Rhyming slang forMARGE, formed from the name of a comedy double actUK , 1998 little bird; little birdienounan unnamed sourceUK , 1940 little bitnouna prostituteUS , 1976 little black boo
Trang 1limp wristnounan effeminate man, almost always homosexual;
used as a symbol of homosexualityUS , 1950
limpy-go-fetchnouna disabled personUS , 1997
limpy upadjectivedisabledBAHAMAS , 1966
Lincolnnoun1a five-dollar noteUS , 1945.2a five-dollar prostituteUS ,
1965
Lincoln dropnounthe small tray near a shop’s cash till with
pennies which customers may use for making exact paymentsUS ,
1997
Lincoln Tunnelnounin homosexual usage, a loose anus and
rectum Homage to the tunnel connecting New Jersey and
ManhattanUS , 1981
linenoun1a dose of powdered cocaine arranged in a line for
snortingUS , 1973.2a vein, especially in the context of injecting
drugsUS , 1938.3political philosophy An important term of the
New Left in the US, often modified by ‘correct’, a precursor of
pol-itical correctnessUS , 1968.4an assembly line in a factoryUS , 1996.
5collectively, the prostitutes in a brothel who are available for sex
at a given momentUS , 1987.6an attractive femaleAUSTRALIA , 1941.7a
special verbal approach, especially as an introduction to seduction
A chat-up lineUK , 1903.8in the business of dealing with stolen
goods, twice the actual priceUS , 1969.9the area housing a prison’s
general populationUS , 1989.10in sports betting, the points or odds
established by a bookmaker that govern the betUS , 1977.11money
US , 1972 < do a line1to inhale a measured dose of a powdered
drug, especially cocaineUS , 1979.2to make an amorous approach;
to dateAUSTRALIA , 1934 < down the linea psychiatric hospitalNEW
ZEALAND , 1963 < go on lineto become part of a (criminal or
street) gangUK , 2005 < on the lineat risk, at stake, in jeopardyUS ,
1940
line crossernounin the Korean war, a soldier who crossed the main
line of resistance to find and retrieve prisoners of warUS , 1967
line doggynounan infantry soldierUS , 1967
line dutynounin the language surrounding the Grateful Dead, the
hours spent waiting in queue to buy tickets or to enter a concert
venueUS , 1994
line fortyused for expressing the price of twenty dollarsUS , 1946
line jumpernounan enemy spy who sneaks across allied lines
Korean war usageUS , 1957
linemakernounin a sports betting operation, the oddsmakerUS , 1976
linennouna letterUS , 1947
linen draper; linennouna newspaper Rhyming slangUK , 1857
linernouna short promotional statement recorded for a radio
station by a famous artist or personality, professing that they listen
to that stationUS , 2001
linersnouncashUS , 2003
linesnoun1cocaine A multiple ofLINE(a single dose of cocaine);
used in contemporary gay societyUK , 2003.2moneyUS , 1973 < do
linesto use cocaineUS , 2001 < get linesin bodybuilding, to
achieve definition, or well-developed and sculpted musclesUS , 1984
line screwnouna prison guard assigned to a cell blockUS , 1976
line stormnounan equinoctial gale, at the time of the solstice
CANADA , 1960
line swinenouna driver who appears oblivious to traffic lanesUS ,
1962
line-upnoun1serial sex between one person and multiple partners
US , 1913.2the place where waves line up to breakAUSTRALIA , 1963.3a
display of the prostitutes available for sex in a brothel at a given
momentUS , 1978
line upverbto arrangeUS , 1906
line worknounthe addition of fine lines or other markings on the
design of a card to aid a cheatUS , 1979
lingonounslang or another unconventional English language dialect,
jargon or vocabulary Conventional ‘lingo’ (since 1660) is ‘a
linguistnouna person who enjoys performing oral sex Leading, inevitably, to cunning punsUS , 1967
linguistic exercisenounoral sexUS , 1964
lingynounthe penisBAHAMAS , 1982
linknouna police officer, prosecutor or judge who has been bribed
US , 1964 < the linka person who provides what is needed at a particular moment From the conventional ‘missing link’US , 1986
linkedadjective1dating (someone) steadily and exclusivelyUS , 1966.
2bribedUS , 1964
Link the Chinknounany Vietnamese person War usageUS , 1971
lionnoun1a greatly respected or revered Rastafarian; a great soul
JAMAICA , 1994.2in pool, a skilled and competitive playerUS , 1990
Lionel Bart; Lionelnouna fart Rhyming slang from the name of the English composer (1930–99)UK , 1985
Lionel Blairnouna chair Rhyming slang, based on the name of UK dancer and entertainer Lionel Blair (b.1931)UK , 1979
Lionel Blairs; lionelsnounflares (trousers with flared legs) Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the UK dancer and entertainer (b.1931)UK , 1992
lion foodnounmiddle management From a joke, the punch-line of which features a lion boasting of eating one IBM manager a day and nobody noticingUS , 1991
lion’s lairnouna chairUK , 1992
lion’s roarnounsnoring Rhyming slangUK , 1992
lion’s roarverbto snore Rhyming slangUK , 1992
lion’s sharenouna chair Rhyming slangUK , 1992
lipnoun1impudence; talking backUK , 1803.2a lawyer, especially a criminal defence lawyer From the image of a lawyer as a mouthpieceUS , 1929.3in the car sales business, a potential buyer
US , 1997
lipverb1in horse racing, to win by the slightest of marginsAUSTRALIA ,
1989.2to kissUS , 1947
lip inverbto interruptUS , 1899
lip itverbto stop talkingUK , 1999
lipkissernouna regular practitioner of oral sex on womenUS , 1985
lip-locknounoral sex performed on a manUS , 1976
lip musicnounbragging, boasting, teasingUS , 1992
liponounliposuction, a surgical procedure for the cosmetic removal
of fat By ellipsisUK , 1992
lippernouna pinch of chewing tobaccoUS , 1997
lippie; lippynounlipstickAUSTRALIA , 1955
lippyadjectiveimpudent, impertinent; talkative FromLIP
(impudence) With an 1803 UK usage of ‘lip’ as ‘back-chat’, the likelihood of an earlier adjective sense is highUS , 1865
lip readverbto kiss An inspired use of a conventional senseUK , 1974
lipsnoun< your lips are bleeding!used sarcastically to someone using big words JuvenileAUSTRALIA , 1953
lips!used as a cry to summon a makeup artist to apply more lipstick to a performerUS , 1995
lip servicenounoral sexUS , 1975
lipsin’nounthe act of kissing, snogging Teenage slangUK , 2002
