Slang and uncoventional english part 50 ppt

something; to be sick and tired of something UK, 1984. < have
had it up to here
to have had more than enough of; to be sick
and tired of. An elaboration of HAVE HAD IT; here accompanied with
a gesture that indicates the neck or the top of the head
UK, 1984.
< have it to fight UK, 1999. < have it away 1 to escape from
imprisonment or arrest; to get away
UK, 1958. 2 to steal UK, 1984.
< have it in for to bear a grudge against; to wish to harm UK,
1840s
. < have it made; have got it made to be on the point of
succeeding; to be faced with no (more) obstacles; to have it easy
US, 1955. < have it off 1 to have sex UK, 1937. 2 to succeed in a
criminal enterprise UK, 1936. < have it on your dancers to
escape; to run away. An elaboration of
HAVE IT ON YOUR TOES. UK,
1984. < have it on your t oes; have it away on your toes to
escape; to run away UK, 1958. < have legs of an idea, to have the
ability to progress. Media jargon that has seeped into wider usage
UK, 1999. < have one in the departure lounge to feel the
urgent need to defecate UK, 2002. < have yourself to indulge
yourself or provide yourself with something US, 1929
have-a-go adjective describes a person who bravely attempts to
prevent a crime; intrepid
UK, 1971
have a good one goodbye. Slightly cooler than urging someone to
‘have a good day’
US, 1984
have an apple! get lost, forget it, calm down CANADA, 1959
have been! I’ll see you later! Youth usage US, 1949

have off verb 1 to steal from UK, 1994. 2 to use without respect. A vari-
ation of the previous sense UK, 1999. 3 to defeat, to overthrow, to
supplant UK, 2001
have on verb to take up a challenge; to accept an invitation to fight
or compete AU STRALIA, 1941
have you been? have you used the lavatory? Euphemistic UK, 1969
have you ever wanted a bindi? used with humour to
accompany a threatened knuckle blow to a companion’s forehead.
A catchphrase that offers a red mark in the centre of the forehead
UK, 2003
Hawaiian noun 1 very potent marijuana cultivated in Hawaii US, 2001.
2 a marijuana cigarette UK, 2003
Hawaiian black noun a dark leafed marijuana from Hawaii, 2003
Hawaiian disease noun sexual abstinence due to an absence of
women. An allusion to the mythical illness ‘lakanuki’ (lack of sex)
US, 1987
Hawaiian head noun a strain of marijuana, known elsewhere as
New Zealand green, Thai Buddha or Tasmanian tiger US, 2002
Hawaiian homegrown hay noun marijuana grown in Hawaii UK,
2003
Hawaiian number noun any elaborate production number in a
show or movie US, 1973
Hawaiian sunshine noun LSD US, 1982
haw-eater noun an Ontarian from Manitoulin Island CANADA, 1998
hawg noun a large motorcyle, especially a Harley-Davidson US, 1984
hawk noun 1 LSD. May be used with ‘the’ US, 1966. 2 a lookout US, 1956.
3 any cold night wind, especially a strong wind that blows off Lake
Michigan across Chicago, Illinois. Often with ‘the’ US, 1946
Hawk nickname Coleman Hawkins, a leading jazz saxophonist of the
1920s and 1930s US, 1949

hawk verb 1 to expectorate sputum US, 1989. 2 to watch closely, to
check out US, 1886. 3 to make an aggressive romantic approach US,
1993. < hawk the fork (of a woman) to work as a prostitute
AUSTRALIA, 1978. < hawk your mutton to work as a prostitute UK,
1937
hawker noun expectorated sputum US, 1974
Hawkesbury Rivers noun the shivers. From the name of a river in
New South Wales AU STRALIA, 1941
hawk-eye verb to watch closely US, 1979
hawkins noun cold weather. An embellishment and personification
of HAWK US, 1934
hawkshaw noun a detective. From the name of a detective in the
1863 play The Ticket of Leave Man by Tom Taylor, and later and
more relevantly from the comic strip Hawkshaw the Detective,
drawn by Gus Mager (1913–22, 1931–48). In UK West Indian use
US, 1888
hawkshaw verb to snoop, to inquire US, 1946
haw maws noun the testicles. Glasgow rhyming slang for BAWS
(BALLS)
, from a cry to attract your mother’s attention UK: SCOTLAND,
1988
hay noun 1 a bed, either in the context of sleep or of sex US, 1903.
2 marijuana. A play on GRASS US, 1934. 3 money AUSTRALIA, 1939
hayburner noun a horse, especially a poor-performing racehorse US,
1904
hay butt noun a marijuana cigarette US, 1942
hayed up adjective marijuana-intoxicated US, 1952
hay head noun a marijuana user US, 1942
haymaker noun 1 a powerful fist blow to the head US, 1902. 2 in
cricket, a batsman’s powerful but reckless shot UK, 1954

haymaking verb in cricket, powerful but reckless batting UK, 1986
hayo noun cocaine. From a Caribbean name for the coca plant US,
1984
hayron noun heroin. Possibly a deliberately perverse pronunciation.
UK, 2003
hayseed noun a rustic or country yokel. Strongly suggests a high
degree of unsophistication US, 1851
hay shaker noun afarmerUS, 1924
haystack noun the back, the rear. Rhyming slang. ‘Going round the
haystack’ is noted as a possible euphemism for paying a visit to a
toilet
UK, 1960
hay wagon noun a brakevan (caboose) US, 1977
haywire adjective out of control; crazy; in wild disorder; chaotic. The
image of wire on a bale of hay that flails wildly when cut US, 1920
haze noun 1 LSD. A shortened form of PURPLE HAZE US, 1994. 2 a var-
iety of marijuana, 2002
haze verb to bully, insult and ridicule a homosexual. A specialised
nuance of the conventional sense (to punish, to bully)
UK, 1977
hazed adjective drug-intoxicated US, 2001
Hazel noun heroin. Abbreviated WITCH HAZEL (heroin), and sub-
sequently disguised as ‘Aunt Hazel’ US, 1949
haz-mat noun hazardous material US, 1983
HBI noun house breaking implements. Initialism UK, 1950
Hbombnoun heroin mixed with MDMA, the recreational drug best
known as ecstasy. Extended from H (heroin), playing on the
devastating power of a nuclear weapon UK, 2002
Hcapnoun a capsule of heroin US, 1990
he; him noun the penis. A derivation immemorial UK, 1970

