An abbreviation ofKING KONG US , 1945 koochnouna sexually suggestive dance move by a female dancerUS , 1946 koochienounthe vagina, 2001 kooknoun1a mentally disturbed personUS , 1922.2an
Trang 1knuckleheadnouna fool, an idiotUS , 1942
knuckle junctionnounfisticuffsUS , 1994
knuckle merchantnouna fist-fighter, a rough and ready brawlerUK ,
2000
knuckle sandwichnouna punch in the mouthUS , 1955
knuckle shufflenounan act of male masturbationUS , 2000
knuckle-shuffleverbto masturbateUK , 2002
knuckles on the groundnounan illustrative quality ascribed to a
person of low intellect and primitive appearanceUK , 1975
knuckle upverbto fightUS , 1968
knucksnounknuckles; brass knucklesUS , 1858
knucks-inadjectivedoing well From marbles, where the term is
used of a player whose aim is trueTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1987
KO; kayonounin boxing, a knock-outUS , 1911
KOverbto knock-out; to destroyUS , 1921
KOadjective exhausted An initialism of ‘knocked-out’; used by black
urban youthsUK , 2004
Kodaknounpolice radar used for measuring vehicle speedUS , 1976
Kodak couragenouna brief burst of fearlessness encountered when
being photographedUS , 1997
Kodak momentnouna clichéd moment or event From a series of
Kodak advertisements, urging consumers to take pictures at ‘Kodak
moments’US , 1991
Kodak poisoning; Kodak-Fuji poisoningnounan imaginary
ailment contracted by the subjects of (over-?)enthusiastic
photographers Jocular; based on the names of major film
manufacturers Kodak and FujiANTARCTICA , 1983
’koff!(jocular) don’t be stupid!; (serious) go away! Phonetic
abbrevi-ation of ‘fuck off!’UK , 1999
koffiemoffienouna non-white, non-black homosexual male; an air
steward on South African Airways Elaborations ofMOFFIE(a
homo-sexual male), rhymed with ‘coffee’, in the first instance for a
colour tone, in the second as a humorous reference to the
steward’s duties Gay slang originating among Cape coloureds
SOUTH AFRICA , 2000
Kojaknoun1a blue flashing lamp that is temporarily attached (by
magnets) to the roof of an unmarked police car Named after the
US television police drama Kojak, first shown in the UK on BBC
television in 1974, and by which the UK police and public were
first made aware of this new crime-fighting toolUK , 1999.2in hold
’em poker, a king and a jack as the first two cards dealt to a player
The sound of ‘king-jack’ suggests the name of this popular police
television programme (1973–78) starring Telly SavalasUS , 1981.
< the Kojaka totally depilated pubic mound After the
eponymous bald-headed detectiveUK , 2002
Kojak’s moneyboxnounthe penis Kojak, a television detective of
the 1970s, was played by bald-headed actor Telly Savalas, 1924–94;
thus this unsettling image of a bald head with a slot for coinsUK ,
2003
Kojak with a Kodaknouna police officer operating a radar camera;
police radar Combines television detective series Kojak (1973–78)
with the corporate identity of a leading camera and film
manufacturerUS , 1976
kokomonouncrack cocaine Plays phonetically on ‘coke’ in the
same way as the earlier sense as ‘cocaine user’UK , 1998 8see:
COKOMO JOE
kongnouncheap and potent alcoholic drink An abbreviation ofKING
KONG US , 1945
koochnouna sexually suggestive dance move by a female dancerUS ,
1946
koochienounthe vagina, 2001
kooknoun1a mentally disturbed personUS , 1922.2an unskilled
novice surfer or snowboarderUS , 1961.3in television and
film-making, a light screen designed to cast shadowsUS , 1990
kook box
kook cordnouna line that attaches a surfer’s ankle to his surfboard
US , 1991
kookynounin drag racing and hot rodding, a bobtail roadster (with a short rear overhang)US , 1965
kookyadjectiveeccentric, if not crazyUS , 1959
Kool and the Gangadjectiveunemotional and relaxed, calm, imperturbable; excellent, admirable, wonderfulIRELAND , 2003
Koolsnouncigarettes made with tobacco mixed with marijuanaUS , 1990
kooratznouna socially inept personCANADA , 1994
koreanounanal sexFIJI , 1984
Korean forkliftnounan A-frame backpack used by Koreans to carry large and heavy objects Korean war usageUS , 1982
koshadjectiveacceptable, agreeable An abbreviation ofKOSHER US , 1994
kosherverbto give the appearance or effect of being fair, honest or legalUK , 1962
kosheradjective1Jewish Offensive, a figurative application of the Jewish dietUS , 1972.2fair, square, proper, satisfactory Yiddish, technically meaning ‘fit to eat’ (ritually clean in keeping with religious dietary laws) Brought into English slang originally in the East End of LondonUK , 1896.3in homosexual usage, circumcised
US , 1987
Kosher Canyonnicknamea neighbourhood dominated by Jewish people The most famous is the Fairfax neighbourhood in Los AngelesUS , 1975
koutchie; cutchie; kouchie; couchienouna pipe for the smoking
of marijuana Celebrated in song by the Mighty Diamonds ‘Pass the Koutchie’ This in turn inspired Musical Youth’s UK hit ‘Pass the Dutchie’: the name was presumably changed so that the BBC censors would miss any reference to drugsJAMAICA , 1975
