• THEAK
n. thatch, thatching; grass, straw, etc., cut for thatching …1868 Sc. & Eng. dial.
vb. 1. to thatch …1785 Sc. & Eng. dial.
vb. 2. to cover; to clothe; to protect …1785 Sc. & Eng. dial.
vb. 3. to smart, to sting …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THEAKER
n. 1. a thatcher …1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
n. 2. a smart, stinging blow …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THEAK-LEISHER
n. a comb for the hair …1879 Eng. dial.
• THEAL; THEALE
n. 1609 Eng. dial. obs. – a board, a plank, a joist
• THEARCHY
n. Bk1991 – a system of government by God or a god
• THEAT
n. 1886 Sc. – a liking or inclination for
• THEATROMANIA
n. Bk1991 – a mania for the theatre
• THEATROPHOBIA
n. Bk1991 – an abnormal fear of theatres
• THEAVE
n. 1. 1796 Eng. dial. – a young ewe sheep that has not yet borne a lamb
n. 2. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – a young woman
• THECKING
n. 1838 Sc. & Eng. dial. – clothing, covering to the body, etc.
• THEE
n. 1685 Sc. & Eng. dial. – a dialect form of ‘thigh’
vb. 1794 Sc. & Eng. dial. obs. – to thrive, to prosper; to grow
• THEEF
n. 1. a stench, a bad smell …Bk1905 Sc.
n. 2. an escape of wind, flatulence …Bk1905 Sc.
• THEEKING
n. clothing, covering to the body, etc. …1838 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• THEENE
vb. to close …Bk1905 Eng. dial. obs.
• THEETEN
vb. to tighten …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THEFTUOUS
adj. 1. 1400 – given to theft, thievish; dishonest → orig. Sc.
adj. 2. 1881 – furtive, secret, sneaking → orig. Sc.
• THEFTUOUSLY
adv. 1898 – by theft → Sc.
• THEFTY
adj. 1905 – thievish → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
• THEGITHER
adv. 1818 – together → Sc. & Eng. dial.
• THEIR NAME IS LEGION
phr. 1382 – they are innumerable
• THEIVIL-PAIN
n. 1905 – a pain in the side → Sc. (Bk.)
• THEIVIL-SHOT
n. 1905 – a pain in the side → Sc. (Bk.)
• THEN WANT MUST BE YOUR MASTER
phr. 1828 – used in refusing a demand expressed by “I want ___ ____”
• THEODORE THE MEDDLER
n. 1942 – Theodore Roosevelt, twenty-sixth US President → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
• THEOMANCY
n. 1991 – divination involving inspired oracles or others inspired by God (Bk.)
• THEOMANIA
n. 1991 – a religious madness in which a person believes he is God or is inspired by God (Bk.)
• THEOPHOBIA
n. 1991 – an abnormal fear of God (Bk.)
• THEOTIOUS
adj. 1969 – very good → Amer. dial.
• THERE
adj. 1942 – excellent; first-rate → Amer. sl. (Bk.)
• THERE-AGAIN!
int. 1905 – an exclamation of surprise or assent → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
• THERE AIN’T NO SUCH ANIMAL
phr. 1922 – no such person or thing exists → US sl.
• THERE AND THEREAWAYS
adj. 1905 – approximately → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
• THERE ARE MANY WAYS OF DRESSING CALVES’ HEADS
phr. 1891 – many ways of saying or doing a foolish thing; a simpleton has many ways of showing his folly; or, generally, if one way won’t do, we must try another → sl. (Bk.)
• THERE ARE NO FLIES ON HIM
phr. 1848 – he’s sly, artful → sl., orig. Aust. or US
• THERE ARE WORSE IN GAOL
phr. 20C – indicates that the person referred to might be worse → UK
• THERE GOES THE BALLGAME
phr. 1946 – that finishes it; that is the end, esp. of one’s chances → US sl.
• THE-RECKLIES
adv. 1878 – corruption of directly → Eng. dial.
• THERECKLY
adv. 1878 – corruption of directly → Eng. dial.
• THERE HAVE BEEN SLANGING-DUES CONCERNED
phr. 1810 – uttered by one who suspects that he has been curtailed of his just share, portion, or right → sl.
• THERE IS A VIXTER UPON ONE
phr. 1905 – one has grown stout → Sc. (Bk.)
• THERE NOW FOR YOU!
int. 1898 – an exclamation → Ireland
• THERE OR THEREABOUTS
adj. 1905 – approximately → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
adv. 1905 – in the neighbourhood → Eng. dial. (Bk.)
• THERE’S A BLOW IN THE BELL
phr. 1936 – there’s something wrong, something suspicious, somewhere → criminals’ sl.
