Slang and uncoventional english part 82 ppsx

round eye noun 1 the anus; by extension, a male homosexual who
plays the passive role in anal sex
US, 1950. 2 an American or
European. From the Southeast Asian perspective, adopted by US
soldiers in Vietnam to describe themselves
US, 1960
round-eyed adjective American or European, Caucasian US, 1966
round file noun a wastebasket US, 1975
roundhead noun the circumcised penis. A visual joke, probably of
Royal Navy origin, then polari, or juvenile
UK, 2002
roundheel noun a woman who is easily talked into sexual relations.
Boxing slang from the 1920s for a poor fighter – a ‘push-over’ –
applied later to women of easy virtue
US, 1943
round-heeled adjective easily seduced US, 1957
round heels noun a promiscuous or sexually compliant woman.
Derogatory; from the anatomical notion that a woman with round
heels is more easily put on her back US, 1926
roundhouse noun a punch that swings round to hit your opponent
side-on
US, 1920
roundie; roundy noun a factory-made cigarette. Prison usage NEW
ZEALAND
, 1948
round of drinks noun a small bet relative to the bettor’s wealth
AUSTRALIA, 1989
round robin noun 1 a story begun by one writer and completed by
another or multiple writers US, 1982. 2 a wager of ten conditional
bets on three selections UK, 2001
round robin shift noun a work schedule in which the worker rotates

between several different shifts
US, 1984
rounds noun an ejaculation BAHAMAS, 1982
round sound noun a fashionable, current song. ‘Round’ means
nothing, but contrasts with SQUARE US, 1955
roundtable noun in organised crime, a meeting of leaders convened
to discuss and decide with finality pressing business issues
US, 1975
round the bend; around the bend adjective mad, crazy; eccentric.
Probably a naval coinage, widespread by the mid-C20 UK, 1929
round-the-clock noun an elaborate conditional wager on a mini-
mum of three selections
UK, 2001
round the houses; round me’s; rounds; rounders noun trousers.
Rhyming slang on the Cockney pronunciation of ‘trousers’. The
abbreviation ‘round me’s’ suggests a variation as ‘round me
houses’ – this is not so. In the US the abbreviation ‘rounds’ was
not recorded until 1944
UK, 1857
round the twist adjective crazy. A variation of ROUND THE BEND UK,
1960
round-up noun in college, a notification of academic deficiency US,
1968
roundy-round adjective used of a motor race track or course oval US,
1993
rouse verb < rouse on to castigate someone verbally AUSTRALIA, 1896
rouseabout verb a general assistant on a rural property. Hence, also,
any general assistant AUSTRALIA, 1881
roust verb 1 to harass someone, especially when done deliberately by
the police or other authorities

UK, 1995. 2 to upbraid someone
AUSTRALIA, 1916
roustabout noun 1 in oil drilling, an unskilled oil field worker US, 1948.
2 a general assistant on a rural property. Variant of ROUSEABOUT
AUSTRALIA
, 1940
rouster noun a rough and ready western Canadian man. This
expression is likely derived from
ROUSTABOUT (an oil field worker),
but adapted to describe any rough-hewn male CANADA, 1987
rousting noun 1 a vigorous act of sexual intercourse UK, 1999. 2 an act
of deliberate (police) harassment UK, 1980
rout noun a wild, rowdy party US, 1968 8see: ROTE
router noun in horse racing, a horse that performs well in longer
races
US, 1965
rover noun in a casino, a gambler who moves from game to game,
never staying at any one game very long
US, 1987
row noun < go for a row to get into trouble AUSTRALIA, 1965
row verb to fight; to battle. An exaggeration of the sense as ‘to argue’
UK, 1999. < row down the red river to experience the bleed
period of the menstrual cycle
US, 2001
rowbottom noun a student disturbance, started in fun but not
always ending as such. Specific to the University of Pennsylvania
in Philadelphia, claimed to have been named for J.T. Rowbottom, a
rowdy member of Penn’s Class of 1913
US, 1940
row dog noun in prison, another prisoner whose cell is on the same

tier
US, 1995
rowdy noun a person who inhales glue for the psychoactive effect US,
1971
rowdy dowdy noun in pickpocketing, the seemingly accidental
jostling of victims or potential victims by members of the gang
US,
1962
rowed out adjective excluded UK, 2000
rower noun an argument UK, 1996
rowers’ revenge noun the ritual of throwing the coxswain into the
water after a rowing team wins an event
US, 2001
row in verb to implicate someone in a crime UK, 1970
row out verb 1 to contrive the innocence of someone in relation to
a particular crime UK, 1970. 2 to distance yourself from something
or someone UK, 1974
rox noun crack cocaine. A phonetic play on ROCK(S) US, 1994
Roxanne noun cocaine; crack cocaine. A ROCK personification US, 1994
Roy noun a refined and cultured Australian male. Counterpart to the
ALF AUSTRALIA, 1960
royal adjective effeminately homosexual. ‘Queenly’ UK, 2002
royal blue noun a blue tablet variety of LSD US, 1971
ro yal crown noun a British Leyland ‘Princess’ car UK, 1981
Royal Docks noun syphilis; hence any sexually transmitted infection;
hence an irritated condition. Rhyming slang for POX UK, 1992
royally adverb greatly, extremely US, 2002
royal mail; royal noun bail. Rhyming slang UK, 1961
Royal Navy noun gravy. Rhyming slang. Presumably served in a
‘Royal Navy boat’ UK, 1992

