"Ww" in Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English pot

waker-uppernouna heroin addict’s first injection of the morningUS , 1982 wake-upnoun1the day’s first dose of a drug taken by an addictUS , 1954.2any amphetamine or central nervous system

wnouna toilet An abbreviation of the common WCNEW ZEALAND , 1916

Wnoun1a police warrant for search or arrest UK , 1956.2in sports, a

winUS , 1970

wac; wacknoun1phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as

PCP or angel dustUS , 1981.2marijuana mixed with phencyclidine,

the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dustUK , 1998

wackadjectiveinferior, unacceptable, very badUS , 1984

wackedadjective1excitedUS , 1959.2beyond repair ExtendsWACK

(inferior)UK , 1997

wacked outadjectivecrazy, eccentric, madUS , 1968

wacked upadjectivecrazy, odd, irrationalUS , 1947

wackelassnouna cat that is a troublesome, clumsy creatureCANADA ,

1999

wacker; wack; whackernounused as a term of address to a man

LiverpudlianUK , 1768

wackeradjectiveworse FromWACK(bad)US , 1999

wackie; wackynouna stereotypical member of the working-class; a

conformist Teen slangUK , 1982

wack job; whack jobnouna person who is mentally illUS , 1979

wacko; whackoadjectivea person who is crazy, eccentric or

mentally imbalancedUS , 1977

wackoidadjectiveodd, eccentricUK , 1999

wackticadjectivevery badUK , 1983

wackyadjectiveodd, eccentric, crazyUS , 1935

wacky baccy; wacky backynounmarijuana FromWACKYas

‘eccentric’ Many variants exist, including ‘whacky baccy/backy’,

‘whackatabachy’, ‘wacky tobaccy/tobacky’ and ‘whacky weed’US ,

wadnoun1the semen ejaculated at orgasm From ‘wad’ (a large

quantity)US , 1969.2expectorated sputumUS , 1989.3a rag saturated

with glue or any volatile solvent that is inhaled for the intoxicating

effectUS , 1970.4a sandwich; a bun; a cakeUK , 1919.5a roll of

money; a great deal of moneyUS , 1951

wadverb(of a male) to reach orgasm AfterWAD(semen)UK , 2003

wad cutternouna flat-nosed bulletUS , 1962

waddedadjectivewell-off, rich FromWAD(a great deal of money)UK ,

2002

waddynouna club; a hefty piece of wood suitable for a club From

the name of an Australian Aboriginal weapon in the extinct

language Dharug, Sydney regionAUSTRALIA , 1809

wadersnounshoesUS , 1945

wadgenoun 8see:WODGE

wafernoun1a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as

ecstasy If dance is seen as a new religion, then MDMA is as

important a part of the ritual as the wafer is in conventional

church ritesUK , 2003.2a cigarette paperUK , 1996

wafflenoun1nonsense; incessant or unfocused talkUK , 1900.2in

trucking, a non-skid tyreUS , 1971

Wafflenouna movement in Canada’s New Democratic Party to

change somewhat its left-wing policiesCANADA , 2001

waffleverb1to vacillate; to take both sides of an issueUK , 1803.2to

talk nonsense; to talk incessantly or in an unfocused way

waffyadjectivecomfortable Hip-hop, urban slang A compound of

‘warm’ and ‘fluffy’ noted in connection with a legal dispute over rap lyrics by BBC News, 6th June 2003 US , 2003

wagnouna social outcast, especially a non-surferUS , 1991

WAGnoun1the female partner of a footballer, especially an England

team player WAGs, the acronym for wives and girlfriends, was

applied to the players’ partners during the 2006 World Cup Thecollective usage was soon individualisedUK , 2006.2Welsh Assembly Government Initialism UK: WALES , 1999

wagverbto play truantUK , 1848.< wag wienie; wag your wienie

to commit indecent exposure of the male masturbatory varietyUS , 1984

wage slavenounanyone reliant on the income generated by regularemploymentUK , 1964

waggleverbin pool, to make practice shots before actually hittingthe cue ballUS , 1993

wagonnoun1a woman, especially a pushy one, or one capable ofinvectiveIRELAND , 2003.2abstention from drug use Extending theprevious senseUK , 1997.3an old, worn-out, beat-up carUS , 1959.

< on the wagonabstaining from drinking alcoholUS , 1906

wagon burnernouna native American Indian OffensiveUS , 1995

wagon-chasingadjectiveused of a lawyer, unscrupulous, inclined tosolicit business from those in trouble with the lawUS , 1953

wagons ho!used as a humorous signal that a venture is about tobegin From cowboy filmsUS , 1994

wagon-spotternouna trainspotter who specialises in ‘collecting’freight wagonsUK , 2003

wagwon?‘what’s going on?’ Either directly from, or in imitation of,West Indian speechUK , 2003

wahey!used for registering a feeling of exuberanceUK , 2003

wahininouna female surfer From the HawaiianUS , 1963

wailverb1in jazz, to perform with great feelingUS , 1955.2in pinball,

to score a large number of points in a short period of timeUS , 1977.

< wail down the placeto dance with enthusiasm that borders

on vulgarityTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1990

wailernounin drag racing, a very fast carUS , 1970

wailingadjectiveexcitingUS , 1965

Waiouru blondenouna Maori woman Waiouru is a remote NorthIsland military baseNEW ZEALAND , 1997

waistnoun< make waistto make pelvic thrusts and gyrationsduring sexTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003

wait-a-minute vine; wait-a-minute bushnouna heavy, thornyvine found in the jungles of Vietnam When it snagged you, youhad to wait a minute to disentangle yourselfUS , 1976

wait and lingernounthe finger Rhyming slang, applied only in ananatomical senseUK , 1992

waiter’s delightnounin poker, a hand consisting of three threesand a pair A ‘three’ is aTREY, the hand is conventionally known as

a ‘full house’, hence ‘treys full’, the waiter punUS , 1988

waiting roomnounin surfing, the area beyond the breakers wheresurfers wait to catch wavesISRAEL , 1977

wait up!‘wait for me!’US , 1944

wake; wake upverbto become aware of somethingAUSTRALIA , 1910

’wake; wake up’verb< wake your ideas upto concentrate; touse your wits Often as an imperativeUK , 1961.< wouldn’t wake

if to be generally unaware of what’s whatAUSTRALIA , 1961

wake and bake; wake-n-bakeverbto smoke marijuana as one of

waker-uppernouna heroin addict’s first injection of the morning

US , 1982

wake-upnoun1the day’s first dose of a drug taken by an addictUS ,

1954.2any amphetamine or central nervous system stimulantUS ,

1972.3a short time remaining on a jail sentence or term of

military service, especially the last morningUS , 1950

wake upverb1to make someone aware; to inform someone

AUSTRALIA , 1859.2to become aware that you are being swindledUS ,

1969.3in horse racing, to stimulate a horse illegally by electric

wake youverbto make you aware of somethingUS , 1953

wakey-wakeynouna wake-up call Adapted from the exclamation,

‘wakey, wakey!’UK , 2001

wakey, wakey!‘wake up!’ Probably of military origin; widespread

once adopted as the catchphrase of bandleader Billy Cotton

(1899–1969) in his 1949–68 BBC radio Sunday lunchtime variety

programme, The Billy Cotton Bandshow UK , 1959

wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey!used for calling someone from

sleep to breakfast Used with great comic effect by Quentin

Tarantino in Kill Bill Volume 2 (2004) as Bill’s brother Budd

awakens The Bride to bury her aliveUS , 2000

wakey, wakey, hands off snakie!used for humorously waking up

a maleAUSTRALIA , 1985

Waldorf-Astorianounan especially spartan solitary confinement

cellUS , 1976

walknoun1a release from jailUS , 1965.2during the Vietnam war, a

30-day patrol in which contact with the enemy is expectedUS , 1991

walkverb1to win something easilyUK , 1903.2to escape unpunished

US , 1979.3to quit a job or commitmentUS , 1999.4(of objects) to

disappear, presumed borrowed or stolenUK , 1898.5to move a boat

sidewaysUS , 1989.6(used of a military aviator) to suit up for battle

From the vocabulary of fighter pilotsUS , 2001.< walk a cat backto

trace a missile back to its launch site Gulf war usageUS , 1991.

< walk back the catto reconstruct events in order to understand

what went wrongUS , 1997.< walk in tall cornto make a great deal

of moneyUS , 1997.< walk out onto abandon someone or

something Of theatrical originUK , 1937.< walk the dog1while

surfing, to move frontwards and backwards on the surfboard to

affect its speedUS , 1987.2on the railways, to operate a freight train at

such a high speed that the wagons swayUS , 1977.< walk the nose

while surfing, to advance to the front of the boardUS , 1962.< walk

the plankto move forward on a surfboard, increasing the speed of

the rideAUSTRALIA , 1963.< walk the twelve stepsto go to court

CAYMAN ISLANDS , 1985.< walk the walk of the trollopto convey

sexuality while walking Another catchphrase from the ‘Wayne’s

World’ sketch on Saturday Night Live US , 1991.< walk the walk;

walk the walk and talk the talkto be (or behave as if ) totally

familiar with, and a part of, a given circumstanceUK , 2004.< walk

the yardto methodically walk in a prison open spaceUS , 1981.

