knucklehead noun a fool, an idiot US, 1942 knuckle junction noun fisticuffs US, 1994 knuckle merchant noun a fist-fighter, a rough and ready brawler UK, 2000 knuckle sandwich noun a punch in the mouth US, 1955 knuckle shuffle noun an act of male masturbation US, 2000 knuckle-shuffle verb to masturbate UK, 2002 knuckles on the ground noun an illustrative quality ascribed to a person of low intellect and primitive appearance UK, 1975 knuckle up verb to fight US, 1968 knucks noun knuckles; brass knuckles US, 1858 knucks-in adjective doing well. From marbles, where the term is used of a player whose aim is true TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1987 KO; kayo noun in boxing, a knock-out US, 1911 KO verb to knock-out; to destroy US, 1921 KO adjective exhausted. An initialism of ‘knocked-out’; used by black urban youths UK, 2004 Kodak noun police radar used for measuring vehicle speed US, 1976 Kodak courage noun a brief burst of fearlessness encountered when being photographed US, 1997 Kodak moment noun a clichéd moment or event. From a series of Kodak advertisements, urging consumers to take pictures at ‘Kodak moments’ US, 1991 Kodak poisoning; Kodak-Fuji poisoning noun an imaginary ailment contracted by the subjects of (over-?)enthusiastic photographers. Jocular; based on the names of major film manufacturers Kodak and Fuji ANTARCTICA, 1983 ’koff! (jocular) don’t be stupid!; (serious) go away! Phonetic abbrevi- ation of ‘fuck off!’ UK, 1999 koffiemoffie noun a non-white, non-black homosexual male; an air steward on South African Airways. Elaborations of MOFFIE (a homo- sexual male), rhymed with ‘coffee’, in the first instance for a colour tone, in the second as a humorous reference to the steward’s duties. Gay slang originating among Cape coloureds SOUTH AFRICA, 2000 Kojak noun 1 a blue flashing lamp that is temporarily attached (by magnets) to the roof of an unmarked police car. Named after the US television police drama Kojak, first shown in the UK on BBC television in 1974, and by which the UK police and public were first made aware of this new crime-fighting tool UK, 1999. 2 in hold ’em poker, a king and a jack as the first two cards dealt to a player. The sound of ‘king-jack’ suggests the name of this popular police television programme (1973–78) starring Telly Savalas US, 1981. < the Kojak a totally depilated pubic mound. After the eponymous bald-headed detective UK, 2002 Ko jak’s moneybo x noun the penis. Kojak, a television detective of the 1970s, was played by bald-headed actor Telly Savalas, 1924–94; thus this unsettling image of a bald head with a slot for coins UK, 2003 Kojak with a Kodak noun a police officer operating a radar camera; police radar. Combines television detective series Kojak (1973–78) with the corporate identity of a leading camera and film manufacturer US, 1976 kokomo noun crack cocaine. Plays phonetically on ‘coke’ in the same way as the earlier sense as ‘cocaine user’ UK, 1998 8see: COKOMO JOE kong noun cheap and potent alcoholic drink. An abbreviation of KING KONG US , 1945 kooch noun a sexually suggestive dance move by a female dancer US, 1946 koochie noun the vagina, 2001 kook noun 1 a mentally disturbed person US, 1922. 2 an unskilled novice surfer or snowboarder US, 1961. 3 in television and film- making, a light screen designed to cast shadows US, 1990 kook box noun a paddle board, used by beginner surfers US, 1964 kook cord noun a line that attaches a surfer’s ankle to his surfboard US, 1991 kooky noun in drag racing and hot rodding, a bobtail roadster (with a short rear overhang) US, 1965 kooky adjective eccentric, if not crazy US, 1959 Kool and the Gang adjective unemotional and relaxed, calm, imperturbable; excellent, admirable, wonderful IRELAND, 2003 Kools noun cigarettes made with tobacco mixed with marijuana US, 1990 kooratz noun a socially inept person CANADA, 1994 korea noun anal sex FIJI, 1984 Korean forklift noun an A-frame backpack used by Koreans to carry large and heavy objects. Korean war usage US, 1982 kosh adjective acceptable, agreeable. An abbreviation of KOSHER US, 1994 kosher verb to give the appearance or effect of being fair, honest or legal UK, 1962 kosher adjective 1 Jewish. Offensive, a figurative application of the Jewish diet US, 1972. 2 fair, square, proper, satisfactory. Yiddish, technically meaning ‘fit to eat’ (ritually clean in keeping with religious dietary laws). Brought into English slang originally in the East End of London UK, 1896. 3 in homosexual usage, circumcised US, 1987 Kosher Canyon nickname a neighbourhood dominated by Jewish people. The most famous is the Fairfax neighbourhood in Los Angeles US, 1975 koutchie; cutchie; kouchie; couchie noun apipeforthesmoking of marijuana. Celebrated in song by the Mighty Diamonds ‘Pass the Koutchie’. This in turn inspired Musical Youth’s UK hit ‘Pass the Dutchie’: the name was presumably changed so that the BBC censors would miss any reference to drugs JAMAICA, 1975 K-pot noun the standard US Army helmet US, 1990 krab noun in caving, pot-holing and mountaineering, a karabiner (a coupling device). A colloquial abbreviation, noted in current use UK, 1963 kraut noun 1 a German. From the German dish sauerkraut; not necessarily disparaging US, 1841. 