Often used attributively as an adjective UK , 1995 sneaky mannouna married woman’s adulterous sexual partner BAHAMAS , 1982 sneaky Petenoun1any potent, potentially fatal, alcoholic conco
Trang 1snappernoun1the vagina, especially one with exceptional muscular
controlUS , 1975.2a girl or young womanUS , 1971.3an infant
IRELAND , 2003.4the foreskinUS , 1941.5a photographerUK , 1910.6in
blackjack, an ace and ten-point card dealt as the first two cards to
a playerUS , 1980.7amyl nitrite; an ampoule of amyl nitriteUS , 1967.
8a small, fast-breaking waveAUSTRALIA , 1977.9in lobstering, a lobster
that is not legal sizeUS , 1978.10a wooden matchUS , 1970.11the
mythical ingredient in baked beans that can be removed to
prevent flatulenceUS , 1975
snapper-riggedadjectiveimprovised; repaired in a makeshift
fashion Nautical terminology brought ashore in Nova Scotia
CANADA , 2002
snappersnounthe teeth, especially false teethUK , 1924
snappyadjective1fashionably smart Especially as ‘snappy dresser’
UK , 1881.2short-tempered; irritableUS , 1834 < make it snappy;
look snappyto be quick Often used as an imperativeUK , 1926
snapsnoun1praise; recognitionUS , 1995.2moneyUS , 1997.
3handcuffsUS , 1949.4snack foodUS , 1986
snard lumpsnounsnow and ice clumps that build up under the
fender of the car In eastern Canada, they have been called
‘snowbirds’CANADA , 1987
snarfverb1to drink or to eat something, especially greedily Possibly
abbreviated and adapted from an affected UK pronunciation of
SNAFFLE(to acquire)UK , 2002.2to take something; to grab
somethingUS , 1968
snarknouna caustic witticismUS , 2003
snarkverbto act grumpily or nastilyUS , 1997
snarkyadjectivesnide, sarcastic; irritable From the Scottish snark (to
find fault, to nag)UK , 1906
snarlernouna sausageNEW ZEALAND , 1963
snarl-upnouna chaotic mess; often applied to a near-gridlock in a
traffic systemUK , 1960
snatchnoun1the vagina; sex; a woman (or women) as a sexual
objectUK , 1904.2a kidnappingUS , 1931.3something stolenUK , 2000.
4an air rescue of ground troops or the crew of a downed aircraft
US , 1988
snatchverbto kidnap someoneUS , 1932 < snatch itto quit work
taking the wages dueAUSTRALIA , 1911 < snatch your timeto quit
work taking the wages dueAUSTRALIA , 1916
snatch 22nouna woman who is considered so sexually unattractive
that a man would have to be drunk to attempt sex with her, but
too drunk to perform A logical knot, formed onSNATCH(the
vagina); after Catch 22, the novel by Joseph Heller, 1961, and the
conventional usage it inspiredUK , 2002
snatch boxnounthe vagina An elaboration ofSNATCH UK , 1961
snatch box decorated with red rosesnounthe bleed period of
the menstrual cycle Formed onSNATCH BOX(the vagina) with
blood imageryUS , 1999
snatchernoun1a thiefUS , 1965.2a police detectiveUS , 1948
snatch furnounfemale pubic hairUS , 1972
snatch hairnounthe pubic hair (of either gender)US , 1995
snatch houndnouna person who is obsessed with sex and women
US , 1992
snatch mannouna press photographerUK , 2001
snatch patrolnouna combat mission in which the object is to
capture enemy troops for interrogationUS , 1977
snatch-plugnouna tamponUS , 1972
snavelverbto steal somethingAUSTRALIA , 1892
snazzyadjectivestylish; fashionable; smartUS , 1932
sneaknoun1a schoolchild who tells tales or informs on his or her
fellows School slang, from an earlier, more general sense as ‘a
despicable person, or one who behaves in an underhand manner’
UK , 1840.2a soft-soled shoe; a running shoe, a trainerUK , 1862
sneakverb1to tell tales; to inform upon someone School slangUK ,
1897.2to break into a buildingUS , 1949 < sneak a peakto take a
sneakadjective< on the sneak tipin secretUS , 1995
sneak-and-peakadjective1designed to be quietUS , 1973.
2undertaken for the purpose of reconnaissanceUS , 1974
sneakernoun1a person engaged in an illegal enterprise who does not pay a regular bribe to the police but does when confrontedUS ,
1973.2a smugglerUS , 1956.3a linear amplifier for a citizens’ band radioUS , 1977.4in hot rodding or motor racing, an unusually large tyreUS , 1992
sneaker bitchnouna person who is too focused on conspicuous consumption, such as high priced trainersUS , 1989
sneakernetnounin computing, to carry a disk from one computer
to anotherUS , 1991
sneakersnouncar wheel rimsUS , 2003
sneak gonounany secretive actionAUSTRALIA , 1989
sneak-innouna bar that surreptitiously remains open after the legal closing timeUS , 1951
sneak jobnounhousebreakingUK , 1996
sneakyadjectiveused of a recording device, easily hiddenUS , 1982
sneaky beakynouna spy Often used attributively as an adjective
UK , 1995
sneaky mannouna married woman’s adulterous sexual partner
BAHAMAS , 1982
sneaky Petenoun1any potent, potentially fatal, alcoholic concoction, favoured by those whose need outweighs their ability
to payUS , 1947.2marijuana mixed in wineUS , 1955.3a member of a
US Army long-range reconnaissance patrol unitUS , 1990.4an unannounced in-flight examination by a crew that boards the plane just before take-offUS , 1963.5in pool, an expert player’s custom cue, designed to look like an ordinary cueUS , 1993
sneezenounpepperUS , 1981
sneezeverbto arrest someoneUS , 1950
sneeze and squeezenouncocaine and sexUS , 1984
sneezedadjectivearrested; kidnappedUK , 1996
sneeze outverbto confessUK , 1996
sneezernoun1the noseUS , 1945.2in marketing, a person whose opinion the market listens to and trusts A logical by-product of
VIRAL MARKETING(word-of-mouth)US , 2000.3a jail or prisonUS , 1953
sneezing powdernounheroinUS , 1958
snidenoun1a cunning person; an untrustworthy person; a
contemptible person; an informer German aufschneiden (to boast,
brag), reaching English via Yiddish Also used in the variant
‘shnide’UK , 1950.2a stolen pearlAUSTRALIA , 1933
snideadverbsecretly; deceitfullyUK , 2002
snide; shnide; snideyadjectivefalse, counterfeit, sham, bogus; hence mean, contemptible; underhandUK , 1859
snideyadjectivesneering; contemptuous; disdainfulUK , 1964
snidey upverbto adulterate drugs, to prepare fake drugs for sale Extended fromSNIDE;SNIDEY(fake)UK , 1996
sniffnoun1cocaineUS , 1990.2any solvent that can be inhaled for its psychoactive effectUS , 1974.3a sycophant From an image of the sycophant’s brown nose being in the near proximity of an anusUS ,
1968.4a girlfriendUK , 2002 < the sniffa recreational hunt for sexually attractive companyUK , 1998
sniffverbto ingest drugs by nasal inhalationUK , 1925
sniffed-upadjectiveunder the influence of cocaineUK , 1999
sniffernoun1the noseUK , 1858.2an ampoule of amyl nitriteUS , 1970.