• THERE’S A BLUE SHIRT AT THE MASTHEAD
phr. L19 – there is a call for assistance in an emergency → nautical usage
• THERE’S A DEAD CAT UP THE BRANCH
phr. 1965 – used to suggest that something is suspicious, someone is attempting to deceive the speaker, something’s fishy → Amer. dial.
• THERE’S A DEAD DUCK UP THE STREAM
phr. 1965 – used to suggest that something is suspicious, someone is attempting to deceive the speaker, something’s fishy → Amer. dial.
• THERE’S A DEAD NIGGER IN THE WOODPILE
phr. 1965 – used to suggest that something is suspicious, someone is attempting to deceive the speaker, something’s fishy → Amer. dial.
• THERE’S A DEAL OF GLASS ABOUT
phr. 1880 – applied to a flashy person or a showy thing
• THERE’S A DEAL OF WEATHER ABOUT
phr. M19 – there’s a storm approaching → nautical usage
• THERE’S A HAIR IN THE BUTTER
phr. 1980 – an expression of suspicion of some statement or event → Amer. dial.
• THERE’S A LETTER IN THE POST OFFICE
phr. 1855 – used to indicate that there is a hole in one’s trousers or that one’s underwear is showing → Amer. dial.
• THERE’S A MULE IN THE GARDEN
phr. 1877 – something unpleasant is going on → Eng. dial.
• THERE’S AN ASS FOR EVERY SEAT
phr. 1982 Amer. sl. – in car sales: any car can ultimately be sold
• THERE’S BLOOD ON THE MOON
phr. 1933 Amer. dial. – there’s a menacing or suspicious situation or set of events
• THERE’S CORN IN EGYPT
phr. 1838 – there is abundance; there is a plentiful supply
• THERE’S DIRTY WORK AT THE CROSSROADS
phr. 1965 Amer. dial. – said when something is going on behind your back, suspicious or concealed activity
• THERE’S LIFE IN THE OLD DOG YET
phr. 1857 UK – he is still very much alive, and, especially, capable of sexual activity
• THERE’S LIFE IN THE OLD GIRL YET
phr. 1857 UK – she is still very much alive, and, especially, capable of sexual activity
• THERE’S MORE IN HER BELLY THAN EVER WENT THROUGH HER MOUTH
phr. 19C colloq. – said of a pregnant woman
• THERE’S MY THUMB ON IT
phr. 1885 Eng. dial. – words used in ratifying a bargain
• THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS A FREE LUNCH
phr. 1980s US sl. – the world is a hard place and one must work for what one gets
• THERE’S SOMETHING DEAD UP THE BRANCH
phr. 1903 Amer. dial. – used to suggest that something is suspicious, someone is attempting to deceive the speaker, something’s fishy
• THERE’S SOMETHING DEAD UP THE CREEK
phr. 1899 Amer. dial. – used to suggest that something is suspicious, someone is attempting to deceive the speaker, something’s fishy
• THERE’S SOMETHING FISHY ABOUT THAT
phr. 1965 Amer. dial. – used to suggest that something is suspicious, someone is attempting to deceive the speaker, something’s fishy
• THERE’S SOMETHING ROTTEN UP THE BRANCH
phr. 1965 Amer. dial. – an expression of suspicion
• THERE THEN HAPS!
int. 1887 Eng. dial. – an exclamation of dismay
• THERIOMANCY
n. Bk1991 – divination involving wild beasts; also, divination based upon observation of the movements of animals
• THERMOPHOBIA
n. Bk1991 – an abnormal fear or dislike of heat
• THERSITICAL
adj. 1650 rare – foul-mouthed, scurrilous, grossly abusive
• THERY
adv. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – very
► THESMOPHILIST n. a lover of law → 1644
• THESTER
adj. a900 obs. – dark, obscure
n. c897 obs. – darkness
vb. a900 obs. – to become dark, to grow dim; to make dark
• THESTREEN
adv. 1788 Sc. – last night, yesterday evening
• THEW
vb. 1. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – to threaten
vb. 2. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – to tire
• THEWED
adv. Bk1905 Eng. dial. obs. – hopefully
• THEWLESS
adj. 1895 Sc. & Eng. dial. – feeble, inactive
• THEY CHARGE LIKE A WOUNDED BULL
phr. 1950sAust. – their prices are very high
• THEY CHARGE LIKE THE LIGHT BRIGADE
phr. 1950s – their prices are very high
• THEY CHEATED THE STARTER
phr. 20C – applied to a married couple whose first child arrives before it is conventionally expectable
• THEY’RE BETTER FUCKERS THAN FIGHTERS
phr. World War I usage – applied to those soldiers who frequented French or Belgian brothels whenever they had the money
• THIBLE
n. 1790 Eng. dial. – a smooth stick or spatula, used for stirring broth, porridge, etc.
