• ART
n. 1. 1725 Sc. & Eng. dial. – the quarter of the heavens, point of the compass; esp. of the direction of the wind
n. 2. 1805 Sc. & Eng. dial. – a direction, way; locality, district
n. 3. 1926 Amer. sl. – in the circus: performers, as distinguished from other employees
n. 4. 20C Amer. sl. – newspaper photographs of celebrities
n. 5. 20C Amer. sl. – photographs of wanted criminals
vb. 1. 1628 obs. – to instruct in an art
vb. 2. 1628 obs. – to make artificial
vb. 3. 1789 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – to point out the way to any place; to direct; to turn in a certain direction
vb. 4. 1805 Sc. – of the wind: to blow from a certain quarter
vb. 5. Bk1898 Sc. – to find out; to discover
vb. 6. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – to incite, to egg on
vb. 7. Bk1898 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – to tend towards, to aim at
• ARTAN
n. Bk1898 Sc. – direction; placing towards a certain quarter of the heavens
• ART-AND-CRAFTY
adj. 1909 colloq. – pretentiously artistic
• ARTESIAN
n. c1880 Aust. sl. – beer made in Australia
• ART FAG
n. 1990s US college sl. – one who is overly affected, pretentious, or ‘arty’
• ARTFUL AS A (WHOLE) WAGON-LOAD OF MONKEYS
adj. L19 sl. – very cunning
• ARTFUL DODGER
n. 1. B1857 rhyming sl. – a lodger
n. 2. c1864 sl. – an expert thief
n. 3. 2003 UK rhyming sl. for ‘todger’ – the penis
• ARTFUL FOX
n. 1882 UK music-hall rhyming sl. – a theatrical box
• ARTHUR
n. 1. 1915 Amer. dial. – author
n. 2. c1946 sl. – a simpleton; a dupe
n. 3. 1974 trawler men’s sl. – arthritis
• ARTHUR (ASHE)
n. 1992 UK rhyming sl. – cash
• ARTHURATICS
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – arthritis, rheumatism
• ARTHUR BLISS
n. 2003 UK rhyming sl. for ‘piss’ – an act of urination
• AN ARTHUR DONOVAN
n. Bk1944 services’ sl. – a soldier who thinks he can referee war manoeuvres
• ARTHUR DUFFY
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a hasty or unceremonious departure
• ARTHUR FOWLER
n. 2003 UK rhyming sl. for ‘growler’ – a fart
• ARTHUR GUINESS TALK
n. 20C Irish sl. – drunken language
• ARTHURITIS
n. 1954 Amer. dial. – arthritis, rheumatism
• ARTHUR (LOWE)
n. 1988 Sc. rhyming sl. – no
• ARTHUR O’ BOWER
n. 1826 Sc. – the wind
• ARTHUR POWER
n. 2000s Irish rhyming sl. – a shower
• ARTHUR (RANK)
n. 19C rhyming sl. – a bank (money)
• ARTHURS
n. 20C Irish sl. – Guinness and the family who own it
• ARTHUR’S OFFICE
n. 1941 Amer. dial., jocular usage – an outdoor toilet
• ARTIC
n. 1951 UK sl. – an articulated lorry
• ARTICAL
adj. 1950s Black British teen sl. – bona fide, genuine, sincere, respected
• ARTICHOKE
n. 1. 1602 obs. – an unattractive person
n. 2. 19C sl. – a dissolute, debauched old woman, esp. a hideous old prostitute
n. 3. 19C Brit. sl. – a hanging; a ‘hearty choke’
n. 4. 1990s sl. – the vagina
n. 5. 2001 US drugs sl. – LSD
• ARTICHOKE RIPE
vb. c1855 rhyming sl. – to smoke a pipe
• ARTICLE
n. 1. a1398 rare – a moment in time which joins two successive periods; a specific juncture in time; a critical point or moment
n. 2. 1796 obs. – a slave regarded as an item of merchandize
n. 3. c1810 sl. – a girl, a woman; a prostitute
n. 4. 1811 sl., now mainly jocular or derogatory – a person of the stated sort, as a ‘sloppy article’; a person
n. 5. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a term of contempt for an inferior or worthless person or thing
n. 6. E19 sl. – the vagina
n. 7. M19 sl. – the penis
n. 8. 1922 rare euphemism – a chamber-pot
