverbto inject by hypodermic needleUS , 1966
geeze; geaze; greazenounheroin; an injection of heroin; narcotics
US , 1967
geezernoun1a man Possibly from Basque giza (a man), picked up
by Wellington’s soldiers during the Peninsular War (1808–14);
alternatively it may derive from C15 English dialect guiser (a
mummer) Variant spellings include ‘geyser’ and the abbreviated
‘geez’UK , 1885.2an old person, somewhat infirm An objectionable reference to a senior citizenUK , 1885.3a fellow-prisonerUK , 1958.4a man who is easily dupedUK , 1959.5a young manual worker who lives with his parents and spends his disposable income on leisure and pleasure Created by a research company as a sociological label for commercial and marketing purposes; a specialised vari-ationUK , 2003.6an intravenous drug user Sometimes spelled
‘geazer’ from the variant verb spelling geeze; geazeUS , 1967.7a small amount of a drugUS , 1971
geezerbird; geezerchicknouna young woman characterised by her behaviour and positive involvement in activites (drinking, swearing, sport, etc) stereotypically enjoyed by males Combines
GEEZER(a man) with a less-than-politically correct term for a ‘young woman’
Trang 3geezonoun1a hardened prison inmateUS , 1951.2an armed robbery
US , 2001
geggie; geggnounthe mouth Glaswegian useUK: SCOTLAND , 1985
gehunclenouna crippleUS , 1954
gelnoun1a girl With a hard ‘g’UK , 1969.2dynamite used for
opening a safeUS , 1972.3a socially inept personUS , 1991
gelly; jellynoungeligniteAUSTRALIA , 1941
gelt; geldnounmoney Originally conventional English, then out of
favour, then back as slang German, Dutch and Yiddish claims on
its originUK , 1529
gennouninformation Originally military, possibly deriving from the
phrase ‘for the general information of all ranks’ UK , 1940
gen; gen upverbto learn; to inform, to brief After the nounUK , 1943
gendarmenouna police officer Adopted directly from the French
gendarme UK , 1906
gender bendernouna person with an ambiguous or androgynous
sexual identity, or with asexual identity divergent from their
bio-logical sexUK , 1980
gender mendernouna computer cable with either two male or two
female connectorsUS , 1991
generalnouna railway yardmasterUS , 1946
Generalnickname< The General1Frank Sinatra, American singer
(1915–1998)US , 1963.2Ireland’s most famous criminal, Martin
CahillIRELAND , 1995
General Boothnouna tooth Rhyming slang, formed from the
name of William Booth, 1829–1912, the founder of the Salvation
ArmyUK , 1992
general electionnounan erection Rhyming slang, the source of
many jokes about standing members, even if we only get one
every four or five yearsUK , 1992
general mess of crapnouna truck manufactured by General
Motors Corporation A humorous back-formation from the initials
GMCUS , 1971
General Smuts; generalsnounthe testicles Rhyming slang for
NUTS, formed from the name of a South African statesman,
1870–1950UK , 1992
General WesthisfacenicknameUS Army General William
Westmoreland Not particularly kindUS , 1977
Generation X; Gen Xnounthe marketing category that defines
people born between the late 1950s and mid-70s Originally the
title of a sociological book by Charles Hamblett and Jane
Deverson, 1965; moved beyond jargon when adopted as the name
of a UK punk band in the mid-1970s; in 1991 Douglas Coupland
employed it to describe a new generation; usage is now almost
conventional Generation Y does not appear to have caught onUS ,
1965
Generation Xer; Gen-Xer; Xer; Xnounin marketing terms,
someone born between the late 1950s and mid-70s, seen as well
educated but without directionUS , late 1970s
Generation XLnouna (notional) sociological group of children,
teenagers or young adults who are clinically obese A play on
GENERATION Xand XL, the retail abbreviation for ‘extra large’UK , 2003
genericadjectivestupid, dull, boringUS , 1988
geni-assnouna smart and diligent student A play on ‘genius’US , 1968
geniusnoun1a person skilled at performing oral sex A pun based
onHEAD(oral sex)US , 2002.2in computing, an obvious or easily
guessed passwordUS , 1990
genny; jennynoun a generator UK , 1956
gentnoun1a good man, an honourable man, a man who is
admired From ‘gentleman’ and charactertistics generously
ascribed to the stereotypeUK , 1987.2a man with pretentions to
class or status Used in a derisory contextUK , 1605.3money
Survives as a variant ofGELT(money) but, in fact, derives not from
German gelt but French argent (silver; money); original use was
especially of silver coinsUK , 1859.4a maggot used as fishing bait
gentleman jockeynounin horse racing, an amateur jockey, especially in a steeplechase eventUS , 1947
gentleman of leisurenouna pimpUS , 1973
gentleman’s callnounin pool, an understanding that a shot need not be called if it is obviousUS , 1992
gentleman’s fevernouna sexually transmitted infectionBAHAMAS , 1982
gentlemen’s relishnounspermUK , 2002
gentsnouna gentlemen’s public convenienceUS , 1960
Geoff Hurst; geoffnoun1a first class honours degree Rhyming
slang, based on the name of Geoff Hurst (b.1941), the only footballer to have scored a hat-trick in a World Cup finalUK , 1998.