< walk with your Lucyto inject a drugUS , 1981.< walk your

dogto use the toiletUS , 1968

walkabout; walk-aboutnouna journey on foot taken by an

Aboriginal, especially when withdrawing from white society for a

periodAUSTRALIA , 1910.< go walkabout1(of an aboriginal) to go

on a walkaboutAUSTRALIA , 1927.2(of a person) to go off somewhere

elseAUSTRALIA , 1969.3(of an important person) to make an informal

tour on foot Variants include ‘do a walkabout’UK , 1984

walkawaynoun1a type of theft in which the thief walks away with

a suitcase in a public place, leaving behind his suitcase as an alibi

if apprehendedUS , 1954.2the final step in a confidence swindle, in

which the swindlers walk away with the victim’s moneyUS , 1981

walk-backnounan apartment in the rear of a buildingUS , 1970

walkboardsnouna platform outside a carnival show or attractionUS ,

1966

walk-buddynounin prison, a close friend and steady companionUS ,

walkernoun1a prisoner who constantly paces in his cellUS , 1984.2astriptease dancer who disrobes while walkingUS , 1981.3in dominoes,the highest piece of its suit that is not a double and has been played

US , 1964

walkersnounthe legsUS , 1992

walkienouna close and dependable friend A term that suggests

‘talkie’, which in turn suggests friendshipUS , 1991

walkiesnouna walk with a small child or a dog A childish or jocularterm addressed to, and understood by, that child or dogUS , 1923

walkie-talkienoun1an able-bodied person (from the perspective of

a disabled person)UK , 2003.2a portable two-way radioUS , 1939.3aprisoner who associates with guardsUS , 1992

walk-innouna thief who steals from unlocked hotel roomsUS , 1954

walkingadjectiveused of an order for food at a restaurant, to betaken from the restaurantUS , 1952

walking crabnounin electric line work, a lever liftUS , 1980

walking disaster areanounan especially inept or accident-pronepersonUK , 1984

walking man’s specialnounin the used car business, a run-downcar that is not much to look at but still runs, in a fashionUS , 1993

walking moneynounin gambling, a small amount of money given

by the house or other players to someone who has just lost all ofhis moneyUS , 1961

walking treenounin a criminal enterprise, a watchman or lookout

US , 1956

walking writernounin an illegal numbers gambling lottery, aperson who collects and records betsUS , 1949

walk in the parknounan easy thing to doUK , 1998

walk in the sunnouna combat march without a significant chance

of engaging the enemyUS , 1991

walk of famenounthe walk home or to work after spending thenight with a beautiful and popular womanUS , 2001

walk of shamenounthe walk home or to work after spending thenight with a date, still wearing yesterday’s clothesUS , 2002

walk-onnounin sports, an athlete who gets chosen for a teamhaving appeared at practice unsolicited and unexpectedUS , 1978

walkovernounin horse racing, a race in which all but one of theentries are withdrawn The lone horse starting the race can winthe purse simply by walking the distance of the raceUS , 1965

walk-upnouna brothelUS , 1950

wallnoun< behind the wallimprisonedUS , 1989.< go over the

wallto escape from prisonUS , 1934.< go to the wallto losemoney in stock investmentsUS , 1988.< off the wallin auctionfraud, where non-existent bids are said to come fromUK , 2003.

< the walla maximum security prisonUS , 2002.< up the wall

crazy; crazed by circumstances; angryUK , 1951

wallverbto lean against the wall at a party or other social gathering

US , 1997

wallabynoun< on the wallabywandering around Originally

‘Tramping the outback in search of work (as though following the

track made by wallabies)’, G.A Wilkes, A Dictionary of Australian Colloquialisms, 1978 AUSTRALIA , 1861

Wallace and Gromit; wallaceverbto vomit Rhyming slang, based

on Oscar-winning (1990) animated charactersUK , 1998

Wallace Beery; wallacenounin a betting shop, a dispute over thesum due Rhyming slang for ‘query’, formed from the name ofthe US film actor (1885–1949)UK , 1998

wallah; wallanoun1a man identified by relation to the activity,occupation or philosophy to which it is properly affixed Adopted

directly by Anglo-Indians, hence military, from Hindu wálá (‘a

person connected in some way with the thing expressed in the first

word’, George Clifford Whitworth, An Anglo-Indian Dictionary, 1885) INDIA , 1785.2in the television and film industries, indistinguishablebackground voicesUS , 1990

wallbangernouna person whose impairment with central nervoussystem depressants has produced a marked lack of coordination

walletnoun1a person who finances a (criminal) projectUK , 2003.2a

generous personUS , 1997

wallet lanenounthe passing lane of a motorway Trucker use, with

a reference to a ‘wallet’ because of the likelihood of having to pay

a ticket if caught using the passing laneUS , 1977

walleyedadjectivedrunkUS , 1992

wallflower weeknounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS ,

1954

wallienounin skateboarding, any jumping manoeuvre performed

from a wall A combination of ‘wall’ andOLLY;OLLIE(a jumping

manoeuvre)UK , 2004 8see:WALLY

walliesnounnothing, zeroUK , 2000

wallin’nounthe act or habit of sitting or standing against a wall at a

party Teen slangUK , 2003

wall jobnounsex with one of the participants standing against a

wallUS , 2001

wallopnoun1a heavy blowUK , 1823.2an attempt, a go A pun on

BASH(a try)UK , 2001.3the strength to deliver a heavy blow Boxing

slangUK , 1914.4beerUK , 1933

wallopverb1to hit someoneUK , 1825.2to get the better of

someone A figurative application of the previous senseUK , 1865.

3to danceUK , 1992

wallopedadjectivedrunk or drug-intoxicatedUK , 2002

wallopernoun1the penisUK: SCOTLAND , 2002.2a male who

masturbates to excessNEW ZEALAND , 1998.3a police officerAUSTRALIA ,

1945.4a dancer, especially a professional dancer Theatrical slangUK ,

1937

wallopiesnounlarge female breastsUS , 1975

wallopingnouna beating, a thrashing; a win by a more than

convincing marginUK , 1871

wallopingadjectivelarge, greatUK , 1847

wallopsnounchoreography FromWALLOP(to dance)UK , 1992

wallpapernoun1a background pattern or photograph for a

computer display screenUS , 1991.2counterfeit moneyUS , 1949.3a

postcard acknowledging receipt of a citizens’ band or ham radio

messageUS , 1976

wall-stretchernounan imaginary tool for which a building trades

apprentice may be sent to fetchUK , 1961

wall ticketnounin Keno, a big win Casinos often post large

winning tickets on the wall of the Keno lounge as an enticement

to bettorsUS , 1987

wall timenounthe time as shown on wall clocks, as contrasted with

GMT or another common time used on computersANTARCTICA , 1991

wall-to-walladjectiveabundant; appearing everywhere From

wall-to-wall carpets that cover the entire floorUK , 1967

wall-to-wallernouna pornographic film shot in one day on a very

low budgetUS , 2000

Wally < call it Wallyto agree that a matter is settledGUYANA , 1962

wally; wallie; wollynoun1an unfashionable individual; someone

who is innocent, or foolish; a fool Possibly originates in the name

Wally, however Scottish dialect wally-draigle (a feeble, ill-grown

person) may well have had an influenceUK , 1969.2in CID slang, a

uniformed police officer, especially a constable; more generally, a

trainee or an incompetent police officer ‘Woolly’ is also recorded

by the Oxford English Dictionary in 1965 UK , 1970

wallyo; wal-yonouna young man, usually an Italian-AmericanUS ,

1975

Wally Pippnounany athlete who misses a game and is thereafter

replaced by a better player On 1st June, 1925, the New York

Yankees first baseman Wally Pipp did not play because he was sick;

his place was taken by Lou Gehrig, who played for the next 2130

gamesUS , 1967

walnut storage diseasenounany unspecified mental problem A

play onNUTTY(crazy)US , 1983

walnut whip; walnutnoun1sleep Rhyming slang forKIP, formed

on a chocolate confectionUK , 1998.2a vasectomy Rhyming slang

Walter Mittynoun1a person who poses as a heroic ex-soldier.From Walter Mitty, the title character of James Thurber’s short

story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1939) and successful film of

the same title starring Danny Kaye (1947)AUSTRALIA , 2002.2thefemale breast Rhyming slang forTITTY The short form ‘walter’ canalso be usedUK , 2003

Waltsnoun14 Int (an undercover intelligence unit of the BritishArmy) Abbreviated from Walter Mitty, the name of a character,created in 1941 by James Thurber, who has become a culturalreference for a person who leads a dual existenceUK , 1995

waltznounintense warfare, be it a fire fight or hand-to-hand combat

US , 1991

waltzverbto move in a nonchalant mannerUS , 1887.< waltz

matildato travel as a swagman From ‘Matilda’ (a swag) and

‘waltz’ (to lead in a waltz), here punning on the female name.Now of course obsolete, except in the well-known Australian song.Most singers are entirely unaware of the literal meaning of thephraseAUSTRALIA , 1893

waltz offverbto leave in a nonchalant or cavalier mannerUS , 1989

wampernouna sandal made with pieces of tyre and tied withthatch stringCAYMAN ISLANDS , 1985

wampumnounmoney An imitation of Native American IndianlanguageUS , 1950

wampyadjectivecrazyNEW ZEALAND , 1950

wandnoun1the penis The magic stick that you wave in your hand

UK , 2001.2in pool, a player’s cue stickUS , 1993

wandering hands brigadenouna male’s hands exploring afemale’s bodyNEW ZEALAND , 1984

wandwavernouna male exhibitionistUS , 1980

wang; whangnounthe penisUS , 1935

wangbarnounan electric guitar’s tremolo armUS , 1980

wangernoun 8see:WHANGER

wanglenouna swindle; a convenient arrangement The successfuloutcome of the verbWANGLE UK , 1915

wangleverbto arrange something to suit yourself; to contrive orobtain something with sly cunning; to manipulate something.Widely used, especially in the military, as ‘wangle a job’, ‘wanglingleave (of absence)’, etcUK , 1888

wang-wangnounthe penisUS , 1980

wanknoun1an act of masturbation; hence, an act of indulgence An earlier spelling ‘whank’ has given way to ‘wank’UK ,

self-1948.2a waste of timeUK , 1998.3a fool; a despicable personUK , 2002.

4nonsense; rubbish As in the expression ‘that’s a load of oldwank’ and the exclamation (current in the armed services,especially army, 1960–70s) ‘wank! wank!’ (pronounced almost as ifquacked) greeting any announcement or declaration considered to

be rubbishUK , 1979

wankverb1to masturbate The Scots dialect word whank (to beat)

was the usual spelling until the 1970s Also used with ‘off’UK , 1950.

