Rhyming slangNEW ZEALAND, 1998 paddock-bashernouna worn-out old vehicle used to drive around a country propertyAUSTRALIA, 1983 pad downverbto go to sleepUS, 1993 paddynoun1a white person
Trang 1Pnoun1pure or nearly pure heroinUS, 1971.2a Vietnamese piastre
US, 1965
Padjective1pretty Hawaiian youth usageUS, 1982.2a priceUK, 1997
-psuffixused for turning a word into a questionUS, 1981
P-38noun1a police-issue 38 calibre revolverUS, 1976.2in Vietnam
war usage, the small can-opener included with individual field
rations A humorous application of bureaucratic nomenclatureUS,
1968
P45noun< give someone their P45to break off a romantic
relationship with someone A P45 is the form given by an
employer to a dismissed employeeUK: SCOTLAND, 1996
panouna father; used to address your father An abbreviation of
‘papa’UK, 1811
PAa prosecuting attorneyUS, 1992
Pablonouncocaine In memory of Colombian Pablo Escobar
(1949–93) of the medellín CartelUK, 1996
Pachuconouna young Mexican-American, especially a tough or
gang member A highly stylised fashion sense, a private language
and a rage against white oppression of the 1940sUS, 1943
Pacific steroidnounthe Southeast Asian plant, taro Common in
conversation in New Zealand since the 1990sNEW ZEALAND, 2002
packnoun1a package of illegal drugs, especially heroin Also variant
‘packet’US, 1952.2marijuanaUK, 2003.3in the used car business, a
fixed amount that is added to the price the dealer has paid for the
carUS, 1975.< go to the packto deteriorateAUSTRALIA, 1919
packverb1to carry a weapon, usually a concealed oneUS, 1949.2to
tuck the male genitals into the left or right trouser legUS, 1972.3to
be fearful A shortening ofPACK SHIT AUSTRALIA , 1988.4while
snowboarding, to hit the snow hardUS, 1990.5to take someone
along on a motorcyle cruiseUS, 1966.< pack a punchof a thing,
to be powerful A figurative use of the pugilistic senseUS, 1938.
< pack a rodto carry a gun In literature by 1940US, 1940.
< pack a sadto break off a relationshipNEW ZEALAND, 1994.
< pack a shitty1to sulkAUSTRALIA, 1985.2to become angryNEW
ZEALAND, 1998.< pack deathto be fearfulAUSTRALIA, 1975.< pack
doubleto carry a passenger on a motorcyleUS, 2000.< pack
fudgeto play the active role in anal sexUS, 1987.< pack heatto
carry a gunUS, 1930.< pack itto be fearful Euphemistic forPACK
SHIT AUSTRALIA , 1945.< pack shit; pack the shitsto be fearful
The metaphor is of one so scared that they are straining not to
shit themselvesAUSTRALIA, 1971.< pack the cracksto endure
injections of collagenUS, 1997.< pack the paymentin new car
sales, to make a sale for a price slightly below what the customer
has said they are willing to spendUS, 1989.< pack’em; pack
themto be fearful Euphemistic forPACK THE SHITS AUSTRALIA , 1944
packagenoun1a man’s genitals as seen through trousersUS, 1997.
2a good-looking womanUS, 1945.3the female posteriorUS, 2001.4a
sexually transmitted infection, especially gonorrhoeaUS, 1950.5AIDS
or HIVUS, 2002
package of troublenounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycle
US, 1999
pack awayverbto consume food or drink with gustoAUSTRALIA, 1972
Packer-backer-makinouna beer-drinking, snow-suit wearing,
Skoal-chewing, snowmobile-riding fan of the Green Bay Packer
pro-fessional football team Michigan Upper Peninsula usageUS, 2004
packetnoun1the genitals, especially as may be hinted at or
imagined when dressed, usually male Gay slangUK, 2002.2a large
sum of moneyUK, 1922
packet of three; pack of threenouna packet of three condoms
A dated semi-euphemism that was widespread before the onset of
pack horsenouna person, usually a guard, who brings contraband into prisonUS, 1984
packienounan off-licence From US states where off-licences are known as ‘package stores’US, 1991
pack in; pack upverbto stop; to cease an activity; to retireUS, 1942
pack of rocksnouna packet of ready-to-smoke marijuana fashioned
in the manner of cigarettes An abbreviation of ‘pack of rockets’
UK, 2003
pack outverbto unpackSOUTH AFRICA, 1969
pack-rapenounrape by a gang of men in successionAUSTRALIA, 1969
pack-rapeverb(of a gang of men) to serially rape a woman
AUSTRALIA, 1965
pack-rapistnouna person who commits pack-rapeAUSTRALIA, 1972
pack-sack citizennouna short-term resident of any place, living, as
it were, out of a packsack (backpack or rucksack)CANADA, 1966
pack upverbto cease doing something; to retire from work (of a machine, etc) to stop working because of a faultUK, 1925.< pack
up shopto cease tradingUK, 2003
pacoteenouna sexually available woman From the French and Spanish for ‘inferior goods’, at times corrupted back into English
as ‘pack o’ tea’TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1950
pacy; paceyadjectivefast, speedyUK, 1906
padnoun1an apartment or house; a room, especially a bedroom In the C18 ‘pad’ referred to a bed By the 1930s, it took on the new meaning and was spread by jazz musicians Still heard, with a retro feelUS, 1938.2a bedUK, 1718.3a prison cellUS, 1943.4a padded cell
UK, 1996.5the bribery paid by a criminal enterprise to policeUS,
1970.6an animal trackAUSTRALIA, 1893.< on the padbribedUS, 1971
padverb1to resideUS, 1963.2(used of police) to add to the narcotics confiscated from a suspect in order to render the charge against them more seriousUS, 1972.< pad the ringin horse racing, to place many small bets on several horses in a race while placing a large bet on one horse away from the track, hoping that the small bets on other horses will drive the odds on your horse upUS, 1951
paddlenounon the railways, a semaphore signalUS, 1977
paddleverbin horse racing, to try hard without successAUSTRALIA,
1989.< paddle the pickle(of a male) to masturbateUS, 1967.
