The Slang Blog

Slang Entry #59 - flight deck

2008-06-17T11:44:00.002-04:00

flight deck noun the female breasts UK, 1981

Update from Tom

2008-04-30T17:00:00.005-04:00

Tom recently had the opportunity to take part in the Authors at Google series, a great program of informal talks by authors that are filmed and posted on You Tube. Tom's talk was at the company headquarters, also known as the Googleplex, in Mountain View, CA on March 18th.

Slang Entry # 58 - double-aught buck

2008-03-07T16:48:00.003-05:00

double-aught buck noun double-O (.32 calibre) buckshot used in police shotguns US, 1982

Slang Entry # 57 - stokaboka

2008-03-07T16:47:00.002-05:00

stokaboka adjective extremely enthusiastic US, 1991

Slang Entry # 56 - raize

2008-03-07T16:42:00.001-05:00

raize verb to annoy or harass someone US, 1991

Slang Entry # 55 - emby

2008-03-07T16:41:00.001-05:00

emby noun in carnival usage, a gullible player US, 1985

Slang Entry # 54 - barossa

2008-03-07T16:37:00.002-05:00

barossa noun a girl. Rhyming slang for Barossa Pearl (a popular white wine). AUSTRALIA, 1980

Slang Entry # 53 - yerhia

2008-03-07T16:35:00.001-05:00

yerhia noun marijuana UK, 2003

Slang Entry # 52 - 6-10

2008-03-07T16:33:00.003-05:00

6 - 10 verb to have sex UK, 1981

Slang Entry # 51 - tawny

2008-03-07T16:31:00.002-05:00

tawny adjective excellent US, 1993

Slang Entry # 50 - fifty

2008-02-29T15:48:00.003-05:00

fifty noun 1 a serving of beer that is half new and half old. A shortening of FIFTY FIFTY AUSTRALIA, 1965. 2 a .50 calibre machine gun US, 1977

fifty-dollar lane noun in trucking, the inside passing lane. A name based on the fine at the time on many motorways for truckers who used the inside lane US, 1976

fifty-fifty noun 1 oral sex followed by anal sex. Largely supplanted by HALF AND HALF US, 1941. 2 in the television and film industries, a shot of two actors facing each other, each taking up half the screen US, 1977. 3 a serving of beer that is half new and half old AUSTRALIA, 1972

fifty-fifty! give me half of what you are consuming! FIJI, 2002

fifty-five noun in craps, a roll of two fives US, 1974

fifty-mission cap noun a cap similar to that worn by bomber crews during World War 2 US, 1956

fifty-one; one fifty-one noun small pieces of crack cocaine sprinkled in a tobacco or marijuana cigarette US, 1994

fifty PSI finger noun (among Canadian armed forces personnel) a finger poked into someone's chest to emphasise a point forcefully CANADA, 1995

fifty-two noun in craps, a roll of five and two - a seven US, 1973

fifty-two/twenty club noun US military veterans who were entitled to benefits of $20 a week for a year after World War 2, making a life of bohemian leisure possible US, 1946

Slang Entry # 49 - j-load

2008-02-29T15:45:00.003-05:00

j-load nickname a generously proportioned backside. After the widely appreciated hindquarters of film actress and singer Jennifer Lopez (b. 1970), popularly known and marketed by the nickname 'J Lo'. Recorded in use in contemporary gay society UK, 2003

Slang Entry # 48 - happy trails

2008-02-29T15:42:00.003-05:00

happy trails noun cocaine. From the cowboy song known by those who came of age in the US in the 1950s and 60s US, 1993

happy trails used as a farewell. A catchphrase television sign-off sung on The Roy Rogers Show (NBC, 1951-57). Repeated with referential humour US, 1951

Slang Entry # 46 - toke

2008-02-14T16:51:00.005-05:00

toke noun 1 an inhalation of marijuana smoke US, 1962. 2 marijuana UK, 2001. 3 a dose of a drug US, 1994. 4 cocaine UK, 2003. 5 in casino gambling, a gratuity either in the form of betting chips or in the form of a bet made in the name of the dealer. An abbreviation of 'token of gratitude' US, 1981

toke verb 1 to inhale smoke from a tobacco cigarette, a marijuana cigarette, a crack cocaine pipe or other drug US, 1952. 2 to sniff up and inhale cocaine UK, 2001. 3 to tip someone. Almost exclusively casino usage US, 1983

toke pipe noun a short-stemmed pipe used for smoking marijuana US, 1982

toker noun 1 a marijuana smoker US, 1973. 2 in a casino, a tipper. Because tips in casinos are most often in the form of gambling tokens or 'tokes' US, 1974