2to party with zeal and a lack of inhibitionCANADA , 1993

wankadjectiveof poor quality; pathetic; self-indulgentUK , 2002

wank about; wank aroundverbto waste timeUK , 2001

wank-banknouna personal collection of inspirational erotic images.Formed onWANK(an act of masturbation)UK , 2003

wanked-outadjectivedrained of lifeUK , 2000

wankernoun1a masturbator The earlier spelling ‘whanker’ hasgiven way to ‘wanker’UK , 1978.2a despicable person; an all-purposeform of abuse From the sense as ‘a masturbator’; some

commentators suggest late C19 dialect wanker (a simpleton) UK , 1972

wankeredadjectivedrunk or drug-intoxicated, 2001

wanker’s doomnounthe mythological disease that is the inevitableresult of excessive masturbationUS , 1977

wanker tanknouna large 4WD vehicle that never gets used for road driving

wanking-spannernounthe hand A masturbatory tool that loosens

nutsUK , 1961

wank magnouna pornographic magazine CombinesWANK(to

masturbate) withMAG(a magazine)UK , 1998

wank-offadjectiveself-indulgent A figurative application for ‘an act

of masturbation’UK , 2000

wank-pit; wanking-pitnouna man’s (unshared) bed Military slang,

formed onWANK(masturbation)UK , 1961

wank shaftnoun1the vaginaUK , 2001.2the penis; also used as a

term of abuse Formed on the wordWANK(masturbation)UK , 2003

wank socknounan item of (men’s) footwear used to contain the

penis during masturbationUK , 2003

wankstanounsomeone, especially a white person, who postures as

a gangsta rapper A derisory play onWANKER(a despised person)US ,

2002

wank-stainnouna contemptible personUK , 1997

wank tanksnounthe testicles Celebrating the testicles as no more

than a source of semen for masturbationUK , 2002

wank tradenounthe pornography industryUS , 1997

wankwarenounsoftware on compact disc intended for sexual

stimulationCANADA , 1995

wankyadjective1of poor quality; pathetic Original printer’s use

cognisant withWONKY; survives into a modern use which presumes

WANKas the inspirationUK , 1890.2pretentiousAUSTRALIA , 1979

wannabenounsomeone who wants to be and pretends to be that

which he is not Deemed potentially offensive by Multicultural

Management Program Fellows, Dictionary of Cautionary Words and

Phrases, 1989 US , 1980

wanna-bet shirtnounin a rowing competition, a team’s shirt

which is the object of a wager between competing teams, where

the winner claims the opposing team’s shirts which are worn as a

badge of victoryUS , 2001

WannonicknameWandsworth PrisonUK , 2004

wan singer, wan song 8see:ONE SINGER, ONE SONG

wantnouna notification that a person is wanted by the policeUS , 1958

wantverb< want into wish to enter; to desire to be a part of

something Originally a colloquial term in Scotland, Northern

Ireland and the USUK , 1836.< want outto wish to exit; to desire

a complete change of circumstancesUK: SCOTLAND , 1870

wappyadjectiveidealistic, sentimental Perhaps as a blend ofWET

(weak, lacking in effectiveness) andSOPPY(foolishly sentimental,

naive)UK , 1959

warnoun< go to warto fightUS , 2002

war and strifenouna wife Rhyming slang; a less-used variation of

TROUBLE AND STRIFE UK , 1931

warbnouna decrepit, unclean or otherwise disgusting person

Perhaps from ‘warble’ (a type of maggot)AUSTRALIA , 1933

warbyadjectivedecrepit; unkempt; filthy; disgustingAUSTRALIA , 1923

warchalkverbto chalk icons on walls, etc, to indicate an area where

a wireless Internet connection may be made for free Derived as a

back-formation fromWARCHALKING UK , 2002

warchalkernouna computer user who chalks icons on walls, etc, to

indicate to other computer users an area where a wireless Internet

connection may be made for freeUK , 2002

warchalkingnounthe practice of chalking icons on walls, etc, to

indicate an area where a wireless Internet connection may be

made for free Coined in June 2002 by Matt Jones, a

London-based ‘information architect’, as a play on ‘wardialing’ (a

computer-directed assault by telephone) ‘Warchalking’ is based

on the system of symbols used by UK tramps and beggars, first

recorded in 1849, and developed by US hobos during the

Depression The three basic symbols are

privacy] node)

wardennoun1a parentUS , 1968.2a spouse Usually a spouse of thefemale persuasion as perceived by the spouse of the malepersuasionUS , 1976.3a school principalUS , 1954.4a teacher TeenslangUS , 1951.5on the railways, the supervisor of a track crewUS , 1977

war departmentnounsomeone’s wife or girlfriendUS , 1984

war dialernouna computer program that dials a given range oftelephone connections in order to hack into computer ortelecommunications systemsUS , 1989

warehousedadjectiveused of a prisoner who is neither educatednor trained during a period of imprisonment but simply contained

UK , 1996

wareznounpirated computer software offered over the Internet

A deliberate respelling of ‘wares’UK , 2003

warheadnounin cricket, a fast bowlerUK , 1996

warlordnouna high-level member of a political organisationUS , 1991

warmnounan act of warming; an act of becoming warm Colloquial

UK , 1768

warmadjectivegoodUK , 1996

warm for someone’s formadjectivesexually attracted to someone

US , 1964

warm fuzziesnounthe feeling when praised by a superiorUS , 1986

warm onenouna bulletUS , 1998

warmupnouna loose-fitting, athletic warmup suitUS , 1999

warm upverbto refill a cup of coffeeUS , 1996

warn’tverbwas not; were notUS , 1970

warpnouna bent card used by a card cheat to identify the value ofthe cardUS , 1996

war paintnounmakeup, cosmetics Originally theatricalUS , 1869

warpedadjective1pervertedUS , 1993.2drug-intoxicatedUS , 1979.

3drunkUK , 2002

warp onenouna high speed Figurative US naval aviator usageUS , 1986

warp sevenadverbvery quicklyUS , 1992

warriornouna fearless, violent member of a youth gangUS , 1995

warrior boldnouna coldUK , 1961

warsnoun< have been in the warsto show signs of injury.especially the trivial wounds that afflict childrenUK , 1850

warthognouna US Air Force attack plane formally known as an A-10Thunderbolt Gulf war usageUS , 1991

warts and allwith all blemishes or imperfections unconcealedUK , 1930

war wagonnouna vehicle carrying weapons on a motorcyle gangouting when trouble is expectedUS , 1992

Warwick Farm; warwicknounthe arm Rhyming slang, after thename of a racecourse in SydneyAUSTRALIA , 1944

war zonenounan area in Washington D.C infamous for drug salesand other crimeUS , 1984

washnoun1crack cocaine A shortened form of ‘readywash’ To

manufacture crack cocaine, hydrachloride is washed in a solution

of baking soda and waterUK , 1996.2the effect of a drugUS , 1974.3alarge number of things or peopleBARBADOS , 1965.< the wash

theft of money in public lavatories while the owner is washingUK , 1977

washverb1to killUS , 1941.2to purge or expunge somethingUS , 1983.

3to give money obtained illegally the appearance of legitimacythrough accounting and banking schemesUS , 1997.4to shuffle adeck of cardsUS , 1965.5to receive favourable considerationUS , 1986.

6to be credibleUK , 1849.< not a child in the house washed

nothing done, no progress madeIRELAND , 1996.< wash mouthtocriticise someone or something without concern for theconsequencesTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1986.< wash your facewhenselling a lot by auction, to break evenUK , 2004.< wash your

mouth out; wash out your mouth

filthy language or dirty words Often as an imperative, and

occasionally elaborated with ‘soap’, or ‘soap and water’UK , 1961

wash awayverbto kill someoneUS , 1941

washboardnounin mountain biking, an area of hard, rippled earth

US , 1996

washboardadjectiveof an abdomen, trim, muscular, defined From

the appearance – solid and rippledUS , 1992

washdownnounbeer Especially in the context of drinking after a

session of drinking the tranquillizing herbal beverage kavaFIJI , 1991

washed-upadjectiveno longer successful, finishedUS , 1923

washernoun< put a washer onto urinate A Lancashire termUK ,

1967

washer-dryernouna douche bag and towelUS , 1980

wash-foot-and-comenouna noisy, rowdy partyANTIGUA AND BARBUDA ,

1998

washicongsnountrainers, sneakersTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1992

washing machinenoun1in computing, an obsolete large hard disk

found in a large floor cabinetUS , 1991.2a wave as it breaks over

and thrashes a surferUS , 1991

Washingtonnouna one-dollar note From the portrait of George

Washington on the noteUS , 1959

Washington Monumentnounin poker, a hand with three fives A

rather esoteric allusion to the fact that the Washington Monument

is 555 feet highUS , 1988

washoutnoun1a failure (a thing or a person); a disappointment; a

cancellationUK , 1902.2in motorcyle racing, the condition that

occurs when the front wheel begins to slide in soft dirt; also used

in mountain bikingUS , 1973

wash outverb1to fail and expel someone from a course or training

US , 1970.2in motor racing, to suffer a loss or decrease in steering

responsivenessUS , 1980.3in mountain-biking, to lose front-wheel

tractionUS , 1996.4to process cocaine into crack cocaineUK , 1996

wash-potnounsomething or someone easily obtainedTRINIDAD AND

TOBAGO , 1971

wash rocknouncrack cocaine Combines two separate terms for

CRACK UK , 1997

wash-upnouna post-event analytical discussion Originally Royal

Navy, then the wider military, and from there into corporate and

wasp; wapnoun1a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant The term is

applied to whites without particular regard to the religious

com-ponentUS , 1957.2a white Appalachian southern Protestant US , 1981.

3a traffic warden From the yellow band on the uniform hat and

sleeves (no doubt influenced by a characteristic intent to ‘sting’ a

harmless motorist)UK , 1966

waspishnessnounthe state of being distinctly white, Anglo-Saxon

and ProtestantUS , 1957

wassock; wazzock; wazzucknouna fool; an annoying or stupid

individualUK , 1983

wassup?; whas up?; wassuuup?used as a greeting A slurred

‘what’s up?’ with dozens of variant spellings Wildly popular pop

speak in the US (and, to a degree, UK) in 2000 in response to a

series of television advertisements for Budweiser™ beerUS , 1990

wassyadjectiveostentatious, especially in a sexually provocative way

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1987

wasteverb1to kill someoneUS , 1964.2to smoke marijuanaUS , 1967.

3(used of a jockey in horse racing) to lose weightAUSTRALIA , 1989.

< waste babies(of a male) to masturbateUS , 2001.< waste

groceries

wastebasketnounin pool, a pocket that seems receptive to ballsdroppingUS , 1993

waste-casenouna drunkardUS , 1987

wastedadjective1drunk or drug-intoxicatedUS , 1964.2absolutelyexhausted From earlier uses as ‘intoxicated’UK , 1995

Waste Islandnicknamethe West Island of Montreal Likelynicknamed with this derogatory term by teenagers, the West Islandarea of the city is heavily residential and suburban, meaning thatunder-age citizens have to be transported around by their parents

or use the bus, and by contrast with central Montreal, it is boring

CANADA , 2002

wasternouna lazy, unambitious personIRELAND , 1991

waste-timeadjectivedull, boring, uninteresting Hawaiian youthusageUS , 1972

wastoidnouna worthless, dim-witted person; a person whose drug

or alcohol use is ruining their lifeUS , 1985

wastrynounrubbish (trash)JAMAICA , 2003

watchverb< watch your lip; watch your mouth; watch your

trapto talk politely; to mind your manners; to not speak out ofturn Often exclamatoryUK , 1997.< watch your stepto becareful; to be cautious in a current or planned activity Often as awarningUK , 1959

Watcha 8see:WOTCHER

watch and chain; watchnounthe brain Rhyming slangUK , 1992

watchienouna watchmanUK: SCOTLAND , 1996

watch itverbused as a (sometimes threatening) warning to becareful Always imperative, often exclamatoryUK , 1916

watch queennoun1a homosexual man who derives sexualpleasure from watching other men having sexUS , 1970.2a lookoutduring anonymous homosexual sex in public placesUS , 1975

watch this spaceused as an announcement that furtherdevelopments may be expected Originally, and still, used of space

WATERCRESS, WATER HEN.< go in the waterto lose an athleticcontest or other competition intentionallyUS , 1955.< go to water

to be overcome with fear; to fail to maintain a resolveAUSTRALIA ,

1950.< in the water; out in the waterin debtUS , 1992.< over

the waterNorthern Ireland A British armed services’ view of theworldUK , 1995

waterverb< water her garden(of a man) to have sex with awomanJAMAICA , 1998.< water the gardento change the bottles

of intravenous fluid that feed a neurologically depressed hospitalpatientUS , 1978.< water the horsesto urinateAUSTRALIA , 1971.

