Rhyming slang forCRAP; usually reduced to ‘pony’UK , 1984 pony and trap; ponyadjectiverubbishy, trashy, valueless.. Rhyming slang forCRAP UK , 1979 pony peckernounsausage; unidentified p
Trang 1rhyming pronunciation Although this word carries a definite
nega-tive connotation, it also can be used as a term of affectionate
abuse (seePOMMY BASTARDandWHINGEING POM) The suggestion
that Pommy is actually a respelling of P O.M.E., standing for the
reputed term Prisoner Of Mother England, or P O.H.M.I.E,
standing for Prisoner Of Her Majesty In Exile, and other variations
on this theme, are implausible on phonetic grounds and are in
themselves anachronistic as acronyms were not a common feature
of English in the early part of C20AUSTRALIA , 1912
Pommy; PommieadjectiveEnglish, or more loosely, BritishAUSTRALIA ,
1915
Pommy bastardnounan English person (stereotypically viewed as
noisome to the Australian)AUSTRALIA , 1951
pommy cocknounan uncircumcised penisAUSTRALIA , 1985
PommylandnicknameEngland or the British IslesAUSTRALIA , 1915
po-mo; postienoun a postmodernist philosopher UK , 2003
pomosexualnouna person who will not be defined by his or her
sexuality A contrived play on ‘post-modern’ and ‘homosexual’.
‘Pomosexuality’ is first recorded in 1995US , 1997
pom-pomnounsex Used by US soldiers in Japan and the Phillipines
US , 1947
poncenoun1a pimpUK , 1872.2a despised or unpleasant personUK ,
1953.3an effeminate maleAUSTRALIA , 1971
ponceverb1to obtain something by poncing, usually moneyUK ,
1938.2to live on the earnings of another’s prostitution; to act as a
pimp (a prostitute’s manager)UK , 1932.3to scrounge; to sponge A
general sense of acquiring something for nothing extended from
the previous senseUK , 1915 < go out poncing(of the police) to
search for pimpsUK , 1996 < ponce off; ponce onto live on the
earnings of another’s prostitution, but not taking any active part in
the tradeUK , 1936
ponce about; ponce aroundverb1to behave in an exaggeratedly
camp mannerAUSTRALIA , 1978.2to act the fool; to show offUK , 1996
ponce upverbto dress up smartly; to decorate something Originally
militaryUK , 1965
ponceyadjective1affectedly stylishUK , 1964.2blatantly, affectedly
homosexualNEW ZEALAND , 1984
Ponchonicknamea Pontiac carUS , 1965
poncifiedadjectiveaffectedly stylish; effeminate FromPONCE UK , 2001
pondnoun< the ponda sea, especially the Atlantic Ocean An
ironic understatement of the distance between the UK and the
US, shortened from earlier ‘great pond’ which it replacesUK , 1780
pond lifenounan unintelligent person or peopleUK , 1998
pond scumnouna person with no redeeming featuresUS , 1997
ponenounin a card game, the player immediately to the right of
the dealerUK , 1901
pongnounan unpleasant smellAUSTRALIA , 1919
pongverb1to stinkUK , 1927.2in the theatre, to substitute lines when
the correct lines are forgottenUK , 1952
ponganounthe vaginaBAHAMAS , 1982
Pongo; Percy Pongo; Percenouna member of the British Army
The Royal Navy perpetuate the wicked myth that this derives from
PONG(a smell) suggesting that soldiers smell and sailors don’t
‘Percy’ appears to be merely alliterativeUK , 1987
Pongo PetenicknameGeneral Sir Peter de la Billiere (b.1934),
commander of British armoured forces during the Gulf warUK , 1991
pongyadjectivesmellyUK , 1936
poniesnoun1horse races held for poniesAUSTRALIA , 1950.
2horsepowerUS , 1993 < push poniesto work as a pimpUS , 1987.
< the ponieshorse racingUK , 1961
Ponsford oddsnounin horse racing, odds of 100–1 or greater An
allusion to Bill Ponsford, a high scoring cricket legendAUSTRALIA , 1989
pontverbin the harsh climate of Antarctica, to pose for a
photo-graph, especially in an uncomfortable position Eponym from
Herbert George Ponting, photographer on Scott’s 1910–13
PONTI; pontinoun in military terms, a person of no tactical
import-ance An acronymUK , 2002
pontoonnouna period of twenty-one months’ imprisonment; also twenty-one years in prison or in military service From the card game ‘pontoon’ in which the winning hand scores twenty-oneUK , 1950
PontynicknamePontypridd, Pontypool, Pontefract in West Yorkshire,
or any town so constructed From Welsh pont y (bridge of ) UK: WALES , 1937
ponynoun1twenty-five poundsUK , 1797.2in betting, odds of 25–1 Adapted from the previous senseUK , 1991.3a racehorse Used especially in the phrase ‘play the ponies’US , 1907.4a chorus girl or dancer, especially a small oneUK , 1908.5a female who moves quickly from sexual relationship to sexual relationship, manipulating and using her partnersUS , 1999.6crack cocaineUS ,
1994.7a Pontiac carUS , 1967.8in Western Australia, a small glass of beer Now generally 5 fluid ounces, though formerly 4 , or even 2 fluid ounces ObsolescentAUSTRALIA , 1895.9dried nose mucus
BAHAMAS , 1982.10a literal, line-by-line translation of a work in a foreign (usually classical) languageUS , 1827
ponyverbin horse racing, to send a stable pony out with a racehorse to limber upUS , 1947
pony and trap; ponynounan act of defecation; hence excreta; rubbish, nonsense Rhyming slang forCRAP(excrement); it can substitute for any sense of ‘crap’UK , 1960
pony and trap; ponyverbto defecate Rhyming slang forCRAP; usually reduced to ‘pony’UK , 1984
pony and trap; ponyadjectiverubbishy, trashy, valueless Rhyming slang forCRAP UK , 1979
pony peckernounsausage; unidentified pressed meatUS , 1968
ponyplaynounan animal transformation sexual fetish, in which the dominants train, ride and groom people who dress and act like poniesUS , 2000
pony upverbto contribute your share of a bet or collectionUS , 1979
poonoun1faeces, excrement; the act of defecation Childish or jocular Many variant forms, including ‘pooh’, ‘poo poo’ and ‘pooh pooh’UK , 1960.2the buttocks; the anusBAHAMAS , 1982 < in the pooin trouble Euphemistic forIN THE SHIT AUSTRALIA , 1961
poo; poohverbto defecateUK , 1963
-poo; -poossuffixused for creating an informal elaboration of a person’s nameUK , 2000
poo and spew syndromenounamoebic dysentery or similar complaintAUSTRALIA , 1988
poo buttnouna coward Black street gang terminologyUS , 1995
