MilitaryUK , 1983 rag storenouna big con swindle in which the lure is the promise of wealth from stocks traded based on allegedly inside information US , 1969 rag stuffernouna parachute
Trang 1raggastaninouna member of a British Indian (Hindi) urban youth
gang or subcultureUK , 2006
raggedadjective1without moneyUS , 1990.2tired; unwellAUSTRALIA ,
1958
ragged edgenounin hot rodding, drag racing, and motor racing,
the absolute limit of the car’s abilityUS , 1965
raggedyadjectiveragged; rough; dishevelledUS , 1890
raggedy jacknounin Newfoundland, a homemade pile rugCANADA ,
1979
raggedy jacketnounin Newfoundland, a harp seal moulting from
the white coat to the bedlamer stageCANADA , 1976
raggin’adjectivedressed in fashionable and expensive clothingUS , 1987
raggy-arseadjectiveof poor qualityUK , 2002
rag headnoun1an Arab person, or a native of any race that wears a
cloth-covering on the head; by extension a native of Muslim
countries OffensiveUS , 1921.2in circus and carnival usage, a gypsy
US , 1981
ragingadjectivevery good; very excitingUS , 1995
Raging BullnicknameJake LaMotta (b.1921), a middleweight boxer
who fiercely made his presence felt in the ring in the 1940s and
50sUS , 1980
raging queernouna particularly ostentatious or importunate male
homosexual An intensification ofQUEER(a male homosexual)UK ,
1984
rag jointnouna carnival concession in a canvas boothUS , 1985
ragman’s coatnounon a woman, an untrimmed and naturally
abundant mass of pubic hairUK , 2002
rag ordernounchaotic disorder, a mess MilitaryUK , 1983
rag storenouna big con swindle in which the lure is the promise of
wealth from stocks traded based on allegedly inside information
US , 1969
rag stuffernouna parachute riggerUS , 1991
ragtimenounthe bleed period of a woman’s menstrual cycle A play
onON THE RAG(menstruating), after the musical styleUS , 2001
ragtopnouna convertible carUS , 1955
rag townnouna town built in prosperous times, bound to fall into
poverty with the end of prosperous timesUS , 1954
ragweednoun1poor quality marijuana After botanical genus
Ambrosia the which grows wild across North America US , 1969.
2poor quality heroinUK , 1998
rag weeknounthe week of the month when a woman has a
menstrual bleed CombinesRAG(a sanitary towel), as in ‘on the
rag’, with conventional ‘week’ to form a play on university rag
weekUK , 2001
rah!; rah rah!used as a cheer, a shouted expression of support or
encouragement A shortening of ‘hurrah!’ in college sports use As
‘rah! rah! rah!’ it is the climax of a Maori war cry that has been
adopted by New Zealand rugby teamsUS , 1870
rah-rahadjectivecharacterised by excessive spirit and enthusiasm,
usually associated with college or high schoolUS , 1914
rahtid; raatid; rhaatidadjectiveused as an intensifier that implies
anger or strong disapproval Urban black usageUK , 1994
railnoun1a line of cocaine or other powdered drug, laid out for
snortingUS , 1984.2any railway employeeUS , 1946 < on the railin
American casinos, observing the gambling but not playingUS , 1985
railverbto arrest or detain someoneUS , 1995
railbirdnoun1in horse racing, an enthusiast who watches morning
workouts, carefully clocking performancesUS , 1931.2in American
casinos, a thief who steals chips from inattentive gamblersUS , 1985.
3in pool, a spectatorUS , 1993
raildognouna backstage technician who works with set rigging on a
catwalkUS , 1991
railfieldverba thief who simply grabs shop merchandise and runs
rail job; railnouna drag racing car with a chassis made of rail-like metal bars; a drag racing car regardless of the chassis construction
US , 1963
rail luggernounin horse racing, a horse that prefers to run near or next to the inside railUS , 1947
rail on; railverbto criticize or reprimand someoneUS , 1987
railratnounin the language surrounding the Grateful Dead, a member of the audience who prefers to see the show from as close as possible to the band, right on the railUS , 1994
railroadverbto move your jaw from side to side obsessively and involuntarily after sustained amphetamine useUS , 1989
railroad biblenouna deck of playing cardsUS , 1976
railroad dicknouna private guard employed by a railway company
US , 1958
railroad flatnounan apartment consisting of connected long, narrow roomsUS , 1956
railroad tracksnounthe bars on a captain’s uniform signifying his officeUS , 1947
railroad weednounmarijuana, especially of inferior quality From the weeds that flourish alongside railway lines, not necessarily
WEED(marijuana)US , 1974
railsnounthat part of a racecourse where the rails bookmakers are situated; hence, big-time bookmakingAUSTRALIA , 1981
rail sandwichnouna surfboard between your legsUS , 1978
rails bookmaker; rails bookienounone of the more prestigious bookmakersAUSTRALIA , 1950
railway stationnounan ‘allocation’ prison from which prisoners are forwardedUK , 1999
ráiméisnounfoolish, nonsensical, ill-founded talkIRELAND , 2001
rainverb< if it was raining I am extremely unluckyAUSTRALIA ,
1965 < rain pups and pussiesto rain very hardUS , 1990
rain and pour; rainverbto snore Rhyming slangUK , 1992
rainbownoun1a capsule of amobarbital sodium and secobarbital sodium (trade name Tuinal™), a combination of central nervous system depressantsUS , 1966.2in casinos, a bet comprised of differ-ent colour and differdiffer-ent value betting chipsUS , 1991.3in oil drilling,
a very small showing of oil in a holeUS , 1954.4a soldier who joins
a fighting unit after conflict has ceased Used in both World Wars;
a rainbow comes after a stormAUSTRALIA , 1919 < go up the rainbowto experience sexual ecstasyUK , 1972