Royal Navy situation noun a need for money. A pun on SUB (a
loan) UK, 1994
ro yal shaft noun monumental mistreatment US, 1983
royal temple ball noun hashish and LSD formed into a ball US, 1978
royal wedding noun in hold ’em poker, a king and queen, especially
of diamonds US, 1996
Roy Castle noun the anus. Rhyming slang for ARSEHOLE, used here in
its anatomical, non-figurative sense; formed from the name of the
multi-talented entertainer, 1932–94 UK, 1998
Roy Rog ers noun building tradesmen who are not as skilled as may
reasonably be expected. Rhyming slang on the plural form of
BODGER. Formed on the name of a famous film cowboy, 1911–98,
and thus a play on COWBOY (any tradesman who is unreliable,
irresponsible and, perhaps, unqualified)
UK, 1992
roz noun crack cocaine. Possibly a misspelling of ROX UK, 1998
rozzer; roz noun a police officer. Possibly from Yiddish khazer (a pig).
‘Roz’ is first recorded in 1971 UK, 1893
RPG noun a role-playing game US, 1986
RSN used as Internet shorthand to mean ‘real soon now’ US, 1995
RT A verb to return to Australia; to be returned to Australia AUSTRALIA,
1963
RT Aer noun a person returning to Australia after expeditioning in
Antarctica. From RT A AUSTRALIA, 1996
RTFM read the fucking manual US, 1997
ru noun a member of the Piru youth gang US, 1994
rub verb < rub in; rub it in to emphasise something annoyingly;
to continue to insist, especially in an unkindly or vexing manner
549 round eye | rub
UK, 1870. < rub off on someone (of abstract qualitities, such as

luck or enthusiasm) to transfer from one person to another
US,
1959. < rub someone up the wrong way to annoy someone UK,
1862
. < rub someone’s nose in it to humiliate someone by
reminding them of a mistake
UK, 1963. < rub the magic lamp (of
a male) to masturbate
US, 2001
rub-a-dub; rub-a-dub-dub; rubberdy; rubbidy; rubba noun a
public house. Rhyming slang for
PUB; from the nursery rhyme
‘Rub-a-dub-dub, / Three men in a tub’
UK, 1932
rub-a-dub-dubs nickname HMP Wormwood Scrubs (a prison in north
London). Rhyming slang, in current prison use February 2002 UK,
2002
rubber noun 1 a condom. The most common, and almost only,
slang term for a condom in the US US, 1947. 2 balloons US, 1966.
3 collectively, a car’s tyres. A car might be said to have ‘good
rubber’
US, 1882. 4 acarUS, 1964. 5 a rubber bullet US, 1982. < burn
rubber
to spin a car’s wheels in a fast start, leaving rubber tracks
on the road US, 1957. < chirp rubber to shift gears in a car in a
manner that produces a chirping sound of tyre meeting road
US,
1965
. < on rubber driving a car US, 1945. < peel rubber to spin a
car’s wheels in a fast start, leaving rubber tracks on the road US, 1971

rubber adjective used of a cheque, unfunded. A back-formation from
the metaphor of an unfunded cheque bouncing US, 1991
rubber and rocks noun bacon and eggs. Collected during an
extensive survey of New Zealand prison slang, 1996–2000 NEW
ZEALAND
, 2000
rubber arms noun the sensation experienced by a surfer paddling
into a large wave that might be a little larger than the surfer cares
to tackle US, 1964
rubberband noun a vehicle manufactured by DAF. Citizens’ band
radio slang; a slur on DAF technology UK, 1981
rubber bitch noun the inflatable rubber air mattress given to US
troops in the field in Vietnam US, 1991
rubber bum noun a derelict hitchhiker CANADA, 1961
rubber cheque; rubber kite noun a worthless cheque. An
unfunded cheque bounces back from the bank US, 1931
rubber chicken circuit noun the tour made by an after-dinner
speaker, with reference to tough chicken as the usual main course
CANADA, 1959
rubber cow noun in circus usage, an elephant, male or female US,
1981
rubber duck noun 1 a trifle; something of no value. Rhyming slang
for FUCK UK, 1992. 2 an inflatable rubber dinghy SOUTH AFRICA, 1986
rubber ducker noun a rubber duck (an inflatable rubber dinghy)
enthusiast
SOUTH AFRICA, 1994
rubber duckie noun a short, flexible, rubber-coated vehicle-mounted
radio aerial. A jokey reference to ‘Rubber Duck’ as referring to the
HANDLE (a citizens’ band radio identity) of the hero of the film
Convoy, 1975 UK, 1981

rubbered adjective drunk UK, 2002
rubber heels; rubber heelers noun the Metropolitan Police
internal affairs division at New Scotland Yard. From the silence and
secrecy of its methods UK, 1964
rubber johnny; rubber johnnie; rubber johney noun acondom.
An elaboration of JOHNNY UK, 1980
rubber lip noun a citizens’ band radio user who monopolises
conversation US, 1976
rubber man noun in circus and carnival usage, a balloon seller US,
1981
rubberneck verb to stare with undue interest US, 1896
rubberneck bus noun a tour bus US, 1958
rubberneck car noun on the railways, an observation carriage US, 1946
rubbernecker; rubberneck noun a person who stares with
curiousity, especially a motorist who slows to view an accident
US,
1934
rubber numbers noun very approximate statistics US, 2003
rubbers noun 1 a wet suit; a garment made of rubber or synthetic
neoprene worn next to the skin while in cold water
CANADA, 1977.
2 sneakers, trainers VIRGIN ISLANDS, BRITISH, 1996
rubber vag noun in circus and carnival usage, someone who lives in
a mobile trailer
US, 1981
rubber walls adjective crazy. In gay use, especially in the phrase ‘I’ll
go rubber walls’
US, 1972
rubbins; rubbings noun rubbing alcohol. A drink of desperation US,
1980