poochnoun1a dog Also used as a term of address for an unknown dogUS , 1924.2the buttocksBARBADOS , 1965
Poochnouna Porsche carUS , 1965
poochinounthe vagina Sounds more like a dog – (aPOOCH) – than the traditionalPUSSY(the vagina); probably a play on Poochi™, an electronic toy dog promoted with such phrases as: ‘The more you play with me the happier I will be!’ and ‘Feed me my special dog bone whenever I get hungry’US , 1998
pooch outverbto purse your lipsUS , 1989
poodle; pootleverbto travel or move forward without urgencyUK , 1999
poofadjectiveof a male homosexualAUSTRALIA , 1992
poof; pouf; pouffnouna male homosexual In origin probably
connected with French slang poufiasser, which Barrère (Argot and Slang ,1889) defines as a person ‘of either sex whose fondness for
the opposite sex leads them into a life of questionable description’, that is, presumably, a life of prostitution including
homosexual prostitution, and pouffiace or pouffiasse ‘a low
prostitute’AUSTRALIA , 1833
poof-juicenounafter-shave lotion, eau-de-cologne for menUK , 1997
poofsternouna homosexual man; an effeminate man Variation of
Trang 2poofteenthnouna very small amount; an umpteenthAUSTRALIA , 1996
poofternoun1a homosexual male Variants include ‘pooftah’ and
‘poofdah’AUSTRALIA , 1903.2an effeminate looking man, not
necess-arily homosexual Also variant ‘poofta’AUSTRALIA , 1903.3a
contemptible person Used as a general term of abuseAUSTRALIA ,
1986.4a braggartNEW ZEALAND , 1990
poofteradjective1(of a male) homosexualAUSTRALIA , 1964.2befitting
or suitable for an effeminate homosexual manAUSTRALIA , 1984
poofter bashverbto beat up a male homosexualAUSTRALIA , 1983
poofter bashernouna man, usually as part of a group, who beats
up homosexual menAUSTRALIA , 1974
poofter bashing; poofter-bashingnounthe practice of physically
assaulting male homosexualsAUSTRALIA , 1978
poofterismnounmale homosexualityAUSTRALIA , 1971
poofter rorternoun1in a men’s prison, a prisoner who induces
another inmate into homosexual relationsAUSTRALIA , 1945.2a
person who entices a male homosexual, especially a prostitute, to
a secluded place and then robs themAUSTRALIA , 1938
poofyadjectiveovertly homosexual Also variant ‘poufy’AUSTRALIA , 1962
poohnounan act of defecation Children’s vocabularyNEW ZEALAND ,
1984
pooh bahnounan important person The name of a character in
the Gilbert and Sullivan light opera The Mikado UK , 1888
pooh-bumnouna female fan of a rock band who is willing to have
sex with band membersUK , 1985
pooh-buttnouna despicable personUS , 1994
pooh-poohverbto belittle someone or something; to dismiss
someone or something as inconsequentialUK , 1827
poo-jabbernoun1a male homosexualAUSTRALIA , 1994.2a
contemptible person Used as a mild insult, especially amongst
childrenAUSTRALIA , 1996
pookernoun a signpost English gypsy use from Romany pûkinger (to
tell)UK , 2000
pookey; pookienounused as a term of contemptIRELAND , 1989
pookinounthe vaginaUS , 1998
pookynounmarijuanaUS , 2001
poolnounin horse racing, the total amount bet in the win, place
and show bets for a raceUS , 1947
Poolnoun< the PoolLiverpoolUK , 1962
pooleynounurineIRELAND , 1995
poolhall cowboynouna pool player who has perfected a reckless
mannerUS , 1976
pool harpynouna pool player who plays for money, relying on a
combination of skill and deceptive behaviourUS , 1966
pool sharknounan expert pool player who makes a living by
feigning a lack of expertise and convincing strangers to play
against himUS , 1908
poomverbto fartTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1992
poomanouna delapidated carBARBADOS , 1965
poom bagnounlarge buttocksTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1987
poompnounto fartBAHAMAS , 1982
poonnoun1the vagina; a woman; a woman as a sex object; sex
with a woman A shortened form ofPOONTANG US , 1957.2a fool; a
contemptible person Used as a mild insultAUSTRALIA , 1940
pooncenounan effeminate maleAUSTRALIA , 1941
poonera male with sexual experience and apparent expertiseUS ,
1968
poon lightnounin the pornography industry, a light used to
illuminate the genitals of the performersUS , 1995
poontangnounthe vagina; sex; a woman regarded as a sexual
object Suggestions that the term comes from an American Indian
language, Chinese, Bantu, Peruvian or a Filipinio dialect
notwithstanding, it almost certainly comes from the French putain
poon upverbto dress in a flashy manner in order to impress
AUSTRALIA , 1972
poonynounthe vagina; women as sexual objects A variation of
PUNANI UK , 1994
poopnoun1information, news Probably from the sense as
‘nonsense’ (SHIT)US , 1942.2the buttocksBAHAMAS , 1982.3faeces; an act of defecation Children’s toilet vocabularyUS , 1948.4rubbish, nonsenseUK , 2003.5a pledge to a college fraternityUS , 1955 < in the poopin troubleAUSTRALIA , 1971
poopverb1to defecateUK , 1927.2in poker, to raise a betUS , 1951
poopadoopnounthe rectumUS , 1977
poop-buttnouna lazy personUS , 1972
poop chute; poop shute; poop shooternounthe rectum and anusUS , 1970
poopedadjectiveexhaustedUS , 1932
poopelunounthe vaginaUS , 1998
poopernounthe rectum and anus FromPOOP(excrement)US , 1997
pooper-scoopernounan implement for gathering canine excrement, designed to meet the social responsibilities or legal requirements placed upon dog owners CombinesPOOP(faeces) with a conventional tool Also shortened forms ‘pooper-scoop’ and
‘poop-scoop’US , 1972
poop filenouna collection of (school, college, university) examin-ations given in the pastUS , 1976
poopheadnouna boring, conventional personUS , 1955
poopinounthe vaginaUS , 1998
poo-poo headnounan objectionable person A variation of
SHITHEAD, perhaps more insulting by the use of childish, ‘poo-poo’, (excrement)US , 1995
poop-poopnouna slow motorboatBAHAMAS , 1982
poop pushernouna male homosexualUK , 1983
poopsverbto fartTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1987
poop sheetnouna bulletin or other document containing news and informationUS , 1964
poopyadjective1filthy with excrement FromPOOP(faeces)US , 2003.
