How did quid come to be British slang for that unit of currency called a pound? It’s tempting to assume this quid is from Latin quid pro quo, meaning “something for something.” However, a more likely explanation may be that...
If you watch British police procedurals, you’ll likely come across the term to grass someone, meaning “to inform on someone” or “to rat someone out.” It’s a bit of British rhyming slang that originated with the 19th...
You’ve noticed work seems to expand to fill the time given to complete it. But did you know there’s a term for that? Also this week, the New England exclamation “So don’t I!,” grey vs. gray, building storeys, being...
pramface n.— «Bristol has what is known in Britain as the look of the teen mum, the “pramface.”» —“A Mighty Wind blows through Republican convention” by Heather Mallick Rabble.ca (Canada) Sept...
Nork n. North Korea or a North Korean. Editorial Note: Not related to nork (sometimes spelled norg), which is British and Australian slang for “breast.” Etymological Note: North + Korea(n) (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
noofter n. a homosexual. Etymological Note: Popularized by the British television program Only Fools and Horses, first broadcast in 1981. Possibly a blend of nance or nancy and poofter. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)