"Mm" in Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English pptx

Rhyming slang forPONY AND TRAPCRAP UK, 1974 macaroni and cheesenounmarijuana worth $5 and cocaine worth $10US, 2002 macaroonnouna black person.. In Glasgow useUK: SCOTLAND, 1988 mad skul

Mnoun1morphineUS, 1914.2marijuana Extended from the previous

senseUS, 1955.3an MBE (Member of the Order of the British

Empire) Used by civil servants, suggestive of a casual familiarity

with the honourUK, 1961

M & Mnouna 9 mm pistolUS, 1999

M20nouna meeting place Citizens’ band radio jargon, originally US;

UK use is interesting as the M20 is a motorway route to

FolkestoneUS, 1981

M25nouna tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as

ecstasy The initial letter of MDMA leads to the designation of the

London orbital motorway (M25) thus memorialising the road’s

pivotal role in reaching the (often) illegal locations of early raves

UK, 1996

M8nounused in text messaging to mean ‘a mate’ A variant

spelling; one of several constructions in which a syllable

pronounced ‘ate’ is replaced by the homophone ‘eight’UK, 2002

manouna mother; used for addressing your mother An abbreviation

of ‘mama’UK, 1823

ma’anouncrack cocaine, 2003

maaga; magaadjectivethin From West Indian and UK black patois

pronunciation of ‘meagre’UK, 1994

ma and paadjective(used of a business) small-scale, family-owned

US, 1972

ma bubby and Choonnounany two things that are very close to

each otherTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1990

macnoun1an automated cash machine Originally from the

trademarked acronym Money Access Centre, then applied to any

such deviceUS, 1996.2a mackintosh, hence any waterproof

outercoat Sometimes spelt ‘mack’UK, 1901

Mac; mac; macknoun1used as a term of address for a man whose

name is not known by the speakerUS, 1918.2a red McIntosh apple,

usually from British ColumbiaCANADA, 1958

mac; mackverbto eat voraciously From the Big Mac, a hamburger

speciality from the McDonald’s™ hamburger chainUS, 1990

macaroninoun1an Italian-American or Italian From the pasta

productUK, 1845.2excrement Rhyming slang for ‘pony’ (the

reduced form ofPONY AND TRAP),CRAP(excrement) Sometimes

reduced to ‘maca’UK, 1974.3a pony; hence £25 Rhyming slang for

PONY UK, 1857.4in betting, odds of 25–1 From rhyming slang for

PONY(£25)UK, 1991.5in oil drilling, small-diameter pipeUS, 1954

macaroniverbto defecate Rhyming slang forPONY AND TRAP(CRAP)

UK, 1974

macaroni and cheesenounmarijuana worth $5 and cocaine worth

$10US, 2002

macaroonnouna black person Rhyming slang forCOON UK , 1992

MacArthur sweepnouna combing of the hair from the side of the

head over a bald spot on top of the headUS, 1953

macca; mackernouna recruit in the armed forces Origin unknown

AUSTRALIA, 1944

maccaadjectiveenormous School slangUK: ENGLAND, 2003

Maccasnoun1food from a McDonald’s™ restaurantAUSTRALIA, 1996.

2a McDonald’s™ restaurantAUSTRALIA, 1995

macdaddynounthe very best of somethingUS, 1995

maceverb1to swindle, to defraudUK, 1790.2to owe money From

the previous senseUK, 1979.3to steal or cheat, especially by means

of the three card trick A variation of the sense ‘to swindle’UK, 1977

MacGuffinnouna device or a gimmick within a film that while

often peripheral to the storyline is iconic in and of the overall

storytelling Coined by film director Alfred Hitchcock (1899–1980)

US, 1939

machernounan important and powerful man YiddishUS, 1930

machinenoun1a fast and attractive car Often pronounced chine’US, 1908.2a machine gunUS, 1995.3a trumpetUK, 1983.4inhorse racing, a pari-mutuel betting machineUS, 1976.5in horseracing, a battery-powered device used to impart a shock to a horseduring a raceUS, 1976

‘ma-Machinenoun< the Machinein big city politics, the over-archingpolitical organisation that runs all facets of lifeUS, 1992

machine gun; machinenouna syringe used for injecting an illegaldrugUK, 1978

Machine Gun Murphynouna stereotypical fearless soldierUS, 1971

machinerynoun1the equipment used to prepare and injectnarcoticsUS, 1970.2marijuana Also simply ‘mach’US, 1977

machonounexcessively masculine, virile and brave A direct loanfrom SpanishUS, 1959

Macintoy; Macintrashnounan Apple Macintosh™ computerUS, 1991

Macintyrenounfire Rhyming slangUK, 1996

macknoun1a pimpUS, 1903.2a person who is a smooth andconvincing talkerUS, 1962.3the speech a pimp makes to recruit awoman as a prostituteUS, 1972.4a male who attracts femalesUS,

1997 8see:MAC

mackverb1to speak with a stylish flair and flatteryUS, 1968.2to work

as a pimpUK, 1887.3to behave with ostentatious style and flairUS,

2002.4to kissUS, 1993 8see:MAC

Mack Daddynouna skilled ladies’ man; a pimpUS, 1959

mackernouna very large waveUS, 1991 8see:MACCA

mackerel and sprat; mackerelnouna fool Rhyming slang forPRAT

(a fool); however, as this generally appears in the shortened form,

an alternative rhyming derivation has appeared: mackerel – fish

in the pool – foolUK, 1998

mackerel-snappernouna Roman Catholic From the practice ofeating fish on FridaysUS, 1850s

mack mannouna pimpUS, 1960

Mack the Knifenounany surgeonUS, 1980

Macnamaranouna barrow Glasgow rhyming slangUK: SCOTLAND, 1988

macociousadjectiveinclined to gossipTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1977

macon; maconha; machona; machnounmarijuana From

Brazilian maconha (marijuana) US, 1938

mac outverbto eat ravenouslyUS, 1982

MactownnicknameMcMurdo Station, AntarcticaANTARCTICA, 2003

madadjective1exciting, goodUS, 1941.2in homosexual usage,unrestrained and ostentatiousUS, 1949.3used as an all-purpose, dra-matic intensifierUS, 1972

madadverb< like madto an extraordinary extent, very muchUK, 1653

mad aboutadjectiveenthusiastic about, having a strong liking for,sexually infatuatedUK, 1744

madamnounin a deck of playing cards, a queenUS, 1988

Madam de Luce; madamverbto deceive Rhyming slang for

‘spruce’UK, 1938

madamenoun1an older homosexual manUS, 1979.2the victim of

an extortion schemeUS, 1982

MadamenicknameMadame Ngo Dinh Nhu, sister-in-law of South

Madame Tussaudnounbald Rhyming slang, formed on the name

of the famous waxworks’ founderUK, 1998

mad as a beetleadjectiveextremely mad; very angryAUSTRALIA, 1942

mad as a boiled mentally deranged A seemingly endless source

of nonsense similes; ‘mad as a boiled dictionary compiler’ makes

as much sense, which is probably the pointUK, 2000

mad as a Chinamanadjectiveextremely mad; very angryAUSTRALIA,

1942

mad as a cut snakeadjectiveextremely mad Either meaning ‘out

of one’s mind with anger’ or ‘insane’AUSTRALIA, 1932

mad as a goannaadjectiveextremely mad; very angry A goanna is

a large lizardAUSTRALIA, 1942

mad as a gum tree full of galahsadjectivetotally mad; crazy The

galah is a striking native bush parrot noted for loud calls and antic

behaviourAUSTRALIA, 1942

mad as a meat-axeadjectiveextremely mad Generally meaning

‘insane’ rather than ‘out of one’s mind with anger’AUSTRALIA, 1946

mad as a satchel of kneesadjectiveinsane, crazyUK, 2003

mad as a snakeadjectiveextremely mad Either meaning ‘out of

one’s mind with anger’ or ‘insane’AUSTRALIA, 1917

mad as sandadjectivementally deranged Liverpool usageUK, 1999

mad ballnounin circus and carnival usage, a fortune teller’s glass

globeUS, 1948

mad bastardnouna variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best

known as ecstasyUK, 1997

mad bombernouna mortar air delivery system From the initials

MADSUS, 1991

MadchesternicknameManchester, the UK city that was, between

1989–92, more in touch with youth, music and drug fashions than

any other ‘Mad’ puns on craziness and MDMA (ecstasy)UK, 1996

mad dognoun1a fearless, aggressive, uninhibited criminalUS, 1956.

2any cheap red wine Originally applied to Mogen-David wine,

later to any cheap wineUS, 1974

mad-dogverb1to behave in an intensely aggressive fashion, giving

the appearance of near insanityUS, 1992.2to annoyNEW ZEALAND,

1998

maddynoun< throw a maddyto have a fit of ill-temperUK:

SCOTLAND, 1985

madeadjective1officially admitted into a crime familyUS, 1966.

2(used of a woman) formerly virginalUS, 1949

made in heavennounin Bingo, the number sixty-seven Rhyming

slangUK, 2003

made in the shadeadjectivesuccessful, accomplishedUS, 1951

made of moneyadjectivewealthyUK, 1786

Ma Deucenouna Browning 50 calibre machine gunUS, 1982

made upadjectivehappy, satisfied, pleasedUK, 1999

mad for itadjectivevery eager The phrase, originating in Manchester

in the north of England, gained its wider currency as a

catchphrase to justify the excesses of Liam and Noel Gallagher and

their band OasisUK, 1997

madheadnouna crazy personUK, 2002

madhousenouna brakevan ( caboose)US, 1977

Madison Avenue crash helmetnouna kind of businessman’s hat

US, 1965

mad keen onadjectivevery enthusiastic about something or

someoneUK, 1949

madlyadverbpassionately, fervently, extremelyUK, 1756

madmannouna pill of pure MDMA, the recreational drug best

known as ecstasy; MDMA in powdered form A playful disguise of

MaDMAnUK, 2002

Mad Maxnountax Rhyming slang, formed on the eponymous hero

of three films, 1979–85, set in a post-apocalyptic wasteland;

suggesting, perhaps, that taxes will both pay for and survive the

apocalypse

mad micknouna pick (the tool) Rhyming slangAUSTRALIA, 1919

mad mikenouna mad minute From the military phonetic alphabet

in which ‘m’ is ‘mike’US, 1991

mad minutenounan intense, short-lived burst of weapon fireUS, 1917

mad moneynounmoney set aside to use in an emergency or tosplurgeUS, 1922

mad monkeynouna staff worker at the US Military ArmyCommand, Vietnam Another of many terms expressing thecombat soldier’s disdain for those who were in the service but didnot see combatUS, 1991

madon!used as a moderately profane exclamation OriginallyItalian-American usageUS, 1977

Madonnanounsomeone who has died or is unavoidably doomed

to die very soon Rhyming slang forGONER, formed on the popular

US singer Madonna Louise Ciccone (b.1958) rather than thereligious iconUK, 2004

madonna clawsnounan ugly hand Contemporary gay useUK, 2003

mad out of itadjectivedrunk or drug-intoxicatedIRELAND, 2001

mad propsnouneffusive complimentsUS, 1994

mad railernouna racing greyhound that will veer towards the insiderail no matter what its starting positionAUSTRALIA, 1989

Madras in the evening, mad arse in the morninggiven as aproverbial warning against eating a curry that is spicier than yourbody can comfortably handle In Glasgow useUK: SCOTLAND, 1988

mad skullnouna crazy or mentally unstable personUK: SCOTLAND, 1985

mad spunadjectivedeeply under the influence of LSDUS, 1997

madukesnouna motherUS, 2002

mad weednoungreen, weak marijuanaJAMAICA, 1979

mad wey it; mad wi’ itadjectivedrunk; mad with drinkUK: SCOTLAND, 2002

madwomannouna pill of pure MDEA, an analogue of MDMA, therecreational drug best known as ecstasy Probably as a variation of

MADMAN(MDMA)UK, 2002

madza; madzer; medza; medzer; midzeradjectivehalf From

Italian mezzo (a half ) Used, for example, in ‘madza beagered’

(half-drunk) and ‘medzer caroon’ (a half-crown)UK, 2002

Maenounamong male homosexuals, a term of endearment.Probably adopted from the name of glamorous film actress MaeWest; used in such conversational gambits as: ‘Hello, Mae, how areyou today?’UK, 2003

Mae Westnoun1the chest or the breast Rhyming slang, formedfrom the name of buxom US actress and writer, 1892–1980UK,

1992.2a life-jacket worn by aircrews Military Remains familiarthanks to its popularity with crossword compilersUK, 1940.3in thelanguage of parachuting, a partial inversion of the canopy resultingfrom a deployment malfunctionUS, 1958.4a French-Canadiansugar rollCANADA, 1979

mafianounused as part of a jocular formation referring to a largenumber or influential group of peopleUS, 1989

mafioskinounRussian criminals Conventional ‘mafia’ with thesuffix ‘-ski’ to indicate a Russian heritageUK, 1998

mafunounmarijuanaUK, 2003

magnoun1a magazine, in any sense of the termUK, 1801.2a nesium steel wheel on a race carUS, 1970.3a magneto, used ondrag racing engines with no battery or generatorUS, 1968.4a briefconversation; a chat; a gossipAUSTRALIA, 1895

mag-Magnouna Magnum™ pistolUS, 1970

magverbto chat; to prattleUK, 1820

maga dognouna mongrel West Indian and Rastafarian patois, from

maaga or mawga meaning meagre, hence skinny , 2004

magazinenouna six-month sentence to jailUS, 1949

maggienoun1the Australian magpie, Gymnorhina tibicen AUSTRALIA,

1901.2marijuana Variants on the name Maggie, all diminutives ofMargaret, play very loosely on marijuana: ‘Maggie’, ‘meg’, ‘megg’,

Maggienounany revolver that fires a cartridge that is more powerful

than standard ammunitionUS, 1957

MaggienicknameBritish Prime Minister (1979–90) Margaret Hilda

Thatcher (b.1925) The UK wasn’t really on first name terms with

Mrs Thatcher until she became PM; earlier in her political career,

however, she was vilified as ‘Maggie Thatcher, milk snatcher’ Also

known as ‘Attila the hen’UK, 1994

Maggie’s drawersnouna red flag indicating a ‘miss’ on a rifle

rangeUS, 1936

Maggie’s millionsnounthe unemployed during the premiership of

Margaret Thatcher (1979–90)UK, 1984

maggotnoun1a loathsome personAUSTRALIA, 1961.2a white person

Urban black usageUS, 1985.3a repulsive femaleAUSTRALIA, 1987.4in

the US Air Force, someone who is very dedicated to serviceUS, 1998.

