• A.J.
n. 1980s African-American sl. – Armani jeans
• A-JANDER
adv. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – on the shake
• AJAX
adj. 1. 2002 US sl. – clean
adj. 2. 2002 UK sl. – nearby
n. 1. L16 sl. – an outhouse; a lavatory
n. 2. 1981 US sl. – in hold ’em poker: an ace and a jack as the first two cards dealt to a particular player
n. 3. 1993 US sl. – any youth gang member under the age of 16
n. 4. 20C Brit. rhyming sl. – tax
• AJEE
adj. 1. 1790 Sc. & Eng. dial. – crooked, uneven, awry
adj. 2. 1828 Sc. & Eng. dial. – of a door or gate: half-open, ajar
adj. 3. 1859 Sc. & Eng. dial. – of mental states: agitated, disturbed, slightly deranged
• AJUSI
n. 1972 Hawaii – an uncle
• A.K.
n. 1. 1939 US sl. – a sycophant; an Ass-Kisser
n. 2. 1942 US sl. – an old man; an Alte Kacker
n. 3. 1920s US sl., orig. theatrical usage – an old fogey
n. 4. 1939 US sl. – a toady (Ass-Kisser)
n. 5. 1970s African-American sl. – the AK-47 automatic or semi-automatic assault weapon
vb. 1939 US sl. – to curry favour by obsequious behaviour (Ass-Kiss)
• AK
vb. 1929 Sc. – to vomit, to be sick
• AK47
n. 2002 sl. – a variety of marijuana
• A.K.A.
n. 1955 sl., orig. US criminals’ usage – an alias, a false name
• AKALE
adj. c1320 obs. – cold, frozen
• AKAMAI
adj. 1840 Hawaii – smart, clever, skilful, learned, expert, ingenious
• AK AMP
n. 1990 US, Vietnam war medic usage – an amputation at the knee
• AKAMY
n. 1908 Sc. – a weak or infirm person or animal; a weakling; also, a term of abuse
• AKE
vb. 1785 Eng. dial. – to wander about aimlessly and idly; to loiter, to lounge; to hang about with intent to eavesdrop; to sneak
• AKERATE
vb. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – to rust as iron does
• AKERMAN’S HOTEL
n. c1788 Eng. sl. – Newgate prison
• AKETHA!; AKETHER!
int. 1746 Eng. dial. – indeed!
• AKEYBO BEATS THE DEVIL
phr. M19 sl.- something is extremely confusing
• AKEY-OKEY
adj. 1960 US sl. – satisfactory
• AKIMBO
adj. 1. 1940s UK society sl. – arrogant, stand-offish
adj. 2. 1968 Amer. dial. – crooked, out of alignment
vb. 1946 Amer. dial. – to saunter with one’s hands on one’s hips
• AKINK
adj. 1960 Amer. dial. – kinked, bent (as at the ‘elbow’ or bend of wing); not fully extended
• AKINNED
adj. 1937 Amer. dial. – akin, related
• AKIP
adj. 1950s sl. – asleep
• AKKA
n. 1910s sl., orig. military usage – money, whether change or notes
• AKKAS; AKKERS
n. 1939 Brit. services’ sl. – money
• AKKES!
int. 1982 Amer. dial. – dirty! filthy! often used as a warning to children
• AKKES BAKKES!
int. 1982 Amer. dial. – dirty! filthy! often used as a warning to children
• AKKIE!