n. 9. 20C White slavers’ cant – a woman exported to the Argentine to become a prostitute
n. 10. 20C Amer. sl. – a fellow; a guy; esp. a person considered shrewd or quick to advance his own interests
• THE ARTICLE
n. 1. c1850 colloq. – the precise thing; the thing or person most needed
n. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• ARTICLE OF VIRTUE
n. c1850 sl. – a virgin
• ARTICLES
n. 1. 1780 cant – breeches, trousers; a suit of clothes; possibly also underwear
n. 2. E19 sl. – a brace of pistols
n. 3. L19 euphemism – the genitals
• ARTICLES OF THE RACE
n. 1607 – rules governing horse racing
• ARTIFICIAL
adj. 1679 – artistic; having the appearance of being produced by art
n. 1965 Barbados sl. – an object the name of which escapes the speaker at the moment
• ARTILLERY
n. 1. 1821 Amer. sl. – a handgun or handguns; firearms of any kind; broadly, weapons of any kind
n. 2. 1915 US drugs sl. – an actual or makeshift hypodermic syringe or syringes; the equipment needed to inject a drug; broadly, one who is addicted to the injection of narcotics
n. 3. 1916 sl. – beans; any food producing flatulence
n. 4. 1929 Amer. sl. – attractive female breasts; a shapely female figure
n. 5. 1954 US sl. – in boxing: heavy blows
n. 6. 1954 US sl. – strict discipline; a greater power
n. 7. c1960 Amer. dial. – personal belongings
n. 8. 1980s Aust. prison sl. – cutlery; when metal, it doubled as weaponry
• THE ARTILLERY
n. 1916 colloq. – ‘bigwigs’; very important persons
• ARTILLERY BULL
n. 1921 US army sl. – failure to hit any part of a target on a rifle range; hence, the red flag used to signal such a failure
• ARTILLERY EARS
n. 1982 US sl. – partial deafness caused by exposure to the loud noise of the artillery
• ARTILLERYMAN
n. 1. 1903 sl. – a drunkard
n. 2. M20 US drugs sl. – (usually as ‘artillery man’) a drug addict who injects narcotics directly into a vein; one who shoots drugs
• ARTISH
n. 1982 US sl. – an issue of a single-interest fan magazine containing mostly illustrations
• ARTIST
n. 1. 1584 obs. – a person skilled in magic arts or occult sciences; an astrologer, an alchemist
n. 2. 1565 obs. – a person skilled in medicine; a physician, a surgeon
n. 3. 1594 obs. – a person skilled or proficient at a particular task or occupation; an expert
n. 4. 1648 – a person who practices artifice, deception, cunning, etc.; a schemer, a rogue
n. 5. 1859 Amer. sl. – a skilful pickpocket, sneak thief, confidence man, or other criminal
n. 6. 1890 sl. – a person devoted to or unusually proficient in the stated activity, as a ‘bullshit artist’
n. 7. c1905 sl. – a person; a chap; a fellow
vb. 1890 Eng. dial. – to paint
• ARTISTE
n. 1980s US homosexual sl. – an especially competent fellator
• ARTIST FOR THE GOVERNMENT
n. 1993 Can. sl. – a person who draws unemployment insurance payments
• ARTISTIC PURPOSES
n. 1975 Amer. dial. – devious or illicit intentions
• ARTISTING
n. 1890 Eng. dial. – idling about
• ART OF PLEASURE
n. 19C Brit. sl. – the techniques of lovemaking; a euphemism for copulation
• ARTOPHAGOUS
adj. 1816 rare – bread-eating
• THE ARTS
n. 1985 Bermuda sl. – martial arts
• ARTSY
adj. 1947 colloq. – artistic, esp. in a self-conscious or pretentious manner
n. a1982 US colloq. – an artistic person, esp. one who affects a pretentious or eccentric style
• ARTSY-CRAFTSY
adj. 1960s sl. – pretentious, humourless, self-opinionated
• ARTSY-FARTSY
adj. 1962 – foolishly or pretentiously artistic
n. 1960s sl. – a pretentious person
• ART THOU THERE?
