"Tt" in Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English ppsx

Rhyming slang for TAKE THE PISS, formed on a goodbye kissUK , 1992.< take yourself in handof a male to masturbateUK , 1953 take a little, leave a littleused as a description of the stand

Tnoun1marijuana The simplest abbreviation ofTEA UK , 1950.

2cocaine Probably an abbreviation of another slang term for

‘cocaine’ such asTOOT UK , 2003.3a tee shirtUK , 2003.< to a T

precisely, exactlyUK , 1693

Tnicknamethe local rail system serving urban and suburban Boston,

Massachusetts used with ‘the’ From the official designation

‘Boston Transport’US , 1987

tathank you An abbreviation of ‘thanks’ or ‘thank you’; originally

childish or juvenile, now widespreadUK , 1772

tabnoun1a tablet, usually one taken as a recreational drug; a single

dose of LSD Originally medical and pharmaceutical jargon, added

to the vocabulary of drugs users in the 1950sUK , 1961.2a tabloid

newspaperUS , 1951.3a bill, especially in a restaurant or barUS , 1946.

4a cigarette Originally northern dialect, spread with media usage

UK , 1934.5a walk or march across countryUK , 1982.6an enterprise,

an activityUS , 1946.< run a tabto order drinks without paying for

each one, paying instead the entire bill at the end of the session

US , 1995

tabverb1to march or otherwise travel on foot across country

MilitaryUK , 1982.2to make a drug into tablet formUS , 1967

tabasconounnapalmUS , 1991

tabbedadjectivedressed stylishlyUS , 1980

tablanouna surfboard Spanish, imported to the US from Mexico by

American surfersUS , 1977

tablenouna pinball machineUK , 1977

table dancenounin a strip-club, a semi-private sexual performance

near or on a customer’s tableUS , 1992

table gradeadjectiveused of a woman, sexually appealing A clear

suggestion of oral sex, or eatingUS , 1972

table-hopper; table-toppernouna necrophileUS , 1987

table mannersnounin poker, a player’s mannerisms, which may

provide clues as to the relative strength of his handUS , 1981

table musclenounthe stomachUS , 1984

table pussynouna woman with good looks and mannersUS , 1970

tablescoreverbto take food left on restaurant tablesUS , 1997

table talknounin poker, idle chatter that does not rise to the level

of intentionally distracting talkUS , 1979

table timenouna time-based charge for playing poolUS , 1993

table zamboninouna cleaning rag used by a bartender Zamboni is

an ice resurfacer used on ice rinksUS , 1987

tab outverbto pay a bar bill and leave the barUS , 1992

tabsnounthe earsUS , 1970

tacitnoun< take a tacitto stop talkingUS , 1947

tacknoun1anything that demonstrates a quality of vulgarity, bad

taste or kitschUS , 1986.2a tattooUS , 1992.3marijuanaUK , 1996

tackedadjectivedrunk or drug-intoxicatedUS , 2004

tacked backadjectivecovered with tattoosUS , 1989

tacked outadjectivein trucking, running at full speed A

construction from ‘tachometer’US , 1971

tackernouna child From British dialect (Devon and Cornwall)

AUSTRALIA , 1942

tackety bit; tacketynounthe female breast Glasgow rhyming slang

forTITfrom the local pronunciation of ‘tackety’ (steel-tipped and

-heeled) bootsUK: SCOTLAND , 1988

tackienouna tyreSOUTH AFRICA , 1978

tackiesnounrunning shoes, trainersSOUTH AFRICA , 1913

tackiness a state of unrefined vulgarity

tacklenoun1the male genitalia Originally ‘a man’s tackle’ sequent familiarity reduced the necessity for ‘a man’s’UK , 1788.

sub-2food and drink; ’stuff’; more recently, drugsUK , 1857

tackleverbto court; to flirtTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1987

tackyadjectivevulgar, unrefined, unattractive, aestheticallyunappealling; ’cheap and nasty’US , 1862

tacoadjectiveMexican Offensive From the Mexican street foodUS , 1990

taco bendernouna Mexican or Mexican-American OffensiveUS , 1992

Taco Hellnicknamea Taco Bell™ fast-food restaurantUS , 1990

tacolandnouna Mexican or Mexican-American neighbourhood.OffensiveUS , 1981

taco wagonnouna car embellished with bright colours, chrome andother accessories associated with Mexican-American car

enthusiastsUS , 1960

tadadjective little; a small amount Perhaps from dialect tad (toad)

UK , 1940

tadgernounthe penis Originally dialect; survives in rhyming slang

FOX AND BADGER UK , 1961

tadpolenounan OH-6 light observation military helicopter From itsshapeUS , 1991

tadpole factorynounthe testiclesUK , 2003

ta ever sothank you An elaboration ofTAand variation ofTHANKS

EVER SO UK , 1970

Taffia; Tafianouna notional conspiracy of influential Welsh people,especially Welsh-speakers, that control many areas of Welsh life forits own benefit A blend ofTAFF(Welsh) and ‘mafia’ (a criminalassociation)UK: WALES , 1980

Taffy; Taffnoun a native of Wales From Welsh Dafydd (David – the

Welsh patron saint and everyday christian name) as heard byEnglish ears Taffy since about 1700; Taff since 1929UK , 1964

tagnoun1the stylised signature of a graffiti artist From ‘tag’ (alabel)US , 1998.2a stylised signature often confused with graffitiUS ,

1997.3a nickname, or popular designationUS , 1950.4a numberplateUS , 1972.5a planned murderUS , 1982.6in the television andfilm industries, a very short final sceneUS , 1990

tagverb1to shoot and hit someone or somethingUS , 1992.2to strike

or hit someone or somethingUS , 1975.3to catch or arrestsomeone, or convict someone of a crimeUS , 1966.4to spray-paintgraffiti in a signature stylingUS , 1980.5to tattoo part of the body

US , 1993.6to bestow a nickname on someoneUS , 1960.7to identifysomeone or somethingUS , 1951

tag-alongnounsomeone who joins an activity without invitationUS , 1961

tag and bagverbto put a name tag on a corpse and place the body

in a body bag Vietnam war usageUS , 1981

taggernouna person who writes his signature in a stylised fashion

on public walls, subways, etcUS , 1997

tagging crewnouna group of graffiti artistsUS , 1989

tag plantnouna prison number plate manufacturing shopUS , 2000

tag shopnounthe area in a prison where number plates aremanufacturedUS , 1958

Taig; Teaguenicknamea Catholic From the anglicised spelling of

the Irish name/nickname Tadhg UK , 1971

tailnoun1the backside, buttocks and/or anusUK , 1303.2a woman,regarded as a sexual object; women, collectively, categorised withthe same regardUK , 1846.3an act of sexual intercourse or sexualintercourse in a general sense The earlier, obsolete, senses of

‘penis’ and ‘vagina’ come together in a logical consequence .

4a person who is following someone else closely and secretlyUS ,

1914.5in prison, an informerUS , 1990.6the term of a prisoner’s

paroleUS , 1992.7in hot rodding, a fox tail or racoon tail tied to the

carUS , 1960.< bust your tailto give the maximum effortUS , 1996

tailverbto follow someone closely and secretlyUS , 1907.< tail ’em

in the gambling game two-up, to throw a pair of tailsAUSTRALIA , 1911

tail-betternounin the gambling game two-up, a player who bets on

tailsAUSTRALIA , 1963

tail-end Charlienounsomeone at the rear of any group or

expedition Originally the name given to the rear gunner on a

Royal Air Force bomber, hence ‘the man at the back’UK , 1941

tailgateverb1to walk very closely behind another person A

vari-ation of the conventional senseUK , 2003.2to eat and drink

clustered in parking lot before a sports eventUS , 1995

tailgunnernouna homosexual maleNEW ZEALAND , 1998

tailienounin the gambling game two-up, a player who bets on tails

AUSTRALIA , 1919

tail lightsnounLSDUK , 1998

tailornounin gin, a win without the opponent scoringUS , 1950

tailor-made; tailor; taylornouna factory-made cigaretteUS , 1924

tail painnounanal painTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

tailynounthe penisUS , 1982

taimanoun marijuana Possibly an elision of Spanish Tailandés (Thai)

and marijuana UK , 1998

taintnounthe perineumUS , 1955

t’aint no crack, but a solid factwhat I am saying is the truthUS ,

1973

Taj Mahalnouna dome covering radar antennae at NORAD air

defence radar stationsCANADA , 1995

takenoun1an opinion; a view Possibly from television and film

jargon, ‘take’ (a recorded scene), suggesting a point of viewUK , 2001.

2stolen property, especially moneyUS , 1888.3a theftAUSTRALIA , 1975.

< on the takeaccepting bribesUS , 1930

takeverb1(of a male) to have sex with someoneUK , 1915.2to defeat

someoneUK , 1939.3to successfully swindle someoneUK , 1946.

< take advantage(of a man) to seduce someone, to have sex

with someone, to force sex upon someone Euphemistic, but

often jocularUS , 1928.< take back waterto back down on a

brag or dare; to refuse a challenge This phrase is derived from

rowingCANADA , 1972.< take care of someoneto kill someone;

to kill one or more, especially as an expedient solution to a

problemUK , 1984.< take in laundryto wear underwear internally

UK , 2001.< take it in the shortsto be abused or defeatedUS ,

1994.< take it lying downto submit tamelyUK , 1961.< take it

Nelsonto relaxUK , 1996.< take on for the teamto accept

responsibility for an unpleasant task for the greater good of a

group Originally a baseball team, used as an ex post facto

expla-nation of a batter advancing to first base after being hit with a

pitchUS , 2001.< take oneto be open to briberyUK , 1970.< take

one for the teamin a social situation, to pay attention to the

less attractive of a pair of friends in the hope that your friend will

have success with the more attractive member of the pairUS , 2002.

< take someone apartto absolutely defeat someone in a fight;

to reprimand someone severelyUK , 1984.< take someone for a

ride1to swindle or deceive someoneUS , 1925.2in a car, to take a

planned victim to a convenient spot for murderUS , 1927.< take

stoppoto escape Based on ‘stoppo’(a getaway)UK , 1956.< take

the biscuitused in the context of surprise or annoyance at

something which is remarkable or extraordinaryUK , 1907.< take

the cakeused in the context of surprise or annoyance at

something that is startingly improbableUS , 1900.< take the

cheeseto be considered in the most negative manner; in a

figurative sense, to take the prize for being worstUK , 1997.< take

the micky; take the mickey; take the mick; take the

michaelto make fun of someone; to pull someone’s leg All

vari-ations of rhyming slangMIKE BLISS; MICKY BLISS(PISS); literal and

euphemistic translations ofTAKE THE PISS The variations on

‘mickey’, ‘mick’ etc may be given an initial capitalUK , 1935.

< take the piss; take the piss out of someone1to make a

fool of someone; to pull someone’s leg ToPISSand hence deflate

a bladder gives the central idea of deflation, in this case by making

a fool of; perhaps coincidentally an inflated bladder (on a stick) isthe mediaeval comedy prop associated with a foolUK , 1984.2toimplement a urine test A literal pun on the sense ‘to teasesomeone’UK , 1996.< take the ta-ta kiss; take the ta-tatomake a fool of someone; to pull someone’s leg Rhyming slang for

TAKE THE PISS, formed on a goodbye kissUK , 1992.< take yourself

in hand(of a male) to masturbateUK , 1953

take a little, leave a littleused as a description of the standingorders that carnival workers have for cheating customersUS , 1985

take a running jump!; take a running jump at yourself!used

as a contemptuous expression of dismissalUK , 1933

take a train!used as an all-purpose insultUS , 1951

takedownnounthe amount earnedUS , 1990

take downverbto arrest and convict someoneUS , 1997.< take

someone down a pegto reduce a person’s self-esteem; to force

a brash or bumptious person to conformUK , 1959

take-down brightsnounthe very bright lights on a police car usedwhen ordering a driver to pull overUS , 1992

take-homesnouna several-day supply of methadoneUS , 1989

take it away!commence the entertainment!; start the music!UK , 1984

take-mannounthe member of a criminal gang who actually stealsthe moneyAUSTRALIA , 1975

take moneynounthe proceeds of a robbery or other illegal scheme

US , 1975

take night to make dayused for describing an all-out effort

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1986

taken shortadjectivedesperate to urinate or defecateUK , 1890

take-offnoun1in a gambling operation, the amount of the betmoney taken by the houseUS , 1950.2a mimicking impression; aparodyUS , 1846.3in surfing, the catching of a wave and start of arideUS , 1970

take offverb1to use a drug, especially to inject a drugUS , 1952.2tobring someone to orgasmUS , 1975.3to go; to leaveUK , 1959.4insurfing, to catch the momentum of a wave and begin a rideUS ,

1970.5to rob a place; to steal somethingUS , 1960.6to mimic orparody someone or somethingUK , 1766.< take off a piece of

workto masturbateUS , 2002

take-off artistnounan escaped prisonerUK , 1996

take onverbto have sex with someoneUS , 1972

take-outnounin poker, the minimum number of chips that aplayer can buy from the bank at onceUS , 1967

take outverb1to kill someoneUS , 1939.2to win a game, an award aprize or the likeAUSTRALIA , 1976

takernouna thief who snatches a chain from the wearer’s neck.Recorded by a Jamaican inmate of a UK prison, August 2002UK , 2002

takey-ah-waysnountake-away food Pronounced with a mockMaori accentNEW ZEALAND , 1998

take you everywhere twice – the second time to apologise

used as a jocular reprimand to a companion who has just said ordone something contrary to the accepted social code; or (replacing

you with him or her) to the company at large, as a humorous acknowledgement of such a faux pas UK , 2002

take your pickadjectivestupid Rhyming slang forTHICK, possiblyformed from the title of a television quiz show broadcast between

1955 and 68UK , 1998

takkiesnounrunning shoesSOUTH AFRICA , 2001

takkourinoun hashish A corruption of Tunisian takrouri (hashish)

UK , 1998

talalanounthe vulva and vaginaTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1959

talc; talconouncocaine Another white powder as a metaphorUS , 1984

talentnoun1a categorisation of sexually attractive people (within agiven area), usually by heterosexual men of women and by

homosexual men of men; occasional use by women increased in

the 1990sUK , 1947.2an intelligent, resourceful criminalUS , 1962.

< the talentin the entertainment industry, the actors, the

performersUS , 1991

talentedadjectiveattractiveUS , 1996

Tale of Two Cities; tale o’ twosadjectivethe female breasts

Rhyming slang forTITTIE(S), formed from the title of Charles

Dickens’ novel, 1859 Often spoonerised as ‘Sale of Two Titties’UK ,

1960

Talibanadjectivegiven as a nickname to any eccentric or

unconventional student, especially one of Arab ethnicity Teen

slang, post 11th September 2001; from the Muslim fundamentalist

government The words ‘terrorist’ and ‘fundamentalist’ are also

current as nicknamesUS , 2002

talkverb1to betray someone; to inform on someoneUS , 1924.2to

have a sexual relationship in prisonUS , 1982.3(used of a truck) to

emit a clear sound from the smokestackUS , 1971.< talk gameto

analyse the business of prostitutionUS , 1972.< talk noiseto

exag-gerate; to lieUS , 1986.< talk shit1to disparage someone or

something; to exaggerateUS , 1965.2to talk nonsenseUS , mid-C20.

< talk smackto disparage someone or somethingUS , 1993.

< talk stinkto malign someone or something Hawaiian youth

usageUS , 1981.< talk storyto gossip; to engage in idle

conversation Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1981.< talk the hind

legs off a donkeyto talk until a listener is distracted; to talk

persuasively The surviving variation of many de-legged creatures:

‘bird’ (1929), ‘cow’ or ‘dog’ (1887), ‘horse’ (mainly dialect), ‘jackal’,

etcUK , 1915.< talk though your neckto talk nonsenseUK , 1899.

