Slang and uncoventional english part 88 pps

Slaughter on the Water noun the 1995 America’s Cup sailing race,
a lopsided victory by New Zealand
US, 1996
slave noun 1 in a sado-masochistic relationship, a person who
endures many forms of humiliation, including extreme pain and
public displays of submission US, 1963. 2 a submissive prisoner who
performs all types of menial tasks for others US, 1988. 3 ajobUS, 1946
slave verb to work, especially at a menial job US, 1974
slave bracelet noun a bracelet showing romantic devotion to
another
US, 1947
slave-driver noun a stern taskmaster US, 1854
slave market noun 1 any place where day labourers congregate US,
1978
. 2 a National Employment Service office CANADA, 1960
slave training noun the process of instructing, and conditioning the
behaviour of, a sexual submissive in order that the submissive’s
menial service and status become part of a sexual relationship,
especially when used in a dominant prostitute’s advertising matter
UK, 2003
slay verb to cause someone to laugh uproariously UK, 1927
slayer noun an assertive young woman. An allusion to the
eponymous lead in the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Teen slang UK, 2003
sleaze noun 1 sordidness, sleaziness; immorality UK, 1967. 2 political
corruption US, 1983. 3 a person with low moral standards US, 1976
sleazebag noun an undesirable, unlikeable person. A useful term
when you cannot decide whether to call someone a SCUMBAG or a
SLEAZEBALL US, 1992
sleazeball noun an utterly despicable person US, 1983
sleazemeister noun an acknowledged expert on, or practitioner of,

sordidness, sleaziness, immorality or political corruption. By a
combination of SLEAZE and German meister (master) US, 1993
sleazo noun a despicable, sleazy person US, 1972
sleazoid noun a person of low character US, 1986
sleazy adjective 1 cheap; inferior; low US, 1941. 2 disreputable, especially
in a sexually enticing way UK, 1960
sleb noun a celebrity. A phonetic slurring and reduction UK, 1997
sled noun 1 a motorcycle. Biker (motorcycle) usage US, 2003. 2 acarUS,
1985
sledge noun a verbal criticism designed to put a player off their
game
AUSTRALIA, 2000
sledge verb to needle an opponent in order to put them off their
game AUSTRALIA, 1995
sledgehammer noun in pool, a stroke lacking in finesse but full of
force US, 1990
sledger noun in cricket, a fielder who baits, taunts and abuses an
opponent as tactical gamesmanship UK, 2002
sledgied adjective under the influence of MDMA, the recreational
drug best known as ecstasy UK, 1991
sledging noun the practice of needling an opponent in order to put
them off their game. Originally, and still principally, in cricket, but
now also used in reference to other sports AUSTRALIA, 1975
sleekit adjective cunning, sly. Dialect UK: SCOTLAND, 1911
sleep noun 1 a prison sentence of one year US, 1949. 2 cocaine. Rich
irony; if you do, you won’t US, 1987
sleep verb < sleep with someone to have sex with someone UK,
1819. < sleep with the fishes to be dead as a result of a murder
US, 1972
sleep around verb to be sexually promiscuous US, 1928

sleeper noun 1 a barbiturate capsule; a sleeping tablet US, 1961.
2 heroin UK, 1998. 3 a book, film, song, etc, that, having failed to sell
successfully on its initial release, eventually becomes a ‘hit’ UK, 1984.
4 in sports, a player who performs exceptionally well in spite of
very low initial expectations
US, 1878. 5 in betting, uncollected
winnings; a stake that is illegally retained by the bookmaker when
a bet is won
UK, 1956. 6 in circus and carnival usage, money that a
customer overlooks US, 1981. 7 in craps, a bet on the table that a
gambler has forgotten is his
US, 1981. 8 in dominoes, an unused
piece that rests numbers-down
US, 1997. 9 in hot rodding, a conven-
tional-looking, deceptively high-performing car US, 1965. 10 a train
with sleeping carriages
US, 1958. 11 a rock just below the land
surface
CANADA, 1987
sleeper jump noun any long distance move between performances
US, 1973
sleeping Bill noun a police truncheon US, 1949
sleeping policeman noun a speed bump UK, 1973
sleeping time noun a very short jail or prison sentence US, 1992
sleep off verb to serve a short prison sentence without difficulty US,
1950
sleep on verb to give overnight consideration to something; to put
off making a decision until the following day
UK, 1519
sleep-out noun 1 an enclosed verandah, or part thereof, fitted with a

bed for sleeping
AUSTRALIA, 1927. 2 chiefly in Victoria, a separate
outbuilding used as sleeping quarters AUSTRALIA, 2003
Sleepy-R noun the Canadian Pacific Railway CANADA, 1987
sleepy seeds noun the deposits of mucus formed about the eyes
during sleep
US, 1975
sleet noun crack cocaine. From the drug’s resemblance to sleet US,
1994
sleeve noun acondomUK, 1998. < on the sleeve used of someone
who injects drugs. From the need to roll up a sleeve before
injecting UK, 1996. < put the sleeve on someone to arrest
someone UK, 1996
sleeve verb to tattoo the lower half of the arm US, 1989
sleeveen adjective sly, devious IRELAND, 2004
sleeves noun a wetsuit of any style US, 1977
sleezer noun a person, usually female, who is substandard in some
important way
US, 1992
sleigh ride noun the use of cocaine or heroin; cocaine or heroin.
Building on the SNOW metaphor US, 1973
sleveen noun in Newfoundland, a person not to be trusted, a rascal
CANADA, 1968
slevered adjective drunk. Hip-hop, urban slang noted in connection
with a legal dispute over rap lyrics by BBC News, 6th June 2003
UK,
2003
slew noun a large amount US, 1839
slew; slew a head verb to distract someone, especially in the
commission of a crime

