chunk of beef; chunka; chunker noun a chief, a boss. Rhyming slang; probably no longer in use AUSTRALIA, 1942 chunk of change a lot of money US, 2002 chunky; chunks; chunkies noun hashish. From the similarity in appearance to a block of chocolate US, 1971 chunt noun an inept, unlikeable person US, 2004 church noun LSD UK, 2003. < the church the Investigations Department of HM Customs & Excise UK, 2001 churchie noun a religious proponent of virtue N EW ZEALAND, 1997 church is out 1 an opportunity has passed US, 1966. 2 no hope remains; there is nothing to be done US, 1966 church key noun a can and bottle opener. With the advent of pull- ring (1962), the pop-top (1963), and the stay-on tab can (1974), the device and term all but disappeared US, 1951 Church of England noun in craps, a bet that the next roll will be 1, 2, 11 or 12. A back-formation from C AND E, itself the initials of ‘crap-eleven’, the conventional name of the bet US, 1983 church rat noun a self-serving, pious person TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1993 church tramp noun a student who changes his church affiliation as necessary to attend various church social functions US, 1963 church warden noun a pipe with a long stem. Originally made of clay but the name refers to the shape not the material. In 2003 this type of pipe is enjoying a small revival in fashion as a result of the films in the Lord of the Rings trilogy UK, 1863 churn verb to schedule unnecessary return visits to a doctor to increase fees US, 1991. < churn butter to have sex. Vietnam war usage; slang based on visual images US, 1991 churn out verb to produce a large quantity of something, especially without too much concern for the finished article’s quality UK, 1912 chut noun a male homosexual; homosexual practices between men. Possibly from CHUTE (the rectum), CHUTNEY (sodomy) or as a vari- ation of CHUFF (a homosexual male) UK, 1977 chut verb to chew chewing gum AUSTRALIA, 1945 chute noun 1 the rectum US, 1976 . 2 the coin slot on a pinball machine US, 1977. 3 especially in Quebec, a waterfall CANADA, 1947. 4 in sailing, a spinnaker US, 1990. 5 a parachute UK, 1920 . 6 in the usage of youthful model road racers (slot car racers), a straight portion of track US, 1997. < through the chute smuggled from Venezuela TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1987 chutes noun a subway (underground) system US, 1950 chutney noun sodomy. From a similarity in colour and texture between conventional ‘chutney’ and faecal matter UK, 1984 chutney farmer; chutney ferret noun a male homosexual. Derogatory. From CHUTNEY (sodomy) UK, 1996 chutty noun chewing gum AUSTRALIA, 1942 chutzpah; chuzpah noun gall, intestinal fortitude, extreme self-con- fidence. One of the best-known Yiddish words in the US US, 1892 CHV noun Council House Vermin, i.e. people who, it appears, can only afford to live in council houses IRELAND, 2003 ciacito, baby used as a farewell. A catchphrase television sign-off of Daisy Fuentes, the too-hip host on the MTV cable network in the 1990s. Repeated with referential humour US, 1994 ciao; ciaou goodbye. From an Italian greeting and farewell, affected by English-speakers as a fashionable or ironic farewell UK, 1959 ’cid; cid; sid noun LSD. An abbreviation of ACID US, 1986 -cide; -icide suffix the conventional suffix, that creates the meaning ‘murder’ or ‘murderer’, when used to make a flippant or nonce- word. In June 2003 a quick search of the Internet reveals ‘Bushicide’, ‘Saddamicide’ and ‘Iraqicide’ UK, 1866 Cider City nickname Hereford, Herefordshire; Taunton, Somerset. Both are historic centres of cider-making UK, 1981 ciderhead noun a cider drinker. Combines conventional ‘cider’ with - HEAD (a habitual user) UK, 1998 cig noun a cigarette or cigar US, 1894 cigar noun 1 a reprimand, especially at work US, 1960 . 2 in circus and carnival usage, any compliment US, 1981 cigar! correct! An extrapolation from ‘Close, but no cigar’ US, 1991 cigarette noun an untalented or personality-free roller derby skater. The cigarette lagged back in the packet, hence the punning term US, 1999 cigarette holder noun the shoulder. Rhyming slang UK, 1998 cigarette paper noun a packet of heroin or another drug US, 1936 cigarette pimp noun a pimp whose lack of professional pride leads him to solicit customers for his prostitutes US, 1972 cigarette roll noun a type of parachute malfunction US, 1962 cigarette swag; cigarette paper swag noun asmallpackof possessions and necessary items carried by a tramp. From the size and shape of the pack AUSTRALIA, 1938 cigarette with no name noun a marijuana cigarette US, 1980 cigger noun a cigarette AUSTRALIA, 1922 ciggy; ciggie noun a cigarette US, 1915 ciggyboo; ciggieboo noun a cigarette UK, 1958 ciggybutt noun a cigarette US, 1998 Cilla Black; Cilla noun the back. Rhyming slang, formed on the name of singer and television presenter Cilla Black (b.1943) UK, 1992 CIL spinner noun an illegal charge of dynamite to ‘catch’ fish in the water without using hooks or nets CA NADA, 1989 cinch noun 1 a certainty US, 1890. 2 in horse racing, a horse that is virtually certain to win US, 1960 cinchers noun brakes US, 1942 Cincy; Cinci nickname Cincinatti, Ohio US, 1899 cinder dick noun a railway detective US, 1925 cinderella noun the nose. Rhyming slang for ‘smeller’ UK, 1992 cinderella adjective 1 the colour yellow; in snooker, the yellow ball. Rhyming slang UK, 1992. 2 cowardly. Rhyming slang for YELLOW UK, 2002 Cinderella liberty noun a short release from military duty and from base restrictions. Cinderella had to be home by midnight, as do navy and marine troops US, 1961 Cinderella team noun a sports team that wins a tournament or championship that it had little hope of winning US, 1971 cinders noun < take to the cinders on the railways, to quit a job US, 1977 cinder trail noun a railway track US, 1962 cinnamon stick noun a penis with faeces stains after anal sex US, 1979 cipaille noun in Quebec, a deep-dish meat pie CA NADA, 1998 ciphering noun arithmetic US, 1905 circle noun any group of people playing footbag US, 1997 circle verb < circle a game (of a bookmaker) to limit the amount that may be bet on a given game or race when the bookmaker suspects that the game or race is fixed US, 1978. < circle the drain 1 to be near death US, 1994 . 