Dictionary: LIE – LIJ

• LIE
n. 1. 1894 Amer. dial. – a liar  
n. 2. 1930 sl., chiefly Brit. – a staying in bed longer than usual in the morning  
vb. 1. c1330 rare or arch. – to lodge, stay the night; to sojourn
vb. 2. 1806 Amer. dial. – of the wind: to abate  
 
• LIE-ABED
n. 1764 – one who lies late in bed; a late riser; a sluggard
 
• LIE-ABOUT
adj. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – drunken
n. 1937 sl. – a lazy person; a shirker  
 
• LIE AT LURCH
vb. 1578 – to lie concealed; to be in a lurking place; to lie in wait
 
• LIE AT THE CATCH
vb. 1642 obs. – to lie in wait; to be on the watch for an opportunity of catching or seizing something, esp. of catching a person’s words, finding fault, making objections, etc.
 
• LIE BILL
n. 1919 Amer. dial. – an acknowledgement of slander or libel  
 
• LIE-BY
adj. B1900 Eng. dial. – stored up for future use
n. 1. a1600 obs. exc. Sc. – a neutral; one who stands aside
n. 2. a1656 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial. – a concubine, a mistress 
n. 3. 1840 – a recess to enable vessels to pass
n. 4. 1899 Eng. dial. – a slate used to form the gutter of a roof  
n. 5. B1900 Eng. dial. – a bedfellow
n. 6. B1900 Eng. dial. – anything held in reserve
vb. B1900 Sc. – to lie idle; to lie unused  
 
• LIE COMMON
vb. 1774 US – to be neglected
 
• LIE DOGGO
vb. 1893 sl. – to remain hidden or motionless so as not to be noticed  
 
• LIE-DOWN
n. 1. 1840 sl. – a rest on a bed, etc.
n. 2. 1996 UK sl. – in prison: time spent in the segregation unit  
(verbs usually as ‘lie down’)
vb. 1. L16 euphemism – to be brought to bed for childbirth  
vb. 2. 1859 Amer. dial. – to retire for the night; to go to bed  
vb. 3. 1966 Amer. dial. – of the wind: to abate  
vb. 4. 1993 US sl. – in pool: to play below your skill level to lure strangers into playing against you for money  
vb. 5. 20C US drug culture sl. – to smoke opium  
 
• LIE DOWN ON THE JOB
vb. 20C colloq. – to do less than one could or should do; to shirk one’s obligations 
 
• LIEF
adj. 1825 – dear, beloved, charming, sweet  
n. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – permission
 
• LIEFHEBBER
n. 1791 Sc. – a lover
 
• LIEGER
adj. 1481-90 obs. – light, not heavy; slight, trifling; also, nimble
n. 1592 obs. – ‘a Londoner who formerly bought coals of the country colliers at so much a sack, and made his chief profit by using smaller sacks, making pretense he was a country collier’
 
• LIE-IN
n. 1916 sl., chiefly Brit. – a staying in bed longer than usual in the morning  
 
• LIE IN ONE’S TEETH
vb. a1400 – to lie grossly or maliciously
 
• LIE IN ONE’S THROAT
vb. 1566 rare – to lie grossly or maliciously
 
• LIE IN THE LASH
vb. 1584 obs. – to be left in the lurch
 
• LIE LAID ON WITH A TROWEL
n. B1900 – an out-and-out falsehood
 
• LIE LOW
vb. 1. 1880 UK – to be in hiding; to behave in a manner that ought not to attract attention  
vb. 2. 1986 Amer. dial. – of the wind: to abate  
 
• LIE OUT OF WHOLE CLOTH
n. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – an utter falsehood
 
• LIE SHEET
n. 1971 US sl. – a truck driver’s log book  
 
• LIE UNDERSOD
vb. 1900 Eng. dial. – to be buried  
 
• LIE UPON ONE’S OARS
vb. 1726 – to take things easily; to be idle  
 
• LIEUT
n. 1759 US – a lieutenant  
 
• LIEUTY
n. 1998 US – a lieutenant  
 
• LIEUY
n. 1. 1970s US sl. – a lump of expectorated phlegm  
n. 2. 1970s US sl. – a piece of nasal mucus  
 
• LIE WITH
vb. 14C – to sleep with; to copulate with  
 
• A LIE WITH A LATCHET
n. 1610 – an out-and-out lie
 
• LIFE
n. 1. 1833 Aust. – life imprisonment  
n. 2. 1916 Amer. criminal sl. – the criminal underworld as a way of life
n. 3. 1955 Amer. homosexual sl. – homosexuality as a way of life  
n. 4. 1967 Amer. drug culture sl. – drug addiction as a way of life
n. 5. 1992 UK rhyming sl. (Life and Death) – breath, esp. bad breath  
 
• THE LIFE
n. 1. 1916 US sl. – the criminal lifestyle; the lifestyle of prostitution  
n. 2. 1999 US sl. – the business and lifestyle of professional wrestling  
 
• LIFE AND DEATH
n. 1992 UK rhyming sl. – breath, esp. bad breath 
 
• LIFEBOAT
n. 1908 Amer. prison sl. – a pardon, esp. of a death sentence; release from prison as a result of parole board action or a commutation of sentence
 
• LIFED-UP
adj. 2002 UK sl. – sentenced to life imprisonment  
 
• LIFE EVERLASTING
n. 1984 Amer. dial. – gravy  
 
• LIFE IN LONDON
n. 1991 Trinidad and Tobago usage – used for describing and easy, carefree lifestyle  
 
• THE LIFE INSURANCE
n. Bk1944 Amer. services sl. – a parachute  
 
• LIFE JACKET
n. 1989 US sl. – a condom  
 
• LIFE OFF
vb. 2000 UK sl. – to sentence someone to life imprisonment  
 
• THE LIFE OF REILLY; THE LIFE OF RILEY
n. 1919 sl. –  an enjoyable carefree existence  
 
• LIFE ON THE INSTALLMENT PLAN
n. 1949 US sl. – a series of prison sentences with brief periods of freedom between, which have the cumulative effect of a life sentence  
 
• LIFE-PRESERVER
n. 1. 19C Brit. sl. – the penis  
n. 2. 1941 Amer. jocular usage – a doughnut  
 
• LIFER
n. 1. 1830 sl. – a prisoner serving a life sentence, or earlier, someone sentence to transportation for life
n. 2. 1959 sl. – a life peer
n. 3. 1962 Amer. military sl. – a person, esp. a senior noncommissioned officer whose career is in military service: often used derisively
n. 4. 1970 Amer. sl. – a person who intends to work at the same job until retirement; a careerist
n. 5. 1970 Amer. sl. – a person who takes drugs for 15-20 or more years
n. 6. 1984 US sl. – a person who has been given a traffic ticket; used ironically  
 
• LIFER DOG
n. 1989 Amer. military sl. – a person, esp. a senior noncommissioned officer whose career is in military service: often used derisively
 
• LIFER JUICE
n. 1987 Amer. military sl. – coffee
 
• LIFE-SAFE
n. 1893 Sc. – safe-conduct
 
• LIFE SAVER
n. 2003 UK sl. – heroin  
 
• LIFESAVERS
n. 1966 Amer. dial. –  gravy  
 
• LIFESOME
adj. 1. 1582 – charged with life → obs.
adj. 2. 1635 – full of life or animation; lively, gay, sprightly, animated  
 
• LIFE-TIE
n. 1883 – something which binds one to life; a hold on life → Sc. 
 
• LIFE-WEARY
adj. 1592 – weary of life or of living
 
• LIFEY
adj. 1793 – full of life, lively, vivacious, brisk, spirited, animating → Sc. 
 
• LIFF
n. 1961 – a segment of an orange → Sc. 
 
• LIFFEY WATER
n. 1961 – porter (ale); any dark beer or stout, esp. Guinness™ → UK rhyming sl.
 
• LIFIE
adj. 1793 – full of life, lively, vivacious, brisk, spirited, animating → Sc. 
 
• LIFT
n. 1. 1845 – a theft or robbery → Amer. sl.
n. 2. 1942 – a strong stimulant effect from alcohol or drugs → Amer. sl.
n. 3. 1952 – the sky → Amer. dial.
n. 4. 1953 – a loan → Amer. carnival sl.
n. 5. 1968 – a pill containing a stimulant; amphetamine → Amer. sl.
vb. 1. 1526 – to steal, esp. to pilfer; to rob; to plagiarize → Amer. sl.
vb. 2. 1784 – to pay off a debt → Amer. dial.
vb. 3. 1859 – to raise the bet of (someone) → Amer. sl.
vb. 4. 1873 – to kill someone → Amer. sl.
vb. 5. 1915 – to pick the pocket of someone; to rob → Amer. sl.
vb. 6. 1954 – to raise a glass of liquor to the lips and drink → Amer. sl.
 
• THE LIFT
n. 1791 – the practice of shoplifting → Amer. sl., orig. criminals’ usage
 
• LIFT A FINGER
vb. 1833 – to make the slightest effort; used in the negative to denote unwillingness to make an effort  
 
• LIFT A LEG ON A WOMAN
vb. L18 – to copulate with a woman → Sc.
 
• LIFTED
adj. 1942 – intoxicated by alcohol or drugs → Amer. sl.
 
• LIFTER
n. 1. 1866 – a shoplifter → Amer. criminals’ sl.
n. 2. 1875 – a drink of whisky → Amer. sl.
n. 3. 1991 – a wedgie in one’s underwear → Amer. dial.
 
• LIFT HAIR
vb. M19 – to scalp → US sl.
 
• LIFTING RAG
n. 1981 – a dishcloth → Amer. dial.
 
• LIFT OFF BIG
vb. 1960s – to start a climb to the top → Amer. sl.
 
• LIFT ONE’S GAM
vb. 20C – to urinate → US euphemism
 
• LIFT ONE’S LEG
vb. 1. 18C – to copulate → Brit. euphemism
vb. 2. 20C – to urinate → US euphemism
 
• LIFT PILL
n. 1968 – a pill containing a stimulant; amphetamine → Amer. sl.
 
• LIFT-SKIRTS
n. 19C – a prostitute → Brit.
 
• LIFT THE ELBOW
vb. 1823 – to drink alcohol → sl.
 
• LIFT THE THATCH
vb. 1899 – of noise: to ‘raise the roof’ → Eng. dial.
 
• LIFT UP
vb. 20C – to get an erection → euphemism
 
• LIG
vb. 1. 1960 – to loaf about → sl.
vb. 2. 1981 – to freeload, esp. by gatecrashing → Brit. sl.
 
• LIGGER
n. 1. 1483 – a coverlet for a bed → Eng. dial.
n. 2. 1500 – a horizontal timber in scaffolding, lying parallel to the face of the building and supporting the putlogs (one of the short horizontal timbers of a scaffolding, on which the scaffold-boards rest; one end is inserted at right angles in a hole left in the wall for that purpose (putlog-hole), the other being supported by the ledger) → Eng. dial. obs.
n. 3. 1781 – the nether millstone → Eng. dial. obs.
n. 4. ..19C – a liar → Eng. dial.
n. 5. ..19C – one who lies in bed → Eng. dial.
n. 6. ..19C – a layer Eng. dial.
n. 7. ..19C – a stout stake; a prop, a pole → Eng. dial.
n. 8. ..19C – a branch partly cut through and laid down horizontally in a hedge → Eng. dial.
n. 9. ..19C – in thatching, a wooden rod laid across the thatch to hold it in place → Eng. dial.
n. 10. 1805 – a floating line with bait used for catching pike, and generally wound round a bundle of reeds; a pike-trimmer → Eng. dial.
n. 11. 1840 – a foot-bridge across a ditch, usually one consisting of a plank → Eng. dial.
n. 12. 1879 – a foul salmon, Salmo salar → Sc.
n. 13. 1881 – in worsted manufacturing: one who puts the material on to a carding machine → Eng. dial.
n. 14. 1977 – someone who gatecrashes parties; a freeloader → Brit. sl.
vb. 1834 – to set trimmers for a pike → Eng. dial.
 
• LIGGLE
adj. 1930 – legal → Amer. dial.
vb. 1830 – to carry something too heavy to be carried with ease, as a child ‘liggles’ a puppy about → Eng. dial.
 
• LIGGY
adj. 1902 – muddy, mucky, damp → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
 
• LIGHT
adj. 1. 1225 – lewd, wanton  
adj. 2. 1737 – intoxicated by alcohol or drugs → Amer. sl.
adj. 3. 1955 – short of cash; with insufficient money → Amer. sl., orig. African-American
adj. 4. 1960 – weak → sl.
adj. 5. 1962 – of money: in small amounts → Amer. sl.
adj. 6. 1967 – stupid → African-American sl.
adj. 7. 1990 – unable to consume large quantities of drink and/or drugs → US sl. 
n. 1. ..E19 – credit → sl. 
n. 2. ..20C – a small amount of money → sl.
n. 3. 1900 – a bright, clever person → US students’ sl.
n. 4. 1940 – in boxing, a lightweight → Amer. sl.
n. 5. 1950 – insanity, craziness → W. Indies sl.
vb. 1. 1899 – to get down off a horse; to dismount → Amer. dial.
vb. 2. ..20C – to enlighten someone with general or specific knowledge → African-American sl.
 
• LIGHT-ALE BANDIT
n. 1970 – one who scrounges drinks in a public house → UK criminals’ sl.
 
• LIGHT AND BITTER
n. 2000s rhyming sl. for ‘shitter’ – the anus  
 
• LIGHT AND DARK
n. 1930s rhyming sl. – a park  
 
• LIGHT A RAG
vb. 1903 Amer. sl. – to leave in a hurry; to depart hurriedly; to run fast
 
• LIGHT ARTILLERY
n. 1. 1930 US drug culture sl. – a drug addict who uses a hypodermic needle
n. 2. 1930 US drug culture sl. – beans
 
• LIGHT AS A KECK
adj. Bk1901 Eng. dial. – very light  
 
• LIGHT A SHUCK
vb. 1905 Amer. sl. – to leave in a hurry; to depart hurriedly; to run fast
 
• LIGHT AS LAD’S-LOVE
adj. Bk1902 Eng. dial. – very light, puffy, inflated  
 
• LIGHT BLUE
n. 19C Brit. – gin  
 
• LIGHT BOB
n. 1778 US Army usage – a soldier of a regiment of light infantry
 
• LIGHT BREAD
n. 1980 Amer. dial. –  homemade bread  
 
• LIGHT-BROWN
n. E20 US colloq. – a mulatto  
 
• LIGHT BUG
n. 1. 1966 Amer. dial. – a firefly 
n. 2. 1969 Amer. dial. – a moth, beetle, or other insect attracted to light  
 
• LIGHT BULB
n. M20 US sl. – a pregnant woman  
 
• LIGHT-COMEDY MERCHANT
n. 1887 Brit. theatrical sl. – a comedian pure and simple  
 
• LIGHT DABBER
n. 1986 Amer. dial. – a moth attracted to light  
 
• LIGHTENING
n. 1842 Amer. dial. – yeast  
 
• LIGHTENING BUG
n. 1778 Amer. dial. – a firefly  
 
• LIGHTER FLY
n. 1956 Amer. dial. – a firefly  
 
• THE LIGHT FANTASTIC
n. c1840 colloq. – the foot as the means of dancing; dancing 
 
• LIGHT-FEEDER
n. c1850 cant – a silver spoon 
 
• LIGHT-FINGER
vb. 1956 US sl. – to steal; to pilfer; to rob  
 
• LIGHT-FINGERED
adj. 1547 euphemism – inclined to steal  
 
• LIGHT FOOD
n. 1909 sl. – tobacco for chewing  
 
• LIGHTFOOT
adj. c1440 poetic usage – light-footed, nimble of foot; active
n. 1. a1325 obs. – a name for the hare
n. 2. a1600 obs. – the deer
n. 3. B1900 cant obs. – venison
 
• LIGHT-FOOTED
adj. 20C US sl. – pert. to a homosexual male  
 
• LIGHT-FRIGATE
n. c1690 Brit. sl. – a woman of loose morals; a wanton; a whore 
 
• LIGHTHEAD
n. 1965 Amer. dial. – a very silly or light-headed person  
 
• LIGHT-HEELED
adj. E17 – wanton; pert. to a sexually loose woman  
 
• LIGHT HOUSEKEEPING
n. M20 US sl. – the activities of a male and a female living together unmarried  
 
• LIGHT HORSE
n. c1620 sl. – a courtesan, a harlot 
 
• LIGHT HORSEMAN
n. 19C Brit. sl. – a thief operating as one of a gang on the Thames  
 
• LIGHTHOUSE
n. 1. c1805 Brit. sl. – a watch-house 
n. 2. c1810 Brit. sl. – a red-nose person, generally male 
n. 3. L19 Royal Navy sl. – a salt- or pepper-castor (shaker)  
n. 4. 1932 cant – a tramp acquainted with the police or with their methods
 
