envelope to challenge current parameters. From aviation where ENVELOPE is the limit of a plane’s range and powers, via 1990s’ marketing speak US, 1998. < push up the daisies; pushing up the daisies to be dead, especially dead and buried; use is occasionally extended to the dying. An image first sketched as dated ‘turn up your toes to the daisies’ in 1842 – from which we derive turn up your toes, (to die). Other variations that have slipped from use: ‘under the daisies’, ‘kick up daisies’ and, less certainly, ‘grin at the daisy-roots’, which may also relate to ‘roots’ (boots) UK, 1918. < push your luck to take a risk UK, 1911 push-bike noun a bicycle. The ‘push’ providing a motive distinction from a motorbike UK, 1913 pushed adjective short of something, usually time or money UK, 1942 pusher noun 1 a drug dealer US, 1935. 2 in the circus or carnival, a foreman US, 1980 push-in noun a robbery accomplished by knocking on a door and pushing your way into a house or apartment US, 1982 pushing adverb of years of age, approaching, nearly UK, 1974 push in the bush noun vaginal sex US, 1980 push in the truck noun an instance of sexual intercourse. Rhyming slang for FUCK in the transport industry UK, 1992 pushke noun a drive soliciting funds. The term comes from Yiddish, and derives from a charitable collection box in Jewish homes passed around on Sabbath eve to collect for philanthropic purposes CANADA, 2002 push-me-toe noun any thong sandal TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003 push-oline noun gasoline, petrol US, 1977 push out in the language of hang gliding, used as an all-purpose greeting or farewell US, 1992 pushover noun 1 someone who is gullible or easily manipulated; a person who is easily persuaded into sexual activity US, 1944. 2 something that is easy to do US, 1906 pushunder noun a chamber pot BARBADOS, 1965 push water noun petrol or diesel fuel US, 1977 pushy adjective 1 self-assertive, especially when unpleasantly so US, 1936. 2 used of a woman, in the second stage of labour US, 1994 pusillanimous polecat noun used as a general term of disapproval. A term used by George ‘Gramps’ Miller, played by George Cleveland, on the television drama Lassie (CBS, 1954–57). Repeated with referential humour US, 1957 puss noun 1 the vagina; sex UK, 1958. 2 a girl or woman; an effeminate man UK, 1991. 3 a ‘feminine’ lesbian UK, 1977. 4 the mouth; the face. A term hatched simultaneously in Ireland and the US US, 1891 . 5 a disgruntled facial expression. From Irish pus IRELAND, 2004 puss-ball; pus-ball noun a contemptible person UK, 2003 puss boots noun trainers, sneakers JAMAICA, 1996 pusser; pusser’s adjective official. Royal Navy slang, adapted from the old navy rank of Purser; used in many combinations UK, 1987 pusser’s noun rum. Royal Navy slang; derives from ‘pusser’s ’ (official issue), not to be confused with branded Pusser’s Rum UK, 1989 pusser’s brown noun toilet paper. Royal Navy slang UK, 1984 pusser’s cow noun tinned milk. Naval slang AUSTRALIA, 1943 pusser’s dip noun a candle. Royal Navy slang; originally ‘purser’s dip’ UK, 1948 pusser’s dirk noun a service clasp-knife. Royal Navy slang; a variant of ‘pusser’s dagger’ UK, 1960 pusser’s dust noun instant coffee powder. Royal Navy slang UK, 1988 pusser’s fix-all noun WD40™, a multi-purpose lubricant. Royal Navy slang UK, 1988 pusser’s hard noun navy-issue soap. Royal Navy slang UK, 1962 pusser’s leaf noun navy-issue rolling tobacco. Royal Navy slang UK, 1988 pusser’s medal noun a food stain on clothing. Royal Navy slang UK, 1988 pussified adjective effeminate US, 1994 pussin noun the vagina; a woman as a sexual object TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO , 1993 pussy noun 1 the vagina; a woman as a sexual object; sex UK, 1880. 2 the mouth (as an object of sexual penetration) US, 1988 . 3 a weak or effeminate boy or man; a coward US, 1942. 4 a fur skin or fur garment. Criminals’ slang UK, 1937. 5 anchovies. Based on the puerile comparison of the smell of fish and the vagina US, 1996. 6 the middle position in the back seat of a car US, 1980. < pet the pussy (of a female) to masturbate US, 2001. < sling pussy to work as a prostitute US, 1990 pussy adjective weak; effeminate; not manly US, 1986 pussy; pussy in verb to move quietly; to enter unobtrusively. To a degree synonymous with conventional ‘pussyfoot’ AUSTRALIA, 1975 pussy-ass noun a weak or effeminate man; a coward US, 1995 pussy beard noun female pubic hair US, 1967 pussy bumping noun genital-to-genital lesbian sex US, 1949 pussycat; pussy cat noun 1 the vagina US, 1980. 2 a sexually attractive woman US, 1965. 3 a pleasant, surprisingly gentle or amenable person US, 1978 pussy cat has a nosebleed a woman who is in the bleed period of the menstrual cycle. A euphemistic elaboration on PUSSYCAT (the vagina) US, 2001 pussyclot; pussyclaat noun someone despicable. Combines PUSSY (vagina) and ‘clot’ (West Indian pronunciation of ‘cloth’) to mean ‘sanitary towel’; however ‘clot’ may be understood conventionally as coagulated blood which intensifies the insult JAMAICA, 1978 pussy cloth noun any improvised sanitary towel JAMAICA, 1985 pussy collar noun a desire for sex US, 1963 pussycratic adjective obsessed with sex JAMAICA, 1976 pussy drunk noun a sex offender; a rapist UK, 1996 pussy eater noun a practitioner of oral sex on women US, 2002 pussy fart noun an eruption of trapped air from the vagina during sexual intercourse US, 1995 