K-potnounthe standard US Army helmetUS , 1990
krabnounin caving, pot-holing and mountaineering, a karabiner (a coupling device) A colloquial abbreviation, noted in current use
UK , 1963
krautnoun1a German From the German dish sauerkraut; not
necessarily disparagingUS , 1841.2the German languageUS , 1948
krautheadnouna German-American or German immigrantUS , 1928
krautlandnounGermanyUS , 1955
krautrocknounGerman rock musicUK , 1975
kreebleverbto ruin, partially or completelyUS , 1970
Kremlinnoun1Scotland YardUK , 1966.2the headquarters of British RailwaysUK , 1970
kressadjectivecheap, inexpensive From the name of a chain of dime storesUS , 1947
krillsnouncrack cocaineUS , 2000
kronenburgnouna women who looks a lot younger from the front than she does from behind Formed from the ‘1664’ branding used
by Kronenburg™ lager, punning 16 in front and 64 behindUK , 2005
krunouna tightly knit group of close friends A deliberate respelling
ofCREW UK , 2003
krunkused in place of profanity Coined by the writers of Late Nite
with Conan O’Brien in 1994 as ‘America’s newest swear word’ It
enjoyed brief popularityUS , 1994
kryptonitenouncrack cocaine From the fictional mineral that weakens comic book superhero Superman (a native of Planet Krypton)UK , 1998
kudosnounglory, fame, prestige From Greek kyˆdo2 (praise); orig-inally university slang, in widespread use by 1890UK , 1831
kuduffle soupnoun(among Nova Scotians of German descent) a soup of homemade noodles, potatoes, gravy and browned flour
CANADA , 1999
kufnouncocaineUK , 1997
ku klux klannounin poker, three kings From the klan’s initials: KKK
Trang 2kumbanounmarijuanaUK , 1998
kung-fu fighternouna lighter Rhyming slang, based on the popular
song by Jamaican-born Carl DouglasUK , 2002
kunkanounthe vaginaBAHAMAS , 1982
kunkunnounthe vaginaTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003
kushnounin circus and carnival usage, moneyUS , 1981
kushempengnounmarijuanaUK , 2001
kustomadjectivecustomUS , 1965
kutchie; kutchinounmarijuana Derived fromKOUTCHIE(a
marijuana pipe)JAMAICA , 1972
Kuwaiti tankernounused as an all-purpose form of abuse
Rhyming slang forWANKER UK , 1998
kvellverbto overflow with joyful pride YiddishUS , 1967
kvetchverbto complain, gripe, whine Yiddish, used by those who
know only five words of the languageUS , 1950
kwaaiadjective1bad, bad-tempered, aggressive From Afrikaans
kwaad (bad, evil) SOUTH AFRICA , 1955.2used as an expression of approval; great, excellent, cool A reversal of the existing sense on the good-equals-bad formulaSOUTH AFRICA , 1974
K-wobblernouna Kenworth truckUS , 1986
K-wordnounkaffir (a black person, especially a black African); also applied in an adjectival sense Euphemistic for all South African senses, and offensive in all senses, whether abbreviated or used conventionallySOUTH AFRICA , 1982
KYnounany sexual lubricant From the branded name of KY Jelly™
US , 1971
KYnicknamethe federal narcotic treatment hospital in Lexington, KentuckyUS , 1962
kyaw-kyawnounsarcastic laughter Also used as a verbUS , 1946
kybonoun an outdoor toilet From a children’s acronym – ‘keep
your bowels in order’ US , 1972
Trang 3Lnoun1LSDUK , 1969.2marijuana Rap and hip-hop slangUS , 1993.
3elevation A surfer ‘gets L’ when his surfboard soars high into
the air on an aerial moveUS , 1991.< take an Lto lose a game
From the designation in newspapers of ‘wins and losses’ as ‘W’s
and L’s’US , 1999
L-12nounan extremely social outcast The ‘L’ is for ‘loser’, twelve
timesUS , 1993
L7; l-sevennouna staid person who is uninterested in or
unsympathetic to the fashionable interests of teenagers The
shapes of L and 7 can combine to form aSQUARE(a conventional
person) This slang may be entirely gestural in expression: the
forefinger and thumb on each hand extended at right angles, left
(L) and right (7) combining to make the shape of a squareUS , 1956
L8Radverbused in text messaging, to mean ‘later’ One of several
constructions in which a syllable pronounced ‘ate’ is replaced by
the homophone ‘eight’UK , 2003
LAnounany amphetamine or other central nervous system
stimu-lant A shortened form of ‘long-acting’ orLA TURNABOUT US , 1986
LAnicknameLos Angeles, CaliforniaUS , 1901
la; la-lanouna toilet An abbreviated ‘lavatory’NEW ZEALAND , 1998
8see:LAR
labnoun1a laboratory UK , 1895.2a Labrador dog Also variants
‘labbie’ and ‘labby’UK , 1984
labbenounthe vagina Possibly derived from ‘labia’US , 1998
labelnounthe name by which a person is knownUS , 1928
labial contactnouna kiss; kissingUS , 1947
labor skatenouna trade union officialUS , 1930
Labournoun< the Labourthe Labour Exchange, later the Job
Centre (government offices where unemployed persons must
register to search for work as a condition for the receipt of state
benefits)UK , 1964
labour day junkienounsomeone who uses heroin only
occasion-allyIRELAND , 1996
labradoodlenouna crossbreed of labrador and poodleUS , 2001
la buenanoun heroin From Spanish buena (good) UK , 2003
lacnouna CadillacUS , 1990
lacenoun1a combination of marijuana and cocaineUK , 1998.
