Gulf war usage US , 1991 headache!used as a warning in various industries that an object has been accidentally dropped from a height and that those working below should immediately take
Trang 1something; to be sick and tired of somethingUK , 1984 < have
had it up to hereto have had more than enough of; to be sick
and tired of An elaboration ofHAVE HAD IT; here accompanied with
a gesture that indicates the neck or the top of the headUK , 1984.
< have itto fightUK , 1999 < have it away1to escape from
imprisonment or arrest; to get awayUK , 1958.2to stealUK , 1984.
< have it in forto bear a grudge against; to wish to harmUK ,
1840s < have it made; have got it madeto be on the point of
succeeding; to be faced with no (more) obstacles; to have it easy
US , 1955 < have it off1to have sexUK , 1937.2to succeed in a
criminal enterpriseUK , 1936 < have it on your dancersto
escape; to run away An elaboration ofHAVE IT ON YOUR TOES UK ,
1984 < have it on your toes; have it away on your toesto
escape; to run awayUK , 1958 < have legsof an idea, to have the
ability to progress Media jargon that has seeped into wider usage
UK , 1999 < have one in the departure loungeto feel the
urgent need to defecateUK , 2002 < have yourselfto indulge
yourself or provide yourself with somethingUS , 1929
have-a-goadjectivedescribes a person who bravely attempts to
prevent a crime; intrepidUK , 1971
have a good onegoodbye Slightly cooler than urging someone to
‘have a good day’US , 1984
have an apple!get lost, forget it, calm downCANADA , 1959
have been!I’ll see you later! Youth usageUS , 1949
have offverb1to steal fromUK , 1994.2to use without respect A
vari-ation of the previous senseUK , 1999.3to defeat, to overthrow, to
supplantUK , 2001
have onverbto take up a challenge; to accept an invitation to fight
or competeAUSTRALIA , 1941
have you been?have you used the lavatory? EuphemisticUK , 1969
have you ever wanted a bindi?used with humour to
accompany a threatened knuckle blow to a companion’s forehead
A catchphrase that offers a red mark in the centre of the forehead
UK , 2003
Hawaiiannoun1very potent marijuana cultivated in HawaiiUS , 2001.
2a marijuana cigaretteUK , 2003
Hawaiian blacknouna dark leafed marijuana from Hawaii, 2003
Hawaiian diseasenounsexual abstinence due to an absence of
women An allusion to the mythical illness ‘lakanuki’ (lack of sex)
US , 1987
Hawaiian headnouna strain of marijuana, known elsewhere as
New Zealand green, Thai Buddha or Tasmanian tigerUS , 2002
Hawaiian homegrown haynounmarijuana grown in HawaiiUK ,
2003
Hawaiian numbernounany elaborate production number in a
show or movieUS , 1973
Hawaiian sunshinenounLSDUS , 1982
haw-eaternounan Ontarian from Manitoulin IslandCANADA , 1998
hawgnouna large motorcyle, especially a Harley-DavidsonUS , 1984
hawknoun1LSD May be used with ‘the’US , 1966.2a lookoutUS , 1956.
3any cold night wind, especially a strong wind that blows off Lake
Michigan across Chicago, Illinois Often with ‘the’US , 1946
HawknicknameColeman Hawkins, a leading jazz saxophonist of the
1920s and 1930sUS , 1949
hawkverb1to expectorate sputumUS , 1989.2to watch closely, to
check outUS , 1886.3to make an aggressive romantic approachUS ,
1993 < hawk the fork(of a woman) to work as a prostitute
AUSTRALIA , 1978 < hawk your muttonto work as a prostituteUK ,
1937
hawkernounexpectorated sputumUS , 1974
Hawkesbury Riversnounthe shivers From the name of a river in
New South WalesAUSTRALIA , 1941
hawk-eyeverbto watch closelyUS , 1979
hawkinsnouncold weather An embellishment and personification
ofHAWK US
hawkshawnouna detective From the name of a detective in the
1863 play The Ticket of Leave Man by Tom Taylor, and later and more relevantly from the comic strip Hawkshaw the Detective,
drawn by Gus Mager (1913–22, 1931–48) In UK West Indian use
US , 1888
hawkshawverbto snoop, to inquireUS , 1946
haw mawsnounthe testicles Glasgow rhyming slang forBAWS
(BALLS), from a cry to attract your mother’s attentionUK: SCOTLAND , 1988
haynoun1a bed, either in the context of sleep or of sexUS , 1903.
2marijuana A play onGRASS US , 1934.3moneyAUSTRALIA , 1939
hayburnernouna horse, especially a poor-performing racehorseUS , 1904
hay buttnouna marijuana cigaretteUS , 1942
hayed upadjectivemarijuana-intoxicatedUS , 1952
hay headnouna marijuana userUS , 1942
haymakernoun1a powerful fist blow to the headUS , 1902.2in cricket, a batsman’s powerful but reckless shotUK , 1954
haymakingverbin cricket, powerful but reckless battingUK , 1986
hayonouncocaine From a Caribbean name for the coca plantUS , 1984
hayronnounheroin Possibly a deliberately perverse pronunciation
UK , 2003
hayseednouna rustic or country yokel Strongly suggests a high degree of unsophisticationUS , 1851
hay shakernouna farmerUS , 1924
haystacknounthe back, the rear Rhyming slang ‘Going round the haystack’ is noted as a possible euphemism for paying a visit to a toiletUK , 1960
hay wagonnouna brakevan (caboose)US , 1977
haywireadjectiveout of control; crazy; in wild disorder; chaotic The image of wire on a bale of hay that flails wildly when cutUS , 1920
hazenoun1LSD A shortened form ofPURPLE HAZE US , 1994.2a var-iety of marijuana, 2002
hazeverbto bully, insult and ridicule a homosexual A specialised nuance of the conventional sense (to punish, to bully)UK , 1977
hazedadjectivedrug-intoxicatedUS , 2001
Hazelnounheroin AbbreviatedWITCH HAZEL(heroin), and sub-sequently disguised as ‘Aunt Hazel’US , 1949
haz-matnoun hazardous material US , 1983
HBInoun house breaking implements Initialism UK , 1950
H bombnounheroin mixed with MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy Extended fromH(heroin), playing on the devastating power of a nuclear weaponUK , 2002
H capnouna capsule of heroinUS , 1990
he; himnounthe penis A derivation immemorialUK , 1970
headnoun1a member of the counterculture, usually involving drugsUS , 1966.2a habitual user of drugs In the Vietnam war, the term differentiated between a person who smoked marijuana and
aJUICERwho abused alcoholUS , 1953.3a state of drug intoxication
US , 1952.4enough marijuana to fashion a single cigaretteUK , 1996.
