• PUTREDE
n. a1400 obs. – rottenness; putridity; also, pus
• PUTREDINAL
adj. 1574 obs. – characterized by putrefaction; putrid
• PUTREDINOUS
adj. 1. 1641 rare – characterized by putrefaction; having an offensive smell; stinking; rotten
adj. 2. 1711 – filthy, abominable; morally corrupt
• PUTREDO
n. 1680 obs. rare – putrefaction; gangrene
• PUTREFACIENT
adj. 1849 rare – causing putrefaction
• PUTREFACT
vb. 1598 rare – to make putrid, to putrefy
• PUTREFACTIBLE
adj. a1425 obs. rare – capable of putrefaction
• PUTREFACTION
n. a1622 – moral corruption; decadence, decline
• PUTREFACTIOUS
adj. 1609 rare – undergoing putrefaction; putrid
• PUTREFY
vb. 1548 – to make corrupt, esp. morally
• PUTRESCIBLE
adj. 1753 – liable to rot
• PUTRIBLE
adj. a1425 obs. rare – liable to rot
• PUTRID
adj. 1. 1628 – corrupt, decadent; loathsome, unpleasant; contemptible; dreadful, useless
adj. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – resplendently beautiful; gorgeous
adj. 3. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – excellent; first-rate
• PUTRIDNESS
n. 1823 – moral corruption; decadence; rottenness; unpleasantness, uselessness
• PUTRIFICATE
adj. a1550 obs. – decomposed
• PUTRIFORM
adj. 1764 rare – of putrid nature or appearance
• PUTRILAGE
n. 1657 obs. – putrid material
• PUTRILAGINOUS
adj. 1598 obs. – undergoing or marked by putrefaction; rotting, putrid
• PUTRILENCY
n. 1657 obs. rare – putrid material
• PUTRITUDE
n. 1617 obs. – a being putrid or rotten; putridity
• PUTRITURE
n. 1569 obs. rare – putrefaction; putridity, rottenness
• PUTROUR
n. a1425 obs. – a pimp or procurer; a fornicator
• PUT SALT ON THE TAIL OF
vb. to catch; to capture: children having been told from hoary antiquity that they can catch birds by putting salt on their tails …Bk1895
• PUTSCH
n. 1. 1919 – an attempt to overthrow a government, esp. by violent means; an insurrection or coup d’état
n. 2. 1938 – a sudden or forceful attempt to take control of an organization, business, etc.; a sudden vigorous effort, a vigorous campaign
• PUTSCHISM
n. 1898 – pursuance or advocacy of violent insurrection as a means of bringing about political change
• PUTSCHIST
n. 1898 – a person who pursues or advocates a policy of violent insurrection as a means of bringing about political change
• PUT SOMEONE AWAY
vb. to kill …20C Brit. criminals’ sl.
• PUT SOMEONE IN THE HOLE
vb. to defraud someone …1812 sl.
• PUT SOMEONE ON
vb. to tease, to mock or deceive someone …20C sl.
• PUT SOMEONE’S LIGHTS OUT
vb. 1. to kill someone …1602 sl.
vb. 2. to knock someone unconscious …1866 Amer. sl.
• PUT SOMEONE’S MONKEY UP
vb. to make someone angry …1833 sl.
• PUT SOMEONE’S NOSE OUT OF JOINT
vb. to annoy; to upset the plans of; to inconvenience; to disconcert …1576 UK
• PUT SOMEONE WISE TO
vb. to give information …1913 sl., orig. US
• PUT SOMETHING AGAINST A MAN’S BEARD
vb. to taunt him with it …1387 obs.