rubbish noun 1 anything of poor quality or little or no worth;
nonsense. From the sense as ‘refuse’ UK, 1601. 2 a contemptible
person or persons SOUTH AFRICA, 1941
rubbish verb to criticise someone or something unfavourably; to
disparage someone or something; to discard someone or
something
AUSTRALIA, 1953
rubbish adjective bad; inferior UK, 2001
rubbisher noun a person given to detraction AUSTRALIA, 1972
rubbishing noun an act of denigration. From RUBBISH (little or no
worth)
AUSTRALIA, 1971
rubbishy adjective of inferior quality UK, 1824
rubbity-dub; rubbity; rubbitty; rubbidy noun a public hotel.
Rhyming slang for PUB AUSTRALIA, 1898
rubby noun a derelict who drinks rubbing alcohol. The word is not to
be confused with ‘rummy’
US, 1962
rubby-dub noun an ignorant soldier from a rural mountain area, a
poor candidate to be a good soldier US, 1946
rub down noun a cursory search of a prisoner by running hands
over clothes and body UK, 1887
rub down verb to search a prisoner UK, 1887
rube; reub noun an unsophisticated, naive, inexperienced person.
From the older, UK ‘reuben’ (a country bumpkin) US, 1896
rubia de la costa; rubia noun a light-coloured marijuana originat-
ing in Columbia. Directly from Spanish, rubia (fair-haired) is used
by the Spanish to describe Virginian tobacco, plus de la costa (of
the coast)
US, 1976

rubies noun the lips US, 1947
Rubik’s cubes; rubik’s noun pubic hair. Rhyming slang for PUBES,
formed from a puzzling toy UK, 2003
rub joint noun a dance hall where men can, for a small price, dance
intimately with women
US, 1981
rub ’n’ tug noun a massage that includes masturbation US, 2000
rub of the brush noun a beverage made from the remnants of
drinks in a bar US, 1950
rub-out noun a killing US, 1927
rub out verb 1 to kill someone US, 1848. 2 to disqualify a competitor
AUSTRALIA, 1902
rub up verb to assault someone US, 1952
rubyfruit noun the vagina US, 1982
Ruby Murray; ruby noun a curry. Rhyming slang, based on popular
singer Ruby Murray, 1935–96. In Cardiff, a local variant is Don
Murray, named after the Cardiff City footballer
UK, 1992
ruby rose; ruby noun the nose. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
ruck noun 1 a heated argument; a fight. Possibly derives from
obsolete ‘rux’ (bad temper, anger, passion, noise) or conventional
‘ruckus’ UK, 1958. 2 a rucksack or backpack US, 1982
ruck verb 1 to fight, especially as part of a gang UK, 1999. 2 to
masturbate. Prison slang UK, 1974
ruck and row; ruck noun a cow, especially in the sense a
contemptible woman. Rhyming slang, formed from a combination
of RUCK (a fight) and ‘row’ (a disturbance, a violent quarrel) UK, 1992
rucker noun 1 afighterUK, 1968. 2 a customer given to complaining
and making a fuss. A barely euphemistic variation of FUCKER,poss-
ibly influenced by ‘ruckus’. Used by second-hand car dealers

UK,
1968
rub-a-dub; rub-a-dub-dub; rubberdy; rubbidy; rubba | rucker 550
rucking noun a severe reprimand. Mostly in prison use UK, 1958
ruck up verb to pick up your rucksack and other combat gear and
proceed with a march. Used as a modernised
SADDLE UP, which has
definite overtones of cavalry days
US, 1990
ruckus juice noun strong, homemade whisky US, 1999
ruco noun a boyfriend or husband. Border Spanish used in English
conversation by Mexican-Americans; also used in the feminine
‘ruca‘ (a girlfriend or wife)
US, 1950
ruction noun a disturbance; agitation; disorderly behaviour UK, 1890
ruddy adjective used as an intensifier. A rhyming euphemism for
BLOODY that also puns on the colour red UK, 1914
ruddy well adverb certainly, definitely UK, 1933
rude noun a youth who steals by mugging. Adapted from RUDE BOY (a
Jamaican youth/gangster)
UK, 2002. < in the rude naked. Light-
hearted rhyming euphemism for ‘in the nude’ UK, 1974
rude adjective 1 sexual; sexy. Upper-class society use. Not to be
confused with IN THE RUDE (naked); one condition does not necess-
arily lead to the next
UK, 1982. 2 attractive UK, 2003. 3 intense;
superior. Collected from fans of heavy metal music US, 1995. 4 used
of a computer program, poorly designed US, 1983
rude!; rudeness!; how rude!; how rudeness! used for suggesting
that the speaker has crossed an etiquette line that is better not

breached US, 1989
rude bits noun genitals AUSTRALIA, 1994
rude boy; rude bwoy; rudebwai; rudie noun a Jamaican youth
associated with gang activities. West Indian and UK black patois
JAMAICA, 1967
rudeness noun sex TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1973
rude parts noun the most obvious erogenous zones: male and
female genitals and posteriors, and female breasts. Upper-class
society use; combines RUDE (sexual) with ‘private parts’ UK, 1982
ruderalis skunk noun an extremely potent hydroponic marijuana
which is a hybrid of ruderalis (a variety of marijuana from Russia)
and skunk UK, 1999
rudery noun rudeness, impolite or risqué speech or conversation;
sexually implicit or explicit gestures or behaviour
UK, 1932
Rudolph Hess; rudolph noun a mess (a failure). Rhyming slang,
formed from the name of the high-ranking Nazi officer,
1894–1987 UK, 1998
ruff noun a twenty-five cent piece US, 1945
ruff adjective acceptable, good, cool US, 1985
ruffie noun Rohypnol™ (flunitrazepam), popularly known as the
‘date-rape drug’ US, 1995
ruffle noun the passive participant in lesbian sex or a lesbian
relationship US, 1970
ruffneck noun a male or female gangster; a non-conformist or
rebellious youth;. A misspelling of ‘roughneck’ (a thug). West
Indian and UK black use into the US via hip-hop culture
UK, 1994
ruff-puff noun a South Vietnamese local defence force. RFs were
regional forces, PFs were platoon-size village forces. Quick