rainbow handnouna poker hand with cards of all four suitsUS , 1950
rainbow jumpernounin basketball, a high, arcing jump shotUS , 1974
rainbow partynounoral sex on one male by several females, all wearing different colours of lipstickUS , 2003
rainbow rollnouna multi-coloured assortment of barbiturate capsulesUS , 1973
rainbowsnoun1LSD Presumably from the pictures printed on the blotting paper doseUK , 1998.2the recreational drug methaqualone, best known as Quaaludes™UK , 1983
rain checknoun1a request or promise to take up an invitation at a convenient time; a postponement of any arrangement From the ticket given to a spectator at an outdoor event providing for a refund/admission at a later date, should the event be interrupted
by rainUS , 1930.2the reduction of a criminal penalty; parole, probationUS , 1949
raincoatnouna condom Figurative use of waterproof wearUS , 1970
Raincoat Charlienouna striptease audience member who masturbates beneath the safety of his raincoatUS , 1981
raincoaternouna stereotypical perverted pornography fanUS , 2000
raincoat jobnouna sexual fetish involving urination on your partnerUS , 1993
rain dancenounin computing, an action that is expected to be
Trang 2rained outadjectivepostponed A term from sports, especially
baseball, but applied more broadly to refer to, for example, a class
on a given day that has been postponedUS , 1995
raining and pouring; rainingnounsnoring Rhyming slangUK , 1992
rainmakernouna member of an enterprise whose job includes
procuring clients or business by the use of charmUS , 1985
rain roomnouna shower roomUS , 1968
Rainy CitynicknameManchester, UKUK , 1981
rainy day womannounmarijuana This seems to have been
inspired by the following lyric: ‘Everybody must get stoned’ by Bob
Dylan, ‘Rainy Day Women #12 & 35’, 1966US , 1982
raisenoun1stake money; a monetary profitUK , 2000.2parentsUS ,
1972.3the armUS , 1973
raiseverb1(used of a male) to achieve an erectionBAHAMAS , 1971.2to
identify yourself to a fellow travellerUS , 1957.3to bail someone out
of jailUS , 1973 < raise Cainto make a disturbance; to complain
or quarrel noisily and angrilyUS , 1930 < raise hellto make a
dis-turbance; to make a din; to cause troubleUS , 1896 < raise sand
to argue loudly, creating a problemUS , 1965
raisernoun1a lookout who warns confederates of approaching
policeUS , 1992.2a criminal who specialises in forging increases in
the amount payable to an otherwise legitimate cheque or security
US , 1950
raise upverb1to make someone angryUS , 2001.2to warn someone
US , 1992.3to be released from prisonUS , 1990
raisinheadnouna black person OffensiveUS , 1978
raisin jacknouna potent and vile alcoholic beverage brewed by
letting raisins ferment, usually in prisonUS , 1986
raisin pickernounon the railways, a worker from Fresno, California
Fresno is regarded as the raisin capital of the USUS , 1975
raisin snapnounalcohol made from fermented raisinsUS , 1988
raizeverbto annoy or harass someoneUS , 1991
rajahnounan erectionNEW ZEALAND , 1998
rajamuffinnouna member of a British Indian (Hindi) urban youth
gang or subculture A play on raggamuffinUK , 2006
Rajputananouna banana Rhyming slang, formed from a ship that
berthed in London’s Royal DocksUK , 1998
rakenoun1an amount of something; a large quantityIRELAND , 1995.
2a combUS , 1960.3in pool, a device used to support the cue stick
for a hard-to-reach shotUS , 1990
rakeverbto lower the front end of a carUS , 1970 < rake a gameto
charge card players for the privilege of playingUS , 1977 < rake the
leavesto drive at the back of a group of trucks travelling on a
motorway together, watching for police from the rearUS , 1976
rakedadjectivedrunkUS , 1990
rakehellnounan utter scoundrelUK , 1554
rake-innounthe financial results of an enterpriseUS , 1947
rake in; rakeverbto make money, especially in generous quantities
or at an enviable speedUK , 1583
rake-offnounmoney obtained from a crime or as a bribeUS , 1899
Rakkasansnicknamethe 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment
Distinguished airborne and air assault soldiers in World War 2,
Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf From the Japanese for
‘parachute’, named during the first four years of occupation duty
in JapanUS , 1989
raklinouna girl; a woman Romany in current English gypsy useUK ,
2000
Raleigh bikenouna lesbian Rhyming slang forDYKE, formed on a
product of a well-known bicycle manufacturerUK , 1992
rallyverbto go out drinkingUS , 1974
ralphnoun1a right turnUS , 1968.2vomitUS , 1975
ralph
Ralphed upadjectivedressed in a smart casual style From Ralph Lauren (b.1939), designer of the Polo™ range of casual clothingUK , 1997
ramnounamyl or butyl nitrite Reflecting popular male gay use, possibly deriving from a brand nameUS , 1998
ramverb(from a male perspective) to have sex, perhaps violently Mainly derived from ‘ram’ (a male sheep), but the thrusting action echoes ‘ram’ (to batter with a long pole)UK , 2001
-rama; -erama; -oramasuffixused for conveying a superlative
qual-ity or quantqual-ity From Greek orama (a view) US , 1954
rama-lamanounrock ’n’ roll music From the doo-wop song ‘Rama Lama Ding Dong’ recorded by the Edsels in 1959, and somehow
thought to capture the joie de vivre of the music UK , 2001
Rambettenouna female Rambo – reckless, fearless, the warrior womanUS , 1992
ramblernouna (portable) radioUK , 1996
rambling ROK’snounground troops of the Army of South Korea (the Republic of Korea)US , 1964