< water the vegetablesto administer intravenous fluids to ahospital’s neurologically depressed patientsUS , 1985

water blacknounmascara Because water is needed for application

watercress; waternouna dress Rhyming slangUK , 1998

watercress; waterverbto dress Rhyming slangUK , 1998

water dognoun1in circus and carnival usage, a sealUS , 1981.2in

trucking, a truck with leaking water linesUS , 1971

waterfallverbto drink from a can or bottle by cascading the liquid

into your mouth without touching the can or bottle with your

lips Collected from a 13-year-old in Irvine, California, April 2003US ,

2003

Waterfordadjectiveeasily understood; perfectly clear Puns the

synonymous ‘crystal clear’ with well-known Irish glass

manufacturers Waterford CrystalUK , 2001

waterheadnouna person with mental problemsUS , 2002

water hen; waternounten Rhyming slang, especially in horse

racingUK , 1969

waterhole; water holenoun1a public hotelAUSTRALIA , 1968.2a

truck stopUS , 1976

watering hole; watering spotnouna bar or club where alcohol is

served; a public hotelUS , 1955

Waterloonouna stew Rhyming slang, from the area of LondonUK ,

1992

watermelonsnounfemale breasts of generous dimensions From

the all-too-obvious resemblanceUS , 1995

water sportsnoun1sexual activity involving the giving and getting

of an enemaUS , 1969.2sexual activity that includes urinationUS ,

1969

water-walkernouna fellow aviator whose accomplishments

approach the miraculous US naval aviator usageUS , 1986

water-waternounmarijuanaUK , 2003

water worksnoun1tearsUK , 1647.2the urinary systemUS , 1961

wavenoun1the semi-erect penisUS , 1987.2crack cocaineUK , 1998

waveverbto bend the edge of a playing card for later cheatingUS ,

1979.< wave a dead chickento knowingly make a futile

attempt to resolve a problem Possibly an allusion to voodooUS ,

1996.< wave your wigto comb your hair High school student

usageUS , 1961

wavelengthnoun< on your wavelength; on the same

wavelengthto comprehend (and agree with) another’s point of

view or approach Figurative application of a clear radio signalUS ,

1927

wavesnoun< make wavesto stir up trouble; to upset an

established or accepted routineUS , 1962

waxnounphonograph records Recordings were originally made on

wax cylinders or discs; the term applied to shellac discs and,

sub-sequently, vinyl, but is not used to refer to newer technologies

such as CD, tape, etcUS , 1932.< put the wax on the tracksto

get ready and start outUK , 2003

waxverb1to shoot or kill someoneUS , 1960.2to excel; to perform

wellUS , 2001.3in children’s games, to share turns at bat, kicking or

the likeAUSTRALIA , 1990.< wax the carrot(of a male) to

masturbateUS , 2001.< wax the dolphin(of a male) to

masturbateUS , 1987.< wax the weezer(of a male) to masturbate

US , 2001

waxaadjectivegood, excellentUK , 2003

waxheadnouna surfer From the wax used on surfboardsAUSTRALIA ,

1981

wax meused as an injunction or request to be given a marijuana

cigaretteUK , 1996

wax upverbto conceal contraband in a small container in readiness

for hiding the container in the anusUK , 1996

waxynounin horse racing, an enthusiast who can’t help shouting in

the ears of those near himAUSTRALIA , 1989

waynouna familiar neighbourhood; your home territoryUS , 1987.

< in a big wayto an extremeUS , 1987.< on the way outof a

person, approaching retirement or likely to be dismissed; of a

thing, coming to the end of its useful existenceUK , 1961.< that’s

the way (something does something)

out Used in a formulaic construction of ‘that’s the way the NOUNVERBs’US , 1952.< the other waydiverging from a stated con-ditionUK , 1858

wayadverbextremely; without doubtUS , 1982

waybackadjectivein remote areasAUSTRALIA , 1899

way enough!in team rowing, used as a command by the coxswain

to the rowers to stop rowingUS , 2003

Wayne Fontanasadjectivemad Rhyming slang forBANANAS; formedfrom British singer Wayne Fontana (Glyn Ellis) (b.1945) who, withWayne Fontana & The Mindbenders, came to prominence in themid-1960sUK , 2004

wayoutnouna person who is dressed in an extraordinary,unconventional fashion FromWAY OUT(unconventional)US , 1969

way outadjectiveextreme; unconventional; experimental orinnovative; goodUS , 1958

way pastadverbextremelyUS , 1992

way to go!used for registering approval; ‘well done!’ Abbreviatedfrom ‘that’s the way to go!’US , 1972

way upadjectivedrunkUS , 1955

waz; wazz; wassverbto urinateUK , 1984

waz; wazz; whaznounan act of urinationUK , 1999

wazoonounthe anus and/or rectumUS , 1965

wazzverbto rain A figurative use of the sense ‘to urinate’UK , 1980.

< wazz on your bonfireto spoil your fun, to ruin somethinggood CombinesWAZ;WAZZ(urination) with a symbol of celebration

UK , 1998

wazzedadjectivedrunk A variation ofPISSED The Batfinks ‘Wazzed

’n’ Blasted’ was recorded in the 1980s but not released until 1998

UK , 1996

wazzer; wazzadjectivewonderfulUK , 1983

wazzock; wazzucknoun 8see:WASSOCK

WCnouna lavatory Abbreviated from ‘water closet’UK , 1815

weak!used as a prompt and short expression of disagreement withwhat has just been saidUS , 1986

weakheartnouna police officer; a representative of theestablishment or authority Used by West Indians, and intended to

be offensiveUK , 1977

weakienouna poker player who lacks courageUS , 1996

weak sisternoun1a weak, ineffective personUS , 1857.2an investorwho buys a stock as an investment but sells it as soon as the pricerisesUS , 1988

weaky-weakyadjectivefrailTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1987

weaponnoun1the penis First recorded around the year 1000; andever thusUK , 1000.2in pool, a player’s cue stickUS , 1993.< spit

shine the weaponto perform oral sex on a man Perhaps thisphrase has military originsUS , 2001

weaponsnounan actor’s arsenal of make upUK , 1952

weapons-gradeadjectivevery strong Teen slang, post 11thSeptember 2001US , 2002

wearverb1to tolerate or accept something Originally militaryUK ,

1925.2to use a nameUS , 1968.< wear American glovesamongCanadian military personnel, to have your hands in your pockets

CANADA , 1995.< wear buttonsto be extremely gullibleUS , 1976.

< wear itto take the blame, and punishment, for another’scrimeUK , 1996.< wear stripesto serve a prison sentenceUS , 1949.

< wear the face off someoneto vigorously French kisssomeoneIRELAND , 2003

we are not worthyused as a humorous recognition ofaccomplishmentUS , 1992

wearing the smallsnounthe testicles Rhyming slang forBALLS UK , 2003

Weary Willienouna person who is perpetually tired, sad and mistic From the character portrayed by circus clown Emmett Kelly(1898–1979)

Weary Winnynouna prostitute who seeks customers on the street.

From the title of a 1927 filmUS , 1951

weaselnouna tip, a gratuity Used by railway porters; probably

derived fromWEASELING(extracting tips)UK , 1965

weaselverb1to use ambiguous language in an attempt to

equivocate on the meaningUS , 1956.2to use cunning to achieve

your end; to cheatUK , 1975.< weasel out; weasel your way

outto avoid a responsibility or obligation, especially in a sly or

underhand mannerUK , 1962

weasel and stoat; weaselnouna coat Rhyming slangUK , 1971

weaseling; weasellingnounextracting gratuities Used by railway

portersUK , 1970

We, as official Video Rangers, hereby promise used with

humour as an oath or pledge From the US children’s television

programme Captain Video and his Video Rangers (1947–57), in

which the viewers were asked to join with Captain Video in

prom-ising to ‘support forever the causes of freedom, truth and justice

throughout the universe’ Used with irony in later years by those

who as children had been warped by televisionUS , 1957

weathernoun< under the weather1ill, unwellUS , 1850.

2experiencing the bleed period of the menstrual cycle A

narrowing of the general sense of ‘vaguely unwell’CANADA , 1961.

3tipsy, drunk From the conventional sense as ‘unwell’AUSTRALIA ,

1942

weather guessernouna meteorologistANTARCTICA , 2003

weather in; weather outverb(of bad weather) to confine pilots in

Canada’s west to the airport until conditions improve This term

was used in alternation with, or perhaps more often than,

‘storm-stayed’, in western Canada wintersCANADA , 1989

weavenoun1real and synthetic hair woven into existing hair to

hide baldness or thinning hairUS , 1993.2clothesUS , 1972

weaveverb< get weavingto start (immediately) Originally Royal

Air Force slangUK , 1942

webnouna television networkUS , 1990

webbed upadjectiveinvolved, entangled; addictedUK , 2000

webfootnoun1a dairy farmerNEW ZEALAND , 2002.2a racehorse that

performs well on a muddy trackUS , 1951

weblishnounthe informally coded and abbreviated form of English

that is used in text messaging, chat rooms, etcUK , 2001

web ragenounan outburst of enraged hostility within a

cyber-environmentUS , 1996

weddingnouna one-on-one battle between fighter pilotsUS , 1986

wedding bellsnounmorning glory seeds, eaten for their purported

hallucinogenic effectUS , 1970

wedding bells acid; wedding bellsnounLSDUS , 1971

wedding kitnounthe genitalsUS , 1964

wedding nightnounthe first occasion on which two homosexual

men have sex with each otherUK , 2002

wedding tacklenounthe male genitalsUK , 1961

wedgenoun1a thick fold of currency notes; money in general In

the C18 and C19 ‘wedge’ meant both ‘money’ and ‘silver’;

how-ever, these senses were obsolete long before the current usages

The modern derivation comes from folded banknotes which form

a wedge shape; hence the coincidental generic usageUK , 1977.