3a cocaine userUS , 1988.4a device placed on a vehicle’s exhaust pipe to measure the pollutants in the emissionUS , 1993.5a claims investigator of unemployment and other benefit fraudUK , 1982.6a computer program that surreptitiously records user passwords and other log-in dataUS , 1994.7an outsider who tries to be part of the pornography industryUS , 1995.8a handkerchiefUS , 1945
sniffer and snorternouna reporter Rhyming slangUK , 1998
sniffer bag
Trang 2sniffingsnounany industrial solvent that is inhaled for its
psychoactive effectUS , 1984
sniffing snownouncocaine An instructive elaboration ofSNOW
(cocaine)UK , 2000
sniff queennouna homosexual who is a heavy user of amyl nitrite
or butyl nitrite during sexUS , 1972
sniffyadjectivescornful, disdainfulUK , 1871
snifternoun1a small drink of alcoholic liquor; hence, specifically, a
brandy glass; more generally, a glass for spirits The difference
between the senses is not always apparentUS , 1844.2a single
inhaled dose of cocaineUS , 1930
snigverbto drag something heavy by means of ropes or chains
AUSTRALIA , 1897
snipnoun1a bargainUK , 1926.2something that is easily achieved or
done; a certaintyUK , 1890.3a thing that is more fortunate,
excellent or pleasing than might normally be expected In the
phrase ‘snip of a thing’ UK , 1952.4a ticket collectorUK , 1970 < the
snipany invasive medical procedure that sterilises a patient; a
vasectomy, an orchidectomy, etcUK , 2001
snipverbto borrow money on short noticeAUSTRALIA , 1989
snipenoun1the butt of a marijuana cigarette In the late C19, a
‘snipe’ referred to the discarded stub of a cigar or cigarette It
briefly enjoyed standing in the vocabulary of marijuana users
before falling victim toROACH US , 1969.2the butt of a cigarette that
can still be relit and smokedUS , 1891.3the nose From the long
straight bill of the birdUK , 2002.4a sniper’s hideUK: NORTHERN
IRELAND , 1979.5on board a ship, a crew member, especially an
engineering officerUK , 1918.6a railway track workerUS , 1946
snipeverb1to disparage someoneUS , 1980.2to snoop; to spy on
someoneUS , 2002
snipernoun1a person who posts inflammatory attacks on the
InternetUS , 2001.2a sexually promiscuous girl of limited intellect
BAHAMAS , 1982
snippyadjectiveimpatient; argumentative Originally used in the UK
to mean ‘parsimonious’ (C18), and then in the US (C19) in the
current sense The term enjoyed a brief moment of fame in the
early morning hours of 9th November 2000, when US Vice
President Al Gore told future President George Bush, ‘You don’t
have to get snippy with me’ as he retracted a concession made
several minutes earlierUS , 1848
snipsnounany cutting tool, for example scissors or wire cuttersUS ,
1962
snirtnouna stormy mixture of snow and dirtCANADA , 1987
snitnoun1a mild temper tantrumUS , 1939.2among Nova Scotians
of German descent, an apple sliceCANADA , 1999
snitchnoun1an informer, especially a police informer A high profile
use of the term was in the motto of the television police drama
Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1957–60) – ‘A detective is
only as good as his snitch’UK , 1785.2a piece of information
supplied by a police informerUK , 2002
snitchverb1to inform upon someoneUK , 1801.2to steal something
US , 1904.3to shoot a marbleNORFOLK ISLAND , 1992
snitchballnounany game played by prisoners in the protective unit
reserved for informersUS , 1992
snitch boxnounan in-house prison post boxUS , 1992
snitchernoun1a metal detectorUS , 1950.2a dislike or grudgeNEW
ZEALAND , 1953
snitch jacketnouna reputation for being an informerUS , 1973
snitch kitenouna note sent by a prisoner to prison authorities,
informing on other prisonersUS , 2000
snittyadjectivebad-temperedUS , 1978
snob mobnouna group of friends with a very high opinion of
themselvesUS , 1955
snockered; schnockered; shnockeredadjectivedrunkUS , 1955
snodger
snognouna passionate kiss; a short but intense period of kissing and cuddlingUK , 1959
snogverbto kiss and cuddleUK , 1945
snog and fucknouna public house called the ‘Dog and Duck’ Rhyming slangUK , 1992
snoggernounsomeone who kisses with passion FromSNOG UK , 2000
sno-gonouna snowmobileUS , 1961
snogtasticadjectivesexually attractive; kissable Elision ofSNOG(to
kiss) and ‘fantastic’ UK , 1998
snoogenounin Newfoundland, a way of attaching sled dogsCANADA , 1957
snookerverb1to trick someone; to place someone in an impossible position From the game played with balls on a billiard tableUK ,
1915.2to conceal something or someoneAUSTRALIA , 1950
snookeredadjectiveplaced in a deliberately difficult position From the game of snookerUK , 1915
snookumsnounused as an affectionate term of address As the
Oxford English Dictionary so gracefully puts it, ‘usually applied to
children or lap-dogs’US , 1919
snoopnouna detective FromSNOOP(to pry)US , 1942
snoopverbto pryUS , 2001
snoop and pry; snoopverbto cry Rhyming slangUK , 1992
snoopernounan investigatorUS , 1889
snoopersnounthe flashing lights on top of a police carUS , 1976
snoopynounthe vagina A pet name; probably from the character
Snoopy, a pet beagle, in Peanuts cartoon strip by Charles M.
