Because ‘M’ is the 13th letter of the alphabetUS , 1966.2in a deck of playing cards, any kingUS , 1996 8see:13 thirteennicknamethe Mexican Mafia prison gangUS , 2000 thirteenth gearnouni
Trang 1in a policeman’s titleUS , 1970.4an interest, obsession, attractionUS ,
1841.5a romantic affairUS , 1974.6an instinctive or irrational dislike
of, or aversion to, someone or somethingUK , 1936.7heroin; a
capsule of heroinUS , 1958.8cocaineUK , 2002 < do your own
thing; do your thingto behave according to your own
self-centred philosophy, appetites and idiosyncracies Originally a black
coinage, adopted by the hippies in the 1960sUS , 1967 < have a
thing for; have a thing aboutto be attracted, perhaps
obsessively so, to someone or somethingUK , 1936 < the Thingan
M-50A1 Ontos antitank tracked vehicle, heavily armedUS , 1990.
< the thingthe requisite, notable or special pointUK , 1850
thingamajig; thingumajig; thingummyjignounused as a
psuedo-term for something the name of which is unknown, forgotten or
not importantUK , 1824
thingamerry; thingumbobsynounan object the name of which
escapes the speakerBARBADOS , 1965
thingie; thingynoun1a thingUK , 1933.2the penisUK , 1977
thingionounused as a vague replacement for an unremembered or
unnamed person, object or action A variation ofTHINGIE(a
replacement noun)UK , 2001
thingioverbused as a vague replacement for an unremembered or
unnamed verbUK , 2002
thingonounan unnamed, or temporarily unnameable, person or
thingAUSTRALIA , 1966
thingsnoun1possessions, personal effects carried with you at a
given timeUK , 1290.2garments, clothingUK , 1634 < do things to
someoneto excite someone, especially sexually; to arouse a
passion, whether deep or momentaryUK , 1951
things are crook in Tallarookthings are very bad Tallarook is a
town in central VictoriaAUSTRALIA , 1963
things-on-the-springsnouna military inspection of a soldier’s gear
displayed on his bedUS , 1991
thing-thingnounan object the name of which escapes or is
unimportant to the speakerUS , 1976
thingumabob; thingummybobnounused as a replacement for any
noun that the user cannot or does not wish to specifyUK , 1832
thingummynounused as a replacement for any noun that the user
cannot or does not wish to specify UK , 1796
thingummy-whatsitnounused as a euphemistic replacement for
any noun that the user cannot or does not wish to specifyUK , 2002
thingynounin drag racing, a car that has been modified and
enhanced for speedUS , 1960 8see:THINGIE
thin hairsnoun< have someone by the thin hairsto hold
someone at a disadvantage; to exercise complete control over
someoneUS , 1946
thinkverb< think outside the boxto reject standard
assumptions and strive for a creative solution to a problem From
a brain-teaser puzzle which can be solved only if you reject the
boundaries of a box It vaulted into cliché use quickly, and
provided the inspiration for author Jim Tompkins’ 2001 book
Think Outside the Box: The Most Trite, Generic, Hokey, Overused,
Cliched or Unmotivating Motivational Slogans US , 1999 < think
your shit doesn’t stinkto be very conceitedUK , 1961 < you’re
not paid to thinka catchphrase admonition in response to any
excuse that begins ‘but I thought ’ Originally a military truismUK ,
1971
think again, dearieused for humorously expressing the negative
US , 1987
think it ain’t?used for expressing affirmationUS , 1992
thinkonouna momentary loss of memory or disruption in a
thought process A play on ‘typo’US , 1991
think-piecenouna serious article of journalismUK , 1960
think tanknouna toilet Punning on the term usually applied to
non-governmental organisations that analyse policyUS , 1997
thin mannouna person who does not exist who is placed on a
payroll as a bookkeeping fictionUS , 1973
thinnynouna very thin hand-rolled cigarette or jointUK , 2000
thin one a dime, or ten-cent piece
thin on the groundadjectivesparse, scarce The natural opposite of
THICK ON THE GROUND(abundant)UK , 1942
thin-outverbto departUK , 1987
third basenounin casino blackjack, the seat immediately to the dealer’s rightUS , 1985
third degreenounan intense level of interrogationUS , 1880
third hatnounan assistant drill instructor in the US Marine Corps Generally the drill instructor who hands out physical discipline – Physical Incentive TrainingUS , 2004
third legnounthe penisUS , 1994
third railnoun1a bill, especially in a restaurant A term of the 1940s music industryUS , 1950.2an extremely controversial political issue Like the third rail in an electric railway system, it is to be avoidedUS , 2000.3inexpensive, potent alcoholUS , 1962
third sexnounhomosexuals as a groupUS , 1896
third-world botherernouna person who acts upon the need to do good in less fortunate areas of the worldUK , 2000
third world briefcasenouna large portable stereo system associ-ated, stereotypically, with black youth cultureUS , 1987
thirst monsternouna crack cocaine userUS , 2002
thirstyadjectiveintensely craving crack cocaineUS , 1992
thirteennoun1marijuana; a marijuana cigarette Because ‘M’ is the 13th letter of the alphabetUS , 1966.2in a deck of playing cards, any kingUS , 1996 8see:13
thirteennicknamethe Mexican Mafia prison gangUS , 2000
thirteenth gearnounin trucking, neutral gear, used to coast down hillsUS , 1971
thirty daysnounin poker, a hand with three tensUS , 1963
thirty dirty milesnounin a game of poker, a hand with three tens
US , 1963
thirty miles of railroad tracknounin poker, a hand consisting of three tensUS , 1988
thirtysomethingadjectivedescribing the age of the generation of baby boomers as they moved into their thirties From the name
of a television drama (1987–91) focusing onYUPPIEangstUS , 1990
thirty-thirtynouna central nervous system stimulant other than amphetamine packaged to look like and sold as amphetamineUS , 1993
thirty-weightnounstrong coffee Inviting a comparison with motor oilUS , 1976
this and thatnouna hat Rhyming slangAUSTRALIA , 1937
this and thatverbin cricket, to bat Rhyming slangUK , 1961
thisavvynounthis afternoon A Liverpool slurringUK , 2001
this is itused when something that has been talked about happens
or is happeningUK , 1942
this is meused in place of ‘hello’ when answering the telephone
US , 1978
this time it’s personalused as a humorous assertion that an issue is being taken personally A moderately popular catchphrase
