"Pp" in Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English potx

Pp
P noun 1 pure or nearly pure heroin US, 1971. 2 a Vietnamese piastre
US, 1965
P adjective 1 pretty. Hawaiian youth usage US, 1982. 2 a price UK, 1997
-p suffix used for turning a word into a question US, 1981
P-38 noun 1 a police-issue .38 calibre revolver US, 1976. 2 in Vietnam
war usage, the small can-opener included with individual field
rations. A humorous application of bureaucratic nomenclature
US,
1968
P45 noun < give someone their P45 to break off a romantic
relationship with someone. A P45 is the form given by an
employer to a dismissed employee
UK: SCOTLAND, 1996
pa noun a father; used to address your father. An abbreviation of
‘papa’
UK, 1811
PA a prosecuting attorney US, 1992
Pablo noun cocaine. In memory of Colombian Pablo Escobar
(1949–93) of the medellín Cartel UK, 1996
Pachuco noun a young Mexican-American, especially a tough or
gang member. A highly stylised fashion sense, a private language
and a rage against white oppression of the 1940s
US, 1943
Pacif ic steroid noun the Southeast Asian plant, taro. Common in
conversation in New Zealand since the 1990s NEW ZEALAND, 2002
pack noun 1 a package of illegal drugs, especially heroin. Also variant
‘packet’ US, 1952. 2 marijuana UK, 2003. 3 in the used car business, a
fixed amount that is added to the price the dealer has paid for the
car US, 1975. < go to the pack to deteriorate AUSTRALIA, 1919
pack verb 1 to carry a weapon, usually a concealed one US, 1949. 2 to

tuck the male genitals into the left or right trouser leg
US, 1972. 3 to
be fearful. A shortening of PACK SHIT AUSTRALIA, 1988. 4 while
snowboarding, to hit the snow hard US, 1990. 5 to take someone
along on a motorcyle cruise US, 1966. < pack a punch of a thing,
to be powerful. A figurative use of the pugilistic sense US, 1938.
< pack a rod to carry a gun. In literature by 1940 US, 1940.
< pack a sad to break off a relationship NEW ZEALAND, 1994.
< pack a shitty 1 to sulk AUSTRALIA, 1985. 2 to become angry NEW
ZEALAND
, 1998. < pack death to be fearful AUSTRALIA, 1975. < pack
double
to carry a passenger on a motorcyle US, 2000. < pack
fudge
to play the active role in anal sex US, 1987. < pack heat to
carry a gun US, 1930. < pack it to be fearful. Euphemistic for PACK
SHIT AUSTRALIA
, 1945. < pack shit; pack the shits to be fearful.
The metaphor is of one so scared that they are straining not to
shit themselves
AUSTRALIA, 1971. < pack the cracks to endure
injections of collagen US, 1997. < pack the payment in new car
sales, to make a sale for a price slightly below what the customer
has said they are willing to spend US, 1989. < pack’em; pack
them
to be fearful. Euphemistic for PACK THE SHITS AUSTRALIA, 1944
package noun 1 a man’s genitals as seen through trousers US, 1997.
2 a good-looking woman US, 1945. 3 thefemaleposteriorUS, 2001. 4 a
sexually transmitted infection, especially gonorrhoea US, 1950. 5 AIDS
or HIV US, 2002

package of trouble noun the bleed period of the menstrual cycle
US, 1999
pack away verb to consume food or drink with gusto AUSTRALIA, 1972
Packer-backer-maki noun a beer-drinking, snow-suit wearing, Skoal-
chewing, snowmobile-riding fan of the Green Bay Packer pro-
fessional football team. Michigan Upper Peninsula usage US, 2004
packet noun 1 the genitals, especially as may be hinted at or
imagined when dressed, usually male. Gay slang UK, 2002. 2 a large
sum of money UK, 1922
packet of three; pack of three noun a packet of three condoms.
A dated semi-euphemism that was widespread before the onset of
AIDS and the subsequent positive marketing for condoms UK, 1996
pack horse noun a person, usually a guard, who brings contraband
into prison
US, 1984
packie noun an off-licence. From US states where off-licences are
known as ‘package stores’ US, 1991
pack in; pack up verb to stop; to cease an activity; to retire US, 1942
pack of rocks noun a packet of ready-to-smoke marijuana fashioned
in the manner of cigarettes. An abbreviation of ‘pack of rockets’
UK, 2003
pack out verb to unpack SOUTH AFRICA, 1969
pack-rape noun rape by a gang of men in succession AUSTRALIA, 1969
pack-rape verb (of a gang of men) to serially rape a woman
AUSTRALIA, 1965
pack-rapist noun a person who commits pack-rape AUSTRALIA, 1972
pack-sack citizen noun a short-term resident of any place, living, as
it were, out of a packsack (backpack or rucksack) CANADA, 1966
pack up verb to cease doing something; to retire from work (of a
machine, etc) to stop working because of a fault UK, 1925. < pack

up shop
to cease trading UK, 2003
pacotee noun a sexually available woman. From the French and
Spanish for ‘inferior goods’, at times corrupted back into English
as ‘pack o’ tea’ TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1950
pacy; pacey adjective fast, speedy UK, 1906
pad noun 1 an apartment or house; a room, especially a bedroom. In
the C18 ‘pad’ referred to a bed. By the 1930s, it took on the new
meaning and was spread by jazz musicians. Still heard, with a retro
feel
US, 1938. 2 abedUK, 1718. 3 a prison cell US, 1943. 4 a padded cell
UK, 1996. 5 the bribery paid by a criminal enterprise to police US,
1970. 6 an animal track AUSTRALIA, 1893. < on the pad bribed US, 1971
pad verb 1 to reside US, 1963. 2 (used of police) to add to the narcotics
confiscated from a suspect in order to render the charge against
them more serious US, 1972. < pad the ring in horse racing, to
place many small bets on several horses in a race while placing a
large bet on one horse away from the track, hoping that the small
bets on other horses will drive the odds on your horse up US, 1951
paddle noun on the railways, a semaphore signal US, 1977
paddle verb in horse racing, to try hard without success AUSTRALIA,
1989. < paddle the pickle (of a male) to masturbate US, 1967.
< paddle the pink canoe (of a female) to masturbate UK, 2004
paddle bull noun a young male moose, whose unbranched antlers
look like table tennis bats CANADA, 1989
paddle pop noun a block of ice. Rhyming slang NEW ZEALAND, 1998
paddock-basher noun a worn-out old vehicle used to drive around a
country property AUSTRALIA, 1983
pad down verb to go to sleep US, 1993
paddy noun 1 a white person US, 1945. 2 a police officer US, 1946. 3 a

temper, a rage UK, 1894
Paddy noun an Irish person UK, 1780
Paddy nickname used as a nickname for any Irishman. Diminutive of
the name Patrick UK, 1959
Paddy and Mick noun a pick-axe. Rhyming slang, drawing on the
stereotype of Irish labourers UK, 1998
Paddy and Mick adjective stupid. Rhyming slang for THICK, drawing
on an lrish stereotype
UK, 1992
paddy hustler noun a criminal who targets white people as victims
US, 1970
Paddy McGuigan noun dancing, jigging. Glasgow rhyming slang for
‘jiggin’, formed on no Irishman in particular UK: SCOTLAND, 1996
Paddy McGuire noun a fire. Glasgow rhyming slang, formed on no
Irishman in particular
UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
Paddy O’Rourke verb to talk. Rhyming slang; derivation unknown
UK, 1998
Paddy’s Day nickname St Patrick Day. A national holiday in Ireland
to celebrate St Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint
IRELAND, 2003
Paddy’s pig noun the epitome of ignorance NEW ZEALAND, 1974
Paddy’s taxi noun a police ‘Panda’ car UK, 1969
paddy strength noun in the Vietnam war, the combat strength of a
unit, measured by the actual number of troops in the field US, 1974
Paddy’s Wigwam nickname the Roman Catholic Metropolitan
Cathedral in Liverpool. ‘Wigwam’ is an obvious simile for the
shape of the 1960s building,
PADDY (an Irishman) reflects a cultural
perception of Roman Catholics UK, 2003

paddy wagon noun a police transport van US, 1909
Paddy water noun Guinness™ Irish stout. From PADDY (an Irish
person)
UK, 2000
paddywood noun a white person. Not used kindly US, 1980
padiddle noun a car with only one headlight functioning. A childish
word for the childish activity of spotting cars with one broken
headlight US, 1976
padlock noun the penis. Rhyming slang for COCK UK, 1972
pad mate noun in prison, the inmate with whom a cell is shared.
From
PAD (a cell) UK, 1996
pad roll noun a controlled roll of the dice by a skilled cheat, best
made on a blanket spread on the ground US, 1950
pad-roll verb to roll dice in a controlled fashion. So called because it
can best be made on a blanket, rug or other soft pad
US, 1950
padrone; padroni noun a boss (especially in a gangster-related
context). From Italian padrone (an owner, master), via films about
the mafia. The plural is ‘padroni’ ITALY, 2000
pads noun tyres. Biker (motorcyle) usage US, 2003
pad shark noun a prisoner who steals from others’ cells. From PAD (a
cell) UK, 1996
paedie-pump noun a prison-issue training shoe worn by sex
offenders. Based on an abbreviation of ‘paedophile’. In use August
2002
UK, 2002
paedo noun used as a short form of paedophilia, paedophile and
related terms. The Greek for ‘child’, used as the root for many
conventional terms, has lately been been associated in the public

imagination with the worst of its uses UK, 2002
Pag noun the short opera Pagliacci by Ruggero Leoncavallo UK, 1987
page noun one thousand doses of LSD soaked into paper US, 1999
page biz noun the publishing business. Combines BIZ (a business)
with a small example US, 2002
page oner noun a screenplay in need of a complete rewrite US, 1997
page three girl noun a girl whose scantily clad, or nude, picture
appears as a newspaper pin-up. From a ‘Page Three’ feature in The
Sun but applied far more widely UK, 1975
pagger verb to break or smash; to wreck. Market traders’ use;
influenced by BUGGER (to ruin) UK, 1979
paggered adjective drunk. From PAGGER, hence ‘smashed’ (drunk) UK,
2002
pagne noun a hangover caused by drinking champagne. A pun UK,
1999
pagoda noun in horse racing, the stand where race officials are
seated US, 1951
paid adjective financially stable if not wealthy US, 1998
pail noun the stomach. An abbreviation of ‘lunch pail’ (a container)
US, 1945
pain noun an irritation; an annoying person UK, 1933
Pain noun Main Street in Winnipeg, which at its crossing of Portage
is the exact centre. ‘Pain’ for ‘Main’ at the intersection of Portage
Street is evocative of windy, very cold winter weather CANADA, 2001
pain in the ass; pain in the arse; pain in the backside noun a
great nuisance
US, 1934
pain in the neck noun 1 an irritating nuisance UK, 1941. 2 a cheque.
Rhyming slang
UK, 1992

pain in the net noun a person who posts inflammatory attacks on
Internet discussion groups US, 1991
pain slut noun a person who derives sexual satisfaction from physi-
cal and verbal abuse UK, 1996
paint noun 1 make up UK, 1660. 2 the inside rails of a horse racing
track
AUSTRALIA, 1965. 3 in card games, a face card or a ten US, 1985.
< come round on the paint of a racehorse, to take a bend on
the inside
AUSTRALIA, 1953
paint verb 1 to apply make up UK, 1382. 2 in lowball poker, to draw a
face card to a hand of four low cards
US, 1967. 3 in hearts, to play a
heart on a non-heart trick
US, 1987. 4 to mark a target with laser
beams. Gulf war usage
US, 1991. < paint the barn to apply
makeup CANADA, 2002. < paint the bus to change something’s
appearance without changing its basic foundations
US, 1974.
< paint the town red to have a raucous time on the town US,
1884
painted pony noun in circus and carnival usage, a zebra US, 1981
painter noun 1 a card cheat who marks cards for identification in
another player’s hand US, 1993. 2 a firefighter assigned to a hook-
and-ladder truck. Owing to the ladder US, 1954
painters noun < have the painters in; painters are in to be in
the bleed period of the menstrual cycle. A euphemistic fact of life
UK, 1961
paint-stripper noun cheap and nasty alcohol UK, 1999

paipsey adjective ugly BARBADOS, 1965
pair noun 1 a pair of female breasts US, 1957. 2 a pair of testicles,
hence manliness or courage US, 1985
pair of ducks; pair noun in cricket, the score of a batsman who is
out for no score in each leg of a match. From
DUCK (zero) UK, 2003
pair of fives; pair of nickels noun fifty-five miles an hour, the
nearly uniform road speed limit in the US in the mid-1970s US, 1976
pair of nostrils noun a sawn-off shotgun. From the appearance of
the gun UK, 2002
pair of panties noun paragliding. From the French term parapente
(paragliding) US, 1992
paisan; paisano noun an Italian-American; used as a term of
address that evokes a common heritage, especially Italian US, 1947
pajama noun the vagina. Something you slip into at bedtime US, 1998
pajama wagon noun in trucking, a truck cab with a factory-
manufactured sleeping compartment US, 1971
Pak noun Pakistan UK, 2004
pakalolo noun a variety of marijuana from Hawaii US, 1981
pakapoo ticket noun something indecipherable or overly
complicated. Pakapoo is a Chinese gambling game that appears to
outsiders to be quite complicated
AUSTRALIA, 1951
Paki adjective Pakistani UK, 1984
Paki; paki; pakki; Pak noun a Pakistani; any Asian or Afro-Asian
immigrant; loosely, any native of the Indian subcontinent;
Pakistan. Derogatory or patronising UK, 1964
Paki-basher; Pakki-basher noun a violent racist who, usually as
part of a group, attacks members of the Asian community UK, 1970
Paki-bashing; Pakki-bashing noun an organised or opportunistic

assaulting of Asian immigrants by gangs of white youths. Political
and racist agenda are claimed in an attempt to dignify these
attacks by thrill-seeking youths; however, it is worth noting that an
average PAKI-BASHER is unable to draw a distinction between
targeted races. This social phenomenon seems to have originated
in London and continues, sporadically, nationwide
UK, 1970
Paki pox noun smallpox. From ill-informed racist opinion UK, 1984
Pakistaner noun a big-breasted girl. Teen slang SOUTH AFRICA, 2003
Paddy McGuire | Pakistaner 480
Pakistani black; paki black noun a potent, black-brown marijuana
cultivated in Pakistan. In other contexts the use of ‘Paki’ may be
seen as derogatory, in this case it is attached to a high quality
product UK, 1998
Paklish adjective of Anglo-Pakistani birth AUSTRALIA, 2003
pal noun 1 a close friend; used as a term of address, usually
sarcastically. From the English, Turkish and Transylvanian Romany
tongues UK, 1681. 2 a studio musician US, 1982
palace noun a brakevan (caboose) US, 1946
Palace of Varieties nickname the House of Commons. A derisive
allusion to a place of entertainment UK, 1999
pal around verb to associate with; to socialise with US, 1879
palatic adjective drunk. A drunken slurring of PARALYTIC (drunk) UK, 1885
palaver noun business; any activity or business that is complicated
or annoying, an unnecessary fuss UK, 1899
palaver verb to talk; to chat; to argue UK, 1733
paleets noun used as a male-to-male term of address. An
embellished ‘pal’
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1976
pale-face noun when spoken by a black person, a white person.

From C18 American Indian usage US, 1945
palf noun Palfium, a heroin substitute IRELAND, 1996
palintoshed adjective drunk UK, 2002
palled-in adjective cohabiting with a woman UK, 1981
palliness noun comradeship, the condition of being pals UK, 1937
pallish adjective friendly UK, 1892
Pall Mall noun a girl. Rhyming slang, formed on the London street;
recorded as ‘now obsolete’ by Julian Franklyn, A Dictionary of
Rhyming Slang, 1960, who explained the rhyme as ‘Cockney
dialect makes Paow Maow – Gaow’. Despite Franklyn’s assertion, it
is apparently still in circulation
UK, 1998
pally noun a friend; a comrade US, 1979
pally adjective friendly UK, 1895
pally up verb to make friendly overtures; to make friends UK, 2002
palm noun napalm. Vietnam war usage US, 1991
palming noun masturbation BAHAMAS, 1982
palm oil noun 1 a bribe UK, 1627. 2 agratuityUS, 1949
palm shiner noun in gambling, an object that reflects the image of
cards, small enough to be held in the user’s hand
US, 1997
palm-walmer noun a person who tips US, 1951
palone-omee noun a lesbian. Polari; a combination of ‘palone’ (a
woman) and ‘omee’ (a man), the reverse order ‘omee-palone’
means a male homosexual UK, 2002
palonie noun a circus pony used in comedy routines UK, 1953
palooka noun a person who is mediocre at their craft. Originally a
boxing term US, 1925
palsy-walsy adjective friendly, often with an undertone of insincerity
US, 1937

pal up verb to make friends US, 1953
pamp verb to place or put something somewhere UK: SCOTLAND, 1990
pamphlet noun one ounce of a drug US, 1976
pan noun the face US, 1923. < on the pan (used of a truck driver)
summoned to appear before a public utility commission for
violations of driving laws
US, 1961
pan verb 1 to criticise something as unsuccessful US, 1911. 2 to utterly
defeat someone in a fight; to thrash someone
UK, 2002. 3 to beg. An
abbreviation of ‘panhandle’ US, 1997
Panam a cut noun a variety of marijuana cultivated in Panama UK,
1998
Panama gold; Panamanian gold noun a potent, gold-leafed
marijuana cultivated in Panama US, 1968
Panama red; P anamanian red noun a potent variety of marijuana
cultivated in Panama
US, 1967
panatella noun 1 a marijuana cigarette US, 1944. 2 potent marijuana,
especially that originating in South or Central America
US, 1956
panatic noun a devoted, die-hard fan of steelband music TRINIDAD
AND TOBAGO
, 1988
pan breid adjective dead. Glasgow rhyming slang for ‘pan bread’ (a
type of crusty loaf)
UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
pancake verb using hydraulic lifts operated from inside the car, to
drop suddenly first the back and then the front of a car
US, 1980

pancake saddle noun in western Canada, an English saddle CANADA,
1987
panda car; panda noun a black and white police patrol car, hence a
police patrol car. The logic is black and white: the car was
introduced at a time when the pandas at London Zoo were
making headlines
UK, 1966
Pandemonium World Scareways nickname US airline company
Pan Am. Most airlines attract jocular variations of their names:
Pan Am’s include: ‘Painful, Nauseating and Miserable’ and
‘Passengers Always Neglected at Mealtimes’
US, 2002
P and Q noun solitary confinement in prison. Abbreviated ‘peace
and quiet’ US, 1982
pane noun a dose of LSD on a tiny, clear gelatin chip. A shortened
form of WINDOWPANE US, 1994
panel-beater noun an employee in a car body shop AUSTRALIA, 1984
panel house noun a brothel with sliding walls through which thieves
steal from the clothes of customers
US, 1848
panels of fences noun in horse racing, a long lead AUSTRALIA, 1989
pangonadalot noun heroin US, 1977
panhandle verb to beg US, 1884
panhandler noun 1 a beggar US, 1897. 2 a nurse. Jocular reference to
bedpans US, 1976
panic noun 1 a widespread unavailability of an illegal drug US, 1937. 2 a
very good time US, 1958
panic button noun any switch or button which activates an
emergency alarm, or summons urgent assistance, or stops a
mechanical operation UK, 1971

panic flip noun in pinball, the premature activation of a flipper US,
1977
panic merchant noun a person who habitually panics AUSTRALIA, 1962
panic stations noun a frenzied state of alarmed or confused
thinking. A jocular adaptation of the military term ‘action stations’
UK, 1961
pan-loaf adjective of a superior social status or well-to-do. Glasgow
rhyming slang for TOFF – a good rhyme in the local accent –
formed from a type of bread with a soft crust UK: SCOTLAND, 1985
pannikin boss noun a person with a modest amount of authority; a
minor boss; a foreman AUSTRALIA, 1898
panno noun 1 a panel van AUSTRALIA, 1998. 2 a foreman. An abbrevi-
ation of PANNIKIN BOSS AUSTRALIA, 1957
panoramas noun pyjamas. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
pan out verb (of an event) to turn out; to result. A figurative appli-
cation of panning for gold US, 1871
pansy noun a male homosexual; an effeminate man UK, 1929
pansy-ass adjective effeminate, weak US, 2002
pansy-boy noun an effeminate male homosexual AUSTRALIA, 1976
pansy-man noun a male homosexual ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA, 1999
pansy patch nickname an area in west Hollywood, California, largely
populated by homosexual men since the 1960s
US, 1971
Pansy Potters noun the documents given to someone who is
dismissed from employment. Glasgow rhyming slang for JOTTERS,
formed on a comic strip character UK: SCOTLAND, 1996
pansy prattle noun the snide remarks and witty insults character-
istic of male homosexual banter US, 1980
pant noun trousers INDIA, 1979
481 Pakistani black; paki black | pant

panther noun a condom. The image of a large black beast. Collected
from UK prisoners in May, 2002
JAMAICA, 2002
panther breath noun strong, illegally manufactured whisky US, 1999
panther juice noun strong, homemade alcohol US, 1960
panther piss noun illegally manufactured, low quality alcohol US, 1971
panther sweat noun 1 surgical spirit and Italian vermouth mixed as
a potent drink. After the US slang for inferior whisky. Reported by
a correspondent of Partridge as in Beatnik use around 1959, but
not recorded until 1984 UK, 1984. 2 low quality whisky US, 1977
pantload noun a great deal of something US, 1968
pant moustache noun a fringe of pubic hair that escapes the con-
fines of a female’s underwear or swimwear UK, 2003
pantomime cow noun a row; an argument. Rhyming slang UK, 1998
pants noun 1 rubbish, nonsense, often applied adjectivally UK, 1998.
2 sex. In the spirit of ‘cunt’, ‘ass’ or ‘leg’, but a bit more restrained
US, 1965. < frighten the pants off; scare the pants off to
frighten or scare someone, especially severely or (when horror is
presented as entertainment) thrillingly UK, 1967. < get into
someone’s pants to seduce someone; to have sex with someone
US, 1952
pants verb to pull someone’s trousers down as part of a prank or
practical joke US, 1989
pants adjective applied to something that is very easily done UK:
SCOTLAND
, 1996
pants and vest; pants noun best bitter beer. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
pantsful noun a great deal, especially of something bad. A
suggestion of a lot of excrement
US, 1993

pantsman noun a womaniser AUSTRALIA, 1968
pants rabbits noun pubic lice; body lice; fleas US, 1949
panty hamster noun the vagina UK, 2002
pantyman noun an effeminate heterosexual man; a homosexual
man TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1993
pantypop verb to fart US, 2003
panty raid noun a college fad in which male students invade the
dormitories of female students, seizing underwear as trophies. The
practice and term faded quickly with the onset of 1960s culture
US,
1952
panty-stretcher noun a heavy woman. Also recorded in UK usage
US, 1976
pantywaist noun a weakling or coward; a homosexual man US, 1936
pantzilla noun Sildenafil citrate marketed as Viagra, an anti-
impotence drug taken recreationally for performance
enhancement, in combination with other chemicals that stimulate
the sexual appetites. A jocular reference to the monster in your
underpants. The monster, of course, is Godzilla UK, 2001
pan up verb to prepare a powdered drug for heating prior to
injection US, 1971
Panzer noun a Mercedes-Benz car US, 1997
pap verb to work as a press photographer who specialises in the
sensational and the celebrated. A back-formation from
PAPARAZZI
UK
, 2004
paparazzi noun press photographers who specialise in the
sensational and the celebrated, or a single photographer similarly
engaged. From the Italian paparazzo which is the correct, though

rarely used, singular form. Named after a character in La Dolce
Vita, a 1960 film by Frederico Fellini UK, 1968
pape noun a Roman Catholic. A shortening of ‘papist’ UK: SCOTLAND,
1985
paper noun 1 money US, 1974. 2 a cigarette paper UK, 1950. 3 personal
identification papers US, 1982. 4 promotional literature produced as
part of a telephone sales swindle US, 1988. 5 a free pass to a per-
formance
UK, 1785. 6 a cheque US, 1972. 7 a speeding ticket US, 1976.
8 a deck of cards that have been marked for cheating US, 1977.
9 heroin sold in a paper packet; a folded paper containing any
powdered drug
US, 1953. 10 probation in lieu of a jail sentence;
parole from prison
US, 1973. 11 an underworld contract to have
someone killed
US, 1983
paper verb < paper the house to give away free tickets to an
event in order to secure a large audience
UK, 1859
paper acid noun LSD, especially on blotting paper US, 1977
paper and plastic noun in gambling, a combination of cash and
betting chips. A play on the grocery clerk’s query to a customer –
‘Paper or plastic bag?’
US, 1996
paper asshole noun an adhesive reinforcement attached to holes
punched on a piece of paper to prevent the page from ripping out
of a binder. The object is shaped like a small life buoy, visually
evocative to some of an anus. Collected from union negotiating
committee members in northern California, September 2002

