Gucci adjective stylish, especially cleverly so. From the high-profile fashion brand UK, 1995 gucky noun Gucci, a fashion-design label. Upper-class society usage; a deliberate and jocular mispronunciation of a favourite brand UK, 1982 gucky adjective sickening. Upper-class society use UK, 1982 gudentight; goot -n-tight adjective tight, especially in a sexual context. A mock German or Dutch construction US, 1969 guernsey noun < get a guernsey to be selected for something, such as a team, job, award or the like. Originally ‘to be picked for a football team’, from ‘guernsey’ as ‘a top worn by football players’ AUSTRALIA, 1918. < give someone a guernsey to select someone AUSTRALIA, 1962 guess noun < by guess and by God a casual form of nautical navigation US, 1986. < miss your guess to be mistaken US, 1921. < your guess is as good as mine a catchphrase used to describe a situation where neither party knows the facts CANADA, 1939 guessing stick noun a slide rule US, 1941 guessing tubes noun a stethoscope. Medical slang UK, 2002 guesstimate; guestimate noun a rough calculation. Part ‘guess’, part ‘estimate’ US, 1934 guest noun a prisoner. Used in combinations such as ‘guest of the city’, ‘guest of the governor or guest of the nation’ US, 1982 guest star noun a last-minute replacement to take the place of someone who has cancelled a date US, 2002 guff noun 1 foolish nonsense, usually spoken or sung. From ‘guff’ (empty talk), later usage informed by the sense of ‘a fart’, punning and adding a noxious element to HOT AIR (nonsense) US, 1888. 2 back-talk, verbal resistance US, 1879. 3 a fart. Probably from the sense ‘nonsense’, thus a play on HOT AIR UK, 1998 guff verb 1 to fart. Probably from GUFF (nonsense), hence a play on HOT AIR UK, 1997. 2 to eat and drink greedily INDIA, 1979. 3 to anger and prepare to fight TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 guggle noun the throat, the gullet US, 1991 guide noun a person who monitors the LSD experience of another, helping them through bad moments and caring for their physical needs US, 1966 guider; glider noun a children’s makeshift vehicle, typically constructed of a soapbox and pram-wheels UK, 1979 guido noun an Italian or Italian-American, especially a macho one. Disparaging US, 1988 guillotine noun the lip of a wave crashing down on a surfer’s head US, 1991 guilt trip noun an effort to make someone else feel guilty US, 1972 guilt-trip verb to attempt to make someone feel guilty US, 1977 guinea noun 1 an Italian or Italian-American US, 1890. 2 in horse racing, a horse groom US, 1962 Guinea football noun a homemade bomb US, 1918 guinea people noun Jamaicans with a strong sense of African identity JAMAICA, 2003 guinea pig noun 1 a person used as the subject of an experiment US, 1920. 2 a wig. Rhyming slang UK, 1998 guinea red noun cheap Italian red wine. Offensive because of the national slur US, 1933 Guineatown noun a neighbourhood dominated by Italian-Americans and/or Italian immigrants US, 1992 gulch noun on Prince Edward Island, junk food or unappetising food CANADA, 1988 gulch verb to engage in sexual intimacy in the outdoors CANADA, 1985 gullwing noun a car body style in which the passenger doors are hinged at the top and open upwards US, 1993 gully adjective 1 inferior; not up to expectations US, 2002. 2 excellent. A reversal of the earlier sense on the BAD is ‘good’ principle; used by urban black youths UK, 2004 gully-gut noun a glutton UK, 1542 gully monkey noun a person lacking intelligence and class TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003 guluptious adjective big and awkward TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 gum noun 1 crude, unrefined opium US, 1956. 2 MDMA, the rec- reational drug best known as ecstasy UK, 2003. 3 in pool, a cushion. Cushions were once fashioned with rubber gum US, 1993 gumball noun 1 the flashing coloured lights on a police car US, 1971. 2 in stock car racing, a soft tyre used for extra traction in qualifying heats but, because it wears out so quickly, not in races US, 1965. 3 heroin UK, 2003 gumball verb to activate the flashing coloured lights on a police car US, 1983 gum-beat verb to talk, to chat US, 1942 gumbies noun black tennis shoes US, 1969 gumbo noun 1 in horse racing, thick mud US, 1947. 2 in oil drilling, any viscous or sticky formation encountered in drilling US, 1954 gum boot noun acondomNEW ZEALAND, 2002 gumbooter noun a dairy farmer NEW ZEALAND, 2002 gumby noun in computing, an inconsequential but highly visible display of stupidity. A borrowing from Monty Python US, 1991 gumdrop noun a capsule of secobarbital, a central nervous system depressant; any drug in capsule form US, 1980 gum it verb to perform oral sex on a woman US, 1971 gummer noun a gumboot, a Wellington boot UK, 1984 gummi noun rubber as a fetish. From German gummi (rubber) UK, 2003 gummy noun a gumboot or Wellington boot NEW ZEALAND, 1995 gummy adjective old, in poor condition. From Australian gummy (a sheep that has lost its teeth) AUSTRALIA, 2001 gump noun 1 a passive homosexual man US, 1981. 