from Jaws: The Revenge (1987) US , 1999
this will separate the men from the boys; this will sort the men from the boysthis task, event, crisis or activity will only be successfully managed by someone of sufficient experience or maturity The original use, ‘this is where the men are separated from the boys’ or ‘this is where they separate the men from the boys’, is attributed to US film actress Mae West, in which case this dates to the late 1930s and is laden with sexual innuendoUK , 1974
T.H Lowrynouna Maori Prison rhyming slang, formed from a famed horse-breederNEW ZEALAND , 1997
Thomas Cooknouna look Rhyming slang, invented by the advertisers for travel company Thomas Cook in the slogan ‘Take a Thomas Cook at our Prices!’ and now in limited circulation.UK , 1998
Thomas Morenouna whore Rhyming slang, probably formed from
Trang 2thong feminismnouncontemporary forms of feminismCANADA , 2002
thookverbto spitUK , 2006
thooleramawnnouna contemptible, incompetent personIRELAND ,
1989
Thora Hird; Thoranoun1a third-class university degree Rhyming
slang, based on British stage and screen actress Dame Thora Hird
(1911–2003)UK , 1998.2a turd, hence an act of defecation
Rhyming slang, based on the name of British stage and screen
actress Dame Thora Hird (1911–2003)UK , 2002
thorazine shufflenounthe slow, dragging walk of a patient being
medicated with thorazineUS , 1994
thornnoun1a nail Used by workers in the building trade in
GlasgowUK: SCOTLAND , 1988.2a knifeUS , 1993
thoroughbrednouna drug dealer who sells high quality, pure drugs
US , 1970
those daysnounthe bleed period of a woman’s menstrual cycleUS ,
1954
thounoun1a thousand US , 1867.2a thousandth of an inch UK , 1902
thoughused, after a question or statement, as an intensifier; truly
A colloquial termUK , 1905
thousand milernouna sateen shirt worn by railway workersUS , 1946
thousand percentadverbcompletely The most famous use of the
term in the US came in 1972 when Democratic presidential
nominee Senator George McGovern announced that he was ‘one
thousand percent’ in support of his running mate, Thomas
Eagleton, despite revelations that Eagleton had once received
shock treatment; McGovern dropped Eagleton from the ticket
several days after this endorsementUS , 1963
thousand-yard stare; thousand-metre starenouna lost,
unfocused look, especially as the result of brutal combatUS , 1986
thou shalt not be found out; thou shalt not get found out
propounded as the Eleventh CommandmentUK , 1974
thrapverb(of a male) to masturbateUK , 2001
thrashnoun1a high-spirited partyUK , 1967.2a style of hard rock
music that appeals to disaffected suburban adolescent boys – fast,
relentlessly loud and heavyUS , 1994
thrashverb1to surf aggressively and with skillUS , 1988.2to
skateboard aggressively and with skillUS , 1989.3in drag racing, to
work on a car hurriedly if not frantically in the hours just before a
raceUS , 2003
thrashedadjectivetired, worn-down, exhausted, especially as a result
of excessive indulgence in hedonistic pleasures; dishevelledUS , 1999
thrashernoun1a party where guests bring bottles of alcohol that
are poured into a rubbish bin for all to share Michigan Upper
Peninsula practice and usageUS , 2003.2a person who violently
responds to the pricks of a tattoo needleUS , 1997.3a skilled and
fearless skateboarderUS , 1984
threadersadjectivefed-up; being ready to lose your temper Royal
Navy, especially marine, slang; an abbreviation of ‘threadbare’,
suggesting patience worn thinUK , 1989
threadsnounclothesUS , 1926
threenouna three-dollar bag of heroinUS , 1976 < or threeeither
by exaggeration or understatement, used for emphasis of an
amountUK , 1976
three; three upverbin prison, to share a cell with two other
inmatesUK , 1996
three and a halfnounin Quebec, an apartment with a living room,
kitchen, bedroom and bathroom Similarly, in Quebec, a
‘two-and-a-half’ is an apartment with a living-dining room, bedroom and
bathroom; a ‘four-and a half’ has two bedrooms; and so forth up
to ‘seven-and-a-half’CANADA , 2002
three and fournouna whore Rhyming slangUK , 2003
three-baggernoun1an unattractive girl From the tease that she is
so ugly that you have to put two bags over her head and one over
yoursUS , 1987.2a train pulled by three enginesUS , 1946
three-ballsnouna Jewish person An allusion to the historical
three blind micenounrice Rhyming slang, formed from a nursery rhymeUK , 1992
three-bugnounin horse racing, an inexperienced jockey given a weight allowance of ten poundsUS , 1990
three-cents peoplenouna poor family When the colonial British Guyana dollar was based on the British pound sterling, ‘three cents’ was used to indicate cheapness The term survives as a metaphorical relicGUYANA , 1998
three-Dadjectivesaid of a school that recruits basketball players but does not prepare them for life after college It is said that the
college that does not teach players to play defense, does not instill discipline, and in the end does not award diplomas to many of its
student athletesUS , 1983
three day chopnouna period of partial or absolute withdrawal from drugs or a drug-substituteUK , 1996
three days by canoeadjectivea long distanceUS , 1993
three days’ delaynounin Quebec, three days’ noticeCANADA , 2002
three days older than dirtadjectivevery old indeedUS , 1994
three-deckernouna three-storey house Coined and primarily used
by Irish immigrants and then Irish-Americans in BostonUS , 1990
three deucesnounin hot rodding, three two-barrel carburettorsUS , 1992
three-dollar billnoun1used for comparisons of something that is rare or oddUS , 1942.2a homosexual From the expression ‘as strange as a three-dollar bill’US , 1965
three drags and a spitnouna cigarette Gay use; a deliberate reversal of rhyming slangSPIT AND DRAG(a cigarette) thereby avoiding the rhyme onFAGand its derogatory homosexual connotationsUK , 2002
three Dsnoun 8see:DERRY-DOWN-DERRY
three’d upadjectivein prison, used of three inmates sharing a single cellUK , 1974
three fatesnounin poker, three queensUS , 1988
three fifty-seven; three fifty-seven Magnumnouna central nervous system stimulant, the exact nature of which is unknown, sold as amphetamine on the streetUS , 1993
three-fingered salutenounwhen operating a computer, the keyed-combination of the characters Ctrl-Alt-Delete used to restart the machineUS , 2004
