Rhyming slang forPOX UK , 1992 royallyadverbgreatly, extremelyUS, 2002 royal mail; royalnounbail.. A pun onSUBa loanUK, 1994 royal shaftnounmonumental mistreatmentUS, 1983 royal temple b
Trang 1round eyenoun1the anus; by extension, a male homosexual who
plays the passive role in anal sexUS, 1950.2an American or
European From the Southeast Asian perspective, adopted by US
soldiers in Vietnam to describe themselvesUS, 1960
round-eyedadjectiveAmerican or European, CaucasianUS, 1966
round filenouna wastebasketUS, 1975
roundheadnounthe circumcised penis A visual joke, probably of
Royal Navy origin, then polari, or juvenileUK, 2002
roundheelnouna woman who is easily talked into sexual relations
Boxing slang from the 1920s for a poor fighter – a ‘push-over’ –
applied later to women of easy virtueUS, 1943
round-heeledadjectiveeasily seducedUS, 1957
round heelsnouna promiscuous or sexually compliant woman
Derogatory; from the anatomical notion that a woman with round
heels is more easily put on her backUS, 1926
roundhousenouna punch that swings round to hit your opponent
side-onUS, 1920
roundie; roundynouna factory-made cigarette Prison usageNEW
ZEALAND, 1948
round of drinksnouna small bet relative to the bettor’s wealth
AUSTRALIA, 1989
round robinnoun1a story begun by one writer and completed by
another or multiple writersUS, 1982.2a wager of ten conditional
bets on three selectionsUK, 2001
round robin shiftnouna work schedule in which the worker rotates
between several different shiftsUS, 1984
roundsnounan ejaculationBAHAMAS, 1982
round soundnouna fashionable, current song ‘Round’ means
nothing, but contrasts withSQUARE US , 1955
roundtablenounin organised crime, a meeting of leaders convened
to discuss and decide with finality pressing business issuesUS, 1975
round the bend; around the bendadjectivemad, crazy; eccentric
Probably a naval coinage, widespread by the mid-C20UK, 1929
round-the-clocknounan elaborate conditional wager on a
mini-mum of three selectionsUK, 2001
round the houses; round me’s; rounds; roundersnountrousers
Rhyming slang on the Cockney pronunciation of ‘trousers’ The
abbreviation ‘round me’s’ suggests a variation as ‘round me
houses’ – this is not so In the US the abbreviation ‘rounds’ was
not recorded until 1944UK, 1857
round the twistadjectivecrazy A variation ofROUND THE BEND UK ,
1960
round-upnounin college, a notification of academic deficiencyUS,
1968
roundy-roundadjectiveused of a motor race track or course ovalUS,
1993
rouseverb< rouse onto castigate someone verballyAUSTRALIA, 1896
rouseaboutverba general assistant on a rural property Hence, also,
any general assistantAUSTRALIA, 1881
roustverb1to harass someone, especially when done deliberately by
the police or other authoritiesUK, 1995.2to upbraid someone
AUSTRALIA, 1916
roustaboutnoun1in oil drilling, an unskilled oil field workerUS, 1948.
2a general assistant on a rural property Variant ofROUSEABOUT
AUSTRALIA, 1940
rousternouna rough and ready western Canadian man This
expression is likely derived fromROUSTABOUT(an oil field worker),
but adapted to describe any rough-hewn maleCANADA, 1987
roustingnoun1a vigorous act of sexual intercourseUK, 1999.2an act
of deliberate (police) harassmentUK, 1980
routnouna wild, rowdy partyUS, 1968 8see:ROTE
routernounin horse racing, a horse that performs well in longer
racesUS, 1965
rovernounin a casino, a gambler who moves from game to game,
rownoun< go for a rowto get into troubleAUSTRALIA, 1965
rowverbto fight; to battle An exaggeration of the sense as ‘to argue’
UK, 1999.< row down the red riverto experience the bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS, 2001
rowbottomnouna student disturbance, started in fun but not always ending as such Specific to the University of Pennsylvania
in Philadelphia, claimed to have been named for J.T Rowbottom, a rowdy member of Penn’s Class of 1913US, 1940
row dognounin prison, another prisoner whose cell is on the same tierUS, 1995
rowdynouna person who inhales glue for the psychoactive effectUS, 1971
rowdy dowdynounin pickpocketing, the seemingly accidental jostling of victims or potential victims by members of the gangUS, 1962
rowed outadjectiveexcludedUK, 2000
rowernounan argumentUK, 1996
rowers’ revengenounthe ritual of throwing the coxswain into the water after a rowing team wins an eventUS, 2001
row inverbto implicate someone in a crimeUK, 1970
row outverb1to contrive the innocence of someone in relation to
a particular crimeUK, 1970.2to distance yourself from something
or someoneUK, 1974
roxnouncrack cocaine A phonetic play onROCK(S)US, 1994
Roxannenouncocaine; crack cocaine AROCKpersonificationUS, 1994
Roynouna refined and cultured Australian male Counterpart to the
ALF AUSTRALIA , 1960
royaladjectiveeffeminately homosexual ‘Queenly’UK, 2002
royal bluenouna blue tablet variety of LSDUS, 1971
royal crownnouna British Leyland ‘Princess’ carUK, 1981
Royal Docksnounsyphilis; hence any sexually transmitted infection; hence an irritated condition Rhyming slang forPOX UK , 1992
royallyadverbgreatly, extremelyUS, 2002
royal mail; royalnounbail Rhyming slangUK, 1961
Royal Navynoungravy Rhyming slang Presumably served in a
‘Royal Navy boat’UK, 1992
Royal Navy situationnouna need for money A pun onSUB(a loan)UK, 1994
royal shaftnounmonumental mistreatmentUS, 1983
royal temple ballnounhashish and LSD formed into a ballUS, 1978
royal weddingnounin hold ’em poker, a king and queen, especially
of diamondsUS, 1996
Roy Castlenounthe anus Rhyming slang forARSEHOLE, used here in its anatomical, non-figurative sense; formed from the name of the multi-talented entertainer, 1932–94UK, 1998
Roy Rogersnounbuilding tradesmen who are not as skilled as may reasonably be expected Rhyming slang on the plural form of
BODGER Formed on the name of a famous film cowboy, 1911–98, and thus a play onCOWBOY(any tradesman who is unreliable, irresponsible and, perhaps, unqualified)UK, 1992
roznouncrack cocaine Possibly a misspelling ofROX UK , 1998
rozzer; roznoun a police officer Possibly from Yiddish khazer (a pig).