5a fan of hip-hop musicUS , 2003.6a respected graffiti artistUS , 1997.
7a familiarising term used to address both sexes, but more gener-ally male Head can also be used to designate certain groups, for example, a ‘D4 [Dublin 4] head’ is a post southside person, not necessarily living in the D4 postcodeIRELAND , 1997.8oral sexUS , 1941.
9the penisTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003.10a talking head With this shortened form, a good expert guest on a television or radio show becomes ‘good head’US , 2001.11deceptionTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ,
1993.12a crime victimUS , 1987.13a toiletUS , 1942.14music played without a musical scoreUS , 1946.15a railway workerUS , 1990 < bite
someone’s head off; snap someone’s head offto attack verbally, especially as a disproportionate responseUK , 1984 < do it
standing on your head; do on your headto achieve with ease
UK , 1896 < do your head into emotionally overload, confuse and make stressedUK < get your head down; get your head
Trang 2down to itto plead guilty From bending the head in unspoken
affirmativeAUSTRALIA , 1975 < give headto perform oral sexUS ,
1956 < have a head like a sieveto be very forgetful, 1984.
< have your head screwed; have your head screwed on
right; have your head screwed on the right wayto be
shrewd and businesslike, to have a practical intelligenceUK , 1821.
< have your head up your assstupid, unaware, uninformed
US , 1944 < need to have your head readto have ridiculous
ideas That is ‘you need to see a psychiatrist’AUSTRALIA , 1938 < off
your headin a state of mental confusion; drug-intoxicated The
latter meaning dates from the 1960s and the distinction between
the two senses may be blurredUK , 1999 < on your headin
motor racing, flipped (of a race car)US , 1980 < out of your head
in a state of drug or drink intoxication When combined with a
mental or emotional state, the sense varies: ‘with grief’, ‘with
worry’, etcUK , 1996 < pull your head into mind one’s own
businessAUSTRALIA , 1944 < put the head on; stick the head on
to head-butt an opponent’s faceUK: SCOTLAND , 1985 < you need
your head examined; you want your head examininga
catchphrase addressed to someone who has said or done
something stupid Originally ‘you want your head read’ but it
adapted as fashion and technique moved from phrenology to
psychiatryUS , 1942 < you’d forget your head if it wasn’t
screwed ona catchphrase addressed to (or, in the third person,
of ) an absent-minded person Variations are mainly concerned
with the method of fixing: ‘if it wasn’t attached’, ‘…tied on’,
‘…stuck on’, ‘…jammed on’, etcUK , 1979
headverb1to leaveUS , 2003.2to carry (something) on your head
BARBADOS , 1965
-headsuffixa habitual user of the indicated substance; hence an
enthusiast, a fanUS , 1953
headachenoun1your spouseUS , 1933.2a journalist Gulf war usage
US , 1991
headache!used as a warning in various industries that an object
has been accidentally dropped from a height and that those
working below should immediately take careUS , 1944
headache barnouna steel bar welded onto a bulldozer or other
piece of heavy equipment to protect the operator from branches
or other sources of potential head injuryUS , 1990
headache Marynounlow grade marijuanaUS , 1979
headache racknounthe grill at the rear of a truck cab designed to
protect the driver and any passengers from injury if the load
should shift forward due to a sudden stopUS , 1969
headache sticknouna police nightstickUS , 1919
head-and-a-halfnounan intellectual personAUSTRALIA , 1987
head artistnouna person skilled at giving oral sexUS , 1979
headbangnouna meeting intended to generate creative and
innovative solutions Office jargonUK , 2005
head-bangverbto jerk your head up and down to add to the
enjoyment of fast music Collected from fans of heavy metal
music by Seamus O’Reilly, January 1995US , 1995
headbangernoun1a violent psychoticUK , 1983.2a devotee of heavy
metal musicUS , 1979.3a prisoner who bangs his head against walls,
doors, etcUK , 1996
headbinnouna crazy, unstable personIRELAND , 2001
head casenounan emotionally troubled or mentally disturbed
personUK , 1966
head cheesenounprepuce smegma in a maleUS , 1941
head chicknounthe dominant and favoured prostitute among a
group of prostitutes working for a pimpUS , 1957
head cook and bottle-washernouna person who does all the
work Humorous Originally ‘bottle-washer’ carried the same
meaning with or without the head cook’s help The British
adap-tation of the earlier USCHIEF COOK AND BOTTLE WASHER UK , 1876
head cuntnounthe mouth (as an object of sexual penetration)US ,
1996
head dabnounin mountain biking, a face-first fallUS , 1992
head down and arse upworking busily
head drugsnounamphetaminesUK , 1998
head ’emverb1to take part in the gambling game two-upAUSTRALIA ,
1902.2in the game two-up, to throw a pair of headsAUSTRALIA , 1925
headernoun1a head-first diveUK , 1849.2oral sex An embellishment
of the more commonHEAD US , 1976.3in hot rodding, a type of exhaust manifold that improves engine performanceUS , 1948
head faggotnouna male homosexual with an appetite for performing oral sexUS , 1996
head-fakingadjectivestimulating, excitingUK , 1983
headfitnounan uncontrolled outburst of temperUK , 2000
head fucknoun1a state of mental confusionUK , 1996.2something that deliberately confuses or misleadsUK , 2002
headfuckadjectiveconfusing, misleading, especially when deliberately soUK , 2001
head gamenouna psychological ployUS , 1979
head gasketnouna condom Conventionally, ‘a mechanical seal’, with a further pun onHEAD(an act of oral sex)US , 1964
head geenouna prison wardenUS , 1976
head-huntverbin boxing, to try to hit the opponent in the headUS , 1960
headhunternoun1a person who recruits others for specific jobs with specific firms, especially professionals and executivesUS , 1960.