2 a chicken (of the fowl persuasion) US, 1981 gump stump noun the rectum US, 1970 gumption noun common sense, shrewdness; initiative, application, determination UK, 1719 gums noun overshoes US, 1996. < flap your gums; beat your gums; beat up your gums to talk US, 1955. < give your gums a rest to stop talking US, 2003 gumshoe noun a private investigator or detective US, 1908 gumsucker noun a non-Aboriginal inhabitant of the state of Victoria. Referring to the habit of chewing gum ‘the sap of various native Australian trees (gumtrees)’. Now mainly historical AUSTRALIA, 1840 gum tree noun < up a gum tree in trouble; in a hopeless situation AUSTRALIA, 1851 gum tree mail noun a non-official mail service in which a letter to be posted is stuck in a cleft stick and passed to the driver or guard of a train passing through a remote area AUSTRALIA, 1969 gum up verb < gum up the works to interfere and so spoil things US, 1932 gun noun 1 a hired gunman US, 1920. 2 an expert at some occupation, especially shearing AUSTRALIA, 1897. 3 a pickpocket US, 1965. 4 a hypodermic needle and syringe US, 1899. 5 the upper arm; the bicep muscle US, 1973. 6 the penis UK, 1675. 7 any instrument used for tattooing US, 1989. 8 an electric guitar. From the symbolic actions of guitarists like Jimi Hendrix (1942–70) who stressed the metaphor when he recorded the song ‘Machine Gun’ in 1969 US, 1988. 9 a brass horn US, 1960. 10 a large surfboard used for big-wave conditions US, 1965. 11 in the language of wind surfing, a sailboard that is moderately long and tapered at the rear US, 1985. 12 in horse racing, a complete effort by a jockey US, 1976. 13 on the railways, a track torpedo used to warn an engineer of danger ahead US, 1975. 14 any signal that a quarter of a football game has ended US, 1971. < on the gun engaged in crime as a profession US, 1950. < under the gun 1 (used of a prison) under armed guard US, 2002. 2 in poker, said of the player who must act first in a given situ- ation US, 1947 311 Gucci | gun gun verb 1 to accelerate a vehicle or rev its engine US, 1920. 2 to inject a drug intravenously UK, 2003. 3 to look over, to examine UK, 1812. 4 to attack verbally UK, 2003. 5 in computing, to use a computer’s force-quit feature to close a malfunctioning program US, 1983. < gun it (of a vehicle) to travel at top speed. From earlier, now conventional sense of ‘gun’ (to run an engine at full power) US, 1976 gun adjective 1 excellent NEW ZEALAND, 1998. 2 expert AUSTRALIA, 1916 gun and bomb noun a condom. Rhyming slang; the plural is ‘guns and bombs’ UK, 2003 gun and rifle club noun an inner-city hospital’s casualty department US, 1978 gun ape noun an artillery soldier US, 1988 gun belt noun the American defence industry US, 1991 gunboats noun large, heavy shoes US, 1862 gun-bull noun an armed prison guard US, 1928 gun bunny noun an artilleryman US, 1980 Gunchester nickname Manchester UK, 1994 gun down verb (used of a male) to masturbate while looking directly at somebody else US, 2002 gunfighter seat noun in a public place, a seat with the back against the wall, overlooking the room. From the caution exercised by gunfighters in the West US, 1997 gun for verb to be on the lookout for with the intent of hurting or killing US, 1878 gun from the gate noun in horse racing, a racehorse that starts races quickly US, 1951 gunga din noun used to address a man with a perceived Indian or Asian ethnicity. Racist, derogatory; a stereotypical appellation from the poem ‘Gunga Din’, Rudyard Kipling, 1897: ‘Of all them black- faced crew/ The finest man I knew / Was our regimental bhisti [a water-carrier], Gunga Din’ UK, 1994 Gunga Din; gunga noun the chin. Rhyming slang, formed from Rudyard Kupling’s poem UK, 1992 gunge noun 1 an (unidentifiable or disgusting) viscid substance; general filth UK, 1965. 2 rubbish, nonsense UK, 2003. 3 any tropical skin disease affecting the crotch area of a US soldier in Vietnam US, 1977 gunge; gunge up verb in a general sense, to make filthy; more narrowly, to deliberately swamp someone with a viscous mess (humorously known as ‘gunge’) UK, 1976 gunged up; gungey; gungy adjective filthy, sticky; clogged with filth, especially with an unidentifiable or disgusting viscid substance. From GUNGE UK, 1962 gungeon; gunja; gunjeh; gunga noun marijuana, especially from Jamaica. A corruption of GANJA. Used to describe the most potent grade of marijuana in the 1940s US, 1944 gung-ho adjective dedicated, spirited, enthusiastic. Originally coined as a slogan understood to mean ‘Work together!’ by the US Marines during World War 2, then embraced as an adjective US, 1942 gungun noun marijuana variously claimed to be from Africa, Jamaica or Mexico. From GUNGEON (marijuana) UK, 1998 gungy; gungi adjective enthusiastic, spirited, brave. Formed from GUNG-HO US, 1961 gun hand noun in racquetball, the hand with which a player holds the racquet US, 1971 gunk noun 1 an unidentified and unpleasant substance US, 1938. 2 a thick liquid. Originally the brand name for a chemical cleaner UK, 1999 . 3 any industrial solvent inhaled for its psychoactive effect US, 1982 gun moll noun a female gangster US, 1908 gun-mouth pants noun men’s trousers with straight, tapered legs TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1937 gunna noun a procrastinator AUSTRALIA, 1996 gunna going to AUSTRALIA, 1944 gunner noun 1 a person with sexual expertise and experience US, 1965. 2 in poker, the player with the best hand or who plays his hand as if it were the best hand US, 1951. 3 thepersonshootingthedicein craps US, 1930. 4 a student who takes competition to an aggressive level US, 1994 gunners noun braces (suspenders) US, 1949 gunnif noun a thief, a crook. A variation of GONNIF UK, 2000 gunny noun 1 a US Marine Corps gunnery sergeant US, 1976. 