< on the housepaid for by management of the establishment US , 1889.< the housethe New York House of Detention for female prisonersUS , 1966 houseverb1to stealUS , 1989.2to carry contrab
Trang 1perform oral sex on a womanUS , 1981.< in the house1here and
now, present, currentlyUS , 1993.2popular, stylishUS , 1994.< mind
your housewatch your back, be careful Often used in sports
matches: when a player has the ball a team mate will shout ‘mind
your house’ if an opponent is coming up behind himIRELAND , 1999.
< on the housepaid for by management of the establishment
US , 1889.< the housethe New York House of Detention for
female prisonersUS , 1966
houseverb1to stealUS , 1989.2to carry contraband, such as a
weapon or drugsUS , 1997
houseadjectivecasual, verging on sloppyUS , 1993
house apenouna childUS , 1968
house ballnounin pinball, a ball that leaves play without having
scored any pointsUS , 1977
housecatnouna soldier not assigned to combat duty Vietnam war
usageUS , 1977
housedadjectivedrunkUS , 1997
house dancernouna sex club dancer who regularly appears at one
clubUS , 2000
house dicknouna private detective working for a hotel or other
establishmentUS , 1951
house feenounthe amount charged for entering a crack houseUS ,
1992
house girlnoun1a prostitute working in a brothelUS , 1957.2in a sex
club, a local dancer who regularly works at the club, as
distinguished from pornography stars who make limited
engagements at the clubUS , 1997
housekeepernounin prison, the passive, weaker partner in a
relationship who is subservient to his dominant partner’s needs
and wantsUS , 1991
housemaid’s kneenoun1a sea, the sea Rhyming slangUK , 1979.2a
key Rhyming slangUK , 1992
housemaid’s kneesnounthe condition caused by Osgood-Schlatter
disease, calcium deposits on the lower outside quadrant of the
kneeUS , 1973
housemannounthe best regular player in a pool hallUS , 1990
house mothernouna madame in a brothelUS , 1987
house mousenoun1a prisoner who takes or accepts responsibility
for cleaning a prison cell, dormitory or common roomUS , 1989.2in
Antarctica, support personnel assigned to the base, especially
someone assigned to domestic dutiesANTARCTICA , 1958.3an
American soldier who explored Viet Cong tunnelsUS , 1989.4during
the Vietnam war, a Vietnamese maid or mistressUS , 1991
house music; housenounan umbrella genre for much
contemporary dance music with strong repetitive rhythms–in 4/4
time, generally between 115 and 135 beats per minute The name
derives from the Warehouse club in Chicago where the music
originated in the mid-1980sUK , 1998
house nigger; house nigganouna black person who curries favour
from white people and in return is given some small degree of
privilege An updated ‘house slave’US , 1968
house nutnounin the cinema business, the weekly operating
expenses of the cinemaUS , 1990
House of Commonsnounan outdoor toiletCANADA , 1987
House of Dnicknamethe New York Women’s House of Detention,
Greenwich AvenueUS , 1964
house of dark shadowsnounany building that is occupied, or
thought to be occupied, by Viet CongUS , 1991
House of Do Rightnicknamethe New York City jailUS , 1967
House of Fraser; hoosie Fraser; howsernouna razor, especially
as a weapon Rhyming slang, formed from the name of a retailing
chainUK , 1992
house of intakenouna restaurant A term coined by writers of the
Coneheads skits on Saturday Night Live in the late 1970s, featuring
three Remulakian aliens who lived quiet and normal lives in the
suburbs of New Jersey Most of the Remulakian phrases were too
forced for everyday slang, such as ‘molten lactate extract of hooved animals’ for ‘melted cheese’, but a few such as this were temporarily in vogueUS , 1977
house of joynouna brothelUS , 1948
House of Lordsnouncorduroy trousers Rhyming slang forCORDS
UK , 1992
house of waxnouna prisonUS , 1973
house piecenouna gift of a dose of crack cocaine, given to the owner of a crack house in appreciation for the use of the premises
US , 1992
houseplantnouna person who never leaves the homeUS , 1917
housernoun1a person who is part of the club music and party set
US , 1994.2a group of close friendsUS , 1993
house-stoynoun(among Nova Scotians of German descent) a wedding presentCANADA , 1975
House that Ruth BuiltnicknameYankee Stadium, Bronx, New York The stadium opened in 1923 at the height of Ruth’s careerUS , 1998
housewifenounan elementary sewing kitUK , 1968
housewives’ choicenounvoice Rhyming slang, formed from the
title of a record request programme broadcast on the BBC Light Programme, 1946–67 UK , 1992
house wizard; house gurunounthe technical expert in a business
or organisationUS , 1991
house-wreckernounin surfing, a large and powerful waveUS , 1978
housey houseyadjectiveitchy Rhyming slang for ‘lousy’ (lice-ridden, hence itchy) Formed from the name of one of Bingo’s variations
UK , 1992
Hovisnounthe head of a brown-skinned person A refinement of the rhyming slangLOAF OF BREAD(the head); Hovis™ is a
well-known brand of brown bread UK , 1998
how ADJECTIVE can you get?used of someone who has a more than average measure of a specified qualityUS , 1951
Howard Johnsonsnounan outdoor street food vendor in Vietnam during the war From the name of a roadside restaurant which at the time of the Vietnam war was immensely popular in the USUS , 1965
Howard’s Wayadjectivehomosexual Rhyming slang forGAY, from the title of a BBC television drama series, 1985–90UK , 2003
how are you going?how are you? Used as a greetingAUSTRALIA , 1930
how bad is that?that’s great!US , 1965
how can I tell?used in prison to question the truth of that which has just been saidUS , 1992
how come?whyUS , 1848
how cool is that!used for expressing delightUS , 1999
how-de-do; how-d’ye-donouna shoe Rhyming slangUK , 1979
how-do-you-do; how-d’ye-donouna fuss, a noisy difficulty, an embarrassing or awkward problem Rhyming slang for ‘stew’UK , 1835
