C
CRE - CRI
CREAK, CREAKING - adjectives
• SCREECHETTY creaking, creaky ...1892 Eng. dial.
creak, creaking - nouns
• GIRG, JARG, JERG, JIRG a creaking noise ...1820 Sc.
• NEESTER a creaking sound ...1890 Sc.
• NEESTERIN a creaking noise; a squeaking ...1898 Sc.
• NICKER a clatter, a rapping sound, as the crackling of wooden articles when disturbed, a creak ...1881 Sc.
creak, creaking - verbs
• CRAKE † to grate harshly; to creak. as the hinge of a door ...1657 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• FRATCH † to make a harsh or strident noise; to creak, as a cart ...c1440
• GEIG to creak, to make a creaking noise ...1513 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• GIG to creak, to make a creaking noise ...1513 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• GIKE to creak, to make a creaking noise ...1513 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• GIRG † of a door or gate: to make a creaking noise, to grate, to jar, to vibrate ...1513 chiefly Sc.
• HARSH † to give a harsh sound; to creak ...1583
• JARG † of a door or gate: to make a creaking noise, to grate, to jar, to vibrate ...1513 chiefly Sc.
• NEESTER, NEISTER to creak, to squeak, as a rusty hinge or new shoes ...a1838 Sc.
• NICKER to crack, to clatter, to make a clicking sound, to creak ...1931 Sc.
• SCRATCH to creak ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• SCREAK, SCREEK to squeak, to squeal, to creak; to grate ...1843 Amer. dial.
• SCRICELE to creak; to squeak ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRINGE, SKRINGE to creak; to make a grinding, grating sound; to crackle, as ice when it gives to the tread ...1853 Ireland
• SCRIPET to creak, to grate, as the ungreased wheel of a barrow ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SKREAK, SKREEK to squeak, to squeal, to creak; to grate ...1843 Amer. dial.
• YERR † to make a harsh noise, to creak, to roar, to rattle; to cry out loudly, to shout out, to yell, to howl ...a1000 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
CREAKY - adjectives
• SCREAKY, SKREAKY, SKREEKY, SKRIEKY squeaky, creaky ...1885 Amer. dial.
• SCREECHETTY creaking, creaky ...1892 Eng. dial.
CREAM - nouns
• BOVINE EXTRACT milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• CHALK milk or cream ...1934 US jocular
• COW milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• COW JUICE milk or cream ...World War II Amer. sl.
• DIP a sauce for puddings, ice cream, pie, cake, etc.; also, cream ...1877 Amer. dial.
• HEAD cream upon the surface of milk ...Bk1902 Eng. dial.
• MOO JUICE milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUSS milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• REAM cream ...1755 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SEASONING cream or sugar as an ingredient in tea of coffee ...1897 Amer. dial.
• STREAK O' MOO cream in coffee ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SWEET ALICE milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
cream - verbs
• FEATHER of milk or cream: to curdle or form flakes on the surface of coffee or tea ...1816 Amer. dial.
CREAMY - adjectives
• REAMY creamy ...Bk1868 Sc.
CREASE - nouns
• BEGGAR-PLAITS creases in a garment ...1892 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• BEGGAR'S-PLAITS wrinkles or creases in garments as if slept in ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BINK a crease, a fold ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CRIMPLE † a crease, wrinkle, or fold; a crinkle ...c1440 obs. exc. Eng. & Amer. dial.
• GAIR † a crease in cloth ...1825 Sc.
• GALL a crease or wrinkle in cloth ...1787 Sc.
crease - verbs
• BEFRUMPLE † to crease into frumples or clumsy folds ...1611 obs.
• GAIR to crease, to become creased ...1880 Sc.
• GRUGGLE to disorder or disfigure by much handling; to rumple, to crumple, to crease ...1804 Sc.
• MISCOMFRUMPLE to rumple, to crease; e.g. if one female sits so close to another as to rumple or crease her dress by pressing or sitting on it, she is said to 'miscomfrumple' it ...1854 Eng. dial.
• SCREASE to crease ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• TAW to twist; to get crooked or out of shape; to crease, to wrinkle; to entwist, as the end of a rope ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• WAFFLE to crease, to crinkle, to rumple ...1825 Sc.
• WRIMPLE † a crease or fold; a wrinkle ...1499 obs.
CREASED - adjectives
• CRINKLETY-CRANKLETY crinkled, roughly creased ...1904 Amer. dial.
• DOG-EARED worn, creased, and rumpled; shabby, unkempt ...19C Amer. sl.
• WRIZZLED † marked with creases, wrinkles, or corrugations; wrinkled, shrivelled ...1590 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
creased - verbs
• GAIR to become streaked; to dirty; to crease, to become creased ...1881 Sc.
CREATE - verbs
• BASH UP to make, to create ...1940s NZ sl.
• POP UP to create, to make happen, to cause ...1930s sl.
CREATED - adjectives
• CREABLE † that may be created or produced ...a1656
CREATIVE - adjectives
• NATURANT †* creative, generating ...1635
• OUT-OF-THE-BOX creative, original, unorthodox ...1996 colloq.
creative - verbs
• THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX to think creatively or in an unorthodox manner ...1971 colloq.
CREATOR - person
• EFFECTER † a maker, a creator ...1635
• EFFECTRESS † a female maker or creator ...1601
• FABRICATOR one who frames or fashions; a creator ...c1645
• FASHIONER one that gives fashion or shape to; a creator, maker ...1548
CREDENCE - verbs
• FAITH to put credence in ...1951 Amer. dial.
• LEVE † to believe in; to trust, to give credence to a person or thing ...c1175
CREDIBLE - adjectives
• CREABLE † easy to believe, credible ...1480
• LEVEABLE †* that may be believed or trusted; credible, trustworthy ...1382
• LEVELIKE †* credible ...a1300
• LEVELY †* credible ...a1300
CREDIT - adjectives/adverbs
• JAW-BONE on credit ...1862 Amer. sl., orig. Can.
