From ‘whirl’, but modelled onWILLY-WILLY AUSTRALIA , 1926 whirly windnounespecially in Queensland, a small, localised whirlwindAUSTRALIA, 1969 whiskernounusually in comparisons, a narrow
Trang 1whinge bagnouna complainer Formed onWHINGE(a moaning
complaint)UK, 2003
whingeing pomnounan English person viewed as a habitual
complainer A stock Australian stereotypeAUSTRALIA, 1962
whingernouna person who whinges; a habitual complainer
AUSTRALIA, 1934
whipnoun1a car Used by urban black youthsUK, 2004.2a long radio
antennaUS, 1976.3a boss or supervisorUS, 1984.4a close friend
BAHAMAS, 1982.5rumAUSTRALIA, 1953 8see:WHIP-ROUND
whipverbto arrest someoneUS, 1971 < whip it in, whip it outa
catchphrase that celebrates a male approach to sexual relations
From the lyric of a rugby song: ‘Whip it in, whip it out, quit
fucking about Yo ho, yo ho, yo ho’ Sometimes further extended
with: ‘wipe it off, walk away’UK, 1998 < whip it outto release the
penis from the confines of the trousers, a bold genital displayUS,
1997 < whip the catto feel remorse; to regret something
AUSTRALIA, 1847 < whip up on skippy(used of a male) to
masturbate, 2001 < whip your wang(used of a male) to
masturbateUS, 1969
whip and lash; whipnouna moustache Rhyming slang forTASH
UK, 1992
whip and top; whipverbto masturbate Rhyming slang forSTROP
UK, 1992
whiplashnouna rash Rhyming slang; perhaps, also, a sexual
innuendoUK, 1998
whip offverb(used of a male) to masturbateUS, 1975
whip-outnoun1a bankroll designed to impress when whipped out
of the pocketUS, 1972.2a regular paymentUS, 1981
whip o’willnounan act of vomiting; vomit Possibly rhyming slang
for ‘spill your guts’ AUSTRALIA, 1967
whippedadjectivedominated by a girlfriend or wife A shortened
form ofPUSSY-WHIPPED US , 1965
whippernoun1a small cartridge of nitrous oxide Designed for use
in making whipped cream, but often abused for the psychoactive
effects of the gasUS, 1986.2a person who enjoys being whipped in
a sado-masochistic encounterUS, 1970
whippersnapper; snappernouna young, impertinent person
unmindful of his station in life Still heard, but used with the
effect of dating the speakerUK, 1700
whippetnouna shotgun with both barrel and stock sawn off for
hiding on the bodyUS, 1982
whippets; whippitsnouncapsules of nitrous oxide used as a
rec-reational drugUS, 1980
Whippins and Lashinsnounthe Irish Girl GuidesIRELAND, 1995
whippynoun1a place used for the home base in children’s game
hide-and-seekAUSTRALIA, 1964.2a pocket in which money is kept;
hence, the money kept thereAUSTRALIA, 1973
whippyadjectivecleverUS, 1969
whip-round; whip-around; whipnounan informal fund collected
from a group of people Originally military ‘whip’ (a collection for
more wine in the mess)UK, 1874
whipsnouna great deal of A play onLASHINGS AUSTRALIA , 1890
whips and jinglesnounsymptoms of heroin withdrawal Referring
to the physical pain and frayed nerves sufferedUS, 1973
whipsawverb1in poker, to surround a player with two confederates
whose collusive betting tactics relieve the middle player of his
bankroll and drive him from the gameUS, 1949.2in horse racing, to
correctly pick both the winner and second-place finisher in a race
US, 1947
whip shotnouna type of controlled toss of the dice, effective by a
skilled cheatUS, 1963
whipsternounan untrustworthy individualIRELAND, 1997
whip-whapadverbquickly, without second thoughtTRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO, 2003
whirlnounan attemptUS, 1884
whirl bet in craps, a one-roll bet on 2, 3, 7, 11 and 12
whirliesnounextreme dizziness experienced when drunkUS, 1966
whirligignouna revolverUS, 1957
whirlpooling; whirlpoolnounthe assault of a girl by a group of males in a swimming pool who grope her while churning water around herUS, 1993
whirlynoun1in the television and film industries, a hydraulic lift used for shooting scenes from aboveUS, 1990.2a small, localised whirlwind The variant spelling ‘whirlie’ is sometimes used
AUSTRALIA, 1894
whirlybirdnouna helicopterUS, 1951
whirlygigsnoun< having the whirlygigsdrunkUK, 2002
whirly pignouna helicopter-borne police officer Quoted as a term used by residents of Berkeley, California, to describe police in helicoptersUS, 1970
whirly-whirlynouna small, localised whirlwind From ‘whirl’, but modelled onWILLY-WILLY AUSTRALIA , 1926
whirly windnounespecially in Queensland, a small, localised whirlwindAUSTRALIA, 1969
whiskernounusually in comparisons, a narrow margin, a small amountUS, 1913
whiskersnoun1seniority or tenure on a jobUS, 1973.2pubic hairUS, 1967
whiskeynouna type of bet in an illegal numbers game lotteryUS, 1957
whiskey dentnouna dent on your car that you don’t remember incurring while driving drunkUS, 1984
whiskeylegnouna drunkardUS, 1957
whiskey papanouna white phosphorous flare or grenade From the military phonetic alphabet – WPUS, 1990
whiskey-rotnounany unspecified illnessUS, 1970
whispernoun1a rumourUK, 1596.2the very end of a prison sentenceUS, 1976
whistlenounin the sport of polo, energyUK, 2003 < wet your whistleto take a drink; to quench a thirstUK, 1530
whistleverb< whistle in the darkto perform oral sex on a womanUS, 1967 < whistle through the wheatfieldto engage
in oral sex on a woman, especially a blonde womanUS, 2001
whistle and flute; whistlenoun1a suit (of clothes) Rhyming slangUK, 1931.2cocaine Rhyming slang forTOOT UK , 2000
whistle and flute; whistleverbto inhale drugs or drug smoke Rhyming slang forTOOT UK , 1996
whistle and toot; whistle and flute; tootnounmoney Rhyming slang forLOOT; used mainly in the reduced formUK, 1950
whistlebaitnounan attractive woman or girlUS, 1947
whistlecocknounamongst Australian Aboriginals, a penis that has had a small slit made in the base of the urethra as a means of birth control; a man who has had this operationAUSTRALIA, 1945
whistle forverbto wait for, or expect, something in vainUK, 1882
whistlernouna police carUS, 1971
whistlersnounpieces of metal scrap packed in an artillery shell that makes a screaming sound as the shell moves through the airUS, 1990
whistlestopnouna small town From the image of a train making a brief stop at the townUS, 1947
whistling gearnounin trucking, the highest gear May have been named for the whistling sound older tractors made when in overdrive gear, or for the possibility that a rig travelling in this gear could attract the attention of a ‘whistler’ – a police carUS, 1971
whitenoun1a capsule of Benzedrine™ (amphetamine sulphate) or any other central nervous system stimulantUS, 1966.2heroin, cocaine or morphine From the colour of the powdered drugUS,
1914.3crack cocaine A derivative of the previous senseUS, 1995.4a five-pound note From the colour of the large five-pound notes, which were withdrawn from circulation in 1957UK, 1946.5platinum
.