lip-sloppyadjectivetalkative to a faultUS , 1962
lip spinachnouna moustacheUS , 1972
lipsticknoun1in the new and used car business, purely cosmetic touchesUS , 1959.2a grease pencil Used by first aid workers to note tourniquet time on an injured personUS , 1962 < lipstick on your dipstickoral sex performed on a manUS , 1970
lipstick lesbian; lipsticknouna feminine, stylish, upwardly mobile lesbianUS , 1984
Lipton’snounpoor quality marijuana An allusion to a popular, if weak, teaUS , 1964
lip up!stop talking!; say nothing! A variation ofBUTTON YOUR LIP! UK ,
Trang 2lip worknounoral sex on a womanUS , 1967
LIQnounan off-licence (liquor store)US , 1970
liquidnounmoney, cash Abbreviated from ‘liquid assets’UK , 1997
liquid coshnounany tranquillizer or sedative used by prison
auth-orities to subdue an inmateUK , 1996
liquid couragenounthe bravado produced by alcoholUS , 1942
liquid dietnounused humorously for describing a period when
someone is drinking a lot of alcoholUS , 1991
liquid ecstasy; liquid enounthe recreational drug GHBUS , 1993
liquid gold; LGnounamyl or butyl nitrate From the appearance
and brand nameUK , 1996
liquid grassnountetrahydrocannabinol, the purified pyschoactive
extract of marijuanaUS , 1971
liquid laughnounvomitingAUSTRALIA , 1964
liquid lunchnounalcohol but no food for lunchUS , 1963
liquid skynounheroinUS , 1987
liquid sunshinenounrainUK , 1970
liquid wrenchnounalcohol Like a wrench, alcohol will loosen
thingsUS , 1996
liquid Xnounthe recreational drug GHBUK , 1993
liquored upadjectivedrunk Current use in South CarolinaUS , 1924
liquorheadnouna drunkardUS , 1923
Lisanouna perfect, idealised girlfriendUS , 1993
listenernouna person whose only role in conversation is to listen
and verify what was saidUS , 1982
listen up!used for commanding attention Almost always heard in
the imperativeUS , 1962
Listerineadjectiveanti-American The name of a branded antiseptic
applied as a punning extension of rhyming slang forSEPTIC TANK
(an American)UK , 2003
litadjectivedrunkUS , 1899
-litsuffixliterature, when in combination with a defining styleUK , 2001
lit critnoun literary criticism UK , 2003
lite; -liteadjectivedenotes a less substantial version of an original In
widespread use; a re-spelling of ‘light’, devised as a commercial
strategy to sustain a brand name while advertising that the
product’s less marketable ingredients (sugar, nicotine, etc.) have
been reducedUS , 1962
literallyadverbused as an intensifier In colloquial use this is
gener-ally employed inaccurately or hyperbolicgener-allyUK , 1937
litterbugnouna person who drops litterUS , 1947
litter loutnouna person who drops litterUK , 1927
Little and Largenounmargarine Rhyming slang forMARGE, formed
from the name of a comedy double actUK , 1998
little bird; little birdienounan unnamed sourceUK , 1940
little bitnouna prostituteUS , 1976
little black booknoun1an address book containing clients’ names
and telephone numbers, especially in an illegal enterpriseUS , 1980.
2a (notional) notebook in which bachelors are reputed to keep
girls’ telephone numbersAUSTRALIA , 1984
little black gunnounthe M-16 rifle Vietnam war usageUS , 1968
little blisternouna younger sister Rhyming slangAUSTRALIA , 1996
little bluesnouncapsules of the synthetic opiate oxycodone used
recreationallyUS , 2003
little bombnoun1an amphetamine capsule or tablet Possibly a
direct translation of SpanishBOMBITA(an amphetamine capsule)UK ,
1998.2heroinUK , 1998
little boynouna small, cocktail frankfurter sausageNEW ZEALAND , 1984
little boy bluenouna prison officer Rhyming slang forSCREW UK ,
1992
little boys’ roomnouna toilet, especially one for men Juvenile and
little brown jugnoun a sink or bath plug, an electric plug; a
tampon Rhyming slangUK , 1992
little BushnounUS President George W BushUS , 2003
little casinonounin a deck of playing cards, the two of spadesUS , 1988
little catnounin poker, a hand comprised of five cards between three and eight and no pairs among themUS , 1963
little Dnouna tablet of hydromorphone (trade name Dialudid™), a narcotic analgesicUS , 1986
little deathnounan orgasm Often in the verb phrase ‘have a little death’ From the French petite mortUK , 1959
Little DetroitnicknameVan Dien, North Vietnam Like Detroit, Van Dien was highly industrialisedUS , 1991
little Dick; little Dick Fishernounin craps, a fourUS , 1957
little dognounin poker, a hand comprised of five cards between two and seven and no pairs among themUS , 1963
little fellanoun1a child (of either gender)UK , 1959.2a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK , 2001
little friendnouna fighter planeUS , 1944
little girls’ roomnouna toilet, especially one for womenUS , 1949
little green friendsnounmarijuana budsUK , 2003
little guy; little man; little peoplenouna Japanese soldier; a Viet Cong or soldier in the North Vietnamese ArmyUS , 1950
little guy with the helmetnounthe penisUS , 2001
little Harlemnouna black ghettoUS , 1951
little helpnouna linear amplifier for a citizens’ band radioUS , 1977
little Hitlernouna self-important person who wields a small amount of official authority with despotic zealUK , 1957
little housenounan outside toiletAUSTRALIA , 1886
Little Italynouna neighbourhood populated by a large number of Italian immigrants and Italian-AmericansUS , 1970
little jobsnounurination by a childAUSTRALIA , 1968
little Joenouna roll of four in craps Often elaborated with a rhyming place name, in the pattern ‘little Joe from Kokomo’ (or Chicago, Idaho, Lake Tahoe, Mexico, Ohio, Tokyo)US , 1890
little Joe in the snownouncocaineUS , 1992
little Judasnounthe sliding door in a confession boxIRELAND , 1995
Little KoreanicknameFort Leonard Wood, Missouri Based on a comparison of the climatesUS , 1968
little ladynounthe wifeAUSTRALIA , 1917
little lunchnouna mid-morning break at schoolAUSTRALIA , 1982
little madam; proper little madamnouna spoilt, conceited or bad-tempered female childUK , 1787
little mannoun1the penisUK , 1998.2a tradesman An upper- or middle-class female’s patronising termUK , 1984 8see:LITTLE GUY