US,
2002
paper bag noun < go pop like a paper bag (of a woman) to
copulate vigorously AUSTRALIA, 1984. < you couldn’t fight your
way out of a paper bag; you couldn’t punch your way out
of a paper bag
addressed to (or, in the third person, used of) a
person boasting of strength or fighting ability
AUSTRALIA, 1961
paper bag; paper verb to nag someone. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
paperbag case noun an ugly woman. A suggestion that the paper
bag be worn over her head US, 1976
paper blunt noun a marijuana cigarette UK, 2003
paper boy noun a drug dealer, especially a heroin dealer. Because
heroin is often sold in paper envelopes; punning on a newspaper
delivery boy
US, 1970
papered adjective used of a stadium or an auditorium filled by
people given free tickets US, 1978
paper grower noun a recycling bin for paper CANADA, 1989
paper-hang noun the passing of counterfeit money or forged
securities US, 1976
paper-hanger noun 1 a criminal whose expertise is the use of
fraudulent securities US, 1954. 2 in trucking, a police officer writing a
ticket US, 1976
paper hat noun a fool. Rhyming slang for TWAT UK, 1998
paper mushrooms noun LSD. LSD on blotting paper having the
hallucinogenic properties of MAGIC MUSHROOM(S) UK, 1998
paper-puncher noun used as a jocular description of a handgun
target shooter US, 1957

paper-pusher noun 1 a bureaucrat; in the military, anyone with a
desk job and not in combat US, 1980. 2 a person who places
counterfeit money into circulation US, 1985
papers noun in prison, a person’s background US, 2000
paper soldier noun a rear-area military personnel who supported
those in combat
US, 1990
paper time noun the additional years added to a prison sentence
because of publicity surrounding the crime, criminal and/or trial
US, 1962
paper top noun a convertible car top US, 1973
paperweight noun 1 in horse racing, a very small weight allowance
in a weight-handicapped event AUSTRALIA, 1989. 2 a railway office
clerk US, 1946
paperwork noun 1 any alteration of playing cards as part of a
cheating scheme
US, 1962. 2 a speeding ticket US, 1976. 3 money;
currency notes UK, 1997
papes noun 1 cigarette rolling papers US, 1997. 2 money US, 2000
pappy noun a father. A childish, rural ring UK, 1763
pappy-mammy noun a homosexual man TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1956
pappyshow noun a fool, or someone who presents the appearance
of a fool. A corruption of ‘puppet show’ TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1940
paps noun press photographers who specialise in the sensational and
the celebrated. An abbreviation of PAPARAZZI UK, 2002
par noun < below par; under par less than average or less than
projected. A term that migrated from conventional English into
golf and then back into broader slang usage UK, 1767
panther | par 482
para noun 1 a paratrooper US, 1990. 2 paranoia, especially as a result of

drug abuse
UK, 1996
para; parro adjective 1 paranoid UK, 1996. 2 drunk. A shortening of
PARALYTIC AUSTRALIA, 1988
parachute noun 1 a combination of crack cocaine and phencyclidine,
the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust
UK, 1998. 2 heroin.
From its effect of slowing down other drug highs
UK, 2002
parade noun in a striptease show, the dancer’s fully clothed walk
across the stage before beginning to strip
US, 1945
paradise noun the highest gallery in a theatre UK, 1952
paradise stroke noun (generally plural) the final thrust before male
orgasm
UK, 1984
paradise white; paradise noun cocaine UK, 1998
paraffin lamp; paraffin noun a tramp, a homeless person; used as
an insult for someone in need of a wash. Rhyming slang
UK, 1997
paraffin oil; paraffin noun style. Glasgow rhyming slang (a good
rhyme in a local accent)
UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
parakeet noun a Puerto Rican US, 1962
parallel adjective lying down. Hawaiian youth usage US, 1982
paralysis by analysis noun inaction produced by over-thinking a
situation
US, 1971
paralytic; paraletic adjective very drunk; drunk and incapable.
‘Paraletic’ is a phonetic misspelling AUSTRALIA, 1891

parboiled adjective drunk US, 1960
parcel noun a quantity of stolen goods being delivered to the
receiver. A specialisation of the conventional sense UK, 1981
pard noun partner. A definite Western flavour; a highly affected
shortening of ‘partner’ US, 1850
pardner noun used as a term of address, male-to-male. Used with an
intentional folksiness that harkens to cowboy films US, 1795
pardon me for living!; pardon me for breathing! used as an
elaborate mock apology offered in answer for a minor error or
trivial criticism
UK, 1961
Paree; Gay Paree noun Paris, France. From the French
pronunciation UK, 1848
parental units noun your parents US, 1982
parish bull noun a man with illegitimate children BERMUDA, 1985
park verb 1 to (temporarily) place something or someone in a pos-
ition of some safety or convenience. Often extended – in
worldwide variations – as an invitation or imperative: ‘park your
arse!’ ‘park your carcass!’ ‘park your fanny!’ ‘park your frame!’ and,
the nautically inspired, ‘park your stern!’
UK, 1908. 2 to stay at a
place for a short time AUSTRALIA, 1961. 3 to engage in sexual foreplay
in a parked car US, 1972. 4 to give. A shortening of obsolete PARKER
UK
, 1972. < park a custard to vomit. Upper-class society usage UK,
1982. < park a tiger; park the tiger to vomit AUSTRALIA, 1985.
< park it (of a person) to sit down AUSTRALIA, 1962. < park the
ball
in pool, to leave the cue ball roughly in the centre of the
table after an opening break shot US, 1992. < park your carcass

(of a person) to sit down AUSTRALIA, 1977. < where I’d like to park
my bike
said by a man of a woman considered as a sexual object.
The wheel of a bicycle is held in a slot, which puns on vagina UK,
2003
parked out adjective in horse racing, said of horses forced to the
outside on turns US, 1994
Parker noun a chauffeur. The name of Lady Penelope’s chauffeur in
Thunderbirds (a cult television series of the early 1960s, relaunched
in the 90s) adopted as a generic nickname UK, 1999
parker verb to pay; to give. From ‘parleyaree’, an early form of
POLARI UK, 1914
Parkheid smiddy noun the female breast. Glasgow rhyming slang
for, DIDDY, from the local pronunciation of Parkhead Smithy, a
famous forge in Glasgow’s East End
UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
parkie; parky noun a park keeper UK, 2001
parking lot noun 1 a traffic jam US, 1976. 2 the vagina. An obvious
pun until you start to seek an appropriate vehicle for the penis
US,
1974. < in the parking lot in gambling, without further funds US,
1996
parking space noun agraveUK, 1998
Park Lane No. 2’s noun marijuana from Cambodia, often pre-rolled
into cigarettes. The term was coined and popularised by US
soldiers in Vietnam
US, 1970
parky adjective of the weather, chilly, cold, very cold UK, 1895
parlay noun crack cocaine US, 1994
parlay verb to socialise at clubs, bars or parties US, 2000

parloo verb to masturbate NORFOLK ISLAND, 1992
parlour noun a brakevan (caboose) US, 1946
parlour maid noun a rear railway brakeman US, 1946
parlour pink noun a wealthy person who espouses socialist views
from the safety of luxury
US, 1920
parma violet noun a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best
known as ecstasy. From the purple colour of the tablet and overall
similarity to a sweet of the same name UK, 2002
parnee verb to rain. From the noun sense UK, 1859
parnee; parnie; parny noun 1 rain; tears. Polari, originally Anglo-
Indian, from ‘parnee’ (water) UK, 1859. 2 water. Current in English
gypsy use, from Romany pâni (water) UK, 1859
parole dust noun fog. A term coined at the San Quentin state
penitentiary just north of San Francisco, where fog invites escape
attempts US, 1976
Parra noun in the Sydney region, a visting non-resident of a
beachside area. Derogatory. Perhaps from Parramatta, a western
suburb of Sydney AUSTRALIA, 1985
Parry nickname the Paremoremo maximum security prison NEW
ZEALAND
, 1982
parsley noun 1 marijuana. From the similarity of appearance
between one HERB and another UK, 1996. 2 phencyclidine, the rec-
reational drug known as PCP or angel dust. Because one method
of administration of the drug is to sprinkle it on parsley US, 1981
parsley bud noun in British Columbia, a local variety of marijuana
CANADA, 2002
part adjective of mixed race FIJI, 1995
partial noun a partial fingerprint US, 1996. < par tial to having a

fondness or liking for something UK, 1696
Partick Thistle noun 1 a whistle. Rhyming slang, formed on the
name of a Scottish football club; also serves as a verb UK, 1992. 2 a
variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy,
identified by PT embossed on the tablet. Disguising PT with the
name of a Scottish football team
UK, 2002
partied out adjective exhausted from excessive party-going US, 1992
partner noun 1 a very close associate who can be counted on in
almost any situation US, 1994. 2 any Audi car. Motor trade slang. A
pun on ‘Howdy, partner’
UK, 2004
partridge noun a good-looking girl or woman US, 1947
parts noun < get parts to engage in sexual activity short of
intercourse US, 1979
parts changer noun in car repair, a mechanic who replaces parts
until a problem is solved instead of diagnosing the problem at the
outset US, 1993
part timer noun a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best
known as ecstasy, identified by PT embossed on the tablet
UK, 2002
party noun 1 a person. In conventional use from 1650 but con-
sidered to be slang since later C19. Not to be confused with a
party to a legal action
UK, 1956. 2 a woman; a girlfriend. Royal Navy
slang UK, 1987. 3 sex, especially with a prostitute. A prostitute
euphemism US, 1956
party verb 1 to enjoy a good time. From the conventional noun
sense US, 1922. 2 to have sex, especially with a prostitute US, 1963. 3 to
use drugs US, 1999

par-ty! used as an exhortation to relax and enjoy yourself. The break
between syllables is key
US, 1988
483 para | par-ty!
party animal noun a person dedicated to making merry and having
a good time. A creature born of the 1990s
US, 1997
party central noun an apartment or house where parties are
frequently in progress
US, 2000
party favours noun drugs US, 1989
party foul noun a faux pas; a substantial breach of etiquette US, 2004
party girl noun a prostitute US, 1960
party hat noun 1 the signal light(s) on the roof of a police car. When
the light is flashing the police are said to have a ‘party hat on’
US,
1976. 2 acondomUS, 1989
party hearty verb to party in a diligent fashion US, 1979
party lights noun the coloured, flashing lights on top of a police car
US, 1992
party line noun the ‘official version’ that must be adhered to
whether truthful or not. Originally (1834) a political party’s policy;
thence into much wider usage
UK, 1937
party nap noun a nap taken in anticipation of a night of drinking
and partying
US, 2004
party on! used as an encouragement for revelry US, 1989
party pack noun a packet of ten rolled marijuana cigarettes for sale
in Vietnam during the war

US, 1991
party piece noun a woman who makes herself sexually available at
Hell’s Angels gatherings’. A pun formed on PIECE (a woman as a
sexual object) UK, 1982
party pooper; party poop noun a killjoy; a spoilsport US, 1954
party powder noun cocaine UK, 2003
party reptile noun an enthusiastic party-goer US, 1986
pash noun 1 a romanticised affection for someone; an infatuation UK,
1914. 2 a fiancée; the woman you enjoy more than a casual
relationship with; the primary girlfriend. Royal Navy slang; an
abbreviated form of ‘passion’ US, 1960. 3 a passionate kiss or kissing
session, especially French kissing AUSTRALIA, 1962
pash; pash off verb to kiss someone passionately AUSTRALIA, 1979
pashing noun kissing and petting AUSTRALIA, 1964
pash on verb to spend time kissing and petting AUSTRALIA, 1983
pashpie noun an attractive boy or girl. Teen slang US, 1951
pash rash noun sore lips or irritation of the area surrounding the
mouth as a result of kissing
AUSTRALIA, 2002
pashy noun a passionate kiss. An elaboration of PASH UK, 2000
pashy adjective passionate US, 1949
pasray verb (used of a woman) to sit in an immodest position
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003
pass noun an amorous approach to someone; an introductory
attempt at seduction UK, 1928
pass verb to seek acceptance as white because of fair skin colouring
US, 1933. < pass change to bribe TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1989.
< pass the time of day to exchange greetings; to chat and
gossip UK, 1851
pass-by noun a stranger JAMAICA, 1958

passenger noun 1 a member of any group who does not fully con-
tribute and is ‘carried’ by the rest. Originally sporting
UK, 1852. 2 a
member of a prison clique. Formed from CAR (a clique) US, 1989
passenger stiff noun a railway passenger US, 1977
passer noun 1 a person who places counterfeit money into
circulation US, 1981. 2 a drug dealer US, 1952
passers noun dice that have been altered so as to roll a seven less
often than normal US, 1950
passion-killers noun sensible knickers. Originally of military-issue
knickers UK, 1943
passion mark noun a bruise caused by extended sucking US, 1966
passion pit noun a drive-in cinema. Teen slang US, 1951
passion wagon noun a panel van or the like used for sexual
encounters AUSTRALIA, 1966
pass out verb to lose consciousness. From an earlier sense ‘to die’
UK, 1915
passover noun a seizure BARBADOS, 1965
passover party noun a party where those who have been passed
over for promotion drown their sorrows
US, 1998
passport noun standing permission from a youth gang to enter the
territory which they consider their ‘turf’
US, 1972
past adjective < past it because of your age or infirmity, to be no
longer able to do that which you used to. Applied generally or to a
specific inability UK, 1928. < past its sell-by date no longer of
interest; out of fashion. Adopted from product information on
packaged goods
UK, 2001

pasta noun cocaine. From ‘paste’, a step in the production process
US, 1984
pasta rocket noun any Italian sports car US, 2004
paste noun 1 finely crafted fake gems US, 1950. 2 the peanut butter in
combat rations US, 1991. 3 crack cocaine. From an intermediary step
in the production of crack US, 1994
paste verb to thrash someone UK, 1846
pasteboard noun in horse racing, a dry track in good condition US,
1971
pastie noun a fool; used as a friendly term of abuse. Possibly from
the thick crust of a Cornish pastie UK, 2004
pasties noun decorative coverings for a female dancer’s nipples US,
1961
pasting noun a beating. Either physical or figurative UK, 1851
pasto noun marijuana. From Spanish pasto (pasture, grass), thus
GRASS (marijuana) US, 1980
pastry cutter noun a person who applies pressure with the teeth
while performing oral sex on a man UK, 2002
pastry wagon noun a truck owned by the Pacific Intermountain
Express. Back-formation from PIE, the company’s initials US, 1976
pasture noun a place where teenagers engage in various levels of
sexual activity in parked cars at night US, 1960. < out to pasture
incarcerated US, 1992
Pat noun < on your Pat on your own. A shortening of PAT MALONE
AUSTRALIA
, 1908
Pat nickname used as a nickname for an Irish man; also used in jokes
which need a stereotypical Irishman as the butt. Pat, a diminutive
of Patrick, is a stereotypically Irish name
UK, 1806

pat verb < pat the pad to go to bed US, 1955
patacca adjective used for describing inferior or fake jewellery,
especially of a counterfeit Swiss watch. An Italian slang term,
pronounced ‘pataka’, meaning ‘worthless; rubbish’; used at the
less-honest end of the jewellery trade, and amongst air stewards
UK, 1977
Pat and Mick noun the penis. Rhyming slang for PRICK,formed
from two stereotypical Irish names, often featured in jokes. As the
butts of these jokes Pat and Mick are inevitably thick, a character-
istic which may well pun here as an implied quality of girth
UK, 1961
Pat and Mick adjective sick. Rhyming slang UK, 2003
Pat and Mike noun a bicycle. Rhyming slang for ‘bike’ UK, 1931
Pat Cash noun to urinate. Rhyming slang for SLASH,basedonthe
name of Australian tennis player Pat Cash (b.1965) UK, 1998
patch noun 1 a district which is the responsibility of a specified
police authority; a geographical area designated as the
responsibility of public servants, e.g. probation officers, social
workers; an area of specialist reponsibility. Originally northern and
Midland police, by the mid-1960s it had become common to all
public services UK, 1963. 2 the territory claimed by a prostitute, a
drug dealer or a gang UK, 1996. 3 a small community US, 1997. 4 the
zone assigned to a military reconnaissance team
US, 1991. 5 asmall
piece of material covering a striptease dancer’s vulva
US, 1973. 6 a
gang emblem sewn to the back of a member’s jacket, signifying
full membership in the gang NEW ZEALAND, 1975. 7 in computing, a
temporary modification of code to repair an immediate problem
party animal | patch 484

US, 1991. 8 in the circus or carnival, the person who adjusted legal
problems
US, 1960. 9 an ad hoc payment to a police officer to allow
a crime to take place US, 2001. 10 the proceeds of a crime,
confiscated and kept by corrupt police in lieu of arrest
US, 1987.
< not a patch on not in any way to be compared with UK, 1860
patched adjective thirsty US, 1968
patches noun 1 a prison uniform issued to inmates who have been
assessed as potential escapees
UK, 2000. 2 a prisoner considered
likely to attempt an escape. From the yellow patches worn on the
prisoner’s jacket and trousers
UK, 1996
patch money noun in a carnival, the money paid by concession
operators to the ‘patch’ or ‘fixer’ for adjusting legal problems
US,
1985
pate noun a father. Abbreviated from Latin pater US, 1988
patent noun a multiple bet, gambling on three different horses in
separate races in a total of seven bets UK, 1991
pater noun a father. A familiar use of Latin pater (a father), mainly as
schoolboy slang, and often considered pretentious
UK, 1728
path adjective pathology; pathological. Originally medical use now
widely known, mainly in ‘path lab’ (a pathology laboratory) UK, 1937
pat hand noun in blackjack, a hand with points totalling between 17
and 21. A ‘pat hand’ is a potentially winning hand
US, 1991
pathetic adjective ineffectual, contemptible. From the conventional

sense (worthy of pity) UK, 1937
pathy noun a pathologist UK, 1956
patico noun crack cocaine. Spanish slang used by English-speakers
who would not know what the word means in Spanish
US, 1994
patient zero noun the first person to transmit a disease. Usually
used in the context of AIDS US, 1987
Pat Malone noun alone. Rhyming slang for ‘on your own’ AUSTRALIA,
1908
patoot noun the vagina US, 1974
patootie noun the arse US, 1948
pat poke noun the hip pocket. Pickpocket usage US, 1949
Pats nickname the New England Patriots professional football team US,
1971
patsy noun 1 a dupe; someone blamed for a crime or accident.
Perhaps the most famous maybe-patsy of the C20 was Lee Harvey
Oswald, who told reporters shortly before being killed: ‘They’re
taking me in because of the fact that I lived in the Soviet Union.
I’m only a patsy’
US, 1903. 2 in poker, a hand that requires no draw.
Conventionally known as a ‘pat hand’ US, 1988. 3 a half-gallon jar
filled with beer. A fairly complicated rhyme: Patsy Riggir is a
country music singer, and her last name evokes RIGGER, which is
another term for a half-gallon jar of beer NEW ZEALAND, 1998
Patsy Cline; Patsy noun a dose of cocaine prepared for inhaling.
Rhyming slang for LINE, based on country and western singer Patsy
Cline, 1932–63 UK, 1996
patsy mouth noun a dryness of the mouth as a result of smoking
marijuana or hashish
CANADA, 2004

Patsy Palm er and her five daughters noun the hand (seen in the
context of male masturbation). A variation of MRS PALM AND HER
FIVE LOVELY DAUGHTERS
, formed on the name of an actress who
came to prominence playing Bianca in the BBC television soap
opera EastEnders from 1994–99 UK, 2003
patter noun talk, speechifying UK, 1778
Patty Hearst noun a first class degree. Rhyming slang for ‘first’,
formed from the name of the heiress, who was kidnapped by left-
wing extremists, and involved in bank-robbery, before becoming a
professional actress (b.1954)
UK, 1998
Paul Anka noun used as an all-purpose form of abuse. Rhyming
slang for WANKER; formed from the name of the US singer (b.1941)
UK, 2004
Paul Weller noun branded Belgian lager Stella Artois™. Rhyming
slang for ‘Stella’, based on the name of musician Paul Weller
(b.1958) UK, 2002
pause verb < pause for a cause to pull off the motorway to use a
toilet
US, 1977
pav noun a pavlova. A type of meringue desert topped with fruit,
named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova
AUSTRALIA, 1966
Pavarotti noun ten pounds, £10. Punning TENNER on ‘tenor’; formed
on the great Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti (b.1935)
UK, 1998
pavement noun < the pavement the streets, especially as an area
of criminal operation UK, 1998
pavement artist noun a criminal specialising in street fraud UK, 2001

pavement oyster noun an expectoration of phlegm that has been
deposited in the street
UK, 1981
pavement pizza noun a splash of vomit AUSTRALIA, 1996
pavement-pounder noun a prostitute who solicits customers on the
street US, 1960
pavement princess noun a prostitute, especially one who works at
truck stops
US, 1977
pavement surfing noun being thrown from a motorcyle. Biker
(motorcyle) usage US, 2003
pavilion noun a brakevan (caboose) US, 1977
paw noun the hand UK, 1605
pawn noun < got out of pawn; got out born UK, 1992
paws up adjective dead. New York police slang US, 1997
pay noun a debtor US, 1989
pay verb < get paid to commit a successful robbery US, 1987.
< pay black to pay a blackmailer’s extortion. Combines conven-
tional ‘pay’ with ‘black’ (blackmail) UK, 1984. < pay crow tax to
lose a farm animal by accidental death or disease CANADA, 1992.
< pay the grandstand in horse racing, to place a bet that will
generate a huge earning AUSTRALIA, 1989. < pay through the nose
to pay a high (financial) price for something UK, 1672. < pay your
dues
to persevere through hardship US, 1956
pay and lay noun used for describing the exchange of payment and
services involved in prostitution
US, 1969
pay ball noun in pool, a shot that, if made, wins a wager US, 1993
pay dirt noun money; success UK, 1857

pay-for-play noun sex that is paid for US, 1969
pay hole noun in trucking, a truck’s highest gear US, 1971
pay lawyer noun a privately retained lawyer, as contrasted with one
provided for indigents by the state US, 1992
payola noun 1 an illegal payment to a radio station or individual to
encourage the playing of a particular song. The word leapt into the
American vocabulary in late 1959 as pay-off scandal after pay-off
scandal toppled the first generation of rock ’n’ roll disc jockeys.
Later broadened to include other forms of bribery
US, 1938. 2 reward
money for anonymous police informants UK, 2002. 3 oil US, 1984
pay out on verb to upbraid someone for a wrongdoing. Originally ‘to
get revenge; to mete out corporal punishment’, from British
dialect pay (to beat/thrash). Now only referring to verbal dressing
down
AUSTRALIA, 1977
pay school noun a school charging a tuition fee US, 1992
payware noun commercially available computer software US, 1991
PB nickname Pacific Beach, San Diego, California US, 1993
PB and J noun a peanut butter and jelly (jam) sandwich. A culinary
staple of American youth for decades
US, 1981
PC noun 1 a latex finger glove used during digital examinations. A
‘pinkie cheater’
US, 1958. 2 probable cause to arrest someone US, 1995.
3 a percentage. Applied to drug sales US, 1956
PC adjective politically correct. Originally used of left-on-left criticism,
appropriated and exploited by the right to marginalise any and all
dissent from the left US, 1986
PCH nickname the Pacific Coast Highway, US route 1 in Los Angeles

US, 1981
PCOD noun pussy cut-off date. When soldiers were returned to the
US from the war in Vietnam, they were tested for sexually
485 patched | PCOD
transmitted diseases. To be sure that any problems were identified
and cured before that test, most stopped having sexual relations
before the end of their rotation to avoid any delay in returning
home US, 1991
P’cola noun Pensacola, Florida, home to a naval air station known as
the ‘cradle of Navy aviation’ US, 1991
PCP noun phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or
angel dust
US, 1969
PD adjective pretty disgusting UK, 1996
PDA noun a public display of affection US, 1968
P-dogs noun cocaine UK, 2003
P-dope noun relatively (20%–30%) pure heroin US, 1997
PDQ pretty damn q uick UK, 1875
p’d up adjective paranoid UK, 2001
pea noun 1 in Keno, a small ball with a number between one and 80
painted on it, drawn to establish winning numbers US, 1987. 2 in
pool, a small tally ball used as a scoring device US, 1993. 3 a bullet
US, 1988. 4 a person expected to win; in racing, a favourite AUSTRALIA,
1911
pea-brain noun a person lacking common sense, intelligence or
both US, 1950
pea-brained adjective 1 very stupid UK, 1950. 2 under the influence of
LSD US, 1982
peace goodbye. Dave Garroway, host of the morning television
news programme The Today Show from 1952 to 61, closed each

programme raising one hand and saying the single word ‘Peace’.
In 1988, comedy host Arsenio Hall, whose programme ran until
1993, began to use the same sign-off, at times embellishing it with
‘Peace, and think number one’
US, 1991
peace and quiet noun 1 solitary confinement in prison US, 1982. 2 a
diet. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
peacemaker nickname the MX missile. Originally applied to the Colt
.45 revolver, which made peace by death. Applied by US President
Reagan and his administration in 1982 to the missile that carries
thermonuclear warheads, apparently unaware of the irony of the
term
US, 1982
peacenik noun a person who is opposed to war or a war US, 1963
peace ’n’ love adjective in the style of 1960s counterculture. The
twin aims of the counterculture packaged as a marketing slogan;
often derogatory UK, 2001
peace out used as a farewell US, 1992
peace pill noun a combination of the hallucinogen LSD and the
stimulant methedrine US, 1971
PeaCe Pill; peace noun phencyclidine, the recreational drug known
as PCP or angel dust. A rather clumsy back-formation from the
initials US, 1977
peace tab noun a tablete of psilocybin, a mushroom-based
hallucinogen
US, 1971
peace tablet noun a tablet (of any description) with a drop of LSD
on it US, 1982
peaceweed noun phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP
or angel dust US, 1981

peach noun 1 an excellent person or thing UK, 1863. 2 a sexually
attractive person, usually a woman UK, 1754. 3 the vagina US, 1997. 4 a
tablet of amphetamine sulphate (trade name Benzedrine™), a
central nervous system stimulant US, 1967
peach verb to inform against or on someone. In conventional use
from C16 to mid-C19, thereafter considered slang or colloquial
UK,
1991
peach picker noun a cabover truck that is built high off the ground
US, 1971
peachy adjective good, pleasing, attractive. If used at all, used with
irony UK, 1926
peachy-keen adjective excellent US, 1960
peacocky adjective used of a racehorse, high-headed US, 1976
pea-eye noun an English-speaking person from Canada’s Maritime
Provinces. From, if awkwardly, ‘Prince Edward Island’
US, 1975
peak verb 1 to become highly excited; to thrill AUSTRALIA, 1985. 2 (of a
wave) to reach its highest point before breaking
AUSTRALIA, 1987
peaker plant noun a power-generating facility that is brought online
only during periods of peak demand
US, 2000s
peaky adjective feeling unwell, or appearing sickly UK, 1821
peanut noun 1 the penis. An unusually modest pet name; similar to
the derogatory joke-description ‘hung like a cashew’
UK, 2001. 2 a
transvestite. From northern England, likely to derive from the
sense as ‘a small penis’ UK, 1966. 3 a capsule of a barbiturate or
other sedative

US, 1967
peanut butter noun low quality, impure amphetamine US, 1989
peanut gallery noun the least expensive seats in a theatre; more
abstractly, an audience
US, 1888
peanut grifter noun a small-time swindler US, 1953
peanut heaven noun the uppermost gallery in a theatre or arena US,
1946
peanut poker noun poker played for very small stakes US, 1988
peanuts noun a very small sum of money US, 1934
peanuts and donkey farts noun in poker, three two’s US, 1948
peanut smuggler noun a woman whose nipples, especially when
erect, are apparent through her clothing AUSTRALIA, 2003
peanut wagon noun in trucking, a small tractor pulling a large trailer
US, 1946
pea-picker noun a gambler who only bets very small sums. A pun
on ‘p’ (pence)
UK, 1984
pea, pie, and pud noun a meal consisting of a meat pie, peas and
mashed potatoes NEW ZEALAND, 1984
pea pod noun < on your pea pod alone. Glasgow rhyming slang
on Cockney rhyming slang ‘on your tod’ (TOD SLOAN) UK: SCOTLAND,
1985
pearl noun 1 an ampoule of amyl nitrite US, 1971. 2 cocaine US, 1984
pearl dive noun when surfing, an occasion when you are forced
deep under the water by a wave US, 1957
pearl dive verb to perform oral sex on a woman. From the
metaphor of the clitoris as a pearl US, 1994
pearl-diver noun 1 a dishwasher in a restaurant US, 1913. 2 afive-
pound note; the sum of £5 UK: SCOTLAND, 1985

pearl diving noun oral sex US, 1949
pearler noun something exceptional. Variant of PURLER AUSTRALIA, 1941
Pearl Harbour adjective of weather, cold. From the Japanese air
attack on Pearl Harbour, 7th December 1941; punning
NIP
(Japanese) and the conventional phrase ‘a nasty nip in the air’
(cold weather). This term seems to have emerged following the
2001 release of the film Pearl Harbor UK, 2002
pearlies noun 1 the teeth. A shortened form of PEARLY WHITES. Also
variant ‘pearls’
UK, 1914. 2 a chronic shaking of the bowing arm
suffered by violinists UK, 1974
pearl necklace noun semen ejaculated on a woman’s throat and
breasts, especially after penis-breast contact
US, 1984
pearl of a great price noun in horse racing, a pure-bred Arabian
racehorse AUSTRALIA, 1989
pearly gate noun a plate. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
pearly gates noun 1 LSD US, 1971. 2 morning glory seeds, rumoured
to have hallucinogenic powers US, 1971
Pearly Girl noun in British Columbia, a local variety of marijuana
CANADA, 2002
pearly king; pearly noun the anus. Rhyming slang for RING,formed
on a traditional, well-decorated Cockney character UK, 1992
pearly whites noun the teeth US, 1935
pear-shaped adjective no longer perfect; describing anything that is
now wrong UK, 2001
peas and rice boongy noun large buttocks BAHAMAS, 1995
P’cola | peas and rice boongy 486
peasant noun 1 a person below your station. Originally British

military slang
UK, 1943. 2 in circus and carnival usage, a customer
who does not show proper appreciation for a performance US, 1981
peasants noun < the peasants are revolting a catchphrase that
is applied to a general swell of grumbling, used by more senior
officers of junior ranks in the military, of a workforce as distinct
from management, of students in relation to their educators, etc.
A tireless pun on ‘revolting’
UK, 1984
pease pudding hot; pease pudding noun nasal mucus. Rhyming
slang for
SNOT, formed on a traditional rhyme: ‘Pease pudding hot
/ Pease pudding cold / Pease pudding in the pot / Nine days old’.
This is not a pun on the colour of peas – pease pudding is a
golden-hued dish, made from yellow split-peas UK, 1992
peashooter noun 1 a small-calibre handgun US, 1950. 2 the nose.
Rhyming slang for HOOTER UK, 1992
peas-in-a-pot; peas in the pot; peas; peasy adjective hot.
Rhyming slang
UK, 1960
peas on a drum noun small female breasts UK, 1980
pea-soup noun a French-Canadian. In the citation, Richler is
referring indirectly to the Montreal hockey team, the Canadiens
CANADA, 2002
pea-souper noun 1 a dense yellowish fog. From the adjective PEA-
SOUPY UK
, 1890. 2 a French-Canadian. This term derives from the
ubiquitous Quebec pea-soup, made with ham, still a favourite
despite the negative connotations CANADA, 1978
pea-soupy; soupy adjective descriptive of dense, yellowish fog UK, 1860

peasy; peasie adjective used of hair, short and curled tightly BAHAMAS,
1982
peata; pata noun a spoiled child; a favourite child IRELAND, 1999
pebble noun a piece of crack cocaine. The ROCK metaphor used
again; the plural means crack generally US, 1989
pebble-dash verb to splatter a lavatory bowl with faeces as the result
of a dramatic expulsion of diarrhoea
UK, 2003
Pebble Mill noun 1 a pill, especially one that is taken recreationally.
Rhyming slang, formed from an area of Birmingham that is best
known as the address of BBC television studios, and the title of a
programme broadcast from there, 1973–86 UK, 1998. 2 a slight or
perfunctory kiss UK, 1893. 3 on the railways, the lunch period US, 1977
peck verb 1 to eat UK, 1665. 2 to kiss someone in a slight or
perfunctory manner UK, 1969
pecker noun 1 the penis UK, 1902. 2 by extension, a despicable person
US, 1988. 3 courage, especially in the phrase ‘keep your pecker up’
UK, 1853
pecker checker noun 1 a military doctor or medic who inspects
male recruits for signs of sexually transmitted disease
US, 1967. 2 a
member of a police vice squad targeting homosexual activity US,
1970
pecker-foolish noun used of a woman, overly obsessed with men
and sex US, 1977
peckerhead noun a despicable or offensive person. Formed from
PECKER ‘penis’, not PECKERWOOD ‘racist’ US, 1802
peckerman noun a rapist US, 1990
peckerneck noun on the railways, a newly hired apprentice US, 1975
pecker pole noun an undersize tree, not worth logging CANADA, 1989

pecker tracks noun stains from seminal fluid US, 1964
peckerwood noun 1 a non-Italian US, 1980. 2 a white rural southerner,
especially an uncouth and racist one. Not praise. Also shortened
variants ‘peck’, ‘pecker’ and ‘wood’
US, 1904
Peckham Rye; Peckham noun a tie (an article of menswear).
Rhyming slang, after an area of south London
UK, 1925
pecks noun food US, 1958
pecky adjective characterised by well developed chest muscles US, 1997
pecs noun the pectoralis major muscles US, 1966
ped noun a pedestrian UK, 1999
pedalling with both feet; pedalling verb (used of a vehicle, or
driver of that vehicle) to achieve top speed. Conjures a misleading
image of pedalling a bicycle; the pedal in question is an
accelerator US, 1976
pedal pusher noun a bicyclist US, 1934
pedal-pushers noun calf-length trousers for women or girls.
Originally designed to be suitable for a PEDAL PUSHER (a bicyclist),
and variously in and out of fashion since US, 1944
pedal to the metal adjective used of a motor vehicle, throttled to
the maximum US, 1993
’ped boy noun a young, male, moped rider; a younger, male, BMX
cyclist
UK, 2003
peddle and crank verb to masturbate. Rhyming slang for WANK UK,
2003
peddler noun 1 a prisoner who sells goods to other prisoners US, 1980.
2 on the railways, a local freight train US, 1960
peddle run noun in trucking, a job with frequent stops for deliveries

US, 1971
pedestrian spear noun a large, sharp car radiator ornament US, 1962
’ped-head noun a motor-scooter enthusiast. Apparently derived from
‘moped’ and -HEAD (an enthusiast) UK, 2004
pedigree noun aperson’sbackgroundUS, 1976
pedigree chum noun semen; an orgasm. Rhyming slang for COME,
formed on branded dog food Pedigree Chum™
UK, 1992
pedlar’s pack noun dismissal from employment. Rhyming slang for
‘sack’ UK, 1992
pedo noun trouble; nonsense. Border Spanish used in English
conversation by Mexican-Americans
US, 1974
Pedro noun 1 cocaine. Given a Spanish name (Peter) to suggest a
South American nationality for the supplier UK, 1999. 2 a survival
winch mounted on a military helicopter
US, 1991
pee noun an act of urination; urine UK, 1902
pee verb to urinate UK, 1879. < pee yourself laughing to laugh
uproariously
UK, 1946
pee halt noun a brief stop during a combat patrol so soldiers could
urinate US, 1991
peek noun < the peek in prison, the observation cell UK, 1950
peekaboo adjective 1 said of a garment with decorative holes or
slashes
US, 1895. 2 used of a mirror, see-through from outside the
room
US, 1992
peeker noun a thief who operates by observing the numbers given

at a clockroom and then using a counterfeit check to retrieve
valuable items that have been checked in
US, 1954
peek freak noun 1 a voyeur US, 1967. 2 a casino blackjack gambler
who consistently tries to see the dealer’s down card US, 1981
peek man noun a lookout during an illegal or forbidden activity in
prison US, 1976
peel noun a caustic chemical treatment of the skin (dermabrasion)
US, 1997
peel verb 1 to undress UK, 1785. 2 to perform a striptease. Originally a
term used by and with athletes, later by and with stripteasers
US,
1948. 3 to pry something open US, 1968. 4 (used of a pimp) to entice
a prostitute away from her current pimp
US, 1993. 5 to fire a gun US,
2001. < get peeled when filming a film or television programme,
to extend the shooting into overtime for the crew US, 1997. < peel
caps
to shoot someone US, 1993. < peel one off to fart. Perhaps
this should be ‘peal’ for the ringing tones
UK, 1978. < peel wheels
to accelerate a car quickly, squealing the tyres and leaving rubber
marks on the road. 1989 US, 1989. < peel your banana to pull
back the foreskin of your penis for inspection or as part of
masturbating
US, 2002
peeled adjective of the eyes, open, thus alert and observant. ‘Keep
‘em peeled’ is a catchphrase associated with Shaw Taylor, presenter
of a television police assistance programme Police 5 since the early
1970s US, 1853

487 peasant | peeled
peeler noun 1 a police officer. After Robert Peel, as founder of the
Irish constabulary
IRELAND, 1817. 2 a striptease dancer US, 1948. 3 afast,
well-developed wave US, 1964
peel-off noun a theft of part of a common booty. Criminal and
police slang
UK, 1959
peel out verb to accelerate a car suddenly from a stopped position,
squealing the tyres on the road
US, 1973
peelywally adjective drunk. From Scottish peelie-wallie (sickly) UK:
SCOTLAND
, 2002
peeny adjective very small BARBADOS, 1965
peeny-weeny adjective tiny TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1993
peep noun 1 a quick glance UK, 1730. 2 a two-way mirror US, 1975. 3 a
clandestine photographer US, 1982. 4 a sexually desirable woman. An
abbreviation of the somewhat coarse ‘perfectly elegant eatin’
pussy’
US, 1977. 5 something spoken, especially in a negative context
UK, 1903
peep verb 1 to look at something, to discover something. Variation
of conventional ‘peep’ (to look) US, 1992. 2 to listen to someone or
something US, 2000. 3 to read music US, 1964. < peep the holecard
to gain deep insight into someone’s character US, 1981
pee pad noun a motorcyle passenger seat US, 2003
peepe noun the vagina US, 1998
pee-pee noun 1 urine; urination. Childish UK, 1923. 2 the penis.
Children’s toilet vocabulary. Also variant ‘pi-pi’ US, 1967

peeper noun 1 an eye. A definite old-fashioned feel to the term.
Popularised in 1938 with the film Going Places and the song by
Harry Warren: ‘Jeepers, creepers/ Where’d you get them peepers?’
UK, 1700. 2 a voyeur UK, 1652. 3 a private investigator or private
detective US, 1943. 4 a police detective. From an earlier sense as
‘policeman’
UK, 1996. 5 a card player who tries to see another
player’s cards
US, 1988. 6 a one-way eye-hole in a door allowing the
person on the inside to see who is outside; a peephole
US, 1996
peepers noun 1 a vehicle’s headlights US, 1976. 2 night-vision
enhancing equipment US, 1991
peep freak noun a voyeur US, 1975
peep-hole special noun sex in a public toilet US, 1966
pee pill noun a pill containing an agent that increases the excretion
of urine US, 1968
peeping Tom noun 1 a voyeur; a person who spies on others UK, 1795.
2 in poker or other card games, a player or spectator who tries to
see a player’s hand US, 1996. 3 a variety of MDMA, the recreational
drug best known as ecstasy, identified by PT embossed on the
tablet
UK, 2002
pee -poor adjective very poor. A variation on the much more
common PISS-POOR US, 1964
peep out verb to look at something carefully; to examine something
US, 1990
peeps noun people; friends. A probably coincidental usage, based on
accidental English, was popularised in the UK by ‘Stavros the Greek
kebab seller’, a character created by comedian Harry Enfield for

Channel 4 television’s Friday Night Live in 1988
US, 1995
peep show noun an arcade where it is possible to view pornographic
videos or a nude woman in private booths; formerly an arcade
where it was possible to view photographs of scantily clad women
US, 1947
peep this look at this US, 1997
peer queer noun a male homosexual who takes pleasure in
watching others have sex US, 1970
pee-spout noun the penis UK, 1998
peeties noun dice that have been altered with small weights to
produce a desired number when rolled US, 1962
peeve noun alcohol; drink. Market traders and English gypsy use UK,
1979
peevied adjective drunk UK, 2002
peewat noun a person of neither importance nor signficance
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1982
pee wee verb in dice games with no bank, to roll the dice to see
who will play first
US, 1950
peewee adjective composed of children US, 1877
peewee; pee wee noun 1 the penis US, 1998. 2 a very young member
of a youth gang US, 1981. 3 a small, tightly rolled marijuana cigarette
US, 1970. 4 crack cocaine US, 1994. 5 in craps, a roll of three US, 1999
peg noun 1 alookAUSTRALIA, 1973. 2 a person’s leg UK, 1878. 3 heroin US,
1994
. 4 a golf tee US, 1946. < give a peg to reconnoitre, especially
with criminal intent AUSTRALIA, 1975. < on the peg of driving, at
the speed limit. Citizens’ band radio slang UK, 1981
peg verb 1 to watch or look at someone AUSTRALIA, 1970. 2 to identify

someone or something US, 1940. 3 to push a disabled motorcyle
with a second motorcyle by reaching out and putting your leg on
the foot-rest (peg) of the disabled motorcyle
US, 2000. 4 to throw
something AUSTRALIA, 1941. 5 to put someone on report. Originally
military, then recorded in use in borstals and detention centres
UK,
1948
. 6 in a card cheating scheme, to prepare a deck for a
manoeuvre
US, 1962. 7 to fix the market price of something.
Originally Stock Exchange slang, then more general UK, 1882. < peg
it 1 to walk; to walk fast; to run; to hurry. A variation of LEG IT
formed on PEG (the leg) UK, 2004. 2 to die. A variation of PEG OUT UK,
1994
peg away verb to labour persistently; to continue to toil UK, 1818
peg boy noun in male homosexual intercourse, a passive partner US,
1960
pegged adjective under surveillance UK, 1996
pegged out adjective dead. From PEG OUT (to die) US, 2000
pegger noun atoothBARBADOS, 1965
peggy noun a person employed to make tea and lunch for labourers
AUSTRALIA, 1971
Peggy Lee fastball noun in baseball, a fast ball that is not particu-
larly fast. From Peggy Lee’s hit recording of ‘Is That All There Is?’
US, 1980
Peggy’s Leg nickname a sweet in the form of a longish stalk; a stick
of rock
IRELAND, 1983
peg leg noun a wooden or artificial leg UK, 1833. < peg out to die.

