• ISAAC
n. 1. 1925 – a pawnbroker (US sl.)
n. 2. 1941 – a Jew (Amer. dial., derogatory)
• ISABEL
n. Bk1997 – a brownish-yellow, light dun, or cream-coloured horse (Amer. dial.)
• ISABELLA
n. Bk1896 – an umbrella (rhyming sl.)
• I SAY!
int. 1890 – an exclamation of surprise or astonishment
• ISCA!
int. 1800 – a call to a dog (Sc.)
• ISELL
n. 1825 – a live coal, a cinder (Sc.)
• ISET
adj. 1897 – of a bluish-grey colour (Sc.)
• ISET-GRAY
adj. 1897 – of a bluish-grey colour (Sc.)
• ISEY
n. 1941 – a Jew (Amer. dial., derogatory)
• ISH!
int. 1948 – an expression of disgust (Amer. dial.)
• ISHAMAY!
int. 1966 – an expression of disgust (Amer. dial.)
• ISHAMY!
int. 1948 – an expression of disgust (Amer. dial.)
• I SHAN’T PLAY
phr. Bk1892 – I am annoyed, I don’t like it (Aust. sl.)
• ISHE
vb. Bk1902 – to ask (Eng. dial. obs.)
• ISHICLE
n. 1899 – an icicle (Amer. dial.)
• ISH KABIBBLE
phr. 1913 – it’s of no importance to me, I couldn’t care less; of no importance or concern (Amer. dial.)
• ISHKIMMISK
adj. 1889 – intoxicated (UK tinkers’ sl.)
• I SHOULD CARE
phr. 1937 – I don’t care; it’s no concern of mine (Amer. dial.)
• I SHOULD WORRY
phr. 1912 – I don’t care; it’s no concern of mine (Amer. dial.)
• ISH-WISH
int. 1824 – a call to a cat to come to its food (Sc.)
• ISHY
adj. 1950 – sticky, cloying; unpleasant, displeasing; uncomfortable (Amer. dial.)
• ISICKLE
n. 1624 – an icicle (obs.)
• ISIL
n. 1825 – a live coal, a cinder (Sc.)
• ISING
n. 1856 – the silvering of a looking-glass (Sc.)
• ISK!
int. 1728 – a coaxing call to a dog (Sc.)
• ISKEY! • ISKIE! • ISKY!
int. 1728 – a coaxing call to a dog (Sc.)
• ISK-ISK!
int. 1728 – a coaxing call to a dog (Sc.)
• ISKISS!
int. 1728 – a coaxing call to a dog (Sc.)
• ISKY-PISKY
n. 1930 – a member of the Scottish Episcopal church, an Episcopalian (Sc.)
• THE ISLAND
n. 1920s – the Parkhurst Prison, Isle of Wight (UK criminals’ sl.)
• ISLE
n. Bk1902 – anger (Sc.)
vb. Bk1902 – to be angry (Sc.)
• ISLE-OF-FLING
n. Bk1896 sl. – a coat (sl.)
• ISLE OF MAN
n. 20C – a pan (rhyming sl.)
• ISLE OF SKY CHAMPAIGN
n. 1722 – whisky, as made at Talisker in Skye (Sc. obs.)
• ISLE OF WIGHT
adj. 1. 20C – all right (rhyming sl.)
adj. 2. 20C – light (rhyming sl.)
adj. 3. 20C – mean, grasping (rhyming sl. for ‘tight’)
adj. 4. 20C – tipsy (rhyming sl. for ‘tight’)
n. 1. 1950s – right, permission (rhyming sl.)
n. 2. 1950s – the right side (rhyming sl.)
• ISLE-OF-WIGHT DOG
n. Bk1902 – laziness (Eng. dial.)
• ISLET
n. 1981 – a city block (Amer dial.)
• ISM AND SCHISM
n. 1970s – denotes society’s ways, class consciousness, sub-systems and/or classifications (W. Indies & Black British teen sl.)
• ISM(S) AND SKISM(S)
n. 1970s – denotes society’s ways, class consciousness, sub-systems and/or classifications (W. Indies & Black British sl.)
• ISN’T THAT SPECIAL
phr. 1980s – a dismissive phrase implying that ‘that’ is not special at all (US students’ sl.)
• I SNUM!
int. 1914 – an exclamation (Amer. dial.)
• ISO
n. 1934 – the isolation cells (US prison sl.)
• ISOCRACY
n. Bk1991 – a government in which there is equality of power among all the people
• ISOGRAPHY
n. 1846 – the imitation of another person’s handwriting (rare)
• ISOPTEROPHOBIA
n. Bk1991 – an abnormal fear of termites
• ISRAEL
n. Bk1902 – a fool, an idiot (Eng. dial.)
