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C
CREAK - CRITICIZING
CREAK - verbs
• CRAKE † to grate harshly; to creak. as the hinge of a door ...1657 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• FRATCH † to make a harsh or strident noise; to creak, as a cart ...c1440
• GEIG to creak, to make a creaking noise ...1513 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• GIG to creak, to make a creaking noise ...1513 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• GIKE to creak, to make a creaking noise ...1513 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• GIRG † of a door or gate: to make a creaking noise, to grate, to jar, to vibrate ...1513 chiefly Sc.
• HARSH † to give a harsh sound; to creak ...1583
• JARG † of a door or gate: to make a creaking noise, to grate, to jar, to vibrate ...1513 chiefly Sc.
• NEESTER to creak ...1892 Sc.
• NEISTER to creak ...1892 Sc.
• SCRATCH to creak ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• SCREAK to squeak, to squeal, to creak; to grate ...1843 Amer. dial.
• SCREEK to creak; to make a grating noise ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRICELE to creak; to squeak ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRINGE to creak; to make a grinding, grating sound; to crackle, as ice when it gives to the tread ...1853 Ireland
• SCRIPET to creak, to grate, as the ungreased wheel of a barrow ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SKREAK to squeak, to squeal, to creak; to grate ...1843 Amer. dial.
• SKREEK to squeak, to squeal, to creak; to grate ...1843 Amer. dial.
• SKRINGE to creak; to make a grinding, grating sound; to crackle, as ice when it gives to the tread ...1853 Ireland
• YERR † to make a harsh noise, to creak, to roar, to rattle; to cry out loudly, to shout out, to yell, to howl ...a1000 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
CREAKING - adjectives
• SCREECHETTY creaking, creaky ...1892 Eng. dial.
CREAKING - nouns
• GIRG a creaking noise ...1820 Sc.
• JARG a creaking noise ...1820 Sc.
• JERG a creaking noise ...1820 Sc.
• JIRG a creaking noise ...1820 Sc.
• NEESTERIN a creaking noise; a squeaking ...1898 Sc.
CREAKY - adjectives
• SCREAKY, SKREAKY, SKREEKY, SKRIEKY squeaky, creaky ...1885 Amer. dial.
• SCREECHETTY creaking, creaky ...1892 Eng. dial.
CREAM - nouns
• BOVINE EXTRACT milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• CHALK milk or cream ...1934 US jocular
• COW milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• COW JUICE milk or cream ...World War II Amer. sl.
• DIP a sauce for puddings, ice cream, pie, cake, etc.; also, cream ...1877 Amer. dial.
• HEAD cream upon the surface of milk ...Bk1902 Eng. dial.
• MOO JUICE milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUSS milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• REAM cream ...1755 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SEASONING cream or sugar as an ingredient in tea of coffee ...1897 Amer. dial.
• STREAK O' MOO cream in coffee ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SWEET ALICE milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
cream - verbs
• FEATHER of milk or cream: to curdle or form flakes on the surface of coffee or tea ...1816 Amer. dial.
CREAMY - adjectives
• REAMY creamy ...Bk1868 Sc.
CREASE - nouns
• BEGGAR-PLAITS creases in a garment ...1892 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• BEGGAR'S-PLAITS wrinkles or creases in garments as if slept in ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BINK a crease, a fold ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CRIMPLE † a crease, wrinkle, or fold; a crinkle ...c1440 obs. exc. Eng. & Amer. dial.
• GAIR † a crease in cloth ...1825 Sc.
• GALL a crease or wrinkle in cloth ...1787 Sc.
crease - verbs
• BEFRUMPLE † to crease into frumples or clumsy folds ...1611 obs.
• GAIR to crease, to become creased ...1880 Sc.
• GRUGGLE to disorder or disfigure by much handling; to rumple, to crumple, to crease ...1804 Sc.
• MISCOMFRUMPLE to rumple, to crease; e.g. if one female sits so close to another as to rumple or crease her dress by pressing or sitting on it, she is said to 'miscomfrumple' it ...1854 Eng. dial.
• SCREASE to crease ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• TAW to twist; to get crooked or out of shape; to crease, to wrinkle; to entwist, as the end of a rope ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• WAFFLE to crease, to crinkle, to rumple ...1825 Sc.
• WRIMPLE † a crease or fold; a wrinkle ...1499 obs.
CREASED - adjectives
• CRINKLETY-CRANKLETY crinkled, roughly creased ...1904 Amer. dial.
• DOG-EARED worn, creased, and rumpled; shabby, unkempt ...19C Amer. sl.
• WRIZZLED † marked with creases, wrinkles, or corrugations; wrinkled, shrivelled ...1590 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
creased - verbs
• GAIR to become streaked; to dirty; to crease, to become creased ...1881 Sc.
CREATE - verbs
• BASH UP to make, to create ...1940s NZ sl.
• POP UP to create, to make happen, to cause ...1930s sl.
CREATED - adjectives
• CREABLE † that may be created or produced ...a1656
CREATIVE - adjectives
• NATURANT †* creative, generating ...1635
CREATOR - person
• EFFECTER † a maker, a creator ...1635
• EFFECTRESS † a female maker or creator ...1601
• FASHIONER one that gives fashion or shape to; a creator, maker ...1548
CREDENCE - verbs
• FAITH to put credence in ...1951 Amer. dial.
• LEVE † to believe in; to trust, to give credence to a person or thing ...c1175
CREDIBLE - adjectives
• CREABLE † easy to believe, credible ...1480
• LEVEABLE †* that may be believed or trusted; credible, trustworthy ...1382
• LEVELIKE †* credible ...a1300
• LEVELY †* credible ...a1300
CREDIT - adjectives/adverbs
• JAW-BONE on credit ...1862 Amer. sl., orig. Can.
• ON JAWBONE on credit ...1862 Amer. dial.
• ON MACE on credit ...1893 Brit. sl.
• ON ONE'S FACE on credit, for free ...L19 US sl.
• ONTAKING buying or taking on credit; hence, reckless, rash, somewhat untrustworthy in business dealings; dishonest ...1880 Sc.
• ON THE DINGLE on trust, on credit ...1854 Eng. dial.
• ON THE MACE on credit ...1893 Brit. sl.
credit - nouns
• CRED credit ...1979 sl.
• DAP credit, acknowledgement, respect, self-awareness ...1970s US Black sl.
• FACE credit at a public house ...M18 sl.
• FAIR FUCKS credit, merit ...1992 Ireland sl.
• JAWBONE credit ...1862 Amer. dial.
• LIGHT credit ...E19 sl.
• OBITUARY NOTICE a letter from a creditor ...1920s US sl.
• TAB ACTION a line of credit at a bar or any other type of business ...1940s US Black sl.
• TAB ISSUE a line of credit at a bar or any other type of business ...1940s US Black sl.
• TICK credit; trust; reputation of solvency and probity ...1668
credit - person
• TALLYMAN one who supplies goods on credit, to be paid for by instalments ...1654
• TALLYWOMAN a woman who sells goods on credit ...1727
credit - verbs
• ACCREDITATE † to accredit; to give credit to someone for something; to vouch for, to sanction or countenance ...1654
• CALL ONE'S JAWBONE to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• FAKE to give heed to; to believe, to credit ...Bk1900 Sc.
• GET A LIGHT to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• GET ON SOCK to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• GET ON THE NOD to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• GIVE IT ON THE MACE to obtain goods on credit and never pay for them ...19C Brit. sl.
• GIVE ON THE MACE to obtain goods by persuading the shopkeeper to extend credit that one has no intention of paying ...E19 sl.
• GO ON ONE'S FACE to gain credit on the basis of one's wits or appearance ...M19 sl, orig. US Amer. dial.
• GO ON TICK to buy on credit, to run into debt ...1672
• GO TICK to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• HAVE ONE'S LIGHT PUT OUT to have one's credit stopped ...E19 sl.
• JAWBONE to talk someone into extending credit; to buy on credit ...1941 Amer. dial.
• LAKE to give credit to, to trust ...Bk1902 Sc.
• MACE IT to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• PUSH ONE'S FACE to obtain credit by bluff, bluster, or deceit ...c1760 colloq.
• RUN ONE'S FACE to gain credit on the basis of one's wits or appearance ...1839 Amer. sl.
• RUN ONE'S SHAPE FOR to obtain credit ...M19 sl., orig. US
• RUN ON TICK to buy on credit, to run into debt ...1642
• STRIKE A LIGHT to open a line of credit ...E19 sl.
• STRIKE ON THE MACE to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• STRIKE THE MACE to obtain goods by persuading the shopkeeper to extend credit that one has no intention of paying ...E19 sl.
• TAKE ON to buy on credit; to get into debt ...1899 Sc.
• TALLY † to deal on tally or credit; to open or have a credit account with anyone ...1596
• TICK to take credit; to run into debt, leave one's debts unpaid ...1648 sl. or colloq.
• TRAVEL ON ONE'S FACE to gain credit on the basis of one's wits or appearance ...1859 Amer. dial.
• WORK THE MACE to obtain goods by persuading the shopkeeper to extend credit that one has no intention of paying ...E19 sl.
credit - phrases
• ON THE ARM on credit; often implying that no payment will be made ...20C Amer.
• ON THE NOD on credit ...Aust. sl.
• ON PUMP on credit ...Bk1974 Amer. dial.
• ON TICK on credit ...1642
CREDIT CARD - adjectives
• ON THE PLASTIC using stolen credit cards for a variety of frauds and swindles ...1970s US criminals' sl.
credit card - nouns
• PHISH an instance of stealing credit card data on the internet ...2004 US
• PHISHING the act of stealing credit card data on the internet ...1997 US
• PLASTIC a credit card ...1980 sl., orig. US
• PLASTIC MONEY a credit card ...1974 sl., orig. US
• SKIMMING illegally taking details of a credit card by passing it through a special scanner which 'reads' the information contained on the magnetic strip ...Brit. sl.
credit card - verbs
• PHISH to steal credit card data on the internet ...2003 US
CREDITOR - person
• DUN a creditor importunately asking for what is his ...c1628
• EMILY POST a creditor ...1980s Aust. rhyming sl. for 'ghost'
CREDULITY - nouns
• OMNICREDULITY universal credulity; capacity of believing anything whatever ...1845
credulity - phrases
• I DIDN'T FALL OFF A CHRISTMAS TREE used to reject imputation of credulity ...20C
CREDULOUS - adjectives
• EASY easily taken advantage of or imposed upon; easily fooled; credulous, gullible ..1698
• GOBEMOUCHE designating a person who credulously accepts all news ...E19
• OOLLENLY simple-minded, credulous ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• ULTRAFIDIAN going beyond mere faith; blindly credulous ...1825
credulous - person
• BLUFF a credulous person ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CHIEF a potential victim of a confidence trickster; a credulous person; it is common term of address, used ironically by the con-man when he approaches the victim ...1940s W. Indies sl.
• CREDULIST †* a credulous person ...1788
• DAISY one who is credulous or gullible ...M19 US campus sl.
• GOBEMOUCHE a credulous person who will believe anything, no matter how improbable or absurd; one who is easily deceived; a simpleton ...1818
• GULPIN one who will swallow anything; one easily gulled; a credulous simpleton; a fool ...1802
• SIMON a silly fellow; a credulous gullible person; a simpleton ...1785 sl.
• SIMPLE SIMON a silly fellow; a credulous gullible person; a fool, a simpleton ...1785 sl.
credulous - verbs
• RISE to play into one's hands; to listen credulously ...1856 sl.
CREEK - nouns
• BIGHT a bay, a creek; a projection in a river ...1891 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• CATHOLE a deep place in a river, creek, pond, etc. ...1842 Amer. dial.
• KILL a natural waterway, esp. a stream, a creek, a channel ...1639 Amer. dial.
• OB a creek, a bay ...1930 Sc.
• REACH a creek ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• VENT † a creek or inlet ...1604
• VOE a narrow inlet of the sea; a creek ...1871 Sc.
CREEP - verbs
• HARL ABOUT to move about feebly; to crawl, to creep ...1871 Sc.
• MEECH to sneak, to slink, to skulk; to idle stealthily or shamefacedly about; to creep about softly; to cringe; to look ashamed ...1746 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• OAG to crawl, to creep, to scramble; to wriggle ...1892 Sc.
• OG to creep, to crawl, to wriggle; to move slowly; to be infected with vermin ...a1838 Sc.
• OOR to creep, to crouch, to cower; to move slowly and feebly; to droop ...1866 Sc.
