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; r abbit’s f ood 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 tur ds 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 AUS TRALIA, 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 | r aggagansta; r aggagangsta raggastani noun a member of a British Indian (Hindi) urban youth gang or subculture UK, 2006 ragged adjective 1 without money US, 1990. 2 tired; unwell AUSTRALIA, 1958 ragged edge noun in hot rodding, drag racing, and motor racing, the absolute limit of the car’s ability US, 1965 raggedy adjective ragged; rough; dishevelled US, 1890 raggedy jack noun in Newfoundland, a homemade pile rug CANADA, 1979 raggedy jacket noun in Newfoundland, a harp seal moulting from the white coat to the bedlamer stage CANADA, 1976 raggin’ adjective dressed in fashionable and expensive clothing US, 1987 raggy-arse adjective of poor quality UK, 2002 rag head noun 1 an Arab person, or a native of any race that wears a cloth-covering on the head; by extension a native of Muslim countries. Offensive US, 1921. 2 in circus and carnival usage, a gypsy US, 1981 raging adjective very good; very exciting US, 1995 Raging Bull nickname Jake LaMotta (b.1921), a middleweight boxer who fiercely made his presence felt in the ring in the 1940s and 50s US, 1980 rag ing queer noun a particularly ostentatious or importunate male homosexual. An intensification of QUEER (a male homosexual) UK, 1984 rag joint noun a carnival concession in a canvas booth US, 1985 ragman’s coat noun on a woman, an untrimmed and naturally abundant mass of pubic hair UK, 2002 rag order noun chaotic disorder, a mess. Military UK, 1983 rag store noun a big con swindle in which the lure is the promise of wealth from stocks traded based on allegedly inside information US, 1969 rag stuffer noun a parachute rigger US, 1991 ragtime noun the bleed period of a woman’s menstrual cycle. A play on ON THE RAG (menstruating), after the musical style US, 2001 ragtop noun a convertible car US, 1955 rag town noun a town built in prosperous times, bound to fall into poverty with the end of prosperous times US, 1954 ragweed noun 1 poor quality marijuana. After botanical genus Ambrosia the which grows wild across North America US, 1969. 2 poor quality heroin UK, 1998 rag week noun the week of the month when a woman has a menstrual bleed. Combines RAG (a sanitary towel), as in ‘on the rag’, with conventional ‘week’ to form a play on university rag week UK, 2001 rah!; rah rah! used as a cheer, a shouted expression of support or encouragement. A shortening of ‘hurrah!’ in college sports use. As ‘rah! rah! rah!’ it is the climax of a Maori war cry that has been adopted by New Zealand rugby teams US, 1870 rah-rah adjective characterised by excessive spirit and enthusiasm, usually associated with college or high school US, 1914 rahtid; raatid; rhaatid adjective used as an intensifier that implies anger or strong disapproval. Urban black usage UK, 1994 rail noun 1 a line of cocaine or other powdered drug, laid out for snorting US, 1984. 2 any railway employee US, 1946. < on the rail in American casinos, observing the gambling but not playing US, 1985 rail verb to arrest or detain someone US, 1995 railbird noun 1 in horse racing, an enthusiast who watches morning workouts, carefully clocking performances US, 1931. 2 in American casinos, a thief who steals chips from inattentive gamblers US, 1985. 3 in pool, a spectator US, 1993 raildog noun a backstage technician who works with set rigging on a catwalk US, 1991 railfi eld verb a thief who simply grabs shop merchandise and runs from the shop US, 1960 rail job; rail noun a drag racing car with a chassis made of rail-like metal bars; a drag racing car regardless of the chassis construction US, 1963 rail lugger noun in horse racing, a horse that prefers to run near or next to the inside rail US, 1947 rail on; rail verb to criticize or reprimand someone US, 1987 railrat noun in the language surrounding the Grateful Dead, a member of the audience who prefers to see the show from as close as possible to the band, right on the rail US, 1994 railroad verb to move your jaw from side to side obsessively and involuntarily after sustained amphetamine use US, 1989 railroad bible noun a deck of playing cards US, 1976 railroad dick noun a private guard employed by a railway company US, 1958 railroad flat noun an apartment consisting of connected long, narrow rooms US, 1956 railroad tracks noun the bars on a captain’s uniform signifying his office US, 1947 railroad weed noun marijuana, especially of inferior quality. From the weeds that flourish alongside railway lines, not necessarily WEED (marijuana) US, 1974 rails noun that part of a racecourse where the rails bookmakers are situated; hence, big-time bookmaking AUSTRALIA, 1981 rail sandwich noun a surfboard between your legs US, 1978 rails bookmaker; rails bookie noun one of the more prestigious bookmakers AUSTRALIA, 1950 railway station noun an ‘allocation’ prison from which prisoners are forwarded UK, 1999 ráiméis noun foolish, nonsensical, ill-founded talk IRELAND, 2001 rain verb < if it was raining I am extremely unlucky AUSTRALIA, 1965. < rain pups and pussies to rain very hard US, 1990 rain and pour; rain verb to snore. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 rainbow noun 1 a capsule of amobarbital sodium and secobarbital sodium (trade name Tuinal™), a combination of central nervous system depressants US, 1966. 2 in casinos, a bet comprised of differ- ent colour and different value betting chips US, 1991. 3 in oil drilling, a very small showing of oil in a hole US, 1954. 4 a soldier who joins a fighting unit after conflict has ceased. Used in both World Wars; a rainbow comes after a storm AUSTRALIA, 1919. < go up the rainbow to experience sexual ecstasy UK, 1972 rainbow hand noun a poker hand with cards of all four suits US, 1950 rainbow jumper noun in basketball, a high, arcing jump shot US, 1974 rainbow party noun oral sex on one male by several females, all wearing different colours of lipstick US, 2003 rainbow roll noun a multi-coloured assortment of barbiturate capsules US, 1973 rainbows noun 1 LSD. Presumably from the pictures printed on the blotting paper dose UK, 1998 . 2 the recreational drug methaqualone, best known as Quaaludes™ UK, 1983 rain check noun 1 a request or promise to take up an invitation at a convenient time; a postponement of any arrangement. From the ticket given to a spectator at an outdoor event providing for a refund/admission at a later date, should the event be interrupted by rain US, 1930. 2 the reduction of a criminal penalty; parole, probation US, 1949 raincoat noun a condom. Figurative use of waterproof wear US, 1970 Raincoat Charlie noun a striptease audience member who masturbates beneath the safety of his raincoat US, 1981 raincoater noun a stereotypical perverted pornography fan US, 2000 raincoat job noun a sexual fetish involving urination on your partner US, 1993 rain dance noun in computing, an action that is expected to be taken but will likely produce no results US, 1974 raggastani | rain dance 528 rained out adjective postponed. A term from sports, especially baseball, but applied more broadly to refer to, for example, a class on a given day that has been postponed US, 1995 raining and pouring; raining noun snoring. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 rainmaker noun a member of an enterprise whose job includes procuring clients or business by the use of charm US, 1985 rain room noun a shower room US, 1968 Rainy City nickname Manchester, UK UK, 1981 rainy day woman noun marijuana. This seems to have been inspired by the following lyric: ‘Everybody must get stoned’ by Bob Dylan, ‘Rainy Day Women #12 & 35’, 1966 US, 1982 raise noun 1 stake money; a monetary profit UK, 2000. 2 parents US, 1972. 3 the arm US, 1973 raise verb 1 (used of a male) to achieve an erection BAHAMAS, 1971. 2 to identify yourself to a fellow traveller US, 1957. 3 to bail someone out of jail US, 1973. < raise Cain to make a disturbance; to complain or quarrel noisily and angrily US, 1930. < raise hell to make a dis- turbance; to make a din; to cause trouble US, 1896. < raise sand to argue loudly, creating a problem US, 1965 raiser noun 1 a lookout who warns confederates of approaching police US, 1992. 2 a criminal who specialises in forging increases in the amount payable to an otherwise legitimate cheque or security US, 1950 raise up verb 1 to make someone angry US, 2001. 2 to warn someone US, 1992. 3 to be released from prison US, 1990 raisinhead noun a black person. Offensive US, 1978 raisin jack noun a potent and vile alcoholic beverage brewed by letting raisins ferment, usually in prison US, 1986 raisin picker noun on the railways, a worker from Fresno, California. Fresno is regarded as the raisin capital of the US US, 1975 raisin snap noun alcohol made from fermented raisins US, 1988 raize verb to annoy or harass someone US, 1991 rajah noun an erection NEW ZEALAND, 1998 rajamuffin noun a member of a British Indian (Hindi) urban youth gang or subculture. A play on raggamuffin UK, 2006 Rajputana noun a banana. Rhyming slang, formed from a ship that berthed in London’s Royal Docks UK, 1998 rake noun 1 an amount of something; a large quantity IRELAND, 1995. 2 acombUS, 1960 . 3 in pool, a device used to support the cue stick for a hard-to-reach shot US, 1990 rake verb to lower the front end of a car US, 1970 . < rake a game to charge card players for the privilege of playing US, 1977. < rake the leaves to drive at the back of a group of trucks travelling on a motorway together, watching for police from the rear US, 1976 raked adjective drunk US, 1990 rakehell noun an utter scoundrel UK, 1554 rake-in noun the financial results of an enterprise US, 1947 rake in; rake verb to make money, especially in generous quantities or at an enviable speed UK, 1583 rake-off noun money obtained from a crime or as a bribe US, 1899 Rakkasans nickname the 3rd Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment. Distinguished airborne and air assault soldiers in World War 2, Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf. From the Japanese for ‘parachute’, named during the first four years of occupation duty in Japan US, 1989 rakli noun a girl; a woman. Romany in current English gypsy use UK, 2000 Raleigh bike noun a lesbian. Rhyming slang for DYKE,formedona product of a well-known bicycle manufacturer UK, 1992 rally verb to go out drinking US, 1974 ralph noun 1 a right turn US, 1968. 2 vomit US, 1975 ralph verb to vomit US, 1966 Ralphed up adjective dressed in a smart casual style. From Ralph Lauren (b.1939), designer of the Polo™ range of casual clothing UK, 1997 ram noun amyl or butyl nitrite. Reflecting popular male gay use, possibly deriving from a brand name US, 1998 ram verb (from a male perspective) to have sex, perhaps violently. Mainly derived from ‘ram’ (a male sheep), but the thrusting action echoes ‘ram’ (to batter with a long pole) UK, 2001 -rama; -erama; -orama suffix used for conveying a superlative qual- ity or quantity. From Greek orama (a view) US, 1954 rama-lama noun rock ’n’ roll music. From the doo-wop song ‘Rama Lama Ding Dong’ recorded by the Edsels in 1959, and somehow thought to capture the joie de vivre of the music UK, 2001 Rambette noun a female Rambo – reckless, fearless, the warrior woman US, 1992 rambler noun a (portable) radio UK, 1996 rambling ROK’s noun ground troops of the Army of South Korea (the Republic of Korea) US, 1964 Rambo noun 1 a soldier with too much of a sense of drama and too little intelligence. After the 1982 film starring Sylvester Stallone as an invincible if mentally unstable Vietnam veteran US, 1989. 2 an intolerant prison officer who would rather punish inmates. From the 1982 film starring Sylvester Stallone as a military man who uses the most extreme measures to quell his opponents. In use in UK prisons in 2002 UK, 2002. 3 heroin UK, 1998 Rambo rag noun a handkerchief worn on the head. Worn by Stallone in the film US, 1991 ramjam adverb absolutely crammed UK, 1879 rammed adjective crammed, stuffed full UK, 1996 rammies noun trousers; pants. Rhyming slang. Shortening of ‘rammy rousers’, rhyming slang for ‘trousers’ AUSTRALIA, 1906 rammy noun a brawl; a noisy argument, a row; a bustling crowd UK: SCOTLAND , 1935 rammy verb to take part in crowd violence UK: SCOTLAND, 1996 ramp noun 1 a search of a prisoner or prison cell. Conducted to search for contraband, though often carried out with much destruction in order to harass the prisoner AUSTRALIA, 1919. 2 a public house bar counter; hence, a public house. From an earlier, more general, sense as a shop counter UK, 1935 ramp verb 1 to swindle, to con; to rob, to mug; to make trouble. Contemporary use is mainly West Indian and UK black UK, 1812. 2 to pretend. A variation of the sense ‘to swindle, to con’ UK, 2000. 3 to search a prisoner or a prison cell AUSTRALIA, 1919 ramped adjective drunk US, 1992 ram-raid verb to rob a premises using a vehicle as a battering ram and driving it through a window or a wall UK, 1987 ram-raid; ram-raiding noun a method of robbery that utilises a motor vehicle as a battering ram to gain entry, often using the vehicle to make off with stolen goods UK, 1991 ramraider noun 1 a criminal involved in ram-raiding UK, 1991. 2 a powerful amphetamine sulphate UK, 1990s ramrod noun the penis; the erect penis UK, 1902 Ramsgate Sand; Ramsgate noun the hand. Rhyming slang, formed on the Kent seaside resort UK, 1992 ram’s pasture noun in oil drilling, non-productive land US, 1954 ram tube noun in a drag racing car, an injector that forces air into a carburettor US, 1970 ranch noun 1 a house US, 1960. 2 any place where marijuana is sold US, 1945. 3 to a trucker, anywhere you spend the night US, 1976 ranch verb to idle; to spend time doing little US, 1991 Ranch Hand noun a C-123 aircraft equipped with tanks filled with defoliants used on the Vietnam jungle US, 1969 rancid adjective 1 in poor taste US, 1989. 2 excellent; brilliant AUSTRALIA, 1993 529 rained out | rancid randan noun a spree of wild, debauched, hedonistic behaviour, especially if heavy drinking is involved. Usually in the phrase ‘on the randan’ UK: SCOTL AND, 1985 Randolph Scott; Randolph noun a spot. Rhyming slang, based on the name of film actor Randolph Scott, 1903–87 UK, 1992 random adjective ordinary if unexpected. A major word of the 1990s US youth, just a tad to the slang side of conventional English US, 1968 R and R noun 1 rest and rehabilitation; rest and recovery; rest and recreation; rest and recuperation; rape and restitution; rape and ruin; rape and run. Despite disagreement on the ‘R’s’, the meaning is the same – a brief stint away from combat or regular duty US, 1953. 2 rock ’n’ roll UK, 1977. 3 rape and robbery. A cynical play on the US military ‘r and r’ (rest and recreation) UK, 1996 randy adjective 1 sexually aroused; feeling lecherous. From Scottish dialect randy UK, 1847. 