2 the German language US, 1948 krauthead noun a German-American or German immigrant US, 1928 krautland noun Germany US, 1955 krautr ock noun German rock music UK, 1975 kreeble verb to ruin, partially or completely US, 1970 Kremlin noun 1 Scotland Yard UK, 1966. 2 the headquarters of British Railways UK, 1970 kress adjective cheap, inexpensive. From the name of a chain of dime stores US, 1947 krills noun crack cocaine US, 2000 kronenburg noun a women who looks a lot younger from the front than she does from behind. Formed from the ‘1664’ branding used by Kronenburg™ lager, punning 16 in front and 64 behind UK, 2005 kru noun a tightly knit group of close friends. A deliberate respelling of CREW UK, 2003 krunk used in place of profanity. Coined by the writers of Late Nite with Conan O’Brien in 1994 as ‘America’s newest swear word’. It enjoyed brief popularity US, 1994 kryptonite noun crack cocaine. From the fictional mineral that weakens comic book superhero Superman (a native of Planet Krypton) UK, 1998 kudos noun glory, fame, prestige. From Greek kyˆdo2 (praise); orig- inally university slang, in widespread use by 1890 UK, 1831 kuduffle soup noun (among Nova Scotians of German descent) a soup of homemade noodles, potatoes, gravy and browned flour CANADA, 1999 kuf noun cocaine UK, 1997 ku klux klan noun in poker, three kings. From the klan’s initials: KKK US, 1967 knucklehead | ku klux klan 388 kumba noun marijuana UK, 1998 kung-fu fighter noun a lighter. Rhyming slang, based on the popular song by Jamaican-born Carl Douglas UK, 2002 kunka noun the vagina BAHAMAS, 1982 kunkun noun the vagina TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 kush noun in circus and carnival usage, money US, 1981 kushempeng noun marijuana UK, 2001 kustom adjective custom US, 1965 kutchie; kutchi noun marijuana. Derived from KOUTCHIE (a marijuana pipe) JAMAICA, 1972 Kuwaiti tanker noun used as an all-purpose form of abuse. Rhyming slang for WANKER UK, 1998 kvell verb to overflow with joyful pride. Yiddish US, 1967 kvetch verb to complain, gripe, whine. Yiddish, used by those who know only five words of the language US, 1950 kwaai adjective 1 bad, bad-tempered, aggressive. From Afrikaans kwaad (bad, evil) SOUTH AFRICA, 1955. 2 used as an expression of approval; great, excellent, cool. A reversal of the existing sense on the good-equals-bad formula SOUTH AFRICA, 1974 K-wobbler noun a Kenworth truck US, 1986 K-word noun kaffir (a black person, especially a black African); also applied in an adjectival sense. Euphemistic for all South African senses, and offensive in all senses, whether abbreviated or used conventionally SOUTH AFRICA, 1982 KY noun any sexual lubricant. From the branded name of KY Jelly™ US, 1971 KY nickname the federal narcotic treatment hospital in Lexington, Kentucky US, 1962 kyaw-kyaw noun sarcastic laughter. Also used as a verb US, 1946 kybo noun an outdoor toilet. From a children’s acronym – ‘keep your bowels in order’ US, 1972 389 kumba | kybo Ll L noun 1 LSD UK, 1969. 2 marijuana. Rap and hip-hop slang US, 1993. 3 elevation. A surfer ‘gets L’ when his surfboard soars high into the air on an aerial move US, 1991. < take an L to lose a game. From the designation in newspapers of ‘wins and losses’ as ‘W’s and L’s’ US, 1999 L-12 noun an extremely social outcast. The ‘L’ is for ‘loser’, twelve times US, 1993 L7; l-seven noun a staid person who is uninterested in or unsympathetic to the fashionable interests of teenagers. The shapes of L and 7 can combine to form a SQUARE (a conventional person). This slang may be entirely gestural in expression: the forefinger and thumb on each hand extended at right angles, left (L) and right (7) combining to make the shape of a square US, 1956 L8R adverb used in text messaging, to mean ‘later’. One of several constructions in which a syllable pronounced ‘ate’ is replaced by the homophone ‘eight’ UK, 2003 LA noun any amphetamine or other central nervous system stimu- lant. A shortened form of ‘long-acting’ or LA TURNABOUT US, 1986 LA nickname Los Angeles, California US, 1901 la; la-la noun a toilet. An abbreviated ‘lavatory’ NEW ZEALAND, 1998 8see: LAR lab noun 1 a laboratory UK, 1895. 2 a Labrador dog. Also variants ‘labbie’ and ‘labby’ UK, 1984 labbe noun the vagina. Possibly derived from ‘labia’ US, 1998 label noun the name by which a person is known US, 1928 labial contact noun a kiss; kissing US, 1947 labor skate noun a trade union official US, 1930 Labour noun < the Labour the Labour Exchange, later the Job Centre (government offices where unemployed persons must register to search for work as a condition for the receipt of state benefits) UK, 1964 labour day junkie noun someone who uses heroin only occasion- ally IRELAND, 1996 labradoodle noun a crossbreed of labrador and poodle US, 2001 la buena noun heroin. From Spanish buena (good) UK, 2003 lac noun a Cadillac US, 1990 lace noun 1 a combination of marijuana and cocaine UK, 1998. 2 money US, 1971 lace verb to have sexual intercourse. The female is seen here as a drink to be ‘laced’ by the male’s semen US, 1996. < lace up your boots to prepare for a fight US, 1998 lace card noun 1 a computer punch card with all the holes punched out US, 1991. 