AUSTRALIA, 1975
slice noun 1 a woman or women, objectified sexually. From the
phrase ‘take a slice’ recorded in 1796 as ‘to intrigue, particularly
with a married woman, because a slice of a cut loaf is not
missed’; the etymology is further thought to trace back to the
proverbial phrase ‘it is safe taking a shive [a slice] of a cut loaf’,
and ‘shive’ is easily exchanged with ‘swive’ (to have sex). Perhaps
from an image of the vagina as a slice in the flesh, but also taking
a slice of bread as something necessary and in plentiful supply
UK,
1796. 2 an act of sexual intercourse (with a woman). After the pre-
vious sense, possibly influenced by synonymous PORTION UK, 1955.
< cut off a slice to have sex (with a woman). A punningly
contrived verb form of ‘slice’ (an act of sexual intercourse)
UK, 1980
slice verb < slice bread to make a payoff UK, 1970
sliced adjective 1 muscular, lacking body fat, well-sculpted US, 1984.
2 circumcised US, 1988
slice of knuckle pie noun a punch in the mouth UK, 1962
slice of toast noun a ghost. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
slick noun 1 a car tyre without a tread, used in drag racing. Usually
heard in the plural US, 1960. 2 a glossy magazine US, 1953. 3 in pool, a
skilled player who bets on his own ability
US, 1990. 4 afieldof
criminal expertise US, 1992. 5 an unarmed aircraft US, 1990. 6 a
helicopter used for troop transport US, 1971
slick adjective 1 attractive; charming US, 2001. 2 in lowball poker, favour-
able
US, 1967
591 Slaughter on the Water | slick

slick chick noun an attractive girl US, 1947
slickdick adjective smooth; plausible. Elaboration of conventional
‘slick’
UK, 1997
slicker noun 1 a world-wise, sophisticated, urban person US, 1900. 2 a
police officer
US, 1998. 3 a stolen car with all identification markings
erased or removed US, 1950. 4 an oversized, wide, smooth tyre used
in racing
US, 1958
slick leggings noun the rubbing of the penis between the thighs of
another man until reaching orgasm US, 1961
slicklicker noun an oil-spill cleaning machine CANADA, 1995
slick-sleeve noun a US Army private E-1; a US Air Force airman
basic; a police recruit. ‘Slick’ because he has no stripes on his
sleeve
US, 1970
slick superspeed noun methcathinone. From the superior quality
of the drug when compared to average SPEED (amphetamine) US,
2003
slick top noun an unmarked police car with no light on its roof US,
1976
slick-wing adjective used of a pilot in the air force, junior. The wing
insignias of the junior pilot did not have a star above them like
those of senior and command pilots
US, 1986
slicky; slickey verb to obtain something through ingenious and
unorthodox diligence, up to and including theft. An adaptation of
pidgin English by United Nations troops in Korea in the early
1950s, from ‘slick’ (not-quite-honestly smart)

US, 1968
slicky boy noun a thief or swindler. Coined by Koreans, borrowed by
US and UN troops in Korea US, 1967
slide noun a trouser pocket US, 1932
slide verb 1 to depart, to go US, 1859. 2 to ride a wave US, 1965. < slide
your jive
to talk freely. Teen slang CANADA, 1946
slide adjective used of a college course, easy US, 1974
slide and sluther noun a brother. Rhyming slang UK, 1998
slider noun 1 an electronic device that allows operation between
authorised channels on a citizens’ band radio
US, 1976. 2 a gambler
who slides rather than rolls dice in an effort to control the result
US, 2003. 3 a hamburger or cheeseburger. Originally the small
hamburgers sold by the White Tower™ chain, later any hamburger
US, 1987
sliders noun men’s shorts with an elastic waistband TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO
, 1939
slide-rule jockey noun a navigator in an aeroplane crew US, 1959
slides noun shoes US, 1962
slim noun a handgun US, 1950
slime noun 1 heroin US, 1994. 2 British Army Intelligence Corps
personnel UK, 1995
slimeball noun a despicable person US, 1973
slimedog noun a dirty, offensive person US, 1994
slimemouth noun a foul-talking person US, 1985
slim-fast diet noun HIV or AIDS US, 2002
slim jim noun a device that is slipped into a car door and used to
open the door’s locking mechanism US, 1988

slim off verb to strip to your underwear US, 1958
slimy adjective having an insincere and ingratiating manner UK, 1602
sling noun 1 a monetary gift or tip. Wilkes records a slightly earlier
(1948) variant ‘sling back’
AUSTRALIA, 1950. 2 in horse racing, a
gratuity given the jockey and attendants by the owner after a win
AUSTRIA, 1989. 3 a bribe or illegal payment AUSTRALIA, 1948. < beat it
for the sling
to fail to appear in court AUSTRALIA, 1975. < in the
sling said of a woman experiencing her menstrual period US, 1954
sling verb 1 to throw something (or someone) in a specific direction;
hence to pass something from one person to another. Common
in C14 and C15, now dialect or colloquial UK, 2002. 2 (to discard or
abandon) someone or something; to quit something UK, 1902. 3 to
pay a tip to someone
AUSTRALIA, 1875. 4 to pay a bribe to someone
AUSTRALIA, 1939. 5 to sell illegal drugs US, 2001. 6 to engage in pro-
miscuous sexual behaviour
BAHAMAS, 1982. < sling hash to work as
a waitress or short-order cook
US, 1906. < sling ink to tattoo US,
1989. < sling your hook to go, to leave. A naval derivation,
perhaps inspired by slinging grappling hooks preparatory to
swinging across to another ship. Later use seems to be mainly
imperative
UK, 1874
sling-backs noun used generically for high-heeled shoes UK, 2002
sling-ding noun in fishing, a weight attached to a line of trawl to be
set, to moor the end CANADA, 1955
slinger noun 1 a criminal who passes counterfeit money UK, 1950. 2 a

striptease artist
US, 1981
sling off verb to speaking disparagingly to someone AUSTRALIA, 1900
sling out verb to reject something; to eject someone UK, 1959
slingshot noun 1 a drag racing car design in which the driver is
seated behind the rear wheels
US, 1962. 2 any vehicle that passes
others on the motorway at great speed
US, 1976. 3 in motor racing,
a passing method in which the car follows another’s draught and
then quickly passes
US, 1973. 4 an extremely skimpy man’s bathing
suit
US, 1991
slingshotting noun in bungee jumping, a reverse jump, beginning
with the cord stretched out, yanking the participant up in the air
US, 1992
slip noun 1 in cricket, a fielder or fielding position close to the wicket
keeper UK, 1816. 2 the price of the fare home given to a punter who
has lost all their money AUSTRALIA, 1977
slip verb 1 to give birth to a child AUSTRALIA, 1968. 2 to act
inappropriately US, 1993. 3 to insult someone in a semi-formal quasi-
friendly competition US, 2000. < slip a fatty to have sex UK, 1983.
< slip a lock to open a locked door by sliding a plastic credit
card between the door and jamb and then sliding the lock open
US, 1981. < slip her a length (from the male perspective) to have
sex with a woman
UK, 1949. < slip it to someone (of a male) to
have sex with someone. Euphemistic and naughty, both at once
US, 1952. < slip one to someone (of a male) to have sex with