• PUT SOMETHING OVER (ON)
vb. to cheat; to deceive; to dupe …L19 sl., orig. US
• PUTTER
n. 1. a1382 obs. rare – an animal that pushes or butts with the head or horns
n. 2. a1400 – a person who raises a question, problem, etc.
n. 3. 1646 Sc. arch. – a small cannon or petard
n. 4. 1807 obs. rare – a young tree
vb. 1. 1611 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – to mutter; to grumble; to nag; to talk to oneself
vb. 2. 1824 – to make a rapid, intermittent sound
vb. 3. 1827 – to work or act in a feeble or desultory manner; to dabble in or with something
vb. 4. 1911 – to trifle away; to waste or lose by pottering
• PUTTERING
adj. 1858 chiefly US – making a dull, repetitive sound
n. 1824 – a dull repetitive sound
• PUTTER-OFF
n. 1. 1615 obs. – a person who throws or launches a missile
n. 2. 1699 obs. – a person who passes something off fraudulently
n. 3. 1774 – a procrastinator
• PUTTER-ON
n. a1616 obs. – a person who urges on; an instigator or inciter
• PUTTER-OUT
n. a1616 obs. – a person who deposits or lends money at interest
• PUTTER-UP
n. 1819 sl. – a person who organizes a robbery or other criminal undertaking
• PUTTFUL
n. 1447 obs. – a cartful
• PUT THE ACID IN
vb. to inform on, to tell tales about, to poison someone’s mind against …1900s sl.
• PUT THE ACID ON
vb. 1. to render impoverished …1900s sl.
vb. 2. to request money of …1906 Aust. sl.
vb. 3. to exert a pressure which is difficult to resist; to exert such pressure on a person, etc. …1906 Aust.
vb. 4. to ask for some favour …20C sl.
vb. 5. to confirm …1910s sl.
vb. 6. to put a stop to …1910s sl.
vb. 7. to test out a person or a statement …1910s sl.
vb. 8. to pressure someone sexually …1939 Aust. sl.
• PUT THE ARM ON
vb. 1928 US criminals’ sl. – to assault from behind by yoking the forearm tightly about the victim’s throat; hence, to rob, esp. in this manner
vb. 1929 US sl. – to apprehend, to take into custody, to place under arrest
vb. 1930 US sl. – to seize or use physical coercion against; hence, to coerce or pressure
vb. 1939 US sl. – to ask or demand money of
vb. 1943 US sl. – to pressurize with criminal intent; to extort, to blackmail; to threaten
vb. 1978 US sl. – to expose, to ‘put the finger on’
vb. 1984 US sl. – in horse racing: of a jockey: to illicitly restrain a running horse
• PUT THE BAD MOUTH ON
vb. 1. to put a curse or spell on …1853 Amer. dial., chiefly African-American
vb. 2. to say uncomplimentary things about someone; to disparage; to malign …1966 US sl.
• PUT THE BAG ON
vb. 1. to participate in a raucous party …1929 Amer. dial.
vb. 2. to have a drinking bout and get drunk …1967 Amer. dial.
• PUT THE BEAD ON
vb. to put pressure on somebody to do something he ought to have done but hasn’t …1968 Amer. dial.
• PUT THE BEE ON
vb. to borrow money, etc. …1914 sl., chiefly US
• PUT THE BEE ON SOMEONE
vb. to pressure someone, often to make or repay a loan …1918 Amer. dial.
• PUT THE BITCH ON
vb. to file charges against a criminal as a habitual offender …1960s US prison sl.
• PUT THE BITE ON
vb. to pressurize someone, esp. for a loan or repayment of money owed, or as part of a campaign of intimidation …E20 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE BIT OF WOOD IN THE HOLE
vb. Bk1898 Eng. dial. – to shut the door
• PUT THE BLACK ON
vb. to blackmail …1924 sl.
• PUT THE BLAST ON
vb. 1. to scold or criticize harshly or vociferously …1929 Amer. sl.
vb. 2. to shoot with a gun, esp. to shoot dead …1940 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE B ON
vb. to ask for money for sex after giving the appearance of being seduced …1954 US sl.
• PUT THE BOOT IN
vb. 1916 UK sl. – to kick a prostrate foe; hence, to kick someone when they’re down
• PUT THE BREEZE UP
vb. to frighten …1925 sl.
• PUT THE BUCK
vb. to shift responsibility onto another …M19 sl., orig. US
• PUT THE BUG ON
vb. 1. to trick or hoax; to get an advantage over somebody by tricky means …1848 Amer. dial.
vb. 2. to put pressure on somebody to do something he ought to have done …1968 Amer. dial.
• PUT THE CAP ON SOMEONE
vb. to fool them …1966 Amer. dial.
• PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE
vb. to reverse the usual order, whether of things or of ideas …c1500 colloq.
• PUT THE CAT AMONG THE PIGEONS
vb. to cause trouble …1976 sl.
• PUT THE CHILL ON SOMEONE
vb. to kill someone …20C Amer. sl.
• PUT THE COLLAR ON SOMEONE
vb. to arrest …1865 US sl.
• PUT THE CRAB ON
vb. to ruin or spoil …1930 US sl.
• PUT THE CRIMP ON
vb. to humiliate …Bk1892 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE DAISY-QUILT OVER SOME ONE
vb. to bury, to put into a grave …1848 Ireland
• PUT THE DING ON
vb. among beggars: to beg from …1936 US sl.
• PUT THE EARS ON
vb. to attempt a controlled roll of the dice …1963 US sl.
• PUT THE FAKEMS ON
vb. 1. to apply cosmetics …20C sl.
vb. 2. to disguise defects …20C sl.
vb. 3. to offer trash for sale as valuable merchandise …20C sl.
• PUT THE FANG ON
vb. to beg …1910s Aust. sl.
• PUT THE FANGS IN
vb. to ask for a loan of money …1919 Aust. sl.
• PUT THE FEAR OF GOD INTO
vb. to terrify someone …1905 sl.
• PUT THE FINGER ON
vb. to betray an associate to the police or other authority; to inform on; to incriminate …1924 sl., orig. US
• PUT THE FINISHER ON
vb. to ruin; to destroy …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE FREEZE ON
vb. to ruin; to destroy …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE FRIGHTENERS ON SOMEONE
vb. to menace, threaten, or intimidate …1958 Brit. police & criminals’ sl.
• PUT THE FUN UPON
vb. to trick; to cheat …L17 sl.
• PUT THE GAFF INTO
vb. to deliver criticism …L19 sl.
• PUT THE GAS ON
vb. 1. to exert pressure on a person for a loan, a favour, sexual compliance, etc. …1900s Aust. sl.
vb. 2. to put a stop to …1900s Aust. sl.
vb. 3. to test out a person or a statement …1900s Aust. sl.
• PUT THE HAND BETWEEN THE BARK AND THE TREE
vb. to interfere or meddle in matters which do not concern one, especially between husband and wife …19C
• PUT THE HIGH GAME ON
vb. to rob; to pick someone’s pocket …18C UK criminals’ sl.
• PUT THE HURT ON
vb. 1. to reject in love …1960s Amer. sl.
vb. 2. to inflict pain …2001 UK sl.
• PUT THE IG ON
vb. to ignore somebody; to snub …1977 Amer. dial.
• PUT THE KIBOSH ON ONE
vb. 1. to frustrate, to ruin, to prevent, to jeopardize …1830s sl.
vb. 2. to beat badly; to prove one’s superiority over one …Bk1913 Amer. dial.
• PUT THE KYBOSH ON
vb. to frustrate, to ruin, to prevent, to jeopardize …1830s sl.
• PUT THE LICKS IN
vb. to exert oneself …Bk1905 Amer. dial.
• PUT THE LISTEN ON
vb. to listen …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE LUG ON
vb. 1929 US sl. – to extort, to put pressure on
• PUT THE MAKE ON
vb. to attempt to seduce; to make sexual advances towards …1956 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE MOCKERS ON
vb. 1. to frustrate or jeopardize someone’s plans; to bring bad luck to …E20 sl.
vb. 2. to put a stop to; to ruin, thwart or jinx …E20 sl.
• PUT THE MOVE ON
vb. to make sexual advances …1987 US sl.
• PUT THE MOVES ON
vb. to seduce …1960s sl., orig. US
• PUT THE NIPS IN
vb. to borrow money, etc. …1917 Aust. & NZ sl.
• PUT THE NIPS INTO
vb. to borrow money, etc. …1917 Aust. & NZ sl.
• PUT THE NUT ON
vb. to butt someone with the head …20C Brit. sl.
• PUT THE OLIVER ON IT
vb. to handle or work something dishonestly …c1910 cant
• PUT THE QUILT ON
vb. to thrash, to beat, to flog …E19 sl.
• PUT THE ROLLERS UNDER
vb. to humiliate …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE SADDLE ON THE WRONG HORSE
vb. to be wrong, to be mistaken …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE SADDLE UPON THE RIGHT HORSE
vb. to fix the blame upon the true offender …1842 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• PUT THE SETTLER ON
vb. to ruin; to destroy …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE SKID UNDER
vb. to humiliate …Bk1892 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE SKIDS UNDER
vb. 1. to ruin; to destroy …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
vb. 2. of a person or circumstances: to ensure the imminent dismissal of someone; to dismiss someone from employment …1948 UK sl.
• PUT THE SLEEVE ON
vb. 1. to arrest …1930 US sl.
vb. 2. to borrow money, etc. …1931 US sl.
• PUT THE SQUASHER ON
vb. to humiliate … Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE SQUASH ON
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to humiliate
• PUT THE SQUELCHER ON
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to humiliate .
• PUT THE SQUELCH ON
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to humiliate
• PUT THE STUNNERS ON
vb. Bk1904 sl. – to perplex, to confound, to astonish
• PUT THE WIND UP
vb. 1916 sl. – to frighten; to make afraid; to make nervous
• PUT THE WOOD IN THE HOLE
vb. B1900 Eng. dial. – to shut the door
• PUTTING-FORTH
adj. 1621 obs. – putting oneself forward; self-assertive; presumptuous
• PUTTING-OFF
adj. 1923 – disconcerting; off-putting; repellent
• PUTTISH
adj. 1738 obs. – doltish, stupid
• PUT TO BED
vb. 1973 W. Afr. – to give birth
• PUT TO BED WITH A SHOVEL
adj. 1. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – dead and buried
adj. 2. Bk1974 Amer. sl. – so drunk that one cannot return home and go to bed by oneself, but must be assisted
• PUTTOCK
n. a1500 rare, derogatory – a greedy, grasping, or rapacious person; a petty officer of justice; a bailiff
• PUTTOCK-CANDLE
n. 1691 Eng. dial. rare – a small candle used as a makeweight
• PUT-TOGETHER
adj. 1960s Amer. sl. – well-built; usually said of a woman
• PUT TO LUMBER
vb. 1671 – to put in pawn or pledge
• PUT TO ONE’S FATHERS
phr. a1440 obs. – to be dead and buried
• PUT TO ONE’S STUMPS
adj. Bk1904 sl. – poor, hard-up
• PUT TOO MUCH OF ONE’S MONEY DOWN THE RED LANE
phr. 1968 Amer. dial. – drank too much
• PUT TO SCIENCE
adj. Bk1904 Eng. dial. – at one’s wits’ end; perplexed
• PUT TO SHAME
vb. 1. 20C – to bring into disgrace, bring disgrace on, esp. publicly
vb. 2. 20C – to outshine by virtue of superior qualities or a more praiseworthy action
• PUT TO SILENCE
vb. 1502 obs. – to put to death
• PUT TO THE GAZE
vb. 1646 obs. – to puzzle, to nonplus
• PUTT-PUTT
n. 1. Bk1942 Amer. sl.- a machine gun
n. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl.- a motorcycle
n. 3. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a motor boat
• PUTTY
n. 1927 naval sl. – a ship’s painter
• PUTTY-FACED
adj. 1826 – having a colourless and expressionless face; white-faced: used contemptuously
• PUTTY-HEAD
n. 1853 – a fool; a stupid person → Amer. dial.
• PUTTY-HEADED
adj. 1857 – stupid; easily manipulated → Amer. dial.
• PUTTY-HEARTED
adj. 1872 – soft-hearted; lacking in courage, cowardly
• PUTTY MEDAL
n. 1893 – a worthless reward for insignificant service or achievement → humorous usage
• PUT UNDER
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl.- dead and buried
vb. 1930s sl. – to render drunk
• PUT UNDER THE TABLE
vb. 1921 sl. – to remain sober while one’s drinking companions collapse into insensibility
• PUT-UP
adj. 1812 orig. criminals’ sl. – of a crime: planned in advance by conspiracy
with others persons, esp. with the assistance of someone on the premises where
it occurred
n. 1.1844 rare – a place to stay; a lodging
n. 2. 1936 colloq. – something contrived or prearranged
vb. E18 sl. – (as ‘put up) to affect airs
• PUT-UP-ABLE-WITH
adj. 1812 – that may be put up with; tolerable
• PUT UP A POOR MOUTH
vb. 1884 Amer. dial. – to complain, usually in an exaggerated way, of poverty or other misfortune
• PUT-UP JOB
n. 1838 Brit. sl. – something pre-arranged in an underhanded way
• PUT-UPON
adj. 1866 – that has been put upon or taken advantage of; imposed upon
n. 1889 rare – a being put upon; an imposition
• PUT UP ONE’S FORKS
vb. L19 sl. – to get ready to fight
• PUT UP ONE’S PIPES
vb. M16 sl. – to cease from an action; to stop talking
• PUT UP OR SHUT UP!