head noun 1 a member of the counterculture, usually involving
drugs
US, 1966. 2 a habitual user of drugs. In the Vietnam war, the
term differentiated between a person who smoked marijuana and
a JUICER who abused alcohol US, 1953. 3 a state of drug intoxication
US, 1952. 4 enough marijuana to fashion a single cigarette UK, 1996.
5 a fan of hip-hop music US, 2003. 6 a respected graffiti artist US, 1997.
7 a familiarising term used to address both sexes, but more gener-
ally male. Head can also be used to designate certain groups, for
example, a ‘D4 [Dublin 4] head’ is a post southside person, not
necessarily living in the D4 postcode
IRELAND, 1997. 8 oral sex US, 1941.
9 the penis TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003. 10 a talking head. With this
shortened form, a good expert guest on a television or radio show
becomes ‘good head’ US, 2001. 11 deception TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
1993. 12 a crime victim US, 1987. 13 a toilet US, 1942. 14 music played
without a musical score US, 1946. 15 a railway worker US, 1990. < bite
someone’s head off; snap someone’s head off to attack
verbally, especially as a disproportionate response UK, 1984. < do it
standing on your head; do on your head
to achieve with ease
UK, 1896. < do your head in to emotionally overload, confuse and
make stressed UK, 1982. < get your head down; get your head
325 have-a-go | head
down to it to plead guilty. From bending the head in unspoken
affirmative
AUSTRALIA, 1975. < give head to perform oral sex US,
1956. < have a head like a sieve to be very forgetful, 1984.
< have your head screwed; have your head screwed on
right; have your head screwed on the right way

to be
shrewd and businesslike, to have a practical intelligence
UK, 1821.
< have your head up your ass stupid, unaware, uninformed
US, 1944. < need to have your head read to have ridiculous
ideas. That is ‘you need to see a psychiatrist’ AUSTRALIA, 1938. < off
your head
in a state of mental confusion; drug-intoxicated. The
latter meaning dates from the 1960s and the distinction between
the two senses may be blurred
UK, 1999. < on your head in
motor racing, flipped (of a race car) US, 1980. < out of your head
in a state of drug or drink intoxication. When combined with a
mental or emotional state, the sense varies: ‘with grief’, ‘with
worry’, etc UK, 1996. < pull your head in to mind one’s own
business AUSTRALIA, 1944. < put the head on; stick the head on
to head-butt an opponent’s face UK: SCOTLAND, 1985. < you need
your head examined; you want your head examining a
catchphrase addressed to someone who has said or done
something stupid. Originally ‘you want your head read’ but it
adapted as fashion and technique moved from phrenology to
psychiatry US, 1942. < you’d forget your head if it wasn’t
screwed on
a catchphrase addressed to (or, in the third person,
of) an absent-minded person. Variations are mainly concerned
with the method of fixing: ‘if it wasn’t attached’, ‘…tied on’,
‘…stuck on’, ‘…jammed on’, etc
UK, 1979
head verb 1 to leave US, 2003. 2 to carry (something) on your head
BARBADOS, 1965

-head suffix a habitual user of the indicated substance; hence an
enthusiast, a fan US, 1953
headache noun 1 your spouse US, 1933. 2 a journalist. Gulf war usage
US, 1991
headache! used as a warning in various industries that an object
has been accidentally dropped from a height and that those
working below should immediately take care
US, 1944
headache bar noun a steel bar welded onto a bulldozer or other
piece of heavy equipment to protect the operator from branches
or other sources of potential head injury US, 1990
headache Mary noun low grade marijuana US, 1979
headache rack noun the grill at the rear of a truck cab designed to
protect the driver and any passengers from injury if the load
should shift forward due to a sudden stop US, 1969
headache stick noun a police nightstick US, 1919
head-and-a-half noun an intellectual person AUSTRALIA, 1987
head artist noun a person skilled at giving oral sex US, 1979
headbang noun a meeting intended to generate creative and
innovative solutions. Office jargon UK, 2005
head-bang verb to jerk your head up and down to add to the
enjoyment of fast music. Collected from fans of heavy metal
music by Seamus O’Reilly, January 1995 US, 1995
headbanger noun 1 a violent psychotic UK, 1983. 2 a devotee of heavy
metal music US, 1979. 3 a prisoner who bangs his head against walls,
doors, etc UK, 1996
headbin noun a crazy, unstable person IRELAND, 2001
head case noun an emotionally troubled or mentally disturbed
person UK, 1966
head cheese noun prepuce smegma in a male US, 1941

head chick noun the dominant and favoured prostitute among a
group of prostitutes working for a pimp US, 1957
head cook and bo ttle-washer noun a person who does all the
work. Humorous. Originally ‘bottle-washer’ carried the same
meaning with or without the head cook’s help. The British adap-
tation of the earlier US
CHIEF COOK AND BOTTLE WASHER UK, 1876
head cunt noun the mouth (as an object of sexual penetration) US,
1996
head dab noun in mountain biking, a face-first fall US, 1992
head down and arse up working busily AUSTRALIA, 1945
head drugs noun amphetamines UK, 1998
head ’em verb 1 to take part in the gambling game two-up AUSTRALIA,
1902
. 2 in the game two-up, to throw a pair of heads AUSTRALIA, 1925
header noun 1 a head-first dive UK, 1849. 2 oral sex. An embellishment
ofthemorecommon
HEAD US, 1976. 3 in hot rodding, a type of
exhaust manifold that improves engine performance
US, 1948
head faggot noun a male homosexual with an appetite for
performing oral sex
US, 1996
head-faking adjective stimulating, exciting UK, 1983
headfit noun an uncontrolled outburst of temper UK, 2000
head fuck noun 1 a state of mental confusion UK, 1996. 2 something
that deliberately confuses or misleads UK, 2002
headfuck adjective confusing, misleading, especially when
deliberately so UK, 2001
head game noun a psychological ploy US, 1979

