• ALL PIDDLE AND WIND LIKE THE BARBER’S CAT
phr. 1940s Aust. & NZ sl. – used to describe a very thin person
• ALL PILLS!
int. L19 sl. – rubbish! nonsense!
• ALL PISS AND WIND
adj. 1961 – engaging in empty, boastful talk, but not of real substance
• ALL PISS AND WIND LIKE THE BARBER’S DOG
phr. 1. 1940s Aust. & NZ sl. – used to describe a very thin person
phr. 2. 1940s Aust. & NZ sl. – used of a blusterer, a braggart
• ALL PISSED UP AND NOTHING TO SHOW
phr. 1910s sl. – a phrase of discontent, based on the premise that one has drunk away one’s wages and there’s nothing left to show for a week’s work
• ALL-PLAISTER
n. 1805 Eng. dial. – alabaster
• ALL-POINTS
n. 1960s sl. – a general alert, a search for a missing person
• ALL POINTS BULLETIN
n. 1960s US college sl. – a plea for help, with work, emotions, and so on
• ALL PORTER AND SKITTLES
phr. 1837 – is all unmixed enjoyment
• ALL-POSSESSED
adv. 1881 Amer. dial. – extremely
• ALL-POWERFUL
n. 1900s Aust. sl. – money
• ALL PRICK AND BREECHES
phr. 1920s sl. – all talk and no action; used of a braggart, a fake
• ALL PRICK AND RIBS LIKE A DROVER’S DOG
adj. 1960s Aust. sl. – lean and eager
• ALL PRICK AND RIBS LIKE A SHEARER’S DOG
adj. 1960s Aust. sl. – lean and eager
• ALL PRICK AND RIBS LIKE SWAGGIE’S DOG
adj. 1960s Aust. sl. – lean and eager
• ALL PRICKS AND NO PENCE
phr. 1920s sl. – all talk and no action; used of a braggart, a fake
• ALL-PRO
adj. 20C Amer. sl. – of first quality; the best
• ALL PULLED TO SHUCKS
adj. 1901 Amer. dial. – pulled to pieces
• ALL QUEANED UP
adj. c1920 Aust. sl. – carefully (not necessarily effeminately) dressed
• ALL QUIET
n. 1990s sl. – the vagina
• ALL QUIET IN THE SHIPKA PASS
phr. 1860s US – a situation or activity that is normally very busy is quiet at the present time
• ALL QUIET ON THE POTOMAC
phr. 1860s US – a situation or activity that is normally very busy is quiet at the present time
• ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
adj. 20C Amer. sl., World War I usage – calm, peaceful, uneventful
• ALL REET
adj. 1946 US sl. – good; all right
• ALL RIBS AND DICK LIKE A ROBBER’S DOG
adj. 1990s Aust. sl. – very thin
• ALL RICKY
adv. 1940s US sl. – satisfactorily, easily
• ALL RIGHT
adj. 1. L19 colloq. – a term of measured praise, acceptable, passing muster; satisfactory
adj. 2. 1900s sl. – in criminal terms: trustworthy
adj. 3. 1971 US sl. – in possession of drugs
int. 19C – yes indeed! I agree!
phr. 1. 1960s – a general phrase of greeting; a question mark is assumed; often answered by ‘all right’ or ‘not so bad’
phr. 2. 1990s sl. – a coded query: do you need any drugs?
• ALL RIGHT ALREADY!
int. 20C Amer. sl. – a comment protesting that one has heard or had enough or a bit too much
• ALL RIGHT FOR SOME!
int. 1969 UK sl. – used for registering envy of another’s advantage or luck
• ALLRIGHTNIK
n. 1918 Amer. sl. – a nouveau riche person, esp. a Jew who is stereotypically philistine and smug; an upstart; an offensive boaster
• ALL RIGHTY
adv. 1901 colloq. – certainly, indeed
int. 1877 colloq. – certainly, indeed
• ALL ROOTERS AND NO SHOOTERS
phr. 1983 US sl. – used at casino craps tables for encouraging a player to take a turn as a shooter
• ALL ROOTIE
phr. 1957 US – used as an expression of agreement or satisfaction
• ALL-ROUND
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – excellent; first-rate
n. 1851 colloq. obs. – a round of drinks that includes everyone present
• ALL-ROUNDER
n. 1. 1869 – a person with ability in many departments
n. 2. M19 colloq. – a collar that meets at the front, a style that was fashionable at the time
n. 3. 1930s US criminals’ sl. – a clergyman who wears a ‘Roman collar’
n. 4. 20C Brit. sl. – a bisexual
• ALL ROUND HELL’S HALF ACRE
phr. 1967 Amer. dial. – everywhere, all over the place; somewhere
• ALL-ROUND MAN
n. 1863 colloq. – a man with ability in many departments; originally a cricketer
• ALL ROUND MY HAT!
int. M19 – what nonsense you are talking!