2one hundred poundsUK , 2000.3a dose of LSD; LSDUS , 1971.4in

drag racing, an engine with a combustion chamber that is shaped

like a wedgeUS , 1999.5a car Teen slangUS , 1951

wedgedadjectivein computing, suspended in mid-operation and

unable to proceedUS , 1983

wedged upadjectivehaving money to spendUK , 2000

wedgernounsomeone who pushes into a queueUS , 1994

wedgienouna wedge-tailed eagleAUSTRALIA , 1941

wedgiesnounwedge-heeled shoesUK , 1959

wedginaldnounmoney DisguisingWEDGE(money) with a play on

wedgy; wedgienoun1the condition that exists when someonepulls your trousers or underpants forcefully upward, forming awedge between buttock cheeksUS , 1988.2a sandal, the thong ofwhich wedges between the toesUS , 1981

wee; wee weenounurine; an act of urination Juvenile or jocular inthe mainUK , 1937

weeverbto urinateIRELAND , 1934

weeblesnounan ill-defined or undefined illnessUS , 1947

weednoun1marijuana The preferred slang term for marijuanauntil the 1950s, and despite the popularity of its successors it hasnever completely vanished from the lexiconUS , 1928.2a marijuanacigaretteUS , 1958.3a cigaretteUS , 1951.4tobaccoUK , 1606.5a thin,unhealthily delicate and weak personUK , 1869.6in horse racing, anundersized thoroughbredUK , 1948.7an expertBARBADOS , 1965.8abeginner surferUS , 1990.< get into the weedsto micro-managethe smallest detailsUS , 1991

weedverb1in a gambling establishment, to provide an employeewith money to gamble in the hopes of building up businessUS ,

1947.2to pilfer Survives asWEEDING UK , 1811.< weed a poketoremove all money and valuable items from a stolen walletUS , 1962

weedburnernounin drag racing, exhaust pipes that extenddownward and to the rear of the car, terminating near the ground

US , 1993

weedernounon the railways, the supervisor of a track crewUS , 1977

weed headnouna marijuana smokerUS , 1945

weedingnounstealing, especially from an employer, or at the scene

of a crime already committed FromWEED(to pilfer)UK , 1977

weedlynouna female marijuana smokerUS , 1955

weed monkey; weed mulenounan old car or truck used to haulraw materials used in the illegal production of alcoholUS , 1974

weedonouna marijuana userUS , 1958

weed of wisdomnounmarijuanaUK , 1994

weedsnounclothesUS , 1961

weed teanouna narcotic drink made by the infusion of marijuanaleaves A combination ofWEED(marijuana) and ‘tea’ in the con-ventional senseUS , 1960

weedwacker teamnounin law enforcement, a surveillance teamUS , 1997

weedyadjectivelacking in physical, moral or emotional strengthUK , 1852

Wee Georgie Wood; wee georgieadjectivegood Rhyming slang,formed on music hall entertainer Wee Georgie Wood (1894–1979),perhaps via the Tasmanian Wee Georgie Wood Steam Railway(named after a locomotive presumably named, in turn, after theentertainer); especially in the phrase ‘any wee georgie wood?’

AUSTRALIA , 1942

wee hammocknouna sanitary towel From the similarity ofappearance; in usage while such capacious reinforcement was thepopular choice; certainly in use during the mid-to late 1960sUK , 2001

wee heavynouna nip-sized bottle of strong ale or barley wine Firstused for Fowler’s Wee Heavy™, then generic Recorded by Brian

Glover, CAMRA Dictionary of Beer, 1985 UK , 1985

wee hoursnounvery early in the morning; the hours just aftermidnightUS , 1973

weekendnounany short term of imprisonmentUK , 1950

weekendadjectiveused derisively for indicating a part-time or casualdedication to a stated activity Not restricted to weekend usageUK , 1935

weekendernouna person serving a jail sentence for a minoroffence on weekendsUS , 1971

weekend habitnouna sporadic use of recreational drugsUK , 1996

weekend hippienouna person with a conventional lifestyle who atthe weekend adopts a counterculture personaUS , 1968

weekend passnouna glass Rhyming slang, probably of militaryorigin

weekend rootnouna sexual partner with no illusions of a sustained

relationshipNEW ZEALAND , 1998

weekend warriornoun1a member of the National Guard

Members of reserve units must typically devote one weekend a

month to refresher trainingUS , 1976.2in drag racing, a

hobbyist/enthusiast who confines his passion to weekend events

US , 1965

weenie; weenyadjectivesmall, tinyUK , 1790

weenie; weeny; wienienoun1a hot dog From the German

wienerwurst US , 1906.2the penisUS , 1978

weenie binnouna library carrelUS , 1987

weenie wagger; weenie wavernouna male sexual exhibitionist

US , 1970

weeny; weenie; wienienounan unlikeable, weak personUS , 1963

weeny-boppernouna young girl, not yet a teenager but with a

teenager’s tastes AfterTEENYBOPPER(a young teenager, especially a

girl)UK , 1972

weep and wailnouna sob story told by a beggar Rhyming slang for

‘tale’UK , 1960

weep and waitverbto serve a prison sentence while awaiting news

on the outcome of an appealUS , 1962

weepernouna prisoner who cannot manage his incarceration and

constantly complainsUS , 1976

weepienouna film, novel, play, song, etc, with a sentimental

narrative or emotional effectUK , 1952

weeping willownouna pillow Rhyming slangUK , 1880

weeping wombnounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycleUS ,

1999

weepsnountearsUS , 1946

weesnounan act of urinationNEW ZEALAND , 1984

weevilnounin oil drilling, a new and inexperienced workerUS , 1954

wee-weenoun1the penisUS , 1969.2the vaginaUS , 1998 8see:WEE

wee-weeverbto urinate Children’s vocabularyUK , 1937

wee-weeadjectivevery smallBARBADOS , 1965

weezeeverbto urinate Children’s vocabularyTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO ,

1986

we go!‘let’s leave!’ Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1981

we gonegoodbye Originally used for signing off on a citizens’

band radio transmission, but too good to stay thereUS , 1976

We HonounWest Hollywood, CaliforniaUS , 2001

weighverb< weigh into bring influence to bear; to make a

forceful contribution to a topic under discussionUK , 1909.< weigh

in withto produce something additional; to introduce something

extra or unexpected; to contributeUK , 1885.< weigh into

someone1to attack someoneAUSTRALIA , 1941.2to ensnare

someone in a swindleUS , 1965.< weigh onto pay or repay

someone English Gypsy useUK , 2000

weigh offverb1to sentence someone to imprisonment or other

judicial punishment In a wider sense ‘to weigh up’ is ‘to

con-sider’; this usage is originally militaryUK , 1925.2to take revenge To

redress the balance by adjusting the weightUK , 1977

weightnoun1large quantities of a drugUS , 1964.2a large amount of

moneyUS , 1964.3blame, responsibilityUS , 1960.4difficulties,

problemsUS , 1997.5the handicap that a skilled pool player will

allow an opponentUS , 1984.< do the weightto slim, to lose

weightUK , 1999.< put on weightto undergo breast enhancement

surgeryUS , 1997

weight housenounin an illegal drug enterprise, any place where a

dealer hides his major supply of drugsUS , 2002

weightlessadjectivedrug-intoxicated, especially by crack cocaineUK ,

1998

weight pilenounthe area where weightlifting equipment is kept

Prison terminologyUS , 1990

weights

weight watchernouna Department of Transportation employee at

a roadside weigh station for trucksUS , 1976

weigh upverbto consider or appraise somethingUK , 1894

weinernoun 8see:WIENER

weird and wonderfuladjectiveremarkably eccentric; peculiar;unfathomable A colloquial coupling; usually ironic or derogatory,always clichédUK , 1859

weirdonouna weird personUS , 1955

weird outverb1to begin to act weirdlyUS , 1980.2to frightensomeone; to cause someone emotional turmoilUS , 1993

weirdy; weirdienoun1an eccentric; a very odd personUK , 1894.2ahomosexual, usually maleUK , 1969

welchverb 8see:WELSH

welcome aboard!a catchphrase used in greeting to a newcomer toany organisation, institution or closed groupUS , 1962

welcome to my worldused for expressing limited sympathy whensomeone is complaining about something that happens to youregularlyUS , 1999

welcome to the club!used for expressing faint sympathy forsomeone who is complaining about something that others suffer

US , 1993

weldverbto have sexJAMAICA , 1992

weldernouna male pornography performerUS , 1995

wellnounto a pickpocket, an inside jacket pocketUS , 1979.< the

WellBridewell Jail, ChicagoUS , 1976

welladjectiveused of a drug addict, unaffected by withdrawalsymptomsUS , 1969

welladverbused generally to add positive emphasis to adjectivesUK , 1986

well and trulyadverbutterly, beyond doubt, to an unarguabledegreeUK , 1948

well awayadjective1sound asleepUK , 1927.2tipsyUK , 1931.< be

well awayto prosper, to be doing very well As in the example:

‘He’s well away with that girl’UK , 1937

well-endowedadjective1of a man, having impressively portioned genitalsUK , 1951.2of a woman, having generously pro-portioned breastsUK , 1984

pro-well-goneadjectivedrunkUK , 2000

well-hardadjectivevery toughUK , 1995

well-heeledadjectiverich; having more than sufficient moneyUS , 1897

well hungadjective1of a man, having generously proportionedgenitalsUK , 1685.2young Rhyming slangUK , 1992

wellieverb1to smash something or defeat someone Used by theRoyal Marines in the Falklands war, made familiar in the SASfictions of Chris Ryan and Andy McNabUK , 1982.2to kick someone

or somethingUK , 1966

wellie; wellynoun1a Wellington boot (rubberised or plastic proof footware) In the 1970s, it began to be used in phraseswhere ‘boot’ occurred, e.g ‘The welly’s on the other foot now’;

water-‘he’s getting too big for his wellies’ Perhaps started by The Great Northern Welly Boot Show put on by Billy Connolly at the

Edinburgh Festival in the early 1970s ‘Well boot’ is also a variant

UK , 1961.2power, energy, especially when harnessed as acceleration

UK , 1980.< give it some wellie; give it some wellytovigorously attack someone or something; hence, to put all youreffort into something AfterWELLIE(Wellington boot), hence a play

onSTICK THE BOOT IN UK , 1990

welliedadjectivedrunkUK , 2002

wellie-whangingnounWellington boot hurling as anunconventional competitive sportUK , 1984

well, I’ll be a blue-nosed gopher!used for expressing surprise Asignature line of the Ollie character in the ‘Spin and Marty’

segment of the Mickey Mouse Club in the 1950s Repeated with

well, I’ll be a dirty bird!used for expressing surprise humorously.

