Slaughter on the Waternounthe 1995 America’s Cup sailing race,a lopsided victory by New ZealandUS , 1996 slavenoun1in a sado-masochistic relationship, a person who endures many forms of
Trang 1Slaughter on the Waternounthe 1995 America’s Cup sailing race,
a lopsided victory by New ZealandUS , 1996
slavenoun1in a sado-masochistic relationship, a person who
endures many forms of humiliation, including extreme pain and
public displays of submissionUS , 1963.2a submissive prisoner who
performs all types of menial tasks for othersUS , 1988.3a jobUS , 1946
slaveverbto work, especially at a menial jobUS , 1974
slave braceletnouna bracelet showing romantic devotion to
anotherUS , 1947
slave-drivernouna stern taskmasterUS , 1854
slave marketnoun1any place where day labourers congregateUS ,
1978.2a National Employment Service officeCANADA , 1960
slave trainingnounthe process of instructing, and conditioning the
behaviour of, a sexual submissive in order that the submissive’s
menial service and status become part of a sexual relationship,
especially when used in a dominant prostitute’s advertising matter
UK , 2003
slayverbto cause someone to laugh uproariouslyUK , 1927
slayernounan assertive young woman An allusion to the
eponymous lead in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Teen slangUK , 2003
sleazenoun1sordidness, sleaziness; immoralityUK , 1967.2political
corruptionUS , 1983.3a person with low moral standardsUS , 1976
sleazebagnounan undesirable, unlikeable person A useful term
when you cannot decide whether to call someone aSCUMBAGor a
SLEAZEBALL US , 1992
sleazeballnounan utterly despicable personUS , 1983
sleazemeisternounan acknowledged expert on, or practitioner of,
sordidness, sleaziness, immorality or political corruption By a
combination ofSLEAZEand German meister (master) US , 1993
sleazonouna despicable, sleazy personUS , 1972
sleazoidnouna person of low characterUS , 1986
sleazyadjective1cheap; inferior; lowUS , 1941.2disreputable, especially
in a sexually enticing wayUK , 1960
slebnouna celebrity A phonetic slurring and reductionUK , 1997
slednoun1a motorcycle Biker (motorcycle) usageUS , 2003.2a carUS ,
1985
sledgenouna verbal criticism designed to put a player off their
gameAUSTRALIA , 2000
sledgeverbto needle an opponent in order to put them off their
gameAUSTRALIA , 1995
sledgehammernounin pool, a stroke lacking in finesse but full of
forceUS , 1990
sledgernounin cricket, a fielder who baits, taunts and abuses an
opponent as tactical gamesmanshipUK , 2002
sledgiedadjectiveunder the influence of MDMA, the recreational
drug best known as ecstasyUK , 1991
sledgingnounthe practice of needling an opponent in order to put
them off their game Originally, and still principally, in cricket, but
now also used in reference to other sportsAUSTRALIA , 1975
sleekitadjectivecunning, sly DialectUK: SCOTLAND , 1911
sleepnoun1a prison sentence of one yearUS , 1949.2cocaine Rich
irony; if you do, you won’tUS , 1987
sleepverb< sleep with someoneto have sex with someoneUK ,
1819 < sleep with the fishesto be dead as a result of a murder
US , 1972
sleep aroundverbto be sexually promiscuousUS , 1928
sleepernoun1a barbiturate capsule; a sleeping tabletUS , 1961.
2heroinUK , 1998.3a book, film, song, etc, that, having failed to sell
successfully on its initial release, eventually becomes a ‘hit’UK , 1984.
4in sports, a player who performs exceptionally well in spite of
very low initial expectationsUS , 1878.5in betting, uncollected
winnings; a stake that is illegally retained by the bookmaker when
a bet is wonUK , 1956.6in circus and carnival usage, money that a
.
gambler has forgotten is hisUS , 1981.8in dominoes, an unused piece that rests numbers-downUS , 1997.9in hot rodding, a conven-tional-looking, deceptively high-performing carUS , 1965.10a train with sleeping carriagesUS , 1958.11a rock just below the land surfaceCANADA , 1987
sleeper jumpnounany long distance move between performances
US , 1973
sleeping Billnouna police truncheonUS , 1949
sleeping policemannouna speed bumpUK , 1973
sleeping timenouna very short jail or prison sentenceUS , 1992
sleep offverbto serve a short prison sentence without difficultyUS , 1950
sleep onverbto give overnight consideration to something; to put off making a decision until the following dayUK , 1519
sleep-outnoun1an enclosed verandah, or part thereof, fitted with a bed for sleepingAUSTRALIA , 1927.2chiefly in Victoria, a separate outbuilding used as sleeping quartersAUSTRALIA , 2003
Sleepy-Rnounthe Canadian Pacific RailwayCANADA , 1987
sleepy seedsnounthe deposits of mucus formed about the eyes during sleepUS , 1975
sleetnouncrack cocaine From the drug’s resemblance to sleetUS , 1994
sleevenouna condomUK , 1998 < on the sleeveused of someone who injects drugs From the need to roll up a sleeve before injectingUK , 1996 < put the sleeve on someoneto arrest someoneUK , 1996
sleeveverbto tattoo the lower half of the armUS , 1989
sleeveenadjectivesly, deviousIRELAND , 2004
sleevesnouna wetsuit of any styleUS , 1977
sleezernouna person, usually female, who is substandard in some important wayUS , 1992
sleigh ridenounthe use of cocaine or heroin; cocaine or heroin Building on theSNOWmetaphorUS , 1973
sleveennounin Newfoundland, a person not to be trusted, a rascal
CANADA , 1968
sleveredadjectivedrunk Hip-hop, urban slang noted in connection
with a legal dispute over rap lyrics by BBC News, 6th June 2003 UK , 2003
slewnouna large amountUS , 1839
slew; slew a headverbto distract someone, especially in the commission of a crimeAUSTRALIA , 1975
slicenoun1a woman or women, objectified sexually From the phrase ‘take a slice’ recorded in 1796 as ‘to intrigue, particularly with a married woman, because a slice of a cut loaf is not missed’; the etymology is further thought to trace back to the proverbial phrase ‘it is safe taking a shive [a slice] of a cut loaf’, and ‘shive’ is easily exchanged with ‘swive’ (to have sex) Perhaps from an image of the vagina as a slice in the flesh, but also taking
a slice of bread as something necessary and in plentiful supplyUK ,
1796.2an act of sexual intercourse (with a woman) After the pre-vious sense, possibly influenced by synonymousPORTION UK , 1955.