American minds took RF with PF to form ‘ruff-puff’ US, 1977
rug noun 1 a hairpiece, especially a poorly executed one US, 1940.
2 pubic hair, especially on a female US, 1964. 3 in horse racing, a
heavy horse blanket US, 1976
rugby ball noun a capsule of Temazepam™, a branded tranquillizer.
From the shape UK, 1990s
rug-cutter noun a great time US, 1951
rug-eater noun a lesbian US, 1997
rugger bugger noun an enthusiastic sportsman whose character is
formed by the aggressive pursuit of masculinity and frequently
demonstrated by his boorish behaviour and drunken socialising.
From ‘rugger’ (rugby football) but encompassing a wider field of
endeavours SOUTH AFRICA, 1970
rug joint noun a well-appointed, even luxurious gambling operation
US, 1964
rug munch noun an instance of oral sex on a woman US, 1995
rug-muncher noun a lesbian. From the image of oral sex as
‘munching a hairpiece’
US, 1997
rug out verb to endure a difficult situation. An awkward attempt to
render ‘rugged’ as a verb US, 2002
rug rat noun a young child. A bit derisive US, 1970
rug up verb in horse racing, to cover the horse with a blanket after a
workout or race UK, 1948
ruined adjective drunk UK, 2002
rule noun < on the rule of a prisoner, segregated from the general
prison population for that prisoner’s protection. A reference to rule
43 which is, according to HM Prison Service in 2003: ‘A now
defunct rule that allowed the segregation of prisoners’
UK, 2000

rule verb used as an expression of supremacy for the preceding
collective or plural noun(s)
US, 1968
rule forty-three; rule 43; the rule noun in prison, a sex offender,
or other prisoner, kept apart from the main prison community for
‘safety of self or others’ UK, 1996
rule of five noun a piece of (unofficial) medical lore: if more than
five orifices are obscured by plastic tubing then a patient’s con-
dition is critical UK, 2002
rum noun 1 an unsophisticated, unaware person US, 1972. 2 a prisoner
deemed inferior or too odd by other prisoners
US, 1972. 3 a
drunkard
US, 1960
rum adjective strange; eccentric; disreputable; questionable UK, 1774
rumble noun 1 a fight, especially between teenage gangs US, 1948. 2 a
wild party US, 1968 . 3 a difficult encounter with law enforcement US,
1972. 4 a concerted police search for narcotics US, 1958
rumble verb 1 to fight US, 1946. 2 in circus and carnival usage, to spoil
something US, 1981. 3 to come to an understanding or realisation of
something that has been concealed
UK, 1886
Rumble in the Jungle nickname the October 1974 heavyweight
championship fight between Muhammed Ali and George Foreman
in Kinshasa, Zaire, in which Ali knocked Foreman out in the 8th
round US, 1974
rumbleseat noun a truck that is not equipped with a citizens’ band
radio following a truck that is US, 1976
rumble-tumble noun scrambled eggs. Originally military UK, 2003
rum blossom noun a red welt produced from excessive consumption

of alcohol US, 1976
rum boy noun a drunk BAHAMAS, 1982
rum, bum and bacca; rum, bum and baccy noun the mythic
three graces of a sailor’s life. A (presumed) later variation of ‘beer,
bum and bacca’. Rum, Bum and Concertina, a pun on ‘wine,
women and song’, is the title of the second part of George Melly’s
autobiography published in 1977. In 1992, the Pogues, reflecting
an earlier view of naval life, released an album entitled Rum,
Sodomy and the Lash
UK, 1973
rumdum; rum-dumb noun a drunk US, 1891
rumdummed adjective extremely drunk US, 1891
rum goblet; rum goggles noun a large Adam’s apple TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO
, 2003
rummy noun an alcoholic US, 1851
rummy adjective 1 prone to drink too much, if not alcoholic US, 1834.
2 poor; inferior; bad US, 1947
rumoured adjective married. English gypsy use, from Romany romer
(to marry)
UK, 2000
rump verb to cheat someone UK, 1998
rump bump noun in a sexual dance, a pelvic thrust that emphasises
the buttocks moving backwards US, 1956
rumper noun in hot rodding, a powerful engine US, 1965
rumpo noun sexual intercourse. Possibly influenced by (or vice versa)
Rambling Syd Rumpo, an innuendo-laden character played by
Kenneth Williams in Round the Horne, BBC radio, 1965–69 UK, 1986
551 rucking | rumpo
rump-ordained adjective used for describing a preacher who has no

formal theological training or denominational affiliation
US, 1974
rumpty adjective in poor repair; below standard NEW ZEALAND, 1995
rumpty pumpty; rumpty noun intimate sexual activity. A variation
of RUMPY-PUMPY with a nursery rhyme feel thanks to Humpty
Dumpty
UK, 1998
rumpus noun a brawl; a riot UK, 1764
rumpy-pumpy noun sexual intercourse UK, 1983
rum-runner noun an importer, transporter and/or purveyor of illegal
alcohol, especially rum US, 1920
rum-sucker noun a heavy drinker TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1845
rumty noun an admirable or excellent person or thing NEW ZEALAND,
1998
rum’un; rumun; rumin noun especially in Tasmania, an eccentric
person; a character; a scallywag AUSTRALIA, 1967
run noun 1 a group motorcyle excursion US, 1966. 2 aperiodof
extended amphetamine use US, 1967. < on the run escaping from
justice; being a fugitive UK, 1887
run verb 1 to associate; to socialise US, 1946. 2 to smuggle something
UK, 1706. < run a pot in poker, to make a sustained, pre-planned
bluff on a hand US, 1967. < run blues to use blue lights in a car’s
tail lights
US, 1985. < run hot to drive with sirens and flashing
lights activated
US, 2002. < run like a hairy goat (of a racehorse)
to run poorly in a race
AUSTRALIA, 1941. < run rings round
someone
to defeat someone with absolute ease UK, 1891. < run