Possibly from the game of cribbage, less likely from croquet UK, 1855
pegs noun 1 tapered trousers very fashionable in the US in the late
1950s and 60s
US, 1969. 2 the external vaginal lips TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO
, 2003
peke-a-poo noun a crossbreed of a pekinese and a poodle US, 2001
Pekinese adjective < do the Pekinese pop-out to become wide-
eyed with shock or wonder. An allusion to the appearance of a
pedigree Pekinese dog
US, 1999
pekkie; perkie noun a black person. Offensive SOUTH AFRICA, 1963
pelican noun a water bomber, for firefighting CANADA, 1997
pellet noun a tablet or capsule of LSD US, 1990
pelt noun a woman’s pubic hair; sex; a woman as a sex object.
Building on the vulva-as-
BEAVER image US, 1980. < stroke the pelt
(of a female) to masturbate US, 2001
pelt verb < pelt wood to thrust with vigour during sex TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO
, 2003
pelter noun in poker, a non-standard hand consisting of a 9, a 5, a 2,
one card between 5 and 9 and one card between 2 and 5 US, 1963
pen noun 1 a jail or prison. Shortened from ‘penitentiary.’ US, 1884. 2 a
detention or holding room at a jail or courthouse
US, 1979
penalty box noun the area behind the back seat of an SUV or
station wagon US, 2004
pen and ink; pen noun 1 a noisome smell; a stink. Rhyming slang
UK, 1859. 2 a mink as an item of wardrobe. Rhyming slang UK, 1956.

3 a drink. Rhyming slang NEW ZEALAND, 1963
pen and ink; pen verb 1 to smell rank; to stink. Rhyming slang UK,
1977. 2 to drink AUSTRALIA, 1983
pen and pencil set noun in electric line work, a digging bar and
spoon shovel
US, 1980
peeler | pen and pencil set 488
pen bait noun a girl under the age of sexual consent. A variation on
themorecommon
JAILBAIT US, 1964
pencil noun 1 the penis. Perhaps borrowing a Mark Twain pun: ‘the
penis mightier than the sword’
UK, 1937. 2 in a casino, the authority
to give a gambler compliementary drinks or meals. Often phrased
as ‘power of the pencil’
US, 1977
pencil verb to work as a penciller AUSTRALIA, 1919
pencil dick noun a thin penis; used, generally, to insult a man by
attacking a perception of his masculinity
US, 1998
penciller noun a bookmaker’s clerk who writes out betting tickets
AUSTRALIA, 1891
pencil-neck geek noun a bookish, timid, weak man. The term was
popularised, if not coined, by US professional wrestler ‘Classy’
Freddie Blassie to describe his opponents. Blassie recorded a
novelty song so titled, written by Johnny Legend and Pete Cicero,
in 1979
US, 1985
pencil-pusher noun 1 a person who works with words; a clerk or sec-
retary. Usually derisive

US, 1881. 2 in the US Air Force, the navigator
on a bomber aircraft
US, 1946
pencil-sharpener noun the vagina. Corresponds, quite logically, with
PENCIL (the penis) UK, 2003
pencil stiff noun a clerical worker. Derisive US, 1957
pencil talk noun bargaining over a price in a bazaar carried on by
writing down the offer. Vietnam war usage US, 1968
pencil-whip verb 1 to file constant lawsuits and complaints against
prison authorities US, 1992. 2 to write someone a traffic ticket or
notice of a criminal infraction US, 2001
pend verb to listen; to pay attention US, 1968
pendejo noun a fool. From the Spanish of Mexican-Americans,
literally translated as ‘a pubic hair’ US, 1974
Penelope noun a well-built, attractive, somewhat dim woman. The
personification of a
BIMBO, probably named after an identified
celebrity, recorded in contemporary gay usage
UK, 2003
penetrate verb to understand something after analysis JAMAICA, 2003
penguin noun 1 LSD. Presumably from the picture printed on the
blotting paper dose UK, 1998. 2 a prison officer. From the black and
white uniform UK, 1996. 3 a nun US, 1980. < go penguin in pool, to
enter a formal tournament. A reference to the tuxedo that is
mandated by the dress code of some tournaments US, 1990
penguin adjective pregnant AUSTRALIA, 1985
penguin food noun anchovies. Limited usage, but clever US, 1996
penguin suit; penguin outfit noun a tuxedo or formal evening
dress UK, 1967
penis breath noun used as a general-purpose insult US, 1986

penitentiary pull noun influence within a prison US, 1985
penitentiary punk noun a male who starts taking part in homosex-
ual sex in prison US, 1972
penitentiary turn-out noun a man who begins engaging in homo-
sexual sex in prison US, 1972
penman noun aforgerUK, 1865
pennies noun a substantial amount of money UK, 1999
penn’orth of chalk; penn’orth noun a walk. Rhyming slang UK, 1938
Pennsy nickname the Pennsylvania Railroad US, 1953
Pennsylvania caps noun in trucking, tyres that have been recapped
with a seamless tread line
US, 1971
penny noun one dollar US, 1972. < the penny dr ops; the penny’s
dropped; the penny will drop in minute; did I hear a
penny drop?
used in marking the belated understanding of
something, often of a delayed appreciation of humour. There are
more variations on this theme than are shown here UK, 1951
penny verb to force pennies into the space between a door and the
jam near the hinges, making it difficult or, if done correctly,
impossible to open the door from the inside US, 1989
penny a mile noun a smile. Rhyming slang UK, 1960
penny-ante adjective petty, insignificant. From a poker game with a
one-cent ‘ante’ or buy-in, an insignificant stake
US, 1935
penny a pound; penny noun the ground. Rhyming slang UK, 1932
penny banger noun a mistake. Rhyming slang for CLANGER UK, 1992
penny black; penny noun 1 the back. Rhyming slang, based on a
famously rare stamp
UK, 1992. 2 the floor. By extension from ‘penny

black’ (the back) via the sense to be knocked on your back, thus
onto the floor UK, 2002
penny bun noun 1 one, especially in connection with racing odds.
Rhyming slang UK, 1984. 2 the sun. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
penny for the guy noun a pie. Rhyming slang, formed from the
catchphrase of children collecting funds to celebrate Guy Fawkes’
night
UK, 1998
penny game noun the gambling game two-up AUSTRALIA, 1966
penny locket noun a pocket. Rhyming slang UK, 1998
penny-nickle-nickle noun an M-114 155-mm howitzer. The
standard infantry heavy artillery weapon during the Vietnam war
US, 1990
penny-pinching adjective frugal US, 1920
penny stamp noun a tramp. Rhyming slang UK, 1984
pension noun < on a pension of a policeman, having been bribed
UK, 1996
pension run noun in trucking, an easy, undemanding, regular route
US, 1971
Pentagon East noun the US military command in Tan Son Nhut air
base, South Vietnam
US, 1975
penthouse noun a brakevan (caboose) cupola US, 1977
pen yan noun opium; heroin. Originally used of opium only and
thought to be from a Chinese term for opium. Many variants,
including ‘pen yang’, ‘pan yen’, ‘pen yen’, ‘pen yuen’, ‘pin yen’,
‘pinyon’ and ‘pin gon’ US, 1922
peon noun an ordinary computer user with no special privileges US,
1995
people noun 1 narcotics police US, 1957. 2 a prisoner’s closest friends

and associates US, 1992
People noun < the People the masses, at least to the extent that
the masses support the agenda advocated by the speaker.
Egalitarian or communist undertones US, 1961
people zapper noun a Vehicle Mounted Active Denial System or
VMADS, a tank or jeep-mounted crowd control weapon US, 2001
pep noun 1 energy UK, 1912. 2 pepperoni US, 1996. 3 phencyclidine, the
recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust
US, 1982
pep-em-up noun an amphetamine or other central nervous system
stimulant US, 1980
pepper noun 1 an inexperienced, gullible victim of a gambling cheat.
Playing on ‘green’ as a colour and as a slang badge of inexperience
US, 1974. 2 cinders spread on a snowy road US, 1976
pepper and salt punter noun a bettor who places bets by
telephone from home AUSTRALIA, 1989
pepperbelly noun a Mexican or Mexican-American US, 1970
pep pill noun a central nervous system stimulant in a tablet form. A
deceptive yet accurate euphemism that persisted for several
decades, especially with students
US, 1937
Pepsi adjective sexually frigid. Presumably because Pepsi™ is ‘best
served chilled’ UK, 2001
Pepsi; pepper noun a French-Canadian. Originally directed as an
insult, because it was said by anglophones that French-Canadians
chose Pepsi™ over Coca-Cola™ because they thought the cans
were larger, it has been adopted as a badge of pride, especially in
the derived form ‘pepper’
CANADA, 1978
Pepsi habit; Pepsi Cola habit noun the occasional use of a drug,

short of an all-out addiction
US, 1970
pep talk noun a brief, emotional speech made to encourage or
increase morale US, 1925
489 pen bait | pep talk
pep up verb to invigorate someone; to strengthen or enhance
something
UK, 1925
per noun percentage US, 1974
perambulator noun a brakevan (caboose) US, 1977
percentage noun a profit; an advantage. Originally military UK, 1948
percentage dice noun dice that have been altered to favour a
certain roll
US, 1975
percentage joint noun a carnival concession that relies on volume
for profit
US, 1985
percentage player noun a gambler who appreciates odds and
percentages, absorbing losses in the belief that the odds will ulti-
mately favour him US, 1961
percenter noun an ex-girlfriend BAHAMAS, 1982
perch noun < drop off the perch; fall off the perch to die UK,
1937
percher noun among the police, an easy arrest or an easy victim; in
cricket, a very easy catch
UK, 1977
percia noun cocaine UK, 2003
percolate verb to meander; to be doing fine US, 1945
percolator noun a carburettor US, 1971
percussion adjustment noun a blow to mechanical equipment

with a large hammer. A jocular term for a popular technique, in
Royal Air Force use
UK, 2002
Percy noun 1 the penis. Used as the title of a 1971 British film
comedy about a penis-transplant
UK, 1977. 2 an effeminate male US,
1955. 3 a rock band’s road manager UK, 1985. 4 cocaine UK, 1999
percy adverb per se (intrinsically) UK, 1994
Per cy Thrower noun a telephone. Rhyming slang for BLOWER,
formed on the name of television’s first ‘gardening superstar’,
1913–88
UK, 1992
perdue noun in poker, an unplayable hand abandoned by a player.
From the French for ‘lost’ US, 1988
perf noun aperformanceUK, 2004
perf verb to retire someone on medical grounds. From the acronym
of the Police Employment Rehabilitation Fund NEW ZEALAND, 1991
perf adjective perfect AUSTRALIA, 1979
perfect high noun heroin UK, 1998
perfection noun perfect surfing conditions AUSTRALIA, 1992
perfecto adjective first-class, perfect, wonderful. A simple
embellishment in the Spanish style US, 1988
perfects noun dice that are true to an extremely minute tolerance,
approximately 1/1000th of a inch US, 1950
perform verb to behave histrionically AUSTRALIA, 1891
performer noun a person who behaves histrionically AUSTRALIA, 1960
perf surf noun excellent surfing conditions AUSTRALIA, 1987
perico noun cocaine. Spanish slang, adopted by some English
speakers; in Spanish Perico is a pet name for Pedro,andthename
PEDRO also serves in English slang as another alias for cocaine US,

1994
perish noun < do a perish to suffer great deprivation, especially of
water or sustenance AUSTRALIA, 1897
perisher noun a person. Usually contemptuous or pitying. The
Perishers cartoon strip by Maurice Dodd and Dennis Collins/Bill
Melvin has appeared in Mirror Group newspapers since 1957
UK,
1896
perishing adjective very cold. Shortened from ‘perishing cold’ UK, 2003
perishing infix used as an intensifier UK, 1999
perjohnny noun a poor white person BARBADOS, 1965
perk noun 1 an advantage, in addition to salary, that is offered by a
particular employment. An abbreviation of ‘perquisite’
UK, 1869. 2 a
tablet of Percodan™, a painkiller. Also variant ‘perc’ US, 1971
perk verb to vomit AUSTRALIA, 1941
perk up verb to recover good spirits or vigour UK, 1656
perky adjective said of a woman with large buttocks but otherwise a
slender body
US, 2004
perlix verb to flaunt your technical skills BARBADOS, 1965
perm noun in hairdressing, a permanent wave UK, 1927
perm verb to give hair a permanent wave hair treatment UK, 1928
perma- prefix permanent; permanently. Acts as adjective or adverb
as required UK, 2004
permafried adjective drug-intoxicated UK, 2003
perma-tan noun a permanent suntan UK, 2003
perp noun 1 a criminal suspect. From ‘perpetrator’ US, 1987. 2 wax and
baking soda made to look like crack cocaine
US, 1994

perpetrate verb to start a fight US, 2001
perp walk noun a purposeful display of a charged criminal,
especially when being transported from jail to court US, 1994
Perry noun a member of a 1970s youth movement identified by a
uniform of casual wear. From the branded Fred Perry casual shirts
they wore
UK, 1996
Perry Como noun a homosexual. Rhyming slang for HOMO formed,
for no apparent reason other than rhyme, on the popular singer,
1912–2001 UK, 1992
pers adjective personal UK, 1997
Persian noun heroin purportedly grown in or near Iran US, 1981
Persian brown noun heroin US, 1993
Persian mafia noun a group of influential Iranians US, 1997
Persian rugs noun drugs. Rhyming slang UK, 2003
persnickety adjective fussy, snobbish. An alteration of ‘pernickety’ US,
1905
personality girl noun a popular woman who works in a bar,
encouraging customers through flirtation to buy drinks, both for
themselves and for her US, 1950
persuader noun 1 any weapon, the more deadly the more
persuasive
UK, 1796. 2 a whip, as used by a bullock driver or a jockey
AUSTRALIA, 1890. 3 a linear amplifier for a citizens’ band radio US, 1977
persuasion noun nationality; sex; kind. From the conventional sense
(religious belief or opinion) UK, 1864
Peruvian noun cocaine, probably from Peru UK, 1998
Peruvian flake noun a powerful type of cocaine. From its country
of origin US, 1984
Peruvian lady noun cocaine US, 1994

Peruvian marching powder noun cocaine. A variation of
BOLIVIAN/COLOMBIAN MARCHING POWDER US, 1995
Peruvian pink noun a type of cocaine originating in Peru UK, 2002
perv; perve noun 1 a sexual pervert. Sometimes ‘perv’ carries the
same force as its origin ‘pervert’, thus ‘someone with a kinky sex-
ual bent’, ‘a person obsessed with sex’, ‘a lecher’ or ‘a homosex-
ual’ (by those who regard this as unnatural). Can also be used in a
weaker sense to refer to anyone whose sexual behaviour is
unwanted
AUSTRALIA, 1942. 2 in prison, a sex offender; a convicted
paedophile. An abbreviation of ‘pervert’ AUSTRALIA, 1949. 3 aperson
watching or staring sexually; a voyeur AUSTRALIA, 1944. 4 a voyeuristic
look AUSTRALIA, 1963. 5 alookAUSTRALIA, 1993
perv; perve verb 1 to lust after another person; to behave as a
voyeur
AUSTRALIA, 1941. 2 to look at or watch sexually AUSTRALIA, 1944.
3 to look at; to observe AUSTRALIA, 1984
pervert squad noun a police sex crime investigative squad US, 1996
perving noun sexual ogling; voyeurism AUSTRALIA, 1967
pervy adjective sexually perverted; pornographic UK, 1944
pesky adjective annoying, disagreeable US, 1775
pessimal adjective as bad as bad can be. Computer slang US, 1983
pest control noun a psychiatrist; psychiatrists. Medical slang UK, 2002
pet verb < pet the cat to stroke the air or water while getting
through a difficult moment surfing US, 1991
pep up | pet 490
petal noun used as an informal or affectionate term of address UK,
1980
Pete noun 1 a truck manufactured by Peterbilt US, 1971. 2 nitroglycerin
US, 1949. < for Pete’s sake used as a mild, non-profane oath used

in times of exasperation or annoyance
US, 1924
pete man noun a criminal specialising in breaking into safes US, 1931
Pete Murray noun a curry. Rhyming slang, formed on the name of
a radio DJ (b.1928)
UK, 1998
peter noun 1 the penis UK, 1902. 2 a cell in a prison or a police station.
The likely derivation is in the the proper name Peter, which comes
from Greek petros perhaps influenced by petra – with the impli-
cation ‘firm as a rock’
AUSTRALIA, 1890. 3 asafeUS, 1859
Peter and his fuzzy pals noun the male genitals. An elaboration of
PETER (the penis) US, 2001
peter-crazy adjective obsessed with having sex with men US, 1972
peter drops; peter; petes noun specifically, knock-out drops; gener-
ally, any central nervous system depressant US, 1933
peter-eater noun a person who enjoys performing oral sex on men
US, 1978
peter-gazer noun a prisoner who cannot hide his interest in other
men’s penises while in the showers US, 2001
peter heater noun 1 an act of urination while wearing a wetsuit US,
1991
. 2 in Canadian military aviation, the pitot heater. The ‘pitot
tube’ is a small tube pointed forward into the airstream, to
compare inside and outside pressure and measure airspeed. In
cold weather, it can freeze up and must be heated electrically
CANADA, 1995
peterman noun asafe-breakerUK, 1900
Peter O’Toole noun a stool, especially a bar stool. Rhyming slang,
formed from the name of the celebrated Irish actor (b.1932) UK,

1998
peter out verb to gradually cease; to come to an end US, 1854
peter pan noun 1 a van. Rhyming slang, formed from J.M. Barrie’s
immortal hero Peter Pan UK, 1992. 2 a pan used by prostitutes while
washing a customer’s penis. A crude if smart allusion to J.M.
Barrie
US, 1974
peter parade noun a mass inspection of soldiers for signs of
sexually transmitted infections US, 1947
peter pilot noun a co-pilot, especially one in training US, 1987
peter pocket noun the vagina. Seen as a container for a PETER (PENIS)
US
, 2001
peter-puffer noun a person who performs oral sex on a man US, 1987
Peters and Lee; peters noun an act of urination. Rhyming slang
for PEE or WEE, formed from a 1970s recording act UK, 1998
peter thief noun a prisoner who steals from others’ cells. From
PETER (a cell) AUSTRALIA, 1950
peter thin noun a prisoner who steals from others’ cells. From PETER
(a cell) UK, 1996
peter tracks noun stains from seminal fluid US, 1993
Pete Tong noun a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best
known as ecstasy, identified by PT embossed on the tablet.
Disguising PT with the name of a UK DJ associated with the RA VE
scene UK, 2002
Pete Tong adjective wrong. Rhyming slang, based on the name of
popular club and BBC Radio 1 DJ, Pete Tong (b.1960) UK, 1996
peth noun Pethidine™ a branded central nervous system depressant
UK, 1998
petro adjective anxious, nervous, afraid US, 2003

petrol bowsers; petrols noun trousers. Rhyming slang. Petrol
bowser is a proprietary name for a pump AUSTRALIA, 1971
petrol head noun 1 a motor vehicle enthusiast AUSTRALIA, 1985. 2 afast
and reckless driver
NEW ZEALAND, 1998
petrol tank noun an act of masturbation. Rhyming slang for WANK
UK
, 1998
Petticoat Lane noun a physical pain; a pain (a nuisance). Rhyming
slang, formed on London’s famous Sunday market
UK, 1992
Petula noun central London. Almost certainly a reference to singer
Petula Clark (b.1932) who enjoyed lasting success with the songs
‘Downtown’ and ‘Don’t Sleep in the Subway’ UK, 2003
Peyton Place noun the face. Rhyming slang, formed from the title
of 1956 novel by Grace Metalious, probably remembered here for
the television drama series, 1964–69
UK, 1998
pezzy; pez adjective inferior, of poor quality. Derives from ‘peasant’
UK, 2003
PFC noun a private fucking citizen. What a private first class became
upon his discharge from duty in Vietnam
US, 1985
Pfizer riser noun sildenafil citrate marketed as Viagra™, an anti-
impotence drug. Viagra™ is manufactured by Pfizer, and ‘riser’ is a
convenient rhyme that suggests the drug’s power to stimulate an
erection
US, 1998
PFO adjective a hospital patient who was injured while drunk. From
‘pissed, fell over’ AUSTRALIA, 1987

PFQ pretty fucking quick. A variation of PDQ (pretty damn quick) UK,
1998
pfund noun 8see: FUNT
p-funk noun 1 heroin. After the drug-driven music of George
Clinton’s Parliament-Funkadelic UK, 1998. 2 crack cocaine and
phencyclidine mixed for smoking US, 1994
PG noun 1 paregoric elixir, a flavoured tincture of opium designed to
assuage pain
US, 1953. 2 a paying guest. An initialism UK, 1963
PG adjective excellent. An abbreviation of ‘past gone’ US, 2004
PG&E noun electric shock treatment. From the electric utility Pacific
Gas and Electric Company US, 1962
PG bag noun a small bag for carrying your personal effects, your per-
sonal gear US, 2000
PGT adjective doctors’ shorthand for the facetious diagnosis (applied
to a casualty patient): pissed (drunk), got thumped. Recorded in an
article about medical slang in British (3 London and 1 Cambridge)
hospitals UK, 2003
PG Tips noun the lips. Rhyming slang, formed from a well-known
brand of tea; a product which is famously, perhaps not
coincidentally, advertised by chimpanzees UK, 1992
phantasmagoria noun an astonishing visual display. The term was
coined for an 1802 exhibition of optical illusions in London. It was
used throughout the C19, forgotten, and then briefly revived in
the hippie era of the 1960s and 70s UK, 1802
phantom gobbler noun an anonymous giver of oral sex UK, 2002
phantom off verb in surfing, to end a ride voluntarily AUSTRALIA, 1977
phantom punch nickname the punch thrown by Muhammed Ali
(then Cassius Clay) that was not seen but which knocked out his
opponent Sonny Liston on 25th May 1965

US, 1998
Phar Lap odds noun in horse racing, very high odds. Phar Lap
(1926–32), one of the greatest racehorses of all time, often ran
with very high odds AUSTRALIA, 1989
pharmies noun prescription medication US, 2003
pharming noun the mixing and then consumption of the mixed
prescription drugs US, 2001
phase 4 noun a pill of MDMA, the recreational drug best known as
ecstasy, mixed with sufficient amphetamine for a 4-hour effect.
Similarly, a ‘phase 8’ has an 8-hour effect UK, 2002
phat adjective excellent, admirable. A deliberate misspelling of FAT
(good); originally black usage, now widespread via hip-hop culture
US, 1999
phat 2 death adjective extremely good US, 1999
phat-phat; put-put noun a motorcycle; a three-wheeled motor-
scooter taxi. Echoic
INDIA, 2003
phatty! great! US, 1997
P-head noun a frequent user of phenobarbital, a central nervous
system depressant US, 1982
491 petal | P-head
pheasant noun in a gambling cheating scheme, a victim US, 1974
pheasant plucker noun a ‘pleasant fucker’. A popular Spoonerism
that is also part of the well-known tongue-twisters: ‘I’m not a
pheasant plucker / I’m a pheasant plucker’s son / And I’m only
plucking pheasants / ‘Til the pheasant plucker comes’ and ‘I’m not
the pheasant plucker / I’m the pheasant plucker’s daughter / And
I’m not plucking pheasants / When some pheasant plucker
oughta’. Often used ironically with the sense ‘unpleasant fucker’
UK, 1973

phenie noun a capsule of phenobarbital, a central nervous system
depressant
US, 1971
phennie noun a capsule of phenobarbital, a central nervous system
depressant
US, 1974
pheno noun a capsule of phenobarbital, a central nervous system
depressant UK, 1966
phenomenon noun a prodigy; a remarkable person, animal or thing
UK, 1803
phet freak noun an amphetamine addict US, 1975
phew! used for expressing relief or suffering, as in the legendary,
clichéd tabloid weather headline ’Phew! What a scorcher!’
UK, 1604
Philadelphia bankroll noun a single large-denomination note
wrapped around small-denomination notes, giving the impression
of a great deal of money US, 1968
Philadelphia lawyer noun a shrewd and skilled lawyer who is not
guided by scruples or ethics. One of many unwarranted slurs on a
fine city US, 1788
Philadelphia mafia noun recording artists, record producers and
radio personalities based in Philadelphia in the late 1950s US, 1982
Philadelphia roll noun a Philadelphia bankroll US, 1972
phile noun a computer file intended to assist computer hacking US,
1996
philharmonic noun tonic water. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
Philistine noun a usurer US, 1974
Phillies Blunt; Phillies; Philly; Phillie noun a cigar re-made to
contain marijuana. Generic usage but originally made with a
brand name Phillies Blunt™ cigar US, 1992

Philly noun Philadelphia, Pennsylvania US, 1891
philosopher noun a card cheat US, 1967
Phil the fluter; phil noun a gun. Rhyming slang for SHOOTER,from
the eponymous hero of an Irish comic ballad, ‘Phil the Fluter’s
Ball’, 1915 UK, 1992
Phil the Greek nickname His Royal Highness Prince Philip (b.1921),
Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth and Baron Greenwich, born
Prince of Greece and Denmark. Probably coined by satirical
magazine Private Eye; it overlooks the fact that Prince Philip is
actually Danish
UK, 1994
phish noun an instance of stealing credit card data on the Internet
US, 2004
phish verb to steal credit card data on the Internet US, 2003
phishing noun the act of stealing credit card data on the Internet US,
1997
phiz noun 1 physics, especially as a subject of study HONG KONG, 1984.
2 the face; the expression on the face. An abbreviation of
‘physiognomy’. Also variants ‘phizz’ and ‘phyz’ UK, 1688
phizgig noun a police informer. Variant of FIZGIG AUSTRALIA, 1956
phizog; physog; fizzog noun the face; the expression on the face.
An abbreviation of ‘physiognomy’
UK, 1811
Phoebe noun in dice games, a roll of five US, 1945
phoenix noun LSD UK, 2003
phone noun in prison, the toilet bowl in a cell. When the bowl
empties of water, it is possible to talk to prisoners in other nearby
cells using the pipes to carry the soundwaves AUSTRALIA, 1978
phone verb < phone it in of an entertainer, to go through the
motions; to produce a half-hearted performance

UK, 2003
phone box noun a temporary latrine US, 2002
phone call noun in prison, a remark that someone wants to talk to
you
US, 1990
phonecard deal noun in prison, a trade that values a marijuana
cigarette at one phonecard
UK, 1996
phone phreak; phone freak; phreak er noun a person who
electronically and fraudulently manipulates international telephone
calls. UK use. The original phone phreaks thought of themselves
as telecommunications hobbyists (John Markoff, Wired Style, 1996)
US, 1972
phone phreak; phreak verb to hack into a telecommunications
system. A play on ‘freak’
US, 1998
phone spot noun a telephone location used in a bookmaking oper-
ation US, 1973
phone wench noun a female customer service representative US, 1996
phoney; phony adjective fraudulent; fake; without substance US, 1894
phoney; phony noun a person who lacks sincerity and substance US,
1900
phoney-baloney adjective utterly false US, 1989
phonus balonus noun nonsense. An elaboration of PHONEY-BALONEY
US
, 1932
phony noun a deck of playing cards that is either stacked or marked
for cheating US, 1979
phooey used for registering disbelief or disgust US, 1929
photies noun photographs UK, 2002

photo finish; photo; photer noun Guinness™, the branded Irish
stout. Rhyming slang
UK, 1960
photog; fotog noun a photographer US, 1913
photogenic verb to remember something or someone in photo-
graphic detail UK, 1996
phucked adjective drug-intoxicated. Deliberate misspelling of FUCKED
(intoxicated) inspired by widespread use of PHAT (excellent) UK, 1999
phull on adjective enthusiastic. Deliberate misspelling of FULL ON
(absolute) probably inspired by the widespread use of PHAT
(excellent) UK, 1999
phunky; phungky adjective funky in all its senses, but especially
fashionable or as a descriptor of music. Deliberate misspellings
inspired by the widespread use of PHAT (excellent) UK, 1994
phus-phus noun whispering, murmuring TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1984
phwoar noun a sexually attractive person. From the lecherous
exclamation ‘phwoar!’ UK, 2002
phwoar!; phoor!; fwoarrrgh! used for registering an enthusiastic,
possibly lecherous, reaction to a sexy someone or something
UK,
1980
phy noun methadone. An shortening of Physeptone™, a branded
methadone hydrochloride
UK, 1971
physical adjective < get physical to become violent US, 1996
physical jerks noun physical exercises. Originally jocular, now
commonplace
UK, 1919
physio noun 1 a physiotherapist AUSTRALIA, 1960. 2 physiotherapy
AUSTRALIA, 1988

physsie noun a physical fitness enthusiast BARBADOS, 1965
PI noun a pimp US, 1955
pi adjective pious UK, 1891
piano noun < on the piano lost US, 1968. < play the piano to
search for particles of crack cocaine with your fingers in an
obsessive and compulsive manner
US, 1992
PIB noun someone who dresses completely in black. A ‘person in
black’
US, 1990
pic noun 1 a picture UK, 1884. 2 a phonograph record US, 1960
Picasso noun a card cheat who marks cards for identification in
another player’s hand US, 1993
Picasso arse noun a woman whose knickers are too tight. The works
of celebrated artist Pablo Picasso (1881–1973) inspire this abstract
image of a multi-buttocked female UK, 2002
pheasant | Picasso arse 492
Piccadilly; picca adjective silly. Rhyming slang, based on the famous
central London location
UK, 1992
Piccadilly Percy noun mercy. Rhyming slang UK, 1979
piccalilli noun the penis. Rhyming slang for WILLY,formedona
popular pickle
UK, 1998
piccaninny noun 1 an Australian Aboriginal child. Considered
offensive
AUSTRALIA, 1817. 2 a small black child; children; occasionally
any black person. From Spanish pequeño (small) or Portuguese
pequeno (small). Originally applied in the West Indies and US
without being considered racist; now highly offensive and

derogatory or, in a black-on-black context, judgemental and nega-
tive. Also variants ‘piccanin’, ‘picaninny’, ‘pickaninny’ and ‘pickney’
UK, 1785
piccaninny daylight; piccaninny dawn noun the beginning of
dawn; first light AUSTRALIA, 1866
piccie; piccy noun a picture AUSTRALIA, 1967
piccolo noun 1 the penis, especially as the object of oral sex US, 1967.
2 a record player US, 1953
piccolo and flute; piccolo noun a suit (of clothes). Rhyming slang;
a variation of
WHISTLE AND FLUTE UK, 1960
Piccy noun Piccadilly, London UK, 1962
piche noun the vagina US, 1998
pick noun 1 a pickpocket US, 1949. 2 an oversized comb, used for
bushy hair US, 2000. 3 a needle and syringe NEW ZEALAND, 1995. < on
the pick drinking (alcohol). Based on PICK AND CHOOSE,thisisthe
rhyming slang equivalent of ON THE BOOZE UK, 1992
pick verb 1 to challenge someone to a fight AUSTRALIA, 1953. 2 to tease
or kid someone US, 2003. < pick fruit to find and select a homo-
sexual partner US, 1950. < pick lint to focus on petty
imperfections in a play or performance
US, 1973. < pick the
cherry
to drive through a red traffic light US, 1997. < pick up
your marbles and go home
to quit an effort, especially to do so
with a lack of good sportsmanship
US, 1991. < pick your arse to
waste your time UK, 1995. < pick your brains to seek and obtain
information from someone with specialist knowledge UK, 1838

pick and choose; pick noun alcohol, drink. Rhyming slang for
BOOZE UK, 1960
pick and pay noun in a casino, a method of paying off bets in
blackjack, in which the dealer evaluates each player’s hand and
pays or collects that player’s bet, and then moves to the next
player
US, 1980
pick-ed wiss noun urination after a period of discomfort. An
intentional spoonerism of ‘a wicked piss’ US, 1968
pick ’em noun in sports betting, a game in which neither team is
favoured and the bettor must pick the winner US, 1991
pickem up truck noun a pickup truck. Jocular US, 1976
picker noun 1 afingerUS, 1945. 2 a pickpocket US, 1950
Pickettywitch noun a ditch. Rhyming slang, jocularly contrived from
the name of a UK pop group of the late 1960s and early 70s UK,
2004
pickle noun 1 a predicament; a sorry plight; an unpleasant difficulty
UK, 1562. 2 a torpedo US, 1948. 3 a handgun US, 1950. 4 in horse racing,
a regular but uninformed bettor
AUSTRALIA, 1989. 5 in lobstering, the
brine that accumulates in a bait box produced by decomposing
bait fish and the salt used to preserve the bait fish
US, 1978. < off
your pickle
drunk UK, 2002
pickle verb to embalm a corpse US, 1949
pickled adjective drunk UK, 1633
pickled onion noun a bunion. Rhyming slang UK, 1998
pickled pork noun chalk. Rhyming slang UK, 1998
pickled punks noun in a carnival, a side-show display of jars, each

with a foetus preserved in formaldehyde
US, 1960
pickle fork noun in electric line work, an insulated line tool formally
known as a prong tie stick US, 1980
pickle me tit! used for expressing surprise NEW ZEALAND, 1964
pickle party noun male masturbation US, 2001
pickle, pull and climb verb to drop a load of bombs and then
climb to evade groundfire
US, 1991
picklepuss noun an overtly and infectiously unhappy person. In the
same vein as
SOURPUSS, with ‘pickle’ conveying the sour quality US,
1963
pickle-stabbers noun shoes or boots with sharply pointed toes
CANADA, 2001
pickle tickle noun an act of sexual intercourse US, 2001
pick-me-up noun 1 an alcoholic drink US, 1982. 2 a dose of a central
nervous system stimulant
US, 1984
pick mooch noun in sports betting, a bettor who will not pay for
handicapping information, but instead bets as those who have
paid for the information bet US, 1997
pick off verb in poker, to catch a player bluffing US, 1979
pick on verb to tease or victimise someone UK, 1937
pick the bones out of that! 1 used as a challenge to unravel, or
retort to, or refute, an argument
UK, 1961. 2 a catchphrase that
accompanies expectoration
UK, 1984
pickup noun 1 a short-term sexual partner US, 1871. 2 a police order to

detain and bring a person to the station for questioning US, 1977.
3 in the entertainment industry, a commitment to finance pro-
duction of a set number of episodes of a television programme US,
1993
pick up verb 1 to meet someone and form a casual liaison in which
at least one of the pair has sexual ambitions involving the other
UK, 1698. 2 to pay a bill, especially when the accounting is for more
than one person; to meet the expense of financing or sponsoring
something US, 1945. 3 to smoke marijuana US, 1952. < pick up on
to comprehend something US, 1959
pickup girl noun a street prostitute AUSTRALIA, 1956
pickup man noun in an illegal lottery, a person who takes bets from
players to a central location and pays off winning bets US, 1963
picky adjective used of hair, tightly curled and short BAHAMAS, 1982
picky-head noun a black person with short hair BARBADOS, 1965
picky-puck noun a one-cylinder, two-stroke engine; a boat powered
by such an engine CANADA, 1986
picnic noun 1 oral sex, especially on a man US, 1964. 2 extended
foreplay and/or sexual intercourse US, 1993. 3 sex involving many
people and many acts; an orgy US, 1964. 4 a difficult situation NEW
ZEALAND
, 1998. 5 something difficult, unpleasant, messy, confusing,
etc. An ironic use AUSTRALIA, 1896. < no picnic a difficult situation
or circumstance
UK, 1888
picnic verb (used of fishing boats) to congregate in one area where
fish are plentiful BARBADOS, 1965
pic pac noun in the film industry, a contract to make a set number
of films. An abbreviation of ‘picture package’ US, 1990
picture noun a beautiful person or thing. Often in the phrase ‘pretty

as a picture’
UK, 1815. < get the picture to understand a situation
UK, 1938. < in the picture aware of what is going on UK, 1900
picture card; picture noun in a deck of playing cards, any jack,
queen or king
US, 1961
picture gallery noun in circus and carnival usage, a heavily tattooed
person US, 1960
picture of the queen noun a sterling currency note. Basically a
copy of US ‘picture of Abe’ (a $5 note), except that the queen’s
face appears on all denominations issued in England and Wales UK,
2002
pictures noun money US, 1972. < take pictures to use radar to
measure a vehicle’s speed US, 1976
picture-taker noun a police officer using radar US, 1976
picturize verb 1 to explain something; to put someone in the
picture. Royal Navy slang UK, 1987. 2 to film something INDIA, 1979
piddle noun urine; an act of urination UK, 1901
piddle verb 1 to urinate UK, 1796. 2 to rain UK, 1887. 3 to steal
something US, 1952. 4 in bar dice games, to roll the dice to
determine who will go first in the game
US, 1971. 5 in tiddlywinks,
493 Piccadilly; picca | piddle
to make a minute change in a pile US, 1977. 6 to build something
with matchsticks
US, 1989
piddle about verb to busy yourself doing nothing NEW ZEALAND, 1984
piddle around verb to loaf or fool around UK, 1545
piddler noun in prison, a prisoner assigned to work in a craft shop
US, 1990

piddling adjective small; trivial, insignificant UK: SCOTLAND, 1559
pie noun 1 the vulva US, 1981. 2 a woman as a sexual object US, 1975.
3 a person who is overweight. Probably from the chant ‘who ate all
the pies?’
UK, 2003. 4 a pizza. An abbreviation of the rarely used, full
‘pizza pie’ US, 1997
pie and chips used by women as a generic instance of the differ-
ence between the sexes, especially with an ironic regard to equal
opportunities UK, 1996
pie and liquor; pie and licker noun a vicar. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
pie and mash noun 1 an act of urination. Rhyming slang for SLASH
UK
, 1974. 2 radio interference. Rhyming slang for citizens’ band
radio jargon ‘hash’ (channel interference)
UK, 1981. 3 cash. Rhyming
slang UK, 1992
pie and mash adjective showy. Rhyming slang for FLASH UK, 2002
pie and one noun a son; the sun. Rhyming slang UK, 1961
pie book noun a railwayman’s meal ticket US, 1977
pie car noun in the circus, a dining car on the circus train US, 1980
pie card noun a meal ticket; a means of surviving; a union card US,
1909
pie cart noun a catering truck NEW ZEALAND, 1959
piece noun 1 a woman as a sexual object; sex US, 1942. 2 an ounce of
drugs US, 1936. 3 cocaine UK, 2003. 4 crack cocaine UK, 2003. 5 a
handgun. Conventional English from C16 until the late C19, then
dormant, then slang, chiefly used in the US US, 1930. 6 a snack US,
1970. 7 a slice of bread, especially bread and spread; a sandwich.
Originally just ‘a slice of bread’. Also seen in English dialect use
from Northumbria to Cornwall

UK: SCOTLAND, 1787. 8 (especially with
children) a sandwich. Used in the south and west of mainland
Australia AUSTRALIA, 2003. 9 a well executed work of graffiti art. An
abbreviation of ‘masterpiece’ US, 2001. 10 a domicile, be it a room,
apartment or house US, 2001
piece book noun a graffiti artist’s notebook containing ideas,
outlines, sketches and plans for future graffiti pieces US, 1990
piece man noun an armed bodyguard; a hired killer US, 1974
piece of ass noun a woman as a sexual object; sexual intercourse US,
1930
piece of brass noun a prostitute. Elaboration of BRASS NAIL; BRASS (a
prostitute), playing on ‘piece of arse’ (an attractive woman)
UK, 2001
piece of cake noun anything that is considered to be easily
achieved or acquired. Originally Royal Air Force usage US, 1936
piece of change noun a sum of money US, 1946
piece of cunt noun sex with a woman; a woman as a sexual object
US, 1947
piece of duff noun a young male homosexual prostitute, a rent boy.
On the model of PIECE OF ASS (a woman as a sex object); from DUFF
(the buttocks), probably informed by DUFF (inferior), and possibly
by a rhyme of
PUFF (a homosexual male) UK, 1996
piece off verb to divide an ounce of drugs. From PIECE (an ounce)
US, 1984
piece of leg noun sex US, 1977
piece of meat noun a woman as a sexual object; sex US, 1965
piece of piss noun anything that can be achieved easily. This
alliterative variation on PIECE OF CAKE was originally Royal Air Force
slang UK, 1949

piece of pistachio noun anything that can be achieved easily.
Euphemistic elaboration of PIECE OF PISS UK, 2002
piece of shit noun something disgusting or of very poor quality; a
person who is greatly disliked
US, 1986
piece of skin; piece of flesh noun an attractive woman UK, 1956
piece of steel noun in prison, a homemade knife UK, 1996
piece of trade noun a male who self-identifies as a heterosexual but
will let homosexual men perform oral sex on him
US, 1965
piece of wet shit noun something disgusting or of very poor qual-
ity; a person who is greatly disliked. A slight intensification of
PIECE
OF SHIT US
, 1979
piece of work noun 1 a contemptible person UK, 1928. 2 a killing US,
2001
piece-o-idiot noun acompletefoolBARBADOS, 1998
pieces of eight; pieces noun weight. Rhyming slang UK, 1992
piecey noun a slice of bread with a topping. Used especially in
Victoria
AUSTRALIA, 2003
pie-chopper noun the mouth US, 1953
piecrust noun a thin layer of hard snow over soft snow ANTARCTICA,
1911
piedras noun crack cocaine. From the Spanish for ‘hailstones’, thus
the image of small white rocks UK, 1998
pie-eater noun a person of no consequence. Calling to mind an
image of someone whose principal fare is the meat pie, in other
words, a person with a mundane and narrow view of the world

judging by their culinary habits. It is claimed that the word was
coined during World War 2, and referred then specifically to
conscripted criminals who deserted and thence scrounged free
pies from the army buffet in Hyde Park, Sydney. There may be
some truth in this, but there is an example of ‘pie-biter’ dating to
1911, and so perhaps ‘pie-eater’ may also predate the war
AUSTRALIA, 1944
pie-eating adjective inconsequential AUSTRALIA, 1944
pie-eyed adjective extremely drunk US, 1904
pie factory noun a mental institution US, 1967
pie hole noun the mouth US, 1994
pie horse noun a racehorse that has performed very poorly. So
named because of the horse’s figurative future as the makings of
a meat pie AUSTRALIA, 1989
pie in the sky noun unattainable dreams. Often, ‘there’ll be pie in
the sky when you die’ denoting an illusory happy ever after; taken
from a parody of the hymn ‘In the Sweet Bye and Bye’: ‘You will
eat, bye and bye, / In that glorious land in the sky; / Work and pray,
live on hay, / You’ll get pie in the sky when you die’ by radical
labour activist Joe Hill (aka Joel Haggstrom and Joseph Hillstrom),
‘The Preacher and the Slave’, ?1911. Joe Hill was executed in Utah
in 1915
US, 2000
pierced up adjective used of someone who is ornamented with body
piercings UK, 1996
piercing noun graffiti US, 1997
piercing adjective overbearing US, 1960
pier rat noun a surfer with no regard for surf etiquette US, 1977
pier six brawl noun an all-out brawl US, 1929
pies noun the eyes US, 1945

pie taster noun a person who enjoys performing oral sex on women
US, 1981
pie wagon noun a police transport truck or van US, 1904
piff verb to throw something. Chiefly used in Victoria;
onomatopoeic of something whizzing through the air AUSTRALIA,
1999
piffle noun nonsense. From the verb (to talk or act in a feeble
manner)
UK, 1890
pig noun 1 a police officer; in the plural it may mean a number of
police personnel or the police in general UK, 1811. 2 a male
chauvinist US, 1992. 3 a person who has a large or indiscriminate
appetite. A shortened form of ‘greedy pig’ UK, 1546. 4 achorus
dancer
US, 1948. 5 a promiscuous woman US, 1955. 6 an unattractive
female UK: SCOTLAND, 1988. 7 a prostitute CANADA, 1960. 8 an inferior or
bad example of anything. From an earlier sense as ‘an unpleasant
person’ UK, 1925. 9 a ‘Humber’ one-ton 4x4 armoured personnel
carrier. Nicknamed by troops serving in Northern Ireland during
piddle about | pig 494
the 1970s; taken out of service in the early 1990s UK, 1974. 10 an M-
60 machine gun. Each squad in Vietnam was assigned an M-60,
the army’s general-purpose machine gun which entered the
service in the 1950s. It was designed to be lightweight (23 pounds)
and easy to carry. It produced a low ‘grunting’ sound and thus the
porcine allusions
US, 1974. 11 in circus usage, an elephant, male or
female
UK, 1934. 12 in a split-pot game of poker, a player who
declares both high and low