‘Roz’ is first recorded in 1971UK, 1893
RPGnoun a role-playing game US, 1986
RSNused as Internet shorthand to mean ‘real soon now’ US, 1995
RTAverbto return to Australia; to be returned to AustraliaAUSTRALIA, 1963
RTAernouna person returning to Australia after expeditioning in Antarctica FromRTA AUSTRALIA , 1996
RTFMread the fucking manual US, 1997
runouna member of the Piru youth gangUS, 1994
rubverb< rub in; rub it into emphasise something annoyingly;
to continue to insist, especially in an unkindly or vexing manner
Trang 2UK, 1870.< rub off on someone(of abstract qualitities, such as
luck or enthusiasm) to transfer from one person to anotherUS,
1959.< rub someone up the wrong wayto annoy someoneUK,
1862.< rub someone’s nose in itto humiliate someone by
reminding them of a mistakeUK, 1963.< rub the magic lamp(of
a male) to masturbateUS, 2001
rub-a-dub; rub-a-dub-dub; rubberdy; rubbidy; rubbanouna
public house Rhyming slang forPUB; from the nursery rhyme
‘Rub-a-dub-dub, / Three men in a tub’UK, 1932
rub-a-dub-dubsnicknameHMP Wormwood Scrubs (a prison in north
London) Rhyming slang, in current prison use February 2002UK,
2002
rubbernoun1a condom The most common, and almost only,
slang term for a condom in the USUS, 1947.2balloonsUS, 1966.
3collectively, a car’s tyres A car might be said to have ‘good
rubber’US, 1882.4a carUS, 1964.5a rubber bulletUS, 1982.< burn
rubberto spin a car’s wheels in a fast start, leaving rubber tracks
on the roadUS, 1957.< chirp rubberto shift gears in a car in a
manner that produces a chirping sound of tyre meeting roadUS,
1965.< on rubberdriving a carUS, 1945.< peel rubberto spin a
car’s wheels in a fast start, leaving rubber tracks on the roadUS, 1971
rubberadjectiveused of a cheque, unfunded A back-formation from
the metaphor of an unfunded cheque bouncingUS, 1991
rubber and rocksnounbacon and eggs Collected during an
extensive survey of New Zealand prison slang, 1996–2000NEW
ZEALAND, 2000
rubber armsnounthe sensation experienced by a surfer paddling
into a large wave that might be a little larger than the surfer cares
to tackleUS, 1964
rubberbandnouna vehicle manufactured by DAF Citizens’ band
radio slang; a slur on DAF technologyUK, 1981
rubber bitchnounthe inflatable rubber air mattress given to US
troops in the field in VietnamUS, 1991
rubber bumnouna derelict hitchhikerCANADA, 1961
rubber cheque; rubber kitenouna worthless cheque An
unfunded cheque bounces back from the bankUS, 1931
rubber chicken circuitnounthe tour made by an after-dinner
speaker, with reference to tough chicken as the usual main course
CANADA, 1959
rubber cownounin circus usage, an elephant, male or femaleUS,
1981
rubber ducknoun1a trifle; something of no value Rhyming slang
forFUCK UK , 1992.2an inflatable rubber dinghySOUTH AFRICA, 1986
rubber duckernouna rubber duck (an inflatable rubber dinghy)
enthusiastSOUTH AFRICA, 1994
rubber duckienouna short, flexible, rubber-coated vehicle-mounted
radio aerial A jokey reference to ‘Rubber Duck’ as referring to the
HANDLE(a citizens’ band radio identity) of the hero of the film
Convoy, 1975 UK, 1981
rubberedadjectivedrunkUK, 2002
rubber heels; rubber heelersnounthe Metropolitan Police
internal affairs division at New Scotland Yard From the silence and
secrecy of its methodsUK, 1964
rubber johnny; rubber johnnie; rubber johneynouna condom
An elaboration ofJOHNNY UK , 1980
rubber lipnouna citizens’ band radio user who monopolises
conversationUS, 1976
rubber mannounin circus and carnival usage, a balloon sellerUS,
1981
rubberneckverbto stare with undue interestUS, 1896
rubberneck busnouna tour busUS, 1958
rubberneck carnounon the railways, an observation carriageUS, 1946
rubbernecker; rubbernecknouna person who stares with
curiousity, especially a motorist who slows to view an accidentUS,
1934
rubber numbers
rubbersnoun1a wet suit; a garment made of rubber or synthetic neoprene worn next to the skin while in cold waterCANADA, 1977.