• ON JAWBONE on credit ...1862 Amer. dial.
• ON MACE on credit ...1893 Brit. sl.
• ON ONE'S FACE on credit, for free ...L19 US sl.
• ONTAKING buying or taking on credit; hence, reckless, rash, somewhat untrustworthy in business dealings; dishonest ...1880 Sc.
• ON THE DINGLE on trust, on credit ...1854 Eng. dial.
• ON THE MACE on credit ...1893 Brit. sl.
credit - nouns
• BROWNIE POINT an imaginary award or credit for a good deed ...1953 US sl.
• CRED credit ...1979 sl.
• DAP credit, acknowledgement, respect, self-awareness ...1970s US Black sl.
• FACE credit at a public house ...M18 sl.
• FAIR FUCKS credit, merit ...1992 Ireland sl.
• JAWBONE credit ...1862 Amer. dial.
• LIGHT credit ...E19 sl.
• OBITUARY NOTICE a letter from a creditor ...1920s US sl.
• SOCK credit, 'tick' ...1874 sl.
• TAB ACTION a line of credit at a bar or any other type of business ...1940s US Black sl.
• TAB ISSUE a line of credit at a bar or any other type of business ...1940s US Black sl.
• TICK credit; trust; reputation of solvency and probity ...1668
credit - person
• TALLYMAN one who supplies goods on credit, to be paid for by instalments ...1654
• TALLYWOMAN a woman who sells goods on credit ...1727
credit - verbs
• ACCREDITATE † to accredit; to give credit to someone for something; to vouch for, to sanction or countenance ...1654
• CALL ONE'S JAWBONE to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• FAKE to give heed to; to believe, to credit ...Bk1900 Sc.
• GET A LIGHT to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• GET ON SOCK to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• GET ON THE NOD to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• GIVE IT ON THE MACE to obtain goods on credit and never pay for them ...19C Brit. sl.
• GIVE ON THE MACE to obtain goods by persuading the shopkeeper to extend credit that one has no intention of paying ...E19 sl.
• GO ON ONE'S FACE to gain credit on the basis of one's wits or appearance ...M19 sl, orig. US Amer. dial.
• GO ON TICK to buy on credit, to run into debt ...1672
• GO TICK to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• HAVE ONE'S LIGHT PUT OUT to have one's credit stopped ...E19 sl.
• JAWBONE to talk someone into extending credit; to buy on credit ...1941 Amer. dial.
• LAKE to give credit to, to trust ...Bk1902 Sc.
• MACE IT to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• PUSH ONE'S FACE to obtain credit by bluff, bluster, or deceit ...c1760 colloq.
• RUN ONE'S FACE to gain credit on the basis of one's wits or appearance ...1839 Amer. sl.
• RUN ONE'S SHAPE FOR to obtain credit ...M19 sl., orig. US
• RUN ON TICK to buy on credit, to run into debt ...1642
• STRIKE A LIGHT to open a line of credit ...E19 sl.
• STRIKE ON THE MACE to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• STRIKE THE MACE to obtain goods by persuading the shopkeeper to extend credit that one has no intention of paying ...E19 sl.
• TAKE ON to buy on credit; to get into debt ...1899 Sc.
• TALLY † to deal on tally or credit; to open or have a credit account with anyone ...1596
• TICK to take credit; to run into debt, leave one's debts unpaid ...1648 sl. or colloq.
• TRAVEL ON ONE'S FACE to gain credit on the basis of one's wits or appearance ...1859 Amer. dial.
• TRUST OUT to supply goods on credit; to give in credit; to loan out money ...1833 Amer. dial.
• WORK THE MACE to obtain goods by persuading the shopkeeper to extend credit that one has no intention of paying ...E19 sl.
credit - phrases
• ON THE ARM on credit; often implying that no payment will be made ...20C Amer.
• ON THE MURRAY COD on credit ...Bk1999 Aust. rhyming sl. for 'on the nod'
• ON THE NOD on credit ...Aust. sl.
• ON PUMP on credit ...Bk1974 Amer. dial.
• ON TICK on credit ...1642
CREDIT CARD - adjectives
• ON THE PLASTIC using stolen credit cards for a variety of frauds and swindles ...1970s US criminals' sl.
credit card - nouns
• PHISH an instance of stealing credit card data on the internet ...2004 US
• PHISHING the act of stealing credit card data on the internet ...1997 US
• PLASTIC a credit card ...1980 sl., orig. US
• PLASTIC MONEY a credit card ...1974 sl., orig. US
• SKIMMING illegally taking details of a credit card by passing it through a special scanner which 'reads' the information contained on the magnetic strip ...Brit. sl.
credit card - verbs
• PHISH to steal credit card data on the internet ...2003 US
CREDITOR - person
• DUN a creditor who makes insistent or repeated demands for repayment of a debt; also, an agent employed by a creditor to collect a debt; a debt collector ...1628
• DUNNER a creditor who makes insistent or repeated demands for repayment for a debt; also, an agent employed by a creditor to collect a debt; a debt collector ...c1654
• EMILY POST a creditor ...1980s Aust. rhyming sl. for 'ghost'
• GHOST one to whom money is owed, a creditor, i.e. one who gives the debtor an unpleasant shock ...1967 Aust. sl.
CREDULITY - nouns
• OMNICREDULITY universal credulity; capacity of believing anything whatever ...1845
credulity - phrases
• I DIDN'T FALL OFF A CHRISTMAS TREE used to reject imputation of credulity ...20C
CREDULOUS - adjectives
• EASY easily taken advantage of or imposed upon; easily fooled; credulous, gullible ..1698
• GOBEMOUCHE designating a person who credulously accepts all news ...E19
• OOLLENLY simple-minded, credulous ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• ULTRAFIDIAN going beyond mere faith; blindly credulous ...1825
credulous - person
• BLUFF a credulous person ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CHIEF a potential victim of a confidence trickster; a credulous person; it is common term of address, used ironically by the con-man when he approaches the victim ...1940s W. Indies sl.