phr. c1660 – Ah!, so you understand at last
• ARTY
adj. c1900 Amer. sl. – pretentiously artistic; ostentatiously bohemian in speech or manner
n. 1864 US military sl. – artillery
• ARTY-AND-CRAFTY
adj. 1. 1902 colloq. – artistic but not notably useful or comfortable
adj. 2. 1950s sl. – pretentious; humourless
• ARTY-CRAFTY
adj. 1. c1920 colloq. – artistic but not notably useful or comfortable
adj. 2. 1950s sl. – pretentious; humourless
• ARTY-FARTY
adj. 1950s sl. – pretentious, overly intellectual or artistic; exhibiting superficial form and little positive content, etc.
• ARTY-ROLLA; ARTY-ROLLER
n. 1945 Aust. rhyming sl. – a collar
• ARTY-TARTY
adj. 1950s sl. – pretentious, overly intellectual or artistic; exhibiting superficial form and little positive content, etc.
• ARUSPICINAL
adj. 1652 obs. – relating to ‘haruspicy’
• ARUSPICINATE
vb. 1652 obs. – to practice ‘haruspicy’
• ARUSPICINE
n. 1652 obs. – the practice or function of a haruspex; divination by inspection of the entrails of victims
• ARUSPICINY
n. a1693 obs. – divination by inspection of the entrails of victims
• ARUSPICY
n. 1563 – the practice or function of a haruspex; divination by inspection of the entrails of victims
• ARVA
n. 2002 UK sl. – sexual intercourse
• ARVAL
n. 1684 Sc. & Eng. dial. – a funeral repast, usually consisting of bread or cakes with ale; also applied to funeral ceremonies in general
• ARVE
n. 1927 Aust. sl. – afternoon
• ARVIE
n. 1970s S. African sl. – the afternoon
• ARVIN
n. 1966 US sl. – any South Vietnamese soldier
• ARVO
n. 1. 1927 Aust. sl. – afternoon
n. 2. 1930s sl., chiefly Aust. – afternoon tea
• ARYTHING
n. 1938 Amer. dial. – something
• A-S
n. M18 Brit. sl. – the arse, the posteriors; the anus
• AS A CONSTANCY
adv. 1899 Amer. dial. – habitually
• ASAFP
adv. 1985 Amer. sl. – immediately; As Soon As Fucking Possible
• AS ALL GET OUT
phr. M19 US sl. – very much, to a great extent
• AS ALL HELL
adv. 20C – very, extremely
• A-SAM
adv. Bk1898 Eng. dial. obs. – of a door: ajar
• ASAP
phr. 1. 1955 US., orig. military usage – as soon as possible
phr. 2. 2002 Can. sl. – as slowly as possible
• AS BE DAMNED
adv. 1939 Ireland – very, extremely
• ASBESTOS JOE
n. 1943 US Navy sl. – an asbestos-suited firefighter aboard an aircraft carrier
• ASBESTOS PANTS
n. 1988 US sl. – in poker: used for describing what player on a very good streak of luck needs
• AS BLIVE
adv. 1413 obs. – as quickly as possible, immediately
• ASCAID
adj. 1926 Amer. dial. – scared, afraid
• ASCAIRT
adj. 1926 Amer. dial. – scared, afraid
• ASCANT
adv. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – oblique
• ASCARED
adj. 1926 Amer. dial. – scared, afraid
• A-SCAT
adv. 1790 Eng. dial. – broken like an egg
• ASCITITIOUS
adj. 1620 – assumed, adopted from without; additional; supplemental
• ASCOT RACES
n. 1. 20C rhyming sl. – braces (suspenders)
n. 2. 20C rhyming sl. – the horse-races
• ASCOTS
n. 1. 20C rhyming sl. ‘Ascot Races’ – braces (suspenders)
n. 2. 20C rhyming sl. ‘Ascot Races’ – the horse-races
• A-SCRAM
adv. 1888 Eng. dial. – of a limb: shrunken, withered
• A-SCRATCHED
adj. 1746 Eng. dial. – slightly frozen, just covered with a film of ice
• ASCREW
adj. 1966 Amer. dial. – askew, out of kilter; awry
• ASCRIDE
adv. 1825 Eng. dial. – astride