Trang 2worth one dollarUS, 1985.7in American casinos, a white betting
token worth $500US, 1961.8a day; daytimeUS, 1975.9‘silver’ coins
Variants include ‘whites’ and ‘white money’UK, 1887 < like white
on riceentirely, utterly, completelyUS, 1987 < the whitesurgical
spirit as an alcoholic drink The liquid is clear but ‘white’
differen-tiates this fromBLUE(methylated spirits)UK, 2000 < white-boy
shufflean uncoordinated, ungraceful, counter-rhythmic dancing
styleUS, 1993
whiteadjectivedecent Usually used sarcastically and as a conscious
rejection of the racism that once would have inspired the saying
US, 1913
white-antverbto undermine someone or something From ‘white
ant’ (a termite)AUSTRALIA, 1922
white-ass; white-assedadjectivebland; insipid; lacking creativity A
reciprocal in formation to the common ‘black-ass’; not praiseUS,
1995
white ballnouncrack cocaineUK, 1998
white boynounheroin An embellishment ofBOY(heroin), from the
colour of the powdered drugUS, 1986
white-breadadjectiveeveryday, unexciting, respectable; representing
the epitome of white middle-class values and styleUS, 1991
white burgernouna tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best
known as ecstasyUK, 1996
white Cali; white Callynouna variety of MDMA, the recreational
drug best known as ecstasy; an antihistamine tablet sold as
MDMA From the colour combined with an abbreviation of
California, the presumed place of originUK, 1996
white cliffs of Dover; white cliffsadjectiveover Rhyming slang,
formed from the famous landmark, celebrated in song and
geogra-phyUK, 1998
white cloudnouncrack cocaineUS, 1989
white cockroachnouna white personTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1838
white crinklenouna five-pound note A combination ofCRINKLE
(paper money) and the colour of five pound notes, which were
withdrawn from circulation in 1957UK, 1957
white crossnounan amphetamine or methamphetamine tablet,
sectioned with an XUS, 1965
white cylinder weeknounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycle
Refers to a tampon applicatorUS, 1999
white devilnouncocaineUS, 1972
white drugsnounheroin, cocaine, morphine, etc From the colour
of the refined powderUS, 1961
white dustnounpowdered amphetamineUK, 1996
white eyenounillegal alcohol smuggled from the French islands of
Saint-Pierre and Miquelon This term appears in Tom Dalzell’s The
Slang of Sin to mean ‘whisky’ CANADA, 1998
white-eyesnouna white personUS, 1978
whitefellow; whitefellanouna white person as opposed to a
native Australian AboriginalAUSTRALIA, 1826
white fevernounused of people of colour, a strong attraction
towards white people The opposite ofJUNGLE FEVER US , 1969
white fingersnouncocaineUS, 2002
white fluffnounLSDUK, 2003
white ghostnouncrack cocaineUK, 1998
white girlnoun1cocaineUS, 1971.2heroinUK, 1998
white goodsnouncocaine From the colour; adopts the retailing
term for ‘large white electrical goods’ (refrigerators etc.)UK, 2001
white-haired ladynounmarijuana Possibly derives as a simile for
something considered to be as dangerous as marijuanaUK, 1998
white hatnoun1an officer in a firefighting companyUS, 1954.2a
computer hacker who acts with a legal or moral justificationUS,
2001
white horsenoun1heroin An elaboration ofHORSE(heroin)UK, 2003.
white junknounheroin, possibly of the finest quality An embellishment ofJUNK(heroin) from the colour of the powdered drugUS, 1977
white kaffirnouna white person who associates with black people Racist and abusiveSOUTH AFRICA, 1846
white knightnouna night spent under the influence of cocaine The colour of cocaine and a pun on ‘night’UK, 2001
white-knuckleverbto persevere on courage alone, especially in the quitting of an addictive drugUS, 1974
white-knuckleadjectiveanxiety-making; frightening; thrilling From the effect of holding-on tightlyUK, 1988
white ladynoun1any strong white spirit such as gin or methylated spiritsAUSTRALIA, 1935.2a powdered narcotic, especially cocaine or heroin The shortened form ‘lady’ is also usedUS, 1968
white lightnounLSD Possibly a reference to The Velvet Underground’s 1967 album ‘White Light/White Heat’UK, 1969
white lightningnoun1strong, if inferior, homemade whiskyUS, 1921.
