A punning combination of ‘tan’ and ‘anorexia’ which sacrifices the meaning of anorexia for a journalistic tagUK, 1997 tanorexicnouna person who is addicted to sunbathing, especially by m
Trang 1tanglenoun< on the tangledrinking; on an alcohol bingeNEW
ZEALAND, 1966
tangleverbto fightUS, 1990 < tangle assto brawlUS, 1950.
< tangle assholesto become involved in a confrontationUS, 1985
tanglefootnoun1strong, homemade whiskyUS, 1860.2barbed wire
staked to the ground as a defensive perimeter around a military
camp or baseUS, 1990
tangonouna type of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as
ecstasy From the colour of the tablet; possibly an abbreviation of
TANGERINE DREAM , or named after Tango™, a branded carbonated
orange drink that, according to the product’s advertising, has a
surreal effect on all who drink itUK, 1996
tango boatnounan armoured landing craftUS, 1971
tango novembernouna token black soldier in an otherwise white
unit or corps, especially the officer corps From the military
phonetic alphabet ‘TN’, short for ‘token nigger’US, 1990
tanknoun1a jail cell, especially one in a local police stationUS, 1912.
2an intentional loss in a competition Originally boxing slang Also
called a ‘tank job’US, 1955.3a room in the Pentagon where the
Joint Chiefs and Staff meet jointly with the Operations Deputies
US, 1986.4a safeNEW ZEALAND, 1937.5a safe burglary Prison slang
NEW ZEALAND, 1999.6of money, all you have with youUK: SCOTLAND,
1988.7an old and heavy surfboardUS, 1988.8a heavy-set woman
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1964.9an ugly girlUS, 1966.10money Probably
evolves fromTANKER(a prizefighter who accepts payment to throw
a fight in a fixed boxing match)UK, 1991 < go in the tankused
of an athletic contest, lost on purposeUS, 1955 < in the tank
drunkUS, 1975
tank-assnounbuttocks that are disproportionately largeUS, 2001
tankedadjective1drunk or drug-intoxicated Also used as ‘tanked up’
UK, 1893.2in computing, not operatingUS, 1991
tankernoun1a hired thugUK, 2003.2a heavy drinker FromTANK UP
(to drink)CANADA, 1984.3a boxing match or other athletic contest
that has been fixedUS, 1955
tanker wankernounsomeone who flies in air-to-air refuellers A
Royal Air Force term, formed by rhyming the airborne ‘tanker’
with an all-purpose pejorative; reported by Squadron Leader G.D
Wilson, 1979UK, 1979
tankmannouna safe-blowerAUSTRALIA, 1972
tank moneynounfunds that are employed to give a fraudulent
impression of substance or wealthUK, 2000
tank townnouna small, unimportant town A possible railway
etymologyUS, 1906
tank tracksnounin the Canadian military, folds that develop along
the top of the official beretCANADA, 1995
tank-upnouna drinking bingeNEW ZEALAND, 1959
tank upverb1to administer fluids to a dehydrated hospital patient
US, 1994.2to consume large quantities of something, especially
alcoholUS, 1902
tannernounin pre-decimalisation currency, sixpence, 6d; a coin of
that value Inflation has rendered the conversion from 6d to 2½p
meaninglessUK, 1811
tanorexianounan addiction to sunbathing, especially by means of
sunbeds A punning combination of ‘tan’ and ‘anorexia’ which
sacrifices the meaning of anorexia for a journalistic tagUK, 1997
tanorexicnouna person who is addicted to sunbathing, especially
by means of sunbedsUS, 1998
tansnounthe standard US Army summer khaki uniformUS, 1990
Tansnounthe Black and TansIRELAND, 1992
tantienoun< tantie come to townto experience the bleed
period of your menstrual cycleTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003
tantynouna tantrumAUSTRALIA, 1987
tan valisenouna blonde prostituteUS, 1960
tapnoun1a blow given or received in a fightUK, 1996.2a murderUS,
1963.3in circus and carnival usage, the admission priceUS, 1981
tapverb1to borrow something, especially moneyUK, 1953.2to ask f
or, or imply readiness to accept, a tip Used by ships’ stewards .
3to successfully attract a partner for sexual intimacyUK, 2002.4to have sexUS, 1949.5to kill someoneUS, 1963.6to intercept a telephone communication From an earlier sense of intercepting a telegraphic messageUK, 1869.7in poker, to bet all of your chips, or an amount equal to an opponent’s bet, depending on contextUS, 1947 < tap a kidneyto urinateUS, 1997 < tap the potin bar dice games, to bet the total amount of the potUS, 1971
tap citynounwhen gambling, the position of being out of fundsUS, 1976
tap codenouna method of cell-to-cell communication in a prison where talking is forbiddenUS, 1982
tap dancernoun1a black person who curries favour from white people with obsequious conductUS, 1974.2a delivery truck driver
US, 1971
tape and tuckverb(used of a male) to tape your penis and testicles between your legs in an effort to pass as a womanAUSTRALIA, 1985
tape danceverbto buy a block of stock at a price slightly higher than the last price on the tape for that stockUS, 1988
tapiocanoun1semen; an urgent need to ejaculate semen The unsettling image of a hot milk-puddingUK, 1980.2a joker (the playing card) Rhyming slangUK, 1992
taponounan inadvertent error in a taped messageUS, 1982
tap-outnouna complete depletion of funds, especially in gambling
US, 1979
tap outverb1to run out of money, usually as a result of gambling
US, 1939.2in a casino, to relieve a dealer from dutyUS, 1961
tappedadjective 8see:DOOLALLY
tapped-outadjectivehaving been emptied A figurative use of ‘tap’ (to draw off liquid)UK, 2001
tappernoun1a persistent borrowerUK, 1981.2a boy who persists in asking a girl for a date when reason would dictate a strategic retreat Teen slangUS, 1951.3someone who sells the police false or useless information in return for a small sumUK, 1959
tappersnoundice that have been loaded with mercury that shifts when the dice are tappedUS, 1962
tap upverbto approach someone with a proposalUK, 2001
tarnoun1coffee Citizens’ band radio slang, from the colour rather than the consistencyUS, 1976.2crude, dark, gummy heroin, usually from MexicoUS, 1992.3opium From the colour and consistency of raw opiumUS, 1936.4crack cocaine and heroin mixed and smoked togetherUK, 2002.5rumTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003.6a sailor Probably a shortening of obsolete ‘tarpaulin’UK, 1676
tara; ta-ra; tarra; tragoodbye Originally northern, now more
widespread through the agency of Coronation Street and other
television programmes; possibly a slovening ofTA-TA UK , 1958
tar and feather; tarnoun a leather jacket Rhyming slang UK, 1992
Tara Palmer-Tomkinson; Tara Palmer; taranouna drama Rhyming slang, formed from the name of a celebrity-socialite; gen-erally applied to a minor inconvenienceUK, 2000
tararabitgoodbye A Liverpudlian elaboration ofTARA(goodbye), thus ‘goodbye [for] a bit’UK, 1984
tar babynoun a black person Offensive From the Br’er Rabbit
stories by Joel Chandler HarrisUS, 1962
tar beachnouna flat urban rooftop, used for sleeping or drug use
US, 1970
tardustnouncocaine A pun onSTARDUST(cocaine)UK, 2003
tariffnoun1the portion of a life-sentence to be served in custody A nuance of the conventional senseUK, 2002.2the fee charged by a prostituteTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003
Tarkaverbto have anal intercourse Rhyming slang, based on the
novel by Henry Williamson (1895–1977), Tarka the Otter, rhyming
with ‘DOTher’ (to have anal sex)UK, 2002
tarmacnounin Canadian military aviation, the ramp section of an air base hangar lineCANADA, 1995
tarnationnounused as a euphemism for ‘damnation’US, 1790
Trang 2Tarriernouna Catholic, especially of Irish descentUK, 2002
tartnoun1a womanAUSTRALIA, 1903.2a promiscuous womanUK, 1887.
