M
MATING - MEDAL
MATING - nouns
• ADMISSURE †* pairing of animals, mating ...c1420
MATRIMONIAL - see MARRIAGE
MATTED - adjectives
• BALTERED tangled, clogged, matted together ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• MATTY matted, twisted, interwoven ...Bk1905 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• TAGGED of hair or wool: hanging in matted locks ...1757
• TATTED of hair, wool, etc.: matted, entangled, rough, shaggy, unkempt ...1721 Sc.
• TATTY tangled, matted, rough, unkempt, shaggy, ragged ...1817 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• TAUTED matted, esp. of the hair; shaggy; ragged ...1786 Sc.
• TAUTIE shaggy, matted, tangled, unkempt; of persons or animals: having a rough, shaggy head or coat ...1790 Sc.
• TAUTY shaggy, matted, tangled, unkempt; of persons or animals: having a rough, shaggy head or coat ...1790 Sc.
• TAWTIE shaggy, matted, tangled, unkempt; of persons or animals: having a rough, shaggy head or coat ...1790 Sc.
MATTED, MATTING - nouns
• HASSOCK anything growing in a thick, matted state; a thick, wooded shaw or little wood ...1886 Eng. dial.
• TAT a tuft of hair, wool, etc.; a matted mass; a small quantity ...Bk1905 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• TAUT a tangled matted tuft or lock of wool, hair, etc. ...1887 Sc.
MATTED - verbs
• BERK † to clot, to make matted ...a1550
• TAUT to mat, to tangle, to make matted or tangled ...1887 Sc. & Eng. dial.
MATTER - nouns
• GEAR † a matter, affair, business ...1545
• MEANING matter, consequence ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• SCORE matter, affair ...1790 Sc.
MATTER - verbs
• BOTHER ONE'S TIME to matter, to be of importance ...1933 Amer. dial.
• CUT CAKE to make a difference, to matter ...1964 US sl.
• DIFFER to matter, to make a difference ...1893 Amer. dial.
• FROST CAKE to make a difference, to matter ...1902 US sl.
• MAGNIFY to signify, to matter ...1733 Ireland & Eng. dial.
• NOT TO MATTER A FARTHING to matter very little ...1647
MATTER - phrases
• IT MAKES NO NEVER MIND it makes no difference; it is not an influencing factor ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
MATTERS - verbs
• HEAR HOW THE HARROWS ARE GOING to see how matters are progressing ...1889 Sc.
MATTRESS - nouns
• BISCUIT a square brown palliasse or mattress ...1917 military sl.
• HAYPILE a bed or mattress ...1904 Amer. sl.
• MARSH FEATHER(S) among loggers: hay used as a mattress or cushion ...1959 Amer. dial.
• MISSOURI FEATHERBED a mattress stuffed with 'prairie feathers' (straw) ...1961 Amer. dial.
• MOT-CART a mattress ...L19 sl.
• NAT † a mat; a straw mattress ...1361-2 obs. exc. N. Eng. dial.
MATURE - adjectives
• DRY BACK OF THE EARS experienced, mature ...1914 Amer. sl.
• DRY BEHIND THE EARS experienced; mature ...1911 Amer. sl.
• HAIRY-ARSED veteran, mature ...1960s sl.
• HAIRY-ASSED veteran, mature ...1960s sl.
• MAN-GROWN mature, grown-up, adult ...1883 Sc.
• MAN-LENGTH having reached the age of manhood, adult, mature ...1896 Sc.
• MANLY † 'grown up'; adult, mature ...1579
• RANK †* full-grown; mature ...c1000
MATURE - nouns, person
• FUDDY-DUDDY a mature man lacking masculinity ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• OLD BIRD a mature, older or old woman ...2003 UK sl.
MATURE, MATURITY - verbs
• SHED ONE'S BABY TEETH to reach (or have reached) the age by which maturity, experience, or shrewdness should have been gained ...1894 Amer. dial.
• SORT OUT THE MEN FROM THE BOYS distinguish which people in a group are truly mature, manly or competent ...colloq.
MATURED - adjectives
• ADULTED †* grown to maturity; matured ...1645
MATURITY - nouns
• MANOEUVRETY age of maturity ...1900 Ireland
• NATURE maturity; perfection ...1895 Eng. dial.
MAUDLIN - adjectives
• GUMMY sentimental; maudlin ...1940 Amer. sl.
• MAUDLING-DRUNK in a maudlin condition from drink ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• SUCKEY †* drunkish, maudlin ...a1700 sl.
MAUL - verbs
• BEMANG to hurt; to injure; to maul ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BEMAUL to maul; to bruise or soil by fighting or rough play ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• DEVEL to strike, to beat, to fell with a blow; to maul; to fall heavily ...1827 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MAGGLE † to mangle, to maul, to damage ...1456 Sc.
• MAMMOCK to tear into pieces; to mangle; to beat severely, to maul ...1828 Amer. dial.
• MOMOX to tear into pieces; to mangle; to beat severely, to maul ...1867 Amer. dial.
• MUX to handle, to paw over, to maul ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• NEW to oppress, to keep under, to master; to curb; to maul ...1768 Sc.
• PALM to lay hands on; to finger; to handle awkwardly; to maul ...1827 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• PAUM to lay hands on; to finger; to handle awkwardly; to maul ...1827 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• PICK AND MELL to maul; to beat ...Bk1905 Sc.
• SCLOMB to scratch as a cat; to maul ...1854 Eng. dial.
• SCLUM to scratch as a cat; to maul ...1854 Eng. dial.
• SCRAM to pull down violently; to tear off; to maul about ...1892 Eng. dial.
• SCRAMB to pull down violently; to tear off; to maul about ...1892 Eng. dial.
• SKLUM to scratch as a cat; to maul ...1854 Eng. dial.
• TINKER to batter, to maul ...1826 boxing sl.
• WALLOPSE to thrash, to beat, to maul, to handle ...1904 Amer. dial.
• WOPSE to maul, to handle ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
MAULING - nouns
• YOKING † a contest, a fight, a tussle; a mauling ...1660 Sc.
MAWKISH - adjectives
• SAPPY sentimental and mawkish ...L19 US sl.
• SCHMALTZY excessively sentimental; mawkish ...1935 sl., orig. US
MAXIMUM - adjectives
• FULL-ON maximum, complete, absolute, very ...1970 US
MAY - nouns
• MITCHELL DAY the first day of May ...1968 Amer. miners' usage
MAY - nouns, person
• JACK-IN-THE-GREEN a chimney sweep enclosed in a portable framework of boughs for the processions on the first of May ...Bk1896 sl.
• MAY-BIRD a person born in May ...1841 Sc.
• MAY-CAT a child born in May ...1879 Eng. dial.
• MAY-FOOL a person befooled on the 1st of May; an 'April fool'; a silly person, a dupe, a blockhead ...1869 Eng. dial.
• MAY-GOSLING a person befooled on the 1st of May; an 'April fool'; a silly person, a dupe, a blockhead ...1842 Sc. & Eng. dial.
MAYBE - adverbs
• AVES perhaps, maybe, but ...Bk1898 Ireland
• AVIS perhaps, maybe, but ...Bk1898 Ireland
• BELIKE perhaps, probably, maybe; surely ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• BELIKES perhaps, probably, maybe; surely ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• HAPLY by chance or accident; perhaps; maybe ...1362 now arch.
• HAPPEN perhaps, possibly, maybe ...1790 N. Eng. dial.
• HAPPENS perhaps, possibly, maybe ...1845 Eng. dial.
• HAPPILY by chance; perhaps; maybe ...1377 arch.
• HAPS † perhaps, maybe ...1589
• MEBBE maybe ...1825 Eng. dial.
• YEABLES possibly, maybe, perhaps ...1868 Sc.
• YIBBLES possibly, maybe, perhaps ...1868 Sc.
MAYFLY - nouns
• CANADIAN SOLDIER a mayfly ...1926 Amer. dial.
• EEL-FLY a mayfly ...1889 Eng. dial.
• SCOBBLOTCHER a mayfly ...1968 Amer. dial.
• SCOBOLOTCH a mayfly ...c1942 Amer. dial.
• SKOPLOTCH a mayfly ...1950 Amer. dial.
• TROUT FLY a mayfly, or similar insect ...1967 Amer. dial.
• TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR BUG a mayfly ...1960 Amer. dial.
• WILLOW BUG a mayfly ...1888 Amer. dial.
MAYONNAISE - nouns
• MAYO mayonnaise ...1954 colloq.
MEADOW - nouns
• DAGO a low-lying meadow; a kind of grassy marsh ...1955 Amer. dial.
• HAM a plot of pasture ground; in some places esp. meadow-land ...1901-9 Eng.
• HAY FARM a meadow ...1983 Amer. dial.
• ING a meadow, pasture, esp. low-lying land by the side of a stream or river, etc. ...1788 Eng. dial.
• LAND-MEAD † a tract of meadow land ...1577-87
• LEASE † pasture; pasturage; meadow-land ...a1000 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LEASOW † pasture; pasturage; meadow-land ...c950 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• MEAD a meadow, a field ...1789 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MEAD-LANDS meadow-land ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• REACH a stretch of meadow land ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• SIKE †* a stretch of meadow; a field ...1479
• SYKE †* a stretch of meadow; a field ...1479
• VEGA a grassy plain, a meadow ...1850 Amer. dial.
MEAGRE - adjectives
• BALD bare or destitute of meaning or force; lacking in vividness of description; meagre, trivial, paltry ...1362
• CARRION-LEAN † meagre, very deficient ...1581
• EKEN lean, thin, meagre ...1908 Sc.
• FAT AS A HEN'S FOREHEAD, AS thin; small; meagre ...1939 Amer. dial.
• LENTEN † such as is appropriate to Lent; hence of provisions, diet, etc.: such as may be used in Lent, meagre; of clothing, expression of countenance, etc.: mournful-looking, dismal ...1577-87
• SCRAE spare, meagre, lean ...1846 Sc.
• SCRANNY thin, meagre, scraggy; withered, wrinkled ...1878 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SCRANNY-LOOKING thin, meagre, scraggy; withered, wrinkled ...1878 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SCRIMY meagre, skimpy ...1943 Amer. dial.
• SILLY † scanty, sorry, meagre, poor ...1593
• SKIMP scanty; meagre ...1775
• SKIMPY scanty, meagre; stinted or stunted in some respect ...1847
• SKRAE spare, meagre, lean ...1846 Sc.
• THURDLED meagre ...1892 Eng. dial.
MEAGRELY - adverbs
• JEJUNELY meagrely, insipidly ...1615
MEAGRENESS - nouns
• EGESTUOSITY †* meagreness, poverty ...1656
• JEJUNENESS deficiency of physical substance; thinness, meagreness, attenuation ...1626
• JEJUNENESS emptiness of interest or intellectually satisfying quality; baldness, meagreness, poverty ...1655
• JEJUNITY emptiness of interest or intellectually satisfying quality; baldness, meagreness, poverty ...1623
• PARCITY † scantiness, meagreness, smallness ...1509
MEAL - adjectives
• CENATICAL * pertaining to dinner or supper ...1725
• CENATORY †* pertaining to dinner or supper ...1650
• LARGE * of a meal: heavy, abundant ...1748
• MEAT-RIFE ready for meals ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• NERVOUS of a dessert or salad: having a jelly-like consistency ...1936 Amer. dial. jocular
• PICKED-UP of a meal: consisting of leftovers ...1771 Amer. dial.
• PICK-UP of a meal: consisting of leftovers ...1848 Amer. dial.
MEAL - adverbs
• AL DESKO of a meal: consumed at your desk at work ...1981 US sl.
MEAL - nouns
• ABA-DABA dessert ...1961 Amer. sl.
• ABDABS 'afters'; the second course, if any ...WWII sl.
• AFTERS the course of a meal that comes after the main course ...1909 Brit. sl.
• AFTERSUPPER dessert ...1972 Amer. dial.
• ANDERS-MEAT luncheon ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• BACK-UP a second helping of food ...20C Aust. sl.
• BAGGING food eaten between regular meals; an afternoon meal ...1750 Eng. dial.
• BAIT 1. food, refreshment; a feed for horses, or slight repast for travellers, upon a journey; light refreshment taken between meals ...1570
† 2. a hasty meal like a traveller's; a snack ...1662
• BAIT-TIME the time for taking food ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BAKE a meal or food usually prepared by baking ...1939 Amer. dial.
• BANQUET † 1. a slight repast between meals ...1509
† 2. a course of sweetmeats, fruit, and wine, served either as a separate entertainment, or as a continuation of the principal meal; in the latter case usually in a different room; a dessert ...1523
† 3. a sweetmeat; a dainty dish; collectively, sweetmeats, dessert ...1534
• BAVER slight refreshment taken between meals either at 11 a.m. or 4 p.m.; occasionally applied also to a regular meal ...1691 Eng. dial.
• BEANFEAST n. a festive meal or other entertainment; in modern use, usually with the implication of indulgence at others' expense ...1897 Brit. sl.
• BEANO a festive entertainment frequently terminating in a noisy frolic or spree; a large meal ...1888 sl.
• BEAVER slight refreshment taken between meals either at 11 a.m. or 4 p.m.; occasionally applied also to a regular meal ...1691 Eng. dial.
• BIGGIN † an afternoon meal ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BITE a small meal or snack ...1899 sl.
• BLAW-OUT a good meal; a great display or feast ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BLOW-OUT a feast, entertainment; a large meal ...1821 sl.
• BREAD AND SKIP a scanty meal ...1976 Amer. dial.
• BREAD AND WITH IT a meal of more than just bread ...1942 Amer. dial.
• BRING-AND-SHARE a potluck dinner ...1970 Amer. dial.
• BURNT OFFERING burned food; a badly cooked meal ...Bk1990 Amer. sl.
• BURST a large meal; a big feed, a 'blow-out' ...1881 colloq.
• CAFFRE'S LIGHTENER a full meal ...c1860 S. Afr. sl.
• CAKE a meal provided as compensation in addition to wages ...1973 US sl.
• CAKES a performer's daily meals ...1906 US theatre sl.
• CARRY-IN a potluck meal ...1965 Amer. dial.
• CENATION † meal-taking; dining, supping ...1599
• CHANGE dessert ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• CHECK a snack or light meal ...1775 Amer. dial.
• CHOW food; a meal ...US Civil War usage
• CHUCK a meal; 'grub' ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• DAB a slight meal, a snack ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DEADENER an enormous meal eaten after having been deprived of food for some time ...1927 Amer. dial.
• DIENEN a meal, dinner; sufficient for a meal ...Bk1900 Sc.
• DIET-TIME meal-time ...1787 Sc.
• DIN-DIN dinner; a meal ...1905 UK children's vocabulary
• DIN-DINS dinner; a meal ...1920 UK children's vocabulary
• DISJUNE the first meal of the day, breakfast ...1491 chiefly Sc. arch.
• DUCK'S DINNER n. a drink of water, but no food to accompany it ...1990s Aust. sl.
• EAT † the act of eating; a meal ...c1000
• EATING an act of taking food; a meal; also, a way or manner of feeding ...1483 arch.
• EATS food, a meal ...1782 UK
• EAT-UP a meal ...1910s Aust. sl.
• E'ENSHANKS † an afternoon or early evening meal ...1824 Sc.
• ELEVENSES light refreshment taken at about 11 am ...1887 sl.
• FEAST-BED † a couch for reclining at meals, a triclinium ...a1661
• FEAST IN THE WILDERNESS a box-lunch supper ...1950 Amer. dial.
• FEED a meal; a sumptuous meal; a feast; a full meal ...1808
• FEED BAG a meal ...1929 Amer. dial.
• FEEDING a meal, esp. an abundant or elaborate one ...1966 Amer. dial.
• GASH a second helping of food ...1943 Aust. sl.
• GORGE a large amount of food, a surfeit; a heavy meal ...1894 Amer. dial.
• GREASE a meal, dinner ...1975 Amer. college sl.
• GRUB a meal, a feed ...c1855 sl.
• GRUBBINS food, provisions; a meal ...1847 Amer. sl.
• GRUB-PILE a meal ...1871 Amer. West sl.
• GRUNT a meal, dinner ...1972 US Black sl.
• GUT SAUSAGE a poor man's meal; cornmeal suet and in an intestine ...1958 Can. sl.
• GUZZLE the eating of a meal ...M19 sl.
• HASH-UP a hastily cooked meal ...1902 sl.
• HOT a hot meal ...1926 US sl.
• INSIDE-LINING food; a dinner ...1851 Eng. dial.
• JIMMY SKINNER a dinner ...Bk1896 rhyming sl.
• KAFFIR'S TIGHTENER a large, heavy meal ...M19 S. Afr. sl.
• KAIL a main meal, dinner ...1807 Sc.
