• A ROLAND FOR AN OLIVER
n. 1. an effective retaliatory blow
n. 2. an effective retort
• ROLF
vb. 1960s Amer. teen and college sl. – to empty one’s stomach; to vomit
• ROLL
n. 1846 US & Aust. sl. – a collection of bills or notes rolled together; hence, more generally, one’s money
vb. 1873 sl. – to rob someone, esp. someone who is asleep, drunk, or otherwise incapacitated
• ROLL-ABOUT
adj. 1815 rare – fat, plump, podgy, roly-poly
n. 1893 rare – a wanderer
• ROLLER
n. 1. 1964 US sl. – a police officer
n. 2. Bk1998 sl. – a car in stock; one that a buyer can come into a dealership and see, buy, and drive home in
n. 3. Bk1998 sl. – a Rolls Royce
• ROLLICKING
n. 1932 Brit. sl. – a reprimand or instance of reprimanding
• ROLLING IN IT
adj. 1782 sl. – rich
• ROLLING IN THE AISLES
adj. 1940 sl. – laughing; orig. applied to an audience’s uncontrollable laughter
• ROLL IN ONE’S IVORIES
vb. 1780 sl. – to kiss
• ROLL JACK RICE COULDN’T JUMP OVER
n. 1945 Aust. sl. – a large amount of money
• ROLL OF RAGMAN
n. c1460 obs. – a roll, a list, a catalogue
• ROLL ONE’S ALLEY (IN)
vb. 1919 Aust. – to die; to acknowledge defeat
• ROLL SETS ON
vb. 1970s African-American sl. – to deliver double-fisted blows in quick succession
• ROLL THE GROWLER
vb. 1894 Amer. sl. – to purchase beer in a growler (a pail, can, or pitcher used for carrying beer)
• ROLL THE GUFF
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to converse
• ROLL THEM IN THE AISLES
vb. 1931 US theatrical sl. – to delight or dazzle an audience; esp. to convulse an audience with laughter
• ROLL-UP
n. 1950 sl., orig. prisoners’ usage – a hand-rolled cigarette
• ROLL WITH THE PUNCHES
vb. 1956 colloq. – to cope with and survive adversity
• ROLY-POLY
adj. 1820 sl. – fat
• ROMAN CANDLE
n. 1. 1941 jocular usage – a Roman Catholic
n. 2. 1943 sl. – a parachute jump in which the parachute fails to open
• ROMANICAL
adj. 1. 1663 obs. – Roman Catholic
adj. 2. 1665 obs. – characterized by romance, romantic
• ROMANTRICKS
n. romantic tricks, lovers’ acts …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• ROMANY RYE
n. a gentleman that talks and associates with gypsies …M19 colloq.
• ROMBOYLE
n. the watch (early police) …M17 cant
vb. to make hue and cry; to search for with a warrant …L17 cant
• ROME-RUNNER
n. a person, esp. a cleric, constantly running off to Rome in search of spiritual and monetary profit …M14 colloq.
• ROMEVILLE
n. London …16C
• ROMP
n. a little light-hearted love-making … c1945 colloq.
vb. in horse racing: to move rapidly, and with ease …c1890 sl.
• ROMP AWAY WITH
vb. in horse racing: to win a race easily …c1890 sl.
• ROMPERED
adj. beaten up …1970s services’ in N. Ireland usage
• ROMP HOME
vb. in horse racing: to win very easily …1888 sl.
• ROMP IN
vb. in horse racing: to win very easily …1888 sl.
• ROMPWORTHY
adj. of a woman: sexually desirable …c1935 colloq.
• ROMULIST
n. 1. a descendant of Romulus; a Roman, a native of ancient Rome …1594 obs. rare
n. 2. a Roman Catholic …1620 obs. rare
• RONCHIE
adj. sloppy, careless; inept, unskilled; awkward …World War II US Air Force usage
• RONKISH
adj. precociously wanton, mischievous …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• RONNY
n. a potato …1821 sl.
• RONSON
n. a ponce …c1954 imperfect rhyming sl.
• RONYON
n. a fat woman; a mangy or scabby animal; a term of contempt or reproach to a woman (see note on blog entry) …1605
• ROO
n. 1. a rake; a man who is habituated to immoral conduct …M19 society colloq.
n. 2. a kangaroo …1898 Aust. sl.
• ROOCOOCOO
vb. 1922 rare – of a pigeon or a dove: to coo
• ROOF
n. 1851 back-slang – four shillings or four pounds
• ROOF-RIDING
n. 1980s US sl. – riding illegally on the roof of a car, bus, etc. for the thrills
• ROOK
vb. 1590 sl. – to swindle, to cheat, esp. to overcharge
• ROOKERY
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – disorder
• ROOKUS
n. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – a disturbance, uproar
• ROOKY
adj. boorish; rustic …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• ROOMATICS
n. rheumatism …1826 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• ROOMATISM
n. rheumatism …1901 Sc.
