< act the maggotto play the foolIRELAND , 1937 maggot; maggottedadjectivedrunkAUSTRALIA , 2003 maggot bagnouna meat pieAUSTRALIA , 2003 maggotboxnounan Apple Macintosh™ computerUS , 1991
Trang 1Maggienounany revolver that fires a cartridge that is more powerful
than standard ammunitionUS , 1957
MaggienicknameBritish Prime Minister (1979–90) Margaret Hilda
Thatcher (b.1925) The UK wasn’t really on first name terms with
Mrs Thatcher until she became PM; earlier in her political career,
however, she was vilified as ‘Maggie Thatcher, milk snatcher’ Also
known as ‘Attila the hen’UK , 1994
Maggie’s drawersnouna red flag indicating a ‘miss’ on a rifle
rangeUS , 1936
Maggie’s millionsnounthe unemployed during the premiership of
Margaret Thatcher (1979–90)UK , 1984
maggotnoun1a loathsome personAUSTRALIA , 1961.2a white person
Urban black usageUS , 1985.3a repulsive femaleAUSTRALIA , 1987.4in
the US Air Force, someone who is very dedicated to serviceUS , 1998.
< act the maggotto play the foolIRELAND , 1937
maggot; maggottedadjectivedrunkAUSTRALIA , 2003
maggot bagnouna meat pieAUSTRALIA , 2003
maggotboxnounan Apple Macintosh™ computerUS , 1991
maggot wagonnouna catering truckUS , 1992
maggoty; maggottynounangry; in a bad moodAUSTRALIA , 1919
magicadjective1excellent, first class; used for showing approval and
enthusiasmUK , 2001.2in computing, complicated or not yet
understoodUS , 1981
magic beannouna tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best
known as ecstasy From the fairystory Jack and the Beanstalk UK ,
1996
magic flagonnounmarijuanaNEW ZEALAND , 1990
magic fudge; fudgenounan intoxicating confection that has
marijuana as a central ingredientUK , 1970
magic hournounthe time between sundown and dark A filming
term; according to Singleton, ‘The light is very warm, the sky is a
magical deep blue, and shadows are long’ (Filmmaker’s Dictionary,
1990)US , 1960
magic money machinenounan automated cash machine Used
widely in conversation since the 1990sNEW ZEALAND , 2002
magic mushienouna hallucinogenic mushroomAUSTRALIA , 1982
magic mushroomnounany mushroom with an hallucinogenic
effect – the most commonly grown and used in the UK is
Psilocybe Semilanceata or Liberty Cap mushroom US , 1968
magic numbersused as a farewell Referring to 73 and 88, citizens’
band radio code for ‘good wishes’US , 1976
magic roundaboutnounused as an informal name for the system
whereby a difficult prisoner is contantly moved from prison to
prison Named after The Magic Roundabout, a stop-motion
animation children’s and cult television programme first broadcast
in the UK in 1965UK , 1996
magic smokenounmarijuanaUK , 1998
magic spongenouna towel or sponge applied to injured players
during a game who then have a miraculous recoveryAUSTRALIA , 2003
magic upverbto improve, to enhance, to encourageUK , 2003
magic wandnounthe penisUK , 1969
magistrate’s court; magistrate’snouna drink of spirits; an
alcoholic drink Rhyming slang forSHORT UK , 1992
magnaciousadjectiveexcellent, great An elaboration of ‘magnificent’
US , 1997
magnetnouna person who attracts the precedent thing or
personal-ity typeUS , 1993
Magnificent Milenouna stretch of Michigan Avenue running from
the river to Oak Street in Chicago, Illionois A Chamber of
Commerce phrase that took root in the vernacularUS , 1982
Magnus Pike; magnusnouna lesbian Rhyming slang forDYKE,
formed from the name of a British scientist and television
presenterUK , 2003
magoonounin circus usage, a cream or custard pie thrown by
magsman; maggs-mannoun1a confidence trickster whose prime device is conversationAUSTRALIA , 1877.2a talkative person; a raconteurAUSTRALIA , 1924
mag wheelnouna racing car wheel made of magnesium alloy
AUSTRALIA , 1981
mahaadjectivevery large From SanskritINDIA , 1995
maharisheenounmarijuanaUS , 1980s
Mahatma Gandhinouna shandy Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the Indian leader, 1869–1948UK , 1992
Mahatma Gandhi; mahatmaadjectivesexually aroused Rhyming slang forRANDY, formed from the name of the great Indian leader and pacifist, 1889–1948UK , 2003
mahogany bombernounthe desk which an office-bound pilot
‘flies’UK , 1981
mahogany gaspipenounused as a mock representation of intonations of IrishIRELAND , 1992
mahoohanounridiculous political manoeuvres and pointless talkUS , 1930
mahootnounin bar dice games, a roll that produces no points for the playerUS , 1971
mahoska; hoskanounan addictive drug, especially heroinUS , 1949
maidnoun1a black woman (regardless of age or occupation) Offensive, demeaningSOUTH AFRICA , 1961.2female virginity Also called ‘maiden’TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1972
maidennoun1in horse racing, a horse that has never won a raceUS ,
1951.2by extension, a jockey who has never won a raceUS , 1971
maidenheadnouna woman’s toilet Punning on the hymen and
HEADas ‘a toilet’US , 1968
maid trainingnounthe process of instructing, and conditioning the behaviour of, a sexual submissive The submissive’s menial service becomes part of a sexual relationship (in which an element of transvestism is usually implied); used in a dominant prostitute’s advertising matterUK , 2003
mailnoun1an overheard conversation on citizens’ band radioUS ,
1976.2in horse racing, information about a horse or race useful for wageringAUSTRALIA , 1989
mail-call; mailnounenemy mortar, rockets or artillery being received Coined in World War I, still used by World War 2 veterans
in VietnamUS , 1919
mainnounany large blood veinUS , 1952 < the mainto island dwellers off the coast of Maine, the mainlandUS , 1975
Mainnoun< the MainSt Laurent Street in Montreal Even though
St Catherine Street, running east and west through the centre, has become the main street of the city, St Laurent (or St Lawrence) was originally the centre of shopping, immigrant settlement and the garment district, and so it has held the nameCANADA , 2001
mainverbto inject a drug into a main veinUS , 1952
