C241 archived entries
C(l)ockweightstesticles
Cabbage Hall Yanka youth who tries to behave like, or pretends to be an American. Also called a Wells Fartole type. Cf. "Cunard Yanks" on this list.
a youth who tries to behave like, or pretends to be an American. Also called a Wells Fartole type. Cf. "Cunard Yanks" on this list.
Link to this entrycabbagedconfused, contradictory
Cabbagingpilfering
cackexcrement. Cf. "cack-handed."
Cack-anded. A left-handed person.
cack-handed camela person who is helplessly inept at something, for instance operating a personal computer
a person who is helplessly inept at something, for instance operating a personal computer
Link to this entrycadgerpanhandler
Caidy or straw caidya straw boater hat. Also called a cheese-cutter.
Cakeholethe mouth
calcioItalian for football
Calcutta (rhyming)margarine The rhyming component is butter
calenderironing machine in the public wash houses
call-on point (now obsolete); meant the same as a "stand" where casual dock laborers would wait to be selected.
Campgay or homosexual. A common constituent parsing of gay is "good as you."
gay or homosexual. A common constituent parsing of gay is "good as you."
Can-lada boy who makes tea for workers; it refers to any lowly, ill-paid job. Shaw says that can-lads were apprentice engineers who used to wear a peaked cap, which they dipped in oil on the first day they acquired them. Cf. "carry the can" on this list, in the sense of to take responsibility or to accept blame..
a boy who makes tea for workers; it refers to any lowly, ill-paid job. Shaw says that can-lads were apprentice engineers who used to wear a peaked cap, which they dipped in oil on the first day they acquired them. Cf. "carry the can" on this list, in the sense of to take responsibility or to accept blame..
Link to this entryCanary cakeplain, saffron-colored slab-cake.
candyflosscotton candy
cannie houses (obsolete)name for local canteens
Caperconduct, proper procedure Synonyms: lark, jape.
Car (or Cor) BlimeyGod bless me! It originally meant "blind me."
card schoolan illegal cardgame, usually one going on in a police-free area.
carkeyas in "a carkey audience": a dead audience, or one entirely too well behaved. Cark means death, or to die.
as in "a carkey audience": a dead audience, or one entirely too well behaved. Cark means death, or to die.
Carnival ribbonstoilet rolls. The original RAF slang for it was bumf, for "bumfodder."
Carpet, aa three month prison sentence. To be "carpetted" means to be brought to book.
a three month prison sentence. To be "carpetted" means to be brought to book.
Carryin on, aa romantic affair. But any event may be referred to as a "carry on."
carry the can, toto take responsibility for something.
Carryin. I'm carryinI am fairly affluent at present. It can also mean pregnant.
Carryin-outpacked lunch. It's fer my feller's carryin-out: It is for my husband's packed lunch, or snap.
packed lunch. It's fer my feller's carryin-out: It is for my husband's packed lunch, or snap.
Link to this entryCarzytoilet, privy
cascaraextract of the bark of a California buckthorn, used as a laxative (and a very effective one).
extract of the bark of a California buckthorn, used as a laxative (and a very effective one).
Caseyfull-sized football. Shaw says the name comes from the case around the bladder
full-sized football. Shaw says the name comes from the case around the bladder
Link to this entryCassoonaa mythical individual alleged to have teeth in his backside and blamed for biting buttons off railray carriage seats.
a mythical individual alleged to have teeth in his backside and blamed for biting buttons off railray carriage seats.
Link to this entrycasualsa type of gang who wore expensive clothes, disdained football matches, and created disturbances and fights with other groups of casuals.
a type of gang who wore expensive clothes, disdained football matches, and created disturbances and fights with other groups of casuals.
Link to this entrycatenacciodefensive play in football
caught short, to beto have no bathroom in which to relieve oneself (e.g., at a football game).
to have no bathroom in which to relieve oneself (e.g., at a football game).
Link to this entrycavendish(obsolete)tobacco pressed and formed into rectangular shapes
Cazzy. De Cazzythe "Cast Iron Shore," Dingle. Spiegl notes that the famous iron foundry stood at the Dingle, on the north bank of the River Mersey, in the nineteenth century. St. Michael's Church, which has stood nearby since 1814, contains much prefabricated cast iron.
the "Cast Iron Shore," Dingle. Spiegl notes that the famous iron foundry stood at the Dingle, on the north bank of the River Mersey, in the nineteenth century. St. Michael's Church, which has stood nearby since 1814, contains much prefabricated cast iron.
Link to this entryCead Mile Failte(Irish)a hundred thousand welcomes
Certa woman who never says no to a sexual advance; a sure thing. It can also refer to a certainty in racing. A "dead cert" is a sure thing.
a woman who never says no to a sexual advance; a sure thing. It can also refer to a certainty in racing. A "dead cert" is a sure thing.
chaff, to(obsolete)to talk, to rail
chalking outchildren's game
Chamber musiclavatory noises. Also called Handel's water music, and a "closet chorus."
lavatory noises. Also called Handel's water music, and a "closet chorus."
Link to this entryChamperschampagne
Champion or proper championexcellent. Spiegl notes that this is out of Lancashire and less used than "ther gear."
excellent. Spiegl notes that this is out of Lancashire and less used than "ther gear."
Link to this entryChartea
charabanc do, aa large party, sometimes just family, which used to involve a great number of carriages
a large party, sometimes just family, which used to involve a great number of carriages
Link to this entrycharge, to be on athis is a police term to describe an officer who is on report for some supposed infraction.
this is a police term to describe an officer who is on report for some supposed infraction.
Link to this entryCharlie's footrot. I got Charlie's footrot. I have athlete's foot. Spiegl thinks the term comes in part from the Christian name of a once well-known Liverpool athlete.
charrabandhorseless carriage
Charvaa promiscuous woman
Chasin' the dragonsniffing heroine or cocaine
Chaveringto be on the prowl sexually; to be poaching someone else's woman
Chavvybaby
Cheat preachersomeone who is involved in religion solely for financial gain; this is a frequent charge against media evangelists
someone who is involved in religion solely for financial gain; this is a frequent charge against media evangelists
cheese cuttera straw boater hat, or caidy
Chemickedinebriated
Cherry-bobs or cherry-wobschildren's game in which cherry pits(or cherry stones) are flipped at a rainwater-spout or substituted for marbles.
children's game in which cherry pits(or cherry stones) are flipped at a rainwater-spout or substituted for marbles.
Link to this entryChester cakesa pastry about an inch and a half thick with thin pastry bottom and top. The top was iced, and the filling was usually currants or sultanas. They were baked as a slab, then cut into three inch squares. They were often found in the window of cafes in the dock road area and came to be known by some as "dockers wedding cakes." But also see "dockers wedding cakes" on this list. Some informants remember Cheshire or Chester Plonk as the name for Nelson cakes, or wet nellies, in other parts of Britain.
a pastry about an inch and a half thick with thin pastry bottom and top. The top was iced, and the filling was usually currants or sultanas. They were baked as a slab, then cut into three inch squares. They were often found in the window of cafes in the dock road area and came to be known by some as "dockers wedding cakes." But also see "dockers wedding cakes" on this list. Some informants remember Cheshire or Chester Plonk as the name for Nelson cakes, or wet nellies, in other parts of Britain.
Link to this entryChesty, to beto have chest congestion, etc.
Chin someone, toto hit someone on the chin
Chin wagextended conversation
ChinGive yer chin a rest, or please be silent.
Chineea Chinaman( a back-formation based on the assumption that Chinese must be plural)
a Chinaman( a back-formation based on the assumption that Chinese must be plural)
Link to this entryching, afive pounds
Chinky-chuckChinese food
chip, aa shilling
Chip buttyfrench fries on a piece of buttered bread
Chippy. De chippy. The fish and chip shop.
Choc-a-blockchock full. Chock a block is an old Lancashire usage meaning full
Chockafed up
chocker, aa brick. The words "half chocker" would refer to half a brick.
chocolate porta port run-down, wide open, and cheap. Liverpool was known to many sailors as a chocolate port.
a port run-down, wide open, and cheap. Liverpool was known to many sailors as a chocolate port.
Link to this entrychoked, to beto be very thirsty, in need of a drink
chokeyjail, lockup
Chookchicken, or an elderly woman
Chooksterm of affection applied ironically to any member of the opposite sex. Spiegl says this term is less used than "luv" but more often than "ducks."
term of affection applied ironically to any member of the opposite sex. Spiegl says this term is less used than "luv" but more often than "ducks."
Link to this entryChopperpenis
Choppy Suechop suey
Chosscomplete disorder, a mispronunciation of chaos
ChrimmyChristmas
chronic statedisastrous condition, total demise
Chrysanthemum bloomsshavings from wood carvings which Romany gypsies shaped into wooden flowers and then put in the window of households as a sign that gypsies were well treated there.
shavings from wood carvings which Romany gypsies shaped into wooden flowers and then put in the window of households as a sign that gypsies were well treated there.
Link to this entryChuckto give or pass something to someone
Chuckfood in general, or bread chuck(Lancashire): a hen
chucker out, thethe bouncer in a movie
chucky eggsoft-boiled egg mashed up with butter(or some facsimile of it) in a cup
soft-boiled egg mashed up with butter(or some facsimile of it) in a cup
Link to this entryChuffedpleased. Dead chuffed is extremely pleased. to be chuffed to ballocks is to be obscenely delighted.
pleased. Dead chuffed is extremely pleased. to be chuffed to ballocks is to be obscenely delighted.
Civvy Streetcivilian life; the condition and status of a civilian
clackerpiecrust
Claptrapvagina
Clarence Mbongoapplied to a person of color, especially if young and dressy.
applied to a person of color, especially if young and dressy.
Link to this entryClat tale tityou are an informer. Clat, to: to inform on someone
you are an informer. Clat, to: to inform on someone
Link to this entryclean sheets, to keepsaid of a goalie who does not allow any scores by the other side
clean sheet, to have ato go scoreless as a team
Clean mennaldotty; decidedly mad
clean-ther-pana male pastime, in which the stream of urine is used to remove traces of previous use from a commode
a male pastime, in which the stream of urine is used to remove traces of previous use from a commode
Link to this entryclergy, thesarcastic term to describe the vagabonds, thieves, rogues, burglars and personal acquaintances present, usually in one's home, once the pubs have closed.
sarcastic term to describe the vagabonds, thieves, rogues, burglars and personal acquaintances present, usually in one's home, once the pubs have closed.
Link to this entryClever clogsa know it all
Cleverwell; in good health
Clew on the ear-ole, clue on the lugchastising blow to a troublesome child
click up with, toto form an impromptu but intimate association with another person.
climpexcellent, superb. Now obsolete, replaced by "de gear."
Clippiesbus conductors, who clipped passengers's tickets
clit-clat(Lancashire)noise made by a talkative person
Clobberclothing
Clock a cop, toto steal something
Clock, toto hit someone
clock, deThe face.
Clockingstaring in an intimidating manner, for instance at a jury member Clocking can also refer to turning back the mileage on second-hand cars
staring in an intimidating manner, for instance at a jury member Clocking can also refer to turning back the mileage on second-hand cars
Link to this entryclockwork orangemale homosexual
clod, aone pence
cloggerin football, a very physical player, one given to committing vicious fouls
in football, a very physical player, one given to committing vicious fouls
Link to this entryCloggie(obsolete)a person who wears wooden clogs.
Clonkerswooden clogs or heavy hobnailed boots. Clonkers is also a contest in which opponents grip hands and kick each other with clogs until one admits defeat.
wooden clogs or heavy hobnailed boots. Clonkers is also a contest in which opponents grip hands and kick each other with clogs until one admits defeat.
Link to this entryclothes pegsclothes pins, in the past often carved and sold by gypsies
Club money. I've not had de club money yet. It usually refers to a savings group, such as a Christmas Club or a Tontine, but it can also mean " I have not received the National Health benefit yet."
Clubman. De Clubman. The insurance (or other) collector. It can refer to the rent-man or the "telly-man," the latter out of Irish Tally-man.
Cluey(Australian)well informed, alert, as in "clued up". An Australian usage.
Coal-trimmerperson who feeds coal to a ship's furnace
Coat and vest(rhyming)the chest
Coat-pullersfavorites of the boss on the job. Cf. "coat-tail tuggers."
cob(Lancashire)to catch, take hold of. Cob also can refer to something round, as in a cob of coal or a cob of chuck(bread). Cobs can refer to large lumps. Used by itself, cob can mean a roll or a piece of meat
to catch, take hold of. Cob also can refer to something round, as in a cob of coal or a cob of chuck(bread). Cobs can refer to large lumps. Used by itself, cob can mean a roll or a piece of meat
Link to this entryCob. Yer gorra cob on. Your are in a bad mood.
Cobbera clever, enterprising person, an operator
Cobblers(as in "what a load of cobblers!)nonsense The source is rhyming slang, where "cobblers' awls" referred to balls.
nonsense The source is rhyming slang, where "cobblers' awls" referred to balls.
Link to this entrycobblescobblestones
Cobby soda merry or high-spirited bastard. "Sod" originally meant sodomite. Cobby can also mean irritated, balky.
a merry or high-spirited bastard. "Sod" originally meant sodomite. Cobby can also mean irritated, balky.
Link to this entrycock a snook, toto reject with contempt
Cockholdervagina. Minard points out that this word can also refer to penis, perhaps because it is a corrupt form of "cuckolder."
vagina. Minard points out that this word can also refer to penis, perhaps because it is a corrupt form of "cuckolder."
Link to this entryCockloftattic
cocky watchthis was one of the titles given to the person keeping watch for the police as a pitch and toss game was going on.
this was one of the titles given to the person keeping watch for the police as a pitch and toss game was going on.
Link to this entryCockwoodwaste wood.
Coconutterm of abuse between Afro-Caribbeans, the equivalent of oreo in America, because of the suggestion that the person called this is dark on the outside but white on the inside, and therefore not, as they say in America, "chocolate to the bone."
term of abuse between Afro-Caribbeans, the equivalent of oreo in America, because of the suggestion that the person called this is dark on the outside but white on the inside, and therefore not, as they say in America, "chocolate to the bone."
Link to this entryCoconut shya place where balls are thrown at coconuts, on midways or at carnivals
Cod bossminor boss, straw boss, foreman
cod mouthusually a parental rebuke to a child
cod on, toto pretend
Coda pretender In Irish, cod means an empty husk
Coddy's Showthe Punch and Judy show run by the Codman family, in particular "Professor" Codman, in Liverpool.
the Punch and Judy show run by the Codman family, in particular "Professor" Codman, in Liverpool.
Link to this entrycod's heada routine address to a friend
coffin dodgerterm for an old person
cogger, athis can refer to a Catholic, but also to a footballer whose best foot is his left.
this can refer to a Catholic, but also to a footballer whose best foot is his left.
Link to this entryCoggy watchman, sometimes called a cokky watchmana night watchman; cogy originally referred to the night watchman on a training ship.
a night watchman; cogy originally referred to the night watchman on a training ship.
Link to this entryCokes. De cokes. The restaurant; the eating place. Spiegl says that this is ultimately from the Cocoa Rooms, which were teetotal establishments endowed by nineteenth century philanthropist reformers.
Colcanon(Irish)mashed potatoes and mashed turnips; in Ireland it is frequently mashed potatoes, butter, and onion.
mashed potatoes and mashed turnips; in Ireland it is frequently mashed potatoes, butter, and onion.
Link to this entryCold. It's cold enough fer two pur a bootlaces. The weather is very cold.
collar felt, to have one'sto be charged with committing a felony
come off crabs, to(obsolete)to be unfortunate
Come-oversthe Isle of Mann term for visitors, many of whom are from Merseyside. Spiegl notes that the "come-overs" retaliate by calling themselves the "go-backers."
the Isle of Mann term for visitors, many of whom are from Merseyside. Spiegl notes that the "come-overs" retaliate by calling themselves the "go-backers."
Link to this entryComic singer's lip, aa "fat lip," gotten from some brawl
Compost-flakeherbal tobacco
Confessionalvagina
Conkersa game played by two opponents, each with horse chestnuts attached to a cord. The object is to swing one's "conker" or chestnut against the opponent's and break it. The earlier name for this game was "Conquerors."
a game played by two opponents, each with horse chestnuts attached to a cord. The object is to swing one's "conker" or chestnut against the opponent's and break it. The earlier name for this game was "Conquerors."
Link to this entryconnie, aa political conservative
Conny-onnycondensed milk
contracta season ticket for transportation
cooee, up the, to beto be in a difficult or embarrassing position
Cooeyback alley, passageway
Cooliea common fellow of the lowest class, ultimately from the Tamil word for day-laborer.
a common fellow of the lowest class, ultimately from the Tamil word for day-laborer.
Link to this entryCop on, toto understand, to emphathize. cop off is to socialize, with the intention of picking someone up
to understand, to emphathize. cop off is to socialize, with the intention of picking someone up
Link to this entrycop offto manage a successful "pick up" at a gathering or at a pub
Cop shoppolice station
Cop it sweetto endure, to deal with something
Cop off brigadesingles (or hookers) looking for a pick-up
Coppers. I got de coppers. I have money. Wher wuz yer when I ad der coppers? It is a pity we did not meet when I was in a position to buy you a drink.
Corksucker. An American. Spiegl at first thought this might be derived from the cork-tipped cigarette, first smoked by Americans, but he later saw that obscene raillery is the more direct explanation here.
Corky. Wid de corky. With a real cricket ball, ie., a hard one.
Corned dog. Corned-beef.
Corned beef legsmottled legs. Opinion was that the discoloration came from being lazy, i.e., sitting too long and too close to the fire.
mottled legs. Opinion was that the discoloration came from being lazy, i.e., sitting too long and too close to the fire.
Link to this entryCorned Jockcorned beef
Corny dipsCornwallis Street Public Baths
coronary trombonist, aLiverpudlianism for a coronary thrombosis
Corpya corporation house(Council House), for public housing.
corpy hair oiltap water
Corpy Yardplay area in a public housing(i.e., Corporation or City Council) site
Coshblackjack
Cost millyins. Fairly expensive. Spiegl sees this as typical Liverpool-Irish hyperbole and offers the example "..a big feller comes up--about ten foot igh he wuz; an effin-great rat run out- -big as an effin donkey; dur wuz millyins uv dem at der match--you cudda walked on dere eds."
Costydressed up. See also custy, meaning beautiful
cottage piea dish of minced beef baked under mashed potatoes. This is approximately what is called shepherd's pie elsewhere.
a dish of minced beef baked under mashed potatoes. This is approximately what is called shepherd's pie elsewhere.
Cotton on, toto understand
cotton skincargo sampler on the docks. Cf. "fruit skin."
cargo sampler on the docks. Cf. "fruit skin."
Link to this entryCoughto confess, to "sing," in underworld parlance.A Cough, in police terms, is a confession
to confess, to "sing," in underworld parlance.A Cough, in police terms, is a confession
Link to this entryCount of Monte Cristoa dressy man; a show-off. The first word is often obscenely mispronounced
a dressy man; a show-off. The first word is often obscenely mispronounced
Link to this entryCounty Kildaire, Barnet Fair, Vanity Fair(rhyming)the hair
cove, aa suspicious character
Cow's CalfTen shillings Also called Half a Quid, Half a Bar
cow bagcontemptuous reference to a woman
Cow-'eada simpleton, a yokel
Cow-juice. Fresh milk.
Cowboya rank outsider. Shaw thinks that this comes from the saying, " If yew can't fight, wur a big 'at." Cowboys is also a name given to a ship's crew. Cowboys also refers to fly-by-night tradesmen who do shoddy work, take the money and disappear.
a rank outsider. Shaw thinks that this comes from the saying, " If yew can't fight, wur a big 'at." Cowboys is also a name given to a ship's crew. Cowboys also refers to fly-by-night tradesmen who do shoddy work, take the money and disappear.
Link to this entryCowswhat prostitutes are called by their clients. A common woman might be called a "silly moo." Cf. "herdsmen" on this list.
what prostitutes are called by their clients. A common woman might be called a "silly moo." Cf. "herdsmen" on this list.
Link to this entrycow's calften shillings
Cozzie(sometimes spelled cossie, from costume)I got no bayden cozzie. I have no swim suit.
CPLcommon prostitute loitering, a police term
CPScommon prostitute soliciting, a police term
crabshells(obsolete)shoes
crackplan or plot. Of course the term has come to refer mainly to the affordable and dangerous drug of that name.
plan or plot. Of course the term has come to refer mainly to the affordable and dangerous drug of that name.
Link to this entrycrasha billiards game
Crack on, toto take notice. E won't crack on: he is ignoring us.
cracked mare, aa stupid woman; this is usually said in teasing
Cracker, abeautiful woman
crackingexcellent, superb
Cracklingroast pork
cranking upinjecting or shooting drugs with a gun, or hyperdermic syringe.
Crater facea person suffering from acne
cratesimmigrants, in the past mainly Irish immigrants
crawlin' in ther spewtoo drunk to stand
cream and crackered(rhyming slang)bushed, totally fatigued. The excluded rhyming item is "knackered."
Creamy Whirl(rhyming)woman , girl
Creased(dockers)I'm dead creased. I am very tired(dockers)
Creepin' Jesussomeone in perpetual bad health or some other misfortune; someone who solicits sympathy by wearing an air of patient martyrdom. The inevitable conclusion is that this is a sly person, a holy creep.
someone in perpetual bad health or some other misfortune; someone who solicits sympathy by wearing an air of patient martyrdom. The inevitable conclusion is that this is a sly person, a holy creep.
cribbingcomplaining
crikey!exclamation, which is a variation on Christ
crimp(from crimp meat)cooked meat, as would be put in a pasty. Another meaning for crimp was the hoodlum hired in the mid 1850's by hotels and rooming houses to approach the newly arrived immigrants, most of them famine Irish and bully or lure them to particular lodgings.
cooked meat, as would be put in a pasty. Another meaning for crimp was the hoodlum hired in the mid 1850's by hotels and rooming houses to approach the newly arrived immigrants, most of them famine Irish and bully or lure them to particular lodgings.
Link to this entryCrinkum-Crankumvagina
crispy bitsfragments left over at the end of the day in a fish and chip house, and which might be given free to those who asked for them
fragments left over at the end of the day in a fish and chip house, and which might be given free to those who asked for them
Link to this entrycrocodile(rhyming)file, long line
Crook, to beto be ill
Crook(adj.)broken
Crophaircut
CrosscutA Chinese Woman Spiegl says that Jewish women are also occasionally referred to as crosscuts, the allusion being to obscene folklore about them having a horizontal vagina.
A Chinese Woman Spiegl says that Jewish women are also occasionally referred to as crosscuts, the allusion being to obscene folklore about them having a horizontal vagina.
Link to this entryCrown and Anchor(obsolete)a gambling game played with three dice, each having faces bearing a drown, and anchor, and the four card suits. The players place their bets on a board or cloth bearing similar figures.
a gambling game played with three dice, each having faces bearing a drown, and anchor, and the four card suits. The players place their bets on a board or cloth bearing similar figures.
Crown jewelsinjuries to the head
Crubeenpig's foot
Crusta living, a salary, as in to do something for a crust
Crutchwoman's crotch
Cud wind der Liver clockA tall man, one standing high enough to reach the clock on the Liver Building.
cum ther rubber duck, toto be silly or childish
Cunard feetbig splay feet
Cunard Yankssailors and others (in the forties and fifties, it was frequently used to refer to musicians) who adopted American dress, ways, and preferences
sailors and others (in the forties and fifties, it was frequently used to refer to musicians) who adopted American dress, ways, and preferences
Link to this entryCurdlemon cheese
Currant Bun(rhyming)the sun
Curry muncher(Australian)insulting reference to a sub-continent Indian or a Pakastani or a wider range of far-Easterners and Asiatics generally (Australian)
insulting reference to a sub-continent Indian or a Pakastani or a wider range of far-Easterners and Asiatics generally (Australian)
Link to this entryCustybeautiful
Cuta canal
Cut and thrustterm to describe a dog eat dog atmosphere
Cutty sharkA small fish; a tiddler or stickleback caught in a canal. The pun is on cutty sark, the famous sailing ship.
A small fish; a tiddler or stickleback caught in a canal. The pun is on cutty sark, the famous sailing ship.
Link to this entry