pussyfence noun a receiver of stolen furs UK, 1956 pussy finger noun the index finger US, 1977 pussyfoot verb to act with such caution that your behaviour appears evasive or cowardly. From the cautious progress of cats US, 1903 pussyfooter noun a railway police officer US, 1977 pussy game noun prostitution US, 1978 pussy hair noun female pubic hair US, 1969 pussy holder noun the passenger seat on a motorcyle US, 1967 pussy hole noun a despicable person or object; used abusively. A synonym for CUNT; seemingly euphemistic but possibly more derogatory than the original PUSSY (the vagina), with extra detail UK, 1994 pussyhole noun a despised person UK, 2006 pussy hook noun a thief who specialises in stealing furs. A combi- nation of PUSSY (a fur) and HOOK (a thief) UK, 1956 pussy hound noun a man obsessed with sex and women US, 1984 pussy lips noun the labia US, 1969 pussy man noun a pimp US, 1967 pussy Nellie; pussy Nelly noun a male homosexual. Mainly naval usage, apparently from early in the C20 UK, 1984 pussy out verb to back out of a task because of fear US, 1992 pussy patrol; pussy posse; pussy squad noun a police vice squad focusing on prostitution US, 1973 pussy posse noun 1 a police vice squad UK, 1963. 2 a group of female friends US, 2001 pussy queer noun a lesbian US, 1982 pussy-seller noun a prostitute BAHAMAS, 1982 pussysucker; pussysugger noun the mouth US, 1964 521 push-bike | pussysucker; pussysugger pussywhip verb (used of a woman) to dominate a man US, 1974 pussy-whipped adjective dominated by a woman US, 1956 pussy whisker noun a pubic hair US, 1986 pussy willow noun a pillow. Rhyming slang UK, 1968 pussy-wood noun stolen firewood. Coalminers’ use UK, 1984 put verb to dilute a drug US, 1992. < put a (number) on to dilute a drug by the identified numerical factor US, 1971. < put it about to be sexually promiscuous UK, 1975. < put it on to declare hostilities with another youth gang US, 1953. < put it to someone to have sex with someone UK, 2001. < put me in give me some drugs UK, 1985. < put next to to introduce one person to another or to acquaint one person with another US, 1906. < put on to fool someone, to tease someone, to deceive someone US, 1958. < put one on 1 to plan a crime UK, 1996. 2 to hit or punch someone UK, 1974. < put paid to to put a stop to something UK, 1919. < put yourself about 1 to get around and be seen. Originally police usage, now widespread probably as a result of television and film crime dramas UK, 1970. 2 to work as a prostitute. A variation of the previous sense UK, 1980 puta noun a sexually promiscuous woman; a prostitute. From Spanish puta (a whore) US, 1964 put away verb 1 to eat or drink something especially in large quan- tities UK, 1878. 2 to put someone in jail UK, 1883. 3 to bribe a jockey to lose a race UK, 1978 put-down noun a verbal belittling or criticism UK, 1984 put down verb 1 to belittle someone; to treat someone with humiliating contempt US, 1958. 2 to euthanise an animal UK, 1899. 3 to implicate someone as guilty US, 1965 put it there used as a greeting, soliciting a handshake US, 1978 puto noun a male homosexual. Border Spanish used by English- speakers in the American southwest US, 1965 puto mark verb to cross something out. Puto is Spanish slang for ‘a male prostitute’ US, 2000 put-on adjective affected, insincere UK, 1621 put out verb 1 to consent to sex US, 1947. 2 to be deserving of some punishment IRELAND, 1997 put-put noun 8see: PHAT-PHAT putrid adjective excellent; brilliant AUSTRALIA, 1993 put some water on it! used as a demand that a person using a communal toilet flush to rid the room of the smell of faeces US, 2001 putt verb to fart. Also used as noun; a childish variation of POOT, probably coined in the mid-1990s by Sylvia Branzei for Grossology US, 1996 putter noun in hot rodding, a car that has been customised for show rather than performance and is used for ‘putting around’ US, 1993 put the name in the hat verb to inform UK, 1996 putting green noun in pool, the largest regulation-size table US, 1990 putt-putt noun a boat or vehicle with a puny motor US, 1959 putty noun < up to putty no good AUSTRALIA, 1916 put up verb to serve time in prison US, 1976 put-up job noun a pre-arranged deception UK, 1838 put up or shut up! used as a challenge to take action to defend what you say, or be quiet US, 1878 put you up to verb to incite, induce or persuade you to do something UK, 1824 putz noun 1 the penis US, 1934. 2 by extension, an inept, contemptible person US, 1964 putz verb < putz ar ound to idle; to do nothing; to waste time US, 1972 PW adjective dominated by a female. An abbreviation of PUSSY- WHIPPED US , 1966 p-whipped adjective dominated by a female. An abbreviated and euphemised PUSSY-WHIPPED US, 1999 pyjama cricket; pyjama game noun one-day cricket. So-called from the colourful uniforms worn by players instead of the usual cricket whites AUSTRALIA, 1982 pyjama-python noun the penis AUSTRALIA, 1971 pylons noun the legs US, 1947 PYO Pick-Your-Own, applied to soft fruits and farm vegetables. Usually seen in roadside advertising UK, 1982 pyro noun a pyromaniac; pyrotechnics UK, 1977 python noun the penis AUSTRALIA, 1971 Pythonesque adjective of an event, or series of events, more than bizarre but less than surreal. From the television comedy series Monty Python’s Flying Circus, BBC, 1969–74 UK, 1979 pussywhip | Pythonesque 522 Qq Q noun 1 a homosexual. An abbreviation of QUEER US, 1968. 