3a prostituteUK, 1894.4a girlfriend or sweetheartUK, 1864.5a wife
or female partner Rhyming slang for ‘sweetheart’UK, 1864.6a weak,
ineffectual man A term of abuse, used to call a man a woman; a
wider gender-only sense of ‘tart’ than when applied to a woman
UK, 1999
tartannouncocaine Etymology unknownUK, 2001
tartan bannernouna sixpenny coin; sixpence Rhyming slang for
TANNERthat dropped out of circulation after decimalisation in
1971UK, 1960
tartanizeverbto adapt an English product for Scottish use or sale;
hence, the adjective: tartanizedUK, 2004
tarted-upadjective1dressed like a prostitute; dressed smartlyUK, 1947.
2of a thing, business, building, etc, having a new image or
presen-tation Often derogatory in toneUK, 1984
tart fuelnounbottled alcopop (branded alcoholic beverage with the
characteristics of a soft drink) or other alcoholic drinks deemed to
be for feminine consumption A fashionable drink amongst young
women who will, when inebriated, it is suggested/hoped by the
coiner of this term, relax their moral standards and behave
promiscuouslyUK, 2002
tart’s delightnouna frilly, fussy, looped-up way of hanging lace
curtains at windowsUK, 1980
tart’s fartnounused as a comparitive measure of little or negligible
worthUK, 2002
tart upverbto dress someone up or decorate something smartly
Often with the implication of tastelessness or tawdrinessUK, 1952
tartyadjectivelike a prostituteUK, 1918
Tarzannoun1sex outdoorsUS, 1966.2a soldier who is overly anxious
to take the highly visible and dangerous point position on a
combat marchUS, 1991 < like ten Tarzanquickly; loudlyTRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO, 1984
tash; tachenouna moustacheUK, 1893
tasheredadjectivedrunkUK, 2002
tash testnouna man’s moustache seen as an indicator of
homo-sexuality and, hence, predictive of HIV status Formed fromTASH(a
moustache) A medical observation that, hopefully, was more witty
than practicalUK, 2002
tasknounin prison, an act of masturbationUK, 1996
Tasmaniacnouna person from TasmaniaAUSTRALIA, 1867
Tasmanian Tigernouna strain of marijuana, known elsewhere as
New Zealand green, Thai Buddha and Hawaiian headAUSTRALIA, 2002
Tasmanian yawnnounvomiting, especially when experienced
crossing the Tasmanian SeaAUSTRALIA, 1995
tassel dancenouna sexual dance focused on the woman’s breasts
and the tassels worn attached theretoUS, 1977
tassienounan intaglio (an engraved figure or design) Used by
antique dealersUK, 1977
Tassienoun1TasmaniaAUSTRALIA, 1892.2a TasmanianAUSTRALIA, 1914
tastenoun1an alcoholic drinkUS, 1919.2a sampleUS, 1990.3a small
sample of drugs, especially heroinUS, 1952
taste-facenouna heroin user who lends his syringe to others in
return for small amounts of heroinUS, 1978
-tasticsuffixused as an intensifier On the model ofPOPTASTIC US , 2003
tastyadjective1attractive, sexually appealingUK, 1899.2worthwhile;
valuable; exhibiting strengthUK, 1975.3competent; polished The
term can be applied to either the work or the person who did it
IRELAND, 1999.4used of a known, especially well-respected criminal;
capable of physical violenceUK, 1975.5having a pleasing flavour;
appetising In conventional use from the early 1600s; by mid-C19
considered colloquialUK, 1617
Taswegiannickname a person from Tasmania Blend of Tasmania
and Norwegian AUSTRALIA, 1961
tatnoun1an article, or collection of articles, of inferior or rubbishy
UK, 1951.2a tattooUS, 1994.3a swindle featuring dice and doubled betsUS, 1963
tatanounnonsenseTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1990
ta-tagoodbye At first chiefly nursery, now (in the US) simply highly affectedUK, 1823
ta-tasnounthe shakesAUSTRALIA, 1977
tatasnounthe female breastsUS, 1995
Tate and Lylenounstyle Rhyming slang, formed from the company that describes itself as ‘world leader in carbohydrate ingredients’UK, 1992
tater; tatur; tottienouna potatoUK, 1759
tateredadjectivedrunkUS, 1993
tatersnounthe buttocksUS, 1999
taters in the mould; potatoes in the mould; tatersadjective
cold Rhyming slang, most commonly used as ‘taters’UK, 1934
tatsnoundice, especially loaded dice or dice marked for cheatingUK, 1688
TATT(in doctors’ shorthand) tired all the time UK, 2002
tattedadjectivetatooedUS, 1990
tatting downnounan act of tidying away possessions and making ready for travel Used by late 1980s–early 90s counterculture travellersUK, 1999
tattletalenoun1in trucking, a device that records time and speed data, used by company officials to assure compliance with laws and regulations Known conventionally as a ‘tachograph’US, 1962.