2a thirstUK , 1994.3urination Rhyming slang for ‘burst’UK , 2002
Geoffrey Chaucernouna saucer Rhyming slang formed on the name of the great English poet, who lived from about 1343 to
1400, and who, fittingly, used slang in his rhymeUK , 1992
geog; geoggersnoungeography, especially as a subject of studyUK , 1940
geologistnouna physician who considers his patients to be as intelligent as a rockUS , 1978
Georgenoun1a gambler who tips the dealer or places bets in the dealer’s nameUS , 1974.2in American casinos, a skilled and lucky gamblerUS , 1985.3used as a term of address for any Pullman porterUS , 1939.4an act of defecation A euphemism by personification, but why a George should be so honoured is not recordedUK , 1959 < call it Georgeto agree that a matter is settledGUYANA , 1962
GeorgeadjectiveexcellentUS , 1930
George and Ringonounbingo Rhyming slang, formed from the names of two of the Beatles, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, and probably not heard since the Beatles broke upUK , 1992
George and Zippyadjective(of weather) cold, chilly Rhyming slang forNIPPY, based on two of the puppet characters in long-running
Thames television children’s programme Rainbow (from 1972) UK , 2002
George Bernard Shaw; George Bernardnouna door Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the Irish playwright, 1856–1950
UK , 1992
George Blakenouna snake Rhyming slang, formed from the name
of a notorious British security and intelligence operative who spied for the KGB from 1944–61UK , 1992
George Martinnounfarting Rhyming slang, formed from the name
of orchestral arranger and producer Sir George Martin (b.1926)UK , 2003
George Mellynounthe belly, a paunch Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the jazz singer and surrealist (1937–2007) whose shape echoes the senseUK , 1992
George Michael; Georgeverbto cycle Popney rhyming slang, based on popular singer George Michael (b.1963) Popney was
orig-inally contrived for www.music365.co.uk, an Internet music site;
this is one of several terms that caught onUK , 2001
George Raftnoun1a draught Rhyming slang, formed on the name
of US film actor George Raft (1895–1980)UK , 1979.2hard work Rhyming slang forGRAFT UK , 1992
George Smack; GeorgenounheroinUS , 1967
George Spelvinnounused in a theatre programme as a fictitious name for an actorUS , 1908
George the Thirdnoun1a bird Rhyming slang, recorded as an alternative toRICHARD THE THIRD UK , 1961.2a lump of excrement Rhyming slang forTURD UK , 1992
George W.nouna person with an inflated sense of self-worth An unkind allusion to US President George W BushUS , 2001
Georgia; Georgieverbto cheat, to swindle; (of a prostitute) to have sex with a customer without collecting the fee Especially used in the context of prostitutionUS , 1960
Georgia buggy
Trang 4Georgia hamnouna watermelonUS , 1971
Georgia homeboynounthe recreational drug GHB A disguise for
the initialsGHB US , 1993
Georgia night ridernouna trucker who drives at night in the hope
of avoiding policeUS , 1976
Georgia overdrivenouncoasting down a hill with the car or truck
in neutralUS , 1963
Georgia scufflenoun1a swindle which fails because the intended
victim is not smart enough to be swindledUS , 1992.2in carnival
usage, rough handling of an extremely naive customer in a
swindleUS , 1950
Georgie Bestnoun1a pest, especially a drunken pest Rhyming
slang, reflecting footballer George Best’s fall from grace to
alcoholismUK , 1992.2the female breast Rhyming slangUK , 2003.