2 of drugs, generally marijuana, a quarter of an ounce UK, 1997. 3 the rec- reational drug methaqualone, best known as Quaaludes™ US, 1977. 4 in a deck of playing cards, a queen US, 1991. 5 barbecue US, 2001. 6 in American casinos, a $25 chip. An abbreviation of QUARTER US, 1983 Q nickname the San Quentin state prison in San Rafael, California US, 1951 Q and A a question and answer session US, 1997 qat noun 1 methcathinone US, 2003. 2 leaves of catha edulis, astimu- lant also called K, khat or kat, originating in the Horn of Africa and the Arabian peninsula, legally available in the UK and similar to amphetamine in effect when chewed. Also known as ‘qaadka’ UK, 1996 Q boat noun an unmarked police car with plain clothes officers. From the name given to disguised naval vessels in World War 1 UK, 1977 QE verb to turn Queen’s Evidence (to give evidence for the prosecution against your alleged accomplices) UK, 1996 Q-ship noun among hot rodders, a high-performing car that appears to be a conventional car. Taken from the early C20 meaning of an armed and camouflaged merchant ship used as a decoy US, 1965 Q-sign noun of a very sick hospital patient, the open mouth with the tongue hanging out. Medical wit; the ‘Q’ is an image of the mouth and tongue as described. The O-SIGN is not quite as serious UK, 2002 QT noun < on the QT quietly, in strict confidence UK, 1884 Qtipnoun in poker, a queen and a ten US, 1996 quack noun 1 a doctor of medicine. Following an earlier (mid-C17) sense as ‘a pretended doctor’, abbreviated from ‘quacksalver’ (one who sells his salves by noisy patter or ‘quacking’). The current sense, spread through military use, does not imply any lack of qualification or a degree of salesmanship AUSTRALIA, 1919. 2 a hospital patient who feigns symptoms in order to receive attention, prescription medication or both US, 1978. 3 in poker, a player who complains loudly when losing US, 1979 . 4 the recreational drug methaqualone, best known as Quaaludes™ US, 1985. 5 a firefighter. New York police slang US, 1997. 6 a novice surfer US, 1977 quacker noun a Kawasaki motorcycle UK, 1979 quackery noun forensic scientists; a forensic science department. Police use; always used with ‘the’. Probably a pun on QUACK (a doctor) UK, 1971 quackie noun a white person TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1971 quack-quack noun 1 a duck. An echoic term, used by, or to, infants UK, 1865. 2 a commotion TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1982 quad noun 1 a quadriplegic US, 1980. 2 in trucking, a quadriplex trans- mission that provides twenty forward gears and four reverse US, 1971. 3 the recreational drug methaqualone, best known as Quaaludes™ US, 1980. 4 a carburettor with four barrels US, 1965 . 5 a clumsy, inept fool. An evolved SQUARE CANADA, 1993 quad-fifty noun a quadruple mount .50 calibre machine gun, a devastating truck-drawn trailer-mounted weapon. Originated in World War 2 US, 1953 quadruplets noun in poker, four cards of the same rank US, 1979 quads noun 1 the quadriceps muscles US, 1984. 2 in poker, a hand with all four cards of the same rank US, 1996 quaff verb to drink alcohol UK, 1955 quail noun 1 a woman US, 1859. 2 a girl under the legal age of consent. A shortened form of SAN QUENTIN QUAIL US, 1976. 3 a twenty-five cent betting token used in of craps US, 1983 Quaker oat noun a coat. Rhyming slang, formed from Quaker Oats™, a brand of porridge UK, 1932 quality noun < the quality anyone who is not a member of the travelling community IRELAND, 1993 quango noun a government-financed, notionally independent body with a powerful interest in a given field of interest. An acronym for Quasi Non-Government(al) Organisation or Quasi-Autonomous National Government Organisation UK, 1973 quanker noun in Nova Scotia, a duck-calling device CANADA, 1945 quare adjective mediocre UK, 1983 quare hawk noun someone who is unconventional in some way IRELAND, 1989 quare one noun wife IRELAND, 1997 quar ice noun water that has oozed through the ground through snow and frozen on the surface CANADA, 1955 quarked out adjective under the influence of drugs US, 1999 quarm verb (used of a man) to behave in an exaggerated, effeminate manner BAHAMAS, 1982 quart noun 1 a twenty-five cent piece BARBADOS, 1965. 2 in poker, four cards of the same suit in sequence US, 1979 quarter noun 1 a quarter of an ounce of drugs, especially cocaine US, 1968. 2 a quarter of a kilo of drugs UK, 1996. 3 twenty-five dollars’ worth of drugs. Also called a ‘quarter bag’ US, 2001. 4 a prison sentence of 25 years US, 1964. 5 a jail sentence of three months. Also referred to as ‘quarter bit’ and ‘quarter stretch’ UK, 1977. 6 in American casinos, a $25 chip US, 1980. 7 twenty-five pounds of weights used in lifting US, 1989. 8 a cigarette US, 1958 quarter bird noun one quarter pound of cocaine US, 1999 quarter-deck verb during US Marine Corps basic training, to administer physical discipline or Incentive Physical Training US, 2004 quarter house noun a place where mid-level heroin dealers do business US, 1978 quarter rock noun crack cocaine US, 1993 quart store noun a store that sells beer on the retail level US, 1997 quartz noun methamphetamine that is smoked UK, 1998 Quasar noun a woman. A strained allusion to a Quasar television advertising slogan – ‘works in a drawer’, and then punning on ‘drawers’ as an item of female underwear US, 1976 quashie noun a country-dweller; an unsophisticated peasant. Possibly from C18 Quashee, an African name, adopted by white people as a general name for any black person UK, 1997 Quasimodo noun soda water. Rhyming slang, formed from ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ UK, 1992 quat noun in betting, odds of 4–1 UK, 1991 quater noun twenty-five cents. A corruption of ‘quarter’ US, 1980 quater; quarter; quaterer adjective four. Polari, from Italian quattro UK, 1996 quaver verb 1 to dither, especially over whether or not to make a purchase UK, 1979. 