US, 1988 8see: PIG IN THE MIDDLE.
< in pig pregnant UK, 1945. < kill your pig to spoil your chances
of doing something UK: NORTHERN IRELAND, 1996
pig board noun a surfboard with a narrow, tapered point and a
broad tail US, 1963
pig book noun a student directory with photographs of each student
US, 1969
pig-dog noun a bull terrier AUSTRALIA, 1982
pig down verb to alter a car’s body or frame US, 1947
pigeon noun 1 a gullible victim of a swindle UK, 1593. 2 ayoung
woman, especially an attractive one
UK, 1586. 3 a new participant in
a twelve-step recovery programme such as Alcoholics Anonymous
US, 1998. 4 an informer. A shortened form of STOOL PIGEON US, 1849.
5 in horse racing, a losing ticket that someone tries to cash in for
winnings US, 1947. 6 in shuffleboard, a disc straddling the 7/10 off
line US, 1967. 7 a urinary bottle used in hospital IRELAND, 1999
pigeon verb to betray someone; to inform on someone US, 1959
pigeon drop noun a swindle in which two confederates pretend to
find a wallet and convince a third person to share in the proceeds
of the find US, 1940
pigfoot noun marijuana US, 1960
pigfucker noun a despicable person US, 1994
piggie bank noun the stockings worn by an overweight woman US,
1981
piggies noun < make piggies to have sex US, 1969
pigging adjective used as an all-purpose intensifier, generally to nega-
tive effect; euphemistic for ‘fucking’, ‘sodding’, etc UK, 1974
piggle noun the penis. Children’s vocabulary TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1980
piggy noun the toe. Childish, from the nursery rhyme ‘This little

piggy went to market, / This little piggy stayed at home’ UK, 1984
piggyback verb 1 in casino blackjack, to place a bet in another
player’s square US, 1996. 2 to transport loaded tractor trailers on
railway flat wagons US, 1971
piggyback adjective used of a vehicle, stacked on top of another
vehicle for transport US, 1936
piggybacking noun the reclamation of an abandoned building, floor
by floor US, 1989
piggy bank noun 1 savings. After the traditional money box UK, 1984.
2 a toll booth on a turnpike road US, 1976. 3 an act of masturbation.
Rhyming slang for
WANK. Also shortened form ‘piggy’ UK, 1992
piggy in the middle; pig in the middle noun a person caught in
the middle of a dispute. From the traditional children’s game UK,
1962
piggy parts noun ham US, 1996
pig-ignorant adjective very ignorant UK, 1972
pig in knickers noun a very unattractive female. An elaboration of
PIG UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
pig in shit noun < happy as a pig in shit; like a pig in shit
very happy UK, 1944
pig in the middle; pig noun urine; an act of urination. Rhyming
slang for PIDDLE or WIDDLE UK, 1992
pig in the wall noun an error in bricklaying in which opposite ends
of a new wall meet at different heights UK, 1978
pig iron noun 1 in horse racing, any illegal drug given to a racehorse
AUSTRALIA, 1989. 2 a carnival ride; the metal assembly of a carnival
ride US, 1960
Pig Iron Express noun the steel-hauling division of Pacific
Intermountain Express company

US, 1971
pig iron monkey noun in oil drilling, a derrick construction worker
US, 1954
pig killer noun phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or
angel dust
US, 1981
pig-out noun a session of gorging on food US, 1978
pig out verb to eat a lot quickly and messily US, 1978
pig party noun serial consensual sex between one person and mul-
tiple partners UK, 1988
pigpen noun 1 a police headquarters US, 1993. 2 an illegal gambling
operation US, 1982. 3 in nine wicket croquet, the crossed centre
wickets
US, 1977
pig pile noun an orgy with homosexual men US, 1972
pig-root verb (of a horse) to prop with the front legs and kick up the
back legs
AUSTRALIA, 1900
pigs noun < pigs to to hell with AUSTRALIA, 1906
pigs! used for registering derision or contempt. An abbreviation of
PIG’S ARSE! AUSTRALIA, 1933
pig’s arse! nonsense! Although the earliest record of this
exclamation is from 1951, the existence of euphemistic forms
such as ‘pig’s ear’ (dating to 1919) show that it was clearly in use
much earlier
AUSTRALIA, 1951
pigs’ ballroom noun a bar or club where unattractive females
congregate UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
pig’s bum nonsense AUSTRALIA, 1998
pig scabs noun pork scratchings, a packaged snack sold in bars UK,

2003
pig’s ear noun beer. Rhyming slang. Sometimes shortened to ‘pigs’
in UK usage
AUSTRALIA, 1924. < make a pig’s ear; make a pig’s
to bungle; to blunder; to make a mess of something UK, 1954
pig shit run noun a supply transport flight in the early years of US
involvement in the Vietnam war, including transport of live farm
animals that left reminders of their presence in the planes
US, 1990
pig-sick adjective irritated; annoyed and disgusted UK, 1961
pigskin noun a saddle AUSTRALIA, 1989
pig’s Latin noun any coded language used by prison guards US, 1984
pig’s lattie noun a sty. Polari; a play on LATTIE (a house) giving ‘pig’s
house’ UK, 2002
pig slices noun ham US, 1996
pig station noun in prison, a guard control room US, 1984
pig-sticker noun 1 a knife, especially a large knife UK, 1890. 2 a stick
with a nail or sharp metal point on one end used for picking up
paper litter US, 1996
pig’s trotter noun a squatter (an unauthorised occupant). Rhyming
slang UK, 1998
pigsty noun 1 a untidy or ill-kept place UK, 1820. 2 a police station US,
1976
pigtail noun 1 in trucking, an electrical cable that connects the
electrical systems of the trailer and the tractor cab US, 1971. 2 in
electric line work, an insulated line tool formally known as a spiral
link stick
US, 1980
pig water noun weak, low quality alcohol US, 1958
pike noun 1 a toll road, a toll motorway US, 1971. 2 arailwayUS, 1946.

3 a glance US, 1950
pike verb 1 in a card game, to peek at an opponent’s cards US, 1962.
2 (of a man) to tape the penis and testicles to the body as part of
an effort to pass as a woman US, 1987
pike out verb to back out of a commitment NEW ZEALAND, 1984
piker noun 1 a rank amateur or beginner; a gambler who makes
small, cautious bets US, 1872. 2 a person who opts out of an
agreement or abandons someone; a weak, cowardly person. A
term of high contempt in Australia
AUSTRALIA, 1950
pikey noun a tramp; a gypsy; a traveller. Generally used of travellers
by non-travellers. Ultimately from early C16 ‘pike’ (to depart). The
495 pig board | pikey
actor Brad Pitt played a ‘pikey’ in the film Snatch, written and
directed by Guy Ritchie, 2000
UK, 1847
pikkie noun 1 a photograph or film NEW ZEALAND, 1998. 2 asmall
person, a child, a small child; a small thing. Directly from
Afrikaans pikkie. Between children, usage may be contemptuous.
Also shortened form ‘pik’
SOUTH AFRICA, 1948
pilchard noun afoolUK, 2001
pile noun 1 a great deal of money UK, 1741. 2 in poker, the amount of
money (cash and/or chips) a player has in front of him available
for betting US, 1979. < on the pile in prison US, 1970
pile verb (from the male point of view) to have sex US, 1968. < pile it
on
to exaggerate; to show-off. A variation of PILE ON THE AGONY
[see: AGONY] US, 1876
pile driver noun 1 a sexual position in which the woman stands on

her head and the man enters her directly and powerfully from
above. A term (and practice) found more commonly in
pornography than real life
US, 1995. 2 the active participant in anal
sex
US, 1979. 3 a hole in a road, jarring to the driver when
encountered US, 1962
pile in verb to enter en masse, especially a vehicle or a bar US, 1841
pile of rocks noun a type of bet in an illegal numbers game lottery
US, 1957
pile-on noun an offensive, despicable person; a clumsy person; a
socially awkward person. An image, perhaps, of this person as
victim INDIA, 2002
piles noun crack cocaine UK, 1998
pileup; pile-up noun a crash involving multiple vehicles. Originally
World War 1 Royal Air Force for ‘a plane crash’, from an earlier
verb sense used by the navy. Widely used by mid-C20, this sense
was virtually conventional by the mid-1970s
UK, 2000
pilgrim noun 1 in northwestern Canada, a tourist or newcomer; also,
a cow newly imported to the region CANADA, 1962. 2 a newcomer to
agameofpokerUS, 1988
pill noun 1 any central nervous system stimulant US, 1966. 2 a tablet of
MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy. A generic
usage UK, 1996. 3 a pellet of opium US, 1946. 4 a cigarette UK, 1914. 5 a
rugby ball NEW ZEALAND, 2002. 6 in pool, a small tally ball used as a
scoring device US, 1993. 7 an unpleasant person UK, 1871. < the pill
1 the contraceptive pill. Not in practical currency until the early
1960s UK, 1957. 2 the weekly anti-malaria pill taken by US troops in
Vietnam. Playing on the birth control pill, then very much in

vogue back home
US, 1991
pillar and post noun a ghost. Rhyming slang UK, 1960
pilled; pilled up adjective under the influence of central nervous
system stimulants or depressants US, 1966
pillhead noun a habitual user of amphetamines, barbiturates, or
MDMA, the recreational drug best known as ecstasy US, 1966
pillion pussy noun a woman attracted to motorcyclists. A ‘pillion’
(probably from the Scottish Gaelic or Irish Gaelic for ‘rug’) is a
motorcycle saddle NEW ZEALAND, 1956
pillock noun a fool. From a variation of dialect pillicock or pillcock
(the penis)
UK, 1967
pillow noun 1 a weak, effeminate, gutless male AUSTRALIA, 1992. 2 a
sealed polyethylene bag of drugs
US, 1970. < an extra pillow used
as a coded references for a prostitute arranged by a hotel
concierge
UK, 2005
pillow-biter noun a homosexual male; specifically the passive
partner in anal intercourse
AUSTRALIA, 1981
pillow-biting adjective homosexual AUSTRALIA, 1985
pillowcase noun an empty-headed fool US, 1988
pillow pigeons noun bedbugs US, 1947
pillow talk noun intimate discussions in bed. Suggests secrets
shared, not sexually oriented talk US, 1977
pill party noun execution in the gas chamber. Pills of cyanide
dropped into a bucket of water produce the lethal gas, hence the
blackly humorous term US, 1971

pill popper noun a habitual user of drugs in pill form US, 1979
pill-pusher noun 1 a doctor, especially a specialist in internal medi-
cine
UK, 1909. 2 a pharmacist US, 1980
pill-roller noun a doctor US, 1951
pills noun the testicles UK, 1937. < on pills dieting. Teen slang US, 1958
pilly noun an abuser of drugs in pill form US, 1970
pilot noun 1 a person who remains drug-free to guide another
through an experience on a hallucinogenic drug
US, 1966. 2 a driver
of any heavy-load vehicle; a bus driver
UK, 1936. 3 in horse racing, a
jockey
US, 1983. 4 a pimp BARBADOS, 1965
pilot error noun in computing, a user’s misconfiguration that
produces errors that at first appear to be the fault of the program
US, 1991
pim noun the clitoris TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003
pimp noun 1 a man who, for a percentage of the income derived,
arranges clients for a prostitute; a man who lives off the earnings
of a prostitute UK, 1600. 2 a charming man who attracts women US,
1997. 3 in a deck of playing cards, a jack or knave US, 1988. 4 an
informer to the police or other authorities
AUSTRALIA, 1899. 5 cocaine
US, 1994
pimp verb 1 to work as a pimp; to exert control over a prostitute US,
1972. 2 to take advantage of US, 1942. 3 to act in a stylised,
fashionable way
US, 1970. 4 to inform; to betray AUSTRALIA, 1938. 5 to
win away the affection of another person’s date

US, 1966. < pimp
your pipe
to loan or rent a pipe used for smoking crack cocaine
US, 1994
pimp adjective excellent, fashionable, stylish US, 1970
pimp-ass adjective in the manner of a pimp US, 1995
pimp-crazy adjective psychologically controlled by a pimp US, 1972
pimp dust noun cocaine. Before the era of crack cocaine, cocaine
was an expensive drug enjoyed only by the wealthy, notably by
pimps
US, 1980
pimped-up adjective flashy; of a car, laden with flashy accessories,
usually not related to the car’s performance US, 1993
pimping adjective expensive, fashionable US, 2003
pimple noun a steep hill. Hauliers’ slang UK, 1951
pimple and blotch; pimple noun Scotch whisky. Rhyming Slang for
‘Scotch’ UK, 1960
pimple and wart noun port (wine). Rhyming slang, always used in
full UK, 1961
pimplie; pimply noun a youth, especially a spotty-faced youth UK,
1980
pimpmobile; pimp-car noun a large, expensive and ostentatious car,
whether or not it is actually owned by a pimp US, 1973
pimp playa noun a man who presents himself in the style and
manner of a pimp but without, necessarily, trading as an agent for
prostitution. Urban black slang UK, 2005
pimp post; pimp rest noun an armrest or console between the
driver’s seat and the passenger seat of a car. Used for the GANGSTER
LEAN US
, 1980

pimp roll noun a highly stylised manner of walking, projecting an
image of control and dispassion US, 1990
pimp’s arrest noun used to describe a pimp causing the arrest of a
prostitute who has left his control US, 1972
pimp shoes; pimping shoes noun flashy, expensive shoes US, 1972
pimp slap verb to strike someone forcefully, usually with the back of
the hand across the face US, 1997
pimp steak noun a frankfurter US, 1970
pimp stick noun a cigarette holder US, 1967
pimp sticks noun wire coathangers used by pimps to beat
prostitutes
US, 1972
pimp suit noun a showy, extravagant, tasteless suit US, 1980
pimpsy; pimps adjective too easy. Upper-class society use; possibly
the result of silly word play (simple, simps, pimps, pimpsy)
UK, 1982
pikkie | pimpsy; pimps 496
pimp title noun a pimp’s claim on the loyalty, services and earnings
of a prostitute
US, 1979
pimp up verb to add flashy touches to something; to dress
something up
US, 1993
pin noun 1 the leg or foot. Usually in the plural UK, 1530. 2 a
hypodermic syringe and needle used for the injection of narcotics
US, 1973. 3 a very thin marijuana cigarette US, 1967. 4 a person who
serves as a lookout
US, 1992 8see: PIN POSITION
pin verb 1 to scrutinise someone or something to look at someone
or something intently

US, 1965. 2 to inject a drug UK, 2003. 3 to tattoo
something with improvised equipment US, 1972. 4 (from the male
perspective) to have sex UK, 1961. < pin for home on the railways,
to leave work and go home
US, 1977. < pin on to fix the blame on
someone
UK, 1979. < pin one on to consume a drink AUSTRALIA, 1957
pin and needle noun a beetle. Rhyming slang. The plural is ‘pins
and needles’
UK, 1992
pin artist noun an illegal abortionist US, 1962
pin-brain noun an idiot UK, 1998
pinch noun 1 an arrest US, 1900. 2 a technique used by a man to
maintain an erection, compressing the base of his penis US, 1995.
3 very potent heroin, bought and used in small amounts US, 1993.
4 a small amount of marijuana UK, 1996. 5 a five-dollar note or five-
dollar betting chip US, 1988. 6 a steep incline AUSTRALIA, 1846
pinch verb 1 to arrest someone UK, 1837. 2 to steal something UK, 1656.
3 in horse racing, to win. A jockey may; ‘pinch’ a race. A
bookmaker might manage to ‘pinch a little.’ AUSTRALIA, 1989.
< pinch a loaf to defecate US, 1994
pinch adjective substitute. Back-formation from ‘pinch-hit’ (in
baseball, to bat as substitute) US, 2002
pinch and press verb to cheat at gambling, secretly taking back
chips from your bet when dealt a bad hand and adding chips
when dealt a good hand
US, 1985
pinche adjective used as an intensifier, roughly the same as ‘fucking’.
Border Spanish used in English conversation by Mexican-
Americans US, 1974

pinchers noun shoes, especially tight shoes US, 1945
pinch hit noun a single inhalation of marijuana US, 1993
pinch pipe noun a small pipe designed to hold enough marijuana
for a single inhalation. Small, easily hidden from parents and
teachers, and economical
US, 1993
pin dick noun a male with a small penis US, 2003
pin-drop silence noun absolute silence. Indian English, from the
familiar phrase ‘so quiet you could hear a pin drop’ INDIA, 2001
pine noun marijuana UK, 2001
pineapple noun 1 a hand grenade, especially a MK-2 hand grenade
or Type 59 grenade US, 1918. 2 a combination of cocaine and heroin
US, 1973. 3 a male homosexual. Perhaps as a specialisation of FRUIT,
possibly punning on anal sex as ‘taking the
ROUGH END OF THE
PINEAPPLE
’ UK, 1972. 4 a fifty dollar note. From its yellowish colour
AUSTRALIA, 1992. 5 a chapel. Glasgow rhyming slang, with a stress on
the second and third syllables UK: SCOTLAND, 1982. 6 in electric line
work, a spool insulator US, 1980. 7 unemployment benefit UK, 1937
pineapple chunk; pineapple noun 1 a bunk bed; a bunk (an act of
running away)
UK, 1961. 2 semen. Rhyming slang for SPUNK UK, 2003
Pineapple Express noun a wind from the south, onshore in British
Columbia, which is said to have the scent of Hawaiian pineapples
and is warm, occasionally blowing in the winter. An explanation for
the warmer climate on Canada’s west coast than inland CANADA,
2001
pineapple juice noun a rain storm in Hawaii US, 1991
pine box release; pine box parole noun death while in prison US,

1978
pine top noun strong, illegally manufactured whisky US, 1999
ping noun 1 an attempt; an effort; a shot AUSTRALIA, 1988. 2 an injection
of a drug
NEW ZEALAND, 1982. 3 the sound caused in a car engine by
low quality fuel or bad timing
US, 1992
ping verb 1 to recognise or identify someone or something. Royal
Navy slang; probably echoic of a radar’s noise
UK, 1987. 2 to hit
something with a projectile AUSTRALIA, 1934. 3 of a racehorse, to
jump well
UK, 2003. 4 to penalise or fine someone for for breaking a
rule or law
AUSTRALIA, 1934. < ping the pill to remove a small
amount of a drug from a capsule or packet for your later use
US,
1970
pinger noun a chunk of gold that makes a noise as it hits the pan
CANADA, 1958
pingers noun money, especially coins. Commonly used in New
Zealand since the 1950s NEW ZEALAND, 2002
ping-in-wing; ping in the wing; ping-wing; ping shot verb to
inject a drug into the arm. An elaboration of PIN (a syringe)
combined with WING (the arm) US, 1949
ping-pong noun a small photographic portrait BARBADOS, 1965
pingpong verb (used of a doctor engaged in insurance fraud) to
needlessly refer a patient to a number of specialists
US, 1982
pinhead noun 1 a fool; an imbecile US, 1896. 2 a person whose

interest in playing pinball approaches the level of obsession
US,
1977. 3 an amphetamine user US, 1971. 4 in the language of
snowboarding, a skier
US, 1990. 5 a railway brakeman US, 1946
pink noun 1 a white person US, 1945. 2 a liberal; a socialist; a
communist sympathiser US, 1927. 3 the open vagina. Widely used in
pornography, and beyond US, 1991. 4 proof of car ownership. A
shortened form of PINK SLIP US, 1965. 5 a capsule of secobarbital
sodium (trade name Seconal™), a central nervous system depress-
ant US, 1967. 6 a casino gambling token worth $2.50 US, 1991. 7 in
poker, a flush consisting of either hearts or diamonds
US, 1963. 8 in
horse racing, a track police officer. Derived from the Pinkerton
Agency US, 1947
Pink noun a ‘detective’ from the Pinkerton Agency. Strikebreaking
was among the several roles played by the Pinkerton Agency US,
1904
pink adjective 1 homosexual. Traditionally ‘pink for a girl, blue for a
boy’. As an absolutely negative association the colour pink was
used in Nazi Germany to label homosexuals for segregation,
internment and extermination; in post-World-War-2 Britain, pink
had connotations of effeminacy; in the 1970s politically active
homosexuals adopted the colour-coded symbolism and pink slowly
took on a generally positive tone both in the gay and wider
community, especially as a marketing designation
UK, 2003. 2 white;
Caucasian US, 1945. < all pink in poker, a flush consisting of all
hearts or all diamonds US, 1967
pink 125 noun a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known

as ecstasy. From the colour and the 125 mg dosage UK, 2002
pink-assed adjective somewhat angry US, 1962
pink blotters noun a type of LSD UK, 1998
Pink Cadillac noun a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best
known as ecstasy. The colour of the tablet inspires the ultimate in
rock ’n’ roll luxury transport
UK, 1996
pink champagne noun 1 methamphetamine with a pinkish colour
produced by the presence of the stimulant pemoline US, 1989. 2 a
mix of cocaine and heroin UK, 1996
pinker noun in poker, a timid bettor US, 1967
pinkers noun a pink gin. Naval in origin UK, 1961
pink eye noun 1 cheap, low grade whisky CANADA, 1953. 2 special
contact lenses worn by card cheats to see luminous markings on
the back of cards
US, 1988
Pink Floyd noun a potent type of LSD. Honouring the rock group
Pink Floyd, from their early days in the late 1960s when they were
considered avant garde and psychedelic
UK, 1999
pink heart noun an amphetamine tablet US, 1997
pinkie noun 1 the little finger. Originally Scottish, mostly among
children, but now widespread. Also variant ‘pinky’ UK, 1808. 2 a
white person, especially a male. Recorded in use by black
teenagers UK, 1967. 3 a pink-eyed albino. Also variant ‘pinky’ UK, 1962.
4 the vagina TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1986. 5 a bruised eye US, 1970. 6 in
Vancouver, a warning ticket CANADA, 1962. 7 a racing greyhound that
497 pimp title | pinkie
races best from the outside position AUSTRALIA, 1989. 8 in
Newfoundland, cheap wine