< be my Georgie Best!do as you wish; you are welcome to
have whatever has been asked for Rhyming slang for ‘be my
guest’, formed on the name of Irish footballer George Best
(1946–2005)UK , 1977
gerverbget A slovenly pronunciation that occurs when the following
word commences with a vowel, in uses such as ‘ger along’UK , 1895
gerbil aroundverbin car repair, to work at a somewhat frantic pace
in an effort to hide the fact that the problem at hand, or car
repair in general, is too difficultUS , 1992
geriatricknounan older homosexual man as a one-time sex-partner
UK , 1979
germnoun1a GermanUK , 1915.2a despised personUS , 1942
Germaine Greernouna glass of beer Rhyming slang, formed from
the name of an Australian feminist and academic who has
become a media personality (b.1939)AUSTRALIA , 1987
Germannoun(used by prisoners) a prison officer A hangover from
World War 2 when the Germans were the enemyUK , 1996
German bandnounthe hand Rhyming slangUK , 1979
Germansnoundrug dealers from the Dominican Republic as
perceived by African-American drug dealers competing for the
same market – the enemyUS , 1992
germsnoungentlemen, as a form of address A jocular slurring,
especially in the pairing ‘Ladeez and Germs’UK , 2001
Geronimonoun1an alcoholic drink mixed with a barbiturate A
dangerous cross reactionUS , 1970.2a barbiturateUS , 1990
gerook; gerookedadjectivedrug or alcohol-intoxicated From
Afrikaans for ‘cured/smoked’SOUTH AFRICA , 1970
gerricknounpiece of rolled up silver foil used as a filter in
marijuana pipes The ‘gerrick’ is made by laying out a piece of foil
(usually from a cigarette box), or thin cardboard (usually from the
same box) into a square, rolling it up, bending it into a circle and
wedging it into the bottom of a bottleneck pipe to keep the
marijuana from falling out when the smoke is sucked inSOUTH
AFRICA , 2003
gerrynicknamean old person An abbreviation of ‘geriatric’NEW
ZEALAND , 1998
gertadjectivegreat A C14 dialect word that is now widely familiar
beyond its regional use as a result of media exposureUK , 1997
gertcha!; gercha!; gertcher!I don’t believe you!; used for
registering disbelief An alteration of ‘get away!’; immortalised in
song by Chas and Dave, 1979UK , 1937
Gertie Gitana; Gertienouna banana Rhyming slang, based on
the name of music hall entertainer Gertie Gitana, 1888–1957;
originating in the first decade of C20 with her name replacing the
refrain ‘Have a banana’ in the song ‘Let’s All Go Down the Strand’
Still in useUK , 1961
gert stonkersnounlarge female breastsAUSTRALIA , 1988
Gestaponoun1the police Originally used of the military police
during World War 2 in a (presumably) jocular allusion to the
German Secret Police of the Third Reich Often used with ‘the’UK ,
1941.2uniformed personnel (such as bus inspectors) or others
(such as teachers) who enjoy the little power of their authorityUK ,
.
ision Police use (especially the Metropolitan Police Drugs Squad); probably inspired by the jackboots and black breeches uniformUK , 1999
getverb1to understand, to appreciateUS , 1892.2to worry, to vex, to annoyUS , 1867.3to enthral, to appeal to, to affect emotionally, to obsessUK , 1913.4to obtain sexual intercourseAUSTRALIA , 1970 < get above yourselfto become conceited, arrogantUK , 1923 < get amongstto perform some task or take part enthusiastically
AUSTRALIA , 1970 < get any; get anything; get enough; get a little bitto have sexUS , 1947 < get it1to be punished, especially physicallyUK , 1851.2to be killedUS , 1964.3to become infected with a sexually transmitted infectionUK , 1937 < get it in oneto understand immediatelyUK , 1942 < get it on1to have sexUS , 1970.2to fightUS , 1959.3to join battle US Marines usage in VietnamUS , 1991 < get it upto achieve an erectionUS , 1943.
< get some1to have sexUS , 1970.2to kill enemy soldiersUS , 1976.