2a psychiatristUS , 1972.3an oral sex enthusiastUS , 1961.4a homo-sexual maleUS , 1990.5a police officer assigned to investigate complaints of misconduct by other policeUS , 1965.6a paid killerUS ,
1982.7a female who trades sex for money or drugsUS , 1995
head jobnounan act of oral sexUS , 1963
head-jobverbto shoot in the headUK , 1993
head jockeynouna practitioner of oral sex on a womanUS , 1971
headless chickennounused as the object of comparison for something or someone acting without rhyme or reasonAUSTRALIA , 1957
headlightsnoun1the female breastsUS , 1970.2the female nipples when obviously erect although masked by clothing A more narrowly focused meaning from the previous senseCANADA , 2003.
3large jewels, especially diamondsUS , 1899.4LSDUS , 1994
head like an unplayable lienounan ugly personAUSTRALIA , 1995
head like a robber’s dognounan unattractive personAUSTRALIA , 1971
head motherfucker in chargenounthe leader of an enterpriseUS , 2002
head nigger in chargenounthe leader of an enterpriseUS , 1978
head onadverbin gambling games such as twenty-one, playing directly against the dealer without other playersUS , 1963
head over heelsadjectivedeeply, completely (especially in descriptions of love) By ellipsis from the cliché ‘fall head over heels in love’UK , 2003
head over turkeyadverbupside down; head over heelsAUSTRALIA , 1915
head phonesnouna stethoscopeUS , 1982
head plantnounto fall face first while snowboardingUS , 1993
headquarters pukenouna member of the military assigned to the rear echelon staff Gulf war usageUS , 1992
head ragnouna bandana or piece of cloth worn with straightened
or processed hairUS , 1973
heads and heelsnouna youthful, sexually inexperienced male who
is the object of an older homosexual’s desire The suggestion is that you have to lift the inexperienced boy by his head and heels
to get him into position for sexUS , 1979
heads downadjectivein computing, so focused on a task as to be ignorant of all elseUS , 1991
head serang; head sherangnounthe person in charge From
Anglo-Indian serang (a captain of a native Indian vessel), from
PersianAUSTRALIA , 1918
head shed a military headquarters Vietnam war usage
Trang 3head shopnouna shop that retails drug paraphernalia, incense,
posters, lights, and other products and services associated with
drug useUS , 1967
headshrinkernouna pyschiatrist or other therapistUS , 1950
head shrinkingnounthe practice of psychiatryUS , 1964
heads I win, tails you losehowever a situation is resolved I
cannot lose Mocking the principle that a toss of a coin normally
offers a choice of winnerUK , 1832
heads-upadjective1clever, alert From the earlier sense as
‘wide-awake’US , 1934.2in motor racing, said of a competition with no
handicapUS , 1993
heads-upadverb(of a game of pool) with no handicaps in effectUS ,
1993
head-the-ballnouna crazy personUK , 2000
head timenounan opportunity to thinkUK , 1998
head-upadjectivestraightforward, directUS , 2001
healverb< heal with stealto perform surgeryUS , 1994
healthyadjective1(used of a girl) well builtUS , 1970.2large, excellent
UK , 1937
heapnoun1a car, especially an old and run-down carUS , 1921.2a
slovenly woman, usually preceded by an adjective Originally
dialectUK , 1806.3a large number, a great dealUK , 1661
heapadjectivevery A crude borrowing of the speech of native
American Indians as portrayed by pulp fiction and film
screenwritersUS , 1958
heap of coke; heapnouna man Rhyming slang forBLOKE UK , 1851
heap of shitnouna mechanical item that is old, unreliable or
brokenUK , 2000
heapsnoun< give someone heapsto chastise, denigrate or
attack someone unrestrainedlyAUSTRALIA , 1978
hearverbto understandUS , 1973
hearsenouna brakevan (caboose)US , 1930
heartnoun1physical courage, especially as displayed in the
commission of a crimeUS , 1937.2an amphetamine capsule,
especially dextroamphetamine sulphate (trade name Dexedrine™)
From the shape of the tabletUS , 1965 < my heart bleeds for
you; my heart bleedsfaux-sympathy, used ironically for
expressing bitterness or jealousyUS , 1968 < put the heart
crosswaysto shockIRELAND , 1995
heartbeatnoun1any of several signals produced by a computer or
softwareUS , 1991.2a short measure of timeUS , 1985
Heartbreak Hillnicknamea challenging hill at approximately mile
20 of the Boston MarathonUS , 1998
heartburn palacenouna roadside restaurant that features greasy
foodUS , 1971
heart checknouna test of courageUS , 1995
heart check!I defy you!; I dare you!; I challenge you!US , 2001
heartfacenouna form of address used by some homosexual men
UK , 1968
heart scaldnouna troublesome individualIRELAND , 1998
hearts of oak; heartsadjectivepenniless Rhyming slang forBROKE
UK , 1934
heart starternounan alcoholic drink taken upon wakingAUSTRALIA ,
1975
heartthrobnouna very attractive manUS , 1926
heatnoun1pressure, stressUS , 1929.2the policeUS , 1931.3intense
police interest or pressure following a crimeUS , 1928.4a firearmUS ,
1926.5crowd or audience reaction An entertainment industry
term embraced by professional wrestlingUS , 1958.6popularity,
audience appealUS , late 1970s.7in roller derby, a fight, be it scripted
or spontaneous, staged or realUS , 1999.8in pinball, the part of the
pinball machine that rises as a panel in the front of the machine
Conventionally known as the ‘lightbox’US , 1977.9the ultimate, the
bestUS , 1985.10a dildoUS , 1999 < on heatof a woman, sexually
aroused Correctly used of animalsUK < take the heatto
sunbatheUS , 1968 < take the heat off; take heat offto relieve the pressure on someoneUK , 1979
heated hellnounthe worst of the worstUS , 1945
heaternoun1a revolver The term smacks of gangster filmsUS , 1926.
2a linear amplifier for a citizens’ band radioUS , 1976.3a good-looking boyUS , 1993.4an excellent thingUS , 2003.5in poker, a period of good luck for one playerUK , 2003.6a large cigarUS , 1918.