• ASEL
n. 1908 Sc. – a cold and keen wind; a laborious battling against the wind
• A-SEX
n. 1975 US sl. – sex experienced while under the influence of amphetamine
• ASEXUAL
adj. 1980s US college sl. – uninterested in sex
• AS GOOD A SCHOLAR AS MY HORSE BALL
phr. E17 – no scholar at all
• ASH
n. 1990s Black British sl. – hashish
vb. 1. 1889 Eng. dial. – to flog, to beat
vb. 2. 1930 Aust. sl. – to drop cigarette ash
vb. 3. 1990s sl. – to drop cannabis cigarette ash onto the floor
• ASHAMED
adj. 1916 Amer. dial. – bashful, timid, esp. of children
• ASH-AND-TRASH
n. 1983 US military sl. – cargo flown on military aircraft; hence a routine supply flight
• ASHARD
adv. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – of a door: ajar
• ASH-BARREL BABY
n. 1949 Amer. dial. – an illegitimate child
• ASH BEANS AND LONG OATS
n. M19 sl. – a beating; a flogging
• ASH BOMB
n. 1969 Amer. dial. – a small but relatively powerful firecracker, cylindrically shaped and covered with tinfoil
• ASH BREEZE
n. 1834 Amer. sl. – propulsion given to a boat by rowing rather than by the wind
• ASH BOMB
n. 1969 Amer. dial. – a small but relatively powerful firecracker, cylindrically shaped and covered with tinfoil
• ASH BREAD
n. c1950 Amer. dial. – cornbread made in ashes
• ASHCAKE
n. 1816 Amer. dial. – a cornmeal bread baked in hot ashes
• ASHCAN
n. 1. 1918 US Navy, World War I usage – a high-explosive depth charge used by surface ships to destroy submarines
n. 2. 1918 US army sl. – a heavy artillery shell
n. 3. 1919 US army sl. – an aerial bomb
n. 4. 1929 Amer. sl. – an unpleasant or obnoxious person
n. 5. 1930s Amer. dial. euphemism – the buttocks
n. 6. 1930s sl. – the vagina
n. 7. 1932 Amer. dial. – in railroading: a locomotive fireman
n. 8. 1942 US sl. – in the television and film industries: an arc light roughly shaped like a rubbish bin
n. 9. 1950s US sl. – a car
n. 10. 1950s US sl. – a small but powerful firecracker, its explosive effects intensified by the layer of tinfoil in which it is wrapped
n. 11. 1953 Amer. sl. – a dilapidated, noisy motor vehicle
vb. 1938 Amer. sl. – to throw in an ashcan; to discard, to throw away, to get rid of
• ASH-CANDLES
n. 1851 Eng. dial. – the seed pods of the ash tree
• ASHCAN PATROL
n. 1948 US army sl. – mine layers, units of the US Army
• ASH CASH
n. 2001 Brit. medical sl. – a fee paid to doctors for signing a cremation form
• ASH-CAT
n. 1. 1808 Eng. dial. – a lazy person who crouches over the fire
n. 2. 1854 Amer. sl. – a dirty or dishevelled person, esp. a child; hence, a general insult irrespective of age
n. 3. 1899 US nautical sl. – a member of a steamship’s engine room gang; a stoker
n. 4. 1909 Amer. dial. – a gaunt Black person
n. 5. 1945 Amer. dial. – in railroading: a locomotive fireman
• ASH-CAT-SAM
n. 1910 Amer. dial. – a dirty or dishevelled person, esp. a child
• ASH-CHAT
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a person who crouches over the fire
• ASH-CHATS
n. 1790 Eng. dial. – the seed pods of the ash
• ASHDOG
n. 1914 Amer. dial. – a cornmeal bread baked in hot ashes
• ASH-EATER
n. 1948 Amer. sl. – on the railroad: a fireman for a locomotive
• ASHELT
adv. 1746 Eng. dial. – perhaps, probably
• ASHEN
adj. 1869 Eng. dial. – made of the wood of the ash
