Slang and uncoventional english part 54 potx

Ikey noun 1 a Jewish person. Derogatory; an abbreviation of the
name Isaac
UK, 1835. 2 a student of the University of Cape Town,
especially a member of one of the University’s sports teams SOUTH
AFRICA
, 1921
Ikey Mo noun a Jewish person UK, 1922
I kid you not used for humorously assuring the truth of the matter
asserted. The signature line of Jack Parr, host of the late-night Jack
Parr Show (NBC, 1957–62). Repeated with referential humour
US,
1967
Ilie Nastase noun a lavatory. Rhyming slang for KARZY ,formedfrom
the name of the Romanian tennis player (b.1946)
UK, 1998
I liiiiike it! used for expressing approval. A catchphrase from the
film The Rocketeer, 1991 US, 1991
ill verb 1 to perform excellently; to do anything superbly. Originally
black usage, generally ‘to be illin’ rather than ‘to ill’; became
widespread with hip-hop culture US, 1992. 2 to undergo severe
mental stress
US, 1989
ill adjective 1 good, pleasing, desirable, admirable US, 1991. 2 wild or
crazy. Originally black usage, from the verb sense; spread through
hip-hop culture US, 1979. 3 wrong. Originally black usage, probably a
variation on ‘sick’; widespread with hip-hop culture
US, 1994
ill-ass adjective excellent, superb US, 2001
I’ll be buggered!; I’m buggered! used for registering surprise UK,
1966
I’ll be damned!; well, I’m damned! used as a general-purpose

exclamation; also as an intensification of a personal opinion UK,
1925
ill-behaved adjective said of a computer program that becomes
dysfunctional because of repeated error US, 1991
I’ll bet! 8see: I BET!
I’ll be there noun a chair. Rhyming slang UK, 1961
I’ll bet you a fat man used for expressing supreme confidence US,
1963
illegal tegel noun any native or game bird taken illegally for food.
Tegel™ is a brand of dressed poultry NEW ZEALAND, 1989
illegit noun a person or thing of questionable legality US, 1954
illegits noun dice that have been altered for cheating US, 1977
iller adjective worse US, 1979
illest adjective best US, 2002
I’ll holla used as a farewell US, 1998
illies noun marijuana UK, 2003
illin’; ill verb to behave in a wild or crazy manner. Originally black
usage, generally ‘to be illin’ rather than ‘to ill’; became widespread
with hip-hop culture US, 1986
illing noun marijuana UK, 2003
illing adjective bad, troubling US, 1980
illo noun an illustration US, 1982
ill piece noun a male homosexual despised by his peers US, 1970
I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do used as a humorous, self-
explanatory if nonce announcement of intent. Popularised by Sid
Stone, announcer on the Texaco Star Theater, hosted by Milton
Berle (1948–1951). One of the very first television-spawned
catchphrases to become part of the national vocabulary
US, 1948
illy noun 1 a cigarette infused with embalming fluid US, 2001.

2 marijuana, especially sensimillia (a very potent marijuana from a
plant with seedless buds) US, 1995
illywhacker noun a confidence trickster. Agent noun from the
obsolete phrase ‘whack the illy’ (to swindle; to perform confidence
tricks). ‘Illy’ may possibly be a variant of obsolete ‘eelie’ (a confi-
dence trick) which in turn is possibly from ‘eeler-spee’, a Pig Latin
variant of SPIELER. This word was all but dead prior to gaining new
life due to Peter Carey’s 1985 novel Illywhacker AUSTRALIA, 1941
I’ma used to preface an intention. A slurred elision of ‘I am going
to’, or ‘I’m
LIKE’ US, 2001
I’m about it! I agree with your plan of action! US, 1999
imaginitis noun an overactive imagination AUSTRALIA, 1944
I’m all right, Jack! a smug declaration of self-satisfaction. Used as
the title of a 1959 film
UK, 2002
I-man noun an investigator from the Interstate Commerce
Commission
US, 1938
I’m Audi; I’m Audi 5000 I’m leaving now US, 1995
imbo noun a fool; an imbecile AUSTRALIA, 1953
I’m deep enough I quit, pay me US, 1954
I mean used for emphasis on that which follows US, 1967
I mean that! I agree with what you just said! US, 1977
I mean to say! used as an emphasis of the speaker’s sincerity UK,
1843
I’m gone used as a farewell US, 1993
I’m history used as a farewell US, 1984
IMHO in my humble opinion. A ubiquitous piece of computer
shorthand US, 1991

immo adjective imitation US, 1994
immortal noun in stud poker, any hand that is certain to win; the
best possible hand US, 1947
IMNSHO used as Internet shorthand to mean ‘in my not so
humble opinion’ US, 1995
IMO used as Internet shorthand to mean ‘in my opinion’ US, 1995
Imp noun a Chrysler Imperial car US, 1961
impact zone noun an area where the waves are breaking. Surfer
usage SOUTH AFRICA, 2003
import noun a date who comes from out of town US, 1926
impressionist noun a person who is more interested in the
impression they are making than they are in their substance
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1989
improve noun < on the improve improving AUSTRALIA, 1959
Improved Scot noun in Hudson Bay, a person of mixed Scottish and
Indian blood CANADA, 1987
imps file noun a journalists’ dossier on an important person or
persons UK, 1976
I’m serious! used for expressing strong agreement with what has
just been said US, 1981
I’m sideways used as a farewell US, 1993
I’m sure!; I’m so sure! used for expressing great doubt US, 1982
I’m there! I agree! I approve! US, 1977
in noun 1 an inside connection US, 1929. 2 an introduction US, 1945. 3 in
a casino, the amount of cash collected at a table in exchange for
chips. An abbreviation of ‘buy-in’ US, 1980. < the in exclusive and
positive access to something UK, 2003
in adjective 1 fashionable UK, 1960. 2 socially accepted; popular US, 1929.
3 assured of having amatory success AUSTRALIA, 1960. 4 experiencing
good luck or the like AUSTRALIA, 1960. 5 incarcerated US, 1903