• ALL ROUND THE OPTION
adv. 1957 UK sl. – all over the place; everywhere
• ALLS
n. 1. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – belongings, goods and chattels, esp. workmen’s tools
n. 2. M19 sl. – a drink consisting of the dregs collected from the overflow of the pouring taps, the ends of spirit bottles, and similar leavings, which was sold cheap in gin shops, esp. to women
n. 3. L19 Eng. sl. – inferior beer
• ALL SAILS SET
adj. M19 US sl. – drunk
• ALL-SAME
adj. 1. Bk1892 Chinese Pidgin – like, equal
adj. 2. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – of no consequence
prep. 1926 US sl. – like
• ALLSBAY
n. 1943 Amer. sl., Pig Latin for ‘balls’ – the testicles
• ALL’S BOWMAN
phr. L17 sl. – all’s safe, everything is in order
• ALL SERENE
adj. 1857 Eng. dial. – quite satisfactory
• ALL SERENO
adj. M19 sl. – all in order, satisfactory
• ALL SET
adj. 1. L18 sl. – of a villain: ready for any criminal undertaking
adj. 2. M19 sl. – ready, prepared
int. 1844 Amer. dial. – everything is ready! let’s go!
• ALL SHARPED UP
adj. Bk2006 US sl. – dressed up; looking sharp
• ALL SHEG UP
adj. 1971 – all hot and bothered, or all spoiled, as of work that has been ruined → UK sl.
• ALL SHEOK AND QUOITS
n. 19C Brit. sl. – an easy life; pleasure, enjoyment
• ALL SHIPSHAPE AND BRISTOL FASHION
adj. Bk1999 – in good order
• ALL SHOOK UP
adj. 1958 Amer. sl. – excited; disturbed; upset
• ALL SHOT
adj. L19 sl., orig. military usage – exhausted, worn out
• ALL SHOW AND NO GO
adj. Bk2006 US sl. – equipped with good looks, but lacking action or energy
• ALL SIGARNEO; ALL SIGARNO
phr. L19 sl. – all in order, everything is as it should be
• ALL SILK AND FEATHERS
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – of a woman: dressed in her good clothes
• ALL SIMPLY
adv. c1430 obs. – merely, only
• ALL SINGING ALL DANCING
adj. 1929 US sl. – configured or equipped with all possible enhancements
• ALL SIR GARNET
adj. 1894 Brit. sl. – all in order, everything is as it should be; satisfactory
• ALL SIR GARNY
phr. L19 sl. – all in order, everything is as it should be
• ALL SMILES
adj. 1843 – very happy; completely satisfied
• ALL SMOKE, GAMMON, AND PICKLES
phr. L19 – all nonsense
• ALL SMOKE, GAMMON, AND SPINACH
phr. L19 – all nonsense
• ALL SNOT AND TEARS
adj. 20C Brit. sl. – sorry, remorseful, mournful
• ALL’S NOT QUIET ON THE WATERFRONT
phr. 20C sl. – a catchphrase pert. to a woman’s state when menstruating
• ALL SORTS
n. 1. 1794 colloq. – (usually as ‘allsorts’) all kinds or varieties of things; miscellaneous items
n. 2. 1823 sl. – a drink consisting of the dregs collected from the overflow of the pouring taps, the ends of spirit bottles and similar leavings; it was sold cheaply in gin-shops, particularly to women
n. 3. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a scolding
• ALLSORTS SHOP
n. 1853 rare – a shop which sells miscellaneous goods; a general store
• ALLSPICE
n. M19 sl. – a grocer
• ALL’S SET!
int. 1844 Amer. dial. – everything is ready! let’s go!