how do you like me now?nouncrack cocaineUK , 1998
howdy-do; howdyused as a friendly greeting A reduction of ‘how d’ye do’ (1697)US , 1970
Howdy Doodynounan unspecified chemical agent used in VietnamUS , 1991
how goes it?used as a greetingUS , 1966
how high is a Chinaman?used as a catchphrase reply to an unanswerable, or stupid, question From a children’s pun that How
Hi is a Chinaman UK , 1977
howienouna howitzer, field artilleryUS , 1990
howkverbto dig, to excavateUK: SCOTLAND , 1911
howlnouna source of great amusementUS , 1930
howlverb< howl at the moonto experience the bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS , 2001
howler a glaring mistake . a child
Trang 2howlingadjective1drunkUK , 2002.2very smellyUK , 1988.3superlative
UK , 1865
howling fiftiesnounthe latitutes of 50 to 59 degrees south
ANTARCTICA , 1962
Howling Mad SmithnicknameGeneral Holland M Smith, US
Marine Corps The NBC action series A-Team (1983–87) featured a
character named Captain H M ‘Howlin’ Mad’ Murdock, played by
Dwight Schultz, presumably named after General SmithUS , 1988
how much?what do you mean?UK , 1852
how rude!used for expressing disgust A catchphrase from the
television programme Full House US , 1990 8see:RUDE!
how’s hacking?used as a greetingUS , 1981
how’s it going?used as a greetingUS , 1944
how’s it hanging?used as a greeting, usually male-to-male
Sometimes testicularly inclusive and increased to ‘they’US , 1974
how-so?how is that so? Found in the C14, but not a complete
path to the current usageUS , 1980
how’s tricks?used as a friendly greeting Probably from the
terminology of card games but may also have had nautical origins
UK , 1904
how sweet it is!used for expressing pleasure One of comedian
Jackie Gleason’s several signature lines, often used on The Jackie
Gleason Show (CBS, 1952–70) Repeated with obviously referential
humourUS , 1957
how’s your arse for lovebites?used as a greeting between young
menUK: SCOTLAND , 1996
how’s-your-fathernoun1any act of sexual intimacy from petting to
intercourse; non-conventional sexual behaviour Originally from
the music halls, ‘how’s your father’ or ‘howsyerfather’ was an
all-purpose catchphrase, a euphemism for anything; subsequent
usage, especially in the services during World War 2 mainly
narrowed the sense to ‘a sexual dalliance’UK , 1931.2any activity or
business that is complicated or annoying, a fuss Rhyming slang
for ‘palaver’UK , 1998.3a fightNEW ZEALAND , 2002.4cocaineUK , 2000
how’s your love life?; how’s your sex life?used as a greeting,
often flirtatiousUK , 1969
how’s your mind?are you mad? Generally asked in exasperation
or irritationSOUTH AFRICA , 2004
howzat?how’s that? Often heard as a cricketer’s appeal to the
umpireUK , 1961
howzit?used as a greeting In South Africa, the usual reply is: ‘No,
fine’, which actually means ‘Yes, I am fine’ (the word ‘no’ is often
taken to mean ‘yes’); an Afrikaner might reply: ‘Ja, well, no fine’
US , 1950
hoyverbto throwAUSTRALIA , 1971
hozzonouna large and dangerous wave From ‘horrible’, with ‘-o’
suffixAUSTRALIA , 1987
hozzoadjective(of a wave or surfing conditions) large, powerful and
dangerousAUSTRALIA , 1987
hozzy; ozzy; ozzienouna hospitalUK , 2001
HPnouna man Gay slang; an initialism of polariHOMEE-PALONE(a
man)UK , 2002
HRNnounheroin Whilst this looks like an acronym it is simply
‘heroin’ devowelledUS , 1959
HTHnouna spouse or lover who is waiting for you back home An
abbreviation of ‘hometown honey’ US , 1993
hubbanouncrack cocaineUS , 1988
hubba-hubba!used for expressing enthusiastic appreciation of a
good-looking womanUS , 1941
hubba, I am backnouncrack cocaine Rhyming slangUK , 1998
hubba pigeonnouna crack cocaine addict who searches for bits of
crack cocaine on the groundUS , 1995
hubbly-bubblynouna water pipe used for smoking marijuana,
hashish or crack cocaineUS , 1970
hubboo
hubby; hubbienouna husband Often used in a sardonic senseUK , 1688
hubcapnoun1an important person Playing onWHEEL(a very important person)US , 1960.2a person whose sense of importance outweights his actual importanceUS , 1951
huckverbin snowboarding, to launch yourself into the airUS , 1995
huckeryadjectiveugly Often used to describe a woman or ‘moll’NEW ZEALAND , 1993
huckleverbto be bundled into a place; to be thrown out; to arrest
UK: SCOTLAND , 1985
huddanouna police officer; the policeUS , 1993
huddleverbwhile working as a police officer in a patrol car, to park and sleepUS , 1973
huddykeep left (of a horse)CANADA , 1957
hudgeverbin pinball, to apply physical force to a machine to affect the trajectory of the ball without activating the tilt mechanismUS , 1977
huevonnouna very lazy person Border Spanish used in English conversation by Mexican-Americans; from the image of the man who is so lazy that his testicles (HUEVAS) grow largeUS , 1974
huevosnoun1the testicles; courage Border Spanish used in English conversation by Mexican-Americans; literally ‘eggs’US , 1974.2waves Spanish for ‘eggs’, but a near-homophone for ‘waves’, hence the playUS , 1991.3a variety of Moroccan hashish From Spanish for
‘eggs’, named for its shape and textureSPAIN , 2003
Hueynicknamea Bell utility military helicopterUS , 1962
Huey shufflenouna common hesitation in the flight pattern by an inexperienced helicopter pilotUS , 1983
huffverb1to inhale household or industrial chemicals for rec-reational purposesUS , 1969.2to stealTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1990
huff and puffnouna state of high angerTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1978
huff and puffverbto breathe heavily From the childhood tale of
The Three Little Pigs UK , 1890
huffernoun1an act of oral sex on a man Probably a mistaken understanding ofHUMMER US, 1973.2a person who inhales household or industrial chemicals for recreational purposesUS , 1969.