< talk through your arse; talk through your ass; talk out

of your arseto talk nonsenseUK , 1985.< talk through your hat

to talk (ill-informed) nonsenseUS , 1888.< talk to Ralph Beukler

to vomitCANADA , 2002.< talk to Ralph on the big white phone

to vomitUS , 1989.< talk to the canoe driverto perform oral sex

on a womanUS , 1971.< talk to the sealsto vomit Surfer usage

US , 1997.< talk trashto engage in aggressive verbal sparring; to

speak offensivelyUS , 1967.< talk turkeyto speak candidly and

openly about an important issueUS , 1903

talk and walknounthe practice of professing psychological

improvement in a prison therapeutic setting to improve your

chances of paroleUS , 1971

talk atverbto talk to someone The ‘at’ is a folksy affectation that

decreases the formality of the statementUS , 1999

talkdownnounthe conversational technique used to guide an LSD

user who is having a difficult time back to realityUS , 1994

talkernounin the circus or carnival, a person who entices

customers into the side showUS , 1960

talkienouna film with sound; a film Mainly historical, as an

opposite to silent filmsUS , 1913

talking handbagnouna portable radioUK , 1996

talking headnounan expert guest on a television or radio news

showUS , 1977

talking womannouna female performer who banters with the

audience as she strips off her clothesUS , 1950

talkmannounan electrical torture device attached to a prisoner’s

face Gulf war usage, punning on the Walkman™ portable music

deviceUS , 1991

talk of the devil!said of a person who, while being spoken of,

arrives unexpectedly; hence, an ungracious, though not necessarily

unfriendly, greeting to that person A shortening of the proverb

‘Talk of the Devil, and he’s presently at your elbow’UK , 1666

talk powdernounany central nervous system stimulantUS , 1988

talk to the hand; tell it to the hand (because the face isn’t

listening); speak to the handused for expressing a complete

lack of interest in what is being said Usually followed with

‘because the face don’t give a damn’ or something in a similar

vein, accompanied by a gesture of a raised hand, palm facing the

other personUS , 1995

talk-upnounin sales and marketing, a raising of awareness and

talladjective1used of a jail sentence, lengthyUS , 1992.2intoxicated A play onHIGH US , 1946

drug-tallboynouna 16-ounce can of beerUS , 1984

tall grassnounin circus and carnival usage, an extremely remotelocationUS , 1981

tallie; tallynounchiefly in Queensland, a tall, 750 ml bottle of beer

tall story; tall talenounan elaborate lie; an (enjoyable) ationUK , 1846

exagger-tall winenounsex in which the woman below the man moves andkeeps her buttocks up off the bedTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1986

Tallyadjective Italian UK: SCOTLAND , 1985

tallywhacker; tallywackernounthe penisUS , 1966

tamnouna knitted hat used by a Rastafarian to contain hisdreadlocks An abbreviation of conventional ‘tam o’shanter’

Tammienouna capsule of Temazepam™, a branded sleeping pillUS , 1997

tammynoun a tampon UK , 2001

tampverbto walkUS , 1953

Tampa; Tampa pilotnounin shuffleboard, a hide disc on your side

of the court near the apex of the tenUS , 1967

tampaxnounfilter-tipped cigarette(s) From the similarity inappearance between the white tubes of manufactured cigarettesand Tampax™, a well-known brand of tamponsUK , 1984

tampi; tampeenounmarijuanaJAMAICA , 1975

tampingnouna beatingUS , 1967

tamponnoun1a snobbish, unpleasant person An allusion to thenature of tampons in the sense that they are all ‘stuck up cunts’,punning on ‘stuck-up’ (snobbish) andCUNT(an unpleasant person)

UK , 2001.2a fat marijuana cigaretteUS , 1997.< maybe your

tampon will be flushedperhaps you will be feeling better;maybe your mood will have improved Note south Wales dialect

tamping (angry) US , 1988

tampon dicknouna contemptible manUK , 1997

tamp upverbto beat someone physicallyUS , 1962

tampynounmarijuanaBAHAMAS , 1982

ta muchlythank you very much A deliberate solecism used forhumorous effectUK , 1969

tanverb1to consume something voraciously; to do somethingbriskly or with urgencyUK: SCOTLAND , 1988.2to burgle somewhere

UK: SCOTLAND , 1988.< tan someone’s hide; tan someone’s arse

to beat someone on the buttocks (as a punishment)UK , 1670

T and Anounvisual depictions of sexually provocative females.FromTITS AND ASS; TITS AND ARSE US , 1993

T and Tverbto tape record and trace the origin of a phone callUS , 2001

tangerine dreamnouna type of MDMA, the recreational drug bestknown as ecstasy Named for the colour of the tablet and after aGerman group that plays electronic, synthesized musicUK , 1996

Tangier tigernouna low grade variety of hashish from the foothills

of the Rif Mountains

tanglenoun< on the tangledrinking; on an alcohol bingeNEW

ZEALAND , 1966

tangleverbto fightUS , 1990.< tangle assto brawlUS , 1950.

< tangle assholesto become involved in a confrontationUS , 1985

tanglefootnoun1strong, homemade whiskyUS , 1860.2barbed wire

staked to the ground as a defensive perimeter around a military

camp or baseUS , 1990

tangonouna type of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as

ecstasy From the colour of the tablet; possibly an abbreviation of

TANGERINE DREAM , or named after Tango™, a branded carbonated

orange drink that, according to the product’s advertising, has a

surreal effect on all who drink itUK , 1996

tango boatnounan armoured landing craftUS , 1971

tango novembernouna token black soldier in an otherwise white

unit or corps, especially the officer corps From the military

phonetic alphabet ‘TN’, short for ‘token nigger’US , 1990

tanknoun1a jail cell, especially one in a local police stationUS , 1912.

2an intentional loss in a competition Originally boxing slang Also

called a ‘tank job’US , 1955.3a room in the Pentagon where the

Joint Chiefs and Staff meet jointly with the Operations Deputies

US , 1986.4a safeNEW ZEALAND , 1937.5a safe burglary Prison slang

NEW ZEALAND , 1999.6of money, all you have with youUK: SCOTLAND ,

1988.7an old and heavy surfboardUS , 1988.8a heavy-set woman

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1964.9an ugly girlUS , 1966.10money Probably

evolves fromTANKER(a prizefighter who accepts payment to throw

a fight in a fixed boxing match)UK , 1991.< go in the tankused

of an athletic contest, lost on purposeUS , 1955.< in the tank

drunkUS , 1975

tank-assnounbuttocks that are disproportionately largeUS , 2001

tankedadjective1drunk or drug-intoxicated Also used as ‘tanked up’

UK , 1893.2in computing, not operatingUS , 1991

tankernoun1a hired thugUK , 2003.2a heavy drinker FromTANK UP

(to drink)CANADA , 1984.3a boxing match or other athletic contest

that has been fixedUS , 1955

tanker wankernounsomeone who flies in air-to-air refuellers A

Royal Air Force term, formed by rhyming the airborne ‘tanker’

with an all-purpose pejorative; reported by Squadron Leader G.D

Wilson, 1979UK , 1979

tankmannouna safe-blowerAUSTRALIA , 1972

tank moneynounfunds that are employed to give a fraudulent

impression of substance or wealthUK , 2000

tank townnouna small, unimportant town A possible railway

etymologyUS , 1906

tank tracksnounin the Canadian military, folds that develop along

the top of the official beretCANADA , 1995

tank-upnouna drinking bingeNEW ZEALAND , 1959

tank upverb1to administer fluids to a dehydrated hospital patient

US , 1994.2to consume large quantities of something, especially

alcoholUS , 1902

tannernounin pre-decimalisation currency, sixpence, 6d; a coin of

that value Inflation has rendered the conversion from 6d to 2½p

meaninglessUK , 1811

tanorexianounan addiction to sunbathing, especially by means of

sunbeds A punning combination of ‘tan’ and ‘anorexia’ which

sacrifices the meaning of anorexia for a journalistic tagUK , 1997

tanorexicnouna person who is addicted to sunbathing, especially

by means of sunbedsUS , 1998

tansnounthe standard US Army summer khaki uniformUS , 1990

Tansnounthe Black and TansIRELAND , 1992

tantienoun< tantie come to townto experience the bleed

period of your menstrual cycleTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

tantynouna tantrumAUSTRALIA , 1987

tan valisenouna blonde prostituteUS , 1960

tapnoun1a blow given or received in a fightUK , 1996.2a murderUS ,

1963.3in circus and carnival usage, the admission priceUS , 1981

tapverb1to borrow something, especially moneyUK , 1953.2to ask f

or, or imply readiness to accept, a tip Used by ships’ stewards .

3to successfully attract a partner for sexual intimacyUK , 2002.4tohave sexUS , 1949.5to kill someoneUS , 1963.6to intercept a telephonecommunication From an earlier sense of intercepting a telegraphicmessageUK , 1869.7in poker, to bet all of your chips, or an amountequal to an opponent’s bet, depending on contextUS , 1947.< tap a

kidneyto urinateUS , 1997.< tap the potin bar dice games, to betthe total amount of the potUS , 1971

tap citynounwhen gambling, the position of being out of fundsUS , 1976

tap codenouna method of cell-to-cell communication in a prisonwhere talking is forbiddenUS , 1982

tap dancernoun1a black person who curries favour from whitepeople with obsequious conductUS , 1974.2a delivery truck driver

taponounan inadvertent error in a taped messageUS , 1982

tap-outnouna complete depletion of funds, especially in gambling

US , 1979

tap outverb1to run out of money, usually as a result of gambling

US , 1939.2in a casino, to relieve a dealer from dutyUS , 1961

tappedadjective 8see:DOOLALLY

tapped-outadjectivehaving been emptied A figurative use of ‘tap’(to draw off liquid)UK , 2001

tappernoun1a persistent borrowerUK , 1981.2a boy who persists inasking a girl for a date when reason would dictate a strategicretreat Teen slangUS , 1951.3someone who sells the police false oruseless information in return for a small sumUK , 1959

tappersnoundice that have been loaded with mercury that shiftswhen the dice are tappedUS , 1962

tap upverbto approach someone with a proposalUK , 2001

tarnoun1coffee Citizens’ band radio slang, from the colour ratherthan the consistencyUS , 1976.2crude, dark, gummy heroin, usuallyfrom MexicoUS , 1992.3opium From the colour and consistency ofraw opiumUS , 1936.4crack cocaine and heroin mixed and smokedtogetherUK , 2002.5rumTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003.6a sailor.Probably a shortening of obsolete ‘tarpaulin’UK , 1676

tara; ta-ra; tarra; tragoodbye Originally northern, now more

widespread through the agency of Coronation Street and other

television programmes; possibly a slovening ofTA-TA UK , 1958

tar and feather; tarnoun a leather jacket Rhyming slang UK , 1992

Tara Palmer-Tomkinson; Tara Palmer; taranouna drama.Rhyming slang, formed from the name of a celebrity-socialite; gen-erally applied to a minor inconvenienceUK , 2000

tararabitgoodbye A Liverpudlian elaboration ofTARA(goodbye),thus ‘goodbye [for] a bit’UK , 1984

tar babynoun a black person Offensive From the Br’er Rabbit

stories by Joel Chandler HarrisUS , 1962

tar beachnouna flat urban rooftop, used for sleeping or drug use

US , 1970

tardustnouncocaine A pun onSTARDUST(cocaine)UK , 2003

tariffnoun1the portion of a life-sentence to be served in custody Anuance of the conventional senseUK , 2002.2the fee charged by aprostituteTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

Tarkaverbto have anal intercourse Rhyming slang, based on the

novel by Henry Williamson (1895–1977), Tarka the Otter, rhyming

with ‘DOTher’ (to have anal sex)UK , 2002

tarmacnounin Canadian military aviation, the ramp section of anair base hangar lineCANADA , 1995

tarnationnounused as a euphemism for ‘damnation’US , 1790

tarred drunk

Tarriernouna Catholic, especially of Irish descentUK , 2002

tartnoun1a womanAUSTRALIA , 1903.2a promiscuous womanUK , 1887.

3a prostituteUK , 1894.4a girlfriend or sweetheartUK , 1864.5a wife

or female partner Rhyming slang for ‘sweetheart’UK , 1864.6a weak,

ineffectual man A term of abuse, used to call a man a woman; a

wider gender-only sense of ‘tart’ than when applied to a woman

UK , 1999

tartannouncocaine Etymology unknownUK , 2001

tartan bannernouna sixpenny coin; sixpence Rhyming slang for

TANNERthat dropped out of circulation after decimalisation in

1971UK , 1960

tartanizeverbto adapt an English product for Scottish use or sale;

hence, the adjective: tartanizedUK , 2004

tarted-upadjective1dressed like a prostitute; dressed smartlyUK , 1947.

2of a thing, business, building, etc, having a new image or

presen-tation Often derogatory in toneUK , 1984

tart fuelnounbottled alcopop (branded alcoholic beverage with the

characteristics of a soft drink) or other alcoholic drinks deemed to

be for feminine consumption A fashionable drink amongst young

women who will, when inebriated, it is suggested/hoped by the

coiner of this term, relax their moral standards and behave

tart upverbto dress someone up or decorate something smartly

Often with the implication of tastelessness or tawdrinessUK , 1952

tartyadjectivelike a prostituteUK , 1918

Tarzannoun1sex outdoorsUS , 1966.2a soldier who is overly anxious

to take the highly visible and dangerous point position on a

combat marchUS , 1991.< like ten Tarzanquickly; loudlyTRINIDAD

AND TOBAGO , 1984

tash; tachenouna moustacheUK , 1893

tasheredadjectivedrunkUK , 2002

tash testnouna man’s moustache seen as an indicator of

homo-sexuality and, hence, predictive of HIV status Formed fromTASH(a

moustache) A medical observation that, hopefully, was more witty

than practicalUK , 2002

tasknounin prison, an act of masturbationUK , 1996

Tasmaniacnouna person from TasmaniaAUSTRALIA , 1867

Tasmanian Tigernouna strain of marijuana, known elsewhere as

New Zealand green, Thai Buddha and Hawaiian headAUSTRALIA , 2002

Tasmanian yawnnounvomiting, especially when experienced

crossing the Tasmanian SeaAUSTRALIA , 1995

tassel dancenouna sexual dance focused on the woman’s breasts

and the tassels worn attached theretoUS , 1977

tassienounan intaglio (an engraved figure or design) Used by

antique dealersUK , 1977

Tassienoun1TasmaniaAUSTRALIA , 1892.2a TasmanianAUSTRALIA , 1914

tastenoun1an alcoholic drinkUS , 1919.2a sampleUS , 1990.3a small

sample of drugs, especially heroinUS , 1952

taste-facenouna heroin user who lends his syringe to others in

return for small amounts of heroinUS , 1978

-tasticsuffixused as an intensifier On the model ofPOPTASTIC US , 2003

tastyadjective1attractive, sexually appealingUK , 1899.2worthwhile;

valuable; exhibiting strengthUK , 1975.3competent; polished The

term can be applied to either the work or the person who did it

IRELAND , 1999.4used of a known, especially well-respected criminal;

capable of physical violenceUK , 1975.5having a pleasing flavour;

appetising In conventional use from the early 1600s; by mid-C19

considered colloquialUK , 1617

Taswegiannickname a person from Tasmania Blend of Tasmania

and Norwegian AUSTRALIA , 1961

tatnoun1an article, or collection of articles, of inferior or rubbishy

UK , 1951.2a tattooUS , 1994.3a swindle featuring dice and doubledbetsUS , 1963

tatanounnonsenseTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1990

ta-tagoodbye At first chiefly nursery, now (in the US) simply highlyaffectedUK , 1823

ta-tasnounthe shakesAUSTRALIA , 1977

tatasnounthe female breastsUS , 1995

Tate and Lylenounstyle Rhyming slang, formed from thecompany that describes itself as ‘world leader in carbohydrateingredients’UK , 1992

tater; tatur; tottienouna potatoUK , 1759

tateredadjectivedrunkUS , 1993

tatersnounthe buttocksUS , 1999

taters in the mould; potatoes in the mould; tatersadjective

cold Rhyming slang, most commonly used as ‘taters’UK , 1934

tatsnoundice, especially loaded dice or dice marked for cheatingUK , 1688

TATT(in doctors’ shorthand) tired all the time UK , 2002

tattedadjectivetatooedUS , 1990

tatting downnounan act of tidying away possessions and makingready for travel Used by late 1980s–early 90s counterculturetravellersUK , 1999

tattletalenoun1in trucking, a device that records time and speeddata, used by company officials to assure compliance with lawsand regulations Known conventionally as a ‘tachograph’US , 1962.