• KENTUCKY BREAKFAST a 'meal' which includes or consists of liquor, usually bourbon; 'a three-pound steak, a bottle of whisky, and a dog - the dog is to eat the beefsteak' ...1882 Amer. dial.
• LILLEY AND SKINNER dinner ...1920s rhyming sl.
• LIQUID LUNCH a midday meal at which more alcoholic drink than food is consumed ...1963 sl.
• LOBLOLLY food in general, esp. an unappetizing meal ...1916 Amer. dial.
• MANGE † a meal ...a1605
• MANGER † a sumptuous meal; a banquet ...c1420
• MEALERY a place that provides meals to those living elsewhere ...1880 Amer. dial.
• MEAL-OF-MEAT food enough for one meal; the food taken at a meal; a meal ...1898 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MEAL OF VICTUALS a meal; food enough for a meal ...1895 Amer. dial.
• MEAL'S MEAT food enough for one meal; the food taken at a meal; a meal ...1880 Eng. dial.
• MEAL'S VICTUALS food enough for one meal; the food taken at a meal; a meal ...1830 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• MEAL'S VITTLES a meal; food enough for a meal ...1878 Amer. dial.
• MEALTIDE † meal-time; the hour for a meal; the customary time of taking food; also, a meal, food ...c1200 obs. exc. Sc.
• MEAT food in general, victuals, board; a meal ...1802 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MELTITH a meal ...1768 Sc.
• MENTITH a meal; a dish ...1897 Sc.
• MESS 1. a dish of food; a quantity of food sufficient for a dish or a meal ...1697 Eng. & Amer. dial.
2. a meal, a dinner; an allowance of food ...1813 Sc.
• MICHAEL WINNER dinner ...1990s rhyming sl.
• MIDRATS a meal served between midnight and 1 am; 'midnight rations' ...1973 US sl.
• MUG-UP a snack; a meal, a drink ...1933 sl., chiefly Can. & nautical
• MUNCHIE a snack or small meal; food ...1959 sl., orig. US
• MUNCH-OUT a large meal ...1970s US college sl.
• MUNCHY a snack or small meal ...1950s sl., orig. US
• NACKET a snack or lunch, a slight repast; a piece of bread eaten at noon ...1789 Sc.
• NAMMET a luncheon; esp. one eaten in the field by farm-labourers either in the middle of the morning or of the afternoon; a plain meal without meat; food generally ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• 'NER dinner ...1969 US sl.
• NIGGER-IN-A-BLANKET (derogatory) a dessert usually made of raisins in dough ...1944 Amer. West. sl.
• NOSE-BAG a meal, as dinner ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• NOSH a meal; a period of eating; meal time ...1964 UK sl.
• NOSH UP a meal; a period of eating; meal time ...1964 UK sl.
• NUMBER a meal ...Aust. sl.
• OFF-PUT a makeshift; a hasty meal ...1882
• ORDINARY † customary fare; a regular daily meal or allowance of food; by extension, a fixed portion, an allowance of anything ...1481
• PACKING dinner ...1889 Eng. dial.
• PARNELL SHOUT shared payment for food or drinks ...1910s NZ sl.
• PARRITCH-HOUR a mealtime (parritch = porridge) ...1821 Sc.
• PIECE MEAL a snack or light meal ..1946 Amer. dial.
• PITCH-IN DINNER a potluck meal ...1965 Amer. dial.
• PRANDICLE †* a breakfast, a little dinner, a small meal ...1656
• PUDS pudding (rhymes with 'goods') ...sl.
• RUNNING BANQUET † a slight repast between meals; a snack ...1613
• SAINT AND SINNER dinner ...1992 UK rhyming sl.
• SAND † a serving of food, a course ...a700
• SAULEE † satisfaction of appetite; a satisfying meal or quantity of food ...1377
• SCAMBLING an irregular meal ...1873 Eng. dial.
• SCRANNY food, esp. various bits of food, leftovers, broken victuals, etc. thrown together for an impromptu meal, or a meal taken onto their job by a labourer ...E18 sl.
• SCRAN-TIME meal-time ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SHACKLE-UP a midday meal cooked at the roadside ...1930s tramps' sl.
• SIT-DOWN a free sit-down meal ...1919 Amer. tramps' sl.
• SLAP-UP a large and splendid meal ...1889 Brit. sl.
• SLUMP a dessert consisting of stewed fruit with a biscuit or dough topping ...M19 US, chiefly local
• SOUPIE a meal or a summons to a meal ...1899 US military sl.
• SOUPY a meal or a summons to a meal ...1899 US military sl.
• SPREAD a large meal ...1822 sl.
• SUBCHARGE † a second dish or course ...c1480
• TABLE the company at dinner or at a meal ...1602
• TABLE-BOARD board. i.e. meals, without lodging ...1884 US
• TEA-BAGGING the afternoon meal or tea ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• TIFFIN in India and neighbouring eastern countries: a light midday meal; luncheon ...1800 Anglo-Indian
• TOPPING dessert; a dessert ...1926 Amer. dial.
• TOP TASTE dessert; a dessert ...1991 Amer. dial.
• TUCK-IN a large meal ...1886 sl.
• TUREEN DINNER a potluck meal ...1909 Amer. dial.
• UGGIN a lunch, a light meal, a snack, frequently of some delicacy or sweetmeat ...a1838 Sc.
• UGGINS a light meal, a snack, frequently of some delicacy or sweetmeat ...a1838 Sc.
• UNCH † a nuncheon, a light meal, a snack ...1668 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• UNDERMEAL † a slight afternoon meal ...c1440
• UNDERN a light luncheon; a light meal partaken of in the middle of the morning or the afternoon; the time allotted to such a repast ...1691 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• VESPER an afternoon or evening meal or refreshment ...1882 Amer. dial.
• WALL-TEA a tea at which the guests sit round the room instead of at the table ...1896 Sc.
• WARAP a cheap meal made of fish or meat and 'ground-provisions', i.e. locally available starchy roots, all boiled up together ...20C W. Indies
MEAL - nouns, person
• GRUB-LINER one who travels from ranch to ranch for meals ...1912 Amer. West sl.
• GRUB-RIDER one who travels from ranch to ranch for meals ...1920 Amer. West sl.
MEAL - verbs
• BEGIN to say grace before a meal ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CLEAR DECKS to clear the table after a meal ...M19 nautical sl.
• DINE WITH DUKE HUMPHREY to go without dinner or a meal ...1746
• DRUM UP to prepare a makeshift meal ...1923 sl.
ׇ• EAT to provide a meal or meals for ...1837 US jocular
• EAT A PECK OF SALT WITH ANYONE to share many meals with anyone ...1737 Sc.
• FLY LIGHT to miss a meal; to be hungry ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• GO TO PECKHAM to go to, to sit down to a meal ...19C colloq.
• GREASE ONE'S GILLS to make a good or luxurious meal; to have a good feed; to eat heartily ...Bk1860 sl.
• HAVE A HOLIDAY AT PECKHAM to go without a meal ...c1790 sl.
• HAVE TWINS to take dinner and tea at one meal ...B1900 Amer. sl.
• KISS THE HARE'S FOOT † to be late for meals; to be late for anything ...1613-16
• NOSH to eat; to have a snack or a meal ...Aust. sl.
• PUT ONE'S NAME IN THE POT to count on in planning a meal ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• READ ONE'S PLATE to say grace before a meal ...20C US sl.
• SADDLE THE SPIT to host a dinner or supper ...L18 sl.
• SHACKLE UP to cook a midday meal ...1930s tramps' sl.
• UGG † to eat a light meal; to give someone an extra meal; to feed someone well ...1866 Sc.
• WAIT ON THE TABLE to say grace before a meal ...1911 Amer. dial.
• WHIP UP to speedily prepare a dish or meal ...1849 sl.
MEAL - phrases
• ABOVE THE SALT seated at the upper half of the table, and there among the guests of distinction ...Bk1895
• GRAB IT AND GROWL said when you're having company for a meal, and you want them to take their places at the table ...1966 Amer. dial.
MEAN - adjectives
• ADELE vindictive, mean, bitchy ...2000s S. Afr. gay sl.
• AIM mean, stingy, 'near' ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• AIRTIGHT extremely mean ...1970s sl.
• ALL COP AND NO BLUE said of a mean person or attitude ...L19 sl.
• ASSY mean; malicious; stubborn; impolite; sarcastic; debased ...1980s sl.
• AUCHIMUTY mean, paltry ...Bk1898 Sc.
• BACK-DOOR mean, stealthy, underhand, devious, cunning, untrustworthy ...Bk1898 N. Ireland
• BARE audacious; also, mean, base ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BEGGARY † beggarly, poor; mean, contemptible ...1542
• BORE a mean, bad-tempered person ...1965 Amer. dial.
• CAFF-HEARTED faint-hearted, timid, cowardly; of a worthless, mean disposition ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• CAFFY worthless, mean ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• CAFT faint-hearted, timid, cowardly; of a worthless, mean disposition ...1830 Eng. dial.
• CAITIFF vile, base, mean, basely wicked; worthless, miserable, wretched ...a1300
• CARLISH churlish, clownish, vulgar, coarse; rude, mean ...a1240
• CHEAP mean, ungenerous ...1904 US sl.
• CHICKEN strictly conventional in conduct; following rules too closely, esp. Army; misusing authority; petty, mean ...20C US sl.
• CLOSE-FISTED mean, grudging
• CLOSE-HANDED mean, grudging
• CRAB perverse; ill-humoured, mean, cross ...1961 UK sl.
• CROPIN' stingy, niggardly, mean ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• CROW poor; mean; trivial; insignificant; worthless ...Bk1914 criminals' sl.
• CRUSTY dirty, mean, contemptible ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• DIRTY contemptible, paltry; mean, dishonest ...Bk1900 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DOG-BOLT † wretched, miserable, mean, base, degraded, contemptible ...1580
• EATHLY † of a person: low in station; mean in character ...c1200
• EGG-SUCKING (derogatory) disgusting, mean, contemptible ...1875 Amer. dial.
• FAST † close-fisted, mean, niggardly ...c1175
• FAUSTY irascible, angry, low, mean, cross; pert, impertinent, impudent, self-important; frisky, mettlesome ...1890 Amer. dial.
• FEEBLE † in moral sense: mean, base, contemptible ...c1250
• FEISTY irascible, argumentative, touchy, angry, low, mean, cross; pert, impertinent, impudent, self-important; frisky, mettlesome ...1890 Amer. dial.
• FICETY irascible, angry, low, mean, cross; pert, impertinent, impudent, self-important; frisky, mettlesome ...1890 Amer. dial.
• FISTY irascible, angry, low, mean, cross; pert, impertinent, impudent, self-important; frisky, mettlesome ...1890 Amer. dial.
• FYSTY irascible, angry, low, mean, cross; pert, impertinent, impudent, self-important; frisky, mettlesome ...1890 Amer. dial.
• HAGGERSHANK † stingy, mean ...1913 Sc.
• HEAN † mean, abject, poor; humble, lowly; abased, ignoble; miserable, wretched, dejected, humiliated; of little importance, trivial ...c825
• HEART-BOUND † having the heart shut up or fast-closed to a person; pitiless, hard-hearted, mean, stingy ...1616
• HENE † mean, abject, poor; humble, lowly; abased, ignoble; miserable, wretched, dejected, humiliated; of little importance, trivial ...c825
• HIDEBOUND † stingy, niggardly, mean ...L16
• HILDING cowardly, spiritless, base, menial, mean, wretched ...1581 arch.
• HUNGRY stingy, mean ...1855 Aust. sl.
• ILL-FAVOURED ill-tempered; ill-natured; mean ...1895 Sc.
• IRON-FISTED close-fisted, niggardly, covetous, miserly, stingy, mean ...1826
• ISLE OF WIGHT mean, grasping ...20 C rhyming sl. for 'tight'
• KARLISH churlish, clownish, vulgar, coarse; rude, mean ...a1240
• LITTLE-WORTH † of worthless, mean, bad, or contemptible character ...c1200 obs. exc. arch. & Sc.
• LIVER-FACED mean and cowardly ...1834
• LOWDOWN contemptible, base, mean ...colloq.
• LOWER THAN WHALE SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MANGY cowardly, mean ...1896 Eng. dial.
• MARY ANN(E) vile; low; mean; ugly ...1872 Amer. dial.
• MEAN AS CATSHIT AND TWICE AS NASTY extremely ungenerous ...1930s sl.
• MEAN AS PIGSHIT AND TWICE AS NASTY extremely ungenerous ...1930s sl.
• MEAN AS THE OLD SCRATCH very mean ...1909 Amer. dial.
• MEAN ENOUGH TO PUSH A WIDOW WOMAN'S DOG IN THE WELL very mean ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEAN ENOUGH TO STEAL ACORNS FROM A BLIND HOG as mean as may be ...1867 Amer. dial.
• MEAN ENOUGH TO TAKE A LOLLIPOP FROM A BABY very mean ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN A CAT'S TAIL extremely mean, unkind, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN A CUT CAT very mean ...1950s sl.
• MEANER THAN A PINCHING BUG very mean ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN BILLY-BE-DAMNED very mean ...1968 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN CAT DUNG extremely mean, unkind, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN CATFISH very mean, unpleasant ...1969 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN CAT MANURE extremely mean, unkind, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN CAT PISS extremely mean, unkind, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN CAT SHIT extremely mean, unkind, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN CAT SHIT AND A DAMN SIGHT NASTIER extremely mean, unkind, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN CAT WATER extremely mean, unkind, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN COW SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN HEN SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN HOG SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD BILLY very mean, unpleasant...1969 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD BILLY HELL very mean ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD COOT very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD DEVIL very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD DEVIL HISSELF very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD DICK very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD HARRY very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD NICK very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD ROT very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD SATAN very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD SCRATCH very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD SCROOGE very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD VARMINT very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OWL'S SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN THE ITCH very mean ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN SKUNK SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN SNAKE SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN THE OLD SCRATCH very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN THE SEVEN-YEAR ITCH very mean ...1967 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN TOPHET very mean, 'meaner than hell' ...1968 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN WHALE SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANY mean; irritable ...1941 Amer. dial.
• MEASLY mean, miserly ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MINGEY tight-fisted, mean ...UK playground sl.
• MINGY mean, ungenerous, stingy ...1911 Brit. sl.
• MISERABLE tight-fisted, grasping, mean ...M19 Aust. sl.
• NACKLE-ASS of persons and things: poor, mean, inferior, paltry ...Bk1903 Eng. dial.
• NARRISH thrifty, mean ...L19 US society usage
• NARROW † sparing, close, parsimonious, mean, stingy ...a1225 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• NARROW-CONTRACTED narrow-minded; stingy, mean, ungenerous ...1909 Amer. dial.
• NARROW-GUTTED stingy, mean, ungenerous ...1903 Amer. dial.
• NARROW-HARSED narrow-minded; mean, stingy, barely honest ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• NARROW-HEARTED mean, ungenerous, ignoble ...c1200
• NARROW-SOULED mean, stingy ...a1700 N. Eng. dial.
• NEAR niggardly, miserly, stingy, parsimonious, frugal, mean, greedy, covetous ...1616
• NIGGISH † niggardly, miserly, stingy, mean, parsimonious ...1542
• NIPCHEESE mean, miserly, niggardly ...1819
• OILY mean-tempered; tough, mean, unpleasant, troublesome, unruly, obstinate ...1936 Amer. dial.
• ORNERY inferior, poor, insignificant, worthless, contemptible, mean, immoral ...1816 Amer. dial.
• ORNERY AS AN EGG-SUCKING HOUND mean, contemptible, disgusting ...1985 Amer. dial.
• ORNERY AS THE DEVIL, AS mean, bad-tempered ...1965 Amer. dial.
• PALTERLY † paltry, mean, shabby, worthless, mean...1666-7 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• PALTHERLY paltry, worthless, mean ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• PARTAN-HANDED close-fisted, stingy, mean, miserly, grasping, tight-fisted ...1823 Sc.
• PAULTERLY paltry, worthless, mean ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• PECKSNIFFIAN making high pretensions to benevolence and virtue while really mean, selfish, and hypocritical ...1844
• PICAYUNE mean, contemptible, paltry; of small value or importance ...1856 Amer. colloq.
• PICAYUNISH mean, petty ...US & Can. colloq.
• PIMPING petty, mean ...1792 Amer. dial.
• POISON mean, hateful, vicious; extreme; treacherous ...1834 Amer. dial.
• RAGABASH contemptible, mean, paltry; good-for-nothing ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• RANTANKEROUS quarrelsome, argumentative, cantankerous; unruly, mean, bad ...c1832 US colloq.
• RASCAL † wretched, mean ...1585
• RASCALLY wretched, miserable, mean ...1606
• ROINISH mean, base ...LME arch.
