• SLAB
n. crack …Bk1998 drug culture sl.
• SLABBA-SLABBA
adj. big and fat; slobby, droopy …20C W. Ind. Rasta usage
• SLABBED AND SLID
adj. dead and gone, or certainly long since departed from the prison and thus the immediate knowledge or interest of those left behind …1940s UK prison sl.
• SLABBER
n, 1. L18 – a filthy, slobbering person
n. 2. 1990s Irish sl. – talkativeness
vb. 1990s Irish sl. – to talk nonsense
• SLABBERDEGULLION
n. a filthy, slobbering fellow …E17
• SLABBERING BIB
n. a neckband as worn by a lawyer or parson …L18 sl.
• SLABBING
n. sexual intercourse with a corpse …1970s sl.
• SLAB BOY
n. a necrophiliac; one who has a sexual attraction to corpses …1970s sl.
• SLABSIDED
adj. tall or long and slender; lanky …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLACK
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – scarce; scanty
n. 1959 sl. – a prostitute
vb. 1904 sl. – to be lazy; to avoid work
• SLACK-BACKED
adj. 1. 1884 Eng. dial. – lazy, idle
adj. 2. B1900 Eng. dial. – of a horse: having a low back
• SLACKER
n. someone who avoids work or exertion; a lazy person …1898 sl.
• SLACKER THAN DISHWATER
adj. untidy, dirty, slovenly …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• SLACK JEFF
n. spontaneous ad-libbed chatter …1960s African-American sl.
• SLACK-TWISTED
adj. 1. 1794 – of a rope; not tightly twisted; hence, figuratively:
adj. 2. 1802 – of a loose, unsatisfactory character; lazy, inactive; lethargic, wanting in energy; mentally weak, shiftless
• SLAG
n. 1. 1857 criminals’ sl. – a watch-chain or other decorative chain
n. 2. 1943 sl. – an unpleasant or despicable person, usually male
n. 3. 1955 sl. – a vagrant, a tramp
n. 4. 1955 sl. – a petty criminal; such people collectively
n. 5. 1958 sl., derogatory – a promiscuous woman
n. 6. 1970 sl. – a prostitute
• SLAGGY
adj. sluttish …1943 UK sl.
• SLAG OFF
vb. to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize …1971 sl.
• SLAKE ONE’S THROTTLE
vb. to quench one’s thirst, to drink …1881 Sc.
• SLAM
n. 1884 US – an instance of adverse criticism
vb. 1. 1916 sl., orig. US – to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize
vb. 2. Bk1998 drug culture sl. – to inject a drug
• THE SLAM
n. 1960 US sl. – prison
• SLAM-BANG
adv. 1. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – recklessly
adv. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – noisily
• THE SLAMMER
n. 1952 sl., orig. US – prison
• SLAMMERKIN
adj. 1794 chiefly Eng. dial. – untidy, slovenly
n. 1. 1756 obs. – a loose gown or dress
n. 2. 1785 chiefly Eng. dial. – a dirty, slovenly female; a slattern, a slut
• THE SLAMMERS
n. 1952 sl., orig. US – prison
• SLAMMOCKY
adj. 1. 1855 colloq. & Eng. dial. – slovenly, untidy; careless, sloppy
adj. 2. 1861 colloq. & Eng. dial. – of a person’s body: soft and flabby, out of shape
adj. 3. 1865 colloq. & Eng. dial. – ungainly, awkward; characterized by clumsy or careless movement
• SLAM OUT
vb. to depart hurriedly, as in a temper …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLANGING
n. selling drugs …Bk1998 drug culture sl.
• SLANGING MATCH
n. an altercation …c1860 colloq.
• SLANGRELL
adj. 1643 obs. rare – long and narrow
n. 1592 obs. rare – a lanky person
• SLANGS
n. c1810 cant – fetters; leg-irons
• THE SLANGS
n. c1850 sl. – a collection of travelling shows; the travelling showman’s world or profession
• SLANGUAGE
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – slang
• SLANGULAR
adj. 1853 colloq. – belonging to or characteristic of slang
• SLANG-WHANGER
n. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – a careless talker
• SLANGY
adj. 1. c1850 sl. – flashy or pretentious
adj. 2. c1860 sl. – of dress: loud, vulgar
• SLANT
n. 1. Bk1892 Aust. sl. – a chance
n. 2. 1929 sl., orig. US, derogatory or offensive – anyone from East Asia; anyone of a race with slanting eyes
• SLANTER
n. 1864 Aust. & NZ sl. – a trick or fraudulent stratagem
• SLANT-EYE(S)
n. anyone from East Asia; anyone of a race with slanting eyes …1929 sl., orig. US, derogatory or offensive
• SLAP
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – excellent; first-rate
adv. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – suddenly
n. 1860 sl. – orig. applied to theatrical make-up, such as rouge or grease-paint; hence, more generally, any cosmetic make-up, esp. applied thickly or carelessly
• SLAP AND TICKLE
n. 1928 Brit. sl. – light-hearted kissing, caressing, etc.