3in drag racing and hot rodding, a superchargerUS , 1968
hugverb< hug the bowlto vomitUS , 1997
hug and slugnoun(among Canadian Forces members) any place where girls or fights are to be foundCANADA , 1995
hug drugnounMDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy From the affectionate feelings roused by the drugUK , 1996
hugger-muggernoun1chaosUS , 1972.2a prostitute who beats and robs customers or who serves as a decoy for someone who beats and robs the customerUS , 1970
huggienouna styrofoam or plastic cylinder that slips over a beer can, serving as insulationUS , 2000
huggingadjectivebad, crazyUS , 1997
huggyadjectivegiven to hugging; hence, sensitive and caringUS , 1999
huggy-bearnounprolonged hugging and kissingUS , 1964
hughie; hueynounan act of vomiting A joke was told of a person calling out the name of television presenter Hughie Green, 1920–1997; it was, in fact, the cry of someone vomiting after drinking green ChartreuseUK: SCOTLAND , 1985
hughie; hueyverbto vomit Echoic of the involuntary vocal accompaniment to the actionUK: SCOTLAND , 1985
Hughie; Hughey; Hueynouna supposed rain god Used in the phrase ‘send her/it down Hughie!’, said when the rains first appear after a dry spell or the dry season The earliest instance of this is
from the Bulletin, 3rd December 1912, where it is stated that it
referred to a Mr Huie ‘an amateur meteorologist who had luck in prophesying rain’ This story has not been verified and would probably carry more force if it weren’t for the fact that Hughie sounds more like a first name than a surname, and also in light of the variants that have from time to time cropped up, such as
‘send her down Steve!’ and ‘send her down David!’
Trang 3hugs and kisses; hugs; ugsnouna wife Rhyming slang forMISSUS
UK , 1992
huh-huh-huh; huh-huh-huh-huhused as a representation of
unspirited laughter Caricatured as the smirking laugh of teenage
heavy metal fans in the animated television series Beavis and
Butthead, Mtelevision, 1993–97 US , 1997
hulknounan unusually large bodybuilderUS , 1980
hulkingadjectivelarge, especially of an unwieldy massUK , 1698
hullnounan empty pistol cartridge caseUS , 1957
hullabaloonouna loud noise; an uproar; confusionUK , 1762
hulloonouna completely inconsequential personNORFOLK ISLAND , 1992
hully-gullyadjectivestylish, especially in a Rastafarian senseBAHAMAS ,
1973
humverb1to be busy, to be crowded; to be livelyUS , 1887.2to have
an unpleasant odour, to stinkUK , 1902
human seanounan infantry tactic of the North Korean Army, of
swarming enemy positions in overwhelming numbersUS , 1964
humblenouna false criminal accusation or chargeUS , 1940
Humbolt greennounmarijuana This should, perhaps, be
‘Humboldt green’, indicating the county in northern California in
which this green-leafed marijuana plant originatesUK , 2003
humbugnoun1false or trumped-up criminal chargesUS , 1972.2a
fight, especially between youth gangsUS , 1962
humbugverb1to fightUS , 1968.2to interfere with, to botherTRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO , 1904
humdingernouna remarkable thing or personUS , 1905
hum jobnounoral sex performed on a maleUS , 1964
hummelnounthe hair English gypsy useUK , 2000
hummernoun1an act of oral sex performed on a manUS , 1971.2an
exceptionally good thingUK , 1681.3an arrest for something the
person did not do; an arrest for a minor violation that leads to
more serious chargesUS , 1932.4a minor mistakeUS , 1959.5a joke, a
prankUS , 1990.6the Grumman E-2, an early warning aircraft Given
the official nickname ‘Hawkeye’, it was instantly renamed by the
troopsUS , 1989.7an army weapons carrier The official designation
is a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle The slang is
easierUS , 1983
hummer daysnoun(from a male perspective) the bleed period of
the menstrual cycleUS , 2001
hummingbird assnounused for suggesting that a person lacks the
courage to back up his tauntsUS , 1977
humongous; humungousadjectivevery largeUS , 1968
humpnoun1a fit of sulks, a bad mood, depressionUK , 1873.2an
offensive or despicable personUS , 1963.3a dolt, a dull personUS ,
1963.4an act of sexual intercourseUS , 1918.5a Camel™ cigaretteUS ,
1989.6a bridge Citizens’ band radio slangUK , 1981.7the air route
over the Himalaya Mountains during World War 2US , 1942.8the
middle section of a prison sentenceUS , 1962.9a large wave Surfer
usageUS , 1957.10a military combat patrol Recorded in Australia in
the C19, but not again until the US war in VietnamUS , 1971.11a
lookout during a crimeUS , 1949.12in circus usage, a camelUS , 1926.