• ROOM-HANDED
adj. liberal, generous …c1200 obs.
• ROOMTHSOME
adj. spacious, roomy …1599 obs.
• ROOMYTICS
n. rheumatism …1826 Ireland
• ROORBACK
n. a defamatory rumour circulated before an election …Bk1892 Amer. sl.
• ROOSE
n. 1. a boasting, vainglory; a boast, brag, vaunt …c1200 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
n. 2. commendation, praise, flattery …a1300 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
vb. 1. to boast or be proud of something …c1200 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to praise, extol, commend, flatter …a1300 obs. exc. Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
vb. 3. to water; to sprinkle with water …B1900 Sc. obs.
• ROOSKY
n. a Russian …1858 sl.
• ROOST
n. a bedroom …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• ROOSTER
n. 1. a conceited or lascivious person …L18 sl., now chiefly US
n. 2. an informer …L18 sl., now chiefly US
n. 3. a lover or philanderer of advanced years …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• ROOSTER-FIGHTER
n. a wild violet …c1960 Amer. dial.
• ROOSTER’S EGG
n. 1. a large egg …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
n. 2. a fertilized egg …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• ROOSTING PLACE
n. a bedroom …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• ROOT
n. 1. the penis …L16 sl.
n. 2. a kick …1900 sl., chiefly schools’ usage
n. 3. the nose …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
n. 4. an act of sexual intercourse; a (usually female) sexual partner …1959 Aust. & NZ
n. 5. a woman considered solely as a sexual partner …1961 Aust. sl.
vb. 1. to kick …1890 sl., chiefly schools’ usage
vb. 2. to have sexual intercourse (with) …1958 Aust. & NZ sl.
• ROOTED
adj. tired …1944 Aust. sl.
• ROOT FOR
vb. to cheer or applaud (a sports team, etc.); to support …L19 colloq. orig. US
• ROOT HOG OR DIE
vb. to look out for yourself or die …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• ROOTIN’ TOOTIN’
adj. noisy; boisterous; rip-roaring; lively …sl., chiefly N. Amer.
• ROOT LIKE A RATTLESNAKE
vb. to have vigorous sex …1958 Aust. sl.
• ROOT OF ALL EVIL
n. money … Bk1903 sl.
• ROOT SEARCHER
n. a heavy rain …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• ROOTSY
adj. of music: traditional, ethnic; not commercialized …L20 colloq.
• ROOTY
n. bread …1883 military sl.
• ROOTY GONG
n. a medal formerly awarded to members of the British Army in India …1925 Brit. sl.
• ROOTY-TOOT
adj. of music, esp. early jazz: noisy and lively …L20 sl., chiefly US
n. something that is noisy or lively; esp. an early style of jazz …L19 sl., chiefly US
• ROOTY-TOOTY
n. a fête, a festivity …1887 Eng. dial.
• ROPE
n. 1. a clothes-line …1833 Sc.
n. 2. a length of worthless material or a long dowdy dress …1866 Sc., derogatory
n. 3. a cigar …1934 US sl.
n. 4. marijuana …1944 sl., chiefly US
vb. to sew roughly in making a temporary mend …1921 Sc.
• THE ROPE
n. execution by hanging; capital punishment …1670 sl.
• ROPEABLE
adj. 1. angry …1874 Aust. & NZ sl.
adj. 2. of a horse, etc.: intractable, wild …L19 Aust. & NZ sl.
• ROPE-A-DOPE
n. a tactic in boxing, whereby a boxer rests against the ropes and protects himself with his arms and gloves, goading an opponent to throw tiring ineffective punches …20C US sl.
• ROPE-GRIPPER
n. a nickname for a sailor …1846 Sc.
• ROPE IN
vb. to decoy …Bk1905 Amer. dial.
• ROPEY
adj. 1. of low quality; bad; inferior; unsatisfactory …1942 sl.
adj. 2. ill …1945 sl.
• ROPE-YARN
n. a day given as a (half-)holiday …1886 sl., chiefly naval usage
• ROPE YARN HOLIDAY
n. a half holiday …Bk1913-17 Amer. navy sl.