three-finger fuck aroundnouna disorganised activity with no apparent purposeUS , 1991
three-for-twonounfifty percent interestUS , 1967
three-hairsnouna Vietnamese woman From the perception of the
US soldier that the pubic hair of Vietnamese women is very sparse
US , 1991
three H enemanounin hospital usage, an aggressive enema –
high, hot and a hell of a lot US , 1980
three-holernicknamean aircraft with three engines, especially the Boeing 727US , 1985
three hots and a cotnounroom and board From the sense ofHOT
as ‘a meal’US , 1930
three-hundred clubnouna notional association of those who experience a temperature swing of three hundred degrees farenheit, usually by rolling naked in the Antarctic night and then entering a saunaANTARCTICA , 2003
three-legged beavernouna homosexual man Two legs and an erect penis make the three legs, feminised byBEAVER(a woman/vagina)UK , 1981
three-martini lunchnouna leisurely business lunch paid for from
an expense account, often centred around alcoholUS , 1972
three minutesnouna gang punishment in which the offending member must fight another gang member for three minutesUS , 2001
three moonnouna three-month prison sentence A multiple of , included here for the singular nature of the plural
Trang 3three on the treenouna three speed manual transmission with
the gear shift mounted on the steering columnUS , 1993
threepenny bits; thrupennies; threepennies; thrupsnoun1the
female breasts Rhyming slang for, (TIT(S)) , based on a small coin
(3d) that ceased to be legal tender with decimalisation in 1971;
when this slang was coined, you got 80 threepenny bits to the
poundUK , 1961.2an urgent need to defecate; diarrhoea Rhyming
slang forTHE SHITS AUSTRALIA, 1971
three-phase setnounin electric line work, a set of three shovels: a
cup-shaped spoon, a spade and a shovelUS , 1980
three-point c and bnouna painful parachute landing The three
points were the head, heels and buttocks, while the ‘c and b’ was
a ‘crash and burn’US , 1991
three-roundernouna petty criminal, a small operator From the
three-round bouts of junior and novice boxingUK , 1961
threesnoun1the third landing or floor level in a prisonUK , 1978.2in
poker, three cards of the same rank in a handUS , 1967 < all the
threesthirty-three In Bingo, House or Housey-Housey calling, the
formula ‘all the’ announces a double numberUK , 1943
three-sheetverbto wear theatrical makeup in publicUS , 1971
three sheets in the windadjectivevery drunkUK , 1821
three-sixtynouna complete, 360-degree turn; in the UK, especially
while joyridingUS , 1927
three-skinnernouna marijuana- or hashish-filled cigarette
fashioned out of three cigarette papersUK , 2003
threesomenoungroup sex with three participantsUS , 1972
three squaresnounthree square meals a dayUS , 1922
three-time losernouna criminal who has been convicted of a third
serious crime, probably guaranteeing life imprisonmentUS , 1966
three-toed slothnouna slow-thinking, slow-talking, slow-acting
hospital patientUS , 1985
three-toke killernounextremely potent marijuana Derived from
the perception that the marijuana will produce extreme
intoxi-cation after only three inhalationsUS , 1993
three-tonenounof a car, badly repaired after an accident A play on
the advertising of ‘two-tone’ cars (cars painted in two colours)UK ,
1981
three-two-hundred out, one-six-hundred inadjectivecompletely
confused From the standard 6400-mil circular artillery chartUS ,
1968
three up and three downnouna master sergeant in the US Army
From the stripe configurationUS , 1991
three up and two downnouna sergeant first-class or platoon
sergeant in the US Army From the stripe configurationUS , 1991
three-waynounsex involving three people simultaneouslyUS , 1985
three-wayadjective(used of a woman) willing to engage in vaginal,
anal and oral sexUS , 1967
three-way freewaynouna woman who consents to vaginal, anal
and oral sexUS , 2001
three wheel trike; three-wheelernouna lesbian Rhyming slang
forDYKE UK, 2003
thriftverbto live a frugal, if attractive, lifestyleUS , 1997
thrift shopnounany low-limit, low-ante poker gameUS , 1996
Thrilla in Manillanicknamethe heavyweight boxing championship
fight between Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier on 1st October
1975 in Manilla, won by Ali when Frazier’s manager Eddie Futch
threw in the towel before the 15th roundUS , 1998
thrilledadjectivepleased, delightedUK , 1937
thrilled to bitsadjectiveutterly delighted; very pleasedUK , 1964
thrillernouna sensational (adventure) story told as a play, film or
novel; such a form of entertainment A narrow sense of the
general meaningUK , 1889
thrill pillnouna central nervous system stimulant in tablet form A
reduplication that never really caught on; too true for a
throatnoun< have someone by the throatto have someone completely under controlAUSTRALIA , 1947
thrombonouna fit of rage From ‘thrombosis’, suggesting a rush of blood to the headUK , 2002
thronenoun1a toilet seat; a pedestal lavatory (as a place on which you sit)UK , 1922.2the most coveted position for a bookmaker at the trackAUSTRALIA , 1989
throttle artist; throttle jerker; throttle pullernouna train engineerUS , 1977
throttle jockeynouna combat jet pilotUS , 1956
throttling pitnouna lavatoryAUSTRALIA , 1971
through-the-cardnouna wager that bets on all the races at a meeting Commonly used when gambling on greyhound racingUK , 2001
through-ticketnounin pool, a player who continues to play and to lose money until he has lost his entire bankrollUS , 1993
thrownoun1the cost of an item or action, usually preceded by a specific amount Probably from the old side shows of the fairUS ,
1898.2an act of vomiting; vomitAUSTRALIA , 1967
throwverb1to disconcert, to confuseUS , 1844.2to deliberately lose a contestUS , 1868.3to break an addictionUS , 1952 < throw a fin; throw the finwhile surfing, to reach the top of a wave and expose to the air the surfboard’s fin(s)US , 1987 < throw a fitto become very angry or agitatedUS , 1926 < throw a partyto lose heavily when gamblingUS , 1982 < throw a shapeto make an impression, 1999 < throw a shineto ignore someone Usage by Mexican-American youth (Pachucos) in the southwestern USUS ,
1947 < throw a shoeto suffer a tyre blowout or flat tyreUS , 1963.