2in motor racing, a specially designed tachometer that measuresand records the engine’s highest speed during a run or lapUS , 1965.

3in trucking, a dangling chain that shows the approximate weight

of the load by its distance from the axleUS , 1961

Tattsnickname1Tattersalls (a racecourse enclosure)UK , 1991.2alottery originally run from Tattersall’s Hotel, SydneyAUSTRALIA , 1916

tattyadjectiveshabby, tawdryUK , 1933

tatty-byegoodbye Probably a conflation ofTA-TAand ‘bye!’.Popularised by Liverpool comedian Ken Dodd (b.1929); inwidespread use by the mid-1970sUK , 1980

taury ropenounthe Pope Glasgow rhyming slang, formed onScottish dialect for ‘tarry rope’UK: SCOTLAND , 1988

taw; toynounin marbles, a marble used for shootingUK , 1709

tawnyadjectiveexcellentUS , 1993

tax; taxingnounthe fee paid to enter a crack houseUS , 1992

taxverb1to steal something; to rob somewhereUK , 1994.2to stealvaluables from vehicles that are waiting at traffic lightsUK , 1996.3inMontreal, to forcibly confront and force someone to hand overmoney, jewellery or clothesCANADA , 2002.4in prison, to extortmoney or other payment such as tobacco from a weaker prisoner

by threat of violenceUK , 1996.5to tease or berate someoneUS , 2001

taxinouna call girl Glossed as ‘Colloquialism used in theappropriate urban circles for a prostitute who operates at a place

required by her clients[.]’ by Nigel Hankin, Hanklyn-Janklyn, 2003

INDIA , 2003

taxi bitnouna prison sentence of between five and fifteen yearsUS , 1950

taxi-cabnouna crab; crab meat Rhyming slangUK , 1992

taxi-cabs; taxisnounpubic lice Rhyming slang forCRABS UK , 1959

taxi danceverbto work as a taxi dancerUS , 1973

taxi dancer; taxi girlnouna woman who will dance and talk withbar patrons, but stops short of prostitution; a prostituteUS , 1930

taxingnoun1the theft of high-price training shoes being worn bythe victimUK , 1992.2the robbery of drug dealers by drug dealers

UK , 2002

taxi rank; taxinoun1an act of masturbation Rhyming slang for

WANK UK , 1992.2a bank Rhyming slangUK , 1998

taxi-rank; taxiverbto masturbate Rhyming slang forWANK UK , 1984

taxpayernouna building that generates enough rental income to

taylaylaynounthe vaginaTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

TBnoun1tuberculosisUS , 1912.2in circus and carnival usage, a dull

town where business is poor An abbreviation ofTOTAL BLANK US , 1981

TBadjective loyal, true blue US , 1997

TBFnoun severe morbidity, usually terminal A ‘total body failure’ US ,

1989

TBHadjective potentially available for gay sex Acronym of ‘to be had’

UK , 1970

T-birdnoun1a Ford Thunderbird First sold in October 1954, the

Thunderbird became an American cultural iconUS , 1994.

2Thunderbird™ wineUS , 1973.3a T-33 jet trainer aircraftUS , 1956.

4a capsule of amobarbital sodium and secobarbital sodium (trade

name Tuinal™), a combination of central nervous system

depress-antsUS , 1993

T-bonenouna Model T Ford car, first built in 1908US , 1970

T-boneverbwhile driving a car, to drive into the side of another car

US , 1991

T bowlnouna toiletUS , 1982

TBPin doctors’ shorthand total body pain UK , 2002

TCBverb to take care of business Coined by the black community

and then spread into widespread useUS , 1964

T-dotnicknameToronto, Ontario From the proliferation of high-tech

businesses in the cityCANADA , 2004

teanoun1marijuanaUS , 1935.2in horse racing, a drug (especially

cocaine or strychnine) which will stimulate a horseUS , 1951.< not

for all the tea in China!certainly not!; not at any price

AUSTRALIA , 1937

tea and cocoaverbto say so Rhyming slangUK , 1992

tea and toastnoun the mail, the post Rhyming slang UK , 1992

teabagnoun1a contemptible person Rhyming slang forSLAG UK ,

2000.2a marijuana cigaretteUS , 1982

tea-bagverbin the pursuit of sexual pleasure, to take a man’s

scrotum completely into the mouth, sucking and tonguing itUS , 1998

tea-baggernounin motor racing, a lover of British sports carsUS ,

1965

teabaggingnounthe sucking of a man’s entire scrotumUS , 1998

teabagsverbto steal something Rhyming prison slang: from

TEALEAF(a thief ), punning on ‘bag’ (to steal)NEW ZEALAND , 1999

tea boatnounin prison, a financial alliance between several

prisoners to pay for teaUK , 1996

tea boynouna person who runs errands and performs other menial

tasksUK , 1968

tea, breakfast and dinnernouneverythingTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ,

1990

tea caddynounan Irish person Rhyming slang forPADDY UK , 2000

teachnouna teacherUK , 1958

teachernouna traffic police officer who lectures violators instead of

issuing citationsUS , 1962

teacher armsnounthe flabby arms of an overweight person

AUSTRALIA , 2000

teacup queernounan effeminate homosexual manUS , 1957

tea’d upadjectivemarijuana-intoxicatedUS , 1959

tea for two; teafernouna Jewish person Rhyming slang for ‘Jew’

UK , 1992

tea girlnouna quasi-prostitute in a Vietnamese bar who cadges US

servicemen into buying her drinks, especially of Saigon teaUS , 1966

tea groutnouna Boy Scout Rhyming slangUK , 1961

tea headnouna user of marijuanaUS , 1949

tea houndnouna marijuana userUS , 1951

tea-leafverbto rob someone; to steal something Rhyming slang;

from the noun senseUK , 2000

tealeaf; tea-leafnoun1a thief Rhyming slangUK , 1903.2a small

tea-leafingadjectiveinclined to thievery Rhyming slang forTHIEVING

extended fromTEALEAF(a thief )UK , 1960

teamnouna criminal gangUK , 1950.< on the teamhomosexual,from the homosexual point of viewUK , 1993

teamadjectivedressing in a style that identifies you with a particulargroupUS , 1989

team creamnounan orgyUS , 1970

team-handedadjectiveworking together as a gang FromTEAM(acriminal gang)UK , 1996

team Jesusnouna group of zealous, proselytising Christian students

US , 2004

tea padnounan apartment, house or room where marijuana issmokedUS , 1938

tea partynouna social party where marijuana is smokedUS , 1968

teapotnoun1a heavy user of marijuanaUK , 1983.2standing withyour hands on your hipsNEW ZEALAND , 1998

teapot lid; teapotnoun1a Jewish person Rhyming slang forYID

UK , 1960.2a child Rhyming slang forKID UK , 1960.3a poundsterling Rhyming slang forQUID UK , 1960

teapot lid; teapotverbto fool, to pretend Rhyming slang forKID

< on the tearengaged in a drinking sessionIRELAND , 2003

tearverb1to leave, especially in a hurryUS , 1951.2to surfaggressively and with skillUS , 1988.< tear a passion to tatters

in a dramatic performance, to over-actUS , 1973.< tear a strip off

someone; tear someone off a stripto reprimand someoneUK ,

1941.< tear itto frustrate or thwart someone’s intentions, usually

in the phrase ‘that’s torn it’UK , 1909.< tear off a chunkto havesexUS , 1973.< tear off a tab; tear off a scabto open a can ofbeerNEW ZEALAND , 1984.< tear off; tear off a pieceto have sex

US , 1964.< tear someone a new assholeto thrash someone; toabuse someone verballyUS , 1968.< tear the arse out oftodestroy or spoil somethingUK , 1999.< tear the roof offto create

or intensify mass excitement through the agency of loud music Arefinement of ‘raise the roof’ (to make a great noise)UK , 2001.

< tear them apart; tear them upto delight an audienceUK ,

1933.< tear your pantsto commit a social gaffeUS , 1947

tear-arse around; tear-arse about; tear assverbto race aboutwildly Elaboration of ‘tear’ (to rush)UK , 1999

tearawaynouna minor criminal, one who tends towards violence atthe slightest excuse Originally a ‘ladies’ tearaway’, a criminalspecialising in snatching (tearing away) women’s handbagsUK , 1958

teardropnoun1a dose of crack cocaine, packaged in the corner of aplastic bagUS , 1994.2a surfboard that is wide at the rear andnarrow at the noseAUSTRALIA , 1963

tearjerkernouna melodramatic or sentimental and sad story orsongUS , 1921

tear-offnouna minor criminal, one who tends towards violence atthe slightest excuse A variation ofTEARAWAY UK , 1966

tearoom; t-roomnouna public toilet From an era when a greatdeal of homosexual contact was in public toilets; probably anabbreviation of ‘toilet room’, a term used in reported criminalprosecutions of homosexuals in the late C19 A public toilet inIllinois was the focus of Laud Humphrey’s famous sociological

study Tearoom Trade US , 1941

tea-room cruisernouna male homosexual prostitute who frequentspublic toiletsUS , 1982

tea-room tradenouna sexual partner found in a public toiletUS , 1980

tear-upnoun1a gang fight; a brawl From conventional ‘tear-up’ (acommotion)US , 1964.2in jazz use, a period of wild, inspired music-makingUS , 1958.3any valueless letter addressed to Scotland Yard.Officially filed in the Metropolitan Police’s General Registry as GM[General Matters]51

tease and pleasenounsexual arousal after which satisfaction is

delayed under the pretence that such gratification is denied,

especially when advertised as a service offered by a prostituteUK ,

2003

teasernoun1in horse breeding, a horse used to test a mare’s

readiness for breedingUS , 1976.2in sports betting, a bet that ties

two or more games togetherUS , 1975

teaspoonnouna measure of heroin or other narcotic drugUK , 1996

tea strainernouna trainer (a shoe) Rhyming slangUK , 1992

tea-towel headnounan offensive term for an Arabic person

AUSTRALIA , 1981

tea-towel holdernounthe anus A resemblance in shape and detail

UK , 2002

tea wagonnounin the television and film industries, the console

used by the sound mixerUS , 1977

tecnoun a detective UK , 1879

tecate; tecatosnounheroin Directly from Mexican SpanishUS , 1982

tecatonouna heroin or morphine addict Directly from Mexican

SpanishUS , 1970

technoun1a technical college, an institution that provides further

and higher education Often ‘the Tech’ is used for your local one

UK , 2000.2a technician; someone employed to deal with

techno-logical devices, especially in a creative milieu Also called a ‘techie’

US , 1942.3a nine-millimetre handgunUS , 1995

tech dognounin foot-propelled scootering, a rider with strong

tech-nical skillsUK , 2000

technical; technounin foot-powered scootering, any trick that is

performed on a flat surface or ledge and requires a good deal of

technical skillUK , 2000

technicolour laughnounan act of vomiting; vomitAUSTRALIA , 1964

technicolour yawnnounan act of vomitingAUSTRALIA , 1964

technoadjectiveas a combining form, denotes intrinsic technological

expertise or inspiration, especially in relation to computing,

gadgetry or music fashionsUS , 1989

technobabblenounpretentious scientific chatter Modelled on

technosavvynounsomeone who understands technologyUS , 1996

technowordsnouna scientific vocabularyUS , 1996

teddynouna bottle of alcohol, legal or otherwiseCANADA , 1986

teddy bearnoun1a dose of LSD identified by the printed picture of

a teddy bearUK , 2003.2a person who dresses and behaves in a

showy manner Rhyming slang forLAIR AUSTRALIA , 1944.3a pear

Rhyming slang, formed from a cuddly toyUK , 1992

teddy bear suitnounheavy winter garments issued to US troops

during World War 2 and later in KoreaUS , 1982

Teddy Boy; Teddy; Tednouna member of a youth cult of the

mid-to late 1950s, characterised by a style of dress loosely inspired by

fashions of the Edwardian era (1901–10) Edward abbreviates to

Teddy and Ted Teddy boys referred to themselves as TedsUK , 1954

Ted Frazernouna cut-throat razor Rhyming slangUK , 1997

Ted Heathnouna thief Rhyming slang, formed (satirically) on

Edward Heath (1916–2005), Conservative Prime Minister 1970–74

UK , 1972

Ted Rayadjectivehomosexual Rhyming slang forFAY; probably

formed from the British comedian and actor (1905–77); however,

Bodmin Dark, Dirty Cockney Rhyming Slang, 2003, suggests an

American jazz musician of the same nameUK , 2003

Tedsnoun 8see:EDWARD HEALTH

teedle-eenouna urination Glasgow rhyming slang forPEE UK:

SCOTLAND , 1988

teed off

teefverbto steal something A mispronunciation of ‘thieve’ or anelision ofTEA-LEAF(to thieve)UK , 1997

teemnounteam Fashionable misspellingUK , 2002

teenagernoun1a person aged between 13 and 19 Originally ager’ Since about 1955 has usually been written as one word, andsince about 1960 has been regarded as standard EnglishUS , 1935.

‘teen-2cocaineUK , 2002

teenernounone sixteenth of an ounceUS , 1993

teen-flicknouna film intended for teenagersUK , 2003

teenienoun1a younger teenagerUS , 1968.2one-sixteenth of a dollar.Trader usageUS , 1992

teensyadjectivetiny A childish corruptionUS , 1899

teensy-weensyadjectivevery smallUS , 1906

teenthnoun a sixteenth of an ounce (of drugs) UK , 2001

teenyadjectivevery smallUK , 1825

teenybopadjectiveof or for teenyboppersUS , 1967

teenyboppernouna young teenager, especially a girlUS , 1965

teenyhookernouna young female prostituteUS , 1982

teeny weenyadjectivetiny ‘Teeny’ came from ‘tiny’, and then thereduplicative ‘teeny weeny’, which is often found in the samebreath as ‘itsy bitsy’US , 1931

tee offverb1to annoy or to irritate someoneUS , 1961.2to fartUK , 1998

teesnoundice on which some numbers are repeated, usually madewith identical numbers on opposite sidesUS , 1950

teethnouncocaine; crack cocaine From the resemblance of thedrug to small teethUS , 1994.< my back teeth are floatingI amdesperate to urinateUK , 2001

TEETH(in doctors’ shorthand) tried everything else, try homeopathy.

Medical slangUK , 2003

teeth and titsused to remind dancers that an attractive smile and

a distracting display will stop an audience noticing the footwork.TheatricalUK , 2005

teething troublesnouninitial problems with any new device,invention, enterprise, technology, etcUK , 1937

teevnouna televisionAUSTRALIA , 1982

teflonadjectivedescribes a person to whom blame doesn’t stick.From the non-stick properties of polytetrafluoroethylene,trademarked as Teflon™US , 2004

teknonounthe recreational drug ketamine Back slang for ‘on ket’

on report for an offenceUK , 1996

telegraphverbto inadvertently disclose or reveal your intentions to

telephone numbernouna long prison sentenceUS , 1950

telephone numbersnoun1a large sum of moneyUS , 1979.2inhorse racing, a winning bet at high oddsUS , 1934

telephone polenoun 8see:FLYING TELEPHONE POLE

telephone tagnounthe serial leaving of messages when two peoplewho are trying to talk by telephone can never reach each otherUS , 1979

telescopenounthe penis A jocular euphemismUS , 1968

teletubby; telletubbynouna husband Rhyming slang forHUBBY,

formed on Teletubbies, a BBC television programme for young

tellnoun1an unintentionally honest reaction; a revealing piece of

body-language Adopted from gambling jargonUK , 1999.2in

gambling, any mannerism that reveals the relative value of the

player’s handUS , 1991

tellverb< I’ll tell you what; tell you whatI’ll tell you

something; this is how it is; often as the introduction to a

suggestionUK , 1596.< tell it like it is1to speak directly, candidly

and with a self-righteous conviction of access to a great truthUS ,

1965.2to tell the whole truth In black usage originallyUS , 1964.

