• SIF
n. San Francisco …1972 US sl.
• SIFF
n. syphilis …1914 sl.
• SIFFER
n. one who drinks a great deal …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• SIFFILATE
vb. to whisper …1837 rare
• SIFFLE
vb. to blow with a sibilant sound; to whistle, to hiss …a1300
• SIFFLEMENT
n. a whistling noise …1607 obs.
• SI-FODLIN
adv. askew, awry, lopsided …1986 Amer. dial.
• SI-FOG
vb. to roam or loaf about; to ramble about aimlessly …1968 Amer. dial.
• SI-FOGAROUND
vb. to roam or loaf about; to ramble about aimlessly …1993 Amer. dial.
• SIFT
vb. 1. to subject one to close questioning …a1566
vb. 2. to examine closely into; to scrutinize narrowly so as to find out the truth …1573
vb. 3. to pry into, to make inquiry …1590
vb. 4. to clean one out of money …1591
vb. 5. to search; to try …1611 obs.
vb. 6. to steal small coins, i.e. such as might be conceived of as passing through a sieve …19C sl.
vb. 7. to move, to start moving; to move swiftly through a crowd …20C US & Black British sl.
vb. 8. to go very fast …1941 Amer. dial.
vb. 9. to walk casually; to drift …1904 Amer. dial.
• SIFT AROUND
vb. to walk casually; to drift …1921 Amer. dial.
• SIFT DIRT
vb. to go very fast …1984 Amer. dial.
• SIFTER
n. a housebreaker, a burglar …M19 sl.
• SIFT IN
vb. to arrive …20C Amer. & UK sl.
• SIFTON’S PETS
n. Eastern European, esp. Ruthenian and Galician immigrants …1900 Can. usage
• SI-FUGLE AROUND
vb. to loaf about; to walk casually, to drift …1912 Amer. dial.
• SIG
n. 1. urine …1691 Eng. dial. & US
n. 2. a signature …L19 sl.
n. 3. a signaller …WWI army usage
n. 4. a bad-tempered, thoroughly objectionable person; a medical initialism for Stroppy (bad-tempered) Ignorant Git (objectionable person) …2002 UK doctors’ shorthand
vb. 1. to steep in or sprinkle with urine …1581 obs.
vb. 2. to boast or pretend to a greater sophistication that one actually possesses …1920s African-American sl.
vb. 3. to cause trouble; to stir things up, often purely for fun, whatever the actual results …1930s African-American sl.
vb. 4. to recite one of a variety of purpose-written ‘tales’, usually recounting the exploits of some mythical gangster-cum-sexual athlete …1930s African-American sl.
• SIGALDER
n. a charm or incantation …c1000 obs. rare
vb. to enchant, to bewitch …1303 obs.
• SIGALDRY
n. enchantment, sorcery …a1225 obs. rare
• SIG FILE
n. a file containing one’s name, email address, and often a small ascii art picture and/or quotation, added to the end of email messages …20C Aust. sl.
• SIGGING
n. a competing in rounds of ritualized mockery …1940s African-American sl.
• SIGH
vb. to desire or long for something …1650 obs.
• SIGHFUL
adj. sorrowful, sad …1606 rare
• SIGHING FOR THE FLESH-POTS OF EGYPT
adj. hankering for good things no longer at your command …1814
• SIGHING SARAH
n. a shell that ‘sighs’ in its distant flight …World War I military usage
• SIGHINGNESS
n. the condition of uttering sighs …a1300 obs.
• SIGHS AND TEARS
n. ears …1930s US criminals’ rhyming sl.
