• FLARE
n. 1. Bk1893 colloq. – a ‘drunk’, a spree
n. 2. Bk1893 colloq. – a row; a dispute
n. 3. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a loved one; a sweetheart
n. 4. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
n. 5. 1980s US sl. – a type of scratch (a manipulation of a record to create a musical effect) that cuts out the middle of a sample
vb. 1. 1841 sl. – to swagger; to go with a bounce
vb. 2. 1850 sl. – to steal actively, lightly, or delicately
• FLAREBACK
n. 1. 20C – a brief return to a negative state after a marked improvement
n. 2. 20C US – a negative, often unexpected, consequence of an action
• FLARED
adj. 1. 1965 Can. sl. – drunk
adj. 2. 1993 US sl. – angry
• FLARE KICKER
n. 1997 US sl. – the crew member who operates an airship’s flare dispenser
• FLARE-OUT
n. 1838 sl. – a fight; an outburst of temper; also, a spree
• FLARES
n. 1964 colloq. – trousers with legs that widen below the knee
• FLARE-UP
n. 1838 sl. – a fight; an outburst of temper, emotion, or violence; also, a spree
vb. 1849 sl. – to fly into a passion; to burst into anger
• FLARING
adj. 20C colloq. – excessive
• FLARY
adj. 1841 rare – dazzling, gaudy, flashy
• FLASH
adj. 1. 1782 sl. – relating to thieves, their habits, customs, lingo, etc.
adj. 2. 1785 – characterized by outward show; gaudy, showy, smart, flashy
adj. 3. 1812 sl. – sham or counterfeit; showily shoddy
adj. 4. 1819 thieves sl. – knowing; expert; showy
adj. 5. 1830 sl. – vulgar, or blackguardly; ostentatious; showy; applied to one aping his betters
adj. 6. 1830 sl. – vainglorious, conceited, foolhardy or swaggering
adj. 7. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – excellent; first-rate
adj. 8. 20C colloq. – relating to gamblers and followers of boxing and racing
n. 1. 1632 sl. – a showy swindler; a blustering vulgarian
n. 2. 1690 sl. – a peruke or periwig
n. 3. 1718 sl. – the lingo of thieves and their associates
n. 4. 1748 sl. – a boast, brag, or great pretense made by a spendthrift, quack, or pretender to more art or knowledge than he really has
n. 5. Bk1893 sl. – a burst of wit or merriment
n. 6. Bk1893 – a portion; a drink
n. 7. 1924 US sl. – a revelation, an epiphany
n. 8. 1927 US sl. – inexpensive, showy jewellery
n. 9. 1927 US sl. – an inexpensive carnival prize that is so appealing that people will spend great sums trying to win it
n. 10. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a short time; a moment
n. 11. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a fast throw
n. 12. 1945 US sl. – in a striptease show: the stripper’s entrance onto the stage
n. 13. 1946 sl., orig. US – the brief pleasurable sensation obtained by injecting a narcotic drug
n. 14. 1950 US sl. – a suit of clothes
n. 15. 1951 US sl. – in horse racing: a last-minute change in odds
n. 16. 1975 US sl. – the appearance of wealth or success
n. 17. 1978 UK detention centre sl. – a know-all
n. 18. 1981 UK sl. – illicitly distilled alcohol (used by British expatriates in Saudi Arabia)
n. 19. 1983 UK sl. – any central nervous system stimulant
n. 20. 1994 US sl. – LSD
n. 21. 1996 UK sl. – a large number of small-denomination banknotes with a large-denomination note showing, giving the impression of a great deal of money
vb. 1. 14C obs. – to splash or dash water
vb. 2. 1846 sl. – of a man: to expose one’s genitals as a means of sexual gratification
vb. 3. 1960s Amer. sl. – to vomit
vb. 4. 20C colloq. – to display ostentatiously
vb. 5. 20C colloq. – to show suddenly and briefly
• FLASH A BIT
vb. Bk1893 sl. – of a woman: to permit examination; to behave immodestly
• FLASH A FAWNEY
vb. Bk1893 sl. – to wear a ring
• FLASH-CRIB
n. 1. 1839 sl. – a house frequented by thieves, as a tavern, lodging-house, fence
n. 2. Bk1893 sl. – a brothel; a haunt of loose women
• FLASH-DISPENSARY
n. 1. Bk1893 Amer. sl. – a boarding-house
n. 2. Bk1893 sl. – a swell brothel
• FLASH-DRUM
n. 1. Bk1893 sl. – a house frequented by thieves, as a tavern, lodging-house, fence
n. 2. Bk1893 sl. – a brothel; a haunt of loose women
• FLASHER
n. 1. 1779 sl. – a high-flier; a fop; a pretender to wit
n. 2. 20C Brit. sl. – a person who indecently exposes himself
• FLASHERY
n. Bk1893 sl. – inferior or vulgar elegance, dash, distinction, display
• FLASH-GENTRY
n. Bk1893 sl. – the swell mob or higher class of thieves
• FLASH-GIRL
n. Bk1893 sl. – a showy prostitute
• FLASH HARRY
n. 1960 Brit. sl. – an ostentatious, loudly dressed, and typically bad-mannered man
• FLASH-HOUSE
n. 1. 1828 sl. – a house frequented by thieves, as a tavern, lodging-house, fence
n. 2. 1830 sl. – a brothel; a haunt of loose women
• FLASH IN THE PAN
n. 19C – a project, person, etc. that enjoys only short-lived success, notoriety, etc., a failure
• FLASH-JIG
n. Bk1893 coster’s sl. – a favourite dance
• FLASH-KEN
n. 1. 1690 sl. – a house frequented by thieves, as a tavern, lodging-house, fence
n. 2. 1837 sl. – a brothel; a haunt of loose women
• FLASH-KIDDY
n. Bk1893 sl. – a dandy
• FLASH-LINGO
n. Bk1893 sl. – patter interlarded with cant words and phrases .
