Rhyming slangUK , 1961 I’ll bet you a fat manused for expressing supreme confidenceUS , 1963 illegal tegelnounany native or game bird taken illegally for food.. Surfer usageSOUTH AFRICA
Trang 1Inoun< the Ian interstate highwayUS , 2003
I ain’t even tryin’ to hear you!I am not listeningUS , 1993
I ain’t here to bragused for demonstrating that the speaker
understands that he is bragging A paralipsis of the first order
Many grammatical variants exist, as well as the simpler, ‘Not to
brag’US , 2004
I am a Ranger We live for the One, we die for the One.used
with humour as an affirmation of support The motto of the
interplanetary police on the US science fiction television
programme Babylon (1994–98) US , 1994
I am Canadiannouna drink made with fruit juice, Quebec maple
syrup and whisky or Molson Canadian beerCANADA , 2002
I am so sure!used for expressing strong doubt about what has just
been saidUS , 1982
I and Inounused in the military as a jocular substitute for the
official ‘R and R’ (rest and recreation) An abbreviation of
‘intercourse and intoxication’, the main activities during rest and
recreationUS , 1960
I believe you but thousands wouldn’ta catchphrase retort that
is used to express doubt or, at best, reserve judgement about the
veracity of the person being addressed This phrase exists in a
number of minor variations, and is so well known that ‘I believe
you but!’ carries the full senseUK , 1927
I bet!; I’ll bet!I am certain Elliptical for ‘I bet you did’ or ‘do’ or
‘did’; often derisive or ironicUK , 1939
Ibiza Hiltonnounthe police station of the Guardia Civil Ibiza An
ironic reference to the international Hilton hotel chainSPAIN , 1999
IBMnoun1a smart, diligent studentUS , 1960.2a member of an
organized crime family; an Italian businessman US , 1997
IBM discountnouna price increaseUS , 1991
iboganoun1amphetamines A reference to the African shrub
tabernathe iboga and ibogaine, a natural stimulant that is
compounded therefromUK , 2003.2MDMA, the recreational drug
best known as ecstasyUK , 2003
ICnounduring the Vietnam war, an innocent civilianUS , 1985
I can catchnounthe US Interstate Commerce Commission A back
formation from the agency initials: ICCUS , 1971
I can read his lips, and he’s not prayingused as a humorous
comment on a profanity Popularised by ESPN’s Keith Olberman
US , 1997
I can’t fight that!used by a clever boy for expressing approval of a
girl who has just passed byUS , 1955
I can’t HEAR you!used as a humorous soliticitation of more
enthusiastic support A signature line of marine drill instructor
Vince Carter on the television situation comedy Gomer Pyle,
USMC (CBS, 1964–69) Repeated with referential humour US , 1966
I can’t take you anywhereused as a humorous, if stock, tease of
someone who has commited a faux pasUS , 1994
icenoun1diamondsUK , 1905.2cocaine, especially in blocksUS , 1971.
3smokeable amphetamine or methamphetamineUS , 1989.4heroin
US , 1987.5protection money paid by a business to criminals or by
criminals to the policeUS , 1887.6a pay-off, a bribe; an added
chargeUS , 1968.7the difference between the listed price and the
price actually paid for theatre tickets for a very popular showUS ,
1973.8in poker, a stacked deckUS , 1967.9solitary confinement in
prisonUS , 1990.10any computer program designed as a system
security schemeUS , 1995.< on iceincarceratedUS , 1931.< on the
ice(of a racehorse) being secretly, and illicitly, kept from running
to win
Icenounin-car entertainment, especially audio equipmentUK , 2003.
< the IceAntarcticaANTARCTICA , 1834
iceverb1to killUS , 1941.2to place in solitary confinementUS , 1933.
3to ignore with a vengeanceUS , 1932.4to give up; to stopUS , 1962.
5to reject; to stand upUS , 1997.< ice it1to stop doing somethingUS , 1974.2to forget somethingUS , 1960
icebergnoun1an emotionally cold person, especially a womanUK ,
1840.2a sexually frigid womanUS , 1949
iceberg actnoununfriendly treatmentUS , 1953
ice blinknouna whitish glow on the horizon or on clouds caused by light reflecting off iceCANADA , 1995
ice-blocknounan ice confection on a stickAUSTRALIA , 1948
iceboxnoun1a morgueUS , 1928.2a jail or prison An extension of the more commonCOOLER(jail)US , 1938
ice coldnouna chilled beerAUSTRALIA , 1968
ice coldadjectiverudeUS , 1990
ice creamnouna white child; white children Used defensively by children of different huesUK , 1979
ice-cream freezer; ice-creamnouna man Rhyming slang for
GEEZER UK , 1962
ice-cream habitnounthe irregular consumption of drugs by an occasional user ‘Ice-cream eater’ and ‘ice-creamer’ are obsolete slang terms for an irregular user of opium, an earlier application (late C19 to the 1930s) based on the notion that ice-cream is an occasional pleasure and not an every day dietUS , 1970
ice-cream mannouna drug dealer, especially one selling opiatesUS , 1952
ice-cream trucknoun< and the ice-cream truck you rode in
on!used to extend and emphasise an absolute rejectionUS , 2001
ice cubenouncrack cocaineUS , 1994
icedadjectivedrunk, drug-intoxicatedUS , 1953
iced downadjectivewearing many diamondsUS , 1998
iced outnounwearing a great deal of diamond-bearing jewelleryUS , 2000
ice downverbto completely cover with graffitiUS , 1997
icehousenouna jewellery store FromICE(a diamond)US , 1949
Icelandic Air Forcenoun(around Gimli, Manitoba) flocks of pelicansCANADA , 1987
ice lugenouna block of ice used in a drinking game in which a shot of vodka, tequila or other alcoholic drink is poured down the ice into the drinker’s mouthUS , 2001
icemannoun1a person who bribes a government official or otherwise ‘fixes’ difficult situations FromICE(a bribe)US , 1981.2in horse racing, a jockey who rides without using the whip or vigorous kicksAUSTRALIA , 1989.3a mechanic who works on truck refrigeration unitsUS , 1971
ice moneynounmoney used to bribeUS , 1993
ice packnounhigh quality marijuanaUS , 1971
ice palacenoun1a jewellery storeUS , 1956.2a hockey rinkCANADA , 1955
ice widownouna woman whose husband is in AntarcticaNEW ZEALAND , 1971
icingnouncocaineUS , 1984
icknoun1any unpleasant sticky substanceUK , 2002.2in the language surrounding the Grateful Dead, a bacterial or viral infection that quickly spreads among those following the band on tour Always
.