2 homosexual, perhaps seen as a threatening or predatory characteristic. Public schools use, probably deriving from the more general sense as ‘lecherous or sexually aroused’ when applied in a single-sex environment UK, 1968 randy Andy nickname Prince Andrew; any man named Andrew UK, 1984 randy comedown noun a desire for sex as the effects of drug use wear off UK, 2002 rane noun cocaine; heroin UK, 2003 rang noun a person who is acting very oddly. An abbreviation of ‘orangutan’ US, 1966 rangdoodles noun in poker, a temporary increase in the betting limit after a player has won a hand with an agreed-upon, rare and excellent hand US, 1967 Ranger’s Bible noun the US Army Ranger handbook, a supplemen- tal training document for long-range reconnaissance patrols US, 1990 rangood noun wild marijuana. Probably a playful misspelling of RANGOON UK, 2003 rangoon noun wild marijuana US, 1968 Rangoon noun a prune. Rhyming slang, formed from the Burmese capital UK, 1992 rank verb 1 to disparage; to insult, especially in a formulaic or ritual manner US, 1945 . 2 to bungle or ruin something US, 1950 rank adjective unpleasant; stupid; bad-smelling. In the world of bad-is- good alienated youth, ‘rank’ can be good or bad US, 1955 ranking adjective 1 excellent; admirable. Also shortened to ‘ranks’ UK, 1985. 2 average, mediocre JAMAICA, 2000 rank out verb to offend or disgust someone by doing something rank US, 1997 ran-tan noun < on the ran-tan on a drinking spree IRELAND, 1977 rap noun 1 a criminal charge US, 1903. 2 blame or responsibility US, 1927 . 3 a prison sentence US, 1927. 4 a clever line of improvised chat, speech or conversation. Black coinage, adopted and popularised by hippies US, 1967. 5 a popular music genre in which a rhythmic lyric is spoken over a musical background US, 2002 . 6 a meandering, unstructured group discussion US, 1967. 7 the way in which a person expresses himself or herself US, 1975. 8 a very small amount US, 1973. < ride the rap to serve a prison sentence without losing control, hope or sanity US, 1991 rap verb 1 to talk without an agenda, aimlessly but honestly. Found before the 1960s, but truly a word of the 60s US, 1929. 2 to criticise someone US, 1957. 3 to accuse someone falsely or to seek a more serious sentence for someone than their crime deserves US, 1965. 4 to perform semi-spoken lyrics over a musical background US, 1979 raparazzi noun an elite grouping within hip-hop culture. Extends RAP (the pre-eminent hip-hop music style) on the model of PAPARAZZI (photographers who prey on celebrities); the suggestion of preying remains UK, 2002 rape verb in computing, to destroy a program or data without hope of recovering it US, 1991 rape tools noun the penis and testicles US, 1962 rapid adjective excellent IRELAND, 2003 rapo; rape-o noun arapistUS, 1972 rap parlor noun a brothel in disguise as a massage parlour in disguise as a business where you pay to talk to women. For those entrepreneurs who do not have what it takes to obtain a massage licence US, 1982 rap partner noun in a criminal enterprise, a person who will accept responsibility for a venture gone poorly and serve a jail sentence US, 1977 rapper noun 1 a performer of rap lyrics US, 1979. 2 the mouth; the voice US, 1969. 3 the chief witness for the prosecution in a criminal trial US, 1962 rappie noun a partner in crime US, 1981 rap session noun a group discussion, unstructured and uninhibited US, 1969 rap sheet noun a record of a person’s past arrests and convictions US, 1960 rapt adjective delighted. Variant of WRAPPED AUSTRALIA, 1963 raptor noun a rap performer who is also an actor US, 1998 Raquel Welch noun a belch. Rhyming slang formed from the name of the film actress (b.1940) UK, 1992 Raquel Welch verb to belch. Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the US actress (b.1940) UK, 1971 rare adjective 1 excellent; very enjoyable UK: SCOTLAND, 1985. 2 of someone, unusual, eccentric. Sometimes ‘wild rare’ is also used IRELAND, 1992 rare as rocking horse shit adjective extremely rare or scarce AUSTRALIA, 1944 rare gr oove noun a fashionable style of dance music and its presen- tation. Coined by pirate radio presenter Norman Jay UK, 1999 raring to go adjective eagerly impatient to get started US, 1935 rark-up noun an argument or rebuke NEW ZEALAND, 1995 rark up verb to rebuke or annoy someone NEW ZEALAND, 1997 ras! used for expressing surprise US, 2004 rash noun < be all over someone like a rash 1 to smother someone with affection, kisses, etc AUSTRALIA, 1965. 2 to be easily outdoing an opponent AUSTRALIA, 1961 rashie noun an upper garment worn by surfers. Originally worn under a wetsuit in order to prevent WETTIE RASH AUS TRALIA, 1996 raspberry noun 1 a disapproving fart-like noise. From out-of-date rhyming slang, ‘raspberry tart’ for FART UK, 1890. 2 a light grazing of the skin. Skateboarders’ slang; from the appearance UK, 1998. 3 a sore or abcess on an intravenous drug user from repeated injections in the same spot US, 1973. 4 a male who trades sex for drugs US, 1995 raspberryland nickname Tasmania. From the crop. Hence, a Tasmanian is called a ‘raspberrylander’ AUSTRALIA, 1966 raspberry ripple; raspberry noun a disabled individual. Rhyming slang for ‘cripple’ UK, 1977 raspy adjective 1 excellent US, 1982. 2 bad, unpleasant US, 1977 rass noun the buttocks; hence, used as a term of abuse. From ARSE JAMAICA , 1790 rasta box noun a large portable stereo system associated, stereotypically, with black youth culture US, 1988 Rastafarian noun MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy. Specifically used of any tablet of MDMA stamped with a stylised image of a dreadlocked head UK, 2004 rasta weed noun marijuana. Marijuana is famously central to Rastafarian ritual US, 2001 Rastus noun used as a derogatory personification of a black male US, 1949 rat noun 1 a person who informs on or otherwise betrays compatriots UK, 1902. 2 a despicable person UK, 1594. 3 an enthusiast of the preceding activity or thing US, 1864. 4 a railway detective US, 1977. 5 a prostitute BARBADOS, 1965. < like a rat up a drainpipe; likearatupadrain very swiftly. Often used with ‘up that/her’, randan | rat 530 in which case it is usually of a woman objectified in a sexual context AUSTRALIA, 1971. < like a rat up a rhododendron very swiftly. A jocular variation of LIKE A RAT UP A DRAIN AUSTRALIA, 1971. < like a rat up a rope/shoreline with great speed AUSTRALIA, 1945 . < not give a rat’s ass; not give a rat’s arse to not care at all US, 1971. < rat’s died up your arse used of an especially noxious fart UK, 2001 rat verb 1 to inform. Perhaps from an earlier political sense of changing political parties US, 1934. 2 to rob or loot a person or place AUSTRALIA, 1898 rat adjective disloyal, untrustworthy; US, 1955 rat and mouse noun 1 a house. Rhyming slang; first recorded in Songs and Slang of the British Soldier: 1914–1918, John Brophy and Eric Partridge, 3rd edition, 1931. Recorded in the US in 1943 UK, 1931. 2 an informer. Rhyming slang for LOUSE (a despicable person) UK, 1961 rat-arsed; ratarsed adjective drunk UK, 1982 ratatouille noun a nightclub that caters to a mix of gay and straight customers. A culinary allusion UK, 2003 ratbag noun a contemptible person. A ‘ratbag’ can be merely a person with odd notions, an eccentric, or someone whose ideas or behaviour verge on the insane AUSTRALIA, 1890 ratbaggery noun behaviour which is eccentric, despicable or otherwise contemptible AUSTRALIA, 1943 rat belt noun in computing, a self-locking cable tie US, 1991 rat bite noun a skin bruise caused by sucking. Hawaiian youth usage US, 1982 ratboy noun 1 among a group of drug users, a person who will sample any drug before the group uses it. An allusion to the rat as the subject of laboratory experiments US, 1987. 