• CREDULIST †* a credulous person ...1788
• DAISY one who is credulous or gullible ...M19 US campus sl.
• GILL, GILLS a gullible or credulous person; a fool ...1592
• GOBEMOUCHE a credulous person who will believe anything, no matter how improbable or absurd; one who is easily deceived; a simpleton ...1818
• GULPIN one who will swallow anything; one easily gulled; a credulous simpleton; a fool ...1802
• SIMON a silly fellow; a credulous gullible person; a simpleton ...1785 sl.
• SIMPLE SIMON a silly fellow; a credulous gullible person; a fool, a simpleton ...1785 sl.
credulous - verbs
• RISE to play into one's hands; to listen credulously ...1856 sl.
CREEK - nouns
• BIGHT a bay, a creek; a projection in a river ...1891 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• CATHOLE a deep place in a river, creek, pond, etc. ...1842 Amer. dial.
• CUT a creek or inlet ...1630
• KILL a natural waterway, esp. a stream, a creek, a channel ...1639 Amer. dial.
• OB a creek, a bay ...1930 Sc.
• REACH a creek ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• VENT † a creek or inlet ...1604
• VOE a narrow inlet of the sea; a creek ...1871 Sc.
CREEP - verbs
• HARL ABOUT to move about feebly; to crawl, to creep ...1871 Sc.
• MEECH to sneak, to slink, to skulk; to idle stealthily or shamefacedly about; to creep about softly; to cringe; to look ashamed ...1746 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• OAG to crawl, to creep, to scramble; to wriggle ...1892 Sc.
• OG to creep, to crawl, to wriggle; to move slowly; to be infected with vermin ...a1838 Sc.
• OOR to creep, to crouch, to cower; to move slowly and feebly; to droop ...1866 Sc.
• RAMP †* to creep or crawl on the ground ...1390
• SCRAFFLE to struggle; to force one's way with difficulty; to scramble; to creep, to roll; to tumble ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SCRAUCHLE to scramble, to creep, to crawl; to move with difficulty ...1885 Sc.
• SCRAWL to crawl, to creep; to move slowly or with difficulty; to hobble; to scramble, to sprawl ...1747 Eng. dial.
• SINUATE * to creep or crawl in a winding course ...1848
• SKRAFFLE to struggle; to force one's way with difficulty; to scramble; to creep, to roll; to tumble ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SLENCH † to creep or slink away, to sneak ...c1330 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• SNAKE to move in a creeping, crawling, or stealthy manner suggestive of the movements of a snake ...1848
• UNDERCREEP † to creep in stealthily ...1382 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
CREEPING - adjectives
• MEECHING skulking, sneaking, creeping softly; cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• RAMPING †* creeping, crawling ...c1440
creeping - nouns
• OBREPTION † a creeping or stealing upon one unawares ...1642
creeping - person
• SIDITHERUM † a creeping, slow-motioned person ...1855 Eng. dial.
CREEPY - nouns
• JIM-JAMS a creepy feeling; the fidgets; a fit of depression; a state of nervousness or unease ...1896 colloq.
CREMATION - nouns
• ASH CASH a fee paid to doctors for signing a cremation form ...2001 Brit. medical sl.
CREVICE - nouns
• SCORE a crack, crevice, fissure ...1825 Sc.
CRIBBAGE - nouns
• NOB in cribbage, the knave of trumps ...M19 sl.
CRICKET (insect) - nouns
• FALL BIRD a cricket; a cicada ...1967 Amer. dial.
• GRIG a cricket ...1939 Amer. dial.
CRICKET (sport) - adjectives
• CASTLED in cricket: bowled out ...2003 UK
• SKIED in cricket: hit or sent up high in the air ...1868
cricket (sport) - nouns
• AQUATICS a game of cricked played by the oarsmen; the playing-field used by them ...M19 Eton usage
• ASHES, THE mythical prize in English and Australian cricket test-matches ...1882 Eng.
• BALLOON a lofty hit or kick given to a cricket ball, baseball, or football ...1904 colloq.
• BARTER in cricket: a half-volley; a hard hit ...1859-1864 Eng. sl.
• BATS † cricket ...1790 Eng. dial.
• BLOB in cricket: a batsman's score of no runs ...1903
• BOUNCER in cricket: a ball that rises sharply off the pitch ...1913
• BOX a light shield worn by cricketers to protect the genitals ...1950
• CASTLE in cricket: the wicket that a batsman is defending ...1959 UK
• CHERRY in cricket: a new ball ...1953 UK sl.
• COOLIE CREEPER (derogatory) in cricket: a ball that stays low without bouncing ...M19 S. Afr. sl.
• CROCKETTS at Winchester School: cricket (game) ...1859 Eng. dial. sl.
• DAB in cricket: a batman's stroke that deflects the ball gently behind the wicket ...1969 UK sl.
• DAISY-CUTTER in cricket and baseball: a ball so bowled or batted as to skim along the surface of the ground ...1863
• DECK in cricket: the pitch ...1995 UK sl.
• DUCK in cricket: a score of zero/nought ...1868 UK sl.
• FIZZER in cricket: a very fast ball; also, one that deviates with unexpected speed after pitching ...1904 colloq.
• GALLERY-HIT a piece of showy play (primarily by a batsman in cricket) intended to gain applause from uncritical spectators ...1882
• GAM'LIN-STICKS the game of cricket ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• GREEN BAGGY the cap worn by Australian test cricketers ...1992 Aust. sl.
• HAYMAKER in cricket: a batsman's powerful but reckless shot ...1954 UK sl.
• HAYMAKING in cricket: powerful but reckless batting ...1986 UK sl.
• LEATHER in cricket and football: the ball ...1868
• MULLIGRUBBER in cricket: a low-keeping bowled ball ...20C Brit. sl.