head gasket noun a condom. Conventionally, ‘a mechanical seal’,
with a further pun on HEAD (an act of oral sex) US, 1964
head gee noun a prison warden US, 1976
head-hunt verb in boxing, to try to hit the opponent in the head US,
1960
headhunter noun 1 a person who recruits others for specific jobs
with specific firms, especially professionals and executives US, 1960.
2 a psychiatrist US, 1972. 3 an oral sex enthusiast US, 1961. 4 a homo-
sexual male
US, 1990. 5 a police officer assigned to investigate
complaints of misconduct by other police
US, 1965. 6 a paid killer US,
1982
. 7 a female who trades sex for money or drugs US, 1995
head job noun an act of oral sex US, 1963
head-job verb to shoot in the head UK, 1993
head jockey noun a practitioner of oral sex on a woman US, 1971
headless chicken noun used as the object of comparison for
something or someone acting without rhyme or reason AUSTRALIA,
1957
headlights noun 1 the female breasts US, 1970. 2 the female nipples
when obviously erect although masked by clothing. A more
narrowly focused meaning from the previous sense CANADA, 2003.
3 large jewels, especially diamonds US, 1899. 4 LSD US, 1994
head like an unplayable lie noun an ugly person AUSTRALIA, 1995
head like a robber’s dog noun an unattractive person AUSTRALIA, 1971
head motherfucker in charge noun the leader of an enterprise US,
2002
head nigger in charge noun the leader of an enterprise US, 1978
head on adverb in gambling games such as twenty-one, playing

directly against the dealer without other players US, 1963
head over heels adjective deeply, completely (especially in
descriptions of love). By ellipsis from the cliché ‘fall head over
heels in love’ UK, 2003
head over turkey adverb upside down; head over heels AUSTRALIA,
1915
head phones noun a stethoscope US, 1982
head plant noun to fall face first while snowboarding US, 1993
headquarters puke noun a member of the military assigned to the
rear echelon staff. Gulf war usage
US, 1992
head rag noun a bandana or piece of cloth worn with straightened
or processed hair
US, 1973
heads and heels noun a youthful, sexually inexperienced male who
is the object of an older homosexual’s desire. The suggestion is
that you have to lift the inexperienced boy by his head and heels
to get him into position for sex US, 1979
heads down adjective in computing, so focused on a task as to be
ignorant of all else US, 1991
head serang; head sherang noun the person in charge. From
Anglo-Indian serang (a captain of a native Indian vessel), from
Persian
AUSTRALIA, 1918
head shed noun a military headquarters. Vietnam war usage US, 1963
head | head shed 326
head shop noun a shop that retails drug paraphernalia, incense,
posters, lights, and other products and services associated with
drug use
US, 1967

headshrinker noun a pyschiatrist or other therapist US, 1950
head shrinking noun the practice of psychiatry US, 1964
heads I win, tails you lose however a situation is resolved I
cannot lose. Mocking the principle that a toss of a coin normally
offers a choice of winner
UK, 1832
heads-up adjective 1 clever, alert. From the earlier sense as ‘wide-
awake’
US, 1934. 2 in motor racing, said of a competition with no
handicap US, 1993
heads-up adverb (of a game of pool) with no handicaps in effect US,
1993
head-the-ball noun acrazypersonUK, 2000
head time noun an opportunity to think UK, 1998
head-up adjective straightforward, direct US, 2001
heal verb < heal with steal to perform surgery US, 1994
healthy adjective 1 (used of a girl) well built US, 1970. 2 large, excellent
UK, 1937
heap noun 1 a car, especially an old and run-down car US, 1921. 2 a
slovenly woman, usually preceded by an adjective. Originally
dialect UK, 1806. 3 a large number, a great deal UK, 1661
heap adjective very. A crude borrowing of the speech of native
American Indians as portrayed by pulp fiction and film
screenwriters
US, 1958
heap of coke; heap noun a man. Rhyming slang for BLOKE UK, 1851
heap of shit noun a mechanical item that is old, unreliable or
broken UK, 2000
heaps noun < give someone heaps to chastise, denigrate or
attack someone unrestrainedly AUSTRALIA, 1978

hear verb to understand US, 1973
hearse noun a brakevan (caboose) US, 1930
heart noun 1 physical courage, especially as displayed in the
commission of a crime US, 1937. 2 an amphetamine capsule,
especially dextroamphetamine sulphate (trade name Dexedrine™).
From the shape of the tablet
US, 1965. < my heart bleeds for
you; my heart bleeds
faux-sympathy, used ironically for
expressing bitterness or jealousy US, 1968. < put the heart
crossways
to shock IRELAND, 1995
heartbeat noun 1 any of several signals produced by a computer or
software
US, 1991. 2 a short measure of time US, 1985
Heartbreak Hill nickname a challenging hill at approximately mile
20 of the Boston Marathon US, 1998
heartburn palace noun aroadsiderestaurantthatfeaturesgreasy
food US, 1971
heart check noun a test of courage US, 1995
heart check! I defy you!; I dare you!; I challenge you! US, 2001
heartface noun a form of address used by some homosexual men
UK, 1968
heart scald noun a troublesome individual IRELAND, 1998
hearts of oak; hearts adjective penniless. Rhyming slang for BROKE
UK
, 1934
heart starter noun an alcoholic drink taken upon waking AUSTRALIA,
1975
heartthrob noun a very attractive man US, 1926

heat noun 1 pressure, stress US, 1929. 2 the police US, 1931. 3 intense
police interest or pressure following a crime
US, 1928. 4 afirearmUS,
1926. 5 crowd or audience reaction. An entertainment industry
term embraced by professional wrestling US, 1958. 6 popularity,
audience appeal US, late 1970s. 7 in roller derby, a fight, be it scripted
or spontaneous, staged or real US, 1999. 8 in pinball, the part of the
pinball machine that rises as a panel in the front of the machine.
Conventionally known as the ‘lightbox’ US, 1977. 9 the ultimate, the
best
US, 1985. 10 a dildo US, 1999. < on heat of a woman, sexually
aroused. Correctly used of animals
UK, 1937. < take the heat to
sunbathe
US, 1968. < take the heat off; take heat off to relieve
the pressure on someone
UK, 1979
heated hell noun the worst of the worst US, 1945
heater noun 1 a revolver. The term smacks of gangster films US, 1926.
2 a linear amplifier for a citizens’ band radio US, 1976. 3 agood-
looking boy
US, 1993. 4 an excellent thing US, 2003. 5 in poker, a
period of good luck for one player
UK, 2003. 6 a large cigar US, 1918.
7 a cigarette US, 1993. < take a heater to defecate US, 2001
heater and cooler noun a shot of whisky and a glass of beer US, 1982
heating food noun any food thought to enhance sexual strength
and passion. A euphemism of social and spiritual significance.
Those seeking a godly and contemplative life (and, according to
custom, all women, especially widows) should stick to ‘cooling