toke up verb to smoke marijuana US, 1959

Slang Entry # 45 - obliterated

2008-02-14T16:50:00.003-05:00

obliterated adjective very drunk US, 1987

Slang Entry # 44 - bling

2008-02-08T16:50:00.002-05:00

bling noun a vulgar or ludicrously ostentatious display of wealth US, 2003

bling-bling noun 1 wealth, especially as manifested in expensive, if tasteless, jewellery. Coined by hip-hop rapper B.G. and appearing in his 1999 'Chopper City in the Ghetto' US, 1999. 2 ostentation. A generalised sense that derives from the previous sense UK, 2003

bling-bling verb to be successful, especially in hip-hop; hence, to be ostentatious; to make money US, 2003

bling-blinger noun a successful or established member of the hip-hop community. From the BLING-BLING worn as an ostentatious symbol of status US, 2000

blinged; blinged out adjective ostentatious; expensively bejewelled, especially if a tasteless display. From BLING-BLING (ostentatious jewellery) US, 2000

blinging adjective ostentatious and expensive. Derives from BLING-BLING (ostentatious jewellery) UK, 2003

bling it up verb to have an ostentatiously expensive lifestyle; to temporarily lead such a life. Extended from BLING-BLING (wealth, tasteless ostentation) UK, 2003

Blinglish noun a slang and black patois-rich form of English, especially when used by white urban youths. Extended from BLING UK, 2005

bling-tastic adjective extravagantly ostentatious UK, 2002

Slang Entry # 43 - unbling

2008-02-08T16:49:00.002-05:00

unbling noun cheap, shoddy, unimpressive jewelry. The opposite of BLING UK, 2005

Slang Entry # 42 - PITA

2008-02-07T15:28:00.000-05:00

PITA used as Internet shorthand to mean 'pain in the ass/arse' US, 1995

Slang Entry # 41 - dickwit

2008-02-07T15:27:00.000-05:00

dickwit noun an idiot, a contemptible fool UK, 2001

Slang Entry # 40 - comfort lady

2008-02-01T16:45:00.000-05:00

comfort lady noun a prostitute US, 2000

Slang Entry # 39 - larf

2008-02-01T16:43:00.000-05:00

larf noun nonsense, rubbish US, 1966

Slang Entry # 38 - agate

2008-02-01T16:39:00.000-05:00

agate noun 1 a marble in the slang sense of sanity US<>2 a small penis US, 1969

agates noun the testicles US, 1941

Slang Entry # 38 - soak

2008-02-01T16:34:00.000-05:00

soak noun a drunk UK, 1820

soak verb to use something as collateral for a loan US, 1972

soaked adjective drunk. First recorded by Benjamin Franklin in 1737 US, 1737

soaker noun 1 a surfer who lingers in the water, rarely catching a wave US, 1991. 2 a pawnshop CANADA, 1976. 3 an extremely large halibut US, 1997

Slang Entry # 37 - gorbie

2008-02-01T16:32:00.000-05:00

gorbie noun a stupid tourist CANADA 1989

Poll Quiz # 3 - kite

2008-01-28T16:36:00.001-05:00

Vote now on The Slang Blog's third Poll Quiz! It is located in the column to the right of the posts.

There are multiple slang definitions of kite. This quiz will ask you which meaning you think is incorrect.

The definition will be posted at the end of February and a new Poll Quiz will be posted each month.

Slang Entry # 36 - garm

2008-01-25T12:43:00.000-05:00

garm noun clothing, an item of clothing. An abbreviation of 'garment'; current in the black community UK, 1997

Update From Tom

2008-01-24T12:09:00.000-05:00

The transcript to Tom's interview from "Something You Should Know" is available here.

Slang Entry # 35 - phantasmagoria

2008-01-24T11:48:00.000-05:00

phantasmagoria noun an astonishing visual display. The term was coined for an 1802 exhibition of optical illusions in London. It was used throughout the C19, forgotten, and then briefly revived in the hippie era of the 1960s and 70s UK, 1802

Slang Entry # 34 - momo; momo boy

2008-01-22T16:22:00.000-05:00

momo noun 1 a motor; a car. Childish, reduplication of first syllable UK, 1982. 2 an idiot US, 1960

momo boy noun a member of the Mongrel Mob gang NEW ZEALAND, 1977

Slang Entry # 33 - twilly

2008-01-15T10:18:00.000-05:00

twilly noun a woman, especially an attractive or promiscuous one US, 1934

Slang Entry # 32 - onkus

2008-01-04T16:58:00.000-05:00

onkus adjective no good. Origin unknown AUSTRALIA, 1918

Slang Entry # 31 - G-dog

2008-01-04T16:56:00.000-05:00

G-dog noun a good friend US, 1998

Slang Entry # 30 - broach

2008-01-04T16:54:00.000-05:00

broach verb to inject an illegal drug US, 1992

Update from Terry

2008-01-04T16:52:00.000-05:00

Radio London's drivetime show on Friday January 4th interviews Terry on the topic of teen slang...

Poll Quiz # 2 Answer - figjam

2008-01-02T14:30:00.000-05:00

figjam noun a boastful person AUSTRALIA, 1996

figjam! stop boasting! AUSTRALIA, 1996

Slang Entry # 29 - no tilt!

