Slang and uncoventional english part 101 pps

viper noun 1 a marijuana dealer US, 1958. 2 a marijuana user. A term
of the 1930s with some lingering use until the 1960s
US, 1938
viper’s weed; viper’s drag noun marijuana; a marijuana cigarette
US, 1938
VIP massage noun a sexual service offered in some massage
parlours, in which a hand-massage includes masturbation of the
client UK, 2003
VIP services noun sexual intercourse, as distinct from masturbation,
when advertised as a service offered by a prostitute
UK, 2003
viral marketing noun word-of-mouth as a deliberate marketing
tactic
US, 2000
virgin noun 1 a person who has not contracted a sexually transmitted
infection
US, 1947. 2 a letter which has not been postmarked US, 1977
virgin adjective used of a green on a par-3 hole, untouched by any
ball of a foursome
US, 2000
virgin bride; virgin noun a ride, especially in the sense an act of
sexual intercourse. Rhyming slang, now rare AUSTRALIA, 1902
virgin ears noun used, usually in the first person, for a claim of
innocence in matters sexual US, 1970
Virgin for short – but not for long applied to girls named
Virginia. Part-catchphrase, part-nickname; often irresistible, always
hilarious UK, 1984
virginia noun the vagina BAHAMAS, 1982
Virginia vitamin noun any central nervous system stimulant US, 1977
virginity curtain noun a canvas screen secured to the underside of
a warship’s accommodation to preserve the modesty of those who

go up and down the gangway from those who look up. Similar in
purpose and design to a CUNT SCREEN UK, 1969
Virgin Mary noun a non-alcoholic version of the Bloody Mary, made
with tomato juice, horseradish, Worcestershire and/or Tabasco
sauce, celery, salt and black pepper; unadulterated tomato juice. A
tasty pun, using ‘virgin’ as ‘non-alcoholic’ US, 1993
virgin pie noun cherry pie US, 1952
virgin principle noun the belief among gamblers that a beginner
will have good luck US, 1993
virgin state noun the period when a person has started using an
addictive drug but is not yet fully addicted US, 1970
virtual Friday noun the last day in a working week shortened by a
holiday at the end of the week US, 1991
virus noun 1 HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus US, 1992. 2 in
computing, a program that duplicates itself maliciously when it
finds a host, often with a mechanism that enables it then to
spread to new hosts US, 1990
visit verb < to visit Aunt Lillian to experience the bleed period of
the menstrual cycle US, 1968
visitations noun < the visitations the bleed period of the
menstrual cycle US, 1999
visit from the cardinal noun the bleed period of the menstrual
cycle. Playing on the colour of a cardinal’s robes US, 2000
visit from the French lady noun the bleed period of the menstrual
cycle. Euphemism, credited to Stella Tilyard, Aristocrats, 1994 US,
1994
visiting card noun an act of defecation at the scene of the crime by
the criminal US, 1945
visitor noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US, 1949
visuals noun hallucinations experienced under the influence of

psychoactive mushrooms or peyote
US, 1992
vitamin A noun LSD. From the common term ACID US, 1997
vitamin B noun beer US, 1990
vitamin C noun cocaine US, 1984
vitamin D noun dextromethorphan (DXM), an active ingredient in
non-prescription cold and cough medication, often abused for
non-medicinal purposes
US, 2003
vitamin DB noun Dominion Breweries draught bitter NEW ZEALAND,
1998
vitamin E noun MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy.
An elaboration of
E UK, 1998
vitamin H noun haloperidol, a potent tranquillizer US, 1989
vitamin K; vit K noun ketamine hydrochloride, an anaesthetic used
as a hallucinogen
US, 1989
vitamin M noun Motrin™ US, 1994
vitamin N noun nicotine; a cigarette US, 2004
vitamin P noun 1 sex. ‘P’ is for PUSSY US, 1989. 2 the game of poker US,
1996
vitamin Q noun the recreational drug methaqualone, best known as
Quaalude™ US, 1982
vitamins noun 1 drugs in tablet or capsule form UK, 1996. 2 any
central nervous system stimulant
US, 1977
vitamin T noun marijuana US, 1997
vitamin V noun valium US, 1994
vittles noun food. An American corruption of the C14 ‘victual’ US, 1946

vizzo noun in prison, a visit UK, 1996
VJ; veejay noun a video jockey, a television presenter of music
videos; a visual artist who mixes lights and images in a club
environment. Initialism, on the model of DJ
US, 1982
VO noun a beautiful woman. An abbreviation of ‘visual orgasm’ US,
1997
voce; votch; voche noun the voice, especially a singing voice; a
singer. Theatrical, polari; from Italian voce UK, 1989
vod noun vodka US, 1986
vodders noun vodka UK, 2002
voddie; voddy noun vodka UK, 1988
vodka acid noun LSD UK, 2003
vogue noun 1 a posture that implies, or is part of, a fashion-style US,
2003. 2 a cigarette. Polari UK, 1992. 3 a wheel rim US, 2001
vogue verb 1 to engage in a style competition that values posturing
US, 1995. 2 to light a cigarette. From VOGUE (a cigarette) UK, 1993
voice verb to telephone US, 1991
vol noun in prison, a volunteer UK, 1996
volcano noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle CANADA, 2001
Volks noun a Volkswagen car US, 1964
Volksie noun a Volkswagen car, especially the ‘Beetle’ SOUTH AFRICA,
1962
volley noun an abusive verbal attack UK, 1996
volley verb to hit someone. Tennis jargon, ‘volley’ (to strike a ball
before it bounces) adopted for a less sporting use UK, 1999
volley dolly noun a woman attracted to male volleyball players US,
1990
volley off verb to engage in an abusive verbal attack UK, 2001
vom verb to vomit CANADA, 1993