foods’
INDIA, 2003
heat magnet noun anything that draws the attention of the auth-
orities. Based on
HEAT (the police) CANADA, 2002
heat station noun a police station. From HEAT (the police) US, 1963
heaty adjective under police surveillance or the subject of police
interest US, 1967
heave noun an ejection, a dismissal. Used in the construction ‘give
someone (or something) the heave’
UK: SCOTLAND, 1985
heave verb to vomit US, 1832
heave-ho noun an ejection, a dismissal US, 1932
heaven noun 1 seven or eleven. Rhyming slang, used by dice
gamblers UK, 1961. 2 cocaine UK, 2002. 3 heroin UK, 2003. 4 a billboard
in the language of graffiti artists US, 2002
heaven and hell; heaven verb to give off a bad smell. Rhyming
slang
UK, 1992
heaven dust; heavenly dust; heaven flour noun any powdered
drug; cocaine; heroin. Perhaps a positive alternative to HELL DUST
US
, 1933
heavenly blue; heavenly sunshine noun LSD US, 1977
heavenly blues noun morning glory seeds as a psychoactive agent
US, 1982
heaven on a stick noun a very good thing US, 1990
heavens above noun love UK, 1961
heaven sent noun MDMA, the recreational drug best known as
ecstasy

UK, 1996
heavens to Betsy! used as a register of shock, surprise, etc. Charles
Earle Funk researched and failed to discover the etymology of this
phrase for Heavens to Betsy!, 1955; he believed that the phrase is
certainly mid-C19 but was unable to discover its usage before 1940
US, 1940
heavens to Murgatroyd! used as a register of shock, surprise, etc.
A variation of HEAVENS TO BETSY!; popularised by Hanna Barbera’s
animated lion Snagglepuss, from 1959; also credited to US
comedian Red Skelton, 1913–97. The identity of Murgatroyd is a
mystery
US, 1959
heaves and squirts noun symptoms of heroin withdrawal. A rather
graphic way of describing vomiting and diarrhoea US, 1973
heavies noun large waves. Always in the plural US, 1961. < the
heavies
serious newspapers, as opposed to the tabloid press UK,
1950
heaviosity noun a quality of some (drug-inspired) heavy rock music
US, 1981
heavy noun 1 an experienced criminal who relies on violence and
force
US, 1930. 2 armed robbery; an armed robber US, 1950. 3 sexually
aroused, especially if aggressively so. A sense used by prostitutes
UK, 1980. 4 a physically intimidating prison officer brought in to deal
with rioting prisoners UK, 1996. 5 a lesbian prison officer UK, 1996. 6 in
the television and film industries, an antagonist US, 1926. 7 an
officer. Vietnam war coinage US, 1976. 8 an important person US,
1925. 9 heroin US, 1971. 10 a potent dose or a potent drug or both US,
1988. 11 medium gravity beer. Not to be confused with WEE HEAVY (a

barley wine)
UK: SCOTLAND, 1985. 12 a large aircraft AUSTRALIA, 1962.
13 an aircraft carrier US, 1959
327 head shop | heavy
heavy verb 1 to threaten with violence; to menace UK, 1998. 2 to
harass, threaten or victimise someone; to coerce someone
threateningly
AUSTRALIA, 1974
heavy adjective 1 very serious, very intense US, 1963. 2 wonderful,
excellent
US, 1972. 3 (of drugs) addictive US, 1959. 4 violent, inclined to
use violence US, 1902. < get heavy to study US, 1955
heavy! used for expressing approval UK, 2003
heavy A noun an assistant drill instructor, US Marine Corps US, 1987
heavy Chevy noun a Chevrolet with a big block engine US, 1992
heavy closer noun in a swindle, a person who makes the final deal
with the victim US, 1986
heavy cream noun a hefty, large-breasted woman US, 1960
heavy-duty adjective serious, intense US, 1935
heavy-fisted adjective said of a gambling house operative who takes
more than the appropriate share of the winnings of a poker game
for the house share
US, 1951
heavy-footed adjective pregnant UK: NORTHERN IRELAND, 1996
heavy hammer noun any powerful pain medication US, 1994
heavy handbag noun a rich (homosexual) boyfriend. From HANDBAG
(money); recorded in use in contemporary gay society UK, 2003
heavy-handed adjective used of a person who pours alcoholic drinks
too generously, or mixes alcoholic drinks at too great a strength.
From the conventional sense (clumsy)

UK, 1971
heavy hitter noun a person with a deserved reputation for violence.
A baseball metaphor US, 1970
heavy lifter noun a dangerous, tough person US, 2001
heavy manners noun any form of authoritarian control or discipline
experienced by black individuals or communities UK, 1994
heavy metal; HM; metal noun a music genre, characterised by
loud amplification, the primacy of electric guitars and simple,
powerful – if occasionally lumbering – rhythmic patterns. The
origin may be in military and munitions terminology but the
popular and probable etymology is as follows: ‘The term heavy
metal was originally coined by Beat novelist William Burroughs in
his Naked Lunch, reintroduced into the pop vocabulary by
Steppenwolf in their hit "Born to Be Wild" ("heavy metal thunder")
and subsequently redefined by rock critic Lester Bangs in the
heavy metal fan magazine Creem.’ (Rolling Stone Encyclopaedia of
Rock & Roll, 1983). In fact, William Burroughs wrote of Uranium
Willie, the Heavy Metal Kid, in Nova Express, 1946, 13 years before
Naked Lunch was published. Lester Bangs was writing about the
Yardbirds. In later use ‘metal’ takes over as the preferred abbrevi-
ation, creating a subtle differentiation understood by fans of heavy
music
US, 1999
heavy metaller noun a musician or fan of heavy metal music US,
1989
heavy mob noun 1 a criminal gang that relies on violence; a gang
involved in large scale crimes UK, 1944. 2 the Metropolitan Police
Flying Squad UK, 1999. 3 physically intimidating prison officers
brought in to deal with rioting prisoners UK, 1996
heavy paint-work passers noun in a dice cheating scheme, dice