< paddle the pink canoe(of a female) to masturbateUK, 2004
paddle bullnouna young male moose, whose unbranched antlers look like table tennis batsCANADA, 1989
paddle popnouna block of ice Rhyming slangNEW ZEALAND, 1998
paddock-bashernouna worn-out old vehicle used to drive around a country propertyAUSTRALIA, 1983
pad downverbto go to sleepUS, 1993
paddynoun1a white personUS, 1945.2a police officerUS, 1946.3a temper, a rageUK, 1894
Paddynounan Irish personUK, 1780
Paddynicknameused as a nickname for any Irishman Diminutive of the name PatrickUK, 1959
Paddy and Micknoun a pick-axe Rhyming slang, drawing on the
stereotype of Irish labourersUK, 1998
Paddy and Mickadjectivestupid Rhyming slang forTHICK, drawing
on an lrish stereotypeUK, 1992
paddy hustlernouna criminal who targets white people as victims
US, 1970
Paddy McGuigannoundancing, jigging Glasgow rhyming slang for
‘jiggin’, formed on no Irishman in particular
Trang 2Paddy McGuirenouna fire Glasgow rhyming slang, formed on no
Irishman in particularUK: SCOTLAND, 1988
Paddy O’Rourkeverbto talk Rhyming slang; derivation unknown
UK, 1998
Paddy’s DaynicknameSt Patrick Day A national holiday in Ireland
to celebrate St Patrick, Ireland’s patron saintIRELAND, 2003
Paddy’s pignounthe epitome of ignoranceNEW ZEALAND, 1974
Paddy’s taxinouna police ‘Panda’ carUK, 1969
paddy strengthnounin the Vietnam war, the combat strength of a
unit, measured by the actual number of troops in the fieldUS, 1974
Paddy’s Wigwamnicknamethe Roman Catholic Metropolitan
Cathedral in Liverpool ‘Wigwam’ is an obvious simile for the
shape of the 1960s building,PADDY(an Irishman) reflects a cultural
perception of Roman CatholicsUK, 2003
paddy wagonnouna police transport vanUS, 1909
Paddy waternounGuinness™ Irish stout FromPADDY(an Irish
person)UK, 2000
paddywoodnouna white person Not used kindlyUS, 1980
padiddlenouna car with only one headlight functioning A childish
word for the childish activity of spotting cars with one broken
headlightUS, 1976
padlocknounthe penis Rhyming slang forCOCK UK , 1972
pad matenounin prison, the inmate with whom a cell is shared
FromPAD(a cell)UK, 1996
pad rollnouna controlled roll of the dice by a skilled cheat, best
made on a blanket spread on the groundUS, 1950
pad-rollverbto roll dice in a controlled fashion So called because it
can best be made on a blanket, rug or other soft padUS, 1950
padrone; padroninouna boss (especially in a gangster-related
context) From Italian padrone (an owner, master), via films about
the mafia The plural is ‘padroni’ITALY, 2000
padsnountyres Biker (motorcyle) usageUS, 2003
pad sharknouna prisoner who steals from others’ cells FromPAD(a
cell)UK, 1996
paedie-pumpnouna prison-issue training shoe worn by sex
offenders Based on an abbreviation of ‘paedophile’ In use August
2002UK, 2002
paedonounused as a short form of paedophilia, paedophile and
related terms The Greek for ‘child’, used as the root for many
conventional terms, has lately been been associated in the public
imagination with the worst of its usesUK, 2002
Pagnoun the short opera Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo UK, 1987
pagenounone thousand doses of LSD soaked into paperUS, 1999
page biznounthe publishing business CombinesBIZ(a business)
with a small exampleUS, 2002
page onernouna screenplay in need of a complete rewriteUS, 1997
page three girlnouna girl whose scantily clad, or nude, picture
appears as a newspaper pin-up From a ‘Page Three’ feature in The
Sun but applied far more widely UK, 1975
paggerverbto break or smash; to wreck Market traders’ use;
influenced byBUGGER(to ruin)UK, 1979
paggeredadjectivedrunk FromPAGGER, hence ‘smashed’ (drunk)UK,
2002
pagnenoun a hangover caused by drinking champagne A pun UK,
1999
pagodanounin horse racing, the stand where race officials are
seatedUS, 1951
paidadjectivefinancially stable if not wealthyUS, 1998
pailnounthe stomach An abbreviation of ‘lunch pail’ (a container)
US, 1945
painnounan irritation; an annoying personUK, 1933
PainnounMain Street in Winnipeg, which at its crossing of Portage
is the exact centre ‘Pain’ for ‘Main’ at the intersection of Portage
Street is evocative of windy, very cold winter weather
pain in the ass; pain in the arse; pain in the backsidenouna great nuisanceUS, 1934
pain in the necknoun1an irritating nuisanceUK, 1941.2a cheque Rhyming slangUK, 1992
pain in the netnouna person who posts inflammatory attacks on Internet discussion groupsUS, 1991
pain slutnouna person who derives sexual satisfaction from physi-cal and verbal abuseUK, 1996
paintnoun1make upUK, 1660.2the inside rails of a horse racing trackAUSTRALIA, 1965.3in card games, a face card or a tenUS, 1985.
< come round on the paintof a racehorse, to take a bend on the insideAUSTRALIA, 1953
paintverb1to apply make upUK, 1382.2in lowball poker, to draw a face card to a hand of four low cardsUS, 1967.3in hearts, to play a heart on a non-heart trickUS, 1987.4to mark a target with laser beams Gulf war usageUS, 1991.< paint the barnto apply makeupCANADA, 2002.< paint the busto change something’s appearance without changing its basic foundationsUS, 1974.