< act the maggotto play the foolIRELAND, 1937

maggot; maggottedadjectivedrunkAUSTRALIA, 2003

maggot bagnouna meat pieAUSTRALIA, 2003

maggotboxnounan Apple Macintosh™ computerUS, 1991

maggot wagonnouna catering truckUS, 1992

maggoty; maggottynounangry; in a bad moodAUSTRALIA, 1919

magicadjective1excellent, first class; used for showing approval and

enthusiasmUK, 2001.2in computing, complicated or not yet

understoodUS, 1981

magic beannouna tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best

known as ecstasy From the fairystory Jack and the Beanstalk UK,

1996

magic flagonnounmarijuanaNEW ZEALAND, 1990

magic fudge; fudgenounan intoxicating confection that has

marijuana as a central ingredientUK, 1970

magic hournounthe time between sundown and dark A filming

term; according to Singleton, ‘The light is very warm, the sky is a

magical deep blue, and shadows are long’ (Filmmaker’s Dictionary,

1990)US, 1960

magic money machinenounan automated cash machine Used

widely in conversation since the 1990sNEW ZEALAND, 2002

magic mushienouna hallucinogenic mushroomAUSTRALIA, 1982

magic mushroomnounany mushroom with an hallucinogenic

effect – the most commonly grown and used in the UK is

Psilocybe Semilanceata or Liberty Cap mushroom US, 1968

magic numbersused as a farewell Referring to 73 and 88, citizens’

band radio code for ‘good wishes’US, 1976

magic roundaboutnounused as an informal name for the system

whereby a difficult prisoner is contantly moved from prison to

prison Named after The Magic Roundabout, a stop-motion

animation children’s and cult television programme first broadcast

in the UK in 1965UK, 1996

magic smokenounmarijuanaUK, 1998

magic spongenouna towel or sponge applied to injured players

during a game who then have a miraculous recoveryAUSTRALIA, 2003

magic upverbto improve, to enhance, to encourageUK, 2003

magic wandnounthe penisUK, 1969

magistrate’s court; magistrate’snouna drink of spirits; an

alcoholic drink Rhyming slang forSHORT UK , 1992

magnaciousadjectiveexcellent, great An elaboration of ‘magnificent’

US, 1997

magnetnouna person who attracts the precedent thing or

personal-ity typeUS, 1993

Magnificent Milenouna stretch of Michigan Avenue running from

the river to Oak Street in Chicago, Illionois A Chamber of

Commerce phrase that took root in the vernacularUS, 1982

Magnus Pike; magnusnouna lesbian Rhyming slang forDYKE,

formed from the name of a British scientist and television

presenterUK, 2003

magoonounin circus usage, a cream or custard pie thrown by

magsman; maggs-mannoun1a confidence trickster whose primedevice is conversationAUSTRALIA, 1877.2a talkative person; araconteurAUSTRALIA, 1924

mag wheelnouna racing car wheel made of magnesium alloy

AUSTRALIA, 1981

mahaadjectivevery large From SanskritINDIA, 1995

maharisheenounmarijuanaUS, 1980s

Mahatma Gandhinouna shandy Rhyming slang, formed from thename of the Indian leader, 1869–1948UK, 1992

Mahatma Gandhi; mahatmaadjectivesexually aroused Rhymingslang forRANDY, formed from the name of the great Indian leaderand pacifist, 1889–1948UK, 2003

mahogany bombernounthe desk which an office-bound pilot

mahoska; hoskanounan addictive drug, especially heroinUS, 1949

maidnoun1a black woman (regardless of age or occupation).Offensive, demeaningSOUTH AFRICA, 1961.2female virginity Alsocalled ‘maiden’TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1972

maidennoun1in horse racing, a horse that has never won a raceUS,

1951.2by extension, a jockey who has never won a raceUS, 1971

maidenheadnouna woman’s toilet Punning on the hymen and

HEADas ‘a toilet’US, 1968

maid trainingnounthe process of instructing, and conditioning thebehaviour of, a sexual submissive The submissive’s menial servicebecomes part of a sexual relationship (in which an element oftransvestism is usually implied); used in a dominant prostitute’sadvertising matterUK, 2003

mailnoun1an overheard conversation on citizens’ band radioUS,

1976.2in horse racing, information about a horse or race useful forwageringAUSTRALIA, 1989

mail-call; mailnounenemy mortar, rockets or artillery beingreceived Coined in World War I, still used by World War 2 veterans

in VietnamUS, 1919

mainnounany large blood veinUS, 1952.< the mainto islanddwellers off the coast of Maine, the mainlandUS, 1975

Mainnoun< the MainSt Laurent Street in Montreal Even though

St Catherine Street, running east and west through the centre, hasbecome the main street of the city, St Laurent (or St Lawrence)was originally the centre of shopping, immigrant settlement andthe garment district, and so it has held the nameCANADA, 2001

mainverbto inject a drug into a main veinUS, 1952

main linenoun1any large blood vein, especially the mediancephalic veinUS, 1930s.2a major vein used for the injection ofnarcotics, usually heroinUS, 1931.3at a horse racing track, the areawith the greatest concentration of mutual betting machinesUS,

1951.4the general population of a prisonUS, 1967

Main Linenicknamethe wealthy suburbs just to the west ofPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, extending from Merion to Bryn Mawr

to Paoli From the Paoli Local commuter train that ran out of themain line of the now-defunct Pennsylvania Railroad, carryingbusinessmen to work and future lexicographers in blue wooljerseys with five white stripes on each arm to schoolUS, 1987

mainlineverbto inject drugs, especially heroin, into a main veinUS, 1938

mainlinernouna drug user who injects the drug into a veinUS, 1934

main mannoun1an important man From circus jargonUS, 1977.2apimp, in relation to a prostituteUS, 1985

main pinnouna railway officialUS, 1930

main punchnouna man’s favoured girlfriendUS, 1994

main queen a man’s primary girlfriend

main squeezenouna person’s primary partner in romanceUS, 1926

mainstreetingnounthe use of the main street of a town, especially

by a politician, for campaigningCANADA, 1959

maintainverb< maintain your low tonesdo not raise your

voice at me A phrase coined by writers of the ‘Coneheads’ skits

on Saturday Night Live in the late 1970s, featuring three

Remulakian aliens who lived quiet and normal lives in the suburbs

of New Jersey Most of the Remulakian phrases were too forced for

everyday slang, such as ‘molten lactate extract of hooved animals’

for ‘melted cheese’, but a few such as this were temporarily in

vogueUS, 1977

main veinnoun1the penisUS, 2001.2the vagina Usage is recorded

as ‘especially among drug addicts’UK, 1984.< stab in the main

veinfrom a male perspective, to have sex Formed onMAIN VEIN

(the vagina)UK, 1984

mainyadjectivefearless, crazyUS, 2004

mais ouiadverbof course, certainly An affected usage, adopted

directly from French mais oui (but yes) UK, 2002

Maizienounused as a term of address among male homosexuals

US, 1965

majnoun majesty An informal, generally affectionate, reduction UK,

1994

majornouna dependable, reliable personUS, 1956

majorverb< major in plumbingin college, to take nothing but

easy courses An allusion to ‘pipes’ (easy courses)US, 1955

majoradjective1very goodUS, 1984.2absolute Used as an intensifier

AUSTRALIA, 1995.3handsome, dressed wellTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1967

Major Deenouna maÎtre d’ Possibly influenced by ‘major domo’

UK, 2000

major-leagueadjectiveprominent, accomplished, prestigious On 4th

September 2000, US presidential candidate George W Bush leaned

to his running mate Dick Cheney at a campaign stop in

Naperville, Illinois, and, pointing to a reporter, said ‘There’s Adam

Clymner – major-league asshole from the New York Times’.

‘Major-league’ had major-league arrivedUS, 1941

major leaguesnounthe highest level of achievement in a fieldUS,

1951

Major Lodernounsoda, especially soda water Rhyming slang,

formed from the name of a famous racehorse owner in the early

part of C20UK, 1961

majorlyadverbvery muchUS, 1983

Major Stevensnounin betting odds, evens Rhyming slangUK, 1961

maknouna machete Critically important during the Vietnam war

for hacking through junglesUS, 1990

makableadjective(used of a wave) in surfing, possible to catch for a

rideUS, 1973

makenounan identificationUS, 1950.< on the make1in search of

sexual companyUS, 1929.2seeking any opportunity or profitUK, 1992.

< put the make onto try to seduceUS, 1963

makeverb1to identify (a person)UK, 1906.2in planespotting, to

record (‘collect’) an aircraftUK, 2003.3to seduce or have sex with

someoneUS, 1923.4to admit someone into membership in an

organised crime organisationUS, 1964.5to manage to catch and

travel on a scheduled vehicleUK, 1955.6to fix a price In stock

market useUK, 1895.7to steal, to appropriateUK, 1700.< as

pretty/clever/happy as they make themused for indicating

an extreme Current examples (found in a quick search of the

Internet, December 2003): ‘as bad as they make them’, ‘as

American as they make them’ and ‘as happy as they make them’

UK, 1896.< make (a period of time)to be sentenced to or to

serve a jail sentenceTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1904.< make a break

to escape or make an attempted escape from prisonUS, 1930.

< make a bubble; make a jail; make jail; make prison;

make yearsto be sentenced to or to serve a jail sentence

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1937.< make a thing of; make a thing

aboutto make a fuss about somethingUK, 1934.< make a zeef

to show offTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003.< make assto blunder; to

.

< make faresto work as a prostituteTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1987.

< make fartto make life difficult for someoneTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1990.< make friends(among women) to take a lesbianloverTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1960.< make goodto succeed; to meetexpectationsUS, 1901.< make holeto drill for oilUS, 1984.

< make it1to have sexUS, 1952.2to leaveUS, 1913.3to beaccepted byUS, 1955.4to be acceptableUS, 1955.5to succeed, tobecome prosperous, to reach an objectiveUK, 1885.< make it up

toto compensate someone for a loss or a wrong that has beensufferedUK, 1860.< make like1to behave in a suggested manner.Used in conjunction with ‘and’ to join a noun and a verb in a pun

US, 1954.2to behave in the manner of something, to act likeUS,

1881.< make like a boidto leave Teen slangCANADA, 1946.

< make loveto stealCANADA, 1988.< make love to the lavtovomit into a toilet bowlAUSTRALIA, 1971.< make niceto be actpolitelyUS, 1957.< make no boneswithout hesitation, to dealwith or react to an awkward or unpleasant situation, no matterhow difficultUK, 1459.< make oneto plan and carry out anescape attempt from prisonUK, 1974.< make one outtosuccessfully escape from prisonUK, 1996.< make smilesto havesexUK, 2003.< make the holeto rob drunks sleeping onunderground platforms and in carriagesUS, 1980.< make the showin motor racing with qualifying heats, to qualify for the race

US, 1993.< make timeto flirt, to attempt to seduceUS, 1953.

< make tracksto depart hurriedlyUS, 1978.< make withtouse, to bring into actionUS, 1940.< make your dayto make ahighlight or moment of happiness in an ordinary day; to be thehighlightUK, 1907

Make and Break enginenouna massive, one-cylinder boat motorwith a flywheel It is also known as a ‘one-lunger’ in Nova Scotiaand MaineCANADA, 1977

make-believenounpretenceUK, 1811

make forverbto steal, to obtainUS, 1936

make mine; make itverbused for denoting a requirement (a drink,details of an appointment, an amount, a quantity, a price), gener-ally in response to a question or a proposalUS, 1883

make my dayused as a jocular challenge The phrase entered thepopular lexicon in 1983 as a line uttered by the Clint Eastwood

character ‘Dirty Harry’ Callahan in the film Sudden Impact US, 1985

make outverb1to kiss with passion and in a sustained fashionUS,

make-upnounthe final result of any event that is the subject ofspread-bettingUK, 2001

makeup!used as a nonce interjection Popularised by Milton Berle

in the early days of US television; the running gag was that Berlewould be knocked off his feet with sacks of flour or a makeupman with an oversized makeup powder puff after mentioning theword ‘makeup’ A meaningless catchphrase that swept the nation

US, 1951

-makingsuffixused to create a word that describes something ashaving the ability to cause the condition of a prefixed adjective Alinguistic formula credited to the author Evelyn Waugh, 1903–66

UK, 1930

makingsnounthe tobacco and rolling paper needed to make a retteUS, 1905

ciga-malnoun in parachuting, a malfunction UK, 2002

Malabar Hiltonnicknamethe Long Bay Correctional Complex,SydneyAUSTRALIA, 1988

maladnoun a maladjusted child Used by social workers UK, 1980

malarkey; malarky; mullarkeynounnonsenseUS, 1929

Malcolm Scottadjectivehot Rhyming slang, of theatrical origins,formed from the name of a female impersonator, 1872–1929UK,

Malcolm Xnouna tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best

known as ecstasy Uses the adopted name of Malcolm Little,

1925–1965, a leading figure in the US black civil rights

movement, to disguiseX(ECSTASY)UK, 1995

male beavernounfeaturing shots of the naked male genitalsUS, 1969

malehousenouna homosexual brothelUS, 1963

male twigsnounlow quality marijuanaUS, 1979

malkynoun1a safety razor used as a weapon; hence an improvised

weapon (a broken bottle, etc) Possibly rhyming slang, based on

Malcolm (Malky) Fraser, for ‘razor’UK: SCOTLAND, 1973.2a cut given

from a razor as an act of violence; a blow; a beating From the

previous senseUK: SCOTLAND, 1973

malkyverbto attack and cut someone with a razor; to stab From

the noun senseUK: SCOTLAND, 1985

mallardnouna hundred-dollar noteUS, 1985

mall crawlnounan outing to a shopping centre, slowly moving from

shop to shop A play onPUB-CRAWLorBAR-HOPwith a rhyme to

bootUS, 1996

mall crawlernouna person who spends their spare time at

shopping centresUS, 1993

malleeadjective< fit as a mallee bullextremely fit and healthy

mallingnounthe practice of spending hours at a shopping centre,

socialising with other young peopleUS, 1989

Mall Madonnanouna girl who spends a lot of time in shopping

centresCANADA, 2002

mallowpuff Maorinouna Maori student who excels in school

From a branded chocolate-covered marshmallow biscuit – brown

on the outside, white on the insideNEW ZEALAND, 1998

mall ratnouna young person who spends a great deal of time at a

shopping centreUS, 1982

malpalantadjective inclined to gossip From the French mal parlant

(speaking poorly)TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003

maltnouna Maltese; MalteseUK, 1959

malt sandwichnouna beerAUSTRALIA, 1968

mamnoun1a mother, your mother Probably early C16; mainly

childish now, but earlier usage was also familiar or vulgarUK, 1573.

2a lesbianUK, 1962

mamanoun1used as a term of address towards a womanUS, 1959.

2a young woman, a woman Originally Black usage Also spelt

‘mamma’US, 1917.3in motorcyle clubs and gangs, a female who is

available to all the gang members and attached to noneUS, 1965.