that have been altered by drilling the spots and filling them with
heavy metallic paint
US, 1963
heavy petting noun mutual sexual caressing that stops shy of full
intercourse UK, 1960
heavy roller noun a very important person US, 1974
heavy strings noun useful and powerful connections BAHAMAS, 1982
heavy thumb noun in the usage of youthful model road racers (slot
car racers), a fast, reckless racer
US, 1997
heavyweight Jones noun a drug dealer who sells drugs in a manner
calculated to lead his customers to addiction US, 1971
heavy wizar dry noun in computing, designs or code that demand a
specialised and deep practical understanding US, 1991
heavy worker noun a criminal who specialises in breaking into safes
US, 1949
Hebe; Heeb noun a Jewish person. Derogatory US, 1926
Hebrew hoppers noun sandals. From the images of Jesus Christ
wearing sandals
US, 1970
heck noun used as a euphemistic alternative to ‘hell’. Originally
dialect; often exclamatory
UK, 1887
hecka adverb very. A euphemised HELLA US, 1989
heck-city adverb very US, 2004
heckety-heck noun used as a euphemistic alternative to ‘hell’ UK,
2003
hecksa adverb very US, 2004
heck you! used as a euphemistic replacement for ‘fuck you!’ FIJI, 1996
hectic adjective 1 (used of a wave) fairly treacherous US, 1988.

2 extreme, outrageous (often applied to gruesome or gory acts);
good. Teen and youth slang, noted by Sunday Times (South Africa),
1st June 2003
SOUTH AFRICA, 2003
hector! used as a euphemism for ‘heck’, itself a euphemism for
‘hell’ US, 1965
H’ed adjective addicted to heroin US, 1997
hedgehog noun any non-white person; a native of the Indian
Subcontinent; an Arab; any (non-English) foreigner. Rhyming slang
for WOG UK, 1992
hedge hopper noun a crop dusting pilot US, 1954
hedge monkey noun a member of the counterculture travellers’
community. Derogatory UK, 2001
hedge mumper noun a tramp. An elaboration of MUMPER (a tramp).
English gypsy use
UK, 2000
H-E-double toothpicks!; H-E-double hockey sticks! hell. Youth
slang, euphemistically spelt out
US, 1997
heeb noun a jittery sensation, a fearful feeling. An abbreviation of
HEEBIE JEEBIES UK, 1996
heebie-jeebies noun 1 the jitters, a sense of anxiety. Thought to
have been coined by US cartoonist Billy DeBeck (1890–1942) for
the comic strip Barney Google US, 1923. 2 delirium tremens US, 1926.
3 symptoms of withdrawal from an addictive drug US, 1987
heebies noun jitters US, 1926
Heeeeere’s Johnny used as a humorous introduction.
The drawn-out introduction of US late-night talk show host Johnny
Carson by sidekick Ed McMahon from 1962 until 1992. Widely
repeated, with variations and referential humour

US, 1980
hee-haw noun 1 loud and braying laughter UK, 1843. 2 nothing of any
worth, zero. The value of a donkey’s bray UK, 2000
heel noun 1 a dishonourable or untrustworthy individual US, 1914. 2 in
professional wrestling, a wrestler designed by the promoters to be
seen by the audience as a villain
US, 1958. 3 by extension, any figure
in the wrestling business designed by the promoters to be disliked
by the fans US, 1998
heel verb to leave without paying a bill US, 1966
heel-and-toe verb to run away quickly CANADA, 1870
heeled adjective 1 armed US, 1866. 2 provided with funds US, 1873. 3 in
possession of drugs US, 1970
heeler noun 1 a political party worker who does readily what is
ordered US, 1876. 2 an opportunistic sneak thief US, 1931. 3 in poker,
an unmatched card retained in a player’s hand when drawing
US,
1967
heelie noun in skateboarding, a manoeuvre in which the rider elev-
ates the rear wheels of the board while riding forward on the front
wheels US, 1976
heelish adjective in professional wrestling, villainous US, 1996
heel list noun a list of persons unwelcome as guests at a hotel US,
1953
heesh noun hashish US, 1982
heeze noun hashish CANADA, 2002
heezie; heezy noun < off the heezie; off the heezie for
skeezie
awesome, wonderful, cool, amazing. A hip-hop variation
of ‘off the hook’, apparently coined by rapper Snoop Doggy Dog

US, 1999
heavy | heezie; heezy 328
Hef nickname Hugh Hefner (b.1926), founding publisher of Playboy
magazine, which first appeared in December 1953
US, 1968
heffa noun a stocky girl or woman. A variation of heifer (a young
cow)
UK, 2005
hefty noun in circus and carnival usage, a performer in a strong-man
act US, 1981
hefty adjective 1 well-funded at the moment. Teen slang US, 1958.
2 intense AUSTRALIA, 2002
he-girl noun a person with mixed sexual physiology, usually the
genitals of a male and surgically augmented breasts
US, 2004
hehe in a game of on-line poker, used for acknowledging luck in
winning a hand, 2003
Heidi noun a young woman with back-to-the-earth, 1960s values and
fashion sense, especially one with pigtails
US, 2001
heifer noun a stocky girl or woman. An insult, if not a fighting word
US, 1835
heifer dust noun nonsense. A euphemism for BULLSHIT US, 1927
heifer paddock noun a girls’ school AUSTRALIA, 1885
heigh-ho! used as a signal of enthusiasm US, 1930s to 50s
height noun < from a great height used to intensify the infliction
of punishment or suffering. Always preceded with the passive
sense of a verb combined with ‘on’, e.g. ‘come down on’
UK, 1961
heing and sheing noun sex US, 1993

