• CHAR
n. 1. c1875 – a charwoman; a woman hired to do general cleaning
n. 2. L19 army colloq. – tea
vb. 1732 – to come in to do cleaning work in a house, shop, office, or institution
• CHARACTER
n. 1. 1773 colloq. – an eccentric or odd person
n. 2. 1931 sl., often mildly derogatory – a person
• CHARACTERED
adj. 18C cant – branded on the hand
• CHARACTERS
n. 20C colloq. – one’s references, as regards employment
• CHAR AND WADS
n. L19 sl. obs. – tea and buns
• CHARCOAL
n. 1900 Amer. dial., derogatory – a Black person; one with dark skin
• CHARCOAL BLOSSOM
n. 1900 Amer. dial., derogatory – a young Black woman
• CHARCOAL BURNER
n. 1962 Amer. dial. – a rustic, a hillbilly
• CHARCOAL-LILY
n. 1900 Amer. dial., derogatory – a Black boy very dark in colour
• CHARCOAL NIGGER
n. 20C US sl., derogatory – a very dark Black person
• CHARCOAL OUT
vb. 1980 Amer. dial. – to barbecue
• CHARE
vb. 1732 – to come in to do cleaning work in a house, shop, office, or institution
• CHARGE
n. 1. 1887 Amer. dial. – an amount or quantity of anything consumed
n. 2. 1925 US sl. – a dose or injection of a narcotic
n. 3. c1943 sl. – marijuana
n. 4. 1970s drug culture sl. – cocaine
n. 5. 20C US sl. – an erection of the penis
n. 6. M20 US sl. – a burst of sexual excitement or an experience of sexual excitement
vb. 1. c1860 colloq. – to run at full speed
vb. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to intoxicate; to make dead drunk
• CHARGED
adj. 1. 1879 Amer. dial. – feeling the effects of drink; partly drunk
adj. 2. 1938 US drug culture sl. – stupefied or drowsy as the result of having taken more narcotics than necessary to produce euphoria
• CHARGED UP
adj. 1. 1966 Amer. dial. – partly drunk
adj. 2. 1971 Amer. dial. – under the effect of narcotics
• CHARGED WATER
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – weak, inferior liquor
• CHARGEFUL
adj. 1. c1529 obs. – onerous, burdensome; expensive, costly
adj. 2. 1553 obs. – full of responsibility; responsible, grave
• CHARGE IT TO THE DUST AND LET THE RAIN SETTLE IT
phr. 1968 Amer. dial. – a flip response when one is not likely to pay for something
• CHARGE IT TO THE SAND AND LET THE RAIN SETTLE IT
phr. 1946 Amer. dial. – a flip response when one is not likely to pay for something
• CHARGE SOMEONE OFF
vb. 1969 Amer. dial. – to end or deny a relationship
• CHARGE UP
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to intoxicate; to make dead drunk
• CHARGING-SCHOOL
n. 1983 Amer. dial. – a school where tuition was paid
• CHARING CROSS
n. 1857 rhyming sl. – a horse (pronounced ‘crorse’)
• CHARIOT
n. 1. c1850 sl. – an omnibus
n. 2. 1931 Can. railroadmen’s sl. – a caboose; occasionally a passenger car
n. 3. c1940 army sl. – a bed
n. 4. c1945 jocular usage – a motor car
• CHARIOT-BUZZING
n. 1850 – pocket-picking in an omnibus → sl.
• CHARITATIVE
adj. 1. 1582 – of the nature of a charitable gift or donation → obs.
adj. 2. 1647 – of the nature of charity, charitable → obs.
• CHARITY DAME
n. 1. c1930 – a prostitute undercutting the prices → Aust. cant
n. 2. 20C – a woman who is sexually accommodating but not a prostitute, who charges a fee; she gives it away → sl.
• CHARITY GIRL
n. 1940s – a sexually promiscuous young woman → Amer. sl.
• CHARITY MOLL
n. 20C – a woman who is sexually accommodating but not a prostitute, who charges a fee; she gives it away → sl.
