Rhyming slangUK, 1992 strike me dead!used for expressing great surpriseAUSTRALIA, 1932 strike me fat!used for expressing great surpriseAUSTRALIA, 1895 strike me handsome!used for express
Trang 1streetwalkernoun1a prostitute who seeks customers on the street
UK, 1592.2in oil drilling, an operator who does not have an office
US, 1954
street-wiseadjectiveexperienced in or possessing the necessary
qualities for urban survivalUS, 1981
-strelsuffixwhen combined with a music style, a singer in that style
From ‘minstrel’ ‘Teen angstrel’ (a teen singer affecting angst) and
‘popstrel’ are noted by Susie Dent, The Language Report, 2003 UK,
2003
strengthnounthe essential facts; the pertinent detailsAUSTRALIA, 1908.
< on the strengthused to signify agreement, import or
sincerityUS, 1995
stress-headnouna person who is habitually stressed; a constant
worrierAUSTRALIA, 1996
stretchnoun1a prison sentence; one year’s imprisonment A prison
sentence of a number of years is given with the number of years
preceding ‘stretch’US, 1821.2a longer-than-normal limousine with
extended seating From ‘stretch limousine’US, 1982.3the penisUK,
2001.4in poker, a hand consisting of a sequence of five cards
Known conventionally as a ‘straight’US, 1988 < to do a stretchto
shopliftNEW ZEALAND, 1985
stretchverb1to serve time in prison FromSTRETCH(a prison
sentence)US, 2002.2to put someone to death by hangingUS, 1962
stretched outadjectivein trucking, travelling fastUS, 1971
stretchernoun1a lieUK, 1674.2a substance added to a drug for the
simple purpose of diluting it for increased profit when soldUS, 1970
stretcher-casenouna person who is exhaustedUK, 2002
stretchersnounshoe lacesUS, 1962
stretchesnounyears; a very long time FromSTRETCH(a year’s
imprisonment)UK, 2000
strewth!; struth!used as an oath A shortening of ‘God’s truth!’UK,
1892
stridesnoun1trousers Being the tailored articles in which you
‘stride’UK, 1889.2trousers that are reserved for messy jobs,
especially in car customisingUS, 1960
strike!used as an expression of shock, surprise or astonishment
Short forSTRIKE ME BLIND!orSTRIKE A LIGHT!AUSTRALIA, 1915
strike a light!used as an expression of shock, surprise or
astonishmentAUSTRALIA, 1922
strike me!used for expressing great surpriseAUSTRALIA, 1874
strike me blind!; strike me dumb!; strike me lucky!used for
registering shock, surprise or astonishment Other variations
include calls on God to strike the speaker ‘bountiful’, ‘vulgar’,
‘ugly’ or ‘pink’ The earliest variation recorded is ‘strike me dumb’
in Vanbrugh’s The Relapse, 1696 and ‘strike me blind!’ appears in
1704; ‘strike me lucky!’ from 1849, was a popular catchphrase in
Australia in the 1930s Other Australian examples are listed below
UK, 1971
strike me dead; strike menounbread Rhyming slangUK, 1992
strike me dead!used for expressing great surpriseAUSTRALIA, 1932
strike me fat!used for expressing great surpriseAUSTRALIA, 1895
strike me handsome!used for expressing great surpriseAUSTRALIA,
1955
strike me pink!used for expressing great surpriseAUSTRALIA, 1892
strike me purple!used for expressing great surpriseAUSTRALIA, 1915
strike me roan!used for expressing great surpriseAUSTRALIA, 1917
strike me up a gum-tree!used for expressing great surprise
AUSTRALIA, 1960
strike-outnouna hospital patient who has died or lapsed into a
neurologically depressed stateUS, 1977
Strike Unicknamethe US Naval Strike Warfare Center, Fallon, Nevada
US, 1991
strillers; strill; strillsnouna musical instrument, especially a
piano; a musician Polari; possibly from Italian strillare (to shriek).
Thus, for a pianist: ‘strill homey’ or ‘strillers omee’ (a piano man),
or ‘strill polone’ (a piano woman)UK, 1967
Strinenounbroad Australian English, specifically that form of Australian English which appeared in the books of Alastair Morrison ‘Strine’ is supposedly how the word ‘Australian’ is said in the Australian accent It is not a separate language or dialect, but rather a jocular celebration of the Australian accent utilising respelling, shifting word boundaries and much elision to give the
impression that other words are being spoken, e.g sly drool is Strine for ‘slide rule’, Emma Chisit for ‘how much is it?’, laze and
gem for ‘ladies and gentlemen’, let stalk Strine for ‘let’s talk
Australian’AUSTRALIA, 1964
stringnoun1being hoaxed; being kept under controlUK, 1958.2the group of prostitutes working for a particular pimpUS, 1913
stringverbto manipulate a wire into a slot machine to trigger the free-play mechanismUS, 1985
string beannouna tall, thin personUK, 2003
string beans; stringsnounjeans Rhyming slangUK, 1992
stringernoun1in poker, an instalment bet or the person making it
US, 1988.2in poker, a hand of five cards in sequence Conventionally known as a ‘straight’US, 1967.3a railway brakemanUS, 1977.4a narrow strip of laminated wood on a surfboardUS, 1979
stringienouna string bagAUSTRALIA, 1968
stringsnoun1the female legsUS, 1963.2spaghettiUS, 1956
string upverbto execute someone by hangingUK, 1964
string vestnoun a pest, a nuisance Rhyming slang UK, 1998
stripnoun1in a striptease show, the portion of the show in which the dancer removes her last garmentsUS, 1945.2a neighbourhood
BAHAMAS, 1982.3a thoroughfare in a town or city lined with bars, nightclubs, off-licences and restaurantsUS, 1939.4a Benzedrine™-soaked strip of paper from an inhaler, removed from the inhaler and ingested as a central nervous system stimulantUS, 1951 < the Strip1the portion of Sunset Boulevard between Crescent Heights Boulevard and Doheny Drive, Los Angeles, CaliforniaUS, 1951.2Las Vegas Boulevard south of central Las Vegas, Nevada, lined with neon-signed hotels and casinosUS, 1971.3a section of Yonge Street, between Dundas and Bloor, in central Toronto, Ontario A flashy, noisy part of townUS, 1987
stripenoun1a scar, usually the result of a razor slash Hence the adjective ‘striped’UK, 1958.2in the military, a promotionUS, 1968
stripeverbto slash someone with a blade Descriptive of the scar that is madeUK, 1958
stripe me!used as a register of surprise or exasperationUK, 1997
stripernounin prison, an improvised cutting weaponUK, 1996
stripesnoun1a referee in an athletic contestUS, 1997.2in pool, the striped balls numbered 9 to 15US, 1984.3in circus usage, tigersUS, 1981
stripes and solidsnounin pool, the game of eight-ballUS, 1974
stripingnouna severe reprimand FromSTRIPE(to slash with a blade)
UK, 2000
strippernoun1a striptease dancer (usually female), a performer who undresses creatively for the purpose of entertainment Gypsy Rose Lee (Rose Louise Hovick, 1914–70) was, perhaps, the most famous
of all strippers; in Gypsy, the musical biography (1962) by Stephen
Sondheim, she discovers the word ‘ecdysiast’ to give her job description a veneer of respectabilityUS, 1981.2a pickpocketUS, 1950.