Schulz (1922–2000)US , 2001
snoosenoundamp, grated, chewing snuffCANADA , 1951
snootnoun1the noseUK , 1861.2cocaineUS , 1993.3a conceited, snobbish personAUSTRALIA , 1938.4in the television and film industries, a cone attachment that directs light to a specific area
US , 1990 < give someone the snootto treat someone in a condescending mannerUS , 1989
snootchnounthe vaginaCANADA , 2002
snootchie bootchie nootchies!; snootchie bootchies!used as
an all-purpose, meaning-free catchphrase The term was apparently coined by actor Jason Mewes in Kevin Smith’s films of the 1990s
US , 1995
snooternouna habitual drug user who ingests drugs by nasal inhalationUK , 1996
snoot fullnounenough alcohol to make you drunkUS , 1918
snootyadjectivearrogant, unpleasant, supercilious, snobbishUK , 1919
snoozenoun1a short sleep; a dozeUK , 1793.2a boreUS , 1997
snoozeverbto sleep; to dozeUK , 1789 < snooze hardto sleep deeplyUS , 1995
snoozernoun1a Pullman sleeping carriage on a passenger trainUS ,
1975.2in a poker game using the joker, the joker Perhaps related
to the earlier sense of the word as ‘a thief’US , 1950
snoozing and snoring; snooze and snoringadjectiveboring Rhyming slang Sometimes shortened to ‘snoozing’UK , 1992
snopnounmarijuanaUS , 1969
snorbsnounthe female breastsUS , 1969
snore-offnoun1a sleep; a napAUSTRALIA , 1949.2a place to sleep
AUSTRALIA , 1967
snore offverbto sleep or fall asleepAUSTRALIA , 1925
snore sacknouna sleeping bagUS , 1945
snore shelfnouna bed; a sleeping compartment in an over-the-road truckUS , 1976
snorkernoun1a sausageAUSTRALIA , 1941.2the penis From the pre-vious senseAUSTRALIA , 1971.3a contemptible fool From the sense
as ‘penis’, thus synonymous withPRICK US , 1977.4in poker, a player
Trang 3snorrer; snorernouna difficult customer, a scrounger Derived from
Yiddish shnorrer (a beggar) UK , 1977
snortnoun1a drink of an alcoholic beverageUS , 1889.2cocaineUS ,
1975
snortverb1to ingest drugs by nasal inhalationUS , 1951.2to take a
measure of alcohol nasallyUK , 1999
snorternouna tablespoonful of alcoholic spirit (tequila and vodka
are popular) taken nasallyUK , 2001
snortin’ Nortonnouna Norton motorcyle Biker (motorcycle) slang
US , 2003
snort ragnouna piece of cloth holding a powdered drugUS , 1969
snotnoun1nasal mucus Originally conventional English and in
common usage; considered to be dialect or vulgar since the C19
UK , 1425.2the residue produced by smoking amphetamineUS , 1993.
3an arrogant, conceited and flippant personUS , 1941.4a slutUS ,
2001 < in a snotannoyedIRELAND , 2003
snotverbto blow nasal mucus from the nostrilsUK , 2002
snot and tearsnoun maudlin misery Also in Afrikaans snot en
trane SOUTH AFRICA , 1969
snot nosenoun1an arrogant person; a snobUK , 1964.2conceitUS ,
1984
snot ragnoun1a handkerchiefUK , 1886.2an insignificant or
contemptible personUK , 1973
snotsiclenounfrozen mucus hanging from the noseANTARCTICA , 1997
snotternouna gob of thick nasal mucus and phlegmUK: SCOTLAND ,
1869
snotterybeaknouna person with a runny noseUK , 1988
snottienounthe hagfish From its production of slimeNEW ZEALAND ,
1991
snottilyadverbconceitedly, arrogantly, alooflyUK , 1864
snottyadjective1conceited, arrogant, aloofUK , 1870.2dirty with nasal
mucus While accepted in conventional usage, the root-wordSNOT
(nasal mucus) is considered vulgarUK , 1570.3used of a drag racing
track surface, slipperyUS , 1965
snotty-nosedadjectivecontemptible, dirtyUK , 1964
snoutnoun1tobacco; a cigarette From ‘snout’ (the nose), mainly
prison use ‘The word originates from the days when smoking was
prohibited in prison When smoking, the lag cupped his hand and
pretended to rub his nose[.]’ (Paul Tempest, Lag’s Lexicon, 1950)
UK , 1885.2an informer, especially one who seeks a reward for giving
information Derives from a conventional ‘snout’ (the nose) which
is poked into other people’s businessUK , 1910.3a grudge against
someoneAUSTRALIA , 1919
snout-baronnounin prison, a trafficker in tobacco.SNOUT(tobacco)
plusBARON(a powerful convict whose influence is built on illegal
trading)UK , 1962
snouterynouna tobacco warehouseUK , 1956
snownoun1a powdered drug, especially cocaine but at times heroin
US , 1914.2silver; silver moneyUK , 1925.3passes for free admission to
a performance; audience members who attend a performance
using a free passUS , 1981 < no snow on your shoesin the
context of a betting operation, trustworthy From the belief that
someone who has been inside the operation long enough for the
snow to have melted off his shoes does not have advance
infor-mation on a betUS , 1951
snowverb1to deceive someone; to flirt insincerelyUS , 1943.2in
poker, to bluff or fakeUS , 1963
snow and icenouna price; in gambling, a starting price Rhyming
slangUK , 1992
snowballnoun1a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best
known as ecstasyUK , 1996.2a mixture of cocaine and heroinUK ,
2000.3a white person OffensiveUS , 1980.4in hot rodding, a
whitewall tyreUS , 1958 < not a snowball’s chance in hell; not
a snowball’snot a chanceUK , 1962
snowball
snowballing; snowdroppingnounafter oral sex, passing semen to the donor by kissing Originally an exclusively homosexual useUS , 1972
snowballsnoun1crack cocaineUS , 1995.2dice altered for cheating with only the numbers four, five and six on the facesUS , 1993
snowbankernouna big American carCANADA , 1999
snowbirdnoun1a person from the northern US or Canada who migrates to Florida or elsewhere in the southern US during winter Originally applied to men who enlisted in the army just before winter, and then to workers who flocked south in the winter, and then to touristsUS , 1979.2a cocaine user or addict Building on