2 by extension, said of a project or enterprise that is nearing collapse US, 1997 Circle City nickname Leeds, West Yorkshire UK, 1981 circled adjective married US, 1960 circle jerk noun 1 group male masturbation, sometimes mutual and sometimes simply a shared solitary experience US, 1958. 2 any non- productive, time-wasting exercise US, 1973. 3 a series of exit consoles on websites that link back on themselves, creating an infinite loop US, 2004 circle-jerk verb to participate in group male masturbation US, 1971 Circle K noun the recreational drug ketamine. A punning allusion to a US national chain of convenience stores US, 1998 circle work noun the driving of a car in tight circles to form circular tracks on the ground AUSTRALIA, 1996 circs noun circumstances UK, 1883 143 chunk of beef; chunka; chunker | circs circuit noun a series of homosexual parties held each year around the US, with participants flying from city to city for the festivities US, 1990s circuit girl noun a travelling prostitute US, 2002 circuit queen noun a male homosexual who follows the circuit from party to party US, 1994 circular file noun a wastebasket US, 1947 circulation noun traffic CANADA, 2001 circus noun 1 sexual behaviour that is public, fetishistic or both US, 1878. 2 a state of affairs; a noisy and confused institution, place, scene or assemblage US, 1899. 3 a temporary company of people (often moving from place to place), engaged in the same endeavour, e.g. lawn tennis, motor racing, etc. A specialisation of CIRCUS (an assemblage) UK, 1958. 4 a group of aircraft engaged in displays of skilful flying. Military origins UK, 1916. 5 feigned spasms by a drug addict to convince a doctor to prescribe a narcotic US, 1949 circus bees; circus squirrels noun body lice US, 1981 circus cowboy noun a youthful, attractive homosexual male prostitute. A matching of the US MIDNIGHT COWBOY with London geography UK, 1987 circus simple adj ective obsessed with the circus US, 1975 circus tent noun an apartment or house where customers pay to view sexual exhibitions US, 1959 cissy adjective effeminate. From ‘sister’ CANADA, 1915 citizen noun 1 an ordinary person outside a gang or club US, 2000. 2 a fellow member of a youth gang US, 1953. 3 a prisoner who has earned the respect of other prisoners US, 1989 cits noun < the cits Minneapolis and St Paul, Minnesota US, 1966 City noun < The City San Francisco, California. Uniformly used by northern Californians, who shun ’FRISCO US, 1955 -city suffix a good example of the precedent noun US, 1930 city block noun in horse racing, a large margin of victory or a large lead US, 1951 city college noun a jail, especially the New York City jail UK, 1796 city flyer noun a small truck used for local deliveries US, 1971 city Jake noun a person sophisticated in urban ways US, 1966 city kitty noun a local police official US, 1976 city light noun the low-intensity setting on headlights US, 1950 city mouse noun in Antarctica, a member of support personnel who never leaves McMurdo Station ANTARCTICA, 2003 city of the newly-wed and nearly-dead nickname Victoria, British Columbia CANADA, 1989 city slicker noun a smoothly persuasive rogue of a type stereotypically associated with city life; a sophisticated city-dweller. The second sense is derogatory US, 1924 city titties noun small bumps delineating lanes on motorways and roads US, 1992 city tote noun a coat. Rhyming slang, formed on the name of a bookmaking firm UK, 1998 civilian noun 1 anyone who is not a member of the group with which the speaker identifies, especially a motocyle gang US, 1946 . 2 a non-regular officer US, 1947. 3 in twelve-step recovery programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous, a person who is not involved in and does not need to be involved in a recovery programme US, 1998 civil serpent noun used as a humorous synonym for ‘civil servant’ US, 1980 civvies noun 1 civilian clothes. Military usage UK, 1889. 2 manufactured cigarettes. Prison slang, remembering the pleasures of being a CIVVY (a civilian) and a gentle play on CIGGY; CIGGIES UK, 1996 civvy noun a member of the general public, not a member of the uniformed services: military, police, prison, fire, etc. Abbreviated from ‘civilian’ UK, 1895 civvy adjective civilian. Military use UK, 1915 civvy street noun civilian life; non-military life UK, 1943 CJ noun phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust US, 1994 C-jam noun cocaine US, 1986 c-jame noun cocaine US, 1968 C-joint noun a place where cocaine is sold US, 2002 CJ’s noun a pair of men’s close-fitting and revealing nylon swimming trunks. Standing for COCK JOCKS AUSTRALIA, 2003 CK noun 1 Calvin Klein™ clothing. Favoured by members of the Bloods youth gang, to whom the initials also stand for ‘Crip Killer’ US, 2000. 2 a mixture of cocaine and the recreational drug ketamine US, 1995. 3 cocaine US, 1971. 4 a man who feels that he has to disparage other men in front of women. An abbreviation of COCK- KNOCKER US , 2002 CK1 noun a mixture of nine parts cocaine and one part the rec- reational drug ketamine. The brand name of a popular fragrance by Calvin Klein UK, 2001 clack verb to rattle the dice when switching altered dice in or out of a game; always inadvertent and usually disastrous to the cheat US, 1950 clacker noun 1 the backside; the anus. Probably from ‘clacker’ a ratcheted noise-making device, alluding to farting. Not a perversion of ‘cloaca’ AUSTRALIA, 1960 . 2 a young woman; a group of young women; young women in general. Military UK, 1984. 3 a dollar US, 1918. 4 a triggering device for claymore mines US, 1990 clackers noun the teeth; false teeth US, 1950 clacker valve noun the female genitalia UK, 2003 clag noun excreta, faeces; rubbish UK, 2003 claggy adjective unpleasantly bedaubed with excreta. From CLAG UK, 2003 clag nut noun a small lump of excreta or toilet paper that clings to the anal hair. From CLAG (faeces) UK, 2003 claim verb 1 to arrest someone UK, 1970. 2 to challenge someone to a fight IRELAND, 1989 claiming noun a method of casino cheating, in which a cheat claims that a slot machine malfunctioned and they received no payment or inadequate payment from a win US, 1985 Claire Rayners noun trainers (footwear). Based on the name of Claire Rayner, popular agony aunt and novelist UK, 1997 clam noun 1 the vagina US, 1916. 