< throw blowsto fightUS , 1965 < throw flamein trucking, to show an actual flame or a red glow suggesting a flame on a smokestackUS , 1971 < throw forty fitsto become very angry or agitated An occasional intensification ofTHROW A FIT UK, 1984.
< throw gravelto accelerate briskly from a dirt road shoulderUS ,
1962 < throw handsto fightUS , 2002 < throw it to someone
from a male perspective, to have sexUS , 1969 < throw off atto deride someone or somethingAUSTRALIA , 1812 < throw onefrom the male perspective, to have sexUS , 1954 < throw shadeto project a defiant attitudeUS , 1995 < throw shapesto boxIRELAND ,
1995 < throw signsto flash hand signals, almost always gang-relatedUS , 2001 < throw teddy out of the pramto throw a tantrum; to lose your temper An allusion to childish behaviourUK ,
1998 < throw the bald-headed champto perform oral sex on
a manUS , 1972 < throw the book at someoneto discipline or penalise someone severely Making maximum use of the rulebook that inspires the punishmentUS , 1960 < throw the headto lose one’s temperIRELAND , 1995 < throw the knockwurstfrom the male perspective, to have sexUS , 1973 < throw the latchin a hotel, to activate a mechnical device advising hotel employees to carefully watch activity in a particular roomUS , 1954 < throw the leg overto mount a racehorseAUSTRALIA , 1989 < throw the voice; throw your voiceto vomitAUSTRALIA , 1962 < throw up your setto flash gang hand signalsUS , 1995 < throw waistto thrust with vigour during sexTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003 < throw your weight about; throw your weight aroundto ‘show off’
in an unpleasant, domineering way; to bully peopleUK , 1917
throwawaynounan outer garment quickly discarded by a criminal after a crime to thwart easy identificationUS , 1987
throw awayverbto abort a foetusTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1939
throwawayadjectiveused of a gun unregistered and not capable of being traced, and thus used to place in the vicinity of someone whom the police have shot to justify the shootingUS , 1981
throwdownnouna large partyUS , 1996
throw downverb1to threaten someone with a weaponUS , 1972.2to killUS , 1963.3in basketball, to forcefully drive the ball down through the basketUS , 1997.4to dance Sometimes embellished with ‘some happy feet’ as a direct objectUS , 1983
throw-down gun; throwdownnouna gun that is not registered and not capable of being traced, and thus placed by the police in the vicinity of someone whom they have shot to justify the
Trang 4throw offverbto perform at a skill level below your capabilityUS ,
1965
throw-outnoun1the prize that a carnival game operator arranges
for a player to win to entice more customers to playUS , 1985.2a
trinket thrown by a parader to spectatorsUS , 1951
throw-upnouna large, simple piece of graffiti artUS , 1994
throw upverb1to vomit Abbreviated from the elaborately elegant
‘throw up your accounts’ (C18)UK , 1793.2to create large graffiti
pieces (especially on trains, walls, etc)US , 1994
thrushnoun1a female singerUS , 1940.2an attractive young woman
AUSTRALIA , 1960
thrustnounamyl, butyl or isobutyl nitrite A definite suggestion of
sexual vigour and therefore, probably, derives from brand
marketing as a male sex-aidUK , 1996
thrusternoun1an amphetamine or other central nervous system
stimulantUS , 1969.2a modern surfboard with three finsAUSTRALIA ,
1985
thrutchnouna difficult challengeANTARCTICA , 2003
thudnicknamean F-105 Thunderchief aircraft From the fact that
many were shot down during the Vietnam war A two-seated F-105
was known as a ‘double thud’US , 1965
thugnouna youth gang memberUK , 2003
thugged-outadjectivein hip-hop culture, self-sufficient and
danger-ous From conventional ‘thug’ (a violent person) which has been
adopted by some urban blacks as an honourable term and
con-ditionUS , 2002
th-uh, th-uh, that’s all folksused as a humorous farewell Used
as the sign off on Looney Toon cartoons produced by Warner
Brothers by a stuttering Porky the Pig Repeated with referential
humourUS , 1955
thumbnounmarijuana; a marijuana cigarette Probably because you
suck your thumb for comfort in much the same way as you suck
on a cigaretteUS , 1960 < on the thumbhitchhikingUK , 2004.
< with the thumbin betting, used for indicating that the
current odds will not continue to be offered for long From the
TICK-TACKsignal used by bookmakersUK , 1991
thumbverbto hitchhikeUS , 1932 < thumb your noseto treat
someone or something contemptouslyUS , 1973
thumb busternoun1a knob attached to a car or truck’s steering
wheel to help the driver make turns quickly When the steering
wheel returns to its normal position, the knob can injure the hand
of a driver who is not carefulUS , 1971.2a railway mechanicUS , 1977
thumb-checknouna cursory examination of a long document or
packet of documents US naval aviator usageUS , 1986
thumb jobnouna hitchthiker; the act of hitchhiking Citizens’ band
radio slangUS , 1976
thumb merchantnouna hitchhikerUS , 1976
thumbs downnouna rejection or refusal From the gesture
famously used to signal ‘no mercy’ for gladiators in the arenas of
ancient Rome and HollywoodUK , 1929
thumbsuckernouna long and complex piece of journalism; a writer
of such articlesUS , 2003
thumbs upnounapproval; positive news After the gesture that
spared the life of Roman gladiatorsUK , 1951
thumpnouna fightUS , 1971
thumpverbto defeat someone soundlyUK , 1594
thumpernoun1a hand grenade launcherUS , 1990.2a drummerUS ,
1981.3a piece of rope used by dog handlers to discipline sled dogs
ANTARCTICA , 1982.4in electric line work, an underground fault locator
US , 1980
thumper bumpernounin pinball, a bumper that upon impact with
a ball scores and then propels the ball back into playUS , 1977
thump gunnounan M79 grenade launcher Vietnam war usageUS ,
1982
thumpingadjectiveunusually large or heavy; of an untruth,
outrageous
thumpingadverbused as an intensifier of adjectives of large sizeUK , 1961
thundernoun1male sexual prowessTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1989.