Trang 2ickadjectivemawkishly sentimental, hence unpalatable An
abbrevi-ation of ICKYUS , 2001
ickiesnounforeign money of any type Royal Navy usage, possibly a
variation ofACKER(money) One ‘ickie’ equals one hundred
KLEBBIES UK , 1989
ickleadjectivelittle A small child’s pronunciation employed archly by
those old enough to know betterUK , 1864
ickynouna rich personUS , 1953
ickyadjective1unattractive, distasteful First found in jazz to describe
oversweet music other than jazz, then migrated into general use
with the more general meaningUS , 1929.2unwell Probably from
baby-talk variations of ‘sick’ or ‘sickly’UK , 1939.3overly sentimental,
especially of music or of a taste in music Originally from jazzUS ,
1929
icky-pooadjectiveunwell Baby-talk variation of ‘sick’ or ‘sickly’UK ,
1920
ICLused as shorthand in Internet discussion groups and text
messaging to mean ‘in Christian love’ US , 2002
I could cure the plagueused by a woman to describe her
con-dition when experiencing the bleed period of the menstrual cycle
US , 2000
I could just scream!used as an expression of frustration A
signature line of Captain Wallace B Binghamton on the television
comedy McCahle’s Navy (ABC, 1962–66) Repeated with referential
humourUS , 1962
icy-polenounan ice confection on a stick Generic use of a
trademark termAUSTRALIA , 1932
IDnounan identity card or other means of identificationUS , 1941
IDverbto identify someone Derives from the noun uses as
‘identification/identity’US , 1944
idea hamster; ideas hamsternouna person who is employed to
generate new ideasUK , 2001
identitynouna noted person; an odd or interesting personAUSTRALIA ,
1874
idiadjectivecruel Probably after Ugandan dictator Idi Amin,
1925(?)-2003; recorded in use in contemporary gay societyUK , 2003
idiot blocksnounoptions placed at the end of a staffing paper
designed to allow the reader simply to tick the option which
describes his decisionUS , 1986
idiot boardnounin television, an out-of-camera board on which a
performer’s lines are displayedUK , 1952
idiot boxnoun1the televisionUS , 1955.2an automatic car
trans-missionUS , 1993
idiot cardnounin the television and film industries, a poster board
with the dialogue written in large letters for actors to readUS , 1957
idiot-headnouna stupid person Used by young childrenAUSTRALIA ,
1988
idiot juicenounany alcoholic beverage brewed in prison, especially
a nutmeg/water mixtureUS , 1974
idiot lightnounin a car, a warning light on the dashboard in place
of a gaugeUS , 1968
idiot pillnouna barbiturate or central nervous system depressantUS ,
1953
idiot’s delightnounin dominoes, the 5-0 pieceUS , 1959
idiot spoonnouna shovelUS , 1947
idiot sticknoun1a small carved copy of a totem poleCANADA , 1989.
2a shovelUS , 1930.3a digging barUS , 1980
idjitnoun 8see:EEJIT
I don’t think soused as a humorous rejection of the sentiment
that has been expressedUS , 1969
I don’t want to knowused as refusal to accept unwelcome news
or factsUK , 1946
idrennounfriend; friends West Indian, Rastafarian and UK black
patois for ‘brethren’ (brothers), with religious and political
idyat bwainouna fool West Indian patois (idiot boy)UK , 1997
if betnounin horse racing, a bet that is made contingent upon winning a bet in an earlier raceUS , 1947
if cashnounin gambling, a type of conditional bet: an instruction to re-invest all or part of a winning return on another betUK , 2001
iffinessnouna quality of unreliability, subject to doubt FromIFFY
UK , 2001
iffyadjective1tenuous, uncertainUS , 1937.2dangerous, risky Extends from the previous senseUK , 2001
if I’m lying, I’m dyingI am telling the truth There are multiple reduplicative variationsUS , 1981
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix itused as a humorous suggestion to leave well enough aloneUS , 1961
if it isn’t (used as an acknowledgement of someone) it is that personUS , 1951
if it’s too loud, you’re too oldused for dismissing complaints of loudness at rock concerts A saying attributed to Kiss.US , 1995
if-lose; if-winnounin gambling, a type of conditional bet: a bet is required only if the prior selection loses/wins or is a non-runner
UK , 2001
ifs, ands or butsnounconditions, contingencies, exceptionsUS , 1982
if they back up the truckused in the entertainment industry for expressing a recognition that if the offer is lucrative enough, the actor speaking will accept the role despite its dramatic limitations The phrase conjures up the image of a truck full of bags of money backing up the driveway to be emptied.US , 2001
if ya wonders, then ya isused in twelve-step recovery programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous as a judgment on those who stop to wonder if they might be an addictUS , 1998
if you say soused for indicating (grudgingly, or to placate) acceptance of what has been saidUK , 1956
igverbto ignoreUS , 1946
iggienouna feigned ignorance Circus and carnival usage Often used in the phrase ‘give them the iggie’US , 1961
igloonouna one-hundred-dollar note From the resemblance between ‘100’ and ‘loo’AUSTRALIA , 1989
ign’antadjectiveignorantUS , 2002
ignorantadjective< make ignorantto make angry A south London termUK , 1977
ignorant endnounin poker, the low card in a five-card sequenceUS , 1990
ignorant oilnounalcohol, especially cheap and potent alcoholUS , 1954
ignorant spoonnounin oil drilling, a shovelUS , 1954
ignutsnounan ignorant foolUS , 1934
I-guynouna member of a team who thinks of himself – the individ-ual – more than the team Related to the sports adage: ‘There is
no "I" in "team"’US , 1997
I hate it!used for expressing solidarity with the misfortune just described by anotherUS , 1984
I hate it when that happensused for introducing humour, usually after someone else has described an extremely unlikely situationUS , 1987
I have nothing more to say about this that is either relevant