someone UK, 2001
slip-and-fall noun a run-of-the-mill, often fraudulent law suit or
insurance claim resulting from an injury suffered slipping and
falling in a business establishment US, 1996
slip-in noun any lubricant used for faciliating sex, especially anal sex
US, 1962
slipper-training noun spanking with an old-fashioned gym shoe,
especially when advertised as a service offered by a prostitute UK,
2003
slippery adjective in hot rodding and drag racing, streamlined US, 1968
slippery Anne noun in a deck of playing cards, the queen of spades
US, 1950
slippery Sid; slippery noun a Jewish person. Offensive. Rhyming
slang for YID UK, 1998
slippings noun any lubricant used in anal sex US, 1979
slipping stick noun a slide rule US, 1954
slippy adjective 1 quick; spry; nimble. From dialect. Perhaps the best
known contemporary usage is the song that became the theme of
the film Trainspotting UK, 1885. 2 slippery US, 1982
slip-slap noun an old shoe, especially a slipper TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO,
1973
slip-slop noun a strap sandal with a wooden sole BARBADOS, 1965
slip-sloppy adjective very drunk CANADA, 1988
slipstick noun atromboneUS, 1970
slip-stick jockey noun a radar technician US, 1947
slip up verb to make a mistake US, 1855
Slistnoun used as a euphemism for ‘shit list’, a list of enemies US,
1974
slit noun 1 the vagina UK, 1648. 2 A person from South Asia. Offensive.
From the European perception of South Asian eyes as slanted slits

US,
1980. 3 a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy.
slick chick | slit 592
Possibly from the sense as ‘a vagina’, punning on CUNT (a vein for
injecting)
UK, 2003
slitch noun a despicable and/or promiscuous girl. A blend of SLUT
and BIT CH US, 1963
slither noun counterfeit coins US, 1982
Sloane ranger; Sloane noun a conventional person, part of a
fashionable set, born to the privileges of the upper-/middle-class,
especially one who dwells in London. A playful blend of Sloane
Square (in Chelsea, London) and The Lone Ranger (since the
1930s, a fictional hero of the American west)
UK, 1975
slob noun 1 a slovenly person; a fat, lazy person; hence, when the
characteristics are applied to the intellect: a simple-minded
person, or, when applied to the morals, a delinquent
UK, 1861.
2 anyone of Slavic heritage. Offensive US, 1978. 3 used as a
derogatory nickname for a member of the Bloods youth gang
US,
1994
slob; slob out verb to behave in a lazy, slovenly manner UK, 2002
slobber noun food; a meal UK: SCOTL AND, 1988
slog noun an act or period of hard work UK, 1888
slog verb 1 to work hard at something UK, 1888. 2 to punch someone
UK, 1824. 3 to walk heavily. From obsolete ‘foot-slogger’ (an
infantryman, a pedestrian) UK, 1872. < slog it out to work hard at
some activity. An elaboration of SLOG (to work hard) AUSTRALIA, 1971.

< slog your guts out to work hard at something. An
intensification of
SLOG UK, 1984
sloo noun a look; a visual examination AUSTRALIA, 1989
sloosh verb to wash in a hurry and in a perfunctory fashion NORFOLK
ISLAND
, 1992
slooze noun a promiscuous female US, 1976
slop noun 1 prison food, 1996. 2 poorly formed waves for surfing
purposes US, 1965. 3 in pool, a shot made unintentionally US, 1990.
4 in computing, a built-in margin of error in one direction only US,
1983. 5 a second-year college student US, 1947
slop verb < slop the hogs in trucking, to fill a truck radiator with
water
US, 1971
slop and flop noun meals and lodging US, 1953
slope noun a person from South Asia US, 1948
slopehead noun a Vietnamese; any South Asian. Derogatory,
perjorative, offensive, demeaning US, 1966
slope off verb to depart, especially surreptitiously or in
embarrassment UK, 1861
slope-out noun an easy task US, 1957
slopey adjective used of a wave steep US, 1991
slopie noun a Chinese person or other South Asian. Offensive US, 1949
slop out verb 1 in prison, to dispose of bodily waste collected in
unplumbed toilet facilities. The first order of the day according to
Lag’s Lexicon, Paul Tempest, 1950; however, according to HM
Prison Service in 2003: ‘Slopping out was officially ended on 12th
April 1996’
UK, 1950. 2 to remove and clean plates, bowls, etc, that

have been used in a prison cell. A play on SLOP (prison food), and
the previous sense
UK, 1996
slopping out noun in prison, the regular emptying of unplumbed
toilet facilities UK, 2000
sloppy adjective 1 very sentimental US, 1883. 2 drunk US, 2002
Sloppy Joe noun a multi-layered sandwich from which the fillings
ooze. The name comes from the inevitable mess on fingers and
face, the sign of a sloppy eater US, 1961
sloppy seconds noun sex with someone who has just had sex with
someone else US, 1969
slops noun beer AUSTRALIA, 1944. < go slops to have sex with a
woman who has very recently had sex with another man or other
men
AUSTRALIA, 1985
slopshoot noun food with little nutritional value but which appeals
to popular taste. US Marine Corps slang US, 1991
slops merchant noun a habitual drinker of beer AUSTRALIA, 1962
slopsucker noun a low priority project US, 1991
slop time noun in prison, meal time. From SLOP (prison food) UK, 1996
slop up verb to drink to the point of intoxication US, 1962
slosh noun 1 a small indeterminate measure of some liquid UK, 1888.
2 a blow. From SLOSH (to hit) UK, 1936. 3 a drink, especially if watery
or weak; tea; coffee; beer; drink in general; hence, sodden or
mushy food UK, 1819. 4 the back-slash (\) on a computer keyboard
US, 1991
slosh verb 1 to pour a liquid or a sodden mass carelessly; to swallow
a drink, an oyster, etc carelessly. Usually combined with an adverb:
‘slosh down’, ‘slosh out’, ‘slosh over’, etc
US, 1875. 2 to hit someone