• FLASH-MAN
n. 1. 1789 sl. – a rogue, a thief; the landlord of a ‘flash-case’
n. 2. Bk1893 Amer. sl. – a person with no visible means of support, but living in style and ‘showing up’ well
• FLASH MOB
n. 2003 – a group of people coordinated by email and social media to meet to perform some predetermined action at a particular place and time and then disperse quickly
• FLASH-MOLL
n. Bk1893 sl. – a showy prostitute .
• FLASH-MOLLISHER
n. 1821 sl. – a showy prostitute
• FLASH-NOTE
n. Bk1893 sl. – a spurious bank-note
• FLASH OF LIGHTNING
n. 1. 1789 sl. – a glass of gin; a dram of neat spirit
n. 2. Bk1893 nautical sl. – the gold braid on an officer’s cap
• FLASH ONE’S GAB
vb. 1819 sl. – to talk, to swagger, to brag
• FLASH ONE’S IVORIES
vb. 1825 sl. – to show one’s teeth; to grin
• FLASH ONE’S MEAT
vb. Bk1893 sl. – to expose the person
• FLASH ONE’S STICKS
vb. 1812 sl. – to expose one’s pistols
• FLASH ONE’S TICKER
vb. Bk1893 – to air one’s watch
• FLASHPACKER
n. 21C – a backpacker who has a considerable disposable income
• FLASH-PANNY
n. 1. 1811 sl. – a brothel; a haunt of loose women
n. 2. Bk1893 sl. – a house frequented by thieves, as a tavern, lodging-house, fence
• FLASH-PIECE
n. Bk1893 sl. – a showy prostitute
• FLASHPOINT
n. 20C – a critical moment beyond which a situation will inevitable erupt into violence
• FLASH-RIDER
n. Bk1893 Amer. sl. – a bronco-buster
• FLASH-SONG
n. Bk1893 sl. – a song interlarded with cant words and phrases
• FLASH-TAIL
n. 1868 sl. – a prostitute
• FLASH THE BLUNT
vb. 1823 sl. – to show money
• FLASH THE BUBS
vb. 1887 sl. – to expose the breasts
• FLASH THE DIBS
vb. Bk1893 sl. – to show or spend one’s money
• FLASH THE DICKEY
vb. Bk1893 sl. – to show the shirt front
• FLASH THE DRAG
vb. 1887 sl. – to wear women’s clothes for immoral purposes
• FLASH THE FLAG
vb. Bk1893 sl. – to sport an apron
• FLASH THE GAB
vb. 1819 sl. – to show off in talk; to hold forth
• FLASH THE HASH
vb. Bk1893 sl. – to vomit
• FLASH THE IVORIES
vb. 1. 1785 sl. – to show the teeth
vb. 2. 1830 sl. – to be hanged
• FLASH THE IVORY
vb. 1860 sl. – to grin, to smile
• FLASH THE MUZZLE
vb. c1823 sl. – to produce a pistol
• FLASH THE RED FLAG
vb. Bk1903 sl. – to have one’s courses
• FLASH-TOGGERY
n. 1834 sl. – smart clothes
• FLASH VESSEL
n. Bk1893 sl. – a gaudy looking but undisciplined ship
• FLASH-WOMAN
n. Bk1893 sl. – a showy prostitute
• FLASHY
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – excellent; first-rate
• FLASHY BLADE
n. 1719 sl. – a dandy; a cheap and noisy swell, whether male or female
• FLASHY SPARK
n. 1819 sl. – a dandy; a cheap and noisy swell, whether male or female
• FLASH-YAD
n. Bk1893 back-slang – a day’s enjoyment
• FLAT
adj. 1833 US sl. – having no money; flat broke
n. 1. 1762 colloq. – a greenhorn; a gull; a fool; a soft-head
n. 2. Bk1893 Amer. sl. – a failure
n. 3. Bk1893 Amer. sl. – a lover’s dismissal; a jilting
n. 4. Bk1893 American thieves’ sl. – an honest man
vb. 1. 1871 sl. – to jilt
vb. 2. Bk1893 sl. – to fail; to give way
• FLAT AS A FLOUNDER
adj. Bk1893 sl. – very flat indeed
• FLAT AS A PANCAKE
adj. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – flat
• FLAT AS BE BLOWED
adj. Bk1893 sl. – very flat indeed
• FLAT AS ONE’S HAND
adj. 1883 – very flat
• FLAT-BACK
n. Bk1893 sl. – a bedbug
• FLAT-CATCHER
n. 1823 sl. – an impostor
• FLAT-CATCHING
n. 1821 sl. – swindling
• FLATCH
n. 1. c1866 sl. – 2 shillings and sixpence
n. 2. Bk1893 coiners’ usage – a counterfeit half-crown
n. 3. Bk1893 back-slang – a half
• FLATCH-KENNURD
adj. Bk1893 back-slang – half drunk
• FLATCH-YENNEP
n. Bk1893 back-slang – a half-penny
• FLATCH-YENORK
n. Bk1893 back-slang – half-a-crown
• FLAT DOG
n. 20C Aust. – a crocodile
• FLAT-EARTHER