SNOW(cocaine) and reaching to pun with the more conventional sense of the term ‘snowbird’US , 1914.3cocaineUK , 2002.4a glob of snow that sticks under a fenderCANADA , 1978
snowblindadjectiveimpaired from excessive cocaine useUK , 1983
snow-bugnouna motor toboggan, predecessor to the snowmobile
CANADA , 1964
snow bunnynoun1a young woman who hangs around ski resorts
in conspicuous dressCANADA , 1964.2a Royal Marine trained in arctic warfare After the white camouflage suitingUK , 1978
snowcainenouncocaine, or a related drug such as benzocaine or lidocaineUS , 1993
snow capnouncocaine combined and smoked with marijuanaUS , 1995
snow cokenouncrack cocaine A combination of two terms meaning ‘cocaine’UK , 2003
snowcone; snowconesnouncocaineUS , 1994
snowdropnouna US military police officer An allusion to the white helmets, gloves, belts and socksUS , 1946
snow-eaternounin Colorado, warm, dry winds that can quickly melt snowUS , 1997
snowedadjectivecocaine-intoxicatedUS , 1949
snowed underadjectiveover-burdened with workUS , 1984
snowflakenoun1a white person From racial tension situation
comedy Love Thy Neighbour, 1972–76 UK , 2000.2cocaine Also used in the pluralUS , 1997.3a military mail control recordUS , 1986
snowheartnouna variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK , 1996
snow holenounamong Nova Scotians living on the coast, the part
of the sea from which wind and later snow comesCANADA , 1968
snow jobnoundeception by flatteryUS , 1943
snowmannoun1a cocaine dealerUS , 1988.2a handsome, popular boy High school usageUS , 1961
snowmennounLSDUK , 2003
snow queennouna black homosexual who is attracted to white menUS , 1985
snow sealnouna combination of cocaine and amphetamines From
SNOW(cocaine)UK , 1998
snow stormnoun< caught in a snow stormunder the influence
of cocaineUS , 1949
snow tanknounan older, large car that is reliable in snow driving The older and more worn out, the more likely that the car will get you to your destination when road conditions make driving difficult Michigan Upper Peninsula usageUS , 2003
snow timenounthe infatuation stage of a relationshipUS , 1959
snowtubingnouna sporting recreation, racing across snow on an inflated inner-tubeUS , 1986
Snowturkeynouna member of the Canadian Forces Flying Demonstration Team, the ‘Snowbirds’CANADA , 1995
snow whitenouncocaineUS , 1993
Snow Whitesnountights Rhyming slang, formed on the fairytale character Snow WhiteUK , 1992
snozzled
Trang 4snubby; snubbieadjectivea short-barrelled pistol From ‘snub-nosed’
UK , 1981
snuffnouna murderUS , 1994 < up to snuffenough, sufficient,
good enoughUS , 1994
snuff; snuff outverbto kill someone In C19 slang, ‘to die’, and
then later the transitive ‘to kill’UK , 1932
snuff-dippernouna prostitute who works at truckstopsUS , 1976
snuffernoun1a film purporting to depict the actual killing of
someone, usually a womanUS , 1990.2the noseUS , 1945
snuff film; snuff flick; snuff movienouna film purporting to
depict the actual killing of someone, usually a womanUS , 1976
snuff itverbto die An image of a candle being extinguishedUK , 1885
snuff muffnouna dead woman used for sex FromSNUFF(to kill), in
the adjectival sense found inSNUFF FILM, etc., andMUFF(the vulva;
a woman as a sex object)UK , 2002
snuff-outnouna fast and violent loss of position on a surfboard,
usually followed by a sudden trip below the ocean surfaceUS , 1977
snuff powdernounadulterated heroin or a white powdered poison
used to injure or kill someone using it in the belief it is heroin
Much better known as aHOTSHOT US , 1960
snuff sticknouna cigaretteNEW ZEALAND , 1978
snuffynounany low-ranking soldier in the US Army or Marines,
performing a servile or degrading taskUS , 1991
Snuffy Smithnounin trucking, any driver for the Smith Transfer
CompanyUS , 1976
snugverbin horse racing, to rein the horse in to preserve energy for
a sprint later in the raceUS , 1951
snuggle-bunnynouna girlfriendUK , 1963
snurgleverbto advance with caution; to crawl forwardUK , 1983
snyenounin the Ottawa valley, a side channel bypassing falls or
rapidsCANADA , 1995
SOnounused as Internet discussion group shorthand to mean
‘significant other’ US , 1997
soadjectivehomosexual Dating from the late C19, during the 1930s
the pronunciation was affected with a lispUK , 2002
soadverbvery, extremely Attitude and pronunciation separate the
slang sense from the standard senseUS , 1988 < so many
women/books/etc, so little timeused as a humorous
expression of regret for lost opportunity So many variations, so
little dictionary spaceUS , 1953
soused within a sentence as introduction to an intensifying
rep-etition Tautological Originally recorded as a ‘proletarian
colloquialism’, there appears to be a widespread usage in Northern
IrelandUK , 1935
soaknouna drunkUK , 1820
soakverbto use something as collateral for a loanUS , 1972
soakedadjectivedrunk First recorded by Benjamin Franklin in 1737
US , 1737
soakernoun1a surfer who lingers in the water, rarely catching a
waveUS , 1991.2a pawnshopCANADA , 1976.3an extremely large
halibutUS , 1997
so-and-sonoun1used as a substitute for a person’s name that is
either forgotten or that is not important to the point being made
UK , 1596.2used as a euphemism for any derogatory form of
addressUK , 1943
soapnoun1a soap opera, either in the literal sense of a radio or
television melodramatic series or in the figurative senseUS , 1943.