• LIGHT HOUSEWIFE
n. L17 Brit. cant – a lewd woman; a prostitute  
 
• LIGHT IN
vb. 1878 Amer. dial. – to make a vigorous start on something; to begin 
 
• LIGHT INFANTRY
n. 1894 sl. – fleas
 
• LIGHTING BUG
n. 1966 Amer. dial. – a firefly  
 
• LIGHT IN THE LOAFERS
adj. 1967 Amer. sl. – of men: effeminate or homosexual  
 
► LIGHTMANS n. the day, or daybreak → 1567 criminals’ sl., obs.
 
• LIGHTNING
n. 1. 1781 sl., chiefly US – gin; also, any strong, often low-quality alcoholic spirit; inferior whisky  
n. 2. 1842 Amer. dial. – yeast  
n. 3. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a nickname for a fast or energetic person  
n. 4. M20 US drug culture sl. – amphetamines  
 
• LIGHTNING BUG
n. 1778 Amer. dial. – a firefly  
 
• LIGHTNING JERKER
n. 1891 US sl. – a telegrapher  
 
• LIGHTNING LIQUOR
n. 1942 Amer. dial. – whisky; cheap liquor  
 
• LIGHTNING OIL
n. 1949 Amer. dial. – kerosene  
 
• LIGHTNING ROD
n. 1. 1863 US military sl. – a sword  
n. 2. 1954 US sl. – a jet fighter plane  
 
• LIGHTNING SHOVER
n. 1871 US railroad sl. – a telegrapher  
 
• LIGHTNING SLINGER
n. 1938 US railroad sl. – a telegrapher  
 
• LIGHTNING-SPLITTER
n. 1992 Amer. dial. – a roof that comes to a sharp peak  
 
• LIGHTNING STOCK
n. 1850 US sl. – a rifle  
 
• LIGHTNING STRIKER
n. 1867 US sl. – a formidable or impressive thing  
 
• LIGHT OF
adj. 1930s sl., orig. African-American – short of money  
 
• LIGHT-OF-ONE’S-EYES
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a loved one; a sweetheart  
 
• LIGHT-OF-ONE’S-LIFE
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a loved one; a sweetheart
 
• LIGHT OF THE MOON
n. 1935 Amer. dial. – the period of the waxing moon  
 
• LIGHT OIL
n. 1949 Amer. dial. – kerosene  
 
• LIGHT O’ LOVE
n. 1. L16 – a wanton woman  
n. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a harmless term of endearment for a girlfriend; a loved one; a sweetheart  
 
• LIGHT ON
adj. 1930s sl., orig. African-American – short of money  
 
• LIGHT ONE’S SHUCK
vb. 1929 Amer. dial. – to cause someone to leave in a hurry  
 
• LIGHT ON HIS FEET
adj. M20 US sl. – pert. to an effeminate male  
 
• LIGHT-OUT
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a hasty or unceremonious departure
vb. 1931 Amer. dial. – (as ‘light out’) to turn off a light  
 
• LIGHTS
n. 1. 1682 Brit. colloq. – a fool; a soft-head; an oaf  
n. 2. 1820 Amer. sl. – the eyes
n. 3. 1848 Amer. dial. – the lungs, esp. of an animal; broadly, the internal organs  
 
• THE LIGHTS ARE ON BUT NOBODY’S HOME
phr. 1983 Amer. sl. – said of a person who is dazed, stupid, or unaware
 
• LIGHT SKIRTS
n. L16 colloq. – a wanton woman  
 
• LIGHTS OUT
n. E20 US criminals’ sl. – death  
 
• LIGHT THE LAMP
vb. 19C Brit. euphemism – of a woman: to have sexual intercourse  
 
• LIGHT TROOPS
n. E19 Brit. sl. – lice  
 
• LIGHT UP
vb. 1. 1861 sl. – to light a cigarette or cigar  
vb. 2. M20 Brit. euphemism – to have an orgasm  
 
• LIGHT WET
n. E19 Brit. sl. – gin  
 
• LIGHT WOMAN
n. L17 cant – a lewd woman  
 
• LIGHTWOOD-KNOT FLOATER
n. 1944 Amer. dial  – a heavy rain  
 
• LIGURATE
vb. 1623 obs. – to feed daintily