2 the anus US, 1983. 3 the mouth US, 1825. 4 a dollarUS, 1886. 5 a betting chip in a poker game US, 1988. 6 in a musical performance, a missed cue or an off-key note US, 1955 clam; clam up verb to stop talking US, 1916 clambake noun a session in which jazz musicians collectively improvise. From CLAM (a missed note) US, 1937 clam dam noun acondom.CombinesCLAM (the vagina) with ‘dam’ (a barrier) US, 1990s clam-diggers noun calf-length trousers. The suggestion is that the trousers are an appropriate length for digging for clams in mud flats US, 1947 clam gun noun a shovel or other digging implement US, 1927 clamp verb < clamp it to to have sex US, 1963 clam patch noun the passenger seat on a motorcyle. Biker (motorcyle) slang, coarsely referencing women as CLAM (the vagina) US, 2003 clampers noun the teeth US, 1970 clamp it! be quiet! UK: SCOTLAND, 1988 clamps noun handcuffs US, 1949 clams noun money AUSTRALIA, 1992 clam-shelled adjective < get clam-shelled to be engulfed by a wave while surfing US, 1991 clam squirt noun vaginal secretions US, 1974 Clan noun < the Clan a group of performers and friends surrounding Frank Sinatra in the 1950s and 60s. Better known as the Rat Pack US, 1960 circuit | Clan 144 clanger noun 1 an error, a mistake UK, 1957. 2 acowardAUSTRALIA, 1953. 3 in poker, a drawn card that does nothing to improve your hand. Also known as a ‘clang’ US, 1996 clangeroo noun a memorably bad misjudgement. An intensification of CLANGER (an error) with the suffix -EROO; mainly theatrical in use UK, 1957 clangers noun testicles UK, 1961 clank noun an armoured tank US, 1982 clank verb 1 to be nervous US, 1955. 2 to reject a romantic overture or partner US, 1959 clank clank! used in response to an Australian’s claim of ancestry that goes back to the days of the early settlers. Echoic of transported prisoners’ chains AUS TRALIA, 1968 clanked up adjective anxious, nervous US, 1953 clanks noun delirium tremens US, 1980 clap noun gonorrhoea. From old French clapoir (a sore caused by venereal disease); the term was normal register for centuries, slipping into colloquial or slang in mid-C19 UK, 1587 clap verb to kill someone US, 2002. < clap beef to have sex with a woman JAMAICA, 1980. < clap eyes on to see someone or something UK, 1838 clap checker noun a member of the Medical Corps. Vietnam war usage, identifying medics by the least glorious of their duties US, 1991 clap clinic noun a medical pratice that treats all sexually transmitted disease US, 1976 clapped-out; clapped adjective 1 unserviceable as a result of use or neglect UK, 1946. 2 (of persons) exhausted, no longer effective UK, 1946 clappers noun the testicles. Derives from the clapper of a bell, and is almost always in the plural UK, 1959. < like the clappers; like the clappers of hell; like the clappers of fuck very fast; very hard. Possibly rhyming slang for ‘clappers of a bell’, ‘hell’ UK, 1948 clappy adjective infected with a sexually transmitted infection, especially gonorrhoea US, 1937 claps noun gonorrhoea. Largely black usage US, 1965 clap shack noun a clinic or hospital ward where sexually transmitted infections are treated US, 1952 clap sticks noun in the television and film industries, the clapboard used for synchronising sound and picture US, 1987 claptrap noun 1 nonsense, rubbish. From the conventional sense (language designed to win applause) UK, 1915. 2 a brothel with a high incidence of sexually transmitted infections US, 1987 clarabelle noun tetrahydrocannabinal (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana US, 1971 Clarence nickname a cross-eyed person. From Clarence, a cross-eyed lion that out-acted the human cast in BBC television’s Daktari, 1966–69 UK: SCOTLAND, 1988 claret noun blood. Conventional claret is a fortified Bordeaux red wine; the visual connection is obvious UK, 1604 Clarisse noun used as a term of address among male homosexuals US, 1965 clarity noun MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy US, 1989 Clark Gable noun a table. Rhyming slang, formed on the name of US film actor Clark Gable, 1901–60 UK, 1992 Clark Kent adjective homosexual. Rhyming slang for BENT,formed from the ‘secret identity’ of Superman UK, 2003 clart noun 1 used as a term of friendly address. Most likely from UK black BLOODCLAAT or PUSSYCLAAT (a contemptible person) into wider youth usage UK, 2004 . 2 excrement; also as a euphemism for all senses of ‘shit’. From Scottish and dialect clarty (sticky with dirt; sticky; dirty). Also used in the plural UK, 1977 clary noun a clarinet US, 1942 8see: JULIAN CLARY class noun elegant style or behaviour, refined taste, a state of excellence. Originally sports usage UK, 1874 class verb to attend a class US, 2002 class A’s noun 1 cocaine, heroin and other drugs that are legally categorised as Class A narcotics UK, 1999. 2 in the US Army, the dress uniform US, 1968 classic adjective 1 excellent US, 1964. 2 handsome, well-dressed US, 1998 classic six noun a common layout of an apartment in Manhattan – two bedrooms, living room, dining room, kitchen and small maid’s room US, 2002 class up the ass noun a superlative style US, 1972 classy adjective of superior quality; stylish; having CLASS UK, 1891 classy chassis noun an attractive female body US, 1955 clat noun a dirty person UK: SCOTLAND, 1985 clatch noun your personal belongings ANTARCTICA, 1989 clatter verb to smack someone, to hit someone, to beat someone up UK, 1979 clatters noun a smacking. From CLATTER (to smack) UK, 1979 ’clavaed up adjective used when a balaclava helmet is worn UK, 2000 Claven noun someone who purports to know everything. From the Cliff Claven character on the television comedy Cheers US, 1991 claw noun a pickpocket US, 1914 claw verb to pick a glass up from its top US, 1998. < claw off a lee shore to face serious difficulties in a task or project. Nautical origins US, 1963 clay noun 1 a claymore mine US, 1994. 2 tetrahydrocannabinal (THC), the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana US, 1971. 3 hashish US, 1992 clay eater noun a poor rural dweller US, 1841 clay pigeon noun a person who is easily victimised US, 1972 Clayton’s noun any substitute for a desired thing NEW ZEALAND, 2002 Clayton’s adjective false, pretend, faux. From the proprietary name of a substitute alcoholic drink which was widely advertised as ‘the drink you have when you’re not having a drink’ AUSTRALIA, 1984 clean verb 1 by gambling, fraud or theft, to take all of someone’s money. A variant is ‘clean out’ UK, 1812. 