int. 1982 Amer. dial. – dirty! filthy! often used as a warning to children
• AKLIN
n. Bk1898 Sc. – a sullen person
• AKNOW
vb. 1. 933 obs. – to come to know, to recognize
vb. 2. c1000 obs. – to admit or show one’s knowledge, to acknowledge, to confess
• AKNOWN
adj. 1938 Amer. dial. – known, acquainted
• AKS
vb. 2005 UK sl. – to ask
• AL
adj. 1995 US sl. – not to be believed (Always Lying)
n. 1. 1857 Eng. dial. – a fool, a jester; a silly person
n. 2. 1938 Amer. dial. – a mythical alligator of the Mississippi River
n. 3. Bk1975 Amer. shoe shop usage – the shoe width A
vb. 1881 Eng. dial. – to banter; to worry or bother
• ALA
n. 1. 1951 Hawaii – a path, a road
n. 2. 1990s sl. – the buttocks, the behind
• ALA-ALA’S
n. 1981 Hawaiian youth sl. – the testicles
• ALABAM
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – Alabama
• ALABAMA
n. 1. 20C US African-American sl. – a native of Alabama
n. 2. 20C Brit. rhyming sl. – a hammer
• ALABAMA EGG
n. 1951 Amer. dial. – an egg fried in the hollow centre of a piece of bread
• ALABAMA KLEENEX
n. 1966 US sl. – toilet paper or absorbent kitchen paper
• ALABAMA LIE DETECTOR
n. 1940s sl., orig. African-American – a police baton
• ALABAMA MARBLES
n. 1920 US sl. – dice
• ALABAM’ ASSASSIN
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – prizefighter Joe Louis
• ALABAMA WOOL
n. 1. 1942 Amer. sl. – cotton clothing, esp. underwear
n. 2. 1958 US sl. – cotton
• ALABAMY
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – Alabama
• ALABASTER
n. 1. 1967 Amer. dial. – a playing marble made to resemble alabaster
n. 2. 20C Brit. rhyming sl. – plaster
• A-LA-BEFF
n. 1980 Trinidad and Tobago – vaginal intercourse, the woman on hands and knees and the man entering from behind
• ALABLASTER
n. 1805 Eng. dial. – alabaster
• ALACK!
int. 1725 Sc. & Eng. dial. – alas!
• ALACK-A-DAY!
int. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – an exclamation of grief, sorrow, regret, or distress
• À LA COMANCHE
phr. 1844 Amer. dial. – hanging on the side of a horse as the Comanche Indian did in battle
• ALACOMPAIN
n. M19 rhyming sl. – rain
• ALACRAN
n. 1844 Amer. dial. – a scorpion
• ALACRANY
n. 1844 Amer. dial. – a scorpion
• ALACRIATE
vb. 1657 obs. rare – to make cheerful and lively; to excite; to rouse to action; to encourage; to embolden
• ALACRIFY
vb. 1864 rare – to make cheerful; to rouse to action; to excite
• ALACRIOUS
adj. 1602 obs. – brisk, lively, active, cheerful, gay, joyful
• ALADDIN’S CAVE
n. 1970 UK police sl. – the location of a successful thief’s ill-gotten gains
• ALAG
adv. 1. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – not sufficiently upright; too horizontal, as in placing a ladder
adv. 2. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – leaning, on one side
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – (usually as ‘a-lag’) a sporting term for a flight of geese
• ALAGAZAM
adj. 1914 Amer. dial. – excellent, fine
• ALAGRUGOUS
adj. 1924 Sc. – grim; ghastly; sour; woebegone
• ALAGUST
n. c1750 Sc. obs. – suspicion; disgust
• ALAIRE
adv. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a short time ago
• ALAKANEE!
int. 1728 Sc. obs. – alas!
• ALAKE
int. 1725 Sc. – alack! alas!
• ALAMAGOOZLUM
n. 1895 Amer. dial. – maple syrup made by melting down the sugar
• ALAMBRISTA
n. 1974 US Border Spanish – a Mexican illegally present in the US
• ALAMEDA
n. 1. 1824 Amer. dial. – a public park or walk lined with trees
n. 2. 1971 US sl. – in bar dice games: a roll that produces no points for the player
• ALA-MONA-GORGEOUS; ALAMONAGORGEOUS
adj. 1. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – excellent, splendid
adj. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – resplendently beautiful; gorgeous
• ALAMORT
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – bewildered; confused; disconcerted
• ALANA; ALANAH
n. 1839 Ireland – a form of address; a term of endearment
• A LA NATURAL
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – undressed; nude
• ALAN BORDER
adj. 2000s rhyming sl. for ‘out of order’ – of events, behaviour, or people: unacceptable, excessive, in bad taste
n. 20C Brit. rhyming sl. – order
• A-LANDWARD
adv. 1778 Sc. obs. – in the country, as opposed to the town
• ALAN LADD
adj. 1990s Brit. rhyming sl. – sad
• ALAN LADDY
n. Bk1942 US sl. – an admirable or handsome male
• ALAN MINTER
n. 20C Brit. rhyming sl. – a splinter
• ALANNA; ALANNAH
n. 1839 Ireland – a form of address; a term of endearment
• ALANS
n. 1960s Brit. rhyming sl. (Alan Whickers) – knickers
• ALANTOM
adv. Bk1898 Eng. dial. obs. – at a distance
• ALANTUM
adv. Bk1898 Eng. dial. obs. – at a distance
• ALANUI
n. 1938 Amer. dial. – a main path; a wide and frequented path
• ALAN WHICKER
n. 1990s Brit. rhyming sl. for ‘nicker’ – £1
• ALAN WHICKERS
n. 1960s Brit. rhyming sl. – knickers
• ALARE
adv. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a short time ago
• ALARM
n. Bk1898 Ireland – a cry of a bird or animal
• ALARM BIRD
n. 1943 Aust. – the kookaburra
• ALARM CLOCK
n. 1. 1922 US sl. – a worrier, a nag
n. 2. 1925 US college sl. – a chaperon(e)
n. 3. 1940s African-American sl. – a college professor
• ALARMING
adv. 1874 Eng. dial. – extensively, very, exceedingly
• ALARM-NOTE
n. 1879 Ireland – the note of a bird when startled
• ALARUM
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – disturbance
• ALARUMS AND EXCURSIONS
n. Bk1999 – confused noise or activity
• ALAS-A-DAY!