2 to potter about; to tinker UK, 1979 quaverer noun a vacillating, or uncertain, customer. From QUAVER UK, 1979 quawk noun uncooked frozen meat or fish CANADA, 1947 quay; quas noun the recreational drug methaqualone, best known as Quaaludes™ US, 1997 quean noun 1 an effeminate male homosexual; an ageing passive homosexual UK, 1935. 2 a lesbian. A term used by male homosex- uals UK, 1984 quean up verb in male homosexual society, to adopt girlish mannerisms and affectations; to use cosmetics and to primp. British gay slang UK, 1972 queased out adjective nauseated, sick US, 1993 Quebec wrench noun a beer bottle opener. The high consumption rate of beer in Quebec is the source of this oral slang item CANADA, 2001 queber noun a social outcast US, 1987 queeb noun a bisexual US, 1988 queef noun the passing of air from the vagina US, 2002 queef verb to expel air from the vagina, intentionally or not US, 2000 queen noun 1 an obviously homosexual male AUSTRALIA, 1924. 2 a mother. As the ruler of the house UK, 2002. 3 a popular girl US, 1959. 4 a girlfriend, mistress or prostitute US, 1968. 5 an enthusiast of the preceding thing or activity US, 1999 Queen noun < for the Queen used to describe extra days added as punishment to a sentence of imprisonment UK, 1996. < go Queen’s; turn Queen’s to turn Queen’s evidence, that is, to give evidence against co-defendants, usually to your own advantage UK, 1996. < the Qu een the National Anthem. Before this we stood for ‘the King’ UK, 1952 Queen Anne is dead a catchphrase retort on old news. Later vari- ations – ‘Queen Elizabeth and my Lord Baldwin’ – have not survived UK, 1722 queen bee noun 1 the alpha male in a group of homosexuals. Punning on QUEAN. The Guild Dictionary of Homosexual Terms, 1965, offers this definition: ‘usually, but not always, an auntie with money, an entourage, and numbers (sex-partners). Frequently he is elderly and, most always, an agreeable person.’ US, 1965. 2 a hetero- sexual woman who seeks out the company of homosexual men US, 1957 Queen Charlotte tuxedo noun a heavy grey Stanfield’s undershirt CANADA, 1989 queenie noun a prostitute US, 1964 Queenie nickname Queensland, Australia AUSTRALIA, 1994 Queen Mary noun 1 a surfboard that is too big for the surfer using it. Named after the ocean liner, not a royal female US, 1964. 2 a large tank truck. An ocean liner reference US, 1954 Queen of Mean nickname Leona Helmsley (b.1920), American hotelier and prototype of greed during the Reagan era US, 1997 Queen of the Jukebox nickname Dinah Washington (1924–1963), a brilliant vocalist in the jazz, pop and R&B genres US, 1975 Queen of the South noun the mouth. Rhyming slang, formed from the name of a Scottish football club UK, 1992 Queen’s Cowboys nickname the Royal Canadian Mounted Police CANADA, 1989 queen’s gaff noun the anus. An allusion to WINDSOR CASTLE,aroyal GAFF (residence) in Berkshire which also serves as rhyming slang for ‘arsehole’ UK, 1992 Queenslander noun a type of weatherboard house raised on stilts AUSTRALIA, 1994 Queen’s Necklace nickname in Mumbai, the view after dark of the sparkling lights on Marine Drive (now Netaji Subhash Road) INDIA, 2002 Queens Park Ranger noun a stranger. Rhyming slang, formed from the full name of QPR, the London football club, Queens Park Rangers UK, 1961 queen’s row noun an area in a prison reserved for blatantly homo- sexual prisoners US, 1967 Queen Street bushie; Queen Street cowboy; Queen Street ringer noun in Queensland, a city person with pretences to country living, such as dressing like a cowboy or driving a 4WD AUSTRALIA, 2003 queen tank noun a jail holding cell reserved for flamboyantly effeminate homosexual men US, 1988 queeny adjective 1 blatantly homosexual US, 1979. 2 showy, melodramatic, affected US, 1997 queer noun 1 a homosexual man or a lesbian. Usually pejorative, but also a male homosexual term of self-reference within the gay underground and subculture US, 1914. 2 counterfeit money UK, 1812 queer verb to spoil something; to ruin something; to interfere with something UK, 1812. < queer a pitch to spoil a situation or a circumstance; to undermine someone’s efforts UK, 1875 queer adjective 1 homosexual. Derogatory from the outside, not from within US, 1914. 2 catering to or patronised by homosexuals US, 1957. 3 driven by deep and perverse sexual desires US, 1967. 4 not good; out of fashion. Like ‘gay’, ‘queer’ has been hijacked from its homosexual context US, 1997. 5 counterfeit US, 1951. < to be queer for to be fond of someone or something US, 1953 queer and nasty, try another service nickname the Australian airline QANTAS. Most airlines seem to be the subject of jocular puns. ‘Queers and Nancies Trading as Stewards’ had some circulation in the 1980s AUSTRALIA, 2002 queer as a clockwork orange adjective 1 obviously homosexual. Plays on QUEER (unusual/homosexual) UK, 1973. 