Shorter Slang Dictionary The Partridge Collection A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English Eric Partridge Edited by Paul Beale Eight Edition ISBN 0–415–06568–2 (hb) A Concise Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English Edited by Paul Beale Based on the work of Eric Partridge ISBN 0–415–06352–3 (pb) Origins: An Etymological Dictionary of Modern English Eric Partridge Fourth Edition ISBN 0–415–05077–4 (hb) A Dictionary of Catch Phrases Eric Partridge Edited by Paul Beale Second Edition ISBN 0–415–05916–X (pb) A Dictionary of Clichés Eric Partridge Fifth Edition ISBN 0–415–06555–0 (pb) Shakespeare’s Bawdy Eric Partridge Third Edition ISBN 0–415–05076–6 (pb) Smaller Slang Dictionary Eric Partridge Second Edition ISBN 0–415–03969–X (pb) Shorter Dictionary of Catch Phrases Rosalind Fergusson From the work of Eric Partridge and Paul Beale ISBN 0–415–10051–8 (pb) You Have a Point There Eric Partridge ISBN 0–415–05075–8 (pb) Shorter Slang Dictionary Compiled by Rosalind Fergusson From the work of Eric Partridge and Paul Beale London and New York First published 1994 by Routledge 11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2004. Simultaneously published in the USA and Canada by Routledge 29 West 35th Street, New York, NY 10001 © Routledge 1994 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data A catalog record for this book is available from the Library of Congress ISBN 0-203-38007-X Master e-book ISBN ISBN 0-203-38624-8 (Adobe eReader Format) ISBN 0-415-08866-6 (Print Edition) Forword This volume has been derived from the magisterial work of Eric Partridge and his collaborator and successor Paul Beale. Most of the entries have been adapted from the eighth edition of the monumental A Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English (1984) and the new material that first appeared in A Concise Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English (1989), although articles have also been specially written for items that came into currency in the 1990s. The focus throughout is on slang items that are in current daily use, and familiar throughout most parts of the English-speaking world. Items originating in Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are all to be found within these covers. The policy of selection differs notably from that of Eric Partridge’s own Smaller Slang Dictionary (second edition, 1964) in that there has been no policy of ‘omitting absolutely all matter that could offend against propriety or even delicacy’. Instead, modern lexicographical practice has been followed in recording the words and phrases current in modern-day English slang without comment on the propriety or delicacy of the expressions or the concepts they describe. A a amphetamine. Drug users’ slang. Used in the USA since before 1967. abdabs or habdabs in the screaming abdabs, a state of enraged frustration, esp. in to give (sb) the screaming abdabs; to have the screaming abdabs. Since around 1950. The screaming abdabs earlier referred to an attack of delirium tremens. abo or Abo an Australian Aboriginal. Used in Australia from the mid-19th century. abortion a ludicrous or very ugly thing, as in that hat’s an abortion. Used mainly in Australia since the late 1940s; also used in the UK. above, n. the earnings of any gambling enterprise that are listed for tax and other legal purposes. Gamblers’ slang. Later 20th century. above oneself too ambitious, over-confident or conceited, as in to get above oneself. abso-bloody-lutely absolutely, utterly. An intensification of absolutely in any of its uses, including absolutely!: certainly!; I couldn’t agree more! Late 19th–20th centuries. Abyssinia ! goodbye!; a pun on ‘I’ll be seeing you!’. Since the mid-1950s, but possibly earlier (1920s) schoolboy slang. ac accumulator. Electricians’ slang of the 20th century. acca an academic rather than an intellectual. Australian. AC-DC bisexual. Adopted from the USA around 1959. A reference to electrical apparatus that can run on either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). ace, n. a showy airman. Used ironically since around 1918. From the use of the noun ace to denote an excellent fighter-pilot. ace, adj. excellent, as in an ace player, his new car is really ace! From around 1932. ace in the hole a hidden asset, to be produced when it can be used to the best advantage. Adopted from US poker-players in the mid-20th century. acid 1 heavy sarcasm; scornful criticism. 