2sneakers, trainersVIRGIN ISLANDS, BRITISH, 1996
rubber vagnounin circus and carnival usage, someone who lives in
a mobile trailerUS, 1981
rubber wallsadjectivecrazy In gay use, especially in the phrase ‘I’ll
go rubber walls’US, 1972
rubbins; rubbingsnounrubbing alcohol A drink of desperationUS, 1980
rubbishnoun1anything of poor quality or little or no worth; nonsense From the sense as ‘refuse’UK, 1601.2a contemptible person or personsSOUTH AFRICA, 1941
rubbishverbto criticise someone or something unfavourably; to disparage someone or something; to discard someone or somethingAUSTRALIA, 1953
rubbishadjectivebad; inferiorUK, 2001
rubbishernouna person given to detractionAUSTRALIA, 1972
rubbishingnounan act of denigration FromRUBBISH(little or no worth)AUSTRALIA, 1971
rubbishyadjectiveof inferior qualityUK, 1824
rubbity-dub; rubbity; rubbitty; rubbidynouna public hotel Rhyming slang forPUB AUSTRALIA , 1898
rubbynouna derelict who drinks rubbing alcohol The word is not to
be confused with ‘rummy’US, 1962
rubby-dubnounan ignorant soldier from a rural mountain area, a poor candidate to be a good soldierUS, 1946
rub downnouna cursory search of a prisoner by running hands over clothes and bodyUK, 1887
rub downverbto search a prisonerUK, 1887
rube; reubnounan unsophisticated, naive, inexperienced person From the older, UK ‘reuben’ (a country bumpkin)US, 1896
rubia de la costa; rubianouna light-coloured marijuana
originat-ing in Columbia Directly from Spanish, rubia (fair-haired) is used
by the Spanish to describe Virginian tobacco, plus de la costa (of
the coast)US, 1976
rubiesnounthe lipsUS, 1947
Rubik’s cubes; rubik’snounpubic hair Rhyming slang forPUBES, formed from a puzzling toyUK, 2003
rub jointnouna dance hall where men can, for a small price, dance intimately with womenUS, 1981
rub ’n’ tugnouna massage that includes masturbationUS, 2000
rub of the brushnouna beverage made from the remnants of drinks in a barUS, 1950
rub-outnouna killingUS, 1927
rub outverb1to kill someoneUS, 1848.2to disqualify a competitor
AUSTRALIA, 1902
rub upverbto assault someoneUS, 1952
rubyfruitnounthe vaginaUS, 1982
Ruby Murray; rubynouna curry Rhyming slang, based on popular singer Ruby Murray, 1935–96 In Cardiff, a local variant is Don Murray, named after the Cardiff City footballerUK, 1992
ruby rose; rubynounthe nose Rhyming slangUK, 1992
rucknoun1a heated argument; a fight Possibly derives from obsolete ‘rux’ (bad temper, anger, passion, noise) or conventional
‘ruckus’UK, 1958.2a rucksack or backpackUS, 1982
ruckverb1to fight, especially as part of a gangUK, 1999.2to masturbate Prison slangUK, 1974
ruck and row; rucknouna cow, especially in the sense a contemptible woman Rhyming slang, formed from a combination
ofRUCK(a fight) and ‘row’ (a disturbance, a violent quarrel)UK, 1992
ruckernoun1a fighterUK, 1968.2a customer given to complaining and making a fuss A barely euphemistic variation ofFUCKER, poss-ibly influenced by ‘ruckus’ Used by second-hand car dealersUK,
Trang 3ruckingnouna severe reprimand Mostly in prison useUK, 1958
ruck upverbto pick up your rucksack and other combat gear and
proceed with a march Used as a modernisedSADDLE UP, which has
definite overtones of cavalry daysUS, 1990
ruckus juicenounstrong, homemade whiskyUS, 1999
ruconouna boyfriend or husband Border Spanish used in English
conversation by Mexican-Americans; also used in the feminine
‘ruca‘ (a girlfriend or wife)US, 1950
ructionnouna disturbance; agitation; disorderly behaviourUK, 1890
ruddyadjectiveused as an intensifier A rhyming euphemism for
BLOODYthat also puns on the colour redUK, 1914
ruddy welladverbcertainly, definitelyUK, 1933
rudenouna youth who steals by mugging Adapted fromRUDE BOY(a
Jamaican youth/gangster)UK, 2002.< in the rudenaked
Light-hearted rhyming euphemism for ‘in the nude’UK, 1974
rudeadjective1sexual; sexy Upper-class society use Not to be
confused withIN THE RUDE(naked); one condition does not
necess-arily lead to the nextUK, 1982.2attractiveUK, 2003.3intense;
superior Collected from fans of heavy metal musicUS, 1995.4used
of a computer program, poorly designedUS, 1983
rude!; rudeness!; how rude!; how rudeness!used for suggesting
that the speaker has crossed an etiquette line that is better not
breachedUS, 1989
rude bitsnoungenitalsAUSTRALIA, 1994
rude boy; rude bwoy; rudebwai; rudienouna Jamaican youth
associated with gang activities West Indian and UK black patois
JAMAICA, 1967
rudenessnounsexTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1973
rude partsnounthe most obvious erogenous zones: male and
female genitals and posteriors, and female breasts Upper-class
society use; combinesRUDE(sexual) with ‘private parts’ UK, 1982
ruderalis skunknounan extremely potent hydroponic marijuana
which is a hybrid of ruderalis (a variety of marijuana from Russia)
and skunkUK, 1999
ruderynounrudeness, impolite or risqué speech or conversation;
sexually implicit or explicit gestures or behaviourUK, 1932
Rudolph Hess; rudolphnoun a mess (a failure) Rhyming slang,
formed from the name of the high-ranking Nazi officer,
1894–1987UK, 1998
ruffnouna twenty-five cent pieceUS, 1945
ruffadjectiveacceptable, good, coolUS, 1985
ruffienounRohypnol™ (flunitrazepam), popularly known as the
‘date-rape drug’US, 1995
rufflenounthe passive participant in lesbian sex or a lesbian
relationshipUS, 1970
ruffnecknouna male or female gangster; a non-conformist or
rebellious youth; A misspelling of ‘roughneck’ (a thug) West
Indian and UK black use into the US via hip-hop cultureUK, 1994
ruff-puffnouna South Vietnamese local defence force RFs were
regional forces, PFs were platoon-size village forces Quick
American minds took RF with PF to form ‘ruff-puff’US, 1977
rugnoun1a hairpiece, especially a poorly executed oneUS, 1940.