2 unusual or suspicious. Predates the novel Clockwork Orange (1962) by Anthony Burgess UK, 1980 queer as a four-speed walking stick adjective unusual; ostentatiously homosexual. Popularised by raconteur ‘Blaster’ Bates (b.1922) UK, 1984 queer as a left-handed corkscrew adjective unusual; ostentatiously homosexual UK, 1970s queer as a nine-bob note adjective 1 ostentatiously homosexual. Plays on QUEER (unusual/homosexual) UK, 1984. 2 unusual or suspicious. The most ‘queer’ (unusual) thing about a nine BOB (shilling) note is that it has never existed; the phrase survived decimalisation in 1971, which ‘bob’ failed to do UK, 1984 queer as a nine-bob watch adjective suspicious. So cheap it must be suspect UK, 1984 queer as a three-dollar bill adjective ostentatiously homosexual US, 1966 queer as fuck adjective definitely homosexual; ostentatiously gay. QUEER (homosexual) plus ‘as fuck’ (an intensifier); punned in the popular television drama series about gay culture, Queer As Folk AUSTRALIA, 1997 queerbait; queer-bait noun a man who commands the attention of homosexual men, whether he is homosexual or not US, 1957 queer-bashing verb an attack (usually physical) of a homosexual because of his sexuality UK, 1970 queer beer noun weak, watery beer. More commonly reduplicated as ‘near beer’ US, 1976 queerie noun a homosexual NEW ZEALAND, 1998 queer jack noun counterfeit money US, 1949 queer-rolling noun the practice of attacking and robbing homosex- uals UK, 1977 queer’s lunch box noun the male crotch US, 1964 Queer Street noun < in Queer Street; on Queer Street experiencing difficulties, especially financial difficulties; in a vulner- able position UK, 1952 queeve verb to experience a loss of energy US, 1984 quegg noun a homosexual. Possibly a compound of QUEER (homose- xual or odd) and EGG (a person) UK, 2001 Quel Chagrin noun Queen’s Counsel. From the initials QC CANADA, 2002 query noun a test or examination US, 1976 ques noun the question mark (?) character on a computer keyboard US, 1991 queue noun < put on a queue (of a woman) to have sex with a line of partners, one after the other AUSTRALIA, 1970 quezzie noun a question UK, 2002 quiche-eater noun a sensitive male; an effeminate male US, 1984 quiche out verb to concede defeat in a cowardly manner; to behave in a weak or effeminate manner. Probably from the notion that ‘real men don’t eat quiche’ UK, 2006 quean up | quiche out 524 quick and dirty adjective constructed as quickly as possible US, 1991 Quickdraw McGraw noun the US Secret Service agent who is closest to the president. Quickdraw McGraw was a Hanna Barbera cartoon that first aired in 1959; ironically, the character Quickdraw McGraw was not a quick draw, but his name has survived, implying that which the character was not US, 1981 quick-go noun in a sport, a player who does not last very long on a team US, 1972 quickie noun 1 a sexual encounter that is carried out quickly US, 1950. 2 an alcoholic drink taken hastily AUSTRALIA, 1969. 3 something that is accomplished quickly US, 1940. 4 an unexpected, quickly executed manoeuvre or piece of trickery US, 1950 quickie adjective carried out quickly US, 1940 quick-lunch noun a fast-food small restaurant CANADA, 1959 quickness noun < with a quickness as soon as possible US, 1997 quick one noun an unexpected act of betrayal US, 1950 quick one off the wrist noun 8see: ONE OFF THE WRIST quick pussy noun a secure NATO communications system CA NADA, 1995 quick-smart adverb quickly AUSTRALIA, 1952 quick-starts noun running shoes US, 1990 quick thinking, Batman! used for a humorous, if sarcastic, response to another’s observation or conclusion. From the Batman comic and television series (1966–1968). The television series launched several catchphrases into the vocabulary to a far greater extent than the comic books had US, 1968 quick-turn burn noun the refuelling and reloading of an F-18 fighter jet in less than five minutes US, 1991 quid noun 1 a pound sterling; pounds sterling. Deriving perhaps from Latin quid (what?), later suggesting ‘the wherewithal’. Note too UK dialect quid (a wad of tobacco). The quid has survived decimalisation (1971) and several centuries of inflation; originally coined as ‘a guinea’ (1 pound, 1 shilling), in C 19 it became ‘a sovereign’ UK, 1688. 2 some money. Still in use despite the fact that pounds went out in 1966 when Australia changed over to decimal currency (dollars and cents) AUSTRALIA, 1976. 3 five dollars. If a pound is five dollars, so must be a quid US, 1988. < not the full quid without a full complement of intelligence AUSTRALIA, 1944 quid deal noun a drug sale involving one pound’s worth of drugs, usually marijuana UK, 1983 quids noun a large amount of money AUSTRALIA, 1930. < not for quids not for anything AUSTRALIA, 1941. < wouldn’t be dead for quids I am generally happy with my life and circumstances AUSTRALIA, 1986 quids in adjective prospering; at an advantage. Figurative use of actual profit measured by the QUID ( £1) UK, 1919 quietie noun a quiet drink AUSTRALIA, 1995 quiet-side adjective secret US, 1976 quiff noun 1 the vagina; a woman as sex object; a prostitute. Archaic in the US, but understood in context UK, 1923. 2 by extension, a male homosexual US, 1977 quill noun 1 anything used to snort powdered drugs; the drugs themselves US, 1935. 2 cocaine UK, 1998. 