2 a member of a subcultural urban adolescent grouping defined by a hip-hop dress and jewellery sense UK, 2000 rat caper noun a minor crime CANADA, 1976 ratchet noun any weapon US, 2003 ratchet jaw noun a person who talks too much and says too little US, 1965 ratchet-mouth verb to talk incessantly US, 1981 rat-cunning noun craftiness AUSTRALIA, 1979 rat cunning adjective crafty AUSTRALIA, 1970 rat-drawn adjective used of shoes, pointed US, 1976 rat-eyed adjective drunk UK, 1998 ratfink; rat fink noun 1 a despised person. Combines RA T (someone unpleasant) and FINK (someone despised, an informer) US, 1964. 2 an informer. Combines RAT (an informer) and FINK (an informer) US, 1965 rat fuck noun 1 a chaotic military disaster US, 1930. 2 a despicable person US, 1922. 3 a damn US, 1971. 4 a prank US, 1965 Rat Fuck noun the Reaction Forces of the South Vietnamese Army US, 1990 ratfuck verb to pull a prank US, 1965 ratfuck operation noun any operation characterised by poor planning, confusion or chaos. Frequently used in the Vietnam war US, 1990 rat head noun a person, especially a woman, who conveys a complete lack of taste and finesse US, 2004 rat hole noun 1 a small, messy, cluttered place UK, 1812. 2 a railway tunnel US, 1975 rat-hole verb to stash something away, usually secretively US, 1948 rat house noun an insane asylum AUSTRALIA, 1900 rat jacket noun a reputation for being an informer US, 1973 rat-legged adjective drunk. A variation of RAT- ARSED UK, 2002 rat motor noun in hot rodding, a Chevrolet engine, usually 396 cubic inches or larger US, 2001 rat-on noun an erection NEW ZEALAND, 1995 rat out verb to inform on someone US, 1990 rat pack noun 1 in competition surfing, competitors vying for the lead US, 1988. 2 a group of young gang members US, 1951. 3 aration of food issued to South African soldiers; a package of food SOUTH AFRICA , 1984 rat-pack verb to surround and attack someone US, 1971 rat race noun 1 any hectic and non-productive situation, activity or lifestyle US, 1947. 2 the face. Rhyming slang UK, 2003 rat row noun an area in a jail or prison reserved for police informers who would not be safe in the general population of the facility US, 1982 rat run noun a narrow way between buildings; a back alley; a side road, especially if used in a short-cut; a route through back streets that is used by motorists avoiding heavy traffic UK, 1977 rats noun combat rations US, 1976 rats! used as an expression of annoyance or dismissal US, 1886 rats and mice; rats noun 1 dice. Rhyming slang UK, 1932. 2 rice. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 rat’s coffin noun a meat pie AUSTRALIA, 2003 ratshit noun a despicable person or thing US, 1994. < go to ratshit to go very wrong UK, 1995 ratshit adjective no good; dreadful AUSTRALIA, 1970 ratted adjective drunk UK, 2002 ratter noun 1 a police informer; a traitor to a cause or enterprise US, 1975. 2 a thief, especially one who steals opal from another’s mine AUSTRALIA, 1932 rattle noun dice US, 1983. < give a rattle to have sexual intercourse with a female IRELAND, 2001 rattle verb to agitate or to unnerve someone US, 1887. < rattle beads to complain US, 1970. < rattle your cage to annoy or to aggravate you; to arouse your indignation UK, 1990. < rattle your dags to hurry NEW ZEALAND, 1968 rattle and clank; rattle noun a bank. Rhyming slang UK, 1962 rattle and hiss; rattle noun an act of urination; urine. Rhyming slang for PISS UK, 1998 rattler noun 1 a train UK, 1871. 2 Boston’s underground system, the Massachusetts Transit Authority US, 1997 rattler-jumping adjective travelling by illegally catching trains AUSTRALIA, 1969 rattlesnake noun < like a rattlesnake of a woman, describes vigorous participation in sexual intercourse UK, 2000 rattlesnakes; rattles noun delirium tremens. Rhyming slang for SHAKES UK, 1992 rattling adjective in an energetic state, possibly as a result of drug abuse UK, 2000 rattling adverb used as an intensifier, especially when describing adventure fiction UK, 1829 rattling-cove noun a taxi. Derived from late C17-C18 usage (a coachman) UK, 2002 rat trap noun 1 a dilapidated, shoddy building UK, 1838. 2 a fox hole that accommodated two or three Viet Cong who hid and slept there during the day US, 1990. 3 a Japanese person. Rhyming slang for JAP, a pejorative term dating from World War 2 and lingering among veterans of that conflict (especially prisoners of war). Also shortened to ‘rat’ UK, 1992 rat turds noun an Oak Leaf Cluster, a military decoration indicating that the soldier has received another decoration more than once US, 1990 ratty adjective 1 wretched, miserable, mean; stained, tattered US, 1867. 2 angry, irritated UK, 1909. 3 foolish, odd, eccentric NEW ZEALAND, 1998. 4 crazy AUSTRALIA, 1895 raunch noun in the usage of youthful model road racers (slot car racers), a slow car US, 1997 rau n chy adjective 1 sexually provocative, risqué; used as a euphemism for pornographic US, 1967. 2 inept, poorly done; 531 rat | raunchy unpleasant, contemptible; dirty US, 1939. 3 used of music, abrasive, aggressive US, 1982 ravaged adjective drunk UK, 2002 rave noun 1 a party; a bottle party; a party open to the public, often announced and sited clandestinely, featuring drugs, music and sensory overload. Variant of ‘rave up’. First used of wild parties in the late 1950s, then by MOD(s) in the 60s; revived in the 80s for parties on such a scale that both UK culture and law were signifi- cantly changed UK, 1992. 2 an enthusiastic review US, 1926. 3 the object of a passionate liking or craze UK, 1959 rave verb 1 to express an enthusiasm for something UK, 1704. 2 to enjoy the music and other sensations of a rave US, 1995 . 3 to persist in discussing something that does not interest anyone else involved in the discussion US, 1981 rave drug noun any chemical or ‘designer’ drug associated with dance and club culture UK, 2003 rave energy noun MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy. The rave culture was fuelled by MDMA UK, 2003 raven adjective gluttonous; greedy GRENADA, 1996 raver noun 1 a dedicated hedonist, party-goer, sexual adventurer or drug taker. Extended from the sense as a ‘passionate enthusiast’. Defined as ‘a young woman who is enthusiastically promiscuous or merely of a passionate (but not promiscuous) nature UK, 1968. 2 someone who goes to a rave UK, 2000. 3 a homosexual male UK, 1996 rave-up noun a social gathering. Used ironically of a mild, as opposed to wild, party, by people old enough to remember the rave-ups of the 1960s UK, 1984 ravey adjective characteristic of raving UK, 2000 raving adjective used as an intensifier; complete, excellent, utmost, etc UK, 1959 Ravi Shankar noun a wanker. Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the celebrated Indian musician (b.1920) UK, 2003 raw noun crack cocaine US, 1994. < in the raw naked US, 1934 raw adjective 1 exciting; excellent US, 1987. 2 naked US, 1931. 3 undiluted US, 1974. 