• STRICTLY FOR THE BIRDS
adj. said of something worthless or no good, esp. appealing only to gullible people …1944 sl., orig. & chiefly US
• STRIDE A POT
vb. of women: to urinate …Bk1904 sl.
• STRIDELONG
adv. with the legs wide apart …1609 obs. rare
• STRIDERS
n. trousers …L19 sl.
• STRIDES
n. trousers …1889, orig. theatrical, now chiefly Aust.
• STRIDEWALLOPS
n. a tall, long-legged girl; a tomboy, a romp …B1900 Eng. dial. obs.
• STRIDE-WIDE
n. ale …Bk1904 cant
• STRIKE
n. 1. 1890 sl. – an unscrupulous attempt to extort money or to obtain other personal advantage
n. 2. 1890 sl. – £1
n. 3. Bk1904 sl. – a sovereign
vb. 1. 1620 sl. – to copulate
vb. 2. Bk1904 sl. – to get money; to steal; to beg, to borrow; to get into debt
• STRIKE A LIGHT
int. 1936 Brit., Aust., & NZ – an exclamation of surprise or astonishment
vb. 1. E19 sl. – to open a line of credit
vb. 2. Bk1904 sl. – to run up an alehouse score
• STRIKE ALL IN A HEAP
vb. to amaze or stupefy one …1914 Amer. dial.
• STRIKE ALL OF A HEAP
vb. to amaze or stupefy one …1950 Amer. dial.
• STRIKE IT RICH
vb. to become rich …1884 sl., orig. US
• STRIKE ME!
int. an exclamation of surprise or astonishment …1696 Aust. & NZ sl.
• STRIKE-ME-BLIND
int. 1696 Aust. & NZ sl. – (as ‘strike me blind!’) an exclamation of surprise or astonishment
n. Bk1904 nautical sl. – rice
• STRIKE ME DEAD!
int. an exclamation of surprise or astonishment …1696 Aust. & NZ sl.
• STRIKE ME DUMB!
int. an oath an exclamation …17C colloq.
• STRIKE ME HANDSOME!
int. a mock oath and exclamation …20C colloq.\
• STRIKE ME LUCK(Y)!
int. orig. used in clenching a bargain; the hands were struck together, and the buyer left a ‘luck-penny’ in the hands of the seller; hence an oath or ejaculation …1616 sl.
• STRIKE ME PINK!
int. an exclamation of surprise or astonishment …1696 Aust. & NZ sl.
• STRIKE OIL
vb. to succeed …1863 Amer. sl.
• STRIKE ONE ALL OF A HEAP
vb. to amaze or stupefy one …1756 Amer. dial.
• STRIKE ON THE MACE
vb. to live on credit …Bk1896 sl.
• STRIKER
n. 1. 1598 sl. – a robber who uses violence
n. 2. 1639 sl. – a wencher
n. 3. Bk1904 sl. – a blackmailer
n. 4. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – something beautiful or attractive
n. 5. World War I Amer. sl. – a soldier who works for an officer
• STRIKE THE BALL UNDER THE LINE
vb. to fail in one’s purpose …1546
• STRIKE THE FLAG
vb. 20C sl. – to relinquish command, esp. of a ship
• STRIKE THE LIGHT
vb. to extinguish the light …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• STRIKE THE MACE
vb. to obtain goods by persuading the shopkeeper to extend credit that one has no intention of paying …E19 sl.
• STRIKING
n. a robbery, swindle, picking a pocket, or imposition …1591 sl.
• STRILL
n. a cheating lie …Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• STRIME
n. B1900 Eng. dial. – a stride, a pace
vb. 1854 Eng. dial. – to walk with long steps; to stride; to pace
• STRINE
n. 1964 Aust. colloq. – Australian English
• STRING
n. 1. Bk1904 sl. – a hoax; a discredited story
n. 2. 1913 US sl. – a group of prostitutes working for the same person or organization
n. 3. Bk1942 Amer. turf sl. – a stable of horses
vb. 1. 1812 sl., chiefly US – to fool or hoax; to deceive, to dupe
vb. 2. Bk1904 sl. – in billiards: to cast for play; each player to the top of the table to return to balk, the one nearest the bottom cushion then has the choice
• STRING ALONG
vb. 1. 20C colloq. – to be in agreement; to follow with confidence
vb. 2. 20C colloq. – to deceive, cheat, trick
vb. 3. 20C colloq. – to keep a person waiting or in a state of uncertainty
• STRING AND TWINE
n. wine …1920s US rhyming sl.
• STRING-BEAN
n. a tall, thin person …1936 US sl.
• STRINGER
n. 1. 1611 sl. – a whoremonger; a lecher; a wencher
n. 2. Bk1904 sl. – in cricket: a difficult ball to play
• STRING OF BACON
n. campaign ribbons …1976 US military sl.
• STRING OF BOXES
n. a train of boxcars …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• STRING OF PONIES
n. a collection of prostitutes …20C sl.
• STRING OF SAUSAGES
n. a chain …M19 sl.
• STRING OF VARNISH
n. a passenger train …1945 Amer. dial.