or trueused as a humorous comment when there is nothing worthwhile to say Popularised by ESPN’s Keith Olberman, paraphrasing Winston Churchill’s claimed reaction when confronting an entrance essay at EtonUS , 1997
I heard it on the marl roadused for expressing rumour as the source of informationCAYMAN ISLANDS , 1985
I heard that!I agree with you!US , 1992
I heard yaused for expressing assentUS , 1992
ike a feeling of displeasure, a bad mood
Trang 3Ikeynoun1a Jewish person Derogatory; an abbreviation of the
name IsaacUK , 1835.2a student of the University of Cape Town,
especially a member of one of the University’s sports teamsSOUTH
AFRICA , 1921
Ikey Monouna Jewish personUK , 1922
I kid you notused for humorously assuring the truth of the matter
asserted The signature line of Jack Parr, host of the late-night Jack
Parr Show (NBC, 1957–62) Repeated with referential humour US ,
1967
Ilie Nastasenouna lavatory Rhyming slang forKARZY, formed from
the name of the Romanian tennis player (b.1946)UK , 1998
I liiiiike it!used for expressing approval A catchphrase from the
film The Rocketeer, 1991 US , 1991
illverb1to perform excellently; to do anything superbly Originally
black usage, generally ‘to be illin’ rather than ‘to ill’; became
widespread with hip-hop cultureUS , 1992.2to undergo severe
mental stressUS , 1989
illadjective1good, pleasing, desirable, admirableUS , 1991.2wild or
crazy Originally black usage, from the verb sense; spread through
hip-hop cultureUS , 1979.3wrong Originally black usage, probably a
variation on ‘sick’; widespread with hip-hop cultureUS , 1994
ill-assadjectiveexcellent, superbUS , 2001
I’ll be buggered!; I’m buggered!used for registering surpriseUK ,
1966
I’ll be damned!; well, I’m damned!used as a general-purpose
exclamation; also as an intensification of a personal opinionUK ,
1925
ill-behavedadjectivesaid of a computer program that becomes
dysfunctional because of repeated errorUS , 1991
I’ll bet! 8see:I BET!
I’ll be therenouna chair Rhyming slangUK , 1961
I’ll bet you a fat manused for expressing supreme confidenceUS ,
1963
illegal tegelnounany native or game bird taken illegally for food
Tegel™ is a brand of dressed poultryNEW ZEALAND , 1989
illegitnouna person or thing of questionable legalityUS , 1954
illegitsnoundice that have been altered for cheatingUS , 1977
illeradjectiveworseUS , 1979
illestadjectivebestUS , 2002
I’ll hollaused as a farewellUS , 1998
illiesnounmarijuanaUK , 2003
illin’; illverbto behave in a wild or crazy manner Originally black
usage, generally ‘to be illin’ rather than ‘to ill’; became widespread
with hip-hop cultureUS , 1986
illingnounmarijuanaUK , 2003
illingadjectivebad, troublingUS , 1980
illonounan illustrationUS , 1982
ill piecenouna male homosexual despised by his peersUS , 1970
I’ll tell you what I’m gonna doused as a humorous,
self-explanatory if nonce announcement of intent Popularised by Sid
Stone, announcer on the Texaco Star Theater, hosted by Milton
Berle (1948–1951) One of the very first television-spawned
catchphrases to become part of the national vocabularyUS , 1948
illynoun1a cigarette infused with embalming fluidUS , 2001.
2marijuana, especially sensimillia (a very potent marijuana from a
plant with seedless buds)US , 1995
illywhackernouna confidence trickster Agent noun from the
obsolete phrase ‘whack the illy’ (to swindle; to perform confidence
tricks) ‘Illy’ may possibly be a variant of obsolete ‘eelie’ (a
confi-dence trick) which in turn is possibly from ‘eeler-spee’, a Pig Latin
variant ofSPIELER This word was all but dead prior to gaining new
life due to Peter Carey’s 1985 novel Illywhacker AUSTRALIA , 1941
I’maused to preface an intention A slurred elision of ‘I am going
to’, or ‘I’mLIKE’US , 2001
I’m about it!I agree with your plan of action!
imaginitisnounan overactive imaginationAUSTRALIA , 1944
I’m all right, Jack!a smug declaration of self-satisfaction Used as the title of a 1959 filmUK , 2002
I-mannounan investigator from the Interstate Commerce CommissionUS , 1938
I’m Audi; I’m Audi 5000I’m leaving nowUS , 1995
imbonouna fool; an imbecileAUSTRALIA , 1953
I’m deep enoughI quit, pay meUS , 1954
I meanused for emphasis on that which followsUS , 1967
I mean that!I agree with what you just said!US , 1977
I mean to say!used as an emphasis of the speaker’s sincerityUK , 1843
I’m goneused as a farewellUS , 1993
I’m historyused as a farewellUS , 1984
IMHOin my humble opinion A ubiquitous piece of computer
shorthandUS , 1991
immoadjectiveimitationUS , 1994
immortalnounin stud poker, any hand that is certain to win; the best possible handUS , 1947
IMNSHOused as Internet shorthand to mean ‘in my not so humble opinion’ US , 1995
IMOused as Internet shorthand to mean ‘in my opinion’ US , 1995
Impnouna Chrysler Imperial carUS , 1961
impact zonenounan area where the waves are breaking Surfer usageSOUTH AFRICA , 2003
importnouna date who comes from out of townUS , 1926
impressionistnouna person who is more interested in the impression they are making than they are in their substance
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1989
improvenoun< on the improveimprovingAUSTRALIA , 1959
Improved Scotnounin Hudson Bay, a person of mixed Scottish and Indian bloodCANADA , 1987
imps filenouna journalists’ dossier on an important person or personsUK , 1976
I’m serious!used for expressing strong agreement with what has just been saidUS , 1981
I’m sidewaysused as a farewellUS , 1993
I’m sure!; I’m so sure!used for expressing great doubtUS , 1982
I’m there!I agree! I approve!US , 1977
innoun1an inside connectionUS , 1929.2an introductionUS , 1945.3in
a casino, the amount of cash collected at a table in exchange for chips An abbreviation of ‘buy-in’US , 1980.< the inexclusive and positive access to somethingUK , 2003
inadjective1fashionableUK , 1960.2socially accepted; popularUS , 1929.