3 heroin UK, 1996 quill pig noun a porcupine. Michigan Upper Peninsula usage US, 2003 quilty adjective luxurious US, 1976 quim noun the vagina; used objectively as a collective noun for women, especially sexually available women UK, 1735 quimby noun a person completely lacking in social graces US, 1997 quimmo noun a fool; an unpleasant individual. Extending QUIM (the vagina) as a synonym for CUNT UK, 1999 quince noun an effeminate male; a homosexual AUSTRALIA, 1941. < get on your quince to annoy you AUSTRALIA, 1941 quinella noun in horse racing, a bet on the first two to finish in either order US, 1991 quinine noun inthegameofcraps,thenumbernineUS, 1950 quint noun in poker, five cards of the same suit in sequence US, 1979 quint major noun in poker, a sequence of five cards, same suit, ending with the face cards US, 1988 quitter noun a suicide US, 1982 quiver noun 1 a selection of surfboards used for different surf con- ditions US, 1977. 2 cocaine UK, 1999 quivver-giver noun an attractive person US, 1947 quiz noun a roadside sobriety test US, 1976 quiz room noun a room where the North Vietnamese interrogated US prisoners of war US, 1990 quizzy adjective nosey NEW ZEALAND, 1988 quoit noun theanus;thebacksideAUSTRALIA, 1919 quokka soccer noun on Rottnest Island, running around kicking quokkas as a type of entertainment. The ‘quokka’ is a small rare native marsupial, Setonix brachyurus, of southwestern West Australia AUSTRALIA, 1999 quong noun the testicle. Usually in the plural UK, 2002 quorum noun in poker, the agreed-upon minimum number of players to continue a game US, 1979 quote verb in criminal circles, to vouch for someone UK, 2000 quo vadis noun unfashionable or unpopular music. Probably refers to the 1951 film Quo Vadis and the rock group Status Quo,formed in 1967 and, in 2003, still working, with the implication that both entertainments are dated UK, 2003 quozzie; quoz noun a disabled or deformed person. Derived from Quasimodo, ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’ UK, 2000 525 quick and dirty | quozzie; quoz Rr RA noun < the RA the Irish Republican Army IRELAND, 2003 raas noun 1 an arse; hence your being JAMAICA, 1994. 2 a contemptible person. Probable origin in the phrase ‘your arse’, although some suggest Dutch raas (rage). The early, especially West Indian, sense was considered extremely offensive, however modern UK black usage is roughly equivalent to ARSE or ARSEHOLE. There is a, poss- ibly disingenuous, belief amongst some Jamaicans that Raas was a king of Africa JAMAICA, 2000. 3 nonsense. From West Indian. Black usage UK, 2000. < the raas used in order to intensify. Synonymous with ‘the hell’, ‘the fuck’, etc UK, 1994 raasclat noun used as an extreme derogative. Combines RAAS (arse) and ‘clat’ (West Indian pronunciation of ‘cloth’) to mean ‘a sanitary towel’ JAMAICA, 1978 raashole noun a contemptible person; used as a general term of abuse. A cross-cultural variation on ARSEHOLE, using West Indian and UK black RAAS (an arse) UK, 2000 rabbi noun a mentor or protector US, 1970 rabbit noun 1 a woman who has a large number of children. Collected at a UK prison, August 2002 JAMAICA, 2002. 2 a man who ejaculates with little stimulation US, 1987. 3 a white person US, 1991 . 4 a nervous, timid, cautious person US, 1951. 5 a new member of a Rastafarian gang NEW ZEALAND, 1988. 6 a prisoner who is known for attempting to escape prison US, 1972. 7 a person who regularly borrows money from an illegal money lender and pays back promptly US, 1950. 8 on the railways, a side track on a downhill incline used to divert runaway trains and prevent crashes US, 1946. 9 a poor poker player US, 1967. < go like a rabbit to demonstrate eagerness during sex UK, 1972. < the rabbit died used for indicat- ing a state of pregnancy. From the (former) methodology used to test pregnancy that was introduced in 1949 UK, 1998. < the rabbit’s hopping experiencing the bleed period of the menstrual cycle. A reversal of the phrase THE RABBIT DIED (pregnant) US, 2001 rabbit verb to run away UK, 1887 rabbit and pork; rabbit noun the act of talking; a conversation. Rhyming slang for ‘talk’ UK, 1980 rabbit and pork; rabbit verb to talk. Rhyming slang. ‘To rabbit on’ is ‘to talk at length’ UK, 1941 rabbit blood noun a seemingly unstoppable urge to try to escape from prison US, 1950 rabbit ears noun 1 a v-shaped aerial placed on top of a television set US, 1967. 2 in a casino Keno game, the two clear plastic tubes through which the number balls are blown US, 1993. 3 an athlete or official who is quick to take offence at teasing US, 1967 rabbiter’s breakfast noun a visit to the toilet and a cigarette NEW ZEALAND , 1975 rabbit fever noun the urge to try to escape from prison US, 1962 rabbit food; rabbit’s food noun any salad vegetable, especially lettuce. A generally dismissive term from the carnivorous lobby UK, 1936 rabbit hunt verb in poker, to look through undealt cards after a hand is completed to see what might have been US, 1967 rabbit hutch noun the crutch or crotch. Rhyming slang UK, 1980 rabbit-killer noun a short and vicious punch to the neck, generally with the open hand AUSTRALIA, 1941 rabbit -oh; rabbit-o noun a door-to-door seller of slaughtered rabbits. From the cry ‘rabbit oh!’, used by the vendor to attract attention AUSTRALIA, 1902 rabbit season noun spring, when prisoners are inclined to try to escape US, 1967 rabbit’s paw; rabbit verb to talk. Rhyming slang for JAW. The shortened form is identical in sense to the shortened form of RABBIT AND PORK UK, 1961 rabbit tracks noun in craps, a six rolled with a pair of threes US, 1985 rabbit turds noun Italian sausage. Limited usage, but graphic US, 1996 race noun 1 a single game in an illegal numbers lottery US, 1963. 