< tell on someoneto inform on someoneUK , 1539.< tell

someone where to get offto severely rebuke someone; to

scold someoneUS , 1900.< tell the talein a swindle, to explain to

the victim just how he will profit from the arrangement being

proposedUS , 1989

tell < tell someone where to stick itto emphatically reject A

variation of ‘stick it up your arse’UK , 1999

tellernouna skateboarder whose tales of accomplishments are

exag-geratedUS , 1984

telling-offnouna scolding, a reprimand FromTELL OFF UK , 1911

tell it to the marines!used for registering disbelief Formed,

apparently, from an inter-service jibe against the credulity of the

marinesUK , 1806

tell me another oneused for registering disbeliefUK , 1914

tell offverbto scold or reprimand someoneUK , 1919

telltalenounin the language of wind surfing, a streamer on the

mast used to determine wind directionUS , 1985

tell-tale-titnounsomeone who tells tales A nursery term, featured

in children’s playground rhymesUK , 1841

tellynountelevisionUS , 1940.< off the tellyas seen on television

UK , 2000

TellynicknameTelegraph Avenue, Berkeley, CaliforniaUS , 1966

telly-prefixtelephone Used for constructions such as ‘tellypole’ or

‘tellywires’US , 1970

temazzies; temazies; temmies; temazes; temsnoun

Temazepam™, a branded tranquillizerUK , 1998

tempnouna temporary workerUS , 1980

tempverbto work as a temporary workerUS , 1980

tempernouna restaurant customer who leaves a 10% tipUS , 1995

temperance punchnouna non-alcoholic fruit punch drinkUS , 1957

temple balls; temple bells; temple hashnounpotent hashish

shaped as small balls, claimed to originate in NepalUS , 1971

temple du vinnounLe Clos Jordan, a winery to be designed by

Frank Gehry on the Jordan Bench, on Ontario’s Niagara Peninsula,

Canada’s main wine-producing areaCANADA , 2002

tennoun1a perfectly beautiful woman Based on a grading scale of

one to ten, popularised in the 1979 film 10 starring Bo Derek US ,

1979.2a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as

ecstasyUS , 2003

tenadjectivevery good Teen slang, from the marking of schoolwork

UK , 1977

ten-bob twistnouna drug sale involving drugs, usually marijuana,

costing ten shillingsUK , 1983

ten-cent linenounin an illegal betting operation, the ten percent

charge for making a betUS , 1973

ten-cent pistolnouna dose of heroin that is either adulterated with

a poison or contains a more pure heroin than usual, sold or given

to someone with the intent of injuring or killing themUS , 1966

ten-cent rocknounten dollars’ worth of crack cocaineUS , 1991

ten commandmentsnounbare feet As Long John Silver said, it is

good to have ten toesTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

tendverbto mind your own businessUS , 1995

ten-daysnounany temporary jobTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

ten-day sweatnountreatment for a sexually transmitted infection,

involving heat therapy and sulpha-based drugs

tenderadjective1in poker, said of a hand that is probably unplayable

US , 1988.2weakened by oxidation; rustyCANADA , 1992

tenementnounin hold ’em poker, a ten and nineUS , 1996

ten Fnouna gall bladder patient Often a fat, fair, fecund, fortyish,flatulent, female with foul, frothy, floating faecesUS , 1985

ten-man jobnouna very tough man, a very hard man to arrestUK , 1998

Tennant Creeknouna Greek person Rhyming slang, from thename of a goldmining town in the Northern TerritoryAUSTRALIA , 1977

tennernoun1a ten-pound note; the value of £10; a ten-dollar note

UK , 1845.2a prison sentence of ten yearsUS , 1950.3in the televisionand film industries, a 10,000-watt spotlightUS , 1990

Tennessee top hatnouna hairstyle in which the hair is worn short

at the front and long at the back Better known, perhaps, as a

MULLET US , 2000

tenniesnountennis shoes; trainersUS , 1965

tennis, anyone?used for humorously suggesting an activity Seen

as quintessentially British and enormously witty in its manyvariant formsUS , 1951

tennis racket; tennisnouna jacket Rhyming slangUK , 1992

tennis shoesnountyresUS , 1976

ten one hundrednounthe act of urinationUS , 1976

ten overnouna surfing stance in which the surfer’s ten toes extendover the nose or front of the boardUS , 1991

ten percenternouna person who buys and resells stolen goodsUS , 1976

tensnounamphetamineUK , 2003

tenseadjectiveused of a computer program, smart and economical

US , 1983

tensionnouncrack cocaineUS , 1993

tenskynouna ten-dollar note The ‘sky’ is a meaningless decorativeembellishmentUS , 1962

ten-spotnoun1a ten-dollar noteUS , 1954.2a ten-pound note.Adopted directly from the previous senseUK , 1984.3a ten-yearprison sentenceUS , 1965

Tenth Streetnouna ten-dollar noteUS , 1946

’tentionnounin poker, a tenUS , 1951

tent pegnounan egg Rhyming slangUK , 1949

tent polenounan erect penis From the image of an erect penispushing up against a sheetUS , 1992

tent squirrelnounin circus and carnival usage, a performerUS , 1981

tenuc; teenucnounthe vagina; an unpleasant or despicable person.Back slang forCUNT UK , 1904

termination dustnounthe first snow of the winter Because itterminates construction in the northUS , 1957

termitenouna carpenterUS , 1963

terpernouna professional dancer An abbreviation of Terpischore,daughter of Jupiter and Mnemosyne, the muse of dancingUS , 1973

terps; turpsnouna cough syrup containing elixir of terpin hydrateand codeine, abused for non-medicinal purposesUS , 1971

terr; ter; terro; terrynouna guerilla soldier; a terrorist OriginallyRhodesian military slangSOUTH AFRICA , 1978

terra-poonouna crossbreed of terrier and poodleUS , 2001

terribleadjectiveexcellentUS , 1960

terrible Turknounwork Rhyming slangUK , 1992

terriblyadverbused as a positive intensifier with the meaningexceedingly, greatly, veryUK , 1833

terriernouna railway track workerUS , 1977

terrifadjectiveterrific Not a lot of thought goes into clippedadjectives, and with a few exceptions they do not last longUS , 1951

Territory rignounany of various adaptations of formal attire worn

terroristnouna teacher who intimidates his pupils into learning.

Teen slang, post 11th September 2001US , 2002

terrorizeverbto cover something with graffitiUS , 1997

terror tracknounin cricket, a wicket best suited to fast bowlersUK ,

1996

Terry toonnouna prostitute’s pimp Rhyming slang forHOON

AUSTRALIA , 1973

Terry Waiteadjectivelate Rhyming slang, formed (surely with irony)

on the church envoy and hostage negotiator (b.1939) who was

held hostage in Beirut for 1,760 days between January 1987 and

November 1991UK , 1998

tessnouna young manTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1960

testverb< test the shocksto have sex in a carUS , 1997

testernouna sample of drugsUK , 2000

testiculesnounthe testiclesUK , 2003

test-tube babynouna poker player whose experience is largely

limited to simulated computer poker gamesUS , 1996

test-tube wallahnouna forensic scientist Police useUK , 1971

tetenounthe female breastTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

Texas Cadillacnouna Chevrolet Suburban sports utility vehicle

CANADA , 1991

Texas gatenouna cattleguardCANADA , 1997

Texas mickeynouna very large bottle of alcoholCANADA , 2001

Texas potnounmarijuana cultivated in TexasUS , 2003

Texas Ranger; TRnoundanger Glasgow rhyming slangUK:

SCOTLAND , 1988

Texas ratnounin the used car business, a car previously owned by a

salesman or other long-distance driverUS , 1968

Texas stopnounslowing down but not fully stopping as required by

law at a stop signUS , 1962

Texas sunflowersnounin craps, a roll of two fivesUS , 1983

Texas teanoun1marijuanaUS , 1938.2oilUS , 1984

Texas toothbrushnounthe penis In Texas, known as an ‘Oklahoma

toothbrush’US , 1994

Texas Volkswagennouna CadillacUS , 1956

Texicannouna TexanUS , 1984

Tex-Mexnoun marijuana, of Texan-Mexican origin UK , 1998

Tex Ritter; texnounbitter (beer) Rhyming slang, formed from the

US cowboy film actor, 1907–74UK , 1992

textverbto send a text message on a mobile phoneUK , 2001

textilenounamong naturists, a person who wears clothesUK , 1995

textileadjectiveclothed, as distinct from nude From the noun sense

UK , 1995

tezzersnounthe testiclesUK , 2003

TFBtoo fucking bad US , 1996

TFTFan after-dinner bloated condition unsuited to the

advancement of romance A coded message: ‘too fat to fuck’ UK ,

2002

TGnouna young member of a youth gangUS , 2001

TGIFThank God it’s Friday Notable variations: the restaurant chain

‘T.G.I Friday’s’, established in New York in 1965, now worldwide;

and the controversial UK television programme TFI Friday,

1996–2000US , 1941

T-gramsnouna grandmotherUS , 1998

THnounin betting, odds of 8–1UK , 1991

Thai Buddhanouna strain of marijuana, known elsewhere as New

Zealand green, Tasmanian tiger and Hawaiian headAUSTRALIA , 2002

Thai greennouna strain of marijuana originating in ThailandUK ,

2002

Thai sticknounmarijuana cultivated in Thailand, soaked in hashish

sale; a cigarette rolled from marijuana cultivated in ThailandUS , 1975

Thai weed; Thainounmarijuana cultivated in Thailand; marijuanafrom Thailand soaked in hashish oilUK , 1997

Thames trout; troutnouna condom Appears to be a Londoncoinage, probably after the rare appearance of a condom floatingdown the River Thames; remembered by a correspondent fromSheffield as a 1970s usageUK , 2004

thangnounthing Slang by vowel exchangeUS , 1977

thanienounheroinUK , 2003

thank fuckused in relief when others may be grateful to God.Euphemistic use of ‘fuck’ for what might otherwise border onblasphemyUK , 1999

thank goodnessused as a register of heartfelt or exaggerated tudeUK , 1872

grati-thanks a bunchused as an insincere or derisory declaration ofgratitudeUK , 2003

thanks a bundleused as an insincere or derisory declaration ofgratitudeUK , 1990

thanks a millionthank you very much indeed Usually sincere, butoccasionally derisoryUK , 1984

thanks awfullythank you! Quintessentially English middle- andupper-classUK , 1890

thanks but no thanksused when declining an offerUK , 1979

thanks ever sothank you!UK , 1914

thank you and good night!used in final dismissal of a foolishsuggestion, or in surrender to overwhelming misfortune Avaledictory phrase that became a broadcasting cliché whichinspired a catchphraseUK , 1975

thank-you-m’amnouna bump or dip in a road which produces amoment of slight uneasiness in the stomachUS , 1960

thatadjectiveused as a mildly derogatory prefix to a (usually proper)nounUK , 1976

thatadverbto such a degree; so; very In conventional use from themid-C15, but by C20 considered colloquial or dialectUK , 1999

thatpronounused persuasively in anticipated commendationUK , 1849

that and thisnounurine; an act of urination Rhyming slang,PISS , also employed as a verbUK , 1961

Thatchernouna type of MDMA, the recreational drug best known

as ecstasy From Margaret Thatcher (b.1925), former UK PrimeMinister 1979–90, later Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven; her name

is used here by an illicit drug manufacturer, perhaps as a tribute toher commitment to free enterpriseUK , 1996

Thatcher wagonnouna car with the back cut awayCANADA , 1987

that had to hurt!used as a humorous if not particularly etic observation of a painful eventUS , 1992

sympath-that’ll be the day!used of something that is not very likely tooccur or be doneAUSTRALIA , 1941

that’ll happenused as a humorous comment on something thatshould not happen or never happens Coined and popularised byESPN’s Keith OlbermanUS , 1997

that playsused for expressing approvalUS , 1966

that’s chalk!that’s great!BAHAMAS , 1982

that’s closeused for expressing doubt about a statement orrequestUS , 1973

that’s dead!used for expressing a strong negativeUS , 1991

that’s thatused in final emphasis of a preceding statement: that’sall there is, there is no moreUK , 1872

that’s the name of that tuneused for summing up or signallingthe end of an explanation A signature line of actor Robert Blake

on the television police drama Baretta (ABC, 1975–78) Repeated

with referential humour, especially after Blake’s arrest in the early2000s for the murder of his wifeUS , 1978

that’s the ticket!used as a humorous expression of assent From

a skit on Saturday Night Live featuring Jon Lovitz as a pathological

that’s what I’m talking about!I agree strongly! Almost a cliché

US , 2002

that’s word!used for expressing strong assentUS , 1992

that timenounthe bleed period of a woman’s menstrual cycleUS ,

1954

that wayadjectivehomosexual Shortened from the euphemistic

phrase ‘that way inclined’UK , 1956

thaw shaynouna spendthriftIRELAND , 2000

THCnounmarijuana The psychoactive chemical in marijuana is

delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THCUS , 1971

THCdoctors’ shorthand for what the homeless require from a day

and night’s hospitalisation: three hots and a cot (three meals and

a bed)UK , 2002

theadjective1my ColloquialUK , 1838.2used in the formation of

colloquial nicknames for places Thus Alice Springs becomes ‘the

Alice’; Mount Isa becomes ‘the Isa’; Cloncurry becomes ‘the

Curry’; Wollongong becomes ‘the Gong’AUSTRALIA , 1883

theatricalnounan actor Generally seen in the pluralUK , 1859

Thelma Ritter; the thelmanouna toilet; the anus Rhyming slang

forSHITTER, formed from the name of the US film actress,

1905–69UK , 1998

Thelonius Monk; theloniusnounsemen Rhyming slang forSPUNK,

formed from the name of the US jazz pianist, 1917–82UK , 1992

them’s my ordersused as an apology for acting in accordance

them thingsnounmarijuana cigarettesUS , 1992

the nerve of the scurve!used as a humorous exclamation, half

admiringUS , 1975

thereadverb< be thereto be alert and alive to your situationUK ,

1890.< have been there; have been there beforeto have

experienced somethingUK , 1877.< have someone thereto

cause someone to be at a loss; to nonplus someoneUK , 1937

there it isused as a common form of assent by US soldiers in

VietnamUS , 1991

there I was with Davey Crockett used as a humorous

introduction to a story A signature line used by the Trooper Duffy

character played by Bob Steele on the television comedy F Troop

(ABC, 1965–67) Repeated with referential humourUS , 1967

Theresa Truncheon; Theresanouna police officer; the police An

example ofCAMPtrans-gender assignment, in this case an assonant

play on ‘truncheon’ as stereotypical police equipmentUK , 1992

there’s no answer to that!used in answer to a question,

implying an innuendo within the question which renders an

answer unnecessary A catchphrase of British comedian Eric

Morecambe, 1926–84, widely adopted as a useful face-saverUK ,

1975

there you arenountea (a drink) Rhyming slang forCHAR UK , 1992

there you are then!; there you are!used as the (triumphant) last

words in an argument as a point is proved Often preceded by ‘so’

or ‘well’UK , 1907

there you go!used for expressing approvalUS , 1970

thermos bottlenouna tanker lorry From the shapeUS , 1976

these and thosenoun1the toes Rhyming slangUK , 1960.2the n

ose Rhyming slangAUSTRALIA , 1960.3clothes Rhyming slangUK , 1992

the shot heard ’round the worldnounthe homerun hit by New

York Giants Bobby Thompson to defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers in

the final game of a three-game playoff series for the National

League Championship in 1951 An allusion to the first skirmish of

the American Revolution on the village green in Lexington,

Massachusetts, on 19th April 1775US , 1951

thespnounan actor An abbreviation of the conventional ‘thespian’

thewsnounmuscles; the thighs; the forearms A variation of theconventional sense as ‘vigour’; only recorded in the pluralUK , 1966

Theynounthe mysterious authority over all authority, the powerbehind the throne Beloved in the political culture of the 1960sUS , 1968

Theydon Boisnounnoise Rhyming slang, formed from the name

thick as a plankadjectivevery stupid The simplified variation of

THICK AS TWO SHORT PLANKS UK , 1980

thick as a puddingadjectivevery stupid A north of England ation on a theme; the ‘pudding’ is a Yorkshire puddingUK: ENGLAND , 2003

vari-thick as pigshitadjectivevery stupidUK , 1999

thick as thievesadjectivein close association, familiar, intimate,inseparableUK , 1833

thick as two short planksadjectivevery stupid Originally military;one of the best-known modern variations on a ShakespeareanthemeUK , 1984

thick dick; thick Dicknouna stupid person Teen slangUK , 1982

thick earnouna blow round the head From the swelling of the ear– if the blow is accurateUK , 1909

thick end of the sticknounan unfair position to be in, orinequitable treatmentUK , 1957

thick headnouna headache, especially one that results fromdrinking alcoholUK , 1991

thickheadadjectiveidiotic, foolish, stupid From the noun senseUK , 1999

thickie; thicky; thickonouna fool Variations ofTHICK UK , 1968

thick on the groundadjectiveabundant, numerous, crowdedUK , 1893

thick pissnounsemenNEW ZEALAND , 1998

thiefnounin horse racing, a horse that runs worst when its chancesseem bestUS , 1976

Thief RownounLondon Heathrow airport Jocular but tellingUK , 1999

thievenoun< on the thieveengaged in the occupation or act ofstealingUK , 2001

thievingadjectiveinclined to thievery Originally in conventional use

UK , 1598

thighbrowsnounfemale pubic hair that escapes the confines ofunderwear or swimwearUK , 2002

thigh-highsnounstockings worn up the middle of the thighUS , 1995

thigh openernouna vodka gimletUS , 1985

thighslappernounin pantomime, the role of principal boy Fromthe traditional gesture by which an attractive actress convinces anaudience of her manhoodUK , 2003

T HillnounTommy Hilfiger™ clothingUS , 1998

thimble and thumb; thimblenounrum Rhyming slangUK , 1992

thimble-tittedadjectivesmall breastedUS , 1994

thinnounin prison, a keyUK , 1996

thin blue linenounthe police From the image of, and originallyrecorded as, a line of police holding back a crowdUK , 1984

thingnoun1used to replace any noun that the user cannot or doesnot wish to specify Also called a ‘thingy’US , 1968.2the penis SinceChaucer, and stillUK , 1386.3the vagina Euphemism Early use

in a policeman’s titleUS , 1970.4an interest, obsession, attractionUS ,

1841.5a romantic affairUS , 1974.6an instinctive or irrational dislike

of, or aversion to, someone or somethingUK , 1936.7heroin; a

capsule of heroinUS , 1958.8cocaineUK , 2002.< do your own

thing; do your thingto behave according to your own

self-centred philosophy, appetites and idiosyncracies Originally a black

coinage, adopted by the hippies in the 1960sUS , 1967.< have a

thing for; have a thing aboutto be attracted, perhaps

obsessively so, to someone or somethingUK , 1936.< the Thingan

M-50A1 Ontos antitank tracked vehicle, heavily armedUS , 1990.