• SLAP-BANG
adv. 1. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – suddenly
adv. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – noisily
• SLAP-DASHERY
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – carelessness, slovenliness
• SLAP-HAPPY
adj. 1. 1936 sl. – dizzy, orig. from being punched
adj. 2. 1937 sl. – excessively relaxed or casual
adj. 3. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – foolish; silly; witless
• SLAP-HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
adj. foolishly happy-go-lucky …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLAPHEAD
n. a bald person …1990 Brit. sl.
• SLAP-JACK
n. a pancake …Bk1905 Amer. dial.
• SLAPPER
n. 1. Bk1942 Amer. sl.– something heavy
n. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
n. 3. 1992 Brit. sl., derogatory – a promiscuous woman
• SLAPPY
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – foolish; silly; witless
• SLAPSAUCE
n. 1. 1576 obs. – one who is fond of good eating; a greedy or gluttonous person
n. 2. 1709 obs. rare – a sauce, or similar preparation, composed of various ingredients mixed in a sloppy mass
n. 3. B1900 obs. – a parasite, toady, hanger-on
vb. B1900 sl. – to sponge
• SLAPSIDED
adj. tall or long and slender; lanky …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLAP TAR
vb. 20C W. Indies sl. – to walk around
• SLAP-UP
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – excellent; first-rate
n. 1889 Brit. sl. – a large and splendid meal
• SLASH
n. 1950 Brit. sl. – urination
• SLAT
n. Bk1903 sl. – 2 shillings and sixpence
vb. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – to go
• SLATE
vb. to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize …1848 sl.
• SLATER
n. a horse that runs best on a dry, fast track …Bk1942 Amer. turf sl.
• SLATS
n. 1. 1898 sl., orig. and chiefly US – the ribs
n. 2. 1935 sl., orig. and chiefly US – the buttocks
• SLAUGHTER-HOUSE
n. a cheap brothel …1928 sl.
• SLAVOPHOBIA
n. Bk1991 – fear or hatred of things Slavic, especially of real or imagined Soviet political influence
• SLAWMECKY
adj. 1. 1855 colloq. & Eng. dial. – slovenly, untidy; careless, sloppy
adj. 2. 1861 colloq. & Eng. dial. – of a person’s body: soft and flabby, out of shape
adj. 3. 1865 colloq. & Eng. dial. – ungainly, awkward; characterized by clumsy or careless movement
• SLAWSY-GAWSY
n. a ludicrous term of endearment …B1900 Sc. obs.
• SLAY
vb. to overwhelm someone with delight, often convulsing them with laughter; to cause to laugh convulsively …1927 sl.
• SLAYING
adj. excellent; first-rate …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLEATHY
adj. slovenly, careless …1649 rare
• SLEAZE
n. political corruption; the payment of money to politicians in return for political influence …1983 sl., orig. US
• SLEAZOID
n. a person of low character …1986 US sl.
• SLECK ONE’S THROAT
vb. to quench one’s thirst …1892 Eng. dial.
• SLED
n. 1. Bk1998 sl. – a big car
n. 2. Bk1998 sl. – in the world of automobile auctions, a vehicle badly in need of repair
vb. Bk1998 sl. – to drive in snowy conditions; to drive in winter
• SLEEK
adj. excellent; first-rate …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLEEK AS AN EEL
adj. deceptive, shrewd, elusive …1952 Amer. dial.
