Slang Entry # 28 - mullygrub
mullygrub verb to sulk. A venerable noun (meaning 'depressed spirits'), now surviving in verb form US, 1984
Slang Entry # 27 - muzzie, muzzy
muzzie adjective stupid. Probably from 'muscle-headed' UK 2001
muzzy noun a moustache UK, 2001
muzzy noun a moustache UK, 2001
Update from Tom
Patt Morrison interviewed Tom Dalzell yesterday on 89.3 KPPC FM (Southern California NPR). The interview is available for download in Real Audio here.
Slang and Unconventional English
[ Listen 
]
Ever "jones" for homemade cookies and then get food coma after inhaling enough for an entire family? Fo'sho, right? If you're having trouble keeping up, then you need might need some assistance from The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English edited by Tom Dalzell and Terry Victor. This dictionary offers more than 60,000 entries from beats, hipsters, Teddy Boys, mods and rockers, surfers, Valley Girls, dudes, pill-popping truck drivers, hackers, rappers and more. So have no fear parents, the slang dictionary is here. Now when your kids are talking about getting crunk, you can just chillax, and know that they're just excited.
Update from Terry
"Once again this week we're recommending a new book that you might want to receive or give as a Christmas present. This time it's a dictionary - but a very entertaining one. It's the Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English."
Michael Rosen, Word of Mouth, BBC Radio 4, 10th December 2007
Michael Rosen, Word of Mouth, BBC Radio 4, 10th December 2007
Slang Entry # 26 - biscuit
biscuit noun 1 a good-looking member of whatever sex attracts you US, 1990. 2 a promiscuous woman US, 1993. 3 the buttocks US, 1950. 4 the head US, 1934. 5 a watch US, 1905. 6 a phonograph record US, 1950. 7 in the context of live rock and roll, a deep bass note when it is felt as well as heard. A term especially but not exclusively applied to the bass playing of Phil Lesh of the Grateful Dead US, 1997. 8 a white tablet of methadone, a synthetic narcotic used to treat heroin addicts US, 1972. 9 fifty rocks of crack cocaine US, 2003. 10 a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy UK, 2002. 11 the hallucinogenic drug, peyote US, 1992. 12 a handgun US, 1962. 13 a black prisoner US, 1976. 14 a can of c-rations. Vietnam war usage US, 1991. 15 used as a euphemism for 'bitch' US, 1999. 16 a fool, an idiot SOUTH AFRICA, 2004
biscuit adjective easy US, 1997
biscuit bitch noun a female Red Cross volunteer. Vietnam War usage; less common than the more popular DOUGHNUT DOLLY US, 1983
biscuit box noun a Ford Transit van, or other vehicle of similar style. When struck, an unladen van has a similar tonal quality to an empty biscuit tin UK, 1981
biscuit class noun economy class air travel on a small route. A playful allusion to 'business class' travel and the biscuits given to economy class passengers NEW ZEALAND, 1987
Biscuit Foot McKinnon nickname used as a nickname for a stereotypical Cape Bretoner. Because of the large Scottish settlement of this part of Nova Scotia, many people have the same last name: MacDonald, McKinnon, and so forth. Nicknames are common to distinguish family members with the same first name, too. CANADA, 1999
biscuits noun 1 money US, 1977. 2 crack cocaine. From BISCUIT (a measure of crack) UK, 2003
biscuits and cheese noun the knees. Rhyming slang, remembered in use during World War 2, sometimes shortened to 'biscuits' UK, 1960
biscuit snatcher noun the hand; a finger US, 1953
biscuit adjective easy US, 1997
biscuit bitch noun a female Red Cross volunteer. Vietnam War usage; less common than the more popular DOUGHNUT DOLLY US, 1983
biscuit box noun a Ford Transit van, or other vehicle of similar style. When struck, an unladen van has a similar tonal quality to an empty biscuit tin UK, 1981
biscuit class noun economy class air travel on a small route. A playful allusion to 'business class' travel and the biscuits given to economy class passengers NEW ZEALAND, 1987
Biscuit Foot McKinnon nickname used as a nickname for a stereotypical Cape Bretoner. Because of the large Scottish settlement of this part of Nova Scotia, many people have the same last name: MacDonald, McKinnon, and so forth. Nicknames are common to distinguish family members with the same first name, too. CANADA, 1999
biscuits noun 1 money US, 1977. 2 crack cocaine. From BISCUIT (a measure of crack) UK, 2003
biscuits and cheese noun the knees. Rhyming slang, remembered in use during World War 2, sometimes shortened to 'biscuits' UK, 1960