• SIGHT
adv. very much …1928 UK sl.
int. do you understand? …1950s W. Indies Rasta usage
n. 1. aspect, appearance, look …c1205 obs.
n. 2. opinion; estimate, judgement; respect, regard, view …a1300 rare
n. 3. a sigh …a1300 obs.
n. 4. a large quantity; a great many; a multitude …1390 UK
n. 5. the pupil of the eye …c1400 obs. exc. Eng. & Amer. dial.
n. 6. a visor, as on a helmet …1508 obs.
n. 7. knowledge, skill, insight …1530 obs.
n. 8. an oddity …L17
n. 9. a gesture of derision, made by placing the thumb on the tip of one’s nose and spreading out the fingers like a fan …E18 sl.
n. 10. an opportunity, chance, prospect …1849 Amer. dial.
n. 11. anything that gives rise to horrified, amused, or disgusted glances …M19 sl.
n. 12. a shocking, repulsive or ridiculous spectacle; esp. used of people who see themselves or others improperly or inelegantly dressed …1862 sl.
n. 13. an unattractive person …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
vb. 1. to sigh …c1375 obs.
vb. 2. to tolerate, to permit; to put up with …1910s Aust. sl.
vb. 3. to observe, to see …1930s UK criminals’ & Black sl.
vb. 4. to point or show the way …1952 Amer. dial.
vb. 5. to understand …1980 Bahamas
vb. 6. to look at …1991 Amer. dial.
• SIGHT A PEBBLY BEACH
vb. to be short of money …L19 sl.
• SIGHT-COURT
n. a place for public shows …1553 obs.
• SIGHT DELIGHT
n. a good-looking man…1980s US students’ sl.
• SIGHTER
n. 1. an inspector …1708 Sc. obs.
n. 2. in card-sharping: a minute dot on a card …1894 criminals’ sl.
• A SIGHT FIT FOR THE GODS
n. something exquisite; a supremely pleasing prospect
• SIGHT FOR SORE EYES
n. 1. a welcome appearance; often used as an affectionate greeting – ‘you’re a sight for sore eyes’ …M19
n. 2. something unattractive …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
n. 3. an unattractive person …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• A SIGHT FOR THE GODS
n. something exquisite; a supremely pleasing prospect; cause of wonderment …c1890 colloq.
• SIGHTFUL
adj. 1. visible …c1375 obs.
adj. 2. sightly, pleasant to the eye …1565 obs.
adj. 3. endowed with sight; seeing …1594 obs.
• SIGHTFULNESS
n. the power of seeing …a1586 obs.
• SIGHT-GLASSES
n. spectacles …1605 obs.
• SIGHT-HIT
vb. to stare at someone or something; to ogle someone …1979 India sl.
• SIGHT-HOLE
n. the pupil of the eye …1670 obs.
• SIGHTING
n. sighing …a1300 obs.
• SIGHTLESS
adj. 1. invisible, unseen, dark; impenetrable by vision …1589
adj. 2. unsightly …1595 obs.
• SIGHTLY
adj. visible; conspicuous …1532 obs.
• SIGHTS
n. spectacles …1619 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• SIGHTSEERS
n. the crowd that gathers round illicit street traders or gamblers …1970s UK criminals’ sl.
• SIGHT-SHOT
n. the range of vision …1663 obs.
• SIGHTSMAN
n. 1. one who points out sights or objects of interest; a local guide …a1700
n. 2. one who reads or performs music at sight …1776
• SIGHT TO MAKE SORE EYES
n. something unattractive …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SIGHTY
adj. 1. sightly, fair, handsome …1387 obs.
adj. 2. visible, conspicuous …1398 obs.
adj. 3. keen-sighted; clever …a1425 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• SIGIL
n. a seal or signet …a1610
• SIGILLAR
adj. belonging to a seal or mark …1656 obs.