2 a single game of Keno US, 1973. < not in the race not having any chance of success AUSTRALIA, 1904. < the race the game of roller derby US, 1960s and 70s race verb < race for pink slips (pinks) in drag racing, to compete for the prize of ownership of the opponent’s car US, 2003. < race off to conduct a person away to some other place for the purpose of seduction AUSTRALIA, 1965 race bird noun an enthusiastic fan of horse racing US, 1971 race face noun in motor racing, the look of total concentration and focus seen on drivers just before a race begins US, 1993 racehorse noun 1 an accomplished, sought-after prostitute US, 1972 . 2 a thinly rolled cigarette AUSTRALIA, 1944 racehorse Charlie; racehorse Charley noun heroin; cocaine. Perhaps from the long-ago brand name White Horse US, 1936 race record noun a recording by a black artist; rock ’n’ roll before whites discovered rock ’n’ roll US, 1927 racerhead noun in mountain biking, someone who competes in races. A mild put-down to describe riders so into competition that they have lost their perspective on the cosmic absurdity of mountain biking US, 1992 racers noun close-fitting nylon swimwear used for competitive swimming. So-called because they are used in competitive swimming AUSTRALIA, 2003 races noun < at the races unsuccessful, uncompetitive IRELAND, 2003 racetracker noun in horse racing, a person who makes their living in some capacity at racetracks US, 1951 racing stripe noun a faecal stain in the underpants US, 1991 racing tackle noun amphetamines or other central nervous system stimulants UK, 1983 rack noun 1 a woman’s breasts US, 1982. 2 a set of antlers US, 1945. 3 bed US, 1955. 4 a room or apartment US, 1993 . 5 a maximum security prison cell US, 1982. 6 a hotel’s front desk US, 1954. 7 afoil- wrapped package of amphetamines US, 1997 . 8 a packet of five bar- biturate capsules or other drugs, give or take several US, 1972 . 9 a one-month supply of birth control pills US, 1980. 10 a six-pack (of beer) US, 1991. 11 a case (24 cans) of beer US, 2000. < hit the rack to go to bed; to go to sleep US, 1973. < on the rack available for prostitution US, 1977 rack verb 1 to go to sleep US, 1993. 2 to steal US, 1997. 3 to shoplift US, 2001. 4 to perform well US, 1955. 5 to load (a gun) US, 1997. 6 in the television and film industries, to adjust the camera lens in the middle of a shot to keep the subject in focus US, 1990. < rack the bars to open or close a prison cell door US, 1992 rack attack noun a nap; sleep US, 1975 racked adjective asleep US, 1075 racked up adjective upset US, 1970 racket noun 1 a criminal enterprise; a swindle or a means of deception. Any illicit or dubious enterprise may be termed a ‘racket’ by prefixing the area of criminal operation, hence ‘narcotics racket’, ‘loan-shark racket’, etc UK, 1894. 2 a job, trade or profession. A jocular reference: ‘What racket are you in?’ or ‘What’s your racket?’ UK, 1891. 3 a private, police-only party US, 1987. 4 any rigged carnival game or attraction US, 1960 racket boy noun a member of an organised criminal enterprise US, 1953 racket jacket noun the jacket of a zoot suit US, 1945 racketty coo noun a Jewish person. Rhyming slang for ‘Jew’ AUSTRALIA, 1971 rackety adjective noisy US, 1975 rackey noun a boy who affects a style of dressing reminiscent of a gangster. Teen slang US, 1955 rack face noun lines on your face left from a blanket, sheet or pillow US, 1996 rack monster noun a person who spends a great deal of time in bed US, 1976 rack off verb to go away. Commonly but not exclusively used in the imperative. A euphemistic alternative to PISS OFF and FUCK OFF. Origin unknown. The Oxford English Dictionary (supplement) suggests a connection with ‘rack’ meaning ‘of a horse, to move by alternately raising two legs on one side’, but this seems hardly creditable due to the rarity of that term in Australia AUSTRALIA, 1975 rack off hairy legs! go away! An intensive form of the usual RACK OFF with the rather feeble insult ‘hairy legs’ tacked on AUSTRALIA, 1988 rack out verb to go to sleep US, 1991 rack up verb 1 to accumulate things; to score points US, 1961. 2 in a casino or gambling establishment, to have your chips placed in a chip rack to be cashed in US, 1982. 3 to prepare lines of cocaine UK, 1997. 4 in prison, to return prisoners to their cells US, 1990 racy bopper noun a female fan of motor racing whose attraction to the sport is a function of her attraction to the race participants US, 1993 rad noun 1 a political radical UK, 1973. 2 a radiator UK, 1935. 3 a radio UK, 1996 rad adjective extreme; intense; exciting; good. An abbreviated ‘radical’ US, 1982 radar noun a petty thief. Someone who will ‘pick up anything’ AUSTRALIA, 1989 radar alley noun any stretch of a motorway heavily patrolled by radar; especially, Interstate 90 between Cleveland and the New York state line US, 1971 radar Charlie noun a poker player with a strong intuitive sense of other players’ hands US, 1988 RadCan noun Radio Canada, the francophone side of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The ‘Rad’ in RadCan suggests ‘radical’, a view held by Canadian federalists of Radio Canada (pronounced, even by anglophone speakers, in the French way, as ‘Raaahdio Canada’) CANADA, 2002 raddie noun 1 an Italian or Anglo-Italian living in London. From the raddled-seeming complexion of some Italians compared to that of a pale Londoner, possibly influenced by REDDY (an Italian). Originally used of Italian families in Clerkenwell UK, 1938. 