3assured of having amatory successAUSTRALIA , 1960.4experiencing good luck or the likeAUSTRALIA , 1960.5incarceratedUS , 1903
inpreposition< be in itto be actively and ethusiastically involved
AUSTRALIA , 1928
-insuffixused in combination with a simple verb to create a communal activity as a means of protest, as in ’love-in’ or ’teach-in’US , 1937
in a minuteused as a farewellUS , 1992
in-and-outnoun1sex at its most basicUS , 1996.2the nose Rhyming slang for ‘snout’UK , 1960.3a tout; a ticket tout Rhyming slangUK ,
1998.4a cigarette; tobacco Rhyming slang forSNOUT UK , 1998
in-and-out-mannounan opportunist thief or burglarUK , 1957
in a pig’s valise!used for expressing how very unlikely something
is The title of a late-1990s play by Eric OvermyerUS , 1957
in betweensnounamphetamine tablets; depressant tablets; a mixture of amphetamines and barbituratesUS , 1975
inbred
Trang 4Inca messagenouncocaine A specific allusion to Peru, but
gener-ally a reference to South America as a source of cocaineUS , 1984
incandescentadjectivefuriously angryUK , 2004
incantationnounin computing, an esoteric commandUS , 1991
incensenoun1amyl nitrite or butyl nitrite The pungent vapours are
inhaled, hence the termUS , 1980.2heroinUK , 2003
incestnounsex between two similar homosexual types, such as two
effeminate menUS , 1972
inch-and-a-halfnounovertime pay at the standard overtime rate of
one and a half the regular rateUS , 1984
inch boynouna male who has or is thought to have a small penis
US , 1997
include me out!leave me out! A catchphrase coined by film
mogul Samuel Goldwyn, 1882–1974US , 1938
include warnouna prolonged inflammatory debate in an Internet
discussion group in which the mass of former postings and
counterpostings included make it impossible to follow who is
saying what and whenUS , 1995
income taxnounfines paid by prostitutesUK , 1947
incomingnounenemy fire, especially artillery or mortar fire that is
about to landUS , 1977
incoming!used as a warning of impending enemy mortar or rocket
fireUS , 1976
increase the peace!used as a call for an end to violenceUS , 1990
indeedyadverbindeed An intentionally folksy and intensifying
addition of a syllableUS , 1856
In Deep ShitnicknameIain Duncan Smith, Conservative Party leader
(2001–2003) Back-formation from Smith’s initials: IDSUK , 2001
indexnounthe faceUS , 1945
Indianounmarijuana Variations ofINDIAN HAYorINDIAN HEMP Also
known as ‘Indian’UK , 1978
Indiannoun1an Indian meal, especially in, or prepared by, a
restaurantUK , 1998.2an active firefighter, as distinguished from a
Chief and other officersUS , 1954
Indiana greennoungreen marijuana claimed to have been grown
in the state of IndianaUS , 1965
Indiana pantsnounbootsUS , 1964
Indian boymarijuanaUK , 2001
Indian charmnounthe arm Rhyming slangUK , 1998
Indian cocktail; Indian tea; Indian tonicnounliquid poison as a
means of suicideTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1985
Indian Country; Injun Countrynounduring war, any area with a
strong enemy presenceUS , 1945
Indian hand-rubbednouna powerful hashish from Himachel
Pradesh in Northern India, 2003
Indian haynounmarijuanaUS , 1936
Indian Headsnounthe Second Infantry Division, US Army So
named because of the Division’s insigniaUS , 1991
Indian hempnounmarijuana From ‘East Indian hemp’, the familiar
name for Cannabis indica US , 1986
Indian ice creamnouna bitter confection made from soopolallie
berries, water, and white sugarCANADA , 1989
Indian Indiannounan American Indian who has retained his
indigenous culture and languageUS , 1963
Indian listnounthe Interdict list, a law forbidding a person from
buying, selling or consuming alcohol; by extension any list of
those who may not buy alcoholCANADA , 1958
Indian nigganouna member of a British Indian (Hindi) urban
youth gang or subcultureUK , 2006
Indian ropenounmarijuana A play on ‘hemp’ as a material used in
the making of ropes,HEMP(marijuana) and, perhaps, the Indian
rope trick as a magical method of getting highUS , 1986
Indian steak
Indian talknounin trucking, smoke rising from a diesel smoke stack An allusion to smoke signals used by American Indians to communicate over long distancesUS , 1971
Indian timenounused for denoting a lack of punctualityUS , 1963
Indian weednounmarijuana A variation ofINDIAN HAYorINDIAN
HEMP US , 1986
indienouna vague categorisation within rock music, familiar since the 1980s and identified as ‘serious’ music that is marketed as independent and non-commercial, in its bid for commercial success Also used as an adjectiveUK , 1993.< the Indiethe
Independent (the youngest of the UK’s national daily newspapers)
first published in October 1986 The Sunday edition is less well-known as ‘the Sindie’UK , 2003
indie; indyadjectiveindependentUS , 1928
Indonoun1IndonesiaAUSTRALIA , 1991.2an IndonesianAUSTRALIA , 1966.
3marijuana cultivated in IndonesiaUS , 1993
Indonnounan Indonesian This has for the most part died out in favour ofINDO AUSTRALIA , 1966
Indonesian budnoun1marijuana cultivated in IndonesiaUK , 1998.