< the thingthe requisite, notable or special pointUK , 1850

thingamajig; thingumajig; thingummyjignounused as a

psuedo-term for something the name of which is unknown, forgotten or

not importantUK , 1824

thingamerry; thingumbobsynounan object the name of which

escapes the speakerBARBADOS , 1965

thingie; thingynoun1a thingUK , 1933.2the penisUK , 1977

thingionounused as a vague replacement for an unremembered or

unnamed person, object or action A variation ofTHINGIE(a

thingsnoun1possessions, personal effects carried with you at a

given timeUK , 1290.2garments, clothingUK , 1634.< do things to

someoneto excite someone, especially sexually; to arouse a

passion, whether deep or momentaryUK , 1951

things are crook in Tallarookthings are very bad Tallarook is a

town in central VictoriaAUSTRALIA , 1963

things-on-the-springsnouna military inspection of a soldier’s gear

displayed on his bedUS , 1991

thing-thingnounan object the name of which escapes or is

unimportant to the speakerUS , 1976

thingumabob; thingummybobnounused as a replacement for any

noun that the user cannot or does not wish to specifyUK , 1832

thingummynounused as a replacement for any noun that the user

cannot or does not wish to specify UK , 1796

thingummy-whatsitnounused as a euphemistic replacement for

any noun that the user cannot or does not wish to specifyUK , 2002

thingynounin drag racing, a car that has been modified and

enhanced for speedUS , 1960 8see:THINGIE

thin hairsnoun< have someone by the thin hairsto hold

someone at a disadvantage; to exercise complete control over

someoneUS , 1946

thinkverb< think outside the boxto reject standard

assumptions and strive for a creative solution to a problem From

a brain-teaser puzzle which can be solved only if you reject the

boundaries of a box It vaulted into cliché use quickly, and

provided the inspiration for author Jim Tompkins’ 2001 book

Think Outside the Box: The Most Trite, Generic, Hokey, Overused,

Cliched or Unmotivating Motivational Slogans US , 1999.< think

your shit doesn’t stinkto be very conceitedUK , 1961.< you’re

not paid to thinka catchphrase admonition in response to any

excuse that begins ‘but I thought ’ Originally a military truismUK ,

1971

think again, dearieused for humorously expressing the negative

US , 1987

think it ain’t?used for expressing affirmationUS , 1992

thinkonouna momentary loss of memory or disruption in a

thought process A play on ‘typo’US , 1991

think-piecenouna serious article of journalismUK , 1960

think tanknouna toilet Punning on the term usually applied to

non-governmental organisations that analyse policyUS , 1997

thin mannouna person who does not exist who is placed on a

payroll as a bookkeeping fictionUS , 1973

thinnynouna very thin hand-rolled cigarette or jointUK , 2000

thin one a dime, or ten-cent piece

thin on the groundadjectivesparse, scarce The natural opposite of

THICK ON THE GROUND(abundant)UK , 1942

thin-outverbto departUK , 1987

third basenounin casino blackjack, the seat immediately to thedealer’s rightUS , 1985

third degreenounan intense level of interrogationUS , 1880

third hatnounan assistant drill instructor in the US Marine Corps.Generally the drill instructor who hands out physical discipline –Physical Incentive TrainingUS , 2004

third legnounthe penisUS , 1994

third railnoun1a bill, especially in a restaurant A term of the1940s music industryUS , 1950.2an extremely controversial politicalissue Like the third rail in an electric railway system, it is to beavoidedUS , 2000.3inexpensive, potent alcoholUS , 1962

third sexnounhomosexuals as a groupUS , 1896

third-world botherernouna person who acts upon the need to dogood in less fortunate areas of the worldUK , 2000

third world briefcasenouna large portable stereo system ated, stereotypically, with black youth cultureUS , 1987

associ-thirst monsternouna crack cocaine userUS , 2002

thirstyadjectiveintensely craving crack cocaineUS , 1992

thirteennoun1marijuana; a marijuana cigarette Because ‘M’ is the13th letter of the alphabetUS , 1966.2in a deck of playing cards, anykingUS , 1996 8see:13

thirteennicknamethe Mexican Mafia prison gangUS , 2000

thirteenth gearnounin trucking, neutral gear, used to coast downhillsUS , 1971

thirty daysnounin poker, a hand with three tensUS , 1963

thirty dirty milesnounin a game of poker, a hand with three tens

of a television drama (1987–91) focusing onYUPPIEangstUS , 1990

thirty-thirtynouna central nervous system stimulant other thanamphetamine packaged to look like and sold as amphetamineUS , 1993

thirty-weightnounstrong coffee Inviting a comparison with motoroilUS , 1976

this and thatnouna hat Rhyming slangAUSTRALIA , 1937

this and thatverbin cricket, to bat Rhyming slangUK , 1961

thisavvynounthis afternoon A Liverpool slurringUK , 2001

this is itused when something that has been talked about happens

from Jaws: The Revenge (1987) US , 1999

this will separate the men from the boys; this will sort the men from the boysthis task, event, crisis or activity will only besuccessfully managed by someone of sufficient experience ormaturity The original use, ‘this is where the men are separatedfrom the boys’ or ‘this is where they separate the men from theboys’, is attributed to US film actress Mae West, in which case thisdates to the late 1930s and is laden with sexual innuendoUK , 1974

T.H Lowrynouna Maori Prison rhyming slang, formed from afamed horse-breederNEW ZEALAND , 1997

Thomas Cooknouna look Rhyming slang, invented by theadvertisers for travel company Thomas Cook in the slogan ‘Take aThomas Cook at our Prices!’ and now in limited circulation.UK , 1998

Thomas Morenouna whore Rhyming slang, probably formed from

thong feminismnouncontemporary forms of feminismCANADA , 2002

thookverbto spitUK , 2006

thooleramawnnouna contemptible, incompetent personIRELAND ,

1989

Thora Hird; Thoranoun1a third-class university degree Rhyming

slang, based on British stage and screen actress Dame Thora Hird

(1911–2003)UK , 1998.2a turd, hence an act of defecation

Rhyming slang, based on the name of British stage and screen

actress Dame Thora Hird (1911–2003)UK , 2002

thorazine shufflenounthe slow, dragging walk of a patient being

medicated with thorazineUS , 1994

thornnoun1a nail Used by workers in the building trade in

GlasgowUK: SCOTLAND , 1988.2a knifeUS , 1993

thoroughbrednouna drug dealer who sells high quality, pure drugs

US , 1970

those daysnounthe bleed period of a woman’s menstrual cycleUS ,

1954

thounoun1a thousand US , 1867.2a thousandth of an inch UK , 1902

thoughused, after a question or statement, as an intensifier; truly

A colloquial termUK , 1905

thousand milernouna sateen shirt worn by railway workersUS , 1946

thousand percentadverbcompletely The most famous use of the

term in the US came in 1972 when Democratic presidential

nominee Senator George McGovern announced that he was ‘one

thousand percent’ in support of his running mate, Thomas

Eagleton, despite revelations that Eagleton had once received

shock treatment; McGovern dropped Eagleton from the ticket

several days after this endorsementUS , 1963

thousand-yard stare; thousand-metre starenouna lost,

unfocused look, especially as the result of brutal combatUS , 1986

thou shalt not be found out; thou shalt not get found out

propounded as the Eleventh CommandmentUK , 1974

thrapverb(of a male) to masturbateUK , 2001

thrashnoun1a high-spirited partyUK , 1967.2a style of hard rock

music that appeals to disaffected suburban adolescent boys – fast,

relentlessly loud and heavyUS , 1994

thrashverb1to surf aggressively and with skillUS , 1988.2to

skateboard aggressively and with skillUS , 1989.3in drag racing, to

work on a car hurriedly if not frantically in the hours just before a

raceUS , 2003

thrashedadjectivetired, worn-down, exhausted, especially as a result

of excessive indulgence in hedonistic pleasures; dishevelledUS , 1999

thrashernoun1a party where guests bring bottles of alcohol that

are poured into a rubbish bin for all to share Michigan Upper

Peninsula practice and usageUS , 2003.2a person who violently

responds to the pricks of a tattoo needleUS , 1997.3a skilled and

fearless skateboarderUS , 1984

threadersadjectivefed-up; being ready to lose your temper Royal

Navy, especially marine, slang; an abbreviation of ‘threadbare’,

suggesting patience worn thinUK , 1989

threadsnounclothesUS , 1926

threenouna three-dollar bag of heroinUS , 1976.< or threeeither

by exaggeration or understatement, used for emphasis of an

amountUK , 1976

three; three upverbin prison, to share a cell with two other

inmatesUK , 1996

three and a halfnounin Quebec, an apartment with a living room,

kitchen, bedroom and bathroom Similarly, in Quebec, a

‘two-and-a-half’ is an apartment with a living-dining room, bedroom and

bathroom; a ‘four-and a half’ has two bedrooms; and so forth up

to ‘seven-and-a-half’CANADA , 2002

three and fournouna whore Rhyming slangUK , 2003

three-baggernoun1an unattractive girl From the tease that she is

so ugly that you have to put two bags over her head and one over

yoursUS , 1987.2a train pulled by three enginesUS , 1946

three-ballsnouna Jewish person An allusion to the historical

three blind micenounrice Rhyming slang, formed from a nurseryrhymeUK , 1992

three-bugnounin horse racing, an inexperienced jockey given aweight allowance of ten poundsUS , 1990

three-cents peoplenouna poor family When the colonial BritishGuyana dollar was based on the British pound sterling, ‘threecents’ was used to indicate cheapness The term survives as ametaphorical relicGUYANA , 1998

three-Dadjectivesaid of a school that recruits basketball players butdoes not prepare them for life after college It is said that the

college that does not teach players to play defense, does not instill discipline, and in the end does not award diplomas to many of its

student athletesUS , 1983

three day chopnouna period of partial or absolute withdrawalfrom drugs or a drug-substituteUK , 1996

three days by canoeadjectivea long distanceUS , 1993

three days’ delaynounin Quebec, three days’ noticeCANADA , 2002

three days older than dirtadjectivevery old indeedUS , 1994

three-deckernouna three-storey house Coined and primarily used

by Irish immigrants and then Irish-Americans in BostonUS , 1990

three deucesnounin hot rodding, three two-barrel carburettorsUS , 1992

three-dollar billnoun1used for comparisons of something that israre or oddUS , 1942.2a homosexual From the expression ‘asstrange as a three-dollar bill’US , 1965

three drags and a spitnouna cigarette Gay use; a deliberatereversal of rhyming slangSPIT AND DRAG(a cigarette) therebyavoiding the rhyme onFAGand its derogatory homosexualconnotationsUK , 2002

three Dsnoun 8see:DERRY-DOWN-DERRY

three’d upadjectivein prison, used of three inmates sharing a singlecellUK , 1974

three fatesnounin poker, three queensUS , 1988

three fifty-seven; three fifty-seven Magnumnouna centralnervous system stimulant, the exact nature of which is unknown,sold as amphetamine on the streetUS , 1993

three-fingered salutenounwhen operating a computer, the combination of the characters Ctrl-Alt-Delete used to restart themachineUS , 2004

keyed-three-finger fuck aroundnouna disorganised activity with noapparent purposeUS , 1991

three-for-twonounfifty percent interestUS , 1967

three-hairsnouna Vietnamese woman From the perception of the

US soldier that the pubic hair of Vietnamese women is very sparse

US , 1991

three H enemanounin hospital usage, an aggressive enema –

high, hot and a hell of a lot US , 1980

three-holernicknamean aircraft with three engines, especially theBoeing 727US , 1985

three hots and a cotnounroom and board From the sense ofHOT

as ‘a meal’US , 1930

three-hundred clubnouna notional association of those whoexperience a temperature swing of three hundred degreesfarenheit, usually by rolling naked in the Antarctic night and thenentering a saunaANTARCTICA , 2003

three-legged beavernouna homosexual man Two legs and anerect penis make the three legs, feminised byBEAVER(awoman/vagina)UK , 1981

three-martini lunchnouna leisurely business lunch paid for from

an expense account, often centred around alcoholUS , 1972

three minutesnouna gang punishment in which the offendingmember must fight another gang member for three minutesUS , 2001

three moonnouna three-month prison sentence A multiple of, included here for the singular nature of the plural

three on the treenouna three speed manual transmission with

the gear shift mounted on the steering columnUS , 1993

threepenny bits; thrupennies; threepennies; thrupsnoun1the

female breasts Rhyming slang for, (TIT(S)) , based on a small coin

(3d) that ceased to be legal tender with decimalisation in 1971;

when this slang was coined, you got 80 threepenny bits to the

poundUK , 1961.2an urgent need to defecate; diarrhoea Rhyming

slang forTHE SHITS AUSTRALIA , 1971

three-phase setnounin electric line work, a set of three shovels: a

cup-shaped spoon, a spade and a shovelUS , 1980

three-point c and bnouna painful parachute landing The three

points were the head, heels and buttocks, while the ‘c and b’ was

a ‘crash and burn’US , 1991

three-roundernouna petty criminal, a small operator From the

three-round bouts of junior and novice boxingUK , 1961

threesnoun1the third landing or floor level in a prisonUK , 1978.2in

poker, three cards of the same rank in a handUS , 1967.< all the

threesthirty-three In Bingo, House or Housey-Housey calling, the

formula ‘all the’ announces a double numberUK , 1943

three-sheetverbto wear theatrical makeup in publicUS , 1971

three sheets in the windadjectivevery drunkUK , 1821

three-sixtynouna complete, 360-degree turn; in the UK, especially

while joyridingUS , 1927

three-skinnernouna marijuana- or hashish-filled cigarette

fashioned out of three cigarette papersUK , 2003

threesomenoungroup sex with three participantsUS , 1972

three squaresnounthree square meals a dayUS , 1922

three-time losernouna criminal who has been convicted of a third

serious crime, probably guaranteeing life imprisonmentUS , 1966

three-toed slothnouna slow-thinking, slow-talking, slow-acting

hospital patientUS , 1985

three-toke killernounextremely potent marijuana Derived from

the perception that the marijuana will produce extreme

intoxi-cation after only three inhalationsUS , 1993

three-tonenounof a car, badly repaired after an accident A play on

the advertising of ‘two-tone’ cars (cars painted in two colours)UK ,

1981

three-two-hundred out, one-six-hundred inadjectivecompletely

confused From the standard 6400-mil circular artillery chartUS ,

1968

three up and three downnouna master sergeant in the US Army

From the stripe configurationUS , 1991

three up and two downnouna sergeant first-class or platoon

sergeant in the US Army From the stripe configurationUS , 1991

three-waynounsex involving three people simultaneouslyUS , 1985

three-wayadjective(used of a woman) willing to engage in vaginal,

anal and oral sexUS , 1967

three-way freewaynouna woman who consents to vaginal, anal

and oral sexUS , 2001

three wheel trike; three-wheelernouna lesbian Rhyming slang

forDYKE UK , 2003

thriftverbto live a frugal, if attractive, lifestyleUS , 1997

thrift shopnounany low-limit, low-ante poker gameUS , 1996

Thrilla in Manillanicknamethe heavyweight boxing championship

fight between Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier on 1st October