int. 1703 Eng. dial. – alas!
• ALAS-AT-EVER!
int. 1703 Eng. dial. obs. – an exclamation of pity
• ALASKA HAND
n. 1981 US sl. – in hold ’em poker: a king and a three as the first two cards dealt to a particular player
• ALASKAMO
n. 1963 US sl. – an American Indian from Alaska
• ALASKA STRAWBERRIES
n. 1991 US sl. – beans
• ALASKAN TRADE
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – a compliment given or reported to another on condition of receiving one in exchange
• ALASKA TIME
n. 1976 US sl. – unpunctuality
• ALASKA TURKEY
n. 1948 US sl. – salmon
• ALASKA TUXEDO
n. 1965 US sl. – a wool work suit
• ALASSEN
conj. 1851 Eng. dial. – lest
• A-LATE
adv. 1679 Eng. dial. – lately
• ALAWK!
int. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – an exclamation of sorrow; alas!
• ALB
n. 1945 UK sl. – an Albanian
• ALBANY BEEF
n. 1779 Amer. dial. – the flesh of the sturgeon
• ALBANY DOCTOR
n. Bk1999 Aust. sl. – a refreshing cool breeze in southern Western Australia
• ALBATROSS
n. 1. 1883 – a source of frustration, obstruction, or guilt, from which it is difficult to rid oneself; a burden, an encumbrance; a hindrance
n. 2. 20C Amer. sl., World War II usage – chicken – roasted, broiled, or stewed
n. 3. 1985 sl. – a patient who never seems to get better, or who is regularly ill with a new ailment, and who sticks with one physician for seemingly endless treatment
n. 4. 1991 US sl. – a Grumman HU-16 amphibian aircraft, best known as a rescue aircraft during the Korean and Vietnam wars
• ALBATROSS AROUND ONE’S NECK
n. 1883 – guilt, the haunting past, an unforgettable problem; a source of frustration or obstruction; a burden, an encumbrance; a hindrance
• ALBERCA
n. 1892 Amer. dial. – a water hole, a water pocket, a watering place
• ALBERT
n. Bk1975 criminals’ usage, arch. – a watch chain, esp. a gold one
• ALBERTA CLIPPER
n. 1999 Can. sl. – a cold weather system that blows from the Canadian Rocky Mountains eastward, a winter phenomenon, with wind and usually snow
• ALBERT HALL
n. 20C Brit. rhyming sl. – a wall
• ALBERTINE
n. L19 sl. – an adroit, calculating, business-like mistress
• ALBERTS
n. 1. L19 Aust. sl. – dress trousers
n. 2. L19 Aust. sl. – strips of cloth, usually calico, rubbed with suet to cut down chafing and used as a substitute for socks, usually by tramps
n. 3. 1930s Aust. sl. – rough, lace-up boots
• ALBINO
n. 1988 US sl. – in pool: the white cue ball
• ALBINO GRASS
n. 2002 Can. sl. – snow fallen on a Vancouver, British Columbia, lawn
• ALBUMINUROPHOBIA
n. Bk2008 – fear of kidney disease
• ALBUM QUILT
n. 1947 Amer. dial. – a quilt in which each block, usually bearing an autograph or brief verse, is contributed by a different person
• ALCABALA
n. 1824 Amer. dial. obs. – a tax, esp. a sales tax
• ALCALDE
n. 1803 Amer. dial. – a local official; now also any important or self-important person
• ALCAN
n. 1975 US sl. – the Alaska-Canada Highway
• AL CAPONE
n. 1. 1980s Brit. rhyming sl. – phone
n. 2. 2002 UK sl. – heroin
• AL CAPONE RIDE
n. 1970s African-American sl. – any old car, both the original Capone-era models and more recent ones, that lacks the most up-to-date gimmicks and accessories and is thus de facto ‘old fashioned’
• ALCHEMY
n. 16C obs., literary usage – sexual intercourse
• ALCHO
n. 1996 UK sl. – an alcoholic
• ALCHY
n. 1. 1844 sl., orig. & chiefly US – alcohol; often applied specifically to illicit liquor or to whisky
