• THE FAIR GANG
n. c1830 colloq. – gypsies
• FAIR GO
int. 1. 1938 Aust. sl. – be fair! be reasonable!
int. 2. 1976 NZ sl. – this is true!
n. 1. L19 Aust. sl. – a fair fight, esp. between two persons
n. 2. 1904 Aust. sl. – an act or instance of just treatment; a fair or reasonable opportunity
• FAIR GO?
int. 1961 NZ sl. – really? indeed?
• FAIR GO, SPINNER!
int. 1945 Aust. sl. – in the gambling game two-up, used as a call signifying that the coins are to be tossed
• FAIR-GRASS
n. Bk1900 Sc. – the buttercup, Ranunculus bulbosus
• FAIR-GUID-DAY
phr. 1894 Sc. – good morning
• FAIR-HAIRED
adj. 1909 Amer. dial. – specially favoured
• FAIR-HAIRED BOY
n. 1. 1909 Amer. sl. – a favoured or favourite man or boy; one who can, in supportive eyes, do no wrong
n. 2. 1918 Amer. sl. – a man destined for and being groomed for principal leadership or other reward
• FAIR-HANDED
adj. 1728-46 – having well-formed hands
• FAIRHEAD
n. c1250 obs. – beauty
• FAIR HELL
n. 1934 African-American student sl. – anyone who excels at something; an impressive person
• FAIR HERD
n. 1883 Oxford University usage – a good attendance of strangers
• FAIRHOOD
n. a1587 obs. – beauty
• FAIR HORN
n. 1866 Sc. – fair play
• FAIR HORNIE
n. 1866 Sc. – fair play
• FAIRIES’ BAKIN’ DAY
n. 1894 Sc. – a day of alternate rain and sunshine
• FAIRIES’ WASHING
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – small, dew-covered spider webs in fields
• FAIRING
adj. 1885 Sc. – of the weather: clearing, ceasing to rain
n. 1. 1574 – a present given at or brought from a fair
n. 2. 1588 – a complimentary gift of any kind
• FAIRINGS
n. 20C – tawdry articles sold or to be won at a fair
• FAIR IN SIGHT
n. 1578 – the blue-bell
• FAIRISH
adj. 1. 1865 – fairly large
adj. 2. 1888 Eng. dial. – merry with drink
adj. 3. L19 – considerable in amount
adj. 4. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – mediocre
adv. 1891 Sc. & Eng. dial. – in a pleasant manner; fairly, pretty well
• FAIRISH OFF
adj. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – well-off, having a considerable quantity of
• FAIRISH ON
adj. 1. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – elderly
adj. 2. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – partially intoxicated
adj. 3. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – well-off, having a considerable quantity of
• FAIR ITCH
n. L19 sl. – an absolute imitation
• FAIRITY
n. 1895 Ireland – fairness
• FAIR-KEEPER
n. 1858 Sc. obs. – a person appointed to keep order at a fair
• FAIR LADY
n. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – a kept woman
• FAIRLEC
n. a1225 obs. – fairness, beauty
• FAIRLEENS
adv. 1896 Sc. – almost, very nearly, not quite
• FAIR-LIKE
adj. 1662 obs. rare – in good-condition; well-looking
• FAIRLINGS
adv. 1. 1877 Eng. dial. – moderately, fairly
adv. 2. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – completely, thoroughly; clearly
• FAIRLINS
adv. 1891 Sc. – properly, completely, absolutely
• FAIRLOCK
n. 1866 Sc. obs. – a boat, in fishermen’s tabu language
• FAIRLY
adj. 1949 Amer. dial. – in good health, well
adv. 1. c1400 obs. – gently, peaceably, quietly, softly
adv. 2. c1400 obs. – so as to make a fair appearance; beautifully, handsomely
adv. 3. 1590 obs. – courteously, respectfully
adv. 4. 1594 arch. – of writing: neatly, elegantly
int. 1909 Sc. – yes, indeed! certainly! of course!