speed limit
to do something with great speed. Hawaiian youth
usage
US, 1982. < run to seed with age or lack of care, to become
ill-kempt, shabby or undesirable. The imagery of the garden UK,
1837. < run your mouth to talk too much US, 1977. < run your
neck
to make threats or boasts which you are not prepared to
back up with actions US, 2001
runabout noun asmallcarUK, 1900
run along verb to depart; often used as a gentle imperative UK, 1902
run-around noun < give someone the run-around; get the
run-around to treat someone, or be treated, with contempt, or so
as to serve a mere whim; to cause someone trouble, or be caused
trouble US, 1924
run, chicken, run noun the Royal Canadian Regiment. Formed from
the initials RCR. Note that ‘chicken’ does not insinuate cowardice.
Rather this insult alludes to a story which alleges that a member
of the regiment was found, in flagrante delicto, with a chicken.
Members of the RCR counter that he was a cook
CANADA, 1995
rundown noun a complete explanation US, 1969
runes noun in computing, any esoteric display character or computer
language US, 1991
run-fast noun on the railways, oil US, 1946
rung-in adjective substituted; phoney AUSTRALIA, 1969
run-in noun 1 an argumentative or violent encounter UK, 1999. 2 a
concealed location used by criminals for the division or transfer of
recently stolen goods
UK, 1959

run in verb to arrest someone US, 1973
run, Johnny, run noun inexpensive loose cigarette tobacco. Formed
from the initials of the R.J. Reynolds tobacco company
US, 1962
run letter noun a final deportation letter from the US Immigration
and Naturalisation Service
US, 2002
runner noun 1 in an illegal betting operation, a person who
physically collects and pays off bets placed with sheet writers US,
1947. 2 a prison inmate who collects dues for a baron (a powerful
criminal whose influence is built on illegal trading)
UK, 1978.
3 someone who carries illegal drugs between dealer and purchaser
US, 1972. 4 a clerk or collector for a street bookmaker UK, 1934.
5 somebody sent to buy alcohol for others US, 1963. 6 in the
television and film industries, an errand-running production assist-
ant US, 1990. 7 a deserter from the armed services; an escapee from
prison or borstal UK, 1959. 8 in the language surrounding the
Grateful Dead, a fan who queues before a show and then quickly
claims space for friends who will follow
US, 1994. < do a runner to
escape by running away; to abscond; to leave hastily
UK, 1981
runner and rider noun cider. Rhyming slang, from the vocabulary of
horse racing
UK, 1992
runners noun 1 sneakers, trainers AUSTRALIA, 1988. 2 any shoes US, 1995.
< the runners diarrhoea US, 1948
running noun 1 diarrhoea BAHAMAS, 1982. 2 MDMA, the recreational
drug best known as ecstasy

UK, 1998
running buddy noun a close friend and confederate in crime US, 1970
running dog noun a servant of the ruling class, subservient to
counter-revolutionary powers. From Chinese communist
terminology originally applied to the Kuomintang
US, 1937
running partner noun a close friend joined for criminal and social
activities
US, 1965
runnings noun 1 diarrhoea ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, 1996. 2 a sexually
transmitted infection with discharge
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003.
3 whatever is happening or is planned to happen UK, 1994
run-off noun a prostitute who has attempted to break off from her
pimp US, 1993
run of outs noun a succession of losses or failures AUSTRALIA, 1953
run-out noun a well-worn tyre US, 1961
run out verb < run out of road to fail to keep control of a motor
vehicle, especially on a bend, and consequently be involved in an
accident
UK, 1981. < run out of steam to lose vigour UK, 1961
run-out powder noun the departure of a gambler who has not paid
off his gambling debts US, 1979
run-over days noun the first three days of the bleed period of the
menstrual cycle BAHAMAS, 1982
runs noun a sexually transmitted infection with discharge TRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO
, 1951. < the runs a case of diarrhoea US, 1962
Runs Empty Only noun a truck manufactured by REO. A back-form-
ation US, 1971

runt noun 1 in circus and carnival usage, a dwarf or midget US, 1980.
2 in poker, a pairless hand US, 1963
runts and cunts noun used for expressing disapproval of the com-
position of the US armed forces in the decades after Vietnam US,
1993
runty adjective delicate; sickly IRELAND, 1989
runway noun a generous dose of powdered cocaine arranged in a
line for snorting. A clever play on a conventional ‘runway’, (a long
straight path used to achieve lift-off) UK, 1999
run-what-you-brung noun a drag race between amateur drivers
driving their own cars US, 1970
ruof; rofe; roaf; rouf noun four. Back slang UK, 1863
rupert noun 1 an army officer; any young upper-class type. A generic
based on the perception that Rupert is a popular name in ‘quality’
families, but note another military use of ‘rupert’ as ‘the penis’.
Current usage seems to date from the 1970s UK, 1996. 2 the penis.
Military; possibly related to the sense as officer
UK, 1961
ruptured duck noun the US armed forces insignia designating
honourable discharge US, 1946
rush noun 1 a sudden and powerful sense of euphoria or energy.
Figurative use of the drug term US, 1971. 2 the sudden onset of drug
intoxication US, 1966. 3 amyl, butyl or isobutyl nitrite. From the
sudden effects of the drug UK, 1996. 4 cocaine UK, 2003. 5 in poker, an
unusual streak of good cards
US, 1982
rush verb 1 to charge an amount of money UK, 1887. 2 to charge for
goods or services, especially to overcharge or cheat UK, 1887. 3 to be
infatuated with someone BARBADOS, 1965. 4 to make sexual advances
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1934. < rush the knocks in drug sales, to

