LEG
ADJECTIVES
► BADGER-LEGGED having legs of unequal length, as the badger was vulgarly supposed to have → a1704
► BANDY AS A BANDICOOT remarkably bandy-legged → 1981 Aust. colloq. (Bk.)
► BANDY-LEGGED bow-legged
► BANDY-SHANKED bandy-legged; having thin crooked legs; bowlegged → 1908 Amer. dial.
► BANTY bowlegged → 1927 Amer. dial.
► BANTY-LEGGED bowlegged → 1927 Amer. dial.
► BENCH-KNEED bowlegged; having crooked legs; esp. used of dogs, and in derogation, of persons → 1906 Amer. dial.
► BENCH-LEGGED bowlegged; having crooked legs; esp. used of dogs, and in derogation, of persons → 1866 Amer. dial.
► BOOLIE crooked, deformed; of the legs: bandy → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BOWDIE-LEGGIT having bow-legs → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BOW-HOUGHED bow-legged → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BOW-LEGGIT having bandy legs → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BRAWN-BURDENED having sturdy calves or legs → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BROKE-LEGGED having bandy legs; having the leg or legs broken or crippled → 1377 obs.
► BUCK-ANKLED having bent or uneven legs → 1969 Amer. dial.
► CHICKEN-HAMMED bandy-legged → 18C sl.
► CUTE bow-legged → 1905 Amer. dial. euphemism
► DUCK-LEGGED having unusually short legs → 1650
► FUBSICAL fat and squat; said of the figure, limbs, etc. → 1834
► FUBSY fat and squat; said of the figure, limbs, etc. → 1780
► GAMBED having legs → a1661 obs.
► GAM-LEGGED having crooked legs → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► GANDER-LEGGED thin-legged → 19C US sl.
► GANGLESHANK long-legged → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► GUMMY of the ankles and legs: puffy, swollen, as if charged with lumps of gum → 1740
► HAMBLE-SHANKED maimed or lame in the leg → 1661 obs.
► HATCHET-LEGGED having crooked or misshapen legs → 1970 Amer. dial.
► HAWMED of legs: bandy, curved → 1610 obs.
► HAWM-LEGGED bandy-legged, bow-legged → 1608 obs.
► ILL-LEGGED having unshapely legs → 1848 Sc.
► INDIAN-TOED having legs that are noticeably bent or uneven → 1968 Amer. dial.
► JACK-LEGGED of legs: noticeably bent or uneven → 1967 Amer. dial.
► JAMBY strong on the legs → a1400 obs.
► JUG-LEGGED having noticeably bent or uneven legs → 1966 Amer. dial.
► LATH-LEGGED long-legged → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► LEGGY long-legged → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► LIMBER-LEGGED feeling weak in the legs → 1967 Amer. dial.
► LONG-BUTTED having very short legs → 1958 Amer. dial.
► LONG-SPARRED having long limbs → 1916 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► MAISLED ► MIZZLED having different colours; mottled, spotted, speckled; said especially of the legs when discoloured by sitting too near the fire → 1832 Sc.
► MONOCOLOUS having only one leg → 1798 obs.
► PAMMY fat, thick; having thick, swollen legs → 1878 Eng. dial.
► PLEASURE-BENT of legs: bowed, bent → 1965 Amer. dial.
► QUEER-GAMMED bandy-legged → E19 sl.
► SCRAE-SHANKIT having long, slender legs → 1822 Sc.
► SCRAWMY-CAUF’D having a badly-shaped leg → 1904 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► SHARP-SHINNED having slender legs or shanks
► SHITEPOKE long-legged → 1976 Amer. dial.
► SKRAE-SHANKED having thin, spindly legs → 1822 Sc.
► SPINGLE-LEGGED long-legged → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► TIMBER-TOED having a wooden leg → 1814 sl.
► TWANGLING small, weak; having small legs → 1905 Eng. dial. obs. (Bk.)
► UNDERLEGGED having legs too slender in proportion to the body → 1681 obs.
► UNDERLIMBED having legs too slender in proportion to the body → 1686
► YAMMY of the legs: well-shaped, stout → 1868 Eng. dial.
ADVERBS
► ASKEW of the legs: extended awkwardly, wide apart → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► ASPLEW of the legs: extended awkwardly, wide apart → 1873 Eng. dial.