4 unembalmed US, 1987 raw fusion noun heroin UK, 2002 rawhide noun heroin UK, 2002 rawhide verb to drive those under your supervision to work very hard US, 1962 raw-jaw verb to ignore someone; to bless someone with silence US, 1992 raw meat noun a new recruit in the US Army US, 1948 raw prawn noun a raw deal AUSTRALIA, 1957 raymond yes, affirmative. Citizens’ band radio French vraiment (truly, indeed) UK, 1981 rays noun radiology US, 1994 . < bag some rays; catch some rays; cop some rays to sunbathe US, 1963 razed adjective drug-intoxicated UK, 1998 razoo noun 1 the smallest amount of money. Only ever used in negative contexts, generally ‘to not have a razoo,’ but also ‘not worth a razoo,’ ‘not get a razoo’, etc. Contextually referring to a low value brass coin, the origin of this term remains a mystery despite many guesses over the years. Needless to say no such coin ever existed. Also commonly a ‘brass razoo’, and formerly spelt ‘rahzoo’ or ‘razzoo’ though only rarely AUSTRALIA, 1919. 2 harassment US, 1949 razor verb to slash something with a razor UK: SCOTLAND, 1999 razorback noun a worker on a circus train; any circus worker other than a performer. Circus historian and linguist Joe McKennon suggested that the term may have derived from the common work command of ‘Raise ‘er back, let ‘er go’ when placing circus equipment on train wagons US, 1904 razor blade; razor noun a black person. Rhyming slang UK, 1970 razored adjective muscular and sculpted US, 1984 razor edges noun dice that are true to an extremely minute tolerance, approximately 1/1000th of a inch US, 1950 razoring noun an attack on someone with a razor. From RAZOR (to slash with a razor) UK, 1996 razz noun a telling-off; a harangue. An Eton school term UK, 1967. < on the razz; on the razzle a period of drinking, partying and other self-indulgent pleasures. Derives from a shortening of ‘razzle- dazzle’ (excitement). ‘Razzle’ (a good time) is first recorded in 1908 UK, 1915. < the razz abeatingIRELAND, 1962 razz verb to heckle; to show contempt; to jeer. Short for RASPBERRY ,a derisive sound US, 1919 razzberry noun a jeering, derisory, farting noise. Extends RAZZ (to jeer) back to a variation of its source: RASPBERRY US, 1922 razzled noun drunk. Derives from ON THE RAZZLE, (having a good time, partying) UK, 2002 razzle-dazzle noun 1 confusion; chaos; bewilderment US, 1889. 2 sexual intercourse UK, 1973. 3 in circus and carnival usage, a prostitute US, 1981 razzmatazz noun 1 old-fashioned, sentimental jazz. The term was originally used, before use of the word ‘jazz’, to describe an early jazz-like music US, 1936. 2 a showy outward appearance UK, 1958. 3 extreme pleasure US, 1953 razzy adjective tattered; unkempt BARBADOS, 1965 RB noun an enthusiastic sportsman whose character is formed by the aggressive pursuit of masculinity and frequently demonstrated by his boorish behaviour and drunken socialising. An abbreviation of RUGGER BUGGER SOUTH AFRICA, 1991 RC adjective Roman Catholic UK, 1762 RCH noun a tiny notional unit of measure. An abbreviation of RED CUNT HAIR , perceived as a smaller unit even than a simple CUNT HAIR US , 1968 RCMP noun in Canada, a Roman Catholic Member of Parliament CANADA, 1985 RD noun a red-coloured capsule of secobarbital sodium (trade name Seconal™), a central nervous system depressant. An initialised RED DEVIL US , 1977 reach verb to be prepared to fight US, 2004. < reach out and touch someone to telephone. From a 1982 American Telephone and Telegraph advertising slogan US, 1989 reach-around noun manual stimulation of the passive partner’s genitals by the male penetrating from behind US, 1987 read verb 1 in poker, to try to discern an opponent’s hand US, 1979. 2 in sports, to anticipate an opponent’s movement US, 1984. 3 in transsexual usage, to detect a person’s genetic sex US, 1987. < read (someone) the riot act to give someone a very stern lecture or reprimand. From a law enacted by George I limiting the activities of groups of 12 or more UK, 1906. < read a shirt to look for signs of body lice US, 1981. < read between the lines said when three fingers are raised in an insolent gesture. The index finger is the one ‘between the lines’; this is, therefore, a catchphrased elabor- ation of a familiar insulting gesture. Reported by a variety of mothers in Cardiff and Bristol during April 2005 and generally credited to 8-year-old children UK, 2005. < read the riot act to instruct a prisoner who is about to be released on the legal restrictions concerning firearms. From the sense ‘to give someone a very stern lecture or reprimand’ UK, 1996. < you wouldn’t read about it you wouldn’t believe such bad luck! AUSTRALIA, 1950 readable adjective used of a casino blackjack gambler, sloppy in dealing or generous with body language, in either event revealing to players the strength of his hand US, 1991 read and write noun a fight. Rhyming slang, never used in a shortened form UK, 1857 reader noun 1 a book; a magazine; a newspaper. From the early C18 usage as a ‘pocket-book’ which moved into the current sense during the mid-C19 UK, 1996. 2 a ‘Wanted’ poster or handbill US, 1926. 3 a counterfeit driving licence US, 1985. 4 a prescription for a narcotic US, 1950. 5 a marked card US, 1894 ravaged | reader 532 readers noun 1 reading spectacles UK, 1961. 2 special tinted eye glasses used for reading marked cards US, 1985 readies; reddies noun cash money. A variation, not a plural, of READY, in turn an abbreviation of ‘ready money’ UK, 1937 read my lips pay attention to what I am saying, for it is the bedrock truth. A pop phrase embraced in a show of bravado by George Bush when he was running for president of the US in 1988: ‘Read my lips – no new taxes’ and then the gist of endless ridicule when, two years later, he advocated a new tax. Actor Tim Curry named an album that he recorded in 1978 Read My Lips, later explaining to William Safire that he took the phrase to mean ‘Listen and listen very hard, because I want you to hear what I’ve got to say’ US, 1988 ready adjective competent US, 1946 ready; reddy noun cash money. An abbreviation of ‘ready money’ UK, 1639 ready eye noun a police trap. From READY-EYED (well informed or betrayed to the police) UK, 1996 ready-eye verb (of police) to operate an official surveillance UK, 2000 ready-eyed adjective 1 used by criminals of a planned crime that has been betrayed and is therefore a police trap UK, 1975. 2 in police use, well informed, knowing the detailed truth of a situation UK, 1977 ready for Doctor Jesus adjective about to die US, 1966 ready, Freddie used for signalling readiness US, 1952 ready-made noun a commercially manufactured cigarette US, 1952 ready rocks; redi rocks noun a form of cocaine prepared for smoking US, 1989 ready-rolls noun commercially manufactured cigarettes US, 1951 ready-to-run noun in the usage of youthful model road racers (slot car racers), a shop-bought car that has not been modified or enhanced US, 1997 ready whip noun a non-commissioned officer fresh out of training. From the pressurised sweet topping advertised as instant whipped cream US, 1991 real noun the truth US, 1972. < on the real 1 genuine. Black usage UK, 2000. 2 seriously US, 1993 real adjective homosexual US, 1997 real adverb really, truly; hence, used as an intensifier, greatly. The Oxford English Dictionary offers both Scottish and US origins, but the earliest slang sense is from English writer R.H. Froude UK, 1827 real bikini noun something that is excellent. Teen slang US, 1955 real bush noun a white woman. Used by US troops in Vietnam jaded by their experiences with Vietnamese prostitutes US, 1991 real case noun a serious medical emergency US, 1994 real deal noun 1 an authentic item or person; the plain truth US, 1991. 