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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
Expressions you’ll hear in Britain and Ireland — distinctly British usage first, then widespread staples.
The Fraternatye of, as well as of ruflyng Vacabones, as of beggerly, of Women as of Men, of Gyrles as of Boyes, with their proper Names and Qualities, with a Description of the Crafty Company of Cousoners and Shifters, also the XXV. Orders of Knaves; otherwyse called a Quartern of Knaves, confirmed by Cocke Lorell, 8vo. Imprinted at London by John Awdeley, dwellyng in little Britayne strete, without Aldersgate. 1575.
Frolics, wild rambles.
A barrister.—Anglo-Indian.
The first woman seen by a man, or man seen by a woman, on St. Valentine's day, the 14th of February, when it is said every bird chuses his mate for the ensuing year.
VAMOUS, or VAMOOSH, to go, or be off. Spanish, VAMOS, "Let us go!" Probably NAMUS, or NAMOUS, the costermonger’s word, was from this.
To spout, to leave in pawn. Also to cobble, as, "a VAMPED play," and "a VAMPED accompaniment," both terms reflecting discredit on the work, but not necessarily upon the musician.
Old, or refooted stockings. From VAMP, to piece.
Madam Van; see MADAM.
Miss or Mrs. Van-Neck; a woman with large breasts; a bushel bubby.
To look; "VARDO the carsey," look at the house. VARDO formerly was old cant for a waggon. This is by low Cockneys generally pronounced VARDY.
To give one's vardy; i.e. verdict or opinion.
Verdict, vulgarly used as opinion, thus, "My VARDY on the matter is the same as yourn."
Now rogues and rascals, formerly yeoman's servants.
(Whip and Cambridge.) Natty, dashing. He is quite varment, he is quite the go. He sports a varment hat, coat, &c.; he is dressed like a gentleman Jehu.
"You young VARMINT, you!" you bad, or naughty boy. Corruption of VERMIN.
An utterer of false sovereigns. Generally "snide-pitcher."
A brothel.
(Count de, a swindler and pickpocket) Life, written by himself, 2 vols., 12mo, to which is added a Canting Dictionary. 1819.
To tip the velvet; to put one's tongue into a woman's mouth. To be upon velvet; to have the best of a bet or match. To the little gentleman in velvet, i. e. the mole that threw up the hill that caused Crop (King William's horse) to stumble; a toast frequently drank by the tories and catholics in Ireland.
The tongue; especially the tongue of a magsman. Also, men who have succeeded in their speculations, especially on the turf, are said to stand on VELVET.
The artificiality of society, conventionality. Dickens expressed his dislike for certain forms of VENEER repeatedly, and especially by means of his Veneerings in Our Mutual Friend.
The venereal disease.
Half a quarter of a sheet.
Colloquial term for VETERINARIAN.
The Victoria Theatre, London. Also the street abbreviation of the Christian name of her Majesty the Queen.
A drunken man that pisses under the table into his companions' shoes.
Or THE VILLAGE, i.e., London. Birmingham is called "the hardware VILLAGE." Also a Cambridge term for a disreputable suburb of that town, viz., Barnwell, generally styled "the VILLAGE."
Or VILE, a town or village—pronounced PHIAL, or VIAL.—French.
The art of cheating at cards, composed of the following associates: bankers, those who play booty; the gripe, he that betteth; and the person cheated, who is styled the vincent; the gains acquired, termage.
A name given to the person who with a whip in his hand, and a hat held before his eye, keeps the ring clear, at boxing-matches and cudgel-playing; also, in cant terms, a cloak.
Mildewed, or sour.—Devonshire.
A termagant; also a she fox, who, when she has cubs, is remarkably fierce.
To talk; "can you VOKER Romany?" can you speak the canting language?—Latin, VOCARE; Spanish, VOCEAR.
"To VOWEL a debt" is to acknowledge with an I O U.
One who shoots or traps foxes, or destroys them in any way other than that of hunting. A foxhunter regards a VULPECIDE as rather worse than an ordinary murderer.
Either UNIVERSITY—more rarely University College, Oxford.
A state of suffering or hardship
A period of extreme difficulty or uncertainty
A situation or place of great danger or fear
To disappear or disperse completely and suddenly
New experiences and change make life more interesting
Almost all of a group or population
A highly compensated or prestigious job that restricts freedom
A beautiful but unrequited love
to be very close to something
used to accept or agree with something
to have a good feeling or connection with something
Someone who suffers as a result of their own achievements
A decisive naval victory
To fight until one wins or dies
A perspective or understanding from a position of power or high status
With energy and enthusiasm
Doing good is rewarding in itself
A situation where a positive event leads to more positive events
A person who expresses an unpopular opinion
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Show approval or disapproval by leaving or staying
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.