2LSD; LSD mixed with methamphetamine or similarUS, 1970
whiteline fevernounan addiction to cocaine The white powder is shaped in aLINEfor inhalationUK, 1996
white mannounan honourable manUS, 1865
white man’s timenounused for denoting punctualityUS, 1963
white meatnouna white person as a sex object; the genitals of a white person; sex with a white personUS, 1957
white micenoun1during the conflict in Vietnam, the South Vietnamese civilian police From their white helmets and gloves
US, 1977.2dice Rhyming slangUK, 1954
white missynouna glass of cheap white rumBARBADOS, 1965
white moneynounin prison, actual currency Required for major purchases, such as drugsUS, 1976
white mosquitoes; white mosquitonouncocaine Probably from the ‘sting’ of an injectionUS, 1949
white mulenounan illegally manufactured whisky, colourless and powerfulUS, 1921
white niggernouna French-Canadian OffensiveCANADA, 1971
white nurse; nursenounpowdered drugs; cocaine; heroin; morphineUS, 1936
white-on-whitenouna white shirt that was deemed fashionable in the 1940sUS, 1976
white-out; whiteynounan instance of paling as a symptom of imminent faintness, dizziness or vomiting From the draining of colour from the faceUK: SCOTLAND, 1988
White Owlnouna branded White Owl™ cigar re-made to contain marijuanaUS, 2003
white Owsleynouna type of high quality LSD From the name of legendary LSD manufacturer Augustus Owsley Stanley IIIUS, 1974
white pipenouna mixture of marijuana and crushed Mandrax™ (a branded tranquillizer in tablet form) smoked or ingested orally A tablet of Mandrax, also known as a ‘white’, enhances the effect of the marijuana When ‘white pipe’ is smoked it is usually in a pipe improvised with a broken bottleSOUTH AFRICA, 1998
white policeman’s rollnounin an illegal numbers gambling lottery,
a bet on 13, 37 and 70US, 1949
white powdernouna narcotic in white powder form, that is, heroin, cocaine or morphineUS, 1908
white-powder barnounlawyers who defend drug dealersUK, 1998
white robinnouna variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy From the colour of the tablet and the embossed motifUK, 2002
white rocknounhigh quality methamphetamine in rock formUS, 1989
white Russiannounin homosexual usage, the passing of semen
Trang 3white shirtnounin roller derby, a skater who plays honourably and
is seen as the ’good guy’, usually from the team designated as the
home teamUS, 1999
whiteshirtnouna senior prison officer From the uniformUK, 1996
white shitnouncocaineUK, 1996
white shoesnounwhite-wall tyresUS, 1978
white sidewallsnounthe visible scalp on the side of the head after
a short haircut, especially a military haircutUS, 1968
whiteskinnounin poker, any card ranked ten or lowerUS, 1943
white slavenouna woman engaged in enforced prostitutionUK, 1857
whitesocksnouna ferocious if tiny mosquitoUS, 1965
white stuffnounany powdered drug – morphine, heroin or
cocaineUS, 1914
white sugarnouncrack cocaine From the appearanceUK, 1998
white telephonenoun< speak on the great white telephone;
talk into the big white telephone; talk to God on the big
white telephoneto vomit into a lavatory bowl From the image
of a sick person leaning over a white lavatory bowl and crying
‘God!’ in despairUS, 1978
white tornadonounfreebase cocaineUS, 1979
white trashnounan impoverished or anti-social white person or
persons; originally, and still, the poverty-stricken white population
of the southern US Originally black usage; derogatory; abbreviates
to ‘trash’ (rubbish)US, 1831
white turtle-neck brigadenounmale homosexuals From a type
of jumper that was in vogue, and, perhaps intended as a discreet
signal between gay menUK, 1969
white van mannounthe average tabloid-reader-in-the-street, the
man-in-the-street It is a statistical probability that the driver
constructively criticising your driving is behind the wheel of a
white van Coined in 1997 by BBC Radio 2 DJ Sarah KennedyUK,
1997
whitewashnounin sports, a victory in which the opponent does
not score at allUS, 1867
whitewashverbto win a game without your opponent scoringUS,
1971
white widownouna variety of marijuana, 2002
white wognouna Welsh person Usually jocular, fromWOG(any
person of non-white ethnicity) and a recognition of the Welsh as a
race apart within the British Isles; it is, perhaps, interesting to note
that a Welsh accent attempted by an English person has a
pronounced tendency to sound IndianUK, 1984
white wormnounan uninfected appendix removed in surgery based
on an incorrect diagnosisUS, 1994
whiteynoun1a white person or white people collectively Insulting;
a gesture of resistanceUS, 1942.2an amphetamine pillUS, 1982.3in
pool, the cue ballUS, 1983 8see:WHITE-OUT
Whitney dressed as Britneyapplied to an older person dressed
in a younger fashion A modern variation of the popular idiom,
‘mutton dressed as lamb’; formed on the US entertainers Whitney
Houston (b.1963) and Britney Spears (b.1981)UK, 2004
whittleverb< whittle the gut stick(of a male) to masturbateUK,
2003
whiznoun< the whizpick pocketingUK, 1937
whizverbto urinateUS, 1971
whiz; whizznoun1a genius; somebody who is extremely proficient
at a given activity An abbreviation of ‘wizard’US, 1914.2an act of
urinating Often in a construction such as ‘take a whiz’US, 1971.