• ASHEN-KEYS
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – the fruit of the ash
• ASHER
adj. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – made of ash wood
• ASHES
n. 1977 US drugs sl. – marijuana
• THE ASHES
n. 1882 Eng. sl. – mythical prize in English and Australian cricket test-matches
• ASH-FACED
adj. 1902 Amer. dial. – of a Black person: having an ashen complexion; light-skinned
• ASH-HANDLE
n. 1985 US sl. – a baseball bat
• ASH-HOLT
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – a small grove of ash trees
• ASHIEPATTLE
n. 1825 Sc. – a neglected or dirty child; a Cinderella, a drudge, a lazy person; a term of contempt for the young of animals
• ASHIEPELT
n. 1892 Ireland – a dirty child that lounges about the hearth; also applied to animals
• ASH-KEYS
n. 1633 Sc. & Eng. dial. – the seed vessels of the ash
• ASH-LURDIN
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – one who crouches over the fire
• ASH-MAN
n. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – the dustman, scavenger
• ASHORE
adv. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – of a door: ajar, half-open
• ASHOSH
adv. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – awry, aslant
• ASHPIT ENGINEER
n. 1977 Amer. dial. – among railroad workers: a workman (usually the fireman) who services engines, esp. at division points and terminals
• ASH-PLANTING
n. 1889 Eng. dial. – a beating with an ash stick
• ASH PONE
n. 1816 Amer. dial. – a cornmeal bread baked in hot ashes
• ASH-RECEIVER
n. 1930 US sl. – an ashtray
• ASH-SPOTS
n. 1. 1970 Amer. dial. – goose-bumps
n. 2. 2000s African-American sl. – lighter spots that appear on one’s arms and legs when one gets cold
• ASHTRAY
n. 1991 US, Gulf war usage – the desert
• ASHY
adj. 1. 1846 Amer. dial. – very angry; ill-tempered; ill-humoured
adj. 2. 1952 Amer. dial. – pale as ashes: usually of African-Americans
• ASHY-PALE
adj. 1952 Amer. dial. – pale as ashes: usually of African-Americans
• ASHYPET
n. 1. 1822 Sc. – a ‘Cinderella’ engaged in dirty kitchen work
n. 2. 1870 Sc. & Ireland – an idle or slatternly woman
n. 3. Bk1898 Ireland – a dirty, lazy child or animal that lounges about the hearth
• ASIA MINOR
n. 1. L19 Brit. sl. – Belgravia, London
n. 2. L19 Brit. sl. – Kensington and Bayswater, London
• THE ASIAN INVASION
n. 2000 UK students’ sl. – a group, clique, or gang of young (South) Asians
• ASIAN MASSIVE
n. 2000 UK students’ sl. – a group, clique, or gang of young (South) Asians
• ASIAN MOLL
n. 1982 US sl. – a prostitute with an Asian customer base
• ASIAN TWO-STEP
n. 1966 US sl. – any highly venomous snake encountered in the jungles of Southeast Asia
• ASIATIC
adj. 20C US Navy, World War II usage – insane; crazy; wild; eccentric as a result of overly long service in the Far East
n. 1940s US sl. – an odd or crazy person
• ASIA WEST
n. 2002 Can. sl. – Richmond, in British Columbia
• ASIDEN
adv. 1678 Eng. dial. – on one side; awry
prep. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – beside, near
• ASIDES
adv. 1890 Eng. dial. – moreover, in addition
prep. 1. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – in addition to; moreover, beside
prep. 2. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – of place: beside, near
• AS IF!