• RAMP †* to creep or crawl on the ground ...1390
• SCRAFFLE to struggle; to force one's way with difficulty; to scramble; to creep, to roll; to tumble ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SCRAUCHLE to scramble, to creep, to crawl; to move with difficulty ...1885 Sc.
• SCRAWL to crawl, to creep; to move slowly or with difficulty; to hobble; to scramble, to sprawl ...1747 Eng. dial.
• SINUATE * to creep or crawl in a winding course ...1848
• SKRAFFLE to struggle; to force one's way with difficulty; to scramble; to creep, to roll; to tumble ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SLENCH † to creep or slink away, to sneak ...c1330 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
CREEPING - adjectives
• MEECHING skulking, sneaking, creeping softly; cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• RAMPING †* creeping, crawling ...c1440
creeping - nouns
• OBREPTION † a creeping or stealing upon one unawares ...1642
CREEPY - nouns
• JIM-JAMS a creepy feeling; the fidgets; a fit of depression; a state of nervousness or unease ...1896 colloq.
CREMATION - nouns
• ASH CASH a fee paid to doctors for signing a cremation form ...2001 Brit. medical sl.
CREVICE - nouns
• SCORE a crack, crevice, fissure ...1825 Sc.
CRIBBAGE - nouns
• NOB in cribbage, the knave of trumps ...M19 sl.
CRICKET (insect) - nouns
• FALL BIRD a cricket; a cicada ...1967 Amer. dial.
• GRIG a cricket ...1939 Amer. dial.
CRICKET (sport) - adjectives
• CASTLED in cricket: bowled out ...2003 UK
• SKIED in cricket: hit or sent up high in the air ...1868
cricket (sport) - nouns
• AQUATICS a game of cricked played by the oarsmen; the playing-field used by them ...M19 Eton usage
• ASHES, THE mythical prize in English and Australian cricket test-matches ...1882 Eng.
• BALLOON a lofty hit or kick given to a cricket ball, baseball, or football ...1904 colloq.
• BARTER in cricket: a half-volley; a hard hit ...1859-1864 Eng. sl.
• BATS † cricket ...1790 Eng. dial.
• BLOB in cricket: a batsman's score of no runs ...1903
• CASTLE in cricket: the wicket that a batsman is defending ...1959 UK
• COOLIE CREEPER (derogatory) in cricket: a ball that stays low without bouncing ...M19 S. Afr. sl.
• CROCKETTS at Winchester School: cricket (game) ...1859 Eng. dial. sl.
• DAB in cricket: a batman's stroke that deflects the ball gently behind the wicket ...1969 UK sl.
• DAISY-CUTTER in cricket and baseball: a ball so bowled or batted as to skim along the surface of the ground ...1863
• DUCK in cricket: a score of zero/nought ...1868 UK sl.
• GALLERY-HIT a piece of showy play (primarily by a batsman in cricket) intended to gain applause from uncritical spectators ...1882
• GAM'LIN-STICKS the game of cricket ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• LEATHER in cricket and football: the ball ...1868
• MULLIGRUBBER in cricket: a low-keeping bowled ball ...20C Brit. sl.
• OFFIE in cricket: a ball bowled so as to change direction from leg to off when it pitches; off break ...Aust. sl.
• PADDOCK n. a playing field, esp. for cricket ...1839 Aust. sl.
• PAIR in cricket: the score of a batsman who is out for no score in each leg of a match ...2003 UK sl.
• PAIR OF DUCKS in cricket: the score of a batsman who is out for no score in each leg of a match ...2003 UK sl.
• PEG a cricket stump ...1891 colloq.
• RABBIT IN THE THICKET 1. cricket ...1980s Aust. rhyming sl.
2. a wicket ...1980s Aust. rhyming sl.
• RIPPER in cricket, a good ball ...1851 sl.
• SIX-STITCHER a cricket ball ...Aust. sl.
• SIZZLER in cricket: an exceedingly fast ball; an extremely fast horse, etc. ...1961 Brit. sl.
• STRINGER in cricket: a difficult ball to play ...Bk1904 sl.
• STUMPER cricket played with a stump ...Bk1904 sl.
• TICE a stroke at croquet or cricket, which tempts or entices the opponent to take aim ...1874
• TIMBER in cricket: a wicket ...1876 sl.
• WRONG 'UN in cricket: the wrong sort of ball to hit ...1897 sl.
cricket (sport) - person
• BARN-DOOR in cricket: a player that blocks every ball ...1679
• BAT PAD in cricket: a fielder positioned close to the facing bat ...1989 Aust. sl.
• CENTURION in cricket: one who scores 100 or over ...c1885 colloq.
• DEADHEAD a member of a football or cricket team called upon to play at a pinch ...BK1900 Eng. dial.
• FLANNELLED FOOL (derogatory) a cricketer
• OFFIE in cricket: a bowler who specializes in off-break deliveries ...Aust. sl.
• SCOUT a fielder at cricket ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCOUTER a fielder at cricket ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• STUMPER a wicket-keeper ...Bk1904 colloq.
• YABBY in cricket: a wicket-keeper ...1980s Aust. sl.
cricket (sport) - verbs
• BALLOON to hit a cricket ball or baseball, or kick a football, high in the air ...1904 colloq.
• BARTER in cricket: to hit half-volley ...1859-64 Eng. sl.
• BREAK ONE’S DUCK in cricket: to score at least one run ...19C sl.
• BREAK ONE’S EGG in cricket: to score at least one run ...19C sl.
• CARRY YOUR BAT OUT in cricket: to survive your team's innings undismissed ...1934 UK sl.
• CART in cricket: to hit the ball or attack the bowling with unrestrained power ...1903 UK sl.
• CRACK ONE’S EGG in cricket: to score at least one run ...19C sl.
• DAB of a batsman in cricket: to play a tentative stroke that gently deflects the ball behind the wicket ...1985 UK sl.
• DANCE of a batsman in cricket: to swiftly advance beyond the crease to meet the pitch of a ball ...1995 UK sl.
• FAG OUT in cricket: to field ...c1840 Brit. schoolboys' sl.
• SCOUT to field at cricket ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SKY in cricket: to strike a ball into the air ...1873
cricket (sport) - phrases
• OWZAT? in cricket: an appeal to an umpire, how's that? ...1934 UK
CRIME, CRIMINAL - adjectives
• AIRTIGHT of a town or city: absolutely safe for criminal activities since the authorities have been fully and comprehensively paid off ...1940s US criminals' sl.
• ALIVE knowledgeable; aware, esp. of a criminal scheme ...M19 sl.
• ALL SET of a villain: ready for any criminal undertaking ...L18 sl.
• ALSATIAN criminal, roguish ...L17 sl.
• AT IT engaged in criminal activity ...1970 UK sl.
• CRIM criminal ...sl.
• DD said of a criminal who gives up no information at all if arrested ...1950 US sl.
• DEAD-BANG of a criminal case: open-and-shut; irrefutable ...1934 Amer. sl.
• DUE of a professional criminal: considered likely to be arrested whether or not actually responsible for the crime in question ...1996 UK sl.
• FACEY indicating criminal qualities ...2000 UK sl.
• FACINORIOUS † extremely wicked, grossly criminal, atrocious, infamous, vile ...1601
• FACINOROUS † extremely wicked, grossly criminal, villainous, atrocious, vile, infamous, detestably bad ...1548 obs. exc. arch.
• FLASH relating to or characteristic of the criminal underworld ...colloq.
• GAME † dishonest; mixed up with or belonging to the underworld ...1805 UK sl.
• IFFEY involved with criminality ...1930s sl., orig. US
• IFFY involved with criminality ...1930s sl., orig. US
• ILLEGIT illegitimate, criminal ...1910s sl.
• KINKY dishonest, crooked, criminal ...1903 Amer. criminal sl.
• MALEFACTIOUS † wicked, criminal ...1660
• MALEFACTORY * ill-doing; criminal ...1871
• MALEFICENT of persons, their acts and dispositions: wrong-doing, criminal ...1760
• MALVERSE † dishonest, criminal ...1791 Sc.
• NO-ACCOUNT worthless; useless; good-for-nothing; insignificant; undependable, untrustworthy, criminal ...1845 Amer. dial.
• OFF of a crime: successfully achieved ...M19 UK criminals' sl.
• OFFENCEFUL † causing offence or displeasure; wrong; sinful; criminal ...1603 rare or obs.
• ON of a criminal enterprise: under way ...1969 UK sl.
• ON SUS suspected of having committed a crime ...1936 Brit.sl.
• ON THE CROSS dishonest, criminal ...sl.
• SILENT of an entry in a criminal's file: showing crimes for which the criminal was not charged but probably committed ...1990 US sl.
• TASTY having a criminal record ...1975 Brit.
• WRONG unsafe for criminal activity ...M19 UK criminals' sl.
crime, criminal - adverbs
• ACROSS THE PAVEMENT of a criminal activity: in a street situation ...1977 UK sl.
• WRONG in a criminal, illegal manner ...M19 sl.
crime, criminal - nouns
• ACCRIMINATION †* accusation of crime ...1655
• ACCUSE †* the act of accusing or charging with crime; charge, accusation ...1593
• ACTION acts of crime; commerce in drugs; illegal activity ...Bk2000 criminal sl.
• AMERICAN WAY relatively peaceful co-existence by rival organized crime families ...1992 US sl.
• ART photographs of wanted criminals ...20C Amer. sl.
• BIT OF NONSENSE an easily achieved criminal act ...1968 UK sl.
• BIT OF WORK a crime; a robbery ...1996 UK sl.
• BIZ crime ...Bk1998 sl.
• BOYS, THE criminals, rowdies, thugs, etc.; in the 19th century, corrupt politicians or their hangers-on ...a1815 Amer. sl.
• BUM RAP a false criminal charge ...Bk1990 Amer. sl.
• CACKLE-BLADDER a small bladder of chicken blood held in the mouth and used by criminals to counterfeit the coughing up of blood ...1930s US criminals' sl.
• CAPER a criminal undertaking ...1867 sl.
• CHAT a criminal 'job' or undertaking ...L19 sl.
• CROSS, THE dishonest or fraudulent practices, criminal activities ...E19 sl.
• CYBERCRIME the illegal use of computers and the internet; crime committed by means of computers or the internet
• DAISY BEAT a cheat or swindle or minor crime ...1889 rhyming sl.
• DEAD PIGEON a criminal enterprise, a double-crosser ...1964 US sl.
• EARNINGS proceeds from crime ...1974 S. Afr. sl.
• EVILLING acting in a deliberately negative manner, e.g. riotously, argumentatively, criminally ...1930s US Black sl.
• FACT † an evil deed, a crime ...1539
• FAKEN † fraud, guile; wickedness, crime ...c924
• FALL DOUGH money set aside by a criminal for bribing policemen or obtaining bail if he is arrested ...1910 US criminals' sl.
• FALL MONEY funds saved by criminals to pay lawyers, secure cash bail, and to bribe officials ...1893 Amer. criminals' sl.
• FAMILY the criminal fraternity ...M18 sl.
• FAMILY PEOPLE the underworld of thieves, robbers ...L18 cant
• FANCY, THE the underworld ...M19 Aust. & US
• FEAT † an evil deed; a crime ...1481
• FORM a criminal record ...1958 Brit. sl.
• FRAME a (criminal) conspiracy or plot ...1911 sl. orig. US
• FRAME-UP a (criminal) conspiracy or plot ...1900 sl. orig. US
• GAME any criminal or illicit livelihood or vocation; any trick or device with sinister design ...1738 UK sl.
• GAME, THE the criminal lifestyle ...1976 US sl.
• GARAGE a subset of a criminal organization ...1975 US sl.
• GIG a criminal act; a swindle ...20C sl.
• HABITUAL, THE a criminal charge alleging habitual criminal status ...1972 US sl.
• HIT CAR an automobile used to make a getaway from the scene of a murder or to carry a kidnapped victim to the place where he is to be killed ...1969 Amer. criminal & police sl.
• HUMBLE a false criminal accusation or charge ...1940 US sl.
• HUMBUG false or trumped-up criminal charges ...1972 US sl.
• HUSTLE a criminal scheme or activity ...1970s US sl.
• INSIDE JOB a crime committed by or with the connivance of someone living or working in the place where it happened ...1908 sl.
• JACKET the police prison file on a criminal, recording previous convictions, etc.; one's criminal record ...1950s sl.
• JOB a robbery; a criminal undertaking ...1722 sl.
• KEY the declaration, under the Habitual Criminals Act, that one is an habitual criminal; an indefinite sentence under this act ...1944 Aust. sl.
• LAGGING MATTER any crime punishable by transportation ...E19 UK criminals' sl.
• LAGLAND the underworld ...M19 sl.
• LAHTER † a vice, sin, crime ...c900
• LAW n. a type of criminal activity ...M16 UK criminals' sl.
• LEMON AND LIME crime ...1990s rhyming sl.
• LIFE, THE the criminal lifestyle; the lifestyle of prostitution ...1916 US sl.
• MAIL a rumour; a report; a racing tip; information on crime ...1960s Aust. sl.
• MALEFACT † a criminal act; an offense; evil-doing ...1534
• MALEFACTION evil-doing; an instance of evil-doing; a criminal act ...1602
• MALVERSE † a crime ...c1700 Scot
• MOB a criminal gang ...L18 sl., orig. US
• MOB, THE organized crime; the mafia ...Amer. sl.
• NURSERY RHYME crime ...1990s Brit. rhyming sl.
• OC organized crime ...1975 US sl.
• ONE a crime ...1910s UK criminals' sl.
• OUTSIDE JOB a crime committed by someone not otherwise associated with the place where it happened ...1925 sl.
• PAPER an underworld contract to have someone killed ...1983 US sl.
• PEDIGREE a criminal record ...1911 sl.
• POSSE a gang of Black (esp. Jamaican) youths involved in organized or violent crime, often drug-related ...1986 sl., chiefly US
• PREVIOUS previous criminal convictions; a criminal record ...1935 Brit. sl.
• PRIORS prior convictions; a criminal record ...1978 US sl.
• RACKET a criminal enterprise; a swindle or a means of deception ...1894 UK sl.
• RACKETS, THE organized crime ...1920s US sl.
• RAILROAD any arrest and allied criminal proceeding that ignores the facts, evidence, truth etc. and concentrates on a speedy conviction, the guilt or innocence of the person notwithstanding ...L19 US sl.
• RANK a failed crime, esp. when foiled by the authorities ...1920s US criminals' sl.
• RAP 1. a criminal conviction ...1903 sl., orig. & chiefly US
2. a criminal specialty ...1990s US criminals' sl.
• RAPPER a crime for which someone other than the guilty person is punished ...20C US sl.
• RECEIPT the harbouring or entertainment of outlaws or criminals; a shelter ...1631 Sc.
• SINGLE-O a crime committed without an accomplice ...1930 US sl.
• SQUEEZE an impression of an object made for criminal purposes ...1882 sl.
• STOPPO a getaway after committing a crime; a quick getaway by car from the scene of a crime ...1935 Brit. sl.
• SUS(S) suspicion of having committed a crime ...1936 Brit. sl.
• TALENT members of the criminal underworld ..1879 Aust. sl.
• TICKLE a successful crime or illegal deal ...1938 sl.
• UNDERWORLD the world of thieves, prostitutes, tramps, sexual degenerates, and confidence men ...19C Brit. & US usage
• UNICORN a woman and two men, or two women and one man in league for criminal purposes ...L19 sl.
crime, criminal - person
• AARON, THE a criminal, esp. a gang leader ...17C sl.
• ALIBI IKE any criminal who regularly asserts alibis when questioned about a crime ...1915 US sl.
• ALSATIANS members of London's criminal underworld ...18C sl.
• AMATEUR a professional criminal who has not been in trouble with the police ...1930s UK criminals' sl.
• BAB a criminal ...1920s Aust. & NZ sl.
• BABBLER a criminal ...1920s sl.
• BABBLING BROOK a criminal ...1919 Aust. rhyming sl. for 'crook'
• BADDY a bad person; a criminal; a villain, esp. in a film or play ...1937 sl., orig. US
• BAG LADY a woman who delivers or, esp. collects illicit payments ...1977 Amer. criminals' sl.
• BAGMAN a man who delivers or, esp. collects illicit payments; a bill collector ...1935 Amer. criminals' sl.
• BANDULU a bandit, a criminal, one who lives by guile ...20C W. Indies Rasta
• BARRACUDA a violent, aggressive criminal ...1930s US sl.
• BASKET MAN a graft collector for a criminal gang ...1930s US criminals' sl.
• BIG BOY the head of an organized crime syndicate or some equivalent figure ...1920s US criminals' sl.
• BIG FELLOW the head of an organized crime syndicate or some equivalent figure ...1920s US criminals' sl.
• BOYS, THE criminals, rowdies, thugs, etc.; in the 19th century, corrupt politicians or their hangers-on ...a1815 Amer. sl.
• BUTTON a low-ranking member of a crime syndicate ...1966 Amer. police & criminals' sl.
• BUTTON MAN a low-ranking member of a crime syndicate ...1969 Amer. police & criminals' sl.
• DEAD PIGEON one who has been caught breaking a rule or committing a crime ...1910s US prison sl.
• DEADWOOD a person caught outright committing a crime ...1992 US sl.
• EAR a person who is not a part of the criminal underworld but who reports what he hears to those who are ...1964 US sl.
• EARNER a member of an organized crime enterprise who produces high profits, however unpleasant his character may be ...1995 US sl.
• ENFORCER a strong-arm man, esp. in an underworld gang ...1929 sl., orig. US
• FRIGHTENER a member of a criminal gang employed to intimidate the gang's potential victims ...1962 sl.
• IBM a member of an organized crime family; an Italian businessman ...1997 US sl.
• MOBBY a member of a criminal gang ...1888 US criminals' sl.
• MR. BIG. an important, influential person, esp. a 'criminal mastermind' ...1930s sl., orig. US
• OLD VULTURE † a companion in crime ...1889 criminals' sl.
• RACKET BOY a member of an organized criminal enterprise ...1953 US sl.
• RACKETEER a member of an organized crime syndicate; a criminal ...1920s US sl.
• RACKET GHEE a member of an organized crime syndicate ...1930s US sl.
• RACKET GUY a member of an organized crime syndicate ...1930s US sl.
• RACKET MAN a member of an organized crime syndicate ...1930s US sl.
• RAPPER one who takes or is given the blame for a crime, even if they are not actually guilty ...1940s US sl.
crime, criminal - verbs
• ACCRIMINATE †* to accuse of a crime ...1655
• BOOK to record the name of someone who has committed an offense ...1841 sl.
• DIP to fail in the commission of a crime, esp. theft or robbery ...1975 Aust. sl.
• FAKE DOWN to carry out a crime ...M19 NZ sl.
• FAST LANE to indulge in a crime spree ...1980s Aust. prison sl.
• GAP to watch, to witness a crime ...1949 US sl.
• JUGGLE to engage in criminal business activities ...1994 UK sl.
• MAKE ONE to put together plans for a crime, esp. a robbery, and then carry out that crime ...1970s UK criminals' sl.
• MAKE ONE WITH to commit a crime in partnership with one or more other people ...1970s UK criminals' sl.
• MOONLIGHT to engage in criminal activity at night ...L19 UK criminals' sl.
• PULL A STROKE to commit a successful crime ...c1950 cant
• PULL AWAY to divert attention from the scene of a crime ...1975 Aust. sl.
• PULL IT OFF to commit a crime ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• PULL OFF to commit a crime ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• PUT ONE TOGETHER to plan a crime ...1970s UK criminals' sl.
• RACKETEER to practise any form of criminal deception, trickery, extortion, etc. ...1920s sl.
• RANK to catch in the act of committing a crime ...1920s US sl.
• RECEIPT to harbour or shelter an outlaw or criminal ...1715 Sc.
• SINGLE-O to operate as a criminal without confederates; to operate selfishly within a criminal enterprise ...1950 US sl.
• SUS(S) to suspect of a crime ...1953 Brit. sl.
• SWALLOW to abandon life as a professional criminal, to 'go straight' ...20C sl.
• TAB to charge with a crime ...L19 sl.
• TAB UP to charge with a crime ...L19 sl.
• TAKE THE FALL to be accused (and condemned) unfairly of a crime ...1920s US sl.
• TRADE UP to escape criminal prosecution or lessen the charges against you by providing the police with information about other criminals ...1981 US sl.
• TUG to distract someone's attention while a crime is being committed ...1970s Aust. criminals' sl.
• TUG A HEAD to distract someone's attention while a crime is being committed ...1970s Aust. criminals' sl.
• WOLF-PACK to engage in criminal gang activity ...1982 US sl.
crime, criminal - phrases
• BANG TO RIGHTS said of a criminal who is caught red-handed ...1904 Brit. sl.
• DEAD TO RIGHTS said of a criminal who is caught red-handed ...1859 Brit. sl.
• ON THE MOVE about to commit a crime, esp. a burglary ...1996 UK sl.
• PLEAD ONE'S BELLY of a pregnant female criminal facing the death sentence: to plead that since she is pregnant, the law should spare her unborn child's life ...18C sl.
CRIMINALLY - adverbs
• QUEERLY in a criminal manner ...L17 sl.
CRINGE - nouns
• FAWN † an act of fawning; a servile cringe, a wheedling courtesy ...1590
cringe - person
• FAWN †* one who fawns, cringes, or flatters; a toady ...1635
cringe - verbs
• BECK to curtsy; to cringe; to do obeisance ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BEENGE to cringe, to fawn ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BINGE to bow; to cringe ...1724 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MEACH, MEECH to sneak, to slink, to skulk; to idle stealthily or shamefacedly about; to creep about softly; to cringe; to look ashamed ...1746 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• SCHROOCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
• SCRINCH to draw the shoulders together; to cringe ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRINGE, SKRINGE to flinch; to cringe; to shrink, as from pain, cold, or fear; to flinch; to wince; to shrivel, as with sharp cold or dry head ...1790 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial.
• SCROOCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
• SCROOGE to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in ...1892 Amer. dial.
• SCRUCH, SKRUTCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
• SKROOTCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
CRINGING - adjectives
• BENECKING †* bowing the neck, cringing ...1705
• CRINGELING * cringing, servile ...1798
• INHOLDING selfish; fawning, cringing, given to flattery ...1871 Sc.
• MEACHING skulking, cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Amer. dial.
• MEECHING skulking, sneaking, creeping softly; cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• MICHING skulking, cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Amer. dial.
• OBSEQUIOUS unduly or servilely compliant; ignobly submissive; manifesting or characterized by servile complaisance; fawning, cringing, sycophantic ...1602
cringing - person
• CRINGELING * a cringing creature; a servile flatterer; a fawner ...a1693
CRINKLE - nouns
• CRIMPLE † a crease, wrinkle, or fold; a crinkle ...c1440 obs. exc. Eng. & Amer. dial.
crinkle - verbs
• CRIMPLE † to wrinkle, crumple, crinkle, curl ...c1440 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• SCRIMPLE †* to crumple, to crinkle ...1535
• WAFFLE to crease, to crinkle, to rumple ...1825 Sc.
CRINKLED - adjectives
• CRINKLETY-CRANKLETY crinkled, roughly creased ...1904 Amer. dial.
• REEVED UP crinkled, wrinkled ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
CRIPPLE, CRIPPLED - adjectives (now sometimes offensive)
• GAME lame, crippled, crooked, deformed; disabled, injured, sore; of an eye: wavering, uncertain ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• GAMY lame, crippled ...M19 sl.
• HALPED crippled ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• HALT lame; crippled; limping ...c893 arch. & literary
• LEFT-HANDED † crippled, lame, defective ...1629
• LIMPY lame; crippled ...1955 Amer. dial.
• QUEER-GAMMED lame, crippled ...L18 sl.
cripple, crippled - adverbs
• LAMIGERIN in crippled fashion ...Bk1902 Eng. dial.
cripple, crippled - person
• BEDELL a bedridden person; a helpless cripple ...1790 Sc.
• BEDRAL, BEDREL † a bedridden person; a helpless cripple ... a1572 obs. rare exc. Sc.
• BEDRILL a bedridden person; a helpless cripple ...1790 Ireland
• BETHERELL a bedridden person; a helpless cripple ...1790 Ireland
• CAITIFF † a cripple, one who is deformed and helpless ...1775 Eng. dial.
• DECRIPPIT a cripple, a lame person; one who is decrepit ...1887 Eng. dial.
• HALTER one who halts or limps, as a cripple ...c1440
• HAUCHAL a deformed or crippled person ...1891 Sc.
• HIRPLE a lame person; a cripple ...1894 chiefly Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• LAMESTER a lame person; a cripple ...1639
• LAMETER a lame person; a cripple ...1804 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• LAMIGER a lame person; a cripple ...1829 Eng. dial.
• LAMITER a lame person; a cripple ...1804 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• LAMMIGER a lame person, a cripple ...1847 Eng. dial.
• MUSTARD a cripple ...1998 Brit. imperfect rhyming sl. (Mustard Pickle)
• MUSTARD PICKLE a cripple ...1998 Brit. imperfect rhyming sl.
• RASPBERRY NIPPLE a cripple, a disabled person ...1970s rhyming sl.
• WONKY LEGS someone with deformed legs; a cruel term for a cripple ...Brit. sl.
cripple, crippled, verbs
• HAMSTRING to cripple, to destroy the activity or efficiency of ...1641
CRISIS - nouns
• ONE-EIGHT-SEVEN any form of crisis or drama ...1990s sl.
• PANIC STATIONS a crisis, a drama ...1961 sl., orig. naval usage
CRISP - adjectives
• NEPPY crisp, brittle ...1865 Eng. dial.
• SMOPPLE brittle, crisp, crumbling, as 'smopple' wood, or a 'smopple' pie crust ...1731 Eng. dial.
CRITIC, CRITICISM - nouns
• BAD MOUTH malicious gossip or criticism ...N. Amer. sl.
• BAWL-OUT a criticism, an accusation, a scolding ...1915 US sl.
• BLINDSTAM captious or arbitrary criticism ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CRITICOPHOBIA a fear or horror of critics ...1836
• FANG JOB criticism, esp. a critical article ...1960s sl.
• FLAK adverse criticism ...1968 sl., orig. US
• FLAMER a stiff criticism; a row; a quarrel ...c1805
• GAFF severe treatment, criticism, punishment, or hardship ...L19 US sl.
• LACING a verbal attack, criticism ...1940s sl.
• LICKS a critical or complaining remark ...colloq.
• OH-SHIT a criticism ...1997 US sl.
• PAN severe criticism ...20C sl.
• PANNING very hard criticism, as a very bad review ...1930s sl.
• RAP a derogatory or highly critical remark; a complaint ...1777 orig. US
• REMARKING a remark; criticism ...1785 Sc.
• SIDE-SWIPE an indirect or passing criticism ...1924 sl.
• SIGNIFICATION negative or hostile talk, criticism, ritualized abuse ...20C US Black sl.
• SLAM an instance of adverse criticism ...1884 US
• SWIPE an instance of adverse criticism ...1932 sl.
critic, criticism - person
• ACT CATCHER a drama critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• BACK-SEAT DRIVER someone who criticizes or attempts to direct without responsibility, or who controls affairs from a subordinate position ...1955 sl.
• BOOGIE MAN a severe critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• CRICK a drama critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• CRICKS critics ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• CRIX n. critics ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• DEATH WATCH, THE drama critics ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• DEEMER † one who censures or (unfavourably) criticizes others ...c1410
• DRAMMER DAMNER a drama critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• HATCHET MAN someone who criticizes with great severity, esp. in order to destroy a reputation ...1952 sl.
• LOG ROLLER a critic who makes favourable reviews, expecting the like in return ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK a person who offers hindsight criticisms of problems already faced by others; a second-guesser ...1932 Amer. sl., esp. journalists' usage
• NICELING † a very fastidious or overnice person or critic; a hair-splitter ...1549
• NIGNAY a quarrelsome hypercritical person; one who picks faults ...1920 Sc.
• NITPICKER a pedantic or captious critic ...1951 sl., orig. US
• PUNDIT a person who makes comments or judgements, esp. in an authoritative manner; a critic or commentator ...17C
• SHARPSHOOTER a shrewd, clever critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• ULTRA-CREPIDARIAN one who ventures beyond his scope; an ignorant or presumptuous critic ...1825
• ULTRACREPIDAST † one who ventures beyond his scope; an ignorant or presumptuous critic ...1640
critic, criticism - phrases
• ON THE PAN facing criticism, under verbal attack ...20C sl.
CRITICAL - adjectives
• AUTOCRITICAL critical of oneself or one's own work ...1642
• CRITICULAR critical and particular ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DICKY of things, conditions, etc.: uncertain, doubtful, critical, hazardous; rickety, shaky, tottering ...1851
• PECKISH short-tempered; easily offended; nagging, hypercritical ...1895 Amer. dial.
• PECKY short-tempered; easily offended; nagging, hypercritical ...1949 Amer. dial.
• PICKETY fussy, particular, fault-finding, hypercritical ...1966 Amer. dial.
• SNOOKY critical, fault-finding ...1910s Aust. sl.
• TICKLESOME difficult, critical, delicate, precarious ...1585 now Eng. dial.
• TICKLISH liable to end in disaster unless treated with great care; needing cautious handling or action; delicate, critical, precarious, risky, hazardous ...1592
• TRITICAL trite and critical ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
critical - nouns
• DEVIL TO PAY AND NO PITCH HOT a predicament, a critical situation, or a perplexing foul-up ...1963 Amer. dial.
• FLASHPOINT a critical moment beyond which a situation will inevitable erupt into violence
• HELL TO PAY AND NO PITCH HOT a predicament, a critical situation, or a perplexing foul-up ...1927 Amer. dial.
• KANKEDORT †* a state of suspense; a critical position; a predicament; an awkward affair ...c1374
• KANKERDORT †* a state of suspense; a critical position; a predicament; an awkward affair ...c1374
• NUTCUT the critical point in an enterprise or operation ...1972 US sl.
• NUT-CUTTING the most critical and distasteful stage in a project or operation ...1968 US sl.
• TICKLENESS † insecurity, instability; critical situation, precariousness; inconstancy; uncertainty ...c1390
critical - phrases
• BETWEEN THE TINING AND THE WINNING said of being in a critical position, which may result either in ruin or in success ...1825 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
CRITICIZE - verbs
• BACKCAP to attempt to thwart or ruin by defaming someone; to depreciate, disparage, or criticize meanly ...1887 Amer. sl.
• BAD-MOUTH to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1941 sl., orig. US
• BAD-RAP to criticize unjustly; to malign ...1967 Amer. sl.
• BAG to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1975 Aust. sl.
• BALL OUT to scold, to reprimand, to criticize loudly ...1899 sl., orig. US
• BAWL to scold, to reprimand, to criticize loudly ...M19 sl., orig. US
• BAWL OUT to scold, to reprimand, to criticize loudly ...1899 sl., orig. US
• BLAST to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1953 sl., chiefly journalistic
• CANVAS † to 'thrash' a person in writing; to criticize destructively and unsparingly ...1590
• CATCH to carp, to criticize ...1628
• CHIP AT to quarrel with; to criticize adversely ...1880 sl.
• CLOBBER to criticize severely ...M20 sl.
• COP A BAKE to receive a reprimand or a severe criticism ...1980s Aust. prison sl.
• CUT UP to subject to severe criticism ...colloq.
• DANCE THE CARPET to appear before an official for an investigation of one's work or behaviour; to receive a reprimand, criticism, or punishment ...20C Amer. sl.
• DO A NUMBER ON SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1975 US sl.
• DOG to criticize or bother ...20C teen & high school sl.
• DOWN to disparage; to criticize adversely ...1970 Amer. sl.
• DOWN ON to disparage; to criticize adversely ...1992 Amer. sl.
• DUMP ALL OVER SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize; to treat unfairly ...1966 sl., chiefly US
• DUMP ON SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize; to treat unfairly ...1966 sl., chiefly US
• EAT SOMEONE'S ARSE OFF to criticize severely; to punish heavily ...1940s US sl.
• EAT SOMEONE'S ASS OFF to criticize severely; to punish heavily ...1943 US sl.
• EAT SOMEONE'S ASS OUT to criticize severely; to punish heavily ...1946 US sl.
• FIRE ONE'S SHUCK to light into someone; to criticize severely ...1951 Amer. dial.
• GET AT SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1891 sl.
• GET ON SOMEONE'S BACK to annoy, to aggravate, to nag, to criticize someone ...1959 Aust. sl.
• GIVE SOMEONE A SERVE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1967 Aust. sl.
• GET SOME STICK to receive adverse criticism ...1956 Brit. sl.
• GIVE A PERSON A SERVE to criticize or reprimand a person sharply ...M20 Aust. sl.
• GIVE THE GAFF to deliver criticism ...L19 sl.
• HAVE A GO AT to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1977 sl.
• HAVE A POP AT SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1922 Brit. sl.
• LET SOMEONE HAVE IT to challenge, to pose a difficult question, to reprimand severely, to criticize ...M19 sl., orig. US
• LIVE IN A GLASS-HOUSE. to lay oneself open to criticism ...c1845 Brit. colloq.
• MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK to criticize with the benefit of hindsight ...1950 Amer. sl., esp. journalists' usage
• PAN to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize; often applied to a film, theatrical performance, etc. ...1911 sl.
• POP OFF to rant; to criticize; to brag ...Amer. World War I sl.
• POP OFF AT THE MOUTH to criticize ...1980s sl.
• PULL APART to criticize unmercifully; to analyze thoroughly
• PULL ONE'S PUNCHES to moderate one's criticism; usually used in the negative ...1934 sl.
• PUT THE BLAST ON to scold or criticize harshly or vociferously ...1929 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE GAFF INTO to deliver criticism ...L19 sl.
• RAG ON to nag, to criticize ...1980s US sl.
• RAIL to criticize or reprimand someone ...1987 US sl.
• RAIL ON to criticize or reprimand someone ...1987 US sl.
• RAP to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1906 sl., orig. US
• RAISE HELL to criticize or castigate thoroughly and in anger, to reprimand severely ...1920s sl.
• RAKE ON to humiliate; to criticize ...1980s US college sl.
• READ to express blunt criticism of ...1994 Amer. dial., esp. Black usage
• READ OFF to reprimand, to express blunt criticism of ...B1900 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• READ OUT to reprimand, to express blunt criticism of; to rebuke strongly; to scold ...1958 Amer. dial.
• REDD to correct, to set right; to rebuke, to scold; to sum up the faults of, to criticize ...1819 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• ROAST to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1782 sl.
• RUBBISH to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1953 sl., orig. & chiefly Aust. & NZ
• SANDBAG to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1919 sl.. orig. & chiefly US
• SCANCE to criticize, to be censorious about, to reproach, to taunt ...1801 Sc.
• SCORE to criticize harshly; to berate ...chiefly US & Can.
• SLAG OFF to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1971 sl.
• SLAM to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1916 sl., orig. US
• SLATE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1848 sl.
• SOAK to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1925 US sl.
• SOAK IT TO to punish, to beat up; to criticize harshly ...L19 US sl.
• SWING AT to criticize ...1910s sl.
• TAKE APART to criticize or scold severely ...sl.
• TAKE A POP AT SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1922 Brit. sl.
• TAKE A POTSHOT AT to criticize someone severely ...1920s sl., orig. US
• TAKE A SWING to criticize ...1910s sl.
• TAKE A SWING AT to criticize ...1910s sl.
• TAKE A SWIPE AT to criticize sharply ...1932 sl.
• TAKE BEEF to get into arguments; to face criticism ...1990s US Black sl.
• TAKE HEAT to suffer or endure punishment or criticism ...1920s US sl.
• TAKE LAG to criticize, to attack verbally ...1950s W. Indies & UK Black sl.
• TAKE SOMEONE TO THE CLEANERS to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1963 sl.
• TAKE THE RIP OUT OF to mock, to criticize, to attack verbally ...1990s sl.
• TEAR SOMEONE DOWN to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1978 US sl.
• TEE OFF ON to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1955 US sl.
• THROW SOMEONE TO THE DOGS to abandon someone to criticism or attack
• TOMAHAWK to attack savagely or mercilessly in speech or in writing; to demolish in a review or criticism ...1815
• ULTRA-CREPIDATE to criticize beyond one's sphere of knowledge ...1800
• VELLICATE † to carp at; to criticize adversely ...1633
• YARG to talk incessantly; to argue doggedly and tiresomely; to carp, to wrangle, to criticize ...a1838 Sc.
CRITICIZED - adjectives
• GLUED criticized, rebuked ...1960s Amer. sl.
• ON THE PAN being criticized ...1923 US sl.
CRITICIZING - nouns
• ULTRACREPIDATION the act or fact of criticizing ignorantly ...1800
criticizing - person
• NARG a grumbling, criticizing, nagging person ...1824 Sc.
• CRAKE † to grate harshly; to creak. as the hinge of a door ...1657 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• FRATCH † to make a harsh or strident noise; to creak, as a cart ...c1440
• GEIG to creak, to make a creaking noise ...1513 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• GIG to creak, to make a creaking noise ...1513 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• GIKE to creak, to make a creaking noise ...1513 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• GIRG † of a door or gate: to make a creaking noise, to grate, to jar, to vibrate ...1513 chiefly Sc.
• HARSH † to give a harsh sound; to creak ...1583
• JARG † of a door or gate: to make a creaking noise, to grate, to jar, to vibrate ...1513 chiefly Sc.
• NEESTER to creak ...1892 Sc.
• NEISTER to creak ...1892 Sc.
• SCRATCH to creak ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• SCREAK to squeak, to squeal, to creak; to grate ...1843 Amer. dial.
• SCREEK to creak; to make a grating noise ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRICELE to creak; to squeak ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRINGE to creak; to make a grinding, grating sound; to crackle, as ice when it gives to the tread ...1853 Ireland
• SCRIPET to creak, to grate, as the ungreased wheel of a barrow ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SKREAK to squeak, to squeal, to creak; to grate ...1843 Amer. dial.
• SKREEK to squeak, to squeal, to creak; to grate ...1843 Amer. dial.
• SKRINGE to creak; to make a grinding, grating sound; to crackle, as ice when it gives to the tread ...1853 Ireland
• YERR † to make a harsh noise, to creak, to roar, to rattle; to cry out loudly, to shout out, to yell, to howl ...a1000 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
CREAKING - adjectives
• SCREECHETTY creaking, creaky ...1892 Eng. dial.
CREAKING - nouns
• GIRG a creaking noise ...1820 Sc.
• JARG a creaking noise ...1820 Sc.
• JERG a creaking noise ...1820 Sc.
• JIRG a creaking noise ...1820 Sc.
• NEESTERIN a creaking noise; a squeaking ...1898 Sc.
CREAKY - adjectives
• SCREAKY, SKREAKY, SKREEKY, SKRIEKY squeaky, creaky ...1885 Amer. dial.
• SCREECHETTY creaking, creaky ...1892 Eng. dial.
CREAM - nouns
• BOVINE EXTRACT milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• CHALK milk or cream ...1934 US jocular
• COW milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• COW JUICE milk or cream ...World War II Amer. sl.
• DIP a sauce for puddings, ice cream, pie, cake, etc.; also, cream ...1877 Amer. dial.
• HEAD cream upon the surface of milk ...Bk1902 Eng. dial.
• MOO JUICE milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUSS milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• REAM cream ...1755 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SEASONING cream or sugar as an ingredient in tea of coffee ...1897 Amer. dial.
• STREAK O' MOO cream in coffee ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SWEET ALICE milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
cream - verbs
• FEATHER of milk or cream: to curdle or form flakes on the surface of coffee or tea ...1816 Amer. dial.
CREAMY - adjectives
• REAMY creamy ...Bk1868 Sc.
CREASE - nouns
• BEGGAR-PLAITS creases in a garment ...1892 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• BEGGAR'S-PLAITS wrinkles or creases in garments as if slept in ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BINK a crease, a fold ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CRIMPLE † a crease, wrinkle, or fold; a crinkle ...c1440 obs. exc. Eng. & Amer. dial.
• GAIR † a crease in cloth ...1825 Sc.
• GALL a crease or wrinkle in cloth ...1787 Sc.
crease - verbs
• BEFRUMPLE † to crease into frumples or clumsy folds ...1611 obs.
• GAIR to crease, to become creased ...1880 Sc.
• GRUGGLE to disorder or disfigure by much handling; to rumple, to crumple, to crease ...1804 Sc.
• MISCOMFRUMPLE to rumple, to crease; e.g. if one female sits so close to another as to rumple or crease her dress by pressing or sitting on it, she is said to 'miscomfrumple' it ...1854 Eng. dial.
• SCREASE to crease ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• TAW to twist; to get crooked or out of shape; to crease, to wrinkle; to entwist, as the end of a rope ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• WAFFLE to crease, to crinkle, to rumple ...1825 Sc.
• WRIMPLE † a crease or fold; a wrinkle ...1499 obs.
CREASED - adjectives
• CRINKLETY-CRANKLETY crinkled, roughly creased ...1904 Amer. dial.
• DOG-EARED worn, creased, and rumpled; shabby, unkempt ...19C Amer. sl.
• WRIZZLED † marked with creases, wrinkles, or corrugations; wrinkled, shrivelled ...1590 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
creased - verbs
• GAIR to become streaked; to dirty; to crease, to become creased ...1881 Sc.
CREATE - verbs
• BASH UP to make, to create ...1940s NZ sl.
• POP UP to create, to make happen, to cause ...1930s sl.
CREATED - adjectives
• CREABLE † that may be created or produced ...a1656
CREATIVE - adjectives
• NATURANT †* creative, generating ...1635
CREATOR - person
• EFFECTER † a maker, a creator ...1635
• EFFECTRESS † a female maker or creator ...1601
• FASHIONER one that gives fashion or shape to; a creator, maker ...1548
CREDENCE - verbs
• FAITH to put credence in ...1951 Amer. dial.
• LEVE † to believe in; to trust, to give credence to a person or thing ...c1175
CREDIBLE - adjectives
• CREABLE † easy to believe, credible ...1480
• LEVEABLE †* that may be believed or trusted; credible, trustworthy ...1382
• LEVELIKE †* credible ...a1300
• LEVELY †* credible ...a1300
CREDIT - adjectives/adverbs
• JAW-BONE on credit ...1862 Amer. sl., orig. Can.
• ON JAWBONE on credit ...1862 Amer. dial.
• ON MACE on credit ...1893 Brit. sl.
• ON ONE'S FACE on credit, for free ...L19 US sl.
• ONTAKING buying or taking on credit; hence, reckless, rash, somewhat untrustworthy in business dealings; dishonest ...1880 Sc.
• ON THE DINGLE on trust, on credit ...1854 Eng. dial.
• ON THE MACE on credit ...1893 Brit. sl.
credit - nouns
• CRED credit ...1979 sl.
• DAP credit, acknowledgement, respect, self-awareness ...1970s US Black sl.
• FACE credit at a public house ...M18 sl.
• FAIR FUCKS credit, merit ...1992 Ireland sl.
• JAWBONE credit ...1862 Amer. dial.
• LIGHT credit ...E19 sl.
• OBITUARY NOTICE a letter from a creditor ...1920s US sl.
• TAB ACTION a line of credit at a bar or any other type of business ...1940s US Black sl.
• TAB ISSUE a line of credit at a bar or any other type of business ...1940s US Black sl.
• TICK credit; trust; reputation of solvency and probity ...1668
credit - person
• TALLYMAN one who supplies goods on credit, to be paid for by instalments ...1654
• TALLYWOMAN a woman who sells goods on credit ...1727
credit - verbs
• ACCREDITATE † to accredit; to give credit to someone for something; to vouch for, to sanction or countenance ...1654
• CALL ONE'S JAWBONE to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• FAKE to give heed to; to believe, to credit ...Bk1900 Sc.
• GET A LIGHT to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• GET ON SOCK to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• GET ON THE NOD to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• GIVE IT ON THE MACE to obtain goods on credit and never pay for them ...19C Brit. sl.
• GIVE ON THE MACE to obtain goods by persuading the shopkeeper to extend credit that one has no intention of paying ...E19 sl.
• GO ON ONE'S FACE to gain credit on the basis of one's wits or appearance ...M19 sl, orig. US Amer. dial.
• GO ON TICK to buy on credit, to run into debt ...1672
• GO TICK to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• HAVE ONE'S LIGHT PUT OUT to have one's credit stopped ...E19 sl.
• JAWBONE to talk someone into extending credit; to buy on credit ...1941 Amer. dial.
• LAKE to give credit to, to trust ...Bk1902 Sc.
• MACE IT to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• PUSH ONE'S FACE to obtain credit by bluff, bluster, or deceit ...c1760 colloq.
• RUN ONE'S FACE to gain credit on the basis of one's wits or appearance ...1839 Amer. sl.
• RUN ONE'S SHAPE FOR to obtain credit ...M19 sl., orig. US
• RUN ON TICK to buy on credit, to run into debt ...1642
• STRIKE A LIGHT to open a line of credit ...E19 sl.
• STRIKE ON THE MACE to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• STRIKE THE MACE to obtain goods by persuading the shopkeeper to extend credit that one has no intention of paying ...E19 sl.
• TAKE ON to buy on credit; to get into debt ...1899 Sc.
• TALLY † to deal on tally or credit; to open or have a credit account with anyone ...1596
• TICK to take credit; to run into debt, leave one's debts unpaid ...1648 sl. or colloq.
• TRAVEL ON ONE'S FACE to gain credit on the basis of one's wits or appearance ...1859 Amer. dial.
• WORK THE MACE to obtain goods by persuading the shopkeeper to extend credit that one has no intention of paying ...E19 sl.
credit - phrases
• ON THE ARM on credit; often implying that no payment will be made ...20C Amer.
• ON THE NOD on credit ...Aust. sl.
• ON PUMP on credit ...Bk1974 Amer. dial.
• ON TICK on credit ...1642
CREDIT CARD - adjectives
• ON THE PLASTIC using stolen credit cards for a variety of frauds and swindles ...1970s US criminals' sl.
credit card - nouns
• PHISH an instance of stealing credit card data on the internet ...2004 US
• PHISHING the act of stealing credit card data on the internet ...1997 US
• PLASTIC a credit card ...1980 sl., orig. US
• PLASTIC MONEY a credit card ...1974 sl., orig. US
• SKIMMING illegally taking details of a credit card by passing it through a special scanner which 'reads' the information contained on the magnetic strip ...Brit. sl.
credit card - verbs
• PHISH to steal credit card data on the internet ...2003 US
CREDITOR - person
• DUN a creditor importunately asking for what is his ...c1628
• EMILY POST a creditor ...1980s Aust. rhyming sl. for 'ghost'
CREDULITY - nouns
• OMNICREDULITY universal credulity; capacity of believing anything whatever ...1845
credulity - phrases
• I DIDN'T FALL OFF A CHRISTMAS TREE used to reject imputation of credulity ...20C
CREDULOUS - adjectives
• EASY easily taken advantage of or imposed upon; easily fooled; credulous, gullible ..1698
• GOBEMOUCHE designating a person who credulously accepts all news ...E19
• OOLLENLY simple-minded, credulous ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• ULTRAFIDIAN going beyond mere faith; blindly credulous ...1825
credulous - person
• BLUFF a credulous person ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CHIEF a potential victim of a confidence trickster; a credulous person; it is common term of address, used ironically by the con-man when he approaches the victim ...1940s W. Indies sl.
• CREDULIST †* a credulous person ...1788
• DAISY one who is credulous or gullible ...M19 US campus sl.
• GOBEMOUCHE a credulous person who will believe anything, no matter how improbable or absurd; one who is easily deceived; a simpleton ...1818
• GULPIN one who will swallow anything; one easily gulled; a credulous simpleton; a fool ...1802
• SIMON a silly fellow; a credulous gullible person; a simpleton ...1785 sl.
• SIMPLE SIMON a silly fellow; a credulous gullible person; a fool, a simpleton ...1785 sl.
credulous - verbs
• RISE to play into one's hands; to listen credulously ...1856 sl.
CREEK - nouns
• BIGHT a bay, a creek; a projection in a river ...1891 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• CATHOLE a deep place in a river, creek, pond, etc. ...1842 Amer. dial.
• KILL a natural waterway, esp. a stream, a creek, a channel ...1639 Amer. dial.
• OB a creek, a bay ...1930 Sc.
• REACH a creek ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• VENT † a creek or inlet ...1604
• VOE a narrow inlet of the sea; a creek ...1871 Sc.
CREEP - verbs
• HARL ABOUT to move about feebly; to crawl, to creep ...1871 Sc.
• MEECH to sneak, to slink, to skulk; to idle stealthily or shamefacedly about; to creep about softly; to cringe; to look ashamed ...1746 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• OAG to crawl, to creep, to scramble; to wriggle ...1892 Sc.
• OG to creep, to crawl, to wriggle; to move slowly; to be infected with vermin ...a1838 Sc.
• OOR to creep, to crouch, to cower; to move slowly and feebly; to droop ...1866 Sc.
• RAMP †* to creep or crawl on the ground ...1390
• SCRAFFLE to struggle; to force one's way with difficulty; to scramble; to creep, to roll; to tumble ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SCRAUCHLE to scramble, to creep, to crawl; to move with difficulty ...1885 Sc.
• SCRAWL to crawl, to creep; to move slowly or with difficulty; to hobble; to scramble, to sprawl ...1747 Eng. dial.
• SINUATE * to creep or crawl in a winding course ...1848
• SKRAFFLE to struggle; to force one's way with difficulty; to scramble; to creep, to roll; to tumble ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SLENCH † to creep or slink away, to sneak ...c1330 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
CREEPING - adjectives
• MEECHING skulking, sneaking, creeping softly; cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• RAMPING †* creeping, crawling ...c1440
creeping - nouns
• OBREPTION † a creeping or stealing upon one unawares ...1642
CREEPY - nouns
• JIM-JAMS a creepy feeling; the fidgets; a fit of depression; a state of nervousness or unease ...1896 colloq.
CREMATION - nouns
• ASH CASH a fee paid to doctors for signing a cremation form ...2001 Brit. medical sl.
CREVICE - nouns
• SCORE a crack, crevice, fissure ...1825 Sc.
CRIBBAGE - nouns
• NOB in cribbage, the knave of trumps ...M19 sl.
CRICKET (insect) - nouns
• FALL BIRD a cricket; a cicada ...1967 Amer. dial.
• GRIG a cricket ...1939 Amer. dial.
CRICKET (sport) - adjectives
• CASTLED in cricket: bowled out ...2003 UK
• SKIED in cricket: hit or sent up high in the air ...1868
cricket (sport) - nouns
• AQUATICS a game of cricked played by the oarsmen; the playing-field used by them ...M19 Eton usage
• ASHES, THE mythical prize in English and Australian cricket test-matches ...1882 Eng.
• BALLOON a lofty hit or kick given to a cricket ball, baseball, or football ...1904 colloq.
• BARTER in cricket: a half-volley; a hard hit ...1859-1864 Eng. sl.
• BATS † cricket ...1790 Eng. dial.
• BLOB in cricket: a batsman's score of no runs ...1903
• CASTLE in cricket: the wicket that a batsman is defending ...1959 UK
• COOLIE CREEPER (derogatory) in cricket: a ball that stays low without bouncing ...M19 S. Afr. sl.
• CROCKETTS at Winchester School: cricket (game) ...1859 Eng. dial. sl.
• DAB in cricket: a batman's stroke that deflects the ball gently behind the wicket ...1969 UK sl.
• DAISY-CUTTER in cricket and baseball: a ball so bowled or batted as to skim along the surface of the ground ...1863
• DUCK in cricket: a score of zero/nought ...1868 UK sl.
• GALLERY-HIT a piece of showy play (primarily by a batsman in cricket) intended to gain applause from uncritical spectators ...1882
• GAM'LIN-STICKS the game of cricket ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• LEATHER in cricket and football: the ball ...1868
• MULLIGRUBBER in cricket: a low-keeping bowled ball ...20C Brit. sl.
• OFFIE in cricket: a ball bowled so as to change direction from leg to off when it pitches; off break ...Aust. sl.
• PADDOCK n. a playing field, esp. for cricket ...1839 Aust. sl.
• PAIR in cricket: the score of a batsman who is out for no score in each leg of a match ...2003 UK sl.
• PAIR OF DUCKS in cricket: the score of a batsman who is out for no score in each leg of a match ...2003 UK sl.
• PEG a cricket stump ...1891 colloq.
• RABBIT IN THE THICKET 1. cricket ...1980s Aust. rhyming sl.
2. a wicket ...1980s Aust. rhyming sl.
• RIPPER in cricket, a good ball ...1851 sl.
• SIX-STITCHER a cricket ball ...Aust. sl.
• SIZZLER in cricket: an exceedingly fast ball; an extremely fast horse, etc. ...1961 Brit. sl.
• STRINGER in cricket: a difficult ball to play ...Bk1904 sl.
• STUMPER cricket played with a stump ...Bk1904 sl.
• TICE a stroke at croquet or cricket, which tempts or entices the opponent to take aim ...1874
• TIMBER in cricket: a wicket ...1876 sl.
• WRONG 'UN in cricket: the wrong sort of ball to hit ...1897 sl.
cricket (sport) - person
• BARN-DOOR in cricket: a player that blocks every ball ...1679
• BAT PAD in cricket: a fielder positioned close to the facing bat ...1989 Aust. sl.
• CENTURION in cricket: one who scores 100 or over ...c1885 colloq.
• DEADHEAD a member of a football or cricket team called upon to play at a pinch ...BK1900 Eng. dial.
• FLANNELLED FOOL (derogatory) a cricketer
• OFFIE in cricket: a bowler who specializes in off-break deliveries ...Aust. sl.
• SCOUT a fielder at cricket ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCOUTER a fielder at cricket ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• STUMPER a wicket-keeper ...Bk1904 colloq.
• YABBY in cricket: a wicket-keeper ...1980s Aust. sl.
cricket (sport) - verbs
• BALLOON to hit a cricket ball or baseball, or kick a football, high in the air ...1904 colloq.
• BARTER in cricket: to hit half-volley ...1859-64 Eng. sl.
• BREAK ONE’S DUCK in cricket: to score at least one run ...19C sl.
• BREAK ONE’S EGG in cricket: to score at least one run ...19C sl.
• CARRY YOUR BAT OUT in cricket: to survive your team's innings undismissed ...1934 UK sl.
• CART in cricket: to hit the ball or attack the bowling with unrestrained power ...1903 UK sl.
• CRACK ONE’S EGG in cricket: to score at least one run ...19C sl.
• DAB of a batsman in cricket: to play a tentative stroke that gently deflects the ball behind the wicket ...1985 UK sl.
• DANCE of a batsman in cricket: to swiftly advance beyond the crease to meet the pitch of a ball ...1995 UK sl.
• FAG OUT in cricket: to field ...c1840 Brit. schoolboys' sl.
• SCOUT to field at cricket ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SKY in cricket: to strike a ball into the air ...1873
cricket (sport) - phrases
• OWZAT? in cricket: an appeal to an umpire, how's that? ...1934 UK
CRIME, CRIMINAL - adjectives
• AIRTIGHT of a town or city: absolutely safe for criminal activities since the authorities have been fully and comprehensively paid off ...1940s US criminals' sl.
• ALIVE knowledgeable; aware, esp. of a criminal scheme ...M19 sl.
• ALL SET of a villain: ready for any criminal undertaking ...L18 sl.
• ALSATIAN criminal, roguish ...L17 sl.
• AT IT engaged in criminal activity ...1970 UK sl.
• CRIM criminal ...sl.
• DD said of a criminal who gives up no information at all if arrested ...1950 US sl.
• DEAD-BANG of a criminal case: open-and-shut; irrefutable ...1934 Amer. sl.
• DUE of a professional criminal: considered likely to be arrested whether or not actually responsible for the crime in question ...1996 UK sl.
• FACEY indicating criminal qualities ...2000 UK sl.
• FACINORIOUS † extremely wicked, grossly criminal, atrocious, infamous, vile ...1601
• FACINOROUS † extremely wicked, grossly criminal, villainous, atrocious, vile, infamous, detestably bad ...1548 obs. exc. arch.
• FLASH relating to or characteristic of the criminal underworld ...colloq.
• GAME † dishonest; mixed up with or belonging to the underworld ...1805 UK sl.
• IFFEY involved with criminality ...1930s sl., orig. US
• IFFY involved with criminality ...1930s sl., orig. US
• ILLEGIT illegitimate, criminal ...1910s sl.
• KINKY dishonest, crooked, criminal ...1903 Amer. criminal sl.
• MALEFACTIOUS † wicked, criminal ...1660
• MALEFACTORY * ill-doing; criminal ...1871
• MALEFICENT of persons, their acts and dispositions: wrong-doing, criminal ...1760
• MALVERSE † dishonest, criminal ...1791 Sc.
• NO-ACCOUNT worthless; useless; good-for-nothing; insignificant; undependable, untrustworthy, criminal ...1845 Amer. dial.
• OFF of a crime: successfully achieved ...M19 UK criminals' sl.
• OFFENCEFUL † causing offence or displeasure; wrong; sinful; criminal ...1603 rare or obs.
• ON of a criminal enterprise: under way ...1969 UK sl.
• ON SUS suspected of having committed a crime ...1936 Brit.sl.
• ON THE CROSS dishonest, criminal ...sl.
• SILENT of an entry in a criminal's file: showing crimes for which the criminal was not charged but probably committed ...1990 US sl.
• TASTY having a criminal record ...1975 Brit.
• WRONG unsafe for criminal activity ...M19 UK criminals' sl.
crime, criminal - adverbs
• ACROSS THE PAVEMENT of a criminal activity: in a street situation ...1977 UK sl.
• WRONG in a criminal, illegal manner ...M19 sl.
crime, criminal - nouns
• ACCRIMINATION †* accusation of crime ...1655
• ACCUSE †* the act of accusing or charging with crime; charge, accusation ...1593
• ACTION acts of crime; commerce in drugs; illegal activity ...Bk2000 criminal sl.
• AMERICAN WAY relatively peaceful co-existence by rival organized crime families ...1992 US sl.
• ART photographs of wanted criminals ...20C Amer. sl.
• BIT OF NONSENSE an easily achieved criminal act ...1968 UK sl.
• BIT OF WORK a crime; a robbery ...1996 UK sl.
• BIZ crime ...Bk1998 sl.
• BOYS, THE criminals, rowdies, thugs, etc.; in the 19th century, corrupt politicians or their hangers-on ...a1815 Amer. sl.
• BUM RAP a false criminal charge ...Bk1990 Amer. sl.
• CACKLE-BLADDER a small bladder of chicken blood held in the mouth and used by criminals to counterfeit the coughing up of blood ...1930s US criminals' sl.
• CAPER a criminal undertaking ...1867 sl.
• CHAT a criminal 'job' or undertaking ...L19 sl.
• CROSS, THE dishonest or fraudulent practices, criminal activities ...E19 sl.
• CYBERCRIME the illegal use of computers and the internet; crime committed by means of computers or the internet
• DAISY BEAT a cheat or swindle or minor crime ...1889 rhyming sl.
• DEAD PIGEON a criminal enterprise, a double-crosser ...1964 US sl.
• EARNINGS proceeds from crime ...1974 S. Afr. sl.
• EVILLING acting in a deliberately negative manner, e.g. riotously, argumentatively, criminally ...1930s US Black sl.
• FACT † an evil deed, a crime ...1539
• FAKEN † fraud, guile; wickedness, crime ...c924
• FALL DOUGH money set aside by a criminal for bribing policemen or obtaining bail if he is arrested ...1910 US criminals' sl.
• FALL MONEY funds saved by criminals to pay lawyers, secure cash bail, and to bribe officials ...1893 Amer. criminals' sl.
• FAMILY the criminal fraternity ...M18 sl.
• FAMILY PEOPLE the underworld of thieves, robbers ...L18 cant
• FANCY, THE the underworld ...M19 Aust. & US
• FEAT † an evil deed; a crime ...1481
• FORM a criminal record ...1958 Brit. sl.
• FRAME a (criminal) conspiracy or plot ...1911 sl. orig. US
• FRAME-UP a (criminal) conspiracy or plot ...1900 sl. orig. US
• GAME any criminal or illicit livelihood or vocation; any trick or device with sinister design ...1738 UK sl.
• GAME, THE the criminal lifestyle ...1976 US sl.
• GARAGE a subset of a criminal organization ...1975 US sl.
• GIG a criminal act; a swindle ...20C sl.
• HABITUAL, THE a criminal charge alleging habitual criminal status ...1972 US sl.
• HIT CAR an automobile used to make a getaway from the scene of a murder or to carry a kidnapped victim to the place where he is to be killed ...1969 Amer. criminal & police sl.
• HUMBLE a false criminal accusation or charge ...1940 US sl.
• HUMBUG false or trumped-up criminal charges ...1972 US sl.
• HUSTLE a criminal scheme or activity ...1970s US sl.
• INSIDE JOB a crime committed by or with the connivance of someone living or working in the place where it happened ...1908 sl.
• JACKET the police prison file on a criminal, recording previous convictions, etc.; one's criminal record ...1950s sl.
• JOB a robbery; a criminal undertaking ...1722 sl.
• KEY the declaration, under the Habitual Criminals Act, that one is an habitual criminal; an indefinite sentence under this act ...1944 Aust. sl.
• LAGGING MATTER any crime punishable by transportation ...E19 UK criminals' sl.
• LAGLAND the underworld ...M19 sl.
• LAHTER † a vice, sin, crime ...c900
• LAW n. a type of criminal activity ...M16 UK criminals' sl.
• LEMON AND LIME crime ...1990s rhyming sl.
• LIFE, THE the criminal lifestyle; the lifestyle of prostitution ...1916 US sl.
• MAIL a rumour; a report; a racing tip; information on crime ...1960s Aust. sl.
• MALEFACT † a criminal act; an offense; evil-doing ...1534
• MALEFACTION evil-doing; an instance of evil-doing; a criminal act ...1602
• MALVERSE † a crime ...c1700 Scot
• MOB a criminal gang ...L18 sl., orig. US
• MOB, THE organized crime; the mafia ...Amer. sl.
• NURSERY RHYME crime ...1990s Brit. rhyming sl.
• OC organized crime ...1975 US sl.
• ONE a crime ...1910s UK criminals' sl.
• OUTSIDE JOB a crime committed by someone not otherwise associated with the place where it happened ...1925 sl.
• PAPER an underworld contract to have someone killed ...1983 US sl.
• PEDIGREE a criminal record ...1911 sl.
• POSSE a gang of Black (esp. Jamaican) youths involved in organized or violent crime, often drug-related ...1986 sl., chiefly US
• PREVIOUS previous criminal convictions; a criminal record ...1935 Brit. sl.
• PRIORS prior convictions; a criminal record ...1978 US sl.
• RACKET a criminal enterprise; a swindle or a means of deception ...1894 UK sl.
• RACKETS, THE organized crime ...1920s US sl.
• RAILROAD any arrest and allied criminal proceeding that ignores the facts, evidence, truth etc. and concentrates on a speedy conviction, the guilt or innocence of the person notwithstanding ...L19 US sl.
• RANK a failed crime, esp. when foiled by the authorities ...1920s US criminals' sl.
• RAP 1. a criminal conviction ...1903 sl., orig. & chiefly US
2. a criminal specialty ...1990s US criminals' sl.
• RAPPER a crime for which someone other than the guilty person is punished ...20C US sl.
• RECEIPT the harbouring or entertainment of outlaws or criminals; a shelter ...1631 Sc.
• SINGLE-O a crime committed without an accomplice ...1930 US sl.
• SQUEEZE an impression of an object made for criminal purposes ...1882 sl.
• STOPPO a getaway after committing a crime; a quick getaway by car from the scene of a crime ...1935 Brit. sl.
• SUS(S) suspicion of having committed a crime ...1936 Brit. sl.
• TALENT members of the criminal underworld ..1879 Aust. sl.
• TICKLE a successful crime or illegal deal ...1938 sl.
• UNDERWORLD the world of thieves, prostitutes, tramps, sexual degenerates, and confidence men ...19C Brit. & US usage
• UNICORN a woman and two men, or two women and one man in league for criminal purposes ...L19 sl.
crime, criminal - person
• AARON, THE a criminal, esp. a gang leader ...17C sl.
• ALIBI IKE any criminal who regularly asserts alibis when questioned about a crime ...1915 US sl.
• ALSATIANS members of London's criminal underworld ...18C sl.
• AMATEUR a professional criminal who has not been in trouble with the police ...1930s UK criminals' sl.
• BAB a criminal ...1920s Aust. & NZ sl.
• BABBLER a criminal ...1920s sl.
• BABBLING BROOK a criminal ...1919 Aust. rhyming sl. for 'crook'
• BADDY a bad person; a criminal; a villain, esp. in a film or play ...1937 sl., orig. US
• BAG LADY a woman who delivers or, esp. collects illicit payments ...1977 Amer. criminals' sl.
• BAGMAN a man who delivers or, esp. collects illicit payments; a bill collector ...1935 Amer. criminals' sl.
• BANDULU a bandit, a criminal, one who lives by guile ...20C W. Indies Rasta
• BARRACUDA a violent, aggressive criminal ...1930s US sl.
• BASKET MAN a graft collector for a criminal gang ...1930s US criminals' sl.
• BIG BOY the head of an organized crime syndicate or some equivalent figure ...1920s US criminals' sl.
• BIG FELLOW the head of an organized crime syndicate or some equivalent figure ...1920s US criminals' sl.
• BOYS, THE criminals, rowdies, thugs, etc.; in the 19th century, corrupt politicians or their hangers-on ...a1815 Amer. sl.
• BUTTON a low-ranking member of a crime syndicate ...1966 Amer. police & criminals' sl.
• BUTTON MAN a low-ranking member of a crime syndicate ...1969 Amer. police & criminals' sl.
• DEAD PIGEON one who has been caught breaking a rule or committing a crime ...1910s US prison sl.
• DEADWOOD a person caught outright committing a crime ...1992 US sl.
• EAR a person who is not a part of the criminal underworld but who reports what he hears to those who are ...1964 US sl.
• EARNER a member of an organized crime enterprise who produces high profits, however unpleasant his character may be ...1995 US sl.
• ENFORCER a strong-arm man, esp. in an underworld gang ...1929 sl., orig. US
• FRIGHTENER a member of a criminal gang employed to intimidate the gang's potential victims ...1962 sl.
• IBM a member of an organized crime family; an Italian businessman ...1997 US sl.
• MOBBY a member of a criminal gang ...1888 US criminals' sl.
• MR. BIG. an important, influential person, esp. a 'criminal mastermind' ...1930s sl., orig. US
• OLD VULTURE † a companion in crime ...1889 criminals' sl.
• RACKET BOY a member of an organized criminal enterprise ...1953 US sl.
• RACKETEER a member of an organized crime syndicate; a criminal ...1920s US sl.
• RACKET GHEE a member of an organized crime syndicate ...1930s US sl.
• RACKET GUY a member of an organized crime syndicate ...1930s US sl.
• RACKET MAN a member of an organized crime syndicate ...1930s US sl.
• RAPPER one who takes or is given the blame for a crime, even if they are not actually guilty ...1940s US sl.
crime, criminal - verbs
• ACCRIMINATE †* to accuse of a crime ...1655
• BOOK to record the name of someone who has committed an offense ...1841 sl.
• DIP to fail in the commission of a crime, esp. theft or robbery ...1975 Aust. sl.
• FAKE DOWN to carry out a crime ...M19 NZ sl.
• FAST LANE to indulge in a crime spree ...1980s Aust. prison sl.
• GAP to watch, to witness a crime ...1949 US sl.
• JUGGLE to engage in criminal business activities ...1994 UK sl.
• MAKE ONE to put together plans for a crime, esp. a robbery, and then carry out that crime ...1970s UK criminals' sl.
• MAKE ONE WITH to commit a crime in partnership with one or more other people ...1970s UK criminals' sl.
• MOONLIGHT to engage in criminal activity at night ...L19 UK criminals' sl.
• PULL A STROKE to commit a successful crime ...c1950 cant
• PULL AWAY to divert attention from the scene of a crime ...1975 Aust. sl.
• PULL IT OFF to commit a crime ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• PULL OFF to commit a crime ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• PUT ONE TOGETHER to plan a crime ...1970s UK criminals' sl.
• RACKETEER to practise any form of criminal deception, trickery, extortion, etc. ...1920s sl.
• RANK to catch in the act of committing a crime ...1920s US sl.
• RECEIPT to harbour or shelter an outlaw or criminal ...1715 Sc.
• SINGLE-O to operate as a criminal without confederates; to operate selfishly within a criminal enterprise ...1950 US sl.
• SUS(S) to suspect of a crime ...1953 Brit. sl.
• SWALLOW to abandon life as a professional criminal, to 'go straight' ...20C sl.
• TAB to charge with a crime ...L19 sl.
• TAB UP to charge with a crime ...L19 sl.
• TAKE THE FALL to be accused (and condemned) unfairly of a crime ...1920s US sl.
• TRADE UP to escape criminal prosecution or lessen the charges against you by providing the police with information about other criminals ...1981 US sl.
• TUG to distract someone's attention while a crime is being committed ...1970s Aust. criminals' sl.
• TUG A HEAD to distract someone's attention while a crime is being committed ...1970s Aust. criminals' sl.
• WOLF-PACK to engage in criminal gang activity ...1982 US sl.
crime, criminal - phrases
• BANG TO RIGHTS said of a criminal who is caught red-handed ...1904 Brit. sl.
• DEAD TO RIGHTS said of a criminal who is caught red-handed ...1859 Brit. sl.
• ON THE MOVE about to commit a crime, esp. a burglary ...1996 UK sl.
• PLEAD ONE'S BELLY of a pregnant female criminal facing the death sentence: to plead that since she is pregnant, the law should spare her unborn child's life ...18C sl.
CRIMINALLY - adverbs
• QUEERLY in a criminal manner ...L17 sl.
CRINGE - nouns
• FAWN † an act of fawning; a servile cringe, a wheedling courtesy ...1590
cringe - person
• FAWN †* one who fawns, cringes, or flatters; a toady ...1635
cringe - verbs
• BECK to curtsy; to cringe; to do obeisance ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BEENGE to cringe, to fawn ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BINGE to bow; to cringe ...1724 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MEACH, MEECH to sneak, to slink, to skulk; to idle stealthily or shamefacedly about; to creep about softly; to cringe; to look ashamed ...1746 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• SCHROOCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
• SCRINCH to draw the shoulders together; to cringe ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRINGE, SKRINGE to flinch; to cringe; to shrink, as from pain, cold, or fear; to flinch; to wince; to shrivel, as with sharp cold or dry head ...1790 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial.
• SCROOCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
• SCROOGE to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in ...1892 Amer. dial.
• SCRUCH, SKRUTCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
• SKROOTCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
CRINGING - adjectives
• BENECKING †* bowing the neck, cringing ...1705
• CRINGELING * cringing, servile ...1798
• INHOLDING selfish; fawning, cringing, given to flattery ...1871 Sc.
• MEACHING skulking, cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Amer. dial.
• MEECHING skulking, sneaking, creeping softly; cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• MICHING skulking, cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Amer. dial.
• OBSEQUIOUS unduly or servilely compliant; ignobly submissive; manifesting or characterized by servile complaisance; fawning, cringing, sycophantic ...1602
cringing - person
• CRINGELING * a cringing creature; a servile flatterer; a fawner ...a1693
CRINKLE - nouns
• CRIMPLE † a crease, wrinkle, or fold; a crinkle ...c1440 obs. exc. Eng. & Amer. dial.
crinkle - verbs
• CRIMPLE † to wrinkle, crumple, crinkle, curl ...c1440 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• SCRIMPLE †* to crumple, to crinkle ...1535
• WAFFLE to crease, to crinkle, to rumple ...1825 Sc.
CRINKLED - adjectives
• CRINKLETY-CRANKLETY crinkled, roughly creased ...1904 Amer. dial.
• REEVED UP crinkled, wrinkled ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
CRIPPLE, CRIPPLED - adjectives (now sometimes offensive)
• GAME lame, crippled, crooked, deformed; disabled, injured, sore; of an eye: wavering, uncertain ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• GAMY lame, crippled ...M19 sl.
• HALPED crippled ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• HALT lame; crippled; limping ...c893 arch. & literary
• LEFT-HANDED † crippled, lame, defective ...1629
• LIMPY lame; crippled ...1955 Amer. dial.
• QUEER-GAMMED lame, crippled ...L18 sl.
cripple, crippled - adverbs
• LAMIGERIN in crippled fashion ...Bk1902 Eng. dial.
cripple, crippled - person
• BEDELL a bedridden person; a helpless cripple ...1790 Sc.
• BEDRAL, BEDREL † a bedridden person; a helpless cripple ... a1572 obs. rare exc. Sc.
• BEDRILL a bedridden person; a helpless cripple ...1790 Ireland
• BETHERELL a bedridden person; a helpless cripple ...1790 Ireland
• CAITIFF † a cripple, one who is deformed and helpless ...1775 Eng. dial.
• DECRIPPIT a cripple, a lame person; one who is decrepit ...1887 Eng. dial.
• HALTER one who halts or limps, as a cripple ...c1440
• HAUCHAL a deformed or crippled person ...1891 Sc.
• HIRPLE a lame person; a cripple ...1894 chiefly Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• LAMESTER a lame person; a cripple ...1639
• LAMETER a lame person; a cripple ...1804 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• LAMIGER a lame person; a cripple ...1829 Eng. dial.
• LAMITER a lame person; a cripple ...1804 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• LAMMIGER a lame person, a cripple ...1847 Eng. dial.
• MUSTARD a cripple ...1998 Brit. imperfect rhyming sl. (Mustard Pickle)
• MUSTARD PICKLE a cripple ...1998 Brit. imperfect rhyming sl.
• RASPBERRY NIPPLE a cripple, a disabled person ...1970s rhyming sl.
• WONKY LEGS someone with deformed legs; a cruel term for a cripple ...Brit. sl.
cripple, crippled, verbs
• HAMSTRING to cripple, to destroy the activity or efficiency of ...1641
CRISIS - nouns
• ONE-EIGHT-SEVEN any form of crisis or drama ...1990s sl.
• PANIC STATIONS a crisis, a drama ...1961 sl., orig. naval usage
CRISP - adjectives
• NEPPY crisp, brittle ...1865 Eng. dial.
• SMOPPLE brittle, crisp, crumbling, as 'smopple' wood, or a 'smopple' pie crust ...1731 Eng. dial.
CRITIC, CRITICISM - nouns
• BAD MOUTH malicious gossip or criticism ...N. Amer. sl.
• BAWL-OUT a criticism, an accusation, a scolding ...1915 US sl.
• BLINDSTAM captious or arbitrary criticism ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CRITICOPHOBIA a fear or horror of critics ...1836
• FANG JOB criticism, esp. a critical article ...1960s sl.
• FLAK adverse criticism ...1968 sl., orig. US
• FLAMER a stiff criticism; a row; a quarrel ...c1805
• GAFF severe treatment, criticism, punishment, or hardship ...L19 US sl.
• LACING a verbal attack, criticism ...1940s sl.
• LICKS a critical or complaining remark ...colloq.
• OH-SHIT a criticism ...1997 US sl.
• PAN severe criticism ...20C sl.
• PANNING very hard criticism, as a very bad review ...1930s sl.
• RAP a derogatory or highly critical remark; a complaint ...1777 orig. US
• REMARKING a remark; criticism ...1785 Sc.
• SIDE-SWIPE an indirect or passing criticism ...1924 sl.
• SIGNIFICATION negative or hostile talk, criticism, ritualized abuse ...20C US Black sl.
• SLAM an instance of adverse criticism ...1884 US
• SWIPE an instance of adverse criticism ...1932 sl.
critic, criticism - person
• ACT CATCHER a drama critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• BACK-SEAT DRIVER someone who criticizes or attempts to direct without responsibility, or who controls affairs from a subordinate position ...1955 sl.
• BOOGIE MAN a severe critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• CRICK a drama critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• CRICKS critics ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• CRIX n. critics ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• DEATH WATCH, THE drama critics ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• DEEMER † one who censures or (unfavourably) criticizes others ...c1410
• DRAMMER DAMNER a drama critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• HATCHET MAN someone who criticizes with great severity, esp. in order to destroy a reputation ...1952 sl.
• LOG ROLLER a critic who makes favourable reviews, expecting the like in return ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK a person who offers hindsight criticisms of problems already faced by others; a second-guesser ...1932 Amer. sl., esp. journalists' usage
• NICELING † a very fastidious or overnice person or critic; a hair-splitter ...1549
• NIGNAY a quarrelsome hypercritical person; one who picks faults ...1920 Sc.
• NITPICKER a pedantic or captious critic ...1951 sl., orig. US
• PUNDIT a person who makes comments or judgements, esp. in an authoritative manner; a critic or commentator ...17C
• SHARPSHOOTER a shrewd, clever critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• ULTRA-CREPIDARIAN one who ventures beyond his scope; an ignorant or presumptuous critic ...1825
• ULTRACREPIDAST † one who ventures beyond his scope; an ignorant or presumptuous critic ...1640
critic, criticism - phrases
• ON THE PAN facing criticism, under verbal attack ...20C sl.
CRITICAL - adjectives
• AUTOCRITICAL critical of oneself or one's own work ...1642
• CRITICULAR critical and particular ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DICKY of things, conditions, etc.: uncertain, doubtful, critical, hazardous; rickety, shaky, tottering ...1851
• PECKISH short-tempered; easily offended; nagging, hypercritical ...1895 Amer. dial.
• PECKY short-tempered; easily offended; nagging, hypercritical ...1949 Amer. dial.
• PICKETY fussy, particular, fault-finding, hypercritical ...1966 Amer. dial.
• SNOOKY critical, fault-finding ...1910s Aust. sl.
• TICKLESOME difficult, critical, delicate, precarious ...1585 now Eng. dial.
• TICKLISH liable to end in disaster unless treated with great care; needing cautious handling or action; delicate, critical, precarious, risky, hazardous ...1592
• TRITICAL trite and critical ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
critical - nouns
• DEVIL TO PAY AND NO PITCH HOT a predicament, a critical situation, or a perplexing foul-up ...1963 Amer. dial.
• FLASHPOINT a critical moment beyond which a situation will inevitable erupt into violence
• HELL TO PAY AND NO PITCH HOT a predicament, a critical situation, or a perplexing foul-up ...1927 Amer. dial.
• KANKEDORT †* a state of suspense; a critical position; a predicament; an awkward affair ...c1374
• KANKERDORT †* a state of suspense; a critical position; a predicament; an awkward affair ...c1374
• NUTCUT the critical point in an enterprise or operation ...1972 US sl.
• NUT-CUTTING the most critical and distasteful stage in a project or operation ...1968 US sl.
• TICKLENESS † insecurity, instability; critical situation, precariousness; inconstancy; uncertainty ...c1390
critical - phrases
• BETWEEN THE TINING AND THE WINNING said of being in a critical position, which may result either in ruin or in success ...1825 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
CRITICIZE - verbs
• BACKCAP to attempt to thwart or ruin by defaming someone; to depreciate, disparage, or criticize meanly ...1887 Amer. sl.
• BAD-MOUTH to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1941 sl., orig. US
• BAD-RAP to criticize unjustly; to malign ...1967 Amer. sl.
• BAG to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1975 Aust. sl.
• BALL OUT to scold, to reprimand, to criticize loudly ...1899 sl., orig. US
• BAWL to scold, to reprimand, to criticize loudly ...M19 sl., orig. US
• BAWL OUT to scold, to reprimand, to criticize loudly ...1899 sl., orig. US
• BLAST to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1953 sl., chiefly journalistic
• CANVAS † to 'thrash' a person in writing; to criticize destructively and unsparingly ...1590
• CATCH to carp, to criticize ...1628
• CHIP AT to quarrel with; to criticize adversely ...1880 sl.
• CLOBBER to criticize severely ...M20 sl.
• COP A BAKE to receive a reprimand or a severe criticism ...1980s Aust. prison sl.
• CUT UP to subject to severe criticism ...colloq.
• DANCE THE CARPET to appear before an official for an investigation of one's work or behaviour; to receive a reprimand, criticism, or punishment ...20C Amer. sl.
• DO A NUMBER ON SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1975 US sl.
• DOG to criticize or bother ...20C teen & high school sl.
• DOWN to disparage; to criticize adversely ...1970 Amer. sl.
• DOWN ON to disparage; to criticize adversely ...1992 Amer. sl.
• DUMP ALL OVER SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize; to treat unfairly ...1966 sl., chiefly US
• DUMP ON SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize; to treat unfairly ...1966 sl., chiefly US
• EAT SOMEONE'S ARSE OFF to criticize severely; to punish heavily ...1940s US sl.
• EAT SOMEONE'S ASS OFF to criticize severely; to punish heavily ...1943 US sl.
• EAT SOMEONE'S ASS OUT to criticize severely; to punish heavily ...1946 US sl.
• FIRE ONE'S SHUCK to light into someone; to criticize severely ...1951 Amer. dial.
• GET AT SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1891 sl.
• GET ON SOMEONE'S BACK to annoy, to aggravate, to nag, to criticize someone ...1959 Aust. sl.
• GIVE SOMEONE A SERVE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1967 Aust. sl.
• GET SOME STICK to receive adverse criticism ...1956 Brit. sl.
• GIVE A PERSON A SERVE to criticize or reprimand a person sharply ...M20 Aust. sl.
• GIVE THE GAFF to deliver criticism ...L19 sl.
• HAVE A GO AT to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1977 sl.
• HAVE A POP AT SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1922 Brit. sl.
• LET SOMEONE HAVE IT to challenge, to pose a difficult question, to reprimand severely, to criticize ...M19 sl., orig. US
• LIVE IN A GLASS-HOUSE. to lay oneself open to criticism ...c1845 Brit. colloq.
• MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK to criticize with the benefit of hindsight ...1950 Amer. sl., esp. journalists' usage
• PAN to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize; often applied to a film, theatrical performance, etc. ...1911 sl.
• POP OFF to rant; to criticize; to brag ...Amer. World War I sl.
• POP OFF AT THE MOUTH to criticize ...1980s sl.
• PULL APART to criticize unmercifully; to analyze thoroughly
• PULL ONE'S PUNCHES to moderate one's criticism; usually used in the negative ...1934 sl.
• PUT THE BLAST ON to scold or criticize harshly or vociferously ...1929 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE GAFF INTO to deliver criticism ...L19 sl.
• RAG ON to nag, to criticize ...1980s US sl.
• RAIL to criticize or reprimand someone ...1987 US sl.
• RAIL ON to criticize or reprimand someone ...1987 US sl.
• RAP to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1906 sl., orig. US
• RAISE HELL to criticize or castigate thoroughly and in anger, to reprimand severely ...1920s sl.
• RAKE ON to humiliate; to criticize ...1980s US college sl.
• READ to express blunt criticism of ...1994 Amer. dial., esp. Black usage
• READ OFF to reprimand, to express blunt criticism of ...B1900 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• READ OUT to reprimand, to express blunt criticism of; to rebuke strongly; to scold ...1958 Amer. dial.
• REDD to correct, to set right; to rebuke, to scold; to sum up the faults of, to criticize ...1819 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• ROAST to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1782 sl.
• RUBBISH to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1953 sl., orig. & chiefly Aust. & NZ
• SANDBAG to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1919 sl.. orig. & chiefly US
• SCANCE to criticize, to be censorious about, to reproach, to taunt ...1801 Sc.
• SCORE to criticize harshly; to berate ...chiefly US & Can.
• SLAG OFF to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1971 sl.
• SLAM to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1916 sl., orig. US
• SLATE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1848 sl.
• SOAK to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1925 US sl.
• SOAK IT TO to punish, to beat up; to criticize harshly ...L19 US sl.
• SWING AT to criticize ...1910s sl.
• TAKE APART to criticize or scold severely ...sl.
• TAKE A POP AT SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1922 Brit. sl.
• TAKE A POTSHOT AT to criticize someone severely ...1920s sl., orig. US
• TAKE A SWING to criticize ...1910s sl.
• TAKE A SWING AT to criticize ...1910s sl.
• TAKE A SWIPE AT to criticize sharply ...1932 sl.
• TAKE BEEF to get into arguments; to face criticism ...1990s US Black sl.
• TAKE HEAT to suffer or endure punishment or criticism ...1920s US sl.
• TAKE LAG to criticize, to attack verbally ...1950s W. Indies & UK Black sl.
• TAKE SOMEONE TO THE CLEANERS to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1963 sl.
• TAKE THE RIP OUT OF to mock, to criticize, to attack verbally ...1990s sl.
• TEAR SOMEONE DOWN to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1978 US sl.
• TEE OFF ON to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1955 US sl.
• THROW SOMEONE TO THE DOGS to abandon someone to criticism or attack
• TOMAHAWK to attack savagely or mercilessly in speech or in writing; to demolish in a review or criticism ...1815
• ULTRA-CREPIDATE to criticize beyond one's sphere of knowledge ...1800
• VELLICATE † to carp at; to criticize adversely ...1633
• YARG to talk incessantly; to argue doggedly and tiresomely; to carp, to wrangle, to criticize ...a1838 Sc.
CRITICIZED - adjectives
• GLUED criticized, rebuked ...1960s Amer. sl.
• ON THE PAN being criticized ...1923 US sl.
CRITICIZING - nouns
• ULTRACREPIDATION the act or fact of criticizing ignorantly ...1800
criticizing - person
• NARG a grumbling, criticizing, nagging person ...1824 Sc.