• FAIRLY LOOKING
adj. Bk1900 Eng. dial. obs. – good-looking
• FAIR MEAT
n. c1910 sl. – an easy dupe
• FAIR NARK
n. 20C Aust. & NZ sl. – a something or someone inexpressibly tedious or baffling
• FAIRNESS
n. 1. c1205 obs. – courtesy
n. 2. c1440 obs. – of the weather: the state of being free from storms or rain; fineness
• FAIR OFF
vb. 1859 Amer. dial. – of the weather: to become clearer
• FAIR OFF IN THE MIDDLE
adj. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – faint with hunger
• FAIR ONE
n. 1. 1950s US gang usage – a (street gang) fight conducted under some sort of mutually recognized rules and possibly preceded by a verbal argument
n. 2. 1950 US sl. – a fight between members of rival gangs in which weapons or at least lethal weapons are forbidden
• FAIR PLAY
int. 2001 UK sl. – used for expressing appreciation
n. 19C Brit. sl. – fornication; copulation where neither partner is married to anyone
• FAIR-PLAY ARTIST
n. 1950s sl. – an honest, trustworthy person
• FAIR POP
n. L19 sl. – a good opportunity, a fair chance
• FAIR RATIONS
n. c1875 sporting sl. – fair dealings; honesty
• FAIRRIE
vb. 19C Sc. – to collapse in an exhausted condition or from sudden illness
• FAIR ROEBUCK
n. 1725 sl. – a woman in the bloom of her beauty
• FAIR SEX
n. 20C – the female sex; women in general
• FAIR-SEX IT
vb. 1712 nonce word – to discourse upon the fair sex
• FAIR SHAKE
n. 1830 Amer. dial. – a fair chance, an equitable bargain, just treatment, an honest arrangement
• FAIR SHAKE OF THE DICE!
int. E19 Aust. sl. – be fair!
• FAIR SHAKES!
int. M19 Aust. – a general statement of agreement, acceptance
• FAIRSHIP
n. c1320 obs. – fairness, beauty
• FAIRSHIRE
adv. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – downrightly; usually used in a depreciatory sense
• FAIR-SKIN
n. 20C African-American sl. – a light-skinned Black person
• FAIR SKINT
adj. 20C – very short of money, or even entirely ‘broke’
• FAIRSOME
adj. a1641 obs. rare – beautiful, attractive
• FAIR SPIN
n. 1910s sl. – fair treatment, a reasonable chance
• FAIR-SPOKE
adj. 1665 – of persons: gifted with fair speech; courteous, pleasant; smooth-tongued
• FAIR-SPOKEN
adj. 1. 1460 – of persons: gifted with fair speech; courteous, pleasant; smooth-tongued
adj. 2. 1649 – of words: bland, civil
adj. 3. 1880 Sc. – frank, friendly; suave
• FAIR SUCK
n. 1960s Aust. & NZ sl. – a fair or equal chance
• FAIR SUCK OF THE PINEAPPLE
int. 1971 Aust. sl. – used for registering surprise or complaint
n. 1960s Aust. & NZ sl. – a fair or equal chance
• FAIR SUCK OF THE SAUCE BOTTLE
int. 1972 Aust. sl. – be fair!
n. 1960s Aust. & NZ sl. – a fair or equal chance; an equal opportunity
• FAIR SUCK OF THE SAUCE STICK
n. 1971 Aust. sl. – fair treatment, equal opportunity
• FAIR SUCK OF THE SAUSAGE
n. 1960s Aust. & NZ sl. – a fair or equal chance
• FAIR SUCK OF THE SAV
n. 1960s Aust. & NZ sl. – a fair or equal chance
• FAIR SUCK OF THE STICK
n. 1960s Aust. & NZ sl. – a fair or equal chance
• FAIR THING
n. 1910s Aust. sl. – a sensible, judicious action or decision; a wise proceeding, a clear duty, justice
• FAIR TO MIDDLING
adj. 1. 1865 Amer. dial. – about average; slightly better than average; frequently used to understate a feeling of good health
adj. 2. 1939 Amer. dial. – below average
adj. 3. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – mediocre
phr. c1945 – a jocular reply to ‘How are you?’