CANADA, 1958. 9 an early model long-
wheel base ‘110’ Land Rover. Used by the British military UK, 1995
8see: PINK SPEEDBALL
pinkie cheater noun a latex finger glove used during digital examin-
ations US, 1973
pinkie-load noun in caving and pot-holing, a piece of equipment so
light that it can be picked up by a little finger; hence, a person in
a group who is not carrying his or her fair share. From PINKIE (the
little finger)
UK, 2004
pinkie ring; pinky ring noun a ring worn on the little finger,
especially an ostentatious ring worn by a criminal US, 1975
pinkies noun underwear US, 1954
pink lady noun a capsule of secobarbital sodium (trade name
Seconal™), a central nervous system depressant US, 1968
pink lemonade noun cleaning fluid injected intravenously. An often
lethal substitute for methedrine
US, 1971
pink lint adjective having little or no money, penniless. Rhyming
slang for SKINT UK, 1961
pink mafia noun any group of women banded together, especially
lesbians US, 1997
pinko noun a liberal; a socialist; a communist. Originally applied to
Communist party members, subsequently (in the late 1950s) to
anyone who disagreed with the dominant culture and politics.
Also used attributively
US, 1936
pink oboe noun the penis. Coined by satirist Peter Cook (1937–95)
for a sketch performed in Amnesty International’s The Secret
Policeman’s Ball UK, 1979

pink palace noun 1 a homosexual venue. Combines PINK (homose-
xual) with an alliterative location
UK, 2000. 2 the prison at Hobart
AUSTRALIA, 1995
Pink Panther noun a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best
known as ecstasy, identified by the colour and embossed Pink
Panther motif
UK, 2002
pink pants noun rubbish. An elaboration of ‘pants’ (rubbish) UK, 2004
pink piccolo noun the penis UK, 2001
pink puffer noun a patient suffering from emphysema US, 1973
pink-ribbon case noun a criminal case that has been thoroughly
and professionally investigated by the police. It is said that the
police hand the prosecutor a case like this with a pink ribbon tied
around it
US, 1962
pink robots noun a type of LSD US, 1998
pink slip noun the proof of car ownership US, 1963
pink snapper noun the vagina. Combines PINK (the open vagina)
with ‘snapper’ (various fish are so-called), thus FISH (the vagina);
‘snapper’ also suggests the image of a mouth that closes US, 2001
pink speedball; pinkie noun a mixture of pharmaceutical cocaine
and Dipipanone, an opiate marketed under the brand name
Diconal™ UK, 2001
pink tea noun an effeminate male homosexual US, 1957
pink-top noun a small vial of heroin sealed with a pink plastic cap.
The pink plastic cap denotes a variation in purity and price US, 2002
pink torpedo noun the penis, especially when erect. Aggressive
imagery US, 1984
Pinkville noun an area in the province of Quang Ngai, South

Vietnam. Either named because of the area’s appearance on maps
or because of the strong presence of communist forces in the area
US, 1970
pink wedge noun a type of LSD US, 1970
pink witch noun a type of LSD US, 1970
pinky verb in dice games with no bank, to roll the dice to see who
will play first US, 1950
Pinky and Perk y; pinky noun turkey (meat). Rhyming slang,
formed on the puppets of twin pigs who, from 1957, became
children’s televison stars and recording artists UK, 1992
pinky’s out of jail! your slip is showing! US, 1955
pin-money noun spending money. Originally a C16 practice of a
husband allotting to his wife a certain amount each year for per-
sonal expenses
UK, 1697
pinned adjective 1 (used of eyes) constricted after opiate use US, 1966.
2 addicted to drugs. From PIN (a hypodermic syringe) US, 1997
pinned up adjective drug-intoxicated. From PINNED (the condition of
the pupils when intoxicated)
UK, 1996
pinny noun a pinafore US, 1851
pinny adjective very small BARBADOS, 1965
pin position; pin noun the front position in an authorised taxi rank
UK, 1977
pin shot noun an improvised injection of a drug in which the skin is
pricked and an injection made directly into the wound US, 1949
pinster noun abowlerUS, 1953
pint noun a short person US, 1997
pinta noun 1 a pint of milk. From the advertising slogan, ‘Drinka
pinta milka day’ UK, 1958. 2 a prison. Spanish slang used by English-

speaking Mexican-Americans
US, 2000
pint pot noun a pint glass, usually for draught beer UK, 1999
pint-size; pint -sized adjective used of a person’s stature, small UK,
1938
pin-up noun a photograph or printed reproduction of a sexually
attractive person; the person who is the subject of, or has the
characteristics required for, such a picture. Originally, from the fact
that such images were pinned up on walls US, 1941
PIO’s noun in the language of hang gliding, over-control by the flier.
An abbreviation of ‘pilot-induced oscillations’ US, 2004
pip noun 1 the best, the finest. From ‘pippin’ (the best) US, 1897. 2 a
star worn by military officers as an indication of rank UK, 1917. 3 an
unidentified spot on a radar screen US, 1947. 4 a woman’s menstrual
period
US, 2001. 5 in the whe-whe lottery game, a bet that is close
to the winning number TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 2003. < give
someone the pip
to annoy someone UK, 1896
pip verb to defeat someone by a narrow margin. Sometimes
elaborated to ‘pip at the post’ UK, 1939
pipe noun 1 the penis US, 1962. 2 any large vein, well suited for drug
injection
US, 1952. 3 any wind or reed instrument US, 1964. 4 an
exhaust pipe US, 1952. 5 a telephone UK, 1951. 6 the firing chamber of
a handgun US, 1987. 7 an electric outlet BARBADOS, 1965. 8 a sufficient
measure of marijuana for smoking in a pipe. Recorded as
Afrikaans pyp in 1967 SOUTH AFRICA, 1970. 9 a measurement of time:
the distance that could be travelled between rest periods at which
a pipe could be smoked CANADA, 1957. 10 the vertical bar (|) on a

computer keyboard
US, 1991. 11 an academically unchallenging
course US, 1968. < do the pipe to smoke crack cocaine US, 1996.
< on the pipe 1 addicted to crack cocaine US, 1991. 2 used of a
conversation between two jail cells conducted through plumbing
emptied of water US, 1992. < put that in your pipe and smoke
it!; stick that in your pipe and smoke it!
accept the situation,
or what you have been told, whether you wish to or not UK, 1824.
< take the pipe to commit suicide US, 1982. < The Pipe
General Douglas MacArthur (1880–1964) of the US Army. From
his love of a corncob pipe
US, 1982. < the pipe the Greenwich
tunnel (under the River Thames)
UK, 2001
pipe verb 1 to smoke crack cocaine in a pipe UK, 2000. 2 to look at
someone or something UK, 1874. 3 to fabricate a story US, 1976
pipe and drum; pipe noun the anus. Rhyming slang for BUM,
especially in the retort ‘up your pipe!’ UK, 1961
pipe course noun an easy course in college. From the older, largely
forgotten sense of ‘pipe’ as ‘easy to accomplish’
US, 1927
piped adjective drunk or drug-intoxicated US, 1949
pipe down verb to be quieter; to shut up. Often exclamatory. From
the nautical sense (to dismiss by sounding the pipe) UK, 1965
pipehead noun a crack cocaine addict US, 1992
pipe job noun 1 oral sex performed on man US, 1973. 2 an elaborate,
fanciful fabricated story
US, 1968
pinkie cheater | pipe job 498

pipeline noun 1 a citizens’ band radio channel which is popular US,
1976
. 2 in the era of analogue phone exchanges, a telephone
number with a recorded message which several people could call
at the same time, circumvent the recorded message, and speak to
each other US, 1997. 3 the rapidly spreading curl of a breaking wave
US, 1965
pipeliner noun in the era of analogue phone exchanges, a person
who called a number with a recording, where it was possible to
communicate with others calling at the same time US, 1997
pipe-opener noun in horse racing, a short, intense workout several
days before a race
US, 1976
piper noun a crack cocaine addict TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1993
pipes noun 1 the vocal chords US, 1969. 2 the upper arm muscles US,
1997
pipesmoker noun a homosexual male. An allusion to oral sex US, 1997
pipe up verb 1 to commence speaking, especially in a situation
which may require a degree of boldness on the speaker’s part UK,
1889. 2 to smoke crack cocaine US, 1992
pipickhead noun a stupid person. The word is a combination of the
Yiddish pipick (navel/bellybutton) and the English word CANADA, 2002
pip jockey noun a radar operator US, 1947
pipped adjective drunk US, 1982
pipper noun in Canadian military aviation, an aiming device on a
fighter’s gunsight CANADA, 1995
pippie noun the penis BAHAMAS, 1982
pips noun thefemalebreastsUS, 1981
pipsqueak; pip-squeak noun an insignificant person UK, 1910
piranha noun a poker player who bets aggressively on any hand with

any chance of winning US, 1988
pirate noun an unlicensed taxi driver UK, 1977
pirate’s dream noun a flat-chested woman. From the association of
pirates enjoying sex with captive teenage boys, or perhaps from
the punning association of a girl with ‘a sunken chest and a box
full of treasure’ US, 1972
pish noun rubbish, nonsense UK, 1988
pish verb used as an alternative spelling for ‘piss’ (to urinate); hence,
to rain heavily UK, 1997
pished adjective drunk. A variation of PISSED (drunk) UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
pisher noun a person of no consequence. Yiddish from German,
literally ‘a bed-wetter’
US, 1968
piso adjective someone who is miserly with money. Military usage;
derives from Indian currency: a pais or pice is one quarter of an
anna which, in turn, is one sixteenth of a rupee UK, 1987
piss noun 1 alcohol, especially beer AUSTRALIA, 1945. 2 the act of
urination; urine. The verb produced the noun. Late Middle English
then standard English, until it was deemed vulgar during C19. The
sound of the word echoes the sound of urination UK, 1958. < on
the piss
on a drinking binge AUSTRALIA, 1965. < take the piss out
of
to satirise someone or something; to make a joke of someone
or something; to send up someone or something AUSTRALIA, 1976.
< the piss the hell AUSTRALIA, 1976
piss verb 1 to urinate. Derives from Old French pisser and has been
perfectly good English since C13, but from mid-C18 it has been
considered a vulgarism UK, 1290. 2 to rain heavily IRELAND, 1991. 3 to
accomplish a task easily UK, 1983. 4 to whinge US, 1995. < I

wouldn’t piss in your ear if your brain was on fire
Icould
not care less about you
AUSTRALIA, 1985. < I wouldn’t piss on you
if you were on fire
used for expressing the utmost personal
contempt UK, 1994. < piss in someone’s pocket to ingratiate
yourself with someone; to flatter someone AUSTRALIA, 1944. < piss
in the wind
to engage in a hapless, futile activity US, 1974. < piss
into someone’s tent
to impinge upon another’s interests UK,
2002
. < piss it in to win easily AUSTRALIA, 1996. < piss money
against the wall; piss it up the wall to squander or waste
money, especially on drinking UK, 1785. < piss on 1 to despise or
feel contempt for someone or something UK, 2000. 2 to drink
heavily; to continue a drinking binge AUSTRALIA, 1998. < piss your
trousers; piss your pants
to soil your clothing by accidental
urination
UK, 1966. < piss yourself to laugh uproariously.
Abbreviated from ‘piss yourself laughing’, from the notion that loss
of physical control is a consequence of overwhelming laughter
UK,
1951
piss- prefix extremely AUSTRALIA, 1963
piss about verb to play the fool, to waste time; to make a mess of
something; to inconvenience someone
UK, 1961

piss and moan verb to complain loud and long US, 1971
piss and punk noun bread and water US, 1970
piss and vinegar noun energy, enthusiam, vigour US, 1942
pissant noun asmallpersonUS, 1946
pissant adjective insignificant, small-time US, 1981
pissaphone noun a funnel-shaped urinal used by the military
AUSTRALIA, 1943
piss around verb to play the fool, to waste time; to make a mess of
something; to inconvenience someone
UK, 1998
piss-arse about verb to play the fool, to waste time; to make a
mess of something; to inconvenience someone UK, 1948
piss artist noun a heavy drinker AUSTRALIA, 1968
piss-ass adjective despicable, unworthy, inconsequential US, 1974
piss away verb 1 to waste or to squander something US, 1948. 2 to
move away, especially at speed UK, 1978
piss-can noun a local police station or jail US, 1950
piss-cutter noun 1 a clever, resourceful and tough person US, 1941. 2 a
person who disparages a friend BAHAMAS, 1982. 3 in oil drilling, the
third man on a cable tool rig US, 1954
piss down verb to rain heavily UK, 1950
piss easy adjective very easy NEW ZEALAND, 1988
pissed adjective 1 drunk UK, 1929. 2 angry, annoyed. An abbreviation of
PISSED OFF US, 1971
pissed as a bastard adjective very drunk UK, 2003
pissed as a cunt adjective extremely drunk UK, 1961
pissed as a fart; pissed as a brewer’s fart adjective very drunk
UK, 1998
pissed as a newt adjective very drunk AUSTRALIA, 1977
pissed as an owl adjective very drunk AUSTRALIA, 1986

pissed as a parrot adjective extremely drunk AUSTRALIA, 1977
pissed as a rat adjective very drunk UK, 1980
pissed as arseholes adjective extremely drunk UK, 1984
pissed as a twat adjective very drunk UK, 2003
pissed off adjective fed up; disgruntled; annoyed; angry US, 1946
pissed out of your mind; pissed out of your skull adjective very
drunk
AUSTRALIA, 1969
pissed up adjective in a drunken condition. A variation of PISSED UK,
1999
piss-elegant adjective conceited, haughty US, 1957
pisser noun 1 a urinal UK, 1961. 2 the penis; the vagina UK, 1901. 3 a
criminal who urinates in their clothing when caught by authorities
AUSTRALIA, 2001. 4 an extraordinary person or thing US, 1943. 5 an
annoyance. Literally something that will PISS OFF (annoy) US, 1943.
6 during the Vietnam war, an observer of enemy supply trails US,
1991. 7 solitary confinement in prison US, 1990. 8 a pub NEW ZEALAND,
1998. 9 an electric pylon. Perhaps from as sense as ‘the penis’ after
its phallic shape UK, 1977. 10 a type of cicada which releases a liquid
when held AUSTRALIA, 1980. < pull your pisser to befool, or
mislead, or tease someone. A variation of PULL YOUR LEG UK, 1969
piss-fart around verb to waste time AUSTRALIA, 1988
piss fat noun an erection caused by a full bladder AUSTRALIA, 1984
piss flaps noun the vaginal lips. Roger’s Profanisaurus, 1997, also
offers its use as an exclamation of disappointment: ‘Oh piss-flaps! I
never win the Lottery!’
AUSTRALIA, 1985
499 pipeline | piss flaps
piss-head noun a drunk; a habitual drinker. A combination of PISS
(alcohol) with -HEAD (a user) UK, 1961

piss-hole noun 1 the entrance to the urethra US, 1996. 2 a urinal UK,
1959. 3 an unpleasant location UK, 1973
piss-hole bandit noun a homosexual man who seeks sexual contact
in a public urinal
UK, 1977
piss house noun a public toilet US, 1947
piss in verb to win or achieve something easily NEW ZEALAND, 1998
pissing adjective used as an intensifier, generally denoting disapproval
UK, 1984
pissing contest noun a duel of unpleasantries US, 1983
pissing match noun a dispute based on mutual negative attacks.
From the graphic if vulgar image of two men urinating on each
other US, 1992
pissing rain noun heavy or persistent rainfall UK, 2000
piss in the hand noun something that is very simple NEW ZEALAND,
1984
piss it verb to succeed or achieve very easily UK, 1982
piss-off noun an annoyance, an irritation UK, 2000
piss off verb 1 to depart. Also used in an exclamatory or imperative
sense
UK, 1958. 2 to irritate or annoy someone. First recorded in the
normally slang-free poetry of Ezra Pound
US, 1937. 3 to get rid of
someone AUSTRALIA, 1972
piss play noun sexual behaviour involving urination and urine US,
1999
piss-poor adjective extremely poor or feeble. Brought into general
usage from British service usage during World War 2 UK, 1946
pisspot; piss-pot noun 1 a vessel for urine. Originally conventional;
it slipped into vulgar use during the C18 whilst still being very

much a household necessity
UK, 1440. 2 a terrible thing or place US,
1964. 3 a drunkard; a despicable person. Figurative use of the sense
as ‘a chamber pot’ AUSTRALIA, 1969. 4 a US military M-1 helmet US,
1990
piss-proud adjective having an erect penis as a result of urinal press-
ure
UK, 1788
piss-take noun an act of mockery or teasing UK, 1977
piss-take verb to mock; to tease; to deride; to ridicule UK, 2002
piss-taker noun a mocker; a person who ridicules something UK, 1976
piss-taking noun mockery UK, 1967
piss-to-windward noun an entirely inept person BARBADOS, 1965
piss tube; pee pipe noun a metal tube partially buried in the
ground, into which soldiers urinate. Vietnam war usage US, 1977
piss-up noun a drinking session UK, 1952. < couldn’t organise a
piss-up in a brewery
used of an inefficient person or organis-
ation. Formed on PISS-UP (a drinking session) UK, 1984
piss up; piss up large verb to drink beer or other alcoholic
beverages NEW ZEALAND, 1998
piss-weak adjective puny and cowardly AUSTRALIA, 1971
pisswhacker noun a type of cicada which releases a liquid when
held AUSTRALIA, 1981
piss-willie noun a despicable coward US, 1977
pissy noun a heavy drinker AUSTRALIA, 1979
pissy adjective 1 unpleasant, distasteful UK, 1997. 2 puny; insignificant;
weak AUSTRALIA, 1985. 3 angered, crotchety, fussy US, 1973. 4 given to
drinking AUSTRALIA, 1979. 5 drunken AUSTRALIA, 1971
pissy adverb extremely BAHAMAS, 1982

pissy-ass adjective dirty, inconsequential US, 1975
pissy-eyed adjective drunk NEW ZEALAND, 1998
pistol noun 1 the penis US, 2002. 2 a hired gunman US, 1964. 3 a reliable
person
US, 1984. 4 a lobster that has lost one or both claws US, 1975.
5 in electric line work, an underground cable terminator US, 1980
pistola noun a cigarette enhanced with freebase cocaine US, 1979
Pistol Pete noun a chronic male masturbator US, 2002
pistorically; pistoratic ally adverb very (drunk) BARBADOS, 1965
pit noun 1 the armpit US, 1965. 2 the vein at the antecubital site,
opposite the elbow, commonly used for drug injections
US, 1964.
3 Pitocin™, a drug used for inducing labour US, 1994.
4 phencyclidine, the recreational drug known as PCP or angel dust
US, 1994. 5 the area in a club or concert hall where dancers can
slam dance. An abbreviation of MOSH PIT US, 1995. 6 abedUK, 1948.
7 an inside jacket pocket US, 1958. < no pit no trouble. From
‘armpit’ to ‘pit’ to ‘sweat’ to ‘trouble’ US, 1968
pit verb to sweat under the arms US, 1966
PITA used as Internet shorthand to mean ‘pain in the ass/arse’ US,
1995
pit bull noun a variety of MDMA, the recreational drug best known
as ecstasy UK, 1996
pitch noun a persuasive or exaggerated sales act or talk UK, 1876
pitch verb to play the active sexual role in a homosexual relationship
US, 1966. < pitch a stink to complain loudly BAHAMAS, 1982.
< pitch a tent to have an erection US, 2001. < pitch it strong;
pitch it high to make a forceful case for something UK, 1837.
< pitch woo; pitch the woo to commence a courtship US, 1867
pitch and toss noun a boss. Rhyming slang AUSTRALIA, 1945

pitcher noun 1 the active partner in homosexual sex US, 1966. 2 a
dealer in a casino card game
US, 1973
pitchhole noun a deep pothole in a road CANADA, 1962
pitch in verb 1 to commence work in a vigorous manner; to join in
with another, or others, doing such work US, 1847. 2 to start eating;
to eat heartily US, 1937
pitch up; pitch verb to arrive UK, 2003
pit cupcake noun in motor racing, a female hanger-on in search of
romance with drivers or members of the pit crew US, 1992
pit girl noun a female casino employee whose job is to provide
company and encouragement for heavy-betting gamblers
US, 1963
pit guard noun an underarm deodorant US, 1968
pit lamp verb to engage in illegal jacklighting in hunting; also, to
dismiss someone from employment. The first meaning of this
slang term comes from the use of a lamp like a miner’s lamp
CANADA, 1966
pit room noun abedroomAN TARCTICA, 2000
pits noun in a hospital, the medical screening area US, 1978. < the
pits
the very bottom; the depths; the nadir; the worst. Perhaps
from ‘armpits’ US, 1953
pit stop noun 1 while driving, a stop at a restaurant, petrol station or
rest area to use the lavatory and/or buy food and drink; a visit to
the toilet US, 1968. 2 a short stay in prison, especially one
occasioned by a parole violation US, 1984. 3 an underarm deodorant
US, 1969
Pitstop nickname used as a humorous nickname for Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania US, 1981

pitter-patter verb 1 to walk in small, quiet steps US, 1864. 2 to talk
persuasively or glibly UK, 1979
Pittsburgh feathers noun coal US, 1949
Pitt Street farmer noun (especially in New South Wales) a city
person with a small country property, often run at a loss for tax
purposes. From Pitt Street, a principle street in Sydney AUSTRALIA,
1945
pitty noun a pit bull dog. Formerly known as a Staffordshire Terrier
or an American Pit Bull Terrier
US, 1990
pitty adjective messy, dirty US, 1975
pity pot noun used in twelve-step recovery programmes such as
Alcoholics Anonymous as a name for the imaginary place where
the addict sits feeling sorry for himself US, 1995
pivvy noun a very small amount BARBADOS, 1965
pix noun photographs or films. An abbreviation of the pronunciation
of ‘pictures’
US, 1932
piss-head | pix 500
pixie noun 1 a male homosexual. The term was enshrined in US
popular/political culture during the McCarthy hearings in April,
1954. Joseph Welch, the lawyer for the US Army, demanded to
know the origins of a doctored photograph, asking if it had come
from a ‘pixie’, alluding to a suspected homosexual relationship
involving Roy Cohn, a member of McCarthy’s staff. Senator
McCarthy asked Mr Welch to define the term, which he happily
did: "I should say, Mr Senator, that a pixie is a close relative of a
fairy"
US, 1941. 2 a frequent user of marijuana UK, 1983. 3 an amphet-
amine tablet US, 1994. 4 hair that has been chemically straightened