in preposition < be in it to be actively and ethusiastically involved
AUSTRALIA, 1928
-in suffix used in combination with a simple verb to create a
communal activity as a means of protest, as in ’love-in’ or ’teach-
in’ US, 1937
in a minute used as a farewell US, 1992
in-and-out noun 1 sex at its most basic US, 1996. 2 the nose. Rhyming
slang for ‘snout’ UK, 1960. 3 a tout; a ticket tout. Rhyming slang UK,
1998. 4 a cigarette; tobacco. Rhyming slang for SNOUT UK, 1998
in-and-out-man noun an opportunist thief or burglar UK, 1957
in a pig’s valise! used for expressing how very unlikely something
is. The title of a late-1990s play by Eric Overmyer US, 1957
in betweens noun amphetamine tablets; depressant tablets; a
mixture of amphetamines and barbiturates US, 1975
inbred noun a doctor with doctor parents. Medical slang UK, 2002
353 Ikey | inbred
Inca message noun cocaine. A specific allusion to Peru, but gener-
ally a reference to South America as a source of cocaine
US, 1984
incandescent adjective furiously angry UK, 2004
incantation noun in computing, an esoteric command US, 1991
incense noun 1 amyl nitrite or butyl nitrite. The pungent vapours are
inhaled, hence the term US, 1980. 2 heroin UK, 2003
incest noun sex between two similar homosexual types, such as two
effeminate men US, 1972
inch-and-a-half noun overtime pay at the standard overtime rate of
one and a half the regular rate US, 1984
inch boy noun a male who has or is thought to have a small penis
US, 1997
include me out! leave me out! A catchphrase coined by film

mogul Samuel Goldwyn, 1882–1974
US, 1938
include war noun a prolonged inflammatory debate in an Internet
discussion group in which the mass of former postings and
counterpostings included make it impossible to follow who is
saying what and when
US, 1995
income tax noun fines paid by prostitutes UK, 1947
incoming noun enemy fire, especially artillery or mortar fire that is
about to land US, 1977
incoming! used as a warning of impending enemy mortar or rocket
fire US, 1976
increase the peace! used as a call for an end to violence US, 1990
indeedy adverb indeed. An intentionally folksy and intensifying
addition of a syllable US, 1856
In Deep Shit nickname Iain Duncan Smith, Conservative Party leader
(2001–2003). Back-formation from Smith’s initials: IDS UK, 2001
index noun the face US, 1945
India noun marijuana. Variations of INDIAN HAY or INDIAN HEMP. Also
known as ‘Indian’ UK, 1978
Indian noun 1 an Indian meal, especially in, or prepared by, a
restaurant UK, 1998. 2 an active firefighter, as distinguished from a
Chief and other officers US, 1954
Indiana green noun green marijuana claimed to have been grown
in the state of Indiana US, 1965
Indiana pants noun boots US, 1964
Indian boy marijuana UK, 2001
Indian charm noun the arm. Rhyming slang UK, 1998
Indian cocktail; Indian tea; Indian tonic noun liquid poison as a
means of suicide TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1985

Indian Country; Injun Country noun during war, any area with a
strong enemy presence US, 1945
Indian hand-rubbed noun a powerful hashish from Himachel
Pradesh in Northern India, 2003
Indian hay noun marijuana US, 1936
Indian Heads noun the Second Infantry Division, US Army. So
named because of the Division’s insignia US, 1991
Indian hemp noun marijuana. From ‘East Indian hemp’, the familiar
name for Cannabis indica US, 1986
Indian ice cream noun a bitter confection made from soopolallie
berries, water, and white sugar CANADA, 1989
Indian Indian noun an American Indian who has retained his
indigenous culture and language US, 1963
Indian list noun the Interdict list, a law forbidding a person from
buying, selling or consuming alcohol; by extension any list of
those who may not buy alcohol CANADA, 1958
Indian nigga noun a member of a British Indian (Hindi) urban
youth gang or subculture UK, 2006
Indian rope noun marijuana. A play on ‘hemp’ as a material used in
the making of ropes, HEMP (marijuana) and, perhaps, the Indian
rope trick as a magical method of getting high US, 1986
Indian steak noun bologna US, 1963
Indian talk noun in trucking, smoke rising from a diesel smoke
stack. An allusion to smoke signals used by American Indians to
communicate over long distances
US, 1971
Indian time noun used for denoting a lack of punctuality US, 1963
Indian weed noun marijuana. A variation of INDIAN HAY or INDIAN
HEMP US
, 1986