< over the humpwhile gambling, having won enough to be
gambling now with the house’s moneyUS , 1950
humpverb1to have sexUS , 1784.2to carry, to lug, to march An
essential word to US soldiers in VietnamAUSTRALIA , 1851.3to earn
money working as a prostituteUS , 1973.4in trucking, to drive fast
US , 1976.< hump itin poker, to raise the maximum bet allowed
US , 1988.< hump like a camelto engage in sexual intercourse
with great physical enthusiasmUS , 1970.< hump the dogto
waste time completely Similar construction to the synonymous
‘fuck the dog’US , 1980.< hump your bluey/drum/swagto carry
one’s belongings in a swag while seeking work on footAUSTRALIA ,
1851
hump-and-jumpadjective(of a job) physically demanding and
fast-pacedUS , 1977
hump and thumpnouncardiovascular resuscitationUS , 1994
humpback job
hump datenounduring the Vietnam war, the date when half of a soldier’s tour of duty in Vietnam is completedUS , 1965
hump daynounWednesday Visualised as a hill, the peak or hump
of the work week or school week is WednesdayUS , 1955
humpernoun1a member of a rock band’s crew who carries heavy itemsUK , 1985.2a large and unbroken waveUS , 1977.3in motor racing, a slick drag racing tyre that has been grooved for use on a dirt trackUS , 1980
hump-humpverbto have sex Mock pidginUS , 1997
hump nightnounWednesday nightUS , 1955
hump ratnouna railway yard brakemanUS , 1968
humpty dumptynounan extreme reaction to MDMA, the rec-reational drug best known as ecstasy A probable reference to the fate of the nursery rhyme characterUK , 1996
Humpty Dumpty languagenounany word or vocabulary given an
unusual or eccentric sense by the user Derives from Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found There by Lewis Carroll
(Charles Dodgson), 1871: ‘"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less."’UK , 1984
humpynouna makeshift dwelling Originally used of a temporary shelter made by Aboriginals; from the Australian Aboriginal language Yagara (Brisbane region)AUSTRALIA , 1846
humpyadjectivehandsome, sexy Homosexual usageUS , 1968
humpy-bumpverbto have sexUS , 1974
hunnounone hundred dollars; a one hundred dollar noteUS , 1895
Hunnoun1a German; a person of German descent As German troops set sail for China on 27th July 1900, Wilhelm II urged them
to fight ‘just as the Huns a thousand years ago’ The name stuck
It was the main pejorative for the enemy in World War 2UK , 1900.
2a ProtestantUK: SCOTLAND , 1996
hunchnounan intuition or premonition Now verging on conven-tionalUS , 1888
hunchverbto bring someone up to date; to informUS , 1973
hundoenounone hundred dollarsUS , 2001
hundred-mile coffeenounstrong coffee So named because it is strong enough to keep a trucker awake to drive one hundred miles
US , 1971
hundred to eightnouna plate Rhyming slang, formed from bookmaker’s oddsUK , 1998
hundred to thirtyadjectivedirtyUK , 1974
hungadjective1endowed with a large penis Shakespeare punned with the term 400 years agoUK , 1600.2fascinated or obsessed with
US , 1950.3(used of a computer program) suspended, waiting for something that will not happenUS , 1983
hung like a cashewblessed with a small penisUK , 1998
hung like a hamsterblessed with a small penisUS , 2004
hung like a jack donkey; hung like a donkeyendowed with an impressively large penisUK , 1984
hung like a pimpleblessed with a small penisUS , 1995
hung overadjectivesuffering from the after-effects of having drunk too much alcohol Derives from ‘hangover’US , 1942
hungriesnounthe craving for food that follows the smoking of marijuana US , 1970
hungryadjectivestingy; meanAUSTRALIA , 1855
hung upadjective1obsessed, infatuatedUS , 1950.2addictedUS , 1950.