3a car thief who targets newer cars that will be stripped for parts
US, 1962.4a playing card that has been altered in a manner that facilitates its extraction from a full deckUS, 1962
stripping hole; stripping pitnouna strip mineUS, 1997
strippynounin prison, a strip searchUK, 1996
stripsnounin prison, a segregation unitUK, 1996
strokenoun1an underhand, immoral or illegal trickUK, 1970.2praise
or flattery Almost always in the pluralUS, 1964.3appetiteIRELAND, 2000
strokeverb1to flatter someoneUS, 1979.2to masturbate Also ‘stroke off’ < stroke it1in car racing, to drive with care and
Trang 2cautionUS, 1965.2to perform badly on purposeUS, 1989 < stroke
the lizard(of a male) to masturbateUS, 1971
stroke booknouna magazine or book viewed while masturbating
US, 1967
stroke magnouna pornographic magazine The ‘stroke’ thus
inspired is a direct reference to masturbatory techniqueUK, 1995
stroke-me-offnounused as a humorous nickname for stroganoff, as
in ‘beef stroganoff’US, 1985
strokernoun1a petty thiefIRELAND, 1996.2a hospital patient who has
suffered a strokeUS, 1961
strollnoun< the strollthe collective activities on a street, mostly
illegal, some involving sauntering as if innocently strollingUS, 1946.
< The StrollSeventh Avenue, New YorkUS, 1946
strollernoun1a carUS, 1960.2a stone on the surface of the field
CANADA, 1987
stroll on!used for registering disbelief or surpriseUK, 1959
strongnounalcoholTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1989 < the strong ofthe
essential facts; the pertinent detailsAUSTRALIA, 1908
strongverb< strong itto behave in an aggressive manner, or to
take things to an extreme A variation ofCOME ON STRONG UK , 1964
strongadjective1of a theatrical performance, very sexualUS, 1962.
2well-funded at the moment Teen slangUS, 1958.3flush with
moneyUS, 1954 < be going strongto be prosperous, or enjoying
continuing success, or full of energy and vigourUK, 1898 < come
it strongto behave with boldness; to overstate somethingUK, 1837.
< come on strongto behave aggressively or exhibit aggressive
behaviour; to have a successUS, 1970 < go strong onto support
or follow a particular course with great energy or investmentUK,
1844
strongarmnoun1a crime involving brute physical violence; a
violent criminalUS, 1901.2a person who lends physicality and a
capacity for brutal physical force to the moment Also called
‘strongarm man’US, 1907
strong-armverbto rob a place roughly or violentlyUS, 1903
strong as a Mallee bulladjectivephysically strongAUSTRALIA, 1990
strong-backadjectivesexually aggressive; virileTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
2003
strong boxnouna prison cell, usually windowless; designed for
disruptive prisonersUK, 1996
strong like mooseadjectiveused humorously with a literal meaning
A catchphrase of US television in the 1950s and 60s, first from the
Uncle Tenoose character on The Danny Thomas Show and then
from Boris Bandanov of the Rocky and Bullwinkle Show; spoken
with a thick Russian accentUS, 1968
strong move to the holenouna direct approach to seducing a girl
Application of a basketball term to sexual relations, punning on
HOLEas ‘the basket’ in the basketball term and ‘the vagina’ in this
usageUS, 1992
stronknounmale and female sexual secretions Recorded in the
song ‘The Ballad of Kirriemuir’ in Martin Page’s collection of World
War 2 songs and balads, ‘For Gawdsake Don’t Take Me’, 1976UK:
SCOTLAND, 1976
stropnoun1a display of bad temper FromSTROPPY(bad-tempered),
ultimately from ‘obstreperous’UK, 1970.2male masturbation From
the conventional action Also variant ‘stropping’UK, 1992
stropverb< strop the Mulligan(of a male) to masturbate Also
variant ‘stropping’AUSTRALIA, 1971
stroppyadjective1bad-tempered Conventional ‘obstreperous’
wrongly abbreviated and understoodUK, 1951.2stubborn, defiant
NEW ZEALAND, 1984
strucknouna girl’s steady boyfriendUS, 1963
struck; struck by; struck withadjectivecharmed, attracted to or
delighted by someone or something From an older sense as
‘bewitched’UK, 1839
structural engineeringnouna well-constructed foundation
well-designed and well-fitted brassiere can have on a woman’s shapeAUSTRALIA, 1984
structurenounthe human bodyJAMAICA, 2000
struddleverbto fool with something you shouldn’t The word is
from the German strudeln (boil, spout, proceed rashly) CANADA, 1999
strudelnounthe ’at’ sign (@) on a computer keyboardUS, 1991
struggleverb1to danceUS, 1960.2to experience a hangoverUS, 2001
struggle and strainnouna trainUK, 1931
struggle and strainverbto train; to exercise Rhyming slangUK, 1992
struggle and strainer; strugglenouna trainer (shoe) Rhyming slang, extended fromSTRUGGLE AND STRAIN(to train)UK, 1992
struggle-and-strife; strugglenoun1a wife Rhyming slangUK, 1959.