• CHARIVARI
n. 1843 Amer. dial. – a noisy celebration or mock serenade for newlyweds
vb. 1890 Amer. dial. – to serenade a newly-married couple with horns, bells, drums, etc.
• CHARLES
n. 1. 1970 Amer. dial., African-American usage, derogatory – a White man; hence, White people, White society in general
n. 2. 20C US drug culture sl. – cocaine
• CHARLES DE GAULLE
n. 1970s jocular usage – the gall-bladder
• CHARLES JAMES
n. 1. L19 rhyming sl. (Charles James Fox) – a fox
n. 2. L19 rhyming sl. (Charles James Fox) – a theatrical box
• CHARLESTON EAGLE
n. 1870 Amer. dial. – the buzzard
• CHARLEY
adj. c1930 sl. – afraid
n. 1. c1810 sl. – a London watchman before the introduction of the system of police
n. 2. c1830 cant – a gold watch
n. 3. c1830 colloq. – a small, pointed beard
n. 4. c1850 colloq. – a fox
n. 5. 19C rhyming sl. for ‘ponce’ (Charley Ronce) – a prostitute’s bully
n. 6. M19 sl. – a round-shouldered person or figure; a spinal hump
n. 7. L19 Brit. rhyming sl. on ‘cunt’ (Charley Hunt) – the female genitals
n. 8. 1942 US services’ sl. – a Japanese soldier; Japanese forces collectively
n. 9. 1940s Aust. sl. – a prostitute
n. 10. c1945 sl. – a male homosexual
n. 11. c1945 Amer. sl. – a stupid or blundering soldier
n. 12. 1946 sl., chiefly Brit. – a foolish person
n. 13. 1950s army in Germany – a bottle or glass of Carlsberg beer
n. 14. 1965 US services’ sl. – a person from Vietnam; North Vietnamese or Vietcong soldier(s)
n. 15. 1970s US drug culture sl. – cocaine
n. 16. 20C colloq. – a chamber pot
n. 17. 20C army sl. – an infantryman’s pack
n. 18. 20C Amer. sl. – any minor stiffness or pain of the joints or muscles; a Charley horse
• CHARLEY BLOW
n. 1977 US drug culture sl. – cocaine
• CHARLEY-BOY
n. 1896 US sl. – a soft or effeminate young man
• CHARLEY BRADY
n. L19 rhyming sl. for ‘cady’ – a hat
• CHARLEY COKE
n. 1. 20C US drug culture sl. – cocaine
n. 2. 20C US drug culture sl. – a cocaine addict
• CHARLEY FRISKY
n. M19 Brit. rhyming sl. – Scotch whisky; any whisky
• CHARLEY-HORSE
n. 1. 1888 N. Amer. – a cramp in the arm or leg
n. 2. 1965 Amer. dial. – a very hard blow
• CHARLEY HUNT
n. L19 Brit. rhyming sl. on ‘cunt’ – the female genitals
• CHARLEY IS DEAD
phr. M20 Brit. juvenile jargon – used to caution a girl that her petticoat is showing
• CHARLEY RONCE
n. 19C rhyming sl. for ‘ponce’ – a prostitute’s bully
• CHARLEY WHEELER
n. 20C Aust. rhyming sl. on ‘Sheila’ – a girl or woman; one’s girlfriend
• CHARLIE
adj. c1930 sl. – afraid
n. 1. c1810 sl. – a night watchman
n. 2. c1830 cant – a gold watch
n. 3. c1830 colloq. – a small, pointed beard
n. 4. c1850 colloq. – a fox
n. 5. 19C rhyming sl. for ‘ponce’ (Charley Ronce) – a prostitute’s bully
n. 6. M19 sl. – a round-shouldered person or figure; a spinal hump
n. 7. L19 sl. – a breast
n. 8. 1928 African-American sl. – a White man considered as an oppressor; any White man; used contemptuously
n. 9. 1935 sl., orig. US – cocaine
n. 10. 1940s Aust. sl. – a prostitute
n. 11. 1942 US services’ sl. – a Japanese soldier; Japanese forces collectively
n. 12. c1945 sl. – a male homosexual
n. 13. 1946 sl., chiefly Brit. – a foolish person
n. 14. 1950s army in Germany – a bottle or glass of Carlsberg beer
n. 15. 1965 US services’ sl. – a person from Vietnam; North Vietnamese or Vietcong soldier(s)