• ROINOUS † coarse, mean, paltry, base, nasty, contemptible ...c1366
• SCABBED mean, paltry, worthless, petty; ill-looking, shabby ...1794 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SCABBIT mean, worthless, shabby, paltry ...1701 Sc.
• SCABBY dirty, shabby; worthless; mean, stingy; contemptible ...1851 Eng. dial.
• SCALY miserly, stingy, mean; thievish, dishonest, tricky ...1851 Eng. dial.
• SCAWT scruffy, mean, contemptible, scanty, niggling; short of due measure ...c1715 Sc.
• SCODGE a mean, sneaking fellow ...1900 Sc.
• SCOOTIE low, mean, beggar-like ...Bk1904 Sc.
• SCOTCH stingy, frugal, mean, greedy in money matters ...1932 Amer. dial.
• SCOTCHY stingy, frugal, mean, greedy in money matters ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SCOTTISH stingy, frugal, mean, greedy in money matters ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SCOURY mean in conduct; niggardly; idle; disreputable ...1721 Sc.
• SCOWRIE mean in conduct; niggardly; idle; disreputable ...1721 Sc.
• SCRANNY mean, niggardly ...1884 Eng. dial.
• SCRAWBY mean, stingy, niggardly ...1881 Eng. dial.
• SCRAWLING mean, despicable, paltry; worthless, miserably small ...1876 Eng. dial.
• SCRAWVLIN † poor and mean ...1825 Eng. dial.
• SCRIMITY mean, stingy, niggardly ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRIMMETY mean, stingy, niggardly ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• SCRIMPY scanty, small, pinched; puny, miserable; mean, niggardly ...1865 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SCRIMY dirty, contemptible, mean ...1931 Amer. dial.
• SCROBY mean, stingy, niggardly ...1881 Eng. dial.
• SHISTY cold-hearted, mean ...2004 US sl.
• SHNIDE false, counterfeit, sham, bogus, phony, fake; hence, mean, contemptible, underhand ...1859 UK
• SINGLE-SOLED † of persons: poor, mean, of little account or worth; insignificant ...1588
• SKINNY mean, miserly, niggardly, stingy ...1833
• SNEAKBILL † mean, paltry, sneaking ...1611
• SNEAKINS-MEAKINS mean ...1905 Amer. dial.
• SNIDE mean, contemptible, underhand; mean; nasty, esp. in an insinuating way ...1859 UK
• SNIDEY mean, contemptible, underhand ...1859 UK
• SNIFTY disdainful, haughty, fault-finding; petty, mean ...1871 Amer. sl.
• SNOEP mean, greedy, selfish, stingy ...1960s S. Afr.
• SNUDGE mean, miserly, crabby ...1855 Eng. dial.
• STERQUILINIOUS †* pertaining to a dunghill; hence, dirty, mean, paltry ...c1645
• STREAKY mean ...Bk1904 sl.
• STRINGY-BARK rough, uncultured; hence mean, ne'er-do-well ...1833 Aust. sl.
• TARRANT mean, disreputable ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• TIGHT mean, ungenerous ...1805 sl.
• TIN mean, petty, worthless, counterfeit, false ...1886
• TINKERLY clumsy, bungling, unskilful; of poor quality; mean, low, disreputable ...1586
• TINNY mean, grasping ...1930s Aust. & NZ sl.
• UNDALA mean, despicable ...Bk1905 Sc.
• UNDALI mean, despicable ...1825 Sc.
• UNDERMINDED sly, deceptive, double-faced; underhand, mean, treacherous ...1902 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• YALD † mean, niggardly, parsimonious ...1825 Sc.
MEAN - nouns, person
• ALTA KAKER a mean and nasty old man ...1968 US sl.
• ALTER KOCKER a mean, disgusting and nasty old man ...1943 US sl.
• AZZALD a silly, insignificant, mean person ...1830 Eng. dial.
• AZZARD a silly, insignificant, mean person ...1790 Eng. dial.
• BAD-ASS NIGGER a troublemaker; a mean person ...1900s US Black sl.
• BAD-ASSED NIGGER a troublemaker; a mean person ...1900s US Black sl.
• BEGGAR a term of contempt; a mean or low fellow ...a1300
• BEZONIAN † as a term of contempt: a needy beggar, a poor wretch; a base fellow, a mean, low person; a knave, a rascal, a scoundrel ...1592
• BIDDY a fussy, mean or quarrelsome old woman ...1938 sl.
• BLACKHEART a mean or ill-tempered person ...1968 Amer. dial.
• BOLL WEEVIL a worthless or contemptible person; a mean, despised person ...1941 Amer. dial.
• CAT a malicious or spiteful woman; a mean, cunning woman; a shrewish man ...1915 Amer. dial.
• CAITIFF a base, mean, despicable person; a villain ...1250 arch.
• CHAPULIN a person of a mean or petty disposition ...1932 Amer. dial.
• CHEAP CHARLIE a mean person ...1965 US sl., chiefly military usage
• CHINCH a miserly or mean person; a stingy person ...a1300
• CLUSTERFIST a close-fisted, mean, or grasping fellow; a miserly fellow, a niggard ...1652
• CULLION † a term of great contempt; a base, despicable, or vile fellow; a bad fellow; a mean wretch; a scoundrel, a rascal ...1575
• DEAD ONE a useless, unsociable, impoverished, or mean person ...L19 US sl.
• DOG-BOLT † a term of contempt or reproach applied to a person; a contemptible fellow; a mean wretch or villain ...1465
• DUST-WORM † a 'worm of the dust', a mean, despicable, or grovelling person; a term of reproach ...1621 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• EARTHWORM a disparaging name for a person, esp. a mean or grovelling person ...1625
• EGG-SUCKER (derogatory) a worthless animal, esp. a dog; hence, a mean and worthless person ...1853 Amer. dial.
• EGG-SUCKING DOG a dog that robs the hen's nest; also applied to a mean and contemptible person ...1950 Amer. dial.
• FACE-THE-CLARTS † a low, plausible sneak; a mean, grovelling fellow ...1868 Sc.
• GROUCH-BOX a mean, bad-tempered person ...1965 Amer. dial.
• GULLION a contemptible and mean wretch; a soft, worthless fellow ...1825 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• HAINE † a term of reproach; a mean wretch, a niggard ...c1386
• HARDNOSE an angry, mean, or rude person; a tough man; an abusive offensively driving motorist ...1958 Amer. dial.
• HATCHEL a mean, bad-tempered person ...1969 Amer. dial.
• HAYNE † a term of reproach; a mean wretch, a niggard ...c1386
• HELLCAT a mean, spiteful or malicious person, esp. a woman; a reckless, impertinent, bad-tempered, or vexatious person; a troublemaker; a devil-may-care person; one who pesters or annoys ...1899 Amer. dial.
• HEYNE † a term of reproach; a mean wretch, a niggard ...c1386
• HILDING a contemptible, worthless person; a mean, base, cowardly fellow; a wretch ...1601 arch.
• HOG-GRUBBER † a mean, stingy, sneaking fellow; a close-fisted fellow; a miser, a niggard ...a1700
• IKEY-MO a mean person ...20C Aust. sl.
• JACK-COVE a mean, low fellow ...1859 sl.
• JASPER a mean or disagreeable person; one who behaves unacceptably ...1966 Amer. dial.
• JERRY-SNEAK a mean, sneaking fellow ...1824
• JEW (offensive) a mean person ...1606
• LAST OF THE BIG SPENDERS used ironically of a mean person ...1975 Aust. sl.
• LAST OF THE BIG-TIME SPENDERS used ironically of a mean person ...1975 Aust. sl.
• LEFT † a mean, worthless person ...1377
• LICK-SPITTLE a mean or abject parasite, sycophant, or toady; a servile flatterer; a contemptible, fawning person ...1825
• MEANIE a mean person ...1927 sl.
• MEANY a mean person ...1927 sl.
• NEETY-CUD a low fellow who commits mean actions ...1824 Sc.
• NICKEL SQUEEZER a mean, miserly person ...1920s US sl.
• NIPCHEESE a mean or miserly person; a parsimonious, covetous person; a skinflint ...1825
• NIPFARTHING † a mean miser; a skinflint; a niggardly person ...1566
• OFFALDMENT anything of no value; a mean, worthless person ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• OFFALMENT anything of no value; a mean, worthless person ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• OLD BIDDY an elderly, gossipy, or dissolute woman; a fussy, mean or quarrelsome old woman ...1938 colloq.
• OLD CAT a malicious or spiteful woman; a mean, cunning woman; a shrewish man ...1915 Amer. dial.
• OLD GOAT any elderly, disliked person, most often a man, but may be a woman; an elderly person disliked for being pompous, stingy, mean, stubborn, unsympathetic to younger people or the like ...20C US colloq.
• OLD HATCHEL a mean, bad-tempered person ...1969 Amer. dial.
• ORNERY CUSS a mean, bad-tempered person ...1965 Amer. dial.
• ORNERY OLD DEVIL a very mean person ...1965 Amer. dial.
• PICAYUNE a person or thing considered small, mean, or insignificant; something of slight value or trifling importance ...1804 Amer. colloq.
• PIKER a mean person ...sl.
• PISS-ANT a mean, bad-tempered, or contemptible person; an unimportant person ...1903 now chiefly Amer.
• PUG any young tough or mean man ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• PUKE a mean, contemptible fellow ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• RAMSCALLION an offensively dirty person; a vagrant of low, rude, worthless habits; a mean wretched fellow ...1733 now chiefly N. Eng. dial.
• RASCALLION * a low, mean or worthless wretch or rascal; a rogue, a knave ...1649
• RIP a reprobate; anything censurable; a shabby mean fellow ...1827 sl.
• SCADGE a mean, scrounging person; one who curries favour ...1896 Sc.
• SCADGER a term of abuse; a mean, contemptible person; someone who always wants a loan ...M19 sl.
• SCALDY a mean, cadging person ...20C Irish sl.
• SCALY a mean, stingy fellow ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCART a contemptible, good-for-nothing, scurvy fellow; a mean, niggardly person ...1825 Sc.
• SCODGY a mean, underhand fellow; a suspicious-looking person ...1824 Sc.
• SCOURY a mean, disreputable person; a blackguard ...1721 Sc.
• SCOWRIE a mean, disreputable person; a blackguard ...1721 Sc.
• SCRAT 1. anything very small and insignificant; a tiny child; a meagre, mean-looking person; the smallest coin ...1885 Sc. & Eng. dial.
2. a saving, industrious person; a mean, niggardly, contemptible fellow; a miser ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRAWL a mean or despicable person; a person of low rank ...1879 Eng. dial.
• SCRIMP a miser; a skinflint; a mean, niggardly person ...Bk1904 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• SCRINGE a searcher; esp. a child or animal who searches out things not intended for him; a mean, miserly person ...1892 Sc.
• SCROYLE † a mean fellow; a rascal, a scoundrel, a wretch; a term of contempt ...1595
• SCRUB any mean or ill-conditioned person or thing ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• SCUDDER a scoundrel, a rascal, a mischievous person; a rowdy, mean person ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SCUTTER a scoundrel, a rascal, a mischievous person; a rowdy, mean person ...1934 Amer. dial.
• SHABAROON † a mean-spirited person; a disreputable person; a good-for-nothing; a ragamuffin; a ragged person ...a1700 sl.
• SHARE-PENNY †* one who would shear a penny; a mean person of the worst kind; a niggard, a miser ...1606
• SHITEPOKE a mean, contemptible, or uncouth person ...1925 Amer. dial.
• SHITE-STICKS † a mean, miserly fellow ...1659
• SKANK a mean, mercenary person ...2000s sl.
• SKATE an unpleasant or despicable person; a mean, dishonest, or contemptible person, usually male ...1896 sl., chiefly US
• SKATER a mean or contemptible person ...L19 US sl.
• SKEESICK a mean, contemptible fellow; a rascal; a good-for-nothing; a worthless fellow; a mischievous child ...1858 Amer. dial.
• SKEESUCKS a mean, contemptible fellow; a rascal; a good-for-nothing; a worthless fellow; a mischievous child ...1891 Amer. dial.
• SKEEZACKS a mean, contemptible fellow; a rascal; a good-for-nothing; a worthless fellow; a mischievous child ...1875 Amer. dial.
• SKEEZECKS a mean, contemptible fellow; a rascal; a good-for-nothing; a worthless fellow; a mischievous child ...1850 Amer. dial.
• SKEEZICKS a mean, contemptible fellow; a rascal; a good-for-nothing; a worthless fellow; a mischievous child ...1890 Amer. dial.
• SKEEZIX a mean, contemptible fellow; a rascal; a good-for-nothing; a worthless fellow; a mischievous child ...1890 Amer. dial.
• SKINFLINT a mean person ...1700 UK
• SKUNK a thoroughly mean or contemptible person ...1841 colloq.
• SLUBBERDEGULLION a dirty, mean fellow; a worthless, slovenly fellow; a base, foul, nasty wretch ...a1616
• SMART IKE a mean or disagreeable person ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SNEAKBILL † a term of contempt; a mean, paltry, or sneaking fellow; a starved or thin-faced person ...1562
• SNEAKINS-MEAKINS a mean person ...1905 Amer. dial.
• SNIDE a mean, dishonest person ...E20 Amer. sl.
• SNITCH a contemptible person; one who is petty or mean ...1910s
• SNUDGE † a mean, avaricious person; a niggard, a miser, a stingy person; an intrusive, sponging fellow ...1545 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• SPALPEEN a disagreeable, miserable, or contemptible person; a low, mean, or good-for-nothing fellow; a worthless person; a rogue, a rascal, a scamp ...1815 Irish
• SUCKER a greenhorn; a mean, low fellow ...1758 sl.
• TAG-RAG * the rabble; the riff-raff; the common people; a member of the rabble; a low or despicable person; a pitiful, ragged fellow; a slovenly, lazy or dirty fellow; a mean person; a vagabond ...1609
• TEAL † a busybody; a mean fellow ...1804 Sc.
• TEIL † a busybody; a mean fellow ...1804 Sc.
• TIGHTWAD a mean person ...1906 sl., orig. & chiefly US
• VARLET a person of a low, mean, or knavish disposition; a have, a rogue, a rascal ...1555
• VINEGAR PISSER a miser; a mean person ...E17 sl.
• WAMPUS a mean, difficult or objectionable person; an offensive or loathsome person ...1912 Amer. dial.
• WAMPUS CAT a virago; a mean, difficult, or objectionable person ...1915 Amer. dial.
• WEASEL a mean, greedy or sneaking fellow ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• WHIFFMAGIG a trifler; an insignificant, contemptible person; a mean, paltry person ...1871
• YELDEN a mean, cowardly fellow; a woman of bad character ...1853 Eng. dial.
• YELDING a mean, cowardly fellow; a woman of bad character ...1853 Eng. dial.
• ZIPPER POCKETS a mean, grasping person ...1970s US sl.
MEAN - verbs
• BEMEAN to render mean or base; to lower in dignity, to abase ...1651
• DO ONE DIRTY to deceive, to mistreat, to treat meanly, to harm one, to injure, esp. underhandedly or by secret means ...1906 Amer. dial.
• HAVE ONE'S HAND ON ONE'S HALFPENNY to be mean, stingy; to look after one's own interests ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• KEEP ONE'S HAND ON ONE'S HALFPENNY to be mean, stingy; to look after one's own interests ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• SKIN A CAT to be extremely mean or niggardly ...1859
• SKIN A FLEA FOR ITS HIDE to be excessively mean and avaricious ...1868
• SKIN A FLEA FOR ITS HIDE AND TALLOW to go to great lengths to save money; to be avaricious, mean, niggardly, or stingy ...1819 Amer. dial.
• SKIN A FLINT to be extremely mean or niggardly ...1694
• SKIN A GNAT FOR A PENNY to go to great lengths to save money; to be avaricious, mean, or stingy ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SKIN A LOUSE FOR A CENT to go to great lengths to save money; to be avaricious, mean, or stingy ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SKIN A LOUSE to go to great lengths to save money; to be avaricious, mean, or stingy ...1803 Amer. dial.
• SKIN A LOUSE FOR HIS HIDE to go to great lengths to save money; to be avaricious, mean, or stingy ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SKIN A LOUSE FOR HIS HIDE AND TALLOW to go to great lengths to save money; to be avaricious, mean, or stingy ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SKIN A LOUSE FOR TALLOW to go to great lengths to save money; to be avaricious, mean, or stingy ...1965 Amer. dial.
MEAN (signify) - verbs
• BEMEAN † to mean, to signify, to import ...a1300
• BETOKEN † to signify, to mean; to denote, to express in words ...c1175
MEAN - phrases
• HE WOULDN'T GIVE YOU DAYLIGHT IN A DARK CORNER said of a person with a reputation for meanness ...1988 Sc. sl.
MEANDER - verbs
• WINGLE to wind in and out, to wind and twist, to meander ...1913 Amer. dial.