2 to remove seeds, stems and foreign matter from marijuana leaves US, 1967. 3 to rid yourself of altered dice, altered cards or any evidence of cheating US, 1950. 4 in mountain biking, to succeed in negotiating an obstacle or set of obstacles without accident US, 1996. < clean it up to clarify or explain something US, 1942 . < clean out the kitchen; clean up the kitchen to perform oral sex on a woman US, 1941. < clean road for monk ey to run to labour for someone else’s benefit TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003. < clean someone’s bones to thrash or defeat someone soundly in a fight US, 1963. < clean someone’s clock 1 to severely defeat someone, physically or in a competition US, 1959. 2 in trucking, to pass another vehicle, especially another truck, at high speed US, 1971. < clean the books to induce a criminal to confess to a series of unsolved crimes US, 1984. < clean the cage out to perform oral sex on a woman UK, 2002. < clean the clock on the railways, to make an emergency stop. An allusion to the air gauge that drops to zero in an emergency stop US, 1977. < clean the kitchen to lick your sex-partner’s anus UK, 2002. < clean the pipes to ejaculate; to masturbate US, 1998. < clean the table in pool, to shoot all of the remaining balls in one turn US, 1989. < clean the tube (of a male) to masturbate. Using ‘tube’ to mean ‘the penis’ US, 2001. < clean up the calendar (used of the police) to extract from a criminal confessions clearing up a number of crimes, regardless of his actual guilt, in exchange for lenient treatment on another crime US, 1992 clean adjective 1 drug-free US, 1949. 2 unarmed US, 1952. 3 innocent; free of suspicion; without a trace of guilt; without a criminal record US, 1925. 4 not subject to police surveillance US, 2003. 5 (used of an illegal betting operation) unafraid of police intervention because of bribes paid to the police US, 1951. 6 excellent, fashionable, stylish US, 1963. 7 (used of a theatrical performance) completely sold out US, 1973. 8 in circus and carnival usage, without value US, 1981. 9 (of an object ball in pool) directly into the pocket without touching a cushion or another ball US, 1993 145 clanger | clean clean adverb completely as in ‘He got clean away’ or ‘I clean forget’ UK, 1999 clean and ready adjective prepared; dressed nicely US, 1980 cleaner noun 1 in the used car business, a customer who does not have a car to trade in US, 1956 . 2 a hired killer US, 2000. 3 in circus and carnival usage, the person who retrieves money from paid players who have been allowed to win a concession game to drum up business US, 1981 cleaners noun < take someone to the cleaners 1 to thrash someone UK, 1976. 2 to thoroughly swindle or rob someone US, 1907. 3 to forcibly strip someone UK, 1996 clean freak noun a person who is obsessed with cleanliness US, 1967 cleaning crew noun the members of a criminal enterprise who rid the crime scene of possible evidence and at times any bodies resulting from the crime US, 1997 cleaning kit noun the equipment needed to rid a crime scene of possible evidence US, 1997 clean out verb to thrash someone US, 1862 clean peeler noun to a surfer, a perfect wave US, 1997 clean sheets noun a bed or cot. Vietnam war usage US, 1991 cleanskin noun 1 a person without a criminal record. Originally applied to an unbranded sheep AUSTRALIA, 1943. 2 a novice. From the conventional sense (an unbranded stock animal) AUSTRALIA, 1907. 3 a person of integrity, especially in a political context. From the sense of ‘a person without a police record’ AUSTRALIA, 1942 . 4 in horse racing, a jockey who has never been disqualified in a race AUSTRALIA, 1989 cleansleeve noun a low-ranking military recriut US, 1909 clean-the-kitchen noun corned beef hash US, 1946 clean time noun the amount of time that has passed since a prisoner was last in trouble US, 1989 clean-up noun 1 a good alibi US, 1990. 2 a wave that breaks seaward of most surfers, causing them to lose their boards and thus cleaning up the area US, 1964 clean up verb to make a profit, especially a big one US, 1831 cleanup team noun the members of a criminal enterprise who rid a crime scene of any possible evidence and at times bodies resulting from the crime US, 1997 clean wheels noun a motor vehicle to be used in crime that has never been previously stolen or come under prior police suspicion in any way UK, 1977 clean works noun a new needle and syringe. A concept and term new in the age of AIDS US, 1993 clear noun < in the clear with no evidence against you; therefore, innocent or apparently so UK, 1934 clear verb to steal something UK, 1998. < clear the channel to stop talking US, 1962. < clear your tubes to ejaculate; to masturbate AUSTRALIA, 1985 clear as mud adjective anything but clear; confused UK, 1842 clearinghouse noun an illegal lottery. More commonly known as a NUMBERS game US, 1951 Clear Lake noun methamphetamine purportedly manufactured in the Clear Lake region of northern California US, 1989 clear light noun a stage in some LSD experiences in which the user feels receptive to enlightment US, 1971 clearly! Iagree!US, 2002 clear off verb to depart. Often used as an imperative UK, 1816 clearskin noun used as a variation of all senses of ‘cleanskin’ AUSTRALIA, 1943 clear-skinned adjective with a light complexion BARBADOS, 1965 clef verb to compose a tune or song US, 1948 Clem noun in the circus or carnival, a fight with customers US, 1891 Clement Freud noun a haemorrhoid. Rhyming slang, formed from the name of British writer, broadcaster and politician, Sir Clement Freud (b.1924), father of EMMA FREUD whose name has a synonymous purpose UK, 2003 clemo noun executive clemency granted to a convicted prisoner US, 1960 clennedak noun in Quebec, a child’s taffy cone (a sweet confection) CANADA, 1998 clerk noun in American casinos, an exceptionally skilled dealer US, 1980 clerks and jerks noun clerical support personnel and officers. Vietnam war usage. The high degree of cynicism about officers found in enlisted men was even more intense in Vietnam US, 1975 clever adjective < damned clever these Chinese; dead clever these Chinese; clever chaps these Chinese a catchphrase used as a comment upon an explanation given about some device or machine, especially if the explanation has not been understood. A back-handed tribute to Chinese ingenuity US, 1955 clever bollocks noun a clever person UK, 2001 clever clogs noun a clever person. A variation of ‘clever boots’ UK, 1866 clever creep noun a forensic chemist. Police use UK, 1971 clever dick noun 1 a clever, rather too clever, person. Derisive or sarcastic in use UK, 1887. 