2heroinUK , 2003
industrial languagenounswearing, profanityUS , 1984
Indynicknamethe Indianapolis Speedway, home to a 500-mile race every MayUS , 1965
inexplicable mobnouna large crowd that materialises in a public place to perform a scripted action for several minutes before dissolvingUS , 2003
infant killernouna paedophile Prison useUK , 2002
infant mortalitynounthe tendency of computer components to fail within the first few weeks of operationUS , 1991
infernaladjectiveexecrable, detestable, annoyingUK , 1764
infernallyadverbdetestably, execrably, annoyinglyUK , 1638
infilverb (of military troops or spies) to infiltrate Military UK , 1995
infinitely fineadjectivein computing, used as the ultimate praise
US , 1990
in flaggersnoun in flagrante delicto (in the commission of a crime;
red-handed) The first syllable elaborated by application of the Oxford-ER AUSTRALIA , 1973
influencenoun< under the influencedrunk or drug-intoxicated
UK , 1937
infonoun information US , 1907
IngerlandnounEngland, especially the England football team A phonetic representation of the word England as chanted by a sports crowdUK: ENGLAND , 2005
Ingersol Willienounin horse racing, the track’s official timer of morning workoutsUS , 1951
In Hock Constantlynounthe owner of an International Harvester Company truck A back-formation from the company’s initials: IHC
US , 1971
inknoun1space or coverage in a newspaperUS , 1953.2oilUS , 1976.
3inexpensive wineUS , 1917.4alcoholic drink Probably a back-form -ation fromINKEDwhich appears from C19AUSTRALIA , 1977.< ink in
the penthe ability to achieve erection and to ejaculateUS , 1967
inkverbin the production of comics books, to draw over pencil art with a penUS , 1997
ink-and-paper mannouna counterfeiter who uses a printing press
US , 1985
inked; inked upadjectivedrunkAUSTRALIA , 1898
inked inadjectiveplannedUK , 1994
inkienounin the television and film industries, an incandescent light bulbUK , 1960
inkie-dinkienounin the television and film industries, a 250-watt light sourceUK , 1960
ink-slingernouna clerical employeeUS , 1889
ink stick
Trang 5inkynoun1a newspaper, especially one dedicated to music
journalismUK , 2003.2a felt-tipped pen Used in Glasgow schoolsUK:
SCOTLAND , 1988
inland squidnouna surfer who does not live at or near the beach
US , 1987
inmatenounused as a term of derision, applied to a prisoner who
follows prison rules and curries favour with the prison
adminis-trationUS , 1984
innardsnoun1the entrails, the stomach, the guts A dialect and
vulgar alteration of ‘inwards’UK , 1825.2the inner workings of a car’s
engine or transmissionUS , 1993
inner spacenouna person’s deepest psychological beingUS , 1967
innienounan inward-turned navelUS , 1966
innitisn’t it?; also used as a general purpose tag regardless of
grammatical context Originally, and still, a lazily pronounced
inter-rogative referring back to the verb ‘is’ in the preceding sentence,
e.g ‘It’s raining, innit?’UK , 1959
in onprepositionbeing a part of something; participating in or
sharing in somethingUK , 1923
ins-and-outsnoun< want to know the ins-and-outs of a cat’s
arse; want to know the ins-and-outs of a duck’s arseto be
very inquisitive Generally in catchphrase form as ‘you want to
know’, ‘he’d want to know’, etc Variations include ‘the
ins-and-outs of a nag’s arse’, also ‘of a duck’s backside’ and ‘of a duck’s
bum’UK , 1984
insaneadjective1excellentUS , 1955.2fearless; willing to try anything
for funUS , 1997.3ridiculous, in either a good or bad wayUS , 1997
insanely greatadjectivein computing, magnificent to a degree that
can be fully grasped by only the most proficient practitionersUS ,
1991
insaniacnouna lunatic A compound of ‘insane’ and ‘maniac’UK ,
1999
insanity stripenounin the US armed forces, the insignia
designating a three-year enlistmentUS , 1946
insects and antsnoun men’s underpants Rhyming slang UK , 1960
insensitive care unitnouna hospital’s intensive care unitUS , 1989
insideadverbimprisonedUK , 1888
inside jobnouna crime committed by, or with the assistance of,
someone who lives or works in the place where it occursUK , 1908
inside mannounin a big con swindle, a confederate to whom the
victim is turned over once he has been lured into the enterprise
US , 1940
inside oilnouninside informationAUSTRALIA , 1966
insidernouna pocketUS , 1945
inside the Beltwaynounliterally, the area of Washington D.C
surrounded by a motorway known as the Capital Beltway;
figuratively, the Washington political and journalistic establishment
US , 1977
inside tracknouna position of advantage; information which
provides such an advantage A figurative use of racing wisdomUS ,
1857
inside worknounany internal alteration of dice for cheatingUS , 1963
instaga; instagunounmarijuanaUK , 2003
Instamaticnouna police radar unit used for measuring vehicle
speed A brand name extrapolation fromCAMERA(a generic term
for radar)US , 1976
Instant Dictator Kitnounin the Canadian military, items of brass
and braid that transform an ordinary uniform into a ceremonial
oneCANADA , 1995
instant LZnouna 10,000- to 15,000-pound bomb used to clear
jungle and create an instant landing zone in Vietnam The bomb
was designed to create a wide but shallow crater in the jungle,
literally creating an instant landing zoneUS , 1981
instant zennounLSDUS , 1972
insurance cheater
intelnounmilitary intelligenceAUSTRALIA , 1961