vomatose adjective extremely disgusting US, 1983
vomit comet noun 1 any late-night public transport used by drunken
passengers. From the probable outcome of movement and alcohol
UK, 2003. 2 the modified KC-135A reduced-gravity aircraft. The
aircraft flies parabolas in order to investigate the effects of zero
gravity; passengers are often sick to their stomachs US, 1999
vomiting viper noun the penis UK, 1984
vonce noun 1 marijuana US, 1960. 2 the butt of a marijuana cigarette
US, 1965
vonka noun the nose UK, 2002
Von Trapp noun excrement; nonsense, rubbish. Rhyming slang for
CRAP, formed from the family whose story is told in The Sound of
Music UK, 2003
vote verb to propose something that you want UK, 1814
voyou noun in Quebec, a hoodlum, or more specifically a striker
who commits vandalism against the company. The French word
viper | voyou 682
here used in English carries the sense of ‘outside the law’ CANADA,
2002
VP noun a sex offender. An initialism of ‘vulnerable prisoner’ UK,
1996
VPL a visible panty line, the most heinous of fashion crimes.
Popularised by Paul Simon in Woody Allen’s Annie Hall
US, 1967
VRB noun vodka and Red Bull™. Initialism for a popular cocktail (Red
Bull is a brand name ‘energy’ drink)
UK, 2001
vroom verb to leave noisily US, 1967
vrot adjective rotten; hence, drunk. From Afrikaans SOUTH AFRICA, 1910
VS noun an injection of drugs into a vein. Initialism of a ‘vein SHOT’

US, 1938
V-sign noun a gesture that is used to insult or otherwise cause
offence, especially when made in conjunction with threatening or
abusive language, e.g. ‘fuck off!’ or ‘up yours!’ with which the sign
may be considered synonymous. The forefinger and the middle
finger are extended to form a V shape, the palm turned in towards
the gesturer; as an obscene gesture it is confined almost entirely
to the UK. There is a legend that French archers, when captured
by the British at the Battle of Agincourt (1415), had their middle
and forefingers – those necessary to draw the bowstring –
chopped off. The Welsh bowmen are said to have waggled their
two fingers, taunting the French. The earliest written description
of a v-sign as both threat and insult is French: ‘[Pangurge]
stretched out the forefinger, and middle finger or medical of his
right hand, holding them asunder as much as he could, and
thrusting them towards Thaumast’ (François Rabelais, 1532).
Further derivations abound: 1) Farmer and Henley’s Slang and its
Analogues (1890) suggests a representation of cuckold’s horns,
however this is traditionally made with the first and fourth fingers.
2) Symbolic of the phallus; the raised middle finger (
FLIP THE BIRD)
has been known since Roman times and, it is suggested, the v-sign
enlarges the penis or doubles the quotient; or disguises the single
finger insult. 3) The fingers represent themselves inserted in the
vagina – though why this should be insulting is not explained. 4)
Symbolic of female legs or labia spread wide; or represents the tri-
angular shape of female pubic hair. 5) A corrupted victory sign –
however the Churchillian symbol is first recorded in 1941,
contrived by a Belgian Lawyer named Victor De Lavelaye. Probably
more than one of the above, except 5, is the truth

UK, 1948
Vspotnoun a five-dollar note US, 1949
Vulcan nerve pinch noun when operating a computer, the keyed-
combination of the characters Ctrl-Alt-Delete used to restart the
machine. A figurative application of a fictional technique used in
the television science fiction series, Star Trek
US, 2004
vulture noun in trucking, a police plane used for spotting speeders
US, 1971
VW noun a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as
ecstasy, identified by VW embossed on the tablet UK, 2002
683 VP | VW
Ww
w noun a toilet. An abbreviation of the common WC NEW ZEALAND, 1916
W noun 1 apolicewarrant for search or arrest UK, 1956. 2 in sports, a
win
US, 1970
wac; wack noun 1 phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as
PCP or angel dust
US, 1981. 2 marijuana mixed with phencyclidine,
the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust
UK, 1998
wack adjective inferior, unacceptable, very bad US, 1984
wacked adjective 1 excited US, 1959. 2 beyond repair. Extends WACK
(inferior) UK, 1997
wacked out adjective crazy, eccentric, mad US, 1968
wacked up adjective crazy, odd, irrational US, 1947
wackelass noun a cat that is a troublesome, clumsy creature CANADA,
1999
wacker; wack; whacker noun used as a term of address to a man.

Liverpudlian UK, 1768
wacker adjective worse. From WACK (bad) US, 1999
wackie; wacky noun a stereotypical member of the working-class; a
conformist. Teen slang UK, 1982
wack job; whack job noun a person who is mentally ill US, 1979
wacko; whacko adjective a person who is crazy, eccentric or
mentally imbalanced US, 1977
wackoid adjective odd, eccentric UK, 1999
wacktic adjective very bad UK, 1983
wacky adjective odd, eccentric, crazy US, 1935
wacky baccy; wacky backy noun marijuana. From WACKY as
‘eccentric’. Many variants exist, including ‘whacky baccy/backy’,
‘whackatabachy’, ‘wacky tobaccy/tobacky’ and ‘whacky weed’ US,
1975
wacky for khaki adjective infatuated with men in military uniform
US, 1967
wac-wac noun phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or
angel dust
US, 1995
wad noun 1 the semen ejaculated at orgasm. From ‘wad’ (a large
quantity) US, 1969. 2 expectorated sputum US, 1989. 3 a rag saturated
with glue or any volatile solvent that is inhaled for the intoxicating
effect US, 1970. 4 a sandwich; a bun; a cake UK, 1919. 5 arollof
money; a great deal of money US, 1951
wad verb (of a male) to reach orgasm. After WAD (semen) UK, 2003
wad cutter noun a flat-nosed bullet US, 1962
wadded adjective well-off, rich. From WAD (a great deal of money) UK,
2002
waddy noun a club; a hefty piece of wood suitable for a club. From
the name of an Australian Aboriginal weapon in the extinct