2008-01-02T14:24:00.000-05:00

no tilt! used as a euphemism for 'no shit!' in expressing surprise or affirmation US, 1983

Slang Entry # 28 - mullygrub

2007-12-21T09:48:00.000-05:00

mullygrub verb to sulk. A venerable noun (meaning 'depressed spirits'), now surviving in verb form US, 1984

Slang Entry # 27 - muzzie, muzzy

2007-12-19T16:57:00.000-05:00

muzzie adjective stupid. Probably from 'muscle-headed' UK 2001

muzzy noun a moustache UK, 2001

Update from Tom

2007-12-18T16:05:00.000-05:00

Patt Morrison interviewed Tom Dalzell yesterday on 89.3 KPPC FM (Southern California NPR). The interview is available for download in Real Audio here.

http://www.scpr.org/programs/pattmorrison/

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

2007-12-18T16:02:00.000-05:00

"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

Slang Entry # 26 - biscuit

2007-12-11T10:54:00.000-05:00

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

Slang Entry # 25 - grolly

2007-12-11T10:53:00.000-05:00

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

2007-12-11T10:49:00.000-05:00

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

2007-12-06T16:55:00.000-05:00

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

Slang Entry # 22 - import

2007-12-05T20:00:00.001-05:00

import noun a date who comes from out of town US, 1926

Update From Terry

2007-12-03T15:25:00.000-05:00

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

Poll Quiz # 2 - figjam

2007-12-03T15:12:00.000-05:00

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.

Slang Entry # 21 - Sally

2007-11-27T15:05:00.000-05:00

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

Slang Entry # 20 - gonzo

2007-11-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

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

Slang Entry # 19 - cat's prick

2007-11-27T14:57:00.000-05:00

cat's prick noun an elongated ember at the lit end of a cigarette UK, 2003

Slang Entry # 18 - freaky

2007-11-27T14:48:00.000-05:00

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

Poll Quiz # 1 Answer - lifted

2007-11-27T14:20:00.000-05:00

lifted adjective drug-intoxicated US, 1942

Interview with Tom on "Something You Should Know"

2007-11-26T15:59:00.000-05:00

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

2007-11-26T15:23:00.001-05:00

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

Voice of America Interview with Tom

2007-11-26T14:01:00.000-05:00

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 # 17 - schmoogie

2007-11-26T13:59:00.000-05:00

schmoogie noun a friend US, 1993

Slang Entry # 16 - raspy

2007-11-13T11:44:00.000-05:00

raspy adjective 1 excellent US, 1982. 2 bad, unpleasant US, 1977

Slang Entry # 15 - poncey

2007-11-13T11:43:00.000-05:00

poncey adjective 1 affectedly stylish UK, 1964. 2 blatantly, affectedly homosexual NEW ZEALAND, 1984

Slang Entry # 14 - kyaw-kyaw

2007-11-13T11:42:00.000-05:00

kyaw-kyaw noun sarcastic laughter. Also used as a verb US, 1946

Slang Entry # 13 - iggie

2007-11-13T11:41:00.000-05:00

iggie noun a feigned ignorance. Circus and carnival usage. Often used in the phrase 'give them the iggie' US, 1961

Slang Entry # 12 - gnat's piss

2007-11-13T11:39:00.000-05:00

gnat's piss noun a weak beverage such as tea or beer UK, 1984

Slang Entry # 11 - lookie-loo

2007-11-12T09:41:00.000-05:00

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

2007-11-09T12:23:00.001-05:00

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

2007-11-08T16:36:00.000-05:00

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

Slang Entry # 9 - jakey

2007-11-01T17:38:00.000-04:00

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

Slang Entry # 8 - no way!

2007-11-01T09:39:00.000-04:00

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.

Slang Entry # 7 - wellington

2007-10-31T12:01:00.000-04:00

wellington noun a condom. A figurative application of waterproof footwear. 'Welly boot' is also a variant UK, 2003

Slang Entry # 6 - poomp

2007-10-31T11:55:00.000-04:00

poomp noun to fart BAHAMAS, 1982

Slang Entry # 5 - dope stick

2007-10-31T11:47:00.000-04:00

dope stick noun a cigarette US, 1904

Slang Entry # 4 - hairtree

2007-10-31T11:44:00.000-04:00

hairtree noun a man who wears his hair long and styled as a fashion statement US, 1996

Slang Entry # 3 - half-cock

2007-10-30T11:03:00.000-04:00

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

Slang Entry # 2 - duh

2007-10-29T15:55:00.000-04:00

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

Poll Quiz # 1 - lifted

2007-10-29T15:31:00.000-04:00

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.

Slang Entry # 1 - shiznit

2007-10-29T12:30:00.000-04:00

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

2007-10-29T12:09:00.000-04:00

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.