little man in a boat; little man; man in the boat; boy in the boatnounthe clitoris The ‘little man’ or ‘boy’ represent the clitoris as a small penis, and the vulva is imagined to be boat-shapedUK , 1896
little Miss Muffetverbused as an emphatic rejection Rhyming slang for ‘stuff if’, formed from the name of a nursery rhyme characterUK , 1992
Little MonicknameMaureen Connolly (1934–1969), who dominated women’s tennis for several years in the early 1950s until a career-ending accident in 1953 Connolly’s aggressive style was compared
to the Missouri, a battleship with the nickname that she was given
US , 1953
little mugginsnounyour child FromMUGGINS(yourself, as a fool)
UK , 2000
little Nellnoun a door bell Rhyming slang, formed from the name
of a Charles Dickens’ heroineUK , 1992
little office
Trang 3little old lady in tennis shoesnounused as a stereotype of an
energetic, quirky old woman In 1972, Sports Illustrated titled an
article about tennis great Hazel Wightman (1886–1974) ‘The Little
Old Lady in Tennis Shoes’US , 1984
little peternouna gas or electric meter Rhyming slangUK , 1992
little pigsnounsmall sausagesUS , 1946
little ploughmannounthe clitorisUS , 1980
little Rnounduring the Korean and Vietnam wars, rest and
rehabilitation Distinguished from theBIG R(rotation home)US , 1960
littlesnounin pool, the solid-coloured balls numbered 1 to 7US , 1990
little Saigonnicknamea neigbourhood with a large number of
Vietnamese immigrants and businessesUS , 1979
Little Sir Echonouna person who always agrees with his superiors
AUSTRALIA , 1989
little sistersnouna group of US magazines aimed at womenUS , 1986
little smokenounmarijuanaUK , 1998
little thingnouna bulletUK , 2001
little Tokyonounan urban neighbourhood with a high
concen-tration of Japanese peopleUS , 1945
little white mousenouna tampon Used euphemistically in mixed
companyAUSTRALIA , 1996
little womannounthe wife Intentionally archaic, revoltingly coy,
and condescendingUK , 1795
littlie; littleynouna childAUSTRALIA , 1953
littl’unnouna childAUSTRALIA , 1962
lit upadjectivedrunk or drug-intoxicatedUS , 1899
liveverb< live caseoto cohabit for sexual purposes From ‘caseo’
(a brothel, or overnight hire of a prostitute)UK , 1956 < live it up
to have a good time, to enjoy an extravagent lifestyleUS , 1951.
< live largeto enjoy a life full of material pleasuresUS , 1975.
< live on the smell of an oil ragto live on very meagre
meansAUSTRALIA , 1903
liveadjective1(used of the potential customer of a prostitute) eager
to spend moneyUS , 1969.2in horse racing, said of a horse that has
attracted heavy bettingUS , 1975.3extreme, intense, exciting, good
US , 1987.4impressiveUS , 1991
live baitnounone young drug user selling drugs to other young
usersUS , 1951
lived-in looknouna complete messUS , 1968
live gaffnouna premises that is occupied whilst being burgled
Based onGAFF(a place of residence or business)UK , 1956
live gigverbto masturbate; to have sex Rhyming slang forFRIG UK ,
2003
live long and prosperused as a humorous parting From the
orig-inal Star Trek television series US , 1991
livenernoun1a dose of cocaine Abbreviated from conventional
‘enlivener’, ascribing to cocaine the bracing attributes of a
pick-me-up; an earlier (late C19) use was as ‘the first drink of the day’
UK , 1999.2any alcoholic drink that serves as a pick-me-upUK , 1887
live onenouna person worth noticingUS , 1896
liverishadjectivehaving symptoms loosely diagnosed as the result of
a disordered liver Coined for an advertismentUK , 1896
Liverpool kissnoun1a head butt to your opponent’s face A
regional variation of theGLASGOW KISS UK , 1986.2a blow struck on
the mouthUK , 1968
liver roundsnounused in a hospital as humorous code for a
drinking party to be held on hospital groundsUS , 1989
live, spit and dienounLSD An elaboration of the initials.UK , 2003
livewarenoun1a human being A playful evolution of ‘software’
and ‘hardware’UK , 1966.2a living organismUS , 1991
live wirenouna male homosexual Prison slangUK , 2002
living daylights; daylightsverblife; spirit Ultimately from
‘daylights’ (the eyes) but here in the consequent sense, ‘vitality’ or
‘vital organs’
living shit; living crapused in combination with various transitive verbs to intensify the action to a severe level us, 1983
livitynouna vocation or calling in life A Rastafarian termJAMAICA , 1992
livvenernounan alcoholic drink Probably fromLIVENER(a drink that serves as a pick-me-up)UK , 1979
lizardnoun1an uncooperative, dirty hospital patient with scaly skin
US , 1978.2the penisUS , 1962.3a mechanical device used by card cheats to hold cards in the player’s sleeveUS , 1988 < flog the lizard; drain the lizard(of a male) to urinateAUSTRALIA , 1968
lizard hitnounthe last draw on a water pipeUS , 1997
lizardsnounlizard-skin shoesUS , 1980
lizard scorchernouna railway cookUS , 1977
lizzienouna lesbianUK , 1949
Lizzienouna car, especially a Ford A shortened form of ‘Tin Lizzie’ (the US stock market nickname for the Ford Motor Company)US , 1913
LK; LK Clark; Elkie Clarknouna mark; a place and time of starting Rhyming slangUK , 1962
LLnounmarijuana A play on the name of rap artist and film actor
LL Cool J:COOL(agreeble) andJ(aJOINT)UK , 1998
LLDBnounthe special forces of the Army of the Republic of VietnamUS , 1985
llescanoun marijuana From Portugese lhesca (tinder) Similar to
YESCAwhich derives in the same way from SpanishUS , 1970
Lloyd’s Listadjectivedrunk Rhyming slang forPISSED, formed from the title of the newspaper that reports maritime newsUK , 1998
loachnounduring the Vietnam war, a light observation helicopter From the initials LOHUS , 1973
loadnoun1an ejaculation’s worth of semenUS , 1927.3a stock of illegal drugsUK , 1978.425 bags of heroin It is interesting to note that a ‘half load’ adds up to 15 bags (of heroin)US , 1969.5a dose of
a drugUS , 1952.6a codeine pill combined with a Doriden™ sleeping pill, producing an opiate-like effectUS , 1989.7a state of intoxicationUS , 1947.8any sexually transmitted infectionAUSTRALIA ,
1936.9an inept, ludicrous, stupid or unpleasant personUS , 1950.10a carUS , 1937.11fabricated evidenceAUSTRALIA , 1975.12a car in poor conditionUS , 1937 < get a load ofto look at; to observeUS , 1922.