2the recreational drug GHBUS , 1995.3ordinary soap used to fill
cracks when using explosives to open a safeUS , 1970.4a bribeUS ,
1972
soap and flannelnounthe National Health Service Rhyming slang
for ‘panel’, a term that relates to healthcare under the system that
soap and lathernoun a father Rhyming slang Ray Puxley, Cockney Rabbit, 1992, notes that this ‘makes the pope the "holy soap"’ UK , 1961
soap and waternouna daughter Rhyming slangUK , 1925
soap bar; soapnouna small block of cannabis resin, often heavily adulterated, especially with animal tranquillizers; thus hashish, especially if adulterated From the similarity to a conventional bar
of soapUK , 1996
soap boxnouna Mini car Citizens’ band radio slang, from the shape and sizeUK , 1981
soap-box artistnouna skilled public speakerNEW ZEALAND , 1938
soapbox derby syndromenounany rapidly progressing disease or medical condition The Soap Box Derby is a downhill coasting race sponsored by the Cub ScoutsUS , 1983
soapdoggernouna person who always seems unwashed FromDOG
(to dodge, to avoid)UK: SCOTLAND , 1996
soap operanouna never-ending radio or televison drama series, designed to attract long-term audience loyalty and emotional involvement The original of the genre, broadcast on US radio from
1932, was The Puddle Family sponsored by Procter & Gamble, a soap
manufacturer; the product giving the entertainment its identityUS , 1939
soapynounthe balance after a day of betting Rhyming slang based
on Soapy Vallance, a legendary Australian athlete of the 1930s
AUSTRALIA , 1989
soapyadjectivedirty; in a mess; in need of a washUK , 1996
soapy bubble; soapynountrouble Rhyming slang, first recorded in Glasgow Later used as Cockney rhyming slangUK , 1985
sobnounone pound sterling Probably a mishearing ofSOV(£1) UK , 1970
SOBnoun1used as a term of abuse: son of a bitch US , 1918.2a sober old bastard A term used with affection in twelve-step recovery
programmes such as Alcoholics AnonymousUS , 1998
SOBadjective short of breath; dyspeptic US , 1989
sobriety coachnounsomeone who aids or mentors an alcoholic or
a drug addict in the maintenance of a drink- or drug-free lifeUS , 2002
sob sisternouna soft-hearted, naive personUS , 1912
sob storynouna sentimental narrative that is told to arouse sympathyUK , 1913
sob-story artistnouna swindler whose method of operating includes a sentimental narrative of misfortune and an appeal to the emotions of the victimUS , 1954
sociableadverbin poolroom betting, for a small wagerUS , 1967
socialnouna government social workerUS , 1995 < go socialto stop fightingUS , 1968
Socialnoun< on the Socialreceiving Social Security or other state benefitsUK , 1996 < the Socialthe Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS), reformed as the Department of Social Security (DSS) In 2001 the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) replaced the DHSSUK , 1997
social lubricantnounalcoholUS , 1986
socialsnounalcoholic beveragesUK , 1991
societverbto associate with someoneBARBADOS , 1965
society highnouncocaine A neat reversal on ‘high society’ suggesting the social circles that can afford cocaineUK , 1998
socknoun1a blow, physical or figurativeUK , 1700.2a condomUS , 1992.
< put a sock in itto stop talking Usually as an imperativeUK , 1919
sockverb1to hit or thrash someoneUK , 1700.2to place something somewhere; to hide somethingUS , 1942.3used for conveying encouragement and supportUS , 1960s.4(of a male) to have sexUS ,
1969 < sock it to someone1to attack someone, literally or figurativelyUS , 1946.2to have sex with a womanUS , 1969
socket the vagina
Trang 5sock hopnouna dance for teenagers The term was coined on
account of the practice of removing your shoes and dancing in
your socks The practice changed but the term did notUS , 1975
socking greatadjectivevery largeUK , 1985
sock it to me!surprise me!; liven things up! Borrowed from the
vocabulary of black jazz musicians Between 1968 and 1970 it was
Judy Carne’s catchphrase in television variety show Rowan &
Martin’s Laugh-In US , 1967
sockoadjectiveexcellent; outstandingUS , 1938
socko-boffoadjectiveabsolutely excellent; in a showbusiness or film
context, in a ‘knock-’em-dead’ style A combination ofSOCKOand
BOFFO, intensifying either elementUS , 1981
socksnouna linear amplifier for a citizens’ band radio From the
termFOOTWARMER(a linear amplifier in a truck)US , 1976 < give
socksto copulateIRELAND , 1984 < your socks offwith great
effect; with great commitmentUK , 2001
So ConounSouthern Comfort™ whiskyUS , 1997
Socrates’ pleasurenounanal sexUS , 1993
Socrednouna member of the Social Credit partyCANADA , 1966
sodnoun1a sodomite; generally used of a male homosexualUK , c.
1855.2a contemptible man An abbreviation of ‘sodomite’UK , 1818.