MEANDERING - adverbs
• CRINGLE-CRANGLE † zigzag, in a meandering, crooked manner ...1781 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
MEANING - adjectives
• AMBIFARIOUS † having a double meaning; that may be taken both ways ...1656
• DARKSOME characterized by obscurity of meaning ...1574
MEANING - nouns
• FUZZWORD a confusing term usually meant to obscure meaning ...Bk1990 sl.
• GUTS the essentials; the most important part; the inner and real meaning; the essence of a matter ...1663 UK
• IMPORTANCE † signification, meaning, purport ...1552
• IMPORTMENT † signification, meaning, purport ...a1624
• MEANT meaning; importance ...1852 Eng. dial.
• SIGNIFICATURE * significance; the meaning or import of something ...1855
MEANINGLESS - adjectives
• HAIVELESS senseless, meaningless ...1804 Sc.
• IMPORTLESS †* without import or significance; trivial, unimportant; meaningless ...1606
MEANINGLESS - nouns
• FANNY ADAMS nothing, anything meaningless, nonsense, rubbish ...1910s euphemism for 'fuck-all'
MEANLY - adverbs
• ILL-FAVOUREDLY meanly ...1776 Sc.
• NEAR thriftily; parsimoniously, meanly ...a1625
MEANNESS - nouns
• CAT POISON meanness ...1930 Amer. dial.
• FASTSHIP †* the quality of gripping tightly; parsimony, meanness, niggardliness ...a1225
• MEANERY meanness ...1845 Amer. dial.
• ONE-WAY POCKETS meanness ...1926 jocular
• PARVANIMITY smallness of mind, meanness, narrow-mindedness; also, an instance of this, or a person characterized by it ...a1691
MEANS - adjectives
• HARDPAN without money or means ...1928 Amer. dial.
MEANS - nouns
• HARDPAN a financial low point; a situation in which one is without money or means ...1870 Amer. dial.
• MIDSES † means, methods, ways ...1660 Sc.
• MIGHTS † means, power, help ...1787 Sc.
MEANS - verbs
• HAVE NO MORE SARK THAN WILL COVER ONE'S BACK to have no superfluity of means ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• RAISE THE WIND to procure money or necessary means ...a1350
MEAN-SPIRITED - adjectives
• DAPOCAGINOUS † that has a little or narrow heart; mean-spirited; of little worth ...1674
• NARROW mean-spirited, stingy ...c1696 sl.
• NARROW-SPIRITED mean-spirited, wanting in generous or liberal feelings ...1679
• OILY mean-spirited, tough ...1936 US sl.
• PUSILLANIMOUS lacking in courage and strength of mind; of weak spirit; faint-hearted, cowardly, mean-spirited ...1586
MEAN-SPIRITED - nouns, person
• SHABAROON † a mean-spirited person; a disreputable person; an ill-dressed, shabby fellow; a ragamuffin ...a1700 sl.
• SNEAKSBY * a mean-spirited person; a cowardly, creeping scoundrel; a paltry fellow; a sneak ...1580
• SNIBBLE-NOSE one who would save even the droppings of his nose; a term of reproach for a mean-spirited, covetous person; a niggardly miser ...1746 Eng. dial.
MEAN-TEMPERED - adjectives
• BAD-ASSED mean-tempered; belligerent; worthless ...1956 Amer. dial.
MEAN-TEMPERED - nouns, person
• BAD-ASS a belligerent or mean-tempered person ...1970 Amer. dial.
MEANWHILE - adverbs
• AMONG-HANDS between whiles, in the meantime ...1823 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• BETWIXT AND BETWEENTIMES meanwhile ...1954 Amer. dial.
• IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MEANTIME meanwhile ...1828 Sc.
• MEANEVERS meanwhile ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
MEASLES - nouns
• LIBERTY MEASLES German measles ...Amer. World War I sl.
• MALLS the measles ...1746 Eng. dial.
• MASERS † measles ...1561
• MEASLINGS the measles ...1671 Eng. dial.
• MEASLINS the measles ...1671 Eng. dial.
• MESLINGS the measles ...1671 Eng. dial.
• MEZLINGS the measles ...1671 Eng. dial.
• MIZZLINGS the measles ...1671 Eng. dial.
MEASLES - verbs
• MEASLE to catch measles ...1917 Amer. dial.
• RASSLE of an eruption of measles, etc.: to spread over the face ...B1900 Eng. dial.
MEASLY - adjectives
• INKLING paltry, measly ...1969 Amer. dial.
• JEEZLY measly ...1930 Amer. dial.
MEASURE - nouns
• MICKLE size, measure, bulk, height; frequently in plural ...1864 Eng. dial.
MEASURE - verbs
• ADMEASURE † to measure out ...1481
• ADMETIATE † to measure ...1612
• BEMETE † to measure ...c893
• MEACH to measure; to compare ...1884 Eng. dial.
• MEITCH to measure; to compare ...1884 Eng. dial.
• MENSURATE † to measure; to take the dimensions of; to ascertain the size, extent or quantity of ...1653
• METT to measure ...1773 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• TAKE † to measure off a length or distance ...1660
• TAPE OFF to measure out correctly ...1920s Aust. sl.
MEASUREMENT - nouns
• AXE HANDLE an imprecise unit of measurement, esp. when applied to the breadth of a man's shoulders or woman's buttocks ...1947 US sl.
• PANTOMETRY † universal measurement; a measuring of all things ...1656
• SCOWL OF BROW measurement by the eye; estimate by the eye instead of by rule or measurement ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCOWLY-BROW measurement by the eye; estimate by the eye instead of by rule or measurement ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
MEASUREMENT - verbs
• SCOWL OF BROW to do anything by the judgement of the eye instead of by strict measurement ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
MEASURING - nouns
• ELLWAND a measuring rod, an ell measure; a yard measure ...1660 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• MET-WAND a measuring-rod; a draper's yard-stick ...Bk1905 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MET-WOOD a measuring-rod; a draper's yard-stick ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MET-YARD a measuring-rod; a draper's yard-stick ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• Q WITH A LONG TAIL a measuring tape which winds up into a box ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• WAND † a measuring rod ...a1637
• YARD † a measuring-rod; a measuring-rod or stick of the length of three feet; a yard-stick ...c1000-1050 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial.
• YARD-BAND a tape-measure; a yard-stick ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• YARDEL †* a yard-measure ...1804
• YARDEN a yard-stick ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• YARD-WAND a three-foot rod for measuring; a yardstick ...a1400
MEAT - adjectives
• BEETHY of meat: underdone ...1790 Eng. dial.
• BOGGIE of meat: soft, in bad condition ...1935 Amer. dial.
• BOGGY of meat: soft, in bad condition ...1935 Amer. dial.
• BURNT TO A SCRATCHIN of meat: dried up and shrivelled from over-roasting ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• CAGGY of meat: tainted ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• DONE TO A SCRATCHIN of meat: dried up and shrivelled from over-roasting ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• FADY of meat: tainted, stale, 'high' ...1892 Eng. dial.
• GAMESOME gamy, having the appearance and taste of game which is high ...1909 Sc.
• GAMISH of meat, etc.: high, somewhat tainted, 'gamey' ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• HAYWIRE said of meat that has gone bad ...1966 Amer. dial.
• LAUTITIOUS †* sumptuous; luxurious; excellent; magnificent; chiefly said of meat ...1648
• SAM-SAWDERED half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1873 Eng. dial.
• SAM-SAWDLED half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1864 Eng. dial.
• SAM-SAWED half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1874 Eng. dial.
• SAM-SOD half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1825 Eng. dial.
• SAM-ZAWED half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1874 Eng. dial.
• SAM-ZOD half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1825 Eng. dial.
• SAM-ZODDEN half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1825 Eng. dial.
• SAM-ZODDERED half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1873 Eng. dial.
• SAPID of meat: high, tainted ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SAPPIE of cooked meat or flesh: succulent, savoury, juicy ...1721 Sc.
• SAPPY † 1. of meat, fish, etc.: juicy ...1536
2. of meat: putrescent, tainted ...1573 Eng. dial.
• SCRIMPT of meat: underdone in cooking ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• THAIN † of meat: raw, underdone ...1782 Sc.
• THANE † of meat: raw, underdone ...1782 Sc.
• UNCTUOUS of meat: greasy, fat, rich ...1495 arch.
MEAT - nouns
• BARK the hard outside of cooked or uncooked meat ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BOLOGNA all cold meats ...Bk1944 service sl.
• BULLAMACOW tinned meat ...1887
• BULLY BEEF canned meat ...World War II Amer. sl.
• CABROCH very lean meat; meat unfit for use ...1790 Sc.
• CAD carrion, offal, bad meat ...1876 Eng. dial.
• CAG bad or inferior meat; carrion ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• CAGMAG unwholesome, decayed, or loathsome meat; offal ...1847 Eng. dial. or vulgar
• CAG-MEAT inferior or diseased meat ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• CAPTAIN LIEUTENANT meat neither young enough for veal, nor old enough for beef ...Bk1891 sl.
• CARNISH meat ...Bk1891 thieves' sl.
• CARRION-ROW † a place where inferior meat or offal was sold ...1728
• DEADAS meat ...1990s W. Indies sl.
• DEADERS animal flesh, meat by-products eaten as food ...1980s W. Indies & UK Black teen sl.
• FALLEN MEAT the flesh of an animal that has died a natural death ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• FANNY ADAMS 1. tinned meat ...1889 Brit. naval sl.
2. meat stew ...1962 Brit. sl.
• FRIGO frozen or chilled meat ...1918 Brit. military sl.
• GARDEVIANCE † ventilated cupboard for meat ...1459
• HAGGERSNASH † offal, scraps of meat ...1808 Sc.
• HARRIET LANE preserved meat, esp. Aust. tinned meat ...1896 sl., chiefly Aust.
• HARSLET a piece of meat to be roasted, esp. part of the entrails of a hog; also, the heart, liver, etc. of other animals, as sheep, calf, etc. ...a1300
• HASLET a piece of meat to be roasted, esp. part of the entrails of a hog; also, the heart, liver, etc. of other animals, as sheep, calf, etc. ...a1300
• HORSE meat, esp. corned beef ...Bk1913-17 Amer. navy sl.
• IMRIGH the scent of roasted meat ...1824 Sc.
• KAGMAG unwholesome,.decayed, or loathsome meat; offal ...1847 Eng. dial. or vulgar
• KEEP †* a meat-safe ...1617
• KEG bad or inferior meat; carrion ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• KIMBERLEY OYSTER a meat fritter ...20C Aust. sl.
• KITCHEN-FEE † the fat that falls from meat in roasting
• LEATHER meat ...Amer. World War I sl.
• MACONOCHIE. meat stewed with vegetables and tinned, esp. as supplied to soldiers on active service ..1901 Brit. sl.
• MOUNTAIN GOAT any form of prison meat ...1940s US prison sl.
• NADKIN the taint which meat acquires from being kept too long; any close, strong, disagreeable odour ...Bk1841 Sc.
• NATKIN the taint which meat acquires from being kept too long; any close, strong, disagreeable odour ...Bk1841 Sc.
• ODDS AND ENDS scrap meat begged from a butcher for 'mulligan' ...1931 sl.
• QUARTERING the practice of distributing freshly slaughtered meat to one's neighbours ...1975 Amer. dial.
• QUAWK uncooked frozen meat or fish ...1947 Can. sl.
• RALLOCK a piece of meat ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• RASH of meat: a slice ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• SAF(F) meat from an animal that has died a natural death ...1892 Eng. dial.
• SCHOONER ON THE ROCKS joint of meat roasted on potatoes, or in batter ...1916 naval sl.
• SCRAB an undergrown, sickly, scraggy animal; poor meat ...1870 Sc.
• SCRAMBLINGS scraps of broken meat ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRAMS scraps of meat ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRIMMET a small piece of meat ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SHAMBLES † 1. tables or stalls for the sale of meat ...ME obs. exc. Eng. dial.
2. a place, esp. a row of covered stalls, for the sale of meat or fish; a meat market; generally, a market, a row of shops, etc. ...LME
• TAILLIE † a cut piece, a cut or slice of meat ...c1470 Sc.
• TAILYE † a cut piece, a cut or slice of meat ...c1470 Sc.
• TAILYIE a cut or slice of meat or boiling or roasting ...1811 Sc.
• TAILZIE † a cut piece, a cut or slice of meat ...c1470 Sc.
• TAYLIE a cut or slice of meat or boiling or roasting ...1811 Sc.
• TENNESSEE CHICKEN some meat other than chicken, esp. salt pork, bacon ...1966 Amer. dial.
• TIN DOG canned meat ...20C Aust. & NZ sl.
• TINNED DOG tinned meat ...1895 sl.
• UPCHUCK ground beef ...1996 US sl.
MEAT - nouns, person
• CAD-BUTCHER one who deals in unwholesome meat or carrion ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• CADDY-BUTCHER one who buys horses to sell for cat's-meat ...1888 Eng. dial.
• CAG-BUTCHER one who buys diseased meat, or animals that have died a natural death, for the purpose of selling as ordinary meat; a horse-slaughterer ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• SARCOPHAGE a flesh-eater, a meat-eater ...1852
• SARCOPHAGIST † a flesh-eater, a meat-eater ...1699
MEAT - verbs
• FAGE to sell bad meat ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• LEACH † to cut meat, etc. in slices; to slice ...a1400 obs. exc. arch.
• MAKE A GUT PLUNGE ON BUTCH among tramps: to attempt to beg meat of any kind, as from a butcher shop ...1929 Amer. tramps' sl.
• SCHNIBBLE to chop meat into small pieces; to dice ...1983 Amer. dial.
• SHAMBLE to cut up or slaughter, as in a slaughterhouse or shambles ...L16
MEATBALL - nouns
• MONKEY NUTS prison-cooked meatballs ...20C US prison sl.
MEAT LOAF - nouns
• DEAD MAN'S LEG meat-loaf ...1980s Aust. sl.
MECHANIC - nouns, person
• CAT DOCTOR a mechanic who services track-laying vehicles, as Caterpillar tractors; a tractor mechanic ...1956 US sl.
• GRAUNCHER an incompetent mechanic ...NZ
• GREASE MONKEY a mechanic, esp. one who works on cars or aircraft ...1928 colloq.
• GREASER a mechanic, esp. of motor vehicles ...Brit. sl.
• HANDYWRIGHT † a worker with his hands; a mechanic ...1674
• MECH a mechanic ...1918 Brit. sl.
• PARTS CHANGER in car repair: a mechanic who replaces parts until a problem is solved instead of diagnosing the problem at the outset ...1993 US sl.
• SHADE-TREE MECHANIC one who works out of his house or barn rather than at a dealership, service station, or garage; a country mechanic on a small scale ...1946 Amer. dial.
MECHANICAL - adjectives
• BANAUSIC * merely mechanical; proper to a mechanic ...1876
• HANDLY † used by the hands; manual; mechanical ...c1400
MEDAL - nouns
• CABBAGE medals and decorations ...1945 US military sl.
• CHEST HARDWARE military medals ...World War II US Armed Forces usage
• DANGLERS medals ...c1915 services' sl.
• DICK SHOT OFF the Distinguished Service Order, a medal for bravery ...1937 UK sl.
• FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY the three World War I campaign medals ...1919
• FRUIT SALAD a (copious or ostentatious) display of medals, or other decorations ...1943 sl.
• GONG a medal or decoration ...1921 UK sl.
• MUTT AND JEFF a particular pair of medals worn together, esp. the War Medal and the Victory Medal awarded to British service personnel who took part in World War I ...1937 Brit. sl.
• OBVERSE that side of a coin, medal, seal, etc., on which the head or principal design is struck; the opposite of 'reverse' ...1658
• OLD BOILED EGG an O.B.E. ...c1925 UK sl.
• PIP, SQUEAK, AND WILFRED the 1914-15 Star, War Medal, and Victory Medal, three medals awarded to British service personnel who took part in World War I ...1919 Brit. sl.
• ROOTY GONG a medal formerly awarded to members of the British Army in India ...1925 Brit. sl.
• RUPTURED DUCK a button given on discharge from the services ...1945 US sl.
• SCREAMING EAGLE a button given on discharge from the services ...1946 US sl.
• SPAM MEDAL a medal awarded to all members of a force, esp. (British) the 1939-45 Star, awarded to British service personnel who took part in World War II ...1945 sl.
MEDAL - verbs
• BE GIVEN THE RATIONS (derogatory) to get a service or other medal not awarded for gallantry ...1925 Brit. sl.
• COME UP WITH THE RATIONS (derogatory) to get a service or other medal not awarded for gallantry ...1925 Brit. sl.
