All that remains in current use of theatrical rhyming slang ‘green gage’UK , 1931.9an unbroken waveUS , 1964.10a green capsule containing drugs, especially a central nervous system stimu
Trang 1gravel-crushernounan infantry soldierUS , 1918
gravel punchernouna solitary miner using antiquated equipment
CANADA , 1951
gravel rashnounscraped skin and cuts resulting from a motorcyle
accidentUS , 1992
grave-nudgernounfrom the perspective of youth, an older person
UK: SCOTLAND , 1988
graveyardnounthe area of a beach where waves breakUS , 1965
graveyard shift; graveyard tour; graveyard watchnouna work
schedule that begins very late at night and lasts until the morning
shift begins, traditionally from midnight until 8 amUS , 1907
graveyard spiralnouna downward spiral of an aeroplane from
which recovery is nearly impossible and as a result of which
impact with the ground is inevitableUS , 1988
gravity checknounin footbag, the bag dropping to the groundUS ,
1997
gravynoun1money, especially money that is easily and/or illegally
obtainedUS , 1930.2an unexpected benefitUS , 1910.3in poker and
other games that are bet on, winningsUS , 1967.4any sexual
emission, male or femaleUK , 1796.5bloodUK , 1999.6a mixture of
blood and drug solution in a syringe Perhaps from ‘gravy’ as
‘blood’ in C19 boxing slangUS , 1966.7sexual innuendo or
bawdiness when used to enliven a dull script A pun onSAUCE
(impudence)UK , 1973.8a prison sentence Especially in the phrase
DISH OUT THE GRAVY(to sentence harshly)UK , 1950.9pasta sauce
Mid-Atlantic Italian-American usageUS , 1976 < clear gravyan
unexpected bonus or profit An embellishment of the more
commonGRAVY US , 1975
gravyadjective1all rightUS , 2002.2excellent, very goodUK , 2005
gravyused for expressing approvalUK , 2003
gravy haulernouna truck driver who will only drive high-paying
jobsUS , 1971
gravy runnounon the railways, a short and easy tripUS , 1977
gravy strokesnounduring sex, the climactic thrusts prior to male
ejaculation Presumably fromGRAVY(any sexual emission: semen)
NEW ZEALAND , 2003
gravy trainnouna money-making opportunity, a generous situation
US , 1914
graynoun1a white personUS , 1944.2a white betting token usually
worth one dollarUS , 1983.3a police officerUS , 1967 8see also:GREY
grayadjectivewhite, Caucasian DerogatoryUS , 1944 8see also:GREY
gray areanounin motor racing, the portion of the track
immedi-ately above the quickest line around the trackUS , 1980
Graybar hotel; Graybar Motelnouna jail or prisonUS , 1970
grayboynouna white maleUS , 1951
gray catnouna white maleUS , 1997
gray eyenouna work shift that starts in the middle of the nightUS ,
1977
grayspacenounthe brainUS , 1982
Graystone Collegenouna jail or prisonUS , 1933
grazenoun1in cricket, time spent fielding in a quiet area of the out
fieldUK , 1997.2food, a mealSOUTH AFRICA , 2004
grazeverb1to pay only superficial attention to any television
channel, preferring instead to flick from one programme to
anotherUS , 1998.2(used of an amphetamine user) to search
obsessively in a carpet for pieces of amphetamine or
meth-amphetamineUS , 1989
greasenoun1any lubricant used in anal sexUS , 1963.2any hair
creamBAHAMAS , 1982.3nitroglycerinUS , 1949.4in trucking, ice or
snowUS , 1976.5food, especially US Army c-rationsUS , 1991.6a
young, urban tough An abbreviation ofGREASER US , 1967.7a black
personUS , 1971.8in pool, extreme spin imparted on the cue ball to
affect the course of the object ball or the cue ball after striking the
object ballUS , 1993.9a bribeUK , 1823 < shoot the greaseto
greaseverb1to shoot or kill Vietnam war usageUS , 1964.2to bribe
or otherwise favourably induce others to act as desiredUK , 1528.3to eatUS , 1984.4to use nitroglycerin to break into a safeUS , 1949.5to barely pass a course in school or collegeUS , 1959 < grease heel
to run away quicklyTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1939 < grease someone’s palmto persuade by briberyUK , 1807 < grease the skidsto facilitate something, especially by extra legal meansUS ,
1989 < grease the tracksto be hit by a trainUS , 1977 < grease the weaselto have sex (from the male perspective)US , 2003.
< grease your chopsto eatUS , 1946
greaseballnoun1a person of Latin-American or Mediterranean extraction A derogatory generic derived from a swarthy complexionUS , 1922.2an odious, unappealing, unattractive person Derives from racist usageUS , 1917.3a railway mechanicUS , 1977.4in circus and carnival usage, a food concession standUS , 1981
greaseburgernouna despicable personUS , 1991
greasedadjectivedrunkUS , 1928
grease for peaceused as a humorous farewell A catchphrase
television sign-off on the Sha Na Na programme (1971–81).
Repeated with referential humourUS , 1971
grease gunnounthe US Army’s M-3 submachine gun Based on
GREASE( to kill)US , 1984
grease-handnouna bribeTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1966
grease it!in playground basketball, used as a cry to encourage a ball tottering on the rim of the hoop to fall through for a scoreUS , 1980
grease mannouna criminal with expertise in using explosives to open safesUS , 1970
grease moneynouna bribeTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1987
grease monkeynoun1a car or aeroplane mechanicUS , 1928.2in oil drilling, a worker who lubricates equipmentUS , 1954
grease orchardnounan oil fieldUS , 1954
grease outverbto enjoy good luckUS , 1990
grease pitnouna low-quality, low-price restaurantUS , 1995
greasernoun1a Mexican or any Latin American OffensiveUS , 1836.