• OFFIE in cricket: a ball bowled so as to change direction from leg to off when it pitches; off break ...Aust. sl.
• PADDOCK n. a playing field, esp. for cricket ...1839 Aust. sl.
• PAIR in cricket: the score of a batsman who is out for no score in each leg of a match ...2003 UK sl.
• PAIR OF DUCKS in cricket: the score of a batsman who is out for no score in each leg of a match ...2003 UK sl.
• PEG a cricket stump ...1891 colloq.
• RABBIT IN THE THICKET 1. cricket ...1980s Aust. rhyming sl.
2. a wicket ...1980s Aust. rhyming sl.
• RING the boundary of a cricket field ...1872
• RIPPER in cricket, a good ball ...1851 sl.
• SIX-STITCHER a cricket ball ...Aust. sl.
• SIZZLER in cricket: an exceedingly fast ball; an extremely fast horse, etc. ...1961 Brit. sl.
• STICKY DOG a pitch has been drying after rain and is difficult to bat on ...1904 colloq.
• STRINGER in cricket: a difficult ball to play ...Bk1904 sl.
• STUMPER cricket played with a stump ...Bk1904 sl.
• TICE a stroke at croquet or cricket, which tempts or entices the opponent to take aim ...1874
• TIMBER in cricket: a wicket ...1876 sl.
• WRONG 'UN in cricket: the wrong sort of ball to hit ...1897 sl.
cricket (sport) - person
• ALL-ROUNDER a player who is skilled at both bowling and batting ...1863
• AUNT SALLY * a wicketkeeper ...1898 colloq.
• BACK-PLAYER in cricket: a batsman who steps back towards the wicket and plays the ball from behind the popping crease ...1897
• BACK-STOP in cricket: a fielder some distance behind the wicketkeeper ...1773
• BARN-DOOR in cricket: a player that blocks every ball ...1679
• BAT in cricket: a batter ...1756
• BAT PAD in cricket: a fielder positioned close to the facing bat ...1989 Aust. sl.
• BATSMAN one who handles the bat at cricket ...1756
• CENTURION in cricket: one who scores 100 or over ...c1885 colloq.
• DEADHEAD a member of a football or cricket team called upon to play at a pinch ...BK1900 Eng. dial.
• FLANNELLED FOOL (derogatory) a cricketer
• GENTLEMAN in cricket: a non-professional player ...1806
• HAND † a member of a cricket team ...1731
• HEAD BOWLER in cricket: a bowler who bowls tactically, as by varying deliveries with a view to deceiving the batsman into making a mistake, rather than by straightforward repetition of a particular style of delivery; now disused ...1856
• OFFIE in cricket: a bowler who specializes in off-break deliveries ...Aust. sl.
• PACE BOWLER in cricket: a bowler who delivers the ball at high speed; a fast bowler ...1947
• PACEMAN in cricket: a pace bowler ...1972
• PACER in cricket: a fast bowler ...1878
• PAD-PLAYER * in cricket: a batsman who makes use of pad play (when batting, the practice of using one's pads to protect the wicket) ...1888
• RABBIT a poor performer at any game, especially cricket, golf, or tennis; a weak batsman ...1904 sl.
• SCOUT a fielder at cricket ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCOUTER a fielder at cricket ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• STUMPER a wicket-keeper ...Bk1904 colloq.
• TAIL-ENDER in cricket: one lacking skill as a batsman who comes in at the bottom of the order ...Bk2005
• WATCH a fieldsman ...1836
• YABBIE, YABBY in cricket: a wicket-keeper ...1983 Aust. sl.
cricket (sport) - verbs
• BALLOON to hit a cricket ball or baseball, or kick a football, high in the air ...1904 colloq.
• BARTER in cricket: to hit half-volley ...1859-64 Eng. sl.
• BREAK ONE’S DUCK in cricket: to score at least one run ...19C sl.
• BREAK ONE’S EGG in cricket: to score at least one run ...19C sl.
• CARRY YOUR BAT OUT in cricket: to survive your team's innings undismissed ...1934 UK sl.
• CART in cricket: to hit the ball or attack the bowling with unrestrained power ...1903 UK sl.
• CRACK ONE’S EGG in cricket: to score at least one run ...19C sl.
• DAB of a batsman in cricket: to play a tentative stroke that gently deflects the ball behind the wicket ...1985 UK sl.
• DANCE of a batsman in cricket: to swiftly advance beyond the crease to meet the pitch of a ball ...1995 UK sl.
• FAG OUT in cricket: to field ...c1840 Brit. schoolboys' sl.
• SCOUT to field at cricket ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SKY in cricket: to strike a ball into the air ...1873
cricket (sport) - phrases
• OWZAT? in cricket: an appeal to an umpire, how's that? ...1934 UK
CRIME, CRIMINAL - adjectives
• AIRTIGHT of a town or city: absolutely safe for criminal activities since the authorities have been fully and comprehensively paid off ...1940s US criminals' sl.
• ALIVE knowledgeable; aware, esp. of a criminal scheme ...M19 sl.
• ALL SET of a villain: ready for any criminal undertaking ...L18 sl.
• ALSATIAN criminal, roguish ...L17 sl.
• AT IT engaged in criminal activity ...1970 UK sl.
• CRIM criminal ...sl.
• DD said of a criminal who gives up no information at all if arrested ...1950 US sl.
• DEAD-BANG of a criminal case: open-and-shut; irrefutable ...1934 Amer. sl.
• DUE of a professional criminal: considered likely to be arrested whether or not actually responsible for the crime in question ...1996 UK sl.
• FACEY indicating criminal qualities ...2000 UK sl.
• FACINORIOUS † extremely wicked, grossly criminal, atrocious, infamous, vile ...1601
• FACINOROUS † extremely wicked, grossly criminal, villainous, atrocious, vile, infamous, detestably bad ...1548 obs. exc. arch.