1975 in Manilla, won by Ali when Frazier’s manager Eddie Futch

threw in the towel before the 15th roundUS , 1998

thrilledadjectivepleased, delightedUK , 1937

thrilled to bitsadjectiveutterly delighted; very pleasedUK , 1964

thrillernouna sensational (adventure) story told as a play, film or

novel; such a form of entertainment A narrow sense of the

general meaningUK , 1889

thrill pillnouna central nervous system stimulant in tablet form A

reduplication that never really caught on; too true for a

throatnoun< have someone by the throatto have someonecompletely under controlAUSTRALIA , 1947

thrombonouna fit of rage From ‘thrombosis’, suggesting a rush ofblood to the headUK , 2002

thronenoun1a toilet seat; a pedestal lavatory (as a place on whichyou sit)UK , 1922.2the most coveted position for a bookmaker atthe trackAUSTRALIA , 1989

throttle artist; throttle jerker; throttle pullernouna trainengineerUS , 1977

throttle jockeynouna combat jet pilotUS , 1956

throttling pitnouna lavatoryAUSTRALIA , 1971

through-the-cardnouna wager that bets on all the races at ameeting Commonly used when gambling on greyhound racingUK , 2001

through-ticketnounin pool, a player who continues to play and tolose money until he has lost his entire bankrollUS , 1993

thrownoun1the cost of an item or action, usually preceded by aspecific amount Probably from the old side shows of the fairUS ,

1898.2an act of vomiting; vomitAUSTRALIA , 1967

throwverb1to disconcert, to confuseUS , 1844.2to deliberately lose acontestUS , 1868.3to break an addictionUS , 1952.< throw a fin;

throw the finwhile surfing, to reach the top of a wave andexpose to the air the surfboard’s fin(s)US , 1987.< throw a fittobecome very angry or agitatedUS , 1926.< throw a partyto loseheavily when gamblingUS , 1982.< throw a shapeto make animpression, 1999.< throw a shineto ignore someone Usage byMexican-American youth (Pachucos) in the southwestern USUS ,

1947.< throw a shoeto suffer a tyre blowout or flat tyreUS , 1963.

< throw blowsto fightUS , 1965.< throw flamein trucking, toshow an actual flame or a red glow suggesting a flame on asmokestackUS , 1971.< throw forty fitsto become very angry oragitated An occasional intensification ofTHROW A FIT UK , 1984.

< throw gravelto accelerate briskly from a dirt road shoulderUS ,

1962.< throw handsto fightUS , 2002.< throw it to someone

from a male perspective, to have sexUS , 1969.< throw off attoderide someone or somethingAUSTRALIA , 1812.< throw onefromthe male perspective, to have sexUS , 1954.< throw shadetoproject a defiant attitudeUS , 1995.< throw shapesto boxIRELAND ,

1995.< throw signsto flash hand signals, almost always relatedUS , 2001.< throw teddy out of the pramto throw atantrum; to lose your temper An allusion to childish behaviourUK ,

gang-1998.< throw the bald-headed champto perform oral sex on

a manUS , 1972.< throw the book at someoneto discipline orpenalise someone severely Making maximum use of the rulebookthat inspires the punishmentUS , 1960.< throw the headto loseone’s temperIRELAND , 1995.< throw the knockwurstfrom themale perspective, to have sexUS , 1973.< throw the latchin ahotel, to activate a mechnical device advising hotel employees tocarefully watch activity in a particular roomUS , 1954.< throw the

leg overto mount a racehorseAUSTRALIA , 1989.< throw the

voice; throw your voiceto vomitAUSTRALIA , 1962.< throw up

your setto flash gang hand signalsUS , 1995.< throw waisttothrust with vigour during sexTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003.< throw

your weight about; throw your weight aroundto ‘show off’

in an unpleasant, domineering way; to bully peopleUK , 1917

throwawaynounan outer garment quickly discarded by a criminalafter a crime to thwart easy identificationUS , 1987

throw awayverbto abort a foetusTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1939

throwawayadjectiveused of a gun unregistered and not capable ofbeing traced, and thus used to place in the vicinity of someonewhom the police have shot to justify the shootingUS , 1981

throwdownnouna large partyUS , 1996

throw downverb1to threaten someone with a weaponUS , 1972.2tokillUS , 1963.3in basketball, to forcefully drive the ball down throughthe basketUS , 1997.4to dance Sometimes embellished with ‘somehappy feet’ as a direct objectUS , 1983

throw-down gun; throwdownnouna gun that is not registeredand not capable of being traced, and thus placed by the police inthe vicinity of someone whom they have shot to justify the

throw offverbto perform at a skill level below your capabilityUS ,

1965

throw-outnoun1the prize that a carnival game operator arranges

for a player to win to entice more customers to playUS , 1985.2a

trinket thrown by a parader to spectatorsUS , 1951

throw-upnouna large, simple piece of graffiti artUS , 1994

throw upverb1to vomit Abbreviated from the elaborately elegant

‘throw up your accounts’ (C18)UK , 1793.2to create large graffiti

pieces (especially on trains, walls, etc)US , 1994

thrushnoun1a female singerUS , 1940.2an attractive young woman

AUSTRALIA , 1960

thrustnounamyl, butyl or isobutyl nitrite A definite suggestion of

sexual vigour and therefore, probably, derives from brand

marketing as a male sex-aidUK , 1996

thrusternoun1an amphetamine or other central nervous system

stimulantUS , 1969.2a modern surfboard with three finsAUSTRALIA ,

1985

thrutchnouna difficult challengeANTARCTICA , 2003

thudnicknamean F-105 Thunderchief aircraft From the fact that

many were shot down during the Vietnam war A two-seated F-105

was known as a ‘double thud’US , 1965

thugnouna youth gang memberUK , 2003

thugged-outadjectivein hip-hop culture, self-sufficient and

danger-ous From conventional ‘thug’ (a violent person) which has been

adopted by some urban blacks as an honourable term and

con-ditionUS , 2002

th-uh, th-uh, that’s all folksused as a humorous farewell Used

as the sign off on Looney Toon cartoons produced by Warner

Brothers by a stuttering Porky the Pig Repeated with referential

humourUS , 1955

thumbnounmarijuana; a marijuana cigarette Probably because you

suck your thumb for comfort in much the same way as you suck

on a cigaretteUS , 1960.< on the thumbhitchhikingUK , 2004.

< with the thumbin betting, used for indicating that the

current odds will not continue to be offered for long From the

TICK-TACKsignal used by bookmakersUK , 1991

thumbverbto hitchhikeUS , 1932.< thumb your noseto treat

someone or something contemptouslyUS , 1973

thumb busternoun1a knob attached to a car or truck’s steering

wheel to help the driver make turns quickly When the steering

wheel returns to its normal position, the knob can injure the hand

of a driver who is not carefulUS , 1971.2a railway mechanicUS , 1977

thumb-checknouna cursory examination of a long document or

packet of documents US naval aviator usageUS , 1986

thumb jobnouna hitchthiker; the act of hitchhiking Citizens’ band

radio slangUS , 1976

thumb merchantnouna hitchhikerUS , 1976

thumbs downnouna rejection or refusal From the gesture

famously used to signal ‘no mercy’ for gladiators in the arenas of

ancient Rome and HollywoodUK , 1929

thumbsuckernouna long and complex piece of journalism; a writer

of such articlesUS , 2003

thumbs upnounapproval; positive news After the gesture that

spared the life of Roman gladiatorsUK , 1951

thumpnouna fightUS , 1971

thumpverbto defeat someone soundlyUK , 1594

thumpernoun1a hand grenade launcherUS , 1990.2a drummerUS ,

1981.3a piece of rope used by dog handlers to discipline sled dogs

ANTARCTICA , 1982.4in electric line work, an underground fault locator

US , 1980

thumper bumpernounin pinball, a bumper that upon impact with

a ball scores and then propels the ball back into playUS , 1977

thump gunnounan M79 grenade launcher Vietnam war usageUS ,

thundernoun1male sexual prowessTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1989.

2heroinUK , 2002.< do a thunderto defecateIRELAND , 1994

thunderverbto excelUS , 1989

thunderbagsnoununderpantsAUSTRALIA , 1971

thunderbirdsnounthe female breasts From the mammaric andlexicographic symbolism of the science fiction Thunderbirds,especially Thunderbird 2, in cult television supermarionation

puppet-series Thunderbirds by Gerry Anderson, from 1965, and

relaunched in the 1990sUK , 2001

Thunderbirds are goused for denoting or announcing that

something is proceeding A catchphrase from Thunderbirds, a cult

science fiction puppet series, first broadcast on television in 1965

UK , 2001

thunderbowlnouna lavatoryUK , 1982

thunderboxnouna lavatory Originally coined for a ‘portablecommode’UK , 1939

thunderbumpernouna cumulonimbus cloudCANADA , 1995

thunderdomenouna variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best

known as ecstasy A reference to the film Mad Max: Beyond The Thunderdome, 1985 UK , 1999

thunderingadjectiveforcible, violent; hence, as an intensifier: great,excessiveUK , 1618

thunderingadverbexcessivelyUK , 1809

thunderinglyadverbviolently, forcibly, powerfully, energetically;greatly; excessivelyUK , 1680

Thunder RoadnounHighway 13, north of Saigon, South Vietnam

So named because of the US Army’s frequentTHUNDER RUNSonHighway 13US , 1971

thunder runnoun1during the Vietnam war, a tactic of having asmall armoured convoy drive at high speeds shooting at bothsides of the road to thwart ambushes by the Viet Cong; in Iraq in

2003, used by soldiers of a death or glory incursion into Baghdad.Possibly originating in the Korean war, 1950–53, where it was usedfiguratively for a final bar crawl before leaving a postingUS , 1983.

2in white-water rafting, the most treacherous rapids or the act ofnegotiating themUS , 2003

thunder thighsnounlarge, heavy thighs, especially on a womanUS , 1977

thunknounin computing, code that supplies an addressUS , 1991

thunkverbused as an alternative past tense of ‘think’ in place of

‘thought’ Intentionally jocular or ruralUK , 1876

TInicknamethe federal correctional institution, Terminal Island,CaliforniaUS , 1981

tianounmarijuana A Spanish aunt such asAUNT MARY(marijuana)

UK , 2003

TIAused as Internet shorthand to mean ‘thanks in advance’ US , 1997

Tibb’s Daynounthe day after Resurrection, Judgment Day etc, i.e a

day that will never come in this lifetime C L Apperson, in English Proverbs and Proverbial Phrases, calls it ‘a day neither before nor after Christmas’ Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1870)

points out that there never was such a saint as St Tibb, hence theuse of the term as a synonym for ‘never’CANADA , 1999

ticnounphencylidineUS , 1977

TICnounwhen a criminal is on trial, a crime which does not form apart of the case being heard but which the defendant may request

to have taken into account during sentencing A partial acronym

of ‘taken into account’UK , 1996

ticalnounmarijuana A coinage claimed by rap artist Methodman;usage spread with his adoption of ‘tical’ as one of many drug-related aliasesUS , 1998

ticknoun1a moment; a second, a minuteUK , 1879.2credit, deferredpayment Generally in the phrase ‘on tick’ (on credit)UK , 1642.3inspread-betting, a tenthUK , 2001.4in basketball, a shotUS , 1986.5in a

tickverb< tick along nicelyto make satisfactory progress Ireland

IRELAND , 2003

tickadjectivesexually attractiveUK , 1950

ticked offadjectiveangryUS , 1959

tickernoun1a clock, especially a pocket watchUS , 1964.2the heart

Analogised to a clock tickingUS , 1930.3courageAUSTRALIA , 1977

ticketnoun1an ordinary person Used generally in Glasgow and

MODcultureUK , 1985.2an amusing or charming personIRELAND ,

1992.3a follower (not an originator) of Mod fashionUK , 1964.4a

professional licence; a certificate of qualification Originally military

US , 1951.5a warrant or bill of detainerUS , 2002.6an official

misconduct report in prisonUS , 1976.7an order to be locked in

solitary confinementUS , 1965.8in prison, a contract for a killing or

beatingUS , 1974.9in horse racing, a betting receiptUS , 1951.10a

playing card As in the expression ‘I held some good tickets’US ,

1961.11LSD; a dose of LSD Another LSD-as-travel metaphorUS ,

1969.< just the ticket; that’s the ticketexactly what is

requiredUK , 1838

ticket agentnounan LSD dealer Premised on aTRIPmetaphorUS ,

1974

Ticket Bastardnicknamethe Ticketmaster ticket serviceUS , 1994

ticket of leave mannouna paroleeUK , 1998

ticket-punchingnounin the military, nearly automatic promotion

from rank to rank with short periods in combat to justify the

pro-motionUS , 1988

ticketsnounthe female breasts A term from the coarse sector of

the entertainment industry, recognising the selling power of sexUS ,

1977.< have tickets on yourselfto be conceitedAUSTRALIA , 1918

tickety-booadjectivefine, correct, in order, satisfactory Originally

military; a variation of ‘ticket’, as inJUST THE TICKET(correct), with

Hindu tikai babu (it’s all right, sir’) UK , 1939

tick-hunternounan ardent bird-watcher, usually one who is

excit-able From a bird-watcher’s habit of ticking-off observations in a

note bookUK , 1977

tick in cow’s arsenounsomething or someone who is very close to

something or someone elseTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1982

ticking-offnouna reprimandUK , 1984

ticklenoun1a robbery or other profitable criminal enterprise

Probably derives from the image of a poacher ‘tickling a trout’, an

activity for the ‘light-fingered’UK , 1938.2in the sport of polo, a

weak hit on the ballUK , 2003.3a pleasurable sensation caused by

drug useUK , 2000.4a deep v-bottom on a boat; also, especially in

Newfoundland, a narrow strait between mainland and an island

CANADA , 1947

tickleverb1to prime an engine To start the cold engine of a

motorcycle, it is sometimes necessary to prime the carburettor, or

‘tickle the pot’US , 2003.2to administer oral sex to a male

pornographer performer before or between scenes to help him

maintain an erectionUS , 2000.3to robNEW ZEALAND , 1998.< tickle a

bugin computing, to activate a normally inactive malfunctionUS ,

1991.< tickle the peterto steal from a till or cashboxAUSTRALIA ,

1941.< tickle the picklefrom the male perspective, to have sex

US , 1964

ticklebellynounthe queasy feeling experienced when a car crests a

poorly graded hill too fastCANADA , 2002

tickled; tickled to death; tickled pinkadjectivevery pleasedUK , 1907

ticklernoun1an office system that serves to remind of impending

deadlinesUS , 1905.2anything worn on the penis that is designed to

stimulate the vagina or the clitoris during sexUK , 1974

tickle your fancynouna homosexual Rhyming slang,NANCY(BOY),

noted as a post-World War 2 term by Ray Puxley, Cockney Rabbit,

1992, who suggests a corruption of the children’s song ‘Billy Boy’

as a possible sourceUK , 1992

ticklishadjectivedifficult, awkwardUK , 1591

tick offverbto reprimand someoneUK , 1915

tick-tack; tic-tacnoun1a system of hand signalling used by

racecourse bookmakersUK , 1899.2a signal of any kind From race

tick-tack; tic-tacverbto signal betting information by tick-tack

tick-tack mannouna tick-tackerAUSTRALIA , 1939

tick-ticknouna bicycle with three gearsTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

tick-tocknouna clock A children’s colloquialism, from the tional imitation of the ticking of a clockUK , 1984

conven-tick-tockused to mark the passing of an instant From the ticking

of a clockUK , 1959

tick twentynounten o’clockUS , 1946

tickyadjectiveold-fashioned, out-of-dateUS , 1960

tic-tacnoun1a person who signals betting information by tick-tack

UK , 1990.2a fact Rhyming slang, from the race track signallingsystemUK , 1992.3phencyclidine, the recreational drug known asPCP or angel dustUS , 1994

tid-bitnounan appetising and toothsome womanUS , 1973

tiddie; tiddynounthe female breast A variation ofTITTY UK , 2003

tiddleverbto urinate A children’s colloquialismUK , 1961

tiddled offadjectiveannoyed, cross AfterTIDDLE(to urinate), thus avariation ofPISSED OFF UK , 1977

tiddlernoun1any small fish Originally applied to a sticklebackUK ,

1885.2anything small; a child, a small animal, a small drink, etcUK ,

1927.3any small coin (of size rather than denomination)UK , 1966.