• ISRO
n. 1970s – a bushy hairstyle worn by White people, often curly-headed Jews (US sl.)
• ISRUM
n. 1881 – a long, tedious tale (Eng. dial.)
• ISS
int. 1825 – a call to a dog to attack (Sc.)
• ISSEY
n. 20C – a nickname for a Jew (sl.)
• ISSUE
n. 1. 1908 – a person of racially mixed ancestry (White, Black, and American Indian) (Amer. dial. usually derogatory)
n. 2. 1910s – everything; the lot; all there is (Aust. sl.)
vb. 1990s – to cheat; to sell fake drugs (US drug culture sl.)
• IST
n. Bk1902 – ice (Eng. dial.)
• IS THAT A LAUGH!
int. Bk1942 – don’t be ridiculous! (Amer. sl.)
• ISTICK
n. Bk1902 – a slight, temporary frost; cold weather with rain (Sc.)
• I SUBSCRIBE
phr. Bk1896 – a response to an invitation to drink (sl.)
• I SUPPOSE
n. 1859 – the nose (rhyming sl.)
• I SWAN!
int. 1914 – an exclamation of surprise (Amer. dial.)
• I SWANNY!
int. 1914 – an exclamation (Amer. dial.)
• IS YOUR FINGER SORE?
phr. 1966 – used as a warning that one’s trouser-fly is open (Amer. dial.)
• IT
n. 1. c1440 – sexual intercourse
n. 2. 19C – the female genitals (euphemism)
n. 3. 19C – the penis (euphemism)
n. 4. Bk1896 – a chamber-pot (sl.)
n. 5. 1904 – sex appeal; the ability to sexually stimulate persons of the opposite sex (sl.)
n. 6. Bk1970 – a party (US sl.)
• I.T.A.
n. L19 – a pregnancy (Irish Toothache) (UK sl.)
• IT AIN’T DONE IT!
int. 1915 – that isn’t so! (Amer. dial.)
• ITALIAN
n. 1991 – temper, anger, fighting spirit (Amer. dial.)
• ITALIAN FOOTBALL
n. 1929 – a bomb (US sl.)
• ITALIAN LETTER
n. 19C – a condom (sl.)
• ITALIAN MANNER
n. 20C – anal copulation (sl.)
• ITALIAN PERFUME
n. E20 – garlic (US sl.)
• ITALIC PERIOD
n. 1921 – a nonexistent item used as the basis of a practical joke (Amer. dial.)
• ITALIC SPACE
n. 1968 – a nonexistent item used as the basis of a practical joke (Amer. dial.)
• ITALISH
adj. 1544 – Italian (obs.)
• ITALOMANIA
n. 1860 – an obsession with Italy and things Italian
• ITALY OF AMERICA
n. Bk1942 – Arizona (Amer. sl.)
• IT BEATS ME
phr. 1882 – I don’t understand (sl.)
• IT BEATS THE DUTCH
phr. Bk1905 – it is astonishing (Amer. dial.)
• IT CAPS OLD OLIVER, AND HE CAPPED LONG CROWN
phr. 1856 – it beats everything, it excels or surpasses everything (Eng. dial.)
• ITCH
n. L17 – sexual desire
vb. 1675 – to be sexually excited (sl.)
• IT-CHASER
n. Bk1942 – a philanderer (Amer. sl.)
• ITCHER
n. 19C – the female genitals; the vagina (UK sl.)
• ITCHETY
adj. 1. 1930 – uneasy (Amer. dial.)
adj. 2. Bk1942 – impatient (Amer. sl.)
• ITCH FOR
vb. a1225 – to want
• ITCHING
n. 1931 – the tired feeling which comes to a tramp in the spring, when he has one more to ‘hit the road’ (US tramps’ sl.)
• ITCHING JENNY
n. 19C – the female genitals; the vagina (UK sl.)
• ITCHLAND
n. 1. 1690 – Wales (sl.)
n. 2. 18C – Scotland (UK sl.)
• ITCHLANDER
n. 1785 – a Scot (sl.)
• ITCHY
adj. Bk1942 – impatient (Amer. sl.)
vb. 1893 – to itch, to desire (Amer. dial.)
• ITCHY-COO
n. 1957 – anything causing a tickling; the prickly seeds of the dog-rose or the like put by children down one another’s backs (Sc.)
• IT COULDN’T DRIVE A NAIL INTO A PIECE OF BALSA WOOD
phr. Bk1998 – said of a poor quality car (NZ sl.)