biscuit snatcher noun the hand; a finger US, 1953
Slang Entry # 25 - grolly
grolly noun an unpleasant thing. Ascribes the attributes of a GREEN GROLLY, often abbreviated as 'grolly' (a lump of phlegm) to any given object UK, 1987
Slang Entry # 24 - chantoosie
chantoosie noun in Montreal, a female nightclub singer. The word is adapted from French chanteuse (a woman who sings) CANADA, 2002
Slang Entry # 23 - Pepsi
Pepsi adjective sexually frigid. Presumably because Pepsi™ is 'best served chilled' UK, 2001
Pepsi; pepper noun a French-Canadian. Originally directed as an insult, because it was said by anglophones that French-Canadians chose Pepsi over Coca-Cola because they thought the cans were larger, it has been adopted as a badge of pride, especially in the derived form 'pepper' CANADA, 1978
Pepsi habit; Pepsi Cola habit noun the occasional use of a drug, short of an all-out addiction US, 1970
Pepsi; pepper noun a French-Canadian. Originally directed as an insult, because it was said by anglophones that French-Canadians chose Pepsi over Coca-Cola because they thought the cans were larger, it has been adopted as a badge of pride, especially in the derived form 'pepper' CANADA, 1978
Pepsi habit; Pepsi Cola habit noun the occasional use of a drug, short of an all-out addiction US, 1970
Update From Terry
Had a very enjoyable time recording an interview with Michael Rosen - that's Word of Mouth, BBC Radio 4, on Monday , December 10 at 11pm, repeated at 4pm on Tuesday, December 11, also be available online for one week via the listen again feature here. The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English is Word of Mouth's recommended book to buy.
Terry
Terry
Poll Quiz # 2 - figjam
Vote for what you think "figjam" means on The Slang Blog's second Poll Quiz! It is located to the right of the posts.
The correct definition will be posted at the end of December and a new Poll Quiz will be posted each month.
The correct definition will be posted at the end of December and a new Poll Quiz will be posted each month.
Slang Entry # 21 - Sally
Sally noun a chilled, twelve ounce can of beer US, 2002
Sally Army; Sally Ann; Sally noun the Salvation Army; a Salvation Army hostel US, 1915
Sally Gunnell; sally noun a tunnel, especially the Blackwall Tunnel. Rhyming slang, formed on the name of the British Olympic athlete (b. 1966) UK, 1998
Sally Army; Sally Ann; Sally noun the Salvation Army; a Salvation Army hostel US, 1915
Sally Gunnell; sally noun a tunnel, especially the Blackwall Tunnel. Rhyming slang, formed on the name of the British Olympic athlete (b. 1966) UK, 1998
Slang Entry # 20 - gonzo
gonzo noun cocaine UK, 1996
gonzo adjective crazed; having a bizarre style. Although coinage is credited to US journalist and author Bill Cardoso, close friend and partner in adventure with the late Hunter S. Thompson, the dust jacket to Cardoso's collected essays claim only that he is 'the writer who inspired Dr. Hunter S. Thompson to coin the phrase "Gonzo Journalism"'. Thompson first used the term in print and the term is irrevocably linked with him in the US US, 1971
gonzoid adjective crazed; having a bizarre style US, 1979
gonzo adjective crazed; having a bizarre style. Although coinage is credited to US journalist and author Bill Cardoso, close friend and partner in adventure with the late Hunter S. Thompson, the dust jacket to Cardoso's collected essays claim only that he is 'the writer who inspired Dr. Hunter S. Thompson to coin the phrase "Gonzo Journalism"'. Thompson first used the term in print and the term is irrevocably linked with him in the US US, 1971
gonzoid adjective crazed; having a bizarre style US, 1979
Slang Entry # 19 - cat's prick
cat's prick noun an elongated ember at the lit end of a cigarette UK, 2003
Slang Entry # 18 - freaky
freaky noun a habitual drug user UK, 1969
freaky adjective 1 odd, bizarre US, 1895. 2 sexually deviant UK, 1977. 3 characteristic of the 1960s counterculture US, 1971. > get freaky to have sex US, 1996
freaky-deaky adjective acting without restraint, especially in a sexual way US, 1981
freaky adjective 1 odd, bizarre US, 1895. 2 sexually deviant UK, 1977. 3 characteristic of the 1960s counterculture US, 1971. > get freaky to have sex US, 1996
freaky-deaky adjective acting without restraint, especially in a sexual way US, 1981
Interview with Tom on "Something You Should Know"
Tom will be interviewed this Wednesday at 10:00am PST/1:00pm EST on "Something You Should Know" hosted by Mike Carruthers. You can find your local station here.