2heroinUK , 2002 < do a thunderto defecateIRELAND , 1994
thunderverbto excelUS , 1989
thunderbagsnoununderpantsAUSTRALIA , 1971
thunderbirdsnounthe female breasts From the mammaric and lexicographic symbolism of the science fiction Thunderbirds, especially Thunderbird 2, in cult television supermarionation
puppet-series Thunderbirds by Gerry Anderson, from 1965, and
relaunched in the 1990sUK , 2001
Thunderbirds are goused for denoting or announcing that
something is proceeding A catchphrase from Thunderbirds, a cult
science fiction puppet series, first broadcast on television in 1965
UK , 2001
thunderbowlnouna lavatoryUK , 1982
thunderboxnouna lavatory Originally coined for a ‘portable commode’UK , 1939
thunderbumpernouna cumulonimbus cloudCANADA , 1995
thunderdomenouna variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best
known as ecstasy A reference to the film Mad Max: Beyond The Thunderdome, 1985 UK , 1999
thunderingadjectiveforcible, violent; hence, as an intensifier: great, excessiveUK , 1618
thunderingadverbexcessivelyUK , 1809
thunderinglyadverbviolently, forcibly, powerfully, energetically; greatly; excessivelyUK , 1680
Thunder RoadnounHighway 13, north of Saigon, South Vietnam
So named because of the US Army’s frequentTHUNDER RUNSon Highway 13US , 1971
thunder runnoun1during the Vietnam war, a tactic of having a small armoured convoy drive at high speeds shooting at both sides of the road to thwart ambushes by the Viet Cong; in Iraq in
2003, used by soldiers of a death or glory incursion into Baghdad Possibly originating in the Korean war, 1950–53, where it was used figuratively for a final bar crawl before leaving a postingUS , 1983.
2in white-water rafting, the most treacherous rapids or the act of negotiating themUS , 2003
thunder thighsnounlarge, heavy thighs, especially on a womanUS , 1977
thunknounin computing, code that supplies an addressUS , 1991
thunkverbused as an alternative past tense of ‘think’ in place of
‘thought’ Intentionally jocular or ruralUK , 1876
TInicknamethe federal correctional institution, Terminal Island, CaliforniaUS , 1981
tianounmarijuana A Spanish aunt such asAUNT MARY(marijuana)
UK , 2003
TIAused as Internet shorthand to mean ‘thanks in advance’ US , 1997
Tibb’s Daynounthe day after Resurrection, Judgment Day etc, i.e a
day that will never come in this lifetime C L Apperson, in English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, calls it ‘a day neither before nor after Christmas’ Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1870)
points out that there never was such a saint as St Tibb, hence the use of the term as a synonym for ‘never’CANADA , 1999
ticnounphencylidineUS , 1977
TICnounwhen a criminal is on trial, a crime which does not form a part of the case being heard but which the defendant may request
to have taken into account during sentencing A partial acronym
of ‘taken into account’UK , 1996
ticalnounmarijuana A coinage claimed by rap artist Methodman; usage spread with his adoption of ‘tical’ as one of many drug-related aliasesUS , 1998
ticknoun1a moment; a second, a minuteUK , 1879.2credit, deferred payment Generally in the phrase ‘on tick’ (on credit)UK , 1642.3in spread-betting, a tenthUK , 2001.4in basketball, a shotUS , 1986.5in a
Trang 5tickverb< tick along nicelyto make satisfactory progress Ireland
IRELAND , 2003
tickadjectivesexually attractiveUK , 1950
ticked offadjectiveangryUS , 1959
tickernoun1a clock, especially a pocket watchUS , 1964.2the heart
Analogised to a clock tickingUS , 1930.3courageAUSTRALIA , 1977
ticketnoun1an ordinary person Used generally in Glasgow and
MODcultureUK , 1985.2an amusing or charming personIRELAND ,
1992.3a follower (not an originator) of Mod fashionUK , 1964.4a
professional licence; a certificate of qualification Originally military
US , 1951.5a warrant or bill of detainerUS , 2002.6an official
misconduct report in prisonUS , 1976.7an order to be locked in
solitary confinementUS , 1965.8in prison, a contract for a killing or
beatingUS , 1974.9in horse racing, a betting receiptUS , 1951.10a
playing card As in the expression ‘I held some good tickets’US ,
1961.11LSD; a dose of LSD Another LSD-as-travel metaphorUS ,
1969 < just the ticket; that’s the ticketexactly what is
requiredUK , 1838
ticket agentnounan LSD dealer Premised on aTRIPmetaphorUS ,
1974
Ticket Bastardnicknamethe Ticketmaster ticket serviceUS , 1994
ticket of leave mannouna paroleeUK , 1998
ticket-punchingnounin the military, nearly automatic promotion
from rank to rank with short periods in combat to justify the
pro-motionUS , 1988
ticketsnounthe female breasts A term from the coarse sector of
the entertainment industry, recognising the selling power of sexUS ,
1977 < have tickets on yourselfto be conceitedAUSTRALIA , 1918
tickety-booadjectivefine, correct, in order, satisfactory Originally
military; a variation of ‘ticket’, as inJUST THE TICKET(correct), with
Hindu tikai babu (it’s all right, sir’) UK , 1939
tick-hunternounan ardent bird-watcher, usually one who is
excit-able From a bird-watcher’s habit of ticking-off observations in a
note bookUK , 1977
tick in cow’s arsenounsomething or someone who is very close to
something or someone elseTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1982
ticking-offnouna reprimandUK , 1984
ticklenoun1a robbery or other profitable criminal enterprise
Probably derives from the image of a poacher ‘tickling a trout’, an
activity for the ‘light-fingered’UK , 1938.2in the sport of polo, a
weak hit on the ballUK , 2003.3a pleasurable sensation caused by
drug useUK , 2000.4a deep v-bottom on a boat; also, especially in
Newfoundland, a narrow strait between mainland and an island
CANADA , 1947
tickleverb1to prime an engine To start the cold engine of a
motorcycle, it is sometimes necessary to prime the carburettor, or
‘tickle the pot’US , 2003.2to administer oral sex to a male
pornographer performer before or between scenes to help him
maintain an erectionUS , 2000.3to robNEW ZEALAND , 1998 < tickle a
bugin computing, to activate a normally inactive malfunctionUS ,
1991 < tickle the peterto steal from a till or cashboxAUSTRALIA ,
1941 < tickle the picklefrom the male perspective, to have sex
US , 1964
ticklebellynounthe queasy feeling experienced when a car crests a
poorly graded hill too fastCANADA , 2002
tickled; tickled to death; tickled pinkadjectivevery pleasedUK , 1907
ticklernoun1an office system that serves to remind of impending
deadlinesUS , 1905.2anything worn on the penis that is designed to
stimulate the vagina or the clitoris during sexUK , 1974
tickle your fancynouna homosexual Rhyming slang,NANCY(BOY),
noted as a post-World War 2 term by Ray Puxley, Cockney Rabbit,
1992, who suggests a corruption of the children’s song ‘Billy Boy’