< cut off a sliceto have sex (with a woman) A punningly contrived verb form of ‘slice’ (an act of sexual intercourse)UK , 1980
sliceverb< slice breadto make a payoffUK , 1970
slicedadjective1muscular, lacking body fat, well-sculptedUS , 1984.
2circumcisedUS , 1988
slice of knuckle pienouna punch in the mouthUK , 1962
slice of toastnouna ghost Rhyming slangUK , 1992
slicknoun1a car tyre without a tread, used in drag racing Usually heard in the pluralUS , 1960.2a glossy magazineUS , 1953.3in pool, a skilled player who bets on his own abilityUS , 1990.4a field of criminal expertiseUS , 1992.5an unarmed aircraftUS , 1990.6a helicopter used for troop transportUS , 1971
slickadjective1attractive; charmingUS , 2001.2in lowball poker, favour-able
Trang 2slick chicknounan attractive girlUS , 1947
slickdickadjectivesmooth; plausible Elaboration of conventional
‘slick’UK , 1997
slickernoun1a world-wise, sophisticated, urban personUS , 1900.2a
police officerUS , 1998.3a stolen car with all identification markings
erased or removedUS , 1950.4an oversized, wide, smooth tyre used
in racingUS , 1958
slick leggingsnounthe rubbing of the penis between the thighs of
another man until reaching orgasmUS , 1961
slicklickernounan oil-spill cleaning machineCANADA , 1995
slick-sleevenouna US Army private E-1; a US Air Force airman
basic; a police recruit ‘Slick’ because he has no stripes on his
sleeveUS , 1970
slick superspeednounmethcathinone From the superior quality
of the drug when compared to averageSPEED(amphetamine)US ,
2003
slick topnounan unmarked police car with no light on its roofUS ,
1976
slick-wingadjectiveused of a pilot in the air force, junior The wing
insignias of the junior pilot did not have a star above them like
those of senior and command pilotsUS , 1986
slicky; slickeyverbto obtain something through ingenious and
unorthodox diligence, up to and including theft An adaptation of
pidgin English by United Nations troops in Korea in the early
1950s, from ‘slick’ (not-quite-honestly smart)US , 1968
slicky boynouna thief or swindler Coined by Koreans, borrowed by
US and UN troops in KoreaUS , 1967
slidenouna trouser pocketUS , 1932
slideverb1to depart, to goUS , 1859.2to ride a waveUS , 1965 < slide
your jiveto talk freely Teen slangCANADA , 1946
slideadjectiveused of a college course, easyUS , 1974
slide and sluthernouna brother Rhyming slangUK , 1998
slidernoun1an electronic device that allows operation between
authorised channels on a citizens’ band radioUS , 1976.2a gambler
who slides rather than rolls dice in an effort to control the result
US , 2003.3a hamburger or cheeseburger Originally the small
hamburgers sold by the White Tower™ chain, later any hamburger
US , 1987
slidersnounmen’s shorts with an elastic waistbandTRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO , 1939
slide-rule jockeynouna navigator in an aeroplane crewUS , 1959
slidesnounshoesUS , 1962
slimnouna handgunUS , 1950
slimenoun1heroinUS , 1994.2British Army Intelligence Corps
personnelUK , 1995
slimeballnouna despicable personUS , 1973
slimedognouna dirty, offensive personUS , 1994
slimemouthnouna foul-talking personUS , 1985
slim-fast dietnounHIV or AIDSUS , 2002
slim jimnouna device that is slipped into a car door and used to
open the door’s locking mechanismUS , 1988
slim offverbto strip to your underwearUS , 1958
slimyadjectivehaving an insincere and ingratiating mannerUK , 1602
slingnoun1a monetary gift or tip Wilkes records a slightly earlier
(1948) variant ‘sling back’AUSTRALIA , 1950.2in horse racing, a
gratuity given the jockey and attendants by the owner after a win
AUSTRIA , 1989.3a bribe or illegal paymentAUSTRALIA , 1948 < beat it
for the slingto fail to appear in courtAUSTRALIA , 1975 < in the
slingsaid of a woman experiencing her menstrual periodUS , 1954
slingverb1to throw something (or someone) in a specific direction;
hence to pass something from one person to another Common
in C14 and C15, now dialect or colloquialUK , 2002.2(to discard or
abandon) someone or something; to quit somethingUK , 1902.3to
pay a tip to someoneAUSTRALIA , 1875.4to pay a bribe to someone
miscuous sexual behaviourBAHAMAS , 1982 < sling hashto work as
a waitress or short-order cookUS , 1906 < sling inkto tattooUS ,
1989 < sling your hookto go, to leave A naval derivation, perhaps inspired by slinging grappling hooks preparatory to swinging across to another ship Later use seems to be mainly imperativeUK , 1874
sling-backsnounused generically for high-heeled shoesUK , 2002
sling-dingnounin fishing, a weight attached to a line of trawl to be set, to moor the endCANADA , 1955
slingernoun1a criminal who passes counterfeit moneyUK , 1950.2a striptease artistUS , 1981
sling offverbto speaking disparagingly to someoneAUSTRALIA , 1900
sling outverbto reject something; to eject someoneUK , 1959
slingshotnoun1a drag racing car design in which the driver is seated behind the rear wheelsUS , 1962.2any vehicle that passes others on the motorway at great speedUS , 1976.3in motor racing,
a passing method in which the car follows another’s draught and then quickly passesUS , 1973.4an extremely skimpy man’s bathing suitUS , 1991
slingshottingnounin bungee jumping, a reverse jump, beginning with the cord stretched out, yanking the participant up in the air
US , 1992
slipnoun1in cricket, a fielder or fielding position close to the wicket keeperUK , 1816.2the price of the fare home given to a punter who has lost all their moneyAUSTRALIA , 1977
slipverb1to give birth to a childAUSTRALIA , 1968.2to act inappropriatelyUS , 1993.3to insult someone in a semi-formal quasi-friendly competitionUS , 2000 < slip a fattyto have sexUK , 1983.