< take a load offto sit downUS , 1922
loadverb1to fabricate evidenceAUSTRALIA , 1975.2to alter (dice); to weight (dice) to score a certain pointUS , 1962
load callnounin a telephone swindle, a repeat call to a recent victimUS , 1985
loadedadjective1drunk or drug-intoxicated The abbreviated vari-ation of a mainly obsolete range of similes beginning ‘loaded to’
US , 1879.2wealthyUS , 1948.3pregnantUS , 1973.4full of the symptoms of a coldUK: SCOTLAND , 1988.5armed with a gunUS , 1952.
6(used of a car) equipped with every possible accessoryUS , 1996
loaded downadjectivepregnantBAHAMAS , 1982
loaded for bear1prepared for an emergency, heavily armed The term arose in the late C19 as a literal description of a weapon loaded with ammunition suitable for killing a bear, and then in the 1950s came to assume a figurative meaning that dominates today
US , 1927.2in trucking, equipped with a citizens’ band radio With
BEARmeaning ‘police’, the trucker with a citizens’ band radio is better prepared to evade speeding ticketsUS , 1976
loadernoun1in American casinos, a blackjack dealer who carelessly exposes his down card while dealingUS , 1985.2an experienced and skilled confidence swindler who makes a second sale to a prior victimUS , 1988
load exchangenounthe passing of semen to its maker, mouth to mouthUS , 1970s
loadienouna drug userUS , 1979
loadiesnoundice loaded with weights that affect the rollUS , 1997
load-innounthe carting in and setting up of equipment before a concert or showUS , 1999
load of cock
Trang 4load of postholesnounin trucking, an empty trailerUS , 1946
load of toffeenounnonsense FromTOFFEE(flattery), but less sweet
UK , 2001
load planenounan aircraft loaded with illegal drugs being smuggled
US , 1992
loadsnoundice that have been altered with weights so as to
produce a certain scoreUS , 1963
loadsaa large amount of something; a great number of something
A slovening of ‘loads of’UK , 1988
load-upnouna false allegationAUSTRALIA , 1996
load upverb(of the police) to plant incriminating evidence in order
to secure a conviction, arrest or the likeAUSTRALIA , 1983
loafnoun1marijuanaUK , 2003.2a one kilogram unit of hashish
CANADA , 2002
loafverbto strike with the headIRELAND , 1991
loafernounin horse racing, a horse that does not perform well
without constant urging by the jockeyUS , 1976
loaf of bread; loafnounthe head, especially as a source of
intelligence Rhyming slangUK , 1925
loannoun< have a loan ofto play a joke on someone; to pull
someone’s legAUSTRALIA , 1902
loanernouna piece of equipment that is loaned out while the
owner’s piece of equipment is being repairedUS , 1926
loan sharknouna person who loans money privately with usurious
interest rates and criminal collection proceduresUK , 1905
loan-sharkingnounusury with severe repayment termsUS , 1914
lobnoun1in prison, wages, the weekly pay received by prisonersUK ,
1950.2a prisoner who displays excessive zeal on his jobUS , 1951.3a
penis Original use as ‘a partially erect penis’ has been replaced to
mean ‘an erect penis’, as used in the phrase ‘to have a lob on’UK ,
1890.4in a gambling establishment, a hanger-on who runs errands
for gamblersUS , 1979.5in horse racing, a horse pulled back by its
jockey to prevent it from finishing first, second or third in a race
US , 1935
lobverb1to throw or chuck; to place roughly; to plonkAUSTRALIA , 1934.
2(of something airborne) to landAUSTRALIA , 1943.3to arrive at a
place; to turn up, especially unexpectedlyAUSTRALIA , 1911.4(of a
racehorse) to win a raceAUSTRALIA , 1988
lobbynouna lobster or freshwater crayfishAUSTRALIA , 1952
lobby lousenouna non-guest who idles in a hotel lobbyUS , 1939
lobe inverbto listenUS , 1973
LOBNHunintelligent Doctor’s shorthand: an initialism ofLIGHTS ON
BUT NOBODY HOME UK , 2003
lobonounmarijuanaUS , 1984
lob-onnounan erection FromLOB(a penis, especially if erect),
hence ‘to have a lob on’ is ‘to have an erection’, from which
‘lob-on’ now stands alone Acceptable for broadcast in a comedy
context by BBC televisionUK , 2001
lobsternoun1a twenty-dollar noteAUSTRALIA , 1992.2in poker, an
unskilled and/or inexperienced playerUS , 1988.3dried nasal mucus
BAHAMAS , 1982.4an unexpected and unwelcome erectionUK , 2004
lobster clawnounin electric line work, a device formally known as
an adjustable insulator forkUS , 1980
lobster copnouna fisheries officerCANADA , 1959
Lobster Ladnouna young male from Prince Edward IslandCANADA ,
1955
lobster shiftnouna work shift starting at midnightUS , 1942
lobster skinnounbadly sunburnt skin Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1982
lob upverbto arriveAUSTRALIA , 1990
localnoun1a resident of a location, contrasted to the visitorUK , 1835.