as a possible sourceUK , 1992
ticklishadjectivedifficult, awkwardUK , 1591
tick offverbto reprimand someoneUK , 1915
tick-tack; tic-tacnoun1a system of hand signalling used by
racecourse bookmakersUK , 1899.2a signal of any kind From race
tick-tack; tic-tacverbto signal betting information by tick-tack
AUSTRALIA , 1956
tick-tackernouna person who signals betting information by tick-tackAUSTRALIA , 1897
tick-tackingnounan illegal system of sign language used between bookmakers and touts on a racecourseAUSTRALIA , 1899
tick-tack mannouna tick-tackerAUSTRALIA , 1939
tick-ticknouna bicycle with three gearsTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003
tick-tocknouna clock A children’s colloquialism, from the conven-tional imitation of the ticking of a clockUK , 1984
tick-tockused to mark the passing of an instant From the ticking
of a clockUK , 1959
tick twentynounten o’clockUS , 1946
tickyadjectiveold-fashioned, out-of-dateUS , 1960
tic-tacnoun1a person who signals betting information by tick-tack
UK , 1990.2a fact Rhyming slang, from the race track signalling systemUK , 1992.3phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dustUS , 1994
tid-bitnounan appetising and toothsome womanUS , 1973
tiddie; tiddynounthe female breast A variation ofTITTY UK, 2003
tiddleverbto urinate A children’s colloquialismUK , 1961
tiddled offadjectiveannoyed, cross AfterTIDDLE(to urinate), thus a variation ofPISSED OFF UK, 1977
tiddlernoun1any small fish Originally applied to a sticklebackUK ,
1885.2anything small; a child, a small animal, a small drink, etcUK ,
1927.3any small coin (of size rather than denomination)UK , 1966.
4a player of tiddleywinksUS , 1958
tiddler’s bait; tiddley bait; tiddley; Tilly Batesadjectivelate Rhyming slangUK , 1960
tiddly; tiddleyadjectivemildly drunkUK , 1905
tiddlywink; tiddly-wink; tiddleywink; tiddly; tidnoun1an alcoholic drink Rhyming slangUK , 1859.2a Chinese person Rhyming slang forCHINK(a Chinese person)UK , 1977
tidemarknouna dirty mark that is left by, and marks the extent of,
a child’s neck-washing regimeUK , 1961
tide’s inadjectiveexperiencing the bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS , 1999
tide’s outadjectiveexperiencing the bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS , 1999
tidyadjective1large, considerable As in the song sung by Boy Scouts: ‘The great meat pie was a tidy size, / And it took a week to make it, / A day to carry it to the shop, / And just a week to bake it’UK , 1838.2satisfactory; good; decent; correct Widely exampled by
John Edwards, Talk Tidy! (the title is defined in the book as ‘speak
properly!’), 1985UK , 1844.3sexually attractive; sexyUK , 2000
tidy!in South Wales, used as a positive affirmationUK: WALES , 1985
tidy; tidy upverb1to make something orderly, clean, etcUK , 1821.
2to wash the vulva and vaginaTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1978
tidy and neat; tidyverbto eat Rhyming slangUK , 1992
tidy awayverbto clear up for tidiness’ sakeUK , 1867
tidy whitiesnounwhite, boxer-style men’s underpantsUS , 1994
tieverbto inject with a drugUK , 2003 < tie on oneto get very drunkUS , 1996 < tie the knotto marryUK , 1605 < tie them downon the railways, to apply hand brakesUS , 1946
tie a knot in it!addressed to someone (usually a male) who needs
to urinate but is having to control the urge; also, said to someone who is whistling tunelesslyUK , 2001
tie and teasenounsexual bondage alternating pleasurable stimu-lation and deliberate frustration, especially when advertised as a service offered by a prostituteUK , 2003
tie-eyenouna commotion or ruckusCANADA , 1999
tie offverbto restrict the flow of blood in a vein in preparation for
Trang 6tie-tonguedadjectivesuffering from a speaking disability such as a
lispBARBADOS , 1965
tie-upnounthe rope or cord used to restrict the flow of blood in a
vein in preparation for an injection of drugsUK , 1996
tie upverbto apply an improvised tourniquet, usually on the arm,
preparatory to injecting a drugUS , 1990
tiffnouna petty quarrel; a brief peevish disagreementUK , 1754
tigernoun1a person who is keen for or enthusiastic about
somethingAUSTRALIA , 1896.2a male homosexualUK , 1983.3a wife A
Cockney endearmentUK , 1980.4an outstanding sportsman; a
confi-dent climber; a formidable sporting opponentUK , 1929 < take a
tiger for a walk(used of a food addict) to eat in moderation A
term in twelve-step recovery programmes such as Alcoholics
AnonymousUS , 1998
tiger cagenounan underground, high security jail cellUS , 1992
tiger countrynoun1rough, uncultivated country or terrain
AUSTRALIA , 1945.2any challenging situation From World War 2,
referring to territory patrolled by German Tiger tanksNEW ZEALAND ,
1945.3in hospital operating theatre usage, any part of the body
where surgery is high riskUS , 1994
tiger in the tanknouna linear amplifier for a citizens’ band radio
From the 1960’s Esso advertising slogan ‘Put a tiger in your tank’
US , 1976
tiger ladynouna female Vietnamese civilian building worker at a US
facility during the warUS , 1990
tiger pissnounTiger Paw™ beer A south Vietnamese speciality,
made with formaldehydeUS , 1991
tiger stripenouna scar from intravenous drug injectionsUS , 1958
tiger stripesnouncamouflage worn in the jungleUS , 1971
tiger suitnounjungle camouflage uniforms worn by soldiers in the
South Vietnamese ArmyUS , 1990
tiger sweatnounstrong, illegally manufactured whiskyCANADA , 1999
tiger tanknouna thing of little worth Rhyming slang for,WANK
(rubbish), usually phrased ‘not worth a tiger tank’; from the
advertising slogan ‘put a tiger in your tank’UK , 1980
Tiggerish; tiggerishadjectiveenergetically enthusiastic and cheerful
From the character of Tigger, created by A.A Milne, 1882–1956,
especially as filtered through the Disney animations of Winnie the
Pooh’s adventuresUK , 2003
tightnoun1a close friendBAHAMAS , 1982.2in poker, a hand consisting
of three cards of the same rank and a pair Known conventionally
as a ‘full house’CANADA , 1988 < in a tightin serious troubleUS ,
1984
tightadjective1tipsy; drunkUS , 1830.2lacking generosity, meanUK ,
2000.3aggressive; cruel; unpleasant From the previous sense as
‘mean’, punning on ‘mean’ as ‘cruel’UK , 1999.4hard; severe;
difficultUK , 1764.5of a slot machine, disadvantageous to the
gambler in terms of the frequency of payoutsUS , 1984.6used of a
hard bargainUS , 1828.7of money; hard to come by; in
short-circulationUK , 1846.8used of a player in poker extremely
conservative in play and bettingUS , 1990.9of a contest, close,
evenly matchedUS , 1848.10friendlyUS , 1956.11good; fashionable; in
styleUS , 1998
tight-arsenouna person who is mean with moneyUK , 1999
tight-arsedadjective1mean, close-fisted, ungenerousUK , 1966.