2 a politi- cal radical UK, 1964 radge noun a psychotic; a madman UK, 1995 radge adjective 1 used in order to express approval UK, 2003. 2 mad; psychotic UK, 2003. 3 silly. Northen dialect radgy (mad) UK, 1961 radgepot noun a fool. Probably direct from Northern dialect radge (mad). Natural derivations are ‘radgy’ and ‘radgified’ UK, 1979 radiate verb < radiate a mortgage in Quebec, to cancel a mortgage CANADA, 2001 radiator whiskey noun strong, homemade whisky US, 1999 radic noun a police officer, especially armed police. Shortened from ‘eradicator’ UK, 1994 radical adjective extreme; outrageous; good. Originally surfer slang, then migrated into the argot of the San Fernando Valley and then into mainstream US youth slang US, 1967 radio noun a prisoner who talks loudly and without paying attention to who might be listening US, 1976 Radio Ones noun diarrhoea. Rhyming slang for THE RUNS,formedon (the verbal out-pourings of the DJs on) BBC Radio One UK, 1992 radio rental; radio rentals; rentals adjective wonderful, amazing; insane, crazy. Rhyming slang for MENTAL; based on Radio Rentals, a high street shop UK, 1973 radio that!; radio that shit! used in prison as a demand for quiet US, 1981 ’rado noun a Cadillac El Dorado car US, 1980 rad pad noun in skateboarding, a rubber wedge used as a shock pad that changes the angles at which the axle assembly is mounted US, 1976 rads noun the police UK, 2000 Rafferty’s rules; Rafferty rules noun an entire lack of rules altogether. From the Irish surname Rafferty, with the implication that the Irish were unruly. Connection with the Northumberland dialect word raffety ‘irregular; applied by sinkers to stratified deposits’, and the Lincolnshire term raffatory ‘refractory’ (see English Dialect Dictionary), amount to nothing more than hopeful guesswork AUSTRALIA, 1918 raffle ticket; raffle noun a mistake. Rhyming slang for RICKET UK, 1992 raft noun a large amount US, 1830 rag noun 1 a sanitary towel US, 1966. 2 the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 1971. 3 a despicable person US, 1997. 4 a newspaper, especially a disreputable one UK, 1889. 5 a used car that is in very poor condition US, 1980. 6 a well-worn tyre US, 1961. 7 a banknote; paper money UK, 1817. 8 in pool, a cushion US, 1985. 9 in horse racing, an outsider (a horse considered unlikely to win a race) UK, 1991. 10 in poker, a useless card in the dealt hand or a drawn card that does not improve the hand US, 1978. 11 in a carnival midway game, a small prize in a plastic bag US, 1985. 12 a railway pointsman US, 1946 . < get your rag out to lose your temper. A combination of LOSE YOUR RAG and the earlier ‘get your shirt out’ UK, 1956. < lose your rag to lose your temper UK, 1959. < on the rag; have the rag on 1 experiencing the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 1974. 2 figuratively, to be distracted and irritable US, 1963 rag verb to mock, bully, tease or ridicule someone UK, 1808 rag adjective unpleasant, bad NEW ZEALAND, 1998 ragamuffin noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle. A play on RAG (a sanitary towel) AUSTRALIA, 2001 rag and bone noun 1 a telephone. Rhyming slang UK, 1984. 2 a lavatory pedestal and receptacle, especially the lavatory seat. Rhyming slang for THRONE UK, 1992 rag and boner noun a telephone. Extended from rhyming slang RAG AND BONE (telephone) UK, 1984 raga-raga adjective of clothes, worn-out, ragged. A variation on con- ventional ‘ragged’ JAMAICA, 1943 ragbag noun 1 an odd assortment UK, 1999. 2 an untidily or shabbily dressed person UK, 1888. 3 in circus and carnival usage, a show that has fallen on hard times or is fundamentally dishonest US, 1981 rage noun a large wave US, 1991 rage verb 1 to enjoy a party with great enthusiasm US, 1992. 2 to dominate someone or something US, 1984 -rage suffix when combined with a subject noun, an outburst of enraged hostility within or occasioned by that subject area UK, 1998 rager noun 1 a skilled, aggressive surfer or skateboarder US, 1997. 2 a large party US, 1990 ragga; ragamuffin; raggamuffin noun a ruffian, usually of West Indian racial origin. Originally a West Indian and UK black term with an approving tone; probably derived from the conventional sense of a ‘raggedy’ (a disreputable person); ultimately from Ragamoffyn, a demon in the Middle English poem ‘Piers Plowman’ by William Langland (perhaps 1330–86). The derivation is likely to be influenced by Jamaican ‘raga-raga’ (ragged) and ‘ragamofi’ (ragged clothes) UK, 1996 raggagansta; raggagangsta noun a West Indian/UK black gangster. Compounds RAGGAMUFFIN (a ruffian) with GANGSTA (a gangster) UK, 1997 527 rack et boy | raggagansta; raggagangsta . good. Originally surfer slang, then migrated into the argot of the San Fernando Valley and then into mainstream US youth slang US, 1967 radio noun a prisoner who talks loudly and without paying attention to. AUSTRALIA, 2001 rag and bone noun 1 a telephone. Rhyming slang UK, 1984. 2 a lavatory pedestal and receptacle, especially the lavatory seat. Rhyming slang for THRONE UK, 1992 rag and boner noun a. to run away UK, 1887 rabbit and pork; rabbit noun the act of talking; a conversation. Rhyming slang for ‘talk’ UK, 1980 rabbit and pork; rabbit verb to talk. Rhyming slang. ‘To rabbit on’ is ‘to