language Dharug, Sydney region AUSTRALIA, 1809
waders noun shoes US, 1945
wadge noun 8see: WODGE
wafer noun 1 a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as
ecstasy. If dance is seen as a new religion, then MDMA is as
important a part of the ritual as the wafer is in conventional
church rites UK, 2003. 2 a cigarette paper UK, 1996
waffle noun 1 nonsense; incessant or unfocused talk UK, 1900. 2 in
trucking, a non-skid tyre
US, 1971
Waffle noun a movement in Canada’s New Democratic Party to
change somewhat its left-wing policies CANADA, 2001
waffle verb 1 to vacillate; to take both sides of an issue UK, 1803. 2 to
talk nonsense; to talk incessantly or in an unfocused way UK, 1937
waffy adjective comfortable. Hip-hop, urban slang. A compound of
‘warm’ and ‘fluffy’ noted in connection with a legal dispute over
rap lyrics by BBC News, 6th June 2003
US, 2003
wag noun a social outcast, especially a non-surfer US, 1991
WAG noun 1 the female partner of a footballer, especially an England
team player. WAGs, the acronym for wives and girlfriends, was
applied to the players’ partners during the 2006 World Cup. The
collective usage was soon individualised
UK, 2006. 2 Welsh Assembly
Government. Initialism UK: WALES, 1999
wag verb to play truant UK, 1848. < wag wienie; wag your wienie
to commit indecent exposure of the male masturbatory variety US,
1984
wage slave noun anyone reliant on the income generated by regular
employment UK, 1964

waggle verb in pool, to make practice shots before actually hitting
the cue ball
US, 1993
wagon noun 1 a woman, especially a pushy one, or one capable of
invective IRELAND, 2003. 2 abstention from drug use. Extending the
previous sense UK, 1997. 3 an old, worn-out, beat-up car US, 1959.
< on the wagon abstaining from drinking alcohol US, 1906
wagon burner noun a native American Indian. Offensive US, 1995
wagon-chasing adjective used of a lawyer, unscrupulous, inclined to
solicit business from those in trouble with the law US, 1953
wagons ho! used as a humorous signal that a venture is about to
begin. From cowboy films
US, 1994
wagon-spotter noun a trainspotter who specialises in ‘collecting’
freight wagons UK, 2003
wagwon? ‘what’s going on?’. Either directly from, or in imitation of,
West Indian speech UK, 2003
wahey! used for registering a feeling of exuberance UK, 2003
wahini noun a female surfer. From the Hawaiian US, 1963
wail verb 1 in jazz, to perform with great feeling US, 1955. 2 in pinball,
to score a large number of points in a short period of time
US, 1977.
< wail down the place to dance with enthusiasm that borders
on vulgarity TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1990
wailer noun in drag racing, a very fast car US, 1970
wailing adjective exciting US, 1965
Waiouru blonde noun a Maori woman. Waiouru is a remote North
Island military base
NEW ZEALAND, 1997
waist noun < make waist to make pelvic thrusts and gyrations

during sex TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003
wait-a-minute vine; wait-a-minute bush noun a heavy, thorny
vine found in the jungles of Vietnam. When it snagged you, you
had to wait a minute to disentangle yourself US, 1976
wait and linger noun the finger. Rhyming slang, applied only in an
anatomical sense UK, 1992
waiter’s delight noun in poker, a hand consisting of three threes
and a pair. A ‘three’ is a TREY, the hand is conventionally known as
a ‘full house’, hence ‘treys full’, the waiter pun
US, 1988
waiting room noun in surfing, the area beyond the breakers where
surfers wait to catch waves ISRAEL, 1977
wait up! ‘wait for me!’ US, 1944
wake; wake up verb to become aware of something AUSTRALIA, 1910
’wake; wake up ’ verb < wake your ideas up to concentrate; to
use your wits. Often as an imperative
UK, 1961. < wouldn’t wake
if
to be generally unaware of what’s what AUSTRALIA, 1961
wake and bake; wake-n-bake verb to smoke marijuana as one of
the first acts of the day US, 1997
waker-upper noun a heroin addict’s first injection of the morning
US, 1982
wake-up noun 1 the day’s first dose of a drug taken by an addict US,
1954. 2 any amphetamine or central nervous system stimulant US,
1972
. 3 a short time remaining on a jail sentence or term of
military service, especially the last morning US, 1950
wake up verb 1 to make someone aware; to inform someone
AUSTRALIA, 1859. 2 to become aware that you are being swindled US,

