Ikey noun 1 a Jewish person. Derogatory; an abbreviation of the
name Isaac
UK, 1835. 2 a student of the University of Cape Town,
especially a member of one of the University’s sports teams SOUTH
AFRICA
, 1921
Ikey Mo noun a Jewish person UK, 1922
I kid you not used for humorously assuring the truth of the matter
asserted. The signature line of Jack Parr, host of the late-night Jack
Parr Show (NBC, 1957–62). Repeated with referential humour
US,
1967
Ilie Nastase noun a lavatory. Rhyming slang for KARZY ,formedfrom
the name of the Romanian tennis player (b.1946)
UK, 1998
I liiiiike it! used for expressing approval. A catchphrase from the
film The Rocketeer, 1991 US, 1991
ill verb 1 to perform excellently; to do anything superbly. Originally
black usage, generally ‘to be illin’ rather than ‘to ill’; became
widespread with hip-hop culture US, 1992. 2 to undergo severe
mental stress
US, 1989
ill adjective 1 good, pleasing, desirable, admirable US, 1991. 2 wild or
crazy. Originally black usage, from the verb sense; spread through
hip-hop culture US, 1979. 3 wrong. Originally black usage, probably a
variation on ‘sick’; widespread with hip-hop culture
US, 1994
ill-ass adjective excellent, superb US, 2001
I’ll be buggered!; I’m buggered! used for registering surprise UK,
1966
I’ll be damned!; well, I’m damned! used as a general-purpose

2 marijuana, especially sensimillia (a very potent marijuana from a
plant with seedless buds) US, 1995
illywhacker noun a confidence trickster. Agent noun from the
obsolete phrase ‘whack the illy’ (to swindle; to perform confidence
tricks). ‘Illy’ may possibly be a variant of obsolete ‘eelie’ (a confi-
dence trick) which in turn is possibly from ‘eeler-spee’, a Pig Latin
variant of SPIELER. This word was all but dead prior to gaining new
life due to Peter Carey’s 1985 novel Illywhacker AUSTRALIA, 1941
I’ma used to preface an intention. A slurred elision of ‘I am going
to’, or ‘I’m
LIKE’ US, 2001
I’m about it! I agree with your plan of action! US, 1999
imaginitis noun an overactive imagination AUSTRALIA, 1944
I’m all right, Jack! a smug declaration of self-satisfaction. Used as
the title of a 1959 film
UK, 2002
I-man noun an investigator from the Interstate Commerce
Commission
US, 1938
I’m Audi; I’m Audi 5000 I’m leaving now US, 1995
imbo noun a fool; an imbecile AUSTRALIA, 1953
I’m deep enough I quit, pay me US, 1954
I mean used for emphasis on that which follows US, 1967
I mean that! I agree with what you just said! US, 1977
I mean to say! used as an emphasis of the speaker’s sincerity UK,
1843
I’m gone used as a farewell US, 1993
I’m history used as a farewell US, 1984
IMHO in my humble opinion. A ubiquitous piece of computer
shorthand US, 1991

in preposition < be in it to be actively and ethusiastically involved
AUSTRALIA, 1928
-in suffix used in combination with a simple verb to create a
communal activity as a means of protest, as in ’love-in’ or ’teach-
in’ US, 1937
in a minute used as a farewell US, 1992
in-and-out noun 1 sex at its most basic US, 1996. 2 the nose. Rhyming
slang for ‘snout’ UK, 1960. 3 a tout; a ticket tout. Rhyming slang UK,
1998. 4 a cigarette; tobacco. Rhyming slang for SNOUT UK, 1998
in-and-out-man noun an opportunist thief or burglar UK, 1957
in a pig’s valise! used for expressing how very unlikely something
is. The title of a late-1990s play by Eric Overmyer US, 1957
in betweens noun amphetamine tablets; depressant tablets; a
mixture of amphetamines and barbiturates US, 1975
inbred noun a doctor with doctor parents. Medical slang UK, 2002
353 Ikey | inbred
Inca message noun cocaine. A specific allusion to Peru, but gener-
ally a reference to South America as a source of cocaine
US, 1984
incandescent adjective furiously angry UK, 2004
incantation noun in computing, an esoteric command US, 1991
incense noun 1 amyl nitrite or butyl nitrite. The pungent vapours are
inhaled, hence the term US, 1980. 2 heroin UK, 2003
incest noun sex between two similar homosexual types, such as two
effeminate men US, 1972
inch-and-a-half noun overtime pay at the standard overtime rate of
one and a half the regular rate US, 1984
inch boy noun a male who has or is thought to have a small penis
US, 1997
include me out! leave me out! A catchphrase coined by film

Indian Country; Injun Country noun during war, any area with a
strong enemy presence US, 1945
Indian hand-rubbed noun a powerful hashish from Himachel
Pradesh in Northern India, 2003
Indian hay noun marijuana US, 1936
Indian Heads noun the Second Infantry Division, US Army. So
named because of the Division’s insignia US, 1991
Indian hemp noun marijuana. From ‘East Indian hemp’, the familiar
name for Cannabis indica US, 1986
Indian ice cream noun a bitter confection made from soopolallie
berries, water, and white sugar CANADA, 1989
Indian Indian noun an American Indian who has retained his
indigenous culture and language US, 1963
Indian list noun the Interdict list, a law forbidding a person from
buying, selling or consuming alcohol; by extension any list of
those who may not buy alcohol CANADA, 1958
Indian nigga noun a member of a British Indian (Hindi) urban
youth gang or subculture UK, 2006
Indian rope noun marijuana. A play on ‘hemp’ as a material used in
the making of ropes, HEMP (marijuana) and, perhaps, the Indian
rope trick as a magical method of getting high US, 1986
Indian steak noun bologna US, 1963
Indian talk noun in trucking, smoke rising from a diesel smoke
stack. An allusion to smoke signals used by American Indians to
communicate over long distances
US, 1971
Indian time noun used for denoting a lack of punctuality US, 1963
Indian weed noun marijuana. A variation of INDIAN HAY or INDIAN
HEMP US
, 1986

in flaggers noun in flagrante delicto (in the commission of a crime;
red-handed). The first syllable elaborated by application of the
Oxford -ER AUSTRALIA, 1973
influence noun < under the influence drunk or drug-intoxicated
UK, 1937
info noun information US, 1907
Ingerland noun England, especially the England football team. A
phonetic representation of the word England as chanted by a
sports crowd
UK: ENGLAND, 2005
Ingersol Willie noun in horse racing, the track’s official timer of
morning workouts US, 1951
In Hock Constantly noun the owner of an International Harvester
Company truck. A back-formation from the company’s initials: IHC
US, 1971
ink noun 1 space or coverage in a newspaper US, 1953. 2 oil US, 1976.
3 inexpensive wine US, 1917. 4 alcoholic drink. Probably a back-form-
ation from INKED which appears from C19 AUSTRALIA, 1977. < ink in
the pen
the ability to achieve erection and to ejaculate US, 1967
ink verb in the production of comics books, to draw over pencil art
with a pen US, 1997
ink-and-paper man noun a counterfeiter who uses a printing press
US, 1985
inked; inked up adjective drunk AUSTRALIA, 1898
inked in adjective planned UK, 1994
inkie noun in the television and film industries, an incandescent
light bulb UK, 1960
inkie-dinkie noun in the television and film industries, a 250-watt
light source UK, 1960

to be
very inquisitive. Generally in catchphrase form as ‘you want to
know’, ‘he’d want to know’, etc. Variations include ‘the ins-and-
outs of a nag’s arse’, also ‘of a duck’s backside’ and ‘of a duck’s
bum’
UK, 1984
insane adjective 1 excellent US, 1955. 2 fearless; willing to try anything
for fun US, 1997. 3 ridiculous, in either a good or bad way US, 1997
insanely great adjective in computing, magnificent to a degree that
can be fully grasped by only the most proficient practitioners US,
1991
insaniac noun a lunatic. A compound of ‘insane’ and ‘maniac’ UK,
1999
insanity stripe noun in the US armed forces, the insignia
designating a three-year enlistment
US, 1946
insects and ants noun men’s underpants. Rhyming slang UK, 1960
insensitive care unit noun a hospital’s intensive care unit US, 1989
inside adverb imprisoned UK, 1888
inside job noun a crime committed by, or with the assistance of,
someone who lives or works in the place where it occurs UK, 1908
inside man noun in a big con swindle, a confederate to whom the
victim is turned over once he has been lured into the enterprise
US, 1940
inside oil noun inside information AUSTRALIA, 1966
insider noun a pocket US, 1945
inside the Beltway noun literally, the area of Washington D.C.
surrounded by a motorway known as the Capital Beltway;
figuratively, the Washington political and journalistic establishment
US, 1977

the first three years of secondary school in Ireland IRELAND, 1998
Interc ourse 80 nickname Interstate 80, a major east–west motorway
in the US
US, 1977
intercoursed adjective exhausted. Archly euphemistic for FUCKED UK,
1979
interesting adjective in computing, annoying or difficult US, 1991
interesting, yes – provocative used for expressing possible
interest in what has just been said. A catchphrase from the film
Tommy Boy
US, 1997
interior decorating noun the act of having sex during the day.
Upper-class society usage UK, 1982
Interlake potato noun arockCANADA, 1987
internal noun a person who smuggles drugs inside their bodies US,
1997
internals noun intrusive medical examinations as part of sexual role-
play, especially when advertised as a service offered by a prostitute
UK, 2003
International House of Pancakes noun a hospital ward for severe
stroke victims, who lie in bed muttering in their own language
US,
1978
international milk thief noun a petty thief. An example of police
humour; heavily ironic UK, 1977
interrogation by altitude noun the reported practice by US troops
of interrogating a group of suspected Viet Cong in a helicopter,
throwing those who refused to answer to their death below and
thus encouraging cooperation from those left US, 1990
in the nude noun food. Rhyming slang UK, 1979

iris noun an Indian homosexual male. Gay slang, formed on the
name Iris, probably elaborating the initial ‘I’ for ‘Indian’, and orig-
inating among Cape coloureds
SOUTH AFRICA, 2000
Irish noun Irish imports, such as snuff, whisky, linen, tea, etc. Linen
from 1784, snuff from 1834 and whisky from 1889
UK, 1982
Irish nickname any athletic team from Notre Dame University. An
abbreviation of the fuller
FIGHTING IRISH US, 1975
Irish apple noun apotatoUK, 1896
Irish baby buggy noun a wheelbarrow US, 1919
Irish banjo noun a shovel US, 1941
Irish clubhouse noun a police stationhouse US, 1904
Irish confetti noun 1 semen spilled on a woman’s body US, 1987.
2 stones, bricks, etc, when used as offensive missiles US, 1913.
3 small stones kept in a pocket for disciplining sheepdogs NEW
ZEALAND
, 1961
Irish curtain noun on Prince Edward Island, a cobweb inside the
house
CANADA, 1988
Irisher noun a person of Irish descent US, 1807
Irish horse noun 1 salted beef UK, 1748. 2 a flaccid or impotent penis
US, 1987
Irish hurricane noun a flat calm sea US, 1803
Irish jig; Irish noun a wig. Rhyming slang UK, 1972
Irish lace; Irish lace curtains noun a spider’s cobweb US, 1950
Irish linen noun in pool, the cloth used as a grip on the end of a
cue stick US, 1993

microprocessor)
US, 1991
iron ass noun a stern, demanding, unrelenting person US, 1942
iron ben noun a bullet-proof vest US, 1949
ironbender noun a severe foreman, a strict disciplinarian CANADA, 1956
iron bomb noun a conventional aerial bomb that is simply dropped
from the sky without any targeting capability in the bomb US, 1962
iron box noun a domestic iron INDIA, 1979
iron cure noun the sudden and complete deprivation of a drug to an
addict in jail who suffers intensely
US, 1973
iron curtain noun agirdleUS, 1968
iron dog noun a snowmobile US, 1961
iron door noun < behind the iron door in prison US, 1992
iron duke noun in poker, a hand that is either certain to win or at
least played as if it is certain to win
US, 1967
iron girder noun a murder. Rhyming slang UK, 1998
iron God noun the Burroughs B-550 computer US, 1968
iron hat noun a safety helmet. Most commonly known as a ‘hard
hat’ US, 1954
iron hoof; iron noun a male homosexual. Rhyming slang for POOF
UK
, 1936
iron horse noun a tank or other armoured vehicle US, 1918
iron idiot noun an imprecise but easily manoeuvred manual sight
on a tank’s main gun US, 1986
Iron Lady nickname British Prime Mininster (1979–90) Margaret
Hilda Thatcher (b.1925). Coined by the Soviet media for Thatcher’s
unyielding anti-communist sentiments; always used with ‘the’ UK,

1966
iron undies noun the notional underwear worn by a woman who is
not willing to have sex NEW ZEALAND, 2002
iron worker noun a criminal who specialises in breaking into safes
US, 1949
iron yard noun the area where weight lifting equipment is left and
used, especially in prison US, 1995
I say! used for attracting attention or for registering surprise or
pleasure UK, 1909
I say, I say, I say! used as a catchphrase introduction to a corny
joke. From music hall comedy routines UK, 1927
isda noun heroin US, 1977
I see nothing used as a humorous expression of complicity. A
catchphrase from the unlikely wacky-Nazi-POW-camp-comedy
television programme Hogan’s Heroes (CBS, 1965–71). Uttered
frequently by Sergeant Hans Schultz, the full phrase was ‘I see
nothing. I hear nothing. I know nothing!’. Repeated with
referential humour US, 1965
IQ Charley | I see nothing 356
I see, said the blind man (and he saw) used for expressing
sudden comprehension in a teasing and humorous way
US, 1991
ish noun an issue (of a magazine, especially a single-interest fan
magazine)
US, 1967. < the ish a Royal Marine issued with all poss-
ible kit; or a full complement of equipment. Derives from ‘issue’
UK, 1987
-ish suffix 1 added to an adjective or phrase to form a less precise
adjective, or to suggest a vaguer, often wider, interpretation of the
proceeding adjective or phrase

isn’t it? used rhetorically, without regard to gender, subject or
number: is that not so? SOUTH AFRICA, 1956
isn’t that special? used for expressing sarcastic disdain. From
Dana Carvey’s ‘Church Lady’ skit on Saturday Night Live US, 1987
Israelite noun someone who is temporarily without money JAMAICA,
1969
issue noun a problem. Often used in a mocking way, borrowing from
the lexicon of self-improvement and popular psychotherapy. Most
often heard in the plural
US, 1999
issues noun crack cocaine UK, 2003
-ista suffix when combined with a subject-noun, a follower or
aficionado of something or someone. From Spanish. An example
is FASHIONISTA UK, 2003
is the Pope (a) Catholic? yes; a nonsense retort used as an
affirmative answer to a silly question, often sarcastic. Often mixed
with the synonymous DO BEARS SHIT IN THE WOODS? to achieve DOES
THE POPE SHIT IN THE WOODS?
Used in the UK since the 1970s US, 1977
I suppose noun a nose. Rhyming slang UK, 1859
I swallow! used as a cry of submission UK, 2000
iswas noun a contemptible, very much disliked person. This appears
to be a compound of ‘is’ and ‘was’ and is therefore perhaps
implying that the person so described is (soon to be) in the past
tense. Noted in connection with a legal dispute over rap lyrics by
BBC News, 6th June 2003
UK, 2003
is your father a glass maker? used to suggest that somebody in
front of you at a public event sit down and stop blocking your
view

itchy backside noun said of a restless person SINGAPORE, 2002
itchy feet noun 1 attributed to a person who is restless UK, 1984.
2 attributed to a prison inmate who is considered to be a potential
absconder. A specialisation of ‘have itchy feet’ (to be restless) UK,
1978
itchy pussy noun a Mitsubishi car US, 1992
ite all right (as an adjective, or a greeting). A shortening of ‘all right’.
Teen slang UK, 2003
item noun a romantically-linked couple. Expressing a commitment
that the two individuals be considered as a single item
US, 1981
Itie noun an Italian. Variation of EYETIE UK, 1941
Itie adjective Italian AUSTRALIA, 1988
-itis suffix used to create imaginary medical conditions, such as
lazyitis (congenital laziness) and cobitis (an aversion to prison food)
US, 1912
it’s all good used for expressing optimism or a sense that all is well
in the world US, 1995
it’s been great used as a farewell US, 1969
it’s been real used as a farewell, suggesting that the time spent
together has been enjoyable US, 1982
it’s better to give than receive used as a declaration that it is
better to be the active rather than passive partner in homosexual
anal intercourse. A charitable philosophy
UK, 2000
it’s breakfast! used by firefighters in the woods to mean that the
fire is out and their work is finished US, 1991
it’s dead the issue being discussed need not be discussed any
further US, 2002
it’s hard to feel good about that used as an intentionally laconic

sometimes used in the plural to represent Russians in general.
Originally military; the popular male forename is the Russian
equivalent to John
US, 1944
ivories noun 1 the teeth UK, 1782. 2 the keys of a piano or a similar
instrument
UK, 1818. 3 dice US, 1962. 4 billiard or pool balls UK, 1875.
< spank the ivories play the piano in a jazz-style US, 1944.
< tickle the ivories to play the piano UK, 1930
ivory flake noun cocaine US, 1983
ivory soap noun in dominoes, the double blank piece US, 1959
ivory tower noun used as a metaphor for an attitude that is elitist,
intellectual and removed from the real world US, 1911
I wonder! I doubt it!, I can’t believe it!; I think it may be so UK, 1922
I wouldn’t fuck her with your dick used as a jocular
disparagement of a woman’s sexual attractiveness
US, 1974
I wouldn’t kick her out of bed; I wouldn’t kick that out of
bed used as an expression of general sexual interest. Sometimes
elaborated as ‘I wouldn’t kick her out of bed for farting’ or ‘ for
eating crackers’ UK, 1984
ixnay no. Pig Latin for ‘nix’ US, 1929
-iz- infix used as an infix to hide the meaning of a word. Used in
prison and other fields with a tentative relationship to the law.
‘Dope’ becomes ‘dizope’
US, 1976
-iz-i infix an embellishment that adds no meaning to a word.
Popularised by Frankie Smith in the 1999 song ‘Double Dutch
Bus’ US, 1999
IZM; ism; izm noun marijuana US, 1992

an alcoholic drink. Probably a variation of JAKE UK, 1961. 7 a
homemade alcoholic beverage, usually applejack or raisinjack US,
1894. 8 tobacco US, 1949. 9 a small heroin pill UK, 1967. 10 in bowls, the
small white ball that serves as a target for the bowls
UK, 1611.
11 money US, 1890. 12 a counterfeit double-headed coin. Origin
unknown AUSTRALIA, 1936. 13 arobberyUS, 1988. 14 a police officer or
detective UK, 1889. 15 a friend BAHAMAS, 1995. 16 akookaburra.
Shortening of ‘laughing jackass’ AUSTRALIA, 1898. 17 a peek or a look
NEW ZEALAND, 1984
Jack noun an all-purpose male name; any man; used as a male-to-
male form of address. Predominantly black use
UK, 1706 8see: JACK
JONES
jack verb 1 to steal, to take by force – especially of street crime.
Adopted from ‘JACK’ (to hijack) US, 1930. 2 to lift or raise or move
something, as with a carjack AUSTRALIA, 1961. 3 (of a male) to
masturbate US, 1995. 4 to convey a cartridge into the chamber of a
firearm AUSTRALIA, 1995. 5 to abandon, to dismiss UK, 1961. 6 to serve
(a prison sentence)
US, 1966. 7 to move the plunger of a hypodermic
syringe back and forth AUSTRALIA, 1970. 8 to flush blood in and out of
a hypodermic syringe AUSTRALIA, 1970. 9 to cease; to shirk UK, 1947.
< jack someone’s root to frustrate someone US, 1980. < jack
your jaw
to talk incessantly US, 1983. < jack your joint to
manoeuvre your penis during sex US, 1997
jack adjective 1 used for describing any medium used for inspiration
while masturbating. Followed by the medium – ‘jack pictures’,
‘jack flick’, ‘jack book’, etc

fool)
UK, 1823
jackatar noun a Newfoundlander of mixed French and Micmac
ancestry
CANADA, 1966
jack benny noun in hold ’em poker, a three and a nine as the first
two cards dealt to a player. Comedian Benny perpetually claimed
that he was 39 years old US, 1981
jack boat; jack schooner noun a two-spar gaff-rigged fishing boat
in Cape Breton and Newfoundland CANADA, 1982
jack boy noun a street criminal who relies almost exclusively upon
force and terror US, 1989
Jack Canuck noun a Canadian CANADA, 1963
Jack Dash noun an act of urination. Glasgow rhyming slang for
SLASH UK: SCOTLAND, 1988
jackdaw and rook noun a book; specifically, in the theatre, the text
of a play (‘the book’). Originally theatrical UK, 1960
Jack Dee noun urine; an act of urination. Rhyming slang for WEE or
PEE, formed from the name of a UK comedian-actor (b.1962). Also
used as a verb UK, 1998
Jack Doyle noun a boil. Rhyming slang, formed from the name of
an Irish boxer, 1913–78 UK, 1992
jacked adjective 1 stolen, especially if taken in a mugging (a violent
street-crime). Alas, in ever wider-use since the early 1980s
US, 2002.
2 caffeinated. Borrowing from the language of car fuel for appli-
cation to the world of coffee drinks and, to a lesser extent, soft
drinks US, 1996. 3 very muscular US, 2003
jacked up; jacked adjective 1 drunk, drug-intoxicated, exhilarated US,
1935. 2 infected with a sexually transmitted infection AUSTRALIA, 1950