2 adoor gunner on an airship, or a crew member of a gunship US, 1980. 3 a gun enthusiast US, 1957. 4 potent marijuana US, 1970 gun pet noun a parapet fortified to protect artillery US, 1990 guns noun 1 a helicopter gunship. Used by the US Army Aero Weapons Platoon in Vietnam US, 1990. 2 to marines in Vietnam, a weapons squad or platoon US, 1990. 3 the fists US, 1981 gunsack noun thick, heavy female thighs TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 gunsel noun 1 a young homosexual man US, 1918. 2 athugUS, 1943 gunship noun 1 in the Metropolitan Police, a Flying Squad car when firearms are being carried UK, 1999. 2 in the Metropolitan Police, an Armed Response Vehicle UK, 1999. 3 a van used in a drive-by shooting US, 1988 gun-shot noun a single measure of chilled After Shock™ cinnamon or peppermint liqueur imbibed through a straw in a single action UK, 2001 gunslinger noun a chronic masturbator US, 2002 gunsmith noun an experienced pickpocket who trains novice pickpockets US, 1934 gun talk noun tough, threatening talk TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 guntz noun the whole lot, the whole way. Adopted from Yiddish, ulti- mately German das Ganze (all of it) UK, 1958 gun up verb to prepare to fight, either with fists or weapons US, 1981 guppies noun anchovies. Limited usage, but clever US, 1996 guppy noun 1 an individual who is socially categorised as a gay upwardly mobile professional. A blend of GAY and YUPPIE UK, 1984. 2 a navy diver who is not SCUBA qualified US, 1991. 3 a heavy drinker. From FISH US, 1991 gur noun < on the gur of a child, sleeping roughly IRELAND, 1976 gurner noun a person intoxicated by MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy. From the similarity between the distorted faces pulled by ECTSASY users and the ugly faces deliberately pulled by gurners in traditional gurning competitions UK, 2000 gurning noun the effect of tightened facial muscles as a result of taking MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy. From the conventional sense when the facial distortion is both voluntary and humorous UK, 1996 gurrier noun a lout, a ruffian IRELAND, 2004 guru noun an expert US, 1986 guru you! used as a humorous euphemism for ‘screw you’ US, 1971 gush verb 1 to express yourself in an over-effusive or sentimental manner UK, 1864. 2 in professional wrestling, to bleed US, 1992 gusset noun the vagina. Conventionally, a ‘gusset’ is a piece of material that reinforces clothing, particularly at the crotch and hence in this sense by association of location UK, 1999 gussy up verb to dress up US, 1952 gusto noun money US, 1984 gut noun 1 a school course that requires little effort US, 1916. 2 a main street through town US, 1968. 3 the belly, the stomach UK, 1362. 4 an air hose on a brake system US, 1946. 5 in electric line work, insulated rubber hose used on 5kV line US, 1980 gut verb in hot rodding, to remove all but the bare essentials from a car’s interior US, 1958 gut bag noun a plastic bag containing frozen food, the exact identity of which is not clear US, 1991 gut-barge verb to use your beer-belly to bump into another’s in an informal trial of strength UK, 2002 gut bomb noun any greasy, tasty, heavy food, especially a greasy hamburger US, 1968 gun | gut bomb 312 gut bucket noun 1 an earthy style of jazz music combining elements of ragtime and blues. A ‘gutbucket’ was a cheap saloon from the name given to a bucket placed beneath a barrel of gin to catch and recycle leakages. The musicians in these type of places played for tips, and the style of music they played there became known as ‘gutbucket’ US, 1929. 2 a rough and rowdy bar with rough and rowdy patrons US, 1970. 3 a fish bait boat; by extension a messy space of any kind US, 1975 gut card noun in gin, a card that completes a broken sequence US, 1965 gut check noun a test of courage or determination US, 1968 gutful; gutsful noun too much of something UK, 1900 gut hopper noun a student who moves from one easy course to another US, 1955 gut issue noun the one most important issue in a discussion US, 1986 gutless adjective 1 cowardly, lacking determination US, 1900. 2 used to describe an extreme of quality: either very good or very bad UK, 2002 gutless wonder noun an outstanding coward US, 1900 gutrage noun a visceral anger US, 1966 gut reamer noun the active participant in anal sex US, 1962 gut-ripper noun an antipersonnel grenade that explodes at waist level US, 1991 guts noun 1 the stomach; the general area of the stomach and intes- tines. Standard English from late C14; slipped into unconventional usage early in C19 UK, 1393. 2 the essentials, the important part, the inner and real meaning UK, 1663. 3 the pulp and membrane inside a fruit TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1990. 4 the interior of a car US, 1975. 5 information AUSTRALIA, 1919. 6 courage US, 1891. 7 in the gambling game two-up, the bets placed with the spinner of the coins AUSTRALIA, 1941. < have someone’s guts for garters used for expressing a level of personal threat. An idea that has been in circulation since about 1592. Hyperbolical, but none the less real for all that UK, 1933 guts and butts doc noun a gastroenterologist US, 1994 gut sausage noun a poor man’s meal: cornmeal suet and in an intestine CANADA, 1958 gutser noun 1 a person who eats a great deal NEW ZEALAND, 1998. 