2life; a life Rhyming slangUK, 1992
struggle-buggynouna broken-down carUS, 1946
strugglingadjectiveworn out; neglectedUS, 2000
strumverbto masturbate Also variant ’strum off’ From the up and down stroking action that is strumming a guitarUK, 1999 < strum headsto fightUS, 1990 < strum the banjo(of a woman) to masturbate A surreal elaboration ofSTRUM(to masturbate)UK, 2001
strummed upadjectivestimulated by drugsUS, 1972
strung outadjective1addicted to a drug; in a poor state of physical and mental health as a result of drug addiction Used as a participial adjectiveUS, 1958.2obsessed with or overly concerned about an activity or condition; emotionally disturbedUS, 1973.
3extendedUK, 2001.4in love; infatuatedUS, 1968
struntverbto sulkCANADA, 1990
strychninenounin craps, the point and number nineUS, 1950
stubverbto kick, particularly a ball, especially in rugbyUK, 1947
stubbie; stubbynouna small, squat beer bottle, now 385 ml; the contents of a stubbie From the noun use of ‘stubby’ (short and squat)AUSTRALIA, 1966
stubbie gutsnouna game in which frisbees are used to knock over stubbiesAUSTRALIA, 1993
stubbie holdernounan insulating container for keeping a stubbie
of beer cool whilst being heldAUSTRALIA, 1981
stubble jumpernouna prairie farmerCANADA, 1961
stub downverbin the language surrounding the Grateful Dead, to move to better seats at a concert using ticket stubs for the better sections smuggled up by friendsUS, 1994
stubenouna tavernUS, 1950
stuckadjectiveof a player in a game of poker or other gambling game, losingUS, 1974 < get stuck into initiate or become vigorously involved in an activityAUSTRALIA, 1941 < get stuck into
to attack a task or a person vigorouslyAUSTRALIA, 1941
stuck onadjectiveinfatuated by, or enamoured of, someoneUS, 1886
stuck-upadjectiveconceited; pretentiousUK, 1829
studnoun1a man, especially a manly manUK, 1895.2used as a jocular term of address to a manUS, 1999.3in homosexual usage, a person who plays the ‘masculine’ role sexually and emotionally in
a relationshipUS, 1961.4amyl or butyl nitrite Possibly derived from
a brand marketed as a male sex-aidUK, 1998.5loose tobaccoUS, 2002
stud broadnouna lesbianUS, 1968
stud ducknounin oil drilling, an important company officialUS, 1954
studentnounan inexperienced drug userUS, 1952
student tobacconounmarijuana From a perception that those undergoing higher and further education are drug usersUK: SCOTLAND, 1996
stud hustlernouna male homosexual prostitute who projects a tough, masculine imageUS, 1963
Studienouna Studebaker carUS, 1950
studio-fuelnouncocaine Probably coined by cocaine-fuelled
Trang 3studlyadjective1describes a man who is considered to be above
average in his sexual adventuringUS, 1999.2admirableUS, 1966.
3unpleasant; unpopularUS, 1960
stud muffinnouna handsome, well-built manUS, 1992
stud puppynounan attractive person A variation ofSTUD MUFFIN US ,
1989
stud upnounin prison, a prisoner who attempts to abandon
homo-sexual activity and return to his previous state of heterohomo-sexual
celibacyUS, 1990
study bunnynouna serious and diligent studentUS, 1987
stuffnoun1a drug, especially heroinUS, 1929.2used for any noun
that the user cannot or does not wish to specifyUK, 1889.
3anything at all Used as a euphemism forFUCKin constructions
such ‘I don’t give a stuff about it’NEW ZEALAND, 1969.4in prison,
anything of valueUS, 1967.5the female genitalsUS, 1982.6a woman
as a sexual objectUS, 1967.7the male genitalsUS, 1966.8an
effeminate homosexual manUS, 1976.9in pool, spin imparted on
the cue ball to affect the course of the object ball or the cue ball
after striking the object ballUS, 1993
stuffverb1used as an emphatic rejection; and euphemistically for
‘fuck’ in all sensesUK, 1955.2to have sex from the male point of
viewNEW ZEALAND, 1984.3to block the pay chute of a casino slot
machine with the expectation of returning later, unblocking the
chute and retrieving the interim earningsUS, 1999.4to persuade
someone to buy something that they did not know they wanted
to buyUS, 1997 < stuff your faceto overeat; to eat greedily; to
eat An unconventional and over-active digestion would be
required if this simple description of the apparent action was as
accurate as the imageryUS, 1996
stuffedadjectivevery tiredNEW ZEALAND, 2002
stuffed shirtnouna person who is overly formal, aloof, and out of
touchUS, 1913
stuffernoun1a male homosexual who plays the active role in anal
sexUS, 1949.2a parachute riggerUS, 1991.3in hot rodding, a
superchargerUS, 1968
stuffyadjectiveconservative; very conventional; straitlaced Derives
fromSTUFFED SHIRT UK , 1895
stugots; stugatsnounthe penis From southern Italian dialect,
adapted/corrupted by Italian-American immigrantsUS, 1962
stuk; stukkienouna woman sexually objectifiedSOUTH AFRICA, 1946
stulperverbto stumbleCANADA, 1999
stumnounany central nervous system depressantUS, 1980
stumble biscuitnouna tablet of the recreational drug
methaqualone, best known as Quaaludes™ From the lack of
coordination associated with the drugUS, 1993
stumblebumnouna poor and foolish drunkUS, 1932
stumblernounany barbiturate or central nervous system depressant
US, 1977
stumblesnouna loss of coordination, especially as the result of drug
or alcohol intoxicationUS, 1971
stumernoun1a fool The spelling ‘stumor’ is also usedUK: SCOTLAND,
1985.2a forged or bad chequeUK, 1890.3a mistake; a blunder; a
messUK, 1983
stumpnoun1the leg Survives mainly in the phrase ’stir your
stumps!’ (start doing something!, get moving!)UK, 1460.2the penis
In a world where size matters, often but not always applied to a
short penisUS, 1993.3a shoeUS, 1973
stumpverbto challenge or dare someoneCANADA, 1959
stump-brokeadjectiveunconditionally obedient From the quaint
notion of a mule trained to step forward and then backwards for
sex with a man standing on a stumpUS, 1967
stumpersnounshoesUS, 1971
stump-floaternounheavy rainCANADA, 2002
stumphole whiskeynounstrong, homemade whiskyUS, 1971
stump-jumper an infantry soldier
stump ranchnounin the Canadian west, a poorly run farmCANADA, 1989
stump up; stumpverbto payUK, 1833
stumpynouna short person Often used as a term of addressUS, 1997
stunnedadjectivedrunkUS, 1982
stunned mulletnounused as the epitome of one who is dazed, stupid, foolishAUSTRALIA, 1953
stunnernoun1an exceedingly attractive womanUK, 1848.2a person