phr.1940 sl., orig. US – a challenge meaning back your big talk with genuine commitment
• PUT UP PAPER FOR ONESELF
vb. 1940s US sl. – to brag, to aggrandize oneself
• PUT UP THE CARDS
vb. Bk1891 Amer. sl. – to prepare cards for cheating purposes
• PUT UP THE DOOKS
vb. 1. M19 sl.- to prepare to fight
vb. 2. M19 sl. – to thieve, esp. to pickpocket (dook = hand)
• PUT UP THE FLAG
n. 1900s US sl.- a plate of macaroni
• PUT UP THE SHUTTERS
vb. 1888 – to stop trading for the day, or permanently; to announce oneself a bankrupt
• PUTYER
n. 1477 obs. rare – a pimp or procurer; also, a fornicator
• PUT YOUR FOOT IN IT
vb. 1823 UK sl. – to do something tactless, to blunder
• PUT YOUR NOSE TO THE GRINDSTONE
vb. 1828 UK – to start studying hard, working hard
• PUT YOUR OAR IN
vb. 1730 UK sl. – to interfere in someone else’ s business
• PUT YOURSELF LEVEL ON A CHAIR
phr. 1902 Amer. dial. – an hospitable invitation to be seated
• PUT-YOU-UP
n. 1924 – a sofa or settee which can be converted into a bed
• PUTZ
n. 1. 1928 sl., orig. & chiefly US – a foolish, clumsy, or unfortunate person
n. 2. 1934 sl., chiefly US – the penis
vb. 1950 US colloq. – to occupy oneself in an ineffectual or trifling way; to potter, to fool around; also, to move in a leisurely manner, to meander
• PUTZFRAU
n. 1906 – in Germany: a woman employed to do domestic work; a cleaner, a charwoman
• PUZZLE A PHILADELPHIA LAWYER
vb. Bk1913 Amer. dial. – to be very perplexing
• PUZZLEATION
n. 1767 obs. – puzzled condition
• PUZZLE-BRAIN
adj. 1796 obs. – that puzzles or confuses the brain
n. 1. 1767 obs. – something that muddles or puzzles the brain
n. 2. 1874 obs. – a person who puzzles his or her brain about something
• PUZZLE-CAP
n. 1774 obs. – something which puzzles the mind; a puzzle
• PUZZLEDOM
n. 1748 – the realm of puzzles; also, the state of being puzzled; perplexity, bewilderment
► PUZZLE-HEAD n. 1. \one who is perplexed or confused over things that are clear and simple to others → 1815
n. 2. a person who is enthusiastic about puzzles, esp. crossword puzzles → 1974 chiefly US
• PUZZLE-HEADED
adj. 1729 – having confused ideas; bewildered; muddled
• PUZZLE-PATE
n. 1761 obs. – a person who is perplexed or confused in his or her mind or ideas
• PUZZLE-PATED
adj. 1736 arch. – bewildered, having confused ideas; also, muddled, confused
• PUZZLE PATH
n. 1909 – a maze
• PUZZLE-PEG
n. 1845 – a puzzling subject, a puzzle
• PUZZLE-TEXT
n. 1707 obs. – a person who makes a puzzle of a scripture text
• PUZZLE WALK
n. 1909 – a maze
• PUZZLEWIT
adj. 1861 – that puzzles or would puzzle one’s wit
n. 1946 – a person who is puzzled; a stupid or silly person
• PUZZLIST
n. 1924 orig. US – a person who devises or attempts to solve puzzles
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