Slang and uncoventional english part 80 pps

redheaded aunt from Red Banknounthe bleed period of themenstrual cycleUS , 1999 redheaded friendnounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS , 1999 Red Heartnicknamethe central desert r

redheaded aunt from Red Banknounthe bleed period of the

menstrual cycleUS , 1999

redheaded friendnounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS ,

1999

Red Heartnicknamethe central desert regions of the Australian

mainlandAUSTRALIA , 1931

red hotnoun1a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known

as ecstasyUK , 1996.2a frankfurterUS , 1950

red hotadjectiveextremely unfairAUSTRALIA , 1896

red hotsnoun1diarrhoea Rhyming slang forTROTS UK , 1992.

2trotting races Rhyming slang forTROTS AUSTRALIA , 1966

red Ibonouna light-skinned person of mixed black and white

heritageJAMAICA , 1996

red Lebnounhashish with a reddish colour produced in the

LebanonUK , 2002

red-legnouna poor white personBARBADOS , 1892

red-legsnounthe artillery From the red stripes on the trousers of

Union artillerymen during the US Civil WarUS , 1971

red letternouna letter that is smuggled out of prisonUK , 1996

red letter daynounthe day each cycle that the menstrual bleed

commences A neat pun on the colour of blood and the date in a

calendarUS , 2001

red lightnounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycle As in ‘red

light – stop – there will be no sex’US , 1954

red-lightverb(used of a police car) to activate flashing lights and

pull a vehicle off the roadUS , 1976

red-lightadjectivepertaining to prostitutionUS , 1900

red lillynouna capsule of secobarbital sodium (trade name

Seconal™); any central nervous system depressant From the

colour of the capsule and the name of the manufacturerUS , 1977

red linenounin the used car business, the minimum which a

dealer will accept for a carUS , 1975

red lipsnouna type of LSD Possibly from an image printed on the

drugUK , 2003

Red Marynounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS , 1980

Red Mikenouna woman-haterCANADA , 1946

red MitsubishinounPMA (paramethoxyamphetamine) or PMMA

(paramethoxymethylamphetamine) when taken as a recreational

drugUK , 2000

rednecknouna country-dweller, especially one whose views are

con-sidered bigoted by ‘sophisticated’ citizens Generally derogatoryUS ,

1830

redneck radionouncitizens’ band radioUS , 1977

Red Nednouncheap red wineAUSTRALIA , 1941

rednernoun< take a rednerto be embarrassedIRELAND , 1996

red niggernouna native American IndianUS , 1998

red onenoun1in carnival usage, a profitable engagementUS , 1973.

2a very short distance A euphemized abbreviation ofRED CUNT

HAIR US , 1980

red onionnounon the railways, an eating establishmentUS , 1977

red-outnouna flood of the colour red in your vision just before you

pass out from lack of oxygenUS , 1990

red-penny mannouna procurer of prostitutes, a pimpAUSTRALIA , 1975

red phosphorusnounsmokeable metamphetamine From a process

in the synthesis of the drugUK , 2003

red pillnoun< take the red pillto go all-out for the active

option From a choice between reality and euphoria offered in the

film The Matrix (1999) UK , 2005

red pussy hairnouna very short distance Slightly less offensive

thanRED CUNT HAIR US , 1987

red-raggernouna CommunistAUSTRALIA , 1916

red-ragging

red rattlernouna type of passenger train with dark red carriages that became noisy when travelling at speedAUSTRALIA , 1981

red rivernounthe bleed period of a woman’s menstrual cycleUS , 1954

red rocknoungranulated heroin originating in China; heroin gener-allyUS , 1969

red rock opiumnouna mixture of heroin, barbital, strychnine and caffeineUK , 2002

red rumnoun1a variety of heroin An allusion to the qualities of the legendary racehorse (steeplechaser Red Rum won the UK Grand National a record three times) Also rhyming slang for

‘dumb’ and ‘murder’ spelt backwardsUK , 2001.2a mixture of heroin, barbital, strychnine and caffeine Also known asRED ROCK OPIUMfrom which this may be formed by elision; it is interesting

to note with regard to the dangerous nature of this cocktail that

‘red rum’ is ‘murder’ backwardsUK , 2002

red rushnounamyl nitriteUK , 1996

redsnoun1the bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS , 1999.2a sense of angerUS , 1951

red sails in the sunsetthe bleed period of the menstrual cycle

AUSTRALIA , 1968

red sealnouna variety of cannabis resin Branded with a red sealUK , 1996

Red Sea pedestriannouna Jewish person Offensive, intended as jocular; from the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14: 21–22)UK , 1979

red shirtnoun1a troublemakerUS , 1967.2a volunteer firefighterUS ,

1954.3a college athlete who, because he did not play in his freshman year, may matriculate and play at the varsity level for a fifth yearUS , 1950.4in roller derby, a skater who engages in rough,

‘bad guy’ tacticsUS , 1999.5a professional wrestler who is regularly scripted to lose matches to advance the careers of other wrestlers

US , 2002

redskinnounin a deck of playing cards, any face cardUS , 1967

red snappernounin blackjack, a dealt hand of two red cards that add up to 21US , 1996

Red Sox are in townexperiencing the bleed period of the menstrual cycle The colour of blood signals this euphemistic adoption of the Boston baseball teamUS , 2001

red squadnouna police unit that engages in systematic investi-gation and record-keeping about leftist political and social action organisations unrelated to criminal conductUS , 1970

red steernouna bushfireAUSTRALIA , 1936

red stuffnoungoldUK , 1956

reds under the bednounthe communist presence lurking in Western societyUK , 1972

red tapenounexcessive formality; bureaucratic obstacles Originally

a literal term, referring to the red-coloured tape used in securing legal documents; later used figurativelyUK , 1837

red tidenoun1hordes of communists seen as ready to overwhelm western civilisationUS , 1991.2the bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS , 1999

red-topnouna tabloid newspaper at the more populist end of the readership From the red masthead characteristic of such papers

UK , 1997

reducernounin gin, any card drawn or held for the sole purpose of reducing the number of points in unmatched cards in a handUS , 1965

red up; rid upverbto clear and clean a table after eatingCANADA , 1998

red wedgenounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycle Combines

‘red’, for the colour of blood, with a pun on conventional ‘wedge’ (something that fills a gap) and ‘wedgie’ (a trick with underpants) suggesting underwear; the whole being a play on Red Wedge (a 1980s alliance of musicians and actors with the UK Labour party)