4a sexually promiscuous femaleUK, 1977.5in a lesbian couple, the

more traditionally feminine partnerUS, 1941.6used as a disparaging

term of address for an Indian femaleSINGAPORE, 2002.7in a deck of

playing cards, a queenUS, 1988.8the lead aeroplane in a combat

flight formationUS, 1986

mama!used for expressing surprise, especially by womenTRINIDAD

AND TOBAGO, 2003

mama bearnouna policewoman A feminisation ofBEAR(the police)

US, 1976

mama cocanouncocaineUS, 1984

mama-jammernounused as a euphemism for ‘motherfucker’US,

1969

mamaloos; mamalooshadjectivedead, dying The word comes

from Chinook jargon memaloost (dead) CANADA, 1956

mama mannounan effeminate man, heterosexual or homosexual

mamapoulenounan effeminate, demanding man From the Frenchfor ‘mother hen’TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1928

mamarynouna boy who will not leave his mother’s protection

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1978

mama-sannounin Southeast Asia usage, a woman whose agedemands respect, especially a brothel madam The Japanese

honorific san added to English ‘mama’ US, 1946

mama shopnouna small neighbourhood grocery shop, especiallyone owned by IndiansSINGAPORE, 2002

mama’s lanenounthe passing lane of a motorway So namedbecause the trucker, anxious to see his wife, is driving fast andpassing carsUS, 1976

mama’s little helpernounin shuffleboard, a score that isaccidentally provided to you by an opponentUS, 1967

mama’s mellownounthe calming effect of secobarbital (brandname Seconal ™), a barbiturateUS, 1971

mamby pambynouna stupid manTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1956

mammariesnounthe female breasts After the conventional sense

of ‘mammary’ (relating to the female breast)UK, 1967

mammothadjectivehuge The stuff of advertising: ‘MAMMOTH RUGSALE!’ (but who’d want a mammoth rug?)UK, 1937

mamms; mamsnounthe female breasts A reduction ofMAMMARIES

UK, 2003

mammynoun1a motherUK, 1523.2in a striptease act, a woman,usually older, who waits backstage, catching a stripper’s clothing asshe flings it offstageUS, 1981.3the most; the ultimate example AnEnglish language version of the famous ArabicMOTHER OF ALL US ,

1971.< the mammymy mother There is no indefinite article inIrish The definite article in Hiberno-English, following andsometimes extending the usage of the indefinite article ‘an’ inIrish, has some distinctive functions which mark it out fromstandard English, for example, ‘Better give her the both o’ them’,

(Roddy Doyle, The Van, 1991) IRELAND, 1996

mammyadjectivea lot of Placed after the nounUS, 1992

mammy-fuggernounused as a euphemism for ‘motherfucker’US, 1998

mammy-jammernounused as a euphemism for ‘motherfucker’US, 1973

mammyjammingadjectiveused as a euphemism for the intensifier

‘motherfucking’US, 1946

mammy minenounwine Glasgow rhyming slangUK: SCOTLAND, 1985

mammy-screwingadjectiveused as a euphemism for

‘motherfucking’US, 1963

mammy-suckernounused as a euphemism for ‘motherfucker’US, 1972

mampynouna buxom, generously voluptuous womanJAMAICA, 1994

mampyadjective(of a woman) buxom, generously proportioned,RubenesqueJAMAICA, 1994

manverbin team sports, to defend an opponent man-to-manUS, 1972

man; mandynoun1me, myself, I English gypsy use, from Romany

mandi UK, 2000.2a drug dealerUS, 1942.3in a deck of playing cards,

a kingUS, 1988.< a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do;

a man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta dohomespun ophy in use as a catchphrase JocularUS, 1977.< a man’s not a camelI am thirsty and require a drinkAUSTRALIA, 1998.< the man

philos-a police officer; philos-an philos-authority figureUS, 1928.< yer only man

something that possesses a unique qualityIRELAND, 1997

man and mannounpeople in generalJAMAICA, 1989

man and wifenouna knife Rhyming slangUK, 1925

man boobsnounflabby chest protrusions of an overweight man

AUSTRALIA, 2002

Mancnoun1Manchester in northwest England UK, 2002.2a

Mancunian; a native of Manchester UK, 1999

MancadjectiveMancunian, of ManchesterUK, 2001

Manch

Manchester City; manchesternounthe female breast Rhyming

slang for ‘titty’ (TIT) noted as ‘rare’UK, 1961

Manchester Unitednouna red and black capsule of MDMA, the

recreational drug best known as ecstasy Designed and branded in

tribute to the football team, but someone got the team colours

wrongUK, 2002

MancyadjectiveMancunian, of Manchester Perhaps, given

Manchester’s reputation for wet weather, punning deliberately on

MANKY(bad)UK, 2002

man demnounmale friends Used by black urban youthsUK, 2004

M and G tracknounin a pornographic film, additions to the sound

track amplifying moans and groansUS, 1991

mandienouna tablet of the recreational drug methaqualone, best

known as Quaaludes™ From the trade name Mandrax™US, 1985

M and Mnounany tablet drugs used for recreational purposes:

amphetamine, barbiturate, MDMA, the recreational drug best

known as ecstasy Named for M&Ms (branded in the US since

1940s) the candy-coated chocolate sweets which, in appearance,

are similar to multi-coloured pillsUS, 1977

mandoo-edadjectivedrunkUK, 2002

man down!used in prison for alerting the guards that a prisoner

has been injured or fallen illUS, 1990

mandrakenoun1a tablet of the recreational drug methaqualone,

best known as Quaaludes™ From Mandrax™, the trade name for

a synthetic non-barbiturate sedative consisting of methaqualone

and a small amount of the antihistamine diphenhydramineUS,

1985.2a sexually aggressive male homosexualUS, 1978

mandynouna tablet of Mandrax™ a branded tranquillizerUK, 1970

8see:MAN

manenouna streak of unmown hay left in the field after it has been

cutCANADA, 1992

man-eaternoun1a woman with a strong sexual appetite A

figurative application of the term for dangerous big catsUK, 1906.

2a homosexual manUS, 1979

man fatnounsemenUK, 1974

Manfred Mannnouna tan, a suntan Glasgow rhyming slang,

formed from the successful 1960s pop group and the South

African musician who gave his group his nameUK: SCOTLAND, 1996

man Fridaynouna black soldier who curried favour from white

superiors and thereby avoided combatUS, 1991

man from Caironouna social security/benefits cheque Glasgow

rhyming slang forGIRO UK: SCOTLAND , 1996

man from the Prunouna cocaine dealer A play on the UK

investment firm Prudential Building Society’s advertising

campaign and Peru as a source country for much of the world’s

cocaineUK, 1983

manganouna comic book or graphic novel One of the few

Japanese words to be transplanted into English-speaking slang,

thanks in large part to the proliferation of pornographic websites

on the InternetJAPAN, 1993

mangedadjectivedamaged without hope of repairUS, 1991

mangia-cakenouna white person, especially British, but very North

American (said by an Italian)CANADA, 1998

manglenouna bicycleAUSTRALIA, 1941

mangle and wringernouna (not especially talented) singer

Rhyming slangUK, 1992

mangledadjectivedrunk or drug-intoxicatedUK, 2001

mangonouna fifty-dollar note From the orange colourNEW ZEALAND,

1998

mango headnounan oval-shaped headTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1994

mango madnessnounin tropical Australia, a feeling of agitation and

oppression experienced leading up to the monsoon season

AUSTRALIA, 1984

Manhattan silver; Manhattan white; New York City silver;

Subway silvernounmarijuana Originally, ‘a flight of fancy’, a

gen-into the New York City sewage system, were white or silver Ahighly potent and purely fictional urban myth; now, also, justanother synonym for ‘marijuana’US, 1975

manhaulnounin Antarctica, an overland trip where a sledge ishauled by people, not vehiclesANTARCTICA, 1986

manholenounthe vaginaUS, 1916

manhole covernouna brother Rhyming slang for ‘bruvver’, perhapsalso playing onMANHOLE(the vagina) hence, a playfully insulting

CUNT UK , 1992

manhoodnounthe penis EuphemismUK, 1997

man huntnouna search for a male as a sexual companion.Humorous use of a term originally meaning ‘a search for acriminal or escaped convict’US, 1996

man-hunternouna woman, especially a spinster or a widow, ticularly one who has, or is reputed to have, a strong sexualappetiteUK, 1961

par-maniacnouna railway mechanicUS, 1930

Maniblowbanicknamethe Canadian province of Manitoba Sonamed because of the cold, windy wintersCANADA, 2002

manicou-mannounan effeminate man, especially a homosexual

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1996

manicureverbto prepare marijuana for smoking, trimming theleaves and stems and removing foreign objectsUS, 1938

manifestationnounin Quebec, a demonstration In a provincemarked by a tradition of public service strikes, this unconventionaluse of a French word has had much use for a long timeCANADA, 2002

Manila Generalnounused as a humorous if xenophobic nicknamefor any hospital with a largely Filipino staffUS, 1989

man in bluenouna police officer, 1976

man in Kokomonounin horse racing, any mysterious source ofinside information on a horse or raceUS, 1951

man in the boatnoun 8see:LITTLE MAN IN A BOAT

man in the moonnouna madman, a fool Rhyming slang forLOON

UK, 1992

man in the white coatnouna supposed employee of an insaneasylum Now generally in the plural: ‘men in white coats’AUSTRALIA, 1961

Manisnowbanicknamethe Canadian province of Manitoba Home

to long, cold wintersCANADA, 2002

Manknoun a person from Manchester, a Mancunian UK, 2000

manked inadjectiveconfined indoors by extreme bad weather

ANTARCTICA, 1986

mankyadjective1poor quality, inferior; dirty Possibly from French

manque (a deficiency) UK, 1958.2(of weather) bad A narrowing ofthe general senseANTARCTICA, 1989.3drunk Possibly deriving fromthe previous sense, thus ‘under the weather’ (tipsy)UK, 2002

man-lovenounmale homosexuality A very arch euphemismUK, 2003

manly Alicenouna masculine homosexual manUK, 2002

man-mannouna male who exhibits a high degree of virilityUS, 1999

mannanouneasy-pickings; a heaven-sent opportunity A biblicalallusionUK, 2001

mannynouna tablet of Mandrax™, a branded tranquillizer A ation ofMANDY UK , 1968

vari-manonounused as an embellished ‘man’ as a term of addressUS, 1967

mano a manonouna one-on-one confrontation Made quitefamous in the US by Colonel Oliver North during the moralcollapse of the Reagan presidency, the Iran-Contra debacle of1986–87 Adapted from bull-fighting, where the term refers to acompetition between two matadors and two or more bulls each

man o Manishewitz!used as a jocular, mild oath From a

commercial for Manishewitz kosher wineUS, 1992

man on the landnouna farmer or other rural workerAUSTRALIA, 1911

man on the moonnouna spoon Rhyming slangUK, 1998

manornoun1a district designated to a specified police authorityUK,

1924.2the area where you are born, or where you live and/or are

well knownUK, 1962

man overboard!1in dominoes, used for announcing the fact that

a player is forced to draw a pieceUS, 1959.2in craps in American

casinos, used for announcing that the dice or a die are off the

tableUS, 1985

man o’warnouna bore Rhyming slangUK, 1992

manscapingnounthe clipping, shaving and shaping of male body

hair for aesthetic effect Popularised in the US, and then the UK,

by the varying national productions of television programme

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy US, 2004

man-sizeadjectivedifficultUS, 1945

man’s mannouna police informer FromTHE MAN(the police)US,

1972

Manson lampsnouna look full of hate, a murderous look Formed

from a reference to US serial killer Charles Manson andLAMP(the

eye)US, 1999

mantecanounheroinUK, 2003

man teefnouna woman who ‘steals’ another’s man Combines

‘man’ andTEEF(to steal); current in south London according to

Johnny Vaughan Tonight, 13th February 2002 UK, 2002

manthraxnoununfaithful men A combination of ‘man’ and

‘anthrax’ coined for Sex and the City, a late 1990s television

comedyUS, 2002

mantlepiecenoun< you don’t look at the mantelpiece when

you’re poking the firea semi-proverbial catchphrase that

means a woman’s looks are irrelevant during sexual intercourseUK,

1961

mantonouna condom Teen slang, after South African Health

Minister Manto Tshabalala-MsimangSOUTH AFRICA, 2003

man-trapnounan attractive, seductive womanUS, 1963

manual exercisesnounmasturbationUS, 1964

manual releasenounmanual stimulation of a man’s genitalsUS,

1996

Man United are playing at homethe bleed period of the

menstrual cycle The Manchester United football team play in a

red stripUK, 2000

man upstairsnounGod Always used with ‘the’US, 1948

man with the mintiesnounin horse racing, a mythical,

anonymous person responsible for a series of bad tips about

horses and racesAUSTRALIA, 1989

MaorilandnicknameNew ZealandAUSTRALIA, 1859

Maori overdrivenouncoasting downhill in neutralNEW ZEALAND, 1998

Maori screwdrivernouna hammer, especially when used on screws

NEW ZEALAND, 1998

Maori sidestepnounin rugby, a direct confrontation with a

poten-tial tackler, relying on brute force rather than guile or finesseNEW

ZEALAND, 1998

Maori splicenounany time-saving solution to a problemNEW

ZEALAND, 1998

Maori timenouna sensibility that is not consumed with worry

about punctualityNEW ZEALAND, 2002

mapnoun1the faceUS, 1899.2a musical score; a piece of sheet

musicUS, 1970.3a chequeUS, 1979

mapverbto hit, to strikeUS, 1989

Mapesnicknamethe Maples Inn, a popular bar and music venue in

Pointe Claire, Quebec.CANADA, 2002

maple keynounthe maple tree seed, which has wings so as to

make it twirl in the wind

map of Tasmanianounthe female pubic hair or pubic region

AUSTRALIA, 1978

map of Tassienounthe female pubic hair or pubic regionAUSTRALIA, 1978

maquillage; maquiagenounmakeup, cosmetics From French

maquiller (to make up the face) UK, 1992

maracasnounthe testicles Rhyming slang forKNACKERS UK , 1998

marathonnoun1in horse racing, any race that is longer than a mileand a quarterUS, 1976.2any amphetamine, methamphetamine orother central nervous system stimulantUS, 1980

maraudernouna surfer who is indifferent to safety, if not reckless

US, 1985

marblenoun1a slow-witted person Teen slangUS, 1958.2a tablet ofethchlorvynol (trade name Placidyl™), a central nervous systemdepressantUS, 1986.< make your marble goodto improve one’sprospectsAUSTRALIA, 1928

Marble Archnounstarch Rhyming slang, formed from a famousLondon landmarkUK, 1998

marble halls; marblesnounthe testicles Rhyming slang forBALLS,perhaps formed after an earlier use of ‘marbles’ in the same sense(but inspired by a similarity of shape and size)UK, 1992

Marblehead turkeynounsalt codUS, 1955

marble orchardnouna graveyardUS, 1925

marblesnoun1the testiclesUS, 1916.2diceUS, 1962.3money, cash,salary TheatricalUK, 1864.< all the marblesused as a symbol ofcomplete successUS, 1924.< hand in your marblesto give up;

to die Variant forms are built on the verb: ‘toss in your marbles’,

‘throw in your marbles, etc’AUSTRALIA, 1908.< in the marblesinmotor racing, in the outside portion of a curve where there is lesstractionUS, 1992.< lose your marblesto become insane, to loseyour mindUS, 1902

marbles and conkers; marblesadjectivemad, crazy Rhymingslang forBONKERS, formed from two games played by children, butprobably inspired by phrases like ‘lose your marbles’ (to becomemad)UK, 1992

marblishadjectivedisplaying a lack of sportsmanship when losing

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003

marcelnouna hairstyle characterised by deep, regular waves made

by a heated curling iron After Marcel Grateau (1852–1936), aFrench hairdresserUS, 1963

marching dustnouncocaineUK, 1998

marching ordersnouna dismissal from employment or romanticinvolvement From the military useUS, 1856

marching powdernouncocaine A shortening ofBOLIVIAN, COLUMBIANorPERUVIAN MARCHING POWDER US , 1984