2 a brick. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 clever Dickie noun a bricklayer. Rhyming slang for ‘brickie’, extended from CLEVER DICK (a brick) UK, 1992 clever drawers noun a knowledgable person. Disparaging UK, 1966 cleverguts noun a clever person. Childish and sarcastic UK, 1959 cleverkins noun a clever person UK, 1937 cleverly adverb (used of a racehorse winning a race) easily US, 1960 clever Mike noun a bicycle. Rhyming slang for ‘bike’ UK, 1961 clever sticks noun a clever person. A variation on the theme of ‘clever boots’; often used as a juvenile taunt UK, 1946 clevie noun the vagina UK, 2002 clew up verb to hide, to go into hiding. Of naval origins UK, 1962 click noun 1 a gang. A corrupted spelling of ‘clique’ US, 1879 . 2 a kilometer. Also spelt ‘klick’ or ‘klik’. Vietnam war usage US, 1962 click verb 1 to have a successful encounter with a hitherto unknown member of the opposite sex UK, 1937. 2 to get along instantly and famously UK, 1915. 3 to suddenly understand something; to suddenly make sense in context UK, 1939. 4 to perform at the right moment as needed by a friend US, 1989. 5 to enjoy an amorous relationship IRELAND, 2003. 6 of a woman, to become pregnant (or in Australia, of a cow) UK, 1937. 7 in the theatre or other forms of entertainment, to be a success US, 1926. 8 in horse racing, to win a race US, 1951. 9 to be well accepted US, 1982. 10 to be selected or accepted for a duty or a fate; to be killed. A military colloquialism UK, 1917 clicker noun 1 crack cocaine mixed with phencyclidine, the rec- reational drug known as PCP or angel dust US, 1994 . 2 a brick US, 1989. 3 in circus and carnival usage, a free pass US, 1981 clickers noun false teeth US, 1950 clicks noun approval; applause US, 1997 clicks and mortar; C&M noun a business that combines trading from traditonal business premises with Internet-based commerce. A play on ‘bricks and mortar’, a traditional business US, 1999 clientised adjective having come to a point of view that is in sympathy with a client’s or subject’s outlook or situation UK, 2003 Cliffie noun a student or alumna of Radcliffe College, Harvard University US, 1961 C light noun in the pornography industry, a light used to illuminate the genitals of the performers. ‘C’ is in CUNT US, 1991 climax noun 1 amyl nitrite. Because of the orgasm-enhancing charac- teristics of the drug US, 1992. 2 heroin UK, 1998 climb noun 1 cat burglary UK, 1936. 2 a marijuana cigarette. A climb is necessary if you wish to get HIGH (intoxicated) US, 1946 climb verb < climb the wooden hill; climb the wooden hill to Bedfordshire to go upstairs to bed. A combination of WOODEN HILL (the stairs) and BEDFORDSHIRE (a bed) UK, 1984 clean | climb 146 climbing trees to get away from it used as a catchphrase reply to the question ‘getting any (sexual satisfaction)?’ AUSTRALIA, 1984 climb into verb to criticise someone, to launch a verbal attack on someone NEW Z EALAND, 1993 climey noun a British social ‘climber’ in the US, especially New York. A contraction of ‘climber’ and LIMEY (a Briton) UK, 1999 clinch noun a prolonged or passionate embrace US, 1901 clinch verb in bird-watching circles, to identify a rare bird UK, 1977 cling verb < cling to the belt (used of South Vietnamese troops) to stay close to US troops US, 1988 clinic noun 1 a poker game characterised by over-analysis of each hand US, 1988. 2 a poker game played by doctors US, 1988 clink noun a jail; a police station. Originally an infamous prison in Southwark, London, and then by the mid-C19 applied to any jail, prison or cell UK, 1785 clinker noun 1 in the entertainment industry, a failure US, 1961. 2 a small piece of faeces clinging to anal hairs UK, 1904. 3 a wrong note in a musical performance US, 1937. 4 a mistake US, 1937 . 5 a piece of broken-up ice on the water CANADA, 2001 clinkeroo noun a jail or prison US, 1992 clinkers noun 1 handcuffs US, 1949. 2 leg irons; foot shackles UK, 1699 clip noun 1 a rate of speed, as in ‘a fair old clip’ UK, 1867. 2 an occurrence or instance US, 1979 . 3 a blow UK, 1830. 4 a swindle or other act of dishonest trickery US, 1941. 5 a string of bottles containing doses of crack cocaine US, 1992. 6 a vasectomy US, 1993. 7 in the circus or carnival, a patron US, 1980 clip verb 1 to steal something; to swindle someone; to win something, especially through cheating US, 1922. 2 to kill someone, especially by gunshot US, 1928. 3 to hit someone US, 1855. < clip a steamer to defecate US, 2003 clip and clean adverb completely US, 1975 clip-a-nines noun a 9 mm ammunition clip US, 2001 clip girl noun an attractive woman employed in a clip joint to encourage customers to part with their money on the promise of (sexual) services to be delivered UK, 2001 clip joint; clip dive noun a bar, gambling house or other business where customers are routinely cheated US, 1932 clip off verb (used of ammunition) to explode because of heat from a surrounding fire US, 1990 clipped dick noun a Jewish person. Derogatory US, 1960 clipper noun 1 a thief US, 1954. 2 a person who collects film clips, usually of a single subject US, 1978. 3 a disposable cigarette lighter. A generic from the Clipper™ brand UK, 1996 Clipper Club noun the abstract brotherhood of men who have undergone a vasectomy US, 1995 clippie; clippy noun 1 a female conductor on a bus or train. From clipping tickets UK, 1941. 2 an employee who checks and clips tickets at railway stations AU STRALIA, 1953 clipping noun a robbery facilitated by posing as a prostitute and knocking out the clients with sleeping pills UK, 1977 clique noun a youth gang. A nuance of the conventional sense UK, 2003 clique up verb to form small groups US, 1972 clit noun 1 the clitoris US, 1958. 