n. 16. 1965 Amer. dial., sometimes derogatory – a term of address when a person’s name is not known
n. 17. 1965 Amer. dial. – a chamber pot
n. 18. 1968 Amer. dial. – a dollar
n. 19. 1968 Amer. dial. – menstruation
n. 20. 20C army sl. – an infantryman’s pack
n. 21. 20C US drug culture sl. – cocaine
n. 22. M20 Aust. sl. – a girl, a young woman
n. 23. M20 African-American sl. – White society in general
• CHARLIE BENDER
n. 1997 UK sl. – a prolonged session of cocaine abuse
• CHARLIE BIRD
n. 1974 US sl. – in the Vietnam war: a helicopter used by a tactical commander
• CHARLIE BLOW
n. 1977 US drug culture sl. – cocaine
• CHARLIE-BOY
n. 1896 US sl. – an effeminate man; patronizing usage
vb. 1974 US sl. – to work as a busboy
• CHARLIE BROWN
int. 20C Amer. sl. – an exclamation indicating surprise
n. 1981 UK sl. – a citizens’ band radio set
• CHARLIE-ON-THE-SPOT
n. 1835 Amer. dial. – a reliable, prompt, or punctual person
• CHARLIE PADDOCK
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a hasty or unceremonious departure
• CHARLIE ROCKS
n. 1920s US rhyming sl. – socks
• CHARLIE ROUSERS
n. 1920s rhyming sl. – trousers
• CHARLIES
n. 1873 sl. – breasts
• CHARLIE’S DEAD
phr. 1942 US sl. – your slip is showing
• CHARLIE’S SHOWING
phr. 1967 Amer. sl. – used as a warning that one’s slip is showing
• CHARLIE WHITEHOUSE
n. 1968 Amer. dial. – a chamber pot
• CHARM
n. 1930 Amer. dial. – a premonition of death, a ‘Banshee’
• CHARMER
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – an attractive young woman
• CHARMING EYEFUL
n. Bk1942 Amer. college sl. – an attractive girl
• CHARMING HANDFUL
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – an attractive young woman
• CHARMING LAPFUL
n. Bk1942 Amer. college sl. – an attractive girl
• CHARMING MOTTLE
n. c1880 Aust. rhyming sl. – a bottle
• CHARMING WIFE
n. 1914 rhyming sl. – a knife
• CHARMS
n. 1. 18C sl. – a woman’s breasts
n. 2. Bk1903 sl. – money
• CHARM STICK
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – a divining rod
• CHARP
n. c1920 army sl. – a bed
• CHARPERER
n. c1860 sl. – a policeman
• CHARPERING CARSEY
n. c1870 sl. – a police station
• CHARPERING OMEE; CHARPERING OMI
n. c1860 sl. – a policeman
• CHARPERING OMER
n. c1860 sl. – a policeman
• CHARPOY-BASHING
n. c1920 Royal Air Force sl. – sleeping; sleep
• CHARRA
n. 1970s S. Afr., derogatory – a term of address to an Indian
• CHARRO
n. 1. 1932 Amer. dial. – a Mexican cowboy or horseman
n. 2. 1939 Amer. dial. – an ill-bred, coarse person; a churl
• CHARRSHOM
n. 18C tinkers’ usage – a crown, a 5-shilling coin
• CHART
n. 1900s US sl. – the face
vb. 1960s US sl. – to commit to memory, to comprehend
• CHART AND EVANS
n. 20C Royal Navy sl. – knees
• CHART-BUSTER
n. c1955 sl. – a very successful song or record
• CHART CLASS
n. 1949 Amer. dial. – kindergarten; the first year of school
• CHARTER THE BAR
vb. L19 sl. – to buy drinks for everyone in a bar or public house
• CHARTER THE GROCERY
vb. L19 sl. – to buy drinks for everyone in a bar or public house
• CHARTOGRAPHER
n. 1880 – one who makes or compiles charts or maps
• CHARTOGRAPHY
n. 1859 – the drawing of charts or maps
• CHART-TOPPER
n. c1955 colloq. – a very successful song or record
• CHARTUARY
n. 1708 obs. – a place where papers or records are kept; hence the whole collection of records (belonging to a monastery, etc.; or the book in which they are entered; a register