• ITE
n. E20 – an Italian (UK & US sl., derogatory)
• ITEM
n. 1. 1781 – a hint; an inkling; information; a signal; a cue (Eng. & Amer. dial.)
n. 2. 1887 – an intention, purpose; a crafty design; a trick; a fancy, a fad (Eng. dial.)
n. 3. Bk1896 – a piece of news (sl.)
n. 4. Bk1896 – a warning (sl.)
n. 5. 1970 – two people having a romantic or sexual relationship (colloq.)
• ITEMING
adj. 1867 – fidgeting, trifling (Eng. dial.)
n. Bk1902 – trifling, nonsense (Eng. dial.)
• ITEMS
n. 1. 1867 – fidgets, antics (Eng. dial.)
n. 2. Bk1902 – trifles, finery (Eng. dial.)
• ITEMY
adj. 1889 – trifling; tricky, fidgety (Eng. dial.)
n. 1890 – a trifle (Eng. dial.)
• ITERABLE
adj. 1561 – capable of being repeated (obs.)
• ITERIDAN
n. 1895 – a trivial occasion (Eng. dial.)
• ITEY
n. E20 – an Italian (UK & US sl., derogatory)
• IT FEARS ME
phr. 1503 – I am afraid (obs.)
• IT GIRL
n. 20C – a rich, usually attractive, young woman who spends most of her time shopping or socializing
• IT GROWLS ME
phr. 1482 – I have a feeling of terror or horror (obs.)
• I THANKS THE LORD!
int. 1908 – an exclamation of joy (Amer. dial., esp. African-American usage)
• ITHER
n. 1881 – the udder of a cow, mare, or goat (Sc. & Eng. dial.)
• ITI • ITIE
adj. 1922 – Italian, pert. to Italian culture or language (sl.)
n. 1898 – an Italian; something Italian (sl., derogatory)
• ITINERARIAN
adj. 1801 – pertaining to a journey, travelling, or route (rare)
n. 1822 – a person who itinerates; a traveller (rare)
• ITINERATE
adj. a1628 – itinerant, travelling (obs.)
vb. 1. 1600-9 – to journey or travel from place to place; to wander
vb. 2. 1775 – to travel from place to place preaching; spec. of a Methodist minister, to preach to the various congregations within the circuit to which he is appointed, and to go periodically from circuit to circuit as appointed, (usually) every three years
vb. 3. 1830 – to journey through, to traverse (rare)
• IT IS ALL HONEY, OR ALL TURD WITH THEM
phr. M18 – they are either close friends or bitter enemies, they fly from one extreme to the other
• IT IS ON THE NERVE WITH SUCH A ONE
phr. Bk1905 – such a one is demented (Eng. dial.)
• IT IS TO LAUGH!
int. Bk1942 – nonsense! it is ridiculous (Amer. sl.)
• IT JUST ISN’T YOUR DAY
phr. 1984 – used for expressing a rueful, philosophical acceptance of a day when everything seems to go wrong (UK sl.)
• ITLE
vb. Bk1902 – to have an uncertain footing; to sway to and fro (Eng. dial.)
• IT LIGHTS AND SHUTS
phr. Bk1896 – the sun peeps out at intervals (Amer. dial.)
• IT’LL GIVE YOU THE SQUIRMS
phr. c1930 – it will horribly embarrass or irritate you
• IT MAKES HELL LOOK LIKE A LIGHTNING BUG
phr. Bk1997 – said of any big fire (Amer. dial.)
• IT MAKES NO NEVER MIND
phr. Bk1974 – it makes no difference; it is not an influencing factor (Amer. sl.)
• IT MUST BE JELLY, ‘COS JAM DON’T SHAKE LIKE THAT
phr. 1920s – used between males to express their appreciation of an especially attractive female (African-American sl.)
• IT RUNS ON GINGERBREAD WHEELS
phr. 1901 – said of an unreliable timepiece (Eng. dial.)
• IT’S A BASTARD
phr. 20C – used for anything considered unpleasant, excessively challenging, etc. (sl., orig. Aust.)
• IT’S A BIT BLACK OVER BILL’S MOTHER’S
phr. 20C – applied to dark clouds looming (Eng. dial.)
• IT’S A CASE OF SPOONS WITH THEM
phr. M19 – used of a couple who are obviously in love (sl.)
• IT’S A DOG’S LIFE
phr. 20C – said of an unpleasant situation or of one’s whole wretched existence (sl.)
• IT’S A FAIR OLD BUGGER
phr. M19 – said of anything considered unpleasant, excessively challenging, etc. (sl.)