2 a despicable person. A figurative application, similar to PRICK UK, 1999 clithopper noun a promiscuous lesbian US, 1982 clit lit; cliterature noun good quality erotica for women. Formed from CLIT (the clitoris) and ‘lit’ (literature) US, 1999 clitoris noun any popular model of car. Motor trade slang. Explained as ‘every cunt has one’ by a car salesman UK, 1977 clit ring noun a piece of jewellery for a clitoral piercing. As body piercing became more popular through the 1990s this prosaically- named ornamentation, based on an abbreviation of ‘clitoris’ became a familiar possibility US, 1995 clit stick noun a small vibrating sex-aid designed for clitoral stimu- lation. An abbreviation of ‘clitoris’ combined with the lipstick-sized vibrator’s shape UK, 2002 clit tease noun a heterosexual woman who socialises with lesbians without revealing that she is heterosexual US, 2002 clitter noun a slap with the open hand. From the Irish cliotar IRELAND, 2000 clitty the clitoris UK, 1866 clitty clamp noun a device that is attached to a clitoris and is designed to cause discomfort or pain in the cause of sexual stimu- lation UK, 1995 clitwobble noun a woman’s desire for sex UK, 1998 cloak verb to send an electronic message in a manner that disguises the true origin of the message US, 1997 cloak-and-dagger adjective very secret; pertaining to espionage US, 1944 clobber noun clothes, especially any outfit of good or noticeable quality. Probably Yiddish klbr, but ‘to clobber’ is ‘to CLOUT’ (‘to hit’ and may also be ‘clothing’) UK, 1879 clobber verb 1 to strike someone forcefully US, 1944. 2 to criticise someone or something harshly UK, 1956. 3 in computing, to overwrite a program US, 1991. 4 to impose an onerous duty or unwelcome burden on someone. Usually before ‘with’; for example, ‘I got clobbered with finishing the weeding’ UK, 1984 clobbered adjective drunk US, 1951 clobbering machine noun the notional machine that creates conformity NEW ZEALAND, 1998 clock noun 1 a milometer (odometer) UK, 1967. 2 a speedometer UK, 1942. 3 a taxi meter. Often in the enquiry ‘How much is on the clock?’ UK, 1930. 4 an air gauge used with air brakes US, 1946. 5 a watch. In conventional use from 1559, in slang use since late C19; noted by the Oxford English Dictionary as obsolete ‘except in modern slang’ UK, 1961. 6 the face UK, 1918. 7 a punch to the face. From the verb NEW ZEALAND, 1959. 8 a look. From the verb UK, 2000. 9 a one-year prison sentence AUSTRALIA, 1941. 10 a prisoner who is at the beginning of their sentence US, 1962. 11 bravery, courage US, 1950 clock verb 1 to catch sight of or notice someone or something; to watch someone or something US, 1929. 2 to watch someone patiently; especially to follow someone with the purpose of discovering the details of a bet UK, 1958 . 3 to keep track of a slot machine in an effort to make an educated guess as to when it will pay off US, 1984. 4 to keep track of the money involved in a game or an enterprise US, 1977. 5 to register on the speedometer; to attain a particular speed. From CLOCK (a speedometer) UK, 1892. 6 to figure something out, to evaluate something US, 1961. 7 to earn something US, 1989. 8 to punch, to strike with the fist. Perhaps, originally, ‘to hit in the CLOCK’ (the face) UK, 1932. 9 to sell drugs on the street US, 1992. 10 to wind back the mileometer (odometer) of a vehicle to increase its sale value US, 1980 . 11 to identify. After the senses to see and to watch UK, 2005. < clock in to visit your boyfriend or girlfriend only out of a sense of duty US, 2004. < clock in the green room while surfing, to take a long ride inside the hollow of a breaking wave US, 1991. < clock the action to understand what is happening and what is being said US, 1962 clock and house verb to see and remember suspects’ faces, and then follow them to their home. From CLOCK (to see; to watch and follow) UK, 1977 clocker noun 1 a street drug dealer, especially of crack cocaine US, 1992. 2 a watchman or guard, especially one who punches a time clock while making his rounds US, 1949. 3 an onlooker US, 1976 clocking noun a fraudulent act of turning back a vehicle’s mileometer (odometer). From the verb CLOCK UK, 1974 clock out verb to act in a psychotic manner US, 1989 clock puncher noun an employee whose working day is measured by a time-clock. A worker must ‘punch in’ and ‘punch out’ at a time-clock US, 1932 clock watcher noun 1 an employee who takes care to work only for as long and as hard as is minimally required UK, 1911. 2 aperson completey lacking in generosity US, 1956 147 climbing trees to get away from it | clock watcher clock watching noun the act of working no harder, or for no longer, than is minimally required UK, 1942 clockweights noun the testicles. From the workings of a longcase clock UK, 2003 clockwork along verb to go smoothly, ’to go like clockwork’ UK, 1990s clockworks noun the brain US, 1947 clocky noun sudden waving arm movements of a surfer trying to get his balance US, 1991 clod noun a stupid person UK, 1605 clodbuster noun afarmerUS, 1950 cloddy noun a prison officer UK, 1996 clodge noun the vagina UK, 2001 clodhopper noun 1 a person with big feet; big feet or big shoes. Evoking the image of a ploughman with large, coarse boots UK, 1836. 2 a clumsy person UK, 1824. 3 a police officer. Rhyming slang for COPPER; sometimes shortened to ‘clod’ UK, 1998. 4 a copper coin, a penny. Rhyming slang for ‘copper’. Sometimes shortened to ‘clod’ UK, 1925 clog verb to take a picture with a mobile phone and upload it to a website. A contraction of ‘camera’ and ‘log’ US, 2003 clog down adverb of driving, very fast or accelerating. Military; from the sense of putting your foot down on an accelerator pedal UK, 1984 clogger noun a footballer who has a reputation for fouling when tackling an opponent UK, 1970 cloggie noun 1 a clog dancer. Popularised in the late 1960s by The Cloggies, a cartoon strip about a clog dancing team, written and drawn by Bill Tidy UK, 1969. 2 a Dutch person. Derogatory. Originally military usage, from the extensive use of clogs as a symbol of Netherlands’ folk-culture. Also variant ‘clog head’ UK, 1987 cloggy noun the Dutch language. From the extensive use of clogs as a symbol of the Netherlands’ folk-culture UK, 1984 clomp verb to walk in a noisy and demonstrative fashion UK, 1829 clone noun 1 a highly stylised, fashion-conscious homosexual male US, 1979. 2 a personal computer that closely duplicates the functions and operations of a leading brand US, 1991. 