• CHARTULARY
n. 1541 – a place where papers or records are kept; hence the whole collection of records (belonging to a monastery, etc.; or the book in which they are entered; a register
• CHARVA
n. L19 market-traders’ jargon – a girl, a woman, esp. as a sexual partner
• CHARVER
n. 1. L19 market-traders’ jargon – a girl, a woman, esp. as a sexual partner
n. 2. L19 theatrical sl. – a sexual embrace
vb. L19 sl. – to despoil; to interfere with and spoil one’s business
• CHARVERED
adj. 20C sl. – exhausted, tired out
• CHARVERING DONA; CHARVERING DONER; CHARVERING DONNA
n. M19 sl. -a prostitute
• CHAR-WALLAH
n. 1. c1930 services sl. – in India: a native servant who brings the early morning tea
n. 2. 20C army sl. – a teetotaller
• CHASE
n. 20C Amer. sl. – a woman chaser
vb. 1. L19 US sl. – to run off, to leave
vb. 2. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – to recline in a chair in the sunshine
vb. 3. c1920 services’ colloq. – to stand over and keep urging someone to do and get on with a piece of work
vb. 4. c1935 S. Afr. sl. – to court a girl
vb. 5. 1966 Amer. dial. – to run, hurry; to depart rapidly
vb. 6. 1970s US sl. – to pursue women, esp. as an adulterer
vb. 7. 1970s drug culture sl. – to smoke cocaine or marijuana
• CHASE A CLOUD
vb. 1944 Amer. dial. – to be thrown high from a horse
• CHASE A RABBIT
vb. 1941 Amer. dial. euphemism – to go to the toilet
• CHASE CHEERS
vb. 1930s Aust. sl. – to curry favour with the masses
• CHASE ONESELF
vb. 1967 Amer. dial. – to hurry, to move rapidly
• CHASER
n. 1. 1897 sl., orig. US – a glass of water or beer taken after a shot of spirits; a drink taken after another
n. 2. 1894 sl., mainly US – a womanizer
n. 3. 1900s sl. – one who runs errands
n. 4. 1990s drug culture sl. – a frequent user of crack cocaine
• CHASER OF ADAM’S ALE
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a glass of water
• CHASER OF ADAM’S WINE
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a glass of water
• CHASE THE BAG
vb. 1960s drug culture sl. – to seek out supplies and/or to be addicted to heroin
• CHASE THE CAN
vb. 1. c1900 US sl. – to purchase beer in a can
vb. 2. 1910s sl. – to drink freely at a bar
• CHASE THE COW
vb. World War II Amer. sl. – to pass the milk
• CHASE THE DRAGON
vb. 1961 drug culture sl. – to smoke heroin, sucking up the smoke of the drug, which is burned on a piece of kitchen foil; the heated heroin liquefies and flows across the paper, gradually giving off smoke, which is sucked into the smoker’s lungs by a tube, also usually made of kitchen foil
• CHASE THE HARES
vb. 20C sl. – to chase women
• CHASE THE PENNY WEIGHT
vb. 1930s Aust. sl. – to prospect for gold
• CHASE THE SUN
vb. 1940s Aust. sl. – to live as a tramp
• CHASE THE SUNSET
vb. 1910s Aust. sl. – to live as a vagrant
• CHASE THE TIGER
vb. 1980s drug culture sl. – to smoke heroin
• CHASE THE WEIGHT
vb. 1930s Aust. sl. – to prospect for gold
• CHASE UP
vb. 1. 1950s sl. – to make efforts to find or obtain quickly
vb. 2. 1950s sl. – to pursue (a matter or person) vigorously with a specific intent, esp. after an earlier unsatisfactory response
• CHASE UP A COW
vb. 1950s Aust. sl. – of an amorous couple: to search out a secluded spot in the bush in order to have sexual intercourse
• CHASE YOUR FACE!
int. 1966 Amer. dial. – get away, get out of here!