ignore the order of customers and make a sale US, 2002
rush-and-snatch job noun a search and rescue mission without the
complications of enemy fire US, 1991
Rushina noun in homosexual usage, a personification of amyl nitrite
or butyl nitrite. From
RUSH, a popular name for amyl nitrite US, 1980
rump-ordained | Rushina 552
rushy adjective descriptive of an energetic and euphoric reaction to
MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy
UK, 1997
Russell Crowe noun an attack. Rhyming slang for GO,formedfrom
the name of the notoriously pugnacious New Zealand-born film
actor (b.1964) UK, 2003
Russell Harty noun a party. Rhyming slang, formed from the name
of the television presenter (1934–88)
UK, 1992
Russian boots noun leg irons US, 1949
Russian duck noun an act of sexual intercourse. Rhyming slang for
FUCK UK, 1992
Russian jack noun a homemade alcoholic beverage made from
sugar, yeast, water and flavouring FIJI, 1984
Russian roast noun a sexual act in which a woman performs oral
sex on a man who is, at the same time, being sodomised by
another man UK, 2004
Russian roulette noun LSD UK, 1996
Russki adjective Russian UK, 1859
Russki; Russky; Rusky noun a Russian UK, 1858
rust noun faecal stains in the underwear or on a toilet bowl CANADA,
2002
rust belt noun the northern central US, highly industrialised prior to

the economic decline in the US in the 1980s US, 1987
rust bucket noun an old, dilapidated vehicle AUSTRALIA, 1965
rustle up verb to obtain something; to organise the supply of
something
US, 1891
rusty adjective of a skill, having deteriorated as a result of lack of
practice UK, 1796
rusty bullet wound; rusty bullet hole; rusty sheriff’s badge;
rusty washer
noun the anus. ‘Rusty’ (brown, the colour associated
with the anus) plus a visual metaphor
UK, 1997
rusty dusty noun the buttocks US, 1942
rusty fuck noun a notional object of no value whatsoever US, 1969
rusty trombone noun a sexual technique in which a man receives
oral stimulation of his anus and manual stimulation of his penis
at the same time and from the same person. Imagery which
becomes apparent if you picture the penis as a trombone’s slide
and the anus as its mouthpiece US, 2002
Ruud Gullit noun dismissal from employment. Rhyming slang for
BULLET, formed from the name of the Dutch footballer (b.1962)
when he was given ‘the bullet’ as player-manager of Chelsea
football club in 1998
UK, 1998
RV; r.v . noun a recreational vehicle or large motor home US, 1967
Ryan Giggs noun lodgings. Rhyming slang for DIGS,formedfromthe
name of the Welsh footballer (b.1973) UK, 1998
553 rushy | Ryan Giggs
Ss
s- prefix it’s, especially preceding a word spelt with an ’n’, such as not

snot and nice snice. A slovening that allows the childish to say
SNOT UK, 1917
Sa noun a Samoan NEW ZEALAND, 1992
sab verb to act as a hunt saboteur UK, 1996
saccharine lips noun a glib talker. Not quite as glib as ‘sugar’
AUSTRALIA, 1989
sachie noun Versace™ clothing US, 1998
sack noun 1 a bed. Probably related to the C19 sailor’s use of ‘sack’
as a ‘hammock’
US, 1942. 2 a bag of heroin; hence, heroin UK, 1998.
3 the scrotum. Originally dialect UK, 1928. 4 courage. A testicular
reference
US, 1984. 5 a coat or jacket US, 1972. < in the sack used
for suggesting sexual activity. Literally ‘in bed’
US, 1995. < the sack
dismissal from employment UK, 1841
sack verb 1 to dismiss someone from employment; to jilt someone
UK, 1841. 2 to abruptly stop any activity UK, 2001. 3 to dispose of
something UK, 2001. 4 to sleep; to spend the night US, 1966. < sack
it to receive an accidental blow to the scrotum UK, 2000
sack, back and crack noun a treatment for removing a man’s body
hair by waxing it and stripping it off UK, 2003
sack drill noun sleep US, 1963
sack duty noun sleep US, 1963
sack hound noun a lazy person, overly fond of sleep US, 1959
sack off verb to reject something UK, 2002
sack of garbage noun in bar dice games, a roll that produces no
points for the player US, 1971
sack of sauce noun a used condom US, 1997
sack of shit noun used abusively of an unpleasant person. A con-

ventional ‘sack’ full of SHIT (excrement); probably a revision of SAD
SACK OF SHIT US
, 2001
sack out verb to go to bed US, 1946
sack rat noun a lazy person, overly fond of sleep US, 1947
sack ship noun a big ship used to carry supplies from Europe to the
East Coast fisheries CANADA, 1965
sack weather noun inclement weather during which air missions
cannot be flown
US, 1949
sacky dacky noun a depressed misfit US, 1946
sacrament noun LSD. An arguably pretentious euphemism US, 1990
sacré bleu! used for registering shock, frustration, anger, anguish,
etc; especially in a context of Frenchness. Directly from the
French euphemism sacré Dieu! (sacred God!) UK, 1869
sacred adjective excellent US, 1991
sacred cow; sacred ox noun on the railways, an extra engine used
on a mountain US, 1977
sacred site noun a place one holds in reverence. From the meaning
as ‘a place sacred to Australian Aboriginals’
AUSTRALIA, 1987
sad adjective terrible US, 1945
sad and sorry noun a lorry. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
sad-ass; sad-assed adjective contemptible US, 1971
sad bastard noun a contemptible person; an ineffectual person UK,
2003
Saddam Hussein noun a pain; an irritation; an annoying person.
Rhyming slang for conventional ‘pain’, also on a shortened PAIN IN
THE ASS/AR SE
; formed, with all due respect, from the name of the