Rambonoun1a soldier with too much of a sense of drama and too little intelligence After the 1982 film starring Sylvester Stallone as
an invincible if mentally unstable Vietnam veteranUS , 1989.2an intolerant prison officer who would rather punish inmates From the 1982 film starring Sylvester Stallone as a military man who uses the most extreme measures to quell his opponents In use in
UK prisons in 2002UK , 2002.3heroinUK , 1998
Rambo ragnouna handkerchief worn on the head Worn by Stallone in the filmUS , 1991
ramjamadverbabsolutely crammedUK , 1879
rammedadjectivecrammed, stuffed fullUK , 1996
rammiesnountrousers; pants Rhyming slang Shortening of
‘rammy rousers’, rhyming slang for ‘trousers’AUSTRALIA , 1906
rammynouna brawl; a noisy argument, a row; a bustling crowdUK: SCOTLAND , 1935
rammyverbto take part in crowd violenceUK: SCOTLAND , 1996
rampnoun1a search of a prisoner or prison cell Conducted to search for contraband, though often carried out with much destruction in order to harass the prisonerAUSTRALIA , 1919.2a public house bar counter; hence, a public house From an earlier, more general, sense as a shop counterUK , 1935
rampverb1to swindle, to con; to rob, to mug; to make trouble Contemporary use is mainly West Indian and UK blackUK , 1812.2to pretend A variation of the sense ‘to swindle, to con’UK , 2000.3to search a prisoner or a prison cellAUSTRALIA , 1919
rampedadjectivedrunkUS , 1992
ram-raidverbto rob a premises using a vehicle as a battering ram and driving it through a window or a wallUK , 1987
ram-raid; ram-raidingnouna method of robbery that utilises a motor vehicle as a battering ram to gain entry, often using the vehicle to make off with stolen goodsUK , 1991
ramraidernoun1a criminal involved in ram-raidingUK , 1991.2a powerful amphetamine sulphateUK , 1990s
ramrodnounthe penis; the erect penisUK , 1902
Ramsgate Sand; Ramsgatenounthe hand Rhyming slang, formed on the Kent seaside resortUK , 1992
ram’s pasturenounin oil drilling, non-productive landUS , 1954
ram tubenounin a drag racing car, an injector that forces air into a carburettorUS , 1970
ranchnoun1a houseUS , 1960.2any place where marijuana is soldUS ,
1945.3to a trucker, anywhere you spend the nightUS , 1976
ranchverbto idle; to spend time doing littleUS , 1991
Ranch Handnouna C-123 aircraft equipped with tanks filled with defoliants used on the Vietnam jungleUS , 1969
rancidadjective1in poor tasteUS , 1989.2excellent; brilliantAUSTRALIA ,
Trang 3randannouna spree of wild, debauched, hedonistic behaviour,
especially if heavy drinking is involved Usually in the phrase ‘on
the randan’UK: SCOTLAND , 1985
Randolph Scott; Randolphnouna spot Rhyming slang, based on
the name of film actor Randolph Scott, 1903–87UK , 1992
randomadjectiveordinary if unexpected A major word of the 1990s
US youth, just a tad to the slang side of conventional EnglishUS ,
1968
R and Rnoun1rest and rehabilitation; rest and recovery; rest and
recreation; rest and recuperation; rape and restitution; rape and
ruin; rape and run Despite disagreement on the ‘R’s’, the
meaning is the same – a brief stint away from combat or regular
dutyUS , 1953.2rock ’n’ rollUK , 1977.3rape and robbery A cynical
play on the US military ‘r and r’ (rest and recreation)UK , 1996
randyadjective1sexually aroused; feeling lecherous From Scottish
dialect randy UK , 1847.2homosexual, perhaps seen as a threatening
or predatory characteristic Public schools use, probably deriving
from the more general sense as ‘lecherous or sexually aroused’
when applied in a single-sex environmentUK , 1968
randy AndynicknamePrince Andrew; any man named AndrewUK ,
1984
randy comedownnouna desire for sex as the effects of drug use
wear offUK , 2002
ranenouncocaine; heroinUK , 2003
rangnouna person who is acting very oddly An abbreviation of
‘orangutan’US , 1966
rangdoodlesnounin poker, a temporary increase in the betting
limit after a player has won a hand with an agreed-upon, rare and
excellent handUS , 1967
Ranger’s Biblenounthe US Army Ranger handbook, a
supplemen-tal training document for long-range reconnaissance patrolsUS , 1990
rangoodnounwild marijuana Probably a playful misspelling of
RANGOON UK , 2003
rangoonnounwild marijuanaUS , 1968
Rangoonnouna prune Rhyming slang, formed from the Burmese
capitalUK , 1992
rankverb1to disparage; to insult, especially in a formulaic or ritual
mannerUS , 1945.2to bungle or ruin somethingUS , 1950
rankadjectiveunpleasant; stupid; bad-smelling In the world of
bad-is-good alienated youth, ‘rank’ can be bad-is-good or badUS , 1955
rankingadjective1excellent; admirable Also shortened to ‘ranks’UK ,
1985.2average, mediocreJAMAICA , 2000
rank outverbto offend or disgust someone by doing something
rankUS , 1997
ran-tannoun< on the ran-tanon a drinking spreeIRELAND , 1977
rapnoun1a criminal chargeUS , 1903.2blame or responsibilityUS , 1927.
3a prison sentenceUS , 1927.4a clever line of improvised chat,
speech or conversation Black coinage, adopted and popularised by
hippiesUS , 1967.5a popular music genre in which a rhythmic lyric
is spoken over a musical backgroundUS , 2002.6a meandering,
unstructured group discussionUS , 1967.7the way in which a person
expresses himself or herselfUS , 1975.8a very small amountUS , 1973.
< ride the rapto serve a prison sentence without losing control,
hope or sanityUS , 1991
rapverb1to talk without an agenda, aimlessly but honestly Found
before the 1960s, but truly a word of the 60sUS , 1929.2to criticise
someoneUS , 1957.3to accuse someone falsely or to seek a more
serious sentence for someone than their crime deservesUS , 1965.