2 the psychedelic drug LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide). From around 1967. 3 in to put the acid on, to ask (sb) for a loan. Used in Australia from around 1912. acid-head a habitual user of LSD. Later 20th century. acid rock 2 acid rock modern rock music that is evocative of LSD hallucinations, being highly amplified and often accompanied by bizarre lighting effects. Later 20th century. ack-ack anti-aircraft guns and gunfire. Used during World War II. From the phonetic alphabet where ack=A. ack emma a.m.; in the morning, as in nine-thirty ack emma. Since around 1915. From the army signallers’ alphabet, where ack=A and emma=M. See also pip emma. ackers or akkas money. Since before 1925. From the Egyptian akka, an Egyptian coin. action 1 activity; great excitement or enjoyment, as in to go where the action is. Underground slang, from about 1968. 2 hence a piece of the action, an opportunity to participate in what is going on. 3 sexual intercourse, as in he got all the action he wanted. Adopted from the USA around 1970. action man a person who makes a show of being very energetic by taking part in route marches, assault courses and other strenuous activities. From the Action Man doll, which can be dressed in all sorts of uniforms and fighting gear. actor’s Bible, the the periodical The Stage. Theatrical slang. actressy characteristic of an actress; theatrical, melodramatic. Late 19th– 20th centuries. actual, yer see yer actual. Adam and Eve, v. to believe, as in would you Adam ’n’ Eve it! Rhyming slang. admin, n. administration, as in Alex is in charge of admin. Later 20th century. admin, adj. administrative, as in admin assistant. Later 20th century. adrift off course or wrong, as in her plans went adrift. 20th century. aerated esp. in don’t get (all) aerated!, don’t get excited or angry! Since around 1930. Sometimes mispronounced, intentionally or unintentionally, as aeriated. affair one’s current lover. Homosexuals’ slang; since the 1970s. Afro a hairstyle consisting of a bushy tightly-curled mass. Adopted from the USA in 1970. aft afternoon, as in this aft. Since around 1910. after afternoon, as in this after. Used in Australia since around 1906. See also afto; arvo. afters the second course of a two-course meal; sweet, dessert, pudding, as in what’s for afters? In general use by 1945. afto afternoon, as in this afto. Used in Australia since around 1920. See also after; arvo. agen or agin against. Late 19th–20th centuries. 3 all in agent, v. to act as literary agent for an author or for an author’s work. Authors’ slang. Since around 1930. aggro, n. trouble-making; aggression, aggressiveness; aggravation or annoyance. Originally hippies’ slang. Since around 1965. Short for aggravation. agin see agen. agony aunt the person who writes replies to readers’ problems in an agony column. See also sob sister. agony column the letters-and-answers page of a magazine, esp. a women’s magazine, where advice is given in response to readers’ problems. Since around 1950. airhead a stupid empty-headed person. Adopted from the USA in the later 20th century. airy-fairy fanciful; unrealistic; vague. Since the mid-1920s. a.k.a. or AKA also known as. Referring to a false, assumed, former or alternative name. From police jargon. akkas see ackers. à la… in the style of; in such-and-such a way or manner, as in surreal comedy à la Monty Python. Late 19th–20th centuries. Alan Whickers or Alans knickers, panties. Rhyming slang. Since around 1965. From the TV broadcaster, known esp. for the UK series Whicter’s World. albatross a hole played in three strokes under par. Golfers’ slang. Adopted from the USA in 1933. See also birdie; eagle. Alec see smart Alec. alibi an excuse. Since around 1935. alive-o lively; sprightly. Late 19th–20th centuries. alkie or alky an alcoholic. Adopted from the USA around 1943. all anyhow, adj. and adv. disordered; chaotic. Probably late 19th century. all clear an all-clear signal; permission to proceed, as in to be given the all clear. From around 1918. The all-clear signal originally indicated that there was no further danger from hostile aircraft. all down the line in every way and thoroughly, as in they’ve been cheating us all down the line. Later 20th century. alley cat a promiscuous person, esp. female. Adopted from the USA around 1960. all for (sth), be to be entirely in favour of (sth), as in capital punishment? I’m all for it! In general use by 1925. all hot and bothered very agitated, excited or nervous. From around 1920.