• IT’S A FINE DAY FOR TRAVELLING
phr. 1950s – used in the outback to signify that one has received notice to quit (Aust. sl.)
• IT’S A FRECKLE PAST A HAIR
phr. Bk1999 – reply if someone asks the time, and you’re not wearing a watch (Aust. sl.)
• IT’S A GO
phr. 1878 – it’s a deal, an agreement
• IT’S ALL DONE WITH MIRRORS
phr. 1920s – said when something very clever or extremely ingenious has been done
• IT’S ALL GO
phr. 1965 – said of energetic activity (sl.)
• IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME
phr. 1600 – it’s unintelligible
• IT’S ALL MY EYE!
int. Bk1942 – nonsense! it is ridiculous (Amer. sl.)
• IT’S ALL RUG
phr. L17 – all is safe
• IT’S A MONKEY’S WEDDING
phr. 20C – applied to weather characterized by drizzling rain while the sun shines (S. Afr. sl.)
• IT’S A MORAL
phr. M19 – it’s a certainty (sl., chiefly Aust.)
• IT’S A PEG
phr. c1930 – it’s first-class (Aust. sl.)
• IT’S A PROPER BASTARD
phr. 20C – used for anything considered unpleasant, excessively challenging, etc. (sl., orig. Aust.)
• IT’S A PROPER BUGGER
phr. M19 – said of anything considered unpleasant, excessively challenging, etc. (sl.)
• IT’S A QUID TO A BLOATER
phr. L19 – it’s a certain bet (sl.)
• IT’S A RIGHT (OLD) BUGGER
phr. M19 – said of anything considered unpleasant, excessively challenging, etc. (sl.)
• IT’S AS BROAD AS IT’S LONG
phr. 1687 – it doesn’t matter, it makes no difference
• IT’S AS BROAD AS IT’S LONG, LIKE PADDY’S BLANKET
phr. Bk1898 – it is no matter which of two ways a thing is done (Eng. dial.)
• IT’S AS EASY AS SHAKING THE DROPS OFF YOUR JOHN
phr. 1940s – it’s dead easy
• IT SAVES THE WASHING-UP
phr. c1920 – remark to greet the sound of crockery falling with a crash
• IT’S A WEAPON
phr. 2000s – a good and positive thing (Irish sl.)
• IT’S A WHACK
phr. 1919 – an agreement; a bargain (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S A WOW
phr. 1927 – it’s a great success; it’s admirable, really excellent (US sl.)
• IT’S BALONEY NO MATTER HOW THIN YOU SLICE IT!
int. Bk1942 – nonsense! it is ridiculous (US sl.)
• IT’S BEGINNING TO KICK
phr. Bk2009 – refers to getting drunk (sl.)
• IT’S CAKE AND PIE TO THEM
phr. Bk1898 – said of anything gratifying or profitable (Eng. dial.)
• IT’S CHEAPER TO GROW SKIN THAN TO BUY IT
phr. 20C – said by a person who does not wear gloves
• IT’S COMING DOWN IN BUCKETS
phr. 1950 – it’s raining heavily (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S DONE TO A BROWN
phr. 1968 – it’s done to perfection (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S EASY HOLDING DOWN THE LATCH WHEN NOBODY PULLS AT THE STRING
phr. Bk1902 – anything is easy to accomplish when no opposition is offered; generally applied to a woman who, never having had an offer of marriage, boasts about remaining single (Eng. dial.)
• IT’S ENOUGH TO MAKE A CAT LAUGH
phr. 1851 – it is extremely funny, droll, or ludicrous (colloq.)
• IT’S ENOUGH TO MAKE A DOG LAUGH
phr. 17C – it is extremely funny, droll, or ludicrous (colloq.)
• IT’S ERYSIPELAS TO ME
phr. 1928 – it makes no difference to me, it’s unimportant (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S FALLING BY THE BUCKETS
phr. 1950 – it’s raining heavily (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S GETTING TO HIM
phr. Bk2009 – refers to getting drunk (sl.)
• IT’S GONNA BE ME AND YOU
phr. 1940s – an invitation to start fighting (African-American sl.)
• IT’S GOOD NIGHT UP HERE, BUT GOOD MORNING DOWN THERE
phr. c1960 – a signal to a girl to tell her that her slip is showing (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S GOT A BACK TO IT
phr. 1961 – said of an article that is being lent, stressing that the loaned article must be returned (UK sl.)
• IT’S GOT A HOLD OF HIM AND HE CAN’T LET GO
phr. Bk2009 – refers to getting drunk (sl.)