7a cigaretteUS , 1993 < take a heaterto defecateUS , 2001
heater and coolernouna shot of whisky and a glass of beerUS , 1982
heating foodnounany food thought to enhance sexual strength and passion A euphemism of social and spiritual significance Those seeking a godly and contemplative life (and, according to custom, all women, especially widows) should stick to ‘cooling foods’INDIA , 2003
heat magnetnounanything that draws the attention of the auth-orities Based onHEAT(the police)CANADA , 2002
heat stationnouna police station FromHEAT(the police)US , 1963
heatyadjectiveunder police surveillance or the subject of police interestUS , 1967
heavenounan ejection, a dismissal Used in the construction ‘give someone (or something) the heave’UK: SCOTLAND , 1985
heaveverbto vomitUS , 1832
heave-honounan ejection, a dismissalUS , 1932
heavennoun1seven or eleven Rhyming slang, used by dice gamblersUK , 1961.2cocaineUK , 2002.3heroinUK , 2003.4a billboard
in the language of graffiti artistsUS , 2002
heaven and hell; heavenverbto give off a bad smell Rhyming slangUK , 1992
heaven dust; heavenly dust; heaven flournounany powdered drug; cocaine; heroin Perhaps a positive alternative toHELL DUST
US , 1933
heavenly blue; heavenly sunshinenounLSDUS , 1977
heavenly bluesnounmorning glory seeds as a psychoactive agent
US , 1982
heaven on a sticknouna very good thingUS , 1990
heavens abovenounloveUK , 1961
heaven sentnounMDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK , 1996
heavens to Betsy!used as a register of shock, surprise, etc Charles Earle Funk researched and failed to discover the etymology of this
phrase for Heavens to Betsy!, 1955; he believed that the phrase is
certainly mid-C19 but was unable to discover its usage before 1940
US , 1940
heavens to Murgatroyd!used as a register of shock, surprise, etc
A variation ofHEAVENS TO BETSY!; popularised by Hanna Barbera’s animated lion Snagglepuss, from 1959; also credited to US comedian Red Skelton, 1913–97 The identity of Murgatroyd is a mysteryUS , 1959
heaves and squirtsnounsymptoms of heroin withdrawal A rather graphic way of describing vomiting and diarrhoeaUS , 1973
heaviesnounlarge waves Always in the pluralUS , 1961 < the
heaviesserious newspapers, as opposed to the tabloid pressUK , 1950
heaviositynouna quality of some (drug-inspired) heavy rock music
US , 1981
heavynoun1an experienced criminal who relies on violence and forceUS , 1930.2armed robbery; an armed robberUS , 1950.3sexually aroused, especially if aggressively so A sense used by prostitutes
UK , 1980.4a physically intimidating prison officer brought in to deal with rioting prisonersUK , 1996.5a lesbian prison officerUK , 1996.6in the television and film industries, an antagonistUS , 1926.7an officer Vietnam war coinageUS , 1976.8an important personUS ,
1925.9heroinUS , 1971.10a potent dose or a potent drug or bothUS ,
1988.11medium gravity beer Not to be confused withWEE HEAVY(a barley wine)UK: SCOTLAND , 1985.12a large aircraftAUSTRALIA , 1962.
13an aircraft carrierUS
Trang 4heavyverb1to threaten with violence; to menaceUK , 1998.2to
harass, threaten or victimise someone; to coerce someone
threateninglyAUSTRALIA , 1974
heavyadjective1very serious, very intenseUS , 1963.2wonderful,
excellentUS , 1972.3(of drugs) addictiveUS , 1959.4violent, inclined to
use violenceUS , 1902 < get heavyto studyUS , 1955
heavy!used for expressing approvalUK , 2003
heavy Anounan assistant drill instructor, US Marine CorpsUS , 1987
heavy Chevynouna Chevrolet with a big block engineUS , 1992
heavy closernounin a swindle, a person who makes the final deal
with the victimUS , 1986
heavy creamnouna hefty, large-breasted womanUS , 1960
heavy-dutyadjectiveserious, intenseUS , 1935
heavy-fistedadjectivesaid of a gambling house operative who takes
more than the appropriate share of the winnings of a poker game
for the house shareUS , 1951
heavy-footedadjectivepregnantUK: NORTHERN IRELAND , 1996
heavy hammernounany powerful pain medicationUS , 1994
heavy handbagnouna rich (homosexual) boyfriend FromHANDBAG
(money); recorded in use in contemporary gay societyUK , 2003
heavy-handedadjectiveused of a person who pours alcoholic drinks
too generously, or mixes alcoholic drinks at too great a strength
From the conventional sense (clumsy)UK , 1971
heavy hitternouna person with a deserved reputation for violence
A baseball metaphorUS , 1970
heavy lifternouna dangerous, tough personUS , 2001
heavy mannersnounany form of authoritarian control or discipline
experienced by black individuals or communitiesUK , 1994
heavy metal; HM; metalnouna music genre, characterised by
loud amplification, the primacy of electric guitars and simple,
powerful – if occasionally lumbering – rhythmic patterns The
origin may be in military and munitions terminology but the
popular and probable etymology is as follows: ‘The term heavy
metal was originally coined by Beat novelist William Burroughs in
his Naked Lunch, reintroduced into the pop vocabulary by
Steppenwolf in their hit "Born to Be Wild" ("heavy metal thunder")
and subsequently redefined by rock critic Lester Bangs in the
heavy metal fan magazine Creem.’ (Rolling Stone Encyclopaedia of
Rock & Roll, 1983) In fact, William Burroughs wrote of Uranium
Willie, the Heavy Metal Kid, in Nova Express, 1946, 13 years before
Naked Lunch was published Lester Bangs was writing about the
Yardbirds In later use ‘metal’ takes over as the preferred
abbrevi-ation, creating a subtle differentiation understood by fans of heavy
musicUS , 1999
heavy metallernouna musician or fan of heavy metal musicUS ,
1989
heavy mobnoun1a criminal gang that relies on violence; a gang
involved in large scale crimesUK , 1944.2the Metropolitan Police
Flying SquadUK , 1999.3physically intimidating prison officers
brought in to deal with rioting prisonersUK , 1996
heavy paint-work passersnounin a dice cheating scheme, dice
that have been altered by drilling the spots and filling them with
heavy metallic paintUS , 1963
heavy pettingnounmutual sexual caressing that stops shy of full
intercourseUK , 1960
heavy rollernouna very important personUS , 1974
heavy stringsnounuseful and powerful connectionsBAHAMAS , 1982
heavy thumbnounin the usage of youthful model road racers (slot
car racers), a fast, reckless racerUS , 1997
heavyweight Jonesnouna drug dealer who sells drugs in a manner
calculated to lead his customers to addictionUS , 1971
heavy wizardrynounin computing, designs or code that demand a
specialised and deep practical understandingUS , 1991
heavy workernouna criminal who specialises in breaking into safes
US , 1949
Hebe; Heeb
Hebrew hoppersnounsandals From the images of Jesus Christ wearing sandalsUS , 1970
hecknounused as a euphemistic alternative to ‘hell’ Originally dialect; often exclamatoryUK , 1887
heckaadverbvery A euphemisedHELLA US , 1989
heck-cityadverbveryUS , 2004
heckety-hecknounused as a euphemistic alternative to ‘hell’UK , 2003
hecksaadverbveryUS , 2004
heck you!used as a euphemistic replacement for ‘fuck you!’FIJI , 1996
hecticadjective1(used of a wave) fairly treacherousUS , 1988.