2 the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis US, 1941 lace curtain noun beer. Rhyming slang, formed on the name of Burton, and originally applied only to beers from that brewery UK, 1961 lace-curtain Irish noun middle-class Irish-American or Irish immigrants US, 1934 lace-curtain lesbian noun a lesbian whose mannerisms and affectations do not suggest her sexual preference US, 1969 laced adjective drug-intoxicated, especially marijuana-intoxicated US, 1988 lace queen noun a homosexual who prefers men with uncircumcised penises US, 1988 lace-up noun a shoe or boot that is laced up (as opposed to sandals, slip-ons, etc) UK, 1887 lack adjective lacking money, style or both. Hawaiian youth usage US, 1982 lackery noun < give them lackery abeatingIRELAND, 1989 lad noun < bit of a lad a young man who is full of self-confidence with which he pursues sensual ambitions. An elaboration of ‘lad’ UK, 1960. < one of the lads a woman, especially a young woman, who is seen to be on equal terms with, or part of a society of, men UK, 2003. < the lad 1 the penis UK, 2001. 2 cancer or tuberculosis IRELAND, 1997. < the lads male friends, the men of a regular social group, team, etc UK, 1896 ladder noun the main track in a railway yard US, 1946 laddie noun in a deck of playing cards, a jack US, 1988 laddish adjective used, often disapprovingly, of the lively behaviour of young men responding to those things (alcohol, sport, sex) that appeal to them UK, 1841 laddishness noun the lively behaviour of young men responding to those things (alcohol, sport, sex) that appeal to them UK, 1886 laddo noun a spirited youth, a bit of a lad. Slightly patronising IRELAND, 1870 ladeez noun ladies, often as a form of address. Most often in the phrase ‘ladeez and germs’ (ladies and gentlemen) UK, 1995 ladette noun a young woman characterised by her behaviour and positive involvement in activites (drinking, swearing, sport, etc) stereotypically enjoyed by males UK, 1995 la di da noun the Daily Star newspaper. Rhyming slang UK, 1998 la-di-da; la-di-dah verb to behave in an affectedly cultured manner, when noted from a lower social station UK, 1964 la-di-da; la-di-dah adjective pertaining to the affectedly cultured speech and manners of the upper-classes, especially when noted from a lower social station; hence, pretentious. Jocular or pejorative usage US, 1890 la-di-dah; lardy; la-di-da noun a cigar. Rhyming slang, cleverly echoing the LA-DI-DAH status of a cigar smoker UK, 1991 ladies’ aid noun in pool, a device used to support the cue stick for a hard-to-reach shot. As the terminology suggests, the device is scorned by skilled players US, 1990 ladies a plate, gents a crate used in party invitations to request female guests to bring a dish of food and male guests to bring something to drink NEW ZEALAND, 1984 ladies’ delight noun the penis UK, 2003 ladies’ man noun a man who pays great attention to women; a womaniser AUSTRALIA, 1901 lads-mag noun a commercial publication that targets young men with aspirational features on hedonistic lifestyles and, in particular, pictures of semi-naked young women UK, 2000 lady noun 1 a prostitute US, 1972. 2 a homosexual man. An example of CAMP trans-gender assignment UK, 1932. 3 in a deck of playing cards, a queen US, 1900. 4 cocaine US, 1974 lady adjective effeminate. Recorded in contemporary gay use UK, 2003 ladybits noun the female genitals UK, 2003 Lady Blamey noun a drinking glass made by cutting the top off a bottle using a kerosene-soaked string. Taught to the troops by Lady Blamey, the wife of Sir Thomas Blamey, commander of Allied Land Forces in the south-west Pacific AUSTRALIA, 1945 ladyboy noun a person with mixed sexual physiology, usually the genitals of a male and surgically augmented breasts; a pre-surgery transsexual or a transvestite. A term used most often in associ- ation with the sex industry in Bangkok, Thailand. The first widespread use of the term was in association with a television documentary aired in November 1992 UK, 1992 lady caine noun cocaine. A compound of LADY (cocaine) and CAINE (cocaine) UK, 1998 lady come back noun a type of bet in an illegal numbers game lottery US, 1957 lady five fingers noun a boy’s or man’s hand in the context of masturbation; masturbation US, 1969 lady from Bristol noun a pistol. Rhyming slang UK, 1968 Lady Godiva; godiva; lady noun a five-pound note or the sum of £5. Rhyming slang for a FIVER; an appropriately financial allusion to the C11 English noblewoman who rode naked through Coventry to protest against taxes – according to the legend which arose in the C13 UK, 1960 lady in the red dress noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle. An elaboration on red imagery stressing the feminine nature of the term US, 1999 lady in waiting noun in male homosexual usage, a man who loiters in or near public toilets in the hope of sexual encounters US, 1981 Lady Jane noun a common-law wife or girlfriend CANADA, 1987 ladykiller noun a man who is sexually fascinating to women UK, 1811 lady luck noun good fortune personified UK, 1205 Lady Muck noun a woman who is, in the speaker’s opinion, unjustifiably self-important or esteemed. The counterpart to LORD MUCK UK , 1957 lady of the night noun a prostitute UK, 1925 Lady Snow noun cocaine US, 1967 lady’s waist noun a small, waisted glass for serving alcoholic drinks AUSTRALIA, 1934 Lafayette noun a bet. Rhyming slang AUSTRALIA, 1989 laff noun a laugh UK, 1962 laff verb to laugh UK, 1997 laffmeister noun a comedian. A combination of LAFF (a laugh) and German meister (a master, a champion) UK, 2002 lag noun 1 a convict who has been imprisoned for many years UK, 1812. 