2 a heavy fall. Usually in the phrase ‘come a gutser’. Variants include ‘gutzer’ and ‘gusta’ AUSTRALIA, 1918. < come a gutser to come undone; to fail miserably AUSTRALIA, 1918 gutsful noun 8see: GUTFUL gut shot noun 1 a bullet wound in the stomach, painful and often fatal US, 1992. 2 in poker, a drawn card that completes an inside straight US, 1951 gutsiness noun courage UK, 1959 gutslider noun a bodyboarder. A term of derision when used by surfers SOUTH AFRICA, 2003 guts like calabash noun extreme courage TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1991 gutsy adjective 1 courageous UK, 1893. 2 of music, heartfelt, spirited UK, 1984 gutsy; guts noun an overweight or obese person. A nickname and derogatory term of abuse; ‘gutsy’ is a mid- to late C20 variation of ‘guts’ UK, 1596 gutted adjective being bitterly disappointed; used to describe a depressed, empty feeling. Derives, possibly, from the image of a gutted fish or similar; how much emptier could you feel? UK, 1981 gutter noun a vein, especially a prominent one suitable for drug injection US, 1994 gutter ball noun in pool, a shot in which the cue ball falls into a pocket. Homage to bowling US, 1993 gutter bunny noun a commuter who bicycles to work. Mountain bikers’ slang US, 1996 guttered adjective drunk. Used in Inverness UK: SCOTLAND, 2002 gutter glitter noun cocaine UK, 2003 gutter junkie; gutter hype noun a drug-addict reduced by the circumstances of addiction to living in the streets or, at best, using inferior drugs. A combination of JUNKIE (an addict) or HYPE (an addict) with ‘gutter’ representing the lowest point achievable US, 1936 gutter slut noun a sexually promiscuous woman UK, 2003 gutter wear noun fashionably shabby clothing US, 1988 gutty noun an unpleasant person IRELAND, 1998 guv noun an informal style of address to a male of superior status. Short for ‘governor’ and GUV’NOR UK, 1890 guv’nor; guvnor; gov’nor noun 1 a boss. Reduced from ‘governor’ UK, 1969. 2 the landlord of a public house. Originally a lazy reduction of ‘governor’ UK, 1999 guy noun a man or a boy; a general form of address; in the plural it can be used of and to men, women or a mixed grouping US, 1847 guyed out adjective drunk. An allusion to the tightness achieved through guy wires US, 1973 guy-magnet noun a person who is attractive to men AUSTRALIA, 1996 guy thing noun a problem or subject best understood by males US, 1992 guyver; guiver noun insincere talk; pretence AUSTRALIA, 1864 guzzle-and-grab noun eating and drinking, with an emphasis on fast, low-brow food and alcohol US, 1951 guzzled adjective drunk US, 1939 guzzle guts noun a glutton or a heavy drinker UK, 1959 gwaai; gwai; gwa noun tobacco; a cigarette. From the Zulu ugwayi (tobacco) SOUTH AFRICA, 1978 gwaffed adjective drug-intoxicated SOUTH AFRICA, 2003 gwan verb happening, going on. A patois slurring of ‘going on’, 1994 gwarr; gwarry; gwat noun the vagina SOUTH AFRICA, 2004 GWB the George Washington Bridge. It crosses the Hudson River between upper Manhattan and Fort Lee, New Jersey US, 1997 gweep noun an overworked computer programmer US, 1990 G-wheel noun in a carnival, a game wheel that has been rigged for cheating. ‘G’ is for ‘gaffed’ (rigged) US, 1990 gyac god you’re acunt; give you aclue. An initialism. Pronounced as if retching UK, 2003 gyal noun a girl; girls. A phonetic variation, 1994 gyke noun a gynaecologist. Used among middle-class women, especially in hospital UK, 1984 gym bunny noun someone who makes regular use of a gymnasium UK, 2001 gymhead noun someone who exercises obsessively and therefore spends a great deal of time in a gymnasium. A combination of ‘gym’ (a gymnasium) and -HEAD (a user) UK, 2002 gym queen noun a man who spends a great deal of time at a gym US, 1994 gym rat noun an exercise fanatic US, 1978 gymslip training noun the process of instructing, and conditioning the behaviour of, a transvestite who wishes to be treated as an adolescent girl, especially when used in a dominant prostitute’s advertising matter UK, 2003 gynae noun gynaecology UK, 1933 gynae; gyno noun gynaecology; a gynaecologist UK, 1933 gynie noun a gynaecological examination UK, 1995 gyno; gynae noun a gynaecologist AUSTRALIA, 1967 gyno shot noun a close-up scene in a pornographic film or a photo- graph showing a woman’s genitals US, 1995 gyp; gip noun 1 someone or something that is considered a cheat; someone who does not honour debts and obligations. Abbreviated from ‘gypsy’; an unconsidered racial slur. Also Spelt ‘gip’ US, 1859. 2 in horse racing, someone who owns only a few horses. 313 gut bucket | gyp; gip An abbreviation of ‘gypsy’; not derogatory US, 1938. 3 in oil drilling, gypsum US, 1954. 4 pain, actual or figurative. Also ‘jyp’ UK, 1910 gyp; gip verb to cheat (someone), to swindle US, 1880 gypo; gyppo; jippo; gippo; gyppy; gypper noun a gypsy; gypsy. Derogatory, casually racist UK, 1916 gypo-bashing noun racially motivated physical attacks on gypsies. On the model of PAKI-BASHING (attacks on Pakistanis and other Asians) UK, 2000 gyppo noun an avoidance or shirking of a duty; a shirker. From gypsy or Egyptian via military slang SOUTH AFRICA, 1978 gyppo verb to dodge an unpleasant responsibility, to shirk a duty; to avoid something. From gypsy or Egyptian via military slang SOUTH AFRICA , 1971 gyppo adjective small-time CANADA, 1959 gyppo’s dog noun used as a standard of skinniness. Based on a stereotypical image of a gypsy’s dog UK, 2001 gyppy adjective painful; annoying (causing a figurative pain) UK, 2000 gypsy noun 1 in circus and carnival usage, an undependable employee, especially a drunk US, 1981. 