n. 2. 1929 sl. – a drunkard or alcoholic
• ALCI
n. 1920s US sl. – an alcoholic; a drunk
• ALCO
n. 1980s sl. – an alcoholic
• AL COHOL
n. E20 US sl. – alcohol; alcohol personified
• ALCOHOLIDAY
n. 1. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – Prohibition era
n. 2. 20C sl. – a holiday or festive period that is spent drinking alcohol
• ALCOHOLIST
n. 1888 – an alcoholic
• ALCOHOLIZE
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to intoxicate; to make dead drunk
• ALCOHOLIZED
adj. E20 US sl. – saturated with alcohol; drunk
• ALCOHOLIZER
n. 1890 – an alcoholic
• ALCOHOLOMANIA
n. Bk1991 – an obsession with alcohol
• ALCOHOL RUB
n. 1968 US sl. – a cocktail party
• ALCOVE
n. L17 Brit. sl. – the female genitals
• ALCY
n. 1906 US military sl. – a fine imposed by a court-martial
• ALDEA
n. 1547 Anglo-Indian – a village
• ALDER-BEST
adv. 16C obs. – best of all
• ALDERMAN
n. 1. c1800 Eng. sl. – a long (generally clay) pipe
n. 2. Bk1890 sl. – a turkey, esp. one roasted and served with sausages
n. 3. L19 sl. – a large crowbar
n. 4. 1934 Amer. dial. – a big stomach
n. 5. 1981 US circus and carnival usage – an officer worker who informs on his fellow workers
• ALDERMAN DOUBLE-SLANG’D
n. L18 sl. – a turkey garlanded with sausages
• ALDERMANIC
adj. L19 sl. – having a big paunch; portly
• ALDERMAN IN CHAINS
n. Bk1890 sl. – a roast turkey well-stuffed and garnished with pork sausages
• ALDERMAN LUSHINGTON
n. Bk1892 Aust. sl. – intoxicating drink
• ALDERMAN LUSHINGTON IS CONCERNED
phr. 1823 sl. obs. – said of a person who is drunk, or is drinking too much
• ALDERMAN’S BELLY
n. 1934 Amer. dial. – a big stomach
• ALDERMAN’S NAIL
n. 19C Brit. rhyming sl. – an animal’s tail
• ALDERMAN’S PACE
n. 17C sl. – a steady, careful pace, as befits an official with a fine sense of his own importance
• ALDERMAN’S PLOUGH
n. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – the constellation of the Great Bear
• ALDERMAN’S WAGON
n. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – the constellation of the Great Bear
• ALDERSHOT LADIES
n. 1. 1940s sl. – the number 4
n. 2. 1940s sl. – in darts: a double 4
n. 3. 1940s sl. – in bingo or lotto: 44
• ALDERSHOT WHORE
n. 20C Brit. rhyming sl. – four
• AL DESKO
adv. 1981 US sl. – of a meal: consumed at your desk at work
• ALDGATE EAST
n. 20C Brit. rhyming sl. – a priest
• ALE-BRAINS
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – ‘one who has to take his glass before he can set his wits to work’
• ALEC
n. 1919 Aust. sl. – a fool or simpleton; an idiot; a confidence man’s victim. a dupe
• ALECAN
n. L19 sl. – a heavy drinker
• ALECIE
adj. L16 sl. – intoxicated with ale
n. L16 sl. – mental aberration, due to ale drinking, intoxication
• ALECK
n. 1. 1919 sl. – an idiot; an unpleasant, conceited, smug person
n. 2. 1934 Amer. dial. – a rat
• ALE-CONNER
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a manorial officer whose duty it was to look to the assize and goodness of bread and ale within the precincts of the manor
• ALECTOROMANCY
n. Bk1991 – divination by recording the letters revealed as a cock eats kernels of corn that cover them
• ALECTRYOMANCY
n. Bk1991 – divination by recording the letters revealed as a cock eats kernels of corn that cover them
• ALECY
adj. L16 sl. – intoxicated with ale
n. L16 sl. – mental aberration, due to ale drinking, intoxication
• ALED
adj. 1930s UK sl. – drunk
• ALE DRAPER