• ADMISSURE †* pairing of animals, mating ...c1420
MATRIMONIAL - see MARRIAGE
MATTED - adjectives
• BALTERED tangled, clogged, matted together ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• MATTY matted, twisted, interwoven ...Bk1905 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• TAGGED of hair or wool: hanging in matted locks ...1757
• TATTED of hair, wool, etc.: matted, entangled, rough, shaggy, unkempt ...1721 Sc.
• TATTY tangled, matted, rough, unkempt, shaggy, ragged ...1817 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• TAUTED matted, esp. of the hair; shaggy; ragged ...1786 Sc.
• TAUTIE shaggy, matted, tangled, unkempt; of persons or animals: having a rough, shaggy head or coat ...1790 Sc.
• TAUTY shaggy, matted, tangled, unkempt; of persons or animals: having a rough, shaggy head or coat ...1790 Sc.
• TAWTIE shaggy, matted, tangled, unkempt; of persons or animals: having a rough, shaggy head or coat ...1790 Sc.
MATTED, MATTING - nouns
• HASSOCK anything growing in a thick, matted state; a thick, wooded shaw or little wood ...1886 Eng. dial.
• TAT a tuft of hair, wool, etc.; a matted mass; a small quantity ...Bk1905 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• TAUT a tangled matted tuft or lock of wool, hair, etc. ...1887 Sc.
MATTED - verbs
• BERK † to clot, to make matted ...a1550
• TAUT to mat, to tangle, to make matted or tangled ...1887 Sc. & Eng. dial.
MATTER - nouns
• GEAR † a matter, affair, business ...1545
• MEANING matter, consequence ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• SCORE matter, affair ...1790 Sc.
MATTER - verbs
• BOTHER ONE'S TIME to matter, to be of importance ...1933 Amer. dial.
• CUT CAKE to make a difference, to matter ...1964 US sl.
• DIFFER to matter, to make a difference ...1893 Amer. dial.
• FROST CAKE to make a difference, to matter ...1902 US sl.
• MAGNIFY to signify, to matter ...1733 Ireland & Eng. dial.
• NOT TO MATTER A FARTHING to matter very little ...1647
MATTER - phrases
• IT MAKES NO NEVER MIND it makes no difference; it is not an influencing factor ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
MATTERS - verbs
• HEAR HOW THE HARROWS ARE GOING to see how matters are progressing ...1889 Sc.
MATTRESS - nouns
• BISCUIT a square brown palliasse or mattress ...1917 military sl.
• HAYPILE a bed or mattress ...1904 Amer. sl.
• MARSH FEATHER(S) among loggers: hay used as a mattress or cushion ...1959 Amer. dial.
• MISSOURI FEATHERBED a mattress stuffed with 'prairie feathers' (straw) ...1961 Amer. dial.
• MOT-CART a mattress ...L19 sl.
• NAT † a mat; a straw mattress ...1361-2 obs. exc. N. Eng. dial.
MATURE - adjectives
• DRY BACK OF THE EARS experienced, mature ...1914 Amer. sl.
• DRY BEHIND THE EARS experienced; mature ...1911 Amer. sl.
• HAIRY-ARSED veteran, mature ...1960s sl.
• HAIRY-ASSED veteran, mature ...1960s sl.
• MAN-GROWN mature, grown-up, adult ...1883 Sc.
• MAN-LENGTH having reached the age of manhood, adult, mature ...1896 Sc.
• MANLY † 'grown up'; adult, mature ...1579
• RANK †* full-grown; mature ...c1000
MATURE - nouns, person
• FUDDY-DUDDY a mature man lacking masculinity ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• OLD BIRD a mature, older or old woman ...2003 UK sl.
MATURE, MATURITY - verbs
• SHED ONE'S BABY TEETH to reach (or have reached) the age by which maturity, experience, or shrewdness should have been gained ...1894 Amer. dial.
• SORT OUT THE MEN FROM THE BOYS distinguish which people in a group are truly mature, manly or competent ...colloq.
MATURED - adjectives
• ADULTED †* grown to maturity; matured ...1645
MATURITY - nouns
• MANOEUVRETY age of maturity ...1900 Ireland
• NATURE maturity; perfection ...1895 Eng. dial.
MAUDLIN - adjectives
• GUMMY sentimental; maudlin ...1940 Amer. sl.
• MAUDLING-DRUNK in a maudlin condition from drink ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• SUCKEY †* drunkish, maudlin ...a1700 sl.
MAUL - verbs
• BEMANG to hurt; to injure; to maul ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BEMAUL to maul; to bruise or soil by fighting or rough play ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• DEVEL to strike, to beat, to fell with a blow; to maul; to fall heavily ...1827 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MAGGLE † to mangle, to maul, to damage ...1456 Sc.
• MAMMOCK to tear into pieces; to mangle; to beat severely, to maul ...1828 Amer. dial.
• MOMOX to tear into pieces; to mangle; to beat severely, to maul ...1867 Amer. dial.
• MUX to handle, to paw over, to maul ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• NEW to oppress, to keep under, to master; to curb; to maul ...1768 Sc.
• PALM to lay hands on; to finger; to handle awkwardly; to maul ...1827 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• PAUM to lay hands on; to finger; to handle awkwardly; to maul ...1827 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• PICK AND MELL to maul; to beat ...Bk1905 Sc.
• SCLOMB to scratch as a cat; to maul ...1854 Eng. dial.
• SCLUM to scratch as a cat; to maul ...1854 Eng. dial.
• SCRAM to pull down violently; to tear off; to maul about ...1892 Eng. dial.
• SCRAMB to pull down violently; to tear off; to maul about ...1892 Eng. dial.
• SKLUM to scratch as a cat; to maul ...1854 Eng. dial.
• TINKER to batter, to maul ...1826 boxing sl.
• WALLOPSE to thrash, to beat, to maul, to handle ...1904 Amer. dial.
• WOPSE to maul, to handle ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
MAULING - nouns
• YOKING † a contest, a fight, a tussle; a mauling ...1660 Sc.
MAWKISH - adjectives
• SAPPY sentimental and mawkish ...L19 US sl.
• SCHMALTZY excessively sentimental; mawkish ...1935 sl., orig. US
MAXIMUM - adjectives
• FULL-ON maximum, complete, absolute, very ...1970 US
MAY - nouns
• MITCHELL DAY the first day of May ...1968 Amer. miners' usage
MAY - nouns, person
• JACK-IN-THE-GREEN a chimney sweep enclosed in a portable framework of boughs for the processions on the first of May ...Bk1896 sl.
• MAY-BIRD a person born in May ...1841 Sc.
• MAY-CAT a child born in May ...1879 Eng. dial.
• MAY-FOOL a person befooled on the 1st of May; an 'April fool'; a silly person, a dupe, a blockhead ...1869 Eng. dial.
• MAY-GOSLING a person befooled on the 1st of May; an 'April fool'; a silly person, a dupe, a blockhead ...1842 Sc. & Eng. dial.
MAYBE - adverbs
• AVES perhaps, maybe, but ...Bk1898 Ireland
• AVIS perhaps, maybe, but ...Bk1898 Ireland
• BELIKE perhaps, probably, maybe; surely ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• BELIKES perhaps, probably, maybe; surely ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• HAPLY by chance or accident; perhaps; maybe ...1362 now arch.
• HAPPEN perhaps, possibly, maybe ...1790 N. Eng. dial.
• HAPPENS perhaps, possibly, maybe ...1845 Eng. dial.
• HAPPILY by chance; perhaps; maybe ...1377 arch.
• HAPS † perhaps, maybe ...1589
• MEBBE maybe ...1825 Eng. dial.
• YEABLES possibly, maybe, perhaps ...1868 Sc.
• YIBBLES possibly, maybe, perhaps ...1868 Sc.
MAYFLY - nouns
• CANADIAN SOLDIER a mayfly ...1926 Amer. dial.
• EEL-FLY a mayfly ...1889 Eng. dial.
• SCOBBLOTCHER a mayfly ...1968 Amer. dial.
• SCOBOLOTCH a mayfly ...c1942 Amer. dial.
• SKOPLOTCH a mayfly ...1950 Amer. dial.
• TROUT FLY a mayfly, or similar insect ...1967 Amer. dial.
• TWENTY-FOUR-HOUR BUG a mayfly ...1960 Amer. dial.
• WILLOW BUG a mayfly ...1888 Amer. dial.
MAYONNAISE - nouns
• MAYO mayonnaise ...1954 colloq.
MEADOW - nouns
• DAGO a low-lying meadow; a kind of grassy marsh ...1955 Amer. dial.
• HAM a plot of pasture ground; in some places esp. meadow-land ...1901-9 Eng.
• HAY FARM a meadow ...1983 Amer. dial.
• ING a meadow, pasture, esp. low-lying land by the side of a stream or river, etc. ...1788 Eng. dial.
• LAND-MEAD † a tract of meadow land ...1577-87
• LEASE † pasture; pasturage; meadow-land ...a1000 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• LEASOW † pasture; pasturage; meadow-land ...c950 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• MEAD a meadow, a field ...1789 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MEAD-LANDS meadow-land ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• REACH a stretch of meadow land ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• SIKE †* a stretch of meadow; a field ...1479
• SYKE †* a stretch of meadow; a field ...1479
• VEGA a grassy plain, a meadow ...1850 Amer. dial.
MEAGRE - adjectives
• BALD bare or destitute of meaning or force; lacking in vividness of description; meagre, trivial, paltry ...1362
• CARRION-LEAN † meagre, very deficient ...1581
• EKEN lean, thin, meagre ...1908 Sc.
• FAT AS A HEN'S FOREHEAD, AS thin; small; meagre ...1939 Amer. dial.
• LENTEN † such as is appropriate to Lent; hence of provisions, diet, etc.: such as may be used in Lent, meagre; of clothing, expression of countenance, etc.: mournful-looking, dismal ...1577-87
• SCRAE spare, meagre, lean ...1846 Sc.
• SCRANNY thin, meagre, scraggy; withered, wrinkled ...1878 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SCRANNY-LOOKING thin, meagre, scraggy; withered, wrinkled ...1878 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SCRIMY meagre, skimpy ...1943 Amer. dial.
• SILLY † scanty, sorry, meagre, poor ...1593
• SKIMP scanty; meagre ...1775
• SKIMPY scanty, meagre; stinted or stunted in some respect ...1847
• SKRAE spare, meagre, lean ...1846 Sc.
• THURDLED meagre ...1892 Eng. dial.
MEAGRELY - adverbs
• JEJUNELY meagrely, insipidly ...1615
MEAGRENESS - nouns
• EGESTUOSITY †* meagreness, poverty ...1656
• JEJUNENESS deficiency of physical substance; thinness, meagreness, attenuation ...1626
• JEJUNENESS emptiness of interest or intellectually satisfying quality; baldness, meagreness, poverty ...1655
• JEJUNITY emptiness of interest or intellectually satisfying quality; baldness, meagreness, poverty ...1623
• PARCITY † scantiness, meagreness, smallness ...1509
MEAL - adjectives
• CENATICAL * pertaining to dinner or supper ...1725
• CENATORY †* pertaining to dinner or supper ...1650
• LARGE * of a meal: heavy, abundant ...1748
• MEAT-RIFE ready for meals ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• NERVOUS of a dessert or salad: having a jelly-like consistency ...1936 Amer. dial. jocular
• PICKED-UP of a meal: consisting of leftovers ...1771 Amer. dial.
• PICK-UP of a meal: consisting of leftovers ...1848 Amer. dial.
MEAL - adverbs
• AL DESKO of a meal: consumed at your desk at work ...1981 US sl.
MEAL - nouns
• ABA-DABA dessert ...1961 Amer. sl.
• ABDABS 'afters'; the second course, if any ...WWII sl.
• AFTERS the course of a meal that comes after the main course ...1909 Brit. sl.
• AFTERSUPPER dessert ...1972 Amer. dial.
• ANDERS-MEAT luncheon ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• BACK-UP a second helping of food ...20C Aust. sl.
• BAGGING food eaten between regular meals; an afternoon meal ...1750 Eng. dial.
• BAIT 1. food, refreshment; a feed for horses, or slight repast for travellers, upon a journey; light refreshment taken between meals ...1570
† 2. a hasty meal like a traveller's; a snack ...1662
• BAIT-TIME the time for taking food ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BAKE a meal or food usually prepared by baking ...1939 Amer. dial.
• BANQUET † 1. a slight repast between meals ...1509
† 2. a course of sweetmeats, fruit, and wine, served either as a separate entertainment, or as a continuation of the principal meal; in the latter case usually in a different room; a dessert ...1523
† 3. a sweetmeat; a dainty dish; collectively, sweetmeats, dessert ...1534
• BAVER slight refreshment taken between meals either at 11 a.m. or 4 p.m.; occasionally applied also to a regular meal ...1691 Eng. dial.
• BEANFEAST n. a festive meal or other entertainment; in modern use, usually with the implication of indulgence at others' expense ...1897 Brit. sl.
• BEANO a festive entertainment frequently terminating in a noisy frolic or spree; a large meal ...1888 sl.
• BEAVER slight refreshment taken between meals either at 11 a.m. or 4 p.m.; occasionally applied also to a regular meal ...1691 Eng. dial.
• BIGGIN † an afternoon meal ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BITE a small meal or snack ...1899 sl.
• BLAW-OUT a good meal; a great display or feast ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BLOW-OUT a feast, entertainment; a large meal ...1821 sl.
• BREAD AND SKIP a scanty meal ...1976 Amer. dial.
• BREAD AND WITH IT a meal of more than just bread ...1942 Amer. dial.
• BRING-AND-SHARE a potluck dinner ...1970 Amer. dial.
• BURNT OFFERING burned food; a badly cooked meal ...Bk1990 Amer. sl.
• BURST a large meal; a big feed, a 'blow-out' ...1881 colloq.
• CAFFRE'S LIGHTENER a full meal ...c1860 S. Afr. sl.
• CAKE a meal provided as compensation in addition to wages ...1973 US sl.
• CAKES a performer's daily meals ...1906 US theatre sl.
• CARRY-IN a potluck meal ...1965 Amer. dial.
• CENATION † meal-taking; dining, supping ...1599
• CHANGE dessert ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• CHECK a snack or light meal ...1775 Amer. dial.
• CHOW food; a meal ...US Civil War usage
• CHUCK a meal; 'grub' ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• DAB a slight meal, a snack ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• DEADENER an enormous meal eaten after having been deprived of food for some time ...1927 Amer. dial.
• DIENEN a meal, dinner; sufficient for a meal ...Bk1900 Sc.
• DIET-TIME meal-time ...1787 Sc.
• DIN-DIN dinner; a meal ...1905 UK children's vocabulary
• DIN-DINS dinner; a meal ...1920 UK children's vocabulary
• DISJUNE the first meal of the day, breakfast ...1491 chiefly Sc. arch.
• DUCK'S DINNER n. a drink of water, but no food to accompany it ...1990s Aust. sl.
• EAT † the act of eating; a meal ...c1000
• EATING an act of taking food; a meal; also, a way or manner of feeding ...1483 arch.
• EATS food, a meal ...1782 UK
• EAT-UP a meal ...1910s Aust. sl.
• E'ENSHANKS † an afternoon or early evening meal ...1824 Sc.
• ELEVENSES light refreshment taken at about 11 am ...1887 sl.
• FEAST-BED † a couch for reclining at meals, a triclinium ...a1661
• FEAST IN THE WILDERNESS a box-lunch supper ...1950 Amer. dial.
• FEED a meal; a sumptuous meal; a feast; a full meal ...1808
• FEED BAG a meal ...1929 Amer. dial.
• FEEDING a meal, esp. an abundant or elaborate one ...1966 Amer. dial.
• GASH a second helping of food ...1943 Aust. sl.
• GORGE a large amount of food, a surfeit; a heavy meal ...1894 Amer. dial.
• GREASE a meal, dinner ...1975 Amer. college sl.
• GRUB a meal, a feed ...c1855 sl.
• GRUBBINS food, provisions; a meal ...1847 Amer. sl.
• GRUB-PILE a meal ...1871 Amer. West sl.
• GRUNT a meal, dinner ...1972 US Black sl.
• GUT SAUSAGE a poor man's meal; cornmeal suet and in an intestine ...1958 Can. sl.
• GUZZLE the eating of a meal ...M19 sl.
• HASH-UP a hastily cooked meal ...1902 sl.
• HOT a hot meal ...1926 US sl.
• INSIDE-LINING food; a dinner ...1851 Eng. dial.
• JIMMY SKINNER a dinner ...Bk1896 rhyming sl.
• KAFFIR'S TIGHTENER a large, heavy meal ...M19 S. Afr. sl.
• KAIL a main meal, dinner ...1807 Sc.
• KENTUCKY BREAKFAST a 'meal' which includes or consists of liquor, usually bourbon; 'a three-pound steak, a bottle of whisky, and a dog - the dog is to eat the beefsteak' ...1882 Amer. dial.
• LILLEY AND SKINNER dinner ...1920s rhyming sl.
• LIQUID LUNCH a midday meal at which more alcoholic drink than food is consumed ...1963 sl.
• LOBLOLLY food in general, esp. an unappetizing meal ...1916 Amer. dial.
• MANGE † a meal ...a1605
• MANGER † a sumptuous meal; a banquet ...c1420
• MEALERY a place that provides meals to those living elsewhere ...1880 Amer. dial.
• MEAL-OF-MEAT food enough for one meal; the food taken at a meal; a meal ...1898 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MEAL OF VICTUALS a meal; food enough for a meal ...1895 Amer. dial.
• MEAL'S MEAT food enough for one meal; the food taken at a meal; a meal ...1880 Eng. dial.
• MEAL'S VICTUALS food enough for one meal; the food taken at a meal; a meal ...1830 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• MEAL'S VITTLES a meal; food enough for a meal ...1878 Amer. dial.
• MEALTIDE † meal-time; the hour for a meal; the customary time of taking food; also, a meal, food ...c1200 obs. exc. Sc.
• MEAT food in general, victuals, board; a meal ...1802 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MELTITH a meal ...1768 Sc.
• MENTITH a meal; a dish ...1897 Sc.
• MESS 1. a dish of food; a quantity of food sufficient for a dish or a meal ...1697 Eng. & Amer. dial.
2. a meal, a dinner; an allowance of food ...1813 Sc.
• MICHAEL WINNER dinner ...1990s rhyming sl.
• MIDRATS a meal served between midnight and 1 am; 'midnight rations' ...1973 US sl.
• MUG-UP a snack; a meal, a drink ...1933 sl., chiefly Can. & nautical
• MUNCHIE a snack or small meal; food ...1959 sl., orig. US
• MUNCH-OUT a large meal ...1970s US college sl.
• MUNCHY a snack or small meal ...1950s sl., orig. US
• NACKET a snack or lunch, a slight repast; a piece of bread eaten at noon ...1789 Sc.
• NAMMET a luncheon; esp. one eaten in the field by farm-labourers either in the middle of the morning or of the afternoon; a plain meal without meat; food generally ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• 'NER dinner ...1969 US sl.
• NIGGER-IN-A-BLANKET (derogatory) a dessert usually made of raisins in dough ...1944 Amer. West. sl.
• NOSE-BAG a meal, as dinner ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• NOSH a meal; a period of eating; meal time ...1964 UK sl.
• NOSH UP a meal; a period of eating; meal time ...1964 UK sl.
• NUMBER a meal ...Aust. sl.
• OFF-PUT a makeshift; a hasty meal ...1882
• ORDINARY † customary fare; a regular daily meal or allowance of food; by extension, a fixed portion, an allowance of anything ...1481
• PACKING dinner ...1889 Eng. dial.
• PARNELL SHOUT shared payment for food or drinks ...1910s NZ sl.
• PARRITCH-HOUR a mealtime (parritch = porridge) ...1821 Sc.
• PIECE MEAL a snack or light meal ..1946 Amer. dial.
• PITCH-IN DINNER a potluck meal ...1965 Amer. dial.
• PRANDICLE †* a breakfast, a little dinner, a small meal ...1656
• PUDS pudding (rhymes with 'goods') ...sl.
• RUNNING BANQUET † a slight repast between meals; a snack ...1613
• SAINT AND SINNER dinner ...1992 UK rhyming sl.
• SAND † a serving of food, a course ...a700
• SAULEE † satisfaction of appetite; a satisfying meal or quantity of food ...1377
• SCAMBLING an irregular meal ...1873 Eng. dial.
• SCRANNY food, esp. various bits of food, leftovers, broken victuals, etc. thrown together for an impromptu meal, or a meal taken onto their job by a labourer ...E18 sl.
• SCRAN-TIME meal-time ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SHACKLE-UP a midday meal cooked at the roadside ...1930s tramps' sl.
• SIT-DOWN a free sit-down meal ...1919 Amer. tramps' sl.
• SLAP-UP a large and splendid meal ...1889 Brit. sl.
• SLUMP a dessert consisting of stewed fruit with a biscuit or dough topping ...M19 US, chiefly local
• SOUPIE a meal or a summons to a meal ...1899 US military sl.
• SOUPY a meal or a summons to a meal ...1899 US military sl.
• SPREAD a large meal ...1822 sl.
• SUBCHARGE † a second dish or course ...c1480
• TABLE the company at dinner or at a meal ...1602
• TABLE-BOARD board. i.e. meals, without lodging ...1884 US
• TEA-BAGGING the afternoon meal or tea ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• TIFFIN in India and neighbouring eastern countries: a light midday meal; luncheon ...1800 Anglo-Indian
• TOPPING dessert; a dessert ...1926 Amer. dial.
• TOP TASTE dessert; a dessert ...1991 Amer. dial.
• TUCK-IN a large meal ...1886 sl.
• TUREEN DINNER a potluck meal ...1909 Amer. dial.
• UGGIN a lunch, a light meal, a snack, frequently of some delicacy or sweetmeat ...a1838 Sc.
• UGGINS a light meal, a snack, frequently of some delicacy or sweetmeat ...a1838 Sc.
• UNCH † a nuncheon, a light meal, a snack ...1668 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• UNDERMEAL † a slight afternoon meal ...c1440
• UNDERN a light luncheon; a light meal partaken of in the middle of the morning or the afternoon; the time allotted to such a repast ...1691 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• VESPER an afternoon or evening meal or refreshment ...1882 Amer. dial.
• WALL-TEA a tea at which the guests sit round the room instead of at the table ...1896 Sc.
• WARAP a cheap meal made of fish or meat and 'ground-provisions', i.e. locally available starchy roots, all boiled up together ...20C W. Indies
MEAL - nouns, person
• GRUB-LINER one who travels from ranch to ranch for meals ...1912 Amer. West sl.
• GRUB-RIDER one who travels from ranch to ranch for meals ...1920 Amer. West sl.
MEAL - verbs
• BEGIN to say grace before a meal ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CLEAR DECKS to clear the table after a meal ...M19 nautical sl.
• DINE WITH DUKE HUMPHREY to go without dinner or a meal ...1746
• DRUM UP to prepare a makeshift meal ...1923 sl.
ׇ• EAT to provide a meal or meals for ...1837 US jocular
• EAT A PECK OF SALT WITH ANYONE to share many meals with anyone ...1737 Sc.
• FLY LIGHT to miss a meal; to be hungry ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• GO TO PECKHAM to go to, to sit down to a meal ...19C colloq.
• GREASE ONE'S GILLS to make a good or luxurious meal; to have a good feed; to eat heartily ...Bk1860 sl.
• HAVE A HOLIDAY AT PECKHAM to go without a meal ...c1790 sl.
• HAVE TWINS to take dinner and tea at one meal ...B1900 Amer. sl.
• KISS THE HARE'S FOOT † to be late for meals; to be late for anything ...1613-16
• NOSH to eat; to have a snack or a meal ...Aust. sl.
• PUT ONE'S NAME IN THE POT to count on in planning a meal ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• READ ONE'S PLATE to say grace before a meal ...20C US sl.
• SADDLE THE SPIT to host a dinner or supper ...L18 sl.
• SHACKLE UP to cook a midday meal ...1930s tramps' sl.
• UGG † to eat a light meal; to give someone an extra meal; to feed someone well ...1866 Sc.
• WAIT ON THE TABLE to say grace before a meal ...1911 Amer. dial.
• WHIP UP to speedily prepare a dish or meal ...1849 sl.
MEAL - phrases
• ABOVE THE SALT seated at the upper half of the table, and there among the guests of distinction ...Bk1895
• GRAB IT AND GROWL said when you're having company for a meal, and you want them to take their places at the table ...1966 Amer. dial.
MEAN - adjectives
• ADELE vindictive, mean, bitchy ...2000s S. Afr. gay sl.
• AIM mean, stingy, 'near' ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• AIRTIGHT extremely mean ...1970s sl.
• ALL COP AND NO BLUE said of a mean person or attitude ...L19 sl.
• ASSY mean; malicious; stubborn; impolite; sarcastic; debased ...1980s sl.
• AUCHIMUTY mean, paltry ...Bk1898 Sc.
• BACK-DOOR mean, stealthy, underhand, devious, cunning, untrustworthy ...Bk1898 N. Ireland
• BARE audacious; also, mean, base ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BEGGARY † beggarly, poor; mean, contemptible ...1542
• BORE a mean, bad-tempered person ...1965 Amer. dial.
• CAFF-HEARTED faint-hearted, timid, cowardly; of a worthless, mean disposition ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• CAFFY worthless, mean ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• CAFT faint-hearted, timid, cowardly; of a worthless, mean disposition ...1830 Eng. dial.
• CAITIFF vile, base, mean, basely wicked; worthless, miserable, wretched ...a1300
• CARLISH churlish, clownish, vulgar, coarse; rude, mean ...a1240
• CHEAP mean, ungenerous ...1904 US sl.
• CHICKEN strictly conventional in conduct; following rules too closely, esp. Army; misusing authority; petty, mean ...20C US sl.
• CLOSE-FISTED mean, grudging
• CLOSE-HANDED mean, grudging
• CRAB perverse; ill-humoured, mean, cross ...1961 UK sl.
• CROPIN' stingy, niggardly, mean ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• CROW poor; mean; trivial; insignificant; worthless ...Bk1914 criminals' sl.
• CRUSTY dirty, mean, contemptible ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• DIRTY contemptible, paltry; mean, dishonest ...Bk1900 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• DOG-BOLT † wretched, miserable, mean, base, degraded, contemptible ...1580
• EATHLY † of a person: low in station; mean in character ...c1200
• EGG-SUCKING (derogatory) disgusting, mean, contemptible ...1875 Amer. dial.
• FAST † close-fisted, mean, niggardly ...c1175
• FAUSTY irascible, angry, low, mean, cross; pert, impertinent, impudent, self-important; frisky, mettlesome ...1890 Amer. dial.
• FEEBLE † in moral sense: mean, base, contemptible ...c1250
• FEISTY irascible, argumentative, touchy, angry, low, mean, cross; pert, impertinent, impudent, self-important; frisky, mettlesome ...1890 Amer. dial.
• FICETY irascible, angry, low, mean, cross; pert, impertinent, impudent, self-important; frisky, mettlesome ...1890 Amer. dial.
• FISTY irascible, angry, low, mean, cross; pert, impertinent, impudent, self-important; frisky, mettlesome ...1890 Amer. dial.
• FYSTY irascible, angry, low, mean, cross; pert, impertinent, impudent, self-important; frisky, mettlesome ...1890 Amer. dial.
• HAGGERSHANK † stingy, mean ...1913 Sc.
• HEAN † mean, abject, poor; humble, lowly; abased, ignoble; miserable, wretched, dejected, humiliated; of little importance, trivial ...c825
• HEART-BOUND † having the heart shut up or fast-closed to a person; pitiless, hard-hearted, mean, stingy ...1616
• HENE † mean, abject, poor; humble, lowly; abased, ignoble; miserable, wretched, dejected, humiliated; of little importance, trivial ...c825
• HIDEBOUND † stingy, niggardly, mean ...L16
• HILDING cowardly, spiritless, base, menial, mean, wretched ...1581 arch.
• HUNGRY stingy, mean ...1855 Aust. sl.
• ILL-FAVOURED ill-tempered; ill-natured; mean ...1895 Sc.
• IRON-FISTED close-fisted, niggardly, covetous, miserly, stingy, mean ...1826
• ISLE OF WIGHT mean, grasping ...20 C rhyming sl. for 'tight'
• KARLISH churlish, clownish, vulgar, coarse; rude, mean ...a1240
• LITTLE-WORTH † of worthless, mean, bad, or contemptible character ...c1200 obs. exc. arch. & Sc.
• LIVER-FACED mean and cowardly ...1834
• LOWDOWN contemptible, base, mean ...colloq.
• LOWER THAN WHALE SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MANGY cowardly, mean ...1896 Eng. dial.
• MARY ANN(E) vile; low; mean; ugly ...1872 Amer. dial.
• MEAN AS CATSHIT AND TWICE AS NASTY extremely ungenerous ...1930s sl.
• MEAN AS PIGSHIT AND TWICE AS NASTY extremely ungenerous ...1930s sl.
• MEAN AS THE OLD SCRATCH very mean ...1909 Amer. dial.
• MEAN ENOUGH TO PUSH A WIDOW WOMAN'S DOG IN THE WELL very mean ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEAN ENOUGH TO STEAL ACORNS FROM A BLIND HOG as mean as may be ...1867 Amer. dial.
• MEAN ENOUGH TO TAKE A LOLLIPOP FROM A BABY very mean ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN A CAT'S TAIL extremely mean, unkind, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN A CUT CAT very mean ...1950s sl.
• MEANER THAN A PINCHING BUG very mean ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN BILLY-BE-DAMNED very mean ...1968 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN CAT DUNG extremely mean, unkind, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN CATFISH very mean, unpleasant ...1969 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN CAT MANURE extremely mean, unkind, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN CAT PISS extremely mean, unkind, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN CAT SHIT extremely mean, unkind, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN CAT SHIT AND A DAMN SIGHT NASTIER extremely mean, unkind, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN CAT WATER extremely mean, unkind, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN COW SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN HEN SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN HOG SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD BILLY very mean, unpleasant...1969 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD BILLY HELL very mean ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD COOT very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD DEVIL very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD DEVIL HISSELF very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD DICK very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD HARRY very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD NICK very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD ROT very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD SATAN very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD SCRATCH very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD SCROOGE very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OLD VARMINT very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN OWL'S SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN THE ITCH very mean ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN SKUNK SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN SNAKE SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN THE OLD SCRATCH very mean, unpleasant ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN THE SEVEN-YEAR ITCH very mean ...1967 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN TOPHET very mean, 'meaner than hell' ...1968 Amer. dial.
• MEANER THAN WHALE SHIT very mean, contemptible, despicable ...1965 Amer. dial.
• MEANY mean; irritable ...1941 Amer. dial.
• MEASLY mean, miserly ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MINGEY tight-fisted, mean ...UK playground sl.
• MINGY mean, ungenerous, stingy ...1911 Brit. sl.
• MISERABLE tight-fisted, grasping, mean ...M19 Aust. sl.
• NACKLE-ASS of persons and things: poor, mean, inferior, paltry ...Bk1903 Eng. dial.
• NARRISH thrifty, mean ...L19 US society usage
• NARROW † sparing, close, parsimonious, mean, stingy ...a1225 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• NARROW-CONTRACTED narrow-minded; stingy, mean, ungenerous ...1909 Amer. dial.
• NARROW-GUTTED stingy, mean, ungenerous ...1903 Amer. dial.
• NARROW-HARSED narrow-minded; mean, stingy, barely honest ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• NARROW-HEARTED mean, ungenerous, ignoble ...c1200
• NARROW-SOULED mean, stingy ...a1700 N. Eng. dial.
• NEAR niggardly, miserly, stingy, parsimonious, frugal, mean, greedy, covetous ...1616
• NIGGISH † niggardly, miserly, stingy, mean, parsimonious ...1542
• NIPCHEESE mean, miserly, niggardly ...1819
• OILY mean-tempered; tough, mean, unpleasant, troublesome, unruly, obstinate ...1936 Amer. dial.
• ORNERY inferior, poor, insignificant, worthless, contemptible, mean, immoral ...1816 Amer. dial.
• ORNERY AS AN EGG-SUCKING HOUND mean, contemptible, disgusting ...1985 Amer. dial.
• ORNERY AS THE DEVIL, AS mean, bad-tempered ...1965 Amer. dial.
• PALTERLY † paltry, mean, shabby, worthless, mean...1666-7 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• PALTHERLY paltry, worthless, mean ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• PARTAN-HANDED close-fisted, stingy, mean, miserly, grasping, tight-fisted ...1823 Sc.
• PAULTERLY paltry, worthless, mean ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• PECKSNIFFIAN making high pretensions to benevolence and virtue while really mean, selfish, and hypocritical ...1844
• PICAYUNE mean, contemptible, paltry; of small value or importance ...1856 Amer. colloq.
• PICAYUNISH mean, petty ...US & Can. colloq.
• PIMPING petty, mean ...1792 Amer. dial.
• POISON mean, hateful, vicious; extreme; treacherous ...1834 Amer. dial.
• RAGABASH contemptible, mean, paltry; good-for-nothing ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• RANTANKEROUS quarrelsome, argumentative, cantankerous; unruly, mean, bad ...c1832 US colloq.
• RASCAL † wretched, mean ...1585
• RASCALLY wretched, miserable, mean ...1606
• ROINISH mean, base ...LME arch.
• ROINOUS † coarse, mean, paltry, base, nasty, contemptible ...c1366
• SCABBED mean, paltry, worthless, petty; ill-looking, shabby ...1794 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SCABBIT mean, worthless, shabby, paltry ...1701 Sc.