2bad, awful; of poor quality A euphemistic synonym forSHITTY US ,
2002.3in a bad mood A euphemistic form ofSHITTY US , 1990.
4afraidSOUTH AFRICA , 1963
poopy suitnounin the Canadian military, any bulky official garment
CANADA , 1995
pooradjectivecruel, heartless; lacking good tasteUS , 2003
poor-assadjectivewretched, unimportantUS , 1998
poorboynouna small bottle of alcoholUS , 1952
poor-donkeynouna sandal of plaited rope or one cut from a piece
of tyre or woodBARBADOS , 1996
poor-greatadjectivefoolishly pompousGUYANA , 1996
poor-man blanketnounthe sunBAHAMAS , 1982
poor man’sadjectivedescribes the lesser status or inferior quality of someone by comparison and reference to the greater name with which it is combined Only colloquial when applied to peopleUK , 1984
poor man’s roulettenounthe game of crapsUS , 1953
poor man’s velvetnouna drink of mixed stout and cider An econ-omic variation ofBLACK VELVET(stout and champagne);
remembered from the 1970s, notwithstanding the drink’s amnesiac effectsUK , 2001
poor man’s weather glassnounseaweed, especially kelpCANADA , 1974
poor pearlnounan unpopular girlUS , 1960
poor-rakeynounthin, gauntBARBADOS , 1965
pootnoun1faeces Children’s vocabulary; a variation of poopUS ,
1981.2anything which is considered to be contemptibleUS , 1989.3a very small thing; anything at all Usually heard in the negative, as
Trang 3pootverb1to defecateUS , 1945.2to fartUS , 1972.3(used of a hospital
patient) to become suddenly more ill, especially without hope of
reversing the courseUS , 1989
poot-buttnouna lazy foolUS , 1972
pootenanny; pootiesnounthe female buttocks Probably derived
from JamaicanPUNANI(the vagina)US , 1997
pootienounthe vaginaUS , 1999
pootleverb 8see:POODLE
poov; poovenounfood, especially grass for grazing Circus and
English gypsy useUK , 1933
poov; pooveverb< poov the gry; poov the greyto graze a
horse, especially without permission from the land’s owner
English gypsy use; a combination ofPOOV(grass) – thus ‘pooving’
(grazing) – andGRY(a horse)UK , 1968
poove; pouvenouna homosexual Variations ofPOOF UK , 1967
poozenounthe vaginaUS , 1975
poozlenouna scavenged objectNEW ZEALAND , 1971
poozleverbto strip fixtures from buildings scheduled for demolition
NEW ZEALAND , 1984
popnoun1an instance or occurrenceUS , 1868.2an attempt, a tryUK ,
1929.3an arrestUS , 1972.4an attack Combination and variation of
the senses ‘attempt’ and ‘go’UK , 2001.5an ejaculationUS , 1986.
6one event of sexual intercourseUS , 1982.7in prison, an escape
attemptUK , 1996.8a father, especially as a term of addressUS , 1838.
9the ‘masculine’ or ‘active’ member of a lesbian relationshipUS ,
1957.10a musical genre, characterised as trivial and without
serious artistic intent Originally widely used to cover the opposite
of ‘classical music’, now denotes just a particular type of popular
music: carefully crafted, packaged or manufactured for
mass-market appealUS , 1935.11any non-alcoholic sparkling drink From
the sound of a bottle being openedUK , 1812.12champagneUK , 2000.
13a drink, usually at a barUS , 1977.14cough syrup containing
codeineUS , 1970.15an injection of a drugUS , 1952.16a strong crowd
reaction Professional wrestling usageUS , 2000 8see:POP GOES THE
WEASEL < go off popto lose your temperNEW ZEALAND , 1946.
< have a pop atto attack verballyUK , 1999 < on the pop
drinking alcoholUK , 2000
popnicknameused as a nickname for any male stagedoor manager
US , 1952
popverb1to ejaculate; to experience orgasmUS , 1961.2to have sex
with someoneUS , 1965.3(used of a male) to have sex with a virgin
BAHAMAS , 1982.4to give birthUS , 1990.5to fart Childish; used in the
US, UK and Australia Also phrased as ‘pop off’ and ‘pop a whiff’
UK , 1998.6to administer medicationUK , 1991.7to inject a drugUS ,
1952.8to take a pillUS , 1968.9when using amyl nitrate, to break the
glass ampoules containing the gasUS , 1995.10to inhale a powdered
drug UK , 1998.11to steal something Originally in black useUS , 1994.
12to obtain confidential or classified information about someone
as part of an investigationUS , 1997.13to arrest someoneUS , 1975.
14to fire a gunUK , 1725.15to hit someoneUS , 1980.16to kill
someoneUS , 1952.17to pay for somethingUS , 1958.18to praise or
promote someone or somethingUS , 1984.19to applaud and cheer
enthusiastically Professional wrestling usageUS , 2000.20to send an
e-mail to someoneUK , 2004.21to go to or from somewhere,
especially swiftly or suddenly Usually used with ‘up’, ‘down’, ‘in’,
‘out’, ‘over’, ‘about’, ‘off’, ‘between’, etcUK , 1530.22in pinball, to
win a replay or additional ball, activating the sound effect known
as a knockerUS , 1977.23(of a car boot or bonnet) to open remotely
US , 2000 < pop a capto shoot a gunUS , 1965 < pop a topto
open a can of beer An inevitable reduplication with the advent of
aluminium cans with pull-tabs in the early 1970sUS , 1967 < pop
cornto engage in a swindle or dishonest schemeUS , 1995 < pop
junkto gossipUS , 1990 < pop smoketo detonate a smoke
grenadeUS , 1982 < pop the chutein sailing, to release the
spinnakerUS , 1990 < pop ya collarto respect yourselfUK , 2003.