< paint the town redto have a raucous time on the townUS, 1884
painted ponynounin circus and carnival usage, a zebraUS, 1981
painternoun1a card cheat who marks cards for identification in another player’s handUS, 1993.2a firefighter assigned to a hook-and-ladder truck Owing to the ladderUS, 1954
paintersnoun< have the painters in; painters are into be in the bleed period of the menstrual cycle A euphemistic fact of life
UK, 1961
paint-strippernouncheap and nasty alcoholUK, 1999
paipseyadjectiveuglyBARBADOS, 1965
pairnoun1a pair of female breastsUS, 1957.2a pair of testicles, hence manliness or courageUS, 1985
pair of ducks; pairnounin cricket, the score of a batsman who is out for no score in each leg of a match FromDUCK(zero)UK, 2003
pair of fives; pair of nickelsnounfifty-five miles an hour, the nearly uniform road speed limit in the US in the mid-1970sUS, 1976
pair of nostrilsnouna sawn-off shotgun From the appearance of the gunUK, 2002
pair of pantiesnoun paragliding From the French term parapente
(paragliding)US, 1992
paisan; paisanonounan Italian-American; used as a term of address that evokes a common heritage, especially ItalianUS, 1947
pajamanounthe vagina Something you slip into at bedtimeUS, 1998
pajama wagonnounin trucking, a truck cab with a factory-manufactured sleeping compartmentUS, 1971
PaknounPakistanUK, 2004
pakalolonouna variety of marijuana from HawaiiUS, 1981
pakapoo ticketnounsomething indecipherable or overly complicated Pakapoo is a Chinese gambling game that appears to outsiders to be quite complicatedAUSTRALIA, 1951
PakiadjectivePakistaniUK, 1984
Paki; paki; pakki; Paknouna Pakistani; any Asian or Afro-Asian immigrant; loosely, any native of the Indian subcontinent; Pakistan Derogatory or patronisingUK, 1964
Paki-basher; Pakki-bashernouna violent racist who, usually as part of a group, attacks members of the Asian communityUK, 1970
Paki-bashing; Pakki-bashingnounan organised or opportunistic assaulting of Asian immigrants by gangs of white youths Political and racist agenda are claimed in an attempt to dignify these attacks by thrill-seeking youths; however, it is worth noting that an averagePAKI-BASHERis unable to draw a distinction between targeted races This social phenomenon seems to have originated
in London and continues, sporadically, nationwideUK, 1970
Paki poxnounsmallpox From ill-informed racist opinionUK, 1984
Pakistaner a big-breasted girl Teen slang
Trang 3Pakistani black; paki blacknouna potent, black-brown marijuana
cultivated in Pakistan In other contexts the use of ‘Paki’ may be
seen as derogatory, in this case it is attached to a high quality
productUK, 1998
Paklishadjectiveof Anglo-Pakistani birthAUSTRALIA, 2003
palnoun1a close friend; used as a term of address, usually
sarcastically From the English, Turkish and Transylvanian Romany
tonguesUK, 1681.2a studio musicianUS, 1982
palacenouna brakevan (caboose)US, 1946
Palace of Varietiesnicknamethe House of Commons A derisive
allusion to a place of entertainmentUK, 1999
pal aroundverbto associate with; to socialise withUS, 1879
palaticadjectivedrunk A drunken slurring ofPARALYTIC(drunk)UK, 1885
palavernounbusiness; any activity or business that is complicated
or annoying, an unnecessary fussUK, 1899
palaververbto talk; to chat; to argueUK, 1733
paleetsnounused as a male-to-male term of address An
embellished ‘pal’TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1976
pale-facenounwhen spoken by a black person, a white person
From C18 American Indian usageUS, 1945
palfnounPalfium, a heroin substituteIRELAND, 1996
palintoshedadjectivedrunkUK, 2002
palled-inadjectivecohabiting with a womanUK, 1981
pallinessnouncomradeship, the condition of being palsUK, 1937
pallishadjectivefriendlyUK, 1892
Pall Mallnouna girl Rhyming slang, formed on the London street;
recorded as ‘now obsolete’ by Julian Franklyn, A Dictionary of
Rhyming Slang, 1960, who explained the rhyme as ‘Cockney
dialect makes Paow Maow – Gaow’ Despite Franklyn’s assertion, it
is apparently still in circulationUK, 1998
pallynouna friend; a comradeUS, 1979
pallyadjectivefriendlyUK, 1895
pally upverbto make friendly overtures; to make friendsUK, 2002
palmnounnapalm Vietnam war usageUS, 1991
palmingnounmasturbationBAHAMAS, 1982
palm oilnoun1a bribeUK, 1627.2a gratuityUS, 1949
palm shinernounin gambling, an object that reflects the image of
cards, small enough to be held in the user’s handUS, 1997
palm-walmernouna person who tipsUS, 1951
palone-omeenouna lesbian Polari; a combination of ‘palone’ (a
woman) and ‘omee’ (a man), the reverse order ‘omee-palone’
means a male homosexualUK, 2002
palonienouna circus pony used in comedy routinesUK, 1953
palookanouna person who is mediocre at their craft Originally a
boxing termUS, 1925
palsy-walsyadjectivefriendly, often with an undertone of insincerity
US, 1937
pal upverbto make friendsUS, 1953
pampverbto place or put something somewhereUK: SCOTLAND, 1990
pamphletnounone ounce of a drugUS, 1976
pannounthe faceUS, 1923.< on the pan(used of a truck driver)
summoned to appear before a public utility commission for
violations of driving lawsUS, 1961
panverb1to criticise something as unsuccessfulUS, 1911.2to utterly
defeat someone in a fight; to thrash someoneUK, 2002.3to beg An
abbreviation of ‘panhandle’US, 1997
Panama cutnouna variety of marijuana cultivated in PanamaUK,
1998
Panama gold; Panamanian goldnouna potent, gold-leafed
marijuana cultivated in PanamaUS, 1968
Panama red; Panamanian rednouna potent variety of marijuana
panatellanoun1a marijuana cigaretteUS, 1944.2potent marijuana, especially that originating in South or Central AmericaUS, 1956
panaticnouna devoted, die-hard fan of steelband musicTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1988
pan breidadjectivedead Glasgow rhyming slang for ‘pan bread’ (a type of crusty loaf )UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
pancakeverbusing hydraulic lifts operated from inside the car, to drop suddenly first the back and then the front of a carUS, 1980