3whiskyUS, 1953.4on the railways, the pressurised air that operates
the brake systemUS, 1977 < on the whizoperating as a
pickpocketUS, 1950
whizbangverbto travel fastUS, 1966
whizbang; whizz-bangnounan injected mixture of cocaine and
whizboxnouna global positioning system device Gulf war usageUS, 1991
whiz-kid; whizz-kidnouna precociously bright child; hence a young person advancing in business faster than expectationsUS, 1960
whizonouna weapons system officerUS, 1991
whizzverbto use amphetaminesUK, 2000
whizz; wizz; whiznounamphetamine A pun onSPEED UK , 1993
whizzbangnouna pretty girlUS, 1947
whizzernoun1an excellent thing; also used as a nickname for a person who excelsUK, 1888.2the penisUS, 1999.3a pickpocket Variants include ‘whiz’ and ‘whizz’US, 1925.4in poker, a successful play of an inferior hand, or the person playing itUS, 1988.5a drinking boutCANADA, 1975 8see:WYSSA
whizzheadnouna habitual amphetamine userUK, 2000
whizz kidnouna habitual amphetamine userUK, 1999
whizz-kidsnounin police use, forensic scientists or a forensic science department Usually used with ‘the’ Formed on ‘whizz-kid’ (a precociously bright child)UK, 1971
whizz mobnouna gang of pickpocketsUK, 1929
whizzo; wizzonounin the US military, a weapons system operator
or officer From a vocalisation of the abbreviation WSOUS, 1993
whizzo!; wizzo!splendid!UK, 1905
whizzo; wizzoadjectiveexcellent AfterWHIZZO!(an exclamation of delight)UK, 1948
whizzyadjectiveused of a computer program, well-designed and attractiveUS, 1991
whoa!used for urging a serious reconsideration of the direction that the conversation is taking From the C19 command to a horse or
ox to stop, and still evocative of a simple, rural worldUS, 1981
whoadynouna close friend or family memberUS, 2004
who are you looking at?used aggressively as an offensive challengeUK, 1999
Who ate all the pies? You fat bastard, You fat bastarda call and response chant used to taunt anyone who is overweight A chant from the football terraces that has spread widerUK, 2001
who-began-itnounan admonishment or a threatened beating
IRELAND, 2000
who cares?expresses a dismissive lack of concern or interestUS, 1844
whodunnit; whodunitnoun1a murder mystery novel, film or other entertainment; a detective novel Adopted in the UK in 1942 from the USUS, 1930.2in prison, a meat pie A body has been discovered under the pastry!UK, 1950
who he?usually used for jocular or dismissive effectUK, 1981
who knows it?used as a ritualistic questioning of the veracity of a statementUS, 1963
whole ball of waxnouneverythingUS, 1953
whole box and dicenouneverythingAUSTRALIA, 1888
whole hognoun< go the whole hogto do something in a thorough wayUS, 1828
whole lot; whole lottaadverba great deal; very muchUS, 1907
who loves ya, baby?used for expressing affection in a humorous fashion The signature line of the police captain played by Telly
Savalas on the television police drama Kojak (CBS, 1973–78).
Repeated with referential humourUS, 1978
whomp backverbto drink A play onKNOCK BACK(to drink)US, 1973
whompernouna powerful, hard-breaking waveUS, 1964
whoofverbto fartUK, 1966
whoof backverbto eat or drink greedilyUK, 2000
whoo-hoo!used as a humorous expression of happiness, usually
ironic From the television cartoon The Simpsons US, 1996
whoop; woop
Trang 4whoopverb< whoop it upto make a great deal of rowdy noiseUS,
1884
whoop; woopnoun< give a whoop in hellto care, generally in a
negative contextUS, 1970
whoop and hollernounan indeterminate, relatively small distance
US, 1964
whoop and hollerverbto shout; to carry on loudlyUS, 1969
whoop-de-donoun1in horse racing, a style of racing based on the
premise of establishing an early lead and then running as fast as
possible with maximum whip and heel encouragementUS, 1959.
2in motorcycle racing, a closely spaced sequence of hills or rises
US, 1973.3a loud and rowdy event or gatheringUS, 1929
whoop-de-doadjective1in horse racing, employing the strategy of
riding all-out from the start of the raceUS, 1948.2celebratory,
uproarious Variants include ‘whoop-de-doodle’ and ‘whoopidy-do’
US, 1932
whoop-de-doo!; woop-tee-doo!used as an expression of strong
support or celebration Often ironicUS, 2000
whoopeenoun< make whoopee1to have sex A forced and silly
euphemism, but one sanctioned by television censors; it was used
with annoying regularity by Bob Eubanks, host of The Newlywed
Game television programme (ABC, 1966–90) US, 1928.2to indulge
in, and take pleasure in, boisterous or rowdy merry-makingUK, 1933
whoopee!used for expressing great excitementUK, 1862
whoopee cardnouna computer punch card with all the holes
punched outUS, 1991
whoopeedoo!used as an, often ironic, expression of celebration
An elaboration ofWHOOPEE! UK , 2001
whoops!used as a hurried expression of regretUS, 1937
whoopsienouna male homosexualUS, 1961
whoopsie-daisy!; whoops-a-daisy!used for registering dismay or
surprise, often implying clumsinessUS, 1925
whoop-up trailnounthe terrain over which men and boys ride
horses fastCANADA, 1987
Whoor’s meltnoun 8see:HOOR’S MELT
whopverbto strike someone with heavy blowsUK, 1575
whoppernoun1something that is extremely and unusually large
The best known Whopper in the US is a hamburger sandwich
introduced by the original Burger King™ restaurant in Miami in
1957UK, 1785.2a big lieUS, 1984
whopper with cheesenouna fat woman with thrush Medical
slang, punning on a well-advertised burgerUK, 2002
whoppingadjectiveenormous, powerfulUK, 1706
whop sticknouna hammerUS, 1992
who pulled your chain?who asked for your opinion?; what has
upset you?UK, 1937
who rattled your cage?who asked for your opinion?; what has
upset you?UK, 1985
whorenoun1a girl Used with sarcasm in reference to a girl who is
definitely neither a prostitute nor even apparently promiscuousUS,
1981.2in a deck of playing cards, a queenUS, 1967.3used as a
semi-affectionate term for a manIRELAND, 1959
whoreverbto work as a prostituteUK, 1583
whore-dognouna promiscuous womanUS, 1980
whore-hoppernouna frequent customer of prostitutesUS, 1977