2 a youth gang member who is fully committed to the gang US, 1995 Real Deal nickname Evander Holyfield (b.1962), three times world heavyweight champion boxer US, 1992 real estate noun in war, territory to be taken, held, abandoned or lost US, 1982 reality check noun in computing, a simple test of a computer’s or program’s operating ability US, 1991 real live adjective genuine, actual. Jocular; often used of an inanimate article UK, 1887 really! used for expressing emphatic agreement US, 1973 Really Canadian Modest Police noun the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. A back-formation from the initials RCMP CANADA, 2002 Real McCoy noun a variety of marijuana CANADA, 2002 real McCoy; McCoy noun the genuine article US, 1883 real thing noun < the real thing the genuine article. Figurative slang from the conventional sense UK, 1939 real world noun the non-pornographic entertainment industry; the world outside the pornography industry US, 1995 ream verb 1 to have anal intercourse US, 1942. 2 to cheat someone. Figurative from the more literal sense of poking something up one’s rectum. Also variant ‘rim’ US, 1933. 3 to scold or punish someone. From the sense of ‘ream’ as widening a hole. ‘Ream out’ is also used US, 1950 ream adjective excellent. An intensification of the C19 sense as ‘good, genuine, honest’ UK, 2002 ream job noun 1 anal sex US, 1995. 2 a difficult situation US, 1968 rear noun the buttocks. Euphemistic UK, 1796. < get your rear in gear to get going US, 1972 rear admiral noun a proctologist US, 1973 rear-area hawk noun an officer stationed away from the field of battle who has strong, bellicose opinions about what should be done in battle. Vietnam war usage US, 1989 rear-area pussy noun a support personnel safely away from combat. Occasionally abbreviated to RAP US, 1991 rear-echelon commando noun a soldier assigned to duty safely away from combat US, 1947 rear-echelon motherfucker noun a member of the armed forces serving behind lines well away from combat. Often abbreviated to REMF US, 1976 rear-end loader noun a prisoner who hides items in their rectum AUSTRALIA, 2001 rear exit noun a retreat or flight from danger US, 1957 rear-gunner; rear seat gunner noun a male homosexual. A masculine image that employs weaponry in a metaphor for anal intercourse UK, 2000 rearrange verb < rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic; rearrange the deck chairs to focus on petty matters while ignoring major problems. From the image of the folly of worrying about the arrangement of deck chairs on the Titanic as the ship sank US, 1972 reat pleat noun fashionable trousers. Usage by Mexican-American youth (Pachucos) in the southwestern US US, 1947 reb noun any poor, rural, white southerner US, 1978 rebbish adjective poor, white and racist. From the shortened REB or JOHNNY REB, harkening to Confederate soldiers US, 1945 rebellious henchman noun the penis UK, 2003 rebel trap noun in pool, the largest regulation-size table. In the US, the large tables were unknown in the south, giving rise to this term in the north US, 1990 rebound noun 1 a person with whom you have a romantic relation- ship in close proximity to the unhappy ending of a prior relation- ship US, 1997. 2 in trucking, a return trip US, 1976. < on the rebound emotionally vulnerable following rejection by a loved-one UK, 1864 rec noun 1 a recreation ground (a municipal park) UK, 1931. 2 in prison, a recommendation given by the judge on sentencing UK, 1998 recap noun a recapitulation US, 1926 recap verb to recapitulate UK, 1950 recce; reccy noun a reconnaissance. Originally military; wider usage tends toward vaguer and more figurative shadings of the sense UK, 1941 recce verb to go on a reconnaissance; to look around. Originally military UK, 1943 receipt noun in professional wrestling, an arguably unacceptable manoeuvre that is acceptable in the context of justifiable revenge US, 2002 reck verb to consider; to think. A shortening of RECKON UK, 1997 reckon verb to esteem someone or something as worthwhile UK, 1964 recognize verb to pay attention US, 2001 recon noun reconnaisance. Often used in an adjectival sense US, 1918 recon verb to reconnoitre. Shortened for military purposes US, 1966 533 readers | recon recon by fire noun in a military situation, random gunfire designed to ascertain the presence of the enemy by return fire US, 1971 record noun < change the record!; put another record on! used to demand a change of style, subject or substance in what is being said UK, 1966 recovery room noun a golf course’s bar US, 2000 rec room noun a recreational room. A mandatory feature of suburban 1960s life in the US, where the family gathered to watch television, play table tennis, set up model trains, etc US, 1962 rectum rocket noun a fast-moving vehicle UK, 1981 recycle noun LSD UK, 1998 recycle verb < recyle the dice in bar dice games, to roll again after a roll that produces no points for the player US, 1971 red noun 1 any central nervous system depressant, especially a capsule of Seconal™ or another barbiturate US, 1979. 2 marijuana. A generic term for golden-red marijuana, clipping PANAMA RED etc US, 1982 . 3 morphine US, 1945. 4 blood. Professional wrestling usage US, 2002 . 5 in a deck of playing cards, any heart or diamond. A flush of hearts or diamonds is referred to as ‘all red’ US, 1988. 6 in American casinos, a five-dollar betting chip US, 1982. 7 a penny US, 1950. 8 a liberal; a socialist; a Marxist; a Marxist-Leninist; a Maoist; a Trotskyite; a communist; an anarchist UK, 1848. < in the red in debt. From the use of red ink to show debt in account ledgers UK, 1926 red adjective 1 made of gold, golden. In conventional use from C14, slipped into slang during C17. Also in occasional use as a noun UK, 1981. 2 of a mixed (black and white) racial heritage US, 1969. 3 drug- intoxicated. From the reddening of the smoker’s eyes JAMAICA, 1998 red and blue noun a capsule of amobarbital sodium and secobarbital sodium (trade name Tuinal™), a combination of central nervous system depressants US, 1969 red ass noun anger US, 1975 red-ass verb to annoy or tease someone US, 1994 red-assed adjective very angry US, 1962 redback noun in western Canada, a Hereford cow or steer CANADA, 1962 red badge of courage noun a notional badge awarded to someone who performs oral sex on a woman who is experiencing the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 1994 red ball noun 1 a fast freight train US, 1946. 2 a trail, path or road used by the Viet Cong or North Vietnamese during the Vietnam war US, 1991 red band; red-band noun a prisoner with privileges; a trusty UK, 1950 red biddy noun cheap red wine; also a drink of cheap red wine and methylated spirits UK, 1928 red bike noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle AUSTRALIA, 2002 red bird noun 1 a capsule of secobarbital sodium (trade name Seconal™), a central nervous system depressant US, 1953. 