2extreme, outrageous (often applied to gruesome or gory acts);
good Teen and youth slang, noted by Sunday Times (South Africa),
1st June 2003SOUTH AFRICA , 2003
hector!used as a euphemism for ‘heck’, itself a euphemism for
‘hell’US , 1965
H’edadjectiveaddicted to heroinUS , 1997
hedgehognounany non-white person; a native of the Indian Subcontinent; an Arab; any (non-English) foreigner Rhyming slang forWOG UK , 1992
hedge hoppernouna crop dusting pilotUS , 1954
hedge monkeynouna member of the counterculture travellers’ community DerogatoryUK , 2001
hedge mumpernouna tramp An elaboration ofMUMPER(a tramp) English gypsy useUK , 2000
H-E-double toothpicks!; H-E-double hockey sticks!hell Youth slang, euphemistically spelt outUS , 1997
heebnouna jittery sensation, a fearful feeling An abbreviation of
HEEBIE JEEBIES UK , 1996
heebie-jeebiesnoun1the jitters, a sense of anxiety Thought to have been coined by US cartoonist Billy DeBeck (1890–1942) for
the comic strip Barney Google US , 1923.2delirium tremens US , 1926.
3symptoms of withdrawal from an addictive drugUS , 1987
heebiesnounjittersUS , 1926
Heeeeere’s Johnny used as a humorous introduction The drawn-out introduction of US late-night talk show host Johnny Carson by sidekick Ed McMahon from 1962 until 1992 Widely repeated, with variations and referential humourUS , 1980
hee-hawnoun1loud and braying laughterUK , 1843.2nothing of any worth, zero The value of a donkey’s brayUK , 2000
heelnoun1a dishonourable or untrustworthy individualUS , 1914.2in professional wrestling, a wrestler designed by the promoters to be seen by the audience as a villainUS , 1958.3by extension, any figure
in the wrestling business designed by the promoters to be disliked
by the fansUS , 1998
heelverbto leave without paying a billUS , 1966
heel-and-toeverbto run away quicklyCANADA , 1870
heeledadjective1armedUS , 1866.2provided with fundsUS , 1873.3in possession of drugsUS , 1970
heelernoun1a political party worker who does readily what is orderedUS , 1876.2an opportunistic sneak thiefUS , 1931.3in poker,
an unmatched card retained in a player’s hand when drawingUS , 1967
heelienounin skateboarding, a manoeuvre in which the rider elev-ates the rear wheels of the board while riding forward on the front wheelsUS , 1976
heelishadjectivein professional wrestling, villainousUS , 1996
heel listnouna list of persons unwelcome as guests at a hotelUS , 1953
heeshnounhashishUS , 1982
heezenounhashishCANADA , 2002
heezie; heezynoun< off the heezie; off the heezie for
skeezieawesome, wonderful, cool, amazing A hip-hop variation
of ‘off the hook’, apparently coined by rapper Snoop Doggy Dog
Trang 5Hefnickname Hugh Hefner (b.1926), founding publisher of Playboy
magazine, which first appeared in December 1953US , 1968
heffanouna stocky girl or woman A variation of heifer (a young
cow)UK , 2005
heftynounin circus and carnival usage, a performer in a strong-man
actUS , 1981
heftyadjective1well-funded at the moment Teen slangUS , 1958.
2intenseAUSTRALIA , 2002
he-girlnouna person with mixed sexual physiology, usually the
genitals of a male and surgically augmented breastsUS , 2004
hehein a game of on-line poker, used for acknowledging luck in
winning a hand, 2003
Heidinouna young woman with back-to-the-earth, 1960s values and
fashion sense, especially one with pigtailsUS , 2001
heifernouna stocky girl or woman An insult, if not a fighting word
US , 1835
heifer dustnounnonsense A euphemism forBULLSHIT US , 1927
heifer paddocknouna girls’ schoolAUSTRALIA , 1885
heigh-ho!used as a signal of enthusiasmUS , 1930s to 50s
heightnoun< from a great heightused to intensify the infliction
of punishment or suffering Always preceded with the passive
sense of a verb combined with ‘on’, e.g ‘come down on’UK , 1961
heing and sheingnounsexUS , 1993
Heinienouna German; GermanUS , 1904
heinie; heinynoun 8see:HINEY
HeiniesnounHeineken™ beerUS , 1982
heinousadjectiveoffensive, unpleasant Conventional English
elev-ated to slang by attitudeUS , 1982
Heinznouna multiple bet, combining 57 bets Based on the
advertising slogan for, and synonymous with, the products of the
food company H.J Heinz A ‘super heinz’ combines 120 betsUK ,
1983
heir and a sparetwo sons, in the context of a male line of
succession; hence, one and a spare of anything Used as a
mini-mum breeding requirement by powerful and privileged families
whose bloodline justifies their inheritance, applied especially to
monarchiesUK , 2003
heistnouna theft or robberyUS , 1976
heistverb1to accept; when used in the negative, to reject a story or
idea as untruthful or fancifulCANADA , 1999.2to steal, especially to
shoplift There are enough Hollywood heist films to make a genre
Also spelt ‘hyste’UK , 1815
heisternouna thief or robber From the earlier ‘hoister’UK , 1865
Helennounheroin Giving an identity and disguise toH(heroin)US ,
1971
helinoun a helicopter US , 1995
helicopternoun1in skateboarding, a manoeuvre in which the rider
jumps off the board, turns in the air and then lands on the board
US , 1976.2a Chinese-educated personSINGAPORE , 2002
helicopter viewnouna non-detailed overviewCANADA , 2000
hellnoun1used widely in oaths, and to reinforce imprecations, and
questions (often rhetorical) of impatience and irritationUK , 1596.