Heinie noun a German; German US, 1904
heinie; heiny noun 8see: HINEY
Heinies noun Heineken™ beer US, 1982
heinous adjective offensive, unpleasant. Conventional English elev-
ated to slang by attitude US, 1982
Heinz noun a multiple bet, combining 57 bets. Based on the
advertising slogan for, and synonymous with, the products of the
food company H.J. Heinz. A ‘super heinz’ combines 120 bets
UK,
1983
heir and a spare two sons, in the context of a male line of
succession; hence, one and a spare of anything. Used as a mini-
mum breeding requirement by powerful and privileged families
whose bloodline justifies their inheritance, applied especially to
monarchies UK, 2003
heist noun atheftorrobberyUS, 1976
heist verb 1 to accept; when used in the negative, to reject a story or
idea as untruthful or fanciful CANADA, 1999. 2 to steal, especially to
shoplift. There are enough Hollywood heist films to make a genre.
Also spelt ‘hyste’
UK, 1815
heister noun a thief or robber. From the earlier ‘hoister’ UK, 1865
Helen noun heroin. Giving an identity and disguise to H (heroin) US,
1971
heli noun a helicopter US, 1995
helicopter noun 1 in skateboarding, a manoeuvre in which the rider
jumps off the board, turns in the air and then lands on the board
US, 1976. 2 a Chinese-educated person SINGAPORE, 2002
helicopter view noun a non-detailed overview CANADA, 2000
hell noun 1 used widely in oaths, and to reinforce imprecations, and

questions (often rhetorical) of impatience and irritation
UK, 1596.
2 crack cocaine UK, 2003. < for the hell of it; for the sheer hell
of it; just for the hell of it
simply for the pleasure or experi-
ence of doing something; also applied to reckless behaviour UK,
1934. < from hell used for intensifying. Humorous, hyperbolic US,
1965. < get the hell out; get the hell out of here (or
somewhere) to leave, usually with some haste US, 1971. < hell
out of
when combined with a verb of violent action, such as
knock, punch, thump, etc, to treat a person extremely roughly
IRELAND, 1922. < play hell with; play merry hell with to cause
severe trouble for someone or something UK, 1803. < to hell
intensely, when combined with a wish or hope UK, 1891. < to hell
with it!
used for registering or reinforcing dismissal UK, 1929.
< will I hell! used as an expression of strong disagreement.
Often applied in the third person: ‘will he hell!’ or ‘will they hell!’
UK, 1931
hella adverb extremely US, 1992
hellacious adjective especially nasty or difficult US, 1929
hell and gone; hell-and-gone noun a far-distant place or point in
time
US, 1938
hell-bent adjective recklessly determined US, 1835
hellcat noun a wild, fierce woman UK, 1605
hell dust noun any powdered drug; heroin; morphine US, 1953
heller noun a wild, uninhibited party US, 1975
hellery noun trouble, mischief, bad behaviour CANADA, 1965

hell-fire! used as a register of exasperation, frustration, anger, etc UK,
1997
hell-for-stout adjective very strong US, 1954
hell-hole noun 1 a horrible, infernal place UK, 1882. 2 in a combat
helicopter, an approximately 34-inch-square opening in the floor,
used for emergencies and roping down to and up from the ground
US, 1976
hellifying adjective used as an adjectival intensifier US, 1973
hellish adjective 1 unpleasant, difficult UK, 1569. 2 used as a positive
intensifier; excellent
UK: ENGLAND, 2001
hellish adverb used as a pejorative intensifier UK, 1768
hellishing; hellishun adverb used as an intensifier. An elaboration
of
HELLISH (an intensifier) on the model of FUCKING, SODDING, etc
AUSTRALIA, 1931
hello! used for signalling disbelief when said as if speaking to
someone slow-witted US, 1985
hell of adverb extremely. A reverse correction of the corrupted HELLA
US
, 1995
hell of a adjective an extreme, good or great example of something.
May be preceded with ‘a’, ‘the’ or ‘one’ UK, 1776
Hell P ass Hole nickname El Paso, Texas US, 1970
hellride noun in mountain biking, any bad trail or bad ride US, 1992
hell’s bells used as a mild oath UK, 1832
hell’s half acre noun during the Vietnam war, an area just north of
Cu Chi, dominated if not controlled by the Viet Cong US, 1991
hell to breakfast noun here to there, all over US, 1930
helluva hell of a US, 1910

hell week noun a period of extreme harassment, especially of new
recruits to a college fraternity by their older fraternity brothers US,
1930
helmet noun 1 the head of the circumcised penis. From the simi-
larity in shape to a World War 2 German Army helmet US, 1970. 2 a
uniformed police constable UK, 2002
helo noun a helicopter US, 1965
helo adjective none CANADA, 1963
helpcat noun a tutor; a student assistant. A punning allusion to HEP
CAT US
, 1955
helper noun any amphetamine or other central nervous system
stimulant US, 1963
helter sk elter noun a shelter. Originally a World War 2 coinage for
an ‘air raid shelter’. Noted as still in occasional use as a ‘bus
shelter’ UK, 1992
helter-skelter adverb in defiance of order; pell-mell UK, 1593
he-man noun an especially virile or overtly masculine man, a
masterful man US, 1832
hem and haw verb to stutter, to hestitate while beginning a
sentence UK, 1786
hemp noun marijuana US, 1883
hempen fever noun execution by hanging UK, 1785
hemp head noun a frequent user of marijuana US, 1980
329 Hef | hemp head
hempster noun anyone involved in the business of retailing hemp.
From
HEMP (marijuana) and conventional, perfectly legal ‘hemp’
UK, 2002
hempty noun leaves from the hemp plant CANADA, 2002

hen noun 1 a woman UK, 1626. 2 used for informally addressing a
woman; also, as an endearment
UK: SCOTLAND, 1626. 3 aflamboyant
feminine male homosexual
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1985. 4 in a deck of
playing cards, a queen
US, 1988. 5 the Sea Knight military helicopter.
A term used by reconnaissance troops in Vietnam
US, 1991
hen apple noun an egg US, 1938
hench noun a person in attractive physical shape UK, 2005
hen fruit noun an egg US, 1854
Henley r egatta noun a conversation. Rhyming slang for NATTER,
formed from the famous sporting event UK, 1998
hen mill noun a women’s jail or prison US, 1960
Henny; Hen’ noun Hennessy™ cognac UK, 1999
henny penny noun a female player in a low-stakes game of poker US,
1988
henpecked adjective ruled by a domineering woman. The surviving
form of the original verb ‘hen-peck’ UK, 1680
hen pen noun a women’s prison US, 1992
henry noun an eighth of an ounce (three and a half grams) of a
drug, especially marijuana or cocaine. Cutting HENRY THE EIGHTH
down to size UK, 1998
Henry noun 1 any Ford Motor Company car or engine US, 1917.
2 heroin. From ‘heroin’ to H to Henry US, 1953
Henry Fonda noun a Honda 90 motorcycle. Rhyming slang, used by
(prospective) London taxi drivers; the Honda 90 is the machine of
preference when they DO THE KNOWLEDGE UK, 1998
Henry IV noun the human immunodeficiency virus US, 2001