UK, 1890
slosh and mud; slosh noun a stud. Rhyming slang UK, 1998
sloshed adjective drunk UK, 1946
sloshing noun a beating; a thrashing UK, 1931
sloshy adjective drunk US, 1993
slot noun 1 a prison cell AUSTRALIA, 1947. 2 prison AUSTRALIA, 1976. 3 used
as a term of address among jazz lovers of the 1930s and 40s
US,
1946. 4 the perfect spot to ride a wave US, 1964. 5 a crevasse in the
snow ANTARCTICA, 2000
slot verb 1 to imprison someone AUSTRALIA, 1950. 2 to shoot someone
dead. Military UK, 1998. 3 to give something UK, 1999
slotties noun 1 a handbag. Polari UK, 1992. 2 money UK, 1992
slouch noun a lazy non-performer US, 1796
slough noun a jail or prison US, 1950
slough verb 1 to arrest someone US, 1962. 2 to close down a poker
game. Also used in the variant ‘slough up’ US, 1979
slow verb < slow your r oll to calm down US, 1993
slow boat noun < get someone on a slow boat to win all of a
person’s money by luring them into making ill-advised bets US, 1951
slowcoach noun a slow-moving (or slow-thinking) person UK, 1837
slow-em-up noun any central nervous system depressant US, 1980
slow-me-down noun a sedative tablet UK, 2000
slow-mo adjective slow-motion US, 1993
slow-pay noun a person in debt who has been remiss in making
repayment US, 1973
slow pill noun in horse racing, a depressant given to a horse to
decrease its performance US, 1947
slow-play verb 1 to stall; to delay US, 1992. 2 in poker, to underbet a
hand to lure other players with inferior hands into betting UK, 1990

slowpoke noun a person who moves slowly or dawdles US, 1848
slow set noun in a disco, a set of songs (usually three) played at slow
tempo with the purpose of bringing the dancers closer together
IRELAND, 1997
slow smoulder noun a person whose career is going nowhere fast.
US Air Force usage; the opposite of a ‘fast burner’ US, 1998
slow the row, papa! take it easy! US, 1947
slud verb to fall victim to a chemical warfare attack. From the official
military warning that the victim will salivate, lachrymate, urinate,
and defecate’
US, 1991
sludge noun beer UK, 1958
SLUF nickname an A-7 Corsair attack bomber. An acronym for ‘short
little (or low) ugly fucker (or fellow)’ US, 1994
sluff verb to play truant US, 1951
slug noun 1 a drink UK, 1756. 2 a dollar US, 1981. 3 the penis. Figurative
application of the slimy invertebrate found in damp places; the
pun on conventional ‘slug’ (a bullet) into
BULLET (an ejaculation of
semen) is later
AUSTRALIA, 1945. 4 an idler. Either an abbreviation of
‘sluggard’ or a comparison to the slow-moving slimy gastropod or
land-snail UK, 1425. 5 a seal. A visual similarity ANTARCTICA, 1940. 6 a
group of cards that have been arranged and then inserted into a
deck US, 1996. 7 a hospital patient who refuses to participate in
therapy or self-help US, 1989. 8 in drag racing and hot rodding, a
piston US, 1958. 9 in the television and film industries, a piece of
593 slitch | slug
unusable film that is temporarily used to fill in for footage that
will be added

US, 1990. < put the slug on someone to hit
someone with your fist US, 1980
slug verb 1 to strike someone hard UK, 1862. 2 to drink directly from a
bottle. From the noun sense
UK: SCOTLAND, 1996. 3 to cheat playing
slot machines by inserting something other than the proper coin
in the machine
US, 1985. 4 to lie in bed. Verb formation from the
more common usage as a noun
US, 1986
slug and snail; slug noun a fingernail, a toenail. Rhyming slang UK,
1992
slugfest noun a bruising, drawn-out fight; hence, a military
engagement at close-quarters. A combination of
SLUG (to strike)
and -FEST (a concentration of the preceding noun) US, 2003
slugger noun 1 a brutish fist-fighter US, 1942. 2 a casino cheat who
tries to play slot machines with objects other than the proper coin
US, 1985
sluggo noun an extremely skimpy bikini AUSTRALIA, 1991
sluggos noun tight-fitting men’s nylon swimming briefs. So called
since they display the
SLUG (the penis) AUSTRALIA, 1987
slug huggers noun a pair of men’s close-fitting and revealing nylon
swimming trunks
AUSTRALIA, 2003
slugout noun a fight, especially between youth gangs US, 1962
sluice noun an act of sexual intercourse; sex. From an earlier sense
(the vagina) UK, 1970
slum noun 1 an apartment or house. The Oxford English Dictionary

offers several early C19 cites in this sense but deems the term
obsolete. Robert Beck (Iceberg Slim) wrote the language of the
streets, not C19 England, suggesting a slang life for the word in the
C20 US US, 1969. 2 inexpensive costume jewellery; any low-value
merchandise
US, 1914. 3 prison food US, 1950
slum verb 1 to visit a poor neighbourhood out of curiosity; to live
beneath your station UK, 1884. 2 to voluntarily mix with social
inferiors UK, 1928
slum adjective cheap; shabby; in poor taste US, 1973
slumber slot noun in trucking, a sleeping compartment behind the
seat US, 1971
slumgullion noun a make-shift stew made with whatever ingredients
are at hand US, 1963
slum hustler noun a person who sells fake jewellery US, 1973
slumlord noun a landlord who rents poorly kept-up properties in the
ghetto, often with a large profit margin US, 1953
slummadelic fire noun excellent and exciting rap music US, 2002
slummy noun small change; coins. Liverpool use UK, 2001
slung up adjective relaxed; at ease US, 1990
slurp verb < slurp at the sideways smile to perform oral sex on
a woman US, 2001
slurpage noun any beverage US, 1997
slush noun 1 counterfeit paper money UK, 1924. 2 tea UK: SCOTLAND, 1988.
< in the slush very drunk US, 1991
slush box noun an automatic transmission; a car with automatic
transmission AUSTRALIA, 1981
slush car noun a car with an automatic transmission US, 1958
slush fund noun 1 a discretionary fund, where the source of the
money and the exact way in which it is spent is not subject to any

accounting or accountability
US, 1874. 2 money collected by a
prisoner’s associates for a prisoner’s family
UK, 1996
slushing fuck pit noun the vagina UK, 2001
slush pump noun 1 a trombone. Musicians’ slang US, 1937. 2 an auto-
matic transmission; a vehicle with an automatic transmission.
‘Not used so much these days,’ noted Clive Graham-Ranger,
Sunday Times, 9th August 1981
US, 1968
slush up verb to drink to the point of intoxication US, 1949
slushy noun a kitchen hand AUSTRALIA, 1880
slushy adjective extremely sentimental US, 1889
slut noun 1 a promiscuous girl or woman UK, 1450. 2 a promiscuous
boy or man
US, 2002. 3 a prostitute US, 1961. 4 used as an affectionate
female-to-female term of address. Use of the term does not
suggest promiscuity
US, 1983
-slut suffix in combination with a sexual fetish or activity, a sexual
fetishist or (in pornography) specialist; in such forms as pain-slut,
nipple-slut, come-slut, etc. Intended to, or, at best, tends to,
diminish the status of a person so described. Widespread in
Internet pornography
UK, 2003
slut-mouth noun a person whose language is often coarse and
vulgar
US, 2001
slut puppy noun a promiscuous girl US, 1990
slutted out adjective broken down; in disrepair US, 1984