2moneyUS , 1971
laceverbto have sexual intercourse The female is seen here as a
drink to be ‘laced’ by the male’s semenUS , 1996.< lace up your
bootsto prepare for a fightUS , 1998
lace cardnoun1a computer punch card with all the holes punched
outUS , 1991.2the foreskin of an uncircumcised penisUS , 1941
lace curtainnounbeer Rhyming slang, formed on the name of
Burton, and originally applied only to beers from that breweryUK ,
1961
lace-curtain Irishnounmiddle-class Irish-American or Irish
immigrantsUS , 1934
lace-curtain lesbiannouna lesbian whose mannerisms and
affectations do not suggest her sexual preferenceUS , 1969
lacedadjectivedrug-intoxicated, especially marijuana-intoxicatedUS ,
1988
lace queennouna homosexual who prefers men with
uncircumcised penisesUS , 1988
lace-upnouna shoe or boot that is laced up (as opposed to sandals,
slip-ons, etc)UK , 1887
lackadjectivelacking money, style or both Hawaiian youth usageUS ,
lackerynoun< give them lackerya beatingIRELAND , 1989
ladnoun< bit of a lada young man who is full of self-confidence with which he pursues sensual ambitions An elaboration of ‘lad’
UK , 1960.< one of the ladsa woman, especially a young woman, who is seen to be on equal terms with, or part of a society of, menUK , 2003.< the lad1the penisUK , 2001.2cancer or tuberculosisIRELAND , 1997.< the ladsmale friends, the men of a regular social group, team, etcUK , 1896
laddernounthe main track in a railway yardUS , 1946
laddienounin a deck of playing cards, a jackUS , 1988
laddishadjectiveused, often disapprovingly, of the lively behaviour of young men responding to those things (alcohol, sport, sex) that appeal to themUK , 1841
laddishnessnounthe lively behaviour of young men responding to those things (alcohol, sport, sex) that appeal to themUK , 1886
laddonouna spirited youth, a bit of a lad Slightly patronising
IRELAND , 1870
ladeeznounladies, often as a form of address Most often in the phrase ‘ladeez and germs’ (ladies and gentlemen)UK , 1995
ladettenouna young woman characterised by her behaviour and positive involvement in activites (drinking, swearing, sport, etc) stereotypically enjoyed by malesUK , 1995
la di danoun the Daily Star newspaper Rhyming slang UK , 1998
la-di-da; la-di-dahverbto behave in an affectedly cultured manner, when noted from a lower social stationUK , 1964
la-di-da; la-di-dahadjectivepertaining to the affectedly cultured speech and manners of the upper-classes, especially when noted from a lower social station; hence, pretentious Jocular or pejorative usageUS , 1890
la-di-dah; lardy; la-di-danouna cigar Rhyming slang, cleverly echoing theLA-DI-DAHstatus of a cigar smokerUK , 1991
ladies’ aidnounin pool, a device used to support the cue stick for a hard-to-reach shot As the terminology suggests, the device is scorned by skilled playersUS , 1990
ladies a plate, gents a crateused in party invitations to request female guests to bring a dish of food and male guests to bring something to drinkNEW ZEALAND , 1984
ladies’ delightnounthe penisUK , 2003
ladies’ mannouna man who pays great attention to women; a womaniserAUSTRALIA , 1901
lads-magnouna commercial publication that targets young men with aspirational features on hedonistic lifestyles and, in particular, pictures of semi-naked young womenUK , 2000
ladynoun1a prostituteUS , 1972.2a homosexual man An example of
CAMPtrans-gender assignmentUK , 1932.3in a deck of playing cards,
a queenUS , 1900.4cocaineUS , 1974
ladyadjectiveeffeminate Recorded in contemporary gay useUK , 2003
ladybitsnounthe female genitalsUK , 2003
Lady Blameynouna drinking glass made by cutting the top off a bottle using a kerosene-soaked string Taught to the troops by Lady Blamey, the wife of Sir Thomas Blamey, commander of Allied Land Forces in the south-west PacificAUSTRALIA , 1945
ladyboynouna person with mixed sexual physiology, usually the genitals of a male and surgically augmented breasts; a pre-surgery transsexual or a transvestite A term used most often in associ-ation with the sex industry in Bangkok, Thailand The first widespread use of the term was in association with a television
Trang 4lady cainenouncocaine A compound ofLADY(cocaine) andCAINE
(cocaine)UK , 1998
lady come backnouna type of bet in an illegal numbers game
lotteryUS , 1957
lady five fingersnouna boy’s or man’s hand in the context of
masturbation; masturbationUS , 1969
lady from Bristolnouna pistol Rhyming slangUK , 1968
Lady Godiva; godiva; ladynouna five-pound note or the sum of
£5 Rhyming slang for aFIVER; an appropriately financial allusion to
the C11 English noblewoman who rode naked through Coventry to
protest against taxes – according to the legend which arose in the
C13UK , 1960
lady in the red dressnounthe bleed period of the menstrual
cycle An elaboration on red imagery stressing the feminine nature
of the termUS , 1999
lady in waitingnounin male homosexual usage, a man who loiters
in or near public toilets in the hope of sexual encountersUS , 1981
Lady Janenouna common-law wife or girlfriendCANADA , 1987
ladykillernouna man who is sexually fascinating to womenUK , 1811
lady lucknoungood fortune personifiedUK , 1205
Lady Mucknouna woman who is, in the speaker’s opinion,
unjustifiably self-important or esteemed The counterpart toLORD
MUCK UK , 1957
lady of the nightnouna prostituteUK , 1925
Lady SnownouncocaineUS , 1967
lady’s waistnouna small, waisted glass for serving alcoholic drinks
AUSTRALIA , 1934
Lafayettenouna bet Rhyming slangAUSTRALIA , 1989
laffnouna laughUK , 1962
laffverbto laughUK , 1997
laffmeisternouna comedian A combination ofLAFF(a laugh) and
German meister (a master, a champion) UK , 2002
lagnoun1a convict who has been imprisoned for many yearsUK ,
1812.2an act of urination A survival from the obsolete verb form
UK , 1979
lagverb1to inform against a personAUSTRALIA , 1832.2to arrestUK ,
1835.3to be serving a prison sentence Originally, ‘to be
transported for a crime’UK , 1927.4to urinate From an earlier sense
as ‘water’ A variant spelling is ‘lage’UK , 2002
lagenouna convict A variation ofLAG UK , 2002
lager loutnouna hooligan fuelled by alcohol, especially lagerUK , 1987
laggedadjective1exhausted, especially from travelling An
abbrevi-ation of conventional ‘jet lagged’ (suffering disrupted body
rhythms as a result of flying across time zones), from ‘lag’ (to fail
to keep pace)UK , 1999.2drunk Also ‘lagged up’UK , 2000
laggernoun1a contact man in a smuggling enterpriseUS , 1956.2an
informer to the police or authoritiesAUSTRALIA , 1967
laggingnouna prison sentenceUK , 1812
lagging boatnouna drunkUK , 2000
LA glassnouna smokeable methamphetamine that does not
dissolve rapidlyUS , 1989
LahnounLos Angeles, California Rarely heard, and then in northern
California and derisivelyUS , 1978
lahdee; lahdieadjectivesmart or fashionable FromLA-DI-DA
(pretentious)UK , 1973
lah-di-dah; lah-dinouna famous entertainer, a star Rhyming slang
UK , 1979
laid-backadjectiverelaxed, passive, easy-goingUS , 1969
laid in the aisleadjectivevery well dressedUS , 1971
laid outadjectivedrunk to the point of passing outUS , 1928
laid, relayed and parlayedadjectivethoroughly taken advantage of
There are multiple variants of the third element – ‘waylaid’,
lairnouna person who dresses and behaves in a showy manner Back-formation fromLAIRY A term of great contemptAUSTRALIA , 1923
lairverbto behave in a showy, ostentatious way; to be a lair
AUSTRALIA , 1928
lairiseverbto behave in a showy, ostentatious way; to be a lair
AUSTRALIA , 1945
lairy; lary; lareyadjectiveshowy, ostentatious, attention-seeking
AUSTRALIA , 1898
lakanukinouna prolonged period of sexual abstinence An imitation pidgin ‘lack ofNOOKIE’US , 1944
lakbay divanoun a dark leafed marijuana Diva is ‘goddess’ in Latin;
‘lacbay’ is Pig Latin forBLACK; this marijuana is a ‘black goddess’
UK , 1998
Lake AcidnicknameLake Placid, New York Coined during a concert stop by the Grateful Dead in 1983US , 1983
Lake Atlanticnicknamethe Atlantic Ocean on the Florida coast A tribute to the flat surf conditions found in summerUS , 1991
lake pipesnounin hot rodding, straight exhaust pipes, originally designed for speed runs on dry lake bedsUS , 1963
lakes of Killarney; lakes; lakie; lakeyadjective1mad, crazy; stupid Imperfect rhyming slang forBARMY, formed on a feature of
Irish geographyUK , 1934.2sly, two-faced Rhyming slang, on obsolete slang word ‘carney’ (sly, two-faced)UK , 1992
lakesternounin hot rodding, a car with a streamlined body and exposed wheels, designed for racing on dry lake bedsUS , 1993
la-lanouna toiletAUSTRALIA , 1963
lalanounthe vaginaBAHAMAS , 1982
La-La LandnounLos Angeles, CaliforniaUS , 1972
lalapaloozenounin poker, a hand that entitles the player to special payment from all other playersUS , 1988
laldynoun< give it laldyto do something enthusiastically, or with great vigour Glasgow slangUK: SCOTLAND , 1985.< give someone laldyto beat or thrash someone Glasgow slangUK: SCOTLAND , 1985
lally; lallie; lall; lallette; lyle; lally-pegnounthe leg Polari; usually in the pluralUK , 1967
lally-coversnountrousers Polari, fromLALLY(the leg)UK , 2002
lally-dragsnountrousers Polari; a combination ofLALLY(the leg) and
DRAG(clothing)UK , 2002
lamnoun1in cheating schemes, a victim The victims are like
‘lambs to slaughter’ (easily duped)UK , 1668.2a young, innocent-looking male prisoner recently arrived at prison, identified as an easy sexual conquest by the population of sexual predatorsUS , 1922.
< on the lamrunning away; trying to escapeUS , 1928.< take it
on the lamto escape, to run awayUS , 1990
lamverbto escape, especially from prisonUS , 1886
lamb-brainedadjectivefoolishNEW ZEALAND , 1998
lamb downverbto defraud a worker out of their entire end-of-season pay packet by keeping them drunk until it is all spent Now historicalAUSTRALIA , 1850
Lambeth Walknounchalk Rhyming slang, used by snooker and pool playersUK , 1992
lambsbreadnounmarijuana from Jamaica, with especially large budsJAMAICA , 2002
lamb’s tonguenouna five-dollar noteUS , 1950
lamenouna naive, conventional, law-abiding personUS , 1960
lameadjective1unfashionable, weak, unspiritedUS , 1935.2short of moneyUS , 1988
lamebrainnouna fool, an idiotUS , 1919
lame-brainedadjectivestupidUS , 1929
lame ducknoun1a person or organisation that is handicapped or disadvantagedUK , 1761.2an act of sexual intercourse Rhyming slang forFUCK UK , 2003
lamed-vovnik
Trang 5lame-onouna fool, an idiot The suffix ‘-o’ is used here to create a
noun from an adjectiveUS , 1977
lamernounan uninformed Internet user who passes himself off as
an expertUS , 1997
lame rapnounan unfounded arrestUS , 1971
lame stainnouna completely inept, despised personUS , 1997
lamingtonnouna type of small, oblong sponge cake covered with
chocolate and desiccated coconut Probably named after Lord
Lamington, governor of Queensland 1895–1901AUSTRALIA , 1909
lamisternouna fugitive from justiceUS , 1955
lammienouna lamingtonAUSTRALIA , 1998
lammonouna lamingtonAUSTRALIA , 1987
lamonouna person lacking fashion sense and social skillsUS , 1993
lam offverbto escape, to run away An elaboration ofLAM UK , 2003
lamornoun a kiss Possibly from French l’amour (love) UK , 2002
lampnoun1the eye Usually used in the pluralUK , 1811.2a lookUS ,
1926
lampverb1to lookUS , 1907.2to hit, to beatUK , 1954.3to pass time
idly, without purposeUS , 1988
lampedadjectivedrunkUK , 2002
lampersnounthe eyesUS , 1973
lamp habitnounan opium addictionUS , 1949
lamp mannounan electrician, especially in the theatreUS , 1952
lampsnounfemale breastsIRELAND , 1993
lamsternouna fugitive from justice or retributionUS , 1904
lance-comicalnouna lance corporalUK , 1995
lance jacknouna lance corporal Army slangUK , 1912
Lancy; Lankynouna Lancashire – hence, loosely, also a Yorkshire –
employee on the railwaysUK , 1970
landnoun1a frightIRELAND , 1992.2a neighbourhoodUS , 1989.< on
the landmaking a living by farming or other rural occupation
AUSTRALIA , 1902
landverbto succeed in gettingUK , 1854
land icingnounmanure Variant ‘land dressing’ is a term for the
same thingCANADA , 1992
Landienouna Land Rover vehicleAUSTRALIA , 1992
landing decknounthe top of the headUS , 1947
landing gearnoun1the legsUS , 1941.2on an articulated lorry, the
supports that prop up the trailer when it is unhitchedUS , 1971
landing stripnouna woman’s pubic hair trimmed into the shape
of a narrow vertical bar A visual comparisonUS , 2000
landladynouna brothel madameUS , 1879
land linenouna conventional telephone line, as distinguished from
a mobile phone or radioUS , 1987
land of cakesnoun(from the perspective of people on Nova Scotia
islands) the mainlandCANADA , 1984
land of hopenounsoap Rhyming slangUK , 1961
land of the big PXnounthe United States The US seen in its
commercial glory as one big PX (supermarket/department store)
From VietnamUS , 1968
land sharknouna person made wealthy by speculating in land
AUSTRALIA , 1836
land withverbto impose an onerous duty or unwelcome burden on
someoneUK , 1984
lane; lain; lainenouna sucker, a gullible victimUS , 1933
lane lousenouna driver who appears oblivious to traffic lanesUS ,
1962
lang < on the langplaying truantIRELAND , 1998
langarnounthe penis, also used figuratively as a foolIRELAND , 2002
langerated
langered; langersadjective drunk From Scottish langer (weariness);
ultimately conventional English ‘langour’IRELAND , 1982
languagenounbad language, swearing, obscene speechUK , 1886
Language of the Gardennounin Cape Breton, GaelicCANADA , 2000
languidadjectiveutterly relaxedUS , 1987
Lankynouna native of LancashireUK , 1972 8see:LANCY
Lankyadjectiveof LancashireUK: ENGLAND , 1972
Lao greennouna greenish marijuana grown in Southeast Asia, smoked by US troops in VietnamUS , 1991
Laotian rednouna reddish marijuana, purported to have been grown in LaosUS , 1990
lap dancenounan intimate sexual performance, involving some degree of physical contact between a female performer and a sitting maleUS , 1988
lap danceverbto engage in a sexual performance in which a woman dancer, scantily clad if at all, grinds her buttocks into a sitting male customer’s lapUS , 1993
lap dancernouna woman who performs lap dances in a sex club
US , 1985
La Perousenounalcoholic drink Rhyming slang forBOOZE; from the
name of a Sydney suburbAUSTRALIA , 1981
lap jobnounan act of oral sex on a womanUS , 1969
lappernounthe handUK , 2002
lappynounin Queensland, a circuit of a street block in a vehicle done, especially repeatedly, for entertainmentAUSTRALIA , 2003
lap up; lap it upverb1to enjoy receiving flattery; to enthusiastically enjoy any distraction or entertainmentUK , 1890.2to approve of and enjoyUK , 1890
lar; lah; lanounused to address a companion or friend Mainly Liverpool useUK , 1982
larcenyverbto manipulate through insincere flatteryUS , 1960
lardnounmoneyUK , 1954
lard-ass; lard-arsenounan overweight personUS , 1918
lard-assed; lard-arsedadjectivefat; in the manner of a fat person
US , 1967
lard-buttnouna fat person A variation ofLARD-ASS/ARSE(a fat person); literallyFAT ASS US , 1968
lard headnouna fool Conventional ‘lard’ is a soft white fat, hence the usage here asFATHEAD US , 1936
lardy-arsedadjectiveblessed with a fat bottom A variation of LARD-ASSED; combines conventional ‘lard’ (a cooking fat) with ‘arse’ (the
bottom)UK , 1999
larfnounnonsense, rubbishUS , 1966
Largactil shufflenounthe stumbling walk of a heavily sedated
prisoner Largactil™ is a brand name for chlorpromazine, an
anti-psychotic drugUK , 1996
largenounin betting, the largest wagering unitAUSTRALIA , 1989.
< give it the largeto boast, to bragUK , 2001
largeverbto live an extreme and hedonistic lifestyle to its fullest extentUK , 2001
largeadjective1famous, successfulUS , 2001.2enthusiasticUS , 1967.
3very enjoyable, wonderfulUS , 1874.< have it large; give it large; have itto enjoy in a very enthusiastic or excessive fashion
UK , 1999
largeadverbimpressively, (of a lifestyle) in an excessive, successful, comfortable or self-indulgent mannerUS , 1883
large chargenouna big thrillUS , 1951
large chest for sale; large chest for sale – no drawersused
by prostitutes as an advertising slogan A punning euphemism, certainly familiar from shopwindow postcards in the 1970sUK , 2001
large one; largenounone thousand US dollars; one thousand pounds sterlingUS , 1972
large-type extreme
Trang 6larknoun1a light-hearted adventure, a spreeUK , 1802.2a line of work
UK , 1934
larkverbto be criminally active Puns on the senses ‘a line of work’
and ‘behaving mischievously’UK , 1958
lark about; lark aroundverbto have fun by behaving foolishly or
mischievouslyUK , 1813
Larkinnoun< down to Larkin; for Larkinfree, gratis Possibly
fromLARKING(theft)UK , 1977
larkingnountheftUK , 1958
larmernounan alarmistBARBADOS , 1965
larney; lanienouna white man; a boss (it is possible to be both at
once) DerogatorySOUTH AFRICA , 1956
laroped; larruptadjectivedrunk Derives fromLARRUP(to thrash)UK ,
2002
larp; larpingnounthe adult activity of recreating fantasy, generally
quasi-mediaeval, adventures, such as those depicted in Tolkein’s
Lord of the Rings trilogy, usually performed with more enthusiasm
than skill or accuracy An acronym of ‘live-action role-play’ or
‘role-playing’ that first appeared in the early 1990s UK , 2003
larpernoun a live-action role-player From LARP UK , 2003
larrikinnoun1a trouble-making youth, usually a male; a thug or
tough From British dialect, recorded in Warwickshire and
Worcestershire; originally a term of the greatest contempt and the
youths so labelled were the subject of much C19 media hype
Journalist Nat Gould described them (1898) as ‘hideous-looking
fellows, whose features bear traces of unmistakable indulgence in
every loathsome vice’ The amelioration of the term relies on the
difference between a ‘healthy’ disregard for authority and social
convention and an ‘unhealthy’ oneAUSTRALIA , 1868.2a fun-loving,
good-natured mischief-maker; a scallywag Seen as typically
Australian and much romanticised in literature, as C.J Dennis’
character, the Sentimental Bloke Now the prevailing sense
AUSTRALIA , 1891
larrikinadjectiveof or befitting a larrikinAUSTRALIA , 1979
larrikinismnoun1delinquent behaviourAUSTRALIA , 1870.2
good-hearted playfulnessAUSTRALIA , 1987
larrupverbto beat, to thrash, to hit vigorouslyUK , 1823
larrupingnouna thrashing FromLARRUP(to beat)UK , 1889
larrynoun1in a card game, the player who has the last chance to
act in a given situationUS , 1950.2in carnival usage, an unprofitable
day or engagementUS , 1966.< doing a Larryworking as a locum
tenens, a (temporary) substitute in a professional medical position
UK , 2002
Larryadjectivein circus and carnival usage, worthlessUS , 1939
Larry Cadotanouna worthless novelty sold in the circus or carnival
US , 1980
larry-dooleynouna beating; a hiding Origin unknown There is
possibly a connection with a boxer named Larry Foley (1890s), but
this seems hardly creditableAUSTRALIA , 1946
larval stagenounthe initial burst of enthusiastic and single-minded
focus experienced by computer enthusiastsUS , 1991
laseverbto print a document on a laser printerUS , 1991
lashnoun1an attempt; a try-out; a go From the earlier sense (a
fight; fighting) Often in such phrases as ‘have a lash at’, ‘give it a
lash’, etcAUSTRALIA , 1840.2an act of urinationUK , 2001.< on the
lashenagaged in a hedonistic, alcohol-inspired quest for pleasure
UK , 2002
lashverbto dispose of Extends the sense ofLASH(an act of
urination)UK , 2001.< lash intoto do something in a vigorous
manner From Irish dialectIRELAND , 2003
lashed; lashed upadjectivedrunk Possibly fromLASH-UP(a party) or
directly fromLASH(an act of urination), hence a variation ofPISSED
UK , 1999
lashernouna female whose only appeal is sexualIRELAND , 2003
lashings plenty
lash-upnoun1a heavy drinking sessionUK , 2000.2an informal social occasion, especially a partyUK , 1968
lason sa daganounLSD From the initials, but of unknown origin
US , 1977
last callnoundeathUS , 1977
last card in the packnoun1a snack Theatrical rhyming slangUK ,
1960.2dismissal from employment Rhyming slang for ‘sack’; sometimes abbreviated to ‘last card’UK , 1992
last-card Louienounin stud poker, a player who stays in a hand until his last card, improbably hoping for the one card that can produce a winning handUS , 1951
last chancenounthe upper balcony in a cinema favoured by homo-sexualsUS , 1966
lastishnounthe most recently published issue of a single-interest fan magazineUS , 1982
last milenounin prison, the walk from the death cell to the execution chamberUS , 1950
last of the big spenders; last of the big-time spendersnoun
used ironically of a mean person, or ruefully of yourselfAUSTRALIA , 1975
LA stopnouna rolling stop at a traffic signal or stop signUS , 1999
last-outnouna work shift that starts at approximately midnight and ends eight hours laterUS , 1989
last rose of summernouna hospital patient with an ever-melodramatic belief that death is nearUS , 1994
last waltznounthe walk taken by a prisoner condemned to death from the death cell to the execution chamberUS , 1945
last week’s paynounused in horse racing as the epitome of speed
AUSTRALIA , 1989
last year’s fun on wheelsnouna baby in a pramUS , 1976
lat; lats; lat-housenouna latrine Mainly military useUK , 1984
latchnouna railway engine throttleUS , 1977
latchverbto understandUS , 1938
latchiconouna ruffianIRELAND , 2003
latchkeyadjective(of a child) unsupervised at the end of the school day because of working parentsUS , 1944
latch lownounin trucking, a very low gearUS , 1946
lateadjective< late as Ellickproverbially lateBARBADOS , 1965
Late LatenicknameThe Late Late Show, a very popular and long-running television chat-show hosted by Gay ByrneIRELAND , 1995
late-late shownounany television show that airs very late at night
US , 1956
late-nightnoun1a bus ticket found on the street that is still valid Prized by drug addicts desperate to raise funds to buy their next doseUS , 1989.2a party after a partyUS , 2001
late-nighter credit cardnouna length of rubber hose for siphoning petrol out of other people’s carsCANADA , 1989
late night line; late nightnouncocaineUK , 2002
later; laters; lates; later on; lategoodbyeUS , 1954
later for that!I don’t like that idea at all!US , 1987
later for yougoodbyeUS , 1983
later, ’tatergoodbye An embellishedLATER, with the ‘tater’ (potato)
used only for the sake of reduplicationUS , 1978
latexnouna condomUS , 1992
lathernouna condition of excitement; agitation, anxietyUK , 1839
latheredadjectivedrunkUK , 2002
Latinnouna Mexican, Latin American or Spanish-speaking personUS , 1964
latrine Genenouna soldier with a pathological need to be cleanUS , 1946
latrine lipsnouna citizens’ band radio user who employs a
Trang 7latronicused as a farewell A corruption ofLATER ON US , 1991
latsnoun1the latissimus dorsi muscles on the lower back US , 1939.
2skis Used in Michigan’s Upper PeninsulaUS , 2003 8see:LAT
latteadjective pale Italian latte (milk), widely used for a style of milky
coffee, from which this derives – although latteo (milky) would be
more correct Recorded in contemporary gay useUK , 2003
lattie; lattynouna house or a flat PolariUK , 1859
LA turnabout; LA turnaroundnouna long-lasting amphetamine
US , 1970
lauverbto place PolariUK , 1967
laughnoun< a laughsomething funny, something merely
amusing, often used ironicallyUK , 1930
laughverbto be in a favourable positionAUSTRALIA , 1969.< be away
laughingto make a good startNEW ZEALAND , 1964.< laugh all the
way to the bankto be financially successful, especially in the
face of long odds or disapprovalUK , 1984.< laugh like a drainto
laugh noisily; to guffaw Referring to the noisy rushing of water
down a drain or plugholeUK , 1948.< laugh your bollocks offto
laugh uproariouslyUK , 2001.< laugh your nuts offto laugh
uproariously.NUTS(the testicles) punning onNUT(the head), hence
a dubious pun on the more conventional idiom ‘laugh your head
off’UK , 2000.< laugh your tits offto laugh a great dealUK , 1996
laugh and a joke; laughnouna smoke: a cigarette, a cigar, a pipe
or marijuana prepared for smoking Rhyming slangUK , 1880
laugh and scratchverbto inject a drug, especially heroin Derives
from physical reactionsUK , 1998
laughernounin sports, an easy and overwhelming victoryUS , 1961
laughing academynouna mental institutionUS , 1947
laughing boy; laughing girlnounused ironically as the title of a
gloomy-looking personUS , 1940
laughing Buddhanouna variety of LSDUK , 1996
laughing farmnouna mental institutionUS , 1965
laughing gearnounthe mouthNEW ZEALAND , 1964.< wrap your
laughing gear aroundto eatAUSTRALIA , 1962
laughing grassnounmarijuana Derives from the tendency to
laughter experienced by marijuana smokersUS , 1954
laughing jackassnoun a kookaburra, Dalceo novaeguineae; a
well-known Australian bird with a loud laugh-like call Now but a little
used termAUSTRALIA , 1798
laughing potatonouna new, dry potatoCANADA , 1998
laughing-sidesnounelastic-sided bootsAUSTRALIA , 1937
laughing tobacconounmarijuanaUK , 2003
laughing weednounmarijuana Derives from the tendency to
laughter experienced by marijuana smokersUS , 1925 8see also:
GIGGLEWEED
launchnounin drag racing, a quick and powerful startUS , 1993
launching padnoun1a place where LSD is taken Punning both on
PAD(a place) and LSD as ‘travel’US , 1971.2a lavatory seat in a
(moving) train Inspired by the image of an evacuation into space
UK , 1970
launderverbto pass ill-gotten gains through a system of changes
designed to legitimise their statusUK , 1973
laundromatnouna business used to legitimise money gained in
criminal enterprises A play onLAUNDER(to decriminalise money)
UK , 1998
laundrynoun1a business used by organised crime to give illegally
gained money the appearance of legitimacyUS , 1997.2in
homosex-ual usage, a bulge in a man’s crotch Humourous, suggesting that
the bulge is produced by something other than the man’s genitals
US , 1964
laundry queennounin circus and carnival usage, a female dancer
US , 1981
Laura Nordanounlaw and orderAUSTRALIA , 1971
Laurel and Hardynoun1Bacardi™ (a branded white rum)
Laurel (1890–1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892–1957)UK , 1992.2a yardie (a Jamaican gangster) Rhyming slang, based on film comedians Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892–1957)
UK , 2001
lavnoun1a wordUK , 2002.2a lavatory Variant ‘lavvy’ UK , 1913
lavaliersnounthe female breastsUS , 1969
lavenderadjectiveeffeminate, homosexualUS , 1929
lavender fascistnounan uncompromising, politically motivated homosexualUK , 1999
lavvy-divernouna plumber From ‘lavvy’ (a lavatory)UK: SCOTLAND , 1985
lawnoun< have the law on someoneto inform the police about someoneUK , 1800.< the law1the police, the law enforcement authoritiesUS , 1893.2your parents Teen slangUS , 1955
lawverb1to arrestUS , 1935.2to impersonate the police for the purposes of extortionUK , 1956
lawingnounthe act of impersonating a police officer for criminal purposesUK , 1956
lawnnouna woman’s pubic hairUS , 1964
lax upverbto have a laxative effectUK , 1990s
laynoun1an act of sexual intercourseUS , 1928.2a girl or a woman regarded as a sex-partner, usually with a modifying adjective such
as easy, good, great, etcUK , 1635
layverbto have sex Most often heard in the passiveUK , 1800.< lay
a batchto accelerate a car quickly and in so doing to leave rubber marks on the roadUS , 1969.< lay a cableto defecate
AUSTRALIA , 1979.< lay a fartto fartUS , 1951.< lay a logto defecate Extended fromLOG(a turd)UK , 2003.< lay chillyto relax
US , 1981.< lay dead1to remain silentUS , 1976.2to stay in one place; to stay stillUS , 1949.3to idle, to waste time fooling around Vietnam war usageUS , 1991.< lay dogto lie motionless in the jungle Vietnam war reconnaissance patrol usageUS , 1991.< lay down some sparksto accelerate a car suddenly from rest, bringing the car frame or body into contact with the road and producing a shower of sparksUS , 1980.< lay down the lawto dogmatise, especially in an argument; to insist on a mode of behaviourUK , 1762.< lay eggsto drop bombsUS , 1998.< lay heatto fartUS , 1998.< lay in the cutto wait in hidingUS , 1976.
< lay it down1in motorcyle racing, to spin out or fall, causing the motorcyle and the earth to meet; to intentionally throw a motorcyle on its side in the face of an impending accidentUS , 1962.
2to explain the rules of a carnival midway game to a potential customerUS , 1985.< lay it onto inform, to report or explain fully
US , 1975.< lay it on thick; lay it on with a trowel; lay it on
to do something in an excessive mannerUK , 1600.< lay on the ironin motor racing, to move inside another car on a turn, forcing it up and out of the fastest part of the trackUS , 1993.< lay paperto pass counterfeit money or bad chequesUS , 1972.< lay pipe(used of a male) to have sexUS , 1939.< lay the legto seduce or attempt to seduceUS , 1981.< lay the noteto shortchange someoneUS , 1977.< lay the smack downto engage
in a physical fightUS , 1999.< lay trackto lieUS , 1992
layaboutnounan unemployed idlerUK , 1932
lay and payin casino blackjack games, the practice of laying hands down, turning them over, and paying or collecting all bets at once
US , 1980
laybacknouna barbiturate, a central nervous system depressantUS , 1970
lay bearnounin the carnival, a stuffed bear given to a girl by a game operator in return for sexUS , 1985
lay-bynounon the railways, a passing trackUS , 1946
lay dead!wait just a minute! Teen slangUS , 1958
laydeeznounladies Jocular; a phonetic spelling of an overly sincere
or quasi-American pronunciationUK , 2001
laydownnouna gullible customer or buyer; an easy victimUS , 1935
lay downverb1to play in a musical performanceUS , 1943.2to remand in custody