1969. 3 in horse racing, to stimulate a horse illegally by electric
shock or drugs
US, 1947
wake-up adjective used of an addictive substance taken upon waking
up US, 1981
wake-up pill noun an amphetamine or other central nervous system
stimulant
US, 1979
wake you verb to make you aware of something US, 1953
wakey-wakey noun a wake-up call. Adapted from the exclamation,
‘wakey, wakey!’ UK, 2001
wakey, wakey! ‘wake up!’. Probably of military origin; widespread
once adopted as the catchphrase of bandleader Billy Cotton
(1899–1969) in his 1949–68 BBC radio Sunday lunchtime variety
programme, The Billy Cotton Bandshow
UK, 1959
wakey, wakey, eggs and bakey! used for calling someone from
sleep to breakfast. Used with great comic effect by Quentin
Tara ntino in Kill Bill Volume 2 (2004) as Bill’s brother Budd
awakens The Bride to bury her alive
US, 2000
wakey, wakey, hands off snakie! used for humorously waking up
a male AUSTRALIA, 1985
Waldorf-Astoria noun an especially spartan solitary confinement
cell US, 1976
walk noun 1 a release from jail US, 1965. 2 during the Vietnam war, a
30-day patrol in which contact with the enemy is expected
US, 1991
walk verb 1 to win something easily UK, 1903. 2 to escape unpunished
US, 1979. 3 to quit a job or commitment US, 1999. 4 (of objects) to

disappear, presumed borrowed or stolen UK, 1898. 5 to move a boat
sideways
US, 1989. 6 (used of a military aviator) to suit up for battle.
From the vocabulary of fighter pilots US, 2001. < walk a cat back to
trace a missile back to its launch site. Gulf war usage US, 1991.
< walk back the cat to reconstruct events in order to understand
what went wrong US, 1997. < walk in tall corn to make a great deal
of money US, 1997. < walk out on to abandon someone or
something. Of theatrical origin UK, 1937 . < walk the dog 1 while
surfing, to move frontwards and backwards on the surfboard to
affect its speed
US, 1987. 2 on the railways, to operate a freight train at
such a high speed that the wagons sway
US, 1977. < walk the nose
while surfing, to advance to the front of the board US, 1962. < walk
the plank
to move forward on a surfboard, increasing the speed of
the ride AUSTRALIA, 1963. < walk the twelve steps to go to court
CAYMAN ISLANDS, 1985. < walk the walk of the trollop to convey
sexuality while walking. Another catchphrase from the ‘Wayne’s
World’ sketch on Saturday Night Live
US, 1991. < walk the walk;
walk the walk and talk the talk
to be (or behave as if) totally
familiar with, and a part of, a given circumstance UK, 2004. < walk
the yard
to methodically walk in a prison open space US, 1981.
< walk with your Lucy to inject a drug US, 1981. < walk your
dog
to use the toilet US, 1968

walkabout; walk-about noun a journey on foot taken by an
Aboriginal, especially when withdrawing from white society for a
period AUSTRALIA, 1910. < go walkabout 1 (of an aboriginal) to go
on a walkabout AUSTRALIA, 1927. 2 (ofaperson)togooffsomewhere
else
AUSTRALIA, 1969. 3 (of an important person) to make an informal
tour on foot. Variants include ‘do a walkabout’
UK, 1984
walkaway noun 1 a type of theft in which the thief walks away with
a suitcase in a public place, leaving behind his suitcase as an alibi
if apprehended US, 1954. 2 the final step in a confidence swindle, in
which the swindlers walk away with the victim’s money US, 1981
walk-back noun an apartment in the rear of a building US, 1970
walkboards noun a platform outside a carnival show or attraction US,
1966
walk-buddy noun in prison, a close friend and steady companion US,
1976
walker noun 1 a prisoner who constantly paces in his cell US, 1984. 2 a
striptease dancer who disrobes while walking
US, 1981. 3 in dominoes,
the highest piece of its suit that is not a double and has been played
US, 1964
walkers noun the legs US, 1992
walkie noun a close and dependable friend. A term that suggests
‘talkie’, which in turn suggests friendship
US, 1991
walkies noun a walk with a small child or a dog. A childish or jocular
term addressed to, and understood by, that child or dog
US, 1923
walkie-talkie noun 1 an able-bodied person (from the perspective of

a disabled person)
UK, 2003. 2 a portable two-way radio US, 1939. 3 a
prisoner who associates with guards
US, 1992
walk-in noun a thief who steals from unlocked hotel rooms US, 1954
walking adjective used of an order for food at a restaurant, to be
taken from the restaurant
US, 1952
walking crab noun in electric line work, a lever lift US, 1980
walking disaster area noun an especially inept or accident-prone
person
UK, 1984
walking man’s special noun in the used car business, a run-down
car that is not much to look at but still runs, in a fashion
US, 1993
walking money noun in gambling, a small amount of money given
by the house or other players to someone who has just lost all of
his money US, 1961
walking tree noun in a criminal enterprise, a watchman or lookout
US, 1956
walking writer noun in an illegal numbers gambling lottery, a
person who collects and records bets US, 1949
walk in the park noun an easy thing to do UK, 1998
walk in the sun noun a combat march without a significant chance
of engaging the enemy US, 1991
walk of fame noun the walk home or to work after spending the
night with a beautiful and popular woman US, 2001
walk of shame noun the walk home or to work after spending the
night with a date, still wearing yesterday’s clothes US, 2002
walk -on noun in sports, an athlete who gets chosen for a team