• ALL’S SNUG
phr. E18 sl. – all is quiet
• ALL STANDING
adj. 1840 Amer. dial. – fully clothed
• ALL STAR
n. 1992 US sl. – a drug user who abuses many different drugs
• ALL STARCH AND FEATHERS
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – of a woman: dressed in her good clothes
• ALL STATIONS
n. 2000s Aust. rhyming sl. or a jocular mispronunciation – an Alsatian dog
• ALL STRUCK IN A HEAP
adj. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – entirely overcome
• ALL STUFF LIKE THAT THERE
n. 20C Amer. sl. – other such things, etcetera
• ALL SUNDRY
phr. 1562 obs. – each, every
• ALL SYSTEMS GO
n. 1974 US sl. – a state of readiness
• ALL TALK AND NO CIDER
n. 1807 Amer. – a great deal of fuss, but very little result; much ado about nothing
• ALL TAN AND TEETH
phr. 2000s US homosexual sl. – used of a homosexual man who is superficially attractive but lacks greater depth
• ALL THAT
adj. 1. 1991 US sl. – superlative, very good; first-rate; perfect
adj. 2. 1990s sl. – conceited
adj. 3. 20C Amer. sl. – very cool
n. 1970 UK sl. – sexual activity
• ALL THAT AND A BAG OF CHIPS
adj. 1990s US sl. – exceptional, admirable
int. 1997 US sl. – used for expressing strong approval
n. 1990s US sl. – an exceptional or admirable person
• ALL THAT AND THEN SOME
phr. 1998 US sl. – everything mentioned and even more
• ALL THAT JAZZ
phr. 20C Amer. sl. – all that stuff; all that nonsense; other such things, etcetera
• ALL THAT KIND OF BULL
phr. 20C Amer. sl. – other such stupid and boring things; the depressing remainder
• ALL THAT KIND OF CRAP
phr. 20C Amer. sl. – other such stupid and boring things; the depressing remainder
• ALL THAT KIND OF SHIT
phr. 20C Amer. sl. – other such stupid and boring things; the depressing remainder
• ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF
phr. 20C Amer. sl. – other such stupid and boring things; the depressing remainder
• ALL THE ACES
adj. 20C Amer. sl., World War II usage – first-rate; excellent
• ALL THE BEANS
n. 20C sl. – in bingo: the number 57
• ALL THE BEST
phr. 1968 UK sl. – goodbye
• ALL THE FAT IS IN THE FIRE
phr. M16 sl. – used to indicate that a plan has failed
• ALL THE FIVES
n. 1943 UK sl. – 55
• ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR
phr. 1911 – everything together, the whole lot
• ALL THE GEORGIE
phr. 1960s Brit. sl. – all the best to you
• ALL THE GO
phr. 1793 UK sl. – in the height of fashion
• ALL THE JOLLYS!
int. 20C Brit. sl. – cheers!; said when glasses are raised
• ALL THE RAGE
phr. 1785 colloq. – the current or latest fashion
• ALL THERE
adj. 1. 1854 UK sl. – sane
adj. 2. 1880 UK sl. – alert, aware, sharp
adj. 3. M19 sl. – honest, reliable
adj. 4. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – excellent; first-rate
adj. 5. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – drunk
adj. 6. 20C colloq. – intelligent
• ALL THERE AND A HA’PORTH OVER
adj. 1. M19 sl. – honest, reliable
adj. 2. M19 sl. – fashionable, well-dressed
adj. 3. L19 sl. – as desired, satisfactory
adj. 4. L19 sl. – smart, aware
adj. 5. L19 sl. – sane, in one’s right mind
• ALL THERE BUT THE MOST OF YOU
adj. M19 sl. – having sexual intercourse
• ALL THERE WITH HIS COUGHDROPS
adj. 20C Brit. sl. – usually said of an old person whose mind is particularly alert
• ALL THE SAME KHAKI PANTS
phr. 1996 Trinidad and Tobago – used for expressing the sentiment that there is no difference between the matters in question
• ALL THE STEPS
n. 20C sl. – in bingo: the number 39
• ALL THE TEA IN CHINA
n. 1870 Amer. dial. – something of great value
• ALL THE THING
n. Bk2004 – the fashionable or popular thing to do; the fashionable or most popular artist or form of art at a given time
• ALL THE TON
adj. L18 sl. – fashionable, smart
• ALL THE TWOS
n. 20C sl. – in bingo: the number 22
• ALL THE WAY
adv. 1. 1910s – completely
adv. 2. 1950s Amer. sl. – with everything on it, as with a hamburger
adv. 3. 1976 Amer. dial. – always, constantly
n. 20C sl. – sexual intercourse as opposed to sexual activity that does not culminate in intercourse