Marcianounin horse racing, odds of 9–1 Rhyming slang based onMarcia Hines, an extremely popular singer in Australia in the mid-1970sAUSTRALIA, 1989

marconinounan eavesdropperUK, 2001

mardyadjectivesulky, moody English dialect creeping into the

mainstream via television programmes like Coronation Street UK, 1903

mardy-arsenouna sulker From the dialect wordMARDY(sulky)UK, 1999

mardy-arsedadjectivesulky, whining, ‘spoilt’ A combination ofdialect wordMARDY(sulky) with ‘-arsed’ (having the characteristics

of )UK, 2002

marenoun1something good that is hard to believe, a dream.Amends conventional ‘nightmare’ (a bad dream) and slang

‘nightmare’ (something bad)UK, 1997.2something undesirable

IRELAND, 2001.3an unpleasant, bad-tempered woman, especially as

an insulting term of addressUK, 1303

mare and foalnouna bankroll Rhyming slangNEW ZEALAND, 1998

mares’ nestnouna bar for women and their escortsNEW ZEALAND, 1953

marga

Margaret Rose; margaretnounthe nose Rhyming slangUK, 1998

margarine legsnounused as a symbol of a woman’s sexual

avail-abilityAUSTRALIA, 1987

MargaritanounmarijuanaUS, 1979

Margate sandnounthe hand Rhyming slang, formed from a

seaside resort on the East Coast of EnglandUK, 1992

margenounmargarineUK, 1970s

Margenounthe passive, ‘feminine’ partner in a lesbian relationship

US, 1956

marinouna marijuana cigarette A clipping of ‘marijuana’US, 1933

Marianounin a deck of playing cards, the queen of spadesUS, 1950

Mariah Careyadjectivescary Rhyming slang, formed on the name

of the popular US singer (b.1970)UK, 2004

Maria Monk; marianounsemen Rhyming slang forSPUNK, based

on the name of the author of Awful Disclosures, 1836, a popular

erotic book of its timeUK, 2002

mariconnouna homosexual man Spanish slang on loan to

American slangTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1950

Marie Corelli; marienountelevision; a television Rhyming slang

forTELLY, formed from the pen name of romantic novelist Mary

Mackay, 1855–1924UK, 1971

marihooch; marihoochie; marihootee; marihootienoun

marijuanaUS, 1971

marijuana martininounmarijuana smoke blown into, and then

inhaled from, a chilled glassUS, 2001

marimbanounmarijuanaUK, 2001

marinateverb1to relax, to idleUS, 2000.2to ponder, to debate

internallyUS, 2002

Marine Tigernouna recent arrival in New York City from Puerto

Rico From the name of a converted C4 troopship that brought

many early Puerto Rican immigrants to the USUS, 1952

marish and parishnouneveryoneTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1987

mariweegeenounmarijuana A jocular mispronunciationUS, 1994

marjinounmarijuanaAUSTRALIA, 1953

marjoonnouna sweet confection with marijuana as a major

ingredientALGERIA, 1970

MarjorienounmarijuanaUS, 1979

marknoun1a victim, a potential victim of a swindleUK, 1749.2a

number bet on in the lottery game whe-wheTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,

1909

markverb1in casino gambling, to place in a stack chips equal to

the amount of marker (a loan) extended to a gamblerUS, 1980.2to

realise, to see, to understandUK, 1970.< mark your cardto

inform; to warn From the marking of race cardsUK, 1956

marked wheelnouna rigged roulette wheelUS, 1975

markernoun1in a casino or gambling enterprise, an advance with

an IOU; by extension, any debt or obligationUS, 1887.2a person

who bets on a number in the lottery game whe-wheTRINIDAD AND

TOBAGO, 1930.3a vehicle’s licence plateCANADA, 1949

market pricenounthe going rate for sex with a prostituteUS, 1982

Mark Ramprakashnouna urination Rhyming slang forSLASH,

formed from the name of the English cricketer (b.1969)UK, 2003

marksnounsigns of intravenous drug use, such as scars or abcesses

US, 1983

Marks and Sparksnicknamethe retailer Marks and SpencerUK, 1964

Marlboro countrynouna remote place; the wildernessUS, 1968

Marlboro mannouna rugged, masculine, handsome cowboy type

Derived from the decades-long advertising campaign for Marlboro

cigarettes, featuring ultra-masculine cowboys smokingUS, 1969

Marleynouna marijuana cigarette From Bob Marley, Rastafarian

and marijuana-loverUS, 1997

Marley’s collienouna potent variety of marijuana, a hybrid of

Jamaican sensimillia Named in memory of reggae musician Bob

Marlie-Buttnouna cigaretteAUSTRALIA, 1996

marmalade droppernounsomething shocking, surprising orupsetting, especially a newspaper article From the idea thatsomeone, especially a newspaper reader, will be so stunned thatbreakfast may fall from the fingersUK, 2003

Marmitenounexcrement; hence, rubbish Rhyming slang forSHITE,formed on the name of a branded yeast extract – a brown pastewhich is apparently an acquired tasteUK, 1998

Marmite driller; Marmite minernouna male homosexual.Pejorative; a reference to anal sex, based onMARMITE(excrement)

UK, 2003

Marmite motorwaynounthe rectum FromMARMITE(excrement)

UK, 2003

MarmonnounmorphineUS, 1945

marocadjectiveextremely drunk A shortening of the Glasgowpronunciation ofMIRACULOUS UK: SCOTLAND, 1985

maroonnouna moron A malapropism that emphasises the pointbeing madeUS, 1941

marquee playernouna leading or pre-eminent professional athletewith the ability to attract a large audienceUS, 1984

Marrakeshnouna variety of Moroccan hashishUK, 2003

marriagenounin car manufacturing, the installation of thepowertrain (the engine, transmission, pinion, ring and differentialgears)US, 1993

Marrickville Mercedesnounin Sydney, any of various cars popularwith New Australians From Marrickville, a suburb with a highpopulation of New AustraliansAUSTRALIA, 1987

marriedadjective1handcuffed togetherUS, 1962.2in trucking, part of

a two-driver teamUS, 1971.3(used of opium) adulterated withforeign substancesUS, 1956

married quartersnounin prison, the section where men whoprefer to adopt a gay lifestyle tend to congregateUK, 2000

married to Mary Fistadjectiveobsessed with masturbatingUS, 1950

marrynoun< marry under bambooto be married in Hindu rites

GUYANA, 1996

marryverbin police work, to serve as partnersUS, 1992

marry and buryverb(of a minister of the local church) to carry aparishioner through life’s big eventsCANADA, 1978

marryjuwannanounmarijuana A less common example of themany personifications of marijuana intended as humorousUS, 1970

marry moneyverbto wed a wealthy man or womanUK, 1858

Mars and Venus; marsnounthe penis Rhyming slangUK, 1992

Mars Bar; marsnoun1the penis Extended from the shortenedform of rhyming slangMARS AND VENUS(the penis), playing on thename of a famous branded item of confectionery that helps you

‘work, rest and play’, apparentlyUK, 1992.2a scar Rhyming slang,after a popular chocolate confection introduced to the UK in 1932

UK, 1985

marshnounin soda fountain usage, a marshmallowUS, 1946

marshmallownouna pillowUS, 1976

marshmallow red; marshmallownouna barbiturate, a centralnervous system depressantUS, 1977

marshmallowsnoun1the female breastsUS, 1971.2the testiclesUS, 1971

martnounthe finger All that remains of old rhyming slang Le-Grand; martin’ (the hand); recorded in gay use about 1970UK, 1984

‘Martin-mart covernouna glove FromMARTINI(the hand)UK, 2002

Martensnounheavy-duty boots designed for industrial use and sequently adopted as fashionwear, initially by skinheads andbootboys, then as a general fashion item for either sex Anabbreviation of the brand name Doctor Martens™UK, 2000

sub-martin-eyenouna martini A jocular embellishmentUS, 1969

Martin Harveynounan act of pretence intended to mislead Circus,

martininoun1a ringUK, 2002.2the hand; the arm May be

abbreviated to ‘mart’UK, 1992.< dry martinithe left hand Based

on the popular branded drinkUK, 2002.< sweet martinithe right

hand Based on the popular branded drinkUK, 2002

Marty Wildenoun mild ale Rhyming slang, from the stage-name of

a singer (b.1939) who had a number of hit records in the late

1950s and early 60s, when mild ale was also a popular choiceUK,

1992

marvelnounan impressive person Also commonly used ironically

AUSTRALIA, 1956

marvellous Melbournenicknamethe city of Melbourne, Australia’s

second biggest cityAUSTRALIA, 1885

marvyadjectivemarvellousUS, 1931

marvy-groovyadjectivebad A combination of two clichéd adjectives

for ‘good’, meaning ‘bad’US, 1967

Marynoun1an Australian Aboriginal, Papuan or Islander woman

AUSTRALIA, 1830.2any woman of Indian descent Offensive, though

not originally intended to be soSOUTH AFRICA, 1927.3any black

woman, especially a domestic worker; any non-white woman

Offensive, demeaning; from the previous senseSOUTH AFRICA, 1952.

4used as a term of address from one male homosexual to

anotherUS, 1925.5a homosexual man who is a CatholicUK, 2002.

6marijuana Simply being on first name terms withMARY JANE,

MARY WARNERand many other similar personifications of

marijuana Also written as lower caseUS, 1952.7morphineUS, 1945

Mary and Johnnynounmarijuana A playful personification of

marijuanaUS, 1935

Mary Annnoun1a fan (for cooling the air) Rhyming slangUK, 1992.

2marijuana A personification based on varying the vowel-sounds

in ‘marijuana’, So may also appear as Maryanne’ or Mary Anner’

US, 1936

Mary Deckernouna fast-moving police vehicle, especially an

armoured vehicle; a minibus, especially one made by Mitsubishi

Township slang; after the US athlete (b.1958) who failed to win a

1984 Olympic medal in the 3,000 meters, as a result of an

incident involving South African athlete, Zola Budd (who was

actually running for the UK)SOUTH AFRICA, 1985

Mary-do-you-wanna-dancenounmarijuanaUK, 2000

Mary Ellen mannouna pickpocket who distracts the victim by

telling a sexually charged storyUS, 1976

Mary Ellensnounlarge female breasts Rhyming slang forMELONS;

described as ‘fairly modern’ by Ray Puxley, Cockney Rabbit, 1992,

but surely an ironic reference to the music hall song of some 80

years earlier: ‘I’m Shy, Mary Ellen, I’m Shy’UK, 1992

Mary Fistnounused as a personification of male masturbationUS,

1950

Mary Green; the Marynounin any suit of cards, the Queen

Rhyming slangUK, 1992

Mary Janenoun1marijuana From the disputed presumption that

marijuana is formed of two Mexican Spanish names: Maria and

Juan or Juanita, hence Mary Jane, and many variants, such as

Mary J, Mary Jonas, Mary Juana and so onUS, 1928.2cocaine

Rhyming slangUK, 1996

Marylounounglue Rhyming slangUK, 1992

Mary Rosenouna nose, especially a notably large specimen

Rhyming slang, apparently formed from the name of a sunken

ship which was raised with much hoop-la in 1982UK, 1998

Mary unitnouna motorcyle police officerUS, 2001

Mary Warner; Mary Warmer; Mary Weaver; Mary Werner;

Mary Wornernounmarijuana Giving a feminine identity by

mispronunciationUS, 1933

Mary Worthlessnounan older homosexual manUS, 1979

masacreenouna massacreUK, 1823

masala relationshipnouna romantic relationship between a black

man and an Indian woman From the film Mississippi Masala,

alluding to the spice mixture used in Indian cookingTRINIDAD AND

Masaratinounan improvised pipe for smoking crack cocaine, madefrom a plastic bottleUS, 1992

mashnoun1mashed potato Also variant ‘mashed’UK, 1923.2aromantic infatuation; a sweetheartUS, 1877.3any homemade liquor

US, 2002

mashverb1to beat up, to ‘beat to a pulp’ Derives from

convention-al ‘mash’ (to crush, smash utterly)US, 1872.2to flirt aggressivelyUS,

1877.3to go away Usually used as a command to dogsTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1956.4to pass, to hand to someone, to giveUS, 1944

mash and dashverbto kiss and runUS, 1996

mashedadjective1drunkUS, 1942.2marijuana-intoxicated Extendingthe previous sense, 1997.3astonishedUS, 1968

mashed potato transmissionnounin the used car business, aworn, loose, mushy automatic transmissionUS, 1997

mashed upadjectivedamaged, 1997

masheeradjectiveon Prince Edward Island, used for describing agarmentCANADA, 1988

mashernoun1an attractive manIRELAND, 1999.2an unsophisticatedflirtUS, 1973.3a person who takes sexual pleasure from physicalcontact with strangers in crowded placesUS, 1875

mash listnouna tally of all those with whom you have had sexUS, 1996

mash mouthadjectivetoothlessTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1987

mash outverbto completeUS, 1973

mashupnouna creative remixing of separate pieces of recordeddance musicUK, 2002

mash upverb1to beat up, to thrashUK, 1999.2(of a disc jockey) tomix dance records togetherUK, 1996

masknoun1a tight, stretched face resulting from extensive cosmeticsurgeryUS, 1997.2oversized sunglassesUS, 1962

masonnoun1an extremely frugal person A reference to stone walls,

a methaphor for frugalityUS, 1950.2a male homosexual who takesthe active role in sexUS, 1949

massnouna lot of, a great manyUS, 1994

massadjectivea lot ofUS, 1981

Massa Charlienounused as a stereotype of the dominant whitemale in relation to blacksUS, 1965

Massachusetts drivernounin the northeastern US, aninconsiderate and dangerous driverUS, 1975

massa day done!used for reminding someone that the colonialera and slavery are a thing of the pastTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1961

massagenounsexual services A euphemism so well known that alegitimate masseuse may hesitate to announce his or her pro-fessionUS, 2001

massageverbto kill Vietnam war usageUS, 1926

massesnouna large amountUK, 1892

mass gasnouna group of tanker aircraft refuelling a group ofreceiver planesUS, 1963

massivenoun1a group of friends or peersJAMAICA, 1989.2a gang.Predominantly West Indian and UK Black usage, 1994.3a socialgrouping with a shared leisure interest, often identified bylocation West Indian and UK Black usageJAMAICA, 1995

massiveadjectiveexcellentUS, 1982.< give it massiveto enjoy in avery enthusiastic or excessive fashion Punning onGIVE IT LARGE UK , 2000

massive!used for expressing enthusiastic approvalNEW ZEALAND, 1998

massive humanitynouna large crowdUS, 1983

Ma State; ManicknameNew South Wales, Australia A tribute toNSW’s status as Australia’s earliest colony, thus the ‘mother state’

AUSTRALIA, 1906

masteradjectiveexcellentTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1956

master blasternouna large piece of crack cocaineUS, 1992

master keynounin law enforcement, a sledge hammerUS, 1995

master maniac

mastermindnouna railway officialUS, 1946

master of your domainnouna person who can refrain from

masturbation for a prolonged period Coined and popularised by

Jerry Seinfeld in an episode of his television comedy The Contest

that first aired on 18th November 1992US, 1992

masturbationnounself-indulgent nonsense Used in a euphemistic

attempt to avoidWANK UK , 2001

masturbation mansionnouna cinema theatre showing

pornographic filmsUS, 1972

matnoun< go to the matto engage in a full-scale struggle From

wrestlingUS, 1908

matabynounmarijuana grown in Zaire, 1980

matadoradjectivea stylish, fashionable, independent womanTRINIDAD

AND TOBAGO, 1956

Matapedia screwdrivernouna hammer Matapedia is a small

town in Quebec, poised on the border with New Brunswick

CANADA, 2002

matchnounapproximately half an ounce of marijuana An

abbrevi-ation of ‘matchbox’, which contains approximately the same

amountUS, 1980

matchverb< match dialsthe railways, to synchronise watchesUS,

1977

match bashnouna drag racing event built around a series of races

between two types of vehiclesUS, 1965

matchboxnoun1an approximate measure, &half; ounce, 5–10

grams, of marijuana Derives from the capacity of a matchbox, a

convenient measureUS, 1996.2a small houseIRELAND, 1920

matchbox Jimmynouna cab over truck built by General Motors

CorporationUS, 1971

match head; match-headnoun1a small single dose of heroin sold

individuallyUS, 1993.2a football fan, especially one who goes to the

game Those interested in a specific football fixture refer to ‘the

match’; this combines with-HEAD(an aficionado) A derisory term

punning on the small size of a matchheadUK, 2001

matenoun1a good friend; a buddy or chum This word is used to

the near exclusion of its various synonyms in Australia Originally

used only by men, but since the 1980s increasingly by womenUK,

1380.2used as a form of address to a stranger Generally used in a

friendly manner, but also used when being confrontationalUK, 1450.