indie noun a vague categorisation within rock music, familiar since
the 1980s and identified as ‘serious’ music that is marketed as
independent and non-commercial, in its bid for commercial
success. Also used as an adjective UK, 1993. < the Indie the
Independent (the youngest of the UK’s national daily newspapers)
first published in October 1986. The Sunday edition is less well-
known as ‘the Sindie’
UK, 2003
indie; indy adjective independent US, 1928
Indo noun 1 Indonesia AUSTRALIA, 1991. 2 an Indonesian AUSTRALIA, 1966.
3 marijuana cultivated in Indonesia US, 1993
Indon noun an Indonesian. This has for the most part died out in
favour of INDO AUSTRALIA, 1966
Indonesian bud noun 1 marijuana cultivated in Indonesia UK, 1998.
2 heroin UK, 2003
industrial language noun swearing, profanity US, 1984
Indy nickname the Indianapolis Speedway, home to a 500-mile race
every May
US, 1965
inexplicable mob noun a large crowd that materialises in a public
place to perform a scripted action for several minutes before
dissolving US, 2003
infant killer noun a paedophile. Prison use UK, 2002
infant mortality noun the tendency of computer components to
fail within the first few weeks of operation US, 1991
infernal adjective execrable, detestable, annoying UK, 1764
infernally adverb detestably, execrably, annoyingly UK, 1638
infil verb (of military troops or spies) to infiltrate. Military UK, 1995
infinitely fine adjective in computing, used as the ultimate praise
US, 1990

in flaggers noun in flagrante delicto (in the commission of a crime;
red-handed). The first syllable elaborated by application of the
Oxford -ER AUSTRALIA, 1973
influence noun < under the influence drunk or drug-intoxicated
UK, 1937
info noun information US, 1907
Ingerland noun England, especially the England football team. A
phonetic representation of the word England as chanted by a
sports crowd
UK: ENGLAND, 2005
Ingersol Willie noun in horse racing, the track’s official timer of
morning workouts US, 1951
In Hock Constantly noun the owner of an International Harvester
Company truck. A back-formation from the company’s initials: IHC
US, 1971
ink noun 1 space or coverage in a newspaper US, 1953. 2 oil US, 1976.
3 inexpensive wine US, 1917. 4 alcoholic drink. Probably a back-form-
ation from INKED which appears from C19 AUSTRALIA, 1977. < ink in
the pen
the ability to achieve erection and to ejaculate US, 1967
ink verb in the production of comics books, to draw over pencil art
with a pen US, 1997
ink-and-paper man noun a counterfeiter who uses a printing press
US, 1985
inked; inked up adjective drunk AUSTRALIA, 1898
inked in adjective planned UK, 1994
inkie noun in the television and film industries, an incandescent
light bulb UK, 1960
inkie-dinkie noun in the television and film industries, a 250-watt
light source UK, 1960

ink-slinger noun a clerical employee US, 1889
ink stick noun afountainpenUS, 1942
Inca message | ink stick 354
inky noun 1 a newspaper, especially one dedicated to music
journalism
UK, 2003. 2 a felt-tipped pen. Used in Glasgow schools UK:
SCOTLAND
, 1988
inland squid noun a surfer who does not live at or near the beach
US, 1987
inmate noun used as a term of derision, applied to a prisoner who
follows prison rules and curries favour with the prison adminis-
tration
US, 1984
innards noun 1 the entrails, the stomach, the guts. A dialect and
vulgar alteration of ‘inwards’
UK, 1825. 2 the inner workings of a car’s
engine or transmission
US, 1993
inner space noun a person’s deepest psychological being US, 1967
innie noun an inward-turned navel US, 1966
innit isn’t it?; also used as a general purpose tag regardless of
grammatical context. Originally, and still, a lazily pronounced inter-
rogative referring back to the verb ‘is’ in the preceding sentence,
e.g. ‘It’s raining, innit?’
UK, 1959
in on preposition being a part of something; participating in or
sharing in something UK, 1923
ins-and-outs noun < want to know the ins-and-outs of a cat’s
arse; want to know the ins-and-outs of a duck’s arse

to be
very inquisitive. Generally in catchphrase form as ‘you want to
know’, ‘he’d want to know’, etc. Variations include ‘the ins-and-
outs of a nag’s arse’, also ‘of a duck’s backside’ and ‘of a duck’s
bum’
UK, 1984
insane adjective 1 excellent US, 1955. 2 fearless; willing to try anything
for fun US, 1997. 3 ridiculous, in either a good or bad way US, 1997
insanely great adjective in computing, magnificent to a degree that
can be fully grasped by only the most proficient practitioners US,
1991
insaniac noun a lunatic. A compound of ‘insane’ and ‘maniac’ UK,
1999
insanity stripe noun in the US armed forces, the insignia
designating a three-year enlistment
US, 1946
insects and ants noun men’s underpants. Rhyming slang UK, 1960
insensitive care unit noun a hospital’s intensive care unit US, 1989
inside adverb imprisoned UK, 1888
inside job noun a crime committed by, or with the assistance of,
someone who lives or works in the place where it occurs UK, 1908
inside man noun in a big con swindle, a confederate to whom the
victim is turned over once he has been lured into the enterprise
US, 1940
inside oil noun inside information AUSTRALIA, 1966
insider noun a pocket US, 1945
inside the Beltway noun literally, the area of Washington D.C.
surrounded by a motorway known as the Capital Beltway;
figuratively, the Washington political and journalistic establishment
US, 1977