2 the AH- 1G Cobra helicopter. Used purely as a gunship in the Vietnam war from 1971 until the end of the conflict US, 1991 red blanket noun the corpse of a person who died with massive injuries US, 1987 red board noun in horse racing, the official sign announcing that a race’s results stand US, 1947 red box noun an ambulance US, 1976 red bread noun payment for donating blood US, 1971 red bud noun marijuana UK, 2003 Red Bull nickname Black Label™ beer. Scamto youth street slang (South African townships) SOUTH AFRICA, 2005 red bullet nickname a capsule of secobarbital sodium (trade name Seconal™), a central nervous system depressant US, 1977 red button noun aforemanUS, 1955 red can noun a can of Melbourne Bitter™ beer AUSTRALIA, 2003 red cap noun a member of the military police. From the red-topped cap that forms part of the uniform. Generally familiar from television drama series such as: Red Cap (ABC, 1964–66) and Red Cap (BBC, 2001–03) UK, 1931 red caps noun crack cocaine UK, 1998 red cent noun the lowest value denomination, hence the least amount possible. A copper cent, thus ‘red’ US, 1839 Red Centre noun the central desert regions of the Australian mainland AUSTRALIA, 1935 red chamber club noun the Senate in the Canadian Parliament. The source of the term is that the senate (the ‘Red Chamber’) has red carpets, leather chairbottoms and desk blotters CANADA, 1963 red chenke noun a light-skinned person; an unlikeable person ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, 1996 red chicken noun heroin, especially Chinese heroin US, 1969 red cross noun marijuana UK, 2003 red cunt hair noun a very small unit of measure. Sterling Johnson, in English as a Second F*cking Language, 1995, notes: ‘The term originated with the master carpenters of Cape Cod and is now universally used’ US, 1968 redders noun harness racers. Rhyming slang, from ‘red hots’ to ‘trots’ AUSTRALIA, 1989 red devil noun 1 a capsule of secobarbital sodium (trade name Seconal™), a central nervous system depressant US, 1959. 2 a type of amphetamine tablet UK, 1997. 3 heroin UK, 2003. 4 a woman’s menstrual period US, 1954 red diaper baby noun a person who was raised by Communist parents who instilled Communist beliefs and values US, 1970 red dirt marijuana; red dirt noun uncultivated marijuana US, 1960 red doll noun a capsule of secobarbital sodium (trade name Seconal™), a central nervous system depressant US, 1977 red dollars noun US military scrip in Vietnam US, 1965 red dope noun wild cannabis that has been sprayed with a bright red herbicide. The colour plus DOPE (marijuana) US, 2001 red dot noun < the red dot the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 2001 red dot special noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 2001 red dragon noun a variety of LSD UK, 1996 reddy noun an Italian. May derive from RADDIE (an Italian living in London), or take root in Italian red wine UK, 1961 8see: READY red-eye noun 1 a long, aggressive stare US, 1985. 2 an overnight aeroplane flight, arriving at its destination early in the morning US, 1968. 3 potent, impure homemade alcohol, especially whisky US, 1819. 4 fermented catsup. A prison concoction US, 1976. 5 on the railways, a stop signal US, 1946 . 6 in pinball, an activated special scoring device, usually lit in red US, 1977. 7 a flashing red light on top of a police car US, 1976. 8 the anus US, 1966 Redfern noun < get off at Redfern to practise coitus interruptus. Redfern is the railway station immediately prior to Central Station, the principal station in Sydney AUSTRALIA, 1956 red flag noun 1 an obvious indication that all is not well US, 1968. 2 when injecting a drug into a vein, the practice of drawing blood up into the syringe to verify the finding of a vein and to control the pace of the injection US, 1987. 3 a show of menstrual blood on outer clothing; hence, the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 2001. < be flying the red flag to be in the bleed period of the menstrual cycle UK, 2000 red flag day noun any day during the bleed period of a woman’s menstrual cycle UK, 2000 red flag week noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle. Also used in Scotland CANADA, 2000 red goddess noun a firefighting vehicle that is generally used for training but made available (for operation by the military) when regular firefighters and their fire-engines are out of service UK, 2002 red gunyon noun smashed marijuana seeds or gum hashish smoked in a pipe US, 1973 red head noun a match US, 1981 reco n by fire | red head 534 redheaded aunt from Red Bank noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 1999 redheaded friend noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 1999 Red Heart nickname the central desert regions of the Australian mainland AUSTRALIA, 1931 red hot noun 1 a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy UK, 1996. 2 a frankfurter US, 1950 red hot adjective extremely unfair AUSTRALIA, 1896 red hots noun 1 diarrhoea. Rhyming slang for TROTS UK, 1992. 2 trotting races. Rhyming slang for TROTS AUSTRALIA, 1966 red Ibo noun a light-skinned person of mixed black and white heritage JAMAICA, 1996 red Leb noun hashish with a reddish colour produced in the Lebanon UK, 2002 red-leg noun a poor white person BARBADOS, 1892 red-legs noun the artillery. From the red stripes on the trousers of Union artillerymen during the US Civil War US, 1971 red letter noun a letter that is smuggled out of prison UK, 1996 red letter day noun the day each cycle that the menstrual bleed commences. A neat pun on the colour of blood and the date in a calendar US, 2001 red light noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle. As in ‘red light – stop – there will be no sex’ US, 1954 red-light verb (used of a police car) to activate flashing lights and pull a vehicle off the road US, 1976 red-light adjective pertaining to prostitution US, 1900 red lilly noun a capsule of secobarbital sodium (trade name Seconal™); any central nervous system depressant. From the colour of the capsule and the name of the manufacturer US, 1977 red line noun in the used car business, the minimum which a dealer will accept for a car US, 1975 red lips noun a type of LSD. Possibly from an image printed on the drug UK, 2003 Red Mary noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 1980 Red Mike noun a woman-hater CANADA, 1946 red Mitsubishi noun PMA (paramethoxyamphetamine) or PMMA (paramethoxymethylamphetamine) when taken as a recreational drug UK, 2000 redneck noun a country-dweller, especially one whose views are con- sidered bigoted by ‘sophisticated’ citizens. Generally derogatory US, 1830 redneck radio noun citizens’ band radio US, 1977 Red Ned noun cheap red wine AUSTRALIA, 1941 redner noun < take a redner to be embarrassed IRELAND, 1996 red nigger noun a native American Indian US, 1998 red one noun 1 in carnival usage, a profitable engagement US, 1973. 2 a very short distance. A euphemized abbreviation of RED CUNT HAIR US , 1980 red onion noun on the railways, an eating establishment US, 1977 red-out noun a flood of the colour red in your vision just before you pass out from lack of oxygen US, 1990 red-penny man noun a procurer of prostitutes, a pimp AUSTRALIA, 1975 red phosphorus noun smokeable metamphetamine. From a process in the synthesis of the drug UK, 2003 red pill noun < take the red pill to go all-out for the active option. From a choice between reality and euphoria offered in the film The Matrix (1999) UK, 2005 red pussy hair noun a very short distance. Slightly less offensive than RED CUNT HAIR US, 1987 red-ragger noun aCommunistAUSTRALIA, 1916 red-ragging adjective Communist AUSTRALIA, 1938 red rattler noun a type of passenger train with dark red carriages that became noisy when travelling at speed AUSTRALIA, 1981 red river noun the bleed period of a woman’s menstrual cycle US, 1954 red rock noun granulated heroin originating in China; heroin gener- ally US, 1969 red rock opium noun a mixture of heroin, barbital, strychnine and caffeine UK, 2002 red rum noun 1 a variety of heroin. An allusion to the qualities of the legendary racehorse (steeplechaser Red Rum won the UK Grand National a record three times). Also rhyming slang for ‘dumb’ and ‘murder’ spelt backwards UK, 2001. 