or thing of extraordinary excellenceUK, 1855.3a pin-up, topless or soft-porn model Adapted by the tabloid press from the earlier, and continuing use, as ‘a good looking woman’ Often combined with
‘Page 3’, in reference to the Sun newspaper’s daily placing of
naked female breasts The spellings ‘stunna’ and ‘stunnah’ also existUK, 1999
stunningadjective1excellent; extremely good lookingUK, 1847.2in computing, incomprehensibly stupidUS, 1991
stuntnounin advertising, marketing, etc, an event contrived to attract attention and gain publicity Still regarded as colloquial by those who keep up our standardsUK, 1878
stuntverbto wear expensive clothes and jewellery as a display of conspicuous consumption; to show offUS, 2001
stunt cock; stunt dick; stuntnouna male pornography performer who fills in for another performer who is unable to maintain an erection or ejaculate when neededUS, 2000
stunt pussynouna female pornography performer who fills in for another performer for the purposes of genital filming onlyUS, 2000
stuntsnounsexUS, 1994
stupe; stoopnouna stupid person Often, not always, used affectionatelyUK, 1762
stupidadjective1used to describe a ‘smart’ weapon that fails to function properlyUS, 2003.2good The spelling ‘stoopid’ is also usedUS, 1989 < get your stupid onto drink to the point of intoxicationUS, 2003
stupidadverbextremelyUS, 1992
stupid badgenouna temporary identification card worn by a worker who has lost or left his identification at homeUS, 1955
stupid-bakernouna Studebaker carUS, 1992
stupideenouna stupid or insignificant personTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1959
stupid labournounpublic labourCANADA, 1987
stupidness!used for expressing scornCAYMAN ISLANDS, 1985
stupid, stupidused as an expression of utter disapproval From the
cry of ‘stupid, stupid rat creatures!’ in the Bone comic book US, 1997
sturgeonnouna surgeonUS, 1994
stutter and stammer; stutternouna hammer Rhyming slangUK, 1992
stuvacnounespecially in New South Wales, student holidays from
school or university From ‘student vacation’ AUSTRALIA, 1970
stylenoungraffitiUS, 1997
styleverbto conduct or carry yourself in a stylish manner, especially
in an exaggerated, showy wayUS, 1972
styleenouna style, determined by the cultural category that pre-cedes it A fashionable elaboration of ‘style’UK, 1997
stylienouna white person with dreadlocksUS, 1994
stylin’ and profilin’adjectivevery fashionableUS, 1988
stylo miloadjectivevery fashionableSINGAPORE, 2002
subnoun1a submarine UK, 1917.2a subscription UK, 1833.3in
publishing, a sub-editor UK, 1859.4a sexual submissive, a willing
slave in a sado-masochistic relationshipUS, 1987.5the submissive
performer in a pornographic sex sceneUS, 2000.6in prison, a
subversive UK, 1996.7on an athletic team, a reserve player who may
enter the game as a substitute for a starter UK, 1889.8a loan An
abbreviation of ‘subsistence’, with the loan characterised as a
‘subsistence advance’AUSTRALIA, 1989.9a financial advance,
Trang 4concealed pocket, used by a casino employee to hide stolen chips
US, 1980
subverb1to give or receive a financial advanceUK, 1874.2to serve as
a substitute US, 1853
subadjective mentally sub-normal UK, 1963
subbynoun a subcontractor AUSTRALIA, 1978
sub-debnouna girl in her mid-teensUS, 1917
sublimeadjective< from the sublime to the gorblimey; from
the sublime to the ridiculousfrom one extreme to anotherUK,
1984
submarinenoun1a marijuana cigarette, especially a large oneSOUTH
AFRICA, 1946.2a surfboard that is too small for the person using it
So named because the person forces the board under waterUS,
1964.3in the used car business, a car that has spent time
sub-merged in waterUS, 1975.4a gambling casino scheme in which a
stolen chip is slipped into the thief’s trousersUS, 1977.5an
after-hours drinking session in a Rugby clubUK, 1984
submarineverb1in tiddlywinks, to shoot a wink under anotherUS,
1977.2to ride through tall grassAUSTRALIA, 1951
submarine beltnounin motor racing, a safety belt that clips onto
the buckle of a lap belt and is attached to the chassis under the
driver’s seatUS, 1980
submarine racesnounused as a euphemism for foreplay in a car at
a remote spotUS, 1967
subwaynounin roller derby, contact between skaters who are
eli-gible to score before they reach the back of the pack of blocking
skaters, taking them to the floor of the trackUS, 1999
subway dealernounin a card game, a dealer who cheats by dealing
some cards off the bottom of the deckUS, 1962
Subway Samnouna man who is partial to sex in subway toiletsUS,
1966
Subway silvernoun 8see:MANHATTAN SILVER
subway ticketsnounin a card game, cards that did not come off
the top of the deck because of cheating in the dealingUS, 1988
sub-Znicknamea Sub-Zero™ freezer Collected in Berkeley, California,
in 2000US, 2000
such a bitter experience never again; such a bloody
experi-ence never againnicknamethe former Belgian airline ‘Sabena’
Most airlines attract jocular mnemonics of their namesUS, 2002
such-a-muchnounan important or self-important personUS, 1968
sucknoun1an act of oral sexUS, 1870.2a sycophantUS, 1977
suckverb1to be useless, unpopular, distasteful, of no worth When
the term came into currency in the US in the 1960s, sexual
connotations made it a vulgar, taboo-ridden term By the
mid-1990s, all sense of taboo had vanished in the US except for older
speakers for whom the sexual connotation remained inescapable
In UK English, the term, first used as a noun (1913) expressing
contempt, never enjoyed the sexual implications found in the US
If anything, there was long an upper-class air to the term thanks in
part to the ‘Yah boo, sucks to you’ catchphrase associated with
Billy Bunter, a fat upper-crust schoolboy created by author Frank
RichardsUS, 1965.2to perform oral sexUS, 1881.3to consume
alcoholic drinksAUSTRALIA, 1960.4in pool, to hit the cue ball with
backspin that appears to draw or suck the cue ball backwards after
it strikes the object ballUS, 1990 < it sucks to be youused for
expressing a trace of commiseration in a situation that might call
for a bit moreUS, 1993 < suck ass; suck arseto behave
subserviently A variation ofKISS ARSE/ASS US , 1956 < suck buttto
curry favourUS, 1997 < suck cockto perform oral sex on a man
US, 1941 < suck dieselto make rapid progress; to move rapidly,
especially in a motor vehicleIRELAND, 1997 < suck faceto kiss,
especially in a prolonged fashion Hawaiian youth usageUS, 1982.