< get well2to make moneyUS , 1995 < get wetto kill someone using a knife or bayonetUS , 1991 < get withto have sex withUK ,
1987 < get with the programto start to behave in a responsible manner A generally figurative application of the recovery programmes promoted by Alcoholics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, etc; usually as an injunctionUS , 1983 < get your end awayto have sexUK , 1975 < get your leatherto have sex
CANADA , 1985 < get your own backto get revengeUK , 1910 < get your skates onto hurry up Often as an imperative Originally militaryUK , 1895 < get your skinto have sexCANADA , 1999 < get yoursto get the punishment you deserveUS , 1905 < have got something on someoneto possess evidence against someone
UK , 1928
get!; git!go!; go away!US , 1884
get a black dog up you!go to hell!AUSTRALIA , 1992
get acrossverbto make yourself (or your subject) understoodUS , 1913
get a dog up you!go to hell!AUSTRALIA , 1996
get a grip!control yourself!US , 1982
get a life!used to tease someone who is revealing a lack of grounding in reality or who is too obsessed with somethingUS , 1989
get along!used for registering incredulity Similar to the later ‘get away!’UK , 1984
get along with you!go away! be quiet!UK , 1837
get a roll of stamps and mail it inused as a humorous comment on a lack of effort Coined by ESPN’s Keith Olberman to describe ‘a lackluster effort on the part of a player or team’US , 1997
get a room!used for discouraging public displays of affectionUS , 1999
get atverb1to attack verbally, to teaseUK , 1891.2to mean, to imply
a meaningUS , 1899 < get at itto tease someone, to make a fool
of someoneUK , 1958
getawaynounthe last morning of a military tour of dutyUS , 1968
get away!; gerraway!don’t talk nonsense!; don’t flatter! In 2002 a travel company used the slogan ‘Get away’ in a television advertising campaign, punning on the conventional sense (to escape, to go on holiday) with an exclamation of disbelief that such holidays could be so cheapUK , 1848
getaway daynounin horse racing, the last day of a racing meetUS , 1962
get-backnounan act of revengeUS , 1984
get bent!used as an exclamation of defiance, roughly along the lines of ‘go to hell!’US , 1970
getcha vinenouna thorny vine found in the jungles of VietnamUS , 1990
get downverb1to depressUK , 1930.2in sports betting, to place a bet
US , 1974.3to be a part of, or to relate to, as in ’get down with the kids’UK , 1999 < get down to itto begin to work with serious application, sometimes used of sexual activityUS , 1937
get-down time; git-down timenounthe time of day or night when a prostitute starts workingUS , 1972
get-’em-off an exit ramp; a motorway exit
Trang 5get ’em off!; geremoff!used as a jocular imperative to stripUS ,
1995
getersnounmoneyUS , 1975
get-go; git-go; gitty upnounthe very startUS , 1966
get-hardadjectivesexually arousing to menUK , 2000
get her! 8see:GET YOU!
get-highnouncrack cocaineUS , 1990
get in; get-inverbof a staged entertainment, to bring in and set up
staging and technical equipment The reverse (to deconstruct and
entirely remove staging equipment) is ‘get out’ Also used as
nouns.UK , 1996
get-in Bettynouna crowbar used by burglarsUS , 1950
get intoverbto come to know and likeUK , 1968
get-it-onadjectivevigorous, energetic in approachUS , 1970
get knotted!used for expressing contempt Usage was frozen in
time and soon considered archaic Later use is marked with irony
UK , 1958
get lost!used as a contemptuous imperative of dismissalUS , 1902
get offverb1to form an initial liaison with someone sexually
attractive, especially with a view to greater intimacyUK , 1925.2to
achieve sexual climaxUS , 1867.3to use a drug; to feel the effects of
a drugUS , 1952.4by extension, to take pleasure from somethingUS ,
1952.5to crash while riding a motorcyle Sarcastic and euphemistic
biker (motorcyle) usageUS , 2003
get off!; get off it!used as a register of impatience or incredulity
UK , 1969
get-off housenouna place where you can both purchase and inject
heroinUS , 1990
get off onverbto greatly enjoy something AfterGET OFF(to achieve
sexual climax)UK , 1973
get off the stove, I’m ridin’ the range tonight!used for
expressing enthusiasm about an upcoming dateUS , 1951
get onverb1of people, to agree, to co-exist Often with a modifying
adverbUK , 1816.2to become elderlyUK , 1885.3to use drugsUS , 1952.