former Iraqi leader UK, 1998
sad day! used for expressing commiseration with another person’s
troubles US, 1989
saddle noun 1 in trucking, the driver’s seat US, 1971. 2 in a group of
trucks travelling down the motorway together, the truck in the
middle
US, 1976. 3 a two-part bet in an illegal numbers gambling
lottery
US, 1949. < in the saddle 1 engaged in sexual intercourse.
The term enjoyed widespread popularity in the US during
discussions of the 1979 death of former Vice President and New
York Governor Nelson Rockefeller US, 1979. 2 in control US, 1950
saddle-fuck verb to have sex, the woman astride the prone man US,
1972
saddler noun a ride on a bicycle’s saddle while another person
pedals UK, 1979
saddles noun the testicles hanging in the scrotum. Probably from
JOHN WAYNE’S HAIRY SADDLE BAGS UK, 2004
saddle tramp noun 1 a person who rides horseback through the
countryside US, 1942. 2 a motorcyle gang member US, 1989
saddle up verb 1 to pick up your gear and resume a combat patrol
US, 1976. 2 to engage in mutual oral sex simultaneously US, 1985
saddo noun a pathetic or contemptible individual. Jocular if not
derogatory
UK, 2000
sadfuck noun a contemptible person UK, 1997
Sadie Masie noun sado-masochism. A jocular personification US, 1965
Sadie the Office Secretary noun used as a personification of the
stereotypical female office worker US, 1953
Sadie Thompson verb to rape (a man) US, 1985

sad kecks noun a killjoy. Pejorative; conventional ‘sad’ combined
with KECKS (trousers) UK, 1999
sadlands noun the suburbs of a city UK, 2002
sad-on noun a bad mood. Royal Navy slang UK, 1989
sad sack noun a miserable and depressing individual; an inept
misfit. Originally US military US, 1942
sad sack of shit noun a miserable and depressing individual.
Abbreviates as
SAD SACK US, 1978
safe noun 1 the rectum. Referring to the rectum as a depository for
drugs to be smuggled into prison US, 1992. 2 acondomUK, 1965. 3 in
a pickpocketing team, the thief who takes the wallet or object
stolen by the wire and leaves the scene with it US, 1954. < in the
safe
concealed in the anus UK, 1996
safe adjective 1 worthy of approval SOUTH AFRICA, 1970. 2 hopelessly out
of style. Hawaiian youth usage US, 1982. 3 all right; used as an
expression of approval or agreement SOUTH AFRICA, 1981
safe and sound; safe noun the ground UK, 1992
safe house noun a room, apartment or house where it is safe to
stay, work and hide from the authorities, rival criminals or rival
spies
US, 1963
safe screw noun a corrupt prison officer UK, 1996
safety noun 1 acondomUS, 1973. 2 a safety pin used for an
improvised injection of an illegal drug
US, 1952
safe word noun a code word, agreed between a sexual dominant
and submissive masochistic partner, for use by the masochist as a
signal that the current activity should stop US, 1987

safey noun in horse racing, a riding assignment for a jockey on a
horse that stands little chance of winning AUSTRALIA, 1989
sag verb to wear trousers that are too big and which consequently
ride very low on or below the hips
US, 1991
saga lout noun an elderly person who behaves badly. Saga is a UK
company that supplies a wide range of services to the over-50s; a
pun on LAGER LOUT (a hooligan fuelled by lager) UK, 2004
sage noun a hybrid marijuana. An initialism of ‘Sativa Afghani gen-
etic equilibrium’, contrived, perhaps, as a reference to the herb
UK,
2003
saggie noun a central nervous system depressant such as Seconal™
US, 1960
sag off; sag verb to truant from school or work UK, 1959
Saigon cowboy noun a rear-echelon troop or civilian who dressed
the part of a combat soldier but did not experience combat
US, 1977
Saigon quickstep noun diarrhoea US, 1991
Saigon Suzie noun used for describing a stereotypical Vietnamese
sex worker during the Vietnam war US, 1990
Saigon tea noun a whisky-coloured drink served to bar girls in
Vietnam, passing for expensive whisky bought by US servicemen
US, 1966
Saigon Tech noun the war in Vietnam; military service in Vietnam
US, 1969
sailing adjective 1 drunk US, 1968. 2 marijuana-intoxicated US, 1993
sailor’s elbow noun an act of ending a relationship with a lover. An
elaboration, perhaps a specialisation, of
ELBOW (an act of dismissal)

UK, 2003
sailors on the sea; sailors noun tea UK, 1961
saint noun an incorruptible prison officer or police officer UK, 1996
saint and sinner noun dinner. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
Saint Loo nickname St. Louis, Missouri US, 1961
Saint Moritz noun diarrhoea. Rhyming slang for THE SHITS,basedon
the Swiss resort UK, 1998
Saint Peter noun thepenis.Perhapsbecausehe‘opensthegateto
heaven’ UK, 2003
saints preserve us! used for expressing fear. A signature line of the
chief of police on Batman (ABC, 1966–68), Chief O’Hara.
Repeated with referential humour
US, 1966
Saint Vitus dance verb to move in a fidgety, jerking manner UK, 1621
sais a ching noun in betting, odds of 6–5. A slurring of ‘six’
combined with
CHING (five pounds) UK, 1991
sal noun a friend or pal BARBADOS, 1965 8see: SAL’TING
sala noun an idiot. Adopted into hip-hop, urban usage from subtly
insulting Hindi sala – the literal sense of which is ‘a man’s wife’s
brother’; the abusive sense is ‘to someone who is not the
speaker’s wife’s brother: the insult lies in the implication that the
sister of the person abused is available to the speaker as a wife’
(Nigel Hankin, Hanklyn Janklyn, 2003)
US, 2003
salad noun 1 marijuana US, 1997. 2 a mixture of two or more drugs US,
1970
salad bowl noun a serendipitous mixture of inferior (and, hence,
uncommercial) bud and leaf remains of varying marijuana var-
ieties