< suck milkto be knocked off your surfboard and then be
thrashed by a waveUS, 1991 < suck out loudto be very badUS,
1994 < suck saltto experience difficultiesTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
1966 < suck sudsto drink beerUS, 1947 < suck the arse out of
a durryto smoke a hand-rolled cigarette to the very endNEW
ZEALAND, 1998 < suck the big oneto be terribleUS, 1999 < suck
to the bullsto act friendly with policeUS, 1992 < suck tubesto
smoke marijuanaUS, 1998 < suck weightto drink large amounts
of liquids in a short period in order to gain weight to qualify for a sporting eventUS, 2001 < suck windto fail; to lose out Hawaiian youth usageUS, 1972 < suck your flavour; suck your flavato copy your styleUS, 1993
suckanouna fool; a dupe Misspelling ofSUCKER(a gullible individ-ual)US, 2000
suck-assnouna sycophant who curries favour in a self-demeaning fashionUS, 1980
suck-assadjectivesubservient; sycophantic; obsequiousUS, 1985
suck backverbto drink somethingUS, 1980
sucked upadjective1weak; undeveloped physicallyUS, 2001.2angry
US, 1989
suckee-suckeenounoral sex performed on a man From the patois
of Vietnamese prostitutes during the war, embraced by soldiersUS, 1987
suckernoun1a gullible individualUS, 1838.2a fellow Neutral but informalUS, 1980.3someone who is unable to resist a stated temptation or addiction; an enthusiastUS, 1957.4a thingUS, 1987.
5in caving and pot-holing, a caver who uses another’s equipment while the owner is otherwise engaged Examples of use include
‘chair-sucker’, ‘rope-sucker’, ‘stove-sucker’, etcUS, 2004.6the buttocksNEW ZEALAND, 1999
suckerverbto deceive or trick someoneUS, 1939
sucker lifenounconventional life, with a conventional job and con-ventional lifestyleUS, 1977
sucker pocketnounthe hip pocket, an easy pocket to pickUS, 1982
sucker-punchverbto hit someone without warning, especially in the faceUS, 1947
sucker weednounfaked, adulterated or poor quality marijuana
WEED(marijuana) that can be sold to aSUCKER(someone gullible)
US, 1980
sucker wildadjectivecompletely unrestrained and uninhibitedUS, 1969
suck gasto breath nitrous oxide for pleasureUS, late 1960s
suck-happyadjectiveobsessed with oral sexAUSTRALIA, 1975
suckholenoun1a sycophant; a flatterer; a toady; an unpleasant personAUSTRALIA, 1943.2a hole between private video booths in a pornography arcade or between stalls in a public toilet, designed for anonymous oral sex between menUS, 1987
suckholeverbto behave in an ingratiatingly sycophantic manner
CANADA, 1961
suck-holernouna sycophantNEW ZEALAND, 1998
SuckienicknameSauchiehall Street, GlasgowUK: SCOTLAND, 1988
suckie fuckieverbto perform oral sex on a man followed by sexual intercourse Vietnam war usageUS, 1973
suckingnounan act of oral sexUK, 1869
sucking windadjectivein firefighter usage, said of extremely smoky conditionsUS, 1954
suck jobnounan act of oral sexUS, 1969
suck-offnounan act of oral sexUS, 1995
suck offverbto perform oral sex on either a man or woman, especially to the point of orgasmUK, 1909
suckoutnounin surfing, a wave that is breaking fast in front of itself, creating a tunnel or tubeUS, 1977
suck outverb1to speed past a parked police car, drawing it into a chaseUS, 1962.2in poker, to win in the face of every known con-vention and probabilityUS, 1996
suck pointsnounimaginary credits earned by obsequious ingratiationUS, 1994
suck-upnouna sycophantUS, 2001
suck upverbto seek favour through obsequious behaviourUK, 1860
suck wind!leave me alone! Hawaiian youth usageUS, 1981
suckynouna hollow waveAUSTRALIA, 1985
Trang 5suckyadjectiveawfulUS, 1984
sucky facenounkissingUS, 2000
sucrosenounmoneyUS, 1951
sudden deathnounin sports, games and recreations, as diverse as
league football and television quiz shows, a period of extra time
during which the first to score or achieve a specified target wins
Originally ‘a single toss of the dice’UK, 1834
sudsnoun1beerUS, 1904.2a large amount of moneyUS, 1945
suds artistnouna habitual beer drinkerAUSTRALIA, 1972
sueverb< sue the ass off someone; sue someone’s arse off
to take a legal action against somebody in pursuit of punitive
damagesUS, 2002
suedenouna black personUS, 1973
suedehead; suedenouna member of a late 1960s youth fashion
and gang movement, characterised by a close-cropped scalp and
smart utilitarian wear, associated with football hooliganism, racist
violence and neo-Nazism This lexicographic development
matches exactly theSKINHEADfashion’s further growth; ‘suede’ is
the velvety surface of leather and thus describes the soft nap on a
previously shaven headUK, 1982
sufferationnounhard timesTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003
sufferin’ sheepdip!used for expressing disapproval A signature
line of the Colonel Sherman Potter on M*A*S*H (CBS, 1972–83).