pancake saddlenounin western Canada, an English saddleCANADA, 1987
panda car; pandanouna black and white police patrol car, hence a police patrol car The logic is black and white: the car was introduced at a time when the pandas at London Zoo were making headlinesUK, 1966
Pandemonium World ScarewaysnicknameUS airline company Pan Am Most airlines attract jocular variations of their names: Pan Am’s include: ‘Painful, Nauseating and Miserable’ and
‘Passengers Always Neglected at Mealtimes’US, 2002
P and Qnoun solitary confinement in prison Abbreviated ‘peace and quiet’ US, 1982
panenouna dose of LSD on a tiny, clear gelatin chip A shortened form ofWINDOWPANE US , 1994
panel-beaternounan employee in a car body shopAUSTRALIA, 1984
panel housenouna brothel with sliding walls through which thieves steal from the clothes of customersUS, 1848
panels of fencesnounin horse racing, a long leadAUSTRALIA, 1989
pangonadalotnounheroinUS, 1977
panhandleverbto begUS, 1884
panhandlernoun1a beggarUS, 1897.2a nurse Jocular reference to bedpansUS, 1976
panicnoun1a widespread unavailability of an illegal drugUS, 1937.2a very good timeUS, 1958
panic buttonnounany switch or button which activates an emergency alarm, or summons urgent assistance, or stops a mechanical operationUK, 1971
panic flipnounin pinball, the premature activation of a flipperUS, 1977
panic merchantnouna person who habitually panicsAUSTRALIA, 1962
panic stationsnouna frenzied state of alarmed or confused thinking A jocular adaptation of the military term ‘action stations’
UK, 1961
pan-loafadjectiveof a superior social status or well-to-do Glasgow rhyming slang forTOFF– a good rhyme in the local accent – formed from a type of bread with a soft crustUK: SCOTLAND, 1985
pannikin bossnouna person with a modest amount of authority; a minor boss; a foremanAUSTRALIA, 1898
pannonoun1a panel vanAUSTRALIA, 1998.2a foreman An abbrevi-ation ofPANNIKIN BOSS AUSTRALIA , 1957
panoramasnounpyjamas Rhyming slangUK, 1992
pan outverb(of an event) to turn out; to result A figurative appli-cation of panning for goldUS, 1871
pansynouna male homosexual; an effeminate manUK, 1929
pansy-assadjectiveeffeminate, weakUS, 2002
pansy-boynounan effeminate male homosexualAUSTRALIA, 1976
pansy-mannouna male homosexualANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, 1999
pansy patchnicknamean area in west Hollywood, California, largely populated by homosexual men since the 1960sUS, 1971
Pansy Pottersnounthe documents given to someone who is dismissed from employment Glasgow rhyming slang forJOTTERS,
formed on a comic strip characterUK: SCOTLAND, 1996
pansy prattlenounthe snide remarks and witty insults character-istic of male homosexual banterUS, 1980
pant trousers
Trang 4panthernouna condom The image of a large black beast Collected
from UK prisoners in May, 2002JAMAICA, 2002
panther breathnounstrong, illegally manufactured whiskyUS, 1999
panther juicenounstrong, homemade alcoholUS, 1960
panther pissnounillegally manufactured, low quality alcoholUS, 1971
panther sweatnoun1surgical spirit and Italian vermouth mixed as
a potent drink After the US slang for inferior whisky Reported by
a correspondent of Partridge as in Beatnik use around 1959, but
not recorded until 1984UK, 1984.2low quality whiskyUS, 1977
pantloadnouna great deal of somethingUS, 1968
pant moustachenouna fringe of pubic hair that escapes the
con-fines of a female’s underwear or swimwearUK, 2003
pantomime cownouna row; an argument Rhyming slangUK, 1998
pantsnoun1rubbish, nonsense, often applied adjectivallyUK, 1998.
2sex In the spirit of ‘cunt’, ‘ass’ or ‘leg’, but a bit more restrained
US, 1965.< frighten the pants off; scare the pants offto
frighten or scare someone, especially severely or (when horror is
presented as entertainment) thrillinglyUK, 1967.< get into
someone’s pantsto seduce someone; to have sex with someone
US, 1952
pantsverbto pull someone’s trousers down as part of a prank or
practical jokeUS, 1989
pantsadjectiveapplied to something that is very easily doneUK:
SCOTLAND, 1996
pants and vest; pantsnoun best bitter beer Rhyming slang UK, 1992
pantsfulnouna great deal, especially of something bad A
suggestion of a lot of excrementUS, 1993
pantsmannouna womaniserAUSTRALIA, 1968
pants rabbitsnounpubic lice; body lice; fleasUS, 1949
panty hamsternounthe vaginaUK, 2002
pantymannounan effeminate heterosexual man; a homosexual
manTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1993
pantypopverbto fartUS, 2003
panty raidnouna college fad in which male students invade the
dormitories of female students, seizing underwear as trophies The
practice and term faded quickly with the onset of 1960s cultureUS,
1952
panty-stretchernouna heavy woman Also recorded in UK usage
US, 1976
pantywaistnouna weakling or coward; a homosexual manUS, 1936
pantzillanounSildenafil citrate marketed as Viagra, an
anti-impotence drug taken recreationally for performance
enhancement, in combination with other chemicals that stimulate
the sexual appetites A jocular reference to the monster in your
underpants The monster, of course, is GodzillaUK, 2001
pan upverbto prepare a powdered drug for heating prior to
injectionUS, 1971
Panzernouna Mercedes-Benz carUS, 1997
papverbto work as a press photographer who specialises in the
sensational and the celebrated A back-formation fromPAPARAZZI
UK, 2004
paparazzinounpress photographers who specialise in the
sensational and the celebrated, or a single photographer similarly
engaged From the Italian paparazzo which is the correct, though
rarely used, singular form Named after a character in La Dolce
Vita, a 1960 film by Frederico Fellini UK, 1968
papenouna Roman Catholic A shortening of ‘papist’UK: SCOTLAND,
1985
papernoun1moneyUS, 1974.2a cigarette paperUK, 1950.3personal
identification papersUS, 1982.4promotional literature produced as
part of a telephone sales swindleUS, 1988.5a free pass to a
per-formanceUK, 1785.6a chequeUS, 1972.7a speeding ticketUS, 1976.