sluttish adjective sexual in a cheap way US, 2004
slutty adjective promiscuous; having a sexual appearance US, 1991
slutwear noun extremely sexually provoking clothing US, 2000
sly adjective unfair. Liverpool usage UK, 2001
sly-boots noun a cunning person. Jocular UK, 1700
sly-grog noun illegally made or supplied alcohol AUSTRALIA, 1825
sly-grogger noun a person selling sly-grog AUSTRALIA, 1897
sly-groggery noun an establishment selling alcohol without a licence
to do so
AUSTRALIA, 1907
sly-grogging noun the practice of selling alcohol illicitly AUSTRALIA, 1952
sly-grog joint noun an establishment selling alcohol without a
license to do so
AUSTRALIA, 1956
sly-grog shop noun an establishment selling alcohol without a
licence to do so AUSTRALIA, 1826
sly mongoose noun an extremely clever and devious person.
Hawaiian youth usage US, 1981
smack noun 1 heroin. Derives, possibly, from Yiddish shmeker (a
sniffer of drugs) US, 1942. 2 alcohol US, 1973. 3 disparaging talk US, 1999.
4 slang US, 1997. 5 a swindle based on matching pennies US, 1940
smack verb to murder someone UK, 1999. < smack the pony (of a
female) to masturbate. Smack the Pony is an all-women television
sketch show, first broadcast on Channel 4 in 1999 UK, 2002
smack adverb precisely. A shortened sMACK-DAB US, 1951
smack-bang adverb of a location, exactly, in the middle UK, 1984
smack-dab adverb exactly. At times reversed for comic effect US, 1892
smacked back adjective heroin-intoxicated US, 1981
smacked out adjective in an extreme state of heroin- or cocaine-
intoxication

UK, 1983
smacker noun 1 a loud kiss UK, 1775. 2 a one-dollar note US, 1945. 3 a
pound sterling. From the earlier sense UK, 1924
smackeroonie noun 1 a kiss. A teenage elaboration of SMACKER,
noted by Joanna Williamson, 1982 UK, 1982. 2 a pound sterling. An
extension of SMACKER (a pound), popularised by UK television per-
sonality Christ Tarrant (b.1946) on Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?
on Itelevision from 1998 UK, 2002
smackers noun the lips UK, 2002
smackhead noun a heroin addict. A combination of SMACK (heroin)
and HEAD (user) US, 1972
smack in the eye noun a pie. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
smack up verb 1 to attack someone; to beat someone up AUSTRALIA,
1945. 2 to inject oneself with heroin US, 1995
smacky lips noun prolonged kissing US, 1965
smage verb to masturbate NORFOLK I SLAND, 1992
small noun one hundred dollars US, 1988
small adjective 1 afraid US, 1986. 2 drug-intoxicated. Comedian Steve
Martin’s refrain of ‘Let’s get small’ inspired a wider usage of the
term US, 1978
small beer noun something or someone of little consequence or
importance
UK, 1777
small fortune noun an extravagantly large sum of money UK, 1874
slug | small fortune 594
small fry noun an insignificant thing or things, person or people UK,
1797
small house noun a latrine TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1986
smallie noun 1 in Jamaica, a person from any other Caribbean island
JAMAICA, 1994. 2 on Trinidad and Tobago, a person from any of the

smaller English Caribbean islands northwest of Trinidad and
Toba go
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1945
small nickel noun fifty dollars or, in a casino, fifty dollars’ worth of
betting tokens
US, 1961
small one noun one hundred dollars US, 1988
small potatoes adjective something of little consequence US, 1838
smalls noun 1 underwear UK, 1943. 2 a small amount of money as a
bribe JAMAICA, 2003
small suppository in anticipation of the broom handle noun
the opening volley in a battle. US Naval aviator usage US, 1986
small thing noun < do that small thing used in a request for a
favour, or to signal compliance with a request UK, 1984
small-time adjective insignificant, unimportant; minor. Of vaudeville
origins US, 1938
small-timer noun an insignificant person; someone of trivial import-
ance in any given field UK, 1935
smanker noun an unmarried, middle-aged person who has no
children, objectified as a lifestyle category. Formed on the
acronym of ‘single middle-aged no kids’, and probably contrived
for marketing purposes UK, 2003
smarm verb to behave in an ingratiating manner; to flatter someone
insincerely UK, 1911
smarmy adjective smug, self-satisfied; overly sentimental UK, 1909
smart adjective fine; well; alright UK, 2001
smart alec; smart aleck; smart alick noun an offensively smart
person; a know-it-all US, 1865
smart armpit noun a know-all. Euphemistic for SMART-ARSE UK, 2000
smart-arse; smart-ass noun a person with a conceited view of their

own intelligence AUSTRALIA, 1937
smartarsed; smart-arsed adjective conceited about one’s
intelligence
US, 1960
smart as a new pin adjective very smartly dressed UK, 1893
smarter than the average bear used for a humourous, if at
times ironic, observation about another’s intelligence. Yogi Bear’s
boast about himself in the television cartoon series that first aired
in 1958 US, 1958
smart-eye verb to give someone a look that may be aggressive,
challenging or disapproving US, 2000
smartie noun 1 a shrewd operator; a person who is wise to the
various devices used by criminals AUSTRALIA, 1950. 2 an impudent,
cheeky person; an offensively smart person AUSTRALIA, 1969. 3 an
intelligent person AUSTRALIA, 1982
smarties noun tablets of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as
ecstasy. From a branded multi-coloured confection UK, 2001
smartman noun a man who engages in confidence swindles TRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO
, 2003
smart mob noun a group of protesters (or some other demon-
stration of social unrest) organised and mobilised by text
messaging. A play on conventional ‘mob’ and an abbreviation of
‘mobile’ US, 2003
smart money noun in horse racing, money bet on the basis of solid,
empirical data
US, 1951
smart-mouth verb to talk insolently to someone US, 1968
smart pill noun rabbit droppings. In the US, Michigan Upper
Peninsula usage AUSTRALIA, 2001