Repeated with referential humourUS, 1983
sugnounused as an affectionate term of address A shortened form
ofSUGAR US , 1947
sugarnoun1used as a term of endearment A distinct southern
ring Variation include ‘sugar-pie’, ‘sugar-babe’, ‘sugar-baby’, etcUS,
1930.2diabetesUS, 1968.3a type of snow suitable for skiingUK, 1968.
4heroin; powdered heroin adulterated with sugar From the
appearanceUS, 1977.5cocaine A white powderUK, 1998.6sandUS,
1977.7moneyUS, 1951 8see:SUGAR LUMP
sugar!used an all-purpose euphemism for ‘shit’, especially as an
exclamation Pronunciation often hesitates over the ‘sh’ before
committing itself to ‘shit’ or ‘sugar’, possibly from a combination
of ‘shit’ andBUGGER!, RECORDED IN 1901 AS‘I’ll be sugared!’UK, 1995
sugar and honey; sugarnounmoney Rhyming slangUK, 1859
sugar and spicenounice, especially as served with a drink
Rhyming slangUK, 1992
sugar and spice; sugaradjectivenice Rhyming slang; not especially
sarcastic in useUK, 1992
sugarbeeternouna resident of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan
Michigan Upper Peninsula usageUS, 2003
sugar blocknouncrack cocaineUK, 1998
sugar candynounbrandy Rhyming slangUK, 1992
sugar candyadjectiveuseful, generally in a negative context
Rhyming slang for ‘handy’UK, 1992
sugar cubenounLSD From the method of ingesting a dose of the
drug dripped onto a sugar cubeUS, 1967
sugar daddynounan older man who supports or helps support a
young lover With occasional playful variantsUK, 1926
sugar dishnounthe vagina A variation of C19 obsolete ‘sugar basin’
(the vagina)US, 1998
sugar downverbto dilute powder narcotics, especially with
powdered milk sugar (lactose)US, 1970
sugarheadnounstrong, homemade whiskyUS, 1999
sugar hillnouna brothelUS, 1987
sugaring-offnounin Canadian maple syrup making, the process of
boiling the maple sap down to syrup or sugarCANADA, 1995
sugar lipsnouna smooth talkerAUSTRALIA, 1989
sugar lump; sugarnounLSD Probably from ‘sugar cubes’ which are
sometimes used as a medium for taking the drugUK, 1973
sugar pimpnouna pimp who controls his prostitutes through
sugar reportnounduring war, a letter from home, especially from a girlfriendUS, 1991
sugar shacknouna small hut built for boiling down maple sap to make maple syrupCANADA, 1998
sugar sticknounthe penis Rhyming slang forPRICK UK , 1992
sugar titnounany cherished object or habitUS, 1971
sugar upverbto curry favourUS, 1964
sugar weednounmarijuana which has been adulterated and bulked-out with sugar water or honeyUS, 1969
suicide alleynounin shuffleboard, a quarter of the opponent’s side
of the courtUS, 1967
suicide axlenounin hot rodding and drag racing, a special axle assembly that allows a lower front endUS, 1965
suicide blondenouna girl or woman who has dyed her hair blonde
at home From the pun: ‘dyed by her own hand’US, 1962
suicide boxnounin trucking, a sleeper added to a conventional cab
So named because of the danger presented to anyone sleeping in the box should the truck jackknifeUS, 1971
suicide clubnouna mythical group of jockeys who ride in steeplechase racesUS, 1951
suicide clutchnouna foot-operated clutch on a motorcyle If your foot slips off when stopped, it engaged the clutchUS, 1966
suicide doornounon a car, a door that hinges at the back and opens towards the rearUS, 1993
suicide jockeynoun1the driver of a vehicle hauling dangerous cargoUS, 1976.2a dangerous driverUK, 1981
suicide kingnounin a deck of cards, the king of hearts It appears that he is plunging a knife into his headUS, 1988
suicide seasonnounthe few months leading up to the wet season
in Australia’s tropical northAUSTRALIA, 1975
suicide seatnounthe front, passenger seat in a carUS, 1992
suicide stewnouna combination of central nervous system depress-ants and alcoholUS, 1966
suitnoun1an executive; a person of authority but no creativity The term usually suggests a them-against-us mentality, with ‘them’ being the executives who wear suits; pejorativeUS, 1979.2in prison,
an official non-uniformed visitorUK, 1996
suitcasenounthe rectumUS, 1992
suitcaseverbto conceal drugs inside a condom or balloon inside a body orificeUS, 1987
suitcase farmernouna farmer who also works in the townCANADA, 1959
suitcase pimp; suitcasenouna boyfriend, agent or other male who accompanies a female pornography performer to the set Not flatteringUS, 1995
suited and bootedadjectivewell-dressedUK, 1998
suit upverbto place a condom on a penisUS, 2000
sulkernounin horse racing, a moody horseUS, 1951
sulphate; sulphnoun amphetamine sulphate UK, 1996
Sumatran rednouna variety of marijuanaUK, 1996
sumbitch; sombitchnouna son of a bitch A southern corruption
US, 1972
summatnounsomething A phonetic sloveningUK, 1984
Summerland Donkey Cocknouna variety of marijuana from British ColumbiaCANADA, 2002
summer sausagenounthe female partner of a boy in a summer romance at campCANADA, 1997
SUMOshut up and move on An acronym from the world of office
jargonUK, 2005
sunnoun< the sun shines out of someone’s arsesaid of a person who is considered perfectUK, 2000 < the sun’s drawing her backstays; the sun’s got her backstays downlines in the sky coming down from the sun, predicting rain or bad weather