2 an act of urination. A survival from the obsolete verb form UK, 1979 lag verb 1 to inform against a person AUSTRALIA, 1832. 2 to arrest UK, 1835. 3 to be serving a prison sentence. Originally, ‘to be transported for a crime’ UK, 1927. 4 to urinate. From an earlier sense as ‘water’. A variant spelling is ‘lage’ UK, 2002 lage noun a convict. A variation of LAG UK, 2002 lager lout noun a hooligan fuelled by alcohol, especially lager UK, 1987 lagged adjective 1 exhausted, especially from travelling. An abbrevi- ation of conventional ‘jet lagged’ (suffering disrupted body rhythms as a result of flying across time zones), from ‘lag’ (to fail to keep pace) UK, 1999. 2 drunk. Also ‘lagged up’ UK, 2000 lagger noun 1 a contact man in a smuggling enterprise US, 1956. 2 an informer to the police or authorities AUSTRALIA, 1967 lagging noun a prison sentence UK, 1812 lagging boat noun a drunk UK, 2000 LA glass noun a smokeable methamphetamine that does not dissolve rapidly US, 1989 Lah noun Los Angeles, California. Rarely heard, and then in northern California and derisively US, 1978 lahdee; lahdie adjective smart or fashionable. From LA-DI-DA (pretentious) UK, 1973 lah-di-dah; lah-di noun a famous entertainer, a star. Rhyming slang UK, 1979 laid-back adjective relaxed, passive, easy-going US, 1969 laid in the aisle adjective very well dressed US, 1971 laid out adjective drunk to the point of passing out US, 1928 laid, relayed and parlayed adjective thoroughly taken advantage of. There are multiple variants of the third element – ‘waylaid’, ‘marmalade’, etc US, 1957 lair noun a person who dresses and behaves in a showy manner. Back-formation from LAIRY. A term of great contempt AUSTRALIA, 1923 lair verb to behave in a showy, ostentatious way; to be a lair AUSTRALIA, 1928 lairise verb to behave in a showy, ostentatious way; to be a lair AUSTRALIA, 1945 lairy; lary; larey adjective showy, ostentatious, attention-seeking AUSTRALIA, 1898 lakanuki noun a prolonged period of sexual abstinence. An imitation pidgin ‘lack of NOOKIE’ US, 1944 lakbay diva noun a dark leafed marijuana. Diva is ‘goddess’ in Latin; ‘lacbay’ is Pig Latin for BLACK; this marijuana is a ‘black goddess’ UK, 1998 Lake Acid nickname Lake Placid, New York. Coined during a concert stop by the Grateful Dead in 1983 US, 1983 Lake Atlantic nickname the Atlantic Ocean on the Florida coast. A tribute to the flat surf conditions found in summer US, 1991 lake pipes noun in hot rodding, straight exhaust pipes, originally designed for speed runs on dry lake beds US, 1963 lakes of Killarney; lakes; lakie; lakey adjective 1 mad, crazy; stupid. Imperfect rhyming slang for BARMY,formedonafeatureof Irish geography UK, 1934. 2 sly, two-faced. Rhyming slang, on obsolete slang word ‘carney’ (sly, two-faced) UK, 1992 lakester noun in hot rodding, a car with a streamlined body and exposed wheels, designed for racing on dry lake beds US, 1993 la-la noun a toilet AUSTRALIA, 1963 lala noun the vagina BAHAMAS, 1982 La-La Land noun Los Angeles, California US, 1972 lalapalooze noun in poker, a hand that entitles the player to special payment from all other players US, 1988 laldy noun < give it laldy to do something enthusiastically, or with great vigour. Glasgow slang UK: SCOTLAND, 1985. < give someone laldy to beat or thrash someone. Glasgow slang UK: SCOTLAND, 1985 lally; lallie; lall; lallette; lyle; lally-peg noun the leg. Polari; usually in the plural UK, 1967 lally-covers noun trousers. Polari, from LALLY (the leg) UK, 2002 lally-drags noun trousers. Polari; a combination of LALLY (the leg) and DRAG (clothing) UK, 2002 lam noun 1 in cheating schemes, a victim. The victims are like ‘lambs to slaughter’ (easily duped) UK, 1668. 2 a young, innocent- looking male prisoner recently arrived at prison, identified as an easy sexual conquest by the population of sexual predators US, 1922. < on the lam running away; trying to escape US, 1928. < take it on the lam to escape, to run away US, 1990 lam verb to escape, especially from prison US, 1886 lamb-brained adjective foolish NEW ZEALAND, 1998 lamb down verb to defraud a worker out of their entire end-of- season pay packet by keeping them drunk until it is all spent. Now historical AUSTRALIA, 1850 Lambeth Walk noun chalk. Rhyming slang, used by snooker and pool players UK, 1992 lambsbread noun marijuana from Jamaica, with especially large buds JAMAICA, 2002 lamb’s tongue noun a five-dollar note US, 1950 lame noun a naive, conventional, law-abiding person US, 1960 lame adjective 1 unfashionable, weak, unspirited US, 1935. 2 short of money US, 1988 lamebrain noun a fool, an idiot US, 1919 lame-brained adjective stupid US, 1929 lame duck noun 1 a person or organisation that is handicapped or disadvantaged UK, 1761. 