4to haveUS , 1990
get-outnoun1an escape, an excuse, an evasionUK , 1899.2an
extreme degree of somethingUS , 1838
get outverb(used of a bettor) to recoup earlier lossesUS , 1951
get out of here!used for expressing disbelief at what has just been
saidUS , 1994
get out of here, Mary!used for expressing doubtUS , 1987
get out of it!used for expressing a lack of belief in what has just
been saidUK , 1984
get-overnounsuccess through fraudUS , 1997
get oververbto take advantage of someone, making yourself look
good at their expenseUS , 1981 < cannot get overto be
astoundedUK , 1899 < get over onto seduceUS , 1987
get over it!used as a suggestion that the hearer move on from the
issue that is dominating the momentUS , 1994
get over you!used in order to deflate a person’s excessive sense of
importanceUS , 1997
get realverbto face the facts Often as an imperativeUS , 1998
get real!used for expressing scorn at that which has just been said
US , 1982
get roundverbto circumventUS , 1849
get shagged!used as a general expression of disbelief or contempt
UK , 1997
get stuffed!used as a general expression of disbelief or contempt
UK , 1952
getting any?used as a male-to-male greeting Instantly jocular due
to the inquiry as to the other’s sex lifeUS , 1958
getting onadjective(of time) late; growing lateUK , 1882
get to
get-upnoun1an outfit or costumeUK , 1847.2manufactured evidence that is intended to incriminateUK , 1967.3a piece of criminal trickery, an elaborate deceitUK , 1970.4the last morning of a jail sentence or term of military serviceUS , 1967
get upverb1to be released from prisonUS , 1967.2to succeed in painting your graffiti tag in a public placeUS , 1994.3to win; to succeedAUSTRALIA , 1904.4to cause a racehorse to winAUSTRALIA , 1969
get-up-and-gonounvigour, energy, drive Earlier variations from which this derives are ‘get-up’ and ‘get-up-and-get’US , 1907
get up off ofverbto concede something of importance or valueUS , 1985
get with the words!verbexplain yourself!US , 1965
get you!; get him!; get her!verb1(with an emphatic stress on the pronoun) used to deflate a conceited male ego or to imply an unmasculine oversensitivity or homosexualityUK , 1958.2used for expressing disbelief at what has just been said Homosexual use
US , 1949
get your arse to an anchor!verbsit down! Adapted from nautical (likely fisherman) usage, this phrase came ashore for general purposesCANADA , 1978
get your kit off!verbused as ribald encouragement to undressUK , 1985
GFE; girl friend experiencenouna dinner date followed by sex as
a service offered by a prostituteUK , 2005
G force!used as an expression of enthusiastic assent From a Japanese comic stripUS , 1987
GFYgo fuck yourself Used when discretion suggests avoiding the
word ‘fuck’US , 1987
GGnoun in transsexual usage, a genuine or genetic girl US , 1987
GHnoun General Hospital, a popular television daytime drama US , 1981
Ghannounan Afghan In outback Australia this referred to the numerous immigrants from Afghanistan and nearby regions who came to work in the desert regions as camel-drivers Not used to refer to recent migrants from AfghanistanAUSTRALIA , 1911
ghananounmarijuana Possibly a variant spelling ofGANJA(Jamaican marijuana) although current usage doesn’t acknowledge this etymology nor specify an alternative, such as marijuana from GhanaUK , 1989
gharnounthe buttocks From the Hindi for ‘donkey’TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1976
GHBnouna pharmaceutical anaesthetic used as a recreational drug Gamma hydroxybutyrate is a foul-tasting liquid, invented in the 1960s by Dr Henri Laborit, who swore by its powers as an aphrodisiac The drug has been marketed as an anaesthetic and a health supplement, but it is a heightened sense of touch, sustained erections and longer orgasms that make it popular with
‘up-for-it clubbers’US , 1990
gheidnouna Paregoric userUS , 1971
gheraoverbin India and Pakistan, to surround someone and not allow him or her to go from an office, desk, etc, as a
demon-stration against that person From Hindi gherna (to surround, to
beseige)INDIA , 1967
gherkinnounthe penis, especially a small penis A variation of
‘pickle’ (the penis), especially in the phraseJERK THE GHERKIN(to masturbate)US , 2002
ghettonounthe anusUS , 1973
ghettoadjectiveinferior, shoddy, badUS , 1995
ghetto-prefixused to qualify an adjective as being in the style of black culture Has positive connotations when used by the black community but can be patronising and derogatoryUS , 2001
ghetto birdnouna police helicopter, especially one flying at night with a bright spotlightUS , 1993
ghetto blaster; ghetto boxnouna large, portable radio and tape player; a portable music system Can be considered offensive because it is culture-specific and stereotypicalUS , 1981
ghetto bootie
Trang 6ghetto fabulousadjectiveostentatious, exemplifying the style of the
black hip-hop communityUS , 1996
ghetto lullabynouninner-city nightime noises – sirens, gunfire,
helicopters, etcUS , 1993
ghetto ragsnounclothing typical of the inner-city ghettoUS , 1970
ghetto slednouna large, luxury carUS , 1997
ghetto starnouna youth gang leaderUS , 1993
’Ghininouna Lamborghini car A hip-hop abbreviation and
aspirationUS , 1999
ghostnoun1a faint, secondary duplicate video image in a television
signal, caused by the mixing of the primary signal and a delayed
version of the same signalUS , 1942.2a blank stop on a casino slot
machineUS , 1993.3in poker, a player who frequently absents
himself from the tableUS , 1996.4LSD Usually used with ‘the’US ,
1967 < do a ghostto leave quicklyUS , 1995 < when the ghost
walksin oil drilling, pay dayUS , 1954
ghostverb1to transfer a prisoner from one prison to another at
night after the prison has been securedUS , 1982.2to vanishUS , 1969.