Trang 6sunbathersnounin poker, a pair of queens dealt face-upUS, 1988
sunbeamnouna piece of cutlery or crockery that was not used
during a meal and thus needs no washing upAUSTRALIA, 1981
sun beltnounthe southern states in the USUS, 1969
sunburntadjectiveused for describing playing cards that have been
left in the sun to discolour slightly to aid a cheat in identifying
them in another player’s handUS, 1988
Sundaynouna surprise blow from the blind sideUS, 1967
Sundayverbto hit someone from their blind sideUS, 1993
Sunday bestnoun1your smartest clothes Such clothes were
orig-inally reserved for Sunday wearUK, 1846.2a vest Rhyming slang,
with a fine sense of ironyUK, 1992
Sunday-go-to-meetingadjectiveused of clothes, suitable for
wearing to church Intentionally ruralUS, 1831
Sunday mornnounan erection (of the penis) Rhyming slang for
HORN UK , 1992
Sunday poppernounan occasional user of an addictive drugUS, 1966
Sunday punchnouna blow from a person’s blind sideUS, 1968
Sunday runnounin circus and carnival usage, a long trip between
engagementsUS, 1981
Sunday school show; Sunday schoolnouna circus or carnival
with no crooked games and no performances with sexual content
US, 1980
Sunday science lecturenounany presentation made with a captive
audienceANTARCTICA, 1997
Sunday suitnounno clothes at allUS, 1976
sundownernoun1an itinerant traveller So-called from their habit of
arriving at a country property just on sundown so that they can
ask for sustenance without being given any manual labour
AUSTRALIA, 1868.2a senile patient who is quiet during the day but
becomes agitated at darkUS, 1983.3any alcoholic drink enjoyed at
the end of the day Recorded in India, Singapore, the East Indies
and Australia; also in south and east AfricaUK, 1938.4a VF-111
combat aircraft The plane was first deployed in 1942 in the Pacific
with the mission of shooting down Japanese ‘Suns’ Deployed in
Korea and VietnamUS, 1990
sun gonna shinenouna type of bet in an illegal numbers game
lotteryUS, 1957
sun gunnounin the television and film industries, a portable,
intense lightUS, 1990
sunkernounin Newfoundland, a rock or reef just underwaterCANADA,
1962
sun kinknounan expansion of railway track caused by hot weather
conditionsUS, 1975
sunnernouna thief who snatches a chain from the wearer’s neck
Recorded by a Jamaican inmate of a UK prison, August 2002UK,
2002
sunniesnounsunglassesAUSTRALIA, 1981
sunny side upadjectiveof eggs, fried, with the yolk on topUS, 1901
sun parlournouna brakevan (caboose) cupolaUS, 1977
sunrisenouna Toyota car Citizens’ band radio slang; plays on
SUNSET(a Datsun car); also of Japanese manufacture, and Japan’s
identity is ‘the land of the rising sun’UK, 1981
sunsetnouna Datsun car A weakly derogative play on Sunny, a
late-1960s Datsun brandUK, 1981
sunshinenoun1used as a form of address, often patronising with
an underlying note of disapproval or threatUK, 1972.2LSDUS, 1971
Sunshine Coastnoun1Vancouver, British ColumbiaCANADA, 1965.
2Brisbane, AustraliaAUSTRALIA, 1999
sunspotsnounin computing, the purported reason for an
unanticipated errorUS, 1991
suntansnouna summer-weight tan military uniformUS, 1937
supnounsupperUS, 1969
s’up?
supernoun1a superintendent, especially of an apartment building
AUSTRALIA, 1857.2a supernumerary UK, 1838.3high-octane or top-grade petrolUK, 1967.4in carnival usage, a handsome watch displayed as a prizeUS, 1981
superadjectiveexcellentUK, 1895
super-adjectivein combination with a person, animal or thing, well above the usual standard of its type Under the influence of Nietzsche’s philosophical concept, expanded by George Bernard
Shaw’s play Man and Superman, 1903, and made most familiar by
Superman, a US comic strip superhero first seen in 1938 UK, 2003
superadverbvery Adds a melodramatic, gushing flavour to the intensificationUS, 1968
superbissimoadjectiveexcellent; superb A decorative elaboration of
‘superb’ formed, loosely, with an Italian suffixUK, 2003
superblushnounin poker, a sequence of cards in a red suit – dia-monds or heartsUS, 1996
super Cnounketamine hydrochloride, an anaesthetic used as a hallucinogenUS, 1994
supercalifragilisticexpialidociousused in various contexts with various meanings by children fascinated with the size of the word
Popularised, but apparently not coined, in the 1964 film Mary
Poppins The term did not appear in the book, and so some credit
must be given to Robert B Sherman, who wrote the lyrics of the
song According to The Straight Dope (6th August 2002),
songwriters Barney Young and Gloria Parker brought a copyright infringement suit, claiming that they had written a song with a variant spelling of the term in 1949 In the 1960s, the term replaced ‘antidisestablishmentarianism’ in US youth ‘longest word’ contestsUS, 1964
super chickennounin trucking, a truck owned by Yellow Freight SystemsUS, 1976
super citralnounan especially narcotic variety of marijuanaUK, 2003
super dopenounmarijuana with formaldehyde addedUS, 1982
superduper; supernouna hydrogen bombUS, 1951
super-duperadjectiveexceptionally good Childish, or intentionally evocative of childishnessUS, 1940
superflynoun1a drug dealer From the film Superfly, 1972 US, 1973.