2 an act of sexual intercourse. Rhyming slang for FUCK UK, 2003 lamed-vovnik noun in Jewish legend, a hidden saint CANADA, 2001 391 lady caine | lamed-vovnik lame-o noun a fool, an idiot. The suffix ‘-o’ is used here to create a noun from an adjective US, 1977 lamer noun an uninformed Internet user who passes himself off as an expert US, 1997 lame rap noun an unfounded arrest US, 1971 lame stain noun a completely inept, despised person US, 1997 lamington noun a type of small, oblong sponge cake covered with chocolate and desiccated coconut. Probably named after Lord Lamington, governor of Queensland 1895–1901 AUSTRALIA, 1909 lamister noun a fugitive from justice US, 1955 lammie noun a lamington AUSTRALIA, 1998 lammo noun a lamington AUSTRALIA, 1987 lamo noun a person lacking fashion sense and social skills US, 1993 lam off verb to escape, to run away. An elaboration of LAM UK, 2003 lamor noun a kiss. Possibly from French l’amour (love) UK, 2002 lamp noun 1 the eye. Usually used in the plural UK, 1811. 2 alookUS, 1926 lamp verb 1 to look US, 1907. 2 to hit, to beat UK, 1954. 3 to pass time idly, without purpose US, 1988 lamped adjective drunk UK, 2002 lampers noun the eyes US, 1973 lamp habit noun an opium addiction US, 1949 lamp man noun an electrician, especially in the theatre US, 1952 lamps noun female breasts IRELAND, 1993 lamster noun a fugitive from justice or retribution US, 1904 lance-comical noun a lance corporal UK, 1995 lance jack noun a lance corporal. Army slang UK, 1912 Lancy; Lanky noun a Lancashire – hence, loosely, also a Yorkshire – employee on the railways UK, 1970 land noun 1 a fright IRELAND, 1992. 2 a neighbourhood US, 1989. < on the land making a living by farming or other rural occupation AUSTRALIA, 1902 land verb to succeed in getting UK, 1854 land icing noun manure. Variant ‘land dressing’ is a term for the same thing CANADA, 1992 Landie noun a Land Rover vehicle AUSTRALIA, 1992 landing deck noun the top of the head US, 1947 landing gear noun 1 the legs US, 1941. 2 on an articulated lorry, the supports that prop up the trailer when it is unhitched US, 1971 landing strip noun a woman’s pubic hair trimmed into the shape of a narrow vertical bar. A visual comparison US, 2000 landlady noun a brothel madame US, 1879 land line noun a conventional telephone line, as distinguished from a mobile phone or radio US, 1987 land of cakes noun (from the perspective of people on Nova Scotia islands) the mainland CANADA, 1984 land of hope noun soap. Rhyming slang UK, 1961 land of the big PX noun the United States. The US seen in its commercial glory as one big PX (supermarket/department store). From Vietnam US, 1968 land shark noun a person made wealthy by speculating in land AUSTRALIA, 1836 land with verb to impose an onerous duty or unwelcome burden on someone UK, 1984 lane; lain; laine noun a sucker, a gullible victim US, 1933 lane louse noun a driver who appears oblivious to traffic lanes US, 1962 lang < on the lang playing truant IRELAND, 1998 langar noun the penis, also used figuratively as a fool IRELAND, 2002 langerated adjective drunk. A variation of LANGERED IRELAND, 2002 langered; langers adjective drunk. From Scottish langer (weariness); ultimately conventional English ‘langour’ IRELAND, 1982 language noun bad language, swearing, obscene speech UK, 1886 Language of the Garden noun in Cape Breton, Gaelic CANADA, 2000 languid adjective utterly relaxed US, 1987 Lanky noun a native of Lancashire UK, 1972 8see: LANCY Lanky adjective of Lancashire UK: ENGLAND, 1972 Lao green noun a greenish marijuana grown in Southeast Asia, smoked by US troops in Vietnam US, 1991 Laotian red noun a reddish marijuana, purported to have been grown in Laos US, 1990 lap dance noun an intimate sexual performance, involving some degree of physical contact between a female performer and a sitting male US, 1988 lap dance verb to engage in a sexual performance in which a woman dancer, scantily clad if at all, grinds her buttocks into a sitting male customer’s lap US, 1993 lap dancer noun a woman who performs lap dances in a sex club US, 1985 La Perouse noun alcoholic drink. Rhyming slang for BOOZE;fromthe name of a Sydney suburb AUSTRALIA, 1981 lap job noun an act of oral sex on a woman US, 1969 lapper noun the hand UK, 2002 lappy noun in Queensland, a circuit of a street block in a vehicle done, especially repeatedly, for entertainment AUSTRALIA, 2003 lap up; lap it up verb 1 to enjoy receiving flattery; to enthusiastically enjoy any distraction or entertainment UK, 1890. 2 to approve of and enjoy UK, 1890 lar; lah; la noun used to address a companion or friend. Mainly Liverpool use UK, 1982 larceny verb to manipulate through insincere flattery US, 1960 lard noun money UK, 1954 lard-ass; lard-arse noun an overweight person US, 1918 lard-assed; lard-arsed adjective fat; in the manner of a fat person US, 1967 lard-butt noun a fat person. A variation of LARD-ASS/ARSE (a fat person); literally FA T ASS US, 1968 lard head noun a fool. Conventional ‘lard’ is a soft white fat, hence the usage here as FATHEAD US, 1936 lardy-arsed adjective blessed with a fat bottom. A variation of LARD- ASSED ; combines conventional ‘lard’ (a cooking fat) with ‘arse’ (the bottom) UK, 1999 larf noun nonsense, rubbish US, 1966 Largactil shuffle noun the stumbling walk of a heavily sedated prisoner. Largactil™ is a brand name for chlorpromazine, an anti- psychotic drug UK, 1996 large noun in betting, the largest wagering unit AUSTRALIA, 1989. < give it the large to boast, to brag UK, 2001 large verb to live an extreme and hedonistic lifestyle to its fullest extent UK, 2001 large adjective 1 famous, successful US, 2001. 