4to perform semi-spoken lyrics over a musical backgroundUS , 1979
raparazzinounan elite grouping within hip-hop culture ExtendsRAP
(the pre-eminent hip-hop music style) on the model ofPAPARAZZI
(photographers who prey on celebrities); the suggestion of preying
remainsUK , 2002
rapeverbin computing, to destroy a program or data without hope
of recovering itUS , 1991
rape toolsnounthe penis and testiclesUS , 1962
rapid excellent
rapo; rape-onouna rapistUS , 1972
rap parlornouna brothel in disguise as a massage parlour in disguise as a business where you pay to talk to women For those entrepreneurs who do not have what it takes to obtain a massage licenceUS , 1982
rap partnernounin a criminal enterprise, a person who will accept responsibility for a venture gone poorly and serve a jail sentence
US , 1977
rappernoun1a performer of rap lyricsUS , 1979.2the mouth; the voiceUS , 1969.3the chief witness for the prosecution in a criminal trialUS , 1962
rappienouna partner in crimeUS , 1981
rap sessionnouna group discussion, unstructured and uninhibited
US , 1969
rap sheetnouna record of a person’s past arrests and convictions
US , 1960
raptadjectivedelighted Variant ofWRAPPED AUSTRALIA , 1963
raptornouna rap performer who is also an actorUS , 1998
Raquel Welchnouna belch Rhyming slang formed from the name
of the film actress (b.1940)UK , 1992
Raquel Welchverbto belch Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the US actress (b.1940)UK , 1971
rareadjective1excellent; very enjoyableUK: SCOTLAND , 1985.2of someone, unusual, eccentric Sometimes ‘wild rare’ is also used
IRELAND , 1992
rare as rocking horse shitadjectiveextremely rare or scarce
AUSTRALIA , 1944
rare groovenouna fashionable style of dance music and its presen-tation Coined by pirate radio presenter Norman JayUK , 1999
raring to goadjectiveeagerly impatient to get startedUS , 1935
rark-upnounan argument or rebukeNEW ZEALAND , 1995
rark upverbto rebuke or annoy someoneNEW ZEALAND , 1997
ras!used for expressing surpriseUS , 2004
rashnoun< be all over someone like a rash1to smother someone with affection, kisses, etcAUSTRALIA , 1965.2to be easily outdoing an opponentAUSTRALIA , 1961
rashienounan upper garment worn by surfers Originally worn under a wetsuit in order to preventWETTIE RASH AUSTRALIA , 1996
raspberrynoun1a disapproving fart-like noise From out-of-date rhyming slang, ‘raspberry tart’ forFART UK , 1890.2a light grazing of the skin Skateboarders’ slang; from the appearanceUK , 1998.3a sore or abcess on an intravenous drug user from repeated injections in the same spotUS , 1973.4a male who trades sex for drugsUS , 1995
raspberrylandnicknameTasmania From the crop Hence, a Tasmanian is called a ‘raspberrylander’AUSTRALIA , 1966
raspberry ripple; raspberrynouna disabled individual Rhyming slang for ‘cripple’UK , 1977
raspyadjective1excellentUS , 1982.2bad, unpleasantUS , 1977
rassnounthe buttocks; hence, used as a term of abuse FromARSE
JAMAICA , 1790
rasta boxnouna large portable stereo system associated, stereotypically, with black youth cultureUS , 1988
RastafariannounMDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy Specifically used of any tablet of MDMA stamped with a stylised image of a dreadlocked headUK , 2004
rasta weednounmarijuana Marijuana is famously central to
Rastafarian ritual US , 2001
Rastusnounused as a derogatory personification of a black maleUS , 1949
ratnoun1a person who informs on or otherwise betrays compatriotsUK , 1902.2a despicable personUK , 1594.3an enthusiast
of the preceding activity or thingUS , 1864.4a railway detectiveUS ,
1977.5a prostituteBARBADOS , 1965 < like a rat up a drainpipe; like a rat up a drain
Trang 4in which case it is usually of a woman objectified in a sexual
contextAUSTRALIA , 1971 < like a rat up a rhododendronvery
swiftly A jocular variation ofLIKE A RAT UP A DRAIN AUSTRALIA , 1971.
< like a rat up a rope/shorelinewith great speedAUSTRALIA ,
1945 < not give a rat’s ass; not give a rat’s arseto not care
at allUS , 1971 < rat’s died up your arseused of an especially
noxious fartUK , 2001
ratverb1to inform Perhaps from an earlier political sense of
changing political partiesUS , 1934.2to rob or loot a person or place
AUSTRALIA , 1898
ratadjectivedisloyal, untrustworthy;US , 1955
rat and mousenoun1a house Rhyming slang; first recorded in
Songs and Slang of the British Soldier: 1914–1918, John Brophy
and Eric Partridge, 3rd edition, 1931 Recorded in the US in 1943
UK , 1931.2an informer Rhyming slang forLOUSE(a despicable
person)UK , 1961
rat-arsed; ratarsedadjectivedrunkUK , 1982
ratatouillenouna nightclub that caters to a mix of gay and straight
customers A culinary allusionUK , 2003
ratbagnouna contemptible person A ‘ratbag’ can be merely a
person with odd notions, an eccentric, or someone whose ideas or
behaviour verge on the insaneAUSTRALIA , 1890
ratbaggerynounbehaviour which is eccentric, despicable or
otherwise contemptibleAUSTRALIA , 1943
rat beltnounin computing, a self-locking cable tieUS , 1991
rat bitenouna skin bruise caused by sucking Hawaiian youth usage
US , 1982
ratboynoun1among a group of drug users, a person who will
sample any drug before the group uses it An allusion to the rat as
the subject of laboratory experimentsUS , 1987.2a member of a
subcultural urban adolescent grouping defined by a hip-hop dress
and jewellery senseUK , 2000
rat capernouna minor crimeCANADA , 1976
ratchetnounany weaponUS , 2003
ratchet jawnouna person who talks too much and says too little
US , 1965
ratchet-mouthverbto talk incessantlyUS , 1981
rat-cunningnouncraftinessAUSTRALIA , 1979
rat cunningadjectivecraftyAUSTRALIA , 1970