2a nearby public house; a public house that has your regular
customUK , 1969.3a person who surfs in an area and asserts
territorial privileges thereUS , 1991.4during a massage, hand
stimu-localadjectivepertaining to or representing the essence of Creole cultureTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1983
localismnounan attitude, defiant if not hostile, of local surfers towards visiting surfers at ‘their’ beachUS , 1991
local smokal; local smokelnounlocal police; a police panda car BlendsSMOKEY BEAR(the police) with the model ofLOCAL YOKEL(a foolish country-dweller)US , 1976
local talentnouna pretty femaleUS , 1955
local whitenouna light-skinned person, born in TrinidadTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1956
local yokelnounan indigenous inhabitant of a rural area A slightly contemptuous term, originally used by military personnelUK , 1950
loc’d outadjectivepsychotic from drug useUS , 1993
loced out; loqued outadjectiveexciting, crazyUS , 1995
lochoadjective despicable From the Hindi lchcha (lewd loafer), to the
corrupted Anglo-Indian ‘loocher’TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1989
loci; lokeynouna small locomotive used for hauling logs or coal
CANADA , 1964
locknoun1control; complete controlUS , 1966.2a sure thing, a certaintyUS , 1942.3in poker, a hand that cannot loseUS , 1990.4in bar dice games, a perfect hand that at best can be tiedUS , 1971
lockverbin prison, to reside in a cellUS , 1931 < lock neckto choke
a robbery victim with one arm while rifling through their pockets with the other handTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1959
lock and loadverbto prepare for an imminent confrontation Originally military, and originally ‘load and lock’, then reversed for the sound (perhaps to conform with ‘rock and roll’) and general-isedUS , 1949
lock-downnoun1in prison, a state of security in which all inmates are locked in their cellsUK , 1996.2any situation in which your complete freedom is restricted Like ‘warden’ (girlfriend or wife), jail slang brought homeUS , 1997
lockedadjective1drunkIRELAND , 2002.2drug-intoxicatedUS , 1997.
3tense, stressedUS , 1955
lockernoun1a safe or a locked compartment within a safeUS , 1949.
2a jailUS , 1997
locker roomnoun1amyl or butyl or isobutyl nitrate as a rec-reational drug Popular as a sex-aid in the gay community, the name (possibly deriving from a brand name) reflects the locality of useUS , 1998.2the group of professional wrestlers under contract with a promoter at any given momentUS , 1999
lock-innounan after-hours and behind locked doors drinking session in a public houseUK , 2003
lock-in-a-socknounan improvised prison weapon – a combination lock inside in a sockUS , 1996
lock-mortal cinchnounin betting, the surest possible certaintyUS , 1975
lockpickernounan illegal abortionistUS , 1976
locksnounknotted hair in the Rastafarian fashionJAMAICA , 1976
locksmithnoun1in pool, a betting professional who only plays games that he is sure of winningUS , 1990.2a poker player who only plays excellent handsUS , 1966
lockstepnounan undeviating order; absolute conformity A figurative application of a military style of close-marchingUK , 1955
lockupnoun1a jail or prisonUS , 1839.2in pool, a shot that cannot
be missed or a game that cannot be lostUS , 1990
lock-up lattienouna cell; a jail Polari, formed onLATTIE(a house, a place)UK , 2003
lock-workernouna thief who steals from hotel roomsUS , 1954
loconounmarijuana An abbreviation ofLOCOWEED US , 1982
locoadjectivecrazy From the SpanishUS , 1887 < go locoto smoke (and experience the effects of ) marijuanaUS , 1942
loco-moteverbto drive fastUS , 1976
locoweednounmarijuana Directly from the name given to several
Trang 5which may cause frenzied behaviour in grazing stock; ultimately
from Spanish loco (mad) US , 1930
locs; lokesnounsunglassesUS , 1997
lognoun1a turd From a similarity in appearance to a log of wood;
possibly also from the shared characteristic of an ability to float
Especially in the phrasal verbLAY A LOG(to defecate)US , 1973.2a
marijuana cigaretteUS , 1977.3phencyclidine, the recreational drug
known as PCP or angel dustUK , 1998.4a carton of cigarettesUS , 1991.
5the counter surface in a barUS , 1967.6a bar or tavernUS , 1950.7a
heavy, cumbersome surfboardUS , 1963.8a dullardUS , 1895.
< behind the log(used of a betting style in poker) conservative,
even when winningUS , 1971
LOGadjective without money, low on green US , 1997
log birdnouna logistical supply helicopter, used to bring fresh
supplies and provisions to troops in the fieldUS , 1982
log-floggernouna male masturbatorUK , 2003
loggernounan old, wooden surfboardAUSTRALIA , 1985
logger’s smallpoxnounfacial scars caused by spiked boots
Lumberjacks’ and loggers’ useUS , 1938
logic bombnouncode secretly included in a program that causes a
computer to fail when certain conditions are metUS , 1991
logjamnounconstipationUS , 1991
logornounLSDUK , 2003
logyadjectivelethargic, without energyUS , 1997
loidnouna strip of celluloid, used to force locksUK , 1958
loinernounan inhabitant of Leeds in West YorkshireUK , 1950
loin landlordnouna male homosexualUK , 1983
Loisaidanicknamethe Lower East Side of New York A Spanish
adap-tation of English, borrowed back into EnglishUS , 1981
loked outadjectiveimproved, modified, enhancedUS , 1997
LOLnoun (in doctors’ shorthand) a little old lady Medical slang UK ,
2002
LOLused as Internet shorthand to mean ‘laughing out loud’ US , 1991
lolanouncocaineUS , 1993
Lolitanouna young teenage girl objectified sexually; a girl of any age
up to the legal age of consent who dresses in a manner that is
considered sexually provocative or predatory Generic use of a
proper name, after the sexually aware 12-year-old girl in Vladimir
Nabokov’s controversial 1955 novel Lolita and subsequent films in
1962 and 1998UK , 1959
lollapaloozanounan outstanding example of its type ‘Lollapalooza’
was adopted as the title for an annual series of peripatetic music
festivals that commenced in Phoenix, Arizona in July 1991US , 1896
lollapoloosanounin bar dice games, a roll that produces no points
for the playerUS , 1971
lollipopnoun1a police officer Rhyming slang forCOP A shorter
variant is ‘lolly’UK , 1965.3in cricket, a delivery that is easy to play
AUSTRALIA , 1985.4in trucking, a mile marker at the side of the road
US , 1976.5in sport, a clever or ostentatious trick Rhyming slang on
‘lollipop stick’UK , 2003.6a sugar daddy (an older man who supports
or helps support a young woman) Recorded as being used by
‘shopgirls and typists’UK , 1961.7marijuanaFIJI , 2003
lollipop; lollypop; lolly up; lollyverbto betray to the police
Rhyming slang forSHOP(to inform on)UK , 1933
lollipop artistnouna male homosexualUS , 1977
lollipop stopnouna rest stop on a motorway known as a place
where male homosexuals may be found for sexual encountersUS ,
1985
lollynoun1money From rhyming slang on ‘lollipop’ forDROP(a
bribe)UK , 1943.2a sweetAUSTRALIA , 1854.3the vaginaBAHAMAS , 1982.