4a player of tiddleywinksUS , 1958

tiddler’s bait; tiddley bait; tiddley; Tilly Batesadjectivelate.Rhyming slangUK , 1960

tiddly; tiddleyadjectivemildly drunkUK , 1905

tiddlywink; tiddly-wink; tiddleywink; tiddly; tidnoun1analcoholic drink Rhyming slangUK , 1859.2a Chinese person.Rhyming slang forCHINK(a Chinese person)UK , 1977

tidemarknouna dirty mark that is left by, and marks the extent of,

a child’s neck-washing regimeUK , 1961

tide’s inadjectiveexperiencing the bleed period of the menstrualcycleUS , 1999

tide’s outadjectiveexperiencing the bleed period of the menstrualcycleUS , 1999

tidyadjective1large, considerable As in the song sung by BoyScouts: ‘The great meat pie was a tidy size, / And it took a week tomake it, / A day to carry it to the shop, / And just a week to bakeit’UK , 1838.2satisfactory; good; decent; correct Widely exampled by

John Edwards, Talk Tidy! (the title is defined in the book as ‘speak

properly!’), 1985UK , 1844.3sexually attractive; sexyUK , 2000

tidy!in South Wales, used as a positive affirmationUK: WALES , 1985

tidy; tidy upverb1to make something orderly, clean, etcUK , 1821.

2to wash the vulva and vaginaTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1978

tidy and neat; tidyverbto eat Rhyming slangUK , 1992

tidy awayverbto clear up for tidiness’ sakeUK , 1867

tidy whitiesnounwhite, boxer-style men’s underpantsUS , 1994

tieverbto inject with a drugUK , 2003.< tie on oneto get verydrunkUS , 1996.< tie the knotto marryUK , 1605.< tie them

downon the railways, to apply hand brakesUS , 1946

tie a knot in it!addressed to someone (usually a male) who needs

to urinate but is having to control the urge; also, said to someonewho is whistling tunelesslyUK , 2001

tie and teasenounsexual bondage alternating pleasurable lation and deliberate frustration, especially when advertised as aservice offered by a prostituteUK , 2003

stimu-tie-eyenouna commotion or ruckusCANADA , 1999

tie offverbto restrict the flow of blood in a vein in preparation for

tie-tonguedadjectivesuffering from a speaking disability such as a

lispBARBADOS , 1965

tie-upnounthe rope or cord used to restrict the flow of blood in a

vein in preparation for an injection of drugsUK , 1996

tie upverbto apply an improvised tourniquet, usually on the arm,

preparatory to injecting a drugUS , 1990

tiffnouna petty quarrel; a brief peevish disagreementUK , 1754

tigernoun1a person who is keen for or enthusiastic about

somethingAUSTRALIA , 1896.2a male homosexualUK , 1983.3a wife A

Cockney endearmentUK , 1980.4an outstanding sportsman; a

confi-dent climber; a formidable sporting opponentUK , 1929.< take a

tiger for a walk(used of a food addict) to eat in moderation A

term in twelve-step recovery programmes such as Alcoholics

AnonymousUS , 1998

tiger cagenounan underground, high security jail cellUS , 1992

tiger countrynoun1rough, uncultivated country or terrain

AUSTRALIA , 1945.2any challenging situation From World War 2,

referring to territory patrolled by German Tiger tanksNEW ZEALAND ,

1945.3in hospital operating theatre usage, any part of the body

where surgery is high riskUS , 1994

tiger in the tanknouna linear amplifier for a citizens’ band radio

From the 1960’s Esso advertising slogan ‘Put a tiger in your tank’

US , 1976

tiger ladynouna female Vietnamese civilian building worker at a US

facility during the warUS , 1990

tiger pissnounTiger Paw™ beer A south Vietnamese speciality,

made with formaldehydeUS , 1991

tiger stripenouna scar from intravenous drug injectionsUS , 1958

tiger stripesnouncamouflage worn in the jungleUS , 1971

tiger suitnounjungle camouflage uniforms worn by soldiers in the

South Vietnamese ArmyUS , 1990

tiger sweatnounstrong, illegally manufactured whiskyCANADA , 1999

tiger tanknouna thing of little worth Rhyming slang for,WANK

(rubbish), usually phrased ‘not worth a tiger tank’; from the

advertising slogan ‘put a tiger in your tank’UK , 1980

Tiggerish; tiggerishadjectiveenergetically enthusiastic and cheerful

From the character of Tigger, created by A.A Milne, 1882–1956,

especially as filtered through the Disney animations of Winnie the

Pooh’s adventuresUK , 2003

tightnoun1a close friendBAHAMAS , 1982.2in poker, a hand consisting

of three cards of the same rank and a pair Known conventionally

as a ‘full house’CANADA , 1988.< in a tightin serious troubleUS ,

1984

tightadjective1tipsy; drunkUS , 1830.2lacking generosity, meanUK ,

2000.3aggressive; cruel; unpleasant From the previous sense as

‘mean’, punning on ‘mean’ as ‘cruel’UK , 1999.4hard; severe;

difficultUK , 1764.5of a slot machine, disadvantageous to the

gambler in terms of the frequency of payoutsUS , 1984.6used of a

hard bargainUS , 1828.7of money; hard to come by; in

short-circulationUK , 1846.8used of a player in poker extremely

conservative in play and bettingUS , 1990.9of a contest, close,

evenly matchedUS , 1848.10friendlyUS , 1956.11good; fashionable; in

styleUS , 1998

tight-arsenouna person who is mean with moneyUK , 1999

tight-arsedadjective1mean, close-fisted, ungenerousUK , 1966.

2puritanical; very restrained; self-centredUK , 1990

tight as a crab’s arseadjectivemiserlyUK , 1999

tight as a gnat’s twatadjectivemiserlyUK , 2001

tight-assnouna highly strung, nervous personUS , 1971

tight-assedadjectivehighly strung, nervousUS , 1970

tightenverb< tighten the wigto smoke marijuanaUS , 2001.

< tighten up someone’s gameto educate or coach someone

US , 1972

tightenernoun1any alcoholic drinkUS , 1969.2in horse racing, a race

seen as preparation for the next race

tighter than a camel’s arse in a sand stormadjectivemiserly Anelaboration ofTIGHT(mean)UK , 1999

tighter than bark to a treeadjectivemiserlyCANADA , 1992

tight fight with a short sticknouna difficult job with poorequipment to do itUS , 1954

tight holenounan oil well whose discovery and location have notbeen reportedUS , 1997

tight lacesnouncommerically manufactured cigarettes, especiallywith filtersUS , 1990

tight-rollnouna manufactured cigaretteUS , 1984

tightwadnouna miserly personUS , 1906

tighty-whitiesnounform-fitting men’s jockey shortsUS , 1985

tig ol’ bittiesnounlarge breasts An intentional Spoonerism of ‘bigold titties’US , 2001

tigre; tigre blanco; tigre del nortenounheroin Possibly

‘branded’ types of heroin, from Spanish for ‘tiger’, white ‘tiger’ and

‘northern tiger’UK , 2003

Tijuana 12nouna cigarette made with tobacco and marijuanaUS , 1982

Tijuana Biblenouna pornographic comic bookUS , 1979

Tijuana chromenounsilver spray paint Tijuana is just across theborder from California in the Mexican state of Baja California.Californian youth often took their customised cars to Tijuana,where much of the best and some of the shoddiest customisingwork was doneUS , 1993

Tijuana taxinouna well marked police carUS , 1976

tiknouna potential victim West Indian and UK blackUK , 1996

Tilbury Docks; the Tilburysnounany sexually transmittedinfection Rhyming slang forPOX, formed on a part of the Port ofLondon An earlier, now obsolete sense for this rhyme was ‘socks’

UK , 1992

tilesnoundominoesUS , 1959.< on the tilespartyingNEW ZEALAND , 1984

till-tapverbto steal money from a cash tillUS , 1970

till tappernounin a casino, a person who steals coins or tokensfrom a slot machine being played by someone elseUS , 1999

till tappingnountheft from a cash register when the cashier isdistractedUS , 1964

tillynoun(especially in Queensland and northern New South Wales)

a utility truckAUSTRALIA , 1957

Tillynounused as a personification of the policeUS , 1970

Tilly Batesadjective 8see:TIDDLER’S BAIT

tilly-talliedadjectivedrunk Possibly from obsolete ‘tilly-vally’(nonsense), which is what tends to be spoken when drunkUK , 1999

tiltnoun1especially in the Maritime Provinces, a crude shelter, open

on one side and with its back to the windCANADA , 1958.2in pinball,

a mechanism on the machine that ends a game when the playermoves the machine too forcefullyUS , 1979.< on tiltused of apoker player’s playing, exceptionally poorUS , 1979

Timnouna Roman Catholic Who the original Tim is or was isunknownUK: SCOTLAND , 2000

timbernoun1a toothpickUS , 1948.2in horse racing, a hurdle in asteeplechase raceUS , 1976.3in poker, the cards that have beendiscardedUS , 1951.4in the circus or carnival, a person playing agame or concession with the house’s money in an attempt toattract other patrons to playUS , 1968

timber niggernouna Native American Indian Offensive Used bysporting enthusiasts and those in the tourist industry to describeNative American Indians involved in the fishing/hunting rightsdebateUS , 1993

timber ridernounin horse racing, a jockey in a steeplechase event

US , 1976

timbitnouna rendezvous for coffee and snack proposed by one

refers to the dough that is punched out of a ring doughnut, fried,

and sold as a ‘hole’CANADA , 2000

timenountime in prison; a jail sentenceUK , 1837.< (he) wouldn’t

give you the time of day; too mean to give you the time

of dayapplied to a notoriously mean personUK , 1984.< do time

1to serve a prison sentence, especially in a manner that preserves

the prisoner’s sanityUK , 1865.2to stay after school in detentionUS ,

1954.< for the timein poolroom betting, playing with the loser

paying for the use of the tableUS , 1967.< have no time for

someoneto have no respect for someoneAUSTRALIA , 1911.< in no

time; in less than no timeimmediatelyUK , 1822.< make

time; make time with someoneto have sex with someone; to

make sexual advances towards someoneUS , 1934

time-and-a-halfnounin blackjack, the payout to a player of one

and a half times their bet when the player is dealt a natural 21 A

pun using a term usually applied to an overtime rate of payUS , 1977

time of the monthnounthe bleed period of a woman’s menstrual

cycle Barely euphemisticUK , 1931

time out!used for warning others of approaching policeUS , 2000

timernounfather An abbreviation of ‘old-timer’CANADA , 1993

time-stretchernouna prisoner whose attitude and actions serve to

make the time served by others seem longer than it isUS , 2002

time through the gatenounthe on-the-job experience of a prison

officerUK , 1996

Timmynouna Tristar aircraft In Royal Air Force useUK , 2002

timothynouna brothel A shortening of ‘Timothy Titmouse’,

rhyming slang for ‘house’AUSTRALIA , 1950

timpsnountimpani (kettle-drums); timpanists An abbreviation of

‘timpani’UK , 1934

Timshopnouna Roman Catholic chapelUK: SCOTLAND , 1996

tim tamnouna tampon Abbreviation and reduplicationAUSTRALIA , 2001

tinnoun1a police badgeUS , 1958.2a police officerUS , 1950.3a gunUS ,

1986.4a safeUS , 1970.5one ounce of marijuana Probably from a

pipe tobacco tin as a measured containerUS , 1946.6beer in any

quantity or containerUS , 1980.7in drag racing, a trophy, especially

one awarded without a cash prizeUS , 1965.< does what it says

on the tin; does exactly what it says on the tinused as an

assurance that whatever is so described will be, or behave, as

expected From a catchphrase-slogan for Ronseal™

wood-treatments; first introduced in the early 1990s, the phrase is now

part of the company’s registered trademarking, and widely applied

in the sense recorded hereUK , 2001

tin-arse; tin-bumnouna lucky person Derives, perhaps, from a play

on ‘copper-bottomed’AUSTRALIA , 1953

tin arse; tin arsedadjectiveluckyAUSTRALIA , 1919

Tina Turner; tinanoun1a profitable activity Rhyming slang for,

‘earner’; formed from the popular US singer and actress (b.1938)

UK , 2001.2Rhyming slang forGURNER(a person intoxicated by

MDMA)UK

tin bath; tinnoun1a laugh Rhyming slangUK , 2002.2a scarf

Rhyming slangUK , 1992

tin cannoun1a safe that is easily broken into by criminalsUS , 1949.

2an older ship in disrepairUS , 1970.3a citizens’ band radio set

From one of the most primitive technical means of

communi-cation: two tin cans joined by a piece of stringUS , 1976

tinchyadjectivepetty; smallBAHAMAS , 1982

Tin Citynouna sheet metal barracks in Guam used to house

Vietnamese refugees after the North Vietnamese conquest in 1975

US , 1990

tin collectornouna police officer or prosecutor involved in

investi-gating police misconductUS , 2001

tincturenoun1an alcoholic drink Popularised, if not inspired by the

‘Dear Bill’ letters in Private Eye UK , 1980.2a light drug in liquid

form A jocular euphemismUK , 1968

tin dognouna snowmobileNEW ZEALAND , 1969

t’ingnounthing West Indian and UK black pronunciationUK , 1994

tingnounmoney; a payment, especially in an illegal contextTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1989

ting-a-lingnoun1the penisBAHAMAS , 1982.2a ring (jewellery).Rhyming slangUK , 1992.3in playing cards, a king Rhyming slang

UK , 1992

tin grinnounany person with orthodontiaUS , 1977

tingsnounthe testicles West Indian pronunciation of ‘things’UK , 2000

tingumnouna person or thing the name of which escapes thespeakerBAHAMAS , 1995

tin hatnoun1a fool, an idiot Rhyming slang forPRAT UK , 1998.2onthe railways, a company officialUS , 1977.< put the tin hat on it;

put the tin hat on somethingto bring an unfortunatesequence to an unwelcome climax; to finish something offUK , 1919

tinhornnouna cheap and offensive personUS , 1887

tinhornadjectiveshoddy; inconsequential; inferiorUS , 1886

tin Indiannouna Pontiac carUS , 1993

tinkernoun1a member of the travelling community

Conventionally ‘an (itinerant) mender of pots, pans, kettles etc.’,but now more generally appliedIRELAND , 1997.2a child, especially amischievous child Remembered in use in New Zealand in 1904and in Australia in 1910NEW ZEALAND , 1996.3a piece of scrap fromwreckageCANADA , 1983

tinker’s cuss; tinker’s damn; tinker’s tossnounsomething of novalueUK , 1824

tinklenounurine, the act of urinationUS , 1960.< give a tinkletotelephone someone From the ringing bell of original telephones

UK , 1938

tinkleverbto urinate Children’s vocabulary, used coyly by adultsUS , 1960

tinkleboxnouna pianoUS , 1946

tin lidnoun1a Jewish person Rhyming slang forYID UK , 1992.2achild Rhyming slang forKID AUSTRALIA , 1905

tinned dognouncanned meatAUSTRALIA , 1895

tinnie; tinnynouna can of beerAUSTRALIA , 1964

tinnynoun1an imprecise measure of marijuana wrapped in tinfoil,usually enough for about three cigarettesNEW ZEALAND , 1995.2asmall aluminium boatAUSTRALIA , 1979.3a station wagon with a steelbody and no wood trimUS , 1993

tinnyadjectiveluckyAUSTRALIA , 1919

tinny housenouna place where marijuana tinnies are soldNEW ZEALAND , 1999

tin platenoun1a mate Rhyming slangNEW ZEALAND , 1992.2in circusand carnival usage, a law enforcement official in a small townUS , 1981

tin sandwichnouna harmonica; a mouth organ Used as the title

of an album of harmonica music by Tommy Basker, ‘The TinSandwich’, 1994US , 1999

tinsel-teethnoun1any person with orthodontiaUS , 1979.