2pubic hair, especially on a femaleUS, 1964.3in horse racing, a
heavy horse blanketUS, 1976
rugby ballnouna capsule of Temazepam™, a branded tranquillizer
From the shapeUK, 1990s
rug-cutternouna great timeUS, 1951
rug-eaternouna lesbianUS, 1997
rugger buggernounan enthusiastic sportsman whose character is
formed by the aggressive pursuit of masculinity and frequently
demonstrated by his boorish behaviour and drunken socialising
From ‘rugger’ (rugby football) but encompassing a wider field of
endeavoursSOUTH AFRICA, 1970
rug jointnouna well-appointed, even luxurious gambling operation
rug munchnounan instance of oral sex on a womanUS, 1995
rug-munchernouna lesbian From the image of oral sex as
‘munching a hairpiece’US, 1997
rug outverbto endure a difficult situation An awkward attempt to render ‘rugged’ as a verbUS, 2002
rug ratnouna young child A bit derisiveUS, 1970
rug upverbin horse racing, to cover the horse with a blanket after a workout or raceUK, 1948
ruinedadjectivedrunkUK, 2002
rulenoun< on the ruleof a prisoner, segregated from the general prison population for that prisoner’s protection A reference to rule
43 which is, according to HM Prison Service in 2003: ‘A now defunct rule that allowed the segregation of prisoners’UK, 2000
ruleverbused as an expression of supremacy for the preceding collective or plural noun(s)US, 1968
rule forty-three; rule 43; the rulenounin prison, a sex offender,
or other prisoner, kept apart from the main prison community for
‘safety of self or others’UK, 1996
rule of fivenouna piece of (unofficial) medical lore: if more than five orifices are obscured by plastic tubing then a patient’s con-dition is criticalUK, 2002
rumnoun1an unsophisticated, unaware personUS, 1972.2a prisoner deemed inferior or too odd by other prisonersUS, 1972.3a drunkardUS, 1960
rumadjectivestrange; eccentric; disreputable; questionableUK, 1774
rumblenoun1a fight, especially between teenage gangsUS, 1948.2a wild partyUS, 1968.3a difficult encounter with law enforcementUS,
1972.4a concerted police search for narcoticsUS, 1958
rumbleverb1to fightUS, 1946.2in circus and carnival usage, to spoil somethingUS, 1981.3to come to an understanding or realisation of something that has been concealedUK, 1886
Rumble in the Junglenicknamethe October 1974 heavyweight championship fight between Muhammed Ali and George Foreman
in Kinshasa, Zaire, in which Ali knocked Foreman out in the 8th roundUS, 1974
rumbleseatnouna truck that is not equipped with a citizens’ band radio following a truck that isUS, 1976
rumble-tumblenounscrambled eggs Originally militaryUK, 2003
rum blossomnouna red welt produced from excessive consumption
of alcoholUS, 1976
rum boynouna drunkBAHAMAS, 1982
rum, bum and bacca; rum, bum and baccynounthe mythic three graces of a sailor’s life A (presumed) later variation of ‘beer,
bum and bacca’ Rum, Bum and Concertina, a pun on ‘wine,
women and song’, is the title of the second part of George Melly’s autobiography published in 1977 In 1992, the Pogues, reflecting
an earlier view of naval life, released an album entitled Rum,
Sodomy and the Lash UK, 1973
rumdum; rum-dumbnouna drunkUS, 1891
rumdummedadjectiveextremely drunkUS, 1891
rum goblet; rum gogglesnouna large Adam’s appleTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003
rummynounan alcoholicUS, 1851
rummyadjective1prone to drink too much, if not alcoholicUS, 1834.
2poor; inferior; badUS, 1947
rumouredadjective married English gypsy use, from Romany romer
(to marry)UK, 2000
rumpverbto cheat someoneUK, 1998
rump bumpnounin a sexual dance, a pelvic thrust that emphasises the buttocks moving backwardsUS, 1956
rumpernounin hot rodding, a powerful engineUS, 1965
rumponounsexual intercourse Possibly influenced by (or vice versa) Rambling Syd Rumpo, an innuendo-laden character played by
Trang 4rump-ordainedadjectiveused for describing a preacher who has no
formal theological training or denominational affiliationUS, 1974
rumptyadjectivein poor repair; below standardNEW ZEALAND, 1995
rumpty pumpty; rumptynounintimate sexual activity A variation
ofRUMPY-PUMPYwith a nursery rhyme feel thanks to Humpty
DumptyUK, 1998
rumpusnouna brawl; a riotUK, 1764
rumpy-pumpynounsexual intercourseUK, 1983
rum-runnernounan importer, transporter and/or purveyor of illegal
alcohol, especially rumUS, 1920
rum-suckernouna heavy drinkerTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1845
rumtynounan admirable or excellent person or thingNEW ZEALAND,
1998
rum’un; rumun; ruminnounespecially in Tasmania, an eccentric
person; a character; a scallywagAUSTRALIA, 1967
runnoun1a group motorcyle excursionUS, 1966.2a period of
extended amphetamine useUS, 1967.< on the runescaping from
justice; being a fugitiveUK, 1887
runverb1to associate; to socialiseUS, 1946.2to smuggle something
UK, 1706.< run a potin poker, to make a sustained, pre-planned
bluff on a handUS, 1967.< run bluesto use blue lights in a car’s
tail lightsUS, 1985.< run hotto drive with sirens and flashing
lights activatedUS, 2002.< run like a hairy goat(of a racehorse)
to run poorly in a raceAUSTRALIA, 1941.< run rings round
someoneto defeat someone with absolute easeUK, 1891.< run
speed limitto do something with great speed Hawaiian youth
usageUS, 1982.< run to seedwith age or lack of care, to become
ill-kempt, shabby or undesirable The imagery of the gardenUK,
1837.< run your mouthto talk too muchUS, 1977.< run your
neckto make threats or boasts which you are not prepared to
back up with actionsUS, 2001
runaboutnouna small carUK, 1900
run alongverbto depart; often used as a gentle imperativeUK, 1902
run-aroundnoun< give someone the run-around; get the
run-aroundto treat someone, or be treated, with contempt, or so
as to serve a mere whim; to cause someone trouble, or be caused
troubleUS, 1924
run, chicken, runnounthe Royal Canadian Regiment Formed from
the initials RCR Note that ‘chicken’ does not insinuate cowardice
Rather this insult alludes to a story which alleges that a member
of the regiment was found, in flagrante delicto, with a chicken
Members of the RCR counter that he was a cookCANADA, 1995
rundownnouna complete explanationUS, 1969
runesnounin computing, any esoteric display character or computer
languageUS, 1991
run-fastnounon the railways, oilUS, 1946
rung-inadjectivesubstituted; phoneyAUSTRALIA, 1969
run-innoun1an argumentative or violent encounterUK, 1999.2a
concealed location used by criminals for the division or transfer of
recently stolen goodsUK, 1959
run inverbto arrest someoneUS, 1973
run, Johnny, runnouninexpensive loose cigarette tobacco Formed
from the initials of the R.J Reynolds tobacco companyUS, 1962
run letternouna final deportation letter from the US Immigration
and Naturalisation ServiceUS, 2002
runnernoun1in an illegal betting operation, a person who
physically collects and pays off bets placed with sheet writersUS,
1947.2a prison inmate who collects dues for a baron (a powerful
criminal whose influence is built on illegal trading)UK, 1978.
3someone who carries illegal drugs between dealer and purchaser
US, 1972.4a clerk or collector for a street bookmakerUK, 1934.
5somebody sent to buy alcohol for othersUS, 1963.6in the
television and film industries, an errand-running production
assist-antUS, 1990.7a deserter from the armed services; an escapee from
prison or borstalUK, 1959.8in the language surrounding the
claims space for friends who will followUS, 1994.< do a runnerto escape by running away; to abscond; to leave hastilyUK, 1981
runner and ridernouncider Rhyming slang, from the vocabulary of horse racingUK, 1992
runnersnoun1sneakers, trainersAUSTRALIA, 1988.2any shoesUS, 1995.
< the runnersdiarrhoeaUS, 1948
runningnoun1diarrhoeaBAHAMAS, 1982.2MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK, 1998
running buddynouna close friend and confederate in crimeUS, 1970
running dognouna servant of the ruling class, subservient to counter-revolutionary powers From Chinese communist terminology originally applied to the KuomintangUS, 1937
running partnernouna close friend joined for criminal and social activitiesUS, 1965
runningsnoun1diarrhoeaANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, 1996.2a sexually transmitted infection with dischargeTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003.
3whatever is happening or is planned to happenUK, 1994
run-offnouna prostitute who has attempted to break off from her pimpUS, 1993
run of outsnouna succession of losses or failuresAUSTRALIA, 1953
run-outnouna well-worn tyreUS, 1961
run outverb< run out of roadto fail to keep control of a motor vehicle, especially on a bend, and consequently be involved in an accidentUK, 1981.< run out of steamto lose vigourUK, 1961
run-out powdernounthe departure of a gambler who has not paid off his gambling debtsUS, 1979
run-over daysnounthe first three days of the bleed period of the menstrual cycleBAHAMAS, 1982
runsnouna sexually transmitted infection with dischargeTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1951.< the runsa case of diarrhoeaUS, 1962
Runs Empty Onlynouna truck manufactured by REO A back-form -ationUS, 1971
runtnoun1in circus and carnival usage, a dwarf or midgetUS, 1980.
2in poker, a pairless handUS, 1963
runts and cuntsnounused for expressing disapproval of the com-position of the US armed forces in the decades after VietnamUS, 1993
runtyadjectivedelicate; sicklyIRELAND, 1989
runwaynouna generous dose of powdered cocaine arranged in a line for snorting A clever play on a conventional ‘runway’, (a long straight path used to achieve lift-off )UK, 1999
run-what-you-brungnouna drag race between amateur drivers driving their own carsUS, 1970
ruof; rofe; roaf; roufnounfour Back slangUK, 1863
rupertnoun1an army officer; any young upper-class type A generic based on the perception that Rupert is a popular name in ‘quality’ families, but note another military use of ‘rupert’ as ‘the penis’ Current usage seems to date from the 1970sUK, 1996.2the penis Military; possibly related to the sense as officerUK, 1961
ruptured ducknounthe US armed forces insignia designating honourable dischargeUS, 1946
rushnoun1a sudden and powerful sense of euphoria or energy Figurative use of the drug termUS, 1971.2the sudden onset of drug intoxicationUS, 1966.3amyl, butyl or isobutyl nitrite From the sudden effects of the drugUK, 1996.4cocaineUK, 2003.5in poker, an unusual streak of good cardsUS, 1982
rushverb1to charge an amount of moneyUK, 1887.2to charge for goods or services, especially to overcharge or cheatUK, 1887.3to be infatuated with someoneBARBADOS, 1965.4to make sexual advances
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1934.< rush the knocksin drug sales, to ignore the order of customers and make a saleUS, 2002
rush-and-snatch jobnouna search and rescue mission without the complications of enemy fireUS, 1991
Rushinanounin homosexual usage, a personification of amyl nitrite
Trang 5rushyadjectivedescriptive of an energetic and euphoric reaction to
MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK, 1997
Russell Crowenounan attack Rhyming slang forGO, formed from
the name of the notoriously pugnacious New Zealand-born film
actor (b.1964)UK, 2003
Russell Hartynouna party Rhyming slang, formed from the name
of the television presenter (1934–88)UK, 1992
Russian bootsnounleg ironsUS, 1949
Russian ducknounan act of sexual intercourse Rhyming slang for
FUCK UK , 1992
Russian jacknouna homemade alcoholic beverage made from
sugar, yeast, water and flavouringFIJI, 1984
Russian roastnouna sexual act in which a woman performs oral
sex on a man who is, at the same time, being sodomised by
another manUK, 2004
Russian roulettenounLSDUK, 1996
RusskiadjectiveRussianUK, 1859
Russki; Russky; Ruskynouna RussianUK, 1858
rustnounfaecal stains in the underwear or on a toilet bowlCANADA,
2002
rust beltnounthe northern central US, highly industrialised prior to
the economic decline in the US in the 1980sUS, 1987
rust bucketnounan old, dilapidated vehicleAUSTRALIA, 1965
rustle upverbto obtain something; to organise the supply of somethingUS, 1891
rustyadjectiveof a skill, having deteriorated as a result of lack of practiceUK, 1796
rusty bullet wound; rusty bullet hole; rusty sheriff’s badge; rusty washernounthe anus ‘Rusty’ (brown, the colour associated with the anus) plus a visual metaphorUK, 1997
rusty dustynounthe buttocksUS, 1942
rusty fucknouna notional object of no value whatsoeverUS, 1969
rusty trombonenouna sexual technique in which a man receives oral stimulation of his anus and manual stimulation of his penis
at the same time and from the same person Imagery which becomes apparent if you picture the penis as a trombone’s slide and the anus as its mouthpieceUS, 2002
Ruud Gullitnoundismissal from employment Rhyming slang for
BULLET, formed from the name of the Dutch footballer (b.1962) when he was given ‘the bullet’ as player-manager of Chelsea football club in 1998UK, 1998
RV; r.v.nouna recreational vehicle or large motor homeUS, 1967
Ryan Giggsnounlodgings Rhyming slang forDIGS, formed from the name of the Welsh footballer (b.1973)UK, 1998
Trang 6s-prefixit’s, especially preceding a word spelt with an ’n’, such as not
snot and nice snice A slovening that allows the childish to say
SNOT UK , 1917
Sanouna SamoanNEW ZEALAND, 1992
sabverbto act as a hunt saboteurUK, 1996
saccharine lipsnouna glib talker Not quite as glib as ‘sugar’
AUSTRALIA, 1989
sachienounVersace™ clothingUS, 1998
sacknoun1a bed Probably related to the C19 sailor’s use of ‘sack’
as a ‘hammock’US, 1942.2a bag of heroin; hence, heroinUK, 1998.
3the scrotum Originally dialectUK, 1928.4courage A testicular
referenceUS, 1984.5a coat or jacketUS, 1972.< in the sackused
for suggesting sexual activity Literally ‘in bed’US, 1995.< the sack
dismissal from employmentUK, 1841
sackverb1to dismiss someone from employment; to jilt someone
UK, 1841.2to abruptly stop any activityUK, 2001.3to dispose of
somethingUK, 2001.4to sleep; to spend the nightUS, 1966.< sack
itto receive an accidental blow to the scrotumUK, 2000
sack, back and cracknouna treatment for removing a man’s body
hair by waxing it and stripping it offUK, 2003
sack drillnounsleepUS, 1963
sack dutynounsleepUS, 1963
sack houndnouna lazy person, overly fond of sleepUS, 1959
sack offverbto reject somethingUK, 2002
sack of garbagenounin bar dice games, a roll that produces no
points for the playerUS, 1971
sack of saucenouna used condomUS, 1997
sack of shitnounused abusively of an unpleasant person A
con-ventional ‘sack’ full ofSHIT(excrement); probably a revision ofSAD
SACK OF SHIT US , 2001
sack outverbto go to bedUS, 1946
sack ratnouna lazy person, overly fond of sleepUS, 1947
sack shipnouna big ship used to carry supplies from Europe to the