rat-drawnadjectiveused of shoes, pointedUS , 1976
rat-eyedadjectivedrunkUK , 1998
ratfink; rat finknoun1a despised person CombinesRAT(someone
unpleasant) andFINK(someone despised, an informer)US , 1964.2an
informer CombinesRAT(an informer) andFINK(an informer)US ,
1965
rat fucknoun1a chaotic military disasterUS , 1930.2a despicable
personUS , 1922.3a damnUS , 1971.4a prankUS , 1965
Rat Fucknounthe Reaction Forces of the South Vietnamese Army
US , 1990
ratfuckverbto pull a prankUS , 1965
ratfuck operationnounany operation characterised by poor
planning, confusion or chaos Frequently used in the Vietnam war
US , 1990
rat headnouna person, especially a woman, who conveys a
complete lack of taste and finesseUS , 2004
rat holenoun1a small, messy, cluttered placeUK , 1812.2a railway
tunnelUS , 1975
rat-holeverbto stash something away, usually secretivelyUS , 1948
rat housenounan insane asylumAUSTRALIA , 1900
rat jacketnouna reputation for being an informerUS , 1973
rat-leggedadjectivedrunk A variation ofRAT-ARSED UK , 2002
rat motornounin hot rodding, a Chevrolet engine, usually 396
cubic inches or largerUS , 2001
rat-on an erection
rat outverbto inform on someoneUS , 1990
rat packnoun1in competition surfing, competitors vying for the leadUS , 1988.2a group of young gang membersUS , 1951.3a ration
of food issued to South African soldiers; a package of foodSOUTH AFRICA , 1984
rat-packverbto surround and attack someoneUS , 1971
rat racenoun1any hectic and non-productive situation, activity or lifestyleUS , 1947.2the face Rhyming slangUK , 2003
rat rownounan area in a jail or prison reserved for police informers who would not be safe in the general population of the facilityUS , 1982
rat runnouna narrow way between buildings; a back alley; a side road, especially if used in a short-cut; a route through back streets that is used by motorists avoiding heavy trafficUK , 1977
ratsnouncombat rationsUS , 1976
rats!used as an expression of annoyance or dismissalUS , 1886
rats and mice; ratsnoun1dice Rhyming slangUK , 1932.2rice Rhyming slangUK , 1992
rat’s coffinnouna meat pieAUSTRALIA , 2003
ratshitnouna despicable person or thingUS , 1994 < go to ratshit
to go very wrongUK , 1995
ratshitadjectiveno good; dreadfulAUSTRALIA , 1970
rattedadjectivedrunkUK , 2002
ratternoun1a police informer; a traitor to a cause or enterpriseUS ,
1975.2a thief, especially one who steals opal from another’s mine
AUSTRALIA , 1932
rattlenoundiceUS , 1983 < give a rattleto have sexual intercourse with a femaleIRELAND , 2001
rattleverbto agitate or to unnerve someoneUS , 1887 < rattle beadsto complainUS , 1970 < rattle your cageto annoy or to aggravate you; to arouse your indignationUK , 1990 < rattle your dagsto hurryNEW ZEALAND , 1968
rattle and clank; rattlenouna bank Rhyming slangUK , 1962
rattle and hiss; rattlenounan act of urination; urine Rhyming slang forPISS UK , 1998
rattlernoun1a trainUK , 1871.2Boston’s underground system, the Massachusetts Transit AuthorityUS , 1997
rattler-jumpingadjectivetravelling by illegally catching trains
AUSTRALIA , 1969
rattlesnakenoun< like a rattlesnakeof a woman, describes vigorous participation in sexual intercourseUK , 2000
rattlesnakes; rattlesnoun delirium tremens Rhyming slang for
SHAKES UK , 1992
rattlingadjectivein an energetic state, possibly as a result of drug abuseUK , 2000
rattlingadverbused as an intensifier, especially when describing adventure fictionUK , 1829
rattling-covenouna taxi Derived from late C17-C18 usage (a coachman)UK , 2002
rat trapnoun1a dilapidated, shoddy buildingUK , 1838.2a fox hole that accommodated two or three Viet Cong who hid and slept there during the dayUS , 1990.3a Japanese person Rhyming slang
forJAP, a pejorative term dating from World War 2 and lingering among veterans of that conflict (especially prisoners of war) Also shortened to ‘rat’UK , 1992
rat turdsnounan Oak Leaf Cluster, a military decoration indicating that the soldier has received another decoration more than once
US , 1990
rattyadjective1wretched, miserable, mean; stained, tatteredUS , 1867.
2angry, irritatedUK , 1909.3foolish, odd, eccentricNEW ZEALAND , 1998.
4crazyAUSTRALIA , 1895
raunchnounin the usage of youthful model road racers (slot car racers), a slow carUS , 1997
raunchyadjective1sexually provocative, risqué; used as a
.
Trang 5unpleasant, contemptible; dirtyUS , 1939.3used of music, abrasive,
aggressiveUS , 1982
ravagedadjectivedrunkUK , 2002
ravenoun1a party; a bottle party; a party open to the public, often
announced and sited clandestinely, featuring drugs, music and
sensory overload Variant of ‘rave up’ First used of wild parties in
the late 1950s, then byMOD(s) in the 60s; revived in the 80s for
parties on such a scale that both UK culture and law were
signifi-cantly changedUK , 1992.2an enthusiastic reviewUS , 1926.3the
object of a passionate liking or crazeUK , 1959
raveverb1to express an enthusiasm for somethingUK , 1704.2to
enjoy the music and other sensations of a raveUS , 1995.3to persist
in discussing something that does not interest anyone else
involved in the discussionUS , 1981
rave drugnounany chemical or ‘designer’ drug associated with
dance and club cultureUK , 2003
rave energynounMDMA, the recreational drug best known as
ecstasy The rave culture was fuelled by MDMAUK , 2003
ravenadjectivegluttonous; greedyGRENADA , 1996
ravernoun1a dedicated hedonist, party-goer, sexual adventurer or
drug taker Extended from the sense as a ‘passionate enthusiast’
Defined as ‘a young woman who is enthusiastically promiscuous
or merely of a passionate (but not promiscuous) natureUK , 1968.