8a deck of cards that have been marked for cheatingUS, 1977.
9heroin sold in a paper packet; a folded paper containing any
powdered drug . probation in lieu of a jail sentence;
parole from prisonUS, 1973.11an underworld contract to have someone killedUS, 1983
paperverb< paper the houseto give away free tickets to an event in order to secure a large audienceUK, 1859
paper acidnounLSD, especially on blotting paperUS, 1977
paper and plasticnounin gambling, a combination of cash and betting chips A play on the grocery clerk’s query to a customer –
‘Paper or plastic bag?’US, 1996
paper assholenounan adhesive reinforcement attached to holes punched on a piece of paper to prevent the page from ripping out
of a binder The object is shaped like a small life buoy, visually evocative to some of an anus Collected from union negotiating committee members in northern California, September 2002US, 2002
paper bagnoun< go pop like a paper bag(of a woman) to copulate vigorouslyAUSTRALIA, 1984.< you couldn’t fight your way out of a paper bag; you couldn’t punch your way out
of a paper bagaddressed to (or, in the third person, used of ) a person boasting of strength or fighting abilityAUSTRALIA, 1961
paper bag; paperverbto nag someone Rhyming slangUK, 1992
paperbag casenounan ugly woman A suggestion that the paper bag be worn over her headUS, 1976
paper bluntnouna marijuana cigaretteUK, 2003
paper boynouna drug dealer, especially a heroin dealer Because heroin is often sold in paper envelopes; punning on a newspaper delivery boyUS, 1970
paperedadjectiveused of a stadium or an auditorium filled by people given free ticketsUS, 1978
paper growernouna recycling bin for paperCANADA, 1989
paper-hangnounthe passing of counterfeit money or forged securitiesUS, 1976
paper-hangernoun1a criminal whose expertise is the use of fraudulent securitiesUS, 1954.2in trucking, a police officer writing a ticketUS, 1976
paper hatnouna fool Rhyming slang forTWAT UK , 1998
paper mushroomsnounLSD LSD on blotting paper having the hallucinogenic properties ofMAGIC MUSHROOM(S) UK , 1998
paper-punchernounused as a jocular description of a handgun target shooterUS, 1957
paper-pushernoun1a bureaucrat; in the military, anyone with a desk job and not in combatUS, 1980.2a person who places counterfeit money into circulationUS, 1985
papersnounin prison, a person’s backgroundUS, 2000
paper soldiernouna rear-area military personnel who supported those in combatUS, 1990
paper timenounthe additional years added to a prison sentence because of publicity surrounding the crime, criminal and/or trial
US, 1962
paper topnouna convertible car topUS, 1973
paperweightnoun1in horse racing, a very small weight allowance
in a weight-handicapped eventAUSTRALIA, 1989.2a railway office clerkUS, 1946
paperworknoun1any alteration of playing cards as part of a cheating schemeUS, 1962.2a speeding ticketUS, 1976.3money; currency notesUK, 1997
papesnoun1cigarette rolling papersUS, 1997.2moneyUS, 2000
pappynouna father A childish, rural ringUK, 1763
pappy-mammynouna homosexual manTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1956
pappyshownouna fool, or someone who presents the appearance
of a fool A corruption of ‘puppet show’TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1940
papsnounpress photographers who specialise in the sensational and the celebrated An abbreviation ofPAPARAZZI UK , 2002
parnoun< below par; under parless than average or less than projected A term that migrated from conventional English into
Trang 5paranoun1a paratrooper US, 1990.2paranoia, especially as a result of
drug abuseUK, 1996
para; parroadjective1paranoidUK, 1996.2drunk A shortening of
PARALYTIC AUSTRALIA , 1988
parachutenoun1a combination of crack cocaine and phencyclidine,
the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dustUK, 1998.2heroin
From its effect of slowing down other drug highsUK, 2002
paradenounin a striptease show, the dancer’s fully clothed walk
across the stage before beginning to stripUS, 1945
paradisenounthe highest gallery in a theatreUK, 1952
paradise strokenoun(generally plural) the final thrust before male
orgasmUK, 1984
paradise white; paradisenouncocaineUK, 1998
paraffin lamp; paraffinnouna tramp, a homeless person; used as
an insult for someone in need of a wash Rhyming slangUK, 1997
paraffin oil; paraffinnounstyle Glasgow rhyming slang (a good
rhyme in a local accent)UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
parakeetnouna Puerto RicanUS, 1962
paralleladjectivelying down Hawaiian youth usageUS, 1982
paralysis by analysisnouninaction produced by over-thinking a
situationUS, 1971
paralytic; paraleticadjectivevery drunk; drunk and incapable
‘Paraletic’ is a phonetic misspellingAUSTRALIA, 1891
parboiledadjectivedrunkUS, 1960
parcelnouna quantity of stolen goods being delivered to the
receiver A specialisation of the conventional senseUK, 1981
pardnounpartner A definite Western flavour; a highly affected
shortening of ‘partner’US, 1850
pardnernounused as a term of address, male-to-male Used with an
intentional folksiness that harkens to cowboy filmsUS, 1795
pardon me for living!; pardon me for breathing!used as an
elaborate mock apology offered in answer for a minor error or
trivial criticismUK, 1961
Paree; Gay PareenounParis, France From the French
pronunciationUK, 1848
parental unitsnounyour parentsUS, 1982
parish bullnouna man with illegitimate childrenBERMUDA, 1985
parkverb1to (temporarily) place something or someone in a
pos-ition of some safety or convenience Often extended – in
worldwide variations – as an invitation or imperative: ‘park your
arse!’ ‘park your carcass!’ ‘park your fanny!’ ‘park your frame!’ and,
the nautically inspired, ‘park your stern!’UK, 1908.2to stay at a
place for a short timeAUSTRALIA, 1961.3to engage in sexual foreplay
in a parked carUS, 1972.4to give A shortening of obsoletePARKER
UK, 1972.< park a custardto vomit Upper-class society usageUK,
1982.< park a tiger; park the tigerto vomitAUSTRALIA, 1985.