inside track noun a position of advantage; information which
provides such an advantage. A figurative use of racing wisdom US,
1857
inside work noun any internal alteration of dice for cheating US, 1963
instaga; instagu noun marijuana UK, 2003
Instamatic noun a police radar unit used for measuring vehicle
speed. A brand name extrapolation from CAMERA (a generic term
for radar) US, 1976
Instant Dictator Kit noun in the Canadian military, items of brass
and braid that transform an ordinary uniform into a ceremonial
one CANADA, 1995
instant LZ noun a 10,000- to 15,000-pound bomb used to clear
jungle and create an instant landing zone in Vietnam. The bomb
was designed to create a wide but shallow crater in the jungle,
literally creating an instant landing zone
US, 1981
instant zen noun LSD US, 1972
insurance cheater noun in oil drilling, a safety belt US, 1954
intel noun military intelligence AUSTRALIA, 1961
intellectual noun in the army, a member of the intelligence section
UK, 1993
intellectual hour noun all time spent watching cartoons on
television
US, 1980
intelligence centre noun a field latrine. Gulf war usage US, 1991
intense adjective extreme, wild. A conventional adjective rendered
slang by attitude and pronunciation, emphasis on the second
syllable
US, 1982
Inter nickname the intermediate examination taken after completing

the first three years of secondary school in Ireland IRELAND, 1998
Interc ourse 80 nickname Interstate 80, a major east–west motorway
in the US
US, 1977
intercoursed adjective exhausted. Archly euphemistic for FUCKED UK,
1979
interesting adjective in computing, annoying or difficult US, 1991
interesting, yes – provocative used for expressing possible
interest in what has just been said. A catchphrase from the film
Tommy Boy
US, 1997
interior decorating noun the act of having sex during the day.
Upper-class society usage UK, 1982
Interlake potato noun arockCANADA, 1987
internal noun a person who smuggles drugs inside their bodies US,
1997
internals noun intrusive medical examinations as part of sexual role-
play, especially when advertised as a service offered by a prostitute
UK, 2003
International House of Pancakes noun a hospital ward for severe
stroke victims, who lie in bed muttering in their own language
US,
1978
international milk thief noun a petty thief. An example of police
humour; heavily ironic UK, 1977
interrogation by altitude noun the reported practice by US troops
of interrogating a group of suspected Viet Cong in a helicopter,
throwing those who refused to answer to their death below and
thus encouraging cooperation from those left US, 1990
in the nude noun food. Rhyming slang UK, 1979

in there; in thar adjective excellent. An allusion to surfing inside the
hollow of a breaking wave
US, 1991
into preposition 1 in debt to US, 1893. 2 in organised crime, in control
of US, 1985. 3 interested in; participating in US, 1965
intro noun an introduction UK, 1923
intro verb to introduce US, 1986
invertebrated adjective very drunk US, 1982
investment noun a bet, especially on a horse race NEW ZEALAND, 1944
invitation noun a speeding ticket. A humorous euphemism US, 1976
invite noun an invitation. A verb-as-noun that began as standard
English and then evolved into slang UK, 1659
in with preposition in a friendly or social relationship with someone
UK, 1677
in you go, says Bob Munro used as a toast. If a real Bob Munro
gave his name to this toast, he is lost in the alcohol fog of history
NEW ZEALAND, 1999
in-your-chops adjective direct, provocative UK, 2004
in-your-face; in-yo-face adjective aggressive, provocative US, 1988
in your oils adjective delighted; in your element. From Welsh hwyl
(mood) UK: WALES, 1985
IOW used as Internet shorthand to mean ‘in other words’ US, 1997
I owe you money or what? why are you looking at me that way?
Hawaiian youth usage US, 1981
IQ anniversary noun the anniversary of a person’s quitting
smoking. The ‘IQ’ stems from ‘IQuit’, punning on the more
commonly understood sense of the abbreviation US, 1998
355 inky | IQ anniversary
IQ Charley noun a half-wit. Teen slang; unkind US, 1955
irie; irey adjective good, great, wonderful JAMAICA, 1994

iris noun an Indian homosexual male. Gay slang, formed on the
name Iris, probably elaborating the initial ‘I’ for ‘Indian’, and orig-
inating among Cape coloureds
SOUTH AFRICA, 2000
Irish noun Irish imports, such as snuff, whisky, linen, tea, etc. Linen
from 1784, snuff from 1834 and whisky from 1889
UK, 1982
Irish nickname any athletic team from Notre Dame University. An
abbreviation of the fuller
FIGHTING IRISH US, 1975
Irish apple noun apotatoUK, 1896
Irish baby buggy noun a wheelbarrow US, 1919
Irish banjo noun a shovel US, 1941
Irish clubhouse noun a police stationhouse US, 1904
Irish confetti noun 1 semen spilled on a woman’s body US, 1987.
2 stones, bricks, etc, when used as offensive missiles US, 1913.
3 small stones kept in a pocket for disciplining sheepdogs NEW
ZEALAND
, 1961
Irish curtain noun on Prince Edward Island, a cobweb inside the
house
CANADA, 1988
Irisher noun a person of Irish descent US, 1807
Irish horse noun 1 salted beef UK, 1748. 2 a flaccid or impotent penis
US, 1987
Irish hurricane noun a flat calm sea US, 1803
Irish jig; Irish noun a wig. Rhyming slang UK, 1972
Irish lace; Irish lace curtains noun a spider’s cobweb US, 1950
Irish linen noun in pool, the cloth used as a grip on the end of a
cue stick US, 1993