3a difficult circumstance; an awkward thing From the previous
senseUK , 1936.4used as a general form of addressUK , 1942.5a
person of the stated characteristic, thus: lucky sod, jammy sod,
miserable sod, etcUK , 1931
sod!used for dismissing, or registering exasperation with, whatever
or whoever is the subject of this injunctionUK , 1904
sodanoun1cocaine Playing on Coke™ as the most popular soda in
the USUS , 1993.2something easy to doAUSTRALIA , 1917
sod aboutverbto play the fool; to potter about; to waste timeUK ,
1961
soda jerknouna person, usually a teenaged boy, who works at a
counter at a soda fountain, mixing drinks for customers An
abbreviation of the earlier (1889) ‘soda jerker’US , 1910
sod-allnounnothing, not a thingUK , 1958
sod busternouna business that appears to be legitimate but is in
fact a front for criminal activityUS , 1982
soddingadjectiveused as an all-purpose intensifier, generally to
nega-tive effect; interchangeable with bloody, fucking, etcUK , 1912
sodding Nora!used as a register of surprise, anger, amazement, etc
UK , 1982
sodding welladverbused as an intensifierUK , 1962
sod it!used for registering resignation, exasperation, aggravation, etc
UK , 1953
sod-offadjectivevery obviousUK , 2000
sod off!go away!UK , 1960
Sodom and Gomorrah; sodomverbto borrow; hence, an act of
borrowing Cockney rhyming slang, which gives rise to the phrase:
‘on the sodom’UK , 1998
sod’s lawnouna cynical ‘law’ of existence that decrees that ‘if
something can go wrong it will’ and is therefore named or cited as
explanation or justification whenever such circumstances conspire
UK , 1970
sod this for a game of soldiers!; sod that for a game of
soldiers!used as an emphatic dismissal of any activity or notion
that you have no wish to subscribe toUK , 1979
sod this for a lark!; sod that for a lark!used as an emphatic
dismissal of any activity or notion that you have no wish to
subscribe toUK , 2004
sod you!used for registering antipathy or hostility towards or
dismissal of the person(s) addressedUK , 1904
softnoun1cocaineUS , 2002.2paper moneyUS , 1950.3in the usage of
telephone swindlers, a cash saleUS , 1959
softadjective1denotes all recreational drugs that are loosely
.
witted; ‘soft in the head’UK , 1775.3in blackjack, said of a hand with an ace where the bettor has the option of treating the ace as
1 point or 11 pointsUS , 1978
softarsenouna person who is easily imposed uponUK , 2002
soft-arsedadjectivestupid, dull, half-wittedUK , 2002
softballnounany barbiturate or central nervous system depressant
US , 1977
soft cocknouna weak-willed or timid person; a wimpAUSTRALIA , 1999
soft-cockadjectiveweak; insipidAUSTRALIA , 1981
soft-cock rocknounrock music that lacks power and aggression Blend ofSOFT COCKandCOCK ROCK AUSTRALIA , 1996
soft connouna confidence swindle accomplished through charm and warmthUS , 1977
softcorenounsexual material that does not show insertion, pen-etration, an erect penis, spread labia or ejaculationUS , 1977
soft covernounthe official government-issued armed forces baseball cap Marine usage in the Vietnam warUS , 1990
softly-softlyadjectivedescribing a circumspect approach to achieve
an objective An abbreviation of ‘softly softly catchee monkey’
Later use is probably influenced by Softly Softly, a BBC television
police drama series, 1966–76UK , 1959
soft-noseadjectiveeasily learned A term of derision applied to the
‘soft’ sciences, for example sociologyUS , 1974
soft-onnouna penis flaccid from being sexually turned offAUSTRALIA , 1995
soft onenounin necrophile usage, a corpse that has yet to stiffen with rigor mortisUS , 1987
soft optionnounan easier or the easiest choice in any given circumstances Often in a disapproving or derogatory toneUK , 1923
soft partsnounin car repair, parts or equipment that can be expected to wear out and can normally be replaced at a car parts shopUS , 1992
soft-pedalverbto proceed in a circumspect, less forceful or subdued manner A figurative application of a piano or organ’s volume controlUK , 1915
softplayverbin poker, to play less than ruthlessly against a friendUK , 1990
soft shoesnounsneakers, trainersBARBADOS , 1998
soft sluggernouna casino cheat who inserts counterfeit currency into a slot machineUS , 1999
soft-soapnounflattery, especially as an act of deception or manipu-lationUS , 1830
soft-soapverbto flatter or deceive someoneUK , 1840
soft timenouna relatively short jail sentence, especially one served
in an easy-going prisonUS , 1983
soft touch; easy touchnouna person who is easily manipulated or parted from a thing of value; a task that is easily doneUS , 1940
soft walkersnounsneakers, trainersANGUILLA , 1992
software rotnounin computing, an imaginary condition in which unused software or software features stop working if not usedUS , 1981
softynoun1a flaccid penisUS , 1995.2an inexperienced and/or unskilled poker playerUS , 1988.3in computing, a programming expert who lacks any substantial understanding of computer hardwareUS , 1991
soggyadjectivedrunkAUSTRALIA , 1945
soggy Saonouna game in which a group of men simultaneously masturbate onto a biscuit which is then eaten From Sao™, the brand of dry crackerAUSTRALIA , 1992
so help me cripesgood lord!AUSTRALIA , 1947
so help us Fort Knoxused with humour as a pledge or oath
From the US television situation comedy How to Marry a Millionaire (1958–60), in which three young women seeking rich
husbands pledge to help each other, sealing the pledge with ‘So
Trang 6help us Fort Knox’, referring to the depository of gold held by the
US government Used with referential humourUS , 1960
SOHFnoun a sense of humour failure on the part of outsiders who
fail to appreciate the graceless antics of the user’s social set
Upper-class society useUK , 1982
so I saysused for effect in introducing a humorous statement
Made famous by Sophie Tucker in her onstage banter about her
love life with a fictional ErnieUS , 1998
soixante-neufnounmutual and simultaneous oral sex A direct
translation into French of synonymous 69; perhaps with
euphemistic intention, or to lend sophistication to the actUK , 1888
solnounsolitary confinementUS , 1992