► ASPODE of the legs: wide apart, stretched out → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► ASPOLE of the legs: wide apart → 1898 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► STRIDELONG with the legs wide apart → 1609 obs.
NOUNS
► ABC scorch marks on one’s legs → 1920s Irish sl.
► AMMUNITION LEG a wooden leg → L19 sl.
► BACCY STICK a leg → 1885 Amer. sl.
► BACK-SPAULD the hind leg → 1824 Sc.
► BACON AND EGGS legs → 1940s rhyming sl., orig. Aust.
► BENCHED LEGS ► BENCH LEGS crooked or sprawling legs → 1859 Amer. dial.
► BENDER the leg → 1849 sl., orig. US
► BIRD LEGS very thin legs → 1967 US sl.
► BOTTLE LEGS crooked legs → 1950 Amer. dial.
► BOW-HOUGHS crooked legs or thighs → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BRAN the calf of the leg → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BRAND the calf of the leg → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BRAWN the calf of the leg → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► BROOMSTICKS thin, undersized limbs → 1896 colloq.
► CABBAGE-STUMPS the legs → L19 sl.
► CANTLE the leg of an animal → 1811 Eng. dial.
► CHEVROLEGS the human legs, as used for transportation, instead of a car → 2006 US sl. (Bk.)
► CHIMNEY LEGS very thick legs → 1950 Amer. dial.
► CHOPPERS the female legs → 1963 US sl.
► CLOTHES-PEGS. the legs → 1940s rhyming sl.
► COWBOY LEG a bowleg → 1967 Amer. dial.
► CRADLE LEGS noticeably bent or uneven legs → 1970 Amer. dial.
► CRIBBAGE PEG a leg → Brit. rhyming sl.
► DAIKON LEGS short, pale, and fat legs → 1981 Hawaiian youth sl.
► DEADLEG a numb feeling in the leg following a kneeing in the thigh by an attacker → 1990 Brit. sl. (Bk.)
► DOOG GELS of a passing woman: good legs → M19 back-slang
► DRUMSTICK a leg, esp. a shapely female leg → 1770 UK sl.
► DUCK-LEGS short legs → 1714
► DUCK’S DISEASE shortness of legs → 1925 jocular usage
► EASTER EGG the leg → 1998 UK rhyming sl.
► GAM ► GAMB the leg; orig. applied to a crippled leg, later to a woman’s leg → 1785 UK sl.
► GAMBA the leg of a horse → 1607 obs.
► GAMBER of persons: the leg, thigh, small of the leg → 1895 Eng. dial.
► GAMBREL ► GAMMEREL of persons: the leg, thigh, small of the leg → 1746 Eng. dial.
► GAME-PAW a game leg → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► GAMMON a leg, thigh of a person → 1756 Sc. obs.
► GAMMY LEG a lame leg → M19 sl.
► GINGER MEGGS legs → 1999 Aust. rhyming sl. (Bk.)
► HAM AND EGGS legs → 1999 Aust. rhyming sl. (Bk.)
► HATCHET LEG a crooked or misshapen leg → 1970 Amer. dial.
► HOMMOCKS large, awkward feet or legs → 1809 Eng. dial.
► IRISH ARMS thick legs → 20C sl.
► IRISH-LEGS thick legs → 1896 sl. (Bk.)
► JAYBIRD LEGS very skinny legs → 1967 Amer. dial.
► JURY-LEG a wooden leg, or any contrivance to supply the place of a disabled leg → 1850
► KNEE-BOARD the part of the leg at the back of the knee; the back of the thigh or hough → c1425 obs.
► LALL the leg; usually in the plural → 1967 UK sl.
► LALLETTE a leg; usually used in plural → 1967 sl.
► LALLIE ► LALLY a leg; usually used in plural → 1967 sl.
► LALLY-PEG the leg; usually in the plural → 1967 UK sl.
► LANDING GEAR the legs → 1941 US aviators’ usage
► LEGITIS any leg affliction → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► LEGLET 1. a little leg → 1821
2. an ornament for the leg → 1836
► LONGFELLOWS long legs → 1994 Amer. dial.
► LYLE a leg; usually used in plural → 1967 sl.
► MILEPOSTER a person’s leg → 1955 African-American sl.