• ROPPLE UP
vb. to grow quickly and rankly; used of humans and vegetation …Bk1905 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• ROPY
adj. 1. 1942 sl. – of low quality; bad; inferior; unsatisfactory
adj. 2. 1945 sl. – ill
• RORAL
adj. 1656 rare – consisting of dew, dewy
• RORANT
adj. 1686 obs. – falling as dew
• RORITORIOUS
adj. 1. 1821 – noisy, boisterous, uproarious
adj. 2. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – showy, dashing
• RORT
n. 1. c1910 Aust. sl. – a dodge, a trick, a scheme, a racket; a fraudulent or dishonest practice
n. 2. c1912 Aust. sl. – a crowd
n. 3. c1930 Aust. sl. – something exceptionally good
n. 4. c1930 Aust. sl. – a wild party
vb. 1. 1919 Aust. sl. – to engage in fraud or dishonest practices
vb. 2. 1931 Royal Navy sl. – to be loudly argumentative; to shout or complain loudly
vb. 3. 1980 Aust. sl. – to manipulate a ballot, records, etc. fraudulently
• RORTY
adj. 1. c1864 sl.. orig. Londoner’s sl. – fine, splendid, jolly; of the very best
adj. 2. 1882 sl. – boisterous or noisy, rowdy; coarse or earthy; crudely comic
adj. 3. L19 sl. – coarse; earthy
• RORULENT
adj. 1656 rare – full of, or abounding in dew
• RORY
adj. 1. 1600 obs. rare – dewy
adj. 2. 1865 Sc. – drunk. ‘roaring-full’
adj. 3. 1866 Sc. – loud in colour, gaudy, glaring
• RORY-CUM-TORY
adj. 1893 obs. rare – noisy, boisterous
• RORY O’MORE
n. 1. B1900 rhyming sl. – a door
n. 2. B1900 rhyming sl. – a floor
n. 3. B1900 rhyming sl. – a whore
• RORY-TORY
adj. 1. 1874 Eng. & Amer. dial. – having a mixture of all sorts of flaring colours; gaudy, tawdry, showy, dashing; generally used of colour in dress
adj. 2. 1893 Eng. dial. – loud, noisy, boisterous
• ROSALIE
n. World War I Amer. sl. – one’s bayonet
• ROSBERRY
n. 1904 Amer. dial. – a raspberry
• ROSCID
adj. 1626 rare – resembling dew; falling like dew; abounding with dew; dewy, moist, dank
• ROSCOE
n. 1914 US sl. – a gun, esp. a pistol or revolver
• ROSE-PARLEY
n. 1582 obs. – pleasant conversation or discourse
• ROSES AND RAPTURES
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – love
• ROSICAL
adj. 1631 obs. rare – resembling a rose in colour; rosy
• ROSIE (LEE)
n. 1925 rhyming sl. – tea
• ROSIN
n. M18 sl. – alcoholic drink
vb. E18 now Eng. dial. – to drink liquor
• ROSIN-BACK
n. 1923 – a horse used by a horseback rider or acrobat
• ROSINER
n. 1932 Irish & Aust. sl. – an alcoholic drink, esp. a strong one
• ROSIN SNIFFER
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a violinist
• ROSMARINE
n. 1. a1300 obs. – rosemary
n. 2. 1590 obs. – the walrus
n. 3. 1616 obs. rare – dew from the sea, sea-spray
• ROSSER
n. Bk1902 sl. – a police spy; an informer
• ROSSIE
n. E20 Irish derogatory – a promiscuous woman; a woman who travels or wanders about; a female Gypsy
• ROSY
adj. 1905 sl. – drunk; tipsy
• ROSY-KINDLED
adj. 1860 – suffused with a rosy colour; blushing
• ROSY (LEE)
n. 1925 Brit. rhyming sl. – tea
• ROSY NOSY
n. 1965 Amer. dial. – one who is always poking into other people’s affairs; a nosy, meddlesome person; a gossip
• ROT
int. M19 colloq. – exclamation expressing incredulity or ridicule
n. M19 colloq. – nonsense, rubbish
vb. 1. 1890 Brit. sl. – to make fun of someone or something; to mock, to tease; to ridicule, denigrate
vb. 2. L19 arch. sl. – to talk nonsense; to joke; to fool about
vb. 3. E20 sl. – to spoil or ruin an action, plan, etc.
• ROTGUT
n. 1633 sl. – adulterated or inferior alcoholic liquor, esp. beer or whisky
• ROTTEN
adj. 1. 1864 Aust. sl. – drunk
adj. 2. 1880 – of low quality, bad, inferior, unsatisfactory
adj. 3. 1881 sl. – ill
adj. 4. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – unpleasant; disagreeable
• ROTTEN APPLES
n. 1952 US sl. – a minimal amount; ‘beans’
• ROTTEN EGG
n. 1847 sl., orig. US – a rogue, a villain, a scoundrel, a rascal, a worthless fellow
• ROTTEN WITH
adj. 1920s sl. – of money: well supplied with
• ROTTER
n. 1. E17 sl. – an objectionable or reprehensible person
n. 2. 1894 Brit. sl. – an unpleasant or despicable person
n. 3. L19 sl. – a socially unacceptable person
n. 4. 1910s Aust. sl. – a half-trained horse
n. 5. 1930s Aust. sl. – an expert
• ROT THE SOCKS OFF
vb. 1950s sl. – to defeat comprehensively
• ROTTO
adj. L19 Irish sl. – drunk
• ROTUNDANT
n. 1661 obs. – a round thing
• ROTUNDIOUS
adj. 1614 rare – round or rounded; rotund, spherical
• ROTY
vb. 1387 obs. – to make rotten
• ROT YOU!
int. L17 – exclamation of derision, dismissal; to hell with you!
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Updated: February 27, 2023
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