UK , 2001

red week

red, white and bluenouna shoe Rhyming slangUK , 1972

red wingsnounsexual intercourse or oral sex with a woman who is

experiencing the bleed period of the menstrual cycle From

motorcycle gang cultureUS , 1971

reebnounbeer Back slang, noted as current in the UK due to its use

in the US, possibly reinvigorated by The Simpsons television

cartoonUK , 1859

reebsnounmarijuanaUS , 1988

reedsnounlong shorts, favoured by surfersUS , 1985

reefnouna marijuana cigaretteUS , 1958

reefverb1to fondle another person’s genitals Probably from the

earlier sense ‘to pick a pocket’UK , 1962.2to remove something

from someone’s pocketUS , 1949

reefdoggernouna marijuana cigaretteUS , 1982

reefernoun1a marijuana cigarette Almost certainly from the

Spanish word meaning ‘to twist’ Still used, with a nostalgic air to

itUS , 1931.2marijuanaUS , 1931.3a refrigerator; a refrigerated railway

wagonUS , 1914.4a pickpocketUS , 1949

reefer madnessnouna unusually great appetite or determined

devotion to the use of marijuana An ironic adoption of the title

of a 1936 film that famously exposed the immoral excesses of

marijuana addictsAUSTRALIA , 1996

reefer roomnounin a morgue, a refrigerated room where bodies

are storedUS , 1997

reegienouna police officer in the Regional Crime SquadUK , 2002

reekernouna bad-smelling hospital casualty department patientUS ,

1978

reek-hoadjectivedrunkUK , 2002

reeksticknouna conventional tobacco cigarette laced with cocaine

UK , 2003

reelverb< reel someone into triumph over gullibility, especially

regarding a piece of trivial teasing Often accompanied by the

action of reeling in a fish; sometimes the action may replace the

wordsUK , 1999

reeling and rockingnouna stocking Rhyming slang, inspired by

the fashions of the rock ’n’ roll era; usually seen in pairsUK , 1992

reelsadjectivewithout money Rhyming slang, from ‘reels of cotton’

to ‘rotten’ (without money)AUSTRALIA , 1989

reels of cottonadjectiverotten Rhyming slangUK , 1979

reet; reatadjectivegood, pleasingUS , 1934

reeveverbto cheatCANADA , 1999

refnoun in a sporting contest, a referee UK , 1899?

refverb in a sporting context, to referee UK , 1929?

reffonouna migrant to Australia who is a refugee from their home

countryAUSTRALIA , 1941

refuseniknouna non-conformist Adopted without a full

understanding from the name given in 1970s to Jews in the Soviet

Union who were refused permission to emigrate to IsraelUK , 2002

regnoun1a regular customer or guestUK , 2001.2marijuana of

average quality An abbreviation of ‘regular’ The variant ‘regs’ also

existsUS , 1973

regalenouna festive occasion The term is adopted from French,

where it has a similar meaningCANADA , 1947

reggaematicadjectivein or of a reggae styleUK , 1992

regginnouna black person The offensiveNIGGERspelt backwardsUS ,

1981

Reg Grundies; grundies; grunds; reginalds; reggiesnoun

underwear Rhyming slang, playing onUNDIES, formed from the

name Reg Grundy, an Australian televison producerAUSTRALIA , 1984

Regimentnoun< the Regimentthe SAS (22 Special Air Service

regiment)UK , 1995

regmaker; reggienouna drink, pick-me-up or medication taken to

relieve (or ‘cure’) a hangover A compound of Afrikaans reg (right)

and English ‘-maker’

rego; reggonounvehicle registrationAUSTRALIA , 1967

regreenverbwhile working in the office of the US Department of Defense, to receive an update briefing on affairs in the armyUS , 1986

regroupverbto recover from a surprise or a setbackUS , 1966

regsnoun regulations Military in origin UK , 1996

regularnoun1a prisoner who serves his sentence with dignity and strengthUS , 1974.2a skateboarder who skates with the left foot to the frontUK , 2004

regularadjective1complete; absolute; thoroughUK , 1821.2kind; decent; honestUS , 1946

regular Pnouncrack cocaineUK , 1998

regularsnouncommon black antsBARBADOS , 1965

rehabnoun rehabilitation (a medical regime for the cure of alcohol

and drug addiction); also, the clinic or hospital environment where

rehabilitation takes place Both senses may serve concurrently UK , 1961

rehashverbin the circus or carnival, to resell ticket stubs to patrons and pocket the fundsUS , 1980

rehitchverbto re-enlist; to re-marryUS , 1953

reindeer dustnounany powdered drug; cocaine; heroin A play on

SNOW US , 1942

rejectnouna socially inept person; a pathetic individual; a person who does not fit in with the fashionable, trendy majorityUS , 1968

relateverbto understand; to like or appreciate someone or something A quintessential, over-used vague verb of the 1960sUS , 1959

relay spotnouna room with a telephone used to relay calls placing bets in a bookmaking operationUS , 1973

releasenounin the coded language of massage parlours, ejaculation A 2002 Incident Report from the Sausalito (California) Police Department describes the activities at a local massage parlour as follows: ‘Every massage ends with some type of

"release" (orgasm) The release is accomplished by the employee masturbating the client to an orgasm’US , 2002

releaseverb< release a chocolate hostageto defecateUK , 2002.