whore house cutnouncutting a deck of cards by removing a
section from the middle of the deck and moving it to the top or
bottomUS, 1951
whore notenouna two-dollar noteUS, 1970
whore of Babylonnounan extremely promiscuous woman
Originally a disparaging sobriquet for the Church of Rome, in
allusion to the Book of Revelations, Chapter XVII, where she is one
whore’s bath; whore splashnounan impromptu and quick cleaning of the body at a sink, with special attention to cleaning the genitalsUS, 1950
whore scarsnounpuncture wounds and bruises from needle useUS, 1970
whore’s eggnoun in lobstering, a sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus drobachiensis) CANADA, 1829
whoreshopnouna brothelUK, 1938
whore’s meltnoun 8see:HOOR’S MELT
whore-styleadverbsaid when a woman has sex with her underpants still around one legUS, 1973
whoretelnouna hotel or motel that caters for prostitutesUS, 1973
whore wagonnouna police van used for sweeps to arrest prostitutesUS, 1970
WhoreznicknameJuarez, Mexico The phonics work and Juarez has something of a reputation for its prostitutesUS, 1970
who-shot-Johnnouna reproach or interrogationUS, 1969
whosisnounused in place of a person’s name which the speaker cannot remember or doesn’t think is importantUS, 1953
whosit; whoosit; whozit; whoozitnounused to refer to a name (usually of a person, sometimes a thing) that is unknown, forgotten, to be avoided or hardly worth mentioningUK, 1948
who smelt it dealt itused for attributing the source of a fart A childish rhyme, sometimes with formulaic responsesUK, 1998
who’s robbing this coach?mind your own business This comes from an old joke about Ned Kelly (a famous Australian bushranger) robbing a coach He declares he’s going to ‘rob all the men and rape all the women’ A gentlemen attempts to intervene on behalf
of the women, when one of the ladies pipes up and says ‘Who’s robbing this coach, you or Mr Kelly?’AUSTRALIA, 1945
who’s up whowho is in charge?; what’s going on here? Supplied
to Baker in a notebook of World War 2 slang Sometimes used literally as regards the interpersonal relationships of a group of people, but often metaphorically Also elaborated to ‘who’s up who and who’s paying the rent’AUSTRALIA, 1966
who’s your daddy?; who’s the daddy?who is in charge (of this situation)?US, 2001
who threw you nuts?who excited your interest?; who asked for your opinion? By implication the person addressed is being called
a monkeyUK, 1999
Whoviannouna dedicated fan of BBC cult science fiction television
programme Dr Who UK, 1998
whupverbto beat someoneUS, 1945
why-fornounthe reason or causeUS, 1954
Whykickamoocownouna notional remote townNEW ZEALAND, 1984
wibbly-wobblyadjectivevery wobbly; unsteadyUK, 1984
wicknoun1the penis A reduced form ofHAMPTON WICK(PRICK)UK,
1960.2an irritating or bad-tempered personUK: SCOTLAND, 1988.3in bowls, a glancing blow which (generally more by luck than judgement) brings a bowl into contention Not a very polite term
UK, 1990 < get on your wickto get on your nerves; to exasperate you Based on rhyming slang forPRICK(the penis)UK, 1945
wick!used for registering firm approval Abbreviated fromWICKED!
but extended to two syllables as spoken ‘wee-ick!’ by 10-year-old children in Cardiff, south Wales, 16th October 2001UK, 2001
wick-dippernouna man objectified sexually FromWICK(the penis) andDIP YOUR WICK(to have sex)UK, 1994
wickednounespecially pure heroinUK, 2002
wickedadjectiveexcellentUS, 1920
wickedadverbextremely A rare instance of late C20 American slang that has stayed regional; a common term in New England (‘wicked hot’, ‘wicked cold’ etc.) rarely heard elsewhereUS, 1984
wicked witchnouna woman, especially a malicious or
Trang 5wicker-headnouna Vietnamese peasant From their straw hatsUS,
1991
wick offverbto exasperate or aggravate someone A variation ofGET
ON YOUR WICK UK , 2002
wickynounthe buttocksBAHAMAS, 1982
widprepositionwith Colloquial pronunciationUK, 1869
widder; widda; widdynouna widowUK, 1837
widdleverbto urinateUK, 1961
widenoun< give a wideto avoid something or someoneUK, 2000
wideadjective1immoralUK, 1594.2knowing, informed, awareIRELAND,
1991
wide boynouna man living by his wits, often a petty criminalUK,
1937
wide brown landnoun Australia Made famous by the poem My
Country by Dorothea Mackellar, 1914 AUSTRALIA, 1908
wide girlnouna woman living by her wits, often a petty criminalUK,
1956
wide loadnounsomeone with a broad backside From a common
road sign indicating that ahead of the escorting vehicle is a truck
with a wide loadUS, 1990
wide-onnouna state of sexual excitement in a woman A jocular
riposte toHARD-ON(an erect penis)AUSTRALIA, 1987
wide openadjectiveunrestrained by authority; unrestricted by the
police; wildUS, 1950
wide ridenouna heavy womanUS, 1994
widgernoun1a small boy Noted originally as a Royal Navy usage,
probably from the late 1950s; an elaboration of ‘wee’ (small)UK,
1984.2the penis, especially a relatively small penis Probably direct
from the sense as ‘a small boy’ on the model ofLITTLE MAN(the
penis)UK, 1997
widgetnounused generally for a small gadget; specifically a small
device for making beer foam as the can is opened In the 1990s,
UK brewers John Smith’s advertisers sold canned beer with a
‘widget’ – an easier option than to explain the chemistry and
technology that creates the beery frothUS, 1931
widgienouna female teenage delinquent of the ‘bodgie and widgie’
subculture of the 1950s and 60s Noted for their promiscuity, wild
behaviour and revealing clothing Perhaps a blend ofBODGIEwith
‘wi-’, the first syllable of ‘women’AUSTRALIA, 1950
wido; wide-ohnouna villain, a petty criminal, a rogue Probably a
variation ofWIDE BOY(a petty criminal)UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
widownoun1a single word, or two, set on a new line at the end of
a paragraph, especially when set on a new pageUK, 1925.2in some
poker games, an extra card dealt to the table for all players to use
in their handsUS, 1967.3in electric line work, a cable gripUS, 1980.