• A SLEEP
n. a comparatively short prison sentence …1911 sl., orig. US
• SLEEP AROUND
vb. to behave promiscuously …1928 sl., orig. US
• SLEEPER
n. 1. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – a calf that is ear-marked but not branded
n. 2. 1955 sl. – a spy or saboteur who remains inactive for a long time before starting his or her work
n. 3. 1961 sl. – a sleeping pill
n. 4. sl. – a domino not in use at a given moment
n. 5. Bk1998 drug culture sl. – heroin; a depressant
• SLEEP FAST
vb. to sleep soundly …c1200
• SLEEP IN A WHOLE SKIN
vb. 1555 – to escape being wounded; to remain uninjured
• SLEEPING DICTIONARY
n. 1928 sl. – a foreign woman with whom a man has a sexual relationship and from whom he learns the rudiments of her language
• SLEEPING JESUS
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a nickname for a slow or lazy person
• SLEEPING POLICEMAN
n. 20C UK sl. – a speed bump
• SLEEP LIKE A TOP
vb. 1693 – to sleep very soundly
• SLEEP ON BOTH EARS
vb. 1822 – to sleep soundly, without a care
• SLEEP ON THE EAR
vb. a1663 obs. – to sleep lying on one side
• SLEEP WITH ONE’S FATHERS
vb. 1382 – to be dead and buried
• SLEEPY
n. a nickname for a slow or lazy person …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLEEPY-SEEDS
n. the mucus secretion that forms about the eyelids during sleep …L19 nursery sl.
• SLEEPY TOWN
n. Philadelphia …20C Amer. sl.
• SLEET
n. crack …Bk1998 drug culture sl.
• SLEIGH-RIDE
n. 1. 1925 US sl. – the taking of a narcotic drug, esp. cocaine; the euphoria resulting from taking a narcotic drug
n. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – an incredible story
vb. 1915 US sl. – to take a narcotic drug
• SLEIGH-RIDER
n. one who takes narcotic drugs …1915 US sl.
• SLEIGHTFUL
adj. full of craft or artifice; crafty, cunning, artful, dexterous …1380 obs. rare
• SLENCH
n. 1. B1900 Eng. dial. – an idle fellow
n. 2. B1900 Eng. dial. – a big piece or lump of anything
vb. 1. c1330 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – to creep or slink away, to sneak
vb. 2. 1790 Eng. dial. – to hunt about privately with a view to stealing food, as a cat or dog; to pry about
vb. 3. B1900 Eng. dial. – to quench one’s thirst
vb. 4. B1900 Eng. dial. – to prune a hedge; to cut one side of it only
• AS SLENDER IN THE MIDDLE AS A COW IN THE WAIST
adj. said of a very stout or very fat person …1857 Eng. dial.
• SLENTER
adj. counterfeit, spurious, fake …L19 Aust. & S. Afr. sl.
• SLEUTHFUL
adj. slothful, lazy …c1400 obs.
• SLEUTHY
adj. a1400 obs. rare – slothful
• SLEWED
adj. 1. 1801 sl. – drunk
adj. 2. 1879 Aust. & NZ sl. – lost in the bush
• SLIANTIFIC
adj. 1842 Eng. dial. – scientific
• SLIBBER-SLABBER
adj. B1900 – very careless, negligent
n. 1. 1566 obs. – a compound or concoction of a messy, repulsive, or nauseous nature, used especially for medicinal purposes
n. 2. B1900 – carelessness
• SLIBBLE
vb. to let slide over so as to soil …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• SLICE OF DAMP
n. copulation with a woman …1977 US sl.
• SLICE OFF A CUT LOAF
n. continuation of some wrongful indulgence, esp, sexual …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• SLICE OF THE CAKE
n. a share in benefits, etc. …20C
• SLICK
adj. 1. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – orderly, tidy, neat
adj. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – excellent; first-rate
n. 1959 US sl. – a plausible person who deceives others
• SLICK ACE
n. 1920s US criminals’ sl. – a card in a crooked deck
• SLICK ARTICLE
n. 1. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something beautiful or attractive
n. 2. Bk1942 Amer. college sl. – an attractive girl or young woman
n. 3. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something excellent
• SLICK AS A BABY’S ASS
adj. very slick …1969 Amer. sl.
• SLICK AS A GREASED PIG
adj. very pleasing, successful, pretty, etc. …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• SLICK AS A GUT
adj. orderly, tidy, neat …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLICK AS AN EEL
adj. deceptive, shrewd, elusive …1906 Amer. dial.
• SLICK AS A RAM-CAT
adj. very pleasing, successful, pretty, etc. …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• SLICK AS A SCHOOL-MARM’S LEG
adj. very pleasing, successful, pretty, etc. …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• SLICK AS A WHISTLE
adj. orderly, tidy, neat …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLICK AS A WHISTLE
adv. very smoothly or adroitly …Bk1905 Amer. dial.