• STRING OUT
vb. to be under the influence of a drug …1967 US sl.
• STRING UP
vb. to kill by hanging …1810 sl.
• STRINGY-BARK
adj. 1833 Aust. sl. – rough, uncultured; hence mean, ne’er-do-well
n. 1. 1890 Aust. sl. – a combination of fusil oil and turpentine, labelled ‘whisky’; bad liquor
n. 2. Bk1892 Aust. sl. – a ne’er-do-well
• STRIP
vb. c1696 sl. – to rob or gut a house; to rob a person
• STRIPE
n. 1. 1613 colloq. – a characteristic ; kind
n. 2. 1856 Amer. – persons of the same political colour
• STRIPED
adj. intoxicated with alcohol …M20 US sl.
• STRIPER
n. an officer in the Royal Navy or the US Navy of a rank designated by the stated number of stripes on the uniform, and in the army to a lance-corporal (one-striper), corporal (two-striper), or sergeant (three-striper) …1917 sl.
• STRIPES
n. 1. 1887 US sl. – a prison uniform
n. 2. L19 sl. – a tiger
• STRIPEY
n. a long-service able seaman, esp. one with good-conduct stripes …1942 Brit. naval sl.
• STRIP-ME-NAKED
n. gin …c1820 sl.
• STRIPPED
adj. of drinks: unmixed with water …Bk1902 colloq,
• STRIPPED TO THE BUFF
adj. undressed, nude, naked …1848 Amer. dial.
• STRIPPERS
n. high cards cut wedge-shape, a little wider than the rest, so as to be easily drawn in a crooked game …Bk1904 gaming sl.
• STRIP THE KEN
vb. to rob a house …c1696 sl.
• STRIP THE TABLE
vb. to win all the money on the place …c1696 sl.
• STRIP WELL
vb. to look good unclothed or partially clothed; to have a sexually attractive body …20C US sl.
• STRIVABLE
adj. open to dispute, disputable …c1456 obs. rare
• STRIVE
vb. to write with care …Bk1904 Christ’s Hospital usage
• STRIVOUS
adj. a1382 obs. rare – full of strife
• STROAM
vb. 1796 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – to walk with long strides; also, to wander about idly
• STROKE
n. 1. Bk1904 sl. – copulation
n. 2. 1970 Brit. sl. – an underhanded trick
vb. 1. L18 sl. – to copulate
vb. 2. 19C Brit. colloq. – to fondle; to caress a woman
vb. 3. Bk1904 sl. – to grope
vb. 4. M20 US colloq. to praise or compliment a person
• STROKE ONE’S OAR
vb. of a male: to masturbate …1971 Amer. sl.
• STROKER
n. a flatterer; a sycophant …1632 sl.
• STROKE THE EARS
vb. to gratify with agreeable sounds; hence, to flatter, to coax …a1668 obs.
• STROKE THE LIZARD
vb. to masturbate …1970 US sl.
• STROLLER
n. 1. c1696 sl. – a vagabond, itinerant, man of no settled abode; a gypsy, beggar, peddler, hawker, etc.
n. 2. Bk1891 theatrical sl. – an actor
• STROLLING-MORT
n. an unmarried female beggar who pretends to be a widow …c1696 cant
• STROLL ON!
int. an exclamation of surprise or astonishment …1959 Brit.
• STROLLOP
n. 20C – a woman of loose sexual morals
vb. 20C Amer. dial. – to wander about
• STROME
vb. 1796 obs. exc. Eng. dial. – to walk with long strides; also, to wander about idly
• STROMMEL
n. 1. 1567 cant – straw
n. 2. Bk1904 sl. – hair
• STROMMELLING
adj. 1. 1825 Eng. dial. – unruly
adj. 2. B1900 Eng. dial. – awkward, ungainly
• STROMP
n. a masculine woman; a woman exhibiting male behaviour …20C Amer. dial. or colloq.
• STRONG AND THIN
n. gin; a glass of gin …E20 US rhyming sl.
• STRONG BACK AND A WEAK MIND
n. descriptive of a stupid, strong fellow …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• STRONG BARLEY-WATER
n. ale …1625 obs.
• STRONG ENOUGH TO BEAR UP AN EGG
adj. said of strong coffee …1965 Amer. dial.
• STRONG ENOUGH TO BOUNCE AN IRON WEDGE
adj. said of strong coffee …1946 Amer. dial.
• STRONG ENOUGH TO CARRY AN EGG
adj. said of strong coffee …1965 Amer. dial.
• STRONG ENOUGH TO FLOAT AN EGG
adj. said of strong coffee …1950 Amer. dial.
• STRONG ENOUGH TO FLOAT AN IRON WEDGE
adj. said of strong coffee …1859 Amer. dial.