• FLASH relating to or characteristic of the criminal underworld ...colloq.
• GAME † dishonest; mixed up with or belonging to the underworld ...1805 UK sl.
• IFFEY involved with criminality ...1930s sl., orig. US
• IFFY involved with criminality ...1930s sl., orig. US
• ILLEGIT illegitimate, criminal ...1910s sl.
• INSIDE-OUTSIDE of a crime: fully prepared ...1929 US criminals' sl.
• IN THE RACKET engaged in a criminal enterprise ...c1860 UK criminals' sl.
• KINKY dishonest, crooked, criminal ...1903 Amer. criminal sl.
• MALEFACTIOUS † wicked, criminal ...1660
• MALEFACTORY * ill-doing; criminal ...1871
• MALEFICENT of persons, their acts and dispositions: wrong-doing, criminal ...1760
• MALVERSE † dishonest, criminal ...1791 Sc.
• NO-ACCOUNT worthless; useless; good-for-nothing; insignificant; undependable, untrustworthy, criminal ...1845 Amer. dial.
• OFF of a crime: successfully achieved ...M19 UK criminals' sl.
• OFFENCEFUL † causing offence or displeasure; wrong; sinful; criminal ...1603 rare or obs.
• ON of a criminal enterprise: under way ...1969 UK sl.
• ON SUS suspected of having committed a crime ...1936 Brit.sl.
• ON THE CROSS dishonest, criminal ...sl.
• SILENT of an entry in a criminal's file: showing crimes for which the criminal was not charged but probably committed ...1990 US sl.
• TASTY having a criminal record ...1975 Brit.
• WRONG unsafe for criminal activity ...M19 UK criminals' sl.
crime, criminal - adverbs
• ACROSS THE PAVEMENT of a criminal activity: in a street situation ...1977 UK sl.
• WRONG in a criminal, illegal manner ...M19 sl.
crime, criminal - nouns
• ACCRIMINATION †* accusation of crime ...1655
• ACCUSE †* the act of accusing or charging with crime; charge, accusation ...1593
• ACTION acts of crime; commerce in drugs; illegal activity ...Bk2000 criminal sl.
• ALSATIA a sanctuary for criminals; a lawless place ...1697
• AMERICAN WAY relatively peaceful co-existence by rival organized crime families ...1992 US sl.
• ART photographs of wanted criminals ...20C Amer. sl.
• BIT OF NONSENSE an easily achieved criminal act ...1968 UK sl.
• BIT OF WORK a crime; a robbery ...1996 UK sl.
• BIZ crime ...Bk1998 sl.
• BOYS, THE criminals, rowdies, thugs, etc.; in the 19th century, corrupt politicians or their hangers-on ...a1815 Amer. sl.
• BUM RAP a false criminal charge ...Bk1990 Amer. sl.
• CACKLE-BLADDER a small bladder of chicken blood held in the mouth and used by criminals to counterfeit the coughing up of blood ...1930s US criminals' sl.
• CAPER a criminal undertaking ...1867 sl.
• CHAT a criminal 'job' or undertaking ...L19 sl.
• CRIB a location where thieves gather to plot; a dwelling for thieves, prostitutes, etc. ...Bk2006 US criminals' sl.
• CROSS, THE dishonest or fraudulent practices, criminal activities ...E19 sl.
• CYBERCRIME the illegal use of computers and the internet; crime committed by means of computers or the internet
• DAISY BEAT a cheat or swindle or minor crime ...1889 rhyming sl.
• DEAD PIGEON a criminal enterprise, a double-crosser ...1964 US sl.
• EARNINGS proceeds from crime ...1974 S. Afr. sl.
• EVILLING acting in a deliberately negative manner, e.g. riotously, argumentatively, criminally ...1930s US Black sl.
• FACT † an evil deed, a crime ...1539
• FAKEN † fraud, guile; wickedness, crime ...c924
• FALL DOUGH money set aside by a criminal for bribing policemen or obtaining bail if he is arrested ...1910 US criminals' sl.
• FALL MONEY funds saved by criminals to pay lawyers, secure cash bail, and to bribe officials ...1893 Amer. criminals' sl.
• FAMILY the criminal fraternity ...M18 sl.
• FAMILY PEOPLE the underworld of thieves, robbers ...L18 cant
• FANCY, THE the underworld ...M19 Aust. & US
• FEAT † an evil deed; a crime ...1481
• FIXIT a criminal enterprise in which cars are given new identities ...1972 UK sl.
• FORM a criminal record ...1958 Brit. sl.
• FRAME a (criminal) conspiracy or plot ...1911 sl. orig. US
• FRAME-UP a (criminal) conspiracy or plot ...1900 sl. orig. US
• GAME any criminal or illicit livelihood or vocation; any trick or device with sinister design ...1738 UK sl.
• GAME, THE † illicit or criminal activity; stealing, burglary ...1739 criminals' sl.
• GARAGE a subset of a criminal organization ...1975 US sl.
• GIG a criminal act; a swindle ...20C sl.
• HABITUAL, THE a criminal charge alleging habitual criminal status ...1972 US sl.
• HIT CAR an automobile used to make a getaway from the scene of a murder or to carry a kidnapped victim to the place where he is to be killed ...1969 Amer. criminal & police sl.
• HUMBLE a false criminal accusation or charge ...1940 US sl.
• HUMBUG false or trumped-up criminal charges ...1972 US sl.
• HUSTLE a criminal scheme or activity ...1970s US sl.
• INSIDE JOB a crime committed by or with the connivance of someone living or working in the place where it happened ...1908 sl.
• JACKET the police prison file on a criminal, recording previous convictions, etc.; one's criminal record ...1950s sl.
• JOB a robbery; a criminal undertaking ...1722 sl.
• KEY the declaration, under the Habitual Criminals Act, that one is an habitual criminal; an indefinite sentence under this act ...1944 Aust. sl.