2crack cocaineUK , 2003 < for the hell of it; for the sheer hell
of it; just for the hell of itsimply for the pleasure or
experi-ence of doing something; also applied to reckless behaviourUK ,
1934 < from hellused for intensifying Humorous, hyperbolicUS ,
1965 < get the hell out; get the hell out of here (or
somewhere)to leave, usually with some hasteUS , 1971 < hell
out ofwhen combined with a verb of violent action, such as
knock, punch, thump, etc, to treat a person extremely roughly
IRELAND , 1922 < play hell with; play merry hell withto cause
severe trouble for someone or somethingUK , 1803 < to hell
intensely, when combined with a wish or hopeUK , 1891 < to hell
with it!used for registering or reinforcing dismissalUK , 1929.
< will I hell!used as an expression of strong disagreement
Often applied in the third person: ‘will he hell!’ or ‘will they hell!’
UK , 1931
hellaadverbextremelyUS , 1992
hellaciousadjectiveespecially nasty or difficultUS , 1929
hell and gone; hell-and-gonenouna far-distant place or point in timeUS , 1938
hell-bentadjectiverecklessly determinedUS , 1835
hellcatnouna wild, fierce womanUK , 1605
hell dustnounany powdered drug; heroin; morphineUS , 1953
hellernouna wild, uninhibited partyUS , 1975
hellerynountrouble, mischief, bad behaviourCANADA , 1965
hell-fire!used as a register of exasperation, frustration, anger, etcUK , 1997
hell-for-stoutadjectivevery strongUS , 1954
hell-holenoun1a horrible, infernal placeUK , 1882.2in a combat helicopter, an approximately 34-inch-square opening in the floor, used for emergencies and roping down to and up from the ground
US , 1976
hellifyingadjectiveused as an adjectival intensifierUS , 1973
hellishadjective1unpleasant, difficultUK , 1569.2used as a positive intensifier; excellentUK: ENGLAND , 2001
hellishadverbused as a pejorative intensifierUK , 1768
hellishing; hellishunadverbused as an intensifier An elaboration
ofHELLISH(an intensifier) on the model ofFUCKING,SODDING, etc
AUSTRALIA , 1931
hello!used for signalling disbelief when said as if speaking to someone slow-wittedUS , 1985
hell ofadverbextremely A reverse correction of the corruptedHELLA
US , 1995
hell of aadjectivean extreme, good or great example of something May be preceded with ‘a’, ‘the’ or ‘one’UK , 1776
Hell Pass HolenicknameEl Paso, TexasUS , 1970
hellridenounin mountain biking, any bad trail or bad rideUS , 1992
hell’s bellsused as a mild oathUK , 1832
hell’s half acrenounduring the Vietnam war, an area just north of
Cu Chi, dominated if not controlled by the Viet CongUS , 1991
hell to breakfastnounhere to there, all overUS , 1930
helluvahell of aUS , 1910
hell weeknouna period of extreme harassment, especially of new recruits to a college fraternity by their older fraternity brothersUS , 1930
helmetnoun1the head of the circumcised penis From the simi-larity in shape to a World War 2 German Army helmetUS , 1970.2a uniformed police constableUK , 2002
helonouna helicopterUS , 1965
heloadjectivenoneCANADA , 1963
helpcatnouna tutor; a student assistant A punning allusion toHEP
CAT US , 1955
helpernounany amphetamine or other central nervous system stimulantUS , 1963
helter skelternouna shelter Originally a World War 2 coinage for
an ‘air raid shelter’ Noted as still in occasional use as a ‘bus shelter’UK , 1992
helter-skelteradverbin defiance of order; pell-mellUK , 1593
he-mannounan especially virile or overtly masculine man, a masterful manUS , 1832
hem and hawverbto stutter, to hestitate while beginning a sentenceUK , 1786
hempnounmarijuanaUS , 1883
hempen fevernounexecution by hangingUK , 1785
hemp head a frequent user of marijuana
Trang 6hempsternounanyone involved in the business of retailing hemp.
FromHEMP(marijuana) and conventional, perfectly legal ‘hemp’
UK , 2002
hemptynounleaves from the hemp plantCANADA , 2002
hennoun1a womanUK , 1626.2used for informally addressing a
woman; also, as an endearmentUK: SCOTLAND , 1626.3a flamboyant
feminine male homosexualTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1985.4in a deck of
playing cards, a queenUS , 1988.5the Sea Knight military helicopter
A term used by reconnaissance troops in VietnamUS , 1991
hen applenounan eggUS , 1938
henchnouna person in attractive physical shapeUK , 2005
hen fruitnounan eggUS , 1854
Henley regattanouna conversation Rhyming slang forNATTER,
formed from the famous sporting eventUK , 1998
hen millnouna women’s jail or prisonUS , 1960
Henny; Hen’nounHennessy™ cognacUK , 1999
henny pennynouna female player in a low-stakes game of pokerUS ,
1988
henpeckedadjectiveruled by a domineering woman The surviving
form of the original verb ‘hen-peck’UK , 1680
hen pennouna women’s prisonUS , 1992
henrynounan eighth of an ounce (three and a half grams) of a
drug, especially marijuana or cocaine CuttingHENRY THE EIGHTH
down to sizeUK , 1998
Henrynoun1any Ford Motor Company car or engineUS , 1917.