intellectualnounin the army, a member of the intelligence section
UK , 1993
intellectual hournounall time spent watching cartoons on televisionUS , 1980
intelligence centrenouna field latrine Gulf war usageUS , 1991
intenseadjectiveextreme, wild A conventional adjective rendered slang by attitude and pronunciation, emphasis on the second syllableUS , 1982
Internicknamethe intermediate examination taken after completing the first three years of secondary school in IrelandIRELAND , 1998
Intercourse 80nicknameInterstate 80, a major east–west motorway
in the USUS , 1977
intercoursedadjectiveexhausted Archly euphemistic forFUCKED UK , 1979
interestingadjectivein computing, annoying or difficultUS , 1991
interesting, yes – provocativeused for expressing possible interest in what has just been said A catchphrase from the film
Tommy Boy US , 1997
interior decoratingnounthe act of having sex during the day Upper-class society usageUK , 1982
Interlake potatonouna rockCANADA , 1987
internalnouna person who smuggles drugs inside their bodiesUS , 1997
internalsnounintrusive medical examinations as part of sexual role-play, especially when advertised as a service offered by a prostitute
UK , 2003
International House of Pancakesnouna hospital ward for severe stroke victims, who lie in bed muttering in their own languageUS , 1978
international milk thiefnouna petty thief An example of police humour; heavily ironicUK , 1977
interrogation by altitudenounthe reported practice by US troops
of interrogating a group of suspected Viet Cong in a helicopter, throwing those who refused to answer to their death below and thus encouraging cooperation from those leftUS , 1990
in the nudenounfood Rhyming slangUK , 1979
in there; in tharadjectiveexcellent An allusion to surfing inside the hollow of a breaking waveUS , 1991
intopreposition1in debt toUS , 1893.2in organised crime, in control
ofUS , 1985.3interested in; participating inUS , 1965
intronoun an introduction UK , 1923
introverb to introduce US , 1986
invertebratedadjectivevery drunkUS , 1982
investmentnouna bet, especially on a horse raceNEW ZEALAND , 1944
invitationnouna speeding ticket A humorous euphemismUS , 1976
invitenounan invitation A verb-as-noun that began as standard English and then evolved into slangUK , 1659
in withprepositionin a friendly or social relationship with someone
UK , 1677
in you go, says Bob Munroused as a toast If a real Bob Munro gave his name to this toast, he is lost in the alcohol fog of history
NEW ZEALAND , 1999
in-your-chopsadjectivedirect, provocativeUK , 2004
in-your-face; in-yo-faceadjectiveaggressive, provocativeUS , 1988
in your oilsadjective delighted; in your element From Welsh hwyl
(mood)UK: WALES , 1985
IOWused as Internet shorthand to mean ‘in other words’ US , 1997
I owe you money or what?why are you looking at me that way? Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1981
IQ anniversarynounthe anniversary of a person’s quitting
smoking The ‘IQ’ stems from ‘I Quit’, punning on the more
commonly understood sense of the abbreviation
Trang 6IQ Charleynouna half-wit Teen slang; unkindUS , 1955
irie; ireyadjectivegood, great, wonderfulJAMAICA , 1994
irisnounan Indian homosexual male Gay slang, formed on the
name Iris, probably elaborating the initial ‘I’ for ‘Indian’, and
orig-inating among Cape colouredsSOUTH AFRICA , 2000
IrishnounIrish imports, such as snuff, whisky, linen, tea, etc Linen
from 1784, snuff from 1834 and whisky from 1889UK , 1982
Irishnicknameany athletic team from Notre Dame University An
abbreviation of the fullerFIGHTING IRISH US , 1975
Irish applenouna potatoUK , 1896
Irish baby buggynouna wheelbarrowUS , 1919
Irish banjonouna shovelUS , 1941
Irish clubhousenouna police stationhouseUS , 1904
Irish confettinoun1semen spilled on a woman’s bodyUS , 1987.
2stones, bricks, etc, when used as offensive missilesUS , 1913.
3small stones kept in a pocket for disciplining sheepdogsNEW
ZEALAND , 1961
Irish curtainnounon Prince Edward Island, a cobweb inside the
houseCANADA , 1988
Irishernouna person of Irish descentUS , 1807
Irish horsenoun1salted beefUK , 1748.2a flaccid or impotent penis
US , 1987
Irish hurricanenouna flat calm seaUS , 1803
Irish jig; Irishnouna wig Rhyming slangUK , 1972
Irish lace; Irish lace curtainsnouna spider’s cobwebUS , 1950
Irish linennounin pool, the cloth used as a grip on the end of a
cue stickUS , 1993
Irishman’s gatenounany makeshift gateNEW ZEALAND , 1977
Irish pennantnouna dangling thread on a recruit’s uniform
Marine humour, marine usageUS , 1941
Irish picnic wagonnouna police vanUS , 1996
Irish popnouna shot of whisky and glass of beerUS , 1982
Irish rosenounthe nose Rhyming slangUK , 1961
Irish shavenounan act of defecationUS , 1979
Irish steaknouncheese An allusion to Irish povertyUK: SCOTLAND ,
1988
Irish sulknouna fit of depression after being spirited and happy
CANADA , 1982
Irish toothachenoun1an erectionUK , 1882.2pregnancyUS , 1972
Irish turkeynouncorned beefUS , 1915
Irish waterfallnouna manner of cigarette smoking in which smoke
is drawn into the mouth and then allowed to drift out and
upwards for inhalation through the noseUK , 2003
Irish weddingnounmasturbationUS , 1987
Irish whipnounin handball, a stroke hitting the ball close to the
bodyUS , 1972
ironnoun1a gun, especially a handgunUS , 1838.2the penisUK , 1706.