< release the houndsto defecateUS , 2003

relieversnounshoesUS , 1962

re-lightnouna cigarette butt retrieved and smokedUS , 1996

religious issuenounin computing, a topic that is bound to launch

an endless debate which cannot be resolvedUS , 1991

rellienoun a relation, a relative AUSTRALIA , 1981

rello; relonoun a relative AUSTRALIA , 1987

reloadverbto give the victim of a confidence trick or fraudulent gambling game a false sense of confidence, then cheat the by-now willing victim of all he or she possessesUK , 1977

relsnoun relatives AUSTRALIA , 1991

Rembrandtnounin poker, a hand of face cardsUS , 1988

remfnouna soldier assigned to a combat support role Acronym of a

‘rear-echelon motherfucker’ US , 1982

Remington warriornouna rear support troop Named after the Remington typewriter, the ‘warrior’s weapon’US , 1990

remishnounremission (of a prison sentence)UK , 1958

remodelverbin car repair, to damage a vehicle or part severelyUS , 1992

remouldnouna sex-change operationUK , 2002

Ren and Stimpynounthe female breasts Ren and Stimpy are shamelessly gross cartoon characters created by John Kricfalusi, first seen in 1991UK , 2001

Ren Cennicknamethe Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan An expensive, bold and risky attempt to revive the dying Detroit central district in the 1970sUS , 2003

renkadjectiveimpudent; offhand; rude; yobbish Variation of ‘rank’

(offensive)JAMAICA , 1994

Renonounin bar dice games, two dice that add up to sevenUS , 1976

renobnouna person who acts foolishlyUS , 2001

rentnoun1a youthful, attractive homosexual male prostituteUK , 1967.

2road tax Motor trade slangUK , 2004 < up me for the rent!

used to register pleasurable astonishmentAUSTRALIA , 1971

renta-prefix hired, rented In commercial usage often used to create

a company name, for instance: ‘Rentacar’ (examples found in

Australia, Ireland, Spain, UK, US) and ‘Rentavan’ (examples found

in Australia, Ireland, Mexico, UK) Both ‘rentacar’ and ‘rentavan’ are

also used informally of a hired vehicle Other use is often

derogatory: ‘rentacrowd’ (a hired clique), ‘rentamob’ (a crowd

assembled at political demonstration) and ‘rentamouth’ (a speaker

for hire)US , 1921

rent-a-copnouna private security guard A tad disparagingUS , 1968

rent-a-gobnouna citizens’ band radio user who chats on a channel

reserved for making contact; a person who talks too much and to

little effectUK , 1981

rental unitsnounparents FromPARENTAL UNITS, a neat pun

describing parental worth from a youth perspectiveUS , 1996

Rent-a-SvendnicknameCanadian politician Svend Robinson, the first

openly gay, New Democratic member of Parliament The

controversial Svend Robinson has drawn criticism for his espousal

of unpopular causes, such as the Palestinian side in the

Arab–Israeli war and gay rightsCANADA , 2002

rent-a-tilenoundancing very closely, barely moving your feet

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1993

rent boynouna young male prostituteUK , 1969

renternouna homosexual male prostituteUK , 1893

rent partynouna party thrown for the purpose of collecting

donations from friends to pay your rentUS , 1925

rentsnoun parents Teen slang that cuts parents down to size US , 1968

renzosnounLorenzo™ decorative wheel rimsUS , 1993

reonoun1a reinforcementAUSTRALIA , 1931.2a difficult surfing

manoeuvre on the breaking lip of a wave An abbreviation of

‘re-entry’US , 1988

repnoun1reputation US , 1705.2a repetition, or complete cycle of an

exerciseUS , 1984.3a repertory theatre or theatre company; a

repertoireUS , 1925.4in prison, a written representation UK , 2002.5a

representative, often a travelling salesman UK , 1896.6a repellent UK ,

1995

repverb1to represent someone; to give someone a reputation UK ,

2002.2to work as a representative of a company UK , 1938

Repatnoun1the Repatriation Commission which gave assistance to

ex-service personnel returning to civilian lifeAUSTRALIA , 1920.2a

hospital for repatriated service personnel AUSTRALIA , 1968

repeaternounin horse racing, a horse that won the last race it

enteredUS , 1974

reponoun repossession US , 1971

repo depotnounthe Replacement Detachment of any large military

force or installationUS , 1968

repo mannounan agent of a finance company who repossesses, by

an assortment of techniques, cars which have not been paid for

From ‘repossess’ US , 1984

repple-depplenouna replacement depot where soldiers arriving in

Vietnam were assigned to units and soldiers leaving Vietnam were

processed for homecomingUS , 1945

reppoc; reppocknouna police officer Back slang forCOPPER UK , 1996

representverb1to serve as a pimp for a prostituteUS , 1991.2to

project a positive image and attitudeUS , 1997

reptilenouna railway pointsmanUS , 1977

Republic of Malinouncocaine Rhyming slang forCHARLIE(cocaine)

UK , 2003

re-rub

resnoun1a resident physician in a hospitalUS , 1994.2a dormitory or residence at a university or collegeCANADA , 2001.3the oily residue

in a pipe after crack cocaine has been smokedUS , 1992

resembleverbto resent Usually in the jocular ‘I resemble that remark’UK , 1984

resinnouncannabis resinUK , 1996

respec; respect; respeck; rispeckused for registering approval of someone’s action or attitude An abbreviation in all variant spellings of ‘respect due’; occasionally ironic Originally West Indian and UK blackUK , 1994

respect dueused for registering approval of someone’s action or attitude Originally West Indian and UK blackUK , 1998

ressienouna resident DJUK , 2001

restnoun< give it a restto stop talking, especially to stop talking about a specific topic Often as an imperativeUK , 1984

restverb< rest your mouthto stop talkingBAHAMAS , 1982 < rest your neckto stop talkingUS , 1989

rest curenounin the car sales business, sending a car into the shop while the customer waits and then returning it, claiming that work which has not been done has been doneUS , 1953

restingadjectiveof an actor, unemployed Originally positive thinking, now archUK , 1999

rest in peacenouncrack cocaine Imagery of death.UK , 2003

restroomnouna brakevan (caboose)US , 1977

resultnoun1the winning score in a sporting contest; a victory in any sport Conventionally ‘result’ means ‘outcome’, hence a ‘good result’; this usage clips and implies the positive adjective, exclusively acquiring the result for victors and so denying losers any achievementUK , 1981.2a satisfying or appropriate outcome; an achievementUK , 1973.3a successful or profitable robberyUK , 1998.