smarts noun intelligence US, 1970
smarty noun in horse racing, a person purporting to have inside
information but who is not to be trusted AUSTRALIA, 1989
smarty-pants noun a person who is smart, but not quite as smart as
they think they are
US, 1941
smash noun 1 a great success. A shortening of ‘smash hit’ UK, 1930.
2 momentum. Air combat slang US, 1986. 3 money; pocket change
US, 1953. 4 wine US, 1962
smash verb < smash case in computing, to disregard any differen-
tiation between upper and lower case
US, 1991
smash and grab noun 1 a black taxi or a minicab. Rhyming slang
UK, 1992. 2 a simplistic burglary involving very little planning or
thought
US, 1969
smashed adjective 1 drunk US, 1960. 2 drug-intoxicated US, 1967
smash ’em-up noun a vehicle accident US, 1976
smasher noun 1 a very attractive female US, 1959. 2 a superlative thing
UK, 1894. 3 a baggage handler on a train US, 1977
smasheroo noun 1 a great success. An elaboration of SMASH US, 1948.
2 agood-lookingfemaleUS, 1959
smash-face adjective physical; aggressive US, 1990
smashing adjective fine; excellent; possessed of great charm; large. It
is often claimed, improbably, that this derives from the Irish
phrase is maith sin (that’s good) UK, 1911
smash-mouth noun prolonged kissing US, 1965
smash-mouth verb to kiss passionately US, 1968
smash-mouth adjective physical, aggressive US, 1989
smazzmo verb to move in an uncoordinated, jerky manner US, 1977

smear noun theatrical cosmetics US, 1952
smear verb to drop napalm on a target US, 1991. < smear a queer
to assault a homosexual US, 1993
smears noun LSD US, 1982
smeg noun 1 used as an all-purpose, non-profane insult. Used in
many different forms – ‘smeg!’, ‘smegging’, ‘smeghead’ – by
space castaway Dave Lister in the science fiction comedy
television show Red Dwarf, BBC since 1988 UK, 1988. 2 any viscous
matter of unknown origin. The variant ‘shmeg’ also exists US, 1995
smell noun digital-vaginal contact US, 1974
smell verb < smell Apple pie to be near your date of expected
return from military service in Vietnam to the US US, 1991.
< smell for water to find a spring using a divining rod CANADA,
1960. < smell some gas to be transported by motor vehicle US,
2002
smeller noun the nose UK, 1700
smell-fart noun an inquisitive know-it-all NEW ZEALAND, 1994
smellies noun 1 perfume; perfumed deodorants UK, 2002. 2 anchovies
US, 1996
smell of broken glass noun a strong body odour, especially male.
Probably from the ‘sharp’ nature of the offending smell UK, 1973
smell of clay noun a condition ascribed to a person likely to die
soon UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
smellybridge noun the perineum (the area of skin between the anus
and the scrotum or vagina) UK, 2002
smelly hole noun the vagina UK, 2001
smell you! used for replying to an obvious brag US, 1995
smesh noun in circus and carnival usage, money US, 1981
smidge noun the smallest amount. A shortened SMIDGEN. First
recorded in 1905, but popularised by ESPN’s Dan Patrick telling

viewers that Sports Center will resume ‘in a smidge.’ US, 1905
smidgen; smidgin noun a very small amount US, 1845
smile noun something that is amusing US, 1982
smile and smirk; smile noun work; also, as a verb: to work.
Rhyming slang UK, 1992
smiley noun 1 a simplistic image of a smiling face, used for indicat-
ing laughter or happiness. First seen as an icon and later in elec-
tronic communications formed with punctuation marks, generally
as :) but with multiple variations US, 1995. 2 a tablet of LSD with the
smiley icon printed or etched thereon UK, 1998. 3 a variety of
595 small fry | smiley
MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy, identified by
the smiley motif embossed on the tablet
UK, 2002. 4 a large chain
with a padlock worn around the arm or neck US, 1997
smithereens noun small pieces or fragments; shreds UK, 1829
Smitty noun in hot rodding, a silencer packed with fiberglass,
increasing the roar of the engine
US, 1960
smock noun heroin. A corruption of SMACK or the Yiddish SHMECK US,
1960
smog verb 1 to smoke marijuana US, 2001. 2 to execute someone with
lethal gas US, 1992
smoke noun 1 a cigarette; a cigar UK, 1882. 2 marijuana; heroin;
opium; any drug that may be smoked
US, 1946. 3 a marijuana ciga-
rette US, 1967. 4 crack cocaine when smoked; heroin mixed with
crack cocaine when smoked
US, 1991. 5 denatured alcohol (ethyl
alcohol to which a poisonous substance has been added to make

it unfit for consumption) mixed with water for drinking US, 1950.
6 toxic, potentially fatal solvents used as substitutes for alcohol for
the truly desperate US, 1955. 7 a black person. Offensive US, 1913. 8 a
non-commissioned officer commanding an artillery battery US, 1988.
9 aforestfireUS, 1991. 10 one dollar US, 1975. < bring smoke to fire
a gun
US, 1997. < in smoke in hiding AUSTRALIA, 1908. < put
smoke
to fire a single round of artillery to help others mark a
target US, 1990. < the Smoke; Big Smoke; Great Smoke; the
Smokes
London; any large city. All variations are used with ‘the’
UK, 1848. < up the Smoke to London; to central London (from
the suburbs). Originally tramps’ usage; you go ‘up THE SMOKE’
(London) even when heading down from the north
UK
smoke verb 1 to shoot someone US, 1926. 2 to drive fast US, 1976. 3 to
defeat someone soundly, especially in a contest of speed US, 1996.
4 to perform oral sex on a man. Simple imagery, perhaps
influenced by the Freudian notion that smoking is an ‘oral’ habit
UK, 1984. < smoke a bowl to smoke a pipe filled with marijuana
US, 1982. < smoke a pipe; smok e the pipe to surf through the
hollow tube of a wave US, 1987. < smoke butt to curry favour
through obsequious behaviour US, 1992. < smoke it to commit
suicide by a gunshot wound in the mouth
US, 1984. < smoke like
a chimney
to smoke cigarettes heavily UK, 1840. < smoke with
the devil to drive too fast for road conditions US, 1976
smokeasy noun a clandestine venue for the illegal sale and