• SLICK AS GREASE
adj. very smoothly or adroitly …Bk1905 Amer. dial.
• SLICK AS THE CAT’S WHISKERS
adj. excellent; impressive …1926 US sl.
• SLICK BABY
n. an attractive young woman …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLICK DISH
n. an attractive young woman …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLICKED OUT
adj. drunk, fully intoxicated …1960s Amer. sl.
• SLICKER
n. a plausible person who deceives others …1900 sl., orig. & chiefly US
• SLICKER BREECHES
n. waterproof trousers …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLICK JOB
n. an attractive young woman …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLICK LAYOUT
n. an attractive young woman …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLICK MEMBER
n. an attractive young woman …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLICK NUMBER
n. an attractive young woman …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLICK PIECE OF MERCHANDISE
n. an attractive young woman …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLICK PIECE OF WORK
n. an attractive young woman …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLICK PROPOSITION
n. an attractive young woman …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SLICKS
n. wide, smooth-tread racing tires …Bk1998 sl.
• SLICKSTER
n. a cheat, a smooth talker, a hustler; a swindler …1950s sl. orig. African-American
• SLICK SUPERSPEED
n. methcathinone …Bk1998 drug culture sl.
• SLICKUM
n. hair oil …20C US sl.
• SLICK UP
vb. 1. M19 US sl. – to tidy, to make neat
vb. 2. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – to make sleek
• ‘SLID!
int. L16 euphemism – an oath, ‘God’s eyelid!
• SLIDDERY
adj. 1. a1225 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial. – slippery, smooth; sliding, unstable
adj. 2. a1225 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial. – sly, deceitful, shifty, evasive; not trustworthy
adj. 3. a1400 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – changing, uncertain, fleeting
adj. 4. 1889 Sc. – of food: loose and flaccid; easily eaten
adj. 5. 1892 Sc. – squandering, spendthrift
• SLIDE
n. 1932 US sl. – a trouser pocket
vb. 1. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to depart hurriedly
vb. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to go fast
• SLIDE AWAY WITH THE BANBURY
vb. to be the best of a kind; to rank the highest; to carry off the honours …1885 sl.
• SLIDE BELLY-BUMP
vb. to lie on the belly while sliding down a hill on a sled …1943 Amer. dial.
• SLIDE BELLY-CABUMP
vb. to lie on the belly while sliding down a hill on a sled …1943 Amer. dial.
• SLIDE BELLY-CACHUNK
vb. 1943 Amer. dial. – to lie on the belly while sliding down a hill on a sled
• SLIDE BELLY-FLOP
vb. 1943 Amer. dial. – to lie on the belly while sliding down a hill on a sled
• SLIDE BELLY-FLOPPER
vb. 1943 Amer. dial. – to lie on the belly while sliding down a hill on a sled
• SLIDE BELLY-GERT
vb. 1943 Amer. dial. – to lie on the belly while sliding down a hill on a sled
• SLIDER
n. 1915 sl. – a portion of ice-cream served between two wafers
• SLIDE-RULER
n. Bk1998 sl. – a person coming on a used car lot or into a showroom with a strong interest in such things as miles per gallon, displacement, and EPA ratings and who often carries a calculator; not beloved
• SLIGGY
adj. 1. 1805 Sc. obs. – deceitful, sly
adj. 2. B1900 Sc. – loquacious
• SLIM
adj. 1. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – in bad health; weak
adj. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – scarce; scanty
• SLIME
n. Bk1998 drug culture sl. – heroin
• SLIM-JIM
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – thin; skinny
• SLIMSLACK
n. 1600 obs. – a person who is mentally or physically defective
• SLIMSY
adj. Bk1905 Amer. dial. – flimsy
• SLIMY
adj. 1602 sl. – insincere in manner; ingratiating
• SLING
n. 1948 Aust. sl. – a bribe
vb. 1. Bk1892 Aust. sl. – to blow the nose with the naked fingers
vb. 2. c1907 Aust. sl. – to pay a bribe
• SLING A CAT
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to vomit
• SLING A DEAF ‘UN