► MILL-POSTS very thick or fat legs → 1905 Eng. & Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► MOGGANS the legs → 19C Sc.
► MYSTIC MEGS the legs → 2001 rhyming sl.
► NETHERLINGS clothing for legs → 1852
► NETHERS lower limbs or parts → 1822
► PAIR OF COMPASSES the human legs, esp. when accentuated by the tight trousers that were fashionable c1880 → L19 sl.
► PAT AND CHARLIE one’s own legs → 1966 Amer. dial.
► PEDESTRIAN DIGITS the legs → c1890 schoolboys’ sl.
► PEG a wooden leg → 1833 colloq.
► PEGS the legs → 1833 jocular usage
► PESTLE a leg → 16C sl.
► PESTLE OF PORK a leg → 19C colloq,. obs.
► PIANO SHAFTS unshapely legs → 1942 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PILLARS TO THE TEMPLE a woman’s legs → 19C public schoolmen’s usage
► PINS legs → 1530 colloq.
► POLES the legs → 1960 S. Afr. sl.
► POTHOOKS bent or uneven legs → 1965 Amer. dial.
► PRAMS the legs → 1920 Sc. sl.
► PROPS the legs → 1828 sl.
► PUDDING-LEGGIE a fat, chubby leg → 1844 Sc.
► RAMMER the leg → M19 sl.
► SCOTCH (EGG) the leg; usually plural → 1962 UK rhyming sl.
► SCOTCH PEG a leg → 1857 rhyming sl.
► SCRAB a thin, shrivelled limb → 1866 Sc.
► SCRABBLE a thin, shrivelled limb → 1904 Sc. (Bk.)
► SCRAWMY-CAUF a badly-shaped leg → 1904 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► SCROG a long, crooked, scraggy limb → 1904 Sc. (Bk.)
► SCROG-LEGS bandy legs; crooked shanks → 1904 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► SHAFTS the human legs → 1930s African-American sl.
► SHANKS the legs → jocular usage
► SKEETER LEG a very thin leg → 1889 Amer. dial.
► SMALL, THE the slender part of the leg between the ankle and the calf → 1450
► STAMPS legs → 16C sl.
► STEMS the legs → 1860 sl.
► STUMPS the legs → a1460 sl.
► TABLE LEGS people’s legs that are noticeably bent, uneven, or not right; thick legs → 1968 Amer. dial.
► TAMP BRACES unattractive legs on a woman → 1930s African-American sl., derogatory
► TAMPON BRACES unattractive legs on a woman → 1930s African-American sl., derogatory
► TEBBIE the calf of the leg → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► TIB the calf of the leg → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► TIBBY the calf of the leg → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► TIMBER a wooden leg; hence, a leg → 1807 sl.
► TIMBER-LIFTERS legs, limbs, esp. when wearing wooden clogs → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► TIMBERS legs, limbs → 1751 Sc.
► TIMBER-TOE a wooden leg → 1785 sl.
► TINKER’S TARTAN a mottled discolouration of the legs caused by sitting too close to a fire → 1964 Sc.
► TODDLERS the legs → M19 sl.
► UNDERPINNERS the legs → 1859
► UNDERPINNINGS the legs → 1848 US sl.
► UNDERSTANDINGS the legs → E19 sl.
► UPRIGHTS the legs → L19 Black British sl.
► UPSTANDERS the legs → 1899 Eng. dial.
► WALKERS a person’s legs → c1611 obs.
► WHEELS the legs → 1927 US sl., orig. criminals’
► WOODEN PEG a leg → Brit. sl.
NOUNS – PERSON
► BALLOCKS IN BRACKETS a bow-legged man → 1937 UK sl.
► BANTY a bow-legged person → 1948 Irish sl.
► BENDY a bow-legged person → 1948 Irish sl.
► BIRD LEGS a person with extremely thin legs → 1993 US sl. (Bk.)
► BOWLIE a term of contempt for a bow-legged person → 1911 Sc. (Bk.)
► CROOKSHANKS a knock-kneed or a bow-legged person → 17C sl.
► DADDY-LONG-LEGS a tall, lanky person with long legs → 1896 sl. (Bk.)
► DOT AND CARRY ONE a one-legged man → 1958 Amer. dial.
► HALF-A-FOOT a person with a wooden leg → 1927 W. Indies sl.