< pop your clogsto die Literally, ‘to put your shoes in the
pawnbroker’s’ (because you have no further use for them)UK , 2000.
< pop your nutsto ejaculateUS , 1970 < pop your pumpkinto
lose your temperUS , 1954 < pop your rocksto ejaculateUS , 1977.
< pop your waterto ejaculate
pop bumpernounin pinball, a bumper that scores and kicks the ball on contactUS , 1977
popcorn; poppynounan erect penis Rhyming slang forHORN UK , 1992
popcorn pimpnouna small-time pimp; a pimp who fails to live up
to pimp standardsUS , 1972
popenoun< for the popeused of work without payUS , 1963
Popenoun< The PopeFrank Sinatra, US singer (1915–98)US , 1963
Pope’s phone numbernounVAT 69™ Scotch whisky Dating from a time when telephone exchanges were given as the first three letters of the area nameUK , 1961
popeyenouna car or truck with only one headlight workingUS , 1977
Popeye the sailornouna tailor Rhyming slang, formed on the cartoon characterUK , 1992
pop goes the weasel; popnoundiesel Rhyming slang, formed, possibly with an ironic regard to the high costs of motoring, on the traditional rhyme: ‘That’s the way the money goes, / Pop goes the weasel’UK , 1992
poplanounbeerSOUTH AFRICA , 1977
po-ponounthe police; a police officerUS , 1995
pop-offnounsomeone who talks too muchUS , 1951
pop offverb1to dieUK , 1764.2to brag, to boast; to speak out when discretion would suggest silenceUS , 1940.3to kill someoneUK , 1824.
4to ejaculateUS , 1969
pop-outnouna mass-produced surfboard with little or no handwork involved in the makingUS , 1964
poppanounin prison, a lesbianUS , 1953
poppa-loppernounused as a euphemism for ’motherfucker’US , 1977
pop partynouna party where drug users inject drugsUS , 1971
popped outadjectivedrug-intoxicatedUS , 1954
poppernoun1a fingerUS , 1947.2a pistolUS , 1976.3a popcorn wagon
US , 1985.4a pneumatic drill Mining slangNEW ZEALAND , 1986.5a fart
UK Childish, descriptive Also called ‘multipopper’, 1998.6a capsule containing vapours of amyl nitrate or (iso)butyl nitrate inhaled as a stimulant Often used in the plural formUS , 1967.7any drug addict
A very loosely defined, or understood, usageUK , 1967
poppetnoun1used as an endearment A ‘puppet’, hence a ‘doll’UK ,
1729.2the object of ridiculeBARBADOS , 1965
popplinnounkindling wood, used to start a fireCANADA , 1984
poppynoun1opium Earlier pharmaceutical usage into slangUK , 1935.
2heroinUK , 1998.3moneyUK , 1977 8see:POPCORN
poppyverbto payUK , 1979
poppycocknounnonsenseUS , 1857
poppy lovenounan older Jewish manUS , 1987
poppy padnouna room or apartment where heroin users congregateUS , 1959
popsnoun1used as a term of address for a man, especially an older manUS , 1844.2fatherUS , 1989
pop shopnouna place where criminals sell stolen goodsUS , 1949
pop shotnouna scene in a pornographic film or photograph depicting a man ejaculatingUS , 1991
popsiclenounused as a term of abuseUS , 1984
popsienounan ampoule of amyl nitriteUS , 1971
popskullnounstrong, homemade whiskyUS , 1999
popsy; popsienouna young woman who is the object of a romantic or sexual attractionUK , 1862
poptasticadjectivefantastic Created for the BBC television
programme Harry Enfield’s Television Programme, 1990, written by
Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse for the comedy characters Smashie and NiceyUK , 2003
pop topnouna truck carrying bottled soft drinks Citizens’ band radio slang, elaborated onPOP(a carbonated drink)UK , 1981
population the general population in a prison
Trang 4pop-upnoun1an electronic advertisement delivered to a computer
via the Internet that is superimposed over the original browser
windowUS , 1996.2any mushroom with an hallucinogenic effectUK ,
2000
pop-up hellnounan unfriendly web-surfing environment
character-ised by multiple console advertisements in pop-up windows A
term used frequently on the web but not in conventional print
sourcesUS , 2004
porcelain godnouna toiletUS , 1986
porcelain king; porcelain queennounsomeone who habitually
drinks alcohol to the point of vomitingUS , 1993
porch climbernounhomemade alcohol or cheap British Columbia
winesCANADA , 1989
porch monkeynouna black person Offensive, slurring the
stereotype of laziness (porch) and the African jungle (monkey)US ,
1981
porcupine headnounin hot rodding and motor racing, the cylinder
head on the big-block engines manufactured by Chevrolet John
Edwards, Auto Dictionary, 1993, gives a neat etymology: ‘When the
valve covers are removed, the valve stems appear to stick out at
odd angles, like the needles on a porcupine’US , 1993
Po’ RicannounPuerto RicanUS , 1975
porknoun1flesh, especially in a sexual contextUK , 1996.2the
genitals, male or femaleBAHAMAS , 1982
porkverbto have sex with someoneUS , 1968
pork and beannouna male homosexual Rhyming slang forQUEEN
AUSTRALIA , 1944
pork chopnounin electric line work, a wire grip used for holding a
conductor under tensionUS , 1980
Pork Chop Hillnouna hill which was the site of extensive fighting
in the final months of the Korean war, from 16th April to 18th
April and again from 6th July to 10th July, 1953US , 1964
pork chop in a synagogueused as a simile for anything that is
badly, especially embarrassingly, out of place or unwelcomeUK , 1984
pork-dodgernouna Jewish person From the dietary restrictions of
observant JewsUS , 1997
porkernoun1a fat personUS , 1959.2a police officer An extension of
PIG US , 1998
pork-mannouna white manUK , 2000
pork patrolnouna police carUS , 1993
pork pienoun1a lie Rhyming slang Now stands alone in the
reduced formPORKY UK , 1984.2a serious bruiseNEW ZEALAND , 1998
pork pies; porkie pies; porkiesnounthe eyes Rhyming slangUK ,
1999
pork scratchnouna match Rhyming slang, contrived from the
savoury snack pork scratchingsUK , 1996
pork swordnounthe penisUS , 1966
porkynoun1a lie Abbreviated from rhyming slangPORK PIE UK , 1992.
2the vaginaBAHAMAS , 1982.3a police officerUS , 1973
porkyadjectiveobeseUK , 1852
Porky Pigadjectivebig; generous Rhyming slang, from the name of
a Warner Bros’ cartoon character The sense of ‘big’ is often
heavily ironicUK , 1992
porn; pornonounpornographyUK , 1962
porn and prawnadjectiveof a party, arranged for the purpose of
showing pornographic films and catered for with epicurean food
including prawnsAUSTRALIA , 1996
pornbrokernouna seller of pornographic literature A pun on
‘pawnbroker’UK , 1967
pornflakesnouncrusty, dried semen A pun on the branded name
of a popular breakfast cereal, Corn Flakes™AUSTRALIA , 2003
porn flicknouna pornographic filmUK , 1970
porn mag; porno magnoun a pornographic magazine UK , 1972
porno
pornoadjective pornographic US , 1952
pornographicallyadverbused in a sexual context for more than averagelyUK , 2002
pornshopnouna shop where pornography is sold A pun on
‘pawnshop’UK , 1984
porn weed; horny weednounmarijuana with, allegedly, aphrodisiac properties CombinesWEED(marijuana) with sexual possibilities,HORNY(sexually stimulating),PORN(pornography) and
‘love’UK , 1999
pornyadjectivepornographicUS , 1969
porpoisenouna landing by an aeroplane in which the plane bounces from the main gear to the nose gearUS , 1963
porpoiseverbin mountain biking, to ride responding to, instead of controlling, the bikeUS , 1992
Porra; porranouna person of Portuguese descentSOUTH AFRICA , 1975
porridgenoun1a sentence of imprisonment; the time served in prison Possibly puns onSTIR(prison) and the staple prison diet of porridge The term settled in the wider public conciousness during
the 1970s with BBC television prison situation comedy Porridge UK ,
1955.2the brain A visual link between varying consistencies of grey matterUK , 1997.3sludge removed from drainsUK , 1970
porridge gunnounthe penisUK , 2003
porridge potnounin motor racing, a crash helmet that covers only the top of the headUS , 1965
porridge wognouna Scot CombinesWOG(a foreigner) with a stereotypical Scottish dishUK , 2002
portnoun1in New South Wales and Queensland, a suitcase or schoolbag From ‘portmanteau’AUSTRALIA , 1898.2a railway porterUS , 1977
portablenouna foot-patrol police officerUS , 1987
Portageenouna person from Portugal, or of Portuguese heritageUS ,
1978 < go Portagee on meto back out of an agreement Portuguese immigrants, mostly fishermen, fishbuyers and sailors, settled near where this phrase is currentCANADA , 1999
Portagee beernounany beer in a quart bottleBERMUDA , 1985
Portagee chromenounaluminium paintUS , 1961
Portagee lawnmowernouna goatUS , 1989
Portagee liftnounin manual labour, said when one worker does not carry his fair shareUS , 1960
Portagee overdrivenounto coast down a hill while drivingUS , 1961
port and brandyadjectivesexually aroused; feeling lecherous Rhyming slang forRANDY UK , 1992
portapottynouna portable toilet, transported to construction sites, campgrounds, outdoor concerts, etc.US , 1993
porthole duffnounhomosexual anal sex A naval use – another dish on theNAVY CAKEmenu; the ‘porthole’ may refer to the anus
or, in specialised use, mean that the passive partner has his ‘head out of a porthole’UK , 1961
portionnounan act of sexual intercourse as something given to a womanUK , 2000
portnoynoun a male masturbator A reference to Portnoy’s Complaint, a novel by Philip Roth, 1969 UK , 1970
Port of Spaniardnouna resident of Port of Spain, TrinidadTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1990
portrait painternounspeed radar; a police officer operating a speed cameraUS , 1976
port-sidernouna left-handed personUS , 1971
Portuguese parliamentnouna meeting where everybody talks and nobody listensUS , 1951
Portuguese shopnouna small grocery shop attached to a rum shop, whether or not it is owned by Portuguese peopleTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1989
Portuguese straightnounin poker, a straight formed with different
Trang 5portynouna portable telephoneUS , 1996
posnounpositionUS , 1986 8see:POSS
POSnoun a patient regarded by hospital personnel as a piece of shit
US , 1978
poseverbto pretend a station in life that has yet to be achievedUS ,
1946
posernouna person who imitates that which he is notUS , 1990
poshadjective1being stylish, smart; of the best class; elegant and
sophisticated In popular folk etymology, reinforced by the song
‘Posh’ in the 1968 film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, ‘posh’ is an
acronym of port out starboard home, supposedly the location of
the ‘best’ cabins on an England to India P&O line cruise;
unfortunately P&O has no record of such a phrase ever being
used Other suggested derivations: a contraction of ‘polished’, an
earlier sense as ‘money’, and a corruption of Scottish tosh (smart).
However, this is slang and ‘port out starboard home’ is the more
entertaining etymolology and therefore likely to continue as the
popular favouriteUK , 1918.2being in possession of drugsUK , 2002
Posh and Becks; Posh ’n’ BecksnounsexUK , 2003
Posh and Becks; Posh ’n’ Becksnicknamesinger Victoria
Beckham and her husband, footballer David Beckham, considered
as a single celebrity iconUK , 2000
poshienouna posh personIRELAND , 1997
poshonouna member of the middle- or upper-classesUK , 2001
posh tottynouna sexually attractive upper-class womanUK , 2001
posh wanknoun1an act of male masturbation while the penis is
sheathed in a condom CombinesPOSH(upper-class) withWANK(to
masturbate)UK , 1999.2used as abuse of a contemptible person,
especially one you consider to be of a superior status A
combi-nation ofPOSH(upper-class) withWANK(an act of masturbation);
informed by contemporaneous ‘posh wank’ (the act of
masturbation in a condom)UK , 1999
poshyadjectiveelegant and sophisticated Later variation ofPOSH UK ,
2000
poshy-poshyadjectiveextremely elegant and stylish Reduplication of
POSHYfor emphasisUK , 2002
positoryyes, affirmative Citizens’ band radio slangUS , 1976
poss; posadjectivepossibleUK , 1886
poss; posnouna possibilityUK , 1964
possenoun1a group of close friendsUS , 1985.2a gangUS , 1994
possiblenoun1the vagina A probably Freudian etymologyUS , 1998.
2in target shooting, a perfect scoreUS , 1957.3in poker, any hand
that can be completed with the draw of one card Variant
‘possibulletee’US , 1951
possie; possy; pozzie; pozzynouna position Originally in World
War 1 a soldier’s chosen position from which to snipe, observe, etc
AUSTRALIA , 1915
possumnoundarling A term of affectionate addressAUSTRALIA , 1894
Possum; Ole PossumnicknameGeorge Jones, a country singer and
songwriter (b.1931)US , 1995
possum bellynounthe tool box located on the underside of a
brakevan (caboose).US , 1946
postnounan autopsy From the more formal ‘post mortem’US , 1942.
< left at the post(of a horse in a race) to lose badlyAUSTRALIA ,
1895
postverbto leave someone in the lurch, especially during the
commission of a crimeAUSTRALIA , 1975 < post a flyerto use
coded language in a conversation to advertise your homosexuality
and sexual availabilityUK , 1987 < post a letterto go to the toilet
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003
postage stampnoun1a woman Citizens’ band radio slang,
etymology unknown, although licking is almost certainly a
com-ponentUS , 1976.2a public house bar counter Rhyming slang for
RAMP.Shortened to ‘postage’UK , 1992.3in horse racing, a very small
postaladjectiveextremely angry; furious to the point of violence From a series of highly publicised workplace shootings by frustrated and furious employees of the US Postal ServiceUS , 1994
postcodeadjectiveused for describing any matter in which dom-estic, economic or political status may be defined by geographic location; where your postal address affects the provision of medi-cal care, education and publicly funded services, or insurance, or credit rating; especially as ‘postcode lottery’, ‘postcode prescribing’ and ‘postcode discrimination’UK , 1999
poster boynouna very good example of an attitude or condition Used facetiouslyUS , 1993
posteriorsnounthe penis and testiclesBAHAMAS , 1982
postienoun1a postman or postwomanUK , 1887.2The Royal Mail, the Post OfficeUK , 2001 8see:PO-MO
postmannounin horse racing, someone who can be counted on for inside tips on horses and races A term built onMAILas ‘inside information’AUSTRALIA , 1989
postman’s knocknoun1a lock Rhyming slang, ascribed to burglars when used by lockmakers Chubb’s in an advertisementUK , 1962.2a clock Rhyming slang, sometimes seen in an abbreviated form as
‘postman’s’UK , 1992.3in pool, a shot in which the cue ball hits the object ball twice in rapid succession, producing a knock-like sound
US , 1993
post-mortemnounin poker, an analysis of a hand after it has been playedUS , 1988
postopnouna transsexual who has undergone all surgery necessary
to complete a sex changeUS , 1995
post upverbto idleUS , 1998
potnoun1marijuana The most popular slang term for marijuana in the 1950s No agreement on the etymology, with competing conjectures and little supporting evidenceUS , 1938.2heroin us , 1999.
3in Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania, a 10 fluid ounce glass of beerAUSTRALIA , 1915.4a tooth Polari; usually in the pluralUK , 1992.
5in poker, all of the chips or money bet on a single handUS , 1947.
6the jack in a game of bowls In Midlands’ use The southern equivalent is ‘kitty’UK , 1979.7in electric line work, a transformer
An abbreviation of ‘potential transformer’US , 1980.8a carburettor
US , 1941.9a hospital patient with many trivial complaintsUS , 1980.
< not have a pot to piss in; not have a pot to pee into be extremely poorCANADA , 1961
potverb1to shoot or kill someoneUS , 1860.2to put a baby on a potty (a chamber pot)UK , 1961 < pot the whiteto have sex An allusion to billiardsUK , 1955
-potsuffixa person of a type defined or suggested by the word to which it is joined The best known current forms areFUSSPOTand
SEXPOT UK , 1880
pot Anouna prisoner who has received a minimum of ten years is
regarded as a potential Category A prisoner UK , 1996
potablenoundrinking waterUS , 1968
pot and pan; old pot and pan; old potnouna man; a husband;
a father Rhyming slangAUSTRALIA , 1905
potater juice; potato juice; potata juicenounvodkaUS , 1976
potatonoun1marijuana An elaboration ofPOT UK , 1999.2LSDUK ,
1998.3a woman Short forPOTATO PEELER AUSTRALIA , 1959
potato diggernounan amphibious tracked personnel carrier fitted with a dozer blade used for clearing mines during the Vietnam warUS , 1991
potatoedadjectivesluggish; in a non-responsive state (possibly as a result of drug use)UK , 1999
potatoesnounmoney One of life’s basicsUS , 2001
potato hooknounin electric line work, an insulated line tool for-mally known as a fixed prong tie stickUS , 1980
potato-mashernouna German fragmentation hand grenade Korean war usageUS , 1982
potato patchnouna group of neurologically depressed patientsUS ,
Trang 6potato peelernouna woman Rhyming slang forSHEILA AUSTRALIA ,
1971
potato soupnounvodkaUS , 1970
potato wagonnouna police vanUS , 1970
pot bellynounin trucking, a trailer with a dropped frame middle
used for hauling cattle or hogsUS , 1971
potchverbto spank or smack someoneUS , 1969
potchkehverbto dawdle; to spend time inefficiently Yiddish from
German Also variants ‘potchee’ and ‘potchky’US , 1954
pot headnouna user of marijuanaUS , 1959
pot hooknounin a deck of playing cards, a nineUS , 1967
pot houndnouna despised, inferior personTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1956
pot housenouna mad or psychotic personUK , 2000
Pot Kettle Black.used as Internet shorthand to criticise someone
for engaging in precisely the same conduct or reasoning that they
are attacking in anotherUS , 1995
potlessadjectivewithout moneyUK , 1984
pot-lickernounan older dogNEW ZEALAND , 1981
pot likker; pot liquornoun1tea brewed with marijuana leaves
The intentional spelling error gives a rustic, moonshining feel to
the termUS , 1967.2strong, homemade whiskyUS , 1972
pot lotnouna used car business specialising in old, inexpensive cars
US , 1975
pot of gluenoun1a Jew Rhyming slang Also shortened form
‘potter’UK , 1992.2a clue Glasgow rhyming slang Shortened forms
include ‘pot‘ and ‘potter‘UK: SCOTLAND , 1988
pot of honey; honeynounmoney Rhyming slangUK , 1961
pot pignouna marijuana user who takes more than a fair shareUK ,
2001
potsnouna large amount of moneyUK , 1871
POTSnoun plain old telephone service US , 1997
pots and dishesnounwishes Rhyming slangUK , 1979
pot shotnounin poker, an early and aggressive bet designed to drive
other players from the field of play Borrowed from hunting and
punning on ‘pot’ as the collective betsUS , 1951
potsynouna firefighter’s or police officer’s badgeUS , 1954
pottedadjective1tipsy, drunkUS , 1924.2in a state of marijuana
intoxicationUS , 1955
potten bushnounhashishUS , 1977
pottit heidadjectivedead Glasgow rhyming slang, ‘deid’ in the local
accent, formed from local dialect for ‘potted meat’UK: SCOTLAND ,
1996
pottsvillenouna notional location or state of consciousness
imagined by marijuana smokers Compared to Utopia, Nirvana
and XanaduUS , 2001
pottynoun< go pottyto use a toilet Children’s toilet vocabulary
US , 1942
pottyadjectivecrazy; silly; eccentric From ‘pot’ (a tankard), hence to
be inebriated and to have the characteristics of drunken logicUK ,
1920
potty aboutin love, infatuated or obsessed (to some degree) with
something or someoneUK , 1923
potty mouthnouna person prone to use profanity; profanityUS , 1968
potty talknounspeech that is considered obscenely offensive From
childish ‘potty’ (a chamber pot or toilet); an almost euphemistic
variation ofTOILET TALK US , 2002
pot-wallopernouna person employed to wash dishesUS , 1975
pot-wrestlernouna restaurant cook or dishwasherUS , 1860
poulticenouna large sum of money, especially a large wager
AUSTRALIA , 1904
poundnoun1a five-dollar noteUS , 1935.2a five-year jail sentenceUS ,
1967.3an ‘s’ unit (five decibels) in measuring the level of a
.
five dollarsUS , 1982.5a prison cell used for solitary confinement
AUSTRALIA , 1950.6a jail or prisonUS , 1977.7in poker, a heavy betUS ,
1988 < have a pound on yourselfto be conceited; to think very well of yourself From betting terminologyUK , 1959
poundverbto drink (alcohol)US , 1995 < pound cottonto strain the residue of a narcotic from a bit of cotton used to strain the drug for a previous injectionUS , 1990 < pound groundto marchUS ,
1977 < pound her pee-holefrom the male perspective, to have energetic sexUS , 1994 < pound sandto engage in futile behaviour Usually used as a command, where the term takes on a meaning not unlike ‘go fuck yourself’US , 1981 < pound the bishop(used of a male) to masturbateUS , 1977 < to get poundedwhile surfing, to be knocked from your surfboard and thrashed by the waveUS , 1988
poundagenounweight that should be lostUS , 1972
pound and crownnouna lot of moneyTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1993
poundernoun1a police officer assigned to foot patrolUS , 1945.2a powerful, hard-breaking waveUS , 1964.3a 16-ounce can of beerUS , 1997
pound notenouna coat Rhyming slang, now fallen into disuse, a victim of the pound coin introduced in 1983UK , 1992
pound of butternouna crazy person; a lunatic; an eccentric Rhyming slang forNUTTER UK , 1998
pound offverb(used of a male) to masturbateUS , 1969
poundsnounmoneyUS , 1971
pounds and pencenounsense Rhyming slang, an updated form of
SHILLINGS AND PENCE UK , 1992
pound to a pennya certainty, a sure thing A ludicrously confident wagerUK , 2001
pourverbto move or place a drunkUK , 1948 < pour on the coalto throttle up an engine A borrowing from steam-powered train enginesUS , 1956 < pour on the coalsin trucking, to drive fastUS ,
1971 < pour the pork(from the male point of view) to have sex
US , 1973
poured intoadjectivesaid of someone wearing very tight clothing, usually of a woman, and generally complimentaryUK , 1960
pour (it) outverbto urinateUS , 1990
pouvenoun 8see:POOVE
povnouna person who is judged to be less well off than the speaker
Shortened from poverty or impoverished UK , 2006
poverty pimpnouna person who makes their living from the poverty of others, especially by working for government-funded programmes for the poor The Coalition on Homelessness in San Francisco presents a Poverty Pimp Award each yearUS , 1979
poverty pokernouna style of poker in which a player who loses their bankroll may play for free until they win a handUS , 1988
povoadjectivecheaply produced for a poor marketplace Derives from ‘poverty’UK , 2001
pow!used as a register of instant excitementUK , 1881
powdernouna powdered narcotic, usually heroin or cocaineUS , 1975.
< take a powder1to leaveUS , 1934.2to inhale or ingest powdered drugsUS , 1982
powderverb< powder your nose1to sniff cocaineUS , 1983.2to use the lavatory A euphemismUK , 1984 < powder your schnoz
to inhale cocaine Variation ofPOWDER YOUR NOSEwithSHNOZ; SCHNOZ(the nose)UK , 2000
powderboxnounthe vaginaUS , 1998
powder diamonds; powdered diamondsnouncocaine From the crystalline appearance, and the costUS , 1977
powderedadjectiveunder the influence of cocaineUS , 1986
powdered chalknouna walk Rhyming slangUK , 1992
powder monkeynoun1an explosives expert on a work crewUS , 1949.