2 in trucking, an owner- operator who works independently US, 1946 gypsy adjective 1 unlicensed, unregulated, usually owned by the oper- ator. Most often applied to a taxicab or truck, although originally to a racehorse owner/jockey US, 1951. 2 meddling, nosy, officious BARBADOS, 1965 gypsy bankroll noun a roll of money in which the top several notes are real large-denomination notes and the rest are counterfeit, plain paper, or small-denomination notes US, 1981 gyrene noun a US Marine US, 1894 gyro; gyro wanker noun a surfer who constantly flaps his arms to gain balance on the surfboard US, 1991 gyve noun a marijuana cigarette. This archly ironic reference to marijuana addiction uses an almost obsolete standard English word meaning ‘shackles and fetters’ whilst punning on JIVE US, 1938 gyp; gip | gyve 314 Hh H noun heroin US, 1926. < the H Houston, Texas US, 1998 H-17 noun in casino blackjack gambling, a rule that the dealer must draw a card if he has a 17 made with an ace counting 11 points. The ‘h’ is for HIT US, 1996 H8 verb in text messaging, hate. A variant spelling; one of several constructions in which a syllable pronounced ‘ate’ is replaced by the homophone ‘eight’ UK, 2002 hab noun a habitual criminal US, 1963 habit noun an addiction to any drug UK, 1881 habitual noun < the habitual a criminal charge alleging habitual criminal status US, 1972 Habra Dabr a and the crew noun any random representatives of the populace. The functional equivalent of ‘Tom, Dick and Harry’ BARBADOS, 1965 hache noun heroin. The Spanish pronunciation of the letter ‘h’ US, 1955 hachi; hodgy noun the penis US, 1954 hack noun 1 ajournalist,areporterUK, 1810. 2 a prison guard US, 1914. 3 a solution to a computer problem; an impressive and demanding piece of computer work US, 1981. 4 in computing, a quick, often temporary, fix of a problem US, 1983. 5 a single act of unlawfully invading and exploring another’s computer system by remote means US, 1983. 6 an opportunist. Used at Oxford University UK, 1980. 7 a taxi US, 1928. 8 a hot rod US, 1958. 9 a brakevan (caboose) US, 1916. 10 a game of Hacky Sack US, 1997 hack verb 1 to tolerate, endure, survive. Usually used with ‘it’ US, 1952. 2 to bother, to annoy US, 1893. 3 to unlawfully invade and explore another’s computer system by remote means US, 1983. 4 to investi- gate the possibilities of a computer purely for the pleasures of discovery; to create new possibilities for a computer without commercial consideration US, 1983. 5 to work with a computer US, 1981. 6 to drive a taxi US, 1903. 7 to play with a hacky sack beanbag US, 1995. < hack butts to smoke cigarettes CANADA, 1993. < hack it to cope with, to accomplish US, 1952 hack around; hack off; hack verb to waste time, usually in a context where time should not be wasted US, 1888 hack driver noun in horse racing, a jockey US, 1951 hacked; hacked off adjective annoyed US, 1936 hacker noun 1 a person who uses their computer expertise in any effort to breach security walls and gain entry to secure sites US, 1963. 2 a person with a profound appreciation and affection for computers and programming US, 1981. 3 an expert in any field US, 1983. 4 a taxi driver BAHAMAS, 1982 hackette noun a female journalist. Patronising UK, 1984 hackie noun a carriage or taxi driver US, 1899 hack mode noun while working on or with a computer, a state of complete focus and concentration US, 1991 Hackney Wick noun a penis. Rhyming slang for PRICK. Hackney Wick is an area of East London, located considerably closer to the source of Cockney rhyming slang than the more popular synonym HAMPTON WICK UK, 1998 hacktivist noun a cultural activist and skilled computer-user who invades a corporate website to leave subversive messages UK, 2001 hacky sack noun a beanbag used in a game in which a circle of players try to keep the bag from hitting the ground without using their hands. A trademarked product that has lent its name to a game and to rival products US, 1989 haddock and cod; haddock noun used as a general pejorative, a sod. Rhyming slang UK, 1962 had-it noun a person who was formerly successful UK, 1992 had-it adjective exhausted; completely worn out. Hawaiian youth usage US, 1981 haemorrhoid noun 1 an irritation, an annoying person. An excruciating pun on ‘pain in the ass’ US, 1975. 2 a despised person US, 1969 haffie noun 8see: HALF-JACK ha-fucking-ha!; ha-bloody-ha!; ha-di-fucking-ha!; hardy fuckin’ ha, ha! used as a jeering response to unfunny jokes; and to dismiss impossible suggestions UK, 1976 hag verb to annoy, to bother BARBADOS, 1965 hagged out adjective 1 exhausted US, 1968. 2 (of a woman) ugly. From ‘hag’ (an unattractive woman), possibly punning on SHAGGED; SHAGGED OUT (tired) US, 2001 Haggis McBagpipe nickname British Columbia radio and television personality Jack Webster CANADA, 1989 ha-ha noun a glass of beer; beer US, 1979 ha-ha bir d; ha-ha pigeon noun a kookaburra, a well-known Australian bird. From its call which resembles human laughter AUSTRALIA, 1938 ha-ha-funny adjective 8see: FUNNY HA-HA Haight nickname < the Haight the Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood of San Francisco US, 1967 Haight-Ashbury nickname a neighbourhood in San Francisco, the epicentre of the hippie movement in the mid- to late 1960s. From the intersection of Haight and Ashbury Streets. More recently referred to simply as THE HAIGHT US, 1987 hail noun 1 crack cocaine. Based on the drug’s resemblance to pieces of hail US, 1994. 