3of a drug-addict who is unable to get drugs, depressed, let down, disappointed A nuance of the previous senseUS , 1948.4inhibited, neuroticUS , 1952.5while surfing, caught along the steep wall of a wave and unable to pull outUS , 1963
hungusadjectivein computing, extremely largeUS , 1981
hunknouna good-looking, muscular boy or manUS , 1945
hunka chunkanounsexual intercourseUS , 2005
hunkin
Trang 4hunkyadjectiveattractive, muscularUS , 1972
hunky; hunkienoun1a white person DerogatoryUS , 1959.2an Eastern
European; a Slav; a Hungarian Disparaging, but usually more
illustra-tive of the speaker’s lack of geographic knowledgeUS , 1909
hunky doryadjectivesatisfactory, fineUS , 1861
huntnoun< in the huntin contentionAUSTRALIA , 1957
huntverbto chase off, away or to somewhereAUSTRALIA , 1917.< hunt
owlsto drive at night with your full headlight beams on, blinding
oncoming trafficUS , 1962.< hunt rabbitsin a game of poker, to
go through the cards that were not played after a hand is finished
in search of what might have beenUS , 1951.< hunt the great
white whaleto search for a source of cocaine TheGREAT WHITE
WHALEis a literary allusion to Moby Dick, the classic novel by
Herman Melville (1819–91), and a play on the colour and power
of cocaineUK , 2001
hunternoun1a pickpocketUS , 1949.2cocaineUK , 1998
hunt for Red Octobernounthe bleed period of the menstrual
cycle Elaboration of ‘red’ – the colour of blood – by adoption of
the title of a novel by Tom Clancy, and subsequent filmUS , 2000
hunting licensenounan assignment given by a prison gang to kill
someoneUS , 1992
huntsabbernouna hunt saboteurUK , 2001
hunty-huntyadjective(of a woman) used to describe a
husband-hunter or a ‘manhusband-hunter’ Reduplication of the woman’s essential
quality West Indian, hence UK BlackUK , 2000
huppienoun an individual socially categorised as an Hispanic urban
professional or Hispanic upwardly mobile professional On the
fam-iliar model ofYUPPIE(young upwardly mobile professional) US , 1986
hurdynouna dance hall girlCANADA , 1958
hurlnounan act of vomiting; vomitAUSTRALIA , 1967
hurlverbto vomitAUSTRALIA , 1964
hurlernouna person who suffers from bulimia nervosaUS , 1998
hurly-burlyadjectiveconfusing, tumultuousUK , 1596
hurrahnounin a big store confidence swindle, the stage of the
swindle when the victim is fully dupedUS , 1997
hurricane decknounthe back of a bucking broncoUS , 1862
hurricane hamnounconchBAHAMAS , 1982
hurricane lamp; hurricanenoun a tramp, a vagrant Rhyming slang
UK , 1998
hurricane lamp jobnounin horse racing, a horse that finishes last
by a great distance The horse is so far back that it is joked that a
hurricane lamp is needed to find itAUSTRALIA , 1989
hurricane on a ten-cent piecenouna wife furious with her
husbandCANADA , 1995
hurry-comeadjectivedone with haste and without careTRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO , 1987
hurry-onnouna quickening of paceAUSTRALIA , 1983
hurry-upnoun1a hurry, speed Since the 1960sUK , 1962.2a request
for a quickening of paceAUSTRALIA , 1916
hurryup wagonnouna police vanUS , 1893
hurtnoun< put the hurt onto inflict painUK , 2001
hurtverbto crave a drugUK , 1996
hurtadjectiveundesirable, unattractive, ineptUS , 1973
hurtingadjectiveinferior; not up to expectationsUS , 2002
hurt me!used for expressing extreme pleasure or displeasureUS , 1983
hurveverbto move quickly; to hurryAUSTRALIA , 1983
husbandnounin a homosexual relationship (male or female), the
more aggressive and domineering partnerUS , 1941
husband and wife; husbandnouna knife Rhyming slangUK , 1992
hushnounsilenceUK , 1976
hush-emnouna silencer attached to a handgunUS , 1949
hush-hushadjectivesecret Reduplicated ‘hush’ (to be quiet); military
hush moneynouna bribe paid to obtain silenceUK , 1709
hush puppynoun1a Smith and Wesson 9 mm pistol; the silencer attached to the pistol Carried by US Navy SEALS So named, the legend goes, because of its use in killing guard dogsUS , 1982.2a
yuppie (a young upwardly mobile professional) Rhyming slang,
formed from a footwear-manufacturer’s brand nameUK , 1992
hush-puppyadjective(used of jazz) old-fashioned, conventionalUS , 1958
huskverbto undressUS , 1945
Huskynounin trucking, a Brockway truck From the company logo
US , 1976
huss; hus; huznouna favour Vietnam war usage, especially by marinesUS , 1971
hustlenoun1an illegal enterprise, especially one involving swindling
US , 1943.2effort, exertion, desireUS , 1898.< on the hustle
1engaged in a career of swindlingUS , 1997
hustleverb1to engage in prostitutionUS , 1895.2to obtain after a diligent effort, especially one using unorthodox, if not illegal, meansUS , 1840.3to beg, to cadge Used by beggars and trampsUS ,
1902.4to flirt; to make a sexual advanceTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003
hustlernoun1a prostitute, especially a male homosexualUS , 1924.2a drug pusherUK , 1996.3a person who makes his living by playing pool for wagers, feigning a skill level below his true level to secure betsUS , 1967.4a person who lives by his charm and wits, dishonest but usually not violentUS , 1896
hustler’s rownounany outdoor area where prostitutes loiter in search of customersUK , 1966
hustlingnoun1the practice of dealing drugsUK , 2000.2prostitution
UK , 1977
hustling galnouna prostituteUS , 1954
hutnoun1a houseUS , 1989.2a jail cellUS , 1949.3a brakevan (caboose)
US , 1946
hutchnoun1a domicile, be it a room, apartment or houseUS , 1966.