3in poker, a card that forms a pairUS, 1988

maternity blousenouna large, loose shirt worn untucked by a

heavy manUS, 1981

mateshipnounmasculine friendship In 1999 Prime Minister John

Howard tried to introduce this word into a ‘preamble’ to the

Australian Constitution and came under much criticism and

ridicule since it was seen to exclude women – the referendum on

the matter was not passedAUSTRALIA, 1864

mate’s rates; mate ratesnounespecially cheap prices applied to

one’s friendsAUSTRALIA, 1996

mateynouna man; a companion; a comrade Used as an

affectionate form of address; in a friendly way for someone whose

name is not known; in a pseudo-friendly manner for patronising

effectUS, 1841

mateyadjectivefriendly Whereas ‘matey’ as a form of address is

gen-erally used of a man, this usage ignores genderUK, 1915

matey boynounused dismissively, a manUK, 2002

math outverbto render a presentation beyond comprehension by

virtue of dense mathematical contentUS, 1991

’maticnounan automatic pistolUK, 1994

matineenoun1a sexual encounter in the mid-afternoonUS, 1944.2a

repeat robbery of a victimUS, 1950

matlocknouna tooth Hence ‘matlock mender’ (a dentist)UK, 2002

matrimonial peacemakernounthe penisUS, 1967

matsakaw; matsakownounheroinUS, 1977

mattie

mattressnouna sexually active, promiscuous girl from a nearbyvillageCANADA, 1992

mattressesnoun< go to the mattresses; hit the mattresses

during gang warfare, to retreat in an armed group to a fortifiedroom, apartment or houseUS, 1964

mattress fallnounuterine prolapseTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003

mattress jointnouna hotel catering to prostitutesUS, 1956

Mattress Marynounused as a personification of the stereotypicalsexually loose femaleUS, 1955

Matty Mattel; Matty Mattel mouse gunnounthe M-16 rifle.Named after the toy manufacturer because many soldiers inVietnam found the M-16 to be a seriously flawed rifleUS, 1978

matzoh ball; matzo ballnouna Jewish dance or party held atChristmas From a pun on a staple of Jewish cuisine, adoptedcommercially for a series of events, and from there into widerusageUS, 2002

Maud; Maudenouna male prostitute From the female name Alsoused amongst male homosexuals as an adopted name Probablysince the 1940sUK, 1984

Maud and Ruthnounthe truth Rhyming slangUK, 1977

Maugerville slippersnounhip waders Maugerville is a town on the

St John River near Fredericton, New BrunswickCANADA, 1991

Maui wowie; Maui wauie; Maui wowee; Mauinouna potentmarijuana cultivated in Hawaii The island of Maui plusWOW(athing of wonder)US, 1977

Maui-zowienouna strain of marijuana A variation ofMAUI WOWIE

UK, 2000

maulernouna set of brass knucklesUS, 1953

maulspriggingnouna beatingBARBADOS, 1965

Mau-Maunouna black person who uses the fact that he is black toget his way with guilty white peopleUS, 1965

mau-mauverbto bully, especially using confrontational politicalarguments that play on racial guilt Coined as a verb by Tom Wolfebased on the name of a secret society organised to expelEuropean settlers from KenyaUS, 1970

mauvenouna person who appears to be homosexualUK, 2002

mauzyadjectivein Newfoundland, a foggy, misty day with a gentleocean breezeCANADA, 1969

mavericknouna stolen, or ‘reappropriated’, military vehicle Fromthe western US sense of the word as ‘stolen cattle’US, 1990

mavisnouna male homosexual Gay slang, formed on the nameMavis and originating among Cape colouredsSOUTH AFRICA, 2000

Mavis Fritternounthe anus Rhyming slangUK, 2003

mawnouna motherUS, 1826

MAWnounan attractive woman who is highly visible at fashionable

events An acronym of ‘model, actress, whatever’ UK, 1998

maxnoun1maximum; a maximumUS, 1851.2a maximum securityprisonUS, 1961.< to the maxas far as possible, to the limitUS, 1971

maxverbto wearUK, 2003

maxadjectivemaximum securityUS, 1976

max and relaxverbto take things easy, to take leisure with pleasure

Max Factornounan actor Rhyming slang, formed from the name

of a cosmetics companyUK, 1992

maximum brilliantadjectiveextremely goodUS, 1982

maxi taxi; maxinouna van used as a taxiTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1979

Max Millernouna pillow Rhyming slang, formed from the name of

max out; maxverb1to reach a limitUS, 1977.2to complete a

maxi-mum prison sentenceUS, 1972.3to relaxUS, 1984

Max Walls; maxiesnounthe testicles Rhyming slang forBALLSfrom

the name of Max Wall (1908–90), a great British comedianUK, 1992

Maxwell Housenouna mouse Rhyming slang, formed on an

instant-coffee brandUK, 1992

may all your consequences by happy onesused as a humorous

farewell A catchphrase television sign-off on Truth or

Consequences (1950–1987), a game show Repeated with

referential humourUS, 1962

Mayflowernouna Plymouth carUS, 1965

Mayne Nickless jobnounin horse racing, an extremely large bet

The amount bet is so staggering that it must have been stolen

from a payroll van of Mayne Nickless, Australia’s largest corporate

provider of health careAUSTRALIA, 1989

mayonoun1cocaine, heroin, morphineUS, 1949.2mayonnaiseUS, 1960

Mayor Hunna; Mayor JohnnounmarijuanaUS, 1968

maypopnounin the used car business, a tyre that is not guaranteed

Because it may pop at any momentUS, 1980

May snownounon Prince Edward Island, a late spring snow,

supposed to help cure blindness and sore feetCANADA, 1988

maytagnouna weak prisoner, especially one who does laundry for

others as a sign of submissionUS, 1987

may you live in interesting timesused as a curse Generally

jocular In a speech given in South Africa in 1966, US President

John F Kennedy introduced this allegedly ancient Chinese curse

to the worldUS, 1998

Mazatlansnounbeach sandals made with tyre treads for solesUS,

1965

mazawateeadjectivecrazy, foolish Rhyming slang forPOTTY, formed

from Mazawatee Tea, an old brand name for tea, perhaps also

punning on ‘(tea)pot’UK, 1992

Mazola partynoungroup sex, enhanced by the application of

veg-etable oil to the participants’ bodies An allusion and tribute to

Mazola Corn Oil™US, 1968

mazoolanounmoneyUS, 1951

mazumanoun1money From Hebrew to Yiddish to EnglishUS, 1901.

2a female professorUS, 1947

MBverb to return a carnival customer’s money From ‘money back’

US, 1985

MBNWAnoun< Management By Not Walking Aroundthe

extensive use of e-mail to keep in touch with subordinates in

businessCANADA, 2002

Mc-prefixused in combination with the noun that follows for

expressing a cheap, mass-produced product From the

McDonald’s™ hamburger chainUS, 1984

MC; emceenoun1a master of ceremoniesUS, 1790.2a rap artist

From ‘microphone controller’ US, 1996

MC; emceeverb1to serve as a master of ceremoniesUS, 1937.2to

performUS, 2000

McFiredadjectivefired from a low-skill, low-wage menial jobUS, 2003

McFlynounused as a term of address to someone who does not

think often or well From a character in the Back to the Future

filmsUS, 1989

McGimpernouna pimpUS, 1949

McJobnouna temporary job; a job with little or no future prospects

Characterised as the sort of work available at McDonald’s™, the

multinational fast food brand A term coined and

trademark-registered by McDonald’s itself in 1983 as a positive expression of

an affirmative hiring program aimed at those with disabilities; by

the late 1980s a derisive term for the low-skill, low-wage jobs that

were proliferating in the US during the presidency of Ronald

ReaganUS, 1991

McJobbernouna person in temporary employment or employment

McLean lanenounin trucking, the right hand or slow lane on amotorwayUS, 1976

McMudholenicknameMcMurdo Station, AntarcticaANTARCTICA, 2003

McNamara Specialnouna transport plane specially equipped forflying dignitaries to Vietnam during the warUS, 1988

McNamara’s Warnounthe Vietnam war Robert Strange McNamarawas US Secretary of Defense from 1961 until 1967, much of theVietnam warUS, 1990 8see:MISTER TRUMAN’S WAR

MCPnoun a male chauvinist pig In common usage by those

involved in the cause of women’s liberationUK, 1971

McPapernouna poorly researched, poorly thought out, and poorlywritten term paper or essay From McDonald’s™, the ubiquitouspurveyor of fast-foodUS, 1991

McPhillips Street Stationnicknamethe intersection of McPhillipsStreet (Winnipeg) and the Canadian Pacific Railway main line

CANADA, 1987

McShitnoun< go for a McShitto use a fast-food outlet’s toiletfacilities without purchasing from the restaurant’s menu Based onMcDonalds™ but available at Burger King™, etc.UK, 2002

McTheatrenouna derisory categorisation of heavily marketed, budget, low-brow musical theatre US, 1996

big-MDnoun1Dr Pepper™ sodaUS, 1967.2a managing director Onlywhen spoken as ‘em dee’UK, 1963

MDAnouna synthetic hallucinogen (methylenedioxy-amphetamine)that also contains a central nervous system stimulant Used as atechnical term in the late 1950s, in a slang sense later when thedrug became popular, largely with gaysUS, 1978

MDBnouna hospital patient with an appalling lack of hygiene A

‘mega dirtball’ US, 1989

MDOnouna day missed at work due to a feigned illness An

abbrevi-ation of ‘Maori day off’ NEW ZEALAND, 1998

meadjectivemyUK, 1947

mealnouna socially inept person Youth usageUS, 1949

meal-a-matnouna vending machine dispensing foodUS, 1977

meals rejected by Ethiopians; meals refused by Ethiopians

nounmilitary MREs (meals ready to eat)US, 1988

meal ticketnouna source of support, especially a personUS, 1899

mealymouthnouna person who speaks insincerely or with acomplete lack of convictionUK, 1600

meanadjectiveexcellentUS, 1919.< so mean he wouldn’t pay a dime to see the Statue of Liberty pissvery stingyCANADA, 1988.

< so mean he wouldn’t shit away from homeused forexpressing a high degree of stinginess and bad temperCANADA, 1988

meanadverbveryUS, 1998

mean as black cat shitadjectiveused for expressing a high degree

meanestadjectivebest, fastestUS, 1965

mean greennounphencyclidine, the recreational drug known asPCP or angel dust The ‘green’ is from the parsley or mint onwhich the drug is at times sprinkled; the ‘mean’ is reduplicativeyet accurately describes the behaviour of most usersUS, 1981

meanienoun copelandia cyancens or panaeolus cyanescens: a

mushroom with potent psychactive properties A shortening of

‘blue meanie’UK, 1999

meaniesnounthe police or other authorities of enforcement;specifically those opposed to citizens’ band radio Abbreviatedfrom ‘blue meanies’US, 1981

mean muggingnounhateful glancesUS, 2004

mean outadjectivegood; bad Hawaiian youth usageUS, 1982

mean reds

meanwhile, back at the ranchused as a humorous indication

that a story is about to change to another thread From a clichéd

device used in cowboy filmsUS, 1956

meanynounan exceedingly mean person The Beatles, in the

cartoon film The Yellow Submarine, 1968, popularised the term

‘the blue meanies’ as an intensification for those that cast a blight

on joyfulnessUK, 1927

me an’ younounin Bingo (also House and Tombola), the number

twoUK, 1981

measle sheetnouna military map with a large number of small

circled numbers indicating checkpointsUS, 1966

measlyadjectivecontemptible, of little value, pettyUK, 1864

meatnoun1the penisUK, 1595.2the vaginaUS, 1973.3the human

bodyUS, 1834.4a corpseUS, 1949.5in a hospital, tissue taken for a

biopsyUS, 1994.6in motor racing, a large racing tyreUS, 1993.7in

hot rodding, structural metal in the engine blockUS, 1965.8a

musical instrument’s sound before any electronic alterationUK,

1983.< the meatathletes; in the entertainment industry, the

actors, the performersUS, 1967

meatverb< be on a meat-free dietto be a lesbian A

euphemism formed onMEAT(the penis)UK, 1995

meat and two veg; meatnounused for Reg, a diminutive of the

name Reginald Rhyming slang; an apparently teasing application

of the non-rhyming sense as ‘the male genitals’UK, 1992

meat and two veg; meat with two vegetablesnounthe penis

and testiclesUS, 1964

meat axenounin television and film-making, a rod used on

scaffolding to hold light screensUS, 1990.< as a meat axeas hell

AUSTRALIA, 1949

meatballnoun1a dim-witted, gullible personUS, 1939.2a false or

petty criminal chargeUS, 1944.3a coloured light that serves as a

visual aid in an optical landing system for an aeroplane landing on

an aircraft carrierUS, 1957.4in horse racing, a combination of

cathartics administered to a horseUS, 1951

meat booknounat a college or university, a book with the names

and photographs of all incoming studentsUS, 1996

meat boxnouna prison service van for transporting prisonersUK, 1996

meat curtainsnounthe vaginaUK, 2001

meat cutternouna surgeonUS, 1980

meat districtnounan area where sex is availableUS, 1984

meat drapesnounthe condition that exists when a tight-fitting pair

of trousers, shorts, bathing suit or other garment forms a wedge

between a woman’s labia, accentuating their shapeUS, 2004

meat eaternouna corrupt police officer who aggressively seeks out

bribes and other personal advantagesUS, 1972

meat factorynouna college or university that recruits athletes

solely for their athletic ability and without any real expectation

that they will graduateUS, 1978

meat fleetnouna military hospital ship Gulf war usageUS, 1991

meat hangersnouna pair of men’s close-fitting and revealing nylon

swimming trunksAUSTRALIA, 2003

meatheadnouna stupid person; hence a general derogative

implying stupidity No brains between the ears, just meatUS, 1928

meat hooknounin electric line work, a handline hookUS, 1980

meat injectionnounthe sexual insertion of the erect penis

AUSTRALIA, 1942

meat magnouna homoerotic, often pornographic, magazineUS, 1979

meat marketnoun1a bar or other public place where people

congregate in search of sexual companionshipUK, 1957.2a

modelling agencyUS, 1972

meat parlournounan establishment where sex is the most

import-ant commodityUS, 1969

meat-pieadjectiveof average qualityAUSTRALIA, 1988

meat puppet the penis . a prostitute

meat racknoun1a restaurant, bar or other public place wherepeople gather in search of sexual partnersUS, 1962.2Piccadilly inLondon’s West End, an area where homosexuals and homosexualprostitutes offer their services Like so much meat displayed in abutchersUK, 1972.3a gymnasiumUS, 1976

meat seatnounthe vaginaUK, 2001

meat shotnoun1a photograph or scene in a pornographic filmfocusing on a penisUS, 1974.2a bullet wound in a muscle, notinvolving a bone or organ damageUS, 1992

meat shownouna striptease act or other performance featuringnaked or near-naked womenUS, 1943