Henry the Eighth noun eight grams of cocaine US, 1993
Henry the Fourth noun four grams of cocaine US, 1993
Henry the Third noun a piece of excrement. Rhyming slang for
TURD AUSTRALIA, 1971
Henry was here noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle UK:
WALES
, 2000
hen’s night noun a woman-only pre-wedding party held for the
bride-to-be. The counterpart of the BUCK’S PARTY AUSTRALIA, 1994
hen’s teeth noun the epitome of that which is exceedingly rare
AUSTRALIA, 1965
hentai adjective overtly pornographic. A Japanese term, usually
applied to a style of Japanese animation; one of only a few
Japanese terms to have worked its way into unconventional
English usage, thanks to pornographic websites on the Internet
JAPAN, 1996
hep noun hepatitis US, 1967
hep adjective 1 aware US, 1903. 2 in step with the latest fashion, latest
music and latest slang US, 1942
hepatic rounds noun used in a hospital as a humorous code for a
drinking party to be held on hospital grounds US, 1989
hepatitis roll noun a meat and salad roll. Used by Australian troops
during the Vietnam conflict to refer to such rolls commonly sold
by street vendors, and reputed to be the cause of gastrointestinal
and other complaints AUSTRALIA, 1988
Hepburn’s Hussars noun a special police force organised by Ontario
Premier Mitch Hepburn to deal with an Oshawa car workers’ strike
CANADA, 1946
hep cat; hepped cat noun a fan of jazz or swing music; a stylish
and fashionable man US, 1938

heppo noun hepatitis AUSTRALIA, 1987
heppo roll noun a hepatitis roll AUSTRALIA, 1988
hep squar e noun a person who lives a conventional life but has
some awareness of unconventional lifestyles
US, 1972
her noun cocaine US, 1981
Hera noun heroin. Disguising ‘heroin’ with the name of a Greek
goddess
UK, 2002
herb noun marijuana. Celebrated in song by Sly & the
Revolutionaries, ‘Herb’, 1979
US, 1962
Herb noun < cry herb; call herb to vomit. Echoic AUSTRALIA, 1967 8
CRY RUTH
herb verb to assault a weak person US, 1995
herbal adjective pertaining to marijuana US, 1995
herbal bliss noun MDMA, the recreational drug best known as
ecstasy UK, 2003
herbal ecstasy noun a substance that is not restricted by drug
control legislation and is claimed to be a natural substitute for
MDMA UK, 2004
herbals noun marijuana US, 1995
herb and a’ noun marijuana and alcohol. A lazy clipping of HERB
AND AL US
, 1980s
Herb and Al; Herbie and Al noun marijuana and alcohol US, 1981
herbert noun 1 a mischievous child or youth. Quite often heard as
‘little herbert’ UK, 1999. 2 a harmless youth; a ridiculous man. An
extension of the previous sense UK, 1960. 3 a man in a specified
field of endeavour UK, 1956

Herbie noun in Antarctica, a powerful blizzard ANTARCTICA, 1987
Herbie Alley noun the passage between Black Island and White
Island, through which fast-moving Antarctic blizzards develop
ANTARCTICA, 2003
Herbie Hides noun trousers. Rhyming slang for STRIDES,formed
from the name of Nigerian heavyweight boxer Henry Hide (b.1971)
UK, 1998
herbs noun 1 marijuana UK, 2000. 2 (of a motor engine) power
AUSTRALIA, 1960
herbsman noun a marijuana smoker. Used as a song title by King
Stitt and Andy Capp, ‘Herbsman’, 1970 JAMAICA, 1975
Herc; Herk; Herky Bird noun the Hercules C-130 medium cargo
transport aircraft manufactured by Lockheed. The primary
transport aircraft used for US military forces in Vietnam US, 1980
hercules noun especially potent phencyclidine, the recreational drug
known as PCP or angel dust US, 1981
herd noun 1 a packet of Camel™ cigarettes US, 1945. 2 a quantity of
something IRELAND, 1991
Herd noun < The Herd the 173rd Airborne Brigade, US Army.
The first major US combat unit sent to Vietnam US, 1991
herd verb in hot rodding, to drive (a hot rod) US, 1933
herder noun 1 a prison guard assigned to a prison yard US, 1992. 2 in
horse racing, a jockey or horse that forces the other horses to
bunch up behind it US, 1951. 3 on the railways, a yard pointsman US,
1930
here and there noun a chair. Rhyming slang, always used in full UK,
1992
here’s how used as a toast UK, 1896
herewego;herewegoagainused for registering resignation at
the commencement of an anticipated, predictable or otherwise

undesirable event UK, 1954
her indoors; ‘er indoors; ’er noun the wife of the user. Coined for
television comedy drama series Minder,1979–94
UK, 1984
Herman Fink noun ink. Rhyming slang UK, 1960
Herman the Germ an noun the penis US, 1991
hermit noun a poker player wearing headphones during play US, 1996
hero noun 1 heroin US, 1953. 2 a surfer whose opinion of his own skills
exceeds his actual skills
US, 1985
hero gear noun enemy paraphernalia taken from the battlefield US,
1961
heroina noun heroin US, 1994
herone noun heroin UK, 1998
hempster | herone 330
hero of the underworld noun heroin. An elaboration of HERO
(heroin) US, 1986
herox noun 4-bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylaimine, a mild
hallucinogen
US, 1995
herring and kipper; herring noun a striptease dancer. Rhyming
slang for
STRIPPER UK, 1992
herringboner noun a dairy farmer NEW ZEALAND, 2002
herring choker noun 1 a person from New Brunswick or elsewhere
in the Canadian Maritime Provinces
US, 1899. 2 a Scandanavian US,
1936
herring snapper noun a Scandanavian US, 1930
herself noun a wife, your wife, a female partner IRELAND, 1989