• ALL THE WAY IN ONE PLAY
n. 20C sl. – in gambling: a bet of all of one’s chips
• ALL THE WAY LIVE
adj. 1982 US sl. – excellent, superlative; very exciting
• ALL THE WAY THERE
adj. M19 sl. – honest, reliable
• ALL THE WEAR
adj. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – fashionable
• ALL THE WHOLE CHEESE
n. 20C Amer. sl., World War II usage – a self-important person
• ALL THE WORLD AND HIS DOG
n. 1984 Aust. sl. – everybody
• ALL THE WORLD AND HIS WIFE
n. 1738 UK sl. – everybody
• ALL THE WORLD IS OATMEAL
phr. 1540 colloq. – everything is delightful; generally used in the negative
• ALL THE WORLD TO A CHINA ORANGE
phr. 19C sl. – the longest possible odds; an absolute certainty
• ALL THE WORLD TO A PENNY ROLL
phr. 19C sl. – the longest possible odds; an absolute certainty
• ALL THE YEAR ROUND
n. 1920s Aust. sl. – a 12-month prison sentence
• ALL-THROUGH
adj. 1912 – of a journey: performed without a change of conveyance
• ALL THUMBS
adj. 1825 Amer. sl. – very awkward; inept
n. c1960 Amer. dial. – a very awkward, clumsy person
• ALL-TIME
adj. 1945 Amer. sl., esp. surfing usage – excellent; memorably good; absolutely first-rate; great, fantastic, wonderful
• ALL-TIMER
n. 1973 Amer. sl. – an outstanding example
• ALL-TIMER’S DISEASE
n. 1991 US sl. – used by surfers humorously to describe a person’s proclivity to exaggerate when recounting surf conditions or their accomplishments
• ALL TITS AND TEETH
adj. 1967 UK sl. – used for describing a woman who makes the most of a distracting smile and breasts
n. 1910s sl. – a woman who capitalizes on her physical charms, esp. her smile and breasts (presumably large), to make up for the lack of more subtle attractions
• ALL TITS AND TEETH LIKE A THIRD-ROW CHORUS-GIRL
n. 1910s sl. – a woman who capitalizes on her physical charms, esp. her smile and breasts (presumably large), to make up for the lack of more subtle attractions
• ALL TO
adv. 1950 Amer. dial. – completely, thoroughly
• ALL TO A MUGGLE
adj. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – disorderly, untidy
• ALL TO BOLLOCKS
adj. 20C Brit. sl. – said of something that’s gone wrong
• ALL TO BUGGERY
adj. 1984 UK sl. – said of something that’s gone wrong; bungled, utterly confused, unsatisfactory, mixed up
• ALL TO COCK
adj. 1948 UK sl. – bungled, utterly confused, unsatisfactory, mixed up
• ALL TO FUCK
adj. 20C Brit. sl. – said of something that’s gone wrong
• ALL TOGETHER LIKE BROWN’S COWS
adj. Bk1898 Irish – in a disorderly gathering or a jumble
• ALL TO HECK
adj. 1950s US sl. – a general intensifier
• ALL TO HELL
adj. 1. 1890 US sl. – utterly destroyed or ruined
adj. 2. 19C sl. – financially ruined
adj. 3. 19C sl. – in chaos
adj. 4. 19C sl. – wasted
adj. 5. 19C sl. – worn-out
• ALL TO MUCK
adv. L18 – completely, utterly, to the furthest extent (sl.)
• ALL TO NAUGHT
adv. Bk1898 – quite, completely, altogether (Eng. dial.)
• ALL TO NOTHING
adv. Bk1898 – quite, completely, altogether (Eng. dial.)
• ALL TOO DESPERATE
adj. Bk1942 – excellent, ‘super’ (US sl.)
• ALL TO PIECES
adj. 1. E17 – exhausted, collapsed, bankrupt (sl.)
adj. 2. 1856 – thoroughgoing; excessive (Amer. dial.)
adv. 1. 1811 – broken down in health or finances; exhausted, collapsed (Eng. dial.)
adv. 2. 1875 – thoroughly, completely, altogether (Eng. dial.)
• ALL TO RATS AND RIBBONS
adj. B1900 – ragged, tattered (Eng. dial.)
• ALL TORE OUT
adj. 1941 – in an emotionally aroused state; angry, excited, annoyed, upset, troubled (Amer. dial.)
• ALL TO SHIVERS
adj. M18 – physically collapsed (sl.)
• ALL TO SMASH
adj. 1. M18 – physically collapsed (sl.)
adj. 2. Bk1898 – ruined (Eng. dial.)
• ALL TO THE GOOD
adj. Bk1942 – excellent; first-rate (Amer. sl.)
• ALL TO THE MERRY
adj. 1908 – splendid (Amer. sl.)
• ALL TO THE MUSTARD
adj. 1905 – O.K. all right (US sl.)
• ALL TO THE SIDE LIKE THE HANDLE OF A JUG
phr. 1892 – all on one side (Ireland)
• ALL TO THUNDER
adv. L19 – completely, comprehensively (US sl.)