3to relax, especially while evading duty Military useUS , 1982
ghost battalionnounduring the Vietnam war, the First Battalion,
Ninth Marines So named because of the large number of
casualties suffered at Con Thien and Khe SanhUS , 1991
ghostbustnounto search in an obsessive and compulsive way for
small particles of crack cocaineUS , 1992
ghostedadjectiveout of sightUK , 1994
ghost handnounin poker, a hand or part of a hand that is dealt to
the same player twice in a rowUS , 1988
ghost townnoun< send to ghost townto transfer a prisoner
without warningUK , 1996
ghost trainnoun< on the ghost trainused of a prisoner who is
being moved without warning from one prison to another
overnight FromGHOST(to transfer overnight)UK , 1996
ghost-walking daynounin circus and carnival usage, paydayUS , 1981
ghoulienounthe vagina Something frightening that lurks in the
darkUS , 1998
ghoulieadjectiveghoulishUS , 1993
GInoun1an enlisted soldier in the US ArmyUS , 1939.2an American
Indian who has abandoned his indigenous culture and language in
favour of mainstream American culture; a government Indian US ,
1963
GIverb1to clean thoroughlyUS , 1944.2to stripUS , 1968
Gianluca Vialli; gianlucanouncocaine Rhyming slang forCHARLIE
(cocaine); based on the name of Gianluca Vialli (b.1964), a famous
Italian football player and managerUK , 1998
gibnouna man’s buttocksUS , 1986
GIBnounthe back seat member of the crew on a fighter aircraft An
initialism for ‘guy in back’ US , 1967
Gibnickname Gibraltar UK , 1822
GIBadjective skilled in sex An initialism for ‘good in bed’ US , 1977
gibbernouna small stone used for throwing From the extinct
Australian Aboriginal language Dharug (Sydney region) Originally,
since 1833, referring to ‘large boulders’, it has undergone a
reduction in size over the decades As a technical term of
geol-ogists it refers to smallish stones of dark reddish chaceldony that
litter the surface of large areas of the arid inland Colloquially it is
used of any rock, stone or pebble suitable for throwingAUSTRALIA ,
1902
gibbledadjective(of a machine) broken downCANADA , 1989
gibbsnounthe lipsUS , 1990
gib-gibnounused for mocking another’s laughter From an
advertisement for Gibbons Chicken RationTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1994
gibletnouna stupid, foolish or inept person Playing on a turkey
imageUS , 1984
gibletsnoun1the female gentaliaUK , 2003.2showy chrome
Gibson girlnounan emergency radio used when a military aircraft
is shot down over a body of waterUS , 1943
gicknounexcrementIRELAND , 1993
gickverbto defecateIRELAND , 1996
giddynouna tourist, especially on a package holiday Used by holiday repsUK , 1997
giddyap; giddyupnounthe beginning; the inceptionUS , 1974
giddy as a kipperadjectivedizzy A ‘giddy kipper’, although not in this sense, has been a feature of English slang since the late C19
UK , 1999
giddy goatnounin horse racing, the totalisator Rhyming slang from
‘tote’AUSTRALIA , 1989
gifnoun an aircraft pilot From the initials of ‘guys in the front seat’
US , 1945
giffedadjectivedrunkUK , 2003
giffernouna pickpocketUS , 1949
giftnounin a sex club, used as a coded euphemism for payment for special servicesUS , 1997 < the giftthe bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS , 2001 < the gift that keeps givinga sexually transmitted diseaseUS , 1986
giftedadjectiveexperiencing the bleed period of the menstrual cycle
US , 2001
gift of the sun; gift of the sun godnouncocaineUK , 1998
gignoun1a musical performance or concert Originally musicians’ slang for an engagement at a single venueUS , 1926.2a jobUS , 1908.
3a partyUS , 1954.4a prison or jail sentenceUS , 1977.5a police informer A clipping ofFIZGIG AUSTRALIA , 1953.6a busybodyAUSTRALIA ,
1944.7a person who stands out because they look foolish; a fool
AUSTRALIA , 1943.8the vaginaUS , 1967.9a look; a peekAUSTRALIA , 1924.