main linenoun1any large blood vein, especially the median cephalic veinUS , 1930s.2a major vein used for the injection of narcotics, usually heroinUS , 1931.3at a horse racing track, the area with the greatest concentration of mutual betting machinesUS ,
1951.4the general population of a prisonUS , 1967
Main Linenicknamethe wealthy suburbs just to the west of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, extending from Merion to Bryn Mawr
to Paoli From the Paoli Local commuter train that ran out of the main line of the now-defunct Pennsylvania Railroad, carrying businessmen to work and future lexicographers in blue wool jerseys with five white stripes on each arm to schoolUS , 1987
mainlineverbto inject drugs, especially heroin, into a main veinUS , 1938
mainlinernouna drug user who injects the drug into a veinUS , 1934
main mannoun1an important man From circus jargonUS , 1977.2a pimp, in relation to a prostituteUS , 1985
main pinnouna railway officialUS , 1930
main punchnouna man’s favoured girlfriendUS , 1994
main queen a man’s primary girlfriend
Trang 2main squeezenouna person’s primary partner in romanceUS , 1926
mainstreetingnounthe use of the main street of a town, especially
by a politician, for campaigningCANADA , 1959
maintainverb< maintain your low tonesdo not raise your
voice at me A phrase 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
main veinnoun1the penisUS , 2001.2the vagina Usage is recorded
as ‘especially among drug addicts’UK , 1984 < stab in the main
veinfrom a male perspective, to have sex Formed onMAIN VEIN
(the vagina)UK , 1984
mainyadjectivefearless, crazyUS , 2004
mais ouiadverbof course, certainly An affected usage, adopted
directly from French mais oui (but yes) UK , 2002
Maizienounused as a term of address among male homosexuals
US , 1965
majnoun majesty An informal, generally affectionate, reduction UK ,
1994
majornouna dependable, reliable personUS , 1956
majorverb< major in plumbingin college, to take nothing but
easy courses An allusion to ‘pipes’ (easy courses)US , 1955
majoradjective1very goodUS , 1984.2absolute Used as an intensifier
AUSTRALIA , 1995.3handsome, dressed wellTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1967
Major Deenouna maÎtre d’ Possibly influenced by ‘major domo’
UK , 2000
major-leagueadjectiveprominent, accomplished, prestigious On 4th
September 2000, US presidential candidate George W Bush leaned
to his running mate Dick Cheney at a campaign stop in
Naperville, Illinois, and, pointing to a reporter, said ‘There’s Adam
Clymner – major-league asshole from the New York Times’.
‘Major-league’ had major-league arrivedUS , 1941
major leaguesnounthe highest level of achievement in a fieldUS ,
1951
Major Lodernounsoda, especially soda water Rhyming slang,
formed from the name of a famous racehorse owner in the early
part of C20UK , 1961
majorlyadverbvery muchUS , 1983
Major Stevensnounin betting odds, evens Rhyming slangUK , 1961
maknouna machete Critically important during the Vietnam war
for hacking through junglesUS , 1990
makableadjective(used of a wave) in surfing, possible to catch for a
rideUS , 1973
makenounan identificationUS , 1950 < on the make1in search of
sexual companyUS , 1929.2seeking any opportunity or profitUK , 1992.
< put the make onto try to seduceUS , 1963
makeverb1to identify (a person)UK , 1906.2in planespotting, to
record (‘collect’) an aircraftUK , 2003.3to seduce or have sex with
someoneUS , 1923.4to admit someone into membership in an
organised crime organisationUS , 1964.5to manage to catch and
travel on a scheduled vehicleUK , 1955.6to fix a price In stock
market useUK , 1895.7to steal, to appropriateUK , 1700 < as
pretty/clever/happy as they make themused for indicating
an extreme Current examples (found in a quick search of the
Internet, December 2003): ‘as bad as they make them’, ‘as
American as they make them’ and ‘as happy as they make them’
UK , 1896 < make (a period of time)to be sentenced to or to
serve a jail sentenceTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1904 < make a break
to escape or make an attempted escape from prisonUS , 1930.
< make a bubble; make a jail; make jail; make prison;
make yearsto be sentenced to or to serve a jail sentence
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1937 < make a thing of; make a thing
aboutto make a fuss about somethingUK , 1934 < make a zeef
to show offTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003 < make assto blunder; to
.
< make faresto work as a prostituteTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1987.
< make fartto make life difficult for someoneTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1990 < make friends(among women) to take a lesbian loverTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1960 < make goodto succeed; to meet expectationsUS , 1901 < make holeto drill for oilUS , 1984.
< make it1to have sexUS , 1952.2to leaveUS , 1913.3to be accepted byUS , 1955.4to be acceptableUS , 1955.5to succeed, to become prosperous, to reach an objectiveUK , 1885 < make it up
toto compensate someone for a loss or a wrong that has been sufferedUK , 1860 < make like1to behave in a suggested manner Used in conjunction with ‘and’ to join a noun and a verb in a pun
US , 1954.2to behave in the manner of something, to act likeUS ,
1881 < make like a boidto leave Teen slangCANADA , 1946.
< make loveto stealCANADA , 1988 < make love to the lavto vomit into a toilet bowlAUSTRALIA , 1971 < make niceto be act politelyUS , 1957 < make no boneswithout hesitation, to deal with or react to an awkward or unpleasant situation, no matter how difficultUK , 1459 < make oneto plan and carry out an escape attempt from prisonUK , 1974 < make one outto successfully escape from prisonUK , 1996 < make smilesto have sexUK , 2003 < make the holeto rob drunks sleeping on underground platforms and in carriagesUS , 1980 < make the showin motor racing with qualifying heats, to qualify for the race
US , 1993 < make timeto flirt, to attempt to seduceUS , 1953.