• SCABBY dirty, shabby; worthless; mean, stingy; contemptible ...1851 Eng. dial.
• SCALY miserly, stingy, mean; thievish, dishonest, tricky ...1851 Eng. dial.
• SCAWT scruffy, mean, contemptible, scanty, niggling; short of due measure ...c1715 Sc.
• SCODGE a mean, sneaking fellow ...1900 Sc.
• SCOOTIE low, mean, beggar-like ...Bk1904 Sc.
• SCOTCH stingy, frugal, mean, greedy in money matters ...1932 Amer. dial.
• SCOTCHY stingy, frugal, mean, greedy in money matters ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SCOTTISH stingy, frugal, mean, greedy in money matters ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SCOURY mean in conduct; niggardly; idle; disreputable ...1721 Sc.
• SCOWRIE mean in conduct; niggardly; idle; disreputable ...1721 Sc.
• SCRANNY mean, niggardly ...1884 Eng. dial.
• SCRAWBY mean, stingy, niggardly ...1881 Eng. dial.
• SCRAWLING mean, despicable, paltry; worthless, miserably small ...1876 Eng. dial.
• SCRAWVLIN † poor and mean ...1825 Eng. dial.
• SCRIMITY mean, stingy, niggardly ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRIMMETY mean, stingy, niggardly ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• SCRIMPY scanty, small, pinched; puny, miserable; mean, niggardly ...1865 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SCRIMY dirty, contemptible, mean ...1931 Amer. dial.
• SCROBY mean, stingy, niggardly ...1881 Eng. dial.
• SHISTY cold-hearted, mean ...2004 US sl.
• SHNIDE false, counterfeit, sham, bogus, phony, fake; hence, mean, contemptible, underhand ...1859 UK
• SINGLE-SOLED † of persons: poor, mean, of little account or worth; insignificant ...1588
• SKINNY mean, miserly, niggardly, stingy ...1833
• SNEAKBILL † mean, paltry, sneaking ...1611
• SNEAKINS-MEAKINS mean ...1905 Amer. dial.
• SNIDE mean, contemptible, underhand; mean; nasty, esp. in an insinuating way ...1859 UK
• SNIDEY mean, contemptible, underhand ...1859 UK
• SNIFTY disdainful, haughty, fault-finding; petty, mean ...1871 Amer. sl.
• SNOEP mean, greedy, selfish, stingy ...1960s S. Afr.
• SNUDGE mean, miserly, crabby ...1855 Eng. dial.
• STERQUILINIOUS †* pertaining to a dunghill; hence, dirty, mean, paltry ...c1645
• STREAKY mean ...Bk1904 sl.
• STRINGY-BARK rough, uncultured; hence mean, ne'er-do-well ...1833 Aust. sl.
• TARRANT mean, disreputable ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• TIGHT mean, ungenerous ...1805 sl.
• TIN mean, petty, worthless, counterfeit, false ...1886
• TINKERLY clumsy, bungling, unskilful; of poor quality; mean, low, disreputable ...1586
• TINNY mean, grasping ...1930s Aust. & NZ sl.
• UNDALA mean, despicable ...Bk1905 Sc.
• UNDALI mean, despicable ...1825 Sc.
• UNDERMINDED sly, deceptive, double-faced; underhand, mean, treacherous ...1902 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• YALD † mean, niggardly, parsimonious ...1825 Sc.
MEAN - nouns, person
• ALTA KAKER a mean and nasty old man ...1968 US sl.
• ALTER KOCKER a mean, disgusting and nasty old man ...1943 US sl.
• AZZALD a silly, insignificant, mean person ...1830 Eng. dial.
• AZZARD a silly, insignificant, mean person ...1790 Eng. dial.
• BAD-ASS NIGGER a troublemaker; a mean person ...1900s US Black sl.
• BAD-ASSED NIGGER a troublemaker; a mean person ...1900s US Black sl.
• BEGGAR a term of contempt; a mean or low fellow ...a1300
• BEZONIAN † as a term of contempt: a needy beggar, a poor wretch; a base fellow, a mean, low person; a knave, a rascal, a scoundrel ...1592
• BIDDY a fussy, mean or quarrelsome old woman ...1938 sl.
• BLACKHEART a mean or ill-tempered person ...1968 Amer. dial.
• BOLL WEEVIL a worthless or contemptible person; a mean, despised person ...1941 Amer. dial.
• CAT a malicious or spiteful woman; a mean, cunning woman; a shrewish man ...1915 Amer. dial.
• CAITIFF a base, mean, despicable person; a villain ...1250 arch.
• CHAPULIN a person of a mean or petty disposition ...1932 Amer. dial.
• CHEAP CHARLIE a mean person ...1965 US sl., chiefly military usage
• CHINCH a miserly or mean person; a stingy person ...a1300
• CLUSTERFIST a close-fisted, mean, or grasping fellow; a miserly fellow, a niggard ...1652
• CULLION † a term of great contempt; a base, despicable, or vile fellow; a bad fellow; a mean wretch; a scoundrel, a rascal ...1575
• DEAD ONE a useless, unsociable, impoverished, or mean person ...L19 US sl.
• DOG-BOLT † a term of contempt or reproach applied to a person; a contemptible fellow; a mean wretch or villain ...1465
• DUST-WORM † a 'worm of the dust', a mean, despicable, or grovelling person; a term of reproach ...1621 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• EARTHWORM a disparaging name for a person, esp. a mean or grovelling person ...1625
• EGG-SUCKER (derogatory) a worthless animal, esp. a dog; hence, a mean and worthless person ...1853 Amer. dial.
• EGG-SUCKING DOG a dog that robs the hen's nest; also applied to a mean and contemptible person ...1950 Amer. dial.
• FACE-THE-CLARTS † a low, plausible sneak; a mean, grovelling fellow ...1868 Sc.
• GROUCH-BOX a mean, bad-tempered person ...1965 Amer. dial.
• GULLION a contemptible and mean wretch; a soft, worthless fellow ...1825 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• HAINE † a term of reproach; a mean wretch, a niggard ...c1386
• HARDNOSE an angry, mean, or rude person; a tough man; an abusive offensively driving motorist ...1958 Amer. dial.
• HATCHEL a mean, bad-tempered person ...1969 Amer. dial.
• HAYNE † a term of reproach; a mean wretch, a niggard ...c1386
• HELLCAT a mean, spiteful or malicious person, esp. a woman; a reckless, impertinent, bad-tempered, or vexatious person; a troublemaker; a devil-may-care person; one who pesters or annoys ...1899 Amer. dial.
• HEYNE † a term of reproach; a mean wretch, a niggard ...c1386
• HILDING a contemptible, worthless person; a mean, base, cowardly fellow; a wretch ...1601 arch.
• HOG-GRUBBER † a mean, stingy, sneaking fellow; a close-fisted fellow; a miser, a niggard ...a1700
• IKEY-MO a mean person ...20C Aust. sl.
• JACK-COVE a mean, low fellow ...1859 sl.
• JASPER a mean or disagreeable person; one who behaves unacceptably ...1966 Amer. dial.
• JERRY-SNEAK a mean, sneaking fellow ...1824
• JEW (offensive) a mean person ...1606
• LAST OF THE BIG SPENDERS used ironically of a mean person ...1975 Aust. sl.
• LAST OF THE BIG-TIME SPENDERS used ironically of a mean person ...1975 Aust. sl.
• LEFT † a mean, worthless person ...1377
• LICK-SPITTLE a mean or abject parasite, sycophant, or toady; a servile flatterer; a contemptible, fawning person ...1825
• MEANIE a mean person ...1927 sl.
• MEANY a mean person ...1927 sl.
• NEETY-CUD a low fellow who commits mean actions ...1824 Sc.
• NICKEL SQUEEZER a mean, miserly person ...1920s US sl.
• NIPCHEESE a mean or miserly person; a parsimonious, covetous person; a skinflint ...1825
• NIPFARTHING † a mean miser; a skinflint; a niggardly person ...1566
• OFFALDMENT anything of no value; a mean, worthless person ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• OFFALMENT anything of no value; a mean, worthless person ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• OLD BIDDY an elderly, gossipy, or dissolute woman; a fussy, mean or quarrelsome old woman ...1938 colloq.
• OLD CAT a malicious or spiteful woman; a mean, cunning woman; a shrewish man ...1915 Amer. dial.
• OLD GOAT any elderly, disliked person, most often a man, but may be a woman; an elderly person disliked for being pompous, stingy, mean, stubborn, unsympathetic to younger people or the like ...20C US colloq.
• OLD HATCHEL a mean, bad-tempered person ...1969 Amer. dial.
• ORNERY CUSS a mean, bad-tempered person ...1965 Amer. dial.
• ORNERY OLD DEVIL a very mean person ...1965 Amer. dial.
• PICAYUNE a person or thing considered small, mean, or insignificant; something of slight value or trifling importance ...1804 Amer. colloq.
• PIKER a mean person ...sl.
• PISS-ANT a mean, bad-tempered, or contemptible person; an unimportant person ...1903 now chiefly Amer.
• PUG any young tough or mean man ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• PUKE a mean, contemptible fellow ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• RAMSCALLION an offensively dirty person; a vagrant of low, rude, worthless habits; a mean wretched fellow ...1733 now chiefly N. Eng. dial.
• RASCALLION * a low, mean or worthless wretch or rascal; a rogue, a knave ...1649
• RIP a reprobate; anything censurable; a shabby mean fellow ...1827 sl.
• SCADGE a mean, scrounging person; one who curries favour ...1896 Sc.
• SCADGER a term of abuse; a mean, contemptible person; someone who always wants a loan ...M19 sl.
• SCALDY a mean, cadging person ...20C Irish sl.
• SCALY a mean, stingy fellow ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCART a contemptible, good-for-nothing, scurvy fellow; a mean, niggardly person ...1825 Sc.
• SCODGY a mean, underhand fellow; a suspicious-looking person ...1824 Sc.
• SCOURY a mean, disreputable person; a blackguard ...1721 Sc.
• SCOWRIE a mean, disreputable person; a blackguard ...1721 Sc.
• SCRAT 1. anything very small and insignificant; a tiny child; a meagre, mean-looking person; the smallest coin ...1885 Sc. & Eng. dial.
2. a saving, industrious person; a mean, niggardly, contemptible fellow; a miser ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRAWL a mean or despicable person; a person of low rank ...1879 Eng. dial.
• SCRIMP a miser; a skinflint; a mean, niggardly person ...Bk1904 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• SCRINGE a searcher; esp. a child or animal who searches out things not intended for him; a mean, miserly person ...1892 Sc.
• SCROYLE † a mean fellow; a rascal, a scoundrel, a wretch; a term of contempt ...1595
• SCRUB any mean or ill-conditioned person or thing ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• SCUDDER a scoundrel, a rascal, a mischievous person; a rowdy, mean person ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SCUTTER a scoundrel, a rascal, a mischievous person; a rowdy, mean person ...1934 Amer. dial.
• SHABAROON † a mean-spirited person; a disreputable person; a good-for-nothing; a ragamuffin; a ragged person ...a1700 sl.
• SHARE-PENNY †* one who would shear a penny; a mean person of the worst kind; a niggard, a miser ...1606
• SHITEPOKE a mean, contemptible, or uncouth person ...1925 Amer. dial.
• SHITE-STICKS † a mean, miserly fellow ...1659
• SKANK a mean, mercenary person ...2000s sl.
• SKATE an unpleasant or despicable person; a mean, dishonest, or contemptible person, usually male ...1896 sl., chiefly US
• SKATER a mean or contemptible person ...L19 US sl.
• SKEESICK a mean, contemptible fellow; a rascal; a good-for-nothing; a worthless fellow; a mischievous child ...1858 Amer. dial.
• SKEESUCKS a mean, contemptible fellow; a rascal; a good-for-nothing; a worthless fellow; a mischievous child ...1891 Amer. dial.
• SKEEZACKS a mean, contemptible fellow; a rascal; a good-for-nothing; a worthless fellow; a mischievous child ...1875 Amer. dial.
• SKEEZECKS a mean, contemptible fellow; a rascal; a good-for-nothing; a worthless fellow; a mischievous child ...1850 Amer. dial.
• SKEEZICKS a mean, contemptible fellow; a rascal; a good-for-nothing; a worthless fellow; a mischievous child ...1890 Amer. dial.
• SKEEZIX a mean, contemptible fellow; a rascal; a good-for-nothing; a worthless fellow; a mischievous child ...1890 Amer. dial.
• SKINFLINT a mean person ...1700 UK
• SKUNK a thoroughly mean or contemptible person ...1841 colloq.
• SLUBBERDEGULLION a dirty, mean fellow; a worthless, slovenly fellow; a base, foul, nasty wretch ...a1616
• SMART IKE a mean or disagreeable person ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SNEAKBILL † a term of contempt; a mean, paltry, or sneaking fellow; a starved or thin-faced person ...1562
• SNEAKINS-MEAKINS a mean person ...1905 Amer. dial.
• SNIDE a mean, dishonest person ...E20 Amer. sl.
• SNITCH a contemptible person; one who is petty or mean ...1910s
• SNUDGE † a mean, avaricious person; a niggard, a miser, a stingy person; an intrusive, sponging fellow ...1545 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• SPALPEEN a disagreeable, miserable, or contemptible person; a low, mean, or good-for-nothing fellow; a worthless person; a rogue, a rascal, a scamp ...1815 Irish
• SUCKER a greenhorn; a mean, low fellow ...1758 sl.
• TAG-RAG * the rabble; the riff-raff; the common people; a member of the rabble; a low or despicable person; a pitiful, ragged fellow; a slovenly, lazy or dirty fellow; a mean person; a vagabond ...1609
• TEAL † a busybody; a mean fellow ...1804 Sc.
• TEIL † a busybody; a mean fellow ...1804 Sc.
• TIGHTWAD a mean person ...1906 sl., orig. & chiefly US
• VARLET a person of a low, mean, or knavish disposition; a have, a rogue, a rascal ...1555
• VINEGAR PISSER a miser; a mean person ...E17 sl.
• WAMPUS a mean, difficult or objectionable person; an offensive or loathsome person ...1912 Amer. dial.
• WAMPUS CAT a virago; a mean, difficult, or objectionable person ...1915 Amer. dial.
• WEASEL a mean, greedy or sneaking fellow ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• WHIFFMAGIG a trifler; an insignificant, contemptible person; a mean, paltry person ...1871
• YELDEN a mean, cowardly fellow; a woman of bad character ...1853 Eng. dial.
• YELDING a mean, cowardly fellow; a woman of bad character ...1853 Eng. dial.
• ZIPPER POCKETS a mean, grasping person ...1970s US sl.
MEAN - verbs
• BEMEAN to render mean or base; to lower in dignity, to abase ...1651
• DO ONE DIRTY to deceive, to mistreat, to treat meanly, to harm one, to injure, esp. underhandedly or by secret means ...1906 Amer. dial.
• HAVE ONE'S HAND ON ONE'S HALFPENNY to be mean, stingy; to look after one's own interests ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• KEEP ONE'S HAND ON ONE'S HALFPENNY to be mean, stingy; to look after one's own interests ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• SKIN A CAT to be extremely mean or niggardly ...1859
• SKIN A FLEA FOR ITS HIDE to be excessively mean and avaricious ...1868
• SKIN A FLEA FOR ITS HIDE AND TALLOW to go to great lengths to save money; to be avaricious, mean, niggardly, or stingy ...1819 Amer. dial.
• SKIN A FLINT to be extremely mean or niggardly ...1694
• SKIN A GNAT FOR A PENNY to go to great lengths to save money; to be avaricious, mean, or stingy ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SKIN A LOUSE FOR A CENT to go to great lengths to save money; to be avaricious, mean, or stingy ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SKIN A LOUSE to go to great lengths to save money; to be avaricious, mean, or stingy ...1803 Amer. dial.
• SKIN A LOUSE FOR HIS HIDE to go to great lengths to save money; to be avaricious, mean, or stingy ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SKIN A LOUSE FOR HIS HIDE AND TALLOW to go to great lengths to save money; to be avaricious, mean, or stingy ...1965 Amer. dial.
• SKIN A LOUSE FOR TALLOW to go to great lengths to save money; to be avaricious, mean, or stingy ...1965 Amer. dial.
MEAN (signify) - verbs
• BEMEAN † to mean, to signify, to import ...a1300
• BETOKEN † to signify, to mean; to denote, to express in words ...c1175
MEAN - phrases
• HE WOULDN'T GIVE YOU DAYLIGHT IN A DARK CORNER said of a person with a reputation for meanness ...1988 Sc. sl.
MEANDER - verbs
• WINGLE to wind in and out, to wind and twist, to meander ...1913 Amer. dial.