2in motor racing, a specially designed tachometer that measures and records the engine’s highest speed during a run or lapUS, 1965.
3in trucking, a dangling chain that shows the approximate weight
of the load by its distance from the axleUS, 1961
Tattsnickname1Tattersalls (a racecourse enclosure)UK, 1991.2a lottery originally run from Tattersall’s Hotel, SydneyAUSTRALIA, 1916
tattyadjectiveshabby, tawdryUK, 1933
tatty-byegoodbye Probably a conflation ofTA-TAand ‘bye!’ Popularised by Liverpool comedian Ken Dodd (b.1929); in widespread use by the mid-1970sUK, 1980
taury ropenounthe Pope Glasgow rhyming slang, formed on Scottish dialect for ‘tarry rope’UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
taw; toynounin marbles, a marble used for shootingUK, 1709
tawnyadjectiveexcellentUS, 1993
tax; taxingnounthe fee paid to enter a crack houseUS, 1992
taxverb1to steal something; to rob somewhereUK, 1994.2to steal valuables from vehicles that are waiting at traffic lightsUK, 1996.3in Montreal, to forcibly confront and force someone to hand over money, jewellery or clothesCANADA, 2002.4in prison, to extort money or other payment such as tobacco from a weaker prisoner
by threat of violenceUK, 1996.5to tease or berate someoneUS, 2001
taxinouna call girl Glossed as ‘Colloquialism used in the appropriate urban circles for a prostitute who operates at a place
required by her clients[.]’ by Nigel Hankin, Hanklyn-Janklyn, 2003
INDIA, 2003
taxi bitnouna prison sentence of between five and fifteen yearsUS, 1950
taxi-cabnouna crab; crab meat Rhyming slangUK, 1992
taxi-cabs; taxisnounpubic lice Rhyming slang forCRABS UK , 1959
taxi danceverbto work as a taxi dancerUS, 1973
taxi dancer; taxi girlnouna woman who will dance and talk with bar patrons, but stops short of prostitution; a prostituteUS, 1930
taxingnoun1the theft of high-price training shoes being worn by the victimUK, 1992.2the robbery of drug dealers by drug dealers
UK, 2002
taxi rank; taxinoun1an act of masturbation Rhyming slang for
WANK UK , 1992.2a bank Rhyming slangUK, 1998
taxi-rank; taxiverbto masturbate Rhyming slang forWANK UK , 1984
taxpayernouna building that generates enough rental income to
Trang 3taylaylaynounthe vaginaTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003
TBnoun1tuberculosisUS, 1912.2in circus and carnival usage, a dull
town where business is poor An abbreviation ofTOTAL BLANK US , 1981
TBadjective loyal, true blue US, 1997
TBFnoun severe morbidity, usually terminal A ‘total body failure’ US,
1989
TBHadjective potentially available for gay sex Acronym of ‘to be had’
UK, 1970
T-birdnoun1a Ford Thunderbird First sold in October 1954, the
Thunderbird became an American cultural iconUS, 1994.
2Thunderbird™ wineUS, 1973.3a T-33 jet trainer aircraftUS, 1956.
4a capsule of amobarbital sodium and secobarbital sodium (trade
name Tuinal™), a combination of central nervous system
depress-antsUS, 1993
T-bonenouna Model T Ford car, first built in 1908US, 1970
T-boneverbwhile driving a car, to drive into the side of another car
US, 1991
T bowlnouna toiletUS, 1982
TBPin doctors’ shorthand total body pain UK, 2002
TCBverb to take care of business Coined by the black community
and then spread into widespread useUS, 1964
T-dotnicknameToronto, Ontario From the proliferation of high-tech
businesses in the cityCANADA, 2004
teanoun1marijuanaUS, 1935.2in horse racing, a drug (especially
cocaine or strychnine) which will stimulate a horseUS, 1951 < not
for all the tea in China!certainly not!; not at any price
AUSTRALIA, 1937
tea and cocoaverbto say so Rhyming slangUK, 1992
tea and toastnoun the mail, the post Rhyming slang UK, 1992
teabagnoun1a contemptible person Rhyming slang forSLAG UK ,
2000.2a marijuana cigaretteUS, 1982
tea-bagverbin the pursuit of sexual pleasure, to take a man’s
scrotum completely into the mouth, sucking and tonguing itUS, 1998
tea-baggernounin motor racing, a lover of British sports carsUS,
1965
teabaggingnounthe sucking of a man’s entire scrotumUS, 1998
teabagsverbto steal something Rhyming prison slang: from
TEALEAF(a thief ), punning on ‘bag’ (to steal)NEW ZEALAND, 1999
tea boatnounin prison, a financial alliance between several
prisoners to pay for teaUK, 1996
tea boynouna person who runs errands and performs other menial
tasksUK, 1968
tea, breakfast and dinnernouneverythingTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
1990
tea caddynounan Irish person Rhyming slang forPADDY UK , 2000
teachnouna teacherUK, 1958
teachernouna traffic police officer who lectures violators instead of
issuing citationsUS, 1962
teacher armsnounthe flabby arms of an overweight person
AUSTRALIA, 2000
teacup queernounan effeminate homosexual manUS, 1957
tea’d upadjectivemarijuana-intoxicatedUS, 1959
tea for two; teafernouna Jewish person Rhyming slang for ‘Jew’
UK, 1992
tea girlnouna quasi-prostitute in a Vietnamese bar who cadges US
servicemen into buying her drinks, especially of Saigon teaUS, 1966
tea groutnouna Boy Scout Rhyming slangUK, 1961
tea headnouna user of marijuanaUS, 1949
tea houndnouna marijuana userUS, 1951
tea-leafverbto rob someone; to steal something Rhyming slang;
from the noun senseUK, 2000
tealeaf; tea-leafnoun1a thief Rhyming slangUK, 1903.2a small
tea-leafingadjectiveinclined to thievery Rhyming slang forTHIEVING
extended fromTEALEAF(a thief )UK, 1960
teamnouna criminal gangUK, 1950 < on the teamhomosexual, from the homosexual point of viewUK, 1993
teamadjectivedressing in a style that identifies you with a particular groupUS, 1989
team creamnounan orgyUS, 1970
team-handedadjectiveworking together as a gang FromTEAM(a criminal gang)UK, 1996
team Jesusnouna group of zealous, proselytising Christian students
US, 2004
tea padnounan apartment, house or room where marijuana is smokedUS, 1938
tea partynouna social party where marijuana is smokedUS, 1968
teapotnoun1a heavy user of marijuanaUK, 1983.2standing with your hands on your hipsNEW ZEALAND, 1998
teapot lid; teapotnoun1a Jewish person Rhyming slang forYID
UK, 1960.2a child Rhyming slang forKID UK , 1960.3a pound sterling Rhyming slang forQUID UK , 1960
teapot lid; teapotverbto fool, to pretend Rhyming slang forKID
UK, 1934
tearnoun1a spree, a period of self-indulgent enjoymentUK: SCOTLAND, 1985.2an expedition to deface advertising billboardsUS,
2001.3a manipulation of a record to create a musical effect that plays a sample in two sections with a jolt-effect in the middle, 2002.