< make tracksto depart hurriedlyUS , 1978 < make withto use, to bring into actionUS , 1940 < make your dayto make a highlight or moment of happiness in an ordinary day; to be the highlightUK , 1907
Make and Break enginenouna massive, one-cylinder boat motor with a flywheel It is also known as a ‘one-lunger’ in Nova Scotia and MaineCANADA , 1977
make-believenounpretenceUK , 1811
make forverbto steal, to obtainUS , 1936
make mine; make itverbused for denoting a requirement (a drink, details of an appointment, an amount, a quantity, a price), gener-ally in response to a question or a proposalUS , 1883
make my dayused as a jocular challenge The phrase entered the popular lexicon in 1983 as a line uttered by the Clint Eastwood
character ‘Dirty Harry’ Callahan in the film Sudden Impact US , 1985
make outverb1to kiss with passion and in a sustained fashionUS ,
1949.2to pretendUK , 1659
makeovernouna complete transformation of fashion and hairstyle
US , 1999
make the scene with 18used as a jingle to remind US troops in Vietnam to limit their M-16 rifles to 18 rounds because the rifle sometimes jammed when loaded to its 20-round capacityUS , 1991
make-upnounthe final result of any event that is the subject of spread-bettingUK , 2001
makeup!used as a nonce interjection Popularised by Milton Berle
in the early days of US television; the running gag was that Berle would be knocked off his feet with sacks of flour or a makeup man with an oversized makeup powder puff after mentioning the word ‘makeup’ A meaningless catchphrase that swept the nation
US , 1951
-makingsuffixused to create a word that describes something as having the ability to cause the condition of a prefixed adjective A linguistic formula credited to the author Evelyn Waugh, 1903–66
UK , 1930
makingsnounthe tobacco and rolling paper needed to make a ciga-retteUS , 1905
malnoun in parachuting, a malfunction UK , 2002
Malabar Hiltonnicknamethe Long Bay Correctional Complex, SydneyAUSTRALIA , 1988
maladnoun a maladjusted child Used by social workers UK , 1980
malarkey; malarky; mullarkeynounnonsenseUS , 1929
Malcolm Scottadjectivehot Rhyming slang, of theatrical origins, formed from the name of a female impersonator, 1872–1929UK ,
Trang 3Malcolm Xnouna tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best
known as ecstasy Uses the adopted name of Malcolm Little,
1925–1965, a leading figure in the US black civil rights
movement, to disguiseX(ECSTASY)UK , 1995
male beavernounfeaturing shots of the naked male genitalsUS , 1969
malehousenouna homosexual brothelUS , 1963
male twigsnounlow quality marijuanaUS , 1979
malkynoun1a safety razor used as a weapon; hence an improvised
weapon (a broken bottle, etc) Possibly rhyming slang, based on
Malcolm (Malky) Fraser, for ‘razor’UK: SCOTLAND , 1973.2a cut given
from a razor as an act of violence; a blow; a beating From the
previous senseUK: SCOTLAND , 1973
malkyverbto attack and cut someone with a razor; to stab From
the noun senseUK: SCOTLAND , 1985
mallardnouna hundred-dollar noteUS , 1985
mall crawlnounan outing to a shopping centre, slowly moving from
shop to shop A play onPUB-CRAWLorBAR-HOPwith a rhyme to
bootUS , 1996
mall crawlernouna person who spends their spare time at
shopping centresUS , 1993
malleeadjective< fit as a mallee bullextremely fit and healthy
AUSTRALIA , 1960
malletverbto smash, to defeat Used by the SAS in the Falkland
Islands, 1982UK , 1982
malletheadnouna fool, a stupid person, a numbskull A variation of
MULLETHEAD US , 1960
mallienouna young person who spends their free time at shopping
centresUS , 1985
mallingnounthe practice of spending hours at a shopping centre,
socialising with other young peopleUS , 1989
Mall Madonnanouna girl who spends a lot of time in shopping
centresCANADA , 2002
mallowpuff Maorinouna Maori student who excels in school
From a branded chocolate-covered marshmallow biscuit – brown
on the outside, white on the insideNEW ZEALAND , 1998
mall ratnouna young person who spends a great deal of time at a
shopping centreUS , 1982
malpalantadjective inclined to gossip From the French mal parlant
(speaking poorly)TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003
maltnouna Maltese; MalteseUK , 1959
malt sandwichnouna beerAUSTRALIA , 1968
mamnoun1a mother, your mother Probably early C16; mainly
childish now, but earlier usage was also familiar or vulgarUK , 1573.
2a lesbianUK , 1962
mamanoun1used as a term of address towards a womanUS , 1959.
2a young woman, a woman Originally Black usage Also spelt
‘mamma’US , 1917.3in motorcyle clubs and gangs, a female who is
available to all the gang members and attached to noneUS , 1965.