East Coast fisheriesCANADA, 1965
sack weathernouninclement weather during which air missions
cannot be flownUS, 1949
sacky dackynouna depressed misfitUS, 1946
sacramentnounLSD An arguably pretentious euphemismUS, 1990
sacré bleu!used for registering shock, frustration, anger, anguish,
etc; especially in a context of Frenchness Directly from the
French euphemism sacré Dieu! (sacred God!) UK, 1869
sacredadjectiveexcellentUS, 1991
sacred cow; sacred oxnounon the railways, an extra engine used
on a mountainUS, 1977
sacred sitenouna place one holds in reverence From the meaning
as ‘a place sacred to Australian Aboriginals’AUSTRALIA, 1987
sadadjectiveterribleUS, 1945
sad and sorrynouna lorry Rhyming slangUK, 1992
sad-ass; sad-assedadjectivecontemptibleUS, 1971
sad bastardnouna contemptible person; an ineffectual personUK,
2003
Saddam Husseinnouna pain; an irritation; an annoying person
Rhyming slang for conventional ‘pain’, also on a shortenedPAIN IN
THE ASS/ARSE; formed, with all due respect, from the name of the
former Iraqi leaderUK, 1998
sad day!used for expressing commiseration with another person’s
saddlenoun1in trucking, the driver’s seatUS, 1971.2in a group of trucks travelling down the motorway together, the truck in the middleUS, 1976.3a two-part bet in an illegal numbers gambling lotteryUS, 1949.< in the saddle1engaged in sexual intercourse The term enjoyed widespread popularity in the US during discussions of the 1979 death of former Vice President and New York Governor Nelson RockefellerUS, 1979.2in controlUS, 1950
saddle-fuckverbto have sex, the woman astride the prone manUS, 1972
saddlernouna ride on a bicycle’s saddle while another person pedalsUK, 1979
saddlesnounthe testicles hanging in the scrotum Probably from
JOHN WAYNE’S HAIRY SADDLE BAGS UK , 2004
saddle trampnoun1a person who rides horseback through the countrysideUS, 1942.2a motorcyle gang memberUS, 1989
saddle upverb1to pick up your gear and resume a combat patrol
US, 1976.2to engage in mutual oral sex simultaneouslyUS, 1985
saddonouna pathetic or contemptible individual Jocular if not derogatoryUK, 2000
sadfucknouna contemptible personUK, 1997
Sadie Masienounsado-masochism A jocular personificationUS, 1965
Sadie the Office Secretarynounused as a personification of the stereotypical female office workerUS, 1953
Sadie Thompsonverbto rape (a man)US, 1985
sad kecksnouna killjoy Pejorative; conventional ‘sad’ combined withKECKS(trousers)UK, 1999
sadlandsnounthe suburbs of a cityUK, 2002
sad-onnouna bad mood Royal Navy slangUK, 1989
sad sacknouna miserable and depressing individual; an inept misfit Originally US militaryUS, 1942
sad sack of shitnouna miserable and depressing individual Abbreviates asSAD SACK US , 1978
safenoun1the rectum Referring to the rectum as a depository for drugs to be smuggled into prisonUS, 1992.2a condomUK, 1965.3in
a pickpocketing team, the thief who takes the wallet or object stolen by the wire and leaves the scene with itUS, 1954.< in the safeconcealed in the anusUK, 1996
safeadjective1worthy of approvalSOUTH AFRICA, 1970.2hopelessly out
of style Hawaiian youth usageUS, 1982.3all right; used as an expression of approval or agreementSOUTH AFRICA, 1981
safe and sound; safenounthe groundUK, 1992
safe housenouna room, apartment or house where it is safe to stay, work and hide from the authorities, rival criminals or rival spiesUS, 1963
safe screwnouna corrupt prison officerUK, 1996
safetynoun1a condomUS, 1973.2a safety pin used for an improvised injection of an illegal drugUS, 1952
safe wordnouna code word, agreed between a sexual dominant and submissive masochistic partner, for use by the masochist as a signal that the current activity should stopUS, 1987
safeynounin horse racing, a riding assignment for a jockey on a horse that stands little chance of winningAUSTRALIA, 1989
sagverbto wear trousers that are too big and which consequently ride very low on or below the hipsUS, 1991
saga loutnounan elderly person who behaves badly Saga is a UK company that supplies a wide range of services to the over-50s; a
Trang 7sagenoun a hybrid marijuana An initialism of ‘Sativa Afghani
gen-etic equilibrium’, contrived, perhaps, as a reference to the herb UK,
2003
saggienouna central nervous system depressant such as Seconal™
US, 1960
sag off; sagverbto truant from school or workUK, 1959
Saigon cowboynouna rear-echelon troop or civilian who dressed
the part of a combat soldier but did not experience combatUS, 1977
Saigon quickstepnoundiarrhoeaUS, 1991
Saigon Suzienounused for describing a stereotypical Vietnamese
sex worker during the Vietnam warUS, 1990
Saigon teanouna whisky-coloured drink served to bar girls in
Vietnam, passing for expensive whisky bought by US servicemen
US, 1966
Saigon Technounthe war in Vietnam; military service in Vietnam
US, 1969
sailingadjective1drunkUS, 1968.2marijuana-intoxicatedUS, 1993
sailor’s elbownounan act of ending a relationship with a lover An
elaboration, perhaps a specialisation, ofELBOW(an act of dismissal)
UK, 2003
sailors on the sea; sailorsnounteaUK, 1961
saintnounan incorruptible prison officer or police officerUK, 1996
saint and sinnernoundinner Rhyming slangUK, 1992
Saint LoonicknameSt Louis, MissouriUS, 1961
Saint Moritznoundiarrhoea Rhyming slang forTHE SHITS, based on
the Swiss resortUK, 1998
Saint Peternounthe penis Perhaps because he ‘opens the gate to
heaven’UK, 2003
saints preserve us!used for expressing fear A signature line of the
chief of police on Batman (ABC, 1966–68), Chief O’Hara.