having appeared at practice unsolicited and unexpected US, 1978
walkover noun in horse racing, a race in which all but one of the
entries are withdrawn. The lone horse starting the race can win
the purse simply by walking the distance of the race US, 1965
walk -up noun a brothel US, 1950
wall noun < behind the wall imprisoned US, 1989. < go over the
wall
to escape from prison US, 1934. < go to the wall to lose
money in stock investments US, 1988. < off the wall in auction
fraud, where non-existent bids are said to come from UK, 2003.
< the wall a maximum security prison US, 2002. < up the wall
crazy; crazed by circumstances; angry UK, 1951
wall verb to lean against the wall at a party or other social gathering
US, 1997
wallaby noun < on the wallaby wandering around. Originally
‘Tramping the outback in search of work (as though following the
track made by wallabies)’, G.A. Wilkes, A Dictionary of Australian
Colloquialisms, 1978 AUSTRALIA, 1861
Wallace and Gromit; wallace verb to vomit. Rhyming slang, based
on Oscar-winning (1990) animated characters UK, 1998
Wallace Beery; wallace noun in a betting shop, a dispute over the
sum due. Rhyming slang for ‘query’, formed from the name of
the US film actor (1885–1949) UK, 1998
wallah; walla noun 1 a man identified by relation to the activity,
occupation or philosophy to which it is properly affixed. Adopted
directly by Anglo-Indians, hence military, from Hindu wálá (‘a
person connected in some way with the thing expressed in the first
word’, George Clifford Whitworth, An Anglo-Indian Dictionary, 1885)
INDIA, 1785. 2 in the television and film industries, indistinguishable
background voices

US, 1990
wallbanger noun a person whose impairment with central nervous
system depressants has produced a marked lack of coordination
US, 1977
685 waker-upper | wallbanger
wallet noun 1 a person who finances a (criminal) project UK, 2003. 2 a
generous person
US, 1997
wallet lane noun the passing lane of a motorway. Trucker use, with
a reference to a ‘wallet’ because of the likelihood of having to pay
a ticket if caught using the passing lane
US, 1977
walleyed adjective drunk US, 1992
wallflower week noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle US,
1954
wallie noun in skateboarding, any jumping manoeuvre performed
from a wall. A combination of ‘wall’ and
OLLY; OLLIE (a jumping
manoeuvre)
UK, 2004 8see: WALL Y
wallies noun nothing, zero UK, 2000
wallin’ noun the act or habit of sitting or standing against a wall at a
party. Teen slang UK, 2003
wall job noun sex with one of the participants standing against a
wall US, 2001
wallop noun 1 a heavy blow UK, 1823. 2 an attempt, a go. A pun on
BASH (a try) UK, 2001. 3 the strength to deliver a heavy blow. Boxing
slang UK, 1914. 4 beer UK, 1933
wallop verb 1 to hit someone UK, 1825. 2 to get the better of
someone. A figurative application of the previous sense UK, 1865.

3 to dance UK, 1992
walloped adjective drunk or drug-intoxicated UK, 2002
walloper noun 1 the penis UK: SCOTLAND, 2002. 2 a male who
masturbates to excess NEW ZEALAND, 1998. 3 a police officer AUSTRALIA,
1945. 4 a dancer, especially a professional dancer. Theatrical slang UK,
1937
wallopies noun large female breasts US, 1975
walloping noun a beating, a thrashing; a win by a more than
convincing margin UK, 1871
walloping adjective large, great UK, 1847
wallops noun choreography. From WALLOP (to dance) UK, 1992
wallpaper noun 1 a background pattern or photograph for a
computer display screen US, 1991. 2 counterfeit money US, 1949. 3 a
postcard acknowledging receipt of a citizens’ band or ham radio
message US, 1976
wall-stretcher noun an imaginary tool for which a building trades
apprentice may be sent to fetch UK, 1961
wall tick et noun in Keno, a big win. Casinos often post large
winning tickets on the wall of the Keno lounge as an enticement
to bettors US, 1987
wall time noun the time as shown on wall clocks, as contrasted with
GMT or another common time used on computers ANTARCTICA, 1991
wall-to-wall adjective abundant; appearing everywhere. From wall-to-
wall carpets that cover the entire floor UK, 1967
wall-to-waller noun a pornographic film shot in one day on a very
low budget US, 2000
Wally < call it Wally to agree that a matter is settled GUYANA, 1962
wally; wallie; wolly noun 1 an unfashionable individual; someone
who is innocent, or foolish; a fool. Possibly originates in the name
Wally, however Scottish dialect wally-draigle (a feeble, ill-grown

person) may well have had an influence
UK, 1969. 2 in CID slang, a
uniformed police officer, especially a constable; more generally, a
trainee or an incompetent police officer. ‘Woolly’ is also recorded
by the Oxford English Dictionary in 1965 UK, 1970
wallyo; wal-yo noun a young man, usually an Italian-American US,
1975
Wally Pipp noun any athlete who misses a game and is thereafter
replaced by a better player. On 1st June, 1925, the New York
Yankees first baseman Wally Pipp did not play because he was sick;
his place was taken by Lou Gehrig, who played for the next 2130
games
US, 1967
walnut storage disease noun any unspecified mental problem. A
play on NUTTY (crazy) US, 1983
walnut whip; walnut noun 1 sleep. Rhyming slang for KIP,formed
on a chocolate confection UK, 1998. 2 a vasectomy. Rhyming slang
for THE SNIP UK, 2002
Walter Mitty noun 1 a person who poses as a heroic ex-soldier.
From Walter Mitty, the title character of James Thurber’s short
story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (1939) and successful film of
the same title starring Danny Kaye (1947) AUSTRALIA, 2002. 2 the
female breast. Rhyming slang for
TITTY. The short form ‘walter’ can
also be used
UK, 2003
Walts noun 14 Int (an undercover intelligence unit of the British
Army). Abbreviated from Walter Mitty, the name of a character,
created in 1941 by James Thurber, who has become a cultural
reference for a person who leads a dual existence