4a sexually promiscuous femaleUK , 1977.5in a lesbian couple, the
more traditionally feminine partnerUS , 1941.6used as a disparaging
term of address for an Indian femaleSINGAPORE , 2002.7in a deck of
playing cards, a queenUS , 1988.8the lead aeroplane in a combat
flight formationUS , 1986
mama!used for expressing surprise, especially by womenTRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO , 2003
mama bearnouna policewoman A feminisation ofBEAR(the police)
US , 1976
mama cocanouncocaineUS , 1984
mama-jammernounused as a euphemism for ‘motherfucker’US ,
1969
mamaloos; mamalooshadjectivedead, dying The word comes
from Chinook jargon memaloost (dead) CANADA , 1956
mama mannounan effeminate man, heterosexual or homosexual
mamapoulenounan effeminate, demanding man From the French for ‘mother hen’TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1928
mamarynouna boy who will not leave his mother’s protection
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1978
mama-sannounin Southeast Asia usage, a woman whose age demands respect, especially a brothel madam The Japanese
honorific san added to English ‘mama’ US , 1946
mama shopnouna small neighbourhood grocery shop, especially one owned by IndiansSINGAPORE , 2002
mama’s lanenounthe passing lane of a motorway So named because the trucker, anxious to see his wife, is driving fast and passing carsUS , 1976
mama’s little helpernounin shuffleboard, a score that is accidentally provided to you by an opponentUS , 1967
mama’s mellownounthe calming effect of secobarbital (brand name Seconal ™), a barbiturateUS , 1971
mamby pambynouna stupid manTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1956
mammariesnounthe female breasts After the conventional sense
of ‘mammary’ (relating to the female breast)UK , 1967
mammothadjectivehuge The stuff of advertising: ‘MAMMOTH RUG SALE!’ (but who’d want a mammoth rug?)UK , 1937
mamms; mamsnounthe female breasts A reduction ofMAMMARIES
UK , 2003
mammynoun1a motherUK , 1523.2in a striptease act, a woman, usually older, who waits backstage, catching a stripper’s clothing as she flings it offstageUS , 1981.3the most; the ultimate example An English language version of the famous ArabicMOTHER OF ALL US ,
1971 < the mammymy mother There is no indefinite article in Irish The definite article in Hiberno-English, following and sometimes extending the usage of the indefinite article ‘an’ in Irish, has some distinctive functions which mark it out from standard English, for example, ‘Better give her the both o’ them’,
(Roddy Doyle, The Van, 1991) IRELAND , 1996
mammyadjectivea lot of Placed after the nounUS , 1992
mammy-fuggernounused as a euphemism for ‘motherfucker’US , 1998
mammy-jammernounused as a euphemism for ‘motherfucker’US , 1973
mammyjammingadjectiveused as a euphemism for the intensifier
‘motherfucking’US , 1946
mammy minenounwine Glasgow rhyming slangUK: SCOTLAND , 1985
mammy-screwingadjectiveused as a euphemism for
‘motherfucking’US , 1963
mammy-suckernounused as a euphemism for ‘motherfucker’US , 1972
mampynouna buxom, generously voluptuous womanJAMAICA , 1994
mampyadjective(of a woman) buxom, generously proportioned, RubenesqueJAMAICA , 1994
manverbin team sports, to defend an opponent man-to-manUS , 1972
man; mandynoun1me, myself, I English gypsy use, from Romany
mandi UK , 2000.2a drug dealerUS , 1942.3in a deck of playing cards,
a kingUS , 1988 < a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do;
a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta dohomespun philos-ophy in use as a catchphrase JocularUS , 1977 < a man’s not a camelI am thirsty and require a drinkAUSTRALIA , 1998 < the man
a police officer; an authority figureUS , 1928 < yer only man
something that possesses a unique qualityIRELAND , 1997
man and mannounpeople in generalJAMAICA , 1989
man and wifenouna knife Rhyming slangUK , 1925
man boobsnounflabby chest protrusions of an overweight man
AUSTRALIA , 2002
Mancnoun1Manchester in northwest England UK , 2002.2a
Mancunian; a native of Manchester UK , 1999
MancadjectiveMancunian, of ManchesterUK , 2001
Manch
Trang 4Manchester City; manchesternounthe female breast Rhyming
slang for ‘titty’ (TIT) noted as ‘rare’UK , 1961
Manchester Unitednouna red and black capsule of MDMA, the
recreational drug best known as ecstasy Designed and branded in
tribute to the football team, but someone got the team colours
wrongUK , 2002
MancyadjectiveMancunian, of Manchester Perhaps, given
Manchester’s reputation for wet weather, punning deliberately on
MANKY(bad)UK , 2002
man demnounmale friends Used by black urban youthsUK , 2004
M and G tracknounin a pornographic film, additions to the sound
track amplifying moans and groansUS , 1991
mandienouna tablet of the recreational drug methaqualone, best
known as Quaaludes™ From the trade name Mandrax™US , 1985
M and Mnounany tablet drugs used for recreational purposes:
amphetamine, barbiturate, MDMA, the recreational drug best
known as ecstasy Named for M&Ms (branded in the US since
1940s) the candy-coated chocolate sweets which, in appearance,
are similar to multi-coloured pillsUS , 1977
mandoo-edadjectivedrunkUK , 2002
man down!used in prison for alerting the guards that a prisoner
has been injured or fallen illUS , 1990
mandrakenoun1a tablet of the recreational drug methaqualone,
best known as Quaaludes™ From Mandrax™, the trade name for
a synthetic non-barbiturate sedative consisting of methaqualone
and a small amount of the antihistamine diphenhydramineUS ,
1985.2a sexually aggressive male homosexualUS , 1978
mandynouna tablet of Mandrax™ a branded tranquillizerUK , 1970
8see:MAN
manenouna streak of unmown hay left in the field after it has been
cutCANADA , 1992
man-eaternoun1a woman with a strong sexual appetite A
figurative application of the term for dangerous big catsUK , 1906.