Meat StreetnicknameWest 14th Street, New York An allusion both

to the meatpacking industry in the area and the transvestiteprostitutes who work there at nightUS, 1997

meat wagonnoun1an ambulanceUS, 1925.2a coroner’s ambulance

US, 1942.3medical evacuation equipment, especially a helicopterUS,

1991.4a prison-service or police vehicle used for confining andtransporting prisonersUK, 1954

meat whistlenounthe penisUS, 1965

meatyadjective(used of a wave) powerfulUS, 1991

mebbeadverbmaybe From North Country dialectUK, 1825

mechnouna mechanicUK, 1918

mechanicnoun1in the underworld, a specialist for hireUS, 1949.2ahired killerUS, 1989.3in gambling, a cheat who manipulates thecards or diceUS, 1909.4any safety device worn by a circusperformerUS, 1980.5an accomplished, skilled loverUS, 1985

mechanical digger; mechanicalnouna black person Rhymingslang for ‘nigger’UK, 1992

mechanic’s gripnounin card trickery, a method of holding thedeck that favours cheatingUS, 2003

Mednoun< the Medthe Mediterranean sea; the lands generallyknown as the MediterraneanUK, 1943

medadjectivemedicalUS, 1933

med headnouna member of the military policeNEW ZEALAND, 1998

media flunouna runny nose and consequent sniffing as symptoms

of cocaine use Some symptoms of influenza translated to a fession noted for cocaine use, on the model of ‘Asian flu’, etcUK, 2002

pro-media whore; meeja whorenounsomeone prepared to doanything for publicityUK, 1999 8see:MEEJA

medic; mediconoun a medical doctor, whether physician or

surgeon; someone who uses medical skills in a professionalcapacityUK, 1659

medical shotnounin a pornographic film, an extreme close-up ofgenitalsUS, 1977

medicateverbto use an illegal drugUS, 2003

medicinenoun1alcohol; liquorUS, 1847.2illegal drugs or narcotics

US, 1976

medicine linenounthe border between Canada and the US,especially in the westCANADA, 1987

meditationnounsolitary confinement in prisonUS, 1990

meditation manornouna prison cell used for solitary confinement

US, 1962

Mediterranean backnouna phoney injured back used as anexcuse for taking leave from work A racial slur referring to NewAustralians, many of whom were from a Greek, Italian or LebanesebackgroundAUSTRALIA, 1972

medzersnounmoney Parleyaree, theatrical and polari Variantsinclude ‘medzies’, ‘metzers’, ‘metzes’, ‘metties’, ‘metzies’,

‘measures’ and ‘mezsh’UK, 1933

meecesnoun mice From the Huckleberry Hound television cartoon

series of the late 1950s, in which Mr Jinx the beatnik cat regularlydescribed his feelings towards Pixie and Dixie, two mice, as ‘I hatethose meeces to pieces’

meeja; meejah; meejernounmedia A phonetic slurring in

fashionable currency; slightly derogatory and generally used with

meeseadjectiveplain Recorded in contemporary gay useUK, 2003

meetnoun1a meeting, especially one convened to discuss illegal

mattersUK, 1865.2a session in which musicians collectively

improvise; a jam sessionUS, 1957

meetverbin poker, to make a bet equal to the previous betUS, 1990

meetingnoun< take a meetingto attend a business meeting

Entertainment industry terminology, used outside the industry in

a mocking, pretentious toneUS, 1977

meff’dadjectivedrunkUK, 2002

megaadjectivegreat, successful, excellent, special A multi-purpose

superlative, from Greek prefix mega- (great) UK, 1969

mega-prefixused for intensifyingUS, 1966

megablastnouna dose of crack cocaineUS, 1993

megabuckadjectivevery expensiveUS, 1992

mega dirtballnouna hospital patient with an appalling lack of

hygieneUS, 1989

megapennynounten thousand dollars (one cent times ten to the

sixth power)US, 1991

meggnouna marijuana cigaretteUS, 1942

meggernounin the television and film industries, a director From

the long-gone practice of directors’ using megaphonesUS, 1977

megillahnounall of something For observant Jews on Purim, the

reading of the entire Megillas Esther is deemed an obligationUS,

1954

MEGOmy eyes glaze over US, 1977

Meg Ryannouna homosexual male Rhyming slang for ‘iron’ (IRON

HOOF),POOFformed from the name of the US film actress (b.1961)

UK, 1998

meignouna penny; a five-cent pieceUS, 1962

Mekong Deltanicknamea neigbourhood with a large number of

Vietnamese immigrants and businessesUS, 1979

melnounin the language surrounding the Grateful Dead, a

conven-tional, law-abiding citizenUS, 1994

melana creamnouna powerful variety of hashish from the Kulu

Valley in Himachel PradeshUK, 2003

Melbanoun< do a Melba(especially of an entertainer) to retire

and then come out of retirement over and over again Referring to

Dame Nellie Melba, 1861–1931, Australian opera singerAUSTRALIA,

1971

Meldrewnouna middle-aged or elderly man who is a complainer or

a moaner, or is characteristically intolerant, pessimistic or

curmudgeonly Named after Victor Meldrew, the central character

in BBC situation comedy, One Foot in the Grave (from 1990),

written by David Renwick and played by Scottish character actor

Richard WilsonUK, 1990

mellownouna good friendUS, 1976

mellowverbto calmUS, 1974

mellowadjective1pleasing, relaxed, goodUS, 1938.2mildly and

pleasantly drunk or drug-intoxicatedUK, 1699.3(used of a friend)

closeUS, 1941

mellow dadjectiverelaxed, enjoyable A glorious pun on ‘melody’US,

1973

mellow mannounan attractive maleUS, 1945

mellow yellownoun1fried banana skin scrapings, sold for their

nonexistent psychoactive effectUS, 1966.2LSDUS, 1971

melonnoun1the headAUSTRALIA, 1907.2a fool Probably a shortening

of melonhead .< bust your melonto confuse

Combines ‘bust’ (to break) withMELON(the head)US, 2002.< twist your melonto confuse, to scramble your thoughts Combines

‘twist’ (to derange) withMELON(the head) Survives as acatchphrase with the meaning barely understoodUK, 1990

melon gearnouna crash helmetUS, 2003

melon hut; melonnouna prefabricated red field hutANTARCTICA, 2000

melonsnounlarge female breastsUS, 1957

meltdownnounthe complete and total malfunctioning of a casinoslot machineUS, 1999

melted butternounsemenUS, 1980

melted outadjectivebroke; without fundsUS, 1948

meltonadjectivehot A pun on ‘melting’ originally recorded in 1885,however current use is probably freshly coined Recorded incontemporary gay useUK, 2003

Melvinnounthe condition that exists when someone pulls yourtrousers or underpants forcefully upwards, forming a wedgebetween buttock cheeksUS, 1989

Melvinverb1to seize someone’s testicles and twist them, especially

as a girl’s revenge for sexual harassment Obviously extends fromthe senses that convey a painful and forceful adjustment tosomeone’s underwearUK, 2003.2to dupeUS, 1991

Melvyn Bragg; melvynnoun1a cigarette Rhyming slang forFAG,based on the name of author and television presenter Lord Bragg

of Wigton (b.1939)UK, 1998.2an act of sexual intercourse Rhymingslang forSHAG, based on the name of author and televisionpresenter Lord Bragg of Wigton (b.1939); this term came into useshortly after the explicitly sexual television adaptation of his 1990

novel A Time to Dance was first broadcast in 1992 UK, 1992.3acontemptible person Rhyming slang forSLAG, based on the name

of author and television presenter Lord Bragg of Wigton (b.1939)

UK, 1998.4a sexually promiscuous woman, a slut Rhyming slang for

SLAG UK, 1998

membernouna fellow homosexualUS, 1970s

Memphis dominoesnoundiceUS, 1942

ménage à moinounan act of female masturbationUK, 2004

menalinounpotent hashish originating in the Himalayas, 1999

mendernounin circus and carnival usage, a claims adjusterUS, 1981

men in white coatsnoun1medical or laboratory personnelUK, 1967.

2psychiatric staff Usually humorous, and in a context thatquestions a person’s sanityUK, 1968

menopause manornounin the Canadian Forces, the Sergeants andWarrant Officers’ MessCANADA, 1995

mensch; mensh; menchnounan honourable person German

mensch (a person) into Yiddish US, 1953

menshnouna mention; also, as a verb, to mentionUK, 1984

mentalnounan outburst of anger or madnessAUSTRALIA, 1979

mentaladjective1insane, crazyUK, 1927.2wonderful, amazing, blowingUK, 1998.< go mentalto become very enraged, to have afit of ill-temperUK: SCOTLAND, 1985

mind-mental blooternouna spree of any kind of excessive behaviourUK, 1988

mentalistnouna crazy person; a lunatic; an eccentricUK, 1997

mentallernouna mad or crazy personUK, 2001

mentalnessnouna state of madnessUK: SCOTLAND, 1996

mental pygmynouna doltUS, 1968

menunoun1the list of services available in a brothelUS, 1993.

2grafitti describing sex preferences and telephone numbersUS, 1972

mercnouna mercenary With the official US use of the term ‘privatecivilian contractor’ instead of ‘mercenary’ in the invasion andoccupation of Iraq, use of the term ‘merc’ in the future isdoubtfulZIMBABWE, 1967

Mercnoun1a Mercedes car US, 1970.2a Mercury car US, 1951

Mercedesnoun1in horse racing, odds of 10–1 Rhyming slang,formed from Mercedes Benz .2a variety of MDMA,

the recreational drug best known as ecstasy After the luxury car;

describing the logo stamped on the pillUK, 1999

merchnounmerchandiseUS, 1995

merchantnouna prisoner who sells goods to other prisonersUS, 1958

merchant banker; merchant; bankernouna contemptible

person Rhyming slang forWANKER(a contemptible person), coined

in response toYUPPIE(a young upwardly mobile professional),

many of whom were merchant bankers, moving into the East End

of London during the 1980sUK, 1992

merck; merknouncocaine From the name of a pharmaceutical

companyUS, 1969

mercy!used for expressing mild surpriseUS, 1992

mercy buckets!thank you An intentional butchering of the French

UK, 1960

mercy Mary!used for expressing surprise in a melodramatic

fashionUS, 1970

mercy Miss Percy!used for embellishing any exclamationUS, 1953

mercy sakes!; mercy’s sakes alive!used euphemistically in

citizens’ band transmissions to register anger, shock, surprise, etc

US, 1976

mere gook rulenouna belief during the Vietnam war that a crime

committed against a Vietnamese person was not a crimeUS, 1976

Merlin the magician; merlinnouna pigeon Rhyming slangUK,

1992

merrynounmarijuana A play on the name Mary, featured in many

slang terms for ‘marijuana’US, 1938

merry and brightnounlight, a light Rhyming slangUK, 1992

merry dancersnounthe northern lightsCANADA, 1946

merry-go-roundnoun1the visits to many different prison offices

the day before a prisoner is releasedUS, 1996.2a railway turntable

US, 1946.3a pound (£1) Rhyming slang; often reduced to ‘merry’

UK, 1961

merry hellnoun< play merry hell; raise merry hellto make a

disturbance, to complain or quarrel noisily and angrily, to make a

dinUS, 1911

merry lairdnouna beard Glasgow rhyming slang (a good rhyme in

the local accent)UK: SCOTLAND, 1988

merry old soulnoun1a hole Rhyming slangUK, 1992.2the anus

Rhyming slang forARSEHOLE; a specialism of the previous sense

Logically, this will be applied with irony to anyARSEHOLE(a

contemptible person)UK, 2003

merry syphilis and a happy gonorrhoeaused as a humorous

replacement for ’Merry Christmas and Happy New Year’AUSTRALIA,

1985

merry widownoun1a bust-emphasising corsetUS, 1957.2in pool, a

cue stick with a butt made with a single, unspliced piece of wood

US, 1983

mershnounmarijuana that is commercially produced for a

mass-marketUS, 2004

Meryl Streep; merylnounsleep Rhyming slang, formed from the

name of the US film actress (b.1949)UK, 1998

mesc; mezcnounmescalineUS, 1970

meselfpronounmyself Representing a common Australian

pronunciationAUSTRALIA, 1898

meshnounon a computer keyboard, the # characterUS, 1983

meshugge; meshuga; meshuggener; meshigeneradjectivecrazy

YiddishUS, 1888

mesmericadjectiveused for expressing approvalUK, 2003

messnoun1a person who is dirty or untidy; a person who is

disorganised or incapable of being organisedUK, 1891.2excrement

UK, 1903.3a large amountUS, 1826.4drugsUS, 1978.5in poker, a draw

of replacement cards that fails to improve the handUS, 1979

mess; mess withverbto confront; to mess with; to interfere; to

messagesnounshopping; hence, message bag, shopping bag.DialectUK: SCOTLAND, 1911.< do the messagesto go on a smalllocal shopping tripAUSTRALIA, 1902

mess aroundverbto engage in sexual foreplay; to have sexUK, 1896

messed upadjectivedrunk or drug-intoxicatedUS, 1963

messengernouna bulletUS, 1962

messernouna jokerIRELAND, 1998

mess upverbto beat someone upUS, 1914

messyadjectivegood Another example ofBADmeaning ‘good’UK, 2002

metnounmethamphetamineUS, 1993

Metnoun< the MetLondon’s Metropolitan Police, established in

1829UK, 1962

meta-prefixused for indicating a higher level than super- or

hyper-UK, 2003

metabolic clinicnouna hospital tea-room Medical humourUK, 2002

metalheadnouna lover of heavy metal music and the attendantlifestyleUS, 1982

metal jacketnouna condomUS, 1993

metal mouthnounany person with orthodontiaUS, 1978

meternountwenty-five centsUS, 1945

-meter; -ometersuffixthe conventional suffix that creates a means

of measuring, when used to make a flippant or nonce-word,especially as a measurer of sexual arousal In 2003 a brief search ofthe Internet revealed ‘shagometer’, fromSHAG(to have sex),

‘hornometer’, fromHORN(an erection) and ‘pain-in-the-assometer’

UK, 1837

meter maidnouna policewoman who checks cars on city streets forparking infractionsCANADA, 1965

meter readernounin the US Air Force, a co-pilotUS, 1946

methnoun1methamphetamine hydrochloride, a powerful centralnervous system stimulant, brand name Methedrine™US, 1966.