4the headAUSTRALIA , 1971 < do your lollyto lose self-restraint in
angerAUSTRALIA , 1951
lollybagsnouna pair of men’s close-fitting and revealing nylon
swimming trunks From the resemblance to a paper bag full of
lollygag; lallygagverb1to kiss; to have sexUS , 1868.2to dawdle, to dallyUS , 1869
lollypopnoun1an attractive young woman seen only in terms of her sexualityUS , 1984.2a shop Rhyming slangUK , 2000
lolly scramblenouna distasteful scramble for a portion of something Lollies are sweets, and a ‘lolly scramble’ was originally
a children’s party activity where guests frantically gathered sweets thrown in the air.NEW ZEALAND , 1984
lolly waternouna soft drinkAUSTRALIA , 1905
lolonounthe penis Children’s vocabularyTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1966
lo-lo; low-lownouna custom-designed low rider carUS , 1997
London taxinounthe buttocks, the anus Rhyming slang forJACKSY
UK , 1992
London to a brickused of something that is an almost certainty Coined by race-caller Ken Howard (1913–76), literally meaning that one can safely make an odds-on bet of the city of London against
aBRICK(the sum of ten pounds)AUSTRALIA , 1965
lonely as a bastard on father’s dayadjectivevery lonelyAUSTRALIA , 1971
Lone Rangernoundanger Never in the sense of ‘peril‘ but rather of
‘a chance’UK , 1992
lonesomenoun< on your lonesomealoneAUSTRALIA , 1902
lone wolfnouna criminal who works aloneUS , 1909
longnouna rifleUK , 1995
longadjective(used of money) a lot ofUS , 1947 < as long as your armvery longUK , 1846
long acrenouna baker Rhyming slangUK , 1857
long and flexyadjectivesexy Rhyming slangUK , 2003
long and shortnounwine Rhyming slangUK , 1992
long breadnouna lot of moneyUS , 1963
long connounan elaborate confidence swindle in which the victim
is initially allowed to profit, and then returns with a large sum of money which he losesUS , 1969
long cutnounthe pervasive desire for sweets experienced by a drug addict withdrawing from drug useUS , 1971
long-day/short-daynounin lobstering, a schedule in which more traps are hauled every other day than on the intervening daysUS , 1978
long dedgeradjective eleven From Italian undici (eleven) UK , 2002
long-dickverbto win a woman away from another; to cuckoldUS , 1994
long drinknouna sustained, lingering, sexually inquisitive lookUS , 1982
long drink of waternouna very tall thin personUS , 1936
long endnouna confidence game in which the victim is sent for his money, as opposed to a confidence game in which the spoils are limited to the amount on the victim’s personUS , 1963
longer and linger; long and lingernouna finger Rhyming slang,
in which, unusually, both nouns are inflected in the plural form:
‘longers and lingers’; ‘longs and lingers’UK , 1961
long eyenounthe vulvaAUSTRALIA , 1988
long-eyeadjectivecovetousTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1956
long firm; LF; LF scamnouna commercial fraud in which a good credit rating is first established and then abusedUK , 1869
long greennouna large amount of moneyUS , 1887
long green linenounan infantry unit marching through the jungle
in single fileUS , 1991
long-gutsnouna tendency to eat too muchGUYANA , 1973
longhairnoun1an intellectualUS , 1919.2a participant in the 1960s countercultureUS , 1969.3classical musicUS , 1951
long-handled underwearnounwarm underwear with long sleeves and legsUS , 1882
longies long underwear
Trang 6long johnnouna sleeveless wet suitUS , 1985
Long Johnnouna 175 mm gunUS , 1991
long johnsnounlong-legged underpantsUS , 1943
long john silvernouna car with one headlight burned outUS , 1976
long jumpnounan act of sexual intercourseUK , 1999
long-mouthadjectiveperpetually hungryGUYANA , 1996
longnecknouna bottle of beer with a long neckUS , 1980
long-nosenounan American or European From the Vietnamese,
adopted by US soldiersUS , 1967
long-nosed Henrynouna Ford Capri car Citizens’ band radio slang,
ascribing the length of the bonnet to Henry Ford’s physiognomy
UK , 1981
long onadjectivehaving a substantial amount of somethingUS , 1913
long onenounone hundred pounds (£100)UK , 1998
long paddocknoungrassed areas along the sides of a public road
used for grazingAUSTRALIA , 1929
long ratsnounspecial pre-cooked rations used by long-range
reconnaissance patrols in the field during the Vietnam warUS , 1973
longsnountrousers with long legsTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1967
long shoenouna stylish shoe with a tapered toeUS , 1968
long-shoe gamenouna swindleUS , 1955
longshotnouna venture involving great risk; in horse racing, a bet
on a horse with very long odds Originally race track slangUK , 1869.