SOLnoun ill temper Initialism of ‘shit on liver’ AUSTRALIA , 1951
solaristnouna single-minded sunbatherUK , 1979
solar-panel on a sex-machinenouna man’s bald-spot JocularUK ,
1995
soldinoun a penny From Italian soldi (money) UK , 2002
soldiernoun1a regular, low-level member of a criminal organisation
who can be counted on to follow ordersUS , 1963.2a male lookout
for a criminal operationUS , 1956.3a bottle of alcohol; a can of beer
US , 1945.4a finger of bread or toastUK , 1977
soldier ants; soldiersnoun underpants Rhyming slang UK , 1992
soldier onverbto persevere against peril; to continue doggedly in
the face of difficulty or hardshipUK , 1954
soldier’s farewellnounany abusive term of dismissalUK , 2004
soldier’s washnouna method or act of washing in which cupped
hands are used instead of a flannelUK , 1980
sold onadjectiveconvinced by, or enthusiastic about, somethingUS ,
1928
solesnounshoesUS , 1995
solicitverb(of a homosexual man) to walk in public dressed in
female clothes – not necessarily for the purposes of prostitution
An ironic adoption of the stricter legal senseUK , 2002
solidnoun1a trustworthy, dependable personUS , 1997.2a favourUS ,
1973
solidadjective1very good A jazz term that arrived on the scene
with ‘swing’ in 1935US , 1935.2especially amongst criminals, loyal;
staunchAUSTRALIA , 1950.3harsh; severe; unreasonable; unfair
AUSTRALIA , 1915.4usually of time, continuously, uninterrupted;
completeUK , 1718
solidsnounin pool, the solid-coloured balls numbered 1 to 7US , 1984
solid sendernouna person, particularly a musician, who is
especially inspired or inspiring From the jive vocabulary into the
rock ’n’ roll lexiconUS , 1946
solid sixnounin Keno, a bet on a block of three numbers, two rows
deepUS , 1973
solid sweet!used as strong approvalUS , 1980
solo boxnouna pornographic video cover showing photographs of
only one performerUS , 1977
Solomon Gundynounsalt herring in marinadeCANADA , 1998
so longgoodbyeUS , 1865
so long for now, and spaceman’s luck to all of youused as a
humorous farewell A catchphrase television sign-off on Tom
Corbett, Space Cadet (1950–55), a children’s adventure
programme Repeated with referential humourUS , 1955
solo sack timenountime spent sleeping aloneUS , 1946
solvenouna crime that has been solvedUS , 1992
Somali teanoun1leaves of catha edulis, a stimulant also called qat
or qaadka Originating in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian
peninsula, legally available in the UK and similar to amphetamine
in effect when chewedUS , 2003.2methcathinoneUS , 2003
somatomaxnounthe recreational drug GHB In Aldous Huxley’s
Brave New World, 1932, ‘soma’ is the drug of social conditioning
someadjectiveexceptional, remarkable Used in ironic understatementUS , 1808
someadverbveryUS , 1981
somebody up therenounGod; a higher power Used in a jocular and secular vein in expressions such as ‘somebody up there likes me’US , 1957
some cunt from Prestonnouncountry and western music Rhyming slangUK , 1988
some hope!; some hopes!used as an expression of hopelessness
or extreme scepticismUK , 1940
some mothers do ’ave ’emused of someone who is clumsy, foolish or laughable A slight variation on a saying from Lancashire: ‘don’t some mothers ‘ave ‘em?’ Widely popularised as the title of a BBC television comedy series, 1974, and still repeatingUK , 1960
Somerset Maugham; somersetadjectivewarm Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the British author, 1874–1965UK , 1998
somethingnouna remarkable thingUK , 1958 < do you want to make something out of it?; do you want to make something of it?do you want to fight about it?; do you want to argue about it?US , 1948 < have something onto have infor-mation about someone or somethingUS , 1919
somethingadverbused for intensifying Amends an adjective into
an adverb: ’something cruel’, ’something horrible’, etcUK , 1964
something chronicadverbconstantly; badly, objectionably, severely, unpleasantlyUK , 1916
something elseadjectivebeyond description; unbelievableUS , 1968
something-somethingnounsexUS , 2003
something strangenounsex with someone other than your regular partnerBERMUDA , 1985
sometimenouna person who cannot be relied uponUS , 1981
sometimesy; sometimeyadjectivemoody; unstable; emotionally inconsistentUS , 1972
sometimishadjectiveinsincere; unreliableBARBADOS , 1965
sommatnounsomething A phonetic distortionUK , 1978
son; my sonnounused between contemporary, unrelated males as a familiar form of address Occasionally patronising, used in order to establish social ascendancyUK , 1914
son-bitchnounused as a slightly jocular form of son of a bitchUS , 1981
songnoun< on songin good form, especially in a sporting context
UK , 1974
songverbto advertise a delinquent debtor by putting his name and offence in a songCANADA , 1975
song and dancenoun1an elaborate performance or presentation
of a story, especially in an effort to persuadeUS , 1895.2a fuss, an outcry Something trivial or of little account is ‘nothing to make a song and dance about’US , 1895.3a strip searchUS , 1976.4a chance Rhyming slangUK , 1992
song and dancernounan opportunist Glasgow rhyming slang for
CHANCER UK: SCOTLAND , 1988
songbirdnoun1a female singerUK , 1886.2a police informerUS , 1970
songpluggernouna person employed to promote a recorded song
by any of a variety of meansUS , 1923
sonicnouna type of LSD identified by a picture of computer game hero ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’UK , 1996
sonknouna foolish, feeble or otherwise objectionable person Back-formation fromSONKY AUSTRALIA , 1922
sonkyadjectivefoolish, silly; feebleAUSTRALIA , 1917
sonnonoun used generally for addressing a son, a boy or a man
AUSTRALIA , 1910s
sonnynounused for addressing a boy or younger man Often patronisingUK , 1870
sonny boy; sonny Jim; sunny Jimnounused to address a boy or
Trang 7son ofa successor of something A jocular derivation from the
imaginative formula used to title some Hollywood film sequels (a
fine example: Son of Paleface, 1952, in which Bob Hope played
the son of the character he portrayed in The Paleface, 1948) UK ,
1971
sonofabitch; sonuvabitchnouna fellowUS , 1951
son of a bitchnoun1a despicable personUK , 1605.2used in
extreme comparisonsUS , 1953
son of a bitch!used as a mild expletiveUS , 1953
son-of-a-bitchingadjectiveused as a somewhat profane intensifier
US , 1930
son-of-a-bitch with slidesnounan expert guest speaker at a
medi-cal meetingUS , 1985
son of a gunnouna fellow Originally, ‘a soldier’s bastard’, now
mildly disparaging or pejorative Occasionally used as an
exclamation of surpriseUK , 1708
sook; sooky; sookienouna person easily brought to tears; a
crybabyAUSTRALIA , 1941
sookyadjectiveapt to burst into tears; weak; timid or cowardly From
British dialect (Clydesdale) sooky meaning ‘effeminate’, recorded in
the English Dialect Dictionary under the word ‘soaky’ AUSTRALIA , 1901
soolverb1to incite someone to attack or go after someone; to spur
someone onAUSTRALIA , 1924.2to set a dog onto someoneAUSTRALIA ,
1889.3(especially of a dog) to attack someoneAUSTRALIA , 1849
soonernoun1a person or thing which fails to perform Because
‘they would sooner do nothing than something’ AUSTRALIA , 1892.2a
mixed-breed dogBARBADOS , 1965
sooty; sootnouna black person A derogatory termUS , 1838
sootynoun1a Maori OffensiveNEW ZEALAND , 1989.2an engine
tradesman in the Royal Air Force In Royal Air Force use, 2002UK ,
2002
sooty tunesnounreggae musicUK , 1983
SOPnoun in motor racing, seat of the pants US , 1993
sopenouna tablet of the recreational drug methaqualone, best
known as Quaaludes™US , 1985
sophnouna second-year student in high school or college An
abbreviation of ‘sophomore’US , 1778
Sophienouna girlfriend Teen slangUS , 1951
sophisticated ladynouncocaineUS , 1980
sop jointnouna Turkish bathUS , 1968
sopor; soper; soapernouna tablet of the recreational drug
methaqualone, best known as Quaaludes™ From a brand name,
ultimately from ‘soporific’US , 1973
soppingsnoungravy or sauce From the act of sopping up with a
piece of bread Southern USUS , 1984
soppyadjectivefoolishly sentimental; naive A play on ‘sopping wet’
(excessively sentimental)UK , 1918
soppy datenouna fool; someone who is foolishly sentimentalUK ,
1959
soppy ha’p’orth; soppy ’a’p’orth; soppy apethnouna fool;
someone who is foolishly sentimental An elaboration ofHA’P’ORTH,
and a variation ofSOPPY DATE; certainly in parental use during the
1950sUK , 1984
soreadjectiveangry; bitter; disappointed; disgruntledUK , 1694
sore as a boiladjectiveextremely upsetAUSTRALIA , 1955
sore bitchnouna member of a college sororityUS , 1968
sore-necknounthe sense of resentment arising from not being
invited to a social eventNORFOLK ISLAND , 1992
sore thumbverbthe epitome of something that is patently obvious
or conspicuousUS , 1936
sororitynoun1male homosexuals collectively as a groupUS , 1979.2a
woman’s prisonUS , 1949.3a poker game or tournament limited to
Sorority Salnouna stereotypical sorority member who looks, dresses, talks and lives the partUS , 1959
sorority saucenounketchupUS , 1985
sorostitutenouna member of a college sorority Derisive, suggesting sexual promiscuityUS , 1998
sorrowful talenouna sentence of three months’ imprisonment Rhyming slang for ‘(three months in) jail’UK , 1859
sorry about thatused as a jaded response to something bad that has just happened, especially when caused by the speaker A keystone of military vernacular during the conflict in VietnamUS , 1965
sorry and sad; sorrynouna father Rhyming slang for ‘dad’UK , 1998
sorry and sad; sorryadjectivebad Rhyming slangUK , 1960
sorry-assadjectivepathetic; despicableUS , 1998
sortnoun1in combination with an adjective (usually good or bad), a
person of whatever character is indicatedUK , 1869.2a woman; a companion of the opposite sexAUSTRALIA , 1933.3an attractive woman Without a distinguishing epithet this word equates with
GOOD SORT AUSTRALIA , 1933.4a woman considered in terms of sexual attraction Concentrating on the physical aspect of a person, as opposed to their character An attractive woman is described as a
‘beaut sort’, ‘great sort’, ‘grouse sort’, ‘not a bad sort’, ‘terrific sort,’ etc An ugly woman can be described as a ‘rough sort’, ‘drack sort’, ‘awful sort’, etcAUSTRALIA , 1948
sortverb1to have sex with someone; to satisfy someone’s sexual requirementsUK , 2001.2to provide someone with drugsUK , 2000.
3to beat up a fellow prisonerUK , 1996
sortaadjectivein a way; to some extent; somehow; one might say
‘Sort of’ lazily pronouncedUS , 1980
sortedadjectiveprovisioned with sufficient drugsUK , 1996
sort outverbto use violence to resolve a difference with someone
UK , 1937
SOSnoun1the same old stuff US , 1963.2a somewhat older student.
Used by college students to describe, usually unkindly, students in their late twenties or olderUS , 2002
SOSadjective unable to learn; stuck on stupid US , 1994
SOSbetween schoolchildren, used as advice that a slip or petticoat
can be seen below the hem of a skirt An initialism of ‘slip on show’, playing on the emergency code ‘save our souls’ UK , 1979
soshnoun1a member of upper-class societyUS , 1993.2a student whose emphasis is on social activitiesUS , 1968
soshe; the soshenounthe Social Security, a UK government agency responsible for welfare payments; the welfare (sickness, old-age, unemployment, etc) payments given by the UK governmentUK , 1999
soshingnounmanipulating someone with criminal intent Derived from social engineeringUS , 2000
so-soadjectivemediocreUK , 1570
soss; sossynounthe penis From an abbreviation of ‘sausage’NEW ZEALAND , 1998
sossonouna sausageAUSTRALIA , 1992
sosso rollnouna sausage rollAUSTRALIA , 1985
sotnounan alcoholic dulled by drinkingUK , 1592
so there!used at the end of an argumentative or threatening prop-osition as the final stress Abbreviates ‘so there you have it’, ‘so there you are’; often childishUK , 1982
so? throw party!used for dismissing the importance of what has just been said Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1982
soulnounthe essence of black cultureUS , 1965
souladjectivepertaining to the essence of black cultureUS , 1946
Soul Alley; Soul City; Soulsvillenounan area in Saigon with bars and brothels patronised largely by black US soldiersUS , 1970
soulboynouna member of a mid-1970s youth fashion and music sub-cultureUK , 2000
soul brother