< park it(of a person) to sit downAUSTRALIA, 1962.< park the
ballin pool, to leave the cue ball roughly in the centre of the
table after an opening break shotUS, 1992.< park your carcass
(of a person) to sit downAUSTRALIA, 1977.< where I’d like to park
my bikesaid by a man of a woman considered as a sexual object
The wheel of a bicycle is held in a slot, which puns on vaginaUK,
2003
parked outadjectivein horse racing, said of horses forced to the
outside on turnsUS, 1994
Parkernouna chauffeur The name of Lady Penelope’s chauffeur in
Thunderbirds (a cult television series of the early 1960s, relaunched
in the 90s) adopted as a generic nicknameUK, 1999
parkerverbto pay; to give From ‘parleyaree’, an early form of
POLARI UK , 1914
Parkheid smiddynounthe female breast Glasgow rhyming slang
for,DIDDY, from the local pronunciation of Parkhead Smithy, a
famous forge in Glasgow’s East EndUK: SCOTLAND, 1988
parkie; parkynouna park keeperUK, 2001
parking lotnoun1a traffic jamUS, 1976.2the vagina An obvious
pun until you start to seek an appropriate vehicle for the penis
1974.< in the parking lotin gambling, without further fundsUS, 1996
parking spacenouna graveUK, 1998
Park Lane No 2’snounmarijuana from Cambodia, often pre-rolled into cigarettes The term was coined and popularised by US soldiers in VietnamUS, 1970
parkyadjectiveof the weather, chilly, cold, very coldUK, 1895
parlaynouncrack cocaineUS, 1994
parlayverbto socialise at clubs, bars or partiesUS, 2000
parlooverbto masturbateNORFOLK ISLAND, 1992
parlournouna brakevan (caboose)US, 1946
parlour maidnouna rear railway brakemanUS, 1946
parlour pinknouna wealthy person who espouses socialist views from the safety of luxuryUS, 1920
parma violetnouna variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy From the purple colour of the tablet and overall similarity to a sweet of the same nameUK, 2002
parneeverbto rain From the noun senseUK, 1859
parnee; parnie; parnynoun1rain; tears Polari, originally Anglo-Indian, from ‘parnee’ (water)UK, 1859.2water Current in English
gypsy use, from Romany pâni (water) UK, 1859
parole dustnounfog A term coined at the San Quentin state penitentiary just north of San Francisco, where fog invites escape attemptsUS, 1976
Parranounin the Sydney region, a visting non-resident of a
beachside area Derogatory Perhaps from Parramatta, a western
suburb of SydneyAUSTRALIA, 1985
Parrynicknamethe Paremoremo maximum security prisonNEW ZEALAND, 1982
parsleynoun1marijuana From the similarity of appearance between oneHERBand anotherUK, 1996.2phencyclidine, the rec-reational drug known as PCP or angel dust Because one method
of administration of the drug is to sprinkle it on parsleyUS, 1981
parsley budnounin British Columbia, a local variety of marijuana
CANADA, 2002
partadjectiveof mixed raceFIJI, 1995
partialnouna partial fingerprintUS, 1996.< partial tohaving a fondness or liking for somethingUK, 1696
Partick Thistlenoun1a whistle Rhyming slang, formed on the name of a Scottish football club; also serves as a verbUK, 1992.2a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy, identified by PT embossed on the tablet Disguising PT with the name of a Scottish football teamUK, 2002
partied outadjectiveexhausted from excessive party-goingUS, 1992
partnernoun1a very close associate who can be counted on in almost any situationUS, 1994.2any Audi car Motor trade slang A pun on ‘Howdy, partner’UK, 2004
partridgenouna good-looking girl or womanUS, 1947
partsnoun< get partsto engage in sexual activity short of intercourseUS, 1979
parts changernounin car repair, a mechanic who replaces parts until a problem is solved instead of diagnosing the problem at the outsetUS, 1993
part timernouna variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy, identified by PT embossed on the tabletUK, 2002
partynoun1a person In conventional use from 1650 but con-sidered to be slang since later C19 Not to be confused with a party to a legal actionUK, 1956.2a woman; a girlfriend Royal Navy slangUK, 1987.3sex, especially with a prostitute A prostitute euphemismUS, 1956
partyverb1to enjoy a good time From the conventional noun senseUS, 1922.2to have sex, especially with a prostituteUS, 1963.3to use drugsUS, 1999
par-ty!used as an exhortation to relax and enjoy yourself The break
Trang 6party animalnouna person dedicated to making merry and having
a good time A creature born of the 1990sUS, 1997
party centralnounan apartment or house where parties are
frequently in progressUS, 2000
party favoursnoundrugsUS, 1989
party foulnouna faux pas; a substantial breach of etiquetteUS, 2004
party girlnouna prostituteUS, 1960
party hatnoun1the signal light(s) on the roof of a police car When
the light is flashing the police are said to have a ‘party hat on’US,
1976.2a condomUS, 1989
party heartyverbto party in a diligent fashionUS, 1979
party lightsnounthe coloured, flashing lights on top of a police car
US, 1992
party linenounthe ‘official version’ that must be adhered to
whether truthful or not Originally (1834) a political party’s policy;
thence into much wider usageUK, 1937
party napnouna nap taken in anticipation of a night of drinking
and partyingUS, 2004
party on!used as an encouragement for revelryUS, 1989
party packnouna packet of ten rolled marijuana cigarettes for sale
in Vietnam during the warUS, 1991
party piecenouna woman who makes herself sexually available at
Hell’s Angels gatherings’ A pun formed onPIECE(a woman as a
sexual object)UK, 1982
party pooper; party poopnouna killjoy; a spoilsportUS, 1954
party powdernouncocaineUK, 2003
party reptilenounan enthusiastic party-goerUS, 1986
pashnoun1a romanticised affection for someone; an infatuationUK,
1914.2a fiancée; the woman you enjoy more than a casual
relationship with; the primary girlfriend Royal Navy slang; an
abbreviated form of ‘passion’US, 1960.3a passionate kiss or kissing
session, especially French kissingAUSTRALIA, 1962
pash; pash offverbto kiss someone passionatelyAUSTRALIA, 1979
pashingnounkissing and pettingAUSTRALIA, 1964
pash onverbto spend time kissing and pettingAUSTRALIA, 1983
pashpienounan attractive boy or girl Teen slangUS, 1951
pash rashnounsore lips or irritation of the area surrounding the
mouth as a result of kissingAUSTRALIA, 2002
pashynouna passionate kiss An elaboration ofPASH UK , 2000
pashyadjectivepassionateUS, 1949
pasrayverb(used of a woman) to sit in an immodest position
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003
passnounan amorous approach to someone; an introductory
attempt at seductionUK, 1928
passverbto seek acceptance as white because of fair skin colouring
US, 1933.< pass changeto bribeTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1989.