A signature line of George Gobel on the television comedy The

George Gobel Showcase (CBS, 1954–60) Repeated widely with

referential humourUS , 1960

well, I’m damned! 8see:I’LL BE DAMNED

well I never!; well I never did!used for registering surpriseUK ,

1848

wellingtonnouna condom A figurative application of waterproof

footwear ‘Welly boot’ is also a variantUK , 2003

wellington boot; wellingtonnounan act of sexual intercourse

Rhyming slang forROOT AUSTRALIA , 1970

well-linedadjectivereasonably wealthyUK , 1999

well-oiledadjectivedrunk An intensification ofOILEDthat now

stands aloneUK , 1937

welnawnoUS , 1993

welsh; welchverbto swindle someone out of money wagered

Originates in the supposed untrustworthiness of the Welsh,

poss-ibly as speakers of a language few other mainland Britons

understand (and such private communication is, after all, the

intention of most criminal slang)UK , 1857

Welshie; Welshynouna Welsh personUK , 1951

Welsh WalesnounWales If this referred specifically to the parts of

Wales where Welsh is the predominant language this could well be

considered as a correct usage; however, this is used generally and

patronisingly, often in a faux-Welsh accent, of Wales as a wholeUK ,

2004

Welsh Windbagnicknamepolitician Neil Kinnock (b.1942); hence,

any loquacious Welsh person A happy alliteration given to

Kinnock from his weakness for big speeches that (unhappily)

undermined his credibility with the electorate; the tag dates from

his time as leader of the Labour party from 1983–92UK , 1984

wendynouna white homosexual male Gay slang, formed on the

name Wendy, probably elaborating the initial ‘w’ for white, and

originating among Cape colouredsSOUTH AFRICA , 2000

Wendy housenoun1in prison, a time when prisoners are

permitted to associate with each other From a child’s Wendy

house, thus an allusion to playtime and the possibility for discreet

associationUK , 1996.2the Duty Chief Inspector’s office in the

Information Room at New Scotland Yard From the conventional

sense as ‘a children’s playhouse’UK , 1999

Werrisnouna Greek personAUSTRALIA , 1977

Werris Creeknoun1a Greek person Rhyming slang From the

name of a New South Wales townAUSTRALIA , 1977.2an act of

urination Rhyming slang forLEAK AUSTRALIA , 2002

wert’nounworthless Hawaiian youth usageUS , 1982

Wesson partynoungroup sex enhanced by spreading vegetable oil

on the participants’ bodies An allusion and tribute to Wesson™

vegetable oilUS , 1971

west coasternounin trucking, a large, rectangular rear view mirror

US , 1971

west coast turnaroundnounany strong central nervous system

stimulant Powerful enough to keep a truck driver awake for a trip

to the west coast and backUS , 1971

West End shownounheroin London’s West End is known as

‘Theatreland’; this jocular term in use amongst musicians suggests

that heroin is a popular entertainment that will, in the words of a

critical cliché, ‘run and run’UK , 2001

West End thespiannouna lesbian Rhyming slangUK , 2003

western gripnounused of a male when masturbating, gripping

your penis with your thumb facing your body From the grip used

on the reins by those riding Western styleUS , 2004

western styleadjectiveused of coffee, stale and lukewarm Punning

on the observation that the coffee has ‘been on the range all day’

US , 1976

West Ham reserves; west hamsnounthe nerves Rhyming slang,

westienouna young tough person Originally referring to peoplefrom the western suburbs of Sydney, it now has spread to otherparts of the country In Sydney it was used as a derogatorysobriquet to refer to inhabitants of suburbs west of one’s own,which meant that everyone except those people living in theeastern beach suburbs was liable to be called a ‘westie’ bysomeone Similarly, in New Zealand, applied to those from thesuburbs west of AucklandAUSTRALIA , 1977

Westminster Abbeynouna cab driver Rhyming slang forCABBY UK , 1992

Westminster Abbeyadjectiveshabby Rhyming slang; originallytheatrical, nicely ironicUK , 1961

WestralianounWestern Australia Hence ‘someone or something ofWestern Australia’ is ‘Westralian’AUSTRALIA , 1893

west side passkeysnounburglary tools Coined in ChicagoUS , 1982

WestynounUS Army General William Childs Westmoreland (b.1914),

US commander in Vietnam 1964–68US , 1991

wetnoun1a politician with middle-of-the-road views oncontroversial issues, especially (during the 1980s) a Conservativenot entirely supportive of Margaret Thatcher’s monetarist policies

UK , 1931.2in motor racing, a tyre designed for racing in the rainUS ,

1992.3a drink of an alcoholic beverage C10 wæt, first recorded in

slang as ‘heavy-wet’ (malt liquor)UK , 1982.4alcoholic beverages.Gulf war usageUK , 1991.5an act of urinationUK , 1925.6a conven-tional cigarette infused with embalming fluidUS , 2001.7rain; wetweatherUS , 1945.8a Mexican national illegally present in the US.Shortened form ofWETBACK, from the Spanish mojado, drawn from

the image of swimming across the Rio Grande River from Mexicointo Texas DerogatoryUS , 1979.< the wetthe wet season inAustralia’s tropical northAUSTRALIA , 1908

wetverb< wet the baby’s headto drink to celebrate the birth(and christening) of a childUK , 1885.< wet the elbowto enjoy afew drinksNEW ZEALAND , 1994.< wet your whistleto have a drink,especially an alcoholic drinkUS , 1720.< wet yourselfto laughuproariouslyUK , 1970

wetadjective1of a woman, sexually excited; ready for sex Notrecorded before 1937 but surely in use much earlierUK , 1937.2inpolitics, willing to compromise Adopted from the sense ‘weak,lacking in effectiveness’; in this context often as Tory ‘wet’ (seefollowing citation)UK , 1980.3weak, lacking in effectiveness Upper-class society useUK , 1916.4foolishNEW ZEALAND , 2002.5excellentUS ,

2000.6pertaining to killingUS , 1992.7permitting the purchase andconsumption of alcoholic beveragesUS , 1950

wetbacknoun1an illegal immigrant to the US from Mexico Anoffensive and figurative term deriving from the crossing of the RioGrande River between Mexico and the US Displaying a candourendemic to the time, the US Border Patrol launched ‘OperationWetback’ in 1954 to stem the tide of illegal immigration fromMexicoUS , 1929.2in surfing, a large waveUS , 1957

wet behind the earsadjectiveinexperiencedUK , 1931

wet blanketnouna killjoy, a spoilsportUK , 1857

wet bumnouna weak individual Derogatory; the image of a babywith a wet bottom, punning onWET(weak)UK , 1997

wetcoastnounthe strip of British Columbia along the Pacific Ocean

wet dreamernounan exciting experienceUK , 1999

wet fartadjectiveineffectual, pointlessUK , 2000

wet-fingernoun< get wet-fingerin the categorisation of sexualactivity by teenage boys, to insert a finger into a girl’s vaginaUS ,

Wet Nellynounused as a generic name for any form of bread

pudding There is anecdotal evidence of Wet Nelly being enjoyed

during World War 1UK , 2000

wet paper could cut youused for describing a person who can’t

do anything rightTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1989

wet ragnounan unpopular, socially inept personUS , 1955

wet road blocknounthe Yalu River, Korea US troops were

prohibited from crossing the Yalu, even in pursuit of enemy

soldiersUS , 1982

wet seasonnounthe bleed period of the menstrual cycleAUSTRALIA ,

1988

wet shotnouna scene in a pornographic film or photograph

depicting a man ejaculatingUS , 1991

wet smacknouna sexually frigid womanUS , 1977

wet stuffnounexplicit violence or sex in a television programme or

filmUS , 1997

wetsuitnouna condomUS , 1993

wettienounespecially among surfers, a wetsuitAUSTRALIA , 1987

wettie rashnouna rash caused by wearing a wetsuitAUSTRALIA , 1996

wetwarenouna human being; the human brainUS , 1991

wet week; wet weekendnoun< like a wet week; like a wet

weekendmiserable, wretchedUK , 1984

wet willienounan act in which a spit-moistened finger is forced

into a victim’s ear and twistedUS , 1992

WFOadjectiveused of a throttle, all the way open An abbreviation of

‘wide fucking open’ US , 2001

whacknoun1a heavy, resounding blow; a blow with a stick, often as

corporal punishmentUK , 1737.2a share, a portion, a part, a

measureAUSTRALIA , 1889.3heroinUK , 2003.4crack cocaineUK , 2003.5a

poorly executed piece of graffiti artUS , 1997.< have a whack at;

take a whack atto attempt something; to attack someoneUS ,

1904.< out of whacknot in proper shape or orderUS , 1885

whackverb1to kill someone, especially by gunshot Also used with

‘out’US , 1977.2to strike someone vigorouslyUK , 1721.< whack

plaquein a dentist’s office, to clean teeth Collected from an

orthodontist in Bangor, Maine, in April 2001US , 2001.< whack

your doodle(of a male) to masturbateUS , 1970

whack!in the language of hang gliding, used for commenting on a

poor landingUS , 1992

whackadoonouna crazy personUS , 1979

whack attacknoun1in the language of hang gliding, a string of

bad landingsUS , 1992.2an irrational and violent reaction to

hallucinogenic drugsUS , 2001

whackedadjective1exhaustedUK , 1919.2drunk or drug-intoxicated

Also used with ‘out’US , 1967.3out of controlUK , 1995

whacker; wackernouna fool; a jerkAUSTRALIA , 1966

whackingnoun1a beating; a defeat The figurative, sporting sense

is not recorded before 1951UK , 1862.2a killing FromWHACK(to

murder)US , 2001

whackingadverbused to intensify adjectives of largenessUK , 1853

whackoadjective1terrific; wonderfulAUSTRALIA , 1953.2crazy; eccentric

US , 1957

whacko!used for expressing shockAUSTRALIA , 1937

whack-offnounan act of masturbationUS , 1969

whack offverbto masturbateUS , 1969

whack off withverbto steal somethingAUSTRALIA , 1977

whacko Jackoadjectivecrazy A catchphrase formed from the

nickname of entertainer Michael Jackson, whose well-publicised

eccentricities give rise to this usageUK , 1989

whacko the chook!used for expressing shockAUSTRALIA , 1981

whacko-the-diddle-ohused for expressing shockAUSTRALIA , 1966

whack outverbto kill someoneUS , 1979

whack-silly

whack upverbto divide something, especially a quantity of illegaldrugs, into portionsUS , 1973

whaddup?used as a greetingUS , 1994

whaddya hear?; whaddya say?used as a greeting Thetrademark greeting of James Cagney (‘Rocky’ Sullivan) in the 1938