• LAGGING MATTER any crime punishable by transportation ...E19 UK criminals' sl.
• LAGLAND the underworld ...M19 sl.
• LAHTER † a vice, sin, crime ...c900
• LAW n. a type of criminal activity ...M16 UK criminals' sl.
• LEMON AND LIME crime ...1990s rhyming sl.
• LIFE, THE the criminal lifestyle; the lifestyle of prostitution ...1916 US sl.
• MAIL a rumour; a report; a racing tip; information on crime ...1960s Aust. sl.
• MALEFACT † a criminal act; an offense; evil-doing ...1534
• MALEFACTION evil-doing; an instance of evil-doing; a criminal act ...1602
• MALVERSE † a crime ...c1700 Scot
• MOB a criminal gang ...L18 sl., orig. US
• MOB, THE organized crime; the mafia ...Amer. sl.
• NURSERY RHYME crime ...1990s Brit. rhyming sl.
• OC organized crime ...1975 US sl.
• ONE a crime ...1910s UK criminals' sl.
• OUTSIDE JOB a crime committed by someone not otherwise associated with the place where it happened ...1925 sl.
• PAPER an underworld contract to have someone killed ...1983 US sl.
• PEDIGREE a criminal record ...1911 sl.
• POSSE a gang of Black (esp. Jamaican) youths involved in organized or violent crime, often drug-related ...1986 sl., chiefly US
• PREVIOUS previous criminal convictions; a criminal record ...1935 Brit. sl.
• PRIORS prior convictions; a criminal record ...1978 US sl.
• RACKET a criminal enterprise; a swindle or a means of deception ...1894 UK sl.
• RACKETS, THE organized crime ...1920s US sl.
• RAILROAD any arrest and allied criminal proceeding that ignores the facts, evidence, truth etc. and concentrates on a speedy conviction, the guilt or innocence of the person notwithstanding ...L19 US sl.
• RANK a failed crime, esp. when foiled by the authorities ...1920s US criminals' sl.
• RAP 1. a criminal conviction ...1903 sl., orig. & chiefly US
2. a criminal specialty ...1990s US criminals' sl.
• RAPPER a crime for which someone other than the guilty person is punished ...20C US sl.
• RECEIPT the harbouring or entertainment of outlaws or criminals; a shelter ...1631 Sc.
• SCORE a one-time payment from a criminal to the police to avoid prosecution ...1972 US sl.
• SINGLE-O a crime committed without an accomplice ...1930 US sl.
• SOD BUSTER a business that appears to be legitimate but is in fact a front for criminal activity ...1982 US sl.
• SQUEEZE an impression of an object made for criminal purposes ...1882 sl.
• STOPPO a getaway after committing a crime; a quick getaway by car from the scene of a crime ...1935 Brit. sl.
• SUS(S) suspicion of having committed a crime ...1936 Brit. sl.
• TALENT members of the criminal underworld ..1879 Aust. sl.
• TICKLE a successful crime or illegal deal ...1938 sl.
• TOOLS any implements used in the commission of crime, e.g. housebreaking implements, guns, pistols, or other weapons ...E19 UK criminals' sl.
• UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, THE the 'grapevine' or that system of communication which subsists in the underworld, esp. between convicts and the outer world ...1879 UK criminals' sl.
• UNDERGROUND WIRES, THE the 'grapevine' or that system of communication which subsists in the underworld, esp. between convicts and the outer world ...1918 US criminals' sl.
• UNDERWORLD the world of thieves, prostitutes, tramps, sexual degenerates, and confidence men ...19C Brit. & US usage
• UNICORN a woman and two men, or two women and one man in league for criminal purposes ...L19 sl.
crime, criminal - person
• AARON, THE a criminal, especially a gang leader ...17C thieves' sl.
• ACCIDENTAL CRIMINAL one who commits a criminal offense without intending to do so ...Bk1992 legal usage
• ACE a clever crook ...Bk1945 criminals' sl.
• ALIBI IKE any criminal who regularly asserts alibis when questioned about a crime ...1915 US sl.
• ALSATIANS members of London's criminal underworld ...18C sl.
• AMATEUR a professional criminal who has not been in trouble with the police ...1930s UK criminals' sl.
• BAB a criminal ...1920s Aust. & NZ sl.
• BABBLER a criminal ...1920s sl.
• BABBLING BROOK a crook; a criminal ...1919 Aust. rhyming sl.
• BAD ACTOR a confirmed criminal, esp. a murderer ...Bk1975 Amer. criminals' sl.
• BAD BOY a tearaway, a young criminal ...1929 US sl.
• BAD BWAI a villain, a criminal, a rebellious young male ...1999 W. Indies & UK Black teen sl.
• BAD BWOY a villain, a criminal, a rebellious young male ...1999 W. Indies & UK Black teen sl.
• BADDIE an unpleasant person, spec. a criminal, a hoodlum, a tough guy; a mischievous person ...1939 sl.
• BADDY a bad person; a criminal; a villain, esp. in a film or play ...1937 sl., orig. US
• BADGE † a criminal having wounds and scars resulting from the burning of the hands or face as a punishment for crimes ...a1790 UK criminals' sl.
• BAD GUY a malefactor, esp. a violent criminal ...1965 US police sl.
• BAD-HEAD a tearaway, a young criminal ...1996 Caribbean English
• BAD-JOHN a gangster; an important criminal ...1973 UK Black sl.
• BADMAN a desperado, an outlaw, a gunman; a violent or ruthless criminal; a villain ...1855 chiefly US
• BAD NUMBER an ex-convict; any dangerous criminal ...Bk1945 criminals' sl.
• BAD SEED a person who never does anything well; a person who veers from the straight and narrow and acts like a criminal ...Bk2004
• BAG LADY a woman who delivers or, esp. collects illicit payments ...1977 Amer. criminals' sl.
• BAGMAN a man who delivers or, esp. collects illicit payments; a bill collector ...1935 Amer. criminals' sl.