3moneyUK , 1705.4in the used car business, collectively the worst
cars on the sales lotUS , 1975.5an old, dilapidated truckUS , 1971.6in
hot rodding, a custom-built chrome bumperUS , 1956.7an older
mainframe computerUS , 1991.8a railway trackUS , 1977.< push
iron; bump iron; drive iron; pump ironto lift weights Prison
useUS , 1965
Iron Agenounin computing, the period approximately between
1961 (the first PDP-1) and 1971 (the first commercial
microprocessor)US , 1991
iron assnouna stern, demanding, unrelenting personUS , 1942
iron bennouna bullet-proof vestUS , 1949
ironbendernouna severe foreman, a strict disciplinarianCANADA , 1956
iron bombnouna conventional aerial bomb that is simply dropped
from the sky without any targeting capability in the bombUS , 1962
iron box
iron curenounthe sudden and complete deprivation of a drug to an addict in jail who suffers intenselyUS , 1973
iron curtainnouna girdleUS , 1968
iron dognouna snowmobileUS , 1961
iron doornoun< behind the iron doorin prisonUS , 1992
iron dukenounin poker, a hand that is either certain to win or at least played as if it is certain to winUS , 1967
iron girdernouna murder Rhyming slangUK , 1998
iron Godnounthe Burroughs B-550 computerUS , 1968
iron hatnouna safety helmet Most commonly known as a ‘hard hat’US , 1954
iron hoof; ironnouna male homosexual Rhyming slang forPOOF
UK , 1936
iron horsenouna tank or other armoured vehicleUS , 1918
iron idiotnounan imprecise but easily manoeuvred manual sight
on a tank’s main gunUS , 1986
Iron LadynicknameBritish Prime Mininster (1979–90) Margaret Hilda Thatcher (b.1925) Coined by the Soviet media for Thatcher’s unyielding anti-communist sentiments; always used with ‘the’UK , 1976
iron lotnouna used car business specialising in old, inexpensive carsUS , 1975
iron lungnouna tip, a gratuity Glasgow rhyming slang forBUNG UK , 1985
iron mannounone US silver dollar ($1) From the metal coinUS , 1908
Iron Mikenoun1a bicycle Rhyming slang for ‘bike’, formed from the nickname of US boxer Mike Tyson (b.1966)UK , 1998.2a pair of brass knucklesUS , 1949
iron mouthnounany person with orthodontiaUS , 1979
iron nosenounin British Columbia, a steelhead troutCANADA , 1963
iron outverb1to correct a misunderstanding, to negotiate differ-ences and achieve agreement, to put rightUK , 1930.2to knock a person down; to flattenAUSTRALIA , 1953
iron pilenounthe area in a prison recreation yard where the weightlifting equipment is keptUS , 1962
iron ponynouna motorcyleUS , 1945
ironsnoun1handcuffs Also used in the singularUS , 1929.2in horse racing, stirrupsUS , 1951.3tyre chains used for winter drivingUS , 1971
iron skullnounon the railways, a boilermakerUS , 1946
iron tanknouna bank Rhyming slangUK , 1960
Iron Trianglenoun1a major North Korean industrial complex between Pyongyang to the north, Chorwon to the west and Kumhwa to the eastUS , 1968.2a dense jungle area near the Cu Chi District of South Vietnam, about 20 miles northwest of Saigon, dominated by the Viet Cong and the scene of heavy fightingUS , 1966
iron undiesnounthe notional underwear worn by a woman who is not willing to have sexNEW ZEALAND , 2002
iron workernouna criminal who specialises in breaking into safes
US , 1949
iron yardnounthe area where weight lifting equipment is left and used, especially in prisonUS , 1995
I say!used for attracting attention or for registering surprise or pleasureUK , 1909
I say, I say, I say!used as a catchphrase introduction to a corny joke From music hall comedy routinesUK , 1927
isdanounheroinUS , 1977
I see nothingused as a humorous expression of complicity A catchphrase from the unlikely wacky-Nazi-POW-camp-comedy
television programme Hogan’s Heroes (CBS, 1965–71) Uttered
frequently by Sergeant Hans Schultz, the full phrase was ‘I see nothing I hear nothing I know nothing!’ Repeated with referential humour
Trang 7I see, said the blind man (and he saw)used for expressing
sudden comprehension in a teasing and humorous wayUS , 1991
ishnoun an issue (of a magazine, especially a single-interest fan
magazine)US , 1967.< the isha Royal Marine issued with all
poss-ible kit; or a full complement of equipment Derives from ‘issue’
UK , 1987
-ishsuffix1added to an adjective or phrase to form a less precise
adjective, or to suggest a vaguer, often wider, interpretation of the
proceeding adjective or phraseUK , 1815.2added to a proper name
to form an adjectiveUK , 1845
I shit themI am superiorUK , 1979
I shit you notI am very seriousUS , 1986
I should cocoa!; I should coco!I should say so Rhyming slang,
‘coffee and cocoa’, unusually reduced to its second element
Derisive and sarcasticUK , 1936
I shouldn’t wonder!I should not be surprisedUK , 1836
ishyadjectivedisgusting, unappealingUS , 1968
is it?1used for registering a mild disbeliefUK , 1994.2used for
indi-cating polite interest, astonishment, incredulity, etc Used
rhetorically without regard to gender, subject or number
Sometimes spelt ‘izzit’SOUTH AFRICA , 1970
Islandnoun< the Islandthe Isle of Wight, off the south coast of
England; in particular the prisons: HMP Camp Hill, HMP Albany or
HMP ParkhurstUK , 1956
Isle of Mannouna pan Rhyming slang, formed on the name of
the island off the north west of EnglandUK , 1992
Isle of Wightnouna light Rhyming slangUK , 1998
Isle of Wightadjective1right; both as an expression of approval and
indicative of direction Rhyming slang, formed from the name of
the island off the south coast of EnglandUK , 1960.2tight (in a state
of drunkenness or mean with money) Rhyming slangUK , 1992
I smell bacon!there are police nearby! A catchphrase from Wayne’s
World, heard before but popularised by it US , 1993
isn’t it?used rhetorically, without regard to gender, subject or
number: is that not so?SOUTH AFRICA , 1956
isn’t that special?used for expressing sarcastic disdain From
Dana Carvey’s ‘Church Lady’ skit on Saturday Night Live US , 1987
Israelitenounsomeone who is temporarily without moneyJAMAICA ,
1969
issuenouna problem Often used in a mocking way, borrowing from
the lexicon of self-improvement and popular psychotherapy Most
often heard in the pluralUS , 1999
issuesnouncrack cocaineUK , 2003
-istasuffixwhen combined with a subject-noun, a follower or