n. 1747 Eng. dial. obs. – an innkeeper or publican
• ALE DRAPERY
n. 1593 colloq. obs. – the selling of ale and other alcoholic drinks; also, a place where alcohol is sold
• ALED UP
adj. 1930s sl. – under the influence of beer; drunk
• ALEER
adj. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – empty, unladen
• ALE-FINDER
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a manorial officer whose duty it was to look to the assize and goodness of bread and ale within the precincts of the manor
• ALE-FROTH
n. 1901 Eng. dial. – nonsense, anything of no account
• ALEGAR
n. 1773 Eng. dial. – vinegar made from ale; malt vinegar; sour ale used as vinegar
• ALE-HOUSE
n. 1817 Sc. & Eng. dial. – a house where ale is sold
• ALE-KNIGHT
n. L16 Brit. sl. – a tippler; a drunkard
• ALEKTOROPHOBIA
n. Bk2008 – fear of chickens
• ALE MAN
n. Bk1966 US students’ sl. – a fellow who is admired or respected
• ALEMNOCH
n. 18C sl. – milk
• ALENGTH
adv. 1825 Sc. – onward, forward
• ALERT
adj. 2000 UK sl. – slightly sexually aroused; said of a male
• ALE-SCORE
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – the debt for drink at an ale-house recorded with chalk marks on the door
• ALE-SOAKED
adj. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – full of beer; drunk
• ALE-SOAKER
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – an ale-drinker; a drunkard
• ALE-SOP
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a drunkard
• ALE SPINNER
n. Bk1890 sl. – a brewer or publican
• ALESS
prep. 1897 Sc. – unless
• ALE-SUP
n. 1904 Sc. – ale
• ALE-SWAB
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – an ale-drinker, a sot, a drunkard
• ALE-SWATTLER
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – an ale-drinker, a sot, a drunkard
• ALETANK
n. 2002 UK sl. – a heavy drinker
• ALE-TASTER
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – an officer appointed to prevent the adulteration of ale
• ALEUROMANCY
n. Bk1991 – divination using meal or flour
• A-LEVELS
n. 2003 UK sl. – anal sex, esp. when advertised as a service offered by a prostitute
• ALE-WEEAN
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a female publican
• ALE-WHISP
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. obs. – the bush hung in front of an inn to show that ale was sold there
• ALE-WIFE
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a woman who keeps an inn
• ALE-WISP
n. 19C Brit. sl. – a drunkard
• ALEXANDER
n. 1. 1900s US sl. – a certainty
n. 2. 1999 UK sl. – a telephone
vb. L17 sl. – to hang someone
• ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL
n. 1980s Aust. prison rhyming sl. – a cell
• ALEXANDER HAMILTON
n. 1. 1966 Amer. dial. – one’s signature
n. 2. 1967 Amer. dial. – a ten-dollar bill
• ALEXANDRA LIMP
n. c1870 UK society usage – a manner of walking taken up by fashionable society as a deliberate tribute to the way in which Princess Alexandra (1844-1925), then Princess of Wales, walked
• ALEXANDRA STEP
n. c1870 UK society usage – a manner of walking taken up by fashionable society as a deliberate tribute to the way in which Princess Alexandra (1844-1925), then Princess of Wales, walked
• ALE-YOTTLER
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – an ale-drinker, a sot, a drunkard
• ALE-YOTTLING
adj. Bk1898 Eng. dial – ‘given to pot companionship’
Back to INDEX A
Back to DICTIONARY
Updated: February 27, 2023
Lexicophilia 