2a curly hairstyle popular with black men and women in the mid-1970sUS, 1975
superflyadjectiveextremely fashionable, attractive, and appealingUS, 1974
supergrassnoun1an informer who gives the police substantial amounts of information, or who informs on a major crime or terrorist operation Bertie Smalls, a notorious or legendary (depending on your point of view) small-time robber turned police informer became, in 1973, the original ‘supergrass’UK, 1978.2good quality marijuana; phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust; a combination of the twoUS, 1977
super hoppernouna Citroen car Citizens’ band radio slangUK, 1981
super jointnounphencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP
or angel dustUS, 1982
super Ketamanouna superior grade of hashish from the Ketama region of MoroccoUK, 2003
super koolsnounphencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP
or angel dust Because the addition of PCP makes Kools™, a brand
name cigarette and hence any cigarette, ‘superior’ US, 1997
supermannoun1a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy, identified by the embossed Superman shield-shaped ‘S’ motifUK, 2002.2a variety of LSD identified by a cartoon graphic of the comic book and film superheroUK, 1996
Super Marionouna variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy, identified by the embossed Super Mario™ motif
UK, 2002
Supermaxnounthe Penitentiary Administrative Maximum facility (the highest security prison in US)US, 1994
super potnounmarijuana which has been soused in alcohol then
Trang 7Super Scoopernouna water bomber, with a huge scoop for filling
at speed from a lake or waterway, to dump on firesCANADA, 1994
superskunknounan extremely potent marijuanaUK, 1999
superslabnouna major road Citizens’ band radio slang, elaboration
ofSLAB US , 1976
super-snoopernouna special inspector employed by the former
Department of Health & Social Services to uncover fraudulent
claimsUK, 1983
super-snoopynouna helicopter with a camera that has the
capa-bility to take close-up pictures from a kilometre’s distanceUK, 1980
superstudnouna man with superior sexual prowess, or one reputed
to be so lucky Enhancement ofSTUD UK , 1997
supersweetadjectiveexcellentUS, 2002
Super TnounTennants Super™, a super strength lagerUK, 1997
super Thainounan ‘everyday’ variety of marijuanaUK, 2003
superweednounmarijuana, especially if of extra strengthUK, 1996
super-yankeenouna multiple bet, gambling on 5 different horses in
a specific combination of 26 win stakes or 52 each-way Also
known as aCANADIAN UK , 2001
supesnouna superior; a respectful form of address Black usageUK,
2000
suponnouncornmeal mushCANADA, 1955
supremoadjectiveexcellent; extremeUS, 1979
sureadjective< be sure andtake care, don’t fail to do something
UK, 1892
sure as ChristmascertainUK, 1959
sure as eggs is eggsabsolutely certain, without a doubt Early
usage recorded as ‘as sure as eggs be eggs’ this idiom is now so
familiar that even the shortening to ‘sure as eggs’ is understood
UK, 1699
sure as God made little apples; sure as God made little
green applesvery certain The earliest form is ‘little apples’; the
second form appears to derive from the song by Bobby Russell,
‘Little Green Apples’, 1968, in which it is likely that ‘green’ is
added for the scansion of the lyricUK, 1874
sure as shit and taxesvery certainUS, 1957
surefire; sure shotadjectivecertain to succeed or prevailUS, 1901
Sure I knew you could.used as a sarcastic expression of great
doubt A borrowing from the children’s television programme Mr
Rogers US, 1981
sure offverbin an illegal numbers gambling lottery, to insure
numbers that are the object of heavy bettingUS, 1949
sure popsnoundice that have been heavily weighted and are likely
to produce the desired resultsUS, 1950
sure thingcertainly From the conventional sense (a certainty)US,
1896
sure-thing mannounin carnival usage, a confederate who is hired
to play and win a game in order to generate businessUS, 1981
surfverb< surf the crimson tideto experience the bleed period
of the menstrual cycleUS, 1995
surfaceverb1to wake up; to get up; to get up and start the business
of the day Probably of Naval origins, from a submarine surfacing
UK, 1963.2to come out of hiding; to leave a surreptitious existence
and become more publicUS, 1971
surfboard Suzienouna stereotypical woman who spends time at
the beach admiring male surfersUS, 1990
surf bumnouna surfing enthusiast who haunts popular beachesUK,
1958
surf bunnynouna woman who spends a great deal of time at the
beach, associating with surfers and/or surfingUS, 1980
surf dognounan avid, veteran surferUS, 1991
surfienouna surferAUSTRALIA, 1962
surfie chicknouna young woman companion of a surferAUSTRALIA,
surfing knobs; surfing bumpsnouncalcium deposits near the knees and feet caused by extended contact with a hard surfboard
US, 1964
surf nazinouna zealous, devoted surferUS, 1988
surf-oadjectiveobsessed with surfingUS, 1991
surf ratnouna beginner surferUS, 1990
surf safarinouna trip in search of good surfing conditionsUS, 1964
surf’s downused for expressing dismay at poor surf conditionsUS, 1977
surf silksnounsilk or nylon swimming trunks worn under a wetsuit
US, 1977
surgenounsurgical spirit as an alcoholic drinkUK, 2000
surgical trussnouna bus Rhyming slangUK, 1998
surprise partynounin poker, a hand that should not win, that is not expected by its holder to win, but that winsUS, 1996
surprise! surprise!with heavy irony or sarcasm, used as an expression of disappointment, or resignation that the expected worst has happenedUK, 1964
Surrey Docksnounsyphilis; hence any sexually transmitted infection Rhyming slang forPOX, formed on a famous south-of-the-river locationUK, 1974
sus; sussnoun1suspicion UK, 1936.2an arrest on suspicion; a person being arrested for loitering with suspicion UK, 1977
sus; sussadjective suspicious; suspect UK, 1958
Susie Collegenouna stereotypical female college studentUS, 1970
suspensenounthe time allotted to complete an actionUS, 1986
suspicionverbto suspect someoneUS, 1834
sussnouncommon senseUK, 1977
sussverbto suspect, or discover the truth about, someone or something A shortened form of ‘suspect’UK, 1953
sussedadjective1having knowledge about something; well informed
UK, 1984.2arrested as a suspected person loitering UK, 1977
sussiesnounsuspendersUK, 1995
sussonoun1government sustenance provided during the depression
of the 1930sAUSTRALIA, 1941.2a person receiving government sustenanceAUSTRALIA, 1947
suss out; suss; suss onverbto work out, discover, find, ascertain or understand something Extended from various senses ofSUSand
SUSS UK , 1962
sussyadjective suspicious, in both active and passive senses UK, 1965
suzienouna Suzuki motorcycle (manufactured since 1936 but only popular in the UK from about 1960)UK, 1979
Suzie Wong; suzienoun1a songUK, 1998.2an unpleasant smell Rhyming slang forPONG, formed from the film The World of Suzie
Wong, 1960 UK, 1998
Suzy Robincrotch; Suzy Rottencrotch; Suzynounduring the Vietnam war, the generic girlfriend back homeUS, 1991
Suzy Sororitynouna stereotypical sorority member who looks, dresses, talks and lives the partUS, 1974
swanounsouthwest AsiaUS, 1998
swabnouna roll of moneyUS, 1965
swabverb< swab the deckto perform oral sex on a womanUS, 1964
swabbie; swabbynouna sailorUS, 1944
swab jockeynouna marineUS, 1958
swackedadjectivedrunk or drug-intoxicatedUS, 1945
swagnoun1stolen goods; loot; bounty Derives from the earlier sense ‘a shop’ hence the contents seen as the object of theft; orig-inally, especially linens and clothes rather than precious metals and stonesUK, 1794.2contraband Used both as an adjective and a nounUS, 1951.3free merchandise or tickets to concerts handed out
by music recording companiesUS, 1997.4the possessions of an