UK, 1995
waltz noun intense warfare, be it a fire fight or hand-to-hand combat
US, 1991
waltz verb to move in a nonchalant manner US, 1887. < waltz
matilda
to travel as a swagman. From ‘Matilda’ (a swag) and
‘waltz’ (to lead in a waltz), here punning on the female name.
Now of course obsolete, except in the well-known Australian song.
Most singers are entirely unaware of the literal meaning of the
phrase AUSTRALIA, 1893
waltz off verb to leave in a nonchalant or cavalier manner US, 1989
wamper noun a sandal made with pieces of tyre and tied with
thatch string CAYMAN ISLANDS, 1985
wampum noun money. An imitation of Native American Indian
language US, 1950
wampy adjective crazy NEW ZEALAND, 1950
wand noun 1 the penis. The magic stick that you wave in your hand
UK, 2001. 2 in pool, a player’s cue stick US, 1993
wandering hands brigade noun a male’s hands exploring a
female’s body NEW ZEALAND, 1984
wandwaver noun a male exhibitionist US, 1980
wang; whang noun the penis US, 1935
wangbar noun an electric guitar’s tremolo arm US, 1980
wanger noun 8see: WHANGER
wangle noun a swindle; a convenient arrangement. The successful
outcome of the verb WANGLE UK, 1915
wangle verb to arrange something to suit yourself; to contrive or
obtain something with sly cunning; to manipulate something.
Widely used, especially in the military, as ‘wangle a job’, ‘wangling
leave (of absence)’, etc

UK, 1888
wang-wang noun the penis US, 1980
wank noun 1 an act of masturbation; hence, an act of self-
indulgence. An earlier spelling ‘whank’ has given way to ‘wank’ UK,
1948. 2 a waste of time UK, 1998. 3 a fool; a despicable person UK, 2002.
4 nonsense; rubbish. As in the expression ‘that’s a load of old
wank’ and the exclamation (current in the armed services,
especially army, 1960–70s) ‘wank! wank!’ (pronounced almost as if
quacked) greeting any announcement or declaration considered to
be rubbish UK, 1979
wank verb 1 to masturbate. The Scots dialect word whank (to beat)
was the usual spelling until the 1970s. Also used with ‘off’ UK, 1950.
2 to party with zeal and a lack of inhibition CANADA, 1993
wank adjective of poor quality; pathetic; self-indulgent UK, 2002
wank about; wank around verb to waste time UK, 2001
wank-bank noun a personal collection of inspirational erotic images.
Formed on WANK (an act of masturbation) UK, 2003
wanked-out adjective drained of life UK, 2000
wanker noun 1 a masturbator. The earlier spelling ‘whanker’ has
given way to ‘wanker’
UK, 1978. 2 a despicable person; an all-purpose
form of abuse. From the sense as ‘a masturbator’; some
commentators suggest late C19 dialect wanker (a simpleton) UK,
1972
wankered adjective drunk or drug-intoxicated, 2001
wanker’s doom noun the mythological disease that is the inevitable
result of excessive masturbation US, 1977
wanker tank noun a large 4WD vehicle that never gets used for off-
road driving
AUSTRALIA, 2003

wallet | wanker tank 686
wanking-spanner noun the hand. A masturbatory tool that loosens
nuts
UK, 1961
wank mag noun a pornographic magazine. Combines WANK (to
masturbate) with
MAG (a magazine) UK, 1998
wank-off adjective self-indulgent. A figurative application for ‘an act
of masturbation’
UK, 2000
wank -pit; wanking-pit noun a man’s (unshared) bed. Military slang,
formed on WANK (masturbation) UK, 1961
wank shaft noun 1 the vagina UK, 2001. 2 the penis; also used as a
term of abuse. Formed on the word WANK (masturbation) UK, 2003
wank sock noun an item of (men’s) footwear used to contain the
penis during masturbation
UK, 2003
wanksta noun someone, especially a white person, who postures as
a gangsta rapper. A derisory play on
WANKER (a despised person) US,
2002
wank-stain noun a contemptible person UK, 1997
wank tanks noun the testicles. Celebrating the testicles as no more
than a source of semen for masturbation UK, 2002
wank trade noun the pornography industry US, 1997
wankware noun software on compact disc intended for sexual
stimulation CANADA, 1995
wanky adjective 1 of poor quality; pathetic. Original printer’s use
cognisant with WONKY; survives into a modern use which presumes
WANK as the inspiration UK, 1890. 2 pretentious AUSTRALIA, 1979

wannabe noun someone who wants to be and pretends to be that
which he is not. Deemed potentially offensive by Multicultural
Management Program Fellows, Dictionary of Cautionary Words and
Phrases, 1989
US, 1980
wanna-bet shirt noun in a rowing competition, a team’s shirt
which is the object of a wager between competing teams, where
the winner claims the opposing team’s shirts which are worn as a
badge of victory US, 2001
Wanno nickname Wandsworth Prison UK, 2004
wan singer, wan song 8see: ONE SINGER, ONE SONG
want noun a notification that a person is wanted by the police US, 1958
want verb < want in to wish to enter; to desire to be a part of
something. Originally a colloquial term in Scotland, Northern
Ireland and the US
UK, 1836. < want out to wish to exit; to desire
a complete change of circumstances UK: SCOTLAND, 1870
wap noun 8see: WASP
wappy adjective idealistic, sentimental. Perhaps as a blend of WET
(weak, lacking in effectiveness) and SOPPY (foolishly sentimental,
naive) UK, 1959
war noun < go to war to fight US, 2002
war and strife noun a wife. Rhyming slang; a less-used variation of
TROUBLE AND STRIFE UK, 1931
warb noun a decrepit, unclean or otherwise disgusting person.
Perhaps from ‘warble’ (a type of maggot) AUSTRALIA, 1933
warby adjective decrepit; unkempt; filthy; disgusting AUSTRALIA, 1923
warchalk verb to chalk icons on walls, etc, to indicate an area where
a wireless Internet connection may be made for free. Derived as a
back-formation from WARCHALKING UK, 2002