2 in soda fountain usage, ice US, 1935 hailer noun in the television and film industries, a bullhorn US, 1977 Hail Mary noun 1 a last-minute, low-probability manoeuvre US, 1994. 2 in poker, a poor hand that a player holds into high betting in the hope that other players are bluffing and have even worse hands US, 1996 hail smiling morn noun the erect penis, an erection. Rhyming slang for HORN UK, 1980 haim noun 8see: HAME haint; hain’t a have-not; to have not. Verb and noun. A vulgar contraction UK, 1971 hair noun 1 courage US, 1959. 2 in computing, intricacy US, 1981. < get in someone’s hair to annoy or irritate someone US, 1949. < let your hair down to behave in a (more than usually) uninhibited manner US, 1933. < put hair on your chest; put hairs on your chest a quality ascribed to an alcoholic drink or, when encouraging a child to eat, used of food (especially crusts and brussel sprouts); also applied more broadly to robust or challenging questions of aesthetic taste or preference UK, 1964. < tear your hair; tear your hair out to behave in a highly agitated manner, especially as a result of worry UK, 1606. < wear your hair out against the head of the bed; wear your hair out on the bedhead to go bald. A jocular explanation UK, 1961 hairbag noun a veteran police officer US, 1958 hairbagger noun an experienced police officer US, 1958 hairball noun 1 an obnoxious, boorish person, especially when drunk US, 1981. 2 a large, powerful wave US, 1981 hairball! terrifying! US, 1998 hairblower noun a severe telling-off, a scolding UK, 2002 hairburger noun the vulva, especially in the context of oral sex US, 1971 hair burner; hair bender noun a hair stylist US, 1964 haircut noun 1 a short prison sentence. From the short period of time between haircuts UK, 1950. 2 a lowering of the true mileometer (odometer) reading of a motor vehicle to increase its resale value NEW ZEALAND, 1990. 3 marijuana UK, 2003. 4 a sore on a man’s penis as the result of a sexually transmitted infection. From the popular belief that the sore was caused by a woman’s pubic hair TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 2003 haircut adjective describes an image of fashionability that is without deeper significance UK, 2000 hairdresser noun a homosexual. From the presumption that all hairdressers are gay UK, 2001 hair -dry adjective without getting your hair wet US, 1991 haired up adjective angry. From a dog’s bristling back when angry US, 1914 hair fairy noun a homosexual male with an extravagant hairdo US, 1964 hair in the gate noun in television and film-making, any foreign object in the camera gate US, 1990 hair pie noun 1 the vulva; oral sex performed on a woman. Also spelt ‘hare’ pie or ‘hairy’ pie US, 1938. 2 a pizza with an errant hair embedded in it. Limited usage, but clever US, 1996 hairpins noun homosexual code phrases inserted casually into a conversation, trolling for a response US, 1950 hairtree noun a man who wears his hair long and styled as a fashion statement US, 1996 hair-trunk noun in horse racing, a bad-looking horse that performs poorly UK, 1948 hairy noun 1 a long-haired, bearded individual UK, 1976. 2 aformer non-commissioned officer training to become an officer. Military UK, 1981. 3 a young woman with a reputation for sluttishness. Glasgow slang UK: SCOTLAND, 1985. 4 heroin. A phonetic distortion of HARRY US, 1973 hairy adjective 1 dangerous; scary (especially if thrilling) US, 1945. 2 bad, difficult, undesirable. A popular term in C19, resurrected in later C20 youth usage UK, 1848. 3 in computing, complicated US, 1983. 4 good, impressive US, 1959 hairy-arse; hairy-arsed adjective describes a thuggish, insensitive brute UK, 2001 hairyback; hairy noun an Afrikaner. Derogatory SOUTH AFRICA, 1970 hairy bank noun a prostitute’s vagina GUYANA, 1998 hairy belly noun in dominoes, the 6–6 piece US, 1959 hairy chequebook noun the vagina, as used for payment in kind instead of money AUSTRALIA, 1996 hairy clam noun the vagina. An almost subtle combination of FISH and visual imagery UK, 2000 hairy eyeball noun a hostile stare. Deriving, perhaps, from the eyelashes that mask the eye US, 1995 hairy fairy adjective of a man, effeminate to some degree. A pun on AIRY-FAIRY (delicate, insubstantial) and FAIRY (a homosexual man) UK, 1978 hairy goat noun a racehorse that is a slow runner or poor performer AUSTRALIA, 1933 hairy goblet noun the vagina UK, 2001 hairy growler noun the vagina UK, 2001 hairy leg noun 1 a man. CItizens’ band radio slang UK, 1981. 2 a railway fettler AUSTRALIA, 1969 hairy maclary noun a female who invites sexual foreplay but stops short of intercourse NEW ZEALAND, 1998 ha-ja noun 8see: HALF-JACK hale and hearty adjective a party. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 Hale and Pace; hale noun the face. Rhyming slang, from comedy double act Gareth Hale and Norman Pace UK, 2002 half noun 1 used colloquially as an elliptical noun when the original noun is omitted, especially of a half pint (of beer) UK, 1937. 2 a child travelling at half-fare UK, 1961 half adverb 1 used in exaggerations, as in ‘I half killed him’ UK, 2001. 