int. 1. 1981 US sl. – used as a humorous expression of extreme scepticism
int. 2. 20C teen & high school sl. – on the contrary
• ASIL-TOOTH
n. 1788 Sc. – a molar tooth
• ASINARY
adj. 1731 obs. – belonging to an ass; having the qualities characteristic of an ass; asinine, obstinate, stupid, doltish
• ASINEGO
n. E17 sl. – a fool, a simpleton
• ASINICO
n. E17 sl. – a fool, a simpleton
• AS IT CAME FROM ITS MOTHER
adj. Bk1902 colloq. – of drinks: unmixed with water
• ASK
n. 1. 1788 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – a newt, a lizard
n. 2. 1866 Sc. – drizzle, fog
n. 3. 1989 Aust. – the asking price for a racehorse
n. 4. 1994 Aust. sl. – a request
vb. 1. 1829 Sc. & Eng. dial. – to publish the banns of marriage
vb. 2. Bk1898 Sc. – to rain slightly; to drizzle
• ASK BOGY!
int. L18 – go to hell!
• ASK CHEEKS NEAR CUNNYBOROUGH
phr. M18 sl. – a dismissive retort, used by women only, equivalent to ‘go to hell’
• ASKEARED; ASKEERED
adj. 1926 Amer. dial. – scared, afraid
• ASKER
n. 1. 1755 Eng. dial. – a newt, a lizard
n. 2. 1858 Eng. euphemism – a beggar
n. 3. 1960s sl. – one who demands a lot of money; usually used of a corrupt policeman demanding large bribes
• ASKEW
adv. 1. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – crosswise, diagonally
adv. 2. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – of the legs: extended awkwardly, wide apart
• ASK FOR A PIECE OF WIFE
vb. 20C W. Indies sl. – to ask a woman to whom one is not married for sex
• ASK FOR IT
vb. c1900 Amer. sl. – to ask for trouble; to act in a way that invites trouble
• ASK FOR SIX AND GO AIRBORNE
vb. 1991 US sl. – to request the rotation travel allowance of six cents a mile in order to fly home
• ASK FOR THE RING
vb. 1950s sl. – to perform anal intercourse
• ASKINGS
n. 1870 Eng. dial. – the publication of banns of marriage
• ASKLENT
adv. 1. 1784 Sc. – dishonourably, not ‘straight’
adv. 2. 1788 Sc. & Eng. dial. – aslant, on one side, obliquely
prep. 1808 Sc. – across
• ASK ME ANOTHER
phr. 1. L19 sl. – a riposte to one who has just recited a riddle or a dated or unfunny joke
phr. 2. 1910 sl. – used to indicate that one does not know the answer to a question
• ASK ME ARSE!
int. 1991 Irish sl. – used when refusing to cooperate or when withholding information
• ASK ME BOLIX!
int. 1991 Irish sl. – used when refusing to cooperate or when withholding information
• ASK ME LEFT ONE!
int. 1991 Irish sl. – used when refusing to cooperate or when withholding information
• ASK ME ONE ON SPORT
phr. 1990s sl. – used to deflect a question to which the speaker does not know the answer
• ASK ME SACK!
int. 1991 Irish sl. – used when refusing to cooperate or when withholding information
• ASK MY ARSE!; ASK MY ASS!
int. 1785 sl. – I will not answer your question! I will not comply with your request! go to hell!
• ASK MY AUNT!
int. 1898 Amer. sl. – I will not answer your question! go to hell!
• ASK MY PODEX!
int. 1804 sl. – used as an exclamation of dismissal or contempt
• ASK-NO-QUESTIONS
n. 1950s Aust. euphemism – the buttocks Aust.
• ASKOY
adv. 1825 Sc. – asquint, obliquely
• ASK THE QUESTION
vb. 1996 Guyana sl. – to ask someone to have sex
• ASK WHAT YOU HAVE TO SELL
vb. 1996 Barbados sl. – to invite sex
• ASK YOURSELF!
int. 1942 Aust. sl. – be reasonable!
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Updated: September 5, 2022
Lexicophilia 