2methadone (a drug prescribed as a substitute for heroin)US, 1980.

3marijuana An abbreviation ofMETHOD(marijuana)US, 1994

methernouna methylated spirits addictUK, 1995

meth headnouna habitual user of methamphetamineUS, 1966

methicalnounmarijuana A combination ofMETHODandTICAL, slangterms for ‘marijuana’ adopted as aliases by rap artist

Methical/Method Man US, 1994

meth monsternoun1an amphetamine addictUS, 1967.2anyparanoid delusion suffered after sustained methamphetamine use

US, 1989

methonoun1methylated spiritsAUSTRALIA, 1933.2a habitual drinker

of methylated spiritsAUSTRALIA, 1933

Methonouna MethodistAUSTRALIA, 1940

method; method murdernounmarijuanaUS, 1995

Methodist hellnounthe epitome of heatUS, 1975

methsnounmethylated spiritsAUSTRALIA, 1981

meth speedballnounmethamphetamine mixed with heroin Acombination ofMETH(methamphetamine) andSPEEDBALL(cocaineand heroin mixed, or anUPPERandDOWNERmixed), 2002

metric milesnounhaemorrhoids Rhyming slang for ‘piles’UK, 2003

metrosexualnounan urban, heterosexual male who, in matters ofstyle or recreation, has similar tastes to those stereotypically associ-ated with women or homosexual menUK, 1994

Metro Tuxnounin Los Angeles, the police officer’s uniform exceptfor his shirt, which is replaced by a white t-shirt With this slightmodification, policemen may drink at a bar without violating thedepartment rule against drinking in uniformUS, 1994

Mexnoun1a Mexican or Mexican-American OffensiveUS, 1847.2theSpanish languageUS, 1858

MexadjectiveMexican OffensiveUS, 1854

Mexi

Mexicannounin eastern Australia, a person from a state south of

one’s own In Queensland it refers to either New South Welshmen

or Victorians, whereas in New South Wales it refers to Victorians

AUSTRALIA, 1991

Mexican breakfastnounany combination of a glass of water, a

cigarette and the chance to urinateUS, 1960

Mexican brownnouninferior heroin that originates in Mexico The

adjective ‘Mexican’ has a negative valueUS, 1975

Mexican Buicknouna ChevroletUS, 1979

Mexican Cadillacnouna ChevroletUS, 1962

Mexican carwashnouna rainstormUS, 1950

Mexican cashmerenouna cotton sweatshirtUS, 1957

Mexican chromenounaluminium paintUS, 1955

Mexican cigarettenouna poorly made marijuana cigaretteUS, 1987

Mexican compromisenouna decision in which you lose property

but save your lifeUS, 1954

Mexican credit card; Mexican filling stationnouna siphon

used for stealing petrol from a parked carUS, 1979

Mexican diamondnouna stone cut and polished to look like a

dia-mondUS, 1950

Mexican fox-trotnoundiarrhoeaUS, 1979

Mexican greennounan inferior marijuana cultivated in MexicoUS,

1961

Mexican hayridenouna car overloaded with passengersUS, 1962

Mexican horsenounbrown heroin originating in Mexico The

source plusHORSE(heroin)US, 1979

Mexican jumping bean; Mexican rednouna capsule of

barbitu-rate, especially Seconal™, manufactured in Mexico Named for the

capsule’s appearance, not its effect, which is sedativeUS, 1971

Mexican locoweed; Mexican tumbleweednounmarijuanaUS,

1969

Mexican mudnounbrown heroin that originates in the Sierra

Madre mountains of Mexico; heroinUS, 1977

Mexican mufflernouna tin can stuffed with steel wool functioning

as a car silencerUS, 1953

Mexican mushroomnounpsylocybin or psylocin, powerful

psychedelic drugs extracted from Psilocybe mexicana and

Stropharia cubensis mushrooms which are native to Mexico US, 1969

Mexican nose guardnouna jock strap (an athletic support) An

unkind linkage of the penis and noseUS, 1979

Mexican overdrivenounwhile driving, coasting down a hill in

neutral gearUS, 1955

Mexican paintnounsilver paintUS, 1954

Mexican rednoun1a potent variety of marijuana with a red-brown

colour cultivated in MexicoUS, 1971.2a capsule of secobarbitral

sodium (trade name Seconal™), a central nervous system

Mexican standoffnoun1a situation in which nobody clearly has

the advantage or emerges a clear winnerUS, 1891.2the quitting of

a poker game when a player is slightly ahead, slightly behind, or

evenUS, 1958

Mexican straightnounin poker, any hand, a knife and a threat to

use the knife Reminiscent of the simple announcement, ‘My

Smith and Wesson beats your full house’US, 1979

Mexican strawberriesnoundried beansCANADA, 2002

Mexican timenounused for denoting a lack of punctualityUS, 1967

Mexican toothachenoundysenteryUS, 1960

Mexican traffic light

Mexican ValiumnounRohypnol™ (flunitrazepam), popularly known

as the ‘date-rape drug’US, 1995

Mextownnouna neighbourhood with a large population ofMexicans and Mexican-AmericansUS, 1957

mezznounmarijuana, a marijuana cigarette An eponym honouringMilton ‘Mezz’ Mezzrow, a jazz musician who was better known forhis missionary work on behalf of marijuana than his jazz, and who

is better remembered for his writing than his jazzUS, 1937

mezzony; mizzonynounthe money required for a purchase ofmarijuana A combination ofMEZZ(marijuana) and ‘money’US, 1936s

mezzroll; mezz roll; Mezz’s roll; meserole; messorole; mezzrownounan extra-large marijuana cigaretteUS, 1944

MF; em efnouna motherfuckerUS, 1959

MFInoun1MI5, the UK’s security intelligence agency From thename of the retail chain that pioneered self-assembly furniture inthe UK, and became the butt of many jokesUK, 2002.2a very largemyocardial infarction; a major heart attack Medical slang,elaborating the conventional abbreviation for the condition, MI,with F for, presumably,-FUCKING- MFI is also a well-known flat-packfurniture retailerUK, 2002

MFIC; MFWICnounthe person in charge of a situation An

abbrevi-ation of motherfucker (who’s) in charge US, 1968

mf-wordnounthe word motherfuck, motherfucker or motherfucking

micnoun a microphone Pronounced ‘mike’ US, 1927 8see:MICRODOT

michaelnounthe vaginaNEW ZEALAND, 1998

Michaelnounan alcoholic beverage that has been adulterated with

a strong tranquilliser; the narcotic that is so used An abbreviation

ofMICKEY FINN US , 1942

Michael Caine; michaelnouna pain Rhyming slang, formed fromthe name of the London-born film actor (b.1933)UK, 1992

Michael Miles; michaelsnounhaemorrhoids Rhyming slang,

‘piles’, formed from the name of a popular television ‘quiz

inquisitor’, host of Take Your Pick, 1955–68; or, less likely, from a

US banjo playerUK, 2003

michael-munchernouna person who enjoys performing oral sex on

a womanNEW ZEALAND, 1998

Michael Schumachernountobacco Rhyming slang, formed fromthe name of the German-born world champion Formula 1 racingdriver (b.1969); the rhyme, while not perfect, is informed withirony – Michael Schumacher has long been associated withMarlboro cigarettesUK, 1998

Michael Winnernoundinner Rhyming slang, formed from thename of the British film director (b.1935) perhaps better known,

in this context, as The Sunday Times restaurant critic (with his

column: ‘Winner’s Dinners’)UK, 1998

Michellenounin cricket, a score of five wickets taken in an innings.Rhyming slang, on the imperfect rhyme of the name of filmactress Michelle Pfeiffer (b.1958), with ‘five for ’UK, 2001

Michigan bankrollnouna single large-denomination note wrappedaround small-denomination notes, giving the impression of a greatdeal of moneyUS, 1914

Michigan handshakenouna firm handshake that imparts afarewell Newspaper advice columnist Ann Landers used the term

in a column on 27th June 1996, in which she urged ‘Embarrassed

in Pittsburgh’ to give her friend Fred ‘a Michigan handshake’ ‘andtell him to hit the bricks’ because he had taken a picture of hersleeping in the nude Landers’ use of the term generated anumber of inquiries as to its meaning, and placed the term intothe public lexicon Landers herself pointed to Traverse City,

Michoacan; Michoacan greennouna powerful grade of

marijuana, claimed to have been grown in the Mexican state of

MichoacanUS, 1973

micknoun1an Irish person or Irish-AmericanUS, 1850.2a car that is

used in Ireland before being imported into, and reregistered in,

England – the documentation on such a vehicle gives the

impression of a much newer car Car dealers’ termUK, 1968.3a

prisonerUS, 1950.4the vaginaNEW ZEALAND, 1998.5a young bull,

especially if unbranded A shortening ofMICKEY AUSTRALIA , 1894

Micknouna Catholic From Mick, hypocoristic form of Michael, a

common name amongst Catholics in AustraliaAUSTRALIA, 1902

mickadjective(used of a school or college course) easyUK, 1972

Mickadjective1IrishUS, 1849.2CatholicAUSTRALIA, 1985

mickeynoun1the vagina Earlier also ‘michael’ (1950) and ‘mick’

(1930s)AUSTRALIA, 1969.2the penisIRELAND, 1909.3a young bull,

especially if unbrandedAUSTRALIA, 1876.4an ordinary fellowUS, 1949.

5a potatoUS, 1936.6an alcoholic drink adulterated with knock-out

drops A shortened form ofMICKEY FINN US , 1936.< throw a

mickeyto throw a tantrum Perhaps related toMICKEY(a young

bull)AUSTRALIA, 1952

mickey; mickey outverbto drug someone’s drinkUS, 1946

mickey-dickverbto cheat, to engage in petty thieveryUK, 2005

Mickey D’snouna McDonald’s™ fast-food restaurantUS, 1977

Mickey-Finnverbto incapacitate someone with a drink that has

been adulterated with a tranquillizer From the nounUS, 2002

Mickey Finn; Mickey Flynn; Mickey’snounan alcoholic beverage

that has been adulterated with a strong tranquillizer; the narcotic

that is so usedUS, 1928

Mickey Housenounin poker, an unplayable handUS, 1988

mickey juicenounsexual vaginal secretionsAUSTRALIA, 1996

Mickey mannouna radar operatorUS, 1946

Mickey Mousenoun1a house Rhyming slangUK, 1960.2a

Liverpudlian Rhyming slang forSCOUSE, no doubt informed by the

use of ‘Mickey Mouse’ to mean ‘inferior’ Noted in mocking use

among London football supportersUK, 1992.3Famous Grouse™

whisky Glasgow rhyming slangUK: SCOTLAND, 1988.4a wrist watch

From the watches with the face of Mickey Mouse first popular in

the 1930sUS, 1959.5a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best

known as ecstasy, identified by the embossed motifUK, 2002.6in

American casinos, a $2.50 chipUS, 1985.7an ultra-shortwave radar

used for aircraft spotting From a distance, the apparatus may be

said to resemble a mouseUS, 1947

Mickey Mouseadjective1inferior, trivial, cheap Originally coined to

describe inferior dance music, then given a broader senseUS, 1947.

2outmoded, old-fashioned or unnecessarily conventionalUS, 1971.

3excellent Rhyming slang forGROUSE AUSTRALIA , 1973

Mickey Mouse aroundverbto fool around School usageUS, 1961

Mickey Mouse bootsnounheavy rubber boots issued to soldiers

during the Korean warUS, 1952

Mickey Mouse missionnouna simple, undemanding, relatively

safe military taskUS, 1990

Mickey Mouse moneynoun1any unfamiliar or foreign currency;

an unfeasible amount of any money Originally used by the US

military for Japanese currency; contemporary usage may be

applied to, for instance, the Euro or Scottish banknotesUS, 1945.

2military scrip issued to soldiers in the Korean warUS, 1957

Mickey Mouse movienouna pornographic film that shows little or

no detailed activityUK, 1976

Mickey Mouser; mickeynouna person from Liverpool, a

Liverpudlian Rhyming slang forSCOUSER UK , 2000

Mickey Rooneynouna madman, a crazy person Rhyming slang for

LOONYformed from the name of US film actor and entertainer

(b.1920)UK, 1988

mickey’snounLSDUK, 2003

mickey-take; micky-takeverbto make fun of someone; to pull

someone’s leg; to jeer at, to deride FromTAKE THE MICKY(to

mickey-taking; micky-takingnounan act of derisive tauntingUK, 1959

mickienouna bottled alcoholic drinkUS, 1914

Mick Jaggernounlager Glasgow rhyming slang (a good rhyme inthe local accent), formed from the singer with The Rolling Stones(b.1943)UK: SCOTLAND, 1985

micksnounMichelin™ tyresUS, 1971

Mick’s bloodnounGuinness™ stout The quintessential Irish beer

micky munchernouna cunnilinguistAUSTRALIA, 1988

microbodnounin caving and pot-holing, a small adult or child withthe ability to fit into narrow passages and around difficult corners

UK, 2004

microchipnouna Japanese person Rhyming slang forNIP UK , 1992

microdot; mic; micro; mikenouna small tablet of LSDUK, 1996

Microsloth WindowsnicknameMicrosoft Windows™US, 1991

mid-airnounin the language of hang gliding, a collision involvingtwo fliersUS, 1992

middlenoun1in sports betting, a combination of bets that produce

a win no matter what the outcome of the gameUS, 1975.2the

waist From Old English middel and middil UK, 2002

middle combnounhair parted in the centre Hawaiian youth usage

US, 1982

middle legnounthe penis Still in popular useUK, 1896

middle namenounanything which is your passion or speciality oroutstanding characteristic may be claimed as your middle name

US, 1905

Middlesexadjectivehomosexual A pun on the placeUS, 1948

middle-sexedadjectivehomosexualUS, 1950

middle stumpnounthe penis From cricketUK, 1937

middlingsnounin the illegal production of alcohol, livestock feedused instead of grainUS, 1974

middy; middienouna ten ounce glass of beer; a serving of beer insuch a glassAUSTRALIA, 1945

midgetnoun1a very young member of a youth gangUS, 1981.2inmotor racing, a small, single-seat, open race carUS, 1980

midgyadjectivesmall Probably derived from ‘midget’UK, 1999

Midland Banknounan act of masturbation Rhyming slang for

WANK, formed from the name of a high street bankUK, 1998

midnightnounin dice games, a roll of 12US, 1919

midnight auto parts; midnight auto service; midnight auto supplynounstolen car parts; their notional sourceUS, 1966

midnight cowboynouna homosexual prostitute, originally one whowears cowboy clothes; hence a homosexual man Brought from

gay subculture into wider use by the flim Midnight Cowboy, 1969.