< the widowVeuve Clicquot™ champagne; champagne From
French veuve (widow) UK, 1781
widow Jonesnouna toiletUS, 1949
widow-makernoun1the M-16 rifle, introduced as the standard US
Army infantry rifle in 1967 Early versions of the rifle were prone
to jamming, thus ‘making widows’US, 1990.2in Vietnam, a Viet
Cong booby trapUS, 1990.3in trucking, any long haul truckUS, 1971
widow’s mite; widow’snouna light, especially of the type required
by a smoker Rhyming slangUK, 1931
widow’s wink; widow’snouna Chinese person Rhyming slang for
CHINK(a Chinese person)UK, 1979
Widow Twankey; widownoun1a handkerchief Rhyming slang for
HANKY, formed on the pantomime ‘dame’ who is Aladdin’s mother
UK, 1992.2an American Rhyming slang forYANKEE UK , 1992
wiener; weinernounthe penis The phallic connotations of the
food item lead to this usageUS, 1960
wiener roastnouna picnic featuring hot dogsUS, 1920
wienienounin drag racing, a slick racing tyreUS, 1965 8see:WEENIE,
WEENY
wienie roaster
wifenoun1in a homosexual relationship, the more passive or
‘feminine’ partnerUS, 1883 8see:WEENIE, WEENY.2in law enforcement, a work partnerUS, 1988 < the wifeyour wife Folksy, potentially annoying, and almost inevitably patronisingUS, 1989
wife-beaternoun1a sleeveless tee-shirt or undershirtUS, 1994.2any alcoholic drink, especially beerUK: WALES, 2004
wifed upadjectiveof a male, in a serious relationship with a female who appears to dominate himUS, 2004
wife dutynouna promise or obligation to spend time with your wife or girlfriendUS, 2000
wife-in-lawnounone prostitute in relation to another prostitute working for the same pimpUS, 1957
wife’s best friendnounthe penisAUSTRALIA, 1971
wife starvernouna man who defaults on maintenance payments
AUSTRALIA, 1950
wifey; wifienouna wife A slightly patronising termUK, 1996
wifeyadjectiveused of a female, dowdy, mature and properUS, 2001
wifienounan old womanUK, 2002
wignoun1the head; the mindUS, 1944.2a judge; a barristerUK, 1956.
< tighten your wigto use drugs and become intoxicatedUS,
1986 < with a wigowing; to pay A shameless pun on ‘toupee’ and ‘to pay’AUSTRALIA, 1989
wig; wig outverbto lose control of your emotions; to become angryUS, 1955
wig-chopnouna haircut Teen slangUS, 1955
wig citynouna medical institution for the mentally ill Extended from the adjective senseUS, 2001
wig cityadjectivementally unbalanced, eccentric (usually when the latter is thought to be the former)US, 1998
wiggedadjectiveconfused, disoriented, especially as a result of drug use; drug-intoxicatedUS, 1951
wigged outadjectivein an extreme state of drug intoxication, excitement or rage; dissociated from realityUS, 1968
wigger; wigga; whiggernouna white youth who affects the speech patterns, fashion and other mannerisms of black youth An elision
of ‘whiteNIGGER’US, 1988
wigglenounin electric line work, a secondary voltage tester with a glow-light indicatorUS, 1980 < get a wiggle onto hurryUS, 1896
wiggleverbto wriggle; to walk with a sinuous swaying of the hips A colloquial variation; in conventional use from the C13 to C19UK, 2002
wiggle roomnounscope for freedom of thought or action; room for political manoeuvring and compromiseUS, 1941
wigglersnounthe fingersUS, 1970
wiggly; wiggly-wagglyadjectiveof movement, wriggly; of form, irregularly undulatedUK, 1907
wiggyadjectivecrazy; outstanding; wild; creativeUS, 1961
wigitnounMDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK, 2003
wig-outnouna period of controlled crazinessUK, 2001
wig outverbto become angry, to lose your temperUK, 1955
wig-outadjectivecrazedUK, 2001
wig pickernouna psychiatristUS, 1961
wig-trignounan ideaUS, 1946
wigwagnounin the television and film industries, a light outside a sound stage indicating that shooting is in processUS, 1990
wigwamnounin a deck of cards, an ace From the visual similarity between an ‘A’ and a wigwamUS, 1988
wigwam for a goose’s bridlenounused as a nonsense answer to a questionAUSTRALIA, 1960
Wilbur Wright; wilburnouna flight (air travel) Rhyming slang, formed from the elder of the US aviation pioneers, the Wright Brothers
Trang 6Wilcannia showernouna dust storm Wilcannia is an inland town
in New South Wales Other locations similarly used by nature,
weather and irony: Bedourie, Bogan, Bourke, Cobar, Darling and
WimmeraAUSTRALIA, 1945
wilco; willco(I) will comply!; generally, used as a signal of assent.
Originally used as military communications, often to complement
ROGER(message understood).UK, 1946
wildadjective1used of film in the television and film industries, shot
without soundUS, 1990.2of prison sentences, served consecutively
US, 1972 < go wild in the bush(used of a white person) to have
sex with a black personBAHAMAS, 1982
wild aboutadjectiveenthusiastic about; having a strong liking for;
sexually infatuated withUK, 1868
wild cardnoun1an unpredictable factor; an unknown From card
playing jargon where it represents a card of no predetermined
valueUS, 2002.2a dangerously unpredictable personUK, 2001.3an
enemy fighter planeUS, 1986
wildcatnoun1strong, illegally manufactured whiskyUS, 1999.
2methcathinone mixed with cocaine An elaboration ofCAT
(methcathinone)US, 1998.3in oil drilling, a well drilled in unproven
landUS, 1954
wildcatadjective1unauthorised, unlicensed, unsanctionedUS, 1870.