aficionado of something or someone From Spanish An example
isFASHIONISTA UK , 2003
is the Pope (a) Catholic?yes; a nonsense retort used as an
affirmative answer to a silly question, often sarcastic Often mixed
with the synonymousDO BEARS SHIT IN THE WOODS?to achieveDOES
THE POPE SHIT IN THE WOODS?Used in the UK since the 1970sUS , 1977
I supposenouna nose Rhyming slangUK , 1859
I swallow!used as a cry of submissionUK , 2000
iswasnouna contemptible, very much disliked person This appears
to be a compound of ‘is’ and ‘was’ and is therefore perhaps
implying that the person so described is (soon to be) in the past
tense Noted in connection with a legal dispute over rap lyrics by
BBC News, 6th June 2003 UK , 2003
is your father a glass maker?used to suggest that somebody in
front of you at a public event sit down and stop blocking your
viewTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003
itnoun1sexUK , 1599.2the penisUS , 1846.3a short-term sexual
partner, a casual pick-upUK , 2002.4in male homosexual usage, a
heterosexual male or a homosexual male who is not part of the
speaker’s inner circleUS , 1981
Itnoun sweet vermouth Originally Italian vermouth as used in ‘gin
it ain’t over ’til the fat lady singsused as a humorous aphorism meaning that something is not over until it is over The battle cry
of those who are about to loseUS , 1992
italadjectivenatural, unadulterated; (of food) organic, salt-free; (of sex) without a condomJAMAICA , 1994
Italian airlinesnounwalkingUS , 1987
Italian mausoleumnouna car boot (trunk) From the stereotype of the corpses of Mafia murder victims being stuffed in car bootsUS , 1982
Italian showernouna liberal application of aftershave or scentUK , 1997
ITALYwritten on an envelope, or at the foot of a lover’s letter, as lovers’ code for ‘I trust and love you’ Widely-known, and well-used
by servicemen but, apparently, has not transferred to the coded vocabulary of textingUK , 1960
itchnoun< he (she) wouldn’t give you the itchsaid of a person with a reputation for meanness In Glasgow useUK , 1988
itchverbto have a desire to do somethingUK , 1225
itch and scratch; itchnouna match (a vesta)UK , 1931
itchy backsidenounsaid of a restless personSINGAPORE , 2002
itchy feetnoun1attributed to a person who is restlessUK , 1984.
2attributed to a prison inmate who is considered to be a potential absconder A specialisation of ‘have itchy feet’ (to be restless)UK , 1978
itchy pussynouna Mitsubishi carUS , 1992
iteall right (as an adjective, or a greeting) A shortening of ‘all right’ Teen slangUK , 2003
itemnouna romantically-linked couple Expressing a commitment that the two individuals be considered as a single itemUS , 1981
Itienounan Italian Variation ofEYETIE UK , 1941
ItieadjectiveItalianAUSTRALIA , 1988
-itissuffixused to create imaginary medical conditions, such as lazyitis (congenital laziness) and cobitis (an aversion to prison food)
US , 1912
it’s all goodused for expressing optimism or a sense that all is well
in the worldUS , 1995
it’s been greatused as a farewellUS , 1969
it’s been realused as a farewell, suggesting that the time spent together has been enjoyableUS , 1982
it’s better to give than receiveused as a declaration that it is better to be the active rather than passive partner in homosexual anal intercourse A charitable philosophyUK , 2000
it’s breakfast!used by firefighters in the woods to mean that the fire is out and their work is finishedUS , 1991
it’s deadthe issue being discussed need not be discussed any furtherUS , 2002
it’s hard to feel good about thatused as an intentionally laconic expression of sympathy or commiserationUS , 1987
it’s not my jobused for expressing a lack of interest in helping to
do something A signature line of comedian Freddie Prinze on the
television comedy Chico and the Man (NBC, 1974–78) Repeated
with referential humourUS , 1974
it’s not the end of the world!offered as consolation to someone who has suffered a mishapUK , 1984
it’s on!used for announcing the start of hostilities between youth gangsUS , 1953
it’s the oil that countsin oil drilling, used for expressing doubt about any new process, equipment or ideaUS , 1954
it’s thereused as a stock answer about something that is acceptable but not greatCANADA , 1993
itsy bitsynounthe vagina Childish euphemismUS , 1998
itsy-bitsyadjectivetinyUS , 1938
it’s youused as a greetingUS , 1973
it takes all sortsan elliptical variation of the homespun philos-ophy: it takes all sorts to make a world (or a universe)
Trang 8it takes one to know oneyou are as bad as the person you are
criticisingUK , 1984
ittyadjectivetiny A childish form of ‘little’UK , 1798
itty-bittyadjectivetiny A reduplicated variation ofITTY, perhaps by
combination withBITTY UK , 1938
Ivannouna Russian, especially a soldier; the nation of Russia;
sometimes used in the plural to represent Russians in general
Originally military; the popular male forename is the Russian
equivalent to JohnUS , 1944
ivoriesnoun1the teethUK , 1782.2the keys of a piano or a similar
instrumentUK , 1818.3diceUS , 1962.4billiard or pool ballsUK , 1875.
< spank the ivoriesplay the piano in a jazz-styleUS , 1944.
< tickle the ivoriesto play the pianoUK , 1930
ivory flakenouncocaineUS , 1983
ivory soapnounin dominoes, the double blank pieceUS , 1959
ivory towernounused as a metaphor for an attitude that is elitist,
intellectual and removed from the real worldUS , 1911
I wonder!I doubt it!, I can’t believe it!; I think it may be soUK , 1922
I wouldn’t fuck her with your dickused as a jocular disparagement of a woman’s sexual attractivenessUS , 1974
I wouldn’t kick her out of bed; I wouldn’t kick that out of bedused as an expression of general sexual interest Sometimes elaborated as ‘I wouldn’t kick her out of bed for farting’ or ‘ for eating crackers’UK , 1984
ixnayno Pig Latin for ‘nix’US , 1929
-iz-infixused as an infix to hide the meaning of a word Used in prison and other fields with a tentative relationship to the law
‘Dope’ becomes ‘dizope’US , 1976
-iz-iinfixan embellishment that adds no meaning to a word Popularised by Frankie Smith in the 1999 song ‘Double Dutch Bus’US , 1999
IZM; ism; izmnounmarijuanaUS , 1992
Izzynounany Jewish maleUS , 1949