Update From Terry
On November 19th I was interviewed by Simon Mayo at BBC 5 live. Sometime in the next week or so I am recording an interview with Michael Rosen for Radio 4's Word of Mouth. On New Year's Eve I will be one of the over-midnight studio guests on Anita Rani's 5 Live welcome to 2008. More to come.
Terry
Terry
Voice of America Interview with Tom
Tom was recently interviewed by Avi Arditti and Rosanne Skirble at Voice of America. You may read the interview and/or listen to the broadcast here.
Slang Entry # 15 - poncey
poncey adjective 1 affectedly stylish UK, 1964. 2 blatantly, affectedly homosexual NEW ZEALAND, 1984
Slang Entry # 13 - iggie
iggie noun a feigned ignorance. Circus and carnival usage. Often used in the phrase 'give them the iggie' US, 1961
Slang Entry # 11 - lookie-loo
lookie-loo noun 1 a customer who enjoys looking at merchandise but has no intention of buying, US 1978. 2 an inquisitive observer. A Los Angeles term, personified in the character Look-Loo Woman in Quentin Tarantino's 1994 film Pulp Fiction US, 1989
Slang Entry # 10 - cockaleekie
cockaleekie adjective impudent, cheeky. Rhyming slang, formed on a type of soup UK, 1998
The Archive at Reading University and Live on BBC Radio 5
Today I witnessed the birth of several of Eric Partridge's books eighty-odd years ago. Together with Routledge's Andrea Harthill I went to the Archive at Reading University and had a delightful time browsing ancient correspondence that seems as immediate as e-mail - one letter from his publisher asked 'Dear Partridge' to postpone a meeting until later in the day that the note was sent. The Archive is a treasure.
also:
On Sunday I am due to do an interview for BBC Radio 5 Live.
Have fun
Terry
Terry
Slang Entry # 9 - jakey
jakey noun 1 Jamaica ginger, a fruit flavoured alcoholic drink CANADA, 1999. 2 a meths drinker, thus an alcoholic in desperate staits. From JAKE (methylated spirits as an alcoholic drink) UK, 2001
jakey adjective 1 alcoholic UK, 2002. 2 socially inept, unaware of current fashions and trends US, 1989. 3 odd looking US, 1964. 4 said of a light jail sentence. JAKE (methylated spirits as an alcoholic drink) UK, 2000
jakey adjective 1 alcoholic UK, 2002. 2 socially inept, unaware of current fashions and trends US, 1989. 3 odd looking US, 1964. 4 said of a light jail sentence. JAKE (methylated spirits as an alcoholic drink) UK, 2000
Slang Entry # 8 - no way!
no way! used for expressing disbelief at that which has just been said US, 1968.
no way, Jose used as a humorous, if emphatic, denial. The catchy reduplication makes this a favourite early in a young person's process of slang acquisition US, 1981.
no way, Jose used as a humorous, if emphatic, denial. The catchy reduplication makes this a favourite early in a young person's process of slang acquisition US, 1981.