< on the tearengaged in a drinking sessionIRELAND, 2003
tearverb1to leave, especially in a hurryUS, 1951.2to surf aggressively and with skillUS, 1988 < tear a passion to tatters
in a dramatic performance, to over-actUS, 1973 < tear a strip off someone; tear someone off a stripto reprimand someoneUK,
1941 < tear itto frustrate or thwart someone’s intentions, usually
in the phrase ‘that’s torn it’UK, 1909 < tear off a chunkto have sexUS, 1973 < tear off a tab; tear off a scabto open a can of beerNEW ZEALAND, 1984 < tear off; tear off a pieceto have sex
US, 1964 < tear someone a new assholeto thrash someone; to abuse someone verballyUS, 1968 < tear the arse out ofto destroy or spoil somethingUK, 1999 < tear the roof offto create
or intensify mass excitement through the agency of loud music A refinement of ‘raise the roof’ (to make a great noise)UK, 2001.
< tear them apart; tear them upto delight an audienceUK,
1933 < tear your pantsto commit a social gaffeUS, 1947
tear-arse around; tear-arse about; tear assverbto race about wildly Elaboration of ‘tear’ (to rush)UK, 1999
tearawaynouna minor criminal, one who tends towards violence at the slightest excuse Originally a ‘ladies’ tearaway’, a criminal specialising in snatching (tearing away) women’s handbagsUK, 1958
teardropnoun1a dose of crack cocaine, packaged in the corner of a plastic bagUS, 1994.2a surfboard that is wide at the rear and narrow at the noseAUSTRALIA, 1963
tearjerkernouna melodramatic or sentimental and sad story or songUS, 1921
tear-offnouna minor criminal, one who tends towards violence at the slightest excuse A variation ofTEARAWAY UK , 1966
tearoom; t-roomnouna public toilet From an era when a great deal of homosexual contact was in public toilets; probably an abbreviation of ‘toilet room’, a term used in reported criminal prosecutions of homosexuals in the late C19 A public toilet in Illinois was the focus of Laud Humphrey’s famous sociological
study Tearoom Trade US, 1941
tea-room cruisernouna male homosexual prostitute who frequents public toiletsUS, 1982
tea-room tradenouna sexual partner found in a public toiletUS, 1980
tear-upnoun1a gang fight; a brawl From conventional ‘tear-up’ (a commotion)US, 1964.2in jazz use, a period of wild, inspired music-makingUS, 1958.3any valueless letter addressed to Scotland Yard Officially filed in the Metropolitan Police’s General Registry as GM [General Matters]51
Trang 4tease and pleasenounsexual arousal after which satisfaction is
delayed under the pretence that such gratification is denied,
especially when advertised as a service offered by a prostituteUK,
2003
teasernoun1in horse breeding, a horse used to test a mare’s
readiness for breedingUS, 1976.2in sports betting, a bet that ties
two or more games togetherUS, 1975
teaspoonnouna measure of heroin or other narcotic drugUK, 1996
tea strainernouna trainer (a shoe) Rhyming slangUK, 1992
tea-towel headnounan offensive term for an Arabic person
AUSTRALIA, 1981
tea-towel holdernounthe anus A resemblance in shape and detail
UK, 2002
tea wagonnounin the television and film industries, the console
used by the sound mixerUS, 1977
tecnoun a detective UK, 1879
tecate; tecatosnounheroin Directly from Mexican SpanishUS, 1982
tecatonouna heroin or morphine addict Directly from Mexican
SpanishUS, 1970
technoun1a technical college, an institution that provides further
and higher education Often ‘the Tech’ is used for your local one
UK, 2000.2a technician; someone employed to deal with
techno-logical devices, especially in a creative milieu Also called a ‘techie’
US, 1942.3a nine-millimetre handgunUS, 1995
tech dognounin foot-propelled scootering, a rider with strong
tech-nical skillsUK, 2000
technical; technounin foot-powered scootering, any trick that is
performed on a flat surface or ledge and requires a good deal of
technical skillUK, 2000
technicolour laughnounan act of vomiting; vomitAUSTRALIA, 1964
technicolour yawnnounan act of vomitingAUSTRALIA, 1964
technoadjectiveas a combining form, denotes intrinsic technological
expertise or inspiration, especially in relation to computing,
gadgetry or music fashionsUS, 1989
technobabblenounpretentious scientific chatter Modelled on
‘psychobabble’US, 1981
technodoltnouna person who is completely technologically
illiterateUS, 1990
technodweebnouna person who is passionately interested in
tech-nologyUS, 1990
technosavvynounsomeone who understands technologyUS, 1996
technowordsnouna scientific vocabularyUS, 1996
teddynouna bottle of alcohol, legal or otherwiseCANADA, 1986
teddy bearnoun1a dose of LSD identified by the printed picture of
a teddy bearUK, 2003.2a person who dresses and behaves in a
showy manner Rhyming slang forLAIR AUSTRALIA , 1944.3a pear
Rhyming slang, formed from a cuddly toyUK, 1992
teddy bear suitnounheavy winter garments issued to US troops
during World War 2 and later in KoreaUS, 1982
Teddy Boy; Teddy; Tednouna member of a youth cult of the
mid-to late 1950s, characterised by a style of dress loosely inspired by
fashions of the Edwardian era (1901–10) Edward abbreviates to
Teddy and Ted Teddy boys referred to themselves as TedsUK, 1954
Ted Frazernouna cut-throat razor Rhyming slangUK, 1997
Ted Heathnouna thief Rhyming slang, formed (satirically) on
Edward Heath (1916–2005), Conservative Prime Minister 1970–74
UK, 1972
Ted Rayadjectivehomosexual Rhyming slang forFAY; probably
formed from the British comedian and actor (1905–77); however,
Bodmin Dark, Dirty Cockney Rhyming Slang, 2003, suggests an
American jazz musician of the same nameUK, 2003
teedle-eenouna urination Glasgow rhyming slang forPEE UK:
SCOTLAND, 1988
teed off
teefverbto steal something A mispronunciation of ‘thieve’ or an elision ofTEA-LEAF(to thieve)UK, 1997
teemnounteam Fashionable misspellingUK, 2002
teenagernoun1a person aged between 13 and 19 Originally ‘teen-ager’ Since about 1955 has usually been written as one word, and since about 1960 has been regarded as standard EnglishUS, 1935.