2 a mixture of heroin, barbital, strychnine and caffeine. Also known as RED ROCK OPIUM from which this may be formed by elision; it is interesting to note with regard to the dangerous nature of this cocktail that ‘red rum’ is ‘murder’ backwards UK, 2002 red rush noun amyl nitrite UK, 1996 reds noun 1 the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 1999. 2 a sense of anger US, 1951 red sails in the sunset the bleed period of the menstrual cycle AUSTRALIA, 1968 red seal noun a variety of cannabis resin. Branded with a red seal UK, 1996 Red Sea pedestrian noun a Jewish person. Offensive, intended as jocular; from the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14: 21–22) UK, 1979 red shirt noun 1 a troublemaker US, 1967. 2 a volunteer firefighter US, 1954. 3 a college athlete who, because he did not play in his freshman year, may matriculate and play at the varsity level for a fifth year US, 1950. 4 in roller derby, a skater who engages in rough, ‘bad guy’ tactics US, 1999. 5 a professional wrestler who is regularly scripted to lose matches to advance the careers of other wrestlers US, 2002 redskin noun in a deck of playing cards, any face card US, 1967 red snapper noun in blackjack, a dealt hand of two red cards that add up to 21 US, 1996 Red Sox are in town experiencing the bleed period of the menstrual cycle. The colour of blood signals this euphemistic adoption of the Boston baseball team US, 2001 red squad noun a police unit that engages in systematic investi- gation and record-keeping about leftist political and social action organisations unrelated to criminal conduct US, 1970 red steer noun a bushfire AUSTRALIA, 1936 red stuff noun gold UK, 1956 reds under the bed noun the communist presence lurking in Western society UK, 1972 red tape noun excessive formality; bureaucratic obstacles. Originally a literal term, referring to the red-coloured tape used in securing legal documents; later used figuratively UK, 1837 red tide noun 1 hordes of communists seen as ready to overwhelm western civilisation US, 1991. 2 the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 1999 red-top noun a tabloid newspaper at the more populist end of the readership. From the red masthead characteristic of such papers UK, 1997 reducer noun in gin, any card drawn or held for the sole purpose of reducing the number of points in unmatched cards in a hand US, 1965 red up; rid up verb to clear and clean a table after eating CANADA, 1998 red wedge noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle. Combines ‘red’, for the colour of blood, with a pun on conventional ‘wedge’ (something that fills a gap) and ‘wedgie’ (a trick with underpants) suggesting underwear; the whole being a play on Red Wedge (a 1980s alliance of musicians and actors with the UK Labour party) UK, 2001 red week noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 2001 535 redheaded aunt from Red Bank | red week [...]... plastic bag that once contained amphetamine US, 1989 rinsed adjective exhausted A play on ‘washed out’ UK, 2005 rinsing!; rinsin’! excellent; a general-purpose superlative The cry of approval offered up to a DJ who is rinsing tunes together (see RINSE), adopted by clubbers into wider usage UK, 2000 ring-a-ding | ripping iron Rin-Tin-Tin; rinty noun the leg Rhyming slang for PIN, formed from the name... cocaine UK, 2003 reel verb < reel someone in to triumph over gullibility, especially regarding a piece of trivial teasing Often accompanied by the action of reeling in a fish; sometimes the action may replace the words UK, 1999 reeling and rocking noun a stocking Rhyming slang, inspired by the fashions of the rock ’n’ roll era; usually seen in pairs UK, 1992 reels adjective without money Rhyming slang, ... ring-stinger noun a curry that produces, as an after-effect, a burning, stinging or other painful sensation in the anus UK, 2002 ringy adjective irritable US, 1932 rink rat noun a young boy who hangs around ice rinks, totally involved in hockey US, 1945 rinky-dink noun 1 something that is second rate, cheap or trivial US, 1912 2 in trucking, the 4000 model White tractor US, 1971 3 in snooker, the pink... ball UK, 1992 rinky-dink adjective inexpensive; poorly made; worthless US, 1912 rinse noun a selection of dance tunes mixed into a seamless whole; an event which features such a musical blend UK, 1997 rinse verb to mix dance tunes into a seamless whole Perhaps because of the wash of sound UK, 1999 < rinse arse; rinse skin; rinse tail to administer a severe beating TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1992 rinsebag noun... street slang (South African townships) SOUTH AFRICA, 2005 ringburner noun an act of defecation that is attended by burning, stinging or other painful sensations in the anus; often applied to the spicy food that causes such effects Combines RING (the anus) with a conventional sense of ‘burn’; upper-class society origins The following definition is offered by Ann Barr and Peter York in their 1982 Official... Rhyming slang for BIRD UK, 1950 2 a bird Rhyming slang; originally recorded in Songs and Slang of the British Soldier, John Brophy and Eric Partridge, 1930 In theatrical use as THE BIRD (a farting noise masquerading as criticism) UK, 1979 3 a piece of excrement Rhyming slang for TURD UK, 1961 Richard Todd noun a portion of fried cod Rhyming slang formed on the name of the British actor (b.1919) UK, 1992... Variants include ‘rolling in it’ and ‘rolling in money’ UK, 1782 2 under the influence of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy US, 1996 rolling bones noun dice US, 1950 rolling hot! used by helicopter gunship pilots in Vietnam to announce that a strafing attack was about to begin US, 1990 rolling lighthouse noun in trucking, a tractor and trailer embellished with many extra running lights... fashionable US, 1987 Rick Stein noun a fine Rhyming slang, formed from the name of the UK television chef (b.1947) UK, 2004 Rick Witter noun a shitter (in all senses) Rhyming slang, formed from the lead singer of Shed Seven UK, 2003 Ricky Martin; Ricky noun a side-parting Popney rhyming slang, from popular singer Ricky Martin (b.1971) Popney was contrived for www.music365.co.uk, an Internet music site UK,... 1991 ringmaster noun a railway yardmaster US, 1946 ringpiece noun the anus An ARSEHOLE in both the anatomical and figurative senses UK, 1949 ring raider noun a male homosexual An allusion to anal intercourse, based on RING (the anus) UK, 2003 ring-sting noun a burning sensation in and of the anus caused, generally, by spicy food Formed on RING (the anus) Occasionally, and originally, known as ‘ring-burn’... river noun strong drink Rhyming slang for BOOZE UK, 1930 river rat noun a river-rafting enthusiast US, 1997 River Tyne noun wine, especially inferior wine Rhyming slang, formed on a major river in the northeast of England UK, 1992 Riviera; Riviera of the south nickname any place in Antarctica perceived to be slightly warmer than the rest of the continent, especially the Antarctic Peninsula or Davis station . 1995 raining and pouring; raining noun snoring. Rhyming slang UK, 1992 rainmaker noun a member of an enterprise whose job includes procuring clients or business by the use of charm US, 1985 rain. 1993 rhythm and blues; rhythms noun shoes. Rhyming slang UK, 1998 rhythm method noun a method of cheating while playing a slot machine by controlling the spins of the inner-wheels. Playing on the name of. the slang side of conventional English US, 1968 R and R noun 1 rest and rehabilitation; rest and recovery; rest and recreation; rest and recuperation; rape and restitution; rape and ruin; rape and