The less subtle, general sense resulted from the film’s successUS, 1972

midnight labnouna laboratory where illegal drugs aremanufacturedUS, 1970

midnight massnounan informer Rhyming slang (probably fromthe north of England by the accent required for the rhyme) for

GRASS(an informer)UK, 1996

midnight oilnounopiumUS, 1949

midnight overdrivenouncoasting down a hill with the car or truck

in neutral gearUS, 1971

midnight revuenounserial consecutive sex between one personand multiple partners, usually consensualUS, 1949

midnightsnounthe midnight shift, a work schedule beginning at

midnight shoppernouna burglarUS, 1976

midnight supply mannouna person who traffics in stolen

equipmentUS, 1954

midnight tokernouna person who smokes marijuana before

retiring to bedUS, 1973

midratsnouna meal served between midnight and 1am An

abbreviation of ‘midnight rations’US, 1973

midway bonusnounin circus and carnival usage, an extravagant,

empty promiseUS, 1981

MIG alleynounduring the Korean war, airspace controlled by North

Korea and its alliesUS, 1951

mightyadjectiveexcellentNEW ZEALAND, 1984

mightyadverbvery, greatly Often ironicUK, 1715

Mighty Joe Youngnouna central nervous system depressantUK, 1998

mighty mezznouna generous marijuana cigarette, or simply

marijuanaUS, 1946

mighty mitenoun1a marijuana variety with large budsCANADA, 2002.

2an airblower used by the military in Vietnam to blow smoke or

tear gas into enemy tunnels Also spelt ‘mity-mite’US, 1967

mighty QuinnnounLSDUS, 1975

mikenoun1a microgram (1/1,000,000th of a gram) The unit of

measure for LSD doses, even in the non-metric USUS, 1967.2a

microdot (of LSD), 1998.3a microphoneUS, 1927.4a minute From

the military phonetic alphabet – ‘mike’ for ‘m’, and ‘m’ for

‘minute’US, 1986.5a person who secretly finances a licensed

bookmakerAUSTRALIA, 1989

mike; mike upverbto equip with a microphoneUK, 1984

Mike Bliss; Micky Blissnounthe act of urination; urine Rhyming

slang forPISS, which leads toTAKE THE MICKY,TAKE THE MICHAELand

variants such asTAKE THE PISS(to jeer)UK, 1961

mike boatnouna military landing craftUS, 1977

mike checknounoral sex on a maleUS, 1992

mike frightnounan overwhelming fear that confronts an actor

when facing a microphoneUS, 1952

Mike Hunta fictitious name, used as a prank for waiting lists The

announcement ‘table for Mike Hunt’ sounds very much like ‘table

for my cunt’, thus a source of amusementUS, 1994

mike julietnounmarijuana Vietnam war usage The military

phonetic alphabet forMJ(marijuana)US, 1977

Mike Malonenouna telephone Rhyming slangUK, 1992

mike-mikenouna millimeter, or a weapon with a calibre measured

in millimeters From the military phonetic alphabet for ‘mm’US,

1967

mik-e-niknouna car or truck mechanicUS, 1976

mileagenoun1any extra use or advantage that may be derived

from a situationUS, 1955.2a record of previous convictionsUK, 1996

Mile Endnouna friend Rhyming slang, formed from an area of east

LondonUK, 1992

Mile High Clubnouna collective noun for people who claim to

have had sex on an airborne plane Interestingly, the equivalent

‘club’ on a train is not measured in height but distance travelled:

‘the nine mile club’US, 1972

milesnoun< make some milesto drive (a truck)US, 1971

milesadverbmuchUK, 1885

milf; MILFnouna sexually appealing motherUS, 1999

milkverb1to exploit, to cheatUK, 1536.2to masturbateUK, 1616.3in

card games, to draw the top and bottom cards (off a new pack)

before the first shuffleUS, 1845.< get off and milk it!used for

heckling a bicyclist Mainly schoolchildren useUK, 1975.< milk a

rushwhile injecting a drug, to draw blood into the syringe and

slowly release the drug into the vein, controlling the immediate

effect of the drugUS, 1986.< milk itto squeeze the shaft of the

penis towards the head of the penisUS, 1978.< milk the

anaconda(of a male) to masturbateUS, 1985.< milk the bushes

to move a boat by pulling on shore bushesCANADA, 1940.< milk

the lizard(of a male) to masturbate; to cause sexual ejaculation

UK, 1997.< milk the one-eyed aphidof a male, to masturbate

UK, 2003

milk?used as a tease of someone whose demeanour is just a bitcattyUS, 1994

milk-ballnounany alcoholic beverage served with milkUS, 1983

milk barnounthe female breasts Probably dating from the 1950swhen conventional milk bars had their peak of popularityUK, 1984

milkbar cowboynouna motorcyclist given to frequenting milk bars

A term from the 1950s and 60sNEW ZEALAND, 1988

milk-dropnounan auction fraud in which the auctioneer inflatesthe price of an item by accepting non-existent bids before sellingthe item to the victim of the fraudUK, 2003

milkernounin poker, a player who bets only on a very good hand orwith very good oddsUS, 1988

milkie; milkynouna milkmanUK, 1886

milking stoolnounin electric line work, a yoke used for supportinghot line tension toolsUS, 1980

milkman’s horseadjective cross, angry Rhyming slang (the Cockney

accent should be obvious)UK, 1961

milkonouna milk vendorAUSTRALIA, 1907

milk ropenouna pearl necklaceUS, 1956

milk routenounan easy, lucrative sales routeUS, 1930.< do the milk routeas a prostitute, to visit late-night venues in search ofcustomersUS, 1987

milk runnoun1a routine trip, especially one that calls at severalplaces Originally military Also called a ‘milk round’UK, 1942.2asimple, undemanding, undangerous military taskUS, 1943.3the firstrun of a ski-lift on a given morning, or the first run down themountain of the dayUS, 1963

milkshakenoun1a solution of baking powder administered to aracehorse to improve its performanceNEW ZEALAND, 1990.2sementhat is sucked and swallowed from a rectumUS, 1987.3oral sexperformed on a maleNEW ZEALAND, 1998

milkshakeverbto administer a milkshake to a horseNEW ZEALAND, 1992

milksopnouna cowardly or effeminate manUK, 1382

milksuckernouna young childUS, 1975

milk-trainnouna train with an early morning scheduleUS, 1853

Milky Waynouna homosexual Rhyming slang forGAY, created from

a galaxy far far away, or, more likely, from a popular chocolateconfection with the well-remembered slogan: ‘the sweet you caneat between meals without spoiling your appetite’UK, 1998

millnoun1millimetre, especially as a measure of a gun’s calibre, or

a width of still- and cine-camera filmUS, 1960.2one thousanddollarsUS, 1961.3a million, especially and usually a million dollars

or pounds Sometimes simply ‘mile’US, 1942.4in hot rodding anddrag racing, an engineUS, 1918

Millennium Domenoun1a comb Rhyming slang, formed fromthe famous folly while it was no more than a building siteUK, 1998.

2a telephone Rhyming slang (that barely rhymes) UK, 2002

millennium domesnounfemale breasts that are enhanced tomisleading dimensions After the UK’s much-criticised celebration

of 2000 years: the Millennium DomeUK, 2002

Miller timenounhours spent drinking beer after work or play Anadvertising slogan by the Miller Brewing Company, expanded tonon-product-specific ironic usageUS, 1981

millingnounthe action of fighting a companion, no holds barred, as

a test of your ability MilitaryUK, 1810

millionnouna certainty, a safe bet Probably from gambling odds of1,000,000–1 Examples: (of a plan) ‘It’s a million’; (for promotion)

‘You’re a million’UK, 1970.< gone a millionutterly undone;defeated; unable to recoverAUSTRALIA, 1913

million dollar woundnounduring war, a wound that was seriousenough to get a soldier sent home but not so serious as to affectthe rest of their lifeUS, 1947

millioninounmillions An unnecessary elaboration phonetically

simi-lar to Italian milione (million) UK, 2001

Milli Vanillinounthe penis Rhyming slang forWILLY, formed from a

controversial US music duo of the late 1980s and early 90sUK, 2003

Millwall bricknouna weapon made from a tightly rolled newspaper

Named after, or by association with, Millwall Football Club and the

awesome reputation of its ‘fans’UK, 1999

Millwall Reserves; millwallsnounnerves Rhyming slang, formed

from a London football teamUK, 1998

Milton Keynes; miltonsnoun1beans, especially baked beans

when served on toast Rhyming slang, based on the

Buckinghamshire townUK, 1998.2homosexuals Rhyming slang for

QUEEN(S), based on the Buckinghamshire townUK, 1998.3jeans,

denims Rhyming slang, based on the Buckinghamshire townUK,

2002

mimeonouna mimeograph machine; a document produced by

mimeographUS, 1970

Mimeo Minnienounthe stereotypical female office workerUS, 1953

miminounan act of urination From the MaoriNEW ZEALAND, 1983

Miminounthe vagina A given name punning the centrality of the

vagina to the user’s perception of herself – ‘me me’US, 1998

mimic-mannouna Trinidadian who has adopted European or

American mannerisms and styleTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1971

mimi hillnouna stop during a road trip to use the toilet From the

Maori for ‘urinating’NEW ZEALAND, 1998

mincenoun1rubbish, nonsenseUK: SCOTLAND, 1911.2anything

unpleasantUK: SCOTLAND, 1985.3used in similes for listlessness or

unintelligenceUK: SCOTLAND, 1985.4Guinness™ stoutUK: SCOTLAND,

1988

minceadjectiveused of an unpleasant thing, especially when in the

wrong placeUK: SCOTLAND, 1985

mincedadjectivedrunkUK, 2002

mincemeatnoun< make mincemeat ofto defeat absolutelyUK,

1876

mince pies; mincesnounthe eyes Rhyming slangUK, 1857

minchnounin circus and carnival usage, an unengaged,

low-spending customerUS, 1928

mincyadjectivestupid, sillyUK: SCOTLAND, 1988

mindnoun< give someone a piece of your mindto reprimand,

to censureUK, 1861.< the mind boggles!a catchphrase used as

an ironic comment on any marked absurdity Widely popularised

in the Daily Mirror cartoon strip The Perishers, by Maurice Dodd,

from the 1950s in print and the late 70s as an animationUK, 1984

mindverb1to work as a bodyguard, especially for a criminal; to look

after a criminal activityUK, 1924.2to bribe regularlyUK, 1970.

< don’t mind me!; don’t mind me, I only live here!; don’t

mind me, I only work here!used by someone who feels

disregarded as an ironic suggestion that whatever is happening,

and that has caused such feelings of alienation, should continue

(and continue to disregard the speaker)UK, 1937.< never mind!;

never you mind!mind your own business!, don’t let it trouble

you!UK, 1814

mind!pay attention!, note what I say!, used to add emphatic force

to a statementUK, 1779

mindbendernoun1anything that challenges your knowledge or

assumptionsUK, 1963.2a hallucinogenic drugUS, 1971

mindblowernoun1an event, experience or situation that

completley surprises or shocksUS, 1968.2a hallucinogenic drugUS,

1973

mind-blowingadjective1of drugs, especially hallucinogenicUK, 1967.

2amazing, almost unbelievable HyperboleUK, 1967

mind-bogglingadjectiveastoundingUK, 1964

mind detergentnounLSD; any psycho-active drug, legal or

otherwise Coined during the Cold War, this term is suggestive of

mindernouna criminal’s bodyguard or enforcer Made very familiar

to the UK public with the television series Minder, 1979–94 UK, 1924

mindfucknoun1anything that causes an internal paradigm shiftUS,

1971.2the mental aspects of sexUS, 1970

mindfuckverbto baffle; to manipulate psychologicallyUS, 1967

mind-fuckingadjectivehaving the quality to confuse, puzzle orastound Conventional use of ‘mind’ plusFUCK(to confound)US, 1971

mindlenouna stupid girl Possibly derived as a shortening of

‘mindless’ Recorded in contemporary gay useUK, 2003

mindlessadjective(used of waves) immense and powerfulUS, 1987

mind your back!; mind your backs!get out of the way!; alsoused to ‘warn’ of the presence of a male homosexualUK, 1983

minenounyour jobUS, 1954.< down the minelostAUSTRALIA, 1969

mineadjectivea ‘minus’ attached to a gradeUS, 1968

mine!used for acknowledging in shorthand form responsibility for aproblemUS, 1989

minehost; mine host; mine-hostnouna tavern keeper, a publandlordUK, 1904

minernoun< the miner’ssilicosisUS, 1951

miner’s connounsilicosis An abbreviation of ‘consumption’US, 1951

mingnounan unpleasant smellUK: SCOTLAND, 1985

mingverbto stinkUK: SCOTLAND, 1986

mingenoun1the vagina From the Latin mingere (to urinate) and

the mistaken belief that urine passes through the vaginaUK, 1903.

2the pubic hair Extends from the previous sense to include thegeneral pubic area A natural redhead is known as a ‘ginger minge’

UK, 1903.3a contemptible person Extending the sense as ‘vagina’,synonymous withCUNT UK , 2001

minge bagnouna contemptible woman CombinesMINGEwithBAG

(an unattractive woman)UK, 1982

minge-munchernouna person who enjoys performing oral sex onwomenNEW ZEALAND, 1998

mingernouna person who smells bad; hence, an unattractiveperson of either sex From ScottishMING(to stink) Pronouncedwith a hard ‘g’UK, 2003

Minge Whingenickname The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler.

Actors’ slang for the widely popular theatre pieceUK, 2003

ming-hoadjectivedrunk Deriving, perhaps, fromMING(to stink), thusplaying onSTINKING(very drunk)UK, 2002

mingingadjective1unattractive, unpleasant; descriptive of anthingbad Also shortened to ‘mingin’ From the verbMING(to stink),hence to lookSTINKING(disgusting)UK: SCOTLAND, 1985.2drunk RoyalNavy slang; fromMING(to stink) henceSTINKING(drunk)UK, 1987

minglewoodnouna hollowed cigar refilled with hashish and potentmarijuanaUS, 2004

mingonounan unpleasant person Perhaps a combination ofMING

(to stink) andMINGE(the vagina), or perhaps an evolution of theolder sense (1775) of the word as a ‘chamberpot’UK, 2001

mingranouna police officerUK, 1979

ming-raynouna mischievous ‘game’ of spreading a school-fellow’spossessions over as wide an area as possible without being noticed

by the victimUK, 2003

mingyadjective1mean, miserly Probably a blend of ‘mangy’(shabby) or ‘mean’, and ‘stingy’ (mean)UK, 1911.3in pool, a shotthat cannot be missed or a game that cannot be lostUS, 1990

mininouna mini-skirt, a very short skirtUK, 1966

mini-beannounan amphetamine capsule; a tablet of MDMA, therecreational drug best known as ecstasyUK, 2003

mini-bennienounan amphetamine or Benzedrine™ (amphetaminesulphate, a central nervous system stimulant) tablet or capsuleUS, 1977

mini Lnouna Pontiac Grand Prix car A car with a strong