2 enthusiastic US, 1967. 3 very enjoyable, wonderful US, 1874. < have it large; give it large; have it to enjoy in a very enthusiastic or excessive fashion UK, 1999 large adverb impressively, (of a lifestyle) in an excessive, successful, comfortable or self-indulgent manner US, 1883 large char ge noun a big thrill US, 1951 large chest for sale; large chest for sale – no drawers used by prostitutes as an advertising slogan. A punning euphemism, certainly familiar from shopwindow postcards in the 1970s UK, 2001 large one; large noun one thousand US dollars; one thousand pounds sterling US, 1972 large-type adjective extreme US, 1997 lame-o | large-type 392 lark noun 1 a light-hearted adventure, a spree UK, 1802. 2 a line of work UK, 1934 lark verb to be criminally active. Puns on the senses ‘a line of work’ and ‘behaving mischievously’ UK, 1958 lark about; lark around verb to have fun by behaving foolishly or mischievously UK, 1813 Larkin noun < down to Larkin; for Larkin free, gratis. Possibly from LARKING (theft) UK, 1977 larking noun theft UK, 1958 larmer noun an alarmist BARBADOS, 1965 larney; lanie noun a white man; a boss (it is possible to be both at once). Derogatory SOUTH AFRICA, 1956 laroped; larrupt adjective drunk. Derives from LARRUP (to thrash) UK, 2002 larp; larping noun the adult activity of recreating fantasy, generally quasi-mediaeval, adventures, such as those depicted in Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, usually performed with more enthusiasm than skill or accuracy. An acronym of ‘live-action role-play’ or ‘role- playing’ that first appeared in the early 1990s UK, 2003 larper noun a live-action role-player. From LARP UK, 2003 larrikin noun 1 a trouble-making youth, usually a male; a thug or tough. From British dialect, recorded in Warwickshire and Worcestershire; originally a term of the greatest contempt and the youths so labelled were the subject of much C19 media hype. Journalist Nat Gould described them (1898) as ‘hideous-looking fellows, whose features bear traces of unmistakable indulgence in every loathsome vice’. The amelioration of the term relies on the difference between a ‘healthy’ disregard for authority and social convention and an ‘unhealthy’ one AUSTRALIA, 1868. 2 a fun-loving, good-natured mischief-maker; a scallywag. Seen as typically Australian and much romanticised in literature, as C.J. Dennis’ character, the Sentimental Bloke. Now the prevailing sense AUSTRALIA, 1891 larrikin adjective of or befitting a larrikin AUSTRALIA, 1979 larrikinism noun 1 delinquent behaviour AUSTRALIA, 1870. 2 good- hearted playfulness AUSTRALIA, 1987 larrup verb to beat, to thrash, to hit vigorously UK, 1823 larruping noun a thrashing. From LARRUP (to beat) UK, 1889 larry noun 1 in a card game, the player who has the last chance to act in a given situation US, 1950. 2 in carnival usage, an unprofitable day or engagement US, 1966. < doing a Larry working as a locum tenens, a (temporary) substitute in a professional medical position UK, 2002 Larry adjective in circus and carnival usage, worthless US, 1939 Larry Cadota noun a worthless novelty sold in the circus or carnival US, 1980 larry-dooley noun a beating; a hiding. Origin unknown. There is possibly a connection with a boxer named Larry Foley (1890s), but this seems hardly creditable AUSTRALIA, 1946 larval stage noun the initial burst of enthusiastic and single-minded focus experienced by computer enthusiasts US, 1991 lase verb to print a document on a laser printer US, 1991 lash noun 1 an attempt; a try-out; a go. From the earlier sense (a fight; fighting). Often in such phrases as ‘have a lash at’, ‘give it a lash’, etc AUSTRALIA, 1840. 2 an act of urination UK, 2001. < on the lash enagaged in a hedonistic, alcohol-inspired quest for pleasure UK, 2002 lash verb to dispose of. Extends the sense of LASH (an act of urination) UK, 2001. < lash into to do something in a vigorous manner. From Irish dialect IRELAND, 2003 lashed; lashed up adjective drunk. Possibly from LASH-UP (a party) or directly from LASH (an act of urination), hence a variation of PISSED UK , 1999 lasher noun a female whose only appeal is sexual IRELAND, 2003 lashings noun plenty IRELAND, 1829 lash-up noun 1 a heavy drinking session UK, 2000. 2 an informal social occasion, especially a party UK, 1968 lason sa daga noun LSD. From the initials, but of unknown origin US, 1977 last call noun death US, 1977 last card in the pack noun 1 a snack. Theatrical rhyming slang UK, 1960 . 