consumption of marijuana. Modelled on SPEAKEASY (a bar that sells
alcohol illegally) UK, 2004
smoke Canada noun marijuana, presumed to originate in Canada
UK, 2001
smoked cheaters noun dark glasses US, 1959
smoked haddock noun at a racecourse, the paddock. Rhyming
slang UK, 1961
smoked Irishman noun any person with black, brown or coffee-
coloured skin
UK, 1966
smoked out adjective 1 extremely intoxicated on marijuana or crack
cocaine
US, 1993. 2 without any crack cocaine to smoke US, 2003
Smoked Scotchman noun a person whose parentage is Scottish and
Indian
CANADA, 1960
smoked Welshman noun any dark-skinned man speaking little
English. Maybe simple racial stereotyping, but is probably
influenced by the fact that an English person attempting a Welsh
accent sounds generically Indian
UK, 1984
smoke house noun 1 a room where meetings of twelve-step
recovery programmes such as Alcoholics Anonymous are held. A
term based on the heavy cigarette smoking that is often character-
istic of the meetings US, 1998. 2 crack cocaine UK, 2003
smoke pole noun a shotgun CANADA, 1970
smoker noun 1 a social gathering, limited to men, especially one
with sexual entertainment; a film shown during such a gathering
UK, 1887. 2 a marijuana smoker US, 1961. 3 a passenger train car in
which smoking is permitted

US, 1977. 4 any diesel-powered truck US,
1962. 5 a car for sale that a car trader is using for personal transport
UK, 1965. 6 a stolen car US, 1997. 7 a high-mileage car. A car-dealers’
term UK, 1981
smokestack noun a pile of gambling tokens in the hands of an
unskilled gambler
US, 1996
smoke train noun a cigarette US, 2001
smoke-up noun in college, a notification of academic deficiency US,
1961
smoke wrench noun in car repair, an oxy-acetylene torch US, 1992
smokey noun 1 in prison, a segregation unit UK, 1996. 2 a Maori.
Offensive NEW ZEALAND, 1984
smokey bear; smokey; bear noun a police officer; the police.
Citizens’ band radio slang; from Smokey Bear (aka Smokey the
Bear), a caricatured black bear, from Capitan, New Mexico, used
since 1950 to promote forest fire prevention. The symbolic bear
wears a hat similar to that worn by US highway patrol officers and
state troopers. Also used to designate police in various forms:
‘smokey beaver’ (a policewoman), ‘smokey convention’ (two or
more police cars), ‘smokey on four legs’ (mounted police), ‘smokey
with a camera’ (police using speed detection equipment), ‘smokey
with ears’ (police with radio), etc
US, 1975
Smokey the bear noun 1 a drill sergeant in the US Army US, 1965. 2 a
military aircraft used for dropping magnesium-based flares to
illuminate the ground at night
US, 1989
smoking adjective 1 excellent; thriving; exciting US, 1975. 2 fashionably
dressed US, 1989

smoking gun noun 1 unarguable evidence, or an unmissable clue. A
term that came into popular use during the President Nixon
Watergate scandal in the US in the early 1970s US, 1974. 2 a mixture
of heroin and cocaine; heroin UK, 1998
smoko noun 1 a break from work. Originally a break for a cigarette
and normally long enough for a hot beverage
AUSTRALIA, 1865.
2 marijuana AUSTRALIA, 1987
smoky noun an Indian. Offensive CANADA, 1953
Smoky Joe noun a military aircraft that marks targets for bomber
aircraft with smoke bombs
US, 1946
smoo noun the vagina AUSTRALIA, 1992
smooch verb to kiss in a lingering manner US, 1932
smoochy adjective of music, suitable for slow, romantic dancing UK,
1966
smoochywoochypoochy noun marijuana. A pet name UK, 2001
smoodge; smooge verb 1 to play the sycophant AUSTRALIA, 1898. 2 to
kiss and cuddle AUSTRALIA, 1915 . 3 to win someone around; to charm
someone AUSTRALIA, 1940
smoodger; smooger noun a flatterer AUSTRALIA, 1897
smoodgingly adverb ingratiatingly AUSTRALIA, 1962
smooth noun 1 a member of the aggressive youth fashion and gang
movement that was the final and least notable stage in the evol-
ution of the skinhead. A SKINHEAD with fractionally longer hair
became SUEDEHEAD which, in turn, grew smooth – and not
distinctive enough to survive UK, 1972. 2 on the railways, a tip of ten
cents US, 1977
smooth verb in hot rodding and drag racing, to remove ornaments
and hardware from the car body US, 1968

smooth adjective 1 used of a man’s body, hairless US, 1997. 2 calm US,
1967. 3 in lowball poker, favourable US, 1967. 4 sophisticated, urbane
US, 1991
smooth used to intensify a phrasal verb US, 1984
smooth and glassy adjective easy-going US, 1984
smoothie noun 1 the complete removal of a woman’s pubic hair;
the result thereof
US, 2001. 2 a person who stays calm and avoids
trouble US, 1967. 3 a man who is attractive, persuasive, crafty, and a
bit manipulative. Often, but not always, pejorative US, 1929. 4 a
skilled gambling cheat US, 1964
smooth leg noun a woman. Citizens’ band radio slang UK, 1981
smooth operator noun someone who is attractive, crafty, and a bit
manipulative
US, 1951
smooth trade noun an urbane, fashion-conscious homosexual man
US, 1965
smithereens | smooth trade 596
smother noun an overcoat. Allied to the practical sense of the coat
worn over a pickpocket’s arm to mask criminal activity
UK, 1934
smother verb to conceal a person, a thing or a movement AUSTRALIA,
1932
smouch verb to kiss AUSTRALIA, 1968
smoush noun a kiss. With the long vowel of ‘smooch’ AUSTRALIA, 1963
smudge noun 1 a photograph. Originally photographers’ jargon, from
blurred pictures
UK, 1931. 2 a pornographic magazine or magazines.
Extended from the previous sense
UK, 1996. 3 a photographer,