2a prisonUS , 1956
hutzelsupnoun(among Nova Scotians of German descent) a confused messCANADA , 1999
Hyacknounin British Columbia, a volunteer fireman The term, from a Chinook jargon word, is preserved in the Honorable Hyack Battery of New Westminster, BCCANADA , 1959
hyakverbin British Columbia, to hasten The term comes from Chinook jargonCANADA , 1959
hyasadverbbig, large, veryCANADA , 1953
hyas tyeenouna great chief, an important person A combination of two Chinook jargon words,HYASand tyee (chief, king) CANADA , 1956
hybolicadjectivepompous, wordy, bombastic Hawaiian youth usage
US , 1972
hybridnounin the car sales business, used as a euphemism for a car that has at least some parts that do not belongUS , 1953
Hyde Parknoun1an actor’s mark Rhyming slang, from the film worldUK , 1972.2an informer Rhyming slang forNARK UK, 1992
hydraulicnounin drag racing, a massive engine failure resulting from fuel failing to ignite within a cylinderUS , 2003
hydraulicadjectiveinclined to steal Like a hydraulic jack, he will ‘lift’ anythingAUSTRALIA , 1989
hydraulicsnounbollocks, in all senses Euphemistic rhyming slang
UK , 1998
hydronoun1marijuana which is grown hydroponically US , 1996.
2MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy Probably from the dehydration experienced by users of the drugUK , 2003.
3amphetaminesUK , 2003.4electric power generated by the flow of waterCANADA , 1964
hydroponicnounmarijuana that is cultivated hydroponically The soilless culture of cannabis results in plants that are up to ten time as potent as those grown outdoorsUS , 1989
hyiuadjectivegreat, many, much, very The word is adapted into English from Chinook jargon
Trang 5hykenoun1codeine From the brand name Hycodan™US , 1997.
2hydrocodone, a synthetic codeineUS , 1970
Hymienouna Jewish male Like Mick (for Mickey) as a label for the
Irish, Hymie is a shortened Hyman Not used kindlyUS , 1973
hypenoun1a syringeUS , 1910.2a needle-using drug addictUS , 1924.
3a frequent user of marijuana Use of the term ‘addict’ is
controversial in the context of marijuana users, but the suggestion
here is that the person has let marijuana control his lifeUS , 1999.
4exaggeration, nonsenseUS , 1938.5deception; an act of deception;
something intended to stimulate sales, etcUS , 1955.6a swindle or
cheatUS , 1980.< put the hype onto raise prices because of
demand without regard to fairness of the priceUS , 1980
hypeverb1to lie, to swindleUS , 1914.2to stimulate interest or sales
US , 1942
hypeadjectiveexcellentUS , 2002
hyped upadjectivestimulated or excited, especially if by artificial
meansUS , 1946
hype guynounin circus and carnival usage, a short-change swindler
US , 1981
hype marksnounscars and sores on a drug addict’s body indicating intravenous drug useUS , 1973
hypernoun1in circus and carnival usage, a short-change swindler
US , 1981.2a person employed to stimulate music sales in an attempt to influence the pop charts, 1998
hyperadjectiveemotionally stressed Abbreviated and adapted from
‘hyperactive’US , 1942
hyper-prefixextremelyUK , 1984
hype sticknouna hypodermic syringeUS , 1933
hype tanknouna jail holding cell reserved for drug addictsUS , 1964
hyponoun1a hypodermic syringeUS , 1905.2a needle-using drug addictUS , 1904.3a swindleUS , 1949
Hy-townnicknameHyannis, MassachusettsUS , 1998
Trang 6Inoun< the Ian interstate highwayUS , 2003
I ain’t even tryin’ to hear you!I am not listeningUS , 1993
I ain’t here to bragused for demonstrating that the speaker
understands that he is bragging A paralipsis of the first order
Many grammatical variants exist, as well as the simpler, ‘Not to
brag’US , 2004
I am a Ranger We live for the One, we die for the One.used
with humour as an affirmation of support The motto of the
interplanetary police on the US science fiction television
programme Babylon (1994–98) US , 1994
I am Canadiannouna drink made with fruit juice, Quebec maple
syrup and whisky or Molson Canadian beerCANADA , 2002
I am so sure!used for expressing strong doubt about what has just
been saidUS , 1982
I and Inounused in the military as a jocular substitute for the
official ‘R and R’ (rest and recreation) An abbreviation of
‘intercourse and intoxication’, the main activities during rest and
recreationUS , 1960
I believe you but thousands wouldn’ta catchphrase retort that
is used to express doubt or, at best, reserve judgement about the
veracity of the person being addressed This phrase exists in a
number of minor variations, and is so well known that ‘I believe
you but!’ carries the full senseUK , 1927
I bet!; I’ll bet!I am certain Elliptical for ‘I bet you did’ or ‘do’ or
‘did’; often derisive or ironicUK , 1939
Ibiza Hiltonnounthe police station of the Guardia Civil Ibiza An
ironic reference to the international Hilton hotel chainSPAIN , 1999
IBMnoun1a smart, diligent studentUS , 1960.2a member of an
organized crime family; an Italian businessman US , 1997
IBM discountnouna price increaseUS , 1991
iboganoun1amphetamines A reference to the African shrub
tabernathe iboga and ibogaine, a natural stimulant that is
compounded therefromUK , 2003.2MDMA, the recreational drug
best known as ecstasyUK , 2003
ICnounduring the Vietnam war, an innocent civilianUS , 1985
I can catchnounthe US Interstate Commerce Commission A back
formation from the agency initials: ICCUS , 1971
I can read his lips, and he’s not prayingused as a humorous
comment on a profanity Popularised by ESPN’s Keith Olberman
US , 1997
I can’t fight that!used by a clever boy for expressing approval of a
girl who has just passed byUS , 1955
I can’t HEAR you!used as a humorous soliticitation of more
enthusiastic support A signature line of marine drill instructor
Vince Carter on the television situation comedy Gomer Pyle,
USMC (CBS, 1964–69) Repeated with referential humour US , 1966
I can’t take you anywhereused as a humorous, if stock, tease of
someone who has commited a faux pasUS , 1994
icenoun1diamondsUK , 1905.2cocaine, especially in blocksUS , 1971.