< pass the time of dayto exchange greetings; to chat and
gossipUK, 1851
pass-bynouna strangerJAMAICA, 1958
passengernoun1a member of any group who does not fully
con-tribute and is ‘carried’ by the rest Originally sportingUK, 1852.2a
member of a prison clique Formed fromCAR(a clique)US, 1989
passenger stiffnouna railway passengerUS, 1977
passernoun1a person who places counterfeit money into
circulationUS, 1981.2a drug dealerUS, 1952
passersnoundice that have been altered so as to roll a seven less
often than normalUS, 1950
passion-killersnounsensible knickers Originally of military-issue
knickersUK, 1943
passion marknouna bruise caused by extended suckingUS, 1966
passion pitnouna drive-in cinema Teen slangUS, 1951
passion wagonnouna panel van or the like used for sexual
pass outverbto lose consciousness From an earlier sense ‘to die’
UK, 1915
passovernouna seizureBARBADOS, 1965
passover partynouna party where those who have been passed over for promotion drown their sorrowsUS, 1998
passportnounstanding permission from a youth gang to enter the territory which they consider their ‘turf’US, 1972
pastadjective< past itbecause of your age or infirmity, to be no longer able to do that which you used to Applied generally or to a specific inabilityUK, 1928.< past its sell-by dateno longer of interest; out of fashion Adopted from product information on packaged goodsUK, 2001
pastanouncocaine From ‘paste’, a step in the production process
US, 1984
pasta rocketnounany Italian sports carUS, 2004
pastenoun1finely crafted fake gemsUS, 1950.2the peanut butter in combat rationsUS, 1991.3crack cocaine From an intermediary step
in the production of crackUS, 1994
pasteverbto thrash someoneUK, 1846
pasteboardnounin horse racing, a dry track in good conditionUS, 1971
pastienouna fool; used as a friendly term of abuse Possibly from the thick crust of a Cornish pastieUK, 2004
pastiesnoundecorative coverings for a female dancer’s nipplesUS, 1961
pastingnouna beating Either physical or figurativeUK, 1851
pastonoun marijuana From Spanish pasto (pasture, grass), thus
GRASS(marijuana)US, 1980
pastry cutternouna person who applies pressure with the teeth while performing oral sex on a manUK, 2002
pastry wagonnouna truck owned by the Pacific Intermountain Express Back-formation from PIE, the company’s initialsUS, 1976
pasturenouna place where teenagers engage in various levels of sexual activity in parked cars at nightUS, 1960.< out to pasture
incarceratedUS, 1992
Patnoun< on your Paton your own A shortening ofPAT MALONE
AUSTRALIA, 1908
Patnicknameused as a nickname for an Irish man; also used in jokes which need a stereotypical Irishman as the butt Pat, a diminutive
of Patrick, is a stereotypically Irish nameUK, 1806
patverb< pat the padto go to bedUS, 1955
pataccaadjectiveused for describing inferior or fake jewellery, especially of a counterfeit Swiss watch An Italian slang term,
pronounced ‘pataka’, meaning ‘worthless; rubbish’; used at the
less-honest end of the jewellery trade, and amongst air stewards
UK, 1977
Pat and Micknounthe penis Rhyming slang forPRICK, formed from two stereotypical Irish names, often featured in jokes As the butts of these jokes Pat and Mick are inevitably thick, a character-istic which may well pun here as an implied quality of girthUK, 1961
Pat and Mickadjectivesick Rhyming slangUK, 2003
Pat and Mikenouna bicycle Rhyming slang for ‘bike’UK, 1931
Pat Cashnounto urinate Rhyming slang forSLASH, based on the name of Australian tennis player Pat Cash (b.1965)UK, 1998
patchnoun1a district which is the responsibility of a specified police authority; a geographical area designated as the responsibility of public servants, e.g probation officers, social workers; an area of specialist reponsibility Originally northern and Midland police, by the mid-1960s it had become common to all public servicesUK, 1963.2the territory claimed by a prostitute, a drug dealer or a gangUK, 1996.3a small communityUS, 1997.4the zone assigned to a military reconnaissance teamUS, 1991.5a small piece of material covering a striptease dancer’s vulvaUS, 1973.6a gang emblem sewn to the back of a member’s jacket, signifying full membership in the gangNEW ZEALAND, 1975.7in computing, a
Trang 7US, 1991.8in the circus or carnival, the person who adjusted legal
problemsUS, 1960.9an ad hoc payment to a police officer to allow
a crime to take placeUS, 2001.10the proceeds of a crime,
confiscated and kept by corrupt police in lieu of arrestUS, 1987.