2heroin From ‘heroin’ toHto HenryUS , 1953
Henry Fondanoun a Honda 90 motorcycle Rhyming slang, used by
(prospective) London taxi drivers; the Honda 90 is the machine of
preference when theyDO THE KNOWLEDGE UK , 1998
Henry IVnounthe human immunodeficiency virusUS , 2001
Henry the Eighthnouneight grams of cocaineUS , 1993
Henry the Fourthnounfour grams of cocaineUS , 1993
Henry the Thirdnouna piece of excrement Rhyming slang for
TURD AUSTRALIA , 1971
Henry was herenounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycleUK:
WALES , 2000
hen’s nightnouna woman-only pre-wedding party held for the
bride-to-be The counterpart of theBUCK’S PARTY AUSTRALIA , 1994
hen’s teethnounthe epitome of that which is exceedingly rare
AUSTRALIA , 1965
hentaiadjectiveovertly pornographic A Japanese term, usually
applied to a style of Japanese animation; one of only a few
Japanese terms to have worked its way into unconventional
English usage, thanks to pornographic websites on the Internet
JAPAN , 1996
hepnounhepatitisUS , 1967
hepadjective1awareUS , 1903.2in step with the latest fashion, latest
music and latest slangUS , 1942
hepatic roundsnounused in a hospital as a humorous code for a
drinking party to be held on hospital groundsUS , 1989
hepatitis rollnouna meat and salad roll Used by Australian troops
during the Vietnam conflict to refer to such rolls commonly sold
by street vendors, and reputed to be the cause of gastrointestinal
and other complaintsAUSTRALIA , 1988
Hepburn’s Hussarsnouna special police force organised by Ontario
Premier Mitch Hepburn to deal with an Oshawa car workers’ strike
CANADA , 1946
hep cat; hepped catnouna fan of jazz or swing music; a stylish
and fashionable manUS , 1938
hepponounhepatitisAUSTRALIA , 1987
heppo rollnouna hepatitis rollAUSTRALIA , 1988
hep squarenouna person who lives a conventional life but has
some awareness of unconventional lifestylesUS , 1972
her cocaine
Heranounheroin Disguising ‘heroin’ with the name of a Greek goddessUK , 2002
herbnounmarijuana Celebrated in song by Sly & the Revolutionaries, ‘Herb’, 1979US , 1962
Herbnoun< cry herb; call herbto vomit EchoicAUSTRALIA , 19678 CRY RUTH
herbverbto assault a weak personUS , 1995
herbaladjectivepertaining to marijuanaUS , 1995
herbal blissnounMDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK , 2003
herbal ecstasynouna substance that is not restricted by drug control legislation and is claimed to be a natural substitute for MDMAUK , 2004
herbalsnounmarijuanaUS , 1995
herb and a’nounmarijuana and alcohol A lazy clipping ofHERB
AND AL US , 1980s
Herb and Al; Herbie and Alnounmarijuana and alcoholUS , 1981
herbertnoun1a mischievous child or youth Quite often heard as
‘little herbert’UK , 1999.2a harmless youth; a ridiculous man An extension of the previous senseUK , 1960.3a man in a specified field of endeavourUK , 1956
Herbienounin Antarctica, a powerful blizzardANTARCTICA , 1987
Herbie Alleynounthe passage between Black Island and White Island, through which fast-moving Antarctic blizzards develop
ANTARCTICA , 2003
Herbie Hidesnountrousers Rhyming slang forSTRIDES, formed from the name of Nigerian heavyweight boxer Henry Hide (b.1971)
UK , 1998
herbsnoun1marijuanaUK , 2000.2(of a motor engine) power
AUSTRALIA , 1960
herbsmannouna marijuana smoker Used as a song title by King Stitt and Andy Capp, ‘Herbsman’, 1970JAMAICA , 1975
Herc; Herk; Herky Birdnounthe Hercules C-130 medium cargo transport aircraft manufactured by Lockheed The primary transport aircraft used for US military forces in VietnamUS , 1980
herculesnounespecially potent phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dustUS , 1981
herdnoun1a packet of Camel™ cigarettesUS , 1945.2a quantity of somethingIRELAND , 1991
Herdnoun< The Herdthe 173rd Airborne Brigade, US Army The first major US combat unit sent to VietnamUS , 1991
herdverbin hot rodding, to drive (a hot rod)US , 1933
herdernoun1a prison guard assigned to a prison yardUS , 1992.2in horse racing, a jockey or horse that forces the other horses to bunch up behind itUS , 1951.3on the railways, a yard pointsmanUS , 1930
here and therenouna chair Rhyming slang, always used in fullUK , 1992
here’s howused as a toastUK , 1896
here we go; here we go againused for registering resignation at the commencement of an anticipated, predictable or otherwise undesirable eventUK , 1954
her indoors; ‘er indoors; ’ernounthe wife of the user Coined for
television comedy drama series Minder,1979–94 UK , 1984
Herman Finknounink Rhyming slangUK , 1960
Herman the Germannounthe penisUS , 1991
hermitnouna poker player wearing headphones during playUS , 1996
heronoun1heroinUS , 1953.2a surfer whose opinion of his own skills exceeds his actual skillsUS , 1985
hero gearnounenemy paraphernalia taken from the battlefieldUS , 1961
heroinanounheroinUS , 1994
herone heroin
Trang 7hero of the underworldnounheroin An elaboration ofHERO
(heroin)US , 1986
heroxnoun4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylaimine, a mild
hallucinogenUS , 1995
herring and kipper; herringnouna striptease dancer Rhyming
slang forSTRIPPER UK , 1992
herringbonernouna dairy farmerNEW ZEALAND , 2002
herring chokernoun1a person from New Brunswick or elsewhere
in the Canadian Maritime ProvincesUS , 1899.2a ScandanavianUS ,
1936
herring snappernouna ScandanavianUS , 1930
herselfnouna wife, your wife, a female partnerIRELAND , 1989
Hershey Highwaynounthe rectumUS , 1973
Hershey roadnounthe rectumUS , 1974
Hershey squirtsnoundiarrhoea A joking if unpleasant allusion to
Hershey™ chocolateUS , 1972
he-shenouna man living as a woman, either as a transvestite or