10a demerit or other indication of failureUS , 1968.11in an illegal number gambling lottery, a bet that a specific three-digit number will be drawnUS , 1846.12in harness racing, a sulkyUS , 1997
gigverb1to work; to have a jobUS , 1939.2of a musician or group of musicians, to play an engagement or a series of engagementsUK ,
1939.3to go out to bars, clubs and/or partiesUS , 2000.4to look or stare; to take a peekAUSTRALIA , 1959.5to teaseAUSTRALIA , 1969.6in carnival usage, to win all of a player’s money in a single trans-actionUS , 1985
giggingnounteasingAUSTRALIA , 1966
giggle and titter; gigglenounbitter (beer)UK , 1992
giggle bandnounthe decorative hemmed edge at the top of a stocking Get beyond that and you’re laughingUK , 2001
giggle binnounan institution for containment and care of the mentally disturbedUK , 1964
giggle factorynounan insane asylumAUSTRALIA , 1968
giggle housenounan insane asylumAUSTRALIA , 1919
giggle juicenounalcoholUS , 1939
gigglernouna scene in a pornographic film involving sex with two women From theGIRL-GIRLdesignationUS , 1987
giggles; good gigglesnounmarijuanaUS , 1986
giggle smokenounmarijuana; a marijuana cigaretteUS , 1952
gigglesoupnounany alcoholic beverageUS , 1972
giggle waternounalcohol, especially champagneUS , 1926
giggle weednounmarijuana From the definite effectWEEDhas on your sense of humourUS , 1937
giggling academynouna mental hospitalUS , 1949
gigglyadjectivevery good Probably from the euphoric reaction to marijuana West Indian and UK black useUK , 2002
giggy; giginounthe anus and rectumUS , 1953
GI ginnouncough syrupUS , 1964
gig-lamps; gigsnounspectacles, eye-glasses From the lights placed
to each side of a ‘gig’ (a light carriage); ‘headlights’ (glasses), a later coinage, reflects similar inspiration
Trang 7GIGOin computing, used as a reminder that output is only as good
as input – (garbage in, garbage out) US , 1964
gig shotnounin carnival usage, the method used by an operator to
win all of a player’s money in a single transactionUS , 1985
gig wagonnountransportation used by a rock band during a
concert tourUK , 1985
GI Joenouna quintessential American soldier A term fuelled by a
cartoon in the 1940s, a Robert Mitchum movie in 1945 and a line
of toys starting in 1964US , 1935
gildyadjectivefancy, ornateUK , 2002
gilfnouna sexually appealing mature woman A variation ofMILF(a
sexually appealing mother) andDILF(a sexually appealing father);
an acronym of ‘grandma I’d like to fuck’ US , 2003
gil-gilnounused for mocking another’s laughterTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ,
1993
gilhooleynounin motor racing on an oval track, a spinUS , 1965
gill; gillsnounin circus and carnival usage, a customer, especially a
gullible oneUS , 1981
Gillie Pottersnoun1pig’s trotters Rhyming slang; formed from the
name of British comedian, an early star of BBC radio, Gillie Potter,
1887–1975UK , 1980.2the feet Rhyming slang forTROTTERS UK , 1980
gillie suitnouncamouflaged uniforms used by the US Army Special
Forces Gulf war usageUS , 1992
Gilligannoun a hapless, socially inept person From the Gilligan’s
Island television programme, in which Gilligan was a hapless,
socially inept personUS , 1991
Gilligan hitchnounany and every method to bind with a chain or
tie with a ropeUS , 1919
gillionnounten to the ninth power; untold millionsUS , 1991
gillynoun1a member of an audience, especially a woman
Theatrical and circus usageUK , 1933.2a man, especially a gullible
rustic Market traders and English gypsy use, from the previous
sense as ‘a member of a circus audience’US , 1882
gilly-galloonounin circus and carnival usage, an outsiderUS , 1981
gils!used for expressing pleasant surpriseUS , 2002
giltnoun money Derives from German gelt (gold) and conventional
‘gilt’ (silverplate)UK , 1708
GI marblesnoundice Because of the love for dice games displayed
by American soldiers, especially during World War 2US , 1950
Gimli glidernouna Boeing 737 which ran out of petrol and glided
to a safe landing in Gimli, Manitoba; later, any car that has run out
of petrol The incident happened because of a confusion between
metric and English ways of measuring petrol during the fill-up
One of the pilots had been a glider pilotCANADA , 2000
gimmenoun1a request or demand for money From ‘give me’UK ,
2001.2an easy victory or accomplishmentUS , 1986.3a pistolUS , 1994.