2a motorcycle gang member The collective noun is ‘grease’UK ,
1971.3a hamburger, especially one from a fast-food restaurantUS ,
1982.4a young, poor toughUS , 1964.5a slimey lump or clot of spittle and mucusUK: SCOTLAND , 1988.6a submachine gun, especially the M-3 or M3A-1 submachine gunUS , 1991.7a Teddy Boy Greased hair was an important part of 1950s fashionUK , 1964
grease upverbto lubricate the anus, especially in order to smuggle contraband within the bodyUK , 1996
greasiesnountake-away food, especially fish and chipsNEW ZEALAND , 1979
greasynouna shearerAUSTRALIA , 1939
greasyadjectivehaving an insincere and ingratiating mannerUK , 1848
greasy eyeballnouna foul or menacing lookAUSTRALIA , 1996
greasy luckadjectivegood luck A whaling expression that persisted after whaling in New EnglandUS , 1963
greasy spoonnounan inexpensive and all-around low-brow restaurantUS , 1912
greatadjectivevery skilledUK , 1784
great action!used as an expression of happy approvalUS , 1980
great armynounin horse racing, the body of regular bettors
AUSTRALIA , 1989
Great Australian Adjectivenounthe word ‘bloody’ used as an intensifier This had an extremely high frequency amongst many speakers, especially formerly, though now it has lost much ground
toFUCKING AUSTRALIA , 1897
great balls of fire!used as a mockingly profane expression of
surprise Found in Gone With The Wind (1939) but made famous
by Jerry Lee Lewis in his 1957 hit song written by Jack Hammer and Otis BlackwellUS , 1951
great big
Trang 2great Caesar’s ghost!used as a profane oath The
non-profane outburst of the Metropolis Daily Planet editor, Perry White,
in The Adventures of Superman (1951–1957) Repeated with
referential humourUS , 1954
great dividenounthe vulva From the nickname of the continental
divide, where north American rivers flow either east or west
Perhaps best known from its usage in the erotic poem ‘The Ballad
of Eskimo Nell’: ‘She dropped her garments one by one / With an
air of conscious pride / And as he stood in her womanhood / He
saw the Great Divide’US , 1980
Greatestnickname< the GreatestMuhammed Ali (b 1942),
heavyweight boxer who defined and dominated the sport from
1960 until the late 1970sUS , 1964
Great Runesnounin computing, text displayed in UPPER CASE
ONLY A legacy of the teletypeUS , 1991
great Scott!used for registering exasperation or surprise; also as an
oathUK , 1885
great stuffnounanything excellentUK , 1934
great unwashednoun< the great unwashed1the proletariat
Originally derisive and jocular, now somewhat snobbish, but
famili-arity breeds unthinking colloquialismsUK , 1937.2hippies At the
time, no doubt, this was seen as a literal description of long-haired
counterculturistsUK , 1977
great white combinenouna prairie hailstormCANADA , 1987
great white fathernounany unpopular authority figureUS , 1963
great white hopenouncrack cocaine Used with ‘the’UK , 2003
great white lightnounLSDUS , 1966
great white way; gay white waynounBroadway and the theatre
district of New YorkUS , 1901
great white whalenouncocaine An exaggeration and romantic
allusion based on the colour of cocaineUK , 2001
greazeverbto eatUS , 1968
grebo; greebonouna member of a British youth cult that
flourished in the mid- to late 1980s; grebos/greboes are
character-ised as being intentionally unkempt and categorcharacter-ised as rock and
heavy metal music enthusiasts Adapted fromGREASER(a youth
subculture), perhaps influenced by ‘greb’ (an insult)UK: ENGLAND ,
1987
gredadjectiveunpleasantUK , 2005
greedy-gutsnouna glutton; a person (occasionally, thing) driven by
greed or appetite ‘Greedy gut ’ is the earlier formUK , 1550
greedy pignounused by card sharps of a victimUK , 1977
greefa; grifa; griff; griffa; griffonounmarijuana Originally
border Spanish used in English conversation by
Mexican-AmericansUS , 1931
Greeknoun1unintelligible languageUK , 1600.2anal sex; a
prac-titioner of anal sexUS , 1967.3a male homosexual, especially the
active partner in anal sexUS , 1938.4in pinball, a shot up a lane
with a scoring device with sufficient force to activiate the scoring
deviceUS , 1977
Greekadjective(of sex) analUS , 1934
Greek culture; Greek style; Greek waynounanal sexUS , 1967
Greek lightningnounarson financed by the owner of a failing
business In Chicago, Greeks enjoy the reputation of being
arsonists Chicago residents cite a rule of Three Ns – ‘never give
matches to a Greek, whiskey to an Irishman, or power to a Polack’
US , 1982
Greek massagenounanal sexAUSTRALIA , 1985
Greek rodeonounanal sex between menUS , 1968
Greek’snouna small cafe or milkbar Post-World-War-2 migrants
from southern Europe commonly opened such businesses, though
they were not, of course, all GreekAUSTRALIA , 1946
Greek shiftnounin card trickery, a method of repositioning a card
US , 2003
Greek shotnounin dice games, a controlled roll with a controlled
Greek shufflenounin card trickery, a cut of the deck that leaves the cards in the same order as before the cutUS , 2003
greennoun1money From the green colour of paper currency in the USUS , 1898.2in American casinos, a $25 chipUS , 1985.
3marijuana, especially with a low resin countUS , 1955.
4phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust From the practice of sprinkling the drug on parsley or mintUS ,
1981.5the recreational drug ketamine From the drug’s natural green colourUS , 1986.6mucusUK , 1997.7the felt surface of a pool tableUS , 1990.8a stage, especially in the phrase ‘see you on the green’ All that remains in current use of theatrical rhyming slang
‘green gage’UK , 1931.9an unbroken waveUS , 1964.10a green capsule containing drugs, especially a central nervous system stimulant Also variant ‘greenie’US , 1966.11a supporter of environ-mental politicsUK , 1982 < in the greenflying with all
instruments recording safe conditionsUS , 1963
greenadjective< not as green as you are cabbage-looking
more intelligent than you look JocularUK , 1931
greenanounmarijuanaUK , 1998
green about the gillsadjectiveill, nauseous, sickly-paleUK , 1949
green and blacknouna capsule of Librium, a central nervous system depressantUS , 1992
green and brussel; greens and brusselsnouna muscle; muscles Rhyming slangUK , 1992
green and friendlynouna prison-issue phone cardUK , 1996
green-and-whitenouna green and white police carUS , 1991
green apple quick-stepnoundiarrhoeaUS , 1994
green around the gillsadjectivegiving an appearance of being about to vomitUS , 1985
greenbacknoun1a one-dollar noteUS , 1862.2a one-pound note A green-coloured banknote, first issued in 1917, the colour remained despite diminishing size and value, except for the period 1940–48 when it was blue, until 1988 when it ceased to be legal tender Sometimes shortened to ‘greenie’UK , 1961.3an Australian one-pound note Fell out of use after the introduction of decimal currency in 1966AUSTRALIA , 1919.4in surfing, a swell that has not brokenUS , 1963.5an implement for re-railing a train carriage or engineUS , 1946
green baggynounthe cap worn by Australian test cricketers
AUSTRALIA , 1992
green baitnouna cash bonus paid to US soldiers who re-enlisted during the Vietnam warUS , 1991
green beannounin South Africa, a township municipal police officer Derisive; from the colour of the uniformSOUTH AFRICA , 1987
green bud; green budsnounmarijuana From the colour of the plantUS , 1981
green burgernouna blend of amphetamine and caffeine marketed
as MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK , 1996
green cannouna can of Victoria Bitter™ beerAUSTRALIA , 2003
green cartnounan imaginary vehicle used to take people to an asylum for the insaneAUSTRALIA , 1935
green doornounthe door leading to an execution chamberUS , 1976
green double domenoun 8see:DOUBLE DOME
green dragonnoun1LSD enhanced with botanical drugs from plants such as Deadly Nightshade or JimsonweedUS , 1970.2any barbiturate or other central nervous system depressantUS , 1971.
3heroinUS , 1990.4the M-113 armoured personnel carrier The pri-mary armoured tracked personnel carrier used by the US forces in VietnamUS , 1991
green drinking vouchernoun 8see:DRINKING VOUCHER
green eggnoun 8see:EGG
greenerynounmarijuana College slangUS , 2001
green eyenounon the railways, a clear signalUS , 1946
green eyesnounjealousy, envyUS , 1950
green fairy
Trang 3greenflynounused as a collective noun for Army Intelligence Corps
personnel From the bright green beret they adopted in the
mid-1970sUK , 1984
green folding; folding greennounpaper moneyUK , 1981
green frognouna central nervous system despressantUK , 1998
greengages; greensnounwages Rhyming slangUK , 1932
green gamenounin a casino, a game with a mininum bet of $25
(the green betting token)US , 1983
green goblinnounabsinthe, a French gin From private
correspondence with a rock group whose management prefer to
remain anonymous Named after the arch-enemy of Spiderman
UK , 2001
green goddessnoun1marijuana From the colour of the leaf and
the elation it inspires; several ancient religions worshipped a green
goddessUS , 1938.2an emergency firefighting vehicle that is made
available (for operation by the military) when regular firefighters
and their fire engines are out of service First came into the public
vocabulary during the 1977 strike by Fire Brigade officersUK , 1997
green goldnouncocaineUK , 1998
green goodsnouncounterfeit moneyUS , 1949
green grollynouna deposit of phlegm Abbreviates as ‘grolly’.
Schoolboy and military useUK , 1989
greenhornnouna person recently arrived in the city or recently
immigrated to a new countryUK , 1753
green hornetnouna capsule combining a central nervous stimulant
and a central nervous system depressantUS , 1942
greenhousenoun1a small room or enclosed space where
marijuana is being smokedUS , 2001.2in surfing, a smooth ride
inside the hollow of a waveUS , 1987.3in hot rodding and car
customising, the upper part of the car bodyUS , 1993
green icenounemeraldsUS , 1950
greenienoun1any paper moneyUK , 1982.2a one-pound note From
the colour of the noteUK , 1980.3an Australian one-pound note
Shortening ofGREENBACK AUSTRALIA , 1968.4a gob of thick nasal
mucus and catarrhal matter From the colourUK , 2000.5a speeding
ticketUS , 1976.6a conservationist From ‘green ban’ (a ban
imposed for environmental reasons)AUSTRALIA , 1973.7an ocean
wave, especially a large breaking wave suitable for surfingAUSTRALIA ,
1964
greenie in a bottlenouna bottle of beerAUSTRALIA , 1991
green inknountime spent in aerial combatUS , 1991
green-ink brigadenouncollectively, people who write cranky or
abusive (often illegible) letters Derives from the notion that only a
person who disdains conventional standards could possibly be ill
mannered enough to write in green ink – or, sometimes, green
crayonUK , 2001
green lightnounin prison, permission to killUS , 2000
green-lightverbto give approval In traffic signalling, the green light
means ‘go’UK , 2001
green-lightadjectiveapproved After the verb senseUK , 2001
green machinenoun1the US Army Vietnam war usageUS , 1969.2a
computer built to military specifications for field useUS , 1991
green mannoun1marijuana To ‘see the green man’ is to smoke or
buy marijuanaUS , 1997.2a bottle of Ballantine™ aleUS , 1965
green meanienounany green amphetamine or barbiturate capsule
US , 1981
green micronouna type of LSDUK , 1996
Green Onionnouna Montreal parking violation officerCANADA , 1999
greenoutnounthe joy felt on seeing and smelling plants after an
extended stay on AntarcticaANTARCTICA , 2003
green paintnounmarijuanaUK , 2003
green papernounmoneyUS , 1979
green pasturesnounhigh earnings for railwaymen; bonus
payments; overtimeUK , 1970
greenpea a novice
green penguinnouna variety of LSDUK , 1996
green queennouna male homosexual who takes pleasure in outdoor sex in public parksUS , 1981
green roomnoun1in surfing, a smooth ride inside the hollow of a waveUS , 1987.2an execution chamberUS , 1981
greensnoun1currency notes The colour of moneyUS , 1904.
2marijuana From the colour and afterGREEN(marijuana), possibly informed by the vegetable sense and the UK expression of maternal care ‘eat your greens, they’re good for you’, 1998.3green vegetables, especially cabbage and saladUK , 1725.4loose green clothing worn by hospital employees, especially in operating theatresUS , 1988.5the green US Army dress uniformUS , 1968.