warchalker noun a computer user who chalks icons on walls, etc, to
indicate to other computer users an area where a wireless Internet
connection may be made for free
UK, 2002
warchalking noun the practice of chalking icons on walls, etc, to
indicate an area where a wireless Internet connection may be
made for free. Coined in June 2002 by Matt Jones, a London-
based ‘information architect’, as a play on ‘wardialing’ (a
computer-directed assault by telephone). ‘Warchalking’ is based
on the system of symbols used by UK tramps and beggars, first
recorded in 1849, and developed by US hobos during the
Depression. The three basic symbols are
privacy] node) UK, 2002
warden noun 1 aparentUS, 1968. 2 a spouse. Usually a spouse of the
female persuasion as perceived by the spouse of the male
persuasion
US, 1976. 3 a school principal US, 1954. 4 a teacher. Teen
slang
US, 1951. 5 on the railways, the supervisor of a track crew US,
1977
war department noun someone’s wife or girlfriend US, 1984
war dialer noun a computer program that dials a given range of
telephone connections in order to hack into computer or
telecommunications systems
US, 1989
warehoused adjective used of a prisoner who is neither educated
nor trained during a period of imprisonment but simply contained
UK, 1996
warez noun pirated computer software offered over the Internet.
A deliberate respelling of ‘wares’ UK, 2003

warhead noun in cricket, a fast bowler UK, 1996
warlord noun a high-level member of a political organisation US, 1991
warm noun an act of warming; an act of becoming warm. Colloquial
UK, 1768
warm adjective good UK, 1996
warm for someone’s form adjective sexually attracted to someone
US, 1964
warm fuzzies noun the feeling when praised by a superior US, 1986
warm one noun a bullet US, 1998
warmup noun a loose-fitting, athletic warmup suit US, 1999
warm up verb to refill a cup of coffee US, 1996
warn’t verb was not; were not US, 1970
warp noun a bent card used by a card cheat to identify the value of
the card US, 1996
war paint noun makeup, cosmetics. Originally theatrical US, 1869
warped adjective 1 perverted US, 1993. 2 drug-intoxicated US, 1979.
3 drunk UK, 2002
warp one noun a high speed. Figurative US naval aviator usage US,
1986
warp seven adverb very quickly US, 1992
warrior noun a fearless, violent member of a youth gang US, 1995
warrior bold noun acoldUK, 1961
wars noun < have been in the wars to show signs of injury.
especially the trivial wounds that afflict children UK, 1850
warthog noun a US Air Force attack plane formally known as an A-10
Thunderbolt. Gulf war usage US, 1991
warts and all with all blemishes or imperfections unconcealed UK,
1930
war wagon noun a vehicle carrying weapons on a motorcyle gang
outing when trouble is expected US, 1992

Warwick Farm; warwick noun the arm. Rhyming slang, after the
name of a racecourse in Sydney AUSTRALIA, 1944
war zone noun an area in Washington D.C. infamous for drug sales
and other crime US, 1984
wash noun 1 crack cocaine. A shortened form of ‘readywash’. To
manufacture crack cocaine, hydrachloride is washed in a solution
of baking soda and water UK, 1996. 2 the effect of a drug US, 1974. 3 a
large number of things or people BARBADOS, 1965. < the wash
theft of money in public lavatories while the owner is washing UK,
1977
wash verb 1 to kill US, 1941. 2 to purge or expunge something US, 1983.
3 to give money obtained illegally the appearance of legitimacy
through accounting and banking schemes
US, 1997. 4 to shuffle a
deck of cards US, 1965. 5 to receive favourable consideration US, 1986.
6 to be credible UK, 1849. < not a child in the house washed
nothing done, no progress made IRELAND, 1996. < wash mouth to
criticise someone or something without concern for the
consequences TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1986. < wash your face when
selling a lot by auction, to break even UK, 2004. < wash your
mouth out; wash out your mouth
addressed to someone using
687 wanking-spanner | wash
filthy language or dirty words. Often as an imperative, and
occasionally elaborated with ‘soap’, or ‘soap and water’
UK, 1961
wash away verb to kill someone US, 1941
washboard noun in mountain biking, an area of hard, rippled earth
US, 1996
washboard adjective of an abdomen, trim, muscular, defined. From

the appearance – solid and rippled
US, 1992
washdown noun beer. Especially in the context of drinking after a
session of drinking the tranquillizing herbal beverage kava
FIJI, 1991
washed-up adjective no longer successful, finished US, 1923
washer noun < put a washer on to urinate. A Lancashire term UK,
1967
washer-dryer noun a douche bag and towel US, 1980
wash-foot -and-come noun a noisy, rowdy party ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA,
1998
washicongs noun trainers, sneakers TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1992
washing machine noun 1 in computing, an obsolete large hard disk
found in a large floor cabinet US, 1991. 2 a wave as it breaks over
and thrashes a surfer
US, 1991
Washington noun a one-dollar note. From the portrait of George
Washington on the note
US, 1959
Washington Monument noun in poker, a hand with three fives. A
rather esoteric allusion to the fact that the Washington Monument
is 555 feet high US, 1988
washout noun 1 a failure (a thing or a person); a disappointment; a
cancellation UK, 1902. 2 in motorcyle racing, the condition that
occurs when the front wheel begins to slide in soft dirt; also used
in mountain biking
US, 1973
wash out verb 1 to fail and expel someone from a course or training
US, 1970. 2 in motor racing, to suffer a loss or decrease in steering
responsiveness US, 1980. 3 in mountain-biking, to lose front-wheel