• FAIR TRADE
n. 1832 Sc. & nautical sl. – smuggling
• FAIR-TRADER
n. 1887 nautical sl. – a smuggler
• FAIR TRADING
n. 1870 Eng. dial. – smuggling
• FAIR TREAT
adv. 1940s Aust. & NZ sl. – to a great extent
n. L19 sl. – something or someone highly enjoyable or satisfactory; also used ironically to describe something or someone quite the opposite
• FAIR-TRO-DAYS
n. 1864 Eng. dial. – daylight
• FAIR TROD ON
adj. L19 sl. – abused, treated very badly
• FAIRUCH
n. 1936 Sc. – a feast, a ‘tuck-in’
• FAIR UP
vb. 1819 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial. – of the weather: to clear up, to leave off raining, to become fine
• FAIR UPS
n. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – fair play
• FAIRWAY
n. 1584 – a navigable channel in a river or between rocks, sandbanks, etc.; the usual course or passage of a vessel on the sea or in entering and leaving a harbour
• FAIR-WEATHER
adj. 1677 – insincere and temporary
n. 1923 Sc. – flattery, coaxing
• FAIR-WEATHER CHRISTIAN
n. 1968 Amer. dial. – a person who goes to church seldom if at all
• FAIR-WEATHER CHURCHGOER
n. 1950 Amer. dial. – a person who goes to church seldom if at all
• FAIR-WEATHER DRINK
n. 1970s sl. – a small celebration before initiating some project or journey
• FAIR-WEATHER FRIEND
n. 20C Anglo-Irish – one who writes only once a year and that in summer-time
• FAIR WHACK
n. 20C NZ sl. – an appeal for equable treatment
• FAIR WIND
n. 1851 Amer. dial. – a safe journey; good fortune
• A FAIR WIND TO YOU
phr. 1916 Amer. dial. – used in wishing well a parting guest
• FAIR-WORLD
n. a1674 – a good time, a state of prosperity
• FAIRY
adj. 1920s sl. – effeminate, homosexual
n. 1. 1606 obs. – one possessing more than human power; an enchantress
n. 2. M17 – a young woman, with the possible implication of promiscuity
n. 3. 1838 – a small graceful woman or child
n. 4. 1895 sl., derogatory – an effeminate male homosexual
n. 5. 19C Brit. sl. – a jaded, debauched and hideous old woman
n. 6. 19C sl. – a drunken old hag
n. 7. L19 US drug culture sl. – a lamp for preparing opium
n. 8. 1900s Aust. sl. – a fanciful tale, a ‘tall story’
n. 9. 1900s Aust. sl. – the teller of fanciful tales
n. 10. 1924 sl. – a young boy tramp who accompanies an older homosexual tramp; a catamite
n. 11. 1992 Brit. rhyming sl. (Fairy Story) – a Tory politician
n. 12. 20C NZ sl. – a blonde-haired woman
n. 13. 20C colloq. – a pretty young woman
n. 14. 20C Brit. sl. – a garishly-dressed prostitute
n. 15. 20C US sl. – a term of contempt for a non-homosexual male
n. 16. 2002 UK sl. – an avionics tradesman in the Royal Air Force
• FAIRY-BELL
n. 1870 Ireland – the foxglove, Digitalis purpurea
• FAIRY BOWER
n. 1. 20C Aust. rhyming sl. – a shower (for bathing)
n. 2. 20C Aust. rhyming sl. – a shower (of rain)
n. 3. 20C Aust. rhyming sl. – an hour
• FAIRY-CAP
n. 1862 Ireland – the foxglove, Digitalis purpurea
• FAIRY CYCLE
n. 1930s colloq. – a child’s bicycle, roughly half the size of an adult’s
• FAIRYDIDDLE
n. 1. 1893 Amer. dial. – a red squirrel; a chipmunk
n. 2. 1936 Amer. dial. – nonsense
• FAIRY DUST
n. 1970s drug culture sl. – phencyclidine
• FAIRY-FINGERS
n. Bk1900 Eng. & Amer. dial. – the foxglove, Digitalis purpurea
• FAIRY GLEN
n. c1945 railwaymens sl. – a lavatory
• FAIRY-GLOVE
n. 1870 Eng. dial. – the foxglove, Digitalis purpurea
