split the baby
To divide something in a way that is unfair or impractical
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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
split the breeze
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
split the difference
To compromise by accepting a middle value or position
split the sheets
To divorce.
split up
to separate or divide into parts
split-tail
A woman.
splodger
A lout, an awkward countryman.
splooge
Semen.
spock ears
Ears that are shaped like those of the Star Trek character Mr. Spock
spoffy
A bustling busybody is said to be SPOFFY.
spoil market
To create a situation where it's hard for others to sell something
spoil pudding
A parson who preaches long sermons, keeping his congregation in church till the puddings are overdone.
spoil somebody rotten
Treat someone excessively kindly or indulgently
spoil someone rotten
To treat someone extremely well and give them everything they want
spoil the market
To lower prices or reduce demand by oversupplying a product
spoiled grape juice
Wine.
Spoils System
The practice in the United States by which the victorious party in an election rewards its supporters by appointments to public office. Adopted and approved by Andrew Jackson at his election as President in 1829. "To the victors belong the spoils.
spoilt for choice
Having many attractive options to choose from
spondulicks
Money.
sponge
"to throw up the SPONGE," to submit, to give over the struggle,—from the practice of throwing up the SPONGE used to cleanse a combatant’s face at a prize-fight, as a signal that the side on which that particular SPONGE has been used has had enough—that the SPONGE is no longer required.
Sponging House
A house where persons arrested for debt were kept for twenty-four hours, before being sent to prison. They were generally kept by a bailiff, and the person lodged was "sponged'* of all his money before leaving.
spongy
Drunk.
Sponsored Programme
A wireless programme which is sponsored, i.e. chosen and paid for, by a commercial company, which utilizes a few moments at the beginning and the end of the programme for advertising its own product.
spoodge
Semi-liquid gunk.
spoof
Semen.
spooge
Semen.
spoon
Synonymous with SPOONEY. A SPOON has been defined to be "a thing that touches a lady’s lips without kissing them."
spoon bowl
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
spooney
(WHIP) Thin, haggard, like the shank of a spoon; also delicate, craving for something, longing for sweets. Avaricious. That tit is damned spooney. She's a spooney piece of goods. He's a spooney old fellow.
spooney
A weak-minded and foolish person, effeminate or fond; "to be SPOONEY on a girl," to be foolishly attached to one.
spoons
The condition of two persons who SPOON on each other, who are deeply in love. "I see, it’s a case of SPOONS with them," is a common phrase when lovers are mentioned.
sport
To exhibit, to wear, &c.,—a word which is made to do duty in a variety of senses, especially at the Universities.—See the Gradus ad Cantabrigiam. "To SPORT a new tile;" "to SPORT an Ægrotat" (i.e., a permission from the Dons to abstain from lectures, &c., on account of illness); "to SPORT one’s oak," to shut the outer door and exclude the public,—especially duns and boring acquaintances. Common also in the Inns of Court. See Notes and Queries, 2nd series, vol. viii. p.
spot
To mark, to recognise. Originally an Americanism, but now general. "I SPOTTED him (or it) at once."
spot check
To examine or inspect something randomly or briefly
spot of bother
A small problem or difficulty
spotted
To be known or marked by the police.
spout
"up the SPOUT," at the pawnbroker’s; SPOUTING, pawning. See POP for origin.
spouting
Theatrical declamation.
spouting club
A meeting of apprentices and mechanics to rehearse different characters in plays: thus forming recruits for the strolling companies.
sprat
A sixpence.
spread
Butter. Term with workmen and schoolboys. See SCRAPE.
spread eagle
A soldier tied to the halberts in order to be whipped; his attitude bearing some likeness to that figure, as painted on signs.
spread one's legs
to be receptive or open to new experiences
spread one's wings
To become independent and explore new opportunities
spread oneself thin
To take on too many tasks or responsibilities at once
spread out
To extend or expand over a large area
spread the word
To share or disseminate information
spread-eagle oratory
"A compound of exaggeration, effrontery, bombast, and ex- travagance, mixed with metaphors, platitudes, threats and irreverent appeals flung at the Almighty." (North American Review, Novem- ber, 1858.
spree
A frolic. Fun. A drinking bout. A party of pleasure.
spree
A boisterous piece of merriment; "going on the SPREE," starting out with intent to have a frolic. French, ESPRIT. In the Dutch language, SPREEUW is a jester.
spring fever
A feeling of restlessness and excitement during spring
spring for
to pay for something willingly
spring in one's step
to feel energetic and enthusiastic
Spring Tide
The tide that springs or leaps or swells up. These full tides occur a day or two after the new and full moon, when the attrac- tion of both sun and moon act in a direct line.
spring to life
To suddenly become active or vibrant
spring to mind
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
spring-ankle warehouse
Newgate, or any other gaol: IRISH.
springer-up
A tailor who sells low-priced ready-made clothing, and gives starvation wages to the poor men and women who "make up" for him. The clothes are said to be SPRUNG-UP, or "blown together."
sprint race
A short-distance race, ran at the topmost speed throughout. SPRINT is in the North synonymous with SPURT, and hence the name.
sprog
A new recruit.
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