3 a car with an identity that has been fraudulently duplicated from a legitimately registered vehicle UK, 2005 clone verb 1 to reconfigure a stolen mobile phone so that an existing subscriber is charged for all calls US, 1994. 2 to duplicate the detailed identity of one car onto another UK, 2005 clonk verb to hit someone UK, 1943 clonked; clonked out adjective of a mechanical device, not working. A teenagers’ variation of CONKED; CONKED OUT UK, 1982 close verb < close the back door in bombing missions, to provide rear guard protection for the bombers US, 1990 . < close the door in motor racing, to pass another car and then pull sharply in front of it to minimise its chances of passing you US, 1965 close adjective skilled US, 1959 close but no cigar; no cigar adverb incorrect. From carnival games giving cigars as prizes US, 1986 close call noun a near thing, a narrow escape US, 1881 closed adjective subject to strict law enforcement; unfriendly to criminal enterprises US, 1969 closed door noun a surf condition where waves are breaking simul- taneously all along a beach, creating no shoulder to ride US, 1963 closed for maintenance adjective in the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 2000 closed game noun a private gambling game, especially poker, usually for high stakes US, 1992 close out verb (of waves) to become unsuitable for surfing, either because of their size or their breaking pattern US, 1991 closer noun in a sales team, the individual responsible for the final stages of negotiations US, 1987 closet noun a person who is secretly homosexual UK, 2001. < in the closet hidden, not avowed. Almost always applied to homosexu- ality US, 1967. < on the closet (of a prisoner and prison officer) to be handcuffed together but separated by a long chain that is intended to reduce embarrassment when using the water closet UK, 2000. < out of the closet avowed, open US, 1971 closet adjective hidden, not admitted. Most often but not always, and not first, used in conjunction with homosexuality US, 1952 close-talker noun a person who speaks to others without respecting the usual cultural protocols on not standing too close to someone you are talking to. A term popularised on Jerry Seinfeld’s television programme in an episode called ‘The Raincoat Party’ first aired on 28th April 1994 US, 1994 closet case noun 1 a person who is secretly homosexual US, 1969. 2 someone to be ashamed of. Teen slang, without any suggestion of the homosexuality later associated with the term US, 1954. 3 a potential romantic interest whom you are keeping away from your friends US, 1955 closet dyke noun a lesbian who conceals her sexual orientation US, 1967 closeted adjective living with an unrevealed fact, especially homo- sexuality US, 1992 close to the door adjective about to be released from prison US, 1989 close to the skin adjective lacking subcutaneous fat US, 1984 closet queen noun a male homosexual who conceals his sexual orientation US, 1957 close work noun sexual activity US, 1957 clot noun a dolt UK, 1632 cloth noun < down to the cloth (used of a player in a game of poker) almost out of money US, 1982 cloth-eared adjective deaf UK, 1965 cloth-ears noun a person with a poor sense of hearing; a person affecting deafness; a condition of convenient deafness. From the ear-flaps on certain headgear UK, 1912 clothes noun 1 in horse racing, a horse blanket US, 1951. 2 a plainclothes police officer or division US, 1971 clotheshorse noun a person who pays a great deal of attention to fashions and the clothing they wear US, 1850 clothesline noun the line used to lead a glider plane into the air US, 1985 clothes-peg noun 1 the leg. Rhyming slang, usually in plural UK, 1931. 2 an egg. Rhyming slang UK, 1961 clothes queen noun a homosexual man who is drawn to ostentatious, flamboyant clothing US, 1963 clotted cream noun a student at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester. A jocular representation of a thick and rich elite UK, 2004 clotty adjective slovenly, untidy IRELAND, 2000 cloud noun 1 crack cocaine. From the thick white smoke produced when smoked US, 1994. 2 the intoxication from smoking freebase or crack cocaine US, 1992 cloudhopper noun an air pilot, especially in the bush CANADA, 1959 cloud nine noun 1 a condition of perfect happiness, euphoria. Probably derives as a variation of CLOUD SEVEN;possiblyfromUS weather forecasting terminology which divides clouds into nine types, the highest being number nine; or, less likely, a spiritual possibility: of the ten names for Buddha, the ninth is ‘enlightened one’. It is probable that the US radio adventure series Johnny Dollar, 1949–62, popularised the term’s usage US, 1935. 2 MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy. From the blissed-out state UK, 2003 . 3 crack cocaine US, 1994 cloud seven noun a condition of perfect happiness, euphoria. Derives, possibly, from ‘seventh heaven’. Still current but CLOUD NINE attracts more attention US, 1956 clout noun 1 a heavy blow. Conventional from about 1400, it has slipped into dialect and colloquial use since the C18 UK, 2003. 2 power, influence, especially political US, 1868 clock watching | clout 148 clout verb 1 to hit a person with a heavy blow of your hand. Conventional from early C14, by late C19 had slipped into dialect and colloquial use UK, 2000. 2 to rob or steal something UK, 1708. 3 to fail to bet a debt AUSTRALIA, 1989 . 4 to arrest someone US, 1992 clouter noun a thief who steals from parked cars US, 1993 clouting noun the palming of cards AUS TRALIA, 1953 clover noun money US, 1951 clown noun 1 a fool, an incompetent person US, 1898. 2 in carnival usage, a local police officer US, 1929. 3 a railway pointsman or yard brakeman US, 1946 clown alley noun on a circus lot, the area of tents where performers, especially clowns, dress and live US, 1956 clown bookie noun a bookmaker who operates in carnivals AUSTRALIA, 1989 clown wagon noun a brakevan (caboose) US, 1931 club noun 1 in pool, a heavier-than-usual cue stick US, 1990. 