4an arrest or a criminal convictionUK , 2004

retnouna cigaretteUS , 1971

retail actionnounrecreational shoppingUS , 1997

retail therapynounshopping when considered as an empowering leisure activityUS , 1986

retardnouna slow, dim-witted person From ‘mentally retarded’, but not necessarily indicative of actual mental retardationUS , 1970

retardedadjective1stupid, foolishUS , 2003.2drunkUS , 2003.3in Quebec, delayed, lateCANADA , 2001

retardonouna mentally challenged personUS , 1981

retreadnoun1in the military: a short-service officer on a second commission; a retired officer recalled to service; a retired officer re-employed as a civilian in an administrative post; an officer who has been promoted from the ranks; an aviator returned to flying duties after a period of ground service The origin is in the new life given to a tyre by the application of a new tread; there is also a pun on ‘retired/re-tyred’ The earliest use is for a World War 1 veteran recalled to serve in World War 2AUSTRALIA , 1943.2a recently divorced personUS , 1985

retreadverbin the language surrounding the Grateful Dead, to tape over a tape that has been recorded onceUS , 1994

retrievernouna prisoner who intimidates other prison inmates for the purpose of ‘retrieving’ drugs that those inmates are suspected

of carryingUK , 1996

retroverbto return something or someone from Antarctica to the country of origin An abbreviation of ‘retrograde’ANTARCTICA , 2003

retrosexualnouna heterosexual man who enjoys traditional male pastimes and spends as little time and money as possible on his appearance A play onMETROSEXUAL(a man with aesthetic tastes), suggesting a throwback to an earlier typeUS , 2004

rettenouna cigaretteUS , 1997

reunion in my bureaunounin Quebec, a meeting in my office Both ‘reunion’ and ‘bureau’ are used in their French sense in English in Montreal

re-upverbto replenish a stack of something; to re-supply something;

to sign or enlist Originally a military slang term for

re-enlistingUS , 1906

revverbto leave, to goUS , 1952

RevCannounRevenue Canada, the federal tax collection agency

CANADA , 2002

revenge of the cradle; revenge of the nurserynounQuebec’s

high birthrate, perceived as being in retaliation for the loss of the

province to England by FranceCANADA , 1964

revenoo; revenuer; revenooernouna federal law enforcement

official Used by those in the illegal production of alcoholUS , 1974

Reverend Ronald Knox; the Reverend; the Right Reverend

nounsyphilis; hence any sexually transmitted infection Rhyming

slang forPOX, formed from the Catholic priest and detective

storywriter, 1888–1957UK , 1980

reverseadjective< reverse gearsto vomitUS , 1989

reverse cowgirlnouna sexual position in which the woman

straddles the prone man, facing his feetUS , 1991

reverse onouna position for mutual, simultaneous oral sex

between two people, or the act itself, especially when advertised as

a service offered by a prostituteUK , 2003

rev-headnouna motor vehicle enthusiastAUSTRALIA , 1987

revolt of the admiralsnouna highly public clash between the US

Navy and the US Air Force in 1949 over basing of the country’s

strategic airpowerUS , 1949

rev up and fuck offgo away and don’t annoy me; don’t annoy

meIRELAND , 1991

rewindnounin trucking, a return tripUS , 1977

rexnouna (small) quantity of moneyIRELAND , 1989

Rexall rangernounsomeone who wears cowboy clothes but has

never worked on a ranch Rexall is a chain drugstore, giving a

touch of specificity to the more commonDRUGSTORE COWBOY US ,

1970

reznouna Native American Indian reservationUS , 1998

RFverbto play a prank An abbreviation ofRATFUCK US , 1965

RFBnoun room, food and beverage – the basic components of a

complimentary pass at a casino or hotelUS , 1996

RGnounin homosexual usage, a biological female A fellow

homo-sexual is aGIRL, while a woman is a ‘real girl’, or RGUS , 1971

rhinenounheroin Probably by abbrevation of a particular

pronunciationUK , 1998

rhinonoun1moneyUK , 1688.2a large and powerful waveUS , 1991

rhino chasernouna large surfboard made for big-wave conditions

US , 1987

RHIPrank has its privileges US , 1968

Rhodeynouna white Zimbabwean Derogatory A reference to

Rhodesia, the country which became Zimbabwe in 1980SOUTH

AFRICA , 2000

rhody; rhodienouna rhododendronUK , 1851

rhubarbnoun1nonsense From its use by actors as an

‘unintelligible murmur’UK , 1963.2said repeatedly by muttering

actors to give the impression of background conversations; hence,

spoken nonsense Theatre slangUK , 1934.3a fight; an uproar; a riot

US , 1943.4an advance of wages, a loan; as ‘rhubarbs’: a

membership subscription Rhyming slang, pronounced ‘roobub’,

forSUB(a subscription)UK , 1929

rhubarb and custardnouna variety of MDMA, the recreational

drug best known as ecstasy From the red and yellow colour of the

pill; the syllable ‘barb’ is possibly an indication that the tablet

contains barbiturateUK , 1996

rhubarb pill; rhubarbnouna bill (for payment) Rhyming slang,

based on a homeopathic remedy for constipation; noted by Julian

Franklyn, A Dictionary of Rhyming Slang,1960, who suspected (or

rhubarbsnoun1suburbs Rhyming slang, pronounced ‘roobubs’, formed on an elision of ‘suburbs’UK , 1960.2a variety of LSDUK , 1996

rhyme offverb to recite; to talk From Scottish dialect rame (to talk

nonsense; to reiterate)UK: SCOTLAND , 2000

rhythmnounan amphetamine tabletUS , 1993

rhythm and blues; rhythmsnounshoes Rhyming slangUK , 1998

rhythm methodnouna method of cheating while playing a slot machine by controlling the spins of the inner-wheels Playing on the name of the least successful method of birth controlUS , 1977

riahnounthe hair Polari back slangUK , 1967

riah zhoosher; riah shushernouna hairdresser A combination of

ZHOOSH(to tidy) withRIAH(the hair)UK , 2002

riah-zshumpahnouna hairdresserUK , 1992

ribnoun1a wife or girlfriend From the Biblical creation tale, with Eve springing from Adam’s ribUK , 1589.2Rohypnol™

(flunitrazepam), popularly known as the ‘date-rape drug’US , 1995.

3MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK , 2003

ribverb1to make fun of someoneUS , 1930.2to insult someone in a semi-formal quasi-friendly competition A variation of ‘rib’ (to tease)US , 2000

ribbon and curlnouna girl Rhyming slangUK , 1992

ribbon clerknouna poker player who withdraws from a hand at any sign of serious bettingUS , 1988

ribena on toastadjectiveawful; tasteless; in bad taste Possibly a literal translation of a bad taste; coinage is credited to ballet master David KerrUK , 1992

ribtappernouna heavy-duty bootUK: SCOTLAND , 1988

Ricannouna Puerto RicanUS , 1975

ricenouneffort Royal Marine slangUK , 1989

rice-and-peas boongynounlarge buttocks, especially those of a womanBAHAMAS , 1998

rice-and-ringverbto get marriedUS , 1947

rice-a-roninounin necrophile usage, a badly decomposed corpse A comparison to the branded soft-boiled rice productUS , 1987

rice banditnouna Japanese person OffensiveAUSTRALIA , 1995

rice bellynounthe protruding stomach of a childGUYANA , 1996

rice-burnernouna Japanese car or motorcyleUK , 1979

rice eyenouna Japanese person Hawaiian youth usage, especially

in the taunt ‘No lie, rice eye’US , 1982

rice machinenouna car manufactured in Japan or by a Japanese manufacturerUS , 1993

ricemannouna Chinese person OffensiveUS , 1945

rice paddy Hattienounany rural Chinese prostituteUS , 1949

rice queennouna gay man attracted to men of South Asian origin

US , 1972

ricernouna person from South Asia OffensiveUS , 1980

rice rocketnouna motorcyle made by a Japanese manufacturer OffensiveUS , 1993

Richardnoun1any police official, especially a detective An embellishedDICK US , 1950.2the penis An extension ofDICK(the penis), which is the short form of the first name RichardUK , 2001.

< had the Richardto be ruined or irreparably broken; to be

finished In the Australian National Dictionary it is claimed that

this is from British rhyming slang ‘Richard the Third’ (the bird), from theatrical slang ‘to get the bird’ (to get a bad reception on stage), but there is little semantic overlap to warrant this expla-nation Rather if something has ‘had the dick’ then it is ‘fucked’, and therein lies the metaphor Richard here is merely euphemistic forDICK(the penis) Supporting this explanation are the other variantsHAD THE STICK,HAD THE RODand of courseHAD THE DICK

AUSTRALIA , 1967

Richard and Judyadjectivemoody Rhyming slang, formed from husband and wife television presenters Richard Madeley and Judy

Richard Burtonnouna curtain Theatrical rhyming slang, formed

from the name of the Welsh actor, 1925–84UK , 1992

Richard the Third; Richardnoun1a young woman; a sweetheart

Rhyming slang forBIRD UK , 1950.2a bird Rhyming slang; originally

recorded in Songs and Slang of the British Soldier, John Brophy

and Eric Partridge, 1930 In theatrical use asTHE BIRD(a farting

noise masquerading as criticism)UK , 1979.3a piece of excrement

Rhyming slang forTURD UK , 1961

Richard Toddnouna portion of fried cod Rhyming slang formed

on the name of the British actor (b.1919)UK , 1992

Richibucto goosenouna salted shad Named after a town in Nova

ScotiaCANADA , 1939

rich man’s drugnouncocaine Because of its high cost Although

the phrase sounds a bit literary, it was used by those without any

particular literary backgroundUS , 1972

ricknoun1a mistake Probably a shortening ofRICKET(a mistake)UK ,

1991.2an accomplice who pretends to be a client in order to

encourage trade, originally used of a cheapjack or showman, later

of a less than scrupulous bookmakerUK , 1898

rickadjectivefake; spurious From the nounUK , 1967

rick; ricverbto make a mistake FromRICK(a mistake)UK , 1996

ricketnouna mistakeUK , 1958 < drop a ricketto make a mistake

UK , 1998

rickety-rawadjectiveattractive, fashionableUS , 1987

Rick Steinnouna fine Rhyming slang, formed from the name of

the UK television chef (b.1947)UK , 2004

Rick Witternouna shitter (in all senses) Rhyming slang, formed

from the lead singer of Shed SevenUK , 2003

Ricky Martin; Rickynouna side-parting Popney rhyming slang,

from popular singer Ricky Martin (b.1971) Popney was contrived

for www.music365.co.uk, an Internet music site UK , 2001

Ricky Racernouna fanatic mountain bike enthusiast who rarely if

ever ridesUS , 1997

ricky-ticky; ricky-tickadjectiveused of a jazz rhythm, old-fashioned,

even, boringUS , 1952

ridverb< rid a fitto get rid of an outfit of clothesUS , 1994

riddleverbin Newfoundland, to weave up-and-down rods between

rails to make a fenceCANADA , 1966

riddle-me-reenounurine; an act of urination Rhyming slang for

PEEorWEE; always used in full to avoid confusion with other slang,

such asJIMMY RIDDLEorPIDDLE UK , 1992

riddle me this, Batmananswer this question From the Batman

television series (1966–68) and one of its arch-villains, The Riddler

US , 1993

riddynoun(as a result of embarrassment) a red face Glasgow slang

UK: SCOTLAND , 1985

ridenoun1a carUS , 1930.2a person who you are counting on to

drive you somewhereUS , 2001.3a sexually desirable person From

RIDE(to have sex)UK , 2002.4an act of sexual intercourseUK , 1937.5a

companion, especially a companion who is a fellow gang member

US , 1981.6a criminal enterpriseUS , 1995.7a style of jazz music with

an easy-going rhythmUS , 1930 < get a ridein circus and carnival

usage, to receive unfavourable publicityUS , 1981

rideverb1to have sex Usually from the female perspectiveUS , 1994.

2(used of a lesbian) to straddle your prone partner, rubbing your

genitals togetherUS , 1967.3to engage in sycophantic flatteryUS , 1988.

4to irritate or worry someoneUS , 1918.5to play jazz with an

easy-moving rhythmUS , 1929 < let it ride1in gambling, to continue

a bet from one play to another, increasing the bet with winnings

US , 1980.2to tolerate something; to take no action about

somethingUK , 1921 < ride a beefto accept a charge for a crime

that you did not commitUS , 1967 < ride a string; ride in a

g-stringto drive a BMW car Scamto youth street slang (South

African townships)SOUTH AFRICA , 2005 < ride a ponyto cheat on a

test in college or schoolUS , 1959 < ride bitchto sit in the middle

of the front seat in a pickup truck, between the driver and another

passengerUS , 1992 < ride dirtyto drive under the influence of

alcoholUS < ride ghostto drive at night without headlights

US , 1995 < ride itto endure or cope with imprisonmentUK , 1996.