• BANDIT a villain, a criminal ...1970 UK sl.
• BANDULU a bandit, a criminal, one who lives by guile ...20C W. Indies Rasta
• BARON a major criminal ...1910 UK & US criminals' sl.
• BARRACUDA a violent, aggressive person, esp. a criminal ...1935 US sl.
• BASKET MAN a graft collector for a criminal gang ...1930s US criminals' sl.
• BAT a denizen of the criminal underworld ...1935 US criminals' sl.
• B.B. the head of an organized crime syndicate, or some equivalent figure; a 'Big Boy' ...1930 US sl.
• BELL WETHER † the leader of a gang of criminals, because the wether in a flock of sheep usually wears a bell around his neck ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• BENE COFE a friend; literally, a good fellow; hence in cant, a fellow criminal ...1608 sl. UK criminals' sl.
• BENE COVE a friend; literally, a good fellow; hence in cant, a fellow criminal ...1611 sl. UK criminals' sl.
• BESTER a criminal who deceives his peers ...1865 UK criminals' sl.
• BIG BOY the head of an organized crime syndicate, or some equivalent figure; a gang leader ...1928 US criminals' sl.
• BIG FELLA the head of an organized crime syndicate, or some equivalent figure ...1934 US criminals' sl.
• BIG FELLOW the head of an organized crime syndicate or some equivalent figure ...1934 US criminals' sl.
• BIG JUICE 1. a White gang-boss; a big-time crook ...1971 US Black sl.
2. any criminal with high-level police protection ...Bk1988 criminals' sl.
• BIG-LEAGUER a major criminal ...1955 US sl.
• BIG MITT an underworld leader ...1925 criminals' sl.
• BIG SHOT the leader of a gang of criminals; the head of a gang; a pretentious criminal of no importance ...1920 criminals' sl.
• BIG STICK WIELDER a machine gunner ...Bk1945 criminals' sl.
• BIG STUFF a criminal who operates on a large scale ...1927 criminals' sl.
• BIG-TIMER a criminal involved in large-scale, high-volume operations ...1937 police & media sl.
• BIG WINEY a criminal who is highly regarded by peers in the underworld ...Bk1992 US convicts' sl.
• BIRDS OF A FEATHER rogues of the same gang; also, those of the same profession ...1618 UK criminals' sl.
• BITCH a habitual criminal ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• BLACK HAT a villain or criminal, esp. one in a film or other work of fiction; a 'bad guy' ...1959 colloq., orig. US
• BLACKLEG a professional criminal ...1930 US criminals' sl.
• BOYS, THE criminals, rowdies, thugs, etc.; in the 19th century, corrupt politicians or their hangers-on ...a1815 Amer. sl.
• BUTTON a low-ranking member of a crime syndicate ...1966 Amer. police & criminals' sl.
• BUTTON MAN a low-ranking member of a crime syndicate ...1969 Amer. police & criminals' sl.
• CARRIER the member of a criminal gang who watches the roads, inns, etc., in order to carry information to the gang of a booty in prospect ...1725 sl.
• CAT'S UNCLE a criminal ...1936 Amer. dial.
• CHESTER a second-rate criminal ...1940s US criminals' sl.
• CHISELLER a small-time criminal; hence, one who is of no-account ...1928 Amer. sl., esp. criminals' usage
• CHISLER a small-time criminal; hence, one who is of no-account ...1930 Amer. sl., esp. criminals' usage
• CHOIR BIRD a mendicant villain who, recently released from prison, returns to robbery, specializing in stealing horses ...M16 UK criminals' sl.
• CHUMMY someone suspected or accused of or charged with a crime ...1942 Brit. police sl.
• CLEANSKIN a person without a criminal record ...1943 Aust.
• COCKATOO a criminal's lookout or sentinel ...1934 Aust. sl.
• CRIM a criminal ...1909 US & Aust. sl.
• CROOK a professional criminal or an associate of criminals; a swindler or dishonest person ...1877 colloq.
• DAGEN - an artful criminal or near-criminal ...sl.
• DAGGER - a hanger-on; a criminal associate ...1980s Aust. sl.
• DAISY-CHAIN a criminal who is handcuffed to two prison officers ...20C Irish sl.
• DANGLER - a beggar or criminal ...1928 US criminals' sl.
• DEAD NAIL - a shrewd, imposing criminal; a person of an over-reaching, imposing disposition ...E19 sl.
• DEAD ONE - a reformed or retired tramp or criminal ...1900s US criminals' sl.
• DEAD PIGEON - one who has been caught breaking a rule or committing a crime ...1910s US prison sl.
• DEADWOOD - a person caught outright committing a crime ...1992 US sl.
• EAR - a person who is not a part of the criminal underworld but who reports what he hears to those who are ...1964 US sl.
• EARNER - a member of an organized crime enterprise who produces high profits, however unpleasant his character may be ...1995 US sl.
• ENFORCER - a strong-arm man, esp. in an underworld gang ...1929 sl., orig. US
• ERIFF - a young or novice criminal ...L17 sl.
• EWE - a young and beautiful female member of a criminal gang ...L17 UK criminals' sl.
• FAATER - a criminal; a defaulter ...Bk1866 Sc.
• FACE 1. a person; in police use: a known criminal ...1944 sl.
2. a professional criminal, usually an armed robber with no territorial ambitions ...1960s UK criminals' sl.
• FACER - a staller - a criminal who places himself in the way of persons who are in hot pursuit of his accomplices ...1859 Amer. sl.
• FAIKE - an experienced, senior criminal ...L19 UK criminals' sl.
• FAIRY HAWK - one who attacks (and robs) homosexuals; a criminal who preys on homosexuals ...1960s US gay sl.
• FAMILY MAN - a man who is a professional criminal or a trusted associate of criminals; a member of the criminal fraternity; a thief ...1749 sl.
• FAMILY WOMAN - a female member of the criminal fraternity; a thief ...L18 sl.