Irishman’s gate noun any makeshift gate NEW ZEALAND, 1977
Irish pennant noun a dangling thread on a recruit’s uniform.
Marine humour, marine usage US, 1941
Irish picnic wagon noun a police van US, 1996
Irish pop noun a shot of whisky and glass of beer US, 1982
Irish rose noun the nose. Rhyming slang UK, 1961
Irish shave noun an act of defecation US, 1979
Irish steak noun cheese. An allusion to Irish poverty UK: SCOTLAND,
1988
Irish sulk noun a fit of depression after being spirited and happy
CANADA, 1982
Irish toothache noun 1 an erection UK, 1882. 2 pregnancy US, 1972
Irish turkey noun corned beef US, 1915
Irish waterfall noun a manner of cigarette smoking in which smoke
is drawn into the mouth and then allowed to drift out and
upwards for inhalation through the nose UK, 2003
Irish wedding noun masturbation US, 1987
Irish whip noun in handball, a stroke hitting the ball close to the
body US, 1972
iron noun 1 a gun, especially a handgun US, 1838. 2 the penis UK, 1706.
3 money UK, 1705. 4 in the used car business, collectively the worst
cars on the sales lot US, 1975. 5 an old, dilapidated truck US, 1971. 6 in
hot rodding, a custom-built chrome bumper
US, 1956. 7 an older
mainframe computer US, 1991. 8 a railway track US, 1977. < push
iron; bump ir on; drive iron; pump iron
to lift weights. Prison
use US, 1965
Iron Age noun in computing, the period approximately between
1961 (the first PDP-1) and 1971 (the first commercial

microprocessor)
US, 1991
iron ass noun a stern, demanding, unrelenting person US, 1942
iron ben noun a bullet-proof vest US, 1949
ironbender noun a severe foreman, a strict disciplinarian CANADA, 1956
iron bomb noun a conventional aerial bomb that is simply dropped
from the sky without any targeting capability in the bomb US, 1962
iron box noun a domestic iron INDIA, 1979
iron cure noun the sudden and complete deprivation of a drug to an
addict in jail who suffers intensely
US, 1973
iron curtain noun agirdleUS, 1968
iron dog noun a snowmobile US, 1961
iron door noun < behind the iron door in prison US, 1992
iron duke noun in poker, a hand that is either certain to win or at
least played as if it is certain to win
US, 1967
iron girder noun a murder. Rhyming slang UK, 1998
iron God noun the Burroughs B-550 computer US, 1968
iron hat noun a safety helmet. Most commonly known as a ‘hard
hat’ US, 1954
iron hoof; iron noun a male homosexual. Rhyming slang for POOF
UK
, 1936
iron horse noun a tank or other armoured vehicle US, 1918
iron idiot noun an imprecise but easily manoeuvred manual sight
on a tank’s main gun US, 1986
Iron Lady nickname British Prime Mininster (1979–90) Margaret
Hilda Thatcher (b.1925). Coined by the Soviet media for Thatcher’s
unyielding anti-communist sentiments; always used with ‘the’ UK,

1976
iron lot noun a used car business specialising in old, inexpensive
cars
US, 1975
iron lung noun a tip, a gratuity. Glasgow rhyming slang for BUNG UK,
1985
iron man noun one US silver dollar ($1). From the metal coin US, 1908
Iron Mike noun 1 a bicycle. Rhyming slang for ‘bike’, formed from
the nickname of US boxer Mike Tyson (b.1966)
UK, 1998. 2 a pair of
brass knuckles US, 1949
iron mouth noun any person with orthodontia US, 1979
iron nose noun in British Columbia, a steelhead trout CANADA, 1963
iron out verb 1 to correct a misunderstanding, to negotiate differ-
ences and achieve agreement, to put right UK, 1930. 2 to knock a
person down; to flatten AUSTRALIA, 1953
iron pile noun the area in a prison recreation yard where the
weightlifting equipment is kept
US, 1962
iron pony noun a motorcyle US, 1945
irons noun 1 handcuffs. Also used in the singular US, 1929. 2 in horse
racing, stirrups US, 1951. 3 tyre chains used for winter driving US, 1971
iron skull noun on the railways, a boilermaker US, 1946
iron tank noun a bank. Rhyming slang UK, 1960
Iron Triangle noun 1 a major North Korean industrial complex
between Pyongyang to the north, Chorwon to the west and
Kumhwa to the east
US, 1968. 2 a dense jungle area near the Cu Chi
District of South Vietnam, about 20 miles northwest of Saigon,
dominated by the Viet Cong and the scene of heavy fighting US,

1966
iron undies noun the notional underwear worn by a woman who is
not willing to have sex NEW ZEALAND, 2002
iron worker noun a criminal who specialises in breaking into safes
US, 1949
iron yard noun the area where weight lifting equipment is left and
used, especially in prison US, 1995
I say! used for attracting attention or for registering surprise or
pleasure UK, 1909
I say, I say, I say! used as a catchphrase introduction to a corny
joke. From music hall comedy routines UK, 1927
isda noun heroin US, 1977
I see nothing used as a humorous expression of complicity. A
catchphrase from the unlikely wacky-Nazi-POW-camp-comedy
television programme Hogan’s Heroes (CBS, 1965–71). Uttered
frequently by Sergeant Hans Schultz, the full phrase was ‘I see
nothing. I hear nothing. I know nothing!’. Repeated with
referential humour US, 1965
IQ Charley | I see nothing 356
I see, said the blind man (and he saw) used for expressing
sudden comprehension in a teasing and humorous way
US, 1991
ish noun an issue (of a magazine, especially a single-interest fan
magazine)
US, 1967. < the ish a Royal Marine issued with all poss-
ible kit; or a full complement of equipment. Derives from ‘issue’
UK, 1987
-ish suffix 1 added to an adjective or phrase to form a less precise
adjective, or to suggest a vaguer, often wider, interpretation of the
proceeding adjective or phrase