Warner Brothers film Angels With Dirty Faces US , 1938

wha happen?; what happenin?used as a greetingTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1993

whaka blondenouna Maori woman A coinage from theWhakarewarewa Thermal Village in Rotora, a Maori touristattractionNEW ZEALAND , 1950

whalenouna gambler who places large betsUS , 1995

whaleverb1to beat someoneUK , 1790.2to have sexUS , 1967.3to playmusic with passion and gustoUS , 1958

whale bellynounon the railways, a coal tender with a drop bottom

US , 1946

whale in the baynounsomeone looking for payment of agambling debtAUSTRALIA , 1989

whale kissernounan environmentalistUS , 2003

whale of a timenouna good timeUS , 1913

whale spermnouna plexiglas cleaning agentUS , 1991

whale tailnounthat portion of the ‘T’ at the rear of a thong thatbecomes exposed during wearUK , 2005

whamnouna striptease act in which the dancer ends her ance completely nakedUS , 1981

perform-wham!used for registering the suddenness of an occurrence.Figurative use of ‘wham’ (to hit)UK , 1999

wham bagnouna bag full of explosivesUS , 1988

wham, bam, thank you m’amused for describing anything done

in very short order, especially sex Sometimes abbreviated, andsometimes embellished with other rhymesUS , 1942

whammernounthe penisUS , 1989

whammynoun1a curse or hex US , 1940.2something that isupsetting or sets you backUS , 1961

whammy barnouna floating bridge on an electric guitar that makestremolos, vibrators, dives, bends and other effects possibleUS , 1992

wham-whamnounin prison, store-bought snacksUS , 1981

whandoodlesnounin poker, a temporary increase in the bettinglimit after a player wins a hand with a rare handUS , 1967

whangdoodlenounon the railways, a remote telephoneUS , 1977

whanger; wangernounthe penisUS , 1939

wha’ppen(?)‘what’s happening?’; used as a greeting West Indianand UK Black usageUK , 1981

whapp’nused as a greeting Derived from ‘what’s happening?’ butnot used as an interrogativeUK , 2003

wharfienouna wharf labourerAUSTRALIA , 1911

wharf ratnounin the language surrounding the Grateful Dead, afollower of the band who abstains from alcohol and drugs Fromthe title of a Grateful Dead songUS , 1994

wharkverbto vomitUK , 1985

whassnamenounused to refer to a name that is unknown,forgotten, to be avoided or hardly worth mentioning Slovening of

what a lossused for expressing sympathy for a difficult situation

US , 1983

what am I going to do with you?said to someone you know

what a revolting development this isused for expressing

displeasure A signature line of working-class hero Chester A Riley

on the television comedy The Life of Riley (NBC, 1949–58).

Repeated with referential humourUS , 1958

what are you like?an exclamation directed at someone whose

behaviour is unacceptableIRELAND , 1995

what can I do you for?‘how can I help?’, ‘what can I do for

you?’ A jocular suggestionUK , 1961

whatcha’ thinking?used as a greetingUS , 1986

what’chu talkin’ about, Willis?used for humorously expressing a

lack of understanding or belief A stock line on the television

comedy Diff’rent Strokes (1978–86), uttered by the Arnold Jackson

character played by Gary Coleman Repeated with referential

humourUS , 1986

what did your last slave die of?used as an expression of

discontent to someone who is demanding that too much be done

UK , 1976

whatdja; whatdya; whaddya‘what do you’ A phonetic recording

of general slurringUK , 1999

what-do-you-call-it; what-d’ye-call-itnounused as a replacement

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

1600

what do you know?; whaddya know?used as a register of

surpriseUS , 1914

what do you know, Joe?used as a greetingUS , 1947

what do you think of the show so far? – rubbish!a question

and answer catchphrase widely used and often without an

appropriate context Comedian Eric Morecambe (1926–84)

introduced this catchphrase in the early 1970s The response was

usually voiced by Morecambe in the manner of a ventriloquist:

‘ruggish!’UK , 1981

what else did you get for Christmas?directed at a person

showing-off with a new ‘toy’; often addressed to the tail of a

disappearing vehicleUK , 1975

whateveradverbused for registering self-pitying acceptanceUS , 2003

whateverpronounused as an emphatic form of ‘what?’ In

conven-tional use from C14–C19, then colloquialUK , 1974

whatever!used as a dismissing retort to what has just been said

Said with attitude, with a pause after ‘what’, and sometimes with

thumbs and forefingers shaped like a ‘W’US , 1989

whatever’s fairused as a non-responsive, vague answer to a direct

questionUS , 1969

whatever turns you onyour individual tastes, foibles, hobbies,

interests, etc Generally spoken to indicate a tolerance of tastes

that do not coincide with your ownUS , 1978

what for a thing is that?among Nova Scotians of German

descent, used as a query to mean ‘what kind of a thing is that?’

CANADA , 1999

what goes up must come downa Cockney catchphrase that

comments generally on the inevitability of things happening, and,

specifically, on the nature of a pregnancyUK , 1969

what-have-younounused in place of any other item or items in a

categoryUK , 1999

what is it with you?why are you behaving in such a manner?UK ,

1996

what it isused as a greetingUS , 1974

what kind?what’s the matter with you?US , 1963

what makes you tickthe inner-workings of your mind As if by

clockworkUK , 1999

whatnotnounanything and everything Usually a characteristic of

individual speakers, not a group, and often used with an annoying

regularityUK , 1540

what price NOUN?consider the worth of… something!; what do

you think of… something? Occasionally admiring, but generally

sarcastic, in reference to a declared or well-understood valueUK ,

what say?1what do you think?; what do you say to the proposal?,etcUK , 1895.2used as a greetingUS , 1965

what’s-er-name; what’s-her-namenounused to refer to a namethat is unknown, forgotten, to be avoided or hardly worthmentioningUK , 1978

what’s-his-face; what’s-her-facenounused to refer to a namethat is unknown, forgotten, to be avoided or hardly worthmentioningUK , 1995

what’s-his-name; what’s-his-nameynounused to refer to aperson whose name is unknown, forgotten, to be avoided orhardly worth mentioningUK , 1697

whatsit; whatsis; whatzisnounused to refer to a name that isunknown, forgotten, to be avoided or hardly worth mentioningUS , 1882

what’s it to you?used (often aggressively) as the rhetoricalresponse to a question, the answer to which is thus signalled to benone of the questioner’s businessUK , 1959

what’s kicking?used as a greeting, along the lines of ‘what isnew?’US , 1949

what’s my name?used as a taunt while beating someone In

1967, boxer Muhammed Ali fought Ernie Terrell, who insisted oncalling Ali ‘Cassius Clay’; as Ali pounded Terrell, Ali taunted ‘What’s

my name, fool? What’s my name?’US , 1997

what’s poppin?used as a peer-to-peer greetingUS , 1995

what’s shaking?; what’s shakin’?used as a greetingUS , 1951

what’s that when it’s at home?used as an expression ofcontempt or derision for something Any person, people or objectmay, of course, substitute for ‘that’UK , 1932

what’s the damage?how much do I owe?; what is the cost?Formed onDAMAGE(expense)UK , 1984

what’s the dealio?; what’s the dillio?what is new?, what isgoing on? Popularised by rapper Busta Rhymes in the late 1990s

US , 2002

what’s the difference between NOUN and NOUN?a worn joke-telling formula that is only usually half answered (amore vulgar or scandalous response to the question is implied)US , 1851

well-what’s the drill?what are the arrangements, or usual procedures?Originally military, now generalUK , 1961

what’s the score?what is the latest information, situation, etc?Originally Royal Air Force, then more generalUK , 1961

what’s the story, morning glory?used as a cheerful greetingUS , 1959

what’s up?used as a greetingUS , 1993

whatsup?used as a greetingUS , 1990

what’s up, Doc?used as an all-purpose enquiry The catchphrase

of Loony Tunes cartoon hero Bugs Bunny, who, from his thirdouting, in July 1940 (and much repeated), would inquire ‘Mnyeh what’s up, Doc?’ as a taunt to pursuers Also used cinematically,this time without specific context, as the title of a 1972 Hollywoodfilm Popular with sub-editors as a headline for any number ofarticles on the National HealthUS , 1940

what’s up with that?used for expressing interest in more factsUS , 1994

what’s with you?what’s amiss with you?; why are you behaving insuch a way?; what has happened to you?; explain yourself!; why?Also applied to inanimate objectsUS , 1940

what’s your damage?what’s your problem?; what’s the matter?

US , 1988

what’s your song, King Kong?used as a greetingUS , 1947

what the fuck!used for registering annoyance, resignation orsurprise Possibly a shortening of ‘what the fucking hell!’, in turn

an elaboration ofWHAT THE HELL! UK , 1999

what the heck!used as an exclamation of surprise, indignation,etc; also used dismissively and as an expression of resignationUK ,

what-the-helladjectiveindifferent, uncaringUK , 1968

what the hell!used in annoyance, resignation or surpriseUK , 1872

what the hellfire!used for registering annoyance or surprise A

variation ofWHAT THE HELL!UK , 1997

what the hey!used as a humorous declaration of surprise,

bemusement or dismissal Popularised by Milton Berle in the early

days of US television; an early television catchphrase that swept

the nationUS , 1957

what up?used as a greetingUS , 1990

what up, love one?used as a greeting Used as a coded greeting

by members of the Black Guerrilla Family prison gangUS , 2000

what/which part of no don’t you understand?used for

humourously emphasizing a previous negative answer Wildly

popular, and over-used, in the 1990s; an instant favourite of US

parents scolding children First made famous by Lorrie Morgan in

a 1991 song ‘What Part of No’, written by Wayne Perry and Gerald

Smith – ‘I’ll be glad to explain it / If it’s too hard to comprehend /

So tell me what part of no / Don’t you understand?’US , 1991

whatyoucallitnounused as a replacement for any noun that the

user cannot or does not wish to specifyUK , 2002

what-you-may-call-it; whatchamacallitnounused in place of a

word that is temporarily forgotten or not important for the context

UK , 1598

wheatnounmarijuana A play onGRASSand an assonant pun on

WEED US , 1969

wheechverbto move swiftly; to move something swiftly away

Probably derived, in some way, from Scots dialect wheech (a stink)

UK: SCOTLAND , 1911

wheelnoun1a leader; an important personUS , 1933.2a mid-level

employee in an illegal lotteryUS , 1978.3the game of rouletteUS ,

1993.4a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as

ecstasyUK , 2003.5in a carnival, any ride that is in the form of a

wheelUS , 1960.6a life prison sentenceUS , 1991.7in lowball poker,

the lowest possible straight (five to ace)US , 1981.8the ankleUS , 1986

wheelverb1to travel; to driveUS , 1721.2(used of a racehorse) to turn

around suddenlyUS , 1968

wheel and dealverbto engage in profit-making in a flamboyant

mannerUS , 1961

wheeler-dealernouna scheming, contriving deal-maker with many

connections The reduplication of the vowel sound serves to

intensifyUS , 1960

wheeler-dealing; wheeling-and-dealingnounscheming business

practiceUS , 1984

wheel horsenounin oil drilling, the best worker on a crewUS , 1954

wheelie; wheelynoun1a wheelstand, the lifting of the front wheels

of a car or front wheel of a motorcyle, bicycle or skateboard off

the ground due to sudden accelerationUS , 1966.2a wheelchairUK ,

1999.< pop a wheelieto perform a wheelieUS , 1995

wheelie-binnouna large, wheeled rubbish binAUSTRALIA , 1984

wheel jockeynouna military convoy truck driverUS , 1991

wheel mannoun1in a criminal operation, the getaway driverUS ,

1935.2a person who brings together pool players who are willing

to play for moneyUS , 1993

wheelsnoun1a carUS , 1959.2a record turntable or turntables used

by DJs From the circular shape and revolving motion Variants

include ‘wheels of steel’ and the singular ‘wheel’US , 1999.3shoes

or bootsUS , 1990.4the legs, especially a woman’s legsUS , 1966.