• THICCY!
int. 1891 Eng. dial. – an exclamation used to call attention to anything
• THICK
adj. 1. having a friendly relationship, friendly …c1756
adj. 2. numerous, plentiful; frequent, in quick succession …1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
adj. 3. foolish, slow-witted, unintelligent, stupid …a1800 sl.
adj. 4. partially deaf …1892 Eng. dial.
adj. 5. of the weather: cloudy, misty, foggy …1895 Sc. & Eng. dial.
adj. 6. thorough, complete, downright …1900 Eng. dial.
n. 1. a crowd, a mass of people …1828 Sc. obs.
n. 2. a thicket …1853 Amer. dial.
n. 3. a foolish person …1857 sl., orig. schoolchildren’s usage
• THICK AND THREEFOLD
adv. 1. in great numbers or quantity …1902 Sc. & Eng. dial.
adv. 2. strongly …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THICK AS A DOZEN IN A BED
adj. of people: very close, intimate; crowded, in crowded conditions …1868 Amer. dial.
• THICK AS BEES
adj. very friendly and intimate; on exceedingly good terms …1902 Eng. dial.
• THICK AS BLACKBERRIES
adj. very friendly and intimate; on exceedingly good terms …1894 Ireland
• THICK AS CROWDY
adj. very friendly and intimate; on exceedingly good terms …Bk1905 Sc.
• THICK AS DARBY AND JOAN
adj. very friendly and intimate; on exceedingly good terms …1882 Eng. dial.
• THICK AS DICK AND LEDDY
adj. very friendly and intimate; on exceedingly good terms …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THICK AS DICK AND LIDDY
adj. very intimate …Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• THICK AS FIDDLERS IN HELL
adj. very plentiful …Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• THICK AS FIVE IN A BED
adj. of people: very close, intimate; crowded, in crowded conditions …1855 Amer. dial.
• THICK AS FLIES
adj. crowded, packed …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• THICK AS FOUR IN A BED
adj. of people: very close, intimate; crowded, in crowded conditions …1942 Amer. dial.
• THICK AS GLUE
adj. close, intimate …19C
• THICK AS HARRY AND MARY
adj. very friendly and intimate; on exceedingly good terms …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THICK AS HERRINGS IN A BARREL
adj. very friendly and intimate; on exceedingly good terms …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THICK AS HOPS
adj. crowded, packed …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• THICK AS INKLE-MAKERS
adj. very friendly or intimate together …1857 Eng. dial.
• THICK AS INKLE-WEAVERS
adj. very friendly and intimate; on exceedingly good terms …1866 Eng. dial.
• THICK AS PIG-TRACKS
adj. very plentiful, abundant …1870 Amer. dial.
• THICK AS SIX IN A BED
adj. of people: very close, intimate; crowded, in crowded conditions …1965 Amer. dial.
• THICK AS THACK
adj. very friendly and intimate; on exceedingly good terms …1889 Eng. dial.
• THICK AS THEY CAN DICKER
adj. very intimate …Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• THICK AS THICK
adj. very friendly and intimate; on exceedingly good terms …1887 Eng. dial.
• THICK AS THIEVES
adj. crowded, packed …Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• THICK AS THREE IN A BED
adj. of people: very friendly, intimate; crowded, in crowded conditions …1844 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• THICK AS TWO DOGS’ HEADS
adj. very friendly and intimate; on exceedingly good terms …1896 Eng. dial.
• THICK AS TWO IN A BED
adj. very friendly and intimate; on exceedingly good terms …Bk1905 Sc.
• THICK DICKS
n. thick porridge …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THICKEDNESS
n. thickness …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THICK END
n. the greater part, the majority or most part …1867 Eng. dial.
• THICKENING-STUFF
n. food of any kind …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THICKENS
n. oatmeal porridge …1843 Eng. dial.
• THICKER AND FASTER
adv. in great numbers or quantity …1902 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• THICKETY!
int. an exclamation used by a child when another has been in mischief and got into trouble; you’ll catch it! …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THICKHEAD
n. 1. a fool; a soft-head …Bk1891 sl.
n. 2. (as ‘thick head’) a headache; often applied to a headache caused by alcohol …1991 sl.
• THICK-HOTS
n. porridge made of water and oatmeal …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THICKIE
n. a foolish person …1968 sl.
• THICK IN THE HEAD
adj. stupid, dull, slow of comprehension …1871 Sc.
• THICK-LIFTED
adj. short-winded, wheezy, breathing with difficulty …1746 Eng. dial.