3smokeable amphetamine or methamphetamineUS , 1989.4heroin
US , 1987.5protection money paid by a business to criminals or by
criminals to the policeUS , 1887.6a pay-off, a bribe; an added
chargeUS , 1968.7the difference between the listed price and the
price actually paid for theatre tickets for a very popular showUS ,
1973.8in poker, a stacked deckUS , 1967.9solitary confinement in
prisonUS , 1990.10any computer program designed as a system
security schemeUS , 1995.< on iceincarceratedUS , 1931.< on the
ice(of a racehorse) being secretly, and illicitly, kept from running
to win
Icenounin-car entertainment, especially audio equipmentUK , 2003.
< the IceAntarcticaANTARCTICA , 1834
iceverb1to killUS , 1941.2to place in solitary confinementUS , 1933.
3to ignore with a vengeanceUS , 1932.4to give up; to stopUS , 1962.
5to reject; to stand upUS , 1997.< ice it1to stop doing somethingUS , 1974.2to forget somethingUS , 1960
icebergnoun1an emotionally cold person, especially a womanUK ,
1840.2a sexually frigid womanUS , 1949
iceberg actnoununfriendly treatmentUS , 1953
ice blinknouna whitish glow on the horizon or on clouds caused by light reflecting off iceCANADA , 1995
ice-blocknounan ice confection on a stickAUSTRALIA , 1948
iceboxnoun1a morgueUS , 1928.2a jail or prison An extension of the more commonCOOLER(jail)US , 1938
ice coldnouna chilled beerAUSTRALIA , 1968
ice coldadjectiverudeUS , 1990
ice creamnouna white child; white children Used defensively by children of different huesUK , 1979
ice-cream freezer; ice-creamnouna man Rhyming slang for
GEEZER UK, 1962
ice-cream habitnounthe irregular consumption of drugs by an occasional user ‘Ice-cream eater’ and ‘ice-creamer’ are obsolete slang terms for an irregular user of opium, an earlier application (late C19 to the 1930s) based on the notion that ice-cream is an occasional pleasure and not an every day dietUS , 1970
ice-cream mannouna drug dealer, especially one selling opiatesUS , 1952
ice-cream trucknoun< and the ice-cream truck you rode in on!used to extend and emphasise an absolute rejectionUS , 2001
ice cubenouncrack cocaineUS , 1994
icedadjectivedrunk, drug-intoxicatedUS , 1953
iced downadjectivewearing many diamondsUS , 1998
iced outnounwearing a great deal of diamond-bearing jewelleryUS , 2000
ice downverbto completely cover with graffitiUS , 1997
icehousenouna jewellery store FromICE(a diamond)US , 1949
Icelandic Air Forcenoun(around Gimli, Manitoba) flocks of pelicansCANADA , 1987
ice lugenouna block of ice used in a drinking game in which a shot of vodka, tequila or other alcoholic drink is poured down the ice into the drinker’s mouthUS , 2001
icemannoun1a person who bribes a government official or otherwise ‘fixes’ difficult situations FromICE(a bribe)US , 1981.2in horse racing, a jockey who rides without using the whip or vigorous kicksAUSTRALIA , 1989.3a mechanic who works on truck refrigeration unitsUS , 1971
ice moneynounmoney used to bribeUS , 1993
ice packnounhigh quality marijuanaUS , 1971
ice palacenoun1a jewellery storeUS , 1956.2a hockey rinkCANADA , 1955
ice widownouna woman whose husband is in AntarcticaNEW ZEALAND , 1971
icingnouncocaineUS , 1984
icknoun1any unpleasant sticky substanceUK , 2002.2in the language surrounding the Grateful Dead, a bacterial or viral infection that quickly spreads among those following the band on tour Always
.