4in pool, a shot that cannot be missed or a game that cannot be
lostUS , 1990
gimmeverbused for ‘give me’ A lazy phonetic abbreviationUS , 1883
gimme fivenouna mutual hand-slapping used as greeting or to
sig-nify mutual respect From the phrase ‘give me your hand’;
‘gimme’ (give me) ‘five’ (fingers, hence hand)UK , 1999
gimmelnounin betting, odds of 3–1 Probably coined by a Jewish
bookmaker with a sense of humour, from gimel (the Hebrew letter
which, in Judaic teaching, symbolises a rich man running after a
poor man) which, in turn, derives from Hebrew gemul (the giving
of reward and punishment)UK , 1991
gimmesnouna selfishly acquisitive characteristicUS , 1918
gimmicknoun1a gadget, an ingenious device or contrivance such
as may be used in crime and magic to deceive or distract, or
commercially, especially in the entertainment industry, to attract
publicity and attention ‘You Gotta Get a Gimmick’, Stephen
Sondheim, 1959, is a song performed by striptease artistes
demonstrating their ingenious methods of standing out from the
crowdUS , 1926.2characteristics such as costume, haircut or
out as a unique marketable commodityUS , 1993.3the actual device used to rig a carnival gameUS , 1968.4in poker, a special set of rules for a gameUS , 1988
gimmickverbto rig for a resultUS , 1922
gimmicksnounthe equipment needed to inject drugsUS , 1967
gimmienounmarijuana and crack cocaine mixed together for smoking in a cigaretteUS , 1994
gimpnoun1a limp; a crippleUS , 1925.2an incompetent or weak personUS , 1924.3a sexual submissive who seeks satisfaction in dehumanising, full fetish clothing and crippling bondage A specialisation of the previous senses made very familiar by
Quentin Tarantino, Pulp Fiction, 1993 – the film featured a
masked-creature (taking his pleasure at the hands of a dominatrix) known only as ‘the gimp’US , 1993
gimper; gimpsternouna crippleUS , 1974
gimp outverbto panic in the face of great challengeUS , 1988
gimpynouna (long-haired) member of the counterculture, a hippy
UK , 1998
gimpyadjective1crippled; handicappedUS , 1929.2inferiorUS , 1970
gimsnounthe eyesUS , 1945
ginnoun1a black prostituteUS , 1962.2an Aboriginal femaleAUSTRALIA ,
1985.3cocaineUS , 1971.4a street fight between youth gangsUS , 1993
ginverb1(used of a woman) to have sexUS , 1976.2to fightUS , 1972
gin and Jaguar birdnouna wealthy, usually married, woman from the upper-class districts surrounding London, especially Surrey, regarded as a worthwhile target for sexual adventuring ABIRD(a woman) who lives in the ‘gin and Jaguar belt’UK , 1977
ginchnoun1the vaginaUS , 2003.2a woman; a woman as a sex objectUS , 1936
ginchyadjective1fashionable, attractive, pleasingUS , 1959.2 sharp-witted, clever, shrewd A variation of the sense as ‘attractive’UK , 1988
ginernounthe vaginaUS , 2004
gin flatnounan apartment where alcohol is served illegally to a paying not-so publicUS , 1951
gingnouna handheld catapult; a slingshotAUSTRALIA , 1903
gingernoun1a sandy- or red-haired person; often as a nickname Originally (1785) used of a cock with reddish plumageUK , 1885.
2the backside FromGINGER ALE AUSTRALIA , 1967.3a prostitute who steals from her clients Also ‘ginger girl’, ‘gingerer’AUSTRALIA , 1953.
< on the ginger(of prostitutes) working at gingering their clients
AUSTRALIA , 1979
ginger ale; gingernoun1jail Rhyming slangUK , 1992.2bail Rhyming slangNEW ZEALAND , 1963.3the backside Rhyming slang for
TAIL AUSTRALIA , 1967
ginger beer; gingernoun1a homosexual man Rhyming slang for
QUEER UK , 1959.2a member of the Royal Australian Engineers Rhyming slang for ‘engineer’AUSTRALIA , 1941
ginger beer; gingeradjectivehomosexual Rhyming slang forQUEER
UK , 1960
gingeringverb(of a prostitute or accomplice) stealing from a client’s clothingAUSTRALIA , 1944
ginger minger; ginger minge; ginge mingenouna person who has (it is presumed) naturally ginger pubic hairUK , 1993
ginger popnoun1a police officer Rhyming slang forCOP UK , 1992.
2ginger beerUK , 1827
gingersnapsnoun< (have had) too many gingersnaps last nightto have had too much alcohol to drinkCANADA , 1998
ginger-topnouna redhead FromGINGER UK , 1998
ginheadnouna habitual drinker of ginUS , 1927
gin jockeynouna white man who cohabits with an Aboriginal womanAUSTRALIA , 1955
ginknoun1a naive rustic; a doltUS , 1906.2a look; a peek Perhaps a nasalised variant ofGEEK AUSTRALIA , 1945.3an unpleasant smellUK: SCOTLAND , 1988
gink