• CHASING
n. 1980s drug culture sl. – the smoking of heroin
• CHASING THE DUCK
phr. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – going after intoxicating liquors
• CHASM
n. 19C sl. – the vagina
• CHASSAY
vb. 1835 Amer. dial. – to move in a rapid slide or glide; to move along
• CHASSE
n. M19 sl. – a cup of coffee that accompanies a shot of spirits, usually whisky
vb. M19 society sl. – to dismiss, to send away
• CHASSIS
n. 1. M19 sl. – a chaotic, unpleasant, confused state (final ‘s’ is sounded)
n. 2. 1930s sl. – the female figure; the body
• CHAT
n. 1. M16 sl. – the gallows
n. 2. L17 sl. – a louse
n. 3. 18C sl. – a cat
n. 4. 19C sl. – the vagina
n. 5. E19 sl. – the truth, the apposite thing, the subject under discussion
n. 6. M19 sl. – a house
n. 7. M19 sl. – a thing; an object
n. 8. L19 sl. – a criminal ‘job’ or undertaking
n. 9. L19 sl. – cheek, impudence
n. 10. 1930s Irish sl. – methylated spirits as drunk by alcoholics
n. 11. 1940s sl. – verbal skills, fluency, articulacy, the ability to charm a victim with words alone
n. 12. 1950s W. Indies – a male gossip
n. 13. 1950s sl. – terminology, a special language, jargon
n. 14. 1960s Aust. sl. – a general insult, usually aimed at an old man, esp. an alcoholic
vb. 1. L17 sl. – to search for lice
vb. 2. L19 sl. – to attempt the first, verbal stages of seduction
• CHAT-CHAT
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a conversation; discussion
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to converse
• CHAT DOWN
vb. 1950s W. Indies – to make one’s first advances to a young woman or man in the hope of eventual sexual conquest
• CHATEAU CARDBOARD
n. 1980s S. Afr. – wine sold in 2.5 or 5 litre (4 1/2 – 9 pint) containers, placed in a cardboard box
• CHATEAUED
adj. 1980s society sl. – very drunk on wine
• CHATES
n. 16C criminal sl. – the gallows
• CHATFEST
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a conversation; discussion
• CHATFUL
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – talkative
• CHATHAM AND DOVER
vb. L19 rhyming slang for ‘to give over’ – to stop, to cease
• CHATOLOGUE
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a conversation; discussion
• CHATS
n. 1. 16C criminal sl. – the gallows
n. 2. L17 sl. – lice
n. 3. 1959 Amer. dial. – potato peelings
• CHAT SOMEONE’S NAME
vb. 1950s W. Indies & Jamaica – to gossip maliciously about an absent third party
• CHATTA
n. L18 sl. – an umbrella
• CHATTANOOGA
n. 1940s Amer. sl. – a railroad train
• CHATTER-BASKET
n. M19 sl. – a prattling child
• CHATTER-BLADDER
n. M19 sl. – a prattling child
• CHATTER-BONES
n. M19 US sl. – a prattling child
• CHATTERBOX
n. 1. 1930s US sl. – a car radio
n. 2. 1930s US sl. – a record player
n. 3. 1930s US sl. – a telephone
n. 4. World War II usage – an announcing or intercommunication system
n. 5. World War II usage – an anti-aircraft machine gun
• CHATTERBOX AND FISH POLE
n. 1930s US sl. – a car radio and aerial
• CHATTER-BROTH
n. L18 sl. – tea
• CHATTER-BUMP
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – a bump or hole in a road that makes a vehicle rattle
• CHATTER-CART
n. M19 sl. – a prattling child
• CHATTER-CHITTER
n. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – nonsensical talk
• CHATTERER
n. 1. 19C sl. – a blow to the mouth that makes the recipients teeth chatter
n. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a machine gun
• CHATTERERS
n. E19 sl. – the teeth
• CHATTERGUN
n. 1930s sl. – a machinegun or sub-machinegun
• CHATTERING
n. 19C sl. – a blow to the mouth that makes the recipients teeth chatter
• CHATTER LINES
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – telephone wires
• CHATTERMAG
n. 1. ..19C – a magpie → Eng. dial.