2 in trucking, a dilapidated trailer US, 1971. < in the club pregnant. A shortening of IN THE PUDDING CLUB UK, 1890. < put someone in the club to make someone pregnant UK, 1943 club verb to spend an evening in a nightclub or several nightclubs US, 1964 clubber noun a patron of nightclubs US, 2003 clubbers’ cold noun a runny nose, as a side-effect of drug use UK, 1999 clubbie noun a beach lifeguard. An abbreviation of ‘life-saving club’ AUSTRALIA, 1977 club-crawl verb to move as a group of friends from one nightclub to another US, 1994 Club Fed noun a minimum-security, well-equipped federal prison housing white-collar criminals, especially the federal prison camp in Lompoc, California. A punning reference to Club Med, a group of holiday resorts US, 1985 club-fight verb to engage in youth gang warfare US, 1949 club-hop verb to move from one nightclub to another, especially with a group of friends US, 1997 clubhouse lawyer noun an athlete who is quick to criticise his team’s management when presented with an audience of fellow players US, 1937 club kid noun a fashionable, attractive young person paid to attend a nightclub in the hope of attracting others US, 1995 clubland noun an area of London bounded by and mainly comprising St James’s Street and Pall Mall; subsequently, with the coming of nightclubs and club culture, any area where a number ofclubsaretobefoundUK, 1885 club sandwich noun sex involving three people at once. Surviving in the shortened form of a simple ‘sandwich’ US, 1970 club widow noun a woman whose husband’s pursuits at a country club or other club often leave her at home alone US, 1928 clubzine noun a single-interest fan magazine published by a fan club US, 1982 cluck noun 1 a gullible fool US, 1906 . 2 a crack cocaine user US, 1994 . 3 counterfeit money US, 1949 cluck verb to withraw from any drug. Perhaps this derives from a confused attempt at the sound of a COLD TURKEY (the withdrawal period and its symptoms) UK, 1996 cluck and grunt noun ham and eggs US, 1972 clucker noun 1 in the urban drug culture, someone who brings buyers to sellers US, 2002. 2 afoolUS, 1945. 3 the two halves of a scallop shell still closed after the scallop has died of natural causes CANADA, 1955 cluckhead noun a crack cocaine addict US, 1995 cluckiness noun the state of wanting to be pregnant AUSTRALIA, 1985 clucking adjective showing an addict’s hunger for drugs, especially crack cocaine UK, 1996 clucky adj ective 1 (of a hen) to be sitting on an egg or eggs. This term was in use in the US in the 1940s, but persists in Canadian country areas CANADA, 1916. 2 (of a woman) showing signs of pregnancy or of an intense desire for children. Extended from the conventional use referring to a broody hen. Originally and especially used of women, but now also of men AUSTRALIA, 1941 cludgie; cludge noun a (public) lavatory. Scottish dialect, now in wider use UK, 1985 clue noun < have no clue; not have a clue; haven’t a clue to be ignorant. As in the title of a BBC Radio 4 programme, I’m Sorry, I Haven’t a Clue, on air since 1981 UK, 1948 clue; clue in verb to inform someone, to update someone UK, 1948 clued up adjective well-informed UK, 1970 clueless adjective unaware, especially of fashion, music and other social trends UK, 1943 clue up verb to brief someone, to inform someone UK, 1984 cluey noun a well-informed person AU STRALIA, 1968 cluey adjective wise; in the know AUSTRALIA, 1967 clump noun 1 a person whose main talent is hitting other people UK, 2000. 2 a heavy blow with the hand UK, 1889 clump verb to hit someone heavily, to thump someone UK, 1999 clumping adjective used as an occasional variant of ‘thumping’ (large) UK, 1984 clumsome; clumbsome noun in electric line work, a worker who is not a journeyman lineman but who claims some climbing experi- ence. From the worker’s claim that while not a journeyman, he has ‘clumb some’ US, 1942 clumsy as a cub-bear handling his prick adjective very clumsy indeed CANADA, 1984 clunk noun 1 an ill-bred or ill-mannered person; a fool US, 1929. 2 a man AUSTRALIA, 1948 clunk nickname < the clunk a CF-100 Canuck jet fighter aircraft. The aircraft first flew in 1950, and is also known as ALUMINIUM CROW and LEAD SLED CANADA, 1994 clunk!; ker-lunk! used for approximating the sound of a hard object hitting another. As in Jimmy Saville’s catchphrase ‘Clunk click every trip’, in public information films of the 1970s, in which ‘clunk’ represents a car door closing and ‘click’ a seatbelt slotting home UK, 1823 clunker noun 1 an old, beat-up car. The original military usage in the 1940s applied to any old vehicle or machine. By the 1960s, applied almost exclusively to a car US, 1942. 2 an inferior item US, 1971 clunkhead noun a dolt US, 1952 clunky adjective awkward, clumsy, inelegant US, 1968 clusterfuck noun 1 group sex, heterosexual or homosexual US, 1966 . 2 a disorganised, chaotic situation US, 1969 clusterscrew noun chaos; monumental lack of organisation US, 1976 clutch noun 1 a despised person US, 1961. 2 in poker, a hand that is certain to win US, 1967 clutch verb < clutch the gummy to be caught and blamed for something. An elaboration of HOLD THE BAG US, 1960 clutch adjective 1 serving as a replacement. Korean war usage US, 1957. 2 unkind US, 1991 clutched adjective scared, anxious US, 1952 Clyde noun 1 a misfit; an outcast US, 1950 . 2 during the Vietnam war, a Viet Cong or North Vietnamese regular US, 1966. 3 used to refer to any object the name of which you cannot remember or do not know US, 1992. < as deep and dirty as the Clyde used of someone who is devious, dishonest, secretive or untrustworthy. Glasgow use, formed on the name of its river UK: SCOTLAND, 1985 C-man noun a sexually successful male student. An abbreviation of ‘cunt-man’ or COCKSMAN US, 1968 c’mon 1 used to solicit a reasonable or common-sense response. Also used in the long form ‘come on’ UK, 2002. 2 used imperatively in a citizens’ band radio transmission to request a reply US, 1976 149 clout | c’mon . understand what is happening and what is being said US, 1962 clock and house verb to see and remember suspects’ faces, and then follow them to their home. From CLOCK (to see; to watch and follow). abbreviation of COCK- KNOCKER US , 2002 CK1 noun a mixture of nine parts cocaine and one part the rec- reational drug ketamine. The brand name of a popular fragrance by Calvin Klein UK, 2001 clack. 1559, in slang use since late C19; noted by the Oxford English Dictionary as obsolete ‘except in modern slang UK, 1961. 6 the face UK, 1918. 7 a punch to the face. From the verb NEW ZEALAND, 1959.