2a cocaine user Plays onPOWDER(cocaine)UK , 2002
powder puffnoun1an effeminate homosexual maleUS , 1997.2in trucking, a small convex mirror mounted on the outside of the
Trang 7powder puffadjectivein various sports, describing an event limited
to female competitorsUS , 1973
powder trainnouna US Navy SEALS diver with expertise in
underwater explosivesUS , 1991
powernouna charge of explosivesUS , 1949
poweradjectivein a concentrated, intense manner Almost always
used mockinglyUS , 1989
powerdykenouna militant feminist, whether she is a lesbian or not
US , 2003
power hitnounthe act of inhaling marijuana smoke and then
exhaling it into another’s mouth as they inhaleUS , 1970
power lunchnouna lunch meeting where business or deals, not
eating, is the central focusUS , 1986
power pillnouna tablet of any variety of MDMA, the recreational
drug best known as ecstasyUK , 1996
powerplantnouna variety of marijuanaSOUTH AFRICA , 2003
power rangersnouna variety of LSD Named after the fantasy
television programmeUK , 1996
power tablenouna prominent table at a restaurant, seating at
which is a recognition of fame or power Used in the
entertainment industryUS , 1984
power tripnounany activity that is motivated by a desire for power
US , 1967
pow-pownounpowder snow Snowboarders, usageUS , 1995
pow-wownouna meeting Originally an Algonquin word for an
‘Indian priest’ or ‘ceremony’US , 1812
poxnoun1syphilis; hence any sexually transmitted infection Altered
spelling of ‘pocks’, originally applied to the pustules of any
eruptive diseaseUK , 1503.2marijuana; hashishUK , 1996.3opium;
heroinUS , 1942
poxverbto spoil something From an earlier sense, ‘to infect with
syphilis’UK , 1802
poxbottlenouna despicable personIRELAND , 1991
pox docsnoundoctors at a clinic for sexually transmitted diseases A
happy rhyme enjoyed in the medical professionUK , 2002
pox doctor’s clerknounused as the epitome of someone dressed
in a flashy mannerAUSTRALIA , 1950
poxyadjectiveloathsome, objectionable, disgusting FromPOX
(syphilis), equating the target of the adjective with venereal
diseasesUK , 1922
pozzienouna locationNEW ZEALAND , 1984
pozzlenounthe vaginaUS , 1962
pozzynoun 8see:POSSIE
PPnoun1a person whose regular apperance in a hospital casualty
department has earned him the label professional patient US , 1978.
2influence within a prison A shortened form of ‘penitentiary pull’
US , 1985
PP nineverbto attack someone with a weapon improvised with a
PP9 battery, often by concealing the battery in a sockUK , 1996
PPPnoun a severely debilitated hospital patient, with piss-poor
protoplasm US , 1978
PQnoun a half-pint of rum An abbreviation of ‘petit quart’ TRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO , 1987
PRnoun1Puerto RicoUS , 1909.2a Puerto Rican Also attributed as an
adjectiveUS , 1957.3panama red, a variety of marijuana cultivated
in PanamaUS , 1969
practice bleedingnounengaging in night-training flights off an
aircraft carrierUS , 1986
pradnoun a horse From Dutch paard (a horse) Not recorded
separ-ately before 1799 but implied in ‘prad-lay’ (to steal property from
horses), now obsolete, noted in Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar
Tongue, 2nd edition, 1788 UK , 1953
prairie chickennouna grouse, or a newcomer to the prairies
prairie niggernouna native American IndianUS , 1989
prairie oysternounan anti-hangover tonic: an unbroken raw egg in
a glass of dry red wine, or an unbroken raw egg in Worcestershire Sauce and sherryUS , 1883
praiseverb< praise the porcelain godto vomitUS , 1986
pramnoun< get out of your pramto become very angry or over-excitedUK , 1970 < throw your toys out of the pramto become angry; to lose your temper; to become over-excitedUK , 2002
prangnouncar accident or collisionUS , 1959
prangverb1in aviation, to crash-land an aircraftUK , 1941.2to crash a carUK , 1952.3to make a short call to a mobile telephone with the sole purpose of registering yourself on the receiving phone’s ‘caller ID’ (thus delivering a private signal but avoiding the cost of a connection)UK , 2003
prangadjectivescared Urban youth slangUK , 2005
prannet; prannie; prannynouna fool; a general term of contempt After an obsolete sense of ‘prannie’ (female genitals, henceCUNT)
UK , 1977
pratnoun1used as a general insult with no particular meaning beyond the derogatory tone; a fool Variant ‘pratt’ From the earlier use as ‘buttocks’UK , 1968.2the buttocksUK , 1567.3the vagina From the earlier sense as ‘buttocks’UK , 1937.4in horse racing, interference during a raceAUSTRALIA , 1989
pratverbto engage in coy or fawning behaviourUS , 1969
prat aboutverbto mess about; to play the fool FromPRAT(a fool)
UK , 1961
pratfallnounin the theatre, a comedy fall, especially one that lands buttocks-first Often applied figuratively:UK , 1939
prat inverbin pickpocket usage, to back into the potential victim, getting him into position for a confederateUS , 1981
prat powdernounpowdered amphetamine From the power of the powder to make you behave like aPRAT(a fool)UK , 2002
prattnouna woman objectified sexually Extended from the sense as
‘vagina’UK , 1977
pratt boynouna weak or effeminate person; an outcastUS , 1952
prattyadjectivestupid, foolish FromPRAT(a fool)UK , 1998
prawnnoun1a fool; a worthless individualAUSTRALIA , 1893.2an ugly person with an attractive bodyUK , 2004
prawnheadnouna fool; a worthless individualAUSTRALIA , 1961
prawn-headedadjectivestupidAUSTRALIA , 1962
prayverb< pray to the porcelain god; pray to the enamel godto vomit into a toiletUS , 1980
prayer bonesnounthe kneesUS , 1946
prayer meetingnoun1a private dice gameUS , 1949.2a propaganda session conducted by Viet Cong with South Vietnamese villagers
US , 1990
praying Johnnouna gambler who believes that he can influence the fall of the dice by uttering the right, magical wordsUS , 1950
pre; pre-game; pre-partyverbto drink before going to an event where there will be drinkingUS , 2001
preachverb< preach to the choirto talk to those who are already convincedUS , 1986
preachernoun1a traffic police officer who is too kind-hearted to issue citationsUS , 1962.2a log that is partially submerged in a river
US , 1974
preacher’s carnounin the used car business, a car with no accessories at allUS , 1968
preacher’s pasttimenounthe shell gameUS , 1966
preciousadjectiveegregious, arrant; very, exceedingly; especially as an intensifier of something bad or worthlessUK , 1430
pre-cumnounpenile secretions prior to orgasm A refinement of
COME(orgasm/semen)UK , 1995
predatornounheroinUK , 1998
preemie