MEANDERING - adverbs
• CRINGLE-CRANGLE † zigzag, in a meandering, crooked manner ...1781 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
MEANING - adjectives
• AMBIFARIOUS † having a double meaning; that may be taken both ways ...1656
• DARKSOME characterized by obscurity of meaning ...1574
MEANING - nouns
• FUZZWORD a confusing term usually meant to obscure meaning ...Bk1990 sl.
• GUTS the essentials; the most important part; the inner and real meaning; the essence of a matter ...1663 UK
• IMPORTANCE † signification, meaning, purport ...1552
• IMPORTMENT † signification, meaning, purport ...a1624
• MEANT meaning; importance ...1852 Eng. dial.
• SIGNIFICATURE * significance; the meaning or import of something ...1855
MEANINGLESS - adjectives
• HAIVELESS senseless, meaningless ...1804 Sc.
• IMPORTLESS †* without import or significance; trivial, unimportant; meaningless ...1606
MEANINGLESS - nouns
• FANNY ADAMS nothing, anything meaningless, nonsense, rubbish ...1910s euphemism for 'fuck-all'
MEANLY - adverbs
• ILL-FAVOUREDLY meanly ...1776 Sc.
• NEAR thriftily; parsimoniously, meanly ...a1625
MEANNESS - nouns
• CAT POISON meanness ...1930 Amer. dial.
• FASTSHIP †* the quality of gripping tightly; parsimony, meanness, niggardliness ...a1225
• MEANERY meanness ...1845 Amer. dial.
• ONE-WAY POCKETS meanness ...1926 jocular
• PARVANIMITY smallness of mind, meanness, narrow-mindedness; also, an instance of this, or a person characterized by it ...a1691
MEANS - adjectives
• HARDPAN without money or means ...1928 Amer. dial.
MEANS - nouns
• HARDPAN a financial low point; a situation in which one is without money or means ...1870 Amer. dial.
• MIDSES † means, methods, ways ...1660 Sc.
• MIGHTS † means, power, help ...1787 Sc.
MEANS - verbs
• HAVE NO MORE SARK THAN WILL COVER ONE'S BACK to have no superfluity of means ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• RAISE THE WIND to procure money or necessary means ...a1350
MEAN-SPIRITED - adjectives
• DAPOCAGINOUS † that has a little or narrow heart; mean-spirited; of little worth ...1674
• NARROW mean-spirited, stingy ...c1696 sl.
• NARROW-SPIRITED mean-spirited, wanting in generous or liberal feelings ...1679
• OILY mean-spirited, tough ...1936 US sl.
• PUSILLANIMOUS lacking in courage and strength of mind; of weak spirit; faint-hearted, cowardly, mean-spirited ...1586
MEAN-SPIRITED - nouns, person
• SHABAROON † a mean-spirited person; a disreputable person; an ill-dressed, shabby fellow; a ragamuffin ...a1700 sl.
• SNEAKSBY * a mean-spirited person; a cowardly, creeping scoundrel; a paltry fellow; a sneak ...1580
• SNIBBLE-NOSE one who would save even the droppings of his nose; a term of reproach for a mean-spirited, covetous person; a niggardly miser ...1746 Eng. dial.
MEAN-TEMPERED - adjectives
• BAD-ASSED mean-tempered; belligerent; worthless ...1956 Amer. dial.
MEAN-TEMPERED - nouns, person
• BAD-ASS a belligerent or mean-tempered person ...1970 Amer. dial.
MEANWHILE - adverbs
• AMONG-HANDS between whiles, in the meantime ...1823 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• BETWIXT AND BETWEENTIMES meanwhile ...1954 Amer. dial.
• IN THE MIDDLE OF THE MEANTIME meanwhile ...1828 Sc.
• MEANEVERS meanwhile ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
MEASLES - nouns
• LIBERTY MEASLES German measles ...Amer. World War I sl.
• MALLS the measles ...1746 Eng. dial.
• MASERS † measles ...1561
• MEASLINGS the measles ...1671 Eng. dial.
• MEASLINS the measles ...1671 Eng. dial.
• MESLINGS the measles ...1671 Eng. dial.
• MEZLINGS the measles ...1671 Eng. dial.
• MIZZLINGS the measles ...1671 Eng. dial.
MEASLES - verbs
• MEASLE to catch measles ...1917 Amer. dial.
• RASSLE of an eruption of measles, etc.: to spread over the face ...B1900 Eng. dial.
MEASLY - adjectives
• INKLING paltry, measly ...1969 Amer. dial.
• JEEZLY measly ...1930 Amer. dial.
MEASURE - nouns
• MICKLE size, measure, bulk, height; frequently in plural ...1864 Eng. dial.
MEASURE - verbs
• ADMEASURE † to measure out ...1481
• ADMETIATE † to measure ...1612
• BEMETE † to measure ...c893
• MEACH to measure; to compare ...1884 Eng. dial.
• MEITCH to measure; to compare ...1884 Eng. dial.
• MENSURATE † to measure; to take the dimensions of; to ascertain the size, extent or quantity of ...1653
• METT to measure ...1773 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• TAKE † to measure off a length or distance ...1660
• TAPE OFF to measure out correctly ...1920s Aust. sl.
MEASUREMENT - nouns
• AXE HANDLE an imprecise unit of measurement, esp. when applied to the breadth of a man's shoulders or woman's buttocks ...1947 US sl.
• PANTOMETRY † universal measurement; a measuring of all things ...1656
• SCOWL OF BROW measurement by the eye; estimate by the eye instead of by rule or measurement ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCOWLY-BROW measurement by the eye; estimate by the eye instead of by rule or measurement ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
MEASUREMENT - verbs
• SCOWL OF BROW to do anything by the judgement of the eye instead of by strict measurement ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
MEASURING - nouns
• ELLWAND a measuring rod, an ell measure; a yard measure ...1660 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• MET-WAND a measuring-rod; a draper's yard-stick ...Bk1905 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• MET-WOOD a measuring-rod; a draper's yard-stick ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• MET-YARD a measuring-rod; a draper's yard-stick ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• Q WITH A LONG TAIL a measuring tape which winds up into a box ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• WAND † a measuring rod ...a1637
• YARD † a measuring-rod; a measuring-rod or stick of the length of three feet; a yard-stick ...c1000-1050 obs. exc. Sc. & Eng. dial.
• YARD-BAND a tape-measure; a yard-stick ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• YARDEL †* a yard-measure ...1804
• YARDEN a yard-stick ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• YARD-WAND a three-foot rod for measuring; a yardstick ...a1400
MEAT - adjectives
• BEETHY of meat: underdone ...1790 Eng. dial.
• BOGGIE of meat: soft, in bad condition ...1935 Amer. dial.
• BOGGY of meat: soft, in bad condition ...1935 Amer. dial.
• BURNT TO A SCRATCHIN of meat: dried up and shrivelled from over-roasting ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• CAGGY of meat: tainted ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• DONE TO A SCRATCHIN of meat: dried up and shrivelled from over-roasting ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• FADY of meat: tainted, stale, 'high' ...1892 Eng. dial.
• GAMESOME gamy, having the appearance and taste of game which is high ...1909 Sc.
• GAMISH of meat, etc.: high, somewhat tainted, 'gamey' ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• HAYWIRE said of meat that has gone bad ...1966 Amer. dial.
• LAUTITIOUS †* sumptuous; luxurious; excellent; magnificent; chiefly said of meat ...1648
• SAM-SAWDERED half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1873 Eng. dial.
• SAM-SAWDLED half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1864 Eng. dial.
• SAM-SAWED half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1874 Eng. dial.
• SAM-SOD half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1825 Eng. dial.
• SAM-ZAWED half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1874 Eng. dial.
• SAM-ZOD half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1825 Eng. dial.
• SAM-ZODDEN half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1825 Eng. dial.
• SAM-ZODDERED half-done, sodden; over-done; half-warm; generally used of meat ...1873 Eng. dial.
• SAPID of meat: high, tainted ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SAPPIE of cooked meat or flesh: succulent, savoury, juicy ...1721 Sc.
• SAPPY † 1. of meat, fish, etc.: juicy ...1536
2. of meat: putrescent, tainted ...1573 Eng. dial.
• SCRIMPT of meat: underdone in cooking ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• THAIN † of meat: raw, underdone ...1782 Sc.
• THANE † of meat: raw, underdone ...1782 Sc.
• UNCTUOUS of meat: greasy, fat, rich ...1495 arch.
MEAT - nouns
• BARK the hard outside of cooked or uncooked meat ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• BOLOGNA all cold meats ...Bk1944 service sl.
• BULLAMACOW tinned meat ...1887
• BULLY BEEF canned meat ...World War II Amer. sl.
• CABROCH very lean meat; meat unfit for use ...1790 Sc.
• CAD carrion, offal, bad meat ...1876 Eng. dial.
• CAG bad or inferior meat; carrion ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• CAGMAG unwholesome, decayed, or loathsome meat; offal ...1847 Eng. dial. or vulgar
• CAG-MEAT inferior or diseased meat ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• CAPTAIN LIEUTENANT meat neither young enough for veal, nor old enough for beef ...Bk1891 sl.
• CARNISH meat ...Bk1891 thieves' sl.
• CARRION-ROW † a place where inferior meat or offal was sold ...1728
• DEADAS meat ...1990s W. Indies sl.
• DEADERS animal flesh, meat by-products eaten as food ...1980s W. Indies & UK Black teen sl.
• FALLEN MEAT the flesh of an animal that has died a natural death ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• FANNY ADAMS 1. tinned meat ...1889 Brit. naval sl.
2. meat stew ...1962 Brit. sl.
• FRIGO frozen or chilled meat ...1918 Brit. military sl.
• GARDEVIANCE † ventilated cupboard for meat ...1459
• HAGGERSNASH † offal, scraps of meat ...1808 Sc.
• HARRIET LANE preserved meat, esp. Aust. tinned meat ...1896 sl., chiefly Aust.
• HARSLET a piece of meat to be roasted, esp. part of the entrails of a hog; also, the heart, liver, etc. of other animals, as sheep, calf, etc. ...a1300
• HASLET a piece of meat to be roasted, esp. part of the entrails of a hog; also, the heart, liver, etc. of other animals, as sheep, calf, etc. ...a1300
• HORSE meat, esp. corned beef ...Bk1913-17 Amer. navy sl.
• IMRIGH the scent of roasted meat ...1824 Sc.
• KAGMAG unwholesome,.decayed, or loathsome meat; offal ...1847 Eng. dial. or vulgar
• KEEP †* a meat-safe ...1617
• KEG bad or inferior meat; carrion ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• KIMBERLEY OYSTER a meat fritter ...20C Aust. sl.
• KITCHEN-FEE † the fat that falls from meat in roasting
• LEATHER meat ...Amer. World War I sl.
• MACONOCHIE. meat stewed with vegetables and tinned, esp. as supplied to soldiers on active service ..1901 Brit. sl.
• MOUNTAIN GOAT any form of prison meat ...1940s US prison sl.
• NADKIN the taint which meat acquires from being kept too long; any close, strong, disagreeable odour ...Bk1841 Sc.
• NATKIN the taint which meat acquires from being kept too long; any close, strong, disagreeable odour ...Bk1841 Sc.
• ODDS AND ENDS scrap meat begged from a butcher for 'mulligan' ...1931 sl.
• QUARTERING the practice of distributing freshly slaughtered meat to one's neighbours ...1975 Amer. dial.
• QUAWK uncooked frozen meat or fish ...1947 Can. sl.
• RALLOCK a piece of meat ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• RASH of meat: a slice ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• SAF(F) meat from an animal that has died a natural death ...1892 Eng. dial.
• SCHOONER ON THE ROCKS joint of meat roasted on potatoes, or in batter ...1916 naval sl.
• SCRAB an undergrown, sickly, scraggy animal; poor meat ...1870 Sc.
• SCRAMBLINGS scraps of broken meat ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRAMS scraps of meat ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRIMMET a small piece of meat ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SHAMBLES † 1. tables or stalls for the sale of meat ...ME obs. exc. Eng. dial.
2. a place, esp. a row of covered stalls, for the sale of meat or fish; a meat market; generally, a market, a row of shops, etc. ...LME
• TAILLIE † a cut piece, a cut or slice of meat ...c1470 Sc.
• TAILYE † a cut piece, a cut or slice of meat ...c1470 Sc.
• TAILYIE a cut or slice of meat or boiling or roasting ...1811 Sc.
• TAILZIE † a cut piece, a cut or slice of meat ...c1470 Sc.
• TAYLIE a cut or slice of meat or boiling or roasting ...1811 Sc.
• TENNESSEE CHICKEN some meat other than chicken, esp. salt pork, bacon ...1966 Amer. dial.
• TIN DOG canned meat ...20C Aust. & NZ sl.
• TINNED DOG tinned meat ...1895 sl.
• UPCHUCK ground beef ...1996 US sl.
MEAT - nouns, person
• CAD-BUTCHER one who deals in unwholesome meat or carrion ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• CADDY-BUTCHER one who buys horses to sell for cat's-meat ...1888 Eng. dial.
• CAG-BUTCHER one who buys diseased meat, or animals that have died a natural death, for the purpose of selling as ordinary meat; a horse-slaughterer ...Bk1898 Eng. dial.
• SARCOPHAGE a flesh-eater, a meat-eater ...1852
• SARCOPHAGIST † a flesh-eater, a meat-eater ...1699
MEAT - verbs
• FAGE to sell bad meat ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• LEACH † to cut meat, etc. in slices; to slice ...a1400 obs. exc. arch.
• MAKE A GUT PLUNGE ON BUTCH among tramps: to attempt to beg meat of any kind, as from a butcher shop ...1929 Amer. tramps' sl.
• SCHNIBBLE to chop meat into small pieces; to dice ...1983 Amer. dial.
• SHAMBLE to cut up or slaughter, as in a slaughterhouse or shambles ...L16
MEATBALL - nouns
• MONKEY NUTS prison-cooked meatballs ...20C US prison sl.
MEAT LOAF - nouns
• DEAD MAN'S LEG meat-loaf ...1980s Aust. sl.
MECHANIC - nouns, person
• CAT DOCTOR a mechanic who services track-laying vehicles, as Caterpillar tractors; a tractor mechanic ...1956 US sl.
• GRAUNCHER an incompetent mechanic ...NZ
• GREASE MONKEY a mechanic, esp. one who works on cars or aircraft ...1928 colloq.
• GREASER a mechanic, esp. of motor vehicles ...Brit. sl.
• HANDYWRIGHT † a worker with his hands; a mechanic ...1674
• MECH a mechanic ...1918 Brit. sl.
• PARTS CHANGER in car repair: a mechanic who replaces parts until a problem is solved instead of diagnosing the problem at the outset ...1993 US sl.
• SHADE-TREE MECHANIC one who works out of his house or barn rather than at a dealership, service station, or garage; a country mechanic on a small scale ...1946 Amer. dial.
MECHANICAL - adjectives
• BANAUSIC * merely mechanical; proper to a mechanic ...1876
• HANDLY † used by the hands; manual; mechanical ...c1400
MEDAL - nouns
• CABBAGE medals and decorations ...1945 US military sl.
• CHEST HARDWARE military medals ...World War II US Armed Forces usage
• DANGLERS medals ...c1915 services' sl.
• DICK SHOT OFF the Distinguished Service Order, a medal for bravery ...1937 UK sl.
• FAITH, HOPE AND CHARITY the three World War I campaign medals ...1919
• FRUIT SALAD a (copious or ostentatious) display of medals, or other decorations ...1943 sl.
• GONG a medal or decoration ...1921 UK sl.
• MUTT AND JEFF a particular pair of medals worn together, esp. the War Medal and the Victory Medal awarded to British service personnel who took part in World War I ...1937 Brit. sl.
• OBVERSE that side of a coin, medal, seal, etc., on which the head or principal design is struck; the opposite of 'reverse' ...1658
• OLD BOILED EGG an O.B.E. ...c1925 UK sl.
• PIP, SQUEAK, AND WILFRED the 1914-15 Star, War Medal, and Victory Medal, three medals awarded to British service personnel who took part in World War I ...1919 Brit. sl.
• ROOTY GONG a medal formerly awarded to members of the British Army in India ...1925 Brit. sl.
• RUPTURED DUCK a button given on discharge from the services ...1945 US sl.
• SCREAMING EAGLE a button given on discharge from the services ...1946 US sl.
• SPAM MEDAL a medal awarded to all members of a force, esp. (British) the 1939-45 Star, awarded to British service personnel who took part in World War II ...1945 sl.
MEDAL - verbs
• BE GIVEN THE RATIONS (derogatory) to get a service or other medal not awarded for gallantry ...1925 Brit. sl.
• COME UP WITH THE RATIONS (derogatory) to get a service or other medal not awarded for gallantry ...1925 Brit. sl.