n. 20C colloq. – a person who does not accept or is out of teach with the realities of modern life
• FLATETTE
n. 20C Aust. – a very small flat
• FLAT FLOOSIE
n. 20C US sl. – a prostitute who operates from a room or a flat
• FLAT-FOOT
n. 1. Bk1913-17 Amer. navy sl. – a sailor
n. 2. 1912 sl., orig. US – a police officer; often applied specifically to uniformed officers, as opposed to detectives
• FLAT-FOOTED
adj. 1. 1912 sl. – clumsy, awkward, denoting an inability to move quickly or adroitly
adj. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – determined
adj. 3. 20C Brit. colloq. – downright and uncompromising
adv. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – resolutely
• FLAT-FUCK
n. 19C Brit. sl. – a sexual union of two lesbians rubbing their genitals together
vb. 19C Brit. sl. – to perform a ‘flat-fuck’
• FLATHATTER
n. World War II Amer. Navy sl. – a careless pilot
• FLAT-HEAD
n. 1. 1862 sl. – a foolish person
n. 2. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – a greenhorn
n. 3. 1965 Amer. dial. – (as ‘Flathead’) a German
• FLATLANDER
n. 1884 censorious usage – a term used in various hilly or mountainous regions of North America, particularly Vermont, to denote an outsider, someone who doesn’t belong
• FLATLINER
n. 1. 1989 colloq. – a person whose cardiac or brain activity registers as a flatline, and who is therefore dead
n. 2. 20C colloq. – a cocktail containing sambuca, tequila and Tabasco sauce
• FLATOPHILE
n. E20 jocular usage – a lover of ‘flatulence’; someone who gets pleasure out of creating, hearing, or smelling flatulence; a person fascinated by loud releases of intestinal gas
• FLATS
n. 1. 20C – shoes with flat heels or no heels
n. 2. M20 US drug culture sl. – LSD
• FLATSIDED
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – thin; skinny
• FLAT SPIN
n. 1919 colloq. – a state of confusion; dither
vb. World War II Amer. sl. – to act confused
• FLATSTICK
adv. 20C S. Afr. sl. – with great speed or effort
• FLATTEN
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to ruin; to destroy
• FLATTENED
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – dead
• FLATTENED OUT
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – dead
► FLATTERCAP n. a flatterer, a wheedler; a wheedling or coaxing child who tries to gain their own little ends by flattery → 1681 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• FLATTEROUS
adj. 1546 obs. – flattering
• FLATTIE
n. 1. 1866 sl., orig. US – a police officer; a uniformed officer as opposed to detectives
n. 2. 20C NZ colloq. – a flounder or other flatfish
• FLATTIES
n. 20C colloq. – shoes with flat heels or no heels
• FLAT TIRE
n. 1. 20C sl. – a flaccid penis
n. 2. E20 US sl. – a fool, an oaf; a worthless man
n. 3. E20 sl. – an impotent man; a worthless, powerless man
• FLAT-TOP
n. 1. 1956 sl. – a man’s short flat haircut
n. 2. 20C US colloq. – (usually as ‘flattop’) an aircraft carrier
• FLAT-TRACK BULLY
n. 20C colloq. – a sportsperson who dominates inferior opposition, but who cannot beat top-level opponents
• FLATTY
n. 1. 1866 Eng. dial. & sl. – a policeman
n. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a gullible person; a dupe
n. 3. 20C colloq. – a flat shoe, a shoe without heels
n. 4. 20C colloq. – a flat-chested woman
n. 5. 20C – a flat-mate
• FLAUNTING FABIAN
n. 1598 obs. – a swashbuckler, a swaggerer; a careless fellow
• FLAVERS
n. 19C Eng. dial. – what drops from the tongue of a dog
• FLAVICOMOUS
adj. 1727 obs. – having yellow hair
• FLAWD
adj. L17 Brit. sl. – intoxicated with alcohol
• FLAWED
adj. 1. L17 Brit. sl. – intoxicated with alcohol
adj. 2. 19C Brit. sl. – deflowered
• FLAY
vb. E19 Brit. sl. – to vomit
• FLAY THE FOX
vb. E19 Brit. sl. – to vomit
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