2a homosexual manUS , 1979
man fatnounsemenUK , 1974
Manfred Mannnouna tan, a suntan Glasgow rhyming slang,
formed from the successful 1960s pop group and the South
African musician who gave his group his nameUK: SCOTLAND , 1996
man Fridaynouna black soldier who curried favour from white
superiors and thereby avoided combatUS , 1991
man from Caironouna social security/benefits cheque Glasgow
rhyming slang forGIRO UK: SCOTLAND , 1996
man from the Prunouna cocaine dealer A play on the UK
investment firm Prudential Building Society’s advertising
campaign and Peru as a source country for much of the world’s
cocaineUK , 1983
manganouna comic book or graphic novel One of the few
Japanese words to be transplanted into English-speaking slang,
thanks in large part to the proliferation of pornographic websites
on the InternetJAPAN , 1993
mangedadjectivedamaged without hope of repairUS , 1991
mangia-cakenouna white person, especially British, but very North
American (said by an Italian)CANADA , 1998
manglenouna bicycleAUSTRALIA , 1941
mangle and wringernouna (not especially talented) singer
Rhyming slangUK , 1992
mangledadjectivedrunk or drug-intoxicatedUK , 2001
mangonouna fifty-dollar note From the orange colourNEW ZEALAND ,
1998
mango headnounan oval-shaped headTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1994
mango madnessnounin tropical Australia, a feeling of agitation and
oppression experienced leading up to the monsoon season
AUSTRALIA , 1984
Manhattan silver; Manhattan white; New York City silver;
Subway silvernounmarijuana Originally, ‘a flight of fancy’, a
gen-into the New York City sewage system, were white or silver A highly potent and purely fictional urban myth; now, also, just another synonym for ‘marijuana’US , 1975
manhaulnounin Antarctica, an overland trip where a sledge is hauled by people, not vehiclesANTARCTICA , 1986
manholenounthe vaginaUS , 1916
manhole covernouna brother Rhyming slang for ‘bruvver’, perhaps also playing onMANHOLE(the vagina) hence, a playfully insulting
CUNT UK , 1992
manhoodnounthe penis EuphemismUK , 1997
man huntnouna search for a male as a sexual companion Humorous use of a term originally meaning ‘a search for a criminal or escaped convict’US , 1996
man-hunternouna woman, especially a spinster or a widow, par-ticularly one who has, or is reputed to have, a strong sexual appetiteUK , 1961
maniacnouna railway mechanicUS , 1930
Maniblowbanicknamethe Canadian province of Manitoba So named because of the cold, windy wintersCANADA , 2002
manicou-mannounan effeminate man, especially a homosexual
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1996
manicureverbto prepare marijuana for smoking, trimming the leaves and stems and removing foreign objectsUS , 1938
manifestationnounin Quebec, a demonstration In a province marked by a tradition of public service strikes, this unconventional use of a French word has had much use for a long timeCANADA , 2002
Manila Generalnounused as a humorous if xenophobic nickname for any hospital with a largely Filipino staffUS , 1989
man in bluenouna police officer, 1976
man in Kokomonounin horse racing, any mysterious source of inside information on a horse or raceUS , 1951
man in the boatnoun 8see:LITTLE MAN IN A BOAT
man in the moonnouna madman, a fool Rhyming slang forLOON
UK , 1992
man in the white coatnouna supposed employee of an insane asylum Now generally in the plural: ‘men in white coats’AUSTRALIA , 1961
Manisnowbanicknamethe Canadian province of Manitoba Home
to long, cold wintersCANADA , 2002
Manknoun a person from Manchester, a Mancunian UK , 2000
manked inadjectiveconfined indoors by extreme bad weather
ANTARCTICA , 1986
mankyadjective1poor quality, inferior; dirty Possibly from French
manque (a deficiency) UK , 1958.2(of weather) bad A narrowing of the general senseANTARCTICA , 1989.3drunk Possibly deriving from the previous sense, thus ‘under the weather’ (tipsy)UK , 2002
man-lovenounmale homosexuality A very arch euphemismUK , 2003
manly Alicenouna masculine homosexual manUK , 2002
man-mannouna male who exhibits a high degree of virilityUS , 1999
mannanouneasy-pickings; a heaven-sent opportunity A biblical allusionUK , 2001
mannynouna tablet of Mandrax™, a branded tranquillizer A vari-ation ofMANDY UK , 1968
manonounused as an embellished ‘man’ as a term of addressUS , 1967
mano a manonouna one-on-one confrontation Made quite famous in the US by Colonel Oliver North during the moral collapse of the Reagan presidency, the Iran-Contra debacle of 1986–87 Adapted from bull-fighting, where the term refers to a competition between two matadors and two or more bulls each
US , 1968
man of the clothnounin pool, a skilled player who makes a living betting on his abilityUS , 1990
man oil
Trang 5man o Manishewitz!used as a jocular, mild oath From a
commercial for Manishewitz kosher wineUS , 1992
man on the landnouna farmer or other rural workerAUSTRALIA , 1911
man on the moonnouna spoon Rhyming slangUK , 1998
manornoun1a district designated to a specified police authorityUK ,
1924.2the area where you are born, or where you live and/or are
well knownUK , 1962
man overboard!1in dominoes, used for announcing the fact that
a player is forced to draw a pieceUS , 1959.2in craps in American
casinos, used for announcing that the dice or a die are off the
tableUS , 1985
man o’warnouna bore Rhyming slangUK , 1992
manscapingnounthe clipping, shaving and shaping of male body
hair for aesthetic effect Popularised in the US, and then the UK,
by the varying national productions of television programme
Queer Eye for the Straight Guy US , 2004
man-sizeadjectivedifficultUS , 1945
man’s mannouna police informer FromTHE MAN(the police)US ,
1972
Manson lampsnouna look full of hate, a murderous look Formed
from a reference to US serial killer Charles Manson andLAMP(the
eye)US , 1999
mantecanounheroinUK , 2003
man teefnouna woman who ‘steals’ another’s man Combines
‘man’ andTEEF(to steal); current in south London according to
Johnny Vaughan Tonight, 13th February 2002 UK , 2002
manthraxnoununfaithful men A combination of ‘man’ and
‘anthrax’ coined for Sex and the City, a late 1990s television
comedyUS , 2002
mantlepiecenoun< you don’t look at the mantelpiece when