US, 1972
pixies noun < away with the pixies daydreaming NEW ZEALAND, 1998
pixilated adjective whimsical, slightly crazy; befuddled; drunk US, 1848
pizlum noun a pig’s penis US, 1952
pizza noun 1 marijuana US, 1965. 2 a large area of grazed skin.
Skateboarders’ slang; from the appearance of the wound UK, 1998
pizza cutter noun in drag racing, an extremely narrow front wheel
US, 1993
pizza dude noun the pizza delivery person US, 1988
pizzaface noun a person with a bad case of acne US, 1971
pizza plate noun in electric line work, an insulated tool attachment
formally known as a fork suspension attachment US, 1980
pizzazz; pizazz; p’zazz noun energy, vim, vigour, excitement US, 1937
PJ noun an unofficial, unlicensed if not illegal, job. An abbreviation of
‘private job’
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, 1990
PJ’s noun pyjamas US, 1964
PK noun preacher’s kid. Used without regard to denomination or
even religion, applied even to children of rabbis; denotating a
certain bond among those who have grown up in the shadow of
organised religion
US, 2004
placa noun a nickname, especially the artistic representation of the
nickname on a public wall. Spanish slang used by English-speaking
Mexican-Americans US, 1974
placcy; placky; plakky; plaggy; plazzy adjective plastic UK, 1999
place noun < you make the place untidy; you are making the
place untidy
used as an ungracious or jocular invitation to be
seated

UK, 1978
placenta poker noun the penis. Jocular UK, 2003
plague noun < the plague 1 the bleed period of the menstrual
cycle
UK, 1961. 2 HIV US, 1990
plague verb to trouble, torment, tease, bother or annoy someone. A
weakening of the conventional sense UK, 1594
plagued adjective infected with HIV US, 1990
plaguer noun a person infected with HIV US, 1990
plain Jane noun 1 an unremarkably ordinary or unattractive woman
UK, 1912. 2 an innocent looking, performance-enhanced unmarked
motorway patrol car
US, 1992
plait your shit! used for registering dismissal, either of a notion or
apersonAUSTRALIA, 1971
plamas noun flattery, exaggeration IRELAND, 1999
plane verb in the language of wind surfing, to hydroplane US, 1985
planet noun when combined with a personal characteristic or
interest, applied to a person’s narrow or exclusive focus on that
characteristic or interest. A remote place that it is hard to contact
UK, 2001. < on another planet very drug-intoxicated UK, 1999
Planet Zog noun a supremely unrealistic place; the home of
unrealistic ideas; where daydreamers go. To be said to have arrived
from Planet Zog is ‘to have no idea what’s going on’
UK, 2003
plank noun 1 a stupid person. The phrase THICK AS TWO SHORT PLANKS
(stupid) gave rise to the adjective PLANKY (stupid), hence ‘plank’ UK,
1999. 2 an electric guitar. From the instrument’s original
construction in the late 1940s, and an insult hurled at early
Fender guitars

UK, 2000. 3 a heavy surfboard, especially an older
wooden one US, 1957. < make the plank in homosexual usage, to
take the passive position in anal sex US, 1981. < put the plank to
someone
(from a male perspective) to have sex with someone. A
variation of
PLANK (to have sex) in which ‘plank’ is understood to
be a ‘penis’
UK, 2001
plank verb 1 to have sex with. A ‘plank’ may be a ‘floorboard’ or,
possibly, a ‘table’; hence this probably originates from an
occurrence on a wooden surface in much the same way as
BED (to
have sex); it may also be a reference to the erect penis which is,
no doubt, ‘stiff as a board’
US, 1972. 2 to conceal something UK:
SCOTLAND
, 1823
plank-spanker noun a guitarist. From PLANK (a guitar) UK, 1998
plank-whacker noun a guitarist. From PLANK (a guitar) UK, 2001
planky adjective stupid. From THICK AS TWO SHORT PLANKS UK, 1984
plant noun 1 a person, such as a magician’s assistant, who has been
secretly placed in an audience, in order to assist whoever is
addressing or manipulating that crowd
US, 1926. 2 apolice
surveillance action US, 1984. 3 a cell used for solitary confinement
US, 1976. 4 an electrical generator US, 1985. 5 the equipment and work
animals of a drover or other rural worker travelling through the
countryside AUSTRALIA, 1867
plant verb 1 to bury a body US, 1855. 2 to deliver a blow; to drive a ball

UK, 1808. 3 to station a person for use in an underhand manner UK,
1693. 4 to incriminate someone suspected of a crime by hiding
evidence where it is certain to be found by the appropriate auth-
orities UK, 1865. < plant it in motor racing, to accelerate to the
fullest extent possible
US, 1965
plantation noun any small garden CAYMAN ISLANDS, 1985
planting noun a burial US, 1977
plant you now, dig you later used as a farewell US, 1947
plaque whacker noun a dental hygienist US, 2001
plaster-caster noun a groupie who makes plaster casts of celebrities’
penises US, 1968
plastered adjective drunk US, 1912
plaster of Paris; plaster noun the backside, the buttocks. Rhyming
slang, extending the sequence ARIS – ARISTOTLE – BOTTLE; BOTTLE
AND GLASS
– ARSE UK, 1998
plastic noun 1 a credit card; consumer credit in general US, 1979. 2 a
person who is liable to act in an unpredictable manner UK, 2003. 3 a
condom US, 1993. < on the plastic using stolen credit cards, etc
UK, 1977. < pull plastic (used of a prisoner) to place your
belongings in a plastic rubbish bag when you are transferred US,
1997
plastic adjective conventional; superficial; shallow US, 1967
plastic badge noun a private security guard US, 2001
plastic fantastic noun 1 a credit card or credit card transation NEW
ZEALAND
, 1995. 2 a yacht with a fibreglass hull NEW ZEALAND, 1986
plastic fantastic adjective wonderful. If not coined, widely
popularised by Jefferson Airplane’s 1967 song, ‘Plastic Fantastic

Lover’ US, 1970
plastic gangster; plastic noun a tough guy who is not anywhere
near as tough as he pretends UK, 1996
plastic hippie noun a person who assumes the outer trappings of
the counterculture without fully immersing himself in it US, 1967
plastic job noun cosmetic surgery US, 1953
plastic money noun a credit card or cards; consumer credit in
general US, 1974
plastics noun prison-issue plastic cutlery UK, 1996
plate noun 1 a plate of food brought by a guest to a party. The
notion of ‘bringing a plate’ to supplement the food laid on by the
host is an Australian social tradition AUSTRALIA, 1961. 2 abadgeUS,
1949. 3 a phonograph record US, 1935. < on a plate; on a platter
easily acquired; with little or no effort required UK, 1935
plate verb 1 to engage in oral sex. Rhyming slang for ‘plate of ham’,
GAM (to perform oral sex) UK, 1968. 2 to engage in oral stimulation
of the anus
UK, 2003
plate and dish noun a wish. Rhyming slang UK, 1998
501 pixie | plate and dish
plater noun 1 in horse racing, a horse that competes in minor, low-
paying races. From the practice of awarding a silver plate instead
of a cash prize
US, 1923. 2 in horse racing, a farrier US, 1976
plates and dishes; plates noun a wife. Rhyming slang for MISSIS UK,
1960
plates of meat; plates noun the feet. Rhyming slang, since 1857;
abbreviated to ‘plates’ since 1896 UK, 1857
plats noun platform shoes US, 1997
platter noun a phonograph record US, 1931

platter pusher noun a radio disc jockey US, 1973
platters of meat; platters noun the feet. Rhyming slang; an elabor-
ation of PLATES OF MEAT since 1923; the abbreviation ‘platters’ since
1945
UK, 1923
play noun 1 sexual activity US, 1995. 2 a manoeuvre; a tactical move US,
1982. 3 a legitimate scheme or a criminal venture. From the pre-
vious sense
US, 2000. 4 the deception surrounding a confidence
swindle
US, 1940. 5 in horse racing, a bet US, 1994. < in play falling
into a confidence swindle US, 1997
play verb to work as a pimp; to hustle US, 1977. < play ball 1 to have
sex. Punning on BALL (to have sex) and ‘play ball’ (to cooperate
with)
US, 2001. 2 to stop idling and start working US, 1977. 3 to
cooperate with someone else; occasionally applied to inanimate
objects such as computers US, 1957. < play bingo to try to
determine the reason for a cash shortage by comparing orders
with receipts
US, 1996. < play catch-up in an athletic contest, to
try to catch up and surpass an opponent that at the moment is
leading
US, 1971. < play checkers to move from empty seat to
empty seat in a cinema, looking for a sexual partner. Homosexual
usage US, 1972. < play dead to act dumb US, 1953. < play for the
other team
to be homosexual US, 1997. < play handball to
smoke crack cocaine. A highly euphemistic code US, 1993. < play
hard to get

to resist amorous advances (especially while
intending to acquiesce); hence, more generally, to be reluctant to
comply with what is expected
UK, 1945. < play hookey; play
hooky
to absent yourself from school or work US, 1848. < play
inside right
to be mean with money. Rhyming slang for TIGHT,
elaborated into football terminology UK, 1998. < play it by ear to
improvise as circumstances dictate. As a musician picking up a
tune without sheet music to guide UK, 1984. < play it cool to
remain calm and composed
UK, 1942. < play mums and dads;
play dads and mums
to have sex. An adult version of a
children’s game. ‘Play fathers and mothers’ is also recorded but in
the strongest current usages it seems that the female comes first
UK, 1967. < play past something to overcome an obstacle or
impediment to progress US, 1972. < play silly buggers to be a
nuisance; to cause trouble or disruption; to ‘mess about’ UK, 2001.
< play someone cheap to assume that someone is stupid US,
1947. < play the blocks to idle on a street corner BAHAMAS, 1982.
< play the chill 1 to act calm US, 1920. 2 to snub someone US,
1985. < play the kerbs to sell drugs on the street US, 1989. < play
the queens
to have sex with a passive, effeminate male prisoner
US, 1984. < play the whale to vomit AUSTRALIA, 1971. < play them
as they lay
used as a wisely humorous acceptance of the need to
work with what has been given to you US, 1992. < play too close

to take advantage of another’s good nature by excessive teasing or
abuse US, 1992. < play took and banjo to sing or whistle a
secular tune on a Sunday or religious holiday
BARBADOS, 1965.
< play up to someone to humour someone; to flatter
someone, to take your cue from another; to behave according to
expectations. Originally in theatrical use UK, 1809. < play with
yourself
to masturbate. The earliest usage recorded of this sweet
little euphemism is by James Joyce
IRELAND, 1922
play around verb to have an extra-marital amorous liaison US, 1943
play-away noun a weekend at someone else’s place in the country.
Upper-class society usage; predates BBC television childrens’
programme Playaway, 1984
UK, 1982
playback noun a scheme by which the odds on a particular horse
race are engineered lower by heavy betting on that horse
US, 1963
Playboy noun a tablet of MDMA, the recreational drug best known
as ecstasy
UK, 2004. < the Playboy a pubic hairstyle UK, 2002
play dough noun bread found in a US Army combat ration. Word
play on the inedible mix of flour, water and salt called ‘play dough’
and played with by children
US, 1991
played adjective out of money US, 1984
player noun 1 a person who takes pride in the number of sexual
partners they have, not in the depth of any relationship; a selfish
pleasure-seeker US, 1968. 2 a pimp US, 1972. 3 a schemer; an import-

ant figure in a field
US, 1995. 4 a drug user or drug seller US, 1971.
5 an active member of a terrorist organisation. Used by police,
military and other security services
UK, 1995. 6 in casino gambling, a
craps player US, 1974. 7 a hip-hop artist. Also variant ‘playa’ US, 1995
player hater noun someone who is envious or jealous of another’s
social success
US, 1999
player of the pink oboe noun a person who performs oral sex on a
man. Coined by satirist Peter Cook (1937–95) for a sketch
performed in Amnesty International’s The Secret Policeman’s Ball.
UK, 1979
play-for-pay adjective 1 available for paid sex US, 1956. 2 receiving
compensation while competing as an amateur athlete US, 2003
playground’s muddy noun experiencing the bleed period of the
menstrual cycle US, 2001
playing noun amongst women prisoners, homosexual flirtation and
involvement UK, 1980
playing bingo adjective in prison, said of a sex offender. From the
call of the numbers in
RULE FORTY-THREE UK, 1996
playing with confederate money adjective having silicone breast
implants. Very impressive to look at but ultimately valueless.
Coined for US television comedy Seinfeld, 1993–98 US, 2003
play-lunch noun a mid-morning break at primary school; also, the
food eaten during this break AUSTRALIA, 1962
playmates noun the testicles UK, 2002
play out verb 1 (of a DJ) to perform in public; (of a dance record) to
be included in a DJ’s repertoire UK, 2003. 2 to escape from confine-

ment US, 1972
play-play adjective make-believe BARBADOS, 1965
playtime noun a time in a prison’s schedule when the inmates are
out of their cells mixing with each other. From school usage UK,
1996
please; per-lease; puh-lease used for humorously asking please or
expressing scepticism. An affectation popularised in any number
of television situation comedies in the mid- to late 1980s and
thereafter a staple of US popspeak US, 1990
pleasure and pain noun rain. Rhyming slang UK, 1960
pleb noun 1 an unsophisticated or uneducated person. An abbrevi-
ation of conventional ‘plebeian’ (a lower-class person) UK, 1865. 2 an
annoying person; a nuisance. A generally derogative application of
the sense as ‘a plebeian’
UK, 1981
pleb; plebbie; plebby adjective of a plebeian character; coarse;
uneducated UK, 1962
pleckie noun a plectrum UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
pledges noun cash US, 2003
plenty adverb very UK, 1934
plenty-plenty adverb to a great extent BAHAMAS, 1982
plier noun in a confidence swindle or sales scheme, an agent who
for a commission locates potential victims US, 1988
pliers noun a railway ticket inspector’s punch US, 1946
plimmie noun a plimsoll (a rubber-soled canvas shoe) UK, 1994
pling noun an exclamation mark (!) on a computer keyboard US, 1991
pling verb in circus and carnival usage, to beg US, 1981
plink noun cheap wine. Variant of PLONK with a change of vowel
influenced by other couplets such as ‘ding dong, ‘sing song
AUSTRALIA, 1943

plinker noun an inexpensive, simply designed gun marketed for
casual use US, 1982
plater | plinker 502
plod; plodder; PC Plod; Mr Plod; the plod noun a uniformed
police officer; the police. Derives from Mr Plod the Policeman, a
character in the Noddy stories of Enid Blyton (1897–1968), poss-
ibly a pun on ‘plodding the beat’ or, simply, ‘to plod’ (to proceed
tediously)
UK, 1977
ploddite noun a police officer UK, 2003
plod shop noun a police station UK, 1996
plokta verb in computing, to press keys randomly in an effort to
obtain a response from the computer. An acronym of‘press lots of
keys to abort’ US, 1991
plonk noun 1 cheap wine. Alteration of French blanc,fromvin blanc
(white wine); occasionally used of other alcoholic drinks AUSTRALIA,
1930
. 2 alcohol, especially beer NEW ZEALAND, 1984. 3 a woman police
constable UK, 1996. 4 the surreptitious wagering of a large amount of
money
AUSTRALIA, 1981
plonk verb 1 to place something, especially with a lack of finesse
AUSTRALIA, 1942. 2 (of a male), to have sex. In use among National
Servicemen in the 1950s
UK, 1984. 3 to wager money AUSTRALIA, 1981
plonker; plonk noun 1 the penis UK, 1947. 2 a fool; used (often
humorously) as an everyday form of abuse. Euphemistic extension
of the previous sense for name-calling as
PRICK. Popularised from
the early 1980s by BBC television situation comedy Only Fools and

Horses UK, 1966
plonkie adjective foolish; displaying the qualities of a plonker UK, 2001
plonko noun an alcoholic AUSTRALIA, 1963
ploo adjective a ‘plus’ attached to a grade US, 1968
plooky adjective pimply, spotty. Extended from PLUKE; PLOOK (a spot)
UK: SCOTLAND, 1985
plootered adjective drunk. Probably from Scottish plouter (to splash
in water) UK, 1984
plop noun excrement US, 1984
plop verb to fall or to drop heavily UK, 1839
plop down verb to lay down forcefully; to lie down with abandon US,
1986
ploppy noun an unskilled gambler who describes his systems to all
around him
UK, 1996
plot up verb 1 to establish a singular, group or gang presence in an
area and represent it as the territory of that individual, group or
gang UK, 1999. 2 to conceal something UK, 2001
plotzed adjective drunk. From German plotzen (to burst) via Yiddish
plotz (to burst)
US, 1962
plow noun marijuana. The means by which you become PLOWED
(drug-intoxicated) UK, 2003. < get your plow cleaned to be killed
in combat US, 1968
plow verb (used of a male) to have sex US, 1970. < plow the field to
drive off the road at a high rate of speed into a field
US, 1962
plowboy noun a rustic; an unsophisticated person from the far
reaches of the countryside. Disparaging UK, 1569
plowed adjective 1 drunk US, 1974. 2 drug-intoxicated. From the pre-

vious sense US, 1981
plow jockey noun 1 afarmerUS, 1951. 2 a soldier who cannot keep
cadence when marching, who appears to be walking as if behind a
plough with one foot in the furrow US, 1946
plu noun tea AUSTRALIA, 1960
pluck noun 1 wine US, 1964. 2 the recruiting of a prostitute to work for
a pimp; a prostitute recruited to work for a pimp US, 1973
pluck verb 1 to recruit a prostitute into the services of a pimp US,
1973. 2 (used of a male) to have sex with a virgin BAHAMAS, 1982.
< pluck the chicken to swindle a victim in a phony investment
or sales scheme US, 1988
plucky adjective brave, daring UK, 1842
plug noun 1 a piece of publicity, a promotional pitch US, 1902. 2 a
tampon. Understood to be a variation on conventional ‘plug’,
possibly from abbreviation of technical jargon ‘catamenial plug’ (a
tampon)
US, 2001. 3 a bullet hole UK, 2001. 4 a poker player with a
steady, competent and predictable style of play
US, 1988. 5 a horse
that has seen its best days
US, 1860. 6 a temporary worker US, 1997
plug verb 1 to support, to endorse, to promote US, 1927. 2 to shoot
someone
US, 1870. 3 (of a male) to have sex with someone UK, 1888.
4 to insert contraband items into the anus during a prison visit UK,
1996. 5 to engage in a fist fight without any weapons US, 1992. 6 on
the railways, to use the reverse gear to help stop a train
US, 1977.
7 to tease or taunt someone US, 2002. < plug in to help. In the
usage of counterculturalists associated with the Rainbow Nation

gatherings
US, 1997. < plug in both ways (of a male) to be
bisexual. A play on AC/DC UK, 1980. < plug your mug to stop
talking US, 1947
plug away; plug verb to continue doing something or making an
effort, to persist doggedly
UK, 1865
plugged in adjective connected to something fashionable US, 1989
plugged nickel noun literally, a five-cent piece that has been altered
by the insertion of a plug of base metal; figuratively, something of
no value US, 1988
plugger noun a person whose job it is to promote a record or
recording artist
US, 1945
plughole noun < go down the plughole to become lost; to go to
waste; to fail. A variation of DOWN THE DRAIN UK, 1973
plug-ugly noun a violent, rough person US, 1856
pluke; plook noun a spot, boil or other pus-filled skin blemish.
Directly from Scottish dialect plook
UK, 1997
plum noun 1 the testicle. From its shape and fruitfulness. One
notable precursor to its unambiguous sense as a testicle is in the
innuendo-laden song ‘Please Don’t Touch My Plums’ by Sammy
Cahn, 1913–93, written for the film The Duchess and the
Dirtwater Fox, 1976, in which it was sung in a Golden Globe-
winning performance by Goldie Hawn
UK, 2003. 2 a fool; used as a
general term of abuse. From the previous sense UK, 1982. 3 an
exceptional person or thing AUSTRALIA, 1956. 4 in marketing, a
married man with above-average income who is keen to improve

his pension. A specific sense of the general use of ‘plum’ as
‘something desirable’. The opposite is a
LEMON UK, 1998. 5 in pool,
the plum-coloured four-ball US, 1990. 6 in pool, an easy shot US, 1970
plumb; plum adverb abolutely; completely; utterly. From the earlier,
conventional sense (exactly) UK, 1587
plumbay noun the vulva; a woman’s pubic mound TRINIDAD AND
TOBAGO
, 2003
plumber noun 1 a urologist US, 1961. 2 a male pornography performer
US, 1995. 3 in the Royal Air Force, an armament tradesman. Still in
Royal Air Force use, 2002 UK, 1942. 4 a golfer who is a good putter.
Built on ‘drain’ in the sense of putting into the hole US, 2000
plumbing noun 1 the reproductive system US, 1960. 2 any wind
instrument
US, 1935
plumbing problem noun the inability of a male pornography
performer either to maintain an erection or to ejaculate on
demand US, 1995
plum-in-the-mouth adjective upper-class, privileged UK, 1926
plummer noun a pickpocket. Misspelling of ‘plumber’ recorded in
prison use August 2002 UK, 2002
plummy adjective used for describing an affectedly upper-class
manner of speech. The original meaning was ‘rich, desirable’
UK,
1926
plum pud; plum pudd noun good. Rhyming slang AUSTRALIA, 1927
plums noun no sexual contact (when the expectation of intimacy is
high). Royal Navy slang; derives, possibly, from a ‘plum’
representing the figure 0 (hence 00 = nothing, nowhere).

Alternatively
PLUM (the testicle) hence BOLLOCKS (used as a general
negative). A ‘plums rating’ is a sailor who has little luck with the
opposite sex UK, 1989
plunderphonics noun in music, a style of sampling that alters the
original, usually without seeking permission from the copyright
holder. A compound of ‘plunder’ (to rob) and ‘phonic’ (of sound).
Coinage is credited to electronic music artist John Oswald (b.1953)
CANADA, 1985
503 plod; plodder; PC Plod; Mr Plod; the plod | plunderphonics