2 dismissal from employment. Rhyming slang for ‘sack’; sometimes abbreviated to ‘last card’ UK, 1992 last-card Louie noun in stud poker, a player who stays in a hand until his last card, improbably hoping for the one card that can produce a winning hand US, 1951 last chance noun the upper balcony in a cinema favoured by homo- sexuals US, 1966 lastish noun the most recently published issue of a single-interest fan magazine US, 1982 last mile noun in prison, the walk from the death cell to the execution chamber US, 1950 last of the big spenders; last of the big-time spenders noun used ironically of a mean person, or ruefully of yourself AUSTRALIA, 1975 LA stop noun a rolling stop at a traffic signal or stop sign US, 1999 last-out noun a work shift that starts at approximately midnight and ends eight hours later US, 1989 last rose of summer noun a hospital patient with an ever- melodramatic belief that death is near US, 1994 last waltz noun the walk taken by a prisoner condemned to death from the death cell to the execution chamber US, 1945 last week’s pay noun used in horse racing as the epitome of speed AUSTRALIA, 1989 last year’s fun on wheels noun a baby in a pram US, 1976 lat; lats; lat-house noun a latrine. Mainly military use UK, 1984 latch noun a railway engine throttle US, 1977 latch verb to understand US, 1938 latchico noun a ruffian IRELAND, 2003 latchkey adjective (of a child) unsupervised at the end of the school day because of working parents US, 1944 latch low noun in trucking, a very low gear US, 1946 late adjective < late as Ellick proverbially late BARBADOS, 1965 Late Late nickname The Late Late Show, a very popular and long- running television chat-show hosted by Gay Byrne IRELAND, 1995 late-late show noun any television show that airs very late at night US, 1956 late-night noun 1 a bus ticket found on the street that is still valid. Prized by drug addicts desperate to raise funds to buy their next dose US, 1989. 2 a party after a party US, 2001 late-nighter credit card noun a length of rubber hose for siphoning petrol out of other people’s cars CANADA, 1989 late night line; late night noun cocaine UK, 2002 later; laters; lates; later on; late goodbye US, 1954 later for that! I don’t like that idea at all! US, 1987 later for you goodbye US, 1983 later, ’tater goodbye. An embellished LATER, with the ‘tater’ (potato) used only for the sake of reduplication US, 1978 latex noun acondomUS, 1992 lather noun a condition of excitement; agitation, anxiety UK, 1839 lathered adjective drunk UK, 2002 Latin noun a Mexican, Latin American or Spanish-speaking person US, 1964 latrine Gene noun a soldier with a pathological need to be clean US, 1946 latrine lips noun a citizens’ band radio user who employs a vocabulary that is considered foul or obscene US, 1976 393 lark | latrine lips latronic used as a farewell. A corruption of LATER ON US, 1991 lats noun 1 the latissimus dorsi muscles on the lower back US, 1939. 2 skis. Used in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula US, 2003 8see: LAT latte adjective pale. Italian latte (milk), widely used for a style of milky coffee, from which this derives – although latteo (milky) would be more correct. Recorded in contemporary gay use UK, 2003 lattie; latty noun a house or a flat. Polari UK, 1859 LA turnabout; LA turnaround noun a long-lasting amphetamine US, 1970 lau verb to place. Polari UK, 1967 laugh noun < a laugh something funny, something merely amusing, often used ironically UK, 1930 laugh verb to be in a favourable position AUSTRALIA, 1969. < be away laughing to make a good start NEW ZEALAND, 1964. < laugh all the way to the bank to be financially successful, especially in the face of long odds or disapproval UK, 1984. < laugh like a drain to laugh noisily; to guffaw. Referring to the noisy rushing of water down a drain or plughole UK, 1948. < laugh your bollocks off to laugh uproariously UK, 2001. < laugh your nuts off to laugh uproariously. NUTS (the testicles) punning on NUT (the head), hence a dubious pun on the more conventional idiom ‘laugh your head off’ UK, 2000. < laugh your tits off to laugh a great deal UK, 1996 laugh and a joke; laugh noun a smoke: a cigarette, a cigar, a pipe or marijuana prepared for smoking. Rhyming slang UK, 1880 laugh and scratch verb to inject a drug, especially heroin. Derives from physical reactions UK, 1998 laugher noun in sports, an easy and overwhelming victory US, 1961 laughing academy noun a mental institution US, 1947 laughing boy; laughing girl noun used ironically as the title of a gloomy-looking person US, 1940 laughing Buddha noun a variety of LSD UK, 1996 laughing farm noun a mental institution US, 1965 laughing gear noun the mouth NEW ZEALAND, 1964. < wrap your laughing gear around to eat AUSTRALIA, 1962 laughing grass noun marijuana. Derives from the tendency to laughter experienced by marijuana smokers US, 1954 laughing jackass noun akookaburra,Dalceo novaeguineae; a well- known Australian bird with a loud laugh-like call. Now but a little used term AUSTRALIA, 1798 laughing potato noun a new, dry potato CANADA, 1998 laughing-sides noun elastic-sided boots AUSTRALIA, 1937 laughing tobacco noun marijuana UK, 2003 laughing weed noun marijuana. Derives from the tendency to laughter experienced by marijuana smokers US, 1925 8see also: GIGGLEWEED launch noun in drag racing, a quick and powerful start US, 1993 launching pad noun 1 a place where LSD is taken. Punning both on PAD (a place) and LSD as ‘travel’ US, 1971. 