you’re poking the firea semi-proverbial catchphrase that
means a woman’s looks are irrelevant during sexual intercourseUK ,
1961
mantonouna condom Teen slang, after South African Health
Minister Manto Tshabalala-MsimangSOUTH AFRICA , 2003
man-trapnounan attractive, seductive womanUS , 1963
manual exercisesnounmasturbationUS , 1964
manual releasenounmanual stimulation of a man’s genitalsUS ,
1996
Man United are playing at homethe bleed period of the
menstrual cycle The Manchester United football team play in a
red stripUK , 2000
man upstairsnounGod Always used with ‘the’US , 1948
man with the mintiesnounin horse racing, a mythical,
anonymous person responsible for a series of bad tips about
horses and racesAUSTRALIA , 1989
MaorilandnicknameNew ZealandAUSTRALIA , 1859
Maori overdrivenouncoasting downhill in neutralNEW ZEALAND , 1998
Maori screwdrivernouna hammer, especially when used on screws
NEW ZEALAND , 1998
Maori sidestepnounin rugby, a direct confrontation with a
poten-tial tackler, relying on brute force rather than guile or finesseNEW
ZEALAND , 1998
Maori splicenounany time-saving solution to a problemNEW
ZEALAND , 1998
Maori timenouna sensibility that is not consumed with worry
about punctualityNEW ZEALAND , 2002
mapnoun1the faceUS , 1899.2a musical score; a piece of sheet
musicUS , 1970.3a chequeUS , 1979
mapverbto hit, to strikeUS , 1989
Mapesnicknamethe Maples Inn, a popular bar and music venue in
Pointe Claire, Quebec.CANADA , 2002
maple keynounthe maple tree seed, which has wings so as to
make it twirl in the wind
map of Tasmanianounthe female pubic hair or pubic region
AUSTRALIA , 1978
map of Tassienounthe female pubic hair or pubic regionAUSTRALIA , 1978
maquillage; maquiagenounmakeup, cosmetics From French
maquiller (to make up the face) UK , 1992
maracasnounthe testicles Rhyming slang forKNACKERS UK , 1998
marathonnoun1in horse racing, any race that is longer than a mile and a quarterUS , 1976.2any amphetamine, methamphetamine or other central nervous system stimulantUS , 1980
maraudernouna surfer who is indifferent to safety, if not reckless
US , 1985
marblenoun1a slow-witted person Teen slangUS , 1958.2a tablet of ethchlorvynol (trade name Placidyl™), a central nervous system depressantUS , 1986 < make your marble goodto improve one’s prospectsAUSTRALIA , 1928
Marble Archnounstarch Rhyming slang, formed from a famous London landmarkUK , 1998
marble halls; marblesnounthe testicles Rhyming slang forBALLS, perhaps formed after an earlier use of ‘marbles’ in the same sense (but inspired by a similarity of shape and size)UK , 1992
Marblehead turkeynounsalt codUS , 1955
marble orchardnouna graveyardUS , 1925
marblesnoun1the testiclesUS , 1916.2diceUS , 1962.3money, cash, salary TheatricalUK , 1864 < all the marblesused as a symbol of complete successUS , 1924 < hand in your marblesto give up;
to die Variant forms are built on the verb: ‘toss in your marbles’,
‘throw in your marbles, etc’AUSTRALIA , 1908 < in the marblesin motor racing, in the outside portion of a curve where there is less tractionUS , 1992 < lose your marblesto become insane, to lose your mindUS , 1902
marbles and conkers; marblesadjectivemad, crazy Rhyming slang forBONKERS, formed from two games played by children, but probably inspired by phrases like ‘lose your marbles’ (to become mad)UK , 1992
marblishadjectivedisplaying a lack of sportsmanship when losing
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003
marcelnouna hairstyle characterised by deep, regular waves made
by a heated curling iron After Marcel Grateau (1852–1936), a French hairdresserUS , 1963
marching dustnouncocaineUK , 1998
marching ordersnouna dismissal from employment or romantic involvement From the military useUS , 1856
marching powdernouncocaine A shortening ofBOLIVIAN, COLUMBIANorPERUVIAN MARCHING POWDER US , 1984
Marcianounin horse racing, odds of 9–1 Rhyming slang based on Marcia Hines, an extremely popular singer in Australia in the mid-1970sAUSTRALIA , 1989
marconinounan eavesdropperUK , 2001
mardyadjectivesulky, moody English dialect creeping into the
mainstream via television programmes like Coronation Street UK , 1903
mardy-arsenouna sulker From the dialect wordMARDY(sulky)UK , 1999
mardy-arsedadjectivesulky, whining, ‘spoilt’ A combination of dialect wordMARDY(sulky) with ‘-arsed’ (having the characteristics
of )UK , 2002
marenoun1something good that is hard to believe, a dream Amends conventional ‘nightmare’ (a bad dream) and slang
‘nightmare’ (something bad)UK , 1997.2something undesirable
IRELAND , 2001.3an unpleasant, bad-tempered woman, especially as
an insulting term of addressUK , 1303
mare and foalnouna bankroll Rhyming slangNEW ZEALAND , 1998
mares’ nestnouna bar for women and their escortsNEW ZEALAND , 1953
marga
Trang 6Margaret Rose; margaretnounthe nose Rhyming slangUK , 1998
margarine legsnounused as a symbol of a woman’s sexual
avail-abilityAUSTRALIA , 1987
MargaritanounmarijuanaUS , 1979
Margate sandnounthe hand Rhyming slang, formed from a
seaside resort on the East Coast of EnglandUK , 1992
margenounmargarineUK , 1970s
Margenounthe passive, ‘feminine’ partner in a lesbian relationship
US , 1956
marinouna marijuana cigarette A clipping of ‘marijuana’US , 1933
Marianounin a deck of playing cards, the queen of spadesUS , 1950
Mariah Careyadjectivescary Rhyming slang, formed on the name
of the popular US singer (b.1970)UK , 2004
Maria Monk; marianounsemen Rhyming slang forSPUNK, based
on the name of the author of Awful Disclosures, 1836, a popular
erotic book of its timeUK , 2002
mariconnouna homosexual man Spanish slang on loan to
American slangTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1950
Marie Corelli; marienountelevision; a television Rhyming slang
forTELLY, formed from the pen name of romantic novelist Mary
Mackay, 1855–1924UK , 1971
marihooch; marihoochie; marihootee; marihootienoun
marijuanaUS , 1971
marijuana martininounmarijuana smoke blown into, and then
inhaled from, a chilled glassUS , 2001
marimbanounmarijuanaUK , 2001
marinateverb1to relax, to idleUS , 2000.2to ponder, to debate
internallyUS , 2002
Marine Tigernouna recent arrival in New York City from Puerto