vb. 1920s sl. – to pretend to be deaf or at least not to hear the last statement; hence to deliberately ignore any form of wrongdoing
• SLING A NASTY FOOT
vb. 1834 Amer. sl. – to dance exceedingly well
• SLING BACK
n. 1948 Aust. sl. – a bribe
• SLINGER
n. 1882 sl., chiefly services’ usage – bread soaked in tea; usually used in the plural
• SLING HASH
vb. 1906 US sl. – to wait at tables
• SLING INK
vb. Bk1896 colloq. – to make a business of writing
• SLING OFF
vb. 1900 Aust. & NZ sl. – to speak sarcastically; to sneer
• SLING ONE’S ALLEY (IN)
vb. 1960 Aust. – to die; to acknowledge defeat
• SLING ONE’S DADDLE
vb. Bk1892 Aust. sl. – to shake hands
• SLING ONE’S HOOK
vb. 1873 sl., esp. nautical usage – to depart; hence, to sign aboard ship
• SLING ON THE SLACK ROPE
vb. B1900 Eng. dial. – to be lazy
• SLING OUT
vb. 1959 sl. – to dismiss
• SLINGSHOT
n. 1. Bk1998 sl. – a dragster in which the driver sits behind the rear wheels, like a rock in a slingshot
n. 2. Bk1998 sl. – a racing manoeuvre in which a car following in the draft of another breaks out of the vacuum and gets a sudden burst of speed
• SLING THE BAT
vb. 1892 orig. military usage – to speak the ‘lingo’ of a foreign country
• SLING THE HATCHET
vb. 1. 1869 Eng. dial. – to be lazy
vb. 2. 1893 – to make exaggerated statements
• SLINK
n. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – a contemptible fellow
• SLINKY
adj. 1. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – tall or long and slender; lanky
adj. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – scarce; scanty
• SLINTER
adj. L19 Aust. & S. Afr. sl. – counterfeit, spurious, fake
n. 1864 Aust. & NZ sl. – a trick or fraudulent stratagem
• SLIP BETWEEN THE CRACKS
vb. 1970s Amer. sl. – to be ignored, overlooked, mismanaged, or forgotten, esp. because of ambiguity in definition or understanding
• SLIP CABLE
vb. 1805 US nautical sl. – to run away; to depart
• SLIP HER A LENGTH
vb. 19C sl. – to copulate with a woman
• SLIP INTO
vb. 20C colloq. – to coit; to penetrate a woman
• SLIP ME
phr. 1950s Amer. sl. – give me
• SLIP OFF THE HOOKS
vb. 1834-40 Amer. sl. – to die
• SLIP ONE OVER (ON)
vb. L19 sl., orig. US – to get the better of someone; to cheat; to deceive
• SLIP ONE’S BOWLINE
vb. 1848 Amer. nautical sl. – to die
• SLIP ONE’S CABLE
vb. 1823 US nautical sl., now hist. – to die
• SLIP ON ONE’S GUAVA
vb. 1970s S. Afr. sl. – to make a fool of oneself
• SLIP OVER A FAST ONE
vb. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – to do something clever
• SLIPPERY EEL
n. 1966 Amer. dial., usually derogatory – an elusive, shrewd, sly, or deceptive person
• SLIPPETTY-SLOPPETTY
adj. 1892 Eng. dial. – untidy, slovenly, slatternly
• SLIP-SKIN
adj. 1641 obs. – evasive, slippery
• SLIPSLAP
n. 1. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a verbal blunder
n. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – weak, inferior liquor
• SLIPSLOP
n. 1. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – a verbal blunder
n. 2. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – weak, inferior liquor
• SLIPSLOPPINESS
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – carelessness, slovenliness
• SLIP SOMEONE A LENGTH
vb. 1949 sl. – of man: to have sex
• SLIP SOMETHING OVER ON SOMEONE
vb. 1912 sl. – to deceive, to dupe
• SLIPSTREAMING
n. Bk1998 sl. – driving or racing close to the tail of another car to take advantage of the reduced air resistance
• SLIP THE CALF
vb. 1664 humorous usage, obs. – of women: to suffer abortion
• SLIP THE CHAIN
vb. 1846 US nautical sl. – to leave
• SLIP THE PAINTER
vb. a1700 – to send a person or thing ‘adrift’ or away; to clear off; to sever a connection, effect a separation
• SLIP-UP
n. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – an error; a mistake; a blunder
• SLISH
vb. Bk1913-17 Amer. dial. – to rinse by throwing water upon
• SLIT
n. 1648 sl. – female genitals
• SLITHER
vb. Bk1892 Aust. sl. – to hurry away, to leave
• SLITHERY
n. 20C Brit. sl. – copulation
• SLIVERLY
adj. 1674 Eng. dial. rare – cunning, crafty, deceitful, knavish, artful
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Updated: February 27, 2023
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