< ride it a treatin horse racing, to ride a skilled and intelligent raceAUSTRALIA , 1989 < ride old smokeyto be executed by electrocutionUS , 1950 < ride rubberto ride in a carUS , 1981.

< ride Santa’s sleighto use cocaine A phrase that combines

SNOWas ‘cocaine’ with ‘flying’ as ‘intoxication’UK , 2001 < ride shotgun1to act as a security or military escort From the time when stage coaches carrying valuables were protected by a man carrying a shotgun who sat on top of the coach alongside the driverUK , 1979.2to be prepared for any eventuality in businessUS ,

1974.3to travel in the passenger seatUS , 1921.4to oversee and control someone with a firm handUS , 1972 < ride the broomto threaten someone; to predict harmUS , 1990 < ride the bubbles

in hot rodding and drag racing, to rise slightly off the ground as a result of aerodynamicsUS , 1965 < ride the busto defecateUS ,

1990 < ride the cardto ride a winner on every race at a race meetingAUSTRALIA , 1984 < ride the circuitto move someone who has been arrested from stationhouse to stationhouse, making his timely release difficultUS , 1949 < ride the cotton pony; ride the cotton horseto experience the bleed period of the menstrual cycle This ‘cotton pony’ is a ‘sanitary towel’US , 1954.

< ride the grub lineto travel and survive by scrounging food wherever it can be foundCANADA , 1987 < ride the Hershey Highwayto engage in anal sexUS , 1989 < ride the lightningto

be put to death by electrocutionUS , 1935 < ride the pineto sit

on the sidelines of an athletic contest as a substitute playerUS ,

1938 < ride the pipeto pilot a jet after engine failure Korean war usageUS , 1991 < ride the red tideto experience the bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS , 1999 < ride the short busto

be mentally deficient From the literally short bus that special edu-cation students use in the USUS , 1995 < ride the showingto tour an area evaluating billboards for potential advertising useUS ,

1980 < ride the sick bookto feign illness; to malingerUS , 1968.

< ride the silver steedto participate in bismuth subcarbonate and neoarsphenamine therapy for syphilisUS , 1981 < ride the splintersto sit on the sidelines of an athletic contest as a substitute player The ‘splinters’ are an allusion to the bench which the substitute ‘warms’ or ‘rides’US , 1949 < ride the turtlesto drive on the raised reflective road markers that delin-eate motorway lanesUS , 1997 < ride the white horseto experi-ence euphoria after using heroinUS , 1955 < ride the wireto travel by tramUS , 1970

ride alongverbin poker, to remain in a game without betting because you have bet your entire bankroll on the handUS , 1967

ride and a rashernounsexual intercourse followed by breakfast

IRELAND , 1999

ride man; ride jock; ride monkeynounthe operator of a carnival amusement rideUS , 1985

ride outnouna group motor-scooter excursionUK , 2001

ride outverbto depart Used by London teenagers in the late 1950s

UK , 1958

ridernoun1a visible, aggressive member of a gangUS , 2001.2a police officerUS , 2003.35 kg of heroin supplied free with a 100 kg shipment of cocaineUK , 2002.4a cheater From the phraseRIDE A PONY(to cheat on a test)US , 1959.5in trucking, a flat tyre on a set

of dual tyresUS , 1971

ridgeadjectiveall right; okay Probably a figurative use of now obsolete ‘ridge’ (gold) Now superseded byRIDGY DIDGE AUSTRALIA , 1938

ridge cottagenouna bunker in the Korean demilitarised zone Korean war usageUS , 1982

ridge-runnernounany white male from the Appalachian Mountain region in the southern USUS , 1980

ridgy didge; ridgy-didgeadjectiveall right; okayAUSTRALIA , 1953

ridiculousadjectiveexcellentUS , 1959

riding Saint George; the dragon on Saint Georgenoun hetero-sexual sex with the woman straddling the man, her head upright

US , 1980

riding the waves; riding a waveadjectiveexperiencing drug intoxi-cationUS

R-ienouna Returned Servicemen’s League club From the initials

RSL AUSTRALIA , 1992

rifverbto separate someone from military service or employment

From the initialism for ‘reduction in force’ US , 1983

riffnoun1a rhythmic musical phrase played repeatedly, used in jazz

and rock Probably an abbreviation of ‘refrain’US , 1935.2an

oft-repeated argument or point of view A figurative usage of the

pre-vious senseUK , 2000.3the theme or gist of a conversationUK , 2000.

4a verbal embellishment that adds no meaning to what is being

saidUS , 1967.5an activity or experienceUS , 1975.6a refrigerated

railway wagonUS , 1946

riffverb1to repeatedly play a rhythmic musical figure, usually on a

piano or guitarUS , 1955.2to brag; to lieUS , 1990.3to complainUS ,

1989

riffagenounrhythmic style(s) of rock musicUK , 2002

rifflenounin a restaurant or soda fountain, to refill (an order)US , 1967

riffologynounin rock music, simple musical learning or skillUK , 1999

riff onverbto tease someone; to disparage someone or something

US , 1995

riff-raffnoun1the lowest classUK , 1470.2a Welsh person Rhyming

slang forTAFF UK: ENGLAND , 1992.3a café Rhyming slang forCAFF UK ,

1998

riffsnounmusic Teen slangCANADA , 1946

rifle rangenoun1the ward in a hospital reserved for patients

withdrawing from heroin addiction A pun onSHOOTING GALLERY US ,

1973.2change (money) Rhyming slang Shortened form ‘rifle’UK ,

1980

rifle spotnounin the television and film industries, a spotlight that

produces a long, thin beam of lightUS , 1990

riftnouna refrigerated freight railway wagonUS , 1977

rignoun1a car, truck or busUS , 1938.2the collective equipment used

by a musical group in concertUK , 1983.3a hypodermic needle and

syringeUS , 1969.4a still used in the illegal production of alcoholUS ,

1974.5a holsterUS , 2001.6the penisUS , 1971.7surgically augmented

breastsUS , 1997.8a bad situationUS , 1997

riggernoun1in the Royal Air Force, an airframe tradesman An

official Royal Air Force job title that was dropped as the job

description changed in the 1930s yet has continued in colloquial

use; still in Royal Air Force use, 2002UK , 1943.2a half-gallon jar of

beerNEW ZEALAND , 1998

rigger mortisnounan ineffectual member of the Royal Canadian

Air Force A ‘rigger mortis’ is a useless airman, based onRIGGER(an

airframe tradesman)CANADA , 1995

rig gignouna job driving a truckUS , 1976

rightnounin craps, a bet for the shooterUS , 1974

rightadjective1intensifies the good or bad character or condition of

someone or something; complete, utterUK , 1956.2understanding

and accepting the mores of the underworldUS , 1950 < not right

in the headunsound of mindUK , 1934

rightadverbveryCANADA , 1988

right1used as a greeting or farewellTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1966.2I do

not believe you Heavily sarcastic, emphasising the negative

interpretation Variants include ‘yeah right’ and ‘aye right’UK , 1998

right as rainadjectivein good health; satisfactoryUK , 1909

right enoughadverbcertainly, indeedUK , 1885

righteousadjective1very good, excellent, fine; honest; satisfactory

Conventional English with a religious overtone propelled into hip

slang by context and emphasis in pronunciationUS , 1942.2used of

a drug, relatively pure and undilutedUS , 1967

righteous bushnounany potent variety of marijuana A

combi-nation ofRIGHTEOUS(good) andBUSH(marijuana)US , 1946

righteous namenouna person’s true nameUS , 1975

righteous nodnouna refreshing sleepUS , 1947

right guynouna dependable, trustworthy and reliable criminalUS ,

right hereused as a set answer to an inquiry as to how you are

BAHAMAS , 1982

rightienounin craps, a gambler who bets that the shooter will make his point before rolling a sevenUS , 1974

rightio!; righty-o!; righteho!; righty-ho!all right!; certainly!; gladly!UK , 1927

right numbers; right pricenounin horse racing, higher than normal odds that merit a wagerUS , 1968

righto; right-ohokay!; all right!AUSTRALIA , 1911

right on!yes; excellent; correct; also used to signal enthusiastic agreement Originally black usage, perhaps from ‘right on the button’, ‘right on time’ orRIGHTO Subsequently adopted by the hippie generationUS , 1930

right onenouna person whose behaviour does not conform to expectationsUK , 1981

rightsnoun< do the rightsto seek or gain revengeUK , 2002

right-said-Frednounthe head Rhyming slang, formed on the name of a pop group who enjoyed success in the early 1990s; the group took its name from the title of a humorous song by Bernard Cribbins which was a top ten hit in 1962UK , 2000

rightynounsomeone who looks very much like someone else; a double or near doubleUS , 1962

right you are!certainly!; agreed!UK , 1864

rigidadjectivedrunkUS , 1972

rigidadverbgreatly; used to intensify, especially ‘bore’, ‘scare’ and

‘shake’ Modelled on synonymousSTIFF, always used after the verb

it modifiesUK , 1943

rigmarolenouna string of incoherent statements; a disjointed or rambling speech; a trival or almost senseless harangueUK , 1736

rigor mortisnounin croquet, the condition of not being able to hit any opponent’s ball on a turnUS , 1977

RIHrest in hell A bitter version of RIP (rest in peace) US , 1999

rileverbto annoy or anger someoneUK , 1836

rimnoun< above the rimof the highest qualityUS , 2002

rimverb1to lick, suck and tongue another’s anusUS , 1941.2to swindle someoneUS , 1949

rim-jagverbto make an indentation on a playing card with your fingernail or thumbnail to identify the card later in another player’s handUS , 1988

rim jobnounthe licking of a partner’s anus for the purposes of sex-ual pleasureUS , 1969

rimmernouna person who provides mouth in mouth-to-anus sex

US , 1979

rim queennouna male homosexual who is proficient at mouth-to-anus stimulationUS , 1970

rimrockverbto drive livestock into an enclosure; to entrap someone

CANADA , 1951

rimsnounsunglassesUS , 1997

rinctumnounan especially violent fit of temperCANADA , 1953

Rinehart!; Oh Rinehart!used as a shout to announce the onset

of a student disturbance, started in fun but not always ending as such Specific to Harvard University, honouring John Rinehart, Harvard Law School class of 1903US , 1933

ringnoun1a telephone callUK , 1900.2the anus From the shapeUK ,

1949.3a circular area where the game of two-up takes place

AUSTRALIA , 1896.4collectively, the bookmakers at a racecourse

AUSTRALIA , 1877 < get a ring in your nosein horse racing, to lose all your money bettingUS , 1951 < put the ring around itto con-firm something as definiteNEW ZEALAND , 1978

ringverb1to provide one thing disguised as anotherUK , 1812.2to open and pilfer a cash registerUS , 1965.3to shoutBARBADOS , 1965.

< ring it onto outwit someoneUK , 1977 < ring the bell1to make a successful attempt at something Probably from a fairground challengeUK , 1966.2to achieve success beyond expec-tationsUS < ring the berriesin ice hockey, to hit the

goalie with a hard shot between the legsCANADA , 1985 < ring your

chimesto strike someone on the head with great forceUS , 1981

ring-a-dingnounan excellent example of somethingUS , 1965

ring-a-ling on the ting-a-lingnouna telephone callUS , 1968

ring angelnouna ‘blip’ on a radar screen, often a flock of birdsUS ,

1947

ringasnounconversation; a conversation Scamto youth street slang

(South African townships)SOUTH AFRICA , 2005

ringburnernounan act of defecation that is attended by burning,

stinging or other painful sensations in the anus; often applied to

the spicy food that causes such effects CombinesRING(the anus)

with a conventional sense of ‘burn’; upper-class society origins

The following definition is offered by Ann Barr and Peter York in

their 1982 Official Sloane Ranger Handbook: ‘The results of a

heavy curry the morning after’UK , 1982

ringernoun1a perfect resemblance Often intensified withDEAD US ,

1891.2an athlete or horse fraudulently entered in a game or race

US , 1890.3a false vehicle registration number plateUS , 1956.4a

criminal who builds new cars from the parts of stolen carsUK , 1970.

5a single inhalation of crack cocaine with a strong effectUS , 1994.

6a stockmanAUSTRALIA , 1979.7the fastest shearer in a shearing

shedAUSTRALIA , 1871

ring gamenouna game of poker with all seats at the table occupied

US , 1982

ringienounthe person running a game of two-upAUSTRALIA , 1941

ring-innoun1an illegal competitor substituted for another in a race

AUSTRALIA , 1918.2any surreptitious substituteAUSTRALIA , 1956.3one

who doesn’t belong; an outsiderAUSTRALIA , 1987

ring inverb1to illegally substitute a racehorse or greyhound for

another in a race; to substitute a phoney in a competition

AUSTRALIA , 1895.2to secretly introduce altered dice into a dice game

US , 1950

ringing-innounthe illegal substitution of a racehorse or greyhound

in a raceAUSTRALIA , 1975

ring-keepernounthe person running a game of two-upAUSTRALIA ,

1896

ring-knockernouna graduate of one of the US military academies

From the school rings worn by graduatesUS , 1991

ringmasternouna railway yardmasterUS , 1946

ringpiecenounthe anus AnARSEHOLEin both the anatomical and

figurative sensesUK , 1949

ring raidernouna male homosexual An allusion to anal

intercourse, based onRING(the anus)UK , 2003

ring-stingnouna burning sensation in and of the anus caused,

gen-erally, by spicy food Formed onRING(the anus) Occasionally, and

originally, known as ‘ring-burn’UK , 1984

ring-stingernouna curry that produces, as an after-effect, a burning,

stinging or other painful sensation in the anusUK , 2002

ringyadjectiveirritableUS , 1932

rink ratnouna young boy who hangs around ice rinks, totally

involved in hockeyUS , 1945

rinky-dinknoun1something that is second rate, cheap or trivialUS ,

1912.2in trucking, the 4000 model White tractorUS , 1971.3in

snooker, the pink ball UK , 1992

rinky-dinkadjectiveinexpensive; poorly made; worthlessUS , 1912

rinsenouna selection of dance tunes mixed into a seamless whole;

an event which features such a musical blendUK , 1997

rinseverbto mix dance tunes into a seamless whole Perhaps

because of the wash of soundUK , 1999 < rinse arse; rinse skin;

rinse tailto administer a severe beatingTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1992

rinsebagnouna plastic bag that once contained amphetamineUS ,

1989

rinsedadjectiveexhausted A play on ‘washed out’UK , 2005

rinsing!; rinsin’!excellent; a general-purpose superlative The cry of

approval offered up to a DJ who is rinsing tunes together (see

Rin-Tin-Tin; rintynounthe leg Rhyming slang forPIN, formed from the name given to several generations of a German Shepherd dog television and film star of the 1930s–50s and beyondUK , 1998

RionounRio de JaneiroUS , 1935

riotnounsomething or someone that is very amusing or greatly funnyUK , 1933

riot bellnounin prison, any bellUK , 1996

riot grrrl; riot girlnouna cultural movement of aggressive young feminists; a member of the riot grrrl movement; the sub-genre of punk rock music associated with the movement Lazy journalism seems to be responsible for ‘girl/grrl’ variationsUS , 1991

Riot Hyatt; Riot HousenicknameThe Continental Hyatt House, Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, famous for its association with rock musiciansUS , 1989

riot panicnounin circus and carnival usage, enthusiastic applause

US , 1981

ripnoun1a current travelling seawards from shore, usually moving swiftly An abbreviation of ‘rip tide’ or ‘rip current’US , 1990.2a method of breaking into a safe that employs mechanical force and

no explosivesUS , 1950.3in a cheating scheme in a dice game, the switching of tampered dice into a gameUS , 1962.4an injustice; an action that is fundamentally unfairUS , 1982.5a complaint lodged against a police officerUS , 1970.6a fine or punishment imposed for breaking a police department conduct ruleUS , 1958.7one pound sterlingUK , 1999.8marijuanaUK , 2003.9a coarse, unattractive womanIRELAND , 1910

ripverb1to cheat or swindle someoneUS , 1904.2to steal something

US , 1984.3to kill someoneUS , 1974.4to travel quicklyUK , 1971.5to surf in a bold, skilled mannerUS , 1988.6to excelUS , 1994 < rip a new assholeto berate someone severelyUS , 1995 < rip intoto attack someone or something with vigour or gusto Either physically or verballyAUSTRALIA , 1970 < rip it upto enjoy energetically, to danceUS , 1956 < rip off a piece (of ass)to have sexUS , 1971

rip and tear; ripverbto swear Rhyming slang Possibly an influ-ence onLET RIP(to shout)UK , 1937

ripeadjective1bad-smellingUS , 1995.2too strong for general acceptabilityUK , 1999.3used of a girl, over the legal age of consent

US , 1988.4in the language surrounding the Grateful Dead, poised for enlightenment in the mysteries of the bandUS , 1994

rip jobnouna safe robbery in which the front of the safe is peeled offUS , 1973

rip-offnoun1a copy; an imitationUS , 1970.2a robbery; a theft; a swindle; exploitationUS , 1975

rip offverb1to steal something If the speaker is doing the stealing, the term suggests an act of political heroism; if not, it suggests corporate greed The subject of this verb can be either the goods stolen, the location or the owner; the subject can split the verb without changing the senseUS , 1967.2to overcharge someoneUK ,

1977.3to rape someoneUS , 1984

rip-offadjective1in an imitative style, especially with the intention

to exploit a commercial advantageAUSTRALIA , 1973.2exploitative; cheatingUS , 1975

rip-off artistnouna swindler; a thiefUK , 1975

rippedadjective1drunk or drug-intoxicatedUS , 1969.2muscular; lacking body fat; well-sculptedUS , 1984

ripped out of your titsadjectivevery drunkUK , 2002

ripped to the titsadjectivevery drunkUS , 1983

rippernoun1a very unattractive (young) woman Variant ‘old ripper’

UK , 2003.2an amphetamine or other central nervous system stimu-lantUS , 1986.3a skilled skateboarderUS , 1984.4a skilled scooter-rider

UK , 2000.5in pinball, a ball that is forcefully hit into playUS , 1977

ripperadjectiveintense; extreme; excellentAUSTRALIA , 1974

ripper!used for expressing strong approvalAUSTRALIA , 1987

rippingadjective1excellentUK , 1846.2very angryUS , 1968

ripping iron