Rico From the name of a converted C4 troopship that brought
many early Puerto Rican immigrants to the USUS , 1952
marish and parishnouneveryoneTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1987
mariweegeenounmarijuana A jocular mispronunciationUS , 1994
marjinounmarijuanaAUSTRALIA , 1953
marjoonnouna sweet confection with marijuana as a major
ingredientALGERIA , 1970
MarjorienounmarijuanaUS , 1979
marknoun1a victim, a potential victim of a swindleUK , 1749.2a
number bet on in the lottery game whe-wheTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ,
1909
markverb1in casino gambling, to place in a stack chips equal to
the amount of marker (a loan) extended to a gamblerUS , 1980.2to
realise, to see, to understandUK , 1970 < mark your cardto
inform; to warn From the marking of race cardsUK , 1956
marked wheelnouna rigged roulette wheelUS , 1975
markernoun1in a casino or gambling enterprise, an advance with
an IOU; by extension, any debt or obligationUS , 1887.2a person
who bets on a number in the lottery game whe-wheTRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO , 1930.3a vehicle’s licence plateCANADA , 1949
market pricenounthe going rate for sex with a prostituteUS , 1982
Mark Ramprakashnouna urination Rhyming slang forSLASH,
formed from the name of the English cricketer (b.1969)UK , 2003
marksnounsigns of intravenous drug use, such as scars or abcesses
US , 1983
Marks and Sparksnicknamethe retailer Marks and SpencerUK , 1964
Marlboro countrynouna remote place; the wildernessUS , 1968
Marlboro mannouna rugged, masculine, handsome cowboy type
Derived from the decades-long advertising campaign for Marlboro
cigarettes, featuring ultra-masculine cowboys smokingUS , 1969
Marleynouna marijuana cigarette From Bob Marley, Rastafarian
and marijuana-loverUS , 1997
Marley’s collienouna potent variety of marijuana, a hybrid of
Jamaican sensimillia Named in memory of reggae musician Bob
Marlie-Buttnouna cigaretteAUSTRALIA , 1996
marmalade droppernounsomething shocking, surprising or upsetting, especially a newspaper article From the idea that someone, especially a newspaper reader, will be so stunned that breakfast may fall from the fingersUK , 2003
Marmitenounexcrement; hence, rubbish Rhyming slang forSHITE, formed on the name of a branded yeast extract – a brown paste which is apparently an acquired tasteUK , 1998
Marmite driller; Marmite minernouna male homosexual Pejorative; a reference to anal sex, based onMARMITE(excrement)
UK , 2003
Marmite motorwaynounthe rectum FromMARMITE(excrement)
UK , 2003
MarmonnounmorphineUS , 1945
marocadjectiveextremely drunk A shortening of the Glasgow pronunciation ofMIRACULOUS UK: SCOTLAND , 1985
maroonnouna moron A malapropism that emphasises the point being madeUS , 1941
marquee playernouna leading or pre-eminent professional athlete with the ability to attract a large audienceUS , 1984
Marrakeshnouna variety of Moroccan hashishUK , 2003
marriagenounin car manufacturing, the installation of the powertrain (the engine, transmission, pinion, ring and differential gears)US , 1993
Marrickville Mercedesnounin Sydney, any of various cars popular with New Australians From Marrickville, a suburb with a high population of New AustraliansAUSTRALIA , 1987
marriedadjective1handcuffed togetherUS , 1962.2in trucking, part of
a two-driver teamUS , 1971.3(used of opium) adulterated with foreign substancesUS , 1956
married quartersnounin prison, the section where men who prefer to adopt a gay lifestyle tend to congregateUK , 2000
married to Mary Fistadjectiveobsessed with masturbatingUS , 1950
marrynoun< marry under bambooto be married in Hindu rites
GUYANA , 1996
marryverbin police work, to serve as partnersUS , 1992
marry and buryverb(of a minister of the local church) to carry a parishioner through life’s big eventsCANADA , 1978
marryjuwannanounmarijuana A less common example of the many personifications of marijuana intended as humorousUS , 1970
marry moneyverbto wed a wealthy man or womanUK , 1858
Mars and Venus; marsnounthe penis Rhyming slangUK , 1992
Mars Bar; marsnoun1the penis Extended from the shortened form of rhyming slangMARS AND VENUS(the penis), playing on the name of a famous branded item of confectionery that helps you
‘work, rest and play’, apparentlyUK , 1992.2a scar Rhyming slang, after a popular chocolate confection introduced to the UK in 1932
UK , 1985
marshnounin soda fountain usage, a marshmallowUS , 1946
marshmallownouna pillowUS , 1976
marshmallow red; marshmallownouna barbiturate, a central nervous system depressantUS , 1977
marshmallowsnoun1the female breastsUS , 1971.2the testiclesUS , 1971
martnounthe finger All that remains of old rhyming slang ‘Martin-Le-Grand; martin’ (the hand); recorded in gay use about 1970UK , 1984
mart covernouna glove FromMARTINI(the hand)UK , 2002
Martensnounheavy-duty boots designed for industrial use and sub-sequently adopted as fashionwear, initially by skinheads and bootboys, then as a general fashion item for either sex An abbreviation of the brand name Doctor Martens™UK , 2000
martin-eyenouna martini A jocular embellishmentUS , 1969
Martin Harveynounan act of pretence intended to mislead Circus,
Trang 7martininoun1a ringUK , 2002.2the hand; the arm May be
abbreviated to ‘mart’UK , 1992 < dry martinithe left hand Based
on the popular branded drinkUK , 2002 < sweet martinithe right
hand Based on the popular branded drinkUK , 2002
Marty Wildenoun mild ale Rhyming slang, from the stage-name of
a singer (b.1939) who had a number of hit records in the late
1950s and early 60s, when mild ale was also a popular choiceUK ,
1992
marvelnounan impressive person Also commonly used ironically
AUSTRALIA , 1956
marvellous Melbournenicknamethe city of Melbourne, Australia’s
second biggest cityAUSTRALIA , 1885
marvyadjectivemarvellousUS , 1931
marvy-groovyadjectivebad A combination of two clichéd adjectives
for ‘good’, meaning ‘bad’US , 1967
Marynoun1an Australian Aboriginal, Papuan or Islander woman
AUSTRALIA , 1830.2any woman of Indian descent Offensive, though
not originally intended to be soSOUTH AFRICA , 1927.3any black
woman, especially a domestic worker; any non-white woman
Offensive, demeaning; from the previous senseSOUTH AFRICA , 1952.