UK, 1815. 2 added to a proper name
to form an adjective
UK, 1845
I shit them I am superior UK, 1979
I shit you not I am very serious US, 1986
I should cocoa!; I should coco! I should say so. Rhyming slang,
‘coffee and cocoa’, unusually reduced to its second element.
Derisive and sarcastic
UK, 1936
I shouldn’t wonder! I should not be surprised UK, 1836
ishy adjective disgusting, unappealing US, 1968
is it? 1 used for registering a mild disbelief UK, 1994. 2 used for indi-
cating polite interest, astonishment, incredulity, etc. Used
rhetorically without regard to gender, subject or number.
Sometimes spelt ‘izzit’
SOUTH AFRICA, 1970
Island noun < the Island the Isle of Wight, off the south coast of
England; in particular the prisons: HMP Camp Hill, HMP Albany or
HMP Parkhurst UK, 1956
Isle of Man noun a pan. Rhyming slang, formed on the name of
the island off the north west of England UK, 1992
Isle of Wight noun a light. Rhyming slang UK, 1998
Isle of Wight adjective 1 right; both as an expression of approval and
indicative of direction. Rhyming slang, formed from the name of
the island off the south coast of England
UK, 1960. 2 tight (in a state
of drunkenness or mean with money). Rhyming slang UK, 1992
I smell bacon! there are police nearby! A catchphrase from Wayne’s
World, heard before but popularised by it
US, 1993

isn’t it? used rhetorically, without regard to gender, subject or
number: is that not so? SOUTH AFRICA, 1956
isn’t that special? used for expressing sarcastic disdain. From
Dana Carvey’s ‘Church Lady’ skit on Saturday Night Live US, 1987
Israelite noun someone who is temporarily without money JAMAICA,
1969
issue noun a problem. Often used in a mocking way, borrowing from
the lexicon of self-improvement and popular psychotherapy. Most
often heard in the plural
US, 1999
issues noun crack cocaine UK, 2003
-ista suffix when combined with a subject-noun, a follower or
aficionado of something or someone. From Spanish. An example
is FASHIONISTA UK, 2003
is the Pope (a) Catholic? yes; a nonsense retort used as an
affirmative answer to a silly question, often sarcastic. Often mixed
with the synonymous DO BEARS SHIT IN THE WOODS? to achieve DOES
THE POPE SHIT IN THE WOODS?
Used in the UK since the 1970s US, 1977
I suppose noun a nose. Rhyming slang UK, 1859
I swallow! used as a cry of submission UK, 2000
iswas noun a contemptible, very much disliked person. This appears
to be a compound of ‘is’ and ‘was’ and is therefore perhaps
implying that the person so described is (soon to be) in the past
tense. Noted in connection with a legal dispute over rap lyrics by
BBC News, 6th June 2003
UK, 2003
is your father a glass maker? used to suggest that somebody in
front of you at a public event sit down and stop blocking your
view

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003
it noun 1 sex UK, 1599. 2 the penis US, 1846. 3 a short-term sexual
partner, a casual pick-up UK, 2002. 4 in male homosexual usage, a
heterosexual male or a homosexual male who is not part of the
speaker’s inner circle US, 1981
It noun sweet vermouth. Originally Italian vermouth as used in ‘gin
and it’ UK, 1937
it ain’t over ’til the fat lady sings used as a humorous aphorism
meaning that something is not over until it is over. The battle cry
of those who are about to lose
US, 1992
ital adjective natural, unadulterated; (of food) organic, salt-free; (of sex)
without a condom
JAMAICA, 1994
Italian airlines noun walking US, 1987
Italian mausoleum noun a car boot (trunk). From the stereotype of
the corpses of Mafia murder victims being stuffed in car boots
US,
1982
Italian shower noun a liberal application of aftershave or scent UK,
1997
ITALY written on an envelope, or at the foot of a lover’s letter, as
lovers’ code for ‘I trust and love you’. Widely-known, and well-used
by servicemen but, apparently, has not transferred to the coded
vocabulary of texting
UK, 1960
itch noun < he (she) wouldn’t give you the itch said of a
person with a reputation for meanness. In Glasgow use UK, 1988
itch verb to have a desire to do something UK, 1225
itch and scratch; itch noun a match (a vesta) UK, 1931

itchy backside noun said of a restless person SINGAPORE, 2002
itchy feet noun 1 attributed to a person who is restless UK, 1984.
2 attributed to a prison inmate who is considered to be a potential
absconder. A specialisation of ‘have itchy feet’ (to be restless) UK,
1978
itchy pussy noun a Mitsubishi car US, 1992
ite all right (as an adjective, or a greeting). A shortening of ‘all right’.
Teen slang UK, 2003
item noun a romantically-linked couple. Expressing a commitment
that the two individuals be considered as a single item
US, 1981
Itie noun an Italian. Variation of EYETIE UK, 1941
Itie adjective Italian AUSTRALIA, 1988
-itis suffix used to create imaginary medical conditions, such as
lazyitis (congenital laziness) and cobitis (an aversion to prison food)
US, 1912
it’s all good used for expressing optimism or a sense that all is well
in the world US, 1995
it’s been great used as a farewell US, 1969
it’s been real used as a farewell, suggesting that the time spent
together has been enjoyable US, 1982
it’s better to give than receive used as a declaration that it is
better to be the active rather than passive partner in homosexual
anal intercourse. A charitable philosophy
UK, 2000
it’s breakfast! used by firefighters in the woods to mean that the
fire is out and their work is finished US, 1991
it’s dead the issue being discussed need not be discussed any
further US, 2002
it’s hard to feel good about that used as an intentionally laconic