2cocaineUK, 2002
teenernounone sixteenth of an ounceUS, 1993
teen-flicknouna film intended for teenagersUK, 2003
teenienoun1a younger teenagerUS, 1968.2one-sixteenth of a dollar Trader usageUS, 1992
teensyadjectivetiny A childish corruptionUS, 1899
teensy-weensyadjectivevery smallUS, 1906
teenthnoun a sixteenth of an ounce (of drugs) UK, 2001
teenyadjectivevery smallUK, 1825
teenybopadjectiveof or for teenyboppersUS, 1967
teenyboppernouna young teenager, especially a girlUS, 1965
teenyhookernouna young female prostituteUS, 1982
teeny weenyadjectivetiny ‘Teeny’ came from ‘tiny’, and then the reduplicative ‘teeny weeny’, which is often found in the same breath as ‘itsy bitsy’US, 1931
tee offverb1to annoy or to irritate someoneUS, 1961.2to fartUK, 1998
teesnoundice on which some numbers are repeated, usually made with identical numbers on opposite sidesUS, 1950
teethnouncocaine; crack cocaine From the resemblance of the drug to small teethUS, 1994 < my back teeth are floatingI am desperate to urinateUK, 2001
TEETH(in doctors’ shorthand) tried everything else, try homeopathy.
Medical slangUK, 2003
teeth and titsused to remind dancers that an attractive smile and
a distracting display will stop an audience noticing the footwork TheatricalUK, 2005
teething troublesnouninitial problems with any new device, invention, enterprise, technology, etcUK, 1937
teevnouna televisionAUSTRALIA, 1982
teflonadjectivedescribes a person to whom blame doesn’t stick From the non-stick properties of polytetrafluoroethylene, trademarked as Teflon™US, 2004
teknonounthe recreational drug ketamine Back slang for ‘on ket’
UK, 2004
telenouna television set; television Early use mainly US (as television itself ), adopted enthusistically in the UK in the mid-50s
US, 1940
telegramnoun1a message designed for mass distribution from prisoner to prisoner, passed from one cell to the nextUS, 1992.2in prison, a written notice given to an inmate who has been placed
on report for an offenceUK, 1996
telegraphverbto inadvertently disclose or reveal your intentions to
an opponentUK, 1925
telephonenouna bilingual Canadian who serves as a go-between for English and French speakersCANADA, 1979
telephone boothnounin poker, a player who regularly ‘calls’ (matches the bet of the previous player)US, 1988
telephone numbernouna long prison sentenceUS, 1950
telephone numbersnoun1a large sum of moneyUS, 1979.2in horse racing, a winning bet at high oddsUS, 1934
telephone polenoun 8see:FLYING TELEPHONE POLE
telephone tagnounthe serial leaving of messages when two people who are trying to talk by telephone can never reach each otherUS, 1979
telescopenounthe penis A jocular euphemismUS, 1968
teletubby; telletubbynouna husband Rhyming slang forHUBBY,
formed on Teletubbies, a BBC television programme for young
Trang 5tellnoun1an unintentionally honest reaction; a revealing piece of
body-language Adopted from gambling jargonUK, 1999.2in
gambling, any mannerism that reveals the relative value of the
player’s handUS, 1991
tellverb< I’ll tell you what; tell you whatI’ll tell you
something; this is how it is; often as the introduction to a
suggestionUK, 1596 < tell it like it is1to speak directly, candidly
and with a self-righteous conviction of access to a great truthUS,
1965.2to tell the whole truth In black usage originallyUS, 1964.