• THICK-LISTED
adj. 1. dull, stupid …1777 Eng. dial.
adj. 2. short-winded, wheezy, breathing with difficulty …1790 Eng. dial.
• THICKNESS
n. 1. familiarity, intimacy, friendliness …1895 Eng. dial.
n. 2. fog, mist …1898 Sc.
• THICKO
n. a foolish person …1976 sl.
• THICK OF HEARING
adj. hard of hearing …1692
• THICK OF SPEECH
adj. indistinct …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THE THICK OF THE THRANG
n. the midst of the bustle or crowd; the busiest part or time …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THICK ONE
n. a gold sovereign; also, a crown or five-shilling piece …1848 Brit. sl.
• THICK-PELTED
adj. thick-skinned …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THICK-SET
adj. cloudy or set in for rain …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THICK-SPINNING
n. bad conduct …Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• THICK-THRANG
adj. 1892 Sc. – thickly crowded
• THICK-THUMBED
adj. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – sluttish, untidy; clumsy
• THICK-TOLLOLS
n. 1881 Eng. dial., jocular usage – oatmeal porridge
• THICK ‘UN
n. 1848 Brit. sl. – a gold sovereign, a pound; also, a crown or five-shilling piece
• THICK-WET
adj. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – of clothes: saturated with water
• THICK-WINDED
adj. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – bad at breathing, husky
• THICKY
adj. 1986 Amer. dial. – thick, viscous
• THICKY-DUDDLE
n. 1863 Eng. dial. – flour and water
• THIEF
n. 1. 1827 Sc. – a term of contempt or vituperation used with no implication of dishonesty; a rascal, a scamp
n. 2. 1889 Eng. dial. – an imperfection in the wick of a candle which causes it to gutter and waste
vb. 1838 Amer. dial. – to steal, to rob; to commit theft
• THIEF-ANIMAL
n. 1897 Sc. – a term of opprobrium for a thievish person
• THIEF-LIKE
adj. 1. Bk1905 Sc. – having the appearance of a blackguard
adj. 2. Bk1905 Sc. – plain, ugly; hard-looking
adj. 3. Bk1905 Sc. – of dress: unbecoming, not handsome
• THIEF-LOON
n. 1898 Sc.– a thief, a thievish rascal
• THE THIEF OF THE WORLD
n. 1898 Ireland – the devil
• THIEF-RIEVER
n. Bk1905 Sc. – a thief, a thievish rascal
• THIEF’S BARGAIN
n. 1900 Sc. – a very cheap bargain, such a bargain as a thief makes with a receiver of stolen goods
• THIEF TAKE YOU!
int. 1883 Eng. dial. – an imprecation or oath
• THIEFY
adj. 1. 1897 Sc. – stealthy, furtive
adj. 2. 1898 Sc. – thievish, thieving
• THIEVE
vb. a901 – to steal, to rob
• THIEVELESS
adj. 1. 1787 Sc. – shy, reserved; cold, frigid in manner, forbidding
adj. 2. 1835 Sc.– listless, spiritless, wanting in energy or force; aimless, ineffectual, bootless
adj. 3. Bk1905 Sc. – cold, bleak
• THIEVELESSLY
adv. 1890 Sc. – feebly, weakly, aimlessly, without force or energy
• THIEVELY
adj. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – thievish, dishonest
• THIEVES’-HOLE
n. 1631 Sc. – a jail, prison, esp. a particularly bad dungeon reserved for thieves
• THIEVES’ LATIN
n. 1821 – the secret language or ‘cant’ of thieves
• THIEVING
adj. 1598 sl. – inclined to steal
• THIF
vb. Bk1905 Eng. dial. obs. – to blow with wind or rain
• THIG
n. 1898 Sc. – begging, borrowing
vb. 1. 1817 Sc. & N. Eng. dial. – to beg, to borrow; to solicit alms on certain occasions, such as on setting up housekeeping, etc.
vb. 2. Bk1905 Sc. – to entice; to entreat; to tease
• THIGAMY
n. 1890 Amer. dial. – a thing whose name one cannot recall or does not know
• THIGGER
n. 1885 Sc. – a beggar, a mendicant
• THIGSTER
n. Bk1905 Sc. – a beggar, a mendicant
• THIKKI!
int. 1891 Eng. dial. – an exclamation used to call attention to anything
• THILSE
adv. Bk1905 Sc. obs. – else, otherwise
• THIMBER
adj. 1861 Sc. obs. – gross, heavy, cumbrous
• THIMBLE
n. Bk1905 Eng. dial. – the foxglove
• THIMBLE-PIE
n. 1847 Eng. dial. – a rap on the head with a thimbled finger
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