4used as a term of address from one male homosexual to
anotherUS , 1925.5a homosexual man who is a CatholicUK , 2002.
6marijuana Simply being on first name terms withMARY JANE,
MARY WARNERand many other similar personifications of
marijuana Also written as lower caseUS , 1952.7morphineUS , 1945
Mary and Johnnynounmarijuana A playful personification of
marijuanaUS , 1935
Mary Annnoun1a fan (for cooling the air) Rhyming slangUK , 1992.
2marijuana A personification based on varying the vowel-sounds
in ‘marijuana’, So may also appear as Maryanne’ or Mary Anner’
US , 1936
Mary Deckernouna fast-moving police vehicle, especially an
armoured vehicle; a minibus, especially one made by Mitsubishi
Township slang; after the US athlete (b.1958) who failed to win a
1984 Olympic medal in the 3,000 meters, as a result of an
incident involving South African athlete, Zola Budd (who was
actually running for the UK)SOUTH AFRICA , 1985
Mary-do-you-wanna-dancenounmarijuanaUK , 2000
Mary Ellen mannouna pickpocket who distracts the victim by
telling a sexually charged storyUS , 1976
Mary Ellensnounlarge female breasts Rhyming slang forMELONS;
described as ‘fairly modern’ by Ray Puxley, Cockney Rabbit, 1992,
but surely an ironic reference to the music hall song of some 80
years earlier: ‘I’m Shy, Mary Ellen, I’m Shy’UK , 1992
Mary Fistnounused as a personification of male masturbationUS ,
1950
Mary Green; the Marynounin any suit of cards, the Queen
Rhyming slangUK , 1992
Mary Janenoun1marijuana From the disputed presumption that
marijuana is formed of two Mexican Spanish names: Maria and
Juan or Juanita, hence Mary Jane, and many variants, such as
Mary J, Mary Jonas, Mary Juana and so onUS , 1928.2cocaine
Rhyming slangUK , 1996
Marylounounglue Rhyming slangUK , 1992
Mary Rosenouna nose, especially a notably large specimen
Rhyming slang, apparently formed from the name of a sunken
ship which was raised with much hoop-la in 1982UK , 1998
Mary unitnouna motorcyle police officerUS , 2001
Mary Warner; Mary Warmer; Mary Weaver; Mary Werner;
Mary Wornernounmarijuana Giving a feminine identity by
mispronunciationUS , 1933
Mary Worthlessnounan older homosexual manUS , 1979
masacreenouna massacreUK , 1823
masala relationshipnouna romantic relationship between a black
man and an Indian woman From the film Mississippi Masala,
alluding to the spice mixture used in Indian cookingTRINIDAD AND
Masaratinounan improvised pipe for smoking crack cocaine, made from a plastic bottleUS , 1992
mashnoun1mashed potato Also variant ‘mashed’UK , 1923.2a romantic infatuation; a sweetheartUS , 1877.3any homemade liquor
US , 2002
mashverb1to beat up, to ‘beat to a pulp’ Derives from
convention-al ‘mash’ (to crush, smash utterly)US , 1872.2to flirt aggressivelyUS ,
1877.3to go away Usually used as a command to dogsTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1956.4to pass, to hand to someone, to giveUS , 1944
mash and dashverbto kiss and runUS , 1996
mashedadjective1drunkUS , 1942.2marijuana-intoxicated Extending the previous sense, 1997.3astonishedUS , 1968
mashed potato transmissionnounin the used car business, a worn, loose, mushy automatic transmissionUS , 1997
mashed upadjectivedamaged, 1997
masheeradjectiveon Prince Edward Island, used for describing a garmentCANADA , 1988
mashernoun1an attractive manIRELAND , 1999.2an unsophisticated flirtUS , 1973.3a person who takes sexual pleasure from physical contact with strangers in crowded placesUS , 1875
mash listnouna tally of all those with whom you have had sexUS , 1996
mash mouthadjectivetoothlessTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1987
mash outverbto completeUS , 1973
mashupnouna creative remixing of separate pieces of recorded dance musicUK , 2002
mash upverb1to beat up, to thrashUK , 1999.2(of a disc jockey) to mix dance records togetherUK , 1996
masknoun1a tight, stretched face resulting from extensive cosmetic surgeryUS , 1997.2oversized sunglassesUS , 1962
masonnoun1an extremely frugal person A reference to stone walls,
a methaphor for frugalityUS , 1950.2a male homosexual who takes the active role in sexUS , 1949
massnouna lot of, a great manyUS , 1994
massadjectivea lot ofUS , 1981
Massa Charlienounused as a stereotype of the dominant white male in relation to blacksUS , 1965
Massachusetts drivernounin the northeastern US, an inconsiderate and dangerous driverUS , 1975
massa day done!used for reminding someone that the colonial era and slavery are a thing of the pastTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1961
massagenounsexual services A euphemism so well known that a legitimate masseuse may hesitate to announce his or her pro-fessionUS , 2001
massageverbto kill Vietnam war usageUS , 1926
massesnouna large amountUK , 1892
mass gasnouna group of tanker aircraft refuelling a group of receiver planesUS , 1963
massivenoun1a group of friends or peersJAMAICA , 1989.2a gang Predominantly West Indian and UK Black usage, 1994.3a social grouping with a shared leisure interest, often identified by location West Indian and UK Black usageJAMAICA , 1995
massiveadjectiveexcellentUS , 1982 < give it massiveto enjoy in a very enthusiastic or excessive fashion Punning onGIVE IT LARGE UK , 2000
massive!used for expressing enthusiastic approvalNEW ZEALAND , 1998
massive humanitynouna large crowdUS , 1983
Ma State; ManicknameNew South Wales, Australia A tribute to NSW’s status as Australia’s earliest colony, thus the ‘mother state’
AUSTRALIA , 1906
masteradjectiveexcellentTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1956
master blasternouna large piece of crack cocaineUS , 1992
master keynounin law enforcement, a sledge hammerUS , 1995
master maniac