• STRONG ENOUGH TO FLOAT AN IRON WEDGEAROUND CAPE HORN
adj. 1939 Amer. dial. – said of strong coffee
• STRONG ENOUGH TO HOLD UP AN EGG
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – said of strong coffee
• STRONG ENOUGH TO KNOCK YOUR HAT OFF
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – of coffee: very strong
• STRONG ENOUGH TO POP AN EGG
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – said of strong coffee
• STRONG ENOUGH TO RAISE YOUR HAT
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – of coffee: very strong
• STRONG ENOUGH TO TIP YOUR HAT
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – of coffee: very strong
• STRONG ENOUGH TO TOTE DOUBLE
adj. 1967 Amer. dial. – said of strong coffee
• STRONG ENOUGH TO WALK
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – of food or drink, esp. coffee: very strong-flavoured
• STRONG ENOUGH TO WALK ALONE
adj. 1861 Amer. dial. – of food or drink, esp. coffee: very strong-flavoured
• STRONG ENOUGH TO WALK AND PAY TAXES
adj. 2008 Amer. dial. – of coffee: very strong-flavoured
• STRONG ENOUGH TO WALK BACK TO COLOMBIA
adj. 1992 Amer. dial. – of coffee: very strong-flavoured
• STRONG ENOUGH TO WALK BY ITSELF
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – of food or drink, esp. coffee: very strong-flavoured
• STRONG ENOUGH TO WALK OFF
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – of food or drink, esp. coffee: very strong-flavoured
• STRONG ENOUGH TO WALK ON
adj. 1965 Amer. dial.– of food or drink, esp. coffee: very strong-flavoured
• STRONG ENOUGH TO WALK ON ITS HANDS
adj. 1915 Amer. dial. – of food or drink, esp. coffee: very strong-flavoured
• STRONG ENOUGH TO WALK OUT OF THE CUP
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – of food or drink, esp. coffee: very strong-flavoured
• STRONG ENOUGH TO WALK OUT OF THE POT
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – of food or drink, esp. coffee: very strong-flavoured
• STRONG ENOUGH TO WALK UP A HILL BACKWARDS
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – of food or drink, esp. coffee: very strong-flavoured
• STRONG ENOUGH TO WALK UP HILL
adj. 1965 Amer. dial. – of food or drink, esp. coffee: very strong-flavoured
• STRONGER THAN HORSERADISH
adj. 1909 US sl. – very strong
• STRONG IT
vb. 1964 Brit. sl. – to talk exaggeratedly
• THE STRONG OF
n. 1915 Aust. sl. – refers to the truth about something or the point or meaning of something
• STRONG WATERS
n. 19C colloq. – alcoholic spirits
• ‘STROOTH!
int. 1892 – an exclamation of surprise or astonishment; God’s truth!
• STROP ONE’S BEAK
vb. 19C Brit. sl. – to coit a woman
• STROPPY
adj. 1951 Brit. sl. – bad-tempered
• STROSSERS
n. 16C – a type of tight trousers
• STRUBBLE
vb. 1916 Amer. dial. – to put the hair in disorder
• STRUCK DUMBWILDERED
adj. Bk1942 Amer. sl. – bewildered; confused; disconcerted
• STRUE
vb. Bk1904 schools’ sl. – to construe
• STRUGGLE-BUGGY
n. 1965 Amer. dial. – an automobile, esp. an old or broken-down car
• STRULL
n. 20C Amer. dial. or colloq. – a female tramp; a tramp’s woman
• STRUM
n. 1. L17 sl. – a strumpet; a prostitute; a harlot
n. 2. Bk1904 sl. – a wig
vb. L18 sl. – to copulate
• THE STRUM
n. 1887 sl. – street-walking
• STRUMMEL-FAKER
n. Bk1904 sl. – a barber
• STRUMMELL
n. 1567 cant – straw
• STRUMMY
adj. B1900 Sc. – pettish, sullen
• STRUMPET
adj. Bk1904 sl. – wanton
n. 1602 sl. – a harlot; a prostitute
vb. 1. L16 sl. – to play the whore; to practice prostitution
vb. 2. Bk1904 sl. – to copulate
vb. 3. Bk1904 sl. – to hold up to contempt as a strumpet
• STRUMPETOCRACY
n. c1857 sl.– government by the privities
• STRUNG-OUT
adj. 1. M20 US drug culture sl. – addicted to drugs
adj. 2. 1959 US drug culture sl. – intoxicated with drugs
adj. 3. 1960s Amer. sl. – disturbed, worried
• STRUNT
n. 1. 1608 cant – the penis
n. 2. 1787 Sc. – liquor
• STRUNTY
adj. 1. 1756 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – short, stumpy, dwarfish, stunted
adj. 2. 1825 Sc. & Eng. dial. – short-tempered, easily offended, sulky, out of humour, pettish, huffy
adj. 3. 1879 Sc.& Eng. dial. – misty, foggy
• STRUT-FART
n. 20C US colloq. – a person, usually a male, who struts around looking very important
• ‘STRUTH!
int. 1892 – an exclamation of surprise or astonishment; God’s truth!
• STRUT-NODDY
n. Bk1904 sl. – a mincing fool
• STRUT ONE’S STUFF
vb. 1926 sl., orig. US – to show off; to display one’s ability
• ST. TIBB’S EVE • ST. TIB’S EVE
n. L18 sl. – never
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Updated: February 28, 2023
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