2 used to reverse what is being said, which is usually formed as a negative, and thus stress the intention, i.e. ‘not half bad’ is pretty good UK, 1583 half a bar noun until 1971, ten shillings; post-decimalisation, fifty pence UK, 1911 half a C noun fifty dollars. A shortened allusion to $100 as a ‘C-note’ US, 1967 half a case noun fifty cents US, 1950 half a chip noun sixpence, a sixpenny bit UK, 1950 half a cock noun five pounds (£5). Based on rhyming slang COCKLE AND HEN (ten) UK, 1950 half a crack noun a half-crown coin, half-a-crown, two shillings and sixpence. A coin and coinage that paid the price of decimalisation in 1971 UK, 1933 half a dollar noun 1 a prison sentence of 50 years US, 1990. 2 ahalf- crown coin; two shillings and sixpence. Pre-decimalisation, that is pre-1971, a half-crown coin was valued at two shillings and sixpence (equivalent to 12½ p), and, presumably, at the point of coinage, a pound was worth approximately four US dollars UK, 1916 half a football field noun fifty crystals of crack cocaine UK, 2001 half-a-man noun a short person US, 1997 half a mo noun a very short but vaguely defined time. A shortening of ‘half a moment’ UK, 1896 half and half noun 1 oral sex on a man followed by vaginal intercourse US, 1937. 2 a hermophrodite US, 1935. 3 a pint drink comprising equal measures of two different beers UK, 1909 half and half adjective 1 mediocre TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1958. 2 bisexual US, 1975 half a nicker noun 1 pre-decimalisation, ten shillings; after 1971, fifty pence. From NICKER (one pound) UK, 1895. 2 a vicar. Rhyming slang. Also variant ‘half-nicker man’ UK, 1974 half-apple noun in television and film-making, a standard-sized crate used for raising objects or people, half as high as a standard ‘apple’ US, 1990 half-assed; half-arsed adjective 1 inferior, unsatisfactory, incompetent US, 1865. 2 incomplete, not serious, half-hearted US, 1933 half a stretch noun 1 a six-month prison sentence. From ‘stretch’ (a year’s sentence) UK, 1950. 2 gambling odds of 6–1 UK, 1984 half a yard noun fifty dollars US, 1961 half-baked adjective intellectually deficient. Dialect UK, 1855 half-chat noun a half-caste. Also used in Australia UK, 1909 half-cock noun < go off at half-cock generally, to start without being ready; in sex, to ejaculate prematurely or without being fully erect. A variation of HALF-COCKED UK, 1904 half-cock adjective ill-considered; inferior UK, 2002. < at half-cock not fully prepared or ready UK, 2000 half-cocked adjective 1 not fully capable; not completely thought out; unfinished; incomplete. Derives from the mechanism of a gun US, 1833. 2 drunk AUSTRALIA, early C19. < go off half-cocked gen- erally, to start without being ready; in sex, to ejaculate prematurely or without being fully erect. Gun imageny UK, 1809 half colonel noun a lieutenant-colonel US, 1956 half-cut adjective drunk UK, 1893 half-cuts noun trainers (sneakers) BARBADOS, 1998 halfers noun < go halfers; go haufers to share equally between two parties UK: SCOTL AND, 1985 half-fried adjective of eggs, fried on one side only. The Indian-English equivalent to SUNNY SIDE UP INDIA, 1979 half G noun a half-gallon jar of alcohol NEW ZEALAND, 1971 half-gone adjective half-drunk UK, 1925 hair burner; hair bender | half-gone 316 half-half adjective mediocre FIJI, 1996 half-hearty adjective of medicore health, recovering from an illness but not completely recovered BARBADOS, 1965 half-het noun a bisexual US, 1995 half hour noun a short prison sentence. A little bravado in this prisoner’s exaggeration UK, 2002 halfie noun a half-caste person AUSTRALIA, 1945 half-inch verb to steal; to arrest. Rhyming slang for PINCH (to steal or to arrest) UK, 1925 half-iron noun a heterosexual or bisexual man who associates with homosexuals. From ‘iron’ (a homosexual male) UK, 1950 half-jack; ha-ja; haffie noun a half-bottle (375 ml) of spirits SOUTH AFRICA , 1953 half-load noun fifteen packets of heroin US, 1973 half-man noun a kneeboarder, or a surfer who rides without standing US, 1991 half-mast adjective 1 (used of a penis) partially but not completey erect US, 1972. 2 partially lowered US, 1871 half of marge noun a police sergeant. Rhyming slang for SARGE, formed from a measure of margarine UK, 1998 half-ounce verb to cheat UK, 1960 half-ounce deal noun in prison, a trade that swaps a half ounce of tobacco for a single marijuana cigarette UK, 1996 half ounce of baccy noun a Pakistani, especially a Pakistani child. An elaboration (perhaps a reduction) of OUNCE OF BACCY (PAKI) UK, 1992 half ouncer noun a physically intimidating individual employed to control the clients of any establishment, usually of a premises offering entertainment, e.g. pub, club, concert venue, music festival, etc; a ‘chucker-out’; door-security. Rhyming slang for BOUNCER, with a degree of irony UK, 1992 half past six adjective incompetent. A sexual reference, with the hands of the clock indicating impotence SINGAPORE, 2002 half past two noun a Jewish person. Rhyming slang UK, 1960 halfpenny dip; ha’penny dip; ha’penny noun 1 a sleep. Rhyming slang for KIP UK, 1980. 2 a ship. Rhyming slang UK, 1961 halfpenny stamp; ha’penny noun a tramp. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 half-pick duck noun an incomplete account TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1975 half-pie adjective half-hearted AUSTRALIA, 1941 half-pie adverb not fully AUSTRALIA, 1992 half piece noun 14g (½ oz) of a powdered drug, especially heroin US, 1938 half-pint noun a short person. From the non-metric measure of volume US, 1876 half-pipe noun a trough in a snow slope used for aerial manoeuvres in snowboarding US, 1993 half-power noun a worker working with a hangover US, 1980 half-rack noun in the US, half a case of beer (12 bottles or cans); in Canada, a six-pack of beer US, 1997 half-scooped; hauf-scooped adjective tipsy UK: SCOTLAND, 1988 half-seas-over adjective half-drunk UK, 1700 half-sheet noun a punishment, usually a fine, received by a prison warder. This generalised term derives from the half-sheet of blank paper that an officer is given to explain his conduct UK, 1950 half smart adjective stupid US, 1927 half-soaked adjective moderately competent UK, 2001 half stamp noun a tramp. Rhyming slang UK, 1984 half-step verb to make a half-hearted, insincere effort US, 1990 half-stepper noun a person who does things only halfway and cannot be counted on US, 1981 half tanked adjective mildy drunk AUSTRALIA, 1971 half track noun crack cocaine. Rhyming slang UK, 1998 half-wit noun a stupid fool UK, 1755 half your luck you’re so lucky! Elliptical for ‘I wish I had half your luck’ AUSTRALIA, 1933 halibut head noun to the indigenous peoples of Alaska, a white person US, 1965 halter noun a necktie US, 1960 halvsies noun 1 half a share of something that is to be divided. Variants include ‘halfsies’ and ‘halfies’ US, 1927. 2 mutual oral sex performed simultaneously US, 1985 ham noun 1 an amateur shortwave radio operator and enthusiast US, 1919. 2 theatrical antics US, 1930. 3 in circus and carnival usage, food or a meal US, 1981. 4 any type of alcoholic drink US, 1997. 5 a member of the armed forces in complete dress uniform US, 1991. 6 overtime UK, 1970 ham verb 1 to over-act, to be an inferior actor US, 1930. 2 to walk US, 1962. < ham it up to behave theatrically, to exaggerate US, 1955 ham actor; ham actress; ham noun an unsubtle actor US, 1881 ham and beef noun a chief prison warder. Rhyming slang UK, 1962 ham and egg; ham noun the leg. Rhyming slang UK, 1932 ham-and-egger noun 1 in professional wrestling, a wrestler whose regular role is to lose to help the careers of others. A slight vari- ation on the boxing original US, 1999. 2 in oil drilling, an operator who has suffered loss after loss and is now burdened with poor credit US, 1954. 3 an inconsequential person who has achieved little US, 1985 ham and egging noun a general system or understanding that allows different members of a sports team to achieve best per- formances at complementary times US, 1997 ham and eggs cap noun 8see: SCRAMBLED EGGS CAP hambone noun 1 a male striptease act. A popular male display in the 1960s AUSTRALIA, 1964. 2 atromboneUS, 1934. 3 a telephone. Rhyming slang UK, 1992. 4 a black prisoner US, 1989 hamburger noun a socially inept outcast. High school usage US, 1949 hamburger helper noun 1 crack cocaine. The drug bears some resemblance to a brand name food product US, 1994. 2 a linear amplifier for a citizens’ band radio US, 1976 Hamburger Hill nickname Dong Ap Bia Mountain in South Vietnam, close to the Laos border. Taken at great cost by the US Marines in battle in May 1969, and then quietly abandoned a week later. Of marginal tactical importance and ultimately symbolic of the lack of military vision US, 1971 hamburger home noun a boarding house used by oil field workers US, 1954 hame; haim; haym noun a job, especially a menial or unpleasant one US, 1941 hamfat noun an amateur performer US, 1911 hamhock circuit noun a tour of black bars and nightclubs US, 1975 Hamilton noun a ten-dollar bill. From the engraving of Alexander Hamilton on the note US, 1948 hammed adjective drunk US, 1997 hammer noun 1 the penis US, 1967. 2 a handgun US, 1994. 3 heroin NEW ZEALAND , 1982. 4 an attractive girl or young woman US, 1970. 5 a pizza with ham topping US, 1996. 6 an accelerator pedal. Citizens’ band radio slang, often as ‘back off the hammer’ (to slow down) and ‘put the hammer down’ (to accelerate) US, 1974. 7 in shuffleboard, the eighth and final shot US, 1967. 8 in bar dice games, the player who wins the chance to play first US, 1971. < on your hammer 1 following close behind; tailing. From HAMMER AND NAIL AUSTRALIA, 1942. 2 badgering. From HAMMER AND TACK AUSTRALIA, 1955. < put the hammer on to press someone for something IRELAND, 1984 hammer verb 1 to drive a vehicle at maximum speed AUSTRALIA, 1960. 2 to inflict a resounding defeat UK, 1948. 3 to beat up UK, 1973. 4 to stretch physical limits UK, 2002. < get hammered 1 while surfing, to be knocked from your surfboard and violently thrashed by the surf US, 1988. 2 in mountain biking, to experience a violent accident US, 1992 317 half-half | hammer . NEW ZEALAND, 1998. 2 expert AUSTRALIA, 1916 gun and bomb noun a condom. Rhyming slang; the plural is ‘guns and bombs’ UK, 2003 gun and rifle club noun an inner-city hospital’s casualty department US,. noun 8see: HALF-JACK hale and hearty adjective a party. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 Hale and Pace; hale noun the face. Rhyming slang, from comedy double act Gareth Hale and Norman Pace UK, 2002 half. area of the stomach and intes- tines. Standard English from late C14; slipped into unconventional usage early in C19 UK, 1393. 2 the essentials, the important part, the inner and real meaning UK,