especially a press photographer. Shortened from SMUDGER UK, 1968
smudger noun a photographer, especially a press photographer. From
SMUDGE (a photograph) UK, 1961
smurf noun 1 an ordinary citizen whose personal bank accounts are
used to launder drug money. The Smurfs are well-known
children’s cartoon characters, adopted here to suggest the
innocent appearance of a money launderer
US, 1998. 2 in an
Internet discussion group, a frequent poster who adds little in the
way of content US, 1997
Smurf Juice noun the recreational drug GHB. As a marketing strat-
egy the clear liquid is dyed blue, which is the colour of Smurfs™
(internationally known children’s characters) SOUTH AFRICA, 2003
smush verb to crush. A blending of ‘crush’ and ‘smash’ US, 1991
smut noun pornography UK, 1698
smut-hound noun a man with a marked predilection for bawdiness
or indecent publications; a censor who seeks out such works US,
1927
smuts noun sexually explicit photographs or postcards US, 1962
snack noun 1 a youthful, sexually inexperienced male who is the
object of an older homosexual’s desire US, 1987. 2 something easily
accomplished
AUSTRALIA, 1941
snacker noun aboard a trawler, a deck-boy or odd-job man UK, 1974
snackpack noun the male genitals as seen in a jock strap or tight,
skimpy underwear US, 1988
snaffle verb to acquire something for your own UK, 1902
snafu noun a chaotic mess. An acronym of ‘situation normal, all
fucked up’,orthemorepolite‘situation normal, all fouled up’ US,
1941

snafu verb to bungle something; to reduce something to chaos.
From the noun sense US, 2001
snag noun 1 a girl, especially an ugly one US, 1962. 2 atoothUS, 1967.
3 a sausage AUSTRALIA, 1941
snag verb 1 to grab something; to acquire something US, 1895. 2 to
outdo someone US, 1946
snag bag noun a small bag for carrying personal effects. Prison
usage US, 1967
snagged stag noun a boy who is steadily and exclusively dating one
girl US, 1961
snaggle tooth noun a young woman or girl with irregular (or
missing) teeth. Among US boys in 2004 ‘summer teeths’ is a
nickname for British girls – some are teeth that point here, some
are pointing there
UK, 1909
snail mail noun mail sent by normal postal service. A term that was
coined after the advent of electronic mail US, 1983
snail track noun 1 a verticle line of hair on the stomach AUSTRALIA,
2002. 2 the residue of vaginal secretions, semen and/or saliva on a
woman’s thighs after sex US, 1986
snail trail noun the vagina UK, 2001
snake noun 1 the penis US, 1997. 2 among anglers, a very long rag-
worm used as bait UK, 1968. 3 in electric line work, insulated rubber
line hose US, 1980. 4 a long, serpentine putt US, 1962. 5 a subway, an
underground system US, 1960. 6 a surfer who surfs in another
surfer’s right of way
US, 1987. 7 an informer US, 1958. 8 in foot-
powered scootering, another rider who cuts in, especially one who
take’s another’s line into a trick UK, 2000. 9 an AH-1G Cobra attack
helicopter. The US Army’s primary gunship in Vietnam US, 1986.

10 a railway pointsman. From the serpentine ‘S’ on the
pointsman’s union pin
US, 1946. < able to crawl under a snake;
lower than a snake’s belly
morally reprehensible; despicable.
Variations include ‘a snake’s hips’, since World War 2, and ‘able to
crawl under a snake’s belly with a top hat on’, 1959
AUSTRALIA, 1932.
< the snake in firefighting, the hose. Used by the London Fire
Brigade
UK, 1984
snake verb 1 to have sex from the male perspective US, 2001. 2 in
snowboarding or skateboarding, to cut in front of someone US, 1984.
3 to go quietly, to move silently. The variant ‘snake off’ also exists
IRELAND, 1958
snakebite; snakie noun a mixture of cider and lager UK, 1988
snake-charmer noun in Western Australia, a railway maintenance
worker. From the prevalence of snakes along railway tracks
AUSTRALIA, 1937
snake-eaters noun the US Army Special Forces. From their jungle
survival skills
US, 1991
snake-eye; snake-eye bomb noun during the Vietnam war, one of
several aircraft bombs with descent-slowing devices to permit low-
level attacks US, 1966
snake eyes noun 1 in dice games, a roll of two one’s. A visual
metaphor
US, 1929. 2 in dominoes, the 1–1 piece US, 1959. 3 in poker,
apairofaces
US, 1988

snake fence noun a rail fence, split cedar, in six or eight interlocking
zigzag patterns US, 1805
Snake Gully noun an imaginary remote and backward place
AUSTRALIA, 1945
snakehead noun a smuggler of Chinese people. Direct translation
from a Chinese term
US, 2002
snake juice noun strong liquor, especially of rough quality AUSTRALIA,
1890
Snakenavel, Idaho noun a fictitious rural place US, 1994
snake pit noun 1 used in the US military during the conflict in
Vietnam for describing any operational headquarters US, 1966. 2 a
sergeant’s mess
AUSTRALIA, 1941
snake ranch noun a bachelor’s house US, 1990
snake room noun abarCANADA, 1912
snake’s noun an act of urination. Shortening of SNAKE’S HISS AUSTRALIA,
1966
snake’s hiss noun an act of urination. Rhyming slang for PISS
AUSTRALIA
, 1966
snakey-snakey noun sexual intercourse. From SNAKE (the penis) UK,
2001
snaky adjective in a foul mood AUSTRALIA, 1894
snap noun 1 amyl nitrite; an ampoule of amyl nitrite. From the
sound/action of breaking open the ampoule UK, 1962. 2 an amphet-
amine tablet US, 1994. 3 a mouthful of alcohol or a drink taken in
one gulp
CANADA, 1988. 4 a negative statement or taunt, often as
part of a rap performance US, 1994. 5 a humourous statement or

person US, 1970. 6 something that is simple or easy US, 1877. 7 in
pool, the first shot of the game US, 1990. 8 a photograph US, 1894. 9 a
snack; a packed meal. In dialect from 1642; usage appears to have
spread via the railways UK, 1980
snap verb 1 to insult someone in a semi-formal quasi-friendly com-
petition US, 1979. 2 to realise something suddenly; to experience an
epiphany US, 1967. 3 to flex, and thus contract, the sphincter during
anal sex
US, 1972. < snap in to engage in rifle target practice.
Korean war usage
US, 1953. < snap out of it to stop dreaming; to
face reality; to change your mind-set. Often used as an imperative
UK, 1918. < snap to it to urgently begin to do something UK, 1918.
< snap your cap to lose your sanity US, 1973
snap! used for registering a (usually minor) concidence. From the
children’s card game during which players cry ‘snap!’ whenever
matching cards are exposed UK, 1959
snap cap noun a dummy shotgun cartridge UK, 1983
snapped up adjective 1 under the influence of snap (amyl nitrate) UK,
1962. 2 very drunk CANADA, 1999
597 smother | snapped up