< not a patch onnot in any way to be compared withUK, 1860
patchedadjectivethirstyUS, 1968
patchesnoun1a prison uniform issued to inmates who have been
assessed as potential escapeesUK, 2000.2a prisoner considered
likely to attempt an escape From the yellow patches worn on the
prisoner’s jacket and trousersUK, 1996
patch moneynounin a carnival, the money paid by concession
operators to the ‘patch’ or ‘fixer’ for adjusting legal problemsUS,
1985
patenoun a father Abbreviated from Latin pater US, 1988
patentnouna multiple bet, gambling on three different horses in
separate races in a total of seven betsUK, 1991
paternoun a father A familiar use of Latin pater (a father), mainly as
schoolboy slang, and often considered pretentiousUK, 1728
pathadjectivepathology; pathological Originally medical use now
widely known, mainly in ‘path lab’ (a pathology laboratory)UK, 1937
pat handnounin blackjack, a hand with points totalling between 17
and 21 A ‘pat hand’ is a potentially winning handUS, 1991
patheticadjectiveineffectual, contemptible From the conventional
sense (worthy of pity)UK, 1937
pathynouna pathologistUK, 1956
paticonouncrack cocaine Spanish slang used by English-speakers
who would not know what the word means in SpanishUS, 1994
patient zeronounthe first person to transmit a disease Usually
used in the context of AIDSUS, 1987
Pat Malonenounalone Rhyming slang for ‘on your own’AUSTRALIA,
1908
patootnounthe vaginaUS, 1974
patootienounthe arseUS, 1948
pat pokenounthe hip pocket Pickpocket usageUS, 1949
Patsnicknamethe New England Patriots professional football teamUS,
1971
patsynoun1a dupe; someone blamed for a crime or accident
Perhaps the most famous maybe-patsy of the C20 was Lee Harvey
Oswald, who told reporters shortly before being killed: ‘They’re
taking me in because of the fact that I lived in the Soviet Union
I’m only a patsy’US, 1903.2in poker, a hand that requires no draw
Conventionally known as a ‘pat hand’US, 1988.3a half-gallon jar
filled with beer A fairly complicated rhyme: Patsy Riggir is a
country music singer, and her last name evokesRIGGER, which is
another term for a half-gallon jar of beerNEW ZEALAND, 1998
Patsy Cline; Patsynouna dose of cocaine prepared for inhaling
Rhyming slang forLINE, based on country and western singer Patsy
Cline, 1932–63UK, 1996
patsy mouthnouna dryness of the mouth as a result of smoking
marijuana or hashishCANADA, 2004
Patsy Palmer and her five daughtersnounthe hand (seen in the
context of male masturbation) A variation ofMRS PALM AND HER
FIVE LOVELY DAUGHTERS , formed on the name of an actress who
came to prominence playing Bianca in the BBC television soap
opera EastEnders from 1994–99 UK, 2003
patternountalk, speechifyingUK, 1778
Patty Hearstnoun a first class degree Rhyming slang for ‘first’,
formed from the name of the heiress, who was kidnapped by
left-wing extremists, and involved in bank-robbery, before becoming a
professional actress (b.1954)UK, 1998
Paul Ankanounused as an all-purpose form of abuse Rhyming
slang forWANKER; formed from the name of the US singer (b.1941)
UK, 2004
Paul Wellernounbranded Belgian lager Stella Artois™ Rhyming
slang for ‘Stella’, based on the name of musician Paul Weller
pauseverb< pause for a causeto pull off the motorway to use a toiletUS, 1977
pavnoun a pavlova A type of meringue desert topped with fruit, named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova AUSTRALIA, 1966
Pavarottinounten pounds, £10 PunningTENNERon ‘tenor’; formed
on the great Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti (b.1935)UK, 1998
pavementnoun< the pavementthe streets, especially as an area
of criminal operationUK, 1998
pavement artistnouna criminal specialising in street fraudUK, 2001
pavement oysternounan expectoration of phlegm that has been deposited in the streetUK, 1981
pavement pizzanouna splash of vomitAUSTRALIA, 1996
pavement-poundernouna prostitute who solicits customers on the streetUS, 1960
pavement princessnouna prostitute, especially one who works at truck stopsUS, 1977
pavement surfingnounbeing thrown from a motorcyle Biker (motorcyle) usageUS, 2003
pavilionnouna brakevan (caboose)US, 1977
pawnounthe handUK, 1605
pawnnoun< got out of pawn; got outbornUK, 1992
paws upadjectivedead New York police slangUS, 1997
paynouna debtorUS, 1989
payverb< get paidto commit a successful robberyUS, 1987.
< pay blackto pay a blackmailer’s extortion Combines conven-tional ‘pay’ with ‘black’ (blackmail)UK, 1984.< pay crow taxto lose a farm animal by accidental death or diseaseCANADA, 1992.
< pay the grandstandin horse racing, to place a bet that will generate a huge earningAUSTRALIA, 1989.< pay through the nose
to pay a high (financial) price for somethingUK, 1672.< pay your duesto persevere through hardshipUS, 1956
pay and laynounused for describing the exchange of payment and services involved in prostitutionUS, 1969
pay ballnounin pool, a shot that, if made, wins a wagerUS, 1993
pay dirtnounmoney; successUK, 1857
pay-for-playnounsex that is paid forUS, 1969
pay holenounin trucking, a truck’s highest gearUS, 1971
pay lawyernouna privately retained lawyer, as contrasted with one provided for indigents by the stateUS, 1992
payolanoun1an illegal payment to a radio station or individual to encourage the playing of a particular song The word leapt into the American vocabulary in late 1959 as pay-off scandal after pay-off scandal toppled the first generation of rock ’n’ roll disc jockeys Later broadened to include other forms of briberyUS, 1938.2reward money for anonymous police informantsUK, 2002.3oilUS, 1984
pay out onverbto upbraid someone for a wrongdoing Originally ‘to get revenge; to mete out corporal punishment’, from British
dialect pay (to beat/thrash) Now only referring to verbal dressing
downAUSTRALIA, 1977
pay schoolnouna school charging a tuition feeUS, 1992
paywarenouncommercially available computer softwareUS, 1991
PBnicknamePacific Beach, San Diego, CaliforniaUS, 1993
PB and Jnouna peanut butter and jelly (jam) sandwich A culinary staple of American youth for decadesUS, 1981
PCnoun1a latex finger glove used during digital examinations A
‘pinkie cheater’ US, 1958.2probable cause to arrest someoneUS, 1995.
3a percentage Applied to drug salesUS, 1956
PCadjective politically correct Originally used of left-on-left criticism,
appropriated and exploited by the right to marginalise any and all dissent from the leftUS, 1986
PCHnicknamethe Pacific Coast Highway, US route 1 in Los Angeles
US, 1981
PCODnoun pussy cut-off date When soldiers were returned to the