2orthodontic bracesUS , 1971

Tinsel TownnicknameHollywoodUS , 1939

tins of beans; tinsnounjeans (denim trousers) Rhyming slangUK , 1992

tin soldiernouna prostitute’s client who pays not for conventionalsex, but to act as a prostitute’s ‘slave’ Noted as a ‘voyeur-typemale, usually of middle- or upper-class background’ by David

Powis, The Signs of Crime, 1977 UK , 1977

tin tacknoun1dismissal from employment Rhyming slang forSACK.Recorded in 1932 but believed to be late C19UK , 1932.2a fact.Rhyming slang based onBRASS TACKs, generally pluralUK , 1999

tin tank

tin termitesnounrustUK , 1972

tintsnoun1sunglassesUS , 1972.2tinted car windowsUS , 1980

tinynoun1a childAUSTRALIA , 1961.2a very young member of a youth

gangUS , 1981

tiny gangsternouna young member of a youth gangUS , 1989

tiny mindnoun< out of your tiny mind; out of your tinyyou

are crazy, foolish, madUK , 1970

Tiny Timnouna five-pound note; the sum of £5 Rhyming slang for

FLIM,formed on a character in Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol,

1843UK , 1992

Tio Taconouna Mexican-American who curries favour with the

dominant white culture Literally ‘Uncle Taco’, referring to a

Mexican dish made with a fried corn tortillaUS , 1969

tipnoun1a point of view, an aspect or perspective; a concentration

upon an aspectUK , 1994.2special information conveyed by an

expert or insider; a piece of professional advice; private knowledge,

especially in connection with investment or gamblingUK , 1845.

3that which is ‘tipped’ to win; the probable winner in a raceUK ,

1873.4a dirty or chaotically untidy place Especially applied,

apparently, to teenagers’ bedrooms; from a community site where

rubbish is tippedUK , 1983.5a small group with specific economic

functions, such as a drug-selling enterpriseUS , 1995.6a gangUS , 1990.

7a rubber thong sandalCAYMAN ISLANDS , 1985.8a crowd gathered in

front of a carnival game or showUS , 1968.9a steady, repeating

player in a carnival midway gameUS , 1985

tipverb1to convey expert, inside or specialist information, especially

about a profitable investment or a probable winnerUK , 1883.2to

give a gratuityUK , 1706.3to behave foolishly Gulf war usageUS , 1991.

4to reckon that something will occurAUSTRALIA , 1955.5to perform

oral sex A shortening ofTIP THE VELVET(to kiss with the tongue)UK ,

2002.6to become aware of a swindleUS , 1963.< tip itin trucking,

to drive fastUS , 1946.< tip someone the winkto warn someone;

to privately signal to someoneUK , 1676.< tip the brandyto lick,

suck and tongue another’s anus A combination ofTIP(to perform

oral sex) andBRANDY AND RUM(the buttocks)UK , 2002.< tip the

bucket on someoneto denigrate or criticise someoneAUSTRALIA ,

1986.< tip the gasin drag racing, to fill the petrol tankUS , 1968.

< tip the ivyto lick, suck and tongue another’s anusUK , 2002.

< tip the loadto go to confessionAUSTRALIA , 1989.< tip the

velvet1to kiss with the tongue, especially to ‘tongue a woman’

Based on obsolete ‘velvet’ (the tongue)UK , 1699.2to perform oral

sexUK , 2002.3in homosexual sex, to lick, suck and tongue

another’s anusUK , 1997

tip-fiddlenouna military deployment list Back-formation from

TPFDL (time-phased forces deployment list)US , 2003

tip-offnouna warning; an item of private information A variation

ofTIP UK , 1901

tip offverbto give information to someone, especially about an

impending crimeUS , 1891

tippernouna dump truckUS , 1971

tippety-runnouna form of cricket played by children in which the

person batting has to run every time the ball is hit Also with great

variation as ‘tip-and-go’, ‘tip-and-run’, ‘tippety’, ‘tippety-cricket’,

‘tippety-runs’, ‘tippy-cricket’, ‘tippy-go’, ‘tippy-go-run’, ‘tippy-runs’,

‘tipsy and tipsy-runs’ – and that’s ignoring vast spelling variation

AUSTRALIA , 1983

tipplenoun1alcohol; especially a drink of regular choice From the

conventional verbUK , 1581.2by extension, a recreational drug of

choiceUK , 2000

tippy-toeverbto walk on tiptoe Childish variation of conventional

‘tiptoe’UK , 1901

tipsnounin betting, odds of 11–10UK , 1991

tip-slingernouna person who offers racecourse tipsAUSTRALIA , 1915

tipsternounin horse racing, someone who gives his opinions on

various horses and their chances in a raceUS , 1951

tip-toeverbin motor racing, to manoeuvre carefully through or past

an obstruction or dangerous conditionUS , 1980

tip-top

tip upverbto join a gang, especially a prison gangUS , 2000

tip-up townnouna collection of ice fishing shanties on a lake’sfrozen surface The ‘tip-up’ is the small fishing pole used for icefishing Michigan Upper Pensinula usageUS , 2003

tirenounan apron worn by a young girl to keep her dress clean Thisvery old word – Shakespeare often used it – is still in use in NovaScotiaCANADA , 1988

tire billynouna short stick with a weighted head used by truckdrivers to test the air pressure of their tyresUS , 1971

tiredadjectiveboringUK , 1987

tired and emotionaladjectivedrunk A barbed journalisticeuphemism thought to have been coined, or noted in political

use and gleefully adopted, by satirical magazine Private Eye UK , 1981

tire-kicker; tyre-kickernounin the used car business, a customerwho studiously inspects the cars for sale, seemingly at the expense

of ever getting around to buying a car Reported by sales assistants

in a UK electrical goods retail chain in August 2002 as meaning ‘acustomer who spends a long time looking and fails to make apurchase’US , 1997

tish notenounin circus and carnival usage, counterfeit money,especially when used to pay a prostituteUS , 1981

tissuenoun1crack cocaine The variant ‘tisher’ is also usedUK , 1998.

2(especially in Tasmania) a cigarette paperAUSTRALIA , 1966

tissue odds; tissuenouna betting forecast used by bookmakers.From the flimsy paper originally used for this purposeUK , 1942

tiswas; tizwas; tizz-wozznouna state of excitement or confusion.Originally Royal Air Force use; possibly a blend of ‘it is/it was’ as avariation of ‘not know if you are coming or going’ or a variation of

TIZZ(an emotional state) From 1974–82 Tiswas was a popular

Saturday morning television programme that demonstrated thequalities of excitement and confusionUK , 1960

titnoun1the female breastUS , 1928.2any finger-touch button such

as on an electric bell; thus any button-like or knobbyprotruberance that vaguely resembles a nipple Originally military

UK , 1943.3a police officer’s helmet From the shapeUK , 2002.4afool Often as ‘look a right tit’ or ‘an absolute tit’, and theamusing popular favourite ‘feel a right tit’UK , 1947.5a small raisedbump on a computer keyboard key, most commonly the f and jkeys, to provide orientation for the user’s fingersUS , 1991.< a tit

full of Wild Turkeyused for describing an alcoholic’s fondestsexual fantasyUS , 1994.< get titto succeed in the goal oftouching or fondling a girl’s breastsUS , 1974.< on the titenjoyingcharity, or quasi-charity, in the form of undemanding workUS , 1957

titadjectiveundemanding, easyUS , 1990

tit aboutverbto waste time; to play about; to be engaged in trivialactivityUK , 1999

tit and clit chainnouna decorative chain that connects a woman’spierced nipples and clitorisUS , 1996

titanicnounsomeone who performs oral sex on first acquaintance

A jokey reference to ‘going down’ (performing oral sex) first timeout; the RMS Titanic famously sunk on her maiden voyageUK , 2002

titbagnoun1a brassiereUS , 1994.2a fool An elaboration ofTIT(afool)UK , 2001

titchnicknameapplied to a person of small stature or a little child.Derives, via the earlier spelling ‘tich’, from music hall entertainerLittle Tich (diminutive comedian Harry Relph, 1868–1928), whotook as his stage name the nickname he was given as a child fromhis resemblance to Arthur Orton, the man who claimed to be themissing heir to an English baronetcy, Richard TichborneUK , 1934

titchyadjectivesmall, of small stature, insignificant FromTITCH UK , 1950

tit-clampnouna device, designed to cause discomfort or pain forsexual stimulation, that is attached to a breast or nippleUK , 1995

tit-for-tatnoun1a reaction equal and opposite to the actionUK , 1556.

2a hat Rhyming slang Can be shortend to ‘titfer’, ‘titfa’ or ‘tit-for’

UK , 1930.3a trade union traitor Rhyming slang forRAT AUSTRALIA , 2002

tit-fucknounan act of rubbing the penis in the compressed

tit-fuckverbto rub the penis in the compressed cleavage between a

woman’s breastsUS , 1986

tit-hammocknouna brassiereUK , 1961

titheadnounan idiot Elaboration ofTIT(an idiot) on the pattern of

DICKHEAD(an idiot)UK , 1999

titinounthe female breastTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

tit jointnouna bar or club featuring bare-breasted women servers

US , 1984

tit-kissernouna man sexually obsessed with womenUS , 1977

tit liftnouna procedure in cosmetic surgery to enhance the female

breastUK , 1992

tit magnouna magazine that features pictures of half-naked or

naked women in erotic posesUK , 1976

tit magazinenouna magazine featuring photographs of naked

womenUS , 1972

tit-man; tits-mannouna male with a (declared) primary interest in

a woman’s breasts as a point of attractionUS , 1974

titonouna rand (unit of currency) Teen slang, after South African

Reserve Bank Governor Tito MboweniSOUTH AFRICA , 2003

tit offverbto annoy or to aggravate someoneUK , 1997

tit ringnouna ring that passes through a pierced nippleUS , 1984

tit runnouna walk through a crowd in search of attractive female

breastsUS , 1995

titsnoun1when preceded by a characteristic or adjective, a person

(of either gender) of the type defined by that characteristic or

adjectiveUK , 1997.2heroin Probably fromTITS(exceptionally good)

UK , 2002.< get on someone’s titsto annoy or irritate someone

Used by either genderUK , 1945.< off your titsdrunk or

drug-intoxicatedUK , 2000.< the titsthe best; absolute perfection, mid-C20

titsadjectiveexceptionally goodUS , 1966

tits!used for expressing excitementUS , 1992

tits and ass; tits and arseadjectivesaid of a film, television

programme, or magazine featuring nudityUS , 1965

tits outadverbin an uncompromising fashion, determinedly Office

jargon with a non-gender specific applicationUK , 2005

tits upadjectivedead; out of operation A coarserBELLY-UP, of military

(possibly Royal Air Force) originUK , 1981

tittie twisternouna pinch and twist of the breast, especially the

nippleUS , 1997

tit tipnouna female nippleUS , 1982

tittle-tattleverbto inform on someone A nuance of the

conven-tional sense (to chat, to gossip), perhaps influenced by ‘tell-tale’UK ,

2003

titty; tittienounthe female breastIRELAND , 1922

titty bar; tittie barnouna bar featuring bare-breasted female

servers and/or dancersUS , 1991

titty-deepadjectiveused of a fox hole shallowUS , 1990

titty-fucknounan act of rubbing the penis in the compressed

cleavage between a woman’s breasts Elaboration ofTIT-FUCK US , 1988

titty-fuckverbto rub the penis in the compressed cleavage between

a woman’s breastsUS , 1998

titty hard-onsnounerect nipplesAUSTRALIA , 1996

titty pinkadjectivea bright pink shade of lipstick Thought to

resemble the colour of a nippleUS , 1982

tittytainmentnountelevision programming that exploits sex Used

in the German mediaUS , 1998

tit-wanknounan act of sexual gratification in which the penis is

rubbed between a female partner’s breastsUK , 2002

tit willownouna pillow Rhyming slang; playing on the pillowing

effect of aTIT(the female breast)UK , 1932

tizzverbto frizz something upAUSTRALIA , 1967

tizz; tiz; tizzynouna state of panic or confused excitementUS , 1935

tizzic

tizz upverbto dress upAUSTRALIA , 1977

tizzyadjectiveostentatiously dressedAUSTRALIA , 1953

tizzy upverbto smarten or spruce something upAUSTRALIA , 1960

TJnicknameTijuana, Baja California, Mexico On the California-Mexicoborder, just south of San Diego, CaliforniaUS , 1981

T-Jonesnouna motherUS , 1988

tjorrienoun 8see:CHORRIE

TLnoun a sycophant From the Yiddish tuchus leker (ass licker) US , 1972

TLCnountender, loving careUS , 1973

TMnoun1a commerically rolled cigarette A shortened form of

TAILOR-MADE US , 1976.2transcendental meditationUS , 1979

TMBdoctors’ shorthand applied to an elderly patient An initialism

of ‘too many birthdays’ UK , 2002

TMIused for expressing the sentiment that a conversation has

become too personal, that the speaker is imparting too much information US , 1997

TMTused to designate the person who will feature in your ate masturbatory fantasiesUK , 2002

immedi-TNTnoun1heroin A play onDYNAMITE(a powerful drug)UK , 1977.

2amyl or butyl nitriteUK , 1998.3a variety of MDMA, the reational drug best known as ecstasy A pun on TNT (the explosivetrinitrotulene), suggesting that the ecstasy experience is explosive

rec-UK , 1999.4fentanyl, a synthetic narcotic analgesic that is used as arecreational drug, 2004

TNXused as Internet discussion group shorthand to mean ‘thanks’

US , 1997

toprepositionat In conventional use from C10 to mid-C19; now inregional and dialect use in the UK, and colloquial use in the US

UK , 1985

toadnoun1an unattractive, older male homosexualUS , 1985.2a very

sick, derelict hospital patient An initialism for a ‘trashy old alcoholic derelict’ US , 1977.3a black prisonerUS , 1989.4a used carthat is in very poor conditionUS , 1980

TOADused for describing what happens when a surfer catches a bigwave and almost immediately falls from his board An abbreviation

of ‘take off and die’ US , 1988

toadienounthe vaginaUS , 1998

toadskinsnounmoney A play onFROGSKIN CANADA , 1912

toad-stabber; toad-stickernouna knifeUS , 1945

to and fronounsnow Rhyming slangUK , 1992

to-and-fro’ing; to’ing-and-fro’ingnouna constant moving about

UK , 1961

to and fromnounan English person Rhyming slang forPOM

AUSTRALIA , 1946

toastnoun1something that is completely broken or inoperableUS ,

1991.2a forest that has been burnt by a forest fireUS , 1991.3anarrative poemUS , 1976.4an amusing story told as part of a rapperformance Adopted from a West Indian DJ’s ‘toast’ (to perform

a lyric)US , 2000

toastverbto heat a powdered drug such as heroin for injection

CANADA , 1966

toastadjectivedeadUS , 1983

toastedadjective1drunkUS , 1980.2emotionally unstableANTARCTICA , 1997

toasted breadadjectivedead A variation of the familiar rhymingslang ‘brown bread’;UK , 1998

toast racknouna very thin cowNEW ZEALAND , 2002

tobacco juice; tobacco stainnounfaecal stains in the underwear

or on a toilet bowlUS , 1966

tobaccynountobaccoUS , 1935

Tobago lovenouna relationship in which there is little or no display

of affectionTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1993

Tobago sugarnounwood waste left by termitesTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ,