T174 archived entries
t.b.said of a well-busted woman (i.e., two beauties)
T'ingy. Det t'ingy. Any object whatever; used euphemistically or as a substitute. Sometimes a diminutive is used for this "whatssit or whodat" device"tingyo."
T'rah wellgoodbye. Other versions: t'rah now and t'rah for now. Also: t'rah wack, pronounced "Sarawak," and "T'sarrahwell!"
goodbye. Other versions: t'rah now and t'rah for now. Also: t'rah wack, pronounced "Sarawak," and "T'sarrahwell!"
Link to this entryTa, wack. Thank you; I am most grateful
Tabbiean elderly person, often thought of as a likely mugging victim. In other words, they have been "tabbed," and it may be only a matter of time....
an elderly person, often thought of as a likely mugging victim. In other words, they have been "tabbed," and it may be only a matter of time....
tabnabscake, bun, pastry, snack
Tadger(todger)penis
Taffiathe Welsh Murphia, punning on Mafia. A wild more recent variation: "the Viet Taffia."
the Welsh Murphia, punning on Mafia. A wild more recent variation: "the Viet Taffia."
Link to this entryTaffsWelsh people. Schur says the word may be a form of the ubiquitous Welsh name David, but Moloney points out that there is a River Taff(e) in Cardiff.
Welsh people. Schur says the word may be a form of the ubiquitous Welsh name David, but Moloney points out that there is a River Taff(e) in Cardiff.
Link to this entryTake the can back, toaccept the responsibility, to suffer the blame Cf. "carry the can" on this list.
accept the responsibility, to suffer the blame Cf. "carry the can" on this list.
Link to this entrytaken to piecescomprehensively beaten on the football field
take the piss, toto pull someone's leg, to jeer at someone, to be critical, contemptuous, to put someone down
to pull someone's leg, to jeer at someone, to be critical, contemptuous, to put someone down
Link to this entrytaking the mickeyto pull somebody's leg, or mug sarcastically at someone, or to jeer
talent spottingthe venerable male activity of staking out a site for viewing attractive women.
the venerable male activity of staking out a site for viewing attractive women.
Link to this entryTalentDur's no talint ere. There are no pretty women here. Shaw thinks "talint" can refer to people of importance, as in cafe society
Dur's no talint ere. There are no pretty women here. Shaw thinks "talint" can refer to people of importance, as in cafe society
Link to this entryTalk wet, toto engage in pointless conversation, to talk silly. To "be wet" is to be wimpish.
to engage in pointless conversation, to talk silly. To "be wet" is to be wimpish.
talking in telephone numbersdropping remarks about huge (and probably mythical) sums of money.
dropping remarks about huge (and probably mythical) sums of money.
Link to this entryTall Boytall chest of drawers; a kind of tall chimney pot
Tally. I'm livin tally. I am living in sin.
tallymancan refer to a wife's secret male lover. In Lancashire, there can be a tally-husband and a tally-wife
can refer to a wife's secret male lover. In Lancashire, there can be a tally-husband and a tally-wife
Link to this entryTallyman. De Tallyman. The hire purchaser collector(for installment payments).
tallywackanother word for penis
tannersixpence
Tanner-meggersmall football. The hyperbolical suggestion here is that the ball is the size of a sixpenny piece. Shaw thinks the name came from what at one time had been the price of the football.
small football. The hyperbolical suggestion here is that the ball is the size of a sixpenny piece. Shaw thinks the name came from what at one time had been the price of the football.
Link to this entryTanrogansescallops. Spiegl notes that the word is Manx in origin
Tart up, toto decorate
Tart. Me tartmy fiancee. The word tart does not generally mean "prostitute" in Liverpool and is not, therefore, pejorative.
my fiancee. The word tart does not generally mean "prostitute" in Liverpool and is not, therefore, pejorative.
Link to this entrytartar, aa fiercely demanding taskmaster
Tatshabby goods
Tatafoolish person (insult) Shaw thinks that the term mocks the genteel usage of tata meaning "a little walk. " Tata might also be taken as a posh "Tara," or farewell, which might be the source of the resentment.The word can mean silly, objectionable.
foolish person (insult) Shaw thinks that the term mocks the genteel usage of tata meaning "a little walk. " Tata might also be taken as a posh "Tara," or farewell, which might be the source of the resentment.The word can mean silly, objectionable.
Link to this entryTate 'n' Lyle(rhyming)smile
tater trap(obsolete)mouth
Tatter(also totter)the rag and bone man, the rag collector.
Tattersa walk, a trip, or a visit (baby talk sometimes used by adults). Probably a form of "tata," which means a little walk
a walk, a trip, or a visit (baby talk sometimes used by adults). Probably a form of "tata," which means a little walk
Link to this entryTattin'buying and selling rag
tattingrag and bone collecting
tattispotatoes
tatty hur(hair)a term of mild or jocular abuse
Tatty-eadpatronizing reference to a young woman. Ere, tatty-ead! I say, young woman. Sometimes the term used is "tatty lashes." Tatty means ragged or untidy. In sewing, "tatting" is concealing frayed edges with bordering material.
patronizing reference to a young woman. Ere, tatty-ead! I say, young woman. Sometimes the term used is "tatty lashes." Tatty means ragged or untidy. In sewing, "tatting" is concealing frayed edges with bordering material.
Link to this entrytawny owl, aany kind of female boss
tea and sugarmale genitals
Tea-leaf (rhyming)thief. Used as a verb, it means "to steal."
Tearawaya rebellious child
tea speckplace where one can get a cup of tea
tell-tale tit(Lancashire)a tale bearer, one who discloses a secret
ten-a-pennycheap, common, even vulgar or insincere
Tenner, aten pounds
tenniestenements, flats
Ten pence to ther shillunmentally deficient. In old coinage, one shilling equalled twelve pence. In the new coinage, a shilling equals five pence, which might make the remark seem pointless.
mentally deficient. In old coinage, one shilling equalled twelve pence. In the new coinage, a shilling equals five pence, which might make the remark seem pointless.
Terf(also turf)to throw out or away
terms, getting onequalizing the score in soccer
territorialsreservists, often called weekend soldiers in the Territorial Army. In the U.S., they would be roughly equivalent to the National Guard
reservists, often called weekend soldiers in the Territorial Army. In the U.S., they would be roughly equivalent to the National Guard
Link to this entryThe Queer Oneone's wife. A similar phrase: "her indoors."
The wickedblack colloquial name for police
Thickstupid
thingy, theyet another word for penis
Thinking Roomtoilet
three half crownsseven shillings/sixpence
three wheelersthose who worship in their homes, except for three occasions: Baptism, Marriage, and Funeral
those who worship in their homes, except for three occasions: Baptism, Marriage, and Funeral
Link to this entryThree on the hook--three on the book(docker's)three days working, three unemployed The book refers to unemployment benefits
Three Half Crownsseven shillings six-pence
Three for a Bobpenis
three-penny all-off(obsolete)a haircut down to as low as possible.
throwout, a(obsolete)a homeless person, a street person
Thundermuga chamber-pot
Tickchildren's game of tag
tickety boo, to beto be all right, in fine fettle. The word may be derived ultimately from Hindi
tick-tack man, atipster at the races
Ticker quackcardiologist
tickleyet another word for penis
tickle the pot, toto prime a carburetor
Ticklerknife
Ticklera joker, humourist. The comedian Ken Dodd often used a tickling stick for a prop.
a joker, humourist. The comedian Ken Dodd often used a tickling stick for a prop.
tick someone off, toto tell someone off. Americans often misinterpret this, because over there it means to irritate someone.
to tell someone off. Americans often misinterpret this, because over there it means to irritate someone.
Link to this entryTiddler. Silver Threepenny piece.Tiddler also means an infant child
tiffin( as in "a birra tiffin")sipping, or a light mid-day meal, lunch. Origin: Anglo-Indian
Tiger-nutsEuropean sedge-nuts, shrunken peanuts; popular among children. They are also called earth nuts, and chufa nuts.
European sedge-nuts, shrunken peanuts; popular among children. They are also called earth nuts, and chufa nuts.
Link to this entrytight marea stingy woman ( a teasing insult)
Tilly Mintwhats-er-name. Spiegl says this is derived from an old-time mint seller who peddled her wares outside St. John's Market, Liverpool.
whats-er-name. Spiegl says this is derived from an old-time mint seller who peddled her wares outside St. John's Market, Liverpool.
Link to this entryTimpson'sa well known shoe store in Liverpool. To give someone the Timpson means to kick them.
a well known shoe store in Liverpool. To give someone the Timpson means to kick them.
Link to this entrytin-can dribblersderisory name for an inept football (soccer) team
Tinipback-slang for pint
Tinnie(Australian)can of beer
Tipa municipal rubbish dump
Tip-cat (also known as Peggy)a children's game, in which a piece of wood is rapped to make it jump and is then struck while in mid-air. Other names for this: bouncey, knurr, spell
a children's game, in which a piece of wood is rapped to make it jump and is then struck while in mid-air. Other names for this: bouncey, knurr, spell
Link to this entryTip-scrabblera person who searches ash-heaps for small quantities of burnable fuel.
a person who searches ash-heaps for small quantities of burnable fuel.
Link to this entrytippedexiled, banished
Tir Nan Og(Irish)The Promised Land
Tishy paperlavatory paper, also called "real bumf," from bumfodder, which then comes to mean nonsense.
lavatory paper, also called "real bumf," from bumfodder, which then comes to mean nonsense.
tiswas, aa bad fix, a state of extreme agitation, or near apoplexy
tit-streetMilk Street in Liverpool
titty lipone's bottom lip
tizzy(obsolete)a sixpence
to go ter bitsto collapse, to throw in the sponge
to sweat onto wait anxiously for a given result
To cork it (sometimes spelled cark it)to expire. It can also be an injunction to keep quiet, or keep stumm.
Toad in the Holesausages, fried, then baked in batter. In Lancashire this refers to a beefsteak pudding.
sausages, fried, then baked in batter. In Lancashire this refers to a beefsteak pudding.
Link to this entryTockythe Toxteth area of Liverpool
TodAlone, in solitude.On me tod, or on me pat. The other rhyming component is either Malone or Sloan. Shaw derives it from Tod Sloan
Alone, in solitude.On me tod, or on me pat. The other rhyming component is either Malone or Sloan. Shaw derives it from Tod Sloan
Link to this entryToeraga contemptible person. Another term for same: "dipstick," used widely now on both sides of the Atlantic. Originally, toe rags were rags used to fill up a shoe which was too large for the foot.
a contemptible person. Another term for same: "dipstick," used widely now on both sides of the Atlantic. Originally, toe rags were rags used to fill up a shoe which was too large for the foot.
toes, to be on one'sto be on the run from the law
Toffa swell
toffeeone more term for Evertonians, coming ultimately from Everton's famous toffee shop, famous for toffee since 1753
one more term for Evertonians, coming ultimately from Everton's famous toffee shop, famous for toffee since 1753
Link to this entryToffee nosessnobs, stuck-up individuals
Toffees (rhyming)trousers, but also underpants. Toffee Rex rhymes with kecks
togey-fakingstealing small amounts of sugar from Tate and Lyle vehicles or premises.
Togo, or togiebrown sugar. Togy is raw sugar cane
Tom Pepper, aa liar
Tom(rhyming)gems The rhyming components are Jewellery and Tom Foolery
tomstomatoes
tomnodddiesfoolish fellow countrymen
Termorrer; t'sermorrertomorrow.
Ton, aone hundred pounds
Tonka-beansTonquin beans, used in snuff making
tonkiespackages of something
Tontine, sometimes referred to as a "Tonnie"a club whose members save money for holidays, Christmas or other special occasions. Spiegl traces the term to a form of life annuity invented by Lorenzo Tonti, a Neapolitan, in l653.
a club whose members save money for holidays, Christmas or other special occasions. Spiegl traces the term to a form of life annuity invented by Lorenzo Tonti, a Neapolitan, in l653.
Link to this entryTony Curtis, aa devilishly handsome man
tooled upcarrying firearms
toot'nsniffing heroin
Top-moggiea tomcat
Tope, toto drink heavily. Topers: drinkers
topperschildren's street game
Topshinertop hat.
Tosha neutral form of address less used than wack or wacker
Tosheroontwo shillings six-pence, also called Half a Dollar. Some remember "toucheroon" as a two shilling piece.
two shillings six-pence, also called Half a Dollar. Some remember "toucheroon" as a two shilling piece.
Link to this entrytossera penny used in a pitch and toss game
toss skewl, dethe open air gaming party. Usually a "toss school" is a coin pitching crowd. Pitch and toss is the name of the game. In earlier times they would toss up two half pennies. There would be a banker. If he tossed up the half pennies and they both came down heads, he won. If they came down one of each, it was a re-toss until they finally got it.
the open air gaming party. Usually a "toss school" is a coin pitching crowd. Pitch and toss is the name of the game. In earlier times they would toss up two half pennies. There would be a banker. If he tossed up the half pennies and they both came down heads, he won. If they came down one of each, it was a re-toss until they finally got it.
Totsaleable item collected from refuse. Tot can also mean a small drink of some alcoholic beverage.
saleable item collected from refuse. Tot can also mean a small drink of some alcoholic beverage.
Totty (or tottie)female groupie
totty-pota child's chamber pot
Touch up, toto fondle or "feel up"
touch of the tar brush, athe presence of some Mediterranean (or other) stock in the Anglo-Irish bloodline. It's a generous, open comment, although these days it may be taken as ethnically condescending. The people I have heard say this seem happy, or at least bemused, about the possibility of lurkers in the gene pool.
the presence of some Mediterranean (or other) stock in the Anglo-Irish bloodline. It's a generous, open comment, although these days it may be taken as ethnically condescending. The people I have heard say this seem happy, or at least bemused, about the possibility of lurkers in the gene pool.
Link to this entrytowellin(Lancashire)a beating
towils is on, deintoxicating liquor may no longer be served here, and the sign of that is the drying towels on the pump handles
intoxicating liquor may no longer be served here, and the sign of that is the drying towels on the pump handles
Link to this entryToy Townjocular name for Liverpool
tradtraditional
Tramstoppera large piece of bread. Cf. "gobstopper," a sticky sweet.
Tranmerethe "third" team in Liverpool. It never gets the publicity or attention that Everton or LFC do.
the "third" team in Liverpool. It never gets the publicity or attention that Everton or LFC do.
Link to this entrytrannie vanFord Transit Van
transitsvehicles used by the police in which arrested persons as well as police are carried
vehicles used by the police in which arrested persons as well as police are carried
Link to this entrytraya threepenny bit
treacle dippingthis was a party sport, for participants and spectators: a sort of a "bob coin night." A quantity of treacle was poured into a dish until it was about three or four inches deep, then some shillings and sixpences were thrown in. The coins could only be taken out of the treacle by the teeth. Then the competitors, whether or not they were successful, had their stick faces wiped with feathers. The crowd would love it!
this was a party sport, for participants and spectators: a sort of a "bob coin night." A quantity of treacle was poured into a dish until it was about three or four inches deep, then some shillings and sixpences were thrown in. The coins could only be taken out of the treacle by the teeth. Then the competitors, whether or not they were successful, had their stick faces wiped with feathers. The crowd would love it!
Link to this entrytreacle sarniesandwich made with bread and the syrup which did not crystallize in the sugar refining process.
sandwich made with bread and the syrup which did not crystallize in the sugar refining process.
TreesaTheresa.
trilby, aa felt hat
tripe-buttysandwich containing cold tripe
Tripe-hounda mongrel dog, or a useless dog, or a husband.
truck, to (obsolete)to force customers to accept goods they did not want
try it onto make sexual advances
tuba on the brain, but a non militant oneLiverpudlianism for a non-malignant brain tumor.
Tucker(Australian)food. People "tuck in" to a meal in Liverpool.
tucks, to be into be collapsing with laughter
tuckshopa diner, sandwich shop
tuppence ha'pennya dismissive adjective, for instance "some tuppence ha'penny actor."
a dismissive adjective, for instance "some tuppence ha'penny actor."
Link to this entryTurd-burglara male homosexual. This usage can be found everywhere in Great Britain.
a male homosexual. This usage can be found everywhere in Great Britain.
Link to this entryTurf someone out, toto remove someone. To "turf up something" means to discover or reveal something.
to remove someone. To "turf up something" means to discover or reveal something.
Link to this entryturn, to do a with someonecasual sex, perhaps what might come under the term "free love."
turpsbeer. This is Australian, but heard here and there in Liverpool
Turtle Doves(rhyming)gloves
twatan idler
Tweearty to a precious or self-conscious fault. "Artsy-fartsy" might be the American equivalent.
arty to a precious or self-conscious fault. "Artsy-fartsy" might be the American equivalent.
Link to this entrytwenty to the dozen, to goto suddenly galvanize, to become very active
twiga drink of something, close to the American word "swig."
Twig, toto suddenly realize what's going on in a given situation
twirliesanother name for elderly pensioners, who have bus passes for use at times other than rush hours. They are famous for arriving at all hours and always asking, "am I too early?" Twirly Pass: a senior pass.
another name for elderly pensioners, who have bus passes for use at times other than rush hours. They are famous for arriving at all hours and always asking, "am I too early?" Twirly Pass: a senior pass.
Link to this entryTwirliescar keys, sometimes called blackheads because of the rubber-like caps on them.
two bagger, aa person considered so ugly that they merit two bags over their head, just in case one of them might fall off.
a person considered so ugly that they merit two bags over their head, just in case one of them might fall off.
Link to this entrytwo fingers, to give something or someonea gesture of contempt and hostility. This is the same as giving "twos up," or making the backward V sign, which is the equivalent of saying "fuck you."
a gesture of contempt and hostility. This is the same as giving "twos up," or making the backward V sign, which is the equivalent of saying "fuck you."
Link to this entrytwo ogtwo shillings
two pennies worth, to give someoneto read someone the riot act, to tell them off thoroughly
two pot screamer, aa person, usually a woman, who gets very drunk on as little as two glasses of wine, and then becomes noisy and sloppy or acts amorous to just about everyone.
a person, usually a woman, who gets very drunk on as little as two glasses of wine, and then becomes noisy and sloppy or acts amorous to just about everyone.
Link to this entry