n. 2. 1844 – a chatterbox, a talkative woman, a gossip → Eng. dial. or colloq.
n. 3. 1895 – chatter, talk, gossip → Eng. dial. or colloq.
vb. 1909 – to chatter → Eng. dial. or colloq.
• CHATTER OF THE GUNS
n. 1940s – gunfire; a bombardment → World War II Amer. sl.
• CHATTES
n. 16C the gallows → criminals’ sl. –
• CHATTS
n. 1. L17 – lice → sl.
n. 2. 1959 – potato peelings → Amer. dial.
• CHATTY
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – lousy, infested with lice
• CHAT UP
vb. 1. 1898 sl. – to attempt the first, verbal stages of seduction; to talk flirtatiously
vb. 2. 1970s sl. – to interview
vb. 3. 20C W. Indies – to gossip, to talk familiarly
• CHATWOOD
n. 1911 Amer. dial. – kindling wood; little sticks
• CHAUER
vb. c1440 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – to jabber, to talk gibberish
• CHAUFFEUR
n. World War II Amer. sl. – a pilot
• CHAUNCHY
adj. 1. 1968 Amer. dial. – stingy
adj. 2. 1968 Amer. dial. – worthless
adv. 1968 Amer. dial. – in a cheap, tawdry manner
• CHAUNK
vb. 1927 Amer. dial. – to eat noisily, to chew loudly
• CHAUNTED
adj. E19 sl. – celebrated; hence, famous
• CHAUNTER
n. Bk1890 sl. – a hired bidder at a sale
• CHAUNTER COVE
n. c1840 cant – a newspaper reporter
• CHAUNTER-CULL
n. 1781 cant – a writer of street ballads, carols, songs, last dying speeches, etc. for ad hoc consumption; generally to be found in a pub
• CHAUNT THE PLAY
vb. c1845 cant – to expose and/or explain the ways and tricks of thieves
• CHAUVER
vb. Bk1903 sl. – to possess carnally
• CHAUVERING DONA; CHAUVERING DONER; CHAUVERING DONNA
n. M19 sl. – a prostitute
• CHAW
n. 1. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a conversation; discussion
n. 2. 20C Amer. colloq. – a bite or portion of chewing tobacco
vb. 1. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – to chew
vb. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to converse
• CHAWBACON
n. 1834 Amer. dial. – a rustic, a country person
• CHAW BEEF
vb. 1899 Amer. dial. – to use one’s teeth to untie knots in (wet) clothing
• CHAWED ROSUM
n. 1953 Amer. dial. – something conspicuously excellent
• CHAWFEST
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a conversation; discussion
• CHAWING-UP
n. 1883 Amer. dial. – a bawling-out; a reprimand
• CHAWMING
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – charming
• CHAW-MOUTH
n. 1964 Amer. dial. – a very talkative person
• CHAWNK
vb. 1914 Amer. dial. – to eat noisily, to chew loudly
• CHAW ONE’S TOBACCO MIGHTY FAST
vb. 1902 Amer. dial. – to be perturbed or angry
• CHAW RAW BEEF
vb. 1942 Amer. dial. – to use one’s teeth to untie knots in (wet) clothing
• CHAW ROAST BEEF
vb. 1895 Amer. dial. – to use one’s teeth to untie knots in (wet) clothing
• CHAW-ROUND
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a conversation; discussion
• CHAWSWIZZLED
adj. 1905 Amer. dial. – bamboozled, confounded
• CHAW UP
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to ruin; to destroy
• CHAY!
int. 1949 Amer. dial. – a call to cows; come!
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Lexicophilia 