2characterised by high risk and unsound business planningUS, 1877
wildcatternoun1an independent, risk-taking oil driller who drills
wildcat wellsUS, 1883.2in trucking, an owner-operator who works
independentlyUS, 1946
wild colonial boynounan uninhibited, free-living man Originally
meaning ‘a bushranger’ From the title of a popular folk song and
still often used allusivelyAUSTRALIA, 1881
wild ducknouna person who has failed to pay a debt and is not
seen as likely to do soAUSTRALIA, 1989
wild flowernouna variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best
known as ecstasyUK, 2002
wild hairnounan impulsive notion A shortened form ofWILD HAIR
UP YOUR ASSwithout the full connotation of annoyanceUS, 1989
wild hair up your ass; wild hair up your buttnounthe notional
cause of irrational, obsessive behaviourUS, 1981
wild horsenouna Ford ‘Mustang’ car Citizens’ band radio slangUK,
1981
wildingnounviolent youth gang activity directed towards random
victims A term popularised by the ‘Central Park Jogger’ case in
1989US, 1989
wildonouna person behaving in a wild or crazy mannerUK, 1966
wild-outnouna gang fightUS, 1999
wild thingnoun< do the wild thingto have sexUS, 1990
wild upverbto agitate someone; to make someone nervousUS, 2003
Wilfrednounthe penis A variation ofWILLY(the penis)UK, 2001
Wilheminanouna female customer, especially of discreet or illegal
services A feminisation ofBILLY BUNTER(a customer)UK, 2002
Wilkie Bardnouna card; a business card; a playing card; a race card,
etc Rhyming slang, formed from a music hall comedian,
1874–1944UK, 1960
Wilkinson Swordnounbald Rhyming slang, formed from the
name of a razor manufacturerUK, 1998
will doused as an expression of assent to carry out an action By
ellipsis of the personal pronoun, possibly influenced byWILCO UK ,
1955
willetsnounthe female breastsUK, 1998
williamnouna piece of currency A pun on ‘bill’US, 1983
William Hagueadjectivevague Rhyming slang, formed from the
politician who led the Conservative party, 1997–2001UK, 1998
William Pittnounexcrement Rhyming slang forSHIT, formed from
the British Prime Minister known, historically, as ‘Pitt the Elder’,
1708–78, or his son, also Prime Minister, ‘Pitt the Younger’,
1759–1806
William Powellnouna towel Rhyming slang, formed from the US film actor, 1874–1944UK, 1961
William Tellverb to give off an unpleasant smell Rhyming slang,
formed from a legendary Swiss heroUK, 1992
William the Thirdnouna piece of excrement Rhyming slang for
‘turd’AUSTRALIA, 1968
willienoun1a piece of currency A pun on ‘bill’US, 1983.2a gambler’s wallet or financial resourcesAUSTRALIA, 1949
Willie Peter; Wilie Peter grenadenounan M-34 white phosphorous anti-personnel hand grenade Another use of the military phonetic alphabetUS, 1977
williesnouna condition of fear or nervousnessUS, 1896
Willie the Shit Burnernounused as a generic term for the poor soul assigned to collect and burn solid human waste collected in latrines at US military bases in VietnamUS, 1990
willie weavernouna drunk driverUS, 1976
willingadjectivegutsy; courageous; unwavering; aggressiveAUSTRALIA, 1899
will o’ the wisp; willernouna potato crisp Rhyming slangUK, 1992
Will’s Whiffnoun syphilis Rhyming slang, formed from a brand of
small cigarUK, 1992
willynoun1the penis Originally northern English, not dialect, for ‘a child’s penis’ or a childish name for any penis Adopted by adults
as a jocular reference, now widely used as a non-offensive and broadcastable term The spelling ‘willie’ is also usedUK, 1905.2a tantrum Generally in the phrases ‘chuck’ or ‘throw a willy’
AUSTRALIA, 1941.3a supply of money for gamblingAUSTRALIA, 1949.4a walletAUSTRALIA, 1967
willy-nillyadverbhere and there, haphazardly Not particularly related to the C17 sense of the phrase meaning ‘willingly or unwillingly’US, 1934
willy warmernounthe vaginaUK, 2001
willy-wavingnounmacho behaviour that is especially unnecessary
or foolish Formed onWILLY(the penis)UK, 1997
willy-willynouna small, localised whirlwind From the Australian Aboriginal language YindjibarndiAUSTRALIA, 1894
Willy Wonkanouna fool Rhyming slang forPLONKER(a fool and the
penis), that may be an elaborate play onWILLY(the penis)UK, 1998
willy woofternouna homosexual man Elaboration ofWOOFTER(a male homosexual)UK, 2000
Wilmanouna Protestant female, especially one who is a supporter
of Glasgow Rangers football club A female form of William, and the female equivalent ofBILLY-BOY UK: SCOTLAND , 1996
wilmaadjectivemeek A personification of uncertain pedigree, recorded as a contemporary gay usageUK, 2003
Wilsonnounin skateboarding, a fall producing serious injuryUS, 1984
Wilson Pickettnoun1a white phosphorous flare or grenade From the initials WP; Pickett was a popular American rhythm and blues singerUS, 1991.2a ticket Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the US soul singer (b.1941)UK, 1992
Wimmera showernouna dust storm Wimmera is an inland town
in Victoria Other locations similarly used by nature, weather and irony: Bedourie, Bogan, Bourke, Cobar, Darling and Wilcannia
AUSTRALIA, 1945
wimmin; wimmennounwomen The first variation was adopted and promoted by politically aware feminists to avoid ending with
‘men’; the second variation is a phonetic accidentUK, 1910
wimmosnounwomen A variation of pronounced ‘wimmin’, used by cricketersUK, 2003
wimpnouna weak and timid person A thorough treatment of the
word may be found in ‘Wimp’, Reinhold Aman, Maledicta, Volume
VIII, p 43–56, 1984–1985 The word played a major role in the
US presidential election of 1988, in which President George H.W Bush had to overcome a widely held perception that he was ‘a wimp’US, 1920
wimpish
Trang 7wimp outverbto give way to timidity or fearUS, 1981
wimpyadjectivefeeble; afraid FromWIMP(a weak and timid person)
Although the adjective was not recorded until the late 1960s, the
Popeye the Sailor radio programme gave the US J Wellington
Wimpy, known simply as Wimpy, in 1936US, 1967
winverb< are you winning?used as a rhetorical greetingUK, 1984.