< slip a lockto open a locked door by sliding a plastic credit card between the door and jamb and then sliding the lock open
US , 1981 < slip her a length(from the male perspective) to have sex with a womanUK , 1949 < slip it to someone(of a male) to have sex with someone Euphemistic and naughty, both at once
US , 1952 < slip one to someone(of a male) to have sex with someoneUK , 2001
slip-and-fallnouna run-of-the-mill, often fraudulent law suit or insurance claim resulting from an injury suffered slipping and falling in a business establishmentUS , 1996
slip-innounany lubricant used for faciliating sex, especially anal sex
US , 1962
slipper-trainingnounspanking with an old-fashioned gym shoe, especially when advertised as a service offered by a prostituteUK , 2003
slipperyadjectivein hot rodding and drag racing, streamlinedUS , 1968
slippery Annenounin a deck of playing cards, the queen of spades
US , 1950
slippery Sid; slipperynouna Jewish person Offensive Rhyming slang forYID UK , 1998
slippingsnounany lubricant used in anal sexUS , 1979
slipping sticknouna slide ruleUS , 1954
slippyadjective1quick; spry; nimble From dialect Perhaps the best known contemporary usage is the song that became the theme of
the film Trainspotting UK , 1885.2slipperyUS , 1982
slip-slapnounan old shoe, especially a slipperTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1973
slip-slopnouna strap sandal with a wooden soleBARBADOS , 1965
slip-sloppyadjectivevery drunkCANADA , 1988
slipsticknouna tromboneUS , 1970
slip-stick jockeynouna radar technicianUS , 1947
slip upverbto make a mistakeUS , 1855
S listnounused as a euphemism for ‘shit list’, a list of enemiesUS , 1974
slitnoun1the vaginaUK , 1648.2A person from South Asia Offensive From the European perception of South Asian eyes as slanted slitsUS ,
. a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy
Trang 3Possibly from the sense as ‘a vagina’, punning onCUNT(a vein for
injecting)UK , 2003
slitchnouna despicable and/or promiscuous girl A blend ofSLUT
andBITCH US, 1963
slithernouncounterfeit coinsUS , 1982
Sloane ranger; Sloanenouna conventional person, part of a
fashionable set, born to the privileges of the upper-/middle-class,
especially one who dwells in London A playful blend of Sloane
Square (in Chelsea, London) and The Lone Ranger (since the
1930s, a fictional hero of the American west)UK , 1975
slobnoun1a slovenly person; a fat, lazy person; hence, when the
characteristics are applied to the intellect: a simple-minded
person, or, when applied to the morals, a delinquentUK , 1861.
2anyone of Slavic heritage OffensiveUS , 1978.3used as a
derogatory nickname for a member of the Bloods youth gangUS ,
1994
slob; slob outverbto behave in a lazy, slovenly mannerUK , 2002
slobbernounfood; a mealUK: SCOTLAND , 1988
slognounan act or period of hard workUK , 1888
slogverb1to work hard at somethingUK , 1888.2to punch someone
UK , 1824.3to walk heavily From obsolete ‘foot-slogger’ (an
infantryman, a pedestrian)UK , 1872 < slog it outto work hard at
some activity An elaboration ofSLOG(to work hard)AUSTRALIA , 1971.
< slog your guts outto work hard at something An
intensification ofSLOG UK , 1984
sloonouna look; a visual examinationAUSTRALIA , 1989
slooshverbto wash in a hurry and in a perfunctory fashionNORFOLK
ISLAND , 1992
sloozenouna promiscuous femaleUS , 1976
slopnoun1prison food, 1996.2poorly formed waves for surfing
purposesUS , 1965.3in pool, a shot made unintentionallyUS , 1990.
4in computing, a built-in margin of error in one direction onlyUS ,
1983.5a second-year college studentUS , 1947
slopverb< slop the hogsin trucking, to fill a truck radiator with
waterUS , 1971
slop and flopnounmeals and lodgingUS , 1953
slopenouna person from South AsiaUS , 1948
slopeheadnouna Vietnamese; any South Asian Derogatory,
perjorative, offensive, demeaningUS , 1966
slope offverbto depart, especially surreptitiously or in
embarrassmentUK , 1861
slope-outnounan easy taskUS , 1957
slopeyadjectiveused of a wave steepUS , 1991
slopienouna Chinese person or other South Asian OffensiveUS , 1949
slop outverb1in prison, to dispose of bodily waste collected in
unplumbed toilet facilities The first order of the day according to
Lag’s Lexicon, Paul Tempest, 1950; however, according to HM
Prison Service in 2003: ‘Slopping out was officially ended on 12th
April 1996’UK , 1950.2to remove and clean plates, bowls, etc, that
have been used in a prison cell A play onSLOP(prison food), and
the previous senseUK , 1996
slopping outnounin prison, the regular emptying of unplumbed
toilet facilitiesUK , 2000
sloppyadjective1very sentimentalUS , 1883.2drunkUS , 2002
Sloppy Joenouna multi-layered sandwich from which the fillings
ooze The name comes from the inevitable mess on fingers and
face, the sign of a sloppy eaterUS , 1961
sloppy secondsnounsex with someone who has just had sex with
someone elseUS , 1969
slopsnounbeerAUSTRALIA , 1944 < go slopsto have sex with a
woman who has very recently had sex with another man or other
menAUSTRALIA , 1985
slopshootnounfood with little nutritional value but which appeals
to popular taste US Marine Corps slangUS , 1991
slops merchant
slopsuckernouna low priority projectUS , 1991
slop timenounin prison, meal time FromSLOP(prison food)UK , 1996
slop upverbto drink to the point of intoxicationUS , 1962
sloshnoun1a small indeterminate measure of some liquidUK , 1888.
2a blow FromSLOSH(to hit)UK , 1936.3a drink, especially if watery
or weak; tea; coffee; beer; drink in general; hence, sodden or mushy foodUK , 1819.4the back-slash (\) on a computer keyboard
US , 1991
sloshverb1to pour a liquid or a sodden mass carelessly; to swallow
a drink, an oyster, etc carelessly Usually combined with an adverb:
‘slosh down’, ‘slosh out’, ‘slosh over’, etcUS , 1875.2to hit someone
UK , 1890
slosh and mud; sloshnouna stud Rhyming slangUK , 1998
sloshedadjectivedrunkUK , 1946
sloshingnouna beating; a thrashingUK , 1931
sloshyadjectivedrunkUS , 1993
slotnoun1a prison cellAUSTRALIA , 1947.2prisonAUSTRALIA , 1976.3used
as a term of address among jazz lovers of the 1930s and 40sUS ,
1946.4the perfect spot to ride a waveUS , 1964.5a crevasse in the snowANTARCTICA , 2000
slotverb1to imprison someoneAUSTRALIA , 1950.2to shoot someone dead MilitaryUK , 1998.3to give somethingUK , 1999
slottiesnoun1a handbag PolariUK , 1992.2moneyUK , 1992
slouchnouna lazy non-performerUS , 1796
sloughnouna jail or prisonUS , 1950
sloughverb1to arrest someoneUS , 1962.2to close down a poker game Also used in the variant ‘slough up’US , 1979
slowverb< slow your rollto calm downUS , 1993
slow boatnoun< get someone on a slow boatto win all of a person’s money by luring them into making ill-advised betsUS , 1951
slowcoachnouna slow-moving (or slow-thinking) personUK , 1837
slow-em-upnounany central nervous system depressantUS , 1980
slow-me-downnouna sedative tabletUK , 2000
slow-moadjectiveslow-motionUS , 1993
slow-paynouna person in debt who has been remiss in making repaymentUS , 1973
slow pillnounin horse racing, a depressant given to a horse to decrease its performanceUS , 1947
slow-playverb1to stall; to delayUS , 1992.2in poker, to underbet a hand to lure other players with inferior hands into bettingUK , 1990
slowpokenouna person who moves slowly or dawdlesUS , 1848
slow setnounin a disco, a set of songs (usually three) played at slow tempo with the purpose of bringing the dancers closer together
IRELAND , 1997
slow smouldernouna person whose career is going nowhere fast
US Air Force usage; the opposite of a ‘fast burner’US , 1998
slow the row, papa!take it easy!US , 1947
sludverbto fall victim to a chemical warfare attack From the official
military warning that the victim will salivate, lachrymate, urinate, and defecate’ US , 1991
sludgenounbeerUK , 1958
SLUFnickname an A-7 Corsair attack bomber An acronym for ‘short little (or low) ugly fucker (or fellow)’ US , 1994
sluffverbto play truantUS , 1951
slugnoun1a drinkUK , 1756.2a dollarUS , 1981.3the penis Figurative application of the slimy invertebrate found in damp places; the pun on conventional ‘slug’ (a bullet) intoBULLET(an ejaculation of semen) is laterAUSTRALIA , 1945.4an idler Either an abbreviation of
‘sluggard’ or a comparison to the slow-moving slimy gastropod or land-snailUK , 1425.5a seal A visual similarityANTARCTICA , 1940.6a group of cards that have been arranged and then inserted into a deckUS , 1996.7a hospital patient who refuses to participate in therapy or self-helpUS , 1989.8in drag racing and hot rodding, a
.
Trang 4unusable film that is temporarily used to fill in for footage that
will be addedUS , 1990 < put the slug on someoneto hit
someone with your fistUS , 1980
slugverb1to strike someone hardUK , 1862.2to drink directly from a
bottle From the noun senseUK: SCOTLAND , 1996.3to cheat playing
slot machines by inserting something other than the proper coin
in the machineUS , 1985.4to lie in bed Verb formation from the
more common usage as a nounUS , 1986
slug and snail; slugnouna fingernail, a toenail Rhyming slangUK ,
1992
slugfestnouna bruising, drawn-out fight; hence, a military
engagement at close-quarters A combination ofSLUG(to strike)
and-FEST(a concentration of the preceding noun)US , 2003
sluggernoun1a brutish fist-fighterUS , 1942.2a casino cheat who
tries to play slot machines with objects other than the proper coin
US , 1985
sluggonounan extremely skimpy bikiniAUSTRALIA , 1991
sluggosnountight-fitting men’s nylon swimming briefs So called
since they display theSLUG(the penis)AUSTRALIA , 1987
slug huggersnouna pair of men’s close-fitting and revealing nylon
swimming trunksAUSTRALIA , 2003
slugoutnouna fight, especially between youth gangsUS , 1962
sluicenounan act of sexual intercourse; sex From an earlier sense
(the vagina)UK , 1970
slumnoun1an apartment or house The Oxford English Dictionary
offers several early C19 cites in this sense but deems the term
obsolete Robert Beck (Iceberg Slim) wrote the language of the
streets, not C19 England, suggesting a slang life for the word in the
C20 USUS , 1969.2inexpensive costume jewellery; any low-value
merchandiseUS , 1914.3prison foodUS , 1950
slumverb1to visit a poor neighbourhood out of curiosity; to live
beneath your stationUK , 1884.2to voluntarily mix with social
inferiorsUK , 1928
slumadjectivecheap; shabby; in poor tasteUS , 1973
slumber slotnounin trucking, a sleeping compartment behind the
seatUS , 1971
slumgullionnouna make-shift stew made with whatever ingredients
are at handUS , 1963
slum hustlernouna person who sells fake jewelleryUS , 1973
slumlordnouna landlord who rents poorly kept-up properties in the
ghetto, often with a large profit marginUS , 1953
slummadelic firenounexcellent and exciting rap musicUS , 2002
slummynounsmall change; coins Liverpool useUK , 2001
slung upadjectiverelaxed; at easeUS , 1990
slurpverb< slurp at the sideways smileto perform oral sex on
a womanUS , 2001
slurpagenounany beverageUS , 1997
slushnoun1counterfeit paper moneyUK , 1924.2teaUK: SCOTLAND , 1988.
< in the slushvery drunkUS , 1991
slush boxnounan automatic transmission; a car with automatic
transmissionAUSTRALIA , 1981
slush carnouna car with an automatic transmissionUS , 1958
slush fundnoun1a discretionary fund, where the source of the
money and the exact way in which it is spent is not subject to any
accounting or accountabilityUS , 1874.2money collected by a
prisoner’s associates for a prisoner’s familyUK , 1996
slushing fuck pitnounthe vaginaUK , 2001
slush pumpnoun1a trombone Musicians’ slangUS , 1937.2an
auto-matic transmission; a vehicle with an autoauto-matic transmission
‘Not used so much these days,’ noted Clive Graham-Ranger,
Sunday Times, 9th August 1981 US , 1968
slush upverbto drink to the point of intoxicationUS , 1949
slushynouna kitchen handAUSTRALIA , 1880
slushy
slutnoun1a promiscuous girl or womanUK , 1450.2a promiscuous boy or manUS , 2002.3a prostituteUS , 1961.4used as an affectionate female-to-female term of address Use of the term does not suggest promiscuityUS , 1983
-slutsuffixin combination with a sexual fetish or activity, a sexual fetishist or (in pornography) specialist; in such forms as pain-slut, nipple-slut, come-slut, etc Intended to, or, at best, tends to, diminish the status of a person so described Widespread in Internet pornographyUK , 2003
slut-mouthnouna person whose language is often coarse and vulgarUS , 2001
slut puppynouna promiscuous girlUS , 1990
slutted outadjectivebroken down; in disrepairUS , 1984
sluttishadjectivesexual in a cheap wayUS , 2004
sluttyadjectivepromiscuous; having a sexual appearanceUS , 1991
slutwearnounextremely sexually provoking clothingUS , 2000
slyadjectiveunfair Liverpool usageUK , 2001
sly-bootsnouna cunning person JocularUK , 1700
sly-grognounillegally made or supplied alcoholAUSTRALIA , 1825
sly-groggernouna person selling sly-grogAUSTRALIA , 1897
sly-groggerynounan establishment selling alcohol without a licence
to do soAUSTRALIA , 1907
sly-groggingnounthe practice of selling alcohol illicitlyAUSTRALIA , 1952
sly-grog jointnounan establishment selling alcohol without a license to do soAUSTRALIA , 1956
sly-grog shopnounan establishment selling alcohol without a licence to do soAUSTRALIA , 1826
sly mongoosenounan extremely clever and devious person Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1981
smacknoun1heroin Derives, possibly, from Yiddish shmeker (a
sniffer of drugs)US , 1942.2alcoholUS , 1973.3disparaging talkUS , 1999.
4slangUS , 1997.5a swindle based on matching penniesUS , 1940
smackverbto murder someoneUK , 1999 < smack the pony(of a
female) to masturbate Smack the Pony is an all-women television
sketch show, first broadcast on Channel 4 in 1999UK , 2002
smackadverbprecisely A shortened sMACK-DAB US , 1951
smack-bangadverbof a location, exactly, in the middleUK , 1984
smack-dabadverbexactly At times reversed for comic effectUS , 1892
smacked backadjectiveheroin-intoxicatedUS , 1981
smacked outadjectivein an extreme state of heroin- or cocaine-intoxicationUK , 1983
smackernoun1a loud kissUK , 1775.2a one-dollar noteUS , 1945.3a pound sterling From the earlier senseUK , 1924
smackeroonienoun1a kiss A teenage elaboration ofSMACKER, noted by Joanna Williamson, 1982UK , 1982.2a pound sterling An extension ofSMACKER(a pound), popularised by UK television
per-sonality Christ Tarrant (b.1946) on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?
on Itelevision from 1998UK , 2002
smackersnounthe lipsUK , 2002
smackheadnouna heroin addict A combination ofSMACK(heroin) andHEAD(user)US , 1972
smack in the eyenouna pie Rhyming slangUK , 1992
smack upverb1to attack someone; to beat someone upAUSTRALIA ,
1945.2to inject oneself with heroinUS , 1995
smacky lipsnounprolonged kissingUS , 1965
smageverbto masturbateNORFOLK ISLAND , 1992
smallnounone hundred dollarsUS , 1988
smalladjective1afraidUS , 1986.2drug-intoxicated Comedian Steve Martin’s refrain of ‘Let’s get small’ inspired a wider usage of the termUS , 1978
small beernounsomething or someone of little consequence or importanceUK , 1777
small fortune
Trang 5small frynounan insignificant thing or things, person or peopleUK ,
1797
small housenouna latrineTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1986
smallienoun1in Jamaica, a person from any other Caribbean island
JAMAICA , 1994.2on Trinidad and Tobago, a person from any of the
smaller English Caribbean islands northwest of Trinidad and
TobagoTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1945
small nickelnounfifty dollars or, in a casino, fifty dollars’ worth of
betting tokensUS , 1961
small onenounone hundred dollarsUS , 1988
small potatoesadjectivesomething of little consequenceUS , 1838
smallsnoun1underwearUK , 1943.2a small amount of money as a
bribeJAMAICA , 2003
small suppository in anticipation of the broom handlenoun
the opening volley in a battle US Naval aviator usageUS , 1986
small thingnoun< do that small thingused in a request for a
favour, or to signal compliance with a requestUK , 1984
small-timeadjectiveinsignificant, unimportant; minor Of vaudeville
originsUS , 1938
small-timernounan insignificant person; someone of trivial
import-ance in any given fieldUK , 1935
smankernounan unmarried, middle-aged person who has no
children, objectified as a lifestyle category Formed on the
acronym of ‘single middle-aged no kids’, and probably contrived
for marketing purposesUK , 2003
smarmverbto behave in an ingratiating manner; to flatter someone
insincerelyUK , 1911
smarmyadjectivesmug, self-satisfied; overly sentimentalUK , 1909
smartadjectivefine; well; alrightUK , 2001
smart alec; smart aleck; smart alicknounan offensively smart
person; a know-it-allUS , 1865
smart armpitnouna know-all Euphemistic forSMART-ARSE UK , 2000
smart-arse; smart-assnouna person with a conceited view of their
own intelligenceAUSTRALIA , 1937
smartarsed; smart-arsedadjectiveconceited about one’s
intelligenceUS , 1960
smart as a new pinadjectivevery smartly dressedUK , 1893
smarter than the average bearused for a humourous, if at
times ironic, observation about another’s intelligence Yogi Bear’s
boast about himself in the television cartoon series that first aired
in 1958US , 1958
smart-eyeverbto give someone a look that may be aggressive,
challenging or disapprovingUS , 2000
smartienoun1a shrewd operator; a person who is wise to the
various devices used by criminalsAUSTRALIA , 1950.2an impudent,
cheeky person; an offensively smart personAUSTRALIA , 1969.3an
intelligent personAUSTRALIA , 1982
smartiesnountablets of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as
ecstasy From a branded multi-coloured confectionUK , 2001
smartmannouna man who engages in confidence swindlesTRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO , 2003
smart mobnouna group of protesters (or some other
demon-stration of social unrest) organised and mobilised by text
messaging A play on conventional ‘mob’ and an abbreviation of
‘mobile’US , 2003
smart moneynounin horse racing, money bet on the basis of solid,
empirical dataUS , 1951
smart-mouthverbto talk insolently to someoneUS , 1968
smart pillnounrabbit droppings In the US, Michigan Upper
Peninsula usageAUSTRALIA , 2001
smartsnounintelligenceUS , 1970
smartynounin horse racing, a person purporting to have inside
information but who is not to be trusted
smarty-pantsnouna person who is smart, but not quite as smart as they think they areUS , 1941
smashnoun1a great success A shortening of ‘smash hit’UK , 1930.
2momentum Air combat slangUS , 1986.3money; pocket change
US , 1953.4wineUS , 1962
smashverb< smash casein computing, to disregard any differen-tiation between upper and lower caseUS , 1991
smash and grabnoun1a black taxi or a minicab Rhyming slang
UK , 1992.2a simplistic burglary involving very little planning or thoughtUS , 1969
smashedadjective1drunkUS , 1960.2drug-intoxicatedUS , 1967
smash ’em-upnouna vehicle accidentUS , 1976
smashernoun1a very attractive femaleUS , 1959.2a superlative thing
UK , 1894.3a baggage handler on a trainUS , 1977
smasheroonoun1a great success An elaboration ofSMASH US , 1948.
2a good-looking femaleUS , 1959
smash-faceadjectivephysical; aggressiveUS , 1990
smashingadjectivefine; excellent; possessed of great charm; large It
is often claimed, improbably, that this derives from the Irish
phrase is maith sin (that’s good) UK , 1911
smash-mouthnounprolonged kissingUS , 1965
smash-mouthverbto kiss passionatelyUS , 1968
smash-mouthadjectivephysical, aggressiveUS , 1989
smazzmoverbto move in an uncoordinated, jerky mannerUS , 1977
smearnountheatrical cosmeticsUS , 1952
smearverbto drop napalm on a targetUS , 1991 < smear a queer
to assault a homosexualUS , 1993
smearsnounLSDUS , 1982
smegnoun1used as an all-purpose, non-profane insult Used in many different forms – ‘smeg!’, ‘smegging’, ‘smeghead’ – by space castaway Dave Lister in the science fiction comedy
television show Red Dwarf, BBC since 1988 UK , 1988.2any viscous matter of unknown origin The variant ‘shmeg’ also existsUS , 1995
smellnoundigital-vaginal contactUS , 1974
smellverb< smell Apple pieto be near your date of expected return from military service in Vietnam to the USUS , 1991.
< smell for waterto find a spring using a divining rodCANADA ,
1960 < smell some gasto be transported by motor vehicleUS , 2002
smellernounthe noseUK , 1700
smell-fartnounan inquisitive know-it-allNEW ZEALAND , 1994
smelliesnoun1perfume; perfumed deodorantsUK , 2002.2anchovies
US , 1996
smell of broken glassnouna strong body odour, especially male Probably from the ‘sharp’ nature of the offending smellUK , 1973
smell of claynouna condition ascribed to a person likely to die soonUK: SCOTLAND , 1988
smellybridgenounthe perineum (the area of skin between the anus and the scrotum or vagina)UK , 2002
smelly holenounthe vaginaUK , 2001
smell you!used for replying to an obvious bragUS , 1995
smeshnounin circus and carnival usage, moneyUS , 1981
smidgenounthe smallest amount A shortenedSMIDGEN First recorded in 1905, but popularised by ESPN’s Dan Patrick telling
viewers that Sports Center will resume ‘in a smidge.’ US , 1905
smidgen; smidginnouna very small amountUS , 1845
smilenounsomething that is amusingUS , 1982
smile and smirk; smilenounwork; also, as a verb: to work Rhyming slangUK , 1992
smileynoun1a simplistic image of a smiling face, used for indicat-ing laughter or happiness First seen as an icon and later in elec-tronic communications formed with punctuation marks, generally
as :) but with multiple variationsUS , 1995.2a tablet of LSD with the smiley icon printed or etched thereon . a variety of
Trang 6MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy, identified by
the smiley motif embossed on the tabletUK , 2002.4a large chain
with a padlock worn around the arm or neckUS , 1997
smithereensnounsmall pieces or fragments; shredsUK , 1829
Smittynounin hot rodding, a silencer packed with fiberglass,
increasing the roar of the engineUS , 1960
smocknounheroin A corruption ofSMACKor the YiddishSHMECK US ,
1960
smogverb1to smoke marijuanaUS , 2001.2to execute someone with
lethal gasUS , 1992
smokenoun1a cigarette; a cigarUK , 1882.2marijuana; heroin;
opium; any drug that may be smokedUS , 1946.3a marijuana
ciga-retteUS , 1967.4crack cocaine when smoked; heroin mixed with
crack cocaine when smokedUS , 1991.5denatured alcohol (ethyl
alcohol to which a poisonous substance has been added to make
it unfit for consumption) mixed with water for drinkingUS , 1950.
6toxic, potentially fatal solvents used as substitutes for alcohol for
the truly desperateUS , 1955.7a black person OffensiveUS , 1913.8a
non-commissioned officer commanding an artillery batteryUS , 1988.
9a forest fireUS , 1991.10one dollarUS , 1975 < bring smoketo fire
a gunUS , 1997 < in smokein hidingAUSTRALIA , 1908 < put
smoketo fire a single round of artillery to help others mark a
targetUS , 1990 < the Smoke; Big Smoke; Great Smoke; the
SmokesLondon; any large city All variations are used with ‘the’
UK , 1848 < up the Smoketo London; to central London (from
the suburbs) Originally tramps’ usage; you go ‘upTHE SMOKE’
(London) even when heading down from the north UK
smokeverb1to shoot someoneUS , 1926.2to drive fastUS , 1976.3to
defeat someone soundly, especially in a contest of speedUS , 1996.
4to perform oral sex on a man Simple imagery, perhaps
influenced by the Freudian notion that smoking is an ‘oral’ habit
UK , 1984 < smoke a bowlto smoke a pipe filled with marijuana
US , 1982 < smoke a pipe; smoke the pipeto surf through the
hollow tube of a waveUS , 1987 < smoke buttto curry favour
through obsequious behaviourUS , 1992 < smoke itto commit
suicide by a gunshot wound in the mouthUS , 1984 < smoke like
a chimneyto smoke cigarettes heavilyUK , 1840 < smoke with
the devilto drive too fast for road conditionsUS , 1976
smokeasynouna clandestine venue for the illegal sale and
consumption of marijuana Modelled onSPEAKEASY(a bar that sells
alcohol illegally)UK , 2004
smoke Canadanounmarijuana, presumed to originate in Canada
UK , 2001
smoked cheatersnoundark glassesUS , 1959
smoked haddocknounat a racecourse, the paddock Rhyming
slangUK , 1961
smoked Irishmannounany person with black, brown or
coffee-coloured skinUK , 1966
smoked outadjective1extremely intoxicated on marijuana or crack
cocaineUS , 1993.2without any crack cocaine to smokeUS , 2003
Smoked Scotchmannouna person whose parentage is Scottish and
IndianCANADA , 1960
smoked Welshmannounany dark-skinned man speaking little
English Maybe simple racial stereotyping, but is probably
influenced by the fact that an English person attempting a Welsh
accent sounds generically IndianUK , 1984
smoke housenoun1a room where meetings of twelve-step
recovery programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous are held A
term based on the heavy cigarette smoking that is often
character-istic of the meetingsUS , 1998.2crack cocaineUK , 2003
smoke polenouna shotgunCANADA , 1970
smokernoun1a social gathering, limited to men, especially one
with sexual entertainment; a film shown during such a gathering
UK , 1887.2a marijuana smokerUS , 1961.3a passenger train car in
which smoking is permittedUS , 1977.4any diesel-powered truckUS ,
1962.5a car for sale that a car trader is using for personal transport
UK , 1965.6a stolen carUS , 1997.7a high-mileage car A car-dealers’
smokestacknouna pile of gambling tokens in the hands of an unskilled gamblerUS , 1996
smoke trainnouna cigaretteUS , 2001
smoke-upnounin college, a notification of academic deficiencyUS , 1961
smoke wrenchnounin car repair, an oxy-acetylene torchUS , 1992
smokeynoun1in prison, a segregation unitUK , 1996.2a Maori OffensiveNEW ZEALAND , 1984
smokey bear; smokey; bearnouna police officer; the police Citizens’ band radio slang; from Smokey Bear (aka Smokey the Bear), a caricatured black bear, from Capitan, New Mexico, used since 1950 to promote forest fire prevention The symbolic bear wears a hat similar to that worn by US highway patrol officers and state troopers Also used to designate police in various forms:
‘smokey beaver’ (a policewoman), ‘smokey convention’ (two or more police cars), ‘smokey on four legs’ (mounted police), ‘smokey with a camera’ (police using speed detection equipment), ‘smokey with ears’ (police with radio), etcUS , 1975
Smokey the bearnoun1a drill sergeant in the US ArmyUS , 1965.2a military aircraft used for dropping magnesium-based flares to illuminate the ground at nightUS , 1989
smokingadjective1excellent; thriving; excitingUS , 1975.2fashionably dressedUS , 1989
smoking gunnoun1unarguable evidence, or an unmissable clue A term that came into popular use during the President Nixon Watergate scandal in the US in the early 1970sUS , 1974.2a mixture
of heroin and cocaine; heroinUK , 1998
smokonoun1a break from work Originally a break for a cigarette and normally long enough for a hot beverageAUSTRALIA , 1865.
2marijuanaAUSTRALIA , 1987
smokynounan Indian OffensiveCANADA , 1953
Smoky Joenouna military aircraft that marks targets for bomber aircraft with smoke bombsUS , 1946
smoonounthe vaginaAUSTRALIA , 1992
smoochverbto kiss in a lingering mannerUS , 1932
smoochyadjectiveof music, suitable for slow, romantic dancingUK , 1966
smoochywoochypoochynounmarijuana A pet nameUK , 2001
smoodge; smoogeverb1to play the sycophantAUSTRALIA , 1898.2to kiss and cuddleAUSTRALIA , 1915.3to win someone around; to charm someoneAUSTRALIA , 1940
smoodger; smoogernouna flattererAUSTRALIA , 1897
smoodginglyadverbingratiatinglyAUSTRALIA , 1962
smoothnoun1a member of the aggressive youth fashion and gang movement that was the final and least notable stage in the evol-ution of the skinhead ASKINHEADwith fractionally longer hair becameSUEDEHEADwhich, in turn, grew smooth – and not distinctive enough to surviveUK , 1972.2on the railways, a tip of ten centsUS , 1977
smoothverbin hot rodding and drag racing, to remove ornaments and hardware from the car bodyUS , 1968
smoothadjective1used of a man’s body, hairlessUS , 1997.2calmUS ,
1967.3in lowball poker, favourableUS , 1967.4sophisticated, urbane
US , 1991
smoothused to intensify a phrasal verbUS , 1984
smooth and glassyadjectiveeasy-goingUS , 1984
smoothienoun1the complete removal of a woman’s pubic hair; the result thereofUS , 2001.2a person who stays calm and avoids troubleUS , 1967.3a man who is attractive, persuasive, crafty, and a bit manipulative Often, but not always, pejorativeUS , 1929.4a skilled gambling cheatUS , 1964
smooth legnouna woman Citizens’ band radio slangUK , 1981
smooth operatornounsomeone who is attractive, crafty, and a bit manipulativeUS , 1951
smooth tradenounan urbane, fashion-conscious homosexual man
Trang 7smothernounan overcoat Allied to the practical sense of the coat
worn over a pickpocket’s arm to mask criminal activityUK , 1934
smotherverbto conceal a person, a thing or a movementAUSTRALIA ,
1932
smouchverbto kissAUSTRALIA , 1968
smoushnouna kiss With the long vowel of ‘smooch’AUSTRALIA , 1963
smudgenoun1a photograph Originally photographers’ jargon, from
blurred picturesUK , 1931.2a pornographic magazine or magazines
Extended from the previous senseUK , 1996.3a photographer,
especially a press photographer Shortened fromSMUDGER UK , 1968
smudgernouna photographer, especially a press photographer From
SMUDGE(a photograph)UK , 1961
smurfnoun1an ordinary citizen whose personal bank accounts are
used to launder drug money The Smurfs are well-known
children’s cartoon characters, adopted here to suggest the
innocent appearance of a money laundererUS , 1998.2in an
Internet discussion group, a frequent poster who adds little in the
way of contentUS , 1997
Smurf Juicenounthe recreational drug GHB As a marketing
strat-egy the clear liquid is dyed blue, which is the colour of Smurfs™
(internationally known children’s characters)SOUTH AFRICA , 2003
smushverbto crush A blending of ‘crush’ and ‘smash’US , 1991
smutnounpornographyUK , 1698
smut-houndnouna man with a marked predilection for bawdiness
or indecent publications; a censor who seeks out such worksUS ,
1927
smutsnounsexually explicit photographs or postcardsUS , 1962
snacknoun1a youthful, sexually inexperienced male who is the
object of an older homosexual’s desireUS , 1987.2something easily
accomplishedAUSTRALIA , 1941
snackernounaboard a trawler, a deck-boy or odd-job manUK , 1974
snackpacknounthe male genitals as seen in a jock strap or tight,
skimpy underwearUS , 1988
snaffleverbto acquire something for your ownUK , 1902
snafunoun a chaotic mess An acronym of ‘situation normal, all
fucked up’, or the more polite ‘situation normal, all fouled up’ US ,
1941
snafuverbto bungle something; to reduce something to chaos
From the noun senseUS , 2001
snagnoun1a girl, especially an ugly oneUS , 1962.2a toothUS , 1967.
3a sausageAUSTRALIA , 1941
snagverb1to grab something; to acquire somethingUS , 1895.2to
outdo someoneUS , 1946
snag bagnouna small bag for carrying personal effects Prison
usageUS , 1967
snagged stagnouna boy who is steadily and exclusively dating one
girlUS , 1961
snaggle toothnouna young woman or girl with irregular (or
missing) teeth Among US boys in 2004 ‘summer teeths’ is a
nickname for British girls – some are teeth that point here, some
are pointing thereUK , 1909
snail mailnounmail sent by normal postal service A term that was
coined after the advent of electronic mailUS , 1983
snail tracknoun1a verticle line of hair on the stomachAUSTRALIA ,
2002.2the residue of vaginal secretions, semen and/or saliva on a
woman’s thighs after sexUS , 1986
snail trailnounthe vaginaUK , 2001
snakenoun1the penisUS , 1997.2among anglers, a very long
rag-worm used as baitUK , 1968.3in electric line work, insulated rubber
line hoseUS , 1980.4a long, serpentine puttUS , 1962.5a subway, an
underground systemUS , 1960.6a surfer who surfs in another
surfer’s right of wayUS , 1987.7an informerUS , 1958.8in
foot-powered scootering, another rider who cuts in, especially one who
take’s another’s line into a trickUK , 2000.9an AH-1G Cobra attack
helicopter The US Army’s primary gunship in VietnamUS , 1986.
pointsman’s union pinUS , 1946 < able to crawl under a snake; lower than a snake’s bellymorally reprehensible; despicable Variations include ‘a snake’s hips’, since World War 2, and ‘able to crawl under a snake’s belly with a top hat on’, 1959AUSTRALIA , 1932.
< the snakein firefighting, the hose Used by the London Fire BrigadeUK , 1984
snakeverb1to have sex from the male perspectiveUS , 2001.2in snowboarding or skateboarding, to cut in front of someoneUS , 1984.
3to go quietly, to move silently The variant ‘snake off’ also exists
IRELAND , 1958
snakebite; snakienouna mixture of cider and lagerUK , 1988
snake-charmernounin Western Australia, a railway maintenance worker From the prevalence of snakes along railway tracks
AUSTRALIA , 1937
snake-eatersnounthe US Army Special Forces From their jungle survival skillsUS , 1991
snake-eye; snake-eye bombnounduring the Vietnam war, one of several aircraft bombs with descent-slowing devices to permit low-level attacksUS , 1966
snake eyesnoun1in dice games, a roll of two one’s A visual metaphorUS , 1929.2in dominoes, the 1–1 pieceUS , 1959.3in poker,
a pair of acesUS , 1988
snake fencenouna rail fence, split cedar, in six or eight interlocking zigzag patternsUS , 1805
Snake Gullynounan imaginary remote and backward place
AUSTRALIA , 1945
snakeheadnouna smuggler of Chinese people Direct translation from a Chinese termUS , 2002
snake juicenounstrong liquor, especially of rough qualityAUSTRALIA , 1890
Snakenavel, Idahonouna fictitious rural placeUS , 1994
snake pitnoun1used in the US military during the conflict in Vietnam for describing any operational headquartersUS , 1966.2a sergeant’s messAUSTRALIA , 1941
snake ranchnouna bachelor’s houseUS , 1990
snake roomnouna barCANADA , 1912
snake’snounan act of urination Shortening ofSNAKE’S HISS AUSTRALIA , 1966
snake’s hissnounan act of urination Rhyming slang forPISS
AUSTRALIA , 1966
snakey-snakeynounsexual intercourse FromSNAKE(the penis)UK , 2001
snakyadjectivein a foul moodAUSTRALIA , 1894
snapnoun1amyl nitrite; an ampoule of amyl nitrite From the sound/action of breaking open the ampouleUK , 1962.2an amphet-amine tabletUS , 1994.3a mouthful of alcohol or a drink taken in one gulpCANADA , 1988.4a negative statement or taunt, often as part of a rap performanceUS , 1994.5a humourous statement or personUS , 1970.6something that is simple or easyUS , 1877.7in pool, the first shot of the gameUS , 1990.8a photographUS , 1894.9a snack; a packed meal In dialect from 1642; usage appears to have spread via the railwaysUK , 1980
snapverb1to insult someone in a semi-formal quasi-friendly com-petitionUS , 1979.2to realise something suddenly; to experience an epiphanyUS , 1967.3to flex, and thus contract, the sphincter during anal sexUS , 1972 < snap into engage in rifle target practice Korean war usageUS , 1953 < snap out of itto stop dreaming; to face reality; to change your mind-set Often used as an imperative
UK , 1918 < snap to itto urgently begin to do somethingUK , 1918.
< snap your capto lose your sanityUS , 1973
snap!used for registering a (usually minor) concidence From the children’s card game during which players cry ‘snap!’ whenever matching cards are exposedUK , 1959
snap capnouna dummy shotgun cartridgeUK , 1983
snapped upadjective1under the influence of snap (amyl nitrate)UK ,
. very drunk