2puritanical; very restrained; self-centredUK , 1990
tight as a crab’s arseadjectivemiserlyUK , 1999
tight as a gnat’s twatadjectivemiserlyUK , 2001
tight-assnouna highly strung, nervous personUS , 1971
tight-assedadjectivehighly strung, nervousUS , 1970
tightenverb< tighten the wigto smoke marijuanaUS , 2001.
< tighten up someone’s gameto educate or coach someone
US , 1972
tightenernoun1any alcoholic drinkUS , 1969.2in horse racing, a race
seen as preparation for the next race
tighter than a camel’s arse in a sand stormadjectivemiserly An elaboration ofTIGHT(mean)UK , 1999
tighter than bark to a treeadjectivemiserlyCANADA , 1992
tight fight with a short sticknouna difficult job with poor equipment to do itUS , 1954
tight holenounan oil well whose discovery and location have not been reportedUS , 1997
tight lacesnouncommerically manufactured cigarettes, especially with filtersUS , 1990
tight-rollnouna manufactured cigaretteUS , 1984
tightwadnouna miserly personUS , 1906
tighty-whitiesnounform-fitting men’s jockey shortsUS , 1985
tig ol’ bittiesnounlarge breasts An intentional Spoonerism of ‘big old titties’US , 2001
tigre; tigre blanco; tigre del nortenounheroin Possibly
‘branded’ types of heroin, from Spanish for ‘tiger’, white ‘tiger’ and
‘northern tiger’UK , 2003
Tijuana 12nouna cigarette made with tobacco and marijuanaUS , 1982
Tijuana Biblenouna pornographic comic bookUS , 1979
Tijuana chromenounsilver spray paint Tijuana is just across the border from California in the Mexican state of Baja California Californian youth often took their customised cars to Tijuana, where much of the best and some of the shoddiest customising work was doneUS , 1993
Tijuana taxinouna well marked police carUS , 1976
tiknouna potential victim West Indian and UK blackUK , 1996
Tilbury Docks; the Tilburysnounany sexually transmitted infection Rhyming slang forPOX, formed on a part of the Port of London An earlier, now obsolete sense for this rhyme was ‘socks’
UK , 1992
tilesnoundominoesUS , 1959 < on the tilespartyingNEW ZEALAND , 1984
till-tapverbto steal money from a cash tillUS , 1970
till tappernounin a casino, a person who steals coins or tokens from a slot machine being played by someone elseUS , 1999
till tappingnountheft from a cash register when the cashier is distractedUS , 1964
tillynoun(especially in Queensland and northern New South Wales)
a utility truckAUSTRALIA , 1957
Tillynounused as a personification of the policeUS , 1970
Tilly Batesadjective 8see:TIDDLER’S BAIT
tilly-talliedadjectivedrunk Possibly from obsolete ‘tilly-vally’ (nonsense), which is what tends to be spoken when drunkUK , 1999
tiltnoun1especially in the Maritime Provinces, a crude shelter, open
on one side and with its back to the windCANADA , 1958.2in pinball,
a mechanism on the machine that ends a game when the player moves the machine too forcefullyUS , 1979 < on tiltused of a poker player’s playing, exceptionally poorUS , 1979
Timnouna Roman Catholic Who the original Tim is or was is unknownUK: SCOTLAND , 2000
timbernoun1a toothpickUS , 1948.2in horse racing, a hurdle in a steeplechase raceUS , 1976.3in poker, the cards that have been discardedUS , 1951.4in the circus or carnival, a person playing a game or concession with the house’s money in an attempt to attract other patrons to playUS , 1968
timber niggernouna Native American Indian Offensive Used by sporting enthusiasts and those in the tourist industry to describe Native American Indians involved in the fishing/hunting rights debateUS , 1993
timber ridernounin horse racing, a jockey in a steeplechase event
US , 1976
timbitnouna rendezvous for coffee and snack proposed by one
Trang 7refers to the dough that is punched out of a ring doughnut, fried,
and sold as a ‘hole’CANADA , 2000
timenountime in prison; a jail sentenceUK , 1837 < (he) wouldn’t
give you the time of day; too mean to give you the time
of dayapplied to a notoriously mean personUK , 1984 < do time
1to serve a prison sentence, especially in a manner that preserves
the prisoner’s sanityUK , 1865.2to stay after school in detentionUS ,
1954 < for the timein poolroom betting, playing with the loser
paying for the use of the tableUS , 1967 < have no time for
someoneto have no respect for someoneAUSTRALIA , 1911 < in no
time; in less than no timeimmediatelyUK , 1822 < make
time; make time with someoneto have sex with someone; to
make sexual advances towards someoneUS , 1934
time-and-a-halfnounin blackjack, the payout to a player of one
and a half times their bet when the player is dealt a natural 21 A
pun using a term usually applied to an overtime rate of payUS , 1977
time of the monthnounthe bleed period of a woman’s menstrual
cycle Barely euphemisticUK , 1931
time out!used for warning others of approaching policeUS , 2000
timernounfather An abbreviation of ‘old-timer’CANADA , 1993
time-stretchernouna prisoner whose attitude and actions serve to
make the time served by others seem longer than it isUS , 2002
time through the gatenounthe on-the-job experience of a prison
officerUK , 1996
Timmynouna Tristar aircraft In Royal Air Force useUK , 2002
timothynouna brothel A shortening of ‘Timothy Titmouse’,
rhyming slang for ‘house’AUSTRALIA , 1950
timpsnountimpani (kettle-drums); timpanists An abbreviation of
‘timpani’UK , 1934
Timshopnouna Roman Catholic chapelUK: SCOTLAND , 1996
tim tamnouna tampon Abbreviation and reduplicationAUSTRALIA , 2001
tinnoun1a police badgeUS , 1958.2a police officerUS , 1950.3a gunUS ,
1986.4a safeUS , 1970.5one ounce of marijuana Probably from a
pipe tobacco tin as a measured containerUS , 1946.6beer in any
quantity or containerUS , 1980.7in drag racing, a trophy, especially
one awarded without a cash prizeUS , 1965 < does what it says
on the tin; does exactly what it says on the tinused as an
assurance that whatever is so described will be, or behave, as
expected From a catchphrase-slogan for Ronseal™
wood-treatments; first introduced in the early 1990s, the phrase is now
part of the company’s registered trademarking, and widely applied
in the sense recorded hereUK , 2001
tin-arse; tin-bumnouna lucky person Derives, perhaps, from a play
on ‘copper-bottomed’AUSTRALIA , 1953
tin arse; tin arsedadjectiveluckyAUSTRALIA , 1919
Tina Turner; tinanoun1a profitable activity Rhyming slang for,
‘earner’; formed from the popular US singer and actress (b.1938)
UK , 2001.2Rhyming slang forGURNER(a person intoxicated by
MDMA)UK
tin bath; tinnoun1a laugh Rhyming slangUK , 2002.2a scarf
Rhyming slangUK , 1992
tin cannoun1a safe that is easily broken into by criminalsUS , 1949.
2an older ship in disrepairUS , 1970.3a citizens’ band radio set
From one of the most primitive technical means of
communi-cation: two tin cans joined by a piece of stringUS , 1976
tinchyadjectivepetty; smallBAHAMAS , 1982
Tin Citynouna sheet metal barracks in Guam used to house
Vietnamese refugees after the North Vietnamese conquest in 1975
US , 1990
tin collectornouna police officer or prosecutor involved in
investi-gating police misconductUS , 2001
tincturenoun1an alcoholic drink Popularised, if not inspired by the
‘Dear Bill’ letters in Private Eye UK , 1980.2a light drug in liquid
form A jocular euphemismUK , 1968
tin dognouna snowmobileNEW ZEALAND , 1969
tin ear
Tin-Ear Alleynounthe boxing world A journalists’ pun on ‘Tin-Pan Alley’(the world of music) UK, 1961
tin flutenouna suit A variation ofWHISTLE AND FLUTEin Glasgow rhyming slangUK: SCOTLAND , 1988
t’ingnounthing West Indian and UK black pronunciationUK , 1994
tingnounmoney; a payment, especially in an illegal contextTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1989
ting-a-lingnoun1the penisBAHAMAS , 1982.2a ring (jewellery) Rhyming slangUK , 1992.3in playing cards, a king Rhyming slang
UK , 1992
tin grinnounany person with orthodontiaUS , 1977
tingsnounthe testicles West Indian pronunciation of ‘things’UK , 2000
tingumnouna person or thing the name of which escapes the speakerBAHAMAS , 1995
tin hatnoun1a fool, an idiot Rhyming slang forPRAT UK, 1998.2on the railways, a company officialUS , 1977 < put the tin hat on it; put the tin hat on somethingto bring an unfortunate sequence to an unwelcome climax; to finish something offUK , 1919
tinhornnouna cheap and offensive personUS , 1887
tinhornadjectiveshoddy; inconsequential; inferiorUS , 1886
tin Indiannouna Pontiac carUS , 1993
tinkernoun1a member of the travelling community
Conventionally ‘an (itinerant) mender of pots, pans, kettles etc.’, but now more generally appliedIRELAND , 1997.2a child, especially a mischievous child Remembered in use in New Zealand in 1904 and in Australia in 1910NEW ZEALAND , 1996.3a piece of scrap from wreckageCANADA , 1983
tinker’s cuss; tinker’s damn; tinker’s tossnounsomething of no valueUK , 1824
tinklenounurine, the act of urinationUS , 1960 < give a tinkleto telephone someone From the ringing bell of original telephones
UK , 1938
tinkleverbto urinate Children’s vocabulary, used coyly by adultsUS , 1960
tinkleboxnouna pianoUS , 1946
tin lidnoun1a Jewish person Rhyming slang forYID UK, 1992.2a child Rhyming slang forKID AUSTRALIA, 1905
tinned dognouncanned meatAUSTRALIA , 1895
tinnie; tinnynouna can of beerAUSTRALIA , 1964
tinnynoun1an imprecise measure of marijuana wrapped in tinfoil, usually enough for about three cigarettesNEW ZEALAND , 1995.2a small aluminium boatAUSTRALIA , 1979.3a station wagon with a steel body and no wood trimUS , 1993
tinnyadjectiveluckyAUSTRALIA , 1919
tinny housenouna place where marijuana tinnies are soldNEW ZEALAND , 1999
tin platenoun1a mate Rhyming slangNEW ZEALAND , 1992.2in circus and carnival usage, a law enforcement official in a small townUS , 1981
tin sandwichnouna harmonica; a mouth organ Used as the title
of an album of harmonica music by Tommy Basker, ‘The Tin Sandwich’, 1994US , 1999
tinsel-teethnoun1any person with orthodontiaUS , 1979.
2orthodontic bracesUS , 1971
Tinsel TownnicknameHollywoodUS , 1939
tins of beans; tinsnounjeans (denim trousers) Rhyming slangUK , 1992
tin soldiernouna prostitute’s client who pays not for conventional sex, but to act as a prostitute’s ‘slave’ Noted as a ‘voyeur-type male, usually of middle- or upper-class background’ by David
Powis, The Signs of Crime, 1977 UK , 1977
tin tacknoun1dismissal from employment Rhyming slang forSACK Recorded in 1932 but believed to be late C19UK , 1932.2a fact Rhyming slang based onBRASS TACKs, generally pluralUK , 1999
tin tank