Repeated with referential humourUS, 1966
Saint Vitus danceverbto move in a fidgety, jerking mannerUK, 1621
sais a chingnounin betting, odds of 6–5 A slurring of ‘six’
combined withCHING(five pounds)UK, 1991
salnouna friend or palBARBADOS, 1965 8see:SAL’TING
salanounan idiot Adopted into hip-hop, urban usage from subtly
insulting Hindi sala – the literal sense of which is ‘a man’s wife’s
brother’; the abusive sense is ‘to someone who is not the
speaker’s wife’s brother: the insult lies in the implication that the
sister of the person abused is available to the speaker as a wife’
(Nigel Hankin, Hanklyn Janklyn, 2003) US, 2003
saladnoun1marijuanaUS, 1997.2a mixture of two or more drugsUS,
1970
salad bowlnouna serendipitous mixture of inferior (and, hence,
uncommercial) bud and leaf remains of varying marijuana
var-ietiesUK, 2003
salad daysnouna period of youthful inexperience and innocence
UK, 1606
salad dodgernouna person who is overweightUK, 1999
salad paradenouna group of ballet dancersUK, 1952
salad tossnounany of several sexual practices involving oral-anal
stimulationCANADA, 2002
salad wagonnouna dustcartUS, 1962
salaminounthe penis The image of a large, dark sausageUS, 2000
salaudnouna contemptible person, mainly applied to a French
person From French salaud, ultimately from French sale (dirty) UK,
1962
salesladynouna prostituteUS, 1962
salesmannoun1a professional wrestler who does a good job of
feigning pain, anger or fearUS, 1999.2in gin, a card discarded to
lure a desired card from an opponentUS, 1965
Sallynouna chilled, twelve ounce can of beerUS, 2002
Sally Army; Sally Ann; Sallynounthe Salvation Army; a Salvation
Army hostel
Sally Gunnell; sallynouna tunnel, especially the Blackwall Tunnel Rhyming slang, formed on the name of the British Olympic athlete (b.1966)UK, 1998
salmonnouna twenty-dollar note From the orange-red colour
AUSTRALIA, 1983
salmon and trout; salmonnoun1tobacco; a cigarette Rhyming slang forSNOUT UK , 1974.2gout Rhyming slang Sometimes varied
as ‘salmon trout’UK, 1932.3the nose Rhyming slang for ‘snout’UK,
1974.4an informer Rhyming slang forSNOUT UK , 1992.5a ticket tout Rhyming slang, originally applied to a racecourse toutUK, 1932.
6stout (beer) Rhyming slangUK, 1960
salonnouna semi-private area created by shrubs and trees where homosexual liaisons take place For example, Coco Chanel’s salon was found in a large grove of trees at Land’s End in San Francisco
US, 1972
saloonnoun1in poker, a hand consisting of three cards of the same rank and a pair Known conventionally as a ‘full house’US, 1988.2a brakevan (caboose)US, 1977
saltnoun1a sailor, especially an experienced sailor Often in the phrase ‘old salt’UK, 1840.2an experienced veteran in any callingUK,
1970.3a woman Possibly by extension from obsolete (mid-C17 to mid-C18) ‘salt’ (the sex act); possibly by abbreviation from obsolete (C19) ‘salt-cellar’ (the vagina); most likely of unknown etymology
UK, 1969.4a drunkardBARBADOS, 1965.5heroin From the appearance
of the powdered drugUS, 1971.6plain tobacco mixed with marijuanaSOUTH AFRICA, 1946
saltverb1to make something appear to be worth more than it is Originally mining slangUS, 1852.2to swindle someone by baiting themUS, 1950.3to plant or place something to be foundUS, 1981
salt and peppernoun1marijuana, especially if of poor quality; marijuana adulterated with oreganoUS, 1946.2a police car From the black and white colour scheme of many police carsUS, 1976
salt and pepperadjectivewhite and blackUS, 1915
salt and robnounassault and robberySOUTH AFRICA, 1946
salt awayverbto save money; to hide money and valuablesUK, 1902
salt-bankernouna fishing boat on the Grand Banks carrying enough salt to preserve fish caught, allowing a longer stay on the waterCANADA, 1961
salt beefnounan attractive woman married to someone else
BAHAMAS, 1982
saltee; salter; salty; saultynoun a penny From Italian soldi
(money)UK, 1859
saltienouna saltwater crocodileAUSTRALIA, 1951
sal’ting; saltfish; salnounthe vaginaJAMAICA, 1991
salt junk; saltedadjectivedrunk Rhyming slang, from a military and nautical name for ‘salted beef’UK, 1909
saltminenouna workplaceUS, 1976
salt-risingadjectivesourdough retained as leavening for future bakingCANADA, 1951
Salt Rivernoun< go up Salt Riverto dieUS, 1945
salt shakernouna road-gritting or -salting vehicleUS, 1976
salt struckadjectiveof cod, dressed with enough salt to be pickled
CANADA, 1957
salt waternouna US police officer born in IrelandUS, 1982
saltwater taffynounan attractive woman on the beach An allusion to a brightly coloured sweet sold at US beachesUS, 1990
saltyadjective1angry, hostileUS, 1938.2uncouth; unpleasantUS, 1985
salty dognounduring the Vietnam war, a piece of equipment lost in combatUS, 1991
salty waternounthe recreational drug GHB Caustic soda mixed
with industrial cleaner gamma butyrolactone produces a salt which
is dissolved in water to produce the clear solution GHB US, 1997
saluteverb< salute the judgeto win a horse raceAUSTRALIA, 1977
Salvador Dali; salvadornoun1cocaine Rhyming slang forCHARLIE
(cocaine)UK, 2000.2a drink Glasgow rhyming slang forSWALLY UK: