slangman 9 Flashcards
know someone from Adam (not to)
to be completely unfamiliar with someone ·
I don’t know him from Adam; I am completely unfamiliar with him.
“Heaven’s to Betsy!”
exclamation denoting surprise, amazement or shock
Heaven’s to Betsy! Look who’s here! It’s so good to see you again; · Heaven’s to Betsy! That’s our house on fire! · NOTE: This expression is used by the older generations.
big Bertha
a term given to a fat woman ·
Look at that big Bertha over there!; Look at that fat woman over there!
Yes siree, Bob”
“Absolutely’’ ·
“So. did you pass .vour test?” “Yes siree Bob.’”; “So. did you pass your test?” “Absolutely!” · NOTE: When pronouncing this expression. it is important not to pause before the name “Bob.” This would actually sound incorrect. This expression is pronounced as if “siree” and “Bob” were one word: “Yes sireeBob!” · NOTE: The noun “siree” is a slang deformation of the “sir.” · NOTE: This expression is mainly used by the older generations
dick
- (vulgar) penis<br></br>2. (vulgar) obnoxious person
I can see his dick through his bathing suit!; I can see his penis through his bathing suit! · 2 · He’s such a dick!; He’s so obnoxious! · NOTE: Although this comes from a proper name, when used to mean “penis,” “dick” is generally not capitalized in this expression.
house dick
house detective
That guy over there is the house dick; That guy over there is the house detective. · NOTE: This expression actually refers to the character Dick Tracy and can be shortened simply to “Dick”: I think that guy’s a Dick; I think that guy’s a detective.
private dick
private detective ·
His father’s a private dick; His father’s a private detective. · NOTE: Although this comes from a proper name, “dick” is generally not capitalized in this expression.
Tom, Dick and Harry
each and every man
You expect me to give money to every Tom, Dick and Harry who approaches me?; You expect me to give money to each and every man who approaches me?
fanny
buttocks, rear end
Her mother gave her daughter a spanking on her fanny; Her mother gave her daughter a spanking on her rear end. · NOTE: Although this comes from a proper name, “fann.v” is generally not capitalized in this expression.
on the fritz
inoperable ·
The television is on the frit;:,; The television is out of order · NOTE: Although this comes from a proper name, “fritz” is generally not capitalized in this expression.
fritz out (to)
to cease to operate ·
My radio just fritzed out; My radio just ceased to operate. · NOTE: Although this comes from a proper name, ‘‘fritz” is generally not capitalized in this expression.
“By George!” (British)
This is an exclamation denoting surprise ·
By George! Isn’t that your sister with that man? · NOTE: This expression is British in origin and used only in jest in America.
“Hit the road, Jack!”
Leave!: · VARIATION: Hit the road!
jack shit (vulgar)
nothing ·
fie doesn’t know jack shit about mechanics; He knows nothing about mechanics. · NOTE (I): Although this expression is vulgar, it is extremely popular. · NOTE (2): A popular euphemism for this expression is simply “not to know jack”: I dunno jack about plumbing; I don’t know a thing about plumbing.
jack someone around (to)
to mislead someone ·
Car salesmen always jack you around; Car salesmen alway’ mislead you. · NOTE: Although this comes from a proper name, “jack” is generally not capitalized in thi~ c.x.pr~ssiun.
Joe adj.
the epitome ·
Look how he’s dressed. He looks like Joe College; Look how he’s dressed. He looks like the epitome of a college man.
Joe Blow
man in general·
Every Joe Blow thinks he can solve the world’s problems; Every man in general thinks he can solve the world’s problems.
Joe Schmoe
man in general ·
Every Joe Schmoe thinks he can be president!; Every man in general thinks he can be president.
john n.
bathroom, latrine ·
He’s been in the john for the past hour; He’s been in the bathroom for the past hour. · NOTE (I): This term is considered to be extremely casual and should only be used with family and friends. · NOTE (2): Although this comes from a proper name, “John” is generally not capitalized in this expression.
John
prostitute’s client ·
She just found herself a new John; She just found herself a new client.
Johnny on the spot (to be)
to be prompt ·
He arrived Johnny on the spot; He arrived promptly. · NOTE: This expression is occasionally used by the older generations only.
“No way, Jose!;”
“That’s impossible!” ·
NOTE: This exclamation is mainly used by the younger generations.
Don Juan
a handsome, suave, and romantic man ·
Her new boyfriend is a real Don Juan; Her new boyfriend is really handsome, suave, and romantic. · NOTE: This expression comes from the fictional character “Don Juan,” known for his amorous nature.
“Geez, Louise!”
exclamation denoting surprise
· Geez Louise! Why did you spend all your money on that?!
slip someone a Micky (to)
to sneak a drug into someone’s drink
I walked in just in time. She was about to slip him a Micky; I walked in just in time. She was about to sneak a drug in his drink.
have something down pat (to)
to know something perfectly
I have slang down pat; I know slang perfectly. · NOTE: Although this comes from a proper name, “pat” is generally not capitalized.
rob Peter to pay Paul (to)
to do something beneficial at the expense of something else ·
She’s actually going to sell all of her furniture in order to have enough money to go on her trip. She won’t even have enough money for rent! Talk about robbing Peter to pay Paul!; She’s actually going to sell all of her furniture in order to have enough money to go on her trip. She won’t even have enough money for rent! Talk about doing something beneficial at the expense of something else.
“For the love of Pete!”
exclamation denoting surprise (from excitement or annoyance)
For the love of Pete! How could she paint something so awful? · NOTE (1): Pete is a nickname for “Peter.” · NOTE (2): This expression is used by the older generations only.
peter n. (humorous)
penis ·
That must be a female turtle. I can’t see a peter!; That must be a female turtle. I can’t see a penis! t NOTE: Although this comes from a proper name, “peter” is generally not capitalized in this expression.
peter out (to)
to diminish in energy ·
I was strong in the beginning of the race but petered out near the end; I was strong in the beginning of the race but my energy diminished near the end. · NOTE: Although this comes from a proper name, “peter” is generally not capitalized in this expression.
ralph (to)
to vomit
I’m so full, I could ralph; I’m so full I could vomit. · NOTE: This verb is used primarily by the younger generations only.
randy
sexually aroused
My dog is in heat. I’ve never seen him so randy; My dog is in heat. I’ve never seen him so sexually aroused.
“Roger!”
“Communication received!” ·
NOTE: This expression in which the pronoun “Roger” signifies “Received,” was originally used in the Air Force to signal completion of a conversation between pilot and ground control
Uncle Sam
the United States government
Uncle Sam takes money out of my paycheck each week; The United States government takes money out of my paycheck each week.
Scrooge
a miser (applies to a man or woman)
Don’t bother asking him to donate to the charity. He’s such a Scrooge!; Don’t bother asking him to donate to the charity. He’s such a miser!
Lazy Susan
a revolving tray used for serving food or condiments ·
The waiter put a Lazy Susan on the table ~hich was full of different condiments; The waiter put a revolving tray on the table which was full of different condiments.
tomfoolery
foolishness ·
Stop this tomfoolery at once!; Stop this foolishness at once!
Peeping Tom
name given to a man who spies in windows ·
There’s a Peeping Tom outside my window!;
willies (to have the)
to be scared and uneasy
I have the willies in this house; I’m scared and uneasy in this house.
willy-nilly
haphazardly
Since he was in a hurry, he chose which shirt to wear willy-nilly; Since he was in a hurry, he chose which shirt to wear haphazardly.