6sexual activityUK , 1888 8see:GREENGAGES
greens and beansnounbasic groceriesUS , 1994
greenseednouna US soldier freshly arrived in VietnamUS , 1988
greens feenounthe amount charged by a pool room to play pool Punning on a conventional term found in golf, alluding toGREEN
(the surface of a pool table)US , 1990
green shield stampsnounmoney A variation onGREENSTAMPS; Green Shield Stamps were a sales promotional scheme popular in the 1960s and 70sUK , 1981
green single domenoun 8see:DOUBLE DOME
green slimenoungreen peppers Limited usage, but cleverUS , 1996
green snow; green teanounphencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust The colour reference is to the parsley
or mint on which the drug is often sprinkledUS , 1978
greenstampnouna traffic ticket for speedingUS , 1975
greenstampsnounin trucking, moneyUS , 1956
green stuffnouncurrency notesUS , 1887
green teennounan environmentally conscious young personUS , 1995
green thumbnounin pool, the ability to make money playing for wagersUS , 1990
green-to-greenadjectiverunning smoothly, without problem Nautical origins – ships following the rules of navigationUS , 1975
green trianglenouna variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy From the colour of the tablet and the embossed motifUK , 2002
green ’unnouna one-pound noteUK , 1982
greenwashnouna pretended concern for ecological matters A play
on ‘whitewash’ (a covering-up of faults), possibly also onEYE-WASH
(something that is intended to conceal; nonsense)UK , 2003
green wedgenounLSDUS , 1975
green wombnounthe inside of a hollow breaking waveUS , 1991
green wormsnounthe undulating green lines on a radar screenUS , 1947
green yokenouna young inexperienced horseUK , 1969
greetverb< greet the judgein horse racing, to win a race
AUSTRALIA , 1989
greeter; gretanounmarijuanaUS , 1952
Gregory Peck; gregorynoun1a cheque Rhyming slang formed on the name of film actor Gregory Peck, 1916–2003AUSTRALIA , 1983.
2the neck Also known in the UK, especially after use in
mid-1970s BBC television’s Porridge AUSTRALIA , 1966
Gregory Pecks; gregoriesnounspectacles Rhyming slang for
SPECS, formed from the name of film actor Gregory Peck, 1916–2003UK: SCOTLAND , 1985
gremnounan unskilled skateboarder; generally, anyone who is maladroit at anything Teen slang; probably a shortening of
GREMMIE UK , 1978
gremlinnoun1a mysterious spirit that haunts aircraft, deluding pilots; hence, any mechanical fault Originally Royal Ait Force slang
UK , 1929.2an inexperienced surfer who does not respect surfer etiquetteUS , 1961
gremmienoun1an unpopular, unfashionable personUS , 1962.2an unskilled surfing or skateboarding novice .
Trang 43marijuana and crack cocaine mixed for smoking in a cigaretteUS ,
1989
grettenouna cigaretteUS , 1966
Greville Starkeynouna black person Rhyming slang forDARKY,
formed from the name of the English jockey and Derby winner
(b.1939) Noted as predating synonymousFEARGAL SHARKEY UK , 1998
greynounin a mixed race couple, the other partnerBERMUDA , 1985
greyadjectivea middle-aged, conventionally minded, conservatively
dressed person in the eyes and vocabulary of the counterculture
UK , 1967
grey deathnouninsipid prison stewAUSTRALIA , 1967
greyernounsomeone dull who perpetuates dullnessUK , 1999
grey ghostnouna parking inspector in Victoria, New South Wales
and Western Australian From the colour of their uniform
AUSTRALIA , 1967
grey goosenouna grey California Department of Corrections bus
used for transporting prisoners An allusion to the Greyhound bus
lineUS , 1974
greyhoundnouna very short skirt A pun on (pubic) hair/hareUK , 2002
Greyhoundnounan M-8 armoured car World War 2 vintage, used at
the beginning of the Vietnam war by the Army of the Republic of
VietnamUS , 1990
greyhoundverb(used of a black person) to pursue a white person in
the hopes of a romantic or sexual relationship FromGREY MAN(a
white person)US , 1972
greylistverbto hold a person under consideration for blacklisting
CANADA , 2002
grey mannoun1a white man Black slangUK , 1984.2a dull, boring
undergraduate Oxford and Cambridge students’ termUK , 1960
grey marenouna bus or train fare Rhyming slangUK , 1992
grey matternounbrains, thus intelligenceUS , 1899
grey shieldnounLSDUK , 2003
greys on traysnounadult snowboardersUS , 1997
griceverbto practise trainspotting Trainspotters’ slangUK , 1982
grice; gricernouna locomotive (train) spotter Trainspotters’ slang
UK , 1982
gricknouna Greek immigrant or Greek-AmericanUS , 1997
gridnoun1the faceUK , 2001.2the female breastUS , 1993.3a bicycle
AUSTRALIA , 1927
G-ridenoun1a stolen carUS , 1985.2a rebuilt, customised vintage car
with a suspension system that allows the body to be lifted and
loweredUS , 1997
gridley grindernounon Prince Edward Island, a bad stormCANADA ,
1988
griefnountrouble, problems Originally in the phraseCOME TO GRIEF
(to get into trouble, to fail)US , 1897 < give someone griefto
tease or criticise someoneUS , 1968
griefverbto trouble someoneUK , 2003
griefernounan Internet game player who tries to spoil the fun of
other players by harassing them Someone who createsGRIEF
(trouble)UK , 2003
grievernouna union spokesman on a contract grievance committee
US , 1946
grievous bodily harmnounthe recreational drug GHB Extended
from the punningGBH US , 1993
g-rifficknounthe recreational drug GHB A combination of the ‘g’
ofGHBand ‘terrific’US , 1997
grifternoun1a person who makes their living by confidence
swindles, especially short cons Widely familiar from Jim
Thompson’s 1963 novel The Grifters and its 1990 film adaptation
US , 1915.2in horse racing, a bettor who makes small, conservative
betsUS , 1951
grig
grillnoun1a person of Mediterranean background Post-World-War-2 migrants from southern Europe commonly opened businesses selling fried or grilled foodAUSTRALIA , 1957.2a motor accident in which an occupant or occupants of the car are burntUS , 1962.3the bars or mesh of a prison cellUS , 1992
grillenounthe teethUS , 2001
grillernouna verbal assault, a roasting, especially when given by the authoritiesAUSTRALIA , 1975 < to put on the grillerto assault verbally Mostly in the passive voiceAUSTRALIA , 1975
grimenouna modern music genre focused on lyrical and aural interpretation of an inner-city environment and street-culture, that combines the musical influences of hip-hop and UK garage with the practical low-budget, do-it-yourself spirit of punk rock and reggae sound-systems So-named, apparently, to acknowledge the music’s origins in the grimey urban sprawlUK , 2004
grimeyadjectiveexcellent, bestUK , 2005
grimmynoun1a middle-aged womanUK , 1972.2marijuanaUK , 2003
Grimsby Docksnounsocks Rhyming slang, formed from a location
on the northeast coast of EnglandUK , 1988
grimyadjective1rude; uncouthUS , 2002.2excellentUK , 2004
grinnoun1a good and amusing situationUS , 1966.2used as Internet shorthand to mean ‘your message amused me’US , 1997
grinchnouna bad-tempered person whose negative attitude depresses others Adopted from the characteristics of the Grinch, a mean-spirited character created by Dr Seuss (Theodor Seuss
Geisel) in the novel How The Grinch Stole Christmas, 1957, and
subsequently played by Jim Carrey in the 2000 film versionUS , 2003
grinchyadjectiveunpleasant, distasteful, bad High school usageUS , 1961
grindnoun1sexual intercourse; an act of sexual intercourseUK , 1870.
2in a striptease or other sexual dance, a rotating movement of the hips, pelvis, and genitalsUS , 1931.3hard, dull, routine, monotous work; work in general Originally with special emphasis
on academic work; now more general and often appearing as ‘the grind’ or ‘the daily grind’UK , 1851.4a serious, dedicated, diligent studentUS , 1889.5in the used car business, a concerted assault of negotiation with a potential customerUS , 1997.6a style of hard rock appealing to the truly disaffected, featuring a fast, grinding tempo, bleak lyrics and relentlessly loud and distorted guitars Also known as ‘grindcore’US , 1994
grindverb1to have sexUK , 1647.2in a striptease or other sexual dance, to rotate the hips, pelvis, and genitals in a sensual manner
US , 1928.3to study hardUS , 1955.4in computing, to format code so that it looks attractiveUS , 1983.5to eat Hawaiian youth usageUS ,
1981.6to call out and invite patrons to enter a performanceUS ,
1968 < grind someone’s assto annoyUS , 1996
grindagenounfoodUS , 1990
grindernoun1a sexual partnerUS , 1966.2a striptease artistUS , 1950.
3a person who calls out and invites patrons to enter a perform-anceUS , 1968.4a pornographic film with poor production values and little plot or dialogue, just poorly filmed sexUS , 1995.5the drill field in an armed forces training campUS , 1963.6in competition sailing, a person who in tandem operates a winch-like device to raise a large sail very quicklyUS , 1996
grindersnounthe teethUK , 1676
grind filmnouna pornographic film, usually with crude production values and no plot or character developmentUS , 1977
grind housenouna theatre exhibiting continuous shows or films of
a sexual or violent natureUS , 1929
grindingadjective(used of surf conditions) powerful, breaking con-sistentlyUS , 1987
grind jointnouna casino dominated by slot machines and low-limit tablesUS , 1991
grind mannouna person who calls out and invites patrons to enter
a performanceUS , 1968
grindsnoun< get your grindsto have sexUS , 1966
grinds; grines
Trang 5grind shownouna carnival attraction that relies on a relentless
patter to attract customers insideUS , 1927
grind storenounan illegal gambling operation where players are
cheated as a matter of courseUS , 1985
grinenounsexual intercourse; an act of sexual intercourse A
vari-ation ofGRIND JAMAICA , 1970
grineverbto have sex A variation ofGRIND JAMAICA , 1971
gringonounamong Latinos in the US, a white person The source of
considerable false etymology based on the marching song ‘Green
grow the rushes, o’ Often used with a lack of affectionUS , 1849
gringo gallopnoundiarrhoea suffered by tourists in Mexico or Latin
AmericaUS , 1960
grinnernouna rock which just shows above the groundCANADA , 1987
grins and shakesnouna tour of a military facility or a visit to the
troopsUS , 1991
gripnoun1a small suitcase A shortened form of ‘gripsack’US , 1879.
2moneyUS , 1993.3a large amountUS , 1997.4a photograph
ANTARCTICA , 2003 < get a gripto get control of your emotions and
actionsUS , 1971
gripverb1to arrestUK , 2000.2to flatter and curry favour with those
in powerUS , 1981.3to masturbateUS , 1971 < grip your shitto
satisfy your requirementsUK , 1995
gripenouna complaintUS , 1918
gripeverbto moan, to complainUS , 1928
gripesternounin prison, a chronic complainerUS , 1962
gripingnouncomplaints; the act of complainingUS , 1945
grip offverbto annoy Used among bird-watchers, usually as
‘gripped off’UK , 1977
grippersnounmen’s underpantsUS , 1985
gripsnoun1a porter on a passenger trainUS , 1977.2running shoes
US , 1991 < come to gripsto get control of your emotions and
actionsUK , 1988
gripyadjectivemiserableUS , 1946
gristlenounthe penis A relatively obscure term, but well
understood when adopted as a confrontational name by 1980s
thrash metal pioneers Throbbing GristleUK , 1665
gritnoun1spirit, stamina, courage, especially if enduringUS , 1825.2a
member of the Canadian Liberal PartyCANADA , 1995.3a
narrow-minded if not reactionary personUS , 1972.4a stereotypical rural,
southern whiteUS , 1972.5foodUS , 1959.6crack cocaine Another
rock metaphor, based on the drug’s appearanceUS , 1994.7a
ciga-retteUS , 1990
gritverbto eatUS , 1968
gritchverba complaintUS , 1983
grizzleverbto sleepUS , 1997
grizzle-guts; grizzly-gutsnouna tearful, whining person From the
verb ‘to grizzle’UK , 1937
groannouna standup bass fiddleUS , 1945
groanernouna foghorn with a prolonged monotoneUS , 1997
groatsnounthe epitome of unpleasantUS , 1979
groceriesnoun1the genitals, breasts and/or buttocks, especially as
money-earning featuresUS , 1965.2crack cocaine A sad euphemism
US , 1994.3in horse racing, horse feedUS , 1951
grocer’s shopnounan Italian Rhyming slang forWOP UK , 1979
grocery boynouna heroin addict who is craving foodUS , 1973
grocery Frenchnouna barely passable command of the Quebec
French languageCANADA , 1980
grocery getternouna car for everyday useUS , 1993
grocknouna fool Probably after Adrien Wettach, 1888–1959, the
Swiss clown named Grock, who was inducted in the Clown Hall of
Fame in 1992UK , 2002
G-rock cocaine; a one gram rock of crack cocaine
grocklenoun1a tourist Disparaging; sometimes shortened to
‘grock’ Grock was the professional clown-name of Charles Adrien Wettach (1880–1959), hence ‘grockle’ is probably intended to rep-resent a tourist as a clown; however not abbreviated until the 1990sUK , 1964.2a social inferior Disparaging, upper-class usage; acquired from the sense as ‘tourist’UK , 1982
grocklyadjectivecommon, inferior Used by upper-class youths, from
GROCKLE(a social inferior)UK , 1982
grodynouna dirty, homeless hospital patient infested with liceUS , 1985
grody; groady; groatyadjectivemessy, unkempt, disgustingUS , 1963
grody to the maxadjectiveextremely disgustingUS , 1982
groendakkiesnouna mental hospital From Afrikaans for ‘green roofs’SOUTH AFRICA , 1978
grognoun1an alcoholic drink, especially beerUS , 1805.2a clot of spittle Glasgow slangUK: SCOTLAND , 1985 < on the grogdrinking steadily; taking part in a drinking session; binge drinkingAUSTRALIA , 1946
grogverb1to drink alcoholUS , 1824.2to spit Glasgow slangUK: SCOTLAND , 1985
grogannouna piece of excrement; a turdAUSTRALIA , 1980
grog artistnouna heavy drinkerAUSTRALIA , 1965
grog bossnouna person serving alcohol at a work partyCANADA , 1964
grog-dopedadjectiveintoxicated by kava, a herbal beverage made
from the root of the tropical shrub piper methysticum FIJI , 1992
groggerynouna disreputable barUS , 1822
groggingnoundrinking alcohol; boozingAUSTRALIA , 1962
grogging-onnoundrinking heartily, or to excessAUSTRALIA , 1979
groggynouna person who drinks to excessFIJI , 1994
groggyadjectiveweak, unsteady, faint From conventional ‘groggy’ (drunk)UK , 1828
grog-onnouna drinking session or partyAUSTRALIA , 1971
grog onverbto take part in a drinking session; to drink steadily and heavilyAUSTRALIA , 1951
grog sessionnounan extended kava drinking session Kava is a tranquillity-inducing beverage made from the root of a tropical shrubFIJI , 1991
grog shantynouna roughly constructed building selling alcohol
AUSTRALIA , 1895
grog shopnoun1an off-licence (liquor store)AUSTRALIA , 1799.2a cheap tavernUK , 1790
grog swipernounan intemperate kava drinker Kava, made from the root of a tropical shurb, induces tranquillityFIJI , 1996
grog-upnouna drinking session or partyAUSTRALIA , 1959
grog upverbto drink heavily and steadilyAUSTRALIA , 1955
groidnouna black person A shortened ‘negroid’US , 1972
groin; groyne; grownenouna ringUK , 1931
groinagenounjewellery FromGROIN(a ring)UK , 2002
groinplantnounin mountain biking, an unintended and painful contact between the bicycle and your groinUS , 1992
groin-throbnounsomeone, of either sex, who is the object of sexual lust A play on the more romantic ‘heart-throb’, 1996
grokverbto understand, to appreciate Coined by Robert Heinlein
(1907–88) for the science-fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land,
1961; adopted into semi-mystical use by the countercultureUS , 1970
grollynounan unpleasant thing Ascribes the attributes of aGREEN GROLLY, often abbreviated as ‘grolly’ (a lump of phlegm) to any given objectUK , 1987
gromnouna beginner surfer An abbreviation ofGROMMET US , 1990
grommetnoun1a novice surfer, especially one with a cheeky attitudeAUSTRALIA , 1981.2by extension, a zealous novice in other sports Recorded in use by skateboarders and scooter-ridersUS , 1995.
Trang 6grompverbin tiddlywinks, to move a pile of winks as a whole onto
another wink or pile of winksUS , 1977
gronknounan unattractive womanUK , 1987
gronkverbin computing, to shut down and restart a computer
whose operation has been suspended A term popularised by
Johnny Hart in his B.C newspaper comic strip US , 1981
groomverbto attract children into sexual activity A euphemism that
hides a sinister practiceUK , 1996
groovenoun1the prevailing moodUK , 1998.2a routine; the regular
way of doing somethingUK , 1984.3a profound pleasure, a true joy
US , 1946.4(of music) an aesthetic pleasure in tune with the
zeitgeistUS , 1996.5a rhythmUK , 1947.6the act of dancingUK , 1998.
< in the groovetotally involved, at that moment, with making
or enjoying music Originally used in jazz but has been applied to
most subequent modern music formsUS , 1932
grooveverb1to enjoyUS , 1950.2to please, to make happyUS , 1952.