► HEIFER LEGS a girl with large calves → 1971 US students’ sl. (Bk.)
► LEG-MAN a man strongly attracted to women with beautiful legs; a man sexually stimulated by women’s legs → 1940s US colloq.
► LONGSHANKS a tall or long-legged person → 1889 Amer. dial.
► MONOPED a person having only one foot or one leg → 1873
► MUNSTER HEIFER a thick-legged and/or thick-ankled woman → c1810 Anglo-Irish
► PEGGY a man with only one leg → 1860 navvies’ nickname
► RAINBOW a bowlegged person → 20C sl.
► RED-SHANK a term of contempt for a Highlander; a bare-legged person → 1817 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► SCRAG-CAUF a woman with thin legs → 1904 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► SKEETER LEGS a person with thin legs → 1966 Amer. dial.
► TANGS-LEGS a person with long thin legs → 1905 Sc.
► TIMBER-TOE ► TIMBER-TOES a wooden-legged man → 1785 sl.
► WISHBONE a nickname for a man with extremely bowed legs → 1936 US cowboy usage (Bk.)
► WONKY LEGS someone with deformed legs; a cruel term for a cripple → 2004 Brit. sl. (Bk.)
► ZAD a deformed or crooked person; a bandy-legged person; a hunchbacked person → 1725 sl.
PHRASES
► BEEF TO THE HEEL ► BEEF TO THE HEELS with rather overweight legs → 1867 sl.
► CALVES GONE TO GRASS said of slender, undeveloped legs, with lack of calves → 1813
► COULDN’T STOP A PIG IN A GATE said of a bow-legged person → 1860 colloq.
► COULDN’T STOP A PIG IN A GINNEL said of a bow-legged person → 1882 colloq.
► COULDN’T STOP A PIG IN A PASSAGE said of a bow-legged person → 2012 colloq.
► COULDN’T STOP A PIG IN A TWO-FOOT ALLEY said of a bow-legged person → 1991 colloq.
► HE COULDN’T HEM A PIG IN A ONE-FOOT DITCH said of a bowlegged person, or of one whose legs are uneven or not right → 1968 Amer. dial.
► HE COULDN’T HEM UP A HOG IN A DITCH WITH A SACK BETWEEN HIS LEGS said of a bowlegged person, or of one whose legs are uneven or not right → 1968 Amer. dial.
► HE COULDN’T HEM UP A PIG IN A RAIL FENCE said of a bowlegged person, or of one whose legs are uneven or not right → 1968 Amer. dial.
► HER THIGHS WOULDN’T STOP A PIG IN A HALL said of a woman with thin, widely-spaced legs → 1999 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► LEGS RIGHT UP HER ASS a male description of a woman with exceptionally long and attractive legs → 1930s sl., orig. US
► LEGS RIGHT UP TO HER ARSE a male description of a woman with exceptionally long and attractive legs → 1930s sl., orig. US
► LEGS RIGHT UP TO HER BUM a male description of a woman with exceptionally long and attractive legs → 1930s sl., orig. US
► SIT LIKE MISS QUEENIE to sit with your legs crossed as others work → 1977 Dominica
► VEAL WILL BE CHEAP – CALVES FALL! a mocking cry aimed at one who has very thin legs → L17 sl.
VERBS
► BUY ONE’S BOOTS IN CROOKED LANE AND ONE’S STOCKINGS IN BANDY-LEGGED WALK to have bandy legs → L18 sl.
► DILLUP to dangle the legs → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► FAIK of a person: to fold, bend, or tuck a limb under one → 1768 Sc.
► FAKE A PIN ► FAKE ONE’S PIN to create a sore leg, or to cut it, as if accidentally, with an axe, etc., in hopes to obtain a discharge from the army or navy, to get into the doctor’s list, etc.→ 1812 sl.
► HANDLE THE FEET to make good use of the legs → 1879 Eng. dial.
► LOSE THE USE OF SHANK’S MARE to lose the use of one’s legs → 1968 Amer. dial.
► MAISLE ► MEASLE to cause the legs to become speckled by sitting too close to a fire → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► PRANG to break an arm or a leg → 1940 sl.
► SHED THE SHANKS to set the legs apart → 1000 Sc. obs.
Lexicophilia 