UK, 2003
salad days noun a period of youthful inexperience and innocence
UK, 1606
salad dodger noun a person who is overweight UK, 1999
salad parade noun a group of ballet dancers UK, 1952
salad toss noun any of several sexual practices involving oral-anal
stimulation
CANADA, 2002
salad wagon noun a dustcart US, 1962
salami noun the penis. The image of a large, dark sausage US, 2000
salaud noun a contemptible person, mainly applied to a French
person. From French salaud, ultimately from French sale (dirty)
UK,
1962
saleslady noun a prostitute US, 1962
salesman noun 1 a professional wrestler who does a good job of
feigning pain, anger or fear US, 1999. 2 in gin, a card discarded to
lure a desired card from an opponent US, 1965
Sally noun a chilled, twelve ounce can of beer US, 2002
Sally Army; Sally Ann; Sally noun the Salvation Army; a Salvation
Army hostel US, 1915
Sally Gunnell; sally noun a tunnel, especially the Blackwall Tunnel.
Rhyming slang, formed on the name of the British Olympic
athlete (b.1966)
UK, 1998
salmon noun a twenty-dollar note. From the orange-red colour
AUSTRALIA, 1983
salmon and trout; salmon noun 1 tobacco; a cigarette. Rhyming
slang for
SNOUT UK, 1974. 2 gout. Rhyming slang. Sometimes varied

as ‘salmon trout’ UK, 1932. 3 the nose. Rhyming slang for ‘snout’ UK,
1974. 4 an informer. Rhyming slang for SNOUT UK, 1992. 5 a ticket
tout. Rhyming slang, originally applied to a racecourse tout
UK, 1932.
6 stout (beer). Rhyming slang UK, 1960
salon noun a semi-private area created by shrubs and trees where
homosexual liaisons take place. For example, Coco Chanel’s salon
was found in a large grove of trees at Land’s End in San Francisco
US, 1972
saloon noun 1 in poker, a hand consisting of three cards of the same
rank and a pair. Known conventionally as a ‘full house’ US, 1988. 2 a
brakevan (caboose)
US, 1977
salt noun 1 a sailor, especially an experienced sailor. Often in the
phrase ‘old salt’ UK, 1840. 2 an experienced veteran in any calling UK,
1970. 3 a woman. Possibly by extension from obsolete (mid-C17 to
mid-C18) ‘salt’ (the sex act); possibly by abbreviation from obsolete
(C19) ‘salt-cellar’ (the vagina); most likely of unknown etymology
UK, 1969. 4 a drunkard BARBADOS, 1965. 5 heroin. From the appearance
of the powdered drug US, 1971. 6 plain tobacco mixed with
marijuana
SOUTH AFRICA, 1946
salt verb 1 to make something appear to be worth more than it is.
Originally mining slang
US, 1852. 2 to swindle someone by baiting
them US, 1950. 3 to plant or place something to be found US, 1981
salt and pepper noun 1 marijuana, especially if of poor quality;
marijuana adulterated with oregano
US, 1946. 2 apolicecar.From
the black and white colour scheme of many police cars

US, 1976
salt and pepper adjective white and black US, 1915
salt and rob noun assault and robbery SOUTH AFRICA, 1946
salt away verb to save money; to hide money and valuables UK, 1902
salt-banker noun a fishing boat on the Grand Banks carrying
enough salt to preserve fish caught, allowing a longer stay on the
water CANADA, 1961
salt beef noun an attractive woman married to someone else
BAHAMAS, 1982
saltee; salter; salty; saulty noun a penny. From Italian soldi
(money) UK, 1859
saltie noun a saltwater crocodile AUSTRALIA, 1951
sal’ting; saltfish; sal noun the vagina JAMAICA, 1991
salt junk; salted adjective drunk. Rhyming slang, from a military
and nautical name for ‘salted beef’ UK, 1909
saltmine noun a workplace US, 1976
salt-rising adjective sourdough retained as leavening for future
baking CA NADA, 1951
Salt River noun < go up Salt River to die US, 1945
salt shaker noun a road-gritting or -salting vehicle US, 1976
salt struck adjective of cod, dressed with enough salt to be pickled
CANADA, 1957
salt water noun a US police officer born in Ireland US, 1982
saltwater taffy noun an attractive woman on the beach. An
allusion to a brightly coloured sweet sold at US beaches US, 1990
salty adjective 1 angry, hostile US, 1938. 2 uncouth; unpleasant US, 1985
salty dog noun during the Vietnam war, a piece of equipment lost in
combat US, 1991
salty water noun the recreational drug GHB. Caustic soda mixed
with industrial cleaner gamma butyrolactone produces a salt which

is dissolved in water to produce the clear solution GHB
US, 1997
salute verb < salute the judge to win a horse race AUSTRALIA, 1977
Salvador Dali; salvador noun 1 cocaine. Rhyming slang for CHARLIE
(cocaine) UK, 2000. 2 a drink. Glasgow rhyming slang for SWALLY UK:
SCOTLAND
, 2002
555 sage | Salvador Dali; salvador