expression of sympathy or commiseration US, 1987
it’s not my job used for expressing a lack of interest in helping to
do something. A signature line of comedian Freddie Prinze on the
television comedy Chico and the Man (NBC, 1974–78). Repeated
with referential humour
US, 1974
it’s not the end of the world! offered as consolation to someone
who has suffered a mishap UK, 1984
it’s on! used for announcing the start of hostilities between youth
gangs
US, 1953
it’s the oil that counts in oil drilling, used for expressing doubt
about any new process, equipment or idea
US, 1954
it’s there used as a stock answer about something that is
acceptable but not great CANADA, 1993
itsy bitsy noun the vagina. Childish euphemism US, 1998
itsy-bitsy adjective tiny US, 1938
it’s you used as a greeting US, 1973
it takes all sorts an elliptical variation of the homespun philos-
ophy: it takes all sorts to make a world (or a universe) UK, 1951
357 I see, said the blind man (and he saw) | it takes all sorts
it takes one to know one you are as bad as the person you are
criticising
UK, 1984
itty adjective tiny. A childish form of ‘little’ UK, 1798
itty-bitty adjective tiny. A reduplicated variation of ITTY, perhaps by
combination with
BITTY UK, 1938
Ivan noun a Russian, especially a soldier; the nation of Russia;

sometimes used in the plural to represent Russians in general.
Originally military; the popular male forename is the Russian
equivalent to John
US, 1944
ivories noun 1 the teeth UK, 1782. 2 the keys of a piano or a similar
instrument
UK, 1818. 3 dice US, 1962. 4 billiard or pool balls UK, 1875.
< spank the ivories play the piano in a jazz-style US, 1944.
< tickle the ivories to play the piano UK, 1930
ivory flake noun cocaine US, 1983
ivory soap noun in dominoes, the double blank piece US, 1959
ivory tower noun used as a metaphor for an attitude that is elitist,
intellectual and removed from the real world US, 1911
I wonder! I doubt it!, I can’t believe it!; I think it may be so UK, 1922
I wouldn’t fuck her with your dick used as a jocular
disparagement of a woman’s sexual attractiveness
US, 1974
I wouldn’t kick her out of bed; I wouldn’t kick that out of
bed used as an expression of general sexual interest. Sometimes
elaborated as ‘I wouldn’t kick her out of bed for farting’ or ‘ for
eating crackers’ UK, 1984
ixnay no. Pig Latin for ‘nix’ US, 1929
-iz- infix used as an infix to hide the meaning of a word. Used in
prison and other fields with a tentative relationship to the law.
‘Dope’ becomes ‘dizope’
US, 1976
-iz-i infix an embellishment that adds no meaning to a word.
Popularised by Frankie Smith in the 1999 song ‘Double Dutch
Bus’ US, 1999
IZM; ism; izm noun marijuana US, 1992

Izzy noun any Jewish male US, 1949
it takes one to know one | Izzy 358
Jj
J noun 1 a marijuana cigarette. ‘J’ is for JOINT US, 1967. 2 in a deck of
playing cards, a jack
US, 1988. 3 money. An abbreviation of JACK US,
1982
JA noun 1 Jamaica JAMAICA, 1994. 2 a Jamaican JAMAICA, 2000
jab noun an intravenous drug injection US, 1914
jab verb to inject a drug intravenously US, 1908
jabba; fat jabba noun an overweight or unattractive person,
especially a school fellow; especially used as a playground insult.
After the character Jabba the Hutt, introduced to cinema goers in
Return of the Jedi, 1983
UK, 2003
jabber noun 1 a syringe US, 1982. 2 a drug user who injects drugs US,
1973
. 3 aboxerUS, 1904
jabbing jabba noun the act of anal sex. A nicely alliterative turn of
phrase. Jabba the Hutt, created by George Lucas, is an
excrementally ugly character from the Star Wars films; hence
‘jabbing’ (thrusting) into SHIT UK, 2001
jab-off noun the flooding sensations of exhilaration and euphoria
following a heroin injection
US, 1973
jack noun 1 anything at all; nothing at all US, 1973. 2 the anus. Notably
in ‘up your jack!’ UK, 1984. 3 an act of masturbation US, 2003.
4 semen. Possibly by back-formation from JACK OFF (to masturbate)
US, 1997. 5 a sexually transmitted infection. Short for ‘jack in the
box’, rhyming slang for POX AUSTRALIA, 1944. 6 methylated spirits as

an alcoholic drink. Probably a variation of JAKE UK, 1961. 7 a
homemade alcoholic beverage, usually applejack or raisinjack US,
1894. 8 tobacco US, 1949. 9 a small heroin pill UK, 1967. 10 in bowls, the
small white ball that serves as a target for the bowls
UK, 1611.
11 money US, 1890. 12 a counterfeit double-headed coin. Origin
unknown AUSTRALIA, 1936. 13 arobberyUS, 1988. 14 a police officer or
detective UK, 1889. 15 a friend BAHAMAS, 1995. 16 akookaburra.
Shortening of ‘laughing jackass’ AUSTRALIA, 1898. 17 a peek or a look
NEW ZEALAND, 1984
Jack noun an all-purpose male name; any man; used as a male-to-
male form of address. Predominantly black use
UK, 1706 8see: JACK
JONES
jack verb 1 to steal, to take by force – especially of street crime.
Adopted from ‘JACK’ (to hijack) US, 1930. 2 to lift or raise or move
something, as with a carjack AUSTRALIA, 1961. 3 (of a male) to
masturbate US, 1995. 4 to convey a cartridge into the chamber of a
firearm AUSTRALIA, 1995. 5 to abandon, to dismiss UK, 1961. 6 to serve
(a prison sentence)
US, 1966. 7 to move the plunger of a hypodermic
syringe back and forth AUSTRALIA, 1970. 8 to flush blood in and out of
a hypodermic syringe AUSTRALIA, 1970. 9 to cease; to shirk UK, 1947.
< jack someone’s root to frustrate someone US, 1980. < jack
your jaw
to talk incessantly US, 1983. < jack your joint to
manoeuvre your penis during sex US, 1997
jack adjective 1 used for describing any medium used for inspiration
while masturbating. Followed by the medium – ‘jack pictures’,
‘jack flick’, ‘jack book’, etc