• SIGILLARIST
n. a sigillographer …1898 rare
• SIGILLARY
adj. pert. to a seal or signet; connected with the use or making of seals, etc. …1652
• SIGILLATE
adj. of pottery: decorated with impressed patterns …1891
vb. to seal; to seal up …1471
• SIGILLATION
n. the act of sealing; the fact of being sealed; the impression of a seal …1642
• SIGILLISTIC
adj. pert. to seals …1867
• SIGILLOGRAPHER
n. one who pursues or is skilled in the study of seals …1882
• SIGILLOGRAPHY
n. the science or study of seals …1879
• SIGILLUM
n. a small figure of a person …1637 rare
• SIGLE
n. an initial or other character used to denote words …1614 obs. rare
• SIGMA
n. syphilis …E19 Brit. sl.
• SIGMA PHI
n. syphilis …E19 Brit. sl.
• SIGMUND FREUDS
n. haemorrhoids …20C Brit. rhyming sl.
• SIGMUNDS
n. haemorrhoids …1990s rhyming sl. on ‘sigmund freuds’
• SIGN
n. 1. a figure or image; a statue or effigy; an imprint …1362 obs.
n. 2. a constellation …1398 obs. rare
n. 3. a marvel or wonder …a1400-50 obs.
vb. to assign, to appoint …1338 obs.
• SIGNACLE
n. 1. a sign, seal, mark, figure …1382 obs.
n. 2. a sign or gesture …c1450 obs.
• SIGNAL
adj. distinctive, significative …1652 obs.
• SIGNAL BASHER
n. a signaller …c1930 army sl.
• SIGNALITY
n. 1. signification; significance …1646 obs.
n. 2. the quality of a sign or indication …1646 obs.
n. 3. notability, distinction … 1650 rare
• SIGNALMENT
n. a description of a person wanted by the police; a distinguishing mark …1778 rare
• SIGNAL-TO-NOISE RATIO
n. the amount of useful content found on an Internet site …1997 US sl.
• SIGNANCE
n. signification, indication …c1400 obs. rare
• SIGNANTER
adv. expressly, distinctly, definitely …1614 rare
• SIGNANTLY
adj. ?distinctly, definitely …a1656 obs.
• SIGNATE
adj. marked or distinguished in some way …1649
n. a distinguishing mark or quality …1662 obs.
vb. to stamp. to mark …1653 obs.
• SIGNATION
n. 1. the act of marking with a seal, or of signing with the cross …1607 rare
n. 2. a distinctive mark …1646 obs.
n. 3. the act of marking in a particular way, or the fact of being so marked …1659 obs.
• SIGNATORY
adj. used in sealing …1647 obs.
• SIGNATURAL
adj. according to signatures …1683 rare
• SIGNATURE
n. 1. an image; a figure; an imitative mark …1658 now rare or obs.
n. 2. a naevus, a birthmark …1682 obs.
n. 3. the backblast of flame or smoke from a weapon …1990 US sl.
• SIGNATURIZE
vb. to symbolize, to signify …1669 obs.
• SIGNBOARD
n. the face …c1870 sl.
• SIGNED ALL OVER
adj. of a picture: clearly characteristic of its creator …1909 artists’ usage
• SIGNED SERVANT
n. an assigned servant …1830 Aust. colloq.