traction
US, 1996. 4 to process cocaine into crack cocaine UK, 1996
wash-pot noun something or someone easily obtained TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO
, 1971
wash rock noun crack cocaine. Combines two separate terms for
CRACK UK, 1997
wash-up noun a post-event analytical discussion. Originally Royal
Navy, then the wider military, and from there into corporate and
political jargon UK, 1965
wash up verb in heterosexual intercourse, to enter the vagina from
behind UK, 2001
washwoman’s gig noun in an illegal numbers gambling lottery, a
bet on 4, 11 and 44 US, 1949
washy adjective used of a racehorse sweating, especially with anxiety
US, 1976
wasp; wap noun 1 a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant. The term is
applied to whites without particular regard to the religious com-
ponent US, 1957. 2 a white Appalachian southern Protestant US, 1981.
3 a traffic warden. From the yellow band on the uniform hat and
sleeves (no doubt influenced by a characteristic intent to ‘sting’ a
harmless motorist) UK, 1966
waspishness noun the state of being distinctly white, Anglo-Saxon
and Protestant
US, 1957
WASS verb 8see: WAZ
wassock; wazzock; wazzuck noun a fool; an annoying or stupid
individual UK, 1983
wassup?; whas up?; wassuuup? used as a greeting. A slurred
‘what’s up?’ with dozens of variant spellings. Wildly popular pop

speak in the US (and, to a degree, UK) in 2000 in response to a
series of television advertisements for Budweiser™ beer US, 1990
wassy adjective ostentatious, especially in a sexually provocative way
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1987
waste verb 1 to kill someone US, 1964. 2 to smoke marijuana US, 1967.
3 (used of a jockey in horse racing) to lose weight AUSTRALIA, 1989.
< waste babies (of a male) to masturbate US, 2001. < waste
groceries
to vomit US, 1987
wastebasket noun in pool, a pocket that seems receptive to balls
dropping
US, 1993
waste-case noun a drunkard US, 1987
wasted adjective 1 drunk or drug-intoxicated US, 1964. 2 absolutely
exhausted. From earlier uses as ‘intoxicated’ UK, 1995
Waste Island nickname the West Island of Montreal. Likely
nicknamed with this derogatory term by teenagers, the West Island
area of the city is heavily residential and suburban, meaning that
under-age citizens have to be transported around by their parents
or use the bus, and by contrast with central Montreal, it is boring
CANADA, 2002
waster noun a lazy, unambitious person IRELAND, 1991
waste-time adjective dull, boring, uninteresting. Hawaiian youth
usage US, 1972
wastoid noun a worthless, dim-witted person; a person whose drug
or alcohol use is ruining their life
US, 1985
wastry noun rubbish (trash) JAMAICA, 2003
watch verb < watch your lip; watch your mouth; watch your
trap

to talk politely; to mind your manners; to not speak out of
turn. Often exclamatory UK, 1997. < watch your step to be
careful; to be cautious in a current or planned activity. Often as a
warning UK, 1959
Watcha 8see: WOTCHER
watch and chain; watch noun the brain. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
watchie noun a watchman UK: SCOTLAND, 1996
watch it verb used as a (sometimes threatening) warning to be
careful. Always imperative, often exclamatory UK, 1916
watch queen noun 1 a homosexual man who derives sexual
pleasure from watching other men having sex US, 1970. 2 a lookout
during anonymous homosexual sex in public places US, 1975
watch this spac e used as an announcement that further
developments may be expected. Originally, and still, used of space
in a newspaper, etc UK, 1917
watch works noun the brain. Teen slang, reported by a Toronto
newspaper in 1946, although reportedly ‘obsolescent or obsolete’
by 1959
CANADA, 1946
water noun 1 methamphetamine or another central nervous system
stimulant
US, 1989. 2 phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as
PCP or angel dust
US, 1989. 3 semen TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1983 8see:
WA TERCRESS, WATER HEN. < go in the water to lose an athletic
contest or other competition intentionally
US, 1955. < go to water
to be overcome with fear; to fail to maintain a resolve AUSTRALIA,
1950. < in the water; out in the water in debt US, 1992. < over
the water Northern Ireland. A British armed services’ view of the

world UK, 1995
water verb < water her garden (of a man) to have sex with a
woman JAMAICA, 1998. < water the garden to change the bottles
of intravenous fluid that feed a neurologically depressed hospital
patient US, 1978. < water the horses to urinate AUSTRALIA, 1971.
< water the vegetables to administer intravenous fluids to a
hospital’s neurologically depressed patients US, 1985
water black noun mascara. Because water is needed for application
UK, 1952
waterbomber noun an aircraft for fighting fires. Most of the world’s
waterbombers are made by Canadair in Montreal, and are known
in Europe as ‘le Canadair’ and ‘le pelican’ CANADA, 1965
8 FIREBOMBER
water box noun in drag racing, the area where cars heat and clean
their tyres before a race
US, 1997
waterboy noun a truck with a water tank used to spray water or
other liquids on the ground US, 1971
water burner noun a cook. The form ‘water scorcher’ has been
recorded as early as 1916
AUSTRALIA, 1982
waterc ooler moment noun a televisual moment that is expected to
get people talking the next day. The discussions about such a
moment are envisaged to happen when office workers meet at a
watercooler
US, 2003
wash away | watercooler moment 688