transsexual; an effeminate maleUS , 1871
hesher; heshen; heshnouna fan of heavy metal musicUS , 1997
hesh girl; hash girlnouna prostitute who works in cheap drinking
establishments Urban and township slangSOUTH AFRICA , 1973
he shoots! he scores!used for celebrating a minor accomplish
-ment From the television programme Saturday Night Live US , 1991
hesitation marksnounscars on the inner wrist from failed suicide
attemptsUS , 1972
hesslenounheroinUK , 1998
hetadjective heterosexual US , 1972
hetboynoun a heterosexual male Internet shorthand US , 1995
heternoun a heterosexual UK , 1980
heteronoun a heterosexual UK , 1933
hetgirlnoun a heterosexual female Internet shorthand US , 1995
het up; all het upadjectiveexcited From a dialect variation of
‘heated’ or ‘heated up’US , 1909
hexnouna number sign (#) on a computer keyboardUS , 1991
hexynounhexamine (a solid fuel provided in small blocks) Military
UK , 1995
hey?1pardon? Used alone or as the introduction to a question that
is formed using a standard interrogativeSOUTH AFRICA , 1961.2used at
the end of a question for emphasis or as a means of demanding a
responseSOUTH AFRICA , 1969
heyused as a discourse break that raises emphasis or focusUS , 1974
hey-diddle-diddlenouna swindle, a deception Rhyming slang for
FIDDLE UK: SCOTLAND , 1988
hey-heynouna good timeUS , 1985
hey now1used as a greetingUS , 1946.2used for getting attentionUS ,
1987
hey-presto!a command used by stage magicians; hence, used for
registering a sudden or surprising transformation; cynically used
for ‘as if by magic’ when a predictable change occursUK , 1731
hey rubenouna fight between swindlers of any sort and their
victimsUS , 1900
hey, rube!used as an insider request for help in a fight Originally
and principally an expression used in the circus and carnivalsUS ,
1900
hey-younounan uncouth or insolent person From the signature
conversational gambit employed by such peopleUK: SCOTLAND , 1988
HFHused as a jaded abbreviation of a jaded ‘ho-fucking-hum’US ,
1990
H-headnouna habitual user of heroinUK , 1978
HHOJ; HHOKused in computer message shorthand to mean
‘ha-ha only joking’ or ‘‘ha-ha-‘ha-ha only kidding’ US , 1991
hi-ballnouna central nervous system stimulant, especially
hiccupnouna fault in administration, an interruption to any smooth-running procedureUK , 1974
hiccupverbin computing when transferring data, to inadvertently skip some data or send some data twiceUS , 1995
hicknounan unsophisticated, simple person from the far rural reaches A familiar form of ‘Richard’ Now chiefly US useUK , 1565
hickeynoun1a bruise on the skin caused by a partner’s mouth during foreplay; a suction kissUS , 1942.2a favourable movie review
US , 1997.3in dominoes, a type of side betUS , 1981.4in pool, a rule infractionUS , 1992
Hickeynouna notional province where there are no manners or courtesyBARBADOS , 1965
hickory dickory dock; hickory dickorynouna clock Rhyming slang; an elaboration ofDICKORY DOCK, from the nursery rhyme which continues ‘A mouse ran up the clock’UK , 1998
hiddyadjective1drunkUS , 1989.2hideousUS , 1990
hidenoun1the human skinUK , 1607.2impudence; effrontery; cheek
AUSTRALIA , 1902.3a walletUS , 1932.4a horseUS , 1934.5in hot rodding,
a tyreUS , 1960
hideverb< hide the salamito have sex ‘Sausage’ as ‘penis’ imagery; a variation of the earlierHIDE-THE-WEENIE US , 1983
hide and seeknounimpudence Rhyming slang for ‘cheek’UK , 1992
hideawaynouna pocketUS , 1945
hi-de-hia greeting, answered by ‘ho-de-ho’ First recorded during World War 2; adopted by Jimmy Perry and David Croft as the title (and catchphrase) of a television situation comedy set in a 1950s holiday camp (BBC, 1980–88); the call and response greeting is still heard, but often ironicUK , 1941
hideolaadjectiveugly A variation of conventional ‘hideous’UK , 1992
hidesnoundrums Jazz slangUK , 1986
hide-the-baloneynounsexual intercourseUS , 1973
hide-the-sausagenounsexual intercourseAUSTRALIA , 1971
hide-the-weenienounsexual intercourseUS , 1968
hideynounthe children’s game hide and seekAUSTRALIA , 1957
hi diddle diddlenoun1middle, especially the middle of a dart board Rhyming slangUK , 1992.2a swindle, a deceptionUK , 1992.3a violin, a fiddle Rhyming slangUK , 1998
hidingnouna beating; a heavy defeatUK , 1809
hiding to nothingnoun< on a hiding to nothingfaced with a situation in which any outcome is unfavourableUK , 1905
hidsadjectivelacking fashion sense An abbreviation of the conven-tional ‘hideous’US , 2002
hidy-hole; hidey-holenouna hiding placeUK , 1817
hidy-ho, neighborused as a humorous greeting A catchphrase
salutation from the US television comedy Home Improvements
(ABC, 1991–99) Repeated with referential humourUS , 1991
hifalutinadjective 8see:HIGHFALUTIN
higgledy-piggledyadjectivein a confused jumble Probably derived
as a rhyming elaboration of the disordered huddle in which pigs existUK , 1598
highnoun1the sensation produced by consuming drugs or alcohol
US , 1944.2a sense of exhilaration, unrelated to drugsUS , 1970
HighnounMiller High Life™ beerUS , 1967
highadjective1drunk or drug-intoxicatedUK , 1627.2under the influ-ence of a drug, especially marijuanaUS , 1931.3bad-smelling
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1935 < at high warbleangry, especially without justification Naval aviator usageUS , 1986
high and lightadjectivepleasantly drug-intoxicatedUS , 1952
high and mighty; high-and-mightyadjectivearrogant, imperious
UK , 1825
high and tightnouna man’s haircut in which the sides of the head are shaved and a quarter-inch of hair is left on top A military term for a military haircutUS , 1988
high as a kiteadjectivevery drunk or drug-intoxicated Rhyming