3to make good progress, to co-operateUK , 1967.4to have sexUS ,
1960.5to be relaxed and happyUS , 1970
groovernouna drug user who enjoys psychedelic accessories to his
drug experienceUS , 1971
groovilyadverbpleasantlyUK , 2002
groovyadjective1very good, pleasing The word enjoyed two periods
of great popularity, first in the early 1940s and then in the
mid-to-late 1960s, where it caught on both in the mainstream and in hip
circles Since then, it has become a signature word for mocking
the attitudes and fashions of the 1960sUS , 1937.2sexually
attractive A nuance of the sense as ‘pleasing’UK , 1967.3profoundly
out-of-styleUS , 1983.4used to describe the effects of amphetamine
Drug-users’ (no-one else could be so subjective) slangUK , 1978
gropenounan act of sexual fondling, especially when such fondling
is the entire compass of the sexual contactUS , 1946 < come the
gropeto feel up sexuallyAUSTRALIA , 1971 < go the gropeto feel
up sexuallyAUSTRALIA , 1962
gropeverbto grab or caress someone’s genitals, usually in an
impersonal mannerUK , 1380
Gropernicknamea non-Aboriginal native or resident of Western
Australia, especially a descendant of an early settler A shortening
ofSANDGROPER AUSTRALIA , 1899
Groperlandnounthe state of Western AustraliaAUSTRALIA , 1900
grossadjectivedisgustingUS , 1959
gross-outnouna disgusting thingUS , 1968
gross outverbto disgust, to shock FromGROSS(disgusting)US , 1965
Grosvenor Squaresnounflared trousers, flares Rhyming slangUK ,
1992
grotnoun1dirt, filth By back-formation fromGROTTY UK , 1971.2a
filthy personAUSTRALIA , 1985.3a toiletNEW ZEALAND , 1981
grotbag; grot-bag; grotnounan unpleasantly dirty person A
com-bination ofGROT(dirt), with the suffix-BAG(personifies an
unpleasant quality) Glasgow useUK: SCOTLAND , 1988
grot-holenounin caving and pot-holing, a small cave that leads
nowhere and is difficult to manoeuvre inUK , 2004
grotsnounin caving and pot-holing, any (well used) clothingUK , 2004
grotty; grot; grotbagsadjectiveunattractive, inferiorUK , 1964
grouchnounan ill-tempered personUS , 1900
grouch bagnounliterally, a small bag hidden on the person with
emergency funds in it; figuratively, a wallet or a person’s supply of
moneyUS , 1908
Groucho Marx; grouchonounan electrician Rhyming slang for
SPARKS, formed from the name of the American comedian,
1890–1977UK , 1992
groundnounan area of operation or influence In police useUK , 2002.
< back on the ground; on the groundfreed from prisonUS ,
1982 < on the groundin horse racing, said of a jockey serving a
suspensionUS , 1976
groundverbto punish a child by refusing to let them leave the
ground applenouna brickUS , 1945
ground cloudsnounfogUS , 1976
ground controlnouna person who guides another through an LSD experience Another LSD-as-travel metaphorUS , 1967
groundernouna crime that does not demand much effort by the police to solveUS , 1984
ground floornoun< in on the ground floorin at the early stages of a project, trend, technical development, etc Generally phrased ‘get in on’, ‘let in on’ and ‘be in on’US , 1864
ground grippernicknamea Hawker Siddeley ‘Trident’ aircraft Introduced into service in 1964US , 1994
groundhognoun1in the language of parachuting, anyone who has not parachutedUS , 1978.2a railway brakemanUS , 1926
ground jokernounany non-flying personnel in the Air ForceUS , 1946
groundlarknouna bookmaker who illegally conducts business at a horse race trackAUSTRALIA , 1989
groundmannounin a group of friends taking LSD or another hallucinogen, a person who does not take the drug and helps those who do navigate their experienceUK , 1983
ground-poundernouna member of the infantry Coined in World War 2, and used in every war sinceUS , 1942
groundscoreverbto find something of value, real or perceived, on the groundUS , 1997
ground-sluiceverbto shoot at a bird on the groundCANADA , 1999
groundsmannounan assistant to a bookmaker who collects bets and pays off winnersAUSTRALIA , 1989
ground-trogverbin caving and pot-holing, to search the surface for cave entrancesUS , 2004
ground weeknounthe first week of US Army airborne parachute trainingUS , 1991
ground zeronoun1the centre of action From the lingo of atomic weapons, literally meaning ‘the ground where a bomb explodes’
US , 1966.2a back-to-basics condition from which a recommence-ment or restructuring may be developed Figurative, from sense as
a ‘centre of targeted destruction’UK , 2001.3an untidy bedroom Teen slangUS , 2002
group gropenoun1group therapyUS , 1977.2sex involving more than two peopleUS , 1967
groupie; groupynoun1a girl who trades her sexual availability to rock groups and musicians in exchange for hanger-on statusUS ,
1966.2a follower or hobbyist devoted to a pre-eminent person within a given field, or to a genre or subject type An extension of the previous sense, this usage is not restricted to rock groups or music, nor is there a suggestion that sex is a prerequisite; the tone may be derogatory, jocular or ironicUS , 1967
Group of One; G1nounthe United StatesCANADA , 2002
grousenoun1a grumble; a cause for complaintUK , 1917.2a good thing; something of the best qualityAUSTRALIA , 1924
grouseverbto grumbleUK , 1885
grouseadjectivegreat; excellent; top quality Origin unknown Commonly intensified as ‘extra grouse’AUSTRALIA , 1924
grousernouna complainer From the verbGROUSE UK , 1885
grouternoun< come in on the grouterto gain a fortuitous and unfair advantage, especially by appearing at an opportune time The origin of this term is unknown, although one might conjecture that since grouting is the last task in a tiling job, to come in on the grouter would be to arrive when there is no work left to be doneAUSTRALIA , 1902
grovelverb1in computing, to work with great diligence but without visible successUS , 1981.2to ride a wave even as it runs out of force
US , 1990
Grovernouna one-thousand dollar note; one thousand dollars From the portrait of US President Grover Cleveland on the notes, first issued in 1928
Trang 7growverb< grow your ownto promote an enlisted man to a
non-commissioned officer vacancy in a unit; to promote from within
US , 1990
growed-up trucknounan eighteen-wheeled over-the-road truckUS ,
1976
growlverb< growl at the badgerto engage in oral sex on a
woman, especially noisilyUK , 1998
growl and grunt; growlnounthe vulva and vagina Rhyming slang
forCUNT AUSTRALIA , 1941
growlernoun1a bowel movementUS , 1993.2a fartUK , 2003.3in the
language of barbershop quartets, a strident bass singerUS , 1975.