• SIGNET
n. a signal …1590 obs. rare
• SIGNIFER
n. c1374 obs. – the Zodiac
• SIGNIFIANCE
n. c1250 obs. – significance
• SIGNIFICATE
adj. 1432-50 obs. rare – signified, indicated
n. c1449 – that which is signified or symbolized
• SIGNIFICATION
n. 20C African-American sl. – negative or hostile talk, criticism, ritualized abuse
• SIGNIFICATIVE
adj. 1677 – highly significant or suggestive
n. 1641 – a thing or word serving to signify or indicate something
• SIGNIFICATURE
n. 1855 rare – significance; the meaning or import of something
• SIGNIFIER
n. 1930s African-American sl. – one who boasts or makes insulting remarks
• SIGNIFURE
n. c1450 obs. rare – signification, sign
• SIGNIFY
vb. 1. 1456 obs. – to compare, to liken to something
vb. 2. 1513 obs. rare – to hint at
vb. 3. 1523 obs. – to notify or inform a person
vb. 4. 1920s African-American sl. – to boast, to brag, or pretend to a greater sophistication that one actually possesses
vb. 5. 1929 African-American – to use language in a cunning, indirect, and often malicious way; to make a sly verbal attack; broadly, to engage in deceptive, manipulative or mocking behaviour; to gossip; to stir up trouble
vb. 6. 1930s African-American sl. – to recite one of a variety of purpose-written ‘tales’, usually recounting the exploits of some mythical gangster-cum-sexual athlete
vb. 7. 1932 US sl. – to engage in ritualist insults, goading and teasing
vb. 8. 1985 Amer. dial. – to inform on someone; to ‘squeal’
• SIGNIFYING
n. 1940s African-American sl. – boasting, insinuating; esp. in the form of a ritual game of testing a rival’s emotional strength by insulting their relatives
• SIGNMENT
n. 1. 1429 obs. – assignment, appointment
n. 2. a1660 obs. – a body of persons who have signed a document or agreement
• SIGN OF ADMIRATION
n. 1702 obs. – an exclamation mark
• SIGN OF A HOUSE TO LET
n. 1785 sl. – a widow’s weeds
• SIGN OF TENEMENTS TO LET
n. L18 sl. – a widow’s weeds
• THE SIGN OF THE FEATHERS
phr. M19 – a woman’s best good graces
• SIGN OF THE FIVE SHILLINGS
n. 1785 sl. – any public house called the Crown
• THE SIGN OF THE THREE BALLS
n. 19C colloq. – a pawnbroker’s
• SIGN ON
vb. 1. 1885 Brit. sl. – to register at the Department of Employment (formerly Labour or Employment Exchange) in order to obtain unemployment benefit; hence, to be out of work
vb. 2. 1980s Aust. prison sl. – to enter into a stable homosexual relationship
• SIGN ONE’S LAST CHECK
vb. 1965 Amer. dial. – to die
• SIGN ON THE DOTTED LINE
vb. to agree fully to terms or conditions
• SIGNORITY
n. a1529 obs. rare – lordship, government
• SIGNORIZE
vb. 1594 obs. – to rule, to reign, to have or exercise dominion; usually with ‘in’ or ‘over’
• SIGNORIZE IT
vb. 1611 obs. rare – to play the master
• SIGNORY
n. 1. c1375 – lordship, domination, rule
n. 2. 1555 – a lordship, domain, territory
• SIGNS
n. 1993 US sl. – hand signals showing youth gang affiliation
• SIGNS ON IT!
int. 1920s sl. orig. Irish – bad luck to you! consequences will follow!
• SIGNS ON YOU!
int. 1920s sl. orig. Irish – bad luck to you! consequences will follow!
• SIGN THE COAL WARRANTS
vb. M19 nautical usage – to have a parting drink on board a ship ready to sail
• SIGN UP
vb. 1970s Aust. criminals’ sl. – to make a written confession
• SI-GODLIN
adv. 1917 Amer. dial. – slanting, askew, awry
• SI-GOGGLIN
adv. 1930 Amer. dial. – awry, askew
• SIGOURNEY WEAVER
n. 1990s rhyming sl. for ‘beaver’ – the female genitals, esp. the public hair
• SIG QUOTE
n. 1991 US sl. – in computing: an aphorism automatically included with the user’s formatted signature
• SIGSTER
n. 1830 sl. – a nap; a short sleep
• SIKE
n. 1. a1214 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – a small stream of water, esp. one flowing through flat or marshy ground, and often dry in summer
n. 2. a1225 obs. exc. Eng. – a sigh
n. 3. 1479 obs. rare – a stretch of meadow; a field
n. 4. 1859 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – a gully; a dip or hollow
vb. 1. c1175 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – to sigh
vb. 2. 1841 Eng. dial. – to sob or cry
• SIKET
n. a small watercourse or sike …1300 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
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Updated: February 28, 2023
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