Trang 7ickadjectivemawkishly sentimental, hence unpalatable An
abbrevi-ation of ICKYUS , 2001
ickiesnounforeign money of any type Royal Navy usage, possibly a
variation ofACKER(money) One ‘ickie’ equals one hundred
KLEBBIES UK, 1989
ickleadjectivelittle A small child’s pronunciation employed archly by
those old enough to know betterUK , 1864
ickynouna rich personUS , 1953
ickyadjective1unattractive, distasteful First found in jazz to describe
oversweet music other than jazz, then migrated into general use
with the more general meaningUS , 1929.2unwell Probably from
baby-talk variations of ‘sick’ or ‘sickly’UK , 1939.3overly sentimental,
especially of music or of a taste in music Originally from jazzUS ,
1929
icky-pooadjectiveunwell Baby-talk variation of ‘sick’ or ‘sickly’UK ,
1920
ICLused as shorthand in Internet discussion groups and text
messaging to mean ‘in Christian love’ US , 2002
I could cure the plagueused by a woman to describe her
con-dition when experiencing the bleed period of the menstrual cycle
US , 2000
I could just scream!used as an expression of frustration A
signature line of Captain Wallace B Binghamton on the television
comedy McCahle’s Navy (ABC, 1962–66) Repeated with referential
humourUS , 1962
icy-polenounan ice confection on a stick Generic use of a
trademark termAUSTRALIA , 1932
IDnounan identity card or other means of identificationUS , 1941
IDverbto identify someone Derives from the noun uses as
‘identification/identity’US , 1944
idea hamster; ideas hamsternouna person who is employed to
generate new ideasUK , 2001
identitynouna noted person; an odd or interesting personAUSTRALIA ,
1874
idiadjectivecruel Probably after Ugandan dictator Idi Amin,
1925(?)-2003; recorded in use in contemporary gay societyUK , 2003
idiot blocksnounoptions placed at the end of a staffing paper
designed to allow the reader simply to tick the option which
describes his decisionUS , 1986
idiot boardnounin television, an out-of-camera board on which a
performer’s lines are displayedUK , 1952
idiot boxnoun1the televisionUS , 1955.2an automatic car
trans-missionUS , 1993
idiot cardnounin the television and film industries, a poster board
with the dialogue written in large letters for actors to readUS , 1957
idiot-headnouna stupid person Used by young childrenAUSTRALIA ,
1988
idiot juicenounany alcoholic beverage brewed in prison, especially
a nutmeg/water mixtureUS , 1974
idiot lightnounin a car, a warning light on the dashboard in place
of a gaugeUS , 1968
idiot pillnouna barbiturate or central nervous system depressantUS ,
1953
idiot’s delightnounin dominoes, the 5-0 pieceUS , 1959
idiot spoonnouna shovelUS , 1947
idiot sticknoun1a small carved copy of a totem poleCANADA , 1989.
2a shovelUS , 1930.3a digging barUS , 1980
idjitnoun 8see:EEJIT
I don’t think soused as a humorous rejection of the sentiment
that has been expressedUS , 1969
I don’t want to knowused as refusal to accept unwelcome news
or factsUK , 1946
idrennounfriend; friends West Indian, Rastafarian and UK black
patois for ‘brethren’ (brothers), with religious and political
idyat bwainouna fool West Indian patois (idiot boy)UK , 1997
if betnounin horse racing, a bet that is made contingent upon winning a bet in an earlier raceUS , 1947
if cashnounin gambling, a type of conditional bet: an instruction to re-invest all or part of a winning return on another betUK , 2001
iffinessnouna quality of unreliability, subject to doubt FromIFFY
UK , 2001
iffyadjective1tenuous, uncertainUS , 1937.2dangerous, risky Extends from the previous senseUK , 2001
if I’m lying, I’m dyingI am telling the truth There are multiple reduplicative variationsUS , 1981
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix itused as a humorous suggestion to leave well enough aloneUS , 1961
if it isn’t (used as an acknowledgement of someone) it is that personUS , 1951
if it’s too loud, you’re too oldused for dismissing complaints of loudness at rock concerts A saying attributed to Kiss.US , 1995
if-lose; if-winnounin gambling, a type of conditional bet: a bet is required only if the prior selection loses/wins or is a non-runner
UK , 2001
ifs, ands or butsnounconditions, contingencies, exceptionsUS , 1982
if they back up the truckused in the entertainment industry for expressing a recognition that if the offer is lucrative enough, the actor speaking will accept the role despite its dramatic limitations The phrase conjures up the image of a truck full of bags of money backing up the driveway to be emptied.US , 2001
if ya wonders, then ya isused in twelve-step recovery programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous as a judgment on those who stop to wonder if they might be an addictUS , 1998
if you say soused for indicating (grudgingly, or to placate) acceptance of what has been saidUK , 1956
igverbto ignoreUS , 1946
iggienouna feigned ignorance Circus and carnival usage Often used in the phrase ‘give them the iggie’US , 1961
igloonouna one-hundred-dollar note From the resemblance between ‘100’ and ‘loo’AUSTRALIA , 1989
ign’antadjectiveignorantUS , 2002
ignorantadjective< make ignorantto make angry A south London termUK , 1977
ignorant endnounin poker, the low card in a five-card sequenceUS , 1990
ignorant oilnounalcohol, especially cheap and potent alcoholUS , 1954
ignorant spoonnounin oil drilling, a shovelUS , 1954
ignutsnounan ignorant foolUS , 1934
I-guynouna member of a team who thinks of himself – the individ-ual – more than the team Related to the sports adage: ‘There is
no "I" in "team"’US , 1997
I hate it!used for expressing solidarity with the misfortune just described by anotherUS , 1984
I hate it when that happensused for introducing humour, usually after someone else has described an extremely unlikely situationUS , 1987
I have nothing more to say about this that is either relevant
or trueused as a humorous comment when there is nothing worthwhile to say Popularised by ESPN’s Keith Olberman, paraphrasing Winston Churchill’s claimed reaction when confronting an entrance essay at EtonUS , 1997
I heard it on the marl roadused for expressing rumour as the source of informationCAYMAN ISLANDS , 1985
I heard that!I agree with you!US , 1992
I heard yaused for expressing assentUS , 1992
ike a feeling of displeasure, a bad mood