4the lowest gear in a truckUS , 1971.5a largely submerged iceberg
ANTARCTICA , 1912.6the vaginaAUSTRALIA , 1988.7a prison cell used for
solitary confinementUS , 1984.8beer, the dregs of a caskIRELAND ,
1999.9a wrestlerUS , 1945.10a hotel’s activity logUS , 1953.11a beer
canUS , 1949
grubnoun1food; provisions of foodUK , 1659.2bullets From the
pre-vious senseUK , 2001.3an inferior, lowly personUK , 1845
grubverb1to kiss with passionUS , 1963.2to engage in sexual
foreplayUS , 1976
grubbernoun1a disgusting personUS , 1941.2in cricket, a ball
bowled underarm Also variant ‘grub’UK , 1837
grubbiesnounold, worn, comfortable clothesUS , 1966
grubbynouna young male summer resident of a camp on a
Canadian lakeCANADA , 1997
grubbyadjectivenot neat, not cleanUS , 1965
grubsnounold, worn and comfortable clothesUS , 1966
grudge-fuckverbto have sex out of spite or angerUS , 1990
gruesome and gorynounthe penis Rhyming slang forCOREY UK ,
1992
gruesome twosomenouna couple who date steadilyUS , 1941
Grumann Greyhoundnounthe C-2A aircraft Manufactured by
Grumann, a twin engine, prop-driven plane used by the US Navy
to transport troops (hence the ‘Greyhound’ as an allusion to the
bus company) or cargoUS , 1991
grumble and grunt; grumblenounthe vagina; hence women
objectified sexually Rhyming slang forCUNT UK , 1938
grumble and mutternouna bet Rhyming slang forFLUTTER UK , 1992
grumenouna filthy, decrepit patient in a hospital casualty
departmentUS , 1978
grummetnouna woman, or women, objectified sexually From
earlier senses, now lost, as ‘the vagina’ and ‘sexual intercourse’UK ,
1960
grumpnounan ill-tempered personUK , 1900
grumpus-backnouna gruff, churlish personBARBADOS , 1965
grundies; grundsnoununderpants Short forREG GRUNDIES AUSTRALIA ,
1984
grundyadjectivemediocreUS , 1959
grungenoun1unpleasant dirt or filthUS , 1965.2a rock music genre
From the previous sense, abstractly applied to the ‘dirty’ guitar
sound; it is occasionally recorded from the mid-1960s but until
Nirvana and other Seattle-based US groups came to prominence
in the early 90s ‘grunge’ was not a genreUS , 1972.3a style of
loose-fitting, layered clothes favoured by fans of the grunge music scene
US , 1998.4an obnoxious, graceless personUS , 1968
grungejumpernounused as a euphemism for ‘motherfucker’US ,
1958
grungienoun1a filthy or disgusting personUK , 2000.2a post-hippie
youth in rebellion Also spelt ‘grungy’US , 1982
grungyadjectivefilthy, dirty, unpleasant, untidy OfGRUNGE(an
unpleasant substance); however contemporary use also refers to
the deliberately messy fashion associated withGRUNGEmusicUS ,
1965
gruntnoun1a member of the US Marine CorpsUS , 1968.2An
ant piece of slang in the Vietnam warUS , 1962.3a menial, unskilled workerUS , 1970.4an electrician or electrical lineman’s assistant Some power companies in the US have tried to prohibit use of the term to describe the helper position; in general, linemen have perceived this attempt as political correctness carried to an absurd extreme and have continued calling their helpers ‘grunts’US , 1926.
5a railway engineerUS , 1939.6in mountain biking, a steep and challenging inclineUS , 1996.7powerNEW ZEALAND , 1998.8marijuana
US , 1993 8see:GASP AND GRUNT
gruntverbto eatUS , 1968
grunt-and-squeal jockeynouna truck driver who hauls cattle or pigsUS , 1971
grunternoun1a bedNEW ZEALAND , 1984.2a foghorn with two tones
US , 1997
gruntsnounfoodUS , 1968
grunt-tightadjective(used of a bolt) tightened by feel rather than by measured torqueUS , 1992
grushnouna mad scramble of boys to get a coin or some similar gift thrown at them; a present given to people outside a church after a weddingIRELAND , 1976
grutsnoununderpantsNEW ZEALAND , 1998
gry; gryernouna horse RomanyUK , 1978
GSnouna shared act of urine fetishism; the act of urination by one person on another for sexual gratification Used in personal advertising; an abbreviation ofGOLDEN SHOWER US , 1979
GSDnoun an Alsatian Initialism of German Shepherd Dog, the
orig-inal breed name, which was changed by the UK Kennel Club after World War 1 for reasons of political sensitivityUK , 2002
G shotnounan injection of a small amount of a drug while in search of a larger amountUS , 1992
G-starnouna youth gang memberUS , 1995
G-stringnoun1a small patch of cloth passed between a woman’s legs and supported by a waist cord, providing a snatch of modesty for a dancer A slight variation on the word ‘gee-string’ used in the late C19 to describe the loin cloth worn by various indigenous peoplesUS , 1936.2a BMW Series 3 car Scamto youth street slang (South African townships)SOUTH AFRICA , 2005
GTAnounthe criminal charge of grand theft, auto The punch-line of
an oft-repeated joke: ‘What do you call four [ethnic minority of choice at the moment] in a brand new Cadillac?’US , 1993
GTGused as shorthand in Internet discussion groups and text
mess-ages to mean ‘got to go’ US , 2002
G thingnouna subject matter best understood by young urban gangstersUS , 1994
G-topnouna tent or trailer in a carnival reserved exclusively for carnival employees Employees can drink and gamble out of sight
of the public and policeUS , 1980
Guardianistanouna liberal, politically-correct person Intended as derogatory; from the stereotype that such a person is a reader of
the Guardian newspaper and combined with left-wing Nicaraguan
revolutionaries the SandinistasUK , 2003
Guatnoun a Guatemalan UK , 1995
Guatemala dirt dobbersnounsandalsUS , 1970
guavanoun1an upwardly mobile young adult An acronym for
‘grown up and very ambitious’ or ‘growing up and very ambitious’
SOUTH AFRICA , 1989.2the buttocks, the backside Especially in the phrase ‘on your guava’SOUTH AFRICA , 1975
guavaadjectivevery good, superlativeUS , 1991
guava days; gauva season; guava timesnoundifficult times
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1979
gubverbto hit in the mouth; to defeat From ‘gub’ (the mouth)UK: SCOTLAND , 1985
gubbinsnounused as a replacement for any singular or plural noun that the user cannot or does not wish to specifyUK , 1944
gubbishnounin computing, nonsense A blend of ‘garbage’ and