• ALL TRIGGERED OUT
adj. 1953 – ostentatiously dressed up (Amer. dial.)
• ALL TWO
pron. 1838 – both (Amer. dial.)
• ALL TWO BOTH
pron. 1867 – both (Amer. dial.)
• ALL U.P.
adj. Bk1942 – dead (Amer. sl.)
• ALL UP
adj. 1818 – bankrupt, defeated, doomed to die (UK sl.)
• ALL UP AT HARWICH
adj. 1893 – in a state of utter confusion (Eng. dial.)
• ALL UP IN
adj. 1. 1990s – sexually involved with (US students’ sl.)
adj. 2. 1990s – interfering (US teen sl.)
• ALL UP IN THE KOOLAID
adj. 1997 – wanting to know what is going on, being nosy or inquisitive (US college & teen sl.)
• ALL UP IN THE KOOLAID WITHOUT KNOWING THE FLAVOUR
adj. 1990s – ignorant, unaware; used to tell off an inquisitive person (African-American sl.)
• ALL UPON HEAPS
adj. Bk1898 – in disorder (Eng. dial.)
• ALL UP WITH
adj. 1. L18 – of a person: doomed, about to die; defeated, bankrupt (sl.)
adj. 2. L18 – of an object or plan: ruined, pointless, destroyed, finished (sl.)
• ALLUS
adv. 1739 colloq. – always
• ALLUS-AGO
adv. 1914 Amer. dial. – long ago
n. 1922 Amer. dial. – a long time ago
• ALL-UTTERLY
adv. 1879 Sc. obs. – wholly, completely
• ALL VANILLA
n. 1948 US sl. – in poker, a spade-flush
• ALL WASHED UP
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – dead
• ALL WASTED
adj. c1955 US sl. – wrong, inappropriate; not adequate
• ALLWAYS
adv. 1838 – in all directions
• ALL WET
adj. 1. 1920s sl. – silly, foolish
adj. 2. 1920s sl. – useless, worthless
adj. 3. 1923 – incorrect; entirely confused or wrong; mistaken
adj. 4. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – unpleasant; disagreeable
adj. 5. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – drunk
• ALL WHICHAWAY
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – disorderly; in confusion
• ALL WIND AND PISS
adj. 1961 UK sl. – boastful; not backing up words with action
• ALL WIND AND PISS LIKE A BARBER’S CAT
phr. E19 – said of a man given to much talk, esp. to much boasting and little performance
• ALL WIND AND WATER
adj. 1961 UK sl. – boastful; not backing up words with action
• ALL WOKE UP
adj. 1960s US sl. – aware, knowledgeable
• ALL-WOOL
adj. 1864 Amer. sl. – first-class, excellent
• ALL WOOL AND A YARD WIDE
adj. 1. 1882 Amer. – of high quality; first-class; genuine; reliable; in the best condition
adj. 2. 1882 – totally trustworthy; authentic; thoroughly honourable
• ALL WOOL AND NO SHODDY
adj. 1946 Amer. dial. – of high quality; genuine; reliable; in the best condition
• ALL WOOL, A YARD LONG AND A YARD WIDE
adj. 1913 – totally trustworthy; authentic; thoroughly honourable
• ALL-WORKS
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a man employed on a farm to do odd jobs
• ALL WRONG
adj. 1910s Aust. sl. – drunk
• ALLY
adj. 1990s – second-rate (US students’ sl..)
n. 1. 1888 – a boy’s marble made of alabaster, fine white stone, marble or glass (Eng. dial.)
n. 2. 1977 – aluminium (colloq.)
n. 3. 2000s – an Alsatian dog (sl.)
vb. 1. 1783 – to haul; to draw forcibly; to pull; to drag along (Eng. dial.)
vb. 2. 1895 – to carry on the trade of a carrier; to cart, to carry (Eng. dial.)
vb. 3. Bk1898 – to place the marble in the hole in a game of marbles, and thus score a point against an opponent (Eng. dial.)
• ALLYAUN
n. 20C – a fool (Irish sl.)
• ALLY-BEG
n. 18C – a comfortable bed (sl.)
• ALLYBLASTER
n. 1805 – alabaster (Eng. dial.)
• ALLY-LONG-LEGS
n. Bk1898 – the ‘daddy-long-legs’ or crane-fly (Eng. dial.)
• ALLY-TAW
n. 1837 – a playing (shooting) marble, as distinguished from stone or baked clay marbles (Eng. dial.)
• ALLY-WAITER
n. 1896 – an elevator (Amer. dial.)
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