2someone who goes to a raveUK , 2000.3a homosexual maleUK ,
1996
rave-upnouna social gathering Used ironically of a mild, as
opposed to wild, party, by people old enough to remember the
rave-ups of the 1960sUK , 1984
raveyadjectivecharacteristic of ravingUK , 2000
ravingadjectiveused as an intensifier; complete, excellent, utmost,
etcUK , 1959
Ravi Shankarnouna wanker Rhyming slang, formed from the
name of the celebrated Indian musician (b.1920)UK , 2003
rawnouncrack cocaineUS , 1994 < in the rawnakedUS , 1934
rawadjective1exciting; excellentUS , 1987.2nakedUS , 1931.3undiluted
US , 1974.4unembalmedUS , 1987
raw fusionnounheroinUK , 2002
rawhidenounheroinUK , 2002
rawhideverbto drive those under your supervision to work very
hardUS , 1962
raw-jawverbto ignore someone; to bless someone with silenceUS ,
1992
raw meatnouna new recruit in the US ArmyUS , 1948
raw prawnnouna raw dealAUSTRALIA , 1957
raymondyes, affirmative Citizens’ band radio French vraiment
(truly, indeed)UK , 1981
raysnounradiologyUS , 1994 < bag some rays; catch some rays;
cop some raysto sunbatheUS , 1963
razedadjectivedrug-intoxicatedUK , 1998
razoonoun1the smallest amount of money Only ever used in
negative contexts, generally ‘to not have a razoo,’ but also ‘not
worth a razoo,’ ‘not get a razoo’, etc Contextually referring to a
low value brass coin, the origin of this term remains a mystery
despite many guesses over the years Needless to say no such coin
ever existed Also commonly a ‘brass razoo’, and formerly spelt
‘rahzoo’ or ‘razzoo’ though only rarelyAUSTRALIA , 1919.2harassment
US , 1949
razorverbto slash something with a razorUK: SCOTLAND , 1999
razorbacknouna worker on a circus train; any circus worker other
than a performer Circus historian and linguist Joe McKennon
suggested that the term may have derived from the common
work command of ‘Raise ‘er back, let ‘er go’ when placing circus
equipment on train wagonsUS , 1904
razor blade; razornouna black person Rhyming slangUK , 1970
razored muscular and sculpted
razor edgesnoundice that are true to an extremely minute tolerance, approximately 1/1000th of a inchUS , 1950
razoringnounan attack on someone with a razor FromRAZOR(to slash with a razor)UK , 1996
razznouna telling-off; a harangue An Eton school termUK , 1967.
< on the razz; on the razzlea period of drinking, partying and other self-indulgent pleasures Derives from a shortening of ‘razzle-dazzle’ (excitement) ‘Razzle’ (a good time) is first recorded in 1908
UK , 1915 < the razza beatingIRELAND , 1962
razzverbto heckle; to show contempt; to jeer Short forRASPBERRY, a derisive soundUS , 1919
razzberrynouna jeering, derisory, farting noise ExtendsRAZZ(to jeer) back to a variation of its source:RASPBERRY US , 1922
razzlednoundrunk Derives fromON THE RAZZLE, (having a good time, partying)UK , 2002
razzle-dazzlenoun1confusion; chaos; bewildermentUS , 1889.
2sexual intercourseUK , 1973.3in circus and carnival usage, a prostituteUS , 1981
razzmatazznoun1old-fashioned, sentimental jazz The term was originally used, before use of the word ‘jazz’, to describe an early jazz-like musicUS , 1936.2a showy outward appearanceUK , 1958.
3extreme pleasureUS , 1953
razzyadjectivetattered; unkemptBARBADOS , 1965
RBnounan enthusiastic sportsman whose character is formed by the aggressive pursuit of masculinity and frequently demonstrated
by his boorish behaviour and drunken socialising An abbreviation
ofRUGGER BUGGER SOUTH AFRICA , 1991
RCadjectiveRoman CatholicUK , 1762
RCHnouna tiny notional unit of measure An abbreviation ofRED CUNT HAIR, perceived as a smaller unit even than a simpleCUNT
HAIR US , 1968
RCMPnoun in Canada, a Roman Catholic Member of Parliament
CANADA , 1985
RDnouna red-coloured capsule of secobarbital sodium (trade name Seconal™), a central nervous system depressant An initialisedRED
DEVIL US , 1977
reachverbto be prepared to fightUS , 2004 < reach out and touch someoneto telephone From a 1982 American Telephone and Telegraph advertising sloganUS , 1989
reach-aroundnounmanual stimulation of the passive partner’s genitals by the male penetrating from behindUS , 1987
readverb1in poker, to try to discern an opponent’s handUS , 1979.
2in sports, to anticipate an opponent’s movementUS , 1984.3in transsexual usage, to detect a person’s genetic sexUS , 1987 < read (someone) the riot actto give someone a very stern lecture or reprimand From a law enacted by George I limiting the activities
of groups of 12 or moreUK , 1906 < read a shirtto look for signs
of body liceUS , 1981 < read between the linessaid when three fingers are raised in an insolent gesture The index finger is the one ‘between the lines’; this is, therefore, a catchphrased elabor-ation of a familiar insulting gesture Reported by a variety of mothers in Cardiff and Bristol during April 2005 and generally credited to 8-year-old childrenUK , 2005 < read the riot actto instruct a prisoner who is about to be released on the legal restrictions concerning firearms From the sense ‘to give someone
a very stern lecture or reprimand’UK , 1996 < you wouldn’t read about ityou wouldn’t believe such bad luck!AUSTRALIA , 1950
readableadjectiveused of a casino blackjack gambler, sloppy in dealing or generous with body language, in either event revealing
to players the strength of his handUS , 1991
read and writenouna fight Rhyming slang, never used in a shortened formUK , 1857
readernoun1a book; a magazine; a newspaper From the early C18 usage as a ‘pocket-book’ which moved into the current sense during the mid-C19UK , 1996.2a ‘Wanted’ poster or handbillUS , 1926.