Slang Entry # 7 - wellington
wellington noun a condom. A figurative application of waterproof footwear. 'Welly boot' is also a variant UK, 2003
Slang Entry # 4 - hairtree
hairtree noun a man who wears his hair long and styled as a fashion statement US, 1996
Slang Entry # 3 - half-cock
half-cock noun > go off at half-cock generally, to start without being ready; in sex, to ejaculate prematurely or without being fully erect. A variation of HALF-COCKED UK, 1904
half-cock adjective ill-considered; inferior UK, 2002. > at half-cock not fully prepared or ready UK, 2000
half-cocked adjective 1 not fully capable; not completely thought out; unfinished; incomplete. Derives from the mechanism of a gun US, 1833. 2 drunk AUSTRALIA, early C19. > go off half-cocked generally, to start without being fully erect. Gun imageny UK, 1809
half-cock adjective ill-considered; inferior UK, 2002. > at half-cock not fully prepared or ready UK, 2000
half-cocked adjective 1 not fully capable; not completely thought out; unfinished; incomplete. Derives from the mechanism of a gun US, 1833. 2 drunk AUSTRALIA, early C19. > go off half-cocked generally, to start without being fully erect. Gun imageny UK, 1809
Slang Entry # 2 - duh
duh noun an offensive, despicable person; a clumsy person; a socially awkward person. From the expression of disgust at someone's stupidity SOUTH AFRICA, 1976
duh! used for expressing disgust at the stupidity of what has just been said. A single syllable with a great deal of attitude US, 1963
duh! used for expressing disgust at the stupidity of what has just been said. A single syllable with a great deal of attitude US, 1963
Poll Quiz # 1 - lifted
Vote for what you think "lifted" means on The Slang Blog's first Poll Quiz! It is located to the right of the posts if you scroll down.
The correct definition will be posted at the end of November and a new Poll Quiz will be posted each month.
The correct definition will be posted at the end of November and a new Poll Quiz will be posted each month.
Slang Entry # 1 - shiznit
shiznit noun the very best; something of great quality. Used with 'the'. A euphemistic embellishment of THE SHIT US, 1996
An Introduction to The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English
Welcome to The Slang Blog – a blog devoted to the words we don’t share with everyone. This is our place to celebrate (or otherwise) the joys of slang and unconventional English around the world.
The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English is named for one of the greatest philologists and lexicographers in living memory, Eric Partridge. His legacy is the beginning of our vocabulary, recorded with a unique spirit and personality. When Tom Dalzell and I were approached by Routledge we were more in awe of the giant shoulder we clambered on than the five years and more it would take to prepare our dictionary.
I was just browsing through The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English – in the shops November 5th, hotly pursued by Sex Slang and Vice Slang which will have bookshelves groaning in time for Christmas – when, on page 458, I tripped over my favourite slang word of all time: nincompoop. Now it’s used with an amused disdain to name a fool; back in the day, the late eighteenth century to be a little more precise, it was defined as ‘one who never saw his wife’s ****’ (the asterisks are in the original – I’m less likely to beat about the bush).
So, here we are, looking forward to your contributions – with or without asterisks. As dictionary makers we do not censor, we record what’s out there. Let us know.
Terry Victor, Editor, etc.
Note from Routledge: You can find the afformentioned titles by clicking on the direct hyperlinks or at www.routledge.com. Questions or comments may be directed to languages@routledge.com.
The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English is named for one of the greatest philologists and lexicographers in living memory, Eric Partridge. His legacy is the beginning of our vocabulary, recorded with a unique spirit and personality. When Tom Dalzell and I were approached by Routledge we were more in awe of the giant shoulder we clambered on than the five years and more it would take to prepare our dictionary.
I was just browsing through The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English – in the shops November 5th, hotly pursued by Sex Slang and Vice Slang which will have bookshelves groaning in time for Christmas – when, on page 458, I tripped over my favourite slang word of all time: nincompoop. Now it’s used with an amused disdain to name a fool; back in the day, the late eighteenth century to be a little more precise, it was defined as ‘one who never saw his wife’s ****’ (the asterisks are in the original – I’m less likely to beat about the bush).
So, here we are, looking forward to your contributions – with or without asterisks. As dictionary makers we do not censor, we record what’s out there. Let us know.
Terry Victor, Editor, etc.
Note from Routledge: You can find the afformentioned titles by clicking on the direct hyperlinks or at www.routledge.com. Questions or comments may be directed to languages@routledge.com.
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