• FAIRY GODFATHER
n. 1930s Amer. sl. – a potential sponsor, advertiser, or financial backer, esp. in show business
• FAIRY GODMOTHER
n. 1970s Amer. homosexual sl. – a male homosexual’s homosexual initiator and tutor
• FAIRY HAWK
n. 1960s US homosexual sl. – one who attacks (and robs) homosexuals; a criminal who preys on homosexuals
• FAIRY HOUSE
n. L19 US homosexual sl. – a male brothel for homosexuals
• FAIRY JOINT
n. L19 US homosexual sl. – a male brothel for homosexuals
• FAIRY-KILLER DETAIL
n. 1965 Amer. police sl. – the antihomosexual detail of a vice squad
• FAIRY LADY
n. 1940s Amer. sl. – a lesbian who takes a passive role in sex
• FAIRYLAND
n. 1. 1970 UK sl. – a colour light multiple aspect gantry (a railway signal)
n. 2. 1971 US sl. – any roadside park
• FAIRY LOOP
n. c1970 Amer. dial. – a loop on the back of a man’s shirt
• FAIRY-MUSHROOM
n. 1884 – a toadstool
• FAIRY NICE
adj. M20 US sl. – homosexual
• FAIRY PETTICOATS
n. 1880 Eng. dial. – the foxglove, Digitalis purpurea
• FAIRY PICTURE
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – a pattern formed by ice on the inside of a window
• FAIRY PIPE
n. L19 sl., orig. US – a fanciful, mendacious tale, often in aid of obtaining money or favours
• FAIRY POWDER
n. 1950s drug culture sl. – any form of powdered narcotic
• FAIRY RING
n. 1. 1895 Amer. dial. – a circle of mushrooms; one of the mushrooms in a circle
n. 2. 1950 Amer. dial. – a circular patch of grass on a prairie
• FAIRY-SHAKING
n. 1990s US sl. – blackmailing married men who frequent gay bars and similar centres
• FAIRY SNUFF
n. 20C sl. – a jocular mispronunciation or corruption of ‘fair enough’; acceptance, agreement
• FAIRY’S PHONEBOOTH
n. 1960s US homosexual sl. – a public lavatory cubicle
• FAIRY-STIRRUP
n. 1865 Eng. dial. – a knot in a horse’s mane
• FAIRY STORY
n. 1. 1992 Brit. rhyming sl. – a Tory politician
n. 2. 20C colloq. – a ‘hard luck’ tale; any unlikely tale; a downright lie or excuse; an incredible story
• FAIRY’S WAND
n. 1960s US homosexual sl. – any phallic object carried by a cruising gay man, as a cigarette holder, a rolled umbrella (on a dry day), or a long-stemmed rose
• FAIRY TABLE
n. Bk1900 Eng. dial. – the common mushroom Agaricus campestris, and other fungi
• FAIRY TAIL
n. L19 sl., orig. US – a fanciful, mendacious tale, often in aid of obtaining money or favours
• FAIRY TALE
n. 20C colloq. – a ‘hard luck’ tale; any unlikely tale; an unbelievable lie or excuse
• FAIRY-THIMBLE
n. 1865 Eng. & Amer. dial. – the foxglove, Digitalis purpurea
• FAIRY TRACK
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – a pattern formed by ice on the inside of a window
• FAIRY-TWISTER
n. 1. 1900s Aust. sl. – a fanciful tale, a ‘tall story’
n. 2. 1900s Aust. sl. – the teller of a fanciful tales
• FAIRY UMBRELLA
n. 1968 Amer. dial. – a mushroom
• FAIRY WAND
n. 1963 US sl. – a cigarette holder
• FAIRY-WEED
n. 1870 Eng. dial. – the foxglove, Digitalis purpurea
• FAIRY WORK
n. 1967 Amer. dial. – a pattern formed by ice on the inside of a window
• FAIRY YARN
n. L19 sl., orig. US – a fanciful, mendacious tale, often in aid of obtaining money or favours
Back to INDEX F
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Updated: September 14, 2022
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