3a counterfeit driving licenceUS , 1985.4a prescription for a narcotic . a marked card
Trang 6readersnoun1reading spectaclesUK , 1961.2special tinted eye glasses
used for reading marked cardsUS , 1985
readies; reddiesnouncash money A variation, not a plural, of
READY, in turn an abbreviation of ‘ready money’UK , 1937
read my lipspay attention to what I am saying, for it is the
bedrock truth A pop phrase embraced in a show of bravado by
George Bush when he was running for president of the US in
1988: ‘Read my lips – no new taxes’ and then the gist of endless
ridicule when, two years later, he advocated a new tax Actor Tim
Curry named an album that he recorded in 1978 Read My Lips,
later explaining to William Safire that he took the phrase to mean
‘Listen and listen very hard, because I want you to hear what I’ve
got to say’US , 1988
readyadjectivecompetentUS , 1946
ready; reddynouncash money An abbreviation of ‘ready money’
UK , 1639
ready eyenouna police trap FromREADY-EYED(well informed or
betrayed to the police)UK , 1996
ready-eyeverb(of police) to operate an official surveillanceUK , 2000
ready-eyedadjective1used by criminals of a planned crime that has
been betrayed and is therefore a police trapUK , 1975.2in police
use, well informed, knowing the detailed truth of a situationUK ,
1977
ready for Doctor Jesusadjectiveabout to dieUS , 1966
ready, Freddieused for signalling readinessUS , 1952
ready-madenouna commercially manufactured cigaretteUS , 1952
ready rocks; redi rocksnouna form of cocaine prepared for
smokingUS , 1989
ready-rollsnouncommercially manufactured cigarettesUS , 1951
ready-to-runnounin the usage of youthful model road racers (slot
car racers), a shop-bought car that has not been modified or
enhancedUS , 1997
ready whipnouna non-commissioned officer fresh out of training
From the pressurised sweet topping advertised as instant whipped
creamUS , 1991
realnounthe truthUS , 1972 < on the real1genuine Black usage
UK , 2000.2seriouslyUS , 1993
realadjectivehomosexualUS , 1997
realadverbreally, truly; hence, used as an intensifier, greatly The
Oxford English Dictionary offers both Scottish and US origins, but
the earliest slang sense is from English writer R.H FroudeUK , 1827
real bikininounsomething that is excellent Teen slangUS , 1955
real bushnouna white woman Used by US troops in Vietnam
jaded by their experiences with Vietnamese prostitutesUS , 1991
real casenouna serious medical emergencyUS , 1994
real dealnoun1an authentic item or person; the plain truthUS ,
1991.2a youth gang member who is fully committed to the gang
US , 1995
Real DealnicknameEvander Holyfield (b.1962), three times world
heavyweight champion boxerUS , 1992
real estatenounin war, territory to be taken, held, abandoned or
lostUS , 1982
reality checknounin computing, a simple test of a computer’s or
program’s operating abilityUS , 1991
real liveadjectivegenuine, actual Jocular; often used of an
inanimate articleUK , 1887
really!used for expressing emphatic agreementUS , 1973
Really Canadian Modest Policenounthe Royal Canadian
Mounted Police A back-formation from the initials RCMPCANADA ,
2002
Real McCoynouna variety of marijuanaCANADA , 2002
real McCoy; McCoynounthe genuine articleUS , 1883
real thingnoun< the real thingthe genuine article Figurative
real worldnounthe non-pornographic entertainment industry; the world outside the pornography industryUS , 1995
reamverb1to have anal intercourseUS , 1942.2to cheat someone Figurative from the more literal sense of poking something up one’s rectum Also variant ‘rim’US , 1933.3to scold or punish someone From the sense of ‘ream’ as widening a hole ‘Ream out’ is also usedUS , 1950
reamadjectiveexcellent An intensification of the C19 sense as ‘good, genuine, honest’UK , 2002
ream jobnoun1anal sexUS , 1995.2a difficult situationUS , 1968
rearnounthe buttocks EuphemisticUK , 1796 < get your rear in gearto get goingUS , 1972
rear admiralnouna proctologistUS , 1973
rear-area hawknounan officer stationed away from the field of battle who has strong, bellicose opinions about what should be done in battle Vietnam war usageUS , 1989
rear-area pussynouna support personnel safely away from combat Occasionally abbreviated to RAPUS , 1991
rear-echelon commandonouna soldier assigned to duty safely away from combatUS , 1947
rear-echelon motherfuckernouna member of the armed forces serving behind lines well away from combat Often abbreviated to REMFUS , 1976
rear-end loadernouna prisoner who hides items in their rectum
AUSTRALIA , 2001
rear exitnouna retreat or flight from dangerUS , 1957
rear-gunner; rear seat gunnernouna male homosexual A masculine image that employs weaponry in a metaphor for anal intercourseUK , 2000
rearrangeverb< rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic; rearrange the deck chairsto focus on petty matters while ignoring major problems From the image of the folly of worrying about the arrangement of deck chairs on the Titanic as the ship sankUS , 1972
reat pleatnounfashionable trousers Usage by Mexican-American youth (Pachucos) in the southwestern USUS , 1947
rebnounany poor, rural, white southernerUS , 1978
rebbishadjectivepoor, white and racist From the shortenedREBor
JOHNNY REB, harkening to Confederate soldiersUS , 1945
rebellious henchmannounthe penisUK , 2003
rebel trapnounin pool, the largest regulation-size table In the US, the large tables were unknown in the south, giving rise to this term in the northUS , 1990
reboundnoun1a person with whom you have a romantic ship in close proximity to the unhappy ending of a prior relation-shipUS , 1997.2in trucking, a return tripUS , 1976 < on the reboundemotionally vulnerable following rejection by a loved-one
UK , 1864
recnoun1a recreation ground (a municipal park)UK , 1931.2in prison,
a recommendation given by the judge on sentencingUK , 1998
recapnouna recapitulationUS , 1926
recapverbto recapitulateUK , 1950
recce; reccynouna reconnaissance Originally military; wider usage tends toward vaguer and more figurative shadings of the senseUK , 1941
recceverbto go on a reconnaissance; to look around Originally militaryUK , 1943
receiptnounin professional wrestling, an arguably unacceptable manoeuvre that is acceptable in the context of justifiable revenge
US , 2002
reckverbto consider; to think A shortening ofRECKON UK , 1997
reckonverbto esteem someone or something as worthwhileUK , 1964
recognizeverbto pay attentionUS , 2001
reconnoun reconnaisance Often used in an adjectival sense US , 1918
recon
Trang 7recon by firenounin a military situation, random gunfire designed
to ascertain the presence of the enemy by return fireUS , 1971
recordnoun< change the record!; put another record on!