< on wheelsto the extremeUS , 1943.< put wheels on itused

in restaurants to note that the order is a take-awayCANADA , 1993.

< the wheels are coming offto be getting out of control; to

not be going as plannedUK , 1998

wheels mannouna good driverIRELAND , 1996

wheesht!be quiet! From Scots dialect wheesh (a hush) UK: SCOTLAND ,

1985

wheezenoun1a piece of comedic business; a trick; a clever idea

especially popular with schoolchildrenUK , 1864.2a false beliefUS , 1965

wheezy Annanouna spanner Rhyming slang, formed from the title

of a 1930s comic songUK , 1992

whenadverbnow The natural response to the conventionally politeenquiry ‘Say when?’UK , 1976

when fowl have teet; when cock have teetused for expressing

an impossibilityTRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1945

when it’s at homeused to intensify any question of identity Aderisive tag implying contempt or incredulity, suffixed to ‘what isa.…?’ The earliest usages of this scornful device were

grammatically correct: ‘[W]here your friends are when they’re at

home?’ (Rudyard Kipling, Plain Tales from the Hills, 1888) Current

usage, however, will occasionally reform a sentence that shouldcommence correctly with ‘who is…?’ by converting the propernoun to object status, e.g ‘What is a John Smith when it’s athome?’UK , 1957

when push comes to shovewhen there is no longer any choicebut to proceed; when worse comes to worstUS , 1958

when-sheenounheroin A variation ofYEN-SHEE(heroin), 2003

when you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go; when you gotta go, you gotta goapplied philosophically to death, prosaically toresponsibility (‘duty calls’) and trivially to a visit to the toilet.Popularised by Hollywood filmsUS , 1975

where it is at; where it’s at1the centre of a situation, a placewhere something important is happeningUS , 1965.2in touchUK , 1965

where someone is atthe person’s point of view or opinionUS , 1968

where’s the fire?used for expressing a lack of shared concernUS , 2003

where the big nobs hang outnouna toilet (as used by men),especially a public convenience A self-serving punAUSTRALIA , 1971

where the sun don’t shinein your rectumUS , 1992

wherever?adverbused as an emphatic variation of ‘where?’ In ventional use from the C10 to C19; now colloquialUK , 2002

con-where were you when the shit hit the fan?used as a greetingbetween US Marines in KoreaUS , 1986

where you’re coming fromyour point of view or opinionUS , 1975

which foot you kick withyour personal preference of politics,religion or sexuality Left or right, Catholic or Protestant, hetero- orhomosexualUK: SCOTLAND , 2000

whickerbillnouna railway brakesmanUS , 1946

whifadjectivewhat-if Used in ‘what if…?’ exercises projecting ible contingencies and developing reactions to themUS , 1974

poss-whiffnoun1an unpleasant smell FromWHIFFY(bad-smelling)UK ,

2003.2MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasyUK , 2003

whifflernounan auction house employee who moves and displaysthe items for saleUK , 2003

whiffyadjectivehaving an unpleasant odour, smellyUK , 1849

whilernouna man with more than one girlfriend In West Indianand UK black use, August 2002UK , 2002

whim-whamsnouna feeling of dread or anxiety; a state of anxiety

or nervousness; the jittersUS , 1950

whiney gyny clubnouncomplaining hospital patients recoveringfrom gynecological surgeryUS , 1985

whingenouna moaning complaint From the verbUK , 1984

whinge; winge

whinge bagnouna complainer Formed onWHINGE(a moaning

complaint)UK , 2003

whingeing pomnounan English person viewed as a habitual

complainer A stock Australian stereotypeAUSTRALIA , 1962

whingernouna person who whinges; a habitual complainer

AUSTRALIA , 1934

whipnoun1a car Used by urban black youthsUK , 2004.2a long radio

antennaUS , 1976.3a boss or supervisorUS , 1984.4a close friend

BAHAMAS , 1982.5rumAUSTRALIA , 1953 8see:WHIP-ROUND

whipverbto arrest someoneUS , 1971.< whip it in, whip it outa

catchphrase that celebrates a male approach to sexual relations

From the lyric of a rugby song: ‘Whip it in, whip it out, quit

fucking about Yo ho, yo ho, yo ho’ Sometimes further extended

with: ‘wipe it off, walk away’UK , 1998.< whip it outto release the

penis from the confines of the trousers, a bold genital displayUS ,

1997.< whip the catto feel remorse; to regret something

AUSTRALIA , 1847.< whip up on skippy(used of a male) to

masturbate, 2001.< whip your wang(used of a male) to

whip offverb(used of a male) to masturbateUS , 1975

whip-outnoun1a bankroll designed to impress when whipped out

of the pocketUS , 1972.2a regular paymentUS , 1981

whip o’willnounan act of vomiting; vomit Possibly rhyming slang

for ‘spill your guts’ AUSTRALIA , 1967

whippedadjectivedominated by a girlfriend or wife A shortened

form ofPUSSY-WHIPPED US , 1965

whippernoun1a small cartridge of nitrous oxide Designed for use

in making whipped cream, but often abused for the psychoactive

effects of the gasUS , 1986.2a person who enjoys being whipped in

a sado-masochistic encounterUS , 1970

whippersnapper; snappernouna young, impertinent person

unmindful of his station in life Still heard, but used with the

effect of dating the speakerUK , 1700

whippetnouna shotgun with both barrel and stock sawn off for

hiding on the bodyUS , 1982

whippets; whippitsnouncapsules of nitrous oxide used as a

rec-reational drugUS , 1980

Whippins and Lashinsnounthe Irish Girl GuidesIRELAND , 1995

whippynoun1a place used for the home base in children’s game

hide-and-seekAUSTRALIA , 1964.2a pocket in which money is kept;

hence, the money kept thereAUSTRALIA , 1973

whippyadjectivecleverUS , 1969

whip-round; whip-around; whipnounan informal fund collected

from a group of people Originally military ‘whip’ (a collection for

more wine in the mess)UK , 1874

whipsnouna great deal of A play onLASHINGS AUSTRALIA , 1890

whips and jinglesnounsymptoms of heroin withdrawal Referring

to the physical pain and frayed nerves sufferedUS , 1973

whipsawverb1in poker, to surround a player with two confederates

whose collusive betting tactics relieve the middle player of his

bankroll and drive him from the gameUS , 1949.2in horse racing, to

correctly pick both the winner and second-place finisher in a race

US , 1947

whip shotnouna type of controlled toss of the dice, effective by a

skilled cheatUS , 1963

whipsternounan untrustworthy individualIRELAND , 1997

whip-whapadverbquickly, without second thoughtTRINIDAD AND

TOBAGO , 2003

whirlnounan attemptUS , 1884

whirl bet in craps, a one-roll bet on 2, 3, 7, 11 and 12

whirliesnounextreme dizziness experienced when drunkUS , 1966

whirligignouna revolverUS , 1957

whirlpooling; whirlpoolnounthe assault of a girl by a group ofmales in a swimming pool who grope her while churning wateraround herUS , 1993

whirlynoun1in the television and film industries, a hydraulic liftused for shooting scenes from aboveUS , 1990.2a small, localisedwhirlwind The variant spelling ‘whirlie’ is sometimes used

AUSTRALIA , 1894

whirlybirdnouna helicopterUS , 1951

whirlygigsnoun< having the whirlygigsdrunkUK , 2002

whirly pignouna helicopter-borne police officer Quoted as a termused by residents of Berkeley, California, to describe police inhelicoptersUS , 1970

whirly-whirlynouna small, localised whirlwind From ‘whirl’, butmodelled onWILLY-WILLY AUSTRALIA , 1926

whirly windnounespecially in Queensland, a small, localisedwhirlwindAUSTRALIA , 1969

whiskernounusually in comparisons, a narrow margin, a smallamountUS , 1913

whiskersnoun1seniority or tenure on a jobUS , 1973.2pubic hairUS , 1967

whiskeynouna type of bet in an illegal numbers game lotteryUS , 1957

whiskey dentnouna dent on your car that you don’t rememberincurring while driving drunkUS , 1984

whiskeylegnouna drunkardUS , 1957

whiskey papanouna white phosphorous flare or grenade From themilitary phonetic alphabet – WPUS , 1990

whiskey-rotnounany unspecified illnessUS , 1970

whispernoun1a rumourUK , 1596.2the very end of a prisonsentenceUS , 1976

whistlenounin the sport of polo, energyUK , 2003.< wet your

whistleto take a drink; to quench a thirstUK , 1530

whistleverb< whistle in the darkto perform oral sex on awomanUS , 1967.< whistle through the wheatfieldto engage

in oral sex on a woman, especially a blonde womanUS , 2001

whistle and flute; whistlenoun1a suit (of clothes) RhymingslangUK , 1931.2cocaine Rhyming slang forTOOT UK , 2000

whistle and flute; whistleverbto inhale drugs or drug smoke.Rhyming slang forTOOT UK , 1996

whistle and toot; whistle and flute; tootnounmoney Rhymingslang forLOOT; used mainly in the reduced formUK , 1950

whistlebaitnounan attractive woman or girlUS , 1947

whistlecocknounamongst Australian Aboriginals, a penis that hashad a small slit made in the base of the urethra as a means ofbirth control; a man who has had this operationAUSTRALIA , 1945

whistle forverbto wait for, or expect, something in vainUK , 1882

whistlernouna police carUS , 1971

whistlersnounpieces of metal scrap packed in an artillery shell thatmakes a screaming sound as the shell moves through the airUS , 1990

whistlestopnouna small town From the image of a train making abrief stop at the townUS , 1947

whistling gearnounin trucking, the highest gear May have beennamed for the whistling sound older tractors made when inoverdrive gear, or for the possibility that a rig travelling in this gearcould attract the attention of a ‘whistler’ – a police carUS , 1971

whitenoun1a capsule of Benzedrine™ (amphetamine sulphate) orany other central nervous system stimulantUS , 1966.2heroin,cocaine or morphine From the colour of the powdered drugUS ,

1914.3crack cocaine A derivative of the previous senseUS , 1995.4afive-pound note From the colour of the large five-pound notes,which were withdrawn from circulation in 1957UK , 1946.5platinum

.