< by a long shotby a long way, by a great degree Generally as
an emphatic negativeUS , 1848
long sidenounin sports betting, a bet on the underdogUS , 1975
long sightnoun< by a long sightby a long way Generally as an
emphatic negativeUS , 1844
long skirtnouna Maxi car Citizens’ band radio slang; punning the
length of a maxi-skirtUK , 1981
long sleevenounthe foreskinFIJI , 1993
long streak of cocky’s shitnouna tall, thin personAUSTRALIA , 1986
long streak of miserynouna very tall thin person (who is not
necessarily miserable)UK , 1961
long streak of pissnouna very tall thin personUK , 2000
longtailnouna single female touristBERMUDA , 1985
long time no seeused as a greeting after an extended separation
US , 1900
long time, no smellused as an affectionate greeting Hawaiian
youth usageUS , 1982
Long Tomnouna long-range artillery gunUS , 1991
long ’unnouna hundred pounds, or a thousand pounds sterlingUK ,
1999
long waynoun< by a long way; by a long chalkby a great
degree or measure Often in a (implied) negative contextUK , 1859
long white rollnouna factory-made cigaretteUS , 1945
long-windedadjective1slow in doing something In conventional
use when applied to talkingUK , 1961.2in homosexual usage, said of
a man who takes a long time to reach orgasmUS , 1981
loonouna lavatory Many possible etymologies, mostly from French
sources Contracted from C18 bordalou (a portable ladies’ privy,
shaped like a sauce-boat and carried in a muff ); l’eau (water) or
the C18 warning-cry ‘gardy-loo’, from pseudo-French gare de l’eau
(beware of the water), given when emptying the contents of a
chamber pot out of a window into the street beneath; an
anglicised lieu (the place), as in the frequently mispronounced
‘time off in lieu/loo’ The only entirely English suggestion is a
corruption of ‘leeward’, the sheltered side of a ship over which
excretory functions were sensibly performed The most convincing
possibilites are an abbreviated pun on Waterloo, the London
railway station named to commemorate the famous battle of
Waterloo in Belgium (1815); and the darkly witty reduction of
l’oubliette (a secret dungeon, often with a pit below) UK , 1940
looder
loogienounphlegm that has been expelled from the respiratory passagesUS , 1985
looginnounan awkward, unaccomplished personUS , 1919
looie; louie; looeynoun1a gob of phlegm or nasal mucusUS , 1970.
2a lieutenantUS , 1916
looknoun1appearance; styleUS , 1959.2in the entertainment industry, the right to review and consider a script or projectUS , 1999
lookverb< look aliveto be alert, to bestir yourself, to make haste Often as an imperativeUK , 1858 < look a million; look like a million bucksto look exquisitely stunningAUSTRALIA , 1956 < look
at the gateto near the end of a prison sentenceUS , 1984 < look
at the procter and gambleto cheat during an examination or test A pun alluding to the well-known corporationUS , 1968 < look
at youto judge someone by their appearanceUK , 1846 < look down your nose atto regard someone or something with contempt, to despiseUK , 1921 < look for a hole in the fence
(used of a racehorse) to perform very poorly, as if the horse would rather find a hole in the fence and return to the stableUS , 1976.
< look like nothing on earthto have an appearance that is wretched, or indicative of illness, or that is somehow eccentric or ludicrousUK , 1927 < look out the windowin horse racing, to fail
to bet on a horse in a race it wins after betting on the horse in a number of previous losing effortsUS , 1951 < not look backto enjoy a continuing success since a defining momentUK , 1893
lookalikie; lookylikeynouna lookalike, a person who looks like another (generally the similarity is to a celebrity and often used to professional advantage)UK , 2001
lookernounan attractive womanUS , 1892
look here!used as a demand for attention to what is being saidUK , 1861
lookieverbto look A diminutive that introduces a folksy tone; almost always used in the imperativeUS , 1972
lookie-loonoun1a customer who enjoys looking at merchandise but has no intention of buyingUS , 1978.2an inquisitive observer A Los Angeles term, personified in the character Look-Loo Woman in
Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 film Pulp Fiction US , 1989
looking glassnouna car’s rear view mirrorUS , 1962
looking good!used for expressing approval A signature line of
comedian Freddie Prinze on the television comedy Chico and the Man (NBC, 1974–78) Repeated with referential humour US , 1974
look of eaglesnounin horse racing, the proud look perceived in the eyes of a great racehorseUS , 1976
look-seenouna viewing, an observationUS , 1854
look-seeverbto look aroundUS , 1868
looks like rainused by a criminal to indicate an imminent arrest The future isn’t sunnyUK , 1996
look that up in your Funk and Wagnalls!used for a humorous observation about a word or fact One of the most popular
catchphrases from the US television series Laugh-In (1967–73) and
repeated referentiallyUS , 1967
look upverb1to visit, usually informallyUK , 1788.2to get betterUK , 1806
look who it isn’tused as a facetious greeting on a surprise meetingUK , 1959
looky here!used as a demand for attention to what is being said A variation ofLOOK HERE! US , 1876
look you!used as a demand for attention to what is being said; especially (when spoken by a non-Welsh) as catchphrase of stereotypical WelshnessUK: WALES , 1937
loo laadjectivedrunkUK , 2002
loomernouna large wave that suddenly appears seawardUS , 1964
loonnouna madman An abbreviation of ‘lunatic’US , 1823
loonverbto fool about; to move to music in an uncontrolled manner Often followed by ‘about’UK , 1966
loon about; loonverbto play the fool; to enjoy leisure time in a
Trang 7looney tune; loony tunenouna crazy person From the television
cartoons created by Warner Brothers beginning in 1960 The
variant ‘looney tunes’ is also used as a singularUS , 1967
looney tunesadjectiveinsaneUS , 1971
loon pants; loonsnouncasual trousers fashioned with a very wide
flare below the kneeUK , 1971
loon shitnounboggy landCANADA , 1987
loonynoun1a madman An abbreviation of ‘lunatic’; may also be
spelt ‘looney’US , 1883.2a one-dollar coinCANADA , 2002
loonyadjectiveextremely erratic; mildly crazyUS , 1841
loony binnouna hospital (or other institution) for the treatment of
psychiatric problems and mental illnessUK , 1919
loony birdnouna person who is at least eccentric, at most mentally
unstableUS , 1964
loony leftnounused by ‘moderate’ politicians to demonise
committed socialists as fanatical extremists CombinesLOONY
(mad) with ‘left’ (the sinister positioning of socialist politics)UK , 1977
loony toonsnounLSDUK , 2003
loopnoun1a short pornographic video shown on a recurring cycle
US , 1973.2in television and film-making, voice recordings that are
used with previously recorded videoUS , 1980.3an intrauterine
contraceptive deviceUS , 1972.4in table tennis, a shot with topspin
US , 1971.5a crazy individual Sometimes expanded to ‘loop-de-loop’
UK: SCOTLAND , 1996 < in the loopto be part of an inner-circle that
receives restricted informationUK , 1970 < out of the loopnot
part of a process or inner circleUS , 1976
Loopnoun< the Loopthe core central area of Chicago From the
elevated railway constructed in 1897 that loops around two square
miles of central ChicagoUS , 1946
loop-de-loopnounsimultaneous, reciprocal oral sex between two
peopleUS , 1971
looped; loopingadjectivedrunk Descriptive of the inability when
drunk to maintain a straight lineUS , 1934
loopernoun1a person who is capable of crazy actionsIRELAND , 2003.
2a wave that breaks over itself, creating a hollow through which a
surfer can rideUS , 1964
loopienouna touristNEW ZEALAND , 1984
loop jointnounan arcade showing recurring pornographic videos in
private boothsUS , 1986
loop-scoopverbto steal something quicklyUS , 1972
loop-the-loop; loop-de-loop; loopers; loopnounsoupUK , 1961
loopyadjectiveslightly mad; drunk A conventional ‘loop’ is an
obvious aberration from a straight lineUK , 1925
loopy juicenoun1an alcoholic drink A drink with the ‘juice’
(power) to make youLOOPY(drunk)UK , 2001.2a strong medication
UK , 1996
loopy looney juicenounalcohol Royal Navy slang;LOOPY(eccentric)
plusLOONY(crazy) andJUICE UK , 1987
loosenoun< on the loose(used of a wager) made on credit
AUSTRALIA , 1989
looseadjective1(of a slot machine) advantageous to the gambler,
both in terms of the frequency of payouts and a small house
advantageUS , 1984.2romantically unattachedUS , 1968
loose bellynoundiarrhoeaTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1991
loose bumpnounin the military, an unsolicited and unwanted
pro-motionUS , 1947
loose cannonnouna person whose actions or words cannot be
controlled or predicted From the image of a cannon rolling loose
on the deck of a fighting shipUS , 1977
loose gooseadjectiveapplied to something or someone that can be
described as loose in whatever senseUS , 1958
loose horsenouna tractor truck without a trailerUS , 1971
loose wignouna wild demeanourUS , 1959
loosey-gooseyadjectivevery loose in any senseUS
loosienoun1an individual cigarette sold over the counterUS , 1981.
2in rugby, a loose forwardNEW ZEALAND , 1977
loosie goosienouna sexually promiscuous young womanUS , 1979
lootnoun1moneyUS , 1929.2a lieutenantUS , 1967
loot-innounpolitically motivated group shopliftingUS , 1970
loot moneynounafter World War 2, Chinese national currency obtained by lootingUS , 1949
lopeverbto strokeUS , 1974 < lope your donkey(of a male) to masturbateUS , 1985 < lope your mule(of a male) to masturbate
US , 1967
lop-earnounan easily duped personUS , 1950
lop-ear; lop-earedadjectivenaive, gullibleUS , 1863
lopernoun1a resident of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula Upper Peninsula usageUS , 2003.2in hot rodding, a big and powerful engine that is noisy when it idlesUS , 1993
loppnouna perpetually naive and ignorant personUS , 1989
lord and masternoun1the backside, the buttocks Rhyming slang, extending the sequence ‘plaster’ –PLASTER OF PARIS–ARIS–
ARISTOTLE–BOTTLE;BOTTLE AND GLASS–ARSE Sometimes seen in the abbreviated form of ‘lord’UK , 1998.2a plaster (a first aid dressing) Rhyming slangUK , 1998
lord and masteredadjectivedrunk Rhyming slangUK , 1998
lord boardsnounsandals From paintings of Jesus Christ wearing sandalsUS , 1994
Lord Jesusnouna curly hairstyle popular with black men and women in the mid-1970sUS , 1975
Lord Lovat!used as an emphatic rejection of something Rhyming slang, pronounced ‘Lord love it’, formed from the name of a long aristocratic lineUK , 1992
Lord love-a-duck!used as a mild expression of shock or surprise Sometimes varied as ‘cor love a duck!’ or reduced to ‘love a duck!’; it is often regarded as a quintessentially Cockney turn of phraseUK , 1917
Lord Mayorverbto swear Rhyming slangUK , 1992
Lord Mucknouna man who is, in the speaker’s opinion, unjustifiably self-important or esteemed The earlier counterpart to
LADY MUCK, although they are often seen as a coupleUK , 1937
Lord Sutchnounin a car, the clutch Rhyming slang, formed from the name of rock musician and politician Screaming Lord Sutch, 3rd Earl of Harrow, 1940–99UK , 1992
Lord tunderin’ Jesusused as one of many elaborate Nova Scotian cursesCANADA , 1985
Lord Wiggnouna glutton, an ill-mannered person Rhyming slang for ‘pig’, formed from the name of politician George Cecil Wigg, 1900–83UK , 1992
Lordy!; lawdy!Lord!, mildly calling upon GodUS , 1853
Loretta Young; lorettanounthe tongue Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the US television and film actress, 1914–2000
UK , 1998
Lorna Doonenouna spoon Rhyming slang, formed from the eponymous heroine of R.D Blackmore’s romantic novel, 1869, widely-known from many film and television versionsUK , 1992
lorrynoun< up the lorryin a great deal of troubleSINGAPORE , 2002
LosnounLos Angeles, California Border Spanish used in English conversation by Mexican-AmericansUS , 1913
loseverb1to get rid ofUS , 1931.2to fail to understandUK , 1962.
3(used of a computer program) to fail to work as expectedUS , 1983.
< lose a loadto ejaculateUS , 1964 < lose fire(used of a car engine) to stop operatingUS , 1970 < lose it1to lose your mental focus to drugs, rhythmic sound and movement, and temporarily lose touch with the reality beyond the rave A refined sense of
‘lose it’ (to temporarily lose control)UK , 1998.2to come off your motorcycle accidentallyUK , 1979 < lose the plotto lose your grasp of a situationUK , 2001 < lose waterin bodybuilding, to perspire Done intentionally before competition in bodybuilding in order to improve muscle definitionUS < lose your coolto