2 a lavatory seat in a (moving) train. Inspired by the image of an evacuation into space UK, 1970 launder verb to pass ill-gotten gains through a system of changes designed to legitimise their status UK, 1973 laundromat noun a business used to legitimise money gained in criminal enterprises. A play on LAUNDER (to decriminalise money) UK, 1998 laundry noun 1 a business used by organised crime to give illegally gained money the appearance of legitimacy US, 1997. 2 in homosex- ual usage, a bulge in a man’s crotch. Humourous, suggesting that the bulge is produced by something other than the man’s genitals US, 1964 laundry queen noun in circus and carnival usage, a female dancer US, 1981 Laura Norda noun law and order AUSTRALIA, 1971 Laurel and Hardy noun 1 Bacardi™ (a branded white rum). Rhyming slang, formed from the names of film comedians Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892–1957) UK, 1992. 2 a yardie (a Jamaican gangster). Rhyming slang, based on film comedians Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and Oliver Hardy (1892–1957) UK, 2001 lav noun 1 a word UK, 2002. 2 a lavatory. Variant ‘lavvy’ UK, 1913 lavaliers noun the female breasts US, 1969 lavender adjective effeminate, homosexual US, 1929 lavender fascist noun an uncompromising, politically motivated homosexual UK, 1999 lavvy-diver noun a plumber. From ‘lavvy’ (a lavatory) UK: SCOTLAND, 1985 law noun < have the law on someone to inform the police about someone UK, 1800. < the law 1 thepolice,thelaw enforcement authorities US, 1893. 2 your parents. Teen slang US, 1955 law verb 1 to arrest US, 1935. 2 to impersonate the police for the purposes of extortion UK, 1956 lawing noun the act of impersonating a police officer for criminal purposes UK, 1956 lawn noun a woman’s pubic hair US, 1964 lax up verb to have a laxative effect UK, 1990s lay noun 1 an act of sexual intercourse US, 1928. 2 a girl or a woman regarded as a sex-partner, usually with a modifying adjective such as easy, good, great, etc UK, 1635 lay verb to have sex. Most often heard in the passive UK, 1800. < lay a batch to accelerate a car quickly and in so doing to leave rubber marks on the road US, 1969. < lay a cable to defecate AUSTRALIA, 1979. < lay a fart to fart US, 1951. < lay a log to defecate. Extended from LOG (a turd) UK, 2003. < lay chilly to relax US, 1981. < lay dead 1 to remain silent US, 1976. 2 to stay in one place; to stay still US, 1949. 3 to idle, to waste time fooling around. Vietnam war usage US, 1991. < lay dog to lie motionless in the jungle. Vietnam war reconnaissance patrol usage US, 1991. < lay down some sparks to accelerate a car suddenly from rest, bringing the car frame or body into contact with the road and producing a shower of sparks US, 1980. < lay down the law to dogmatise, especially in an argument; to insist on a mode of behaviour UK, 1762. < lay eggs to drop bombs US, 1998. < lay heat to fart US, 1998. < lay in the cut to wait in hiding US, 1976. < lay it down 1 in motorcyle racing, to spin out or fall, causing the motorcyle and the earth to meet; to intentionally throw a motorcyle on its side in the face of an impending accident US, 1962. 2 to explain the rules of a carnival midway game to a potential customer US, 1985. < lay it on to inform, to report or explain fully US, 1975. < lay it on thick; lay it on with a trowel; lay it on to do something in an excessive manner UK, 1600. < lay on the iron in motor racing, to move inside another car on a turn, forcing it up and out of the fastest part of the track US, 1993. < lay paper to pass counterfeit money or bad cheques US, 1972. < lay pipe (used of a male) to have sex US, 1939. < lay the leg to seduce or attempt to seduce US, 1981. < lay the note to shortchange someone US, 1977. < lay the smack down to engage in a physical fight US, 1999. < lay track to lie US, 1992 layabout noun an unemployed idler UK, 1932 lay and pay in casino blackjack games, the practice of laying hands down, turning them over, and paying or collecting all bets at once US, 1980 layback noun a barbiturate, a central nervous system depressant US, 1970 lay bear noun in the carnival, a stuffed bear given to a girl by a game operator in return for sex US, 1985 lay-by noun on the railways, a passing track US, 1946 lay dead! wait just a minute! Teen slang US, 1958 laydeez noun ladies. Jocular; a phonetic spelling of an overly sincere or quasi-American pronunciation UK, 2001 laydown noun a gullible customer or buyer; an easy victim US, 1935 lay down verb 1 to play in a musical performance US, 1943. 2 to remand in custody UK, 1996 latronic | lay down 394 . 1854 land icing noun manure. Variant ‘land dressing’ is a term for the same thing CANADA, 1992 Landie noun a Land Rover vehicle AUSTRALIA, 1992 landing deck noun the top of the head US, 1947 landing. phone or radio US, 1987 land of cakes noun (from the perspective of people on Nova Scotia islands) the mainland CANADA, 1984 land of hope noun soap. Rhyming slang UK, 1961 land of the big PX noun. of L and 7 can combine to form a SQUARE (a conventional person). This slang may be entirely gestural in expression: the forefinger and thumb on each hand extended at right angles, left (L) and