< tell on someoneto inform on someoneUK, 1539 < tell
someone where to get offto severely rebuke someone; to
scold someoneUS, 1900 < tell the talein a swindle, to explain to
the victim just how he will profit from the arrangement being
proposedUS, 1989
tell < tell someone where to stick itto emphatically reject A
variation of ‘stick it up your arse’UK, 1999
tellernouna skateboarder whose tales of accomplishments are
exag-geratedUS, 1984
telling-offnouna scolding, a reprimand FromTELL OFF UK , 1911
tell it to the marines!used for registering disbelief Formed,
apparently, from an inter-service jibe against the credulity of the
marinesUK, 1806
tell me another oneused for registering disbeliefUK, 1914
tell offverbto scold or reprimand someoneUK, 1919
telltalenounin the language of wind surfing, a streamer on the
mast used to determine wind directionUS, 1985
tell-tale-titnounsomeone who tells tales A nursery term, featured
in children’s playground rhymesUK, 1841
tellynountelevisionUS, 1940 < off the tellyas seen on television
UK, 2000
TellynicknameTelegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CaliforniaUS, 1966
telly-prefixtelephone Used for constructions such as ‘tellypole’ or
‘tellywires’US, 1970
temazzies; temazies; temmies; temazes; temsnoun
Temazepam™, a branded tranquillizerUK, 1998
tempnouna temporary workerUS, 1980
tempverbto work as a temporary workerUS, 1980
tempernouna restaurant customer who leaves a 10% tipUS, 1995
temperance punchnouna non-alcoholic fruit punch drinkUS, 1957
temple balls; temple bells; temple hashnounpotent hashish
shaped as small balls, claimed to originate in NepalUS, 1971
temple du vinnounLe Clos Jordan, a winery to be designed by
Frank Gehry on the Jordan Bench, on Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula,
Canada’s main wine-producing areaCANADA, 2002
tennoun1a perfectly beautiful woman Based on a grading scale of
one to ten, popularised in the 1979 film 10 starring Bo Derek US,
1979.2a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as
ecstasyUS, 2003
tenadjectivevery good Teen slang, from the marking of schoolwork
UK, 1977
ten-bob twistnouna drug sale involving drugs, usually marijuana,
costing ten shillingsUK, 1983
ten-cent linenounin an illegal betting operation, the ten percent
charge for making a betUS, 1973
ten-cent pistolnouna dose of heroin that is either adulterated with
a poison or contains a more pure heroin than usual, sold or given
to someone with the intent of injuring or killing themUS, 1966
ten-cent rocknounten dollars’ worth of crack cocaineUS, 1991
ten commandmentsnounbare feet As Long John Silver said, it is
good to have ten toesTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003
tendverbto mind your own businessUS, 1995
ten-daysnounany temporary jobTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003
ten-day sweatnountreatment for a sexually transmitted infection,
involving heat therapy and sulpha-based drugs
tenderadjective1in poker, said of a hand that is probably unplayable
US, 1988.2weakened by oxidation; rustyCANADA, 1992
tenementnounin hold ’em poker, a ten and nineUS, 1996
ten Fnouna gall bladder patient Often a fat, fair, fecund, fortyish, flatulent, female with foul, frothy, floating faecesUS, 1985
ten-man jobnouna very tough man, a very hard man to arrestUK, 1998
Tennant Creeknouna Greek person Rhyming slang, from the name of a goldmining town in the Northern TerritoryAUSTRALIA, 1977
tennernoun1a ten-pound note; the value of £10; a ten-dollar note
UK, 1845.2a prison sentence of ten yearsUS, 1950.3in the television and film industries, a 10,000-watt spotlightUS, 1990
Tennessee top hatnouna hairstyle in which the hair is worn short
at the front and long at the back Better known, perhaps, as a
MULLET US , 2000
tenniesnountennis shoes; trainersUS, 1965
tennis, anyone?used for humorously suggesting an activity Seen
as quintessentially British and enormously witty in its many variant formsUS, 1951
tennis racket; tennisnouna jacket Rhyming slangUK, 1992
tennis shoesnountyresUS, 1976
ten one hundrednounthe act of urinationUS, 1976
ten overnouna surfing stance in which the surfer’s ten toes extend over the nose or front of the boardUS, 1991
ten percenternouna person who buys and resells stolen goodsUS, 1976
tensnounamphetamineUK, 2003
tenseadjectiveused of a computer program, smart and economical
US, 1983
tensionnouncrack cocaineUS, 1993
tenskynouna ten-dollar note The ‘sky’ is a meaningless decorative embellishmentUS, 1962
ten-spotnoun1a ten-dollar noteUS, 1954.2a ten-pound note Adopted directly from the previous senseUK, 1984.3a ten-year prison sentenceUS, 1965
Tenth Streetnouna ten-dollar noteUS, 1946
’tentionnounin poker, a tenUS, 1951
tent pegnounan egg Rhyming slangUK, 1949
tent polenounan erect penis From the image of an erect penis pushing up against a sheetUS, 1992
tent squirrelnounin circus and carnival usage, a performerUS, 1981
tenuc; teenucnounthe vagina; an unpleasant or despicable person Back slang forCUNT UK , 1904
termination dustnounthe first snow of the winter Because it terminates construction in the northUS, 1957
termitenouna carpenterUS, 1963
terpernouna professional dancer An abbreviation of Terpischore, daughter of Jupiter and Mnemosyne, the muse of dancingUS, 1973
terps; turpsnouna cough syrup containing elixir of terpin hydrate and codeine, abused for non-medicinal purposesUS, 1971
terr; ter; terro; terrynouna guerilla soldier; a terrorist Originally Rhodesian military slangSOUTH AFRICA, 1978
terra-poonouna crossbreed of terrier and poodleUS, 2001
terribleadjectiveexcellentUS, 1960
terrible Turknounwork Rhyming slangUK, 1992
terriblyadverbused as a positive intensifier with the meaning exceedingly, greatly, veryUK, 1833
terriernouna railway track workerUS, 1977
terrifadjectiveterrific Not a lot of thought goes into clipped adjectives, and with a few exceptions they do not last longUS, 1951
Territory rignounany of various adaptations of formal attire worn
Trang 6terroristnouna teacher who intimidates his pupils into learning.
Teen slang, post 11th September 2001US, 2002
terrorizeverbto cover something with graffitiUS, 1997
terror tracknounin cricket, a wicket best suited to fast bowlersUK,
1996
Terry toonnouna prostitute’s pimp Rhyming slang forHOON
AUSTRALIA, 1973
Terry Waiteadjectivelate Rhyming slang, formed (surely with irony)
on the church envoy and hostage negotiator (b.1939) who was
held hostage in Beirut for 1,760 days between January 1987 and
November 1991UK, 1998
tessnouna young manTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1960
testverb< test the shocksto have sex in a carUS, 1997
testernouna sample of drugsUK, 2000
testiculesnounthe testiclesUK, 2003
test-tube babynouna poker player whose experience is largely
limited to simulated computer poker gamesUS, 1996
test-tube wallahnouna forensic scientist Police useUK, 1971
tetenounthe female breastTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003
Texas Cadillacnouna Chevrolet Suburban sports utility vehicle
CANADA, 1991
Texas gatenouna cattleguardCANADA, 1997
Texas mickeynouna very large bottle of alcoholCANADA, 2001
Texas potnounmarijuana cultivated in TexasUS, 2003
Texas Ranger; TRnoundanger Glasgow rhyming slangUK:
SCOTLAND, 1988
Texas ratnounin the used car business, a car previously owned by a
salesman or other long-distance driverUS, 1968
Texas stopnounslowing down but not fully stopping as required by
law at a stop signUS, 1962
Texas sunflowersnounin craps, a roll of two fivesUS, 1983
Texas teanoun1marijuanaUS, 1938.2oilUS, 1984
Texas toothbrushnounthe penis In Texas, known as an ‘Oklahoma
toothbrush’US, 1994
Texas Volkswagennouna CadillacUS, 1956
Texicannouna TexanUS, 1984
Tex-Mexnoun marijuana, of Texan-Mexican origin UK, 1998
Tex Ritter; texnounbitter (beer) Rhyming slang, formed from the
US cowboy film actor, 1907–74UK, 1992
textverbto send a text message on a mobile phoneUK, 2001
textilenounamong naturists, a person who wears clothesUK, 1995
textileadjectiveclothed, as distinct from nude From the noun sense
UK, 1995
tezzersnounthe testiclesUK, 2003
TFBtoo fucking bad US, 1996
TFTFan after-dinner bloated condition unsuited to the
advancement of romance A coded message: ‘too fat to fuck’ UK,
2002
TGnouna young member of a youth gangUS, 2001
TGIFThank God it’s Friday Notable variations: the restaurant chain
‘T.G.I Friday’s’, established in New York in 1965, now worldwide;
and the controversial UK television programme TFI Friday,
1996–2000US, 1941
T-gramsnouna grandmotherUS, 1998
THnounin betting, odds of 8–1UK, 1991
Thai Buddhanouna strain of marijuana, known elsewhere as New
Zealand green, Tasmanian tiger and Hawaiian headAUSTRALIA, 2002
Thai greennouna strain of marijuana originating in ThailandUK,
2002
Thai sticknounmarijuana cultivated in Thailand, soaked in hashish
sale; a cigarette rolled from marijuana cultivated in ThailandUS, 1975
Thai weed; Thainounmarijuana cultivated in Thailand; marijuana from Thailand soaked in hashish oilUK, 1997
Thames trout; troutnouna condom Appears to be a London coinage, probably after the rare appearance of a condom floating down the River Thames; remembered by a correspondent from Sheffield as a 1970s usageUK, 2004
thangnounthing Slang by vowel exchangeUS, 1977
thanienounheroinUK, 2003
thank fuckused in relief when others may be grateful to God Euphemistic use of ‘fuck’ for what might otherwise border on blasphemyUK, 1999
thank goodnessused as a register of heartfelt or exaggerated grati-tudeUK, 1872
thanks a bunchused as an insincere or derisory declaration of gratitudeUK, 2003
thanks a bundleused as an insincere or derisory declaration of gratitudeUK, 1990
thanks a millionthank you very much indeed Usually sincere, but occasionally derisoryUK, 1984
thanks awfullythank you! Quintessentially English middle- and upper-classUK, 1890
thanks but no thanksused when declining an offerUK, 1979
thanks ever sothank you!UK, 1914
thank you and good night!used in final dismissal of a foolish suggestion, or in surrender to overwhelming misfortune A valedictory phrase that became a broadcasting cliché which inspired a catchphraseUK, 1975
thank-you-m’amnouna bump or dip in a road which produces a moment of slight uneasiness in the stomachUS, 1960
thatadjectiveused as a mildly derogatory prefix to a (usually proper) nounUK, 1976
thatadverbto such a degree; so; very In conventional use from the mid-C15, but by C20 considered colloquial or dialectUK, 1999
thatpronounused persuasively in anticipated commendationUK, 1849
that and thisnounurine; an act of urination Rhyming slang,PISS , also employed as a verbUK, 1961
Thatchernouna type of MDMA, the recreational drug best known
as ecstasy From Margaret Thatcher (b.1925), former UK Prime Minister 1979–90, later Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven; her name
is used here by an illicit drug manufacturer, perhaps as a tribute to her commitment to free enterpriseUK, 1996
Thatcher wagonnouna car with the back cut awayCANADA, 1987
that had to hurt!used as a humorous if not particularly sympath-etic observation of a painful eventUS, 1992
that’ll be the day!used of something that is not very likely to occur or be doneAUSTRALIA, 1941
that’ll happenused as a humorous comment on something that should not happen or never happens Coined and popularised by ESPN’s Keith OlbermanUS, 1997
that playsused for expressing approvalUS, 1966
that’s chalk!that’s great!BAHAMAS, 1982
that’s closeused for expressing doubt about a statement or requestUS, 1973
that’s dead!used for expressing a strong negativeUS, 1991
that’s thatused in final emphasis of a preceding statement: that’s all there is, there is no moreUK, 1872
that’s the name of that tuneused for summing up or signalling the end of an explanation A signature line of actor Robert Blake
on the television police drama Baretta (ABC, 1975–78) Repeated
with referential humour, especially after Blake’s arrest in the early 2000s for the murder of his wifeUS, 1978
that’s the ticket!used as a humorous expression of assent From
a skit on Saturday Night Live featuring Jon Lovitz as a pathological
Trang 7that’s what I’m talking about!I agree strongly! Almost a cliché
US, 2002
that’s word!used for expressing strong assentUS, 1992
that timenounthe bleed period of a woman’s menstrual cycleUS,
1954
that wayadjectivehomosexual Shortened from the euphemistic
phrase ‘that way inclined’UK, 1956
thaw shaynouna spendthriftIRELAND, 2000
THCnounmarijuana The psychoactive chemical in marijuana is
delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THCUS, 1971
THCdoctors’ shorthand for what the homeless require from a day
and night’s hospitalisation: three hots and a cot (three meals and
a bed)UK, 2002
theadjective1my ColloquialUK, 1838.2used in the formation of
colloquial nicknames for places Thus Alice Springs becomes ‘the
Alice’; Mount Isa becomes ‘the Isa’; Cloncurry becomes ‘the
Curry’; Wollongong becomes ‘the Gong’AUSTRALIA, 1883
theatricalnounan actor Generally seen in the pluralUK, 1859
Thelma Ritter; the thelmanouna toilet; the anus Rhyming slang
forSHITTER, formed from the name of the US film actress,
1905–69UK, 1998
Thelonius Monk; theloniusnounsemen Rhyming slang forSPUNK,
formed from the name of the US jazz pianist, 1917–82UK, 1992
them’s my ordersused as an apology for acting in accordance
with ordersUS, 1973
them’s the breaksused as a world-wise expression of resigned
acceptance of a misfortuneUS, 1988
them’s the rulesused as a humorous deference to protocol or
rulesUS, 1997
them thingsnounmarijuana cigarettesUS, 1992
the nerve of the scurve!used as a humorous exclamation, half
admiringUS, 1975
thereadverb< be thereto be alert and alive to your situationUK,
1890 < have been there; have been there beforeto have
experienced somethingUK, 1877 < have someone thereto
cause someone to be at a loss; to nonplus someoneUK, 1937
there it isused as a common form of assent by US soldiers in
VietnamUS, 1991
there I was with Davey Crockett used as a humorous
introduction to a story A signature line used by the Trooper Duffy
character played by Bob Steele on the television comedy F Troop
(ABC, 1965–67) Repeated with referential humourUS, 1967
Theresa Truncheon; Theresanouna police officer; the police An
example ofCAMPtrans-gender assignment, in this case an assonant
play on ‘truncheon’ as stereotypical police equipmentUK, 1992
there’s no answer to that!used in answer to a question,
implying an innuendo within the question which renders an
answer unnecessary A catchphrase of British comedian Eric
Morecambe, 1926–84, widely adopted as a useful face-saverUK,
1975
there you arenountea (a drink) Rhyming slang forCHAR UK , 1992
there you are then!; there you are!used as the (triumphant) last
words in an argument as a point is proved Often preceded by ‘so’
or ‘well’UK, 1907
there you go!used for expressing approvalUS, 1970
thermos bottlenouna tanker lorry From the shapeUS, 1976
these and thosenoun1the toes Rhyming slangUK, 1960.2the n
ose Rhyming slangAUSTRALIA, 1960.3clothes Rhyming slangUK, 1992
the shot heard ’round the worldnounthe homerun hit by New
York Giants Bobby Thompson to defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers in
the final game of a three-game playoff series for the National
League Championship in 1951 An allusion to the first skirmish of
the American Revolution on the village green in Lexington,
Massachusetts, on 19th April 1775US, 1951
thespnounan actor An abbreviation of the conventional ‘thespian’
thewsnounmuscles; the thighs; the forearms A variation of the conventional sense as ‘vigour’; only recorded in the pluralUK, 1966
Theynounthe mysterious authority over all authority, the power behind the throne Beloved in the political culture of the 1960sUS, 1968
Theydon Boisnounnoise Rhyming slang, formed from the name
of an Essex villageUK, 1992
thickadjective1in close association, familiar, intimate Often elaborated asTHICK AS THIEVES UK , 1756.2stupid, denseUK, 1935.
3sexually appealing, attractive, well builtUS, 1998.4of a bet, large
UK, 1991
thick-aadjectivevery dense Used in Maine, as in a-fog’, ‘thick-a-snow’ or ‘thick-a-vapor’US, 1978
thick and thinnoun1the chin Rhyming slangUK, 1992.2gin Rhyming slangUK, 1992
thick as a docker’s sandwichadjectivevery stupid ‘Thick as’ is used as the basis for many similesUK, 1998
thick as a plankadjectivevery stupid The simplified variation of
THICK AS TWO SHORT PLANKS UK , 1980
thick as a puddingadjectivevery stupid A north of England vari-ation on a theme; the ‘pudding’ is a Yorkshire puddingUK: ENGLAND, 2003
thick as pigshitadjectivevery stupidUK, 1999
thick as thievesadjectivein close association, familiar, intimate, inseparableUK, 1833
thick as two short planksadjectivevery stupid Originally military; one of the best-known modern variations on a Shakespearean themeUK, 1984
thick dick; thick Dicknouna stupid person Teen slangUK, 1982
thick earnouna blow round the head From the swelling of the ear – if the blow is accurateUK, 1909
thick end of the sticknounan unfair position to be in, or inequitable treatmentUK, 1957
thick headnouna headache, especially one that results from drinking alcoholUK, 1991
thickheadadjectiveidiotic, foolish, stupid From the noun senseUK, 1999
thickie; thicky; thickonouna fool Variations ofTHICK UK , 1968
thick on the groundadjectiveabundant, numerous, crowdedUK, 1893
thick pissnounsemenNEW ZEALAND, 1998
thiefnounin horse racing, a horse that runs worst when its chances seem bestUS, 1976
Thief RownounLondon Heathrow airport Jocular but tellingUK, 1999
thievenoun< on the thieveengaged in the occupation or act of stealingUK, 2001
thievingadjectiveinclined to thievery Originally in conventional use
UK, 1598
thighbrowsnounfemale pubic hair that escapes the confines of underwear or swimwearUK, 2002
thigh-highsnounstockings worn up the middle of the thighUS, 1995
thigh openernouna vodka gimletUS, 1985
thighslappernounin pantomime, the role of principal boy From the traditional gesture by which an attractive actress convinces an audience of her manhoodUK, 2003
T HillnounTommy Hilfiger™ clothingUS, 1998
thimble and thumb; thimblenounrum Rhyming slangUK, 1992
thimble-tittedadjectivesmall breastedUS, 1994
thinnounin prison, a keyUK, 1996
thin blue linenounthe police From the image of, and originally recorded as, a line of police holding back a crowdUK, 1984
thingnoun1used to replace any noun that the user cannot or does not wish to specify Also called a ‘thingy’US, 1968.2the penis Since Chaucer, and stillUK, 1386.3the vagina Euphemism Early use