• IT-SHAY
n. 20C – dung; a curse; an oaf or a fool (US Pig Latin for ‘shit’)
• IT’S HOT ENOUGH TO FRY EGGS
phr. 1966 – said of a hot day (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S HOT ENOUGH TO MELT CLABBER
phr. 1966 – said of a hot day (Amer. dial.)
• IT SLIDES
phr. Bk1970 – it is excellent, pleasing, or extremely satisfying (US sl.)
• IT’S LIKE EATING MONEY
phr. 1887 – this is a costly business (colloq.)
• IT’S MOMENTS LIKE THESE YOU NEED MINTIES
phr. Bk1999 – used in embarrassing situations (Aust. sl.)
• IT’S NO BOTTLE
phr. 20C – It’s no good (services’ sl.)
• IT’S NO CATCH
phr. 19C – it’s very hard work, very disappointing, unpleasant, dangerous (sl.)
• IT’S NO HAIR OFF MY BALLS
phr. 1963 – it’s of no consequence to me (US sl.)
• IT’S NOT THE BULL THEY’RE AFRAID OF – IT’S THE CALF
phr. 20C – of girls: a phrase implying that they fear, not the loss of virginity, but pregnancy (Aust. sl.)
• IT’S NOTHING IN MY YOUNG LIFE
phr. 1919 – it’s of no consequence to me (US sl.)
• IT’S ONE O’ CLOCK
phr. c1910 – a warning that one’s fly-button is undone (sl.)
• IT’S ONE O’CLOCK AT THE BUTTON FACTORY
phr. 1950 – used to indicate that man’s trouser fly is open (Amer dial.)
• IT’S ONE O’CLOCK AT THE ZIPPER FACTORY
phr. 1965 – used to indicate that man’s trouser fly is open (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S ONE O’CLOCK, CLOSE UP
phr. 1965 – used to indicate that man’s trouser fly is open (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S ONE O’CLOCK IN PETERSBURG
phr. 1965 – used to indicate that man’s trouser fly is open (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S ONE O’CLOCK IN WATERTOWN
phr. 1965 – used to indicate that man’s trouser fly is open (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S O.T.
phr. c1880 – it’s very hot (sl.)
• IT’S POURING BUCKETS
phr. 1950 – it’s raining heavily (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S RABBITS OUT OF THE WOOD!
phr. 1932 – it’s ‘splendid’ or sheer profit or a windfall! (racing catchphrase)
• IT’S RAINING BUCKETS
phr. 1950 – it’s raining heavily (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S RAINING POISON
phr. 1950 – what people say when sunshine and rain come together (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S SNOWING DOWN SOUTH!
int. 20C – said to a woman whose slip is showing (US sl.)
• IT STRIKES A DREAD TO ME
phr. 1914 – I fear it greatly (Amer. dial.)
• IT’S WORKING ON HIM
phr. Bk2009 – refers to getting drunk (sl.)
• ITSY-BITSY
adj. 20C – very small, tiny (colloq.)
• IT’S YOUR LITTLE RED WAGON
phr. 1966 – it’s your problem (Amer. dial.)
• ITTEE ITTEE WORKEE WORKEE, ITTEE ITTEE KIKI
phr. Bk1998 – a little work, and then some food (NZ sl.)
• ITTER
vb. 1874 – of dirt: to eat into, to become engrained into the skin (Eng. dial.)
• ITTY-BITTY
adj. 20C – very small, tiny (colloq.)
• IT UNGANGS ME
phr. 1768 – I am deceived; I am mistaken (Sc. obs.)
• IT WANTS OF SIX
phr. 1709 – it is not quite six o’clock (obs.)
• IT WAS IN BAGHDAD THAT YOU WERE IN YOUR DAD’S BAG
phr. Bk1998 – your father was over there when you were conceived, but was your mother? i.e. you’re a bastard (NZ sl.)
• IT WOULD GAG A MAGGOT IN A GUT WAGON
phr. 1940s – it is thoroughly repulsive (Amer. sl.)
• IT WOULD GIVE YOU THE JIMMY BRITTS
phr. Bk1999 – it would give you the shits (Aust. rhyming sl.)
• IT WOULD KNOCK YOUR SOCKS OFF
phr. Bk1999 – said of something amazing (Aust. sl.)
• IT WOULD MAKE A CAT LAUGH
phr. 1851 – it is extremely funny, droll, or ludicrous (colloq.)
• IT WOULD MAKE A FLY LAUGH
phr. 17C – it is extremely funny, droll, or ludicrous (colloq.)
Back to INDEX I
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Updated: May 28, 2023
Lexicophilia 