• FLY MAN - a professional criminal ...c1919 Glasgow cant
• FRIGHTENER - a member of a criminal gang employed to intimidate the gang's potential victims ...1962 sl.
• FUNKER - a petty criminal, rated as the lowest order of thieves ...19C sl.
• GAME - † one deceitful or connected to the underworld ...1910 criminals' sl.
• GAME LIGHTERMAN † one deceitful or connected tot he underworld ...1910 criminals' sl.
• GAMESTER a criminal practitioner ...1694 UK sl.
• GAME WATERMAN † one deceitful or connected tot he underworld ...1910 criminals' sl.
• GANDY DANCER a petty criminal; a tramp ...1919 US sl.
• GANEF, GANEV a thief, a crook; a swindler; a gangster; an amateur pickpocket ...1839 criminals' sl.
• GANGBUSTER an officer of a law enforcement agency noted for its successful (and often aggressive) methods in dealing with organized crime ...1936 sl., orig. & chiefly US
• GANGSTA a gangster; a criminal, esp. a member of organized crime or an urban gang ...1988 orig. US
• GAY CAT a small-time criminal, usually a vagrant or the lookout in a robbery ...1916 criminals' sl.
• GAY CAT SPOTTER a small-time criminal, usually a vagrant or the lookout in a robbery ...1916 criminals' sl.
• GHEE ONE HUSTLES WITH a partner in a crime ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• GHEE WITH THE BOODLE a member of a group of criminals who keeps or controls the money ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• GILES'S BREED criminals living in the parish of St. Giles, now London, W.C.1. ...1785 UK criminals' sl.
• GIP ARTIST a short-changer or other swindler; a confidence man; a professional crook; a skilful cheat ...1935 Amer. sl.
• GRAFTER a small-time criminal, such as a pickpocket or thief ...1866 US sl.
• GRIFTER a small-time criminal ...1915 US sl.
• GUN an armed criminal ...1859 Amer. sl.
• GUN MOLL an armed female thief or other criminal; the female companion of a male gunman or gangster ...1908 US sl.
• GUNNY an armed criminal ...1950s Amer. sl.
• GUN-SLINGER a western gunfighter; an armed criminal ...1928 sl., chiefly US
• HAB a habitual criminal ...1963 US sl.
• HABITCH a habitual criminal ...1956 Amer. legal usage
• HABITUAL a habitual criminal, drunkard, etc. ...1884 colloq.
• HACKSTER * a violent criminal, esp. one who fights with a sword or knife; a cut-throat, a murderer; a thug; an assassin ...1574
• HACKUM † a bragging, self-assured criminal ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• HAIRPIN a female associate ...Bk1962 Amer. criminals' sl.
• HALF A BUTTON a criminal who is on the fringe of full membership of the US Mafia ...1975 US criminals' sl.
• HALF-ASSED WISEGUY a criminal who seeks admission to the Mafia ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• HAM-FATTER a criminal novice; a rookie ...1929 US criminals' sl.
• HARD a tough person, esp. a criminal; a thug, a hoodlum ...1864 sl.
• HARD CASE a hardened criminal; an outlaw; a person who is difficult to dangerous to deal with; a tough, ruthless, aggressive person ...1836 colloq., orig. US
• HARD GUY a serious, violent criminal ...1916 US sl.
• HARDHEAD 1. a villain; a criminal ...1933 Aust. sl.
2. a criminal who uses explosives to break into safes ...1949 US sl.
• HARD ONE a criminal character; a tough guy ...1908 US sl.
• HARLOT † a vagrant, beggar, or criminal ...ME
• HASHER one who never succeeds in a criminal enterprise ...1935 US sl.
• HATTER - † a criminal, esp. a thief, working on his own ...c1893 Aust. sl.
• HAZER - one who distracts the police and passers-by in the aftermath of a smash-and-grab ...1925 UK criminals' sl.
• HC - a habitual criminal ...Bk1988
• HEADBREAKER - a thug; a criminal who uses extreme physical force to collect outstanding debts or to inflict punishment ...1986 US sl.
• HEAD BULLY OF THE PASS - a gang boss or top criminal who levies a tax on all games of chance in the area of which he is in control ...c1698 sl.
• HEAD BULLY OF THE PASSAGE BANK - a gang boss or top criminal who levies a tax on all games of chance in the area of which he is in control ...c1698 sl.
• HEADBUSTER - a thug; a criminal who uses extreme physical force to collect outstanding debts or to inflict punishment ...1955 US sl.
• HEADCRUSHER - a criminal who uses extreme physical force to collect outstanding debts or to inflict punishment; one who beats or kills others on orders from a gang leader; a mob enforcer ...Bk1980 Amer. criminals' sl. Jonathan
• HEAD CULLY OF THE PASS - a gang boss or top criminal who levies a tax on all games of chance in the area of which he is in control ...Bk1776 sl.
• HEAD CULLY OF THE PASSAGE BANK - a gang boss or top criminal who levies a tax on all games of chance in the area of which he is in control ...Bk1776 sl.
• HEAD HUNTER - a criminal who specializes in preying on other, successful and thus wealthy, criminals ...1991 Aust. criminals' sl.
• HEAVY - a thug, a villain, esp. a violent criminal ...1916 sl.
• HEAVY HITTER - a violent criminal; a hired thug ...1975 US sl.
• HEAVY MAN - a thug, a criminal or law-breaker who is prone to use violence ...1926 US sl.
• HEAVYWEIGHT - a violent criminal; a thug ...1914 US criminals' sl.
• HEEL * an opportunistic burglar; a sneak thief; a pickpocket; a petty criminal ...1902 US criminals' sl.
• HEP-GHEE a person who knows that a crime is being committed ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• HIGHBINDER * a violent criminal; a vandal; a gangster; a thug; an unruly or disreputable person; a rowdy person, a rogue; one of a gang which commits outrages on persons and property ...1806 US