US, 1990. 2 had enough of; fed up with
AUSTRALIA, 1889
Jack; Jack’s nickname Jack Daniels™ whisky US, 1972
jackabaun noun in Newfoundland, a mischievous person not to be
trusted. This word may have descended from the British ‘jacobin’
(a political reformer) CANADA, 1982
jackal’s wedding noun a time when the sun shines and it rains; a
sunshower. Glossed as a ‘village expression’ by Nigel Hankin,
Hanklyn-Janklyn, 2003
INDIA, 2003
Jack and Danny noun 1 the buttocks, the anus. Rhyming slang for
FANNY, formed from characters played by Jack Nicholson and
Danny Lloyd in the Stanley Kubrick film, The Shining, 1980 UK, 1992.
2 the vagina. Rhyming slang for FANNY (the vagina) UK, 2000. 3 a
story, lies. Rhyming slang for
FANNY UK, 2000
Jack and Jill; Jack-and-Jill; jack noun 1 a bill. Rhyming slang UK,
1960
. 2 a till, a cash register. Rhyming slang UK, 1932. 3 a hill.
Rhyming slang, formed on the nursery rhyme couple who went up
the hill
UK, 1934. 4 a fool. Rhyming slang for DILL (a fool) AUSTRALIA,
1973. 5 the (contraceptive) pill. Rhyming slang UK, 1988. 6 a pill.
Rhyming slang
UK, 1992
Jackanory noun a story. Either deriving from, or the inspiration for,
BBC television storytelling programme Jackanory, 1965–96 UK, 1972
jack around verb 1 to engage in horseplay US, 1963. 2 to fool around
US, 1962
jackass noun a fool. A male ass and thus an elaboration of ASS (a

fool)
UK, 1823
jackatar noun a Newfoundlander of mixed French and Micmac
ancestry
CANADA, 1966
jack benny noun in hold ’em poker, a three and a nine as the first
two cards dealt to a player. Comedian Benny perpetually claimed
that he was 39 years old US, 1981
jack boat; jack schooner noun a two-spar gaff-rigged fishing boat
in Cape Breton and Newfoundland CANADA, 1982
jack boy noun a street criminal who relies almost exclusively upon
force and terror US, 1989
Jack Canuck noun a Canadian CANADA, 1963
Jack Dash noun an act of urination. Glasgow rhyming slang for
SLASH UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
jackdaw and rook noun a book; specifically, in the theatre, the text
of a play (‘the book’). Originally theatrical UK, 1960
Jack Dee noun urine; an act of urination. Rhyming slang for WEE or
PEE, formed from the name of a UK comedian-actor (b.1962). Also
used as a verb UK, 1998
Jack Doyle noun a boil. Rhyming slang, formed from the name of
an Irish boxer, 1913–78 UK, 1992
jacked adjective 1 stolen, especially if taken in a mugging (a violent
street-crime). Alas, in ever wider-use since the early 1980s
US, 2002.
2 caffeinated. Borrowing from the language of car fuel for appli-
cation to the world of coffee drinks and, to a lesser extent, soft
drinks US, 1996. 3 very muscular US, 2003
jacked up; jacked adjective 1 drunk, drug-intoxicated, exhilarated US,
1935. 2 infected with a sexually transmitted infection AUSTRALIA, 1950

jackeen noun a Dubliner. A derivative of Jack, an abbreviation of
John (Bull), the national nickname for an English man originating
from the character named John Bull who features as a
stereotypical Englishman in ‘The History of John Bull’, a collection
of pamphlets written by John Arbuthnot (1667–1735), issued in
1712
IRELAND, 1998
jacker noun 1 arobber,ahijackerUS, 1985. 2 a camouflage expert US,
1956
jackeroo; jackaroo noun an apprentice station hand working on,
and learning how to manage, a cattle or sheep station. Origin
unknown. Suggestions have been legion, such as: the male name
Jack blended with ‘kangaroo’; a corruption of Johnny Raw; and
borrowings from various Australian Aboriginal languages. Originally
it was a Queensland word referring to a man living away from
settled areas, and so may be referable to a native Queensland
language
AUSTRALIA, 1845
jackeroo; jackaroo verb to work as a jackeroo AUSTRALIA, 1875
jacket noun 1 a personnel file, especially in prison or the military US,
1944. 2 an executive not involved with actual production US, 1997. 3 a
capsule of Nembutal™, a central nervous system depressant US,
1952. < get a jacket; wear a jacket (used of a man) to accept,
unknowingly, another man’s child as your own JAMAICA, 1997.
< give (someone) a jacket (used of a woman) to name