Hershey Highway noun the rectum US, 1973
Hershey road noun the rectum US, 1974
Hershey squirts noun diarrhoea. A joking if unpleasant allusion to
Hershey™ chocolate
US, 1972
he-she noun a man living as a woman, either as a transvestite or
transsexual; an effeminate male US, 1871
hesher; heshen; hesh noun a fan of heavy metal music US, 1997
hesh girl; hash girl noun a prostitute who works in cheap drinking
establishments. Urban and township slang
SOUTH AFRICA, 1973
he shoots! he scores! used for celebrating a minor accomplish-
ment. From the television programme Saturday Night Live US, 1991
hesitation marks noun scars on the inner wrist from failed suicide
attempts
US, 1972
hessle noun heroin UK, 1998
het adjective heterosexual US, 1972
hetboy noun a heterosexual male. Internet shorthand US, 1995
heter noun a heterosexual UK, 1980
hetero noun a heterosexual UK, 1933
hetgirl noun a heterosexual female. Internet shorthand US, 1995
het up; all het up adj ective excited. From a dialect variation of
‘heated’ or ‘heated up’ US, 1909
hex noun a number sign (#) on a computer keyboard US, 1991
hexy noun hexamine (a solid fuel provided in small blocks). Military
UK, 1995
hey? 1 pardon? Used alone or as the introduction to a question that
is formed using a standard interrogative SOUTH AFRICA, 1961. 2 used at
the end of a question for emphasis or as a means of demanding a

response SOUTH AFRICA, 1969
hey used as a discourse break that raises emphasis or focus US, 1974
hey-diddle-diddle noun a swindle, a deception. Rhyming slang for
FIDDLE UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
hey-hey noun a good time US, 1985
hey now 1 used as a greeting US, 1946. 2 used for getting attention US,
1987
hey-presto! a command used by stage magicians; hence, used for
registering a sudden or surprising transformation; cynically used
for ‘as if by magic’ when a predictable change occurs
UK, 1731
hey rube noun a fight between swindlers of any sort and their
victims US, 1900
hey, rube! used as an insider request for help in a fight. Originally
and principally an expression used in the circus and carnivals US,
1900
hey-you noun an uncouth or insolent person. From the signature
conversational gambit employed by such people UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
HFH used as a jaded abbreviation of a jaded ‘ho-fucking-hum’ US,
1990
H-head noun a habitual user of heroin UK, 1978
HHOJ; HHOK used in computer message shorthand to mean ‘ha-
ha only joking’ or ‘ha-ha only kidding’ US, 1991
hi-ball noun a central nervous system stimulant, especially
dextroamphetamine (trade name Dexamyl™)
US, 1971
hiccup noun a fault in administration, an interruption to any
smooth-running procedure
UK, 1974
hiccup verb in computing when transferring data, to inadvertently

skip some data or send some data twice
US, 1995
hick noun an unsophisticated, simple person from the far rural
reaches. A familiar form of ‘Richard’. Now chiefly US use
UK, 1565
hickey noun 1 a bruise on the skin caused by a partner’s mouth
during foreplay; a suction kiss
US, 1942. 2 a favourable movie review
US, 1997. 3 in dominoes, a type of side bet US, 1981. 4 in pool, a rule
infraction
US, 1992
Hickey noun a notional province where there are no manners or
courtesy
BARBADOS, 1965
hickory dickory dock; hickory dickory noun a clock. Rhyming
slang; an elaboration of
DICKORY DOCK, from the nursery rhyme
which continues ‘A mouse ran up the clock’
UK, 1998
hiddy adjective 1 drunk US, 1989. 2 hideous US, 1990
hide noun 1 the human skin UK, 1607. 2 impudence; effrontery; cheek
AUSTRALIA, 1902. 3 a wallet US, 1932. 4 a horse US, 1934. 5 in hot rodding,
a tyre US, 1960
hide verb < hide the salami to have sex. ‘Sausage’ as ‘penis’
imagery; a variation of the earlier HIDE-THE-WEENIE US, 1983
hide and seek noun impudence. Rhyming slang for ‘cheek’ UK, 1992
hideaway noun a pocket US, 1945
hi-de-hi a greeting, answered by ‘ho-de-ho’. First recorded during
World War 2; adopted by Jimmy Perry and David Croft as the title
(and catchphrase) of a television situation comedy set in a 1950s

holiday camp (BBC, 1980–88); the call and response greeting is
still heard, but often ironic
UK, 1941
hideola adjective ugly. A variation of conventional ‘hideous’ UK, 1992
hides noun drums. Jazz slang UK, 1986
hide-the-baloney noun sexual intercourse US, 1973
hide-the-sausage noun sexual intercourse AUSTRALIA, 1971
hide-the-weenie noun sexual intercourse US, 1968
hidey noun the children’s game hide and seek AUSTRALIA, 1957
hi diddle diddle noun 1 middle, especially the middle of a dart
board. Rhyming slang UK, 1992. 2 a swindle, a deception UK, 1992. 3 a
violin, a fiddle. Rhyming slang UK, 1998
hiding noun a beating; a heavy defeat UK, 1809
hiding to nothing noun < on a hiding to nothing faced with a
situation in which any outcome is unfavourable UK, 1905
hids adjective lacking fashion sense. An abbreviation of the conven-
tional ‘hideous’
US, 2002
hidy-hole; hidey-hole noun a hiding place UK, 1817
hidy-ho, neighbor used as a humorous greeting. A catchphrase
salutation from the US television comedy Home Improvements
(ABC, 1991–99). Repeated with referential humour US, 1991
hifalutin adjective 8see: HIGHFALUTIN
higgledy-piggledy adjective in a confused jumble. Probably derived
as a rhyming elaboration of the disordered huddle in which pigs
exist UK, 1598
high noun 1 the sensation produced by consuming drugs or alcohol
US, 1944. 2 a sense of exhilaration, unrelated to drugs US, 1970
High noun Miller High Life™ beer US, 1967
high adjective 1 drunk or drug-intoxicated UK, 1627. 2 under the influ-

ence of a drug, especially marijuana US, 1931. 3 bad-smelling
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1935. < at high warble angry, especially
without justification. Naval aviator usage US, 1986
high and light adjective pleasantly drug-intoxicated US, 1952
high and mighty; high-and-mighty adjective arrogant, imperious
UK, 1825
high and tight noun a man’s haircut in which the sides of the head
are shaved and a quarter-inch of hair is left on top. A military term
for a military haircut US, 1988
high as a kite adjective very drunk or drug-intoxicated. Rhyming
slang for
TIGHT (drunk); a clever elaboration of HIGH US, 1939
331 hero of the underworld | high as a kite