UNEMPLOYMENT
ADJECTIVES
► ON THE BUROO receiving unemployment benefits → 1934 sl., chiefly Sc.
► ON THE LABOUR on unemployment benefits → c1921 Brit. sl.
► ON THE PINEAPPLE on the dole, on unemployment benefits → 1937 UK sl.
► ON THE SUSSO on an unemployment benefit → 1941 Aust. sl.
NOUNS
► BEGGAR (MY NEIGHBOUR) the dole → 1960 UK rhyming sl. for ‘Labour’ (Exchange)
► BREW ► BROO ► BURO ► BUROO ► BURROO orig. the Employment Exchange; hence, unemployment benefit → 1934 sl., chiefly Sc.
► FIFTY-TWO-TWENTY ► FIFTY-TWO TWENTY CLUB unemployment compensation given to servicemen immediately after WWII; $20 a week for 52 weeks → 1946 Amer. sl.
► IDLE HALL a notional place used to mean a state of unemployment → 20C W. Indies sl.
► NAT (KING COLE) unemployment benefit → 1961 UK rhyming sl. for ‘dole’
► NATIONAL HUNT audacity, cheek → 1972 UK rhyming sl. for ‘front’
► OLD KING COLE unemployment benefit, the dole → 1930s rhyming sl.
► PINEAPPLE, THE unemployment benefit. the ‘dole’ → 1937 sl.
► ROCKING-CHAIR MONEY unemployment compensation or another benefit paid to someone who is not working → 1944 Amer. dial.
► SAUSAGE ROLL unemployment benefit → 1972 UK rhyming sl. for ‘the dole’
► SHADE-TREE MONEY unemployment compensation → 1986 Amer. dial.
► SUSSO an unemployment benefit; also, someone paid such a benefit → 1941 Aust. sl.
► WALKER & CO. a notional place used figuratively to mean a state of unemployment → 20C W. Indies
NOUNS – PERSON
► SUSSO someone paid an unemployment benefit → 1941 Aust. sl.
VERBS
► DAB ON to sign on at the unemployment office in order to get benefit → 20C Brit. sl.
► SIGN ON to register at the Department of Employment (formerly Labour or Employment Exchange) in order to obtain unemployment benefit; hence, to be out of work → 1885 Brit. sl.
Lexicophilia 