used to demand a change of style, subject or substance in what is
being saidUK , 1966
recovery roomnouna golf course’s barUS , 2000
rec roomnouna recreational room A mandatory feature of
suburban 1960s life in the US, where the family gathered to watch
television, play table tennis, set up model trains, etcUS , 1962
rectum rocketnouna fast-moving vehicleUK , 1981
recyclenounLSDUK , 1998
recycleverb< recyle the dicein bar dice games, to roll again
after a roll that produces no points for the playerUS , 1971
rednoun1any central nervous system depressant, especially a
capsule of Seconal™ or another barbiturateUS , 1979.2marijuana A
generic term for golden-red marijuana, clippingPANAMA REDetcUS ,
1982.3morphineUS , 1945.4blood Professional wrestling usageUS ,
2002.5in a deck of playing cards, any heart or diamond A flush of
hearts or diamonds is referred to as ‘all red’US , 1988.6in American
casinos, a five-dollar betting chipUS , 1982.7a pennyUS , 1950.8a
liberal; a socialist; a Marxist; a Marxist-Leninist; a Maoist; a
Trotskyite; a communist; an anarchistUK , 1848 < in the redin
debt From the use of red ink to show debt in account ledgersUK ,
1926
redadjective1made of gold, golden In conventional use from C14,
slipped into slang during C17 Also in occasional use as a nounUK ,
1981.2of a mixed (black and white) racial heritageUS , 1969.3
drug-intoxicated From the reddening of the smoker’s eyes JAMAICA , 1998
red and bluenouna capsule of amobarbital sodium and
secobarbital sodium (trade name Tuinal™), a combination of
central nervous system depressantsUS , 1969
red assnounangerUS , 1975
red-assverbto annoy or tease someoneUS , 1994
red-assedadjectivevery angryUS , 1962
redbacknounin western Canada, a Hereford cow or steerCANADA ,
1962
red badge of couragenouna notional badge awarded to someone
who performs oral sex on a woman who is experiencing the bleed
period of the menstrual cycleUS , 1994
red ballnoun1a fast freight trainUS , 1946.2a trail, path or road used
by the Viet Cong or North Vietnamese during the Vietnam warUS ,
1991
red band; red-bandnouna prisoner with privileges; a trustyUK , 1950
red biddynouncheap red wine; also a drink of cheap red wine and
methylated spiritsUK , 1928
red bikenounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycleAUSTRALIA , 2002
red birdnoun1a capsule of secobarbital sodium (trade name
Seconal™), a central nervous system depressantUS , 1953.2the
AH-1G Cobra helicopter Used purely as a gunship in the Vietnam war
from 1971 until the end of the conflictUS , 1991
red blanketnounthe corpse of a person who died with massive
injuriesUS , 1987
red boardnounin horse racing, the official sign announcing that a
race’s results standUS , 1947
red boxnounan ambulanceUS , 1976
red breadnounpayment for donating bloodUS , 1971
red budnounmarijuanaUK , 2003
Red BullnicknameBlack Label™ beer Scamto youth street slang
(South African townships)SOUTH AFRICA , 2005
red bulletnicknamea capsule of secobarbital sodium (trade name
Seconal™), a central nervous system depressantUS , 1977
red buttonnouna foremanUS , 1955
red cannouna can of Melbourne Bitter™ beerAUSTRALIA , 2003
red capnouna member of the military police From the red-topped
television drama series such as: Red Cap (ABC, 1964–66) and Red Cap (BBC, 2001–03) UK , 1931
red capsnouncrack cocaineUK , 1998
red centnounthe lowest value denomination, hence the least
amount possible A copper cent, thus ‘red’ US , 1839
Red Centrenounthe central desert regions of the Australian mainlandAUSTRALIA , 1935
red chamber clubnounthe Senate in the Canadian Parliament The source of the term is that the senate (the ‘Red Chamber’) has red carpets, leather chairbottoms and desk blottersCANADA , 1963
red chenkenouna light-skinned person; an unlikeable person
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA , 1996
red chickennounheroin, especially Chinese heroinUS , 1969
red crossnounmarijuanaUK , 2003
red cunt hairnouna very small unit of measure Sterling Johnson,
in English as a Second F*cking Language, 1995, notes: ‘The term
originated with the master carpenters of Cape Cod and is now universally used’US , 1968
reddersnounharness racers Rhyming slang, from ‘red hots’ to
‘trots’AUSTRALIA , 1989
red devilnoun1a capsule of secobarbital sodium (trade name Seconal™), a central nervous system depressantUS , 1959.2a type of amphetamine tabletUK , 1997.3heroinUK , 2003.4a woman’s menstrual periodUS , 1954
red diaper babynouna person who was raised by Communist parents who instilled Communist beliefs and valuesUS , 1970
red dirt marijuana; red dirtnoununcultivated marijuanaUS , 1960
red dollnouna capsule of secobarbital sodium (trade name Seconal™), a central nervous system depressantUS , 1977
red dollarsnounUS military scrip in VietnamUS , 1965
red dopenounwild cannabis that has been sprayed with a bright red herbicide The colour plusDOPE(marijuana)US , 2001
red dotnoun< the red dotthe bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS , 2001
red dot specialnounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS , 2001
red dragonnouna variety of LSDUK , 1996
reddynounan Italian May derive fromRADDIE(an Italian living in London), or take root in Italian red wineUK , 1961 8see:READY
red-eyenoun1a long, aggressive stareUS , 1985.2an overnight aeroplane flight, arriving at its destination early in the morningUS ,
1968.3potent, impure homemade alcohol, especially whiskyUS , 1819.
4fermented catsup A prison concoctionUS , 1976.5on the railways,
a stop signalUS , 1946.6in pinball, an activated special scoring device, usually lit in redUS , 1977.7a flashing red light on top of a police carUS , 1976.8the anusUS , 1966
Redfernnoun< get off at Redfernto practise coitus interruptus Redfern is the railway station immediately prior to Central Station, the principal station in SydneyAUSTRALIA , 1956
red flagnoun1an obvious indication that all is not wellUS , 1968.
2when injecting a drug into a vein, the practice of drawing blood
up into the syringe to verify the finding of a vein and to control the pace of the injectionUS , 1987.3a show of menstrual blood on outer clothing; hence, the bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS ,
2001 < be flying the red flagto be in the bleed period of the menstrual cycleUK , 2000
red flag daynounany day during the bleed period of a woman’s menstrual cycleUK , 2000
red flag weeknounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycle Also used in ScotlandCANADA , 2000
red goddessnouna firefighting vehicle that is generally used for training but made available (for operation by the military) when regular firefighters and their fire-engines are out of serviceUK , 2002
red gunyonnounsmashed marijuana seeds or gum hashish smoked
in a pipeUS , 1973
red head a match