< win hands downto win with great ease From horse racing,
when a jockey may relax the hold on the reins when victory
seems certainUK, 1882 < would win doing hand-springs;
would win with its head in its chest; would win shelling
peasof a racehorse, certain to win Also used as ‘could win’UK,
1994 < you can’t winused for expressing the futility of action, or
the inevitability of failureUK, 1926
winchverb1to date a member of the opposite sex; to court; to go
steady Probably from ‘wench’ (a girl)UK: SCOTLAND, 1985.2to kiss
and cuddle Extends from the sense ‘to date, to court’UK:
SCOTLAND, 1985
winchellnouna trusting, unsophisticated personUS, 1972
winconoun a wing commander in the Royal Air Force UK, 1941
windnoun< a wind so sharp it cuts the whiskers right off
your facea cold, hard windCANADA, 1988 < get in the windto
run quickly; to departUS, 1965 < get the windto smoke
marijuanaUK, 1998 < get the wind up; have the wind upto
be nervous or scaredUK, 1916 < in the windfree from prisonUS,
1992 < put the wind up someoneto make someone afraidUK,
1916 < take someone’s windto kill someoneUS, 1974
windverb 8see:WINE
wind and kitenouna website Rhyming slangUK, 2002
windbagnouna habitually verbose talkerUK, 1827
windballnounintestinal painUS, 2003
windedadjectivehungoverUS, 1992
windernouna drug addict who regularly enters and leaves treatment
programmesUS, 1970
windienouna wind surferNEW ZEALAND, 1994
Windiesnicknamethe West Indies international cricket team
AUSTRALIA, 1964
windjammernoun1a person who talks too muchUS, 1949.2a
citizens’ band radio user who monopolises conversationUS, 1976.
3in drag racing and hot rodding, a superchargerUS, 1968.4a railway
air brakeUS, 1946.5a hammer Rhyming slangUK, 1992
windmillnounin hot rodding and drag racing, a superchargerUS, 1965
windownoun1in card games, the card at the end of a player’s hand
US, 1967.2in American casinos, the space through which the
careful observer can see the blackjack dealer’s down-card as he
dealsUS, 1985 < out the window; out of the windowout of
the questionUS, 1983 < pick a window – you’re leaving!used
as a jocular threat of violenceUK, 1995 < window’s openused for
describing obvious and inept cheatingUS, 1979
window dressverbin poker, accidentally on purpose to let other
players see the end card in your handUS, 1967
window hopverbto move from window to window inside a house
at night, waiting for a substance-addicted spouse to come home
US, 1998
window-lickernouna severely disabled person Offensive Derived,
apparently, from the attitude of such a person when seen
travelling on a busUK, 2003
window musicnounon the railways, sceneryUS, 1977
windowpane; windownouna dose of LSD on a tiny, clear piece of
gelatinUS, 1975
window partynounan act of vengeful vandalism, in which the
aggrieved party breaks all the glass in his victim’s boatCANADA, 1999
window rattlernounsomeone who snores with great resonanceUK,
1964
window washernouna heavy rain stormUS, 1976
WindozenounMicrosoft Windows™ Not praiseUS, 1997
wind pie
windshield timenountime spent driving; paid travel time between
a reporting location and the job site, or between job sitesUS, 1978
wind, skin and icenounas specifications for a car, air conditioning,
leather upholstery and in-car entertainment Motor trade slang UK, 2004
Windsor balletnicknamecollectively, the strip and sex clubs in Windsor, Ontario, CanadaUS, 1997
Windsor Castle; windsor; brown windsornounthe anus Rhyming slang forARSEHOLE, formed from a royal residence; shortened to ‘windsor’ and then punningly elaborated to ‘brown windsor’ as a type of soupUK, 1992
windsuckernounin horse racing, a horse that swallows air when runningUS, 1947
wind trapnounstrands of hair that a semi-bald man may cultivate and style to lay over his naked pate Rhyming slang forFLAP UK , 1992
wind tunnelnounin homosexual usage, a loose anus and rectum
US, 1981
wind-upnoun1a practical joke; a send-upUK, 1984.2a person who teasesUK, 1977
wind upverb1to make fun of someone; to play a practical joke on someone The image of the mainspring in a clockwork motor getting more and more tightly woundUK, 1979.2to arrive; to arrive eventually; to settle in a final positionUS, 1918
windynoun1a windproof jacket and over-trousersANTARCTICA, 2003.
2in pool, a shot that passes the object ball without touching it Based on the image of the cue ball breezing by the object ballUS, 1993
Windynoun< the WindyChicago, Illinois From the winds that sweep the city; a short form ofWINDY CITY US , 1969
windyadjectiveafraid; very nervous; ill at easeUK, 1916
Windy Citynickname1Chicago, Illinois New York slang lexicographer Barry Popik has relentlessly worked to debunk the myth that the term was coined in conjunction with the 1893 World’s Fair Popik has traced the term to Cincinnati newspapers
in 1876 Wide usage stillUS, 1876.2Port ElizabethSOUTH AFRICA, 1989.
3Wellington, New ZealandNEW ZEALAND, 2004
wind your neck in!‘be quiet!’UK, 1943
WindypegnicknameWinnipeg, ManitobaCANADA, 2002
wine; windverbwhile dancing, to gyrate the pelvis in a sexual mannerTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1916
wine and dineverbto entertain someone with wine and food Earlier as ‘dine and wine’UK, 1916
wine grapenouna Roman Catholic Glasgow rhyming slang forPAPE
UK: SCOTLAND, 1985
wine headnouna drunkard who favours wineUS, 1962
wine shednouna barUS, 1984
winflynouna flight made during winter from New Zealand to AntarcticaANTARCTICA, 1969
wingnoun1the armUK, 1823.2a winning streak in pokerUS, 1988
wingverb1to shoot at someone and wound them but not seriously
UK, 1802.2to discipline someoneUK, 1996 < wing itto improvise;
to do something with little preparation Originally from the theatre, indicating the necessity of learning a part at short notice, standing in the wings of a stageUS, 1970
wing and a prayernouna very narrow margin of automotive power
or control; hence, a slender hope or chance Originally applied to the minimum requirement for an aircraft’s emergency landingUK, 1943
wingding; wing-dingnoun1a party, a celebrationUS, 1949.3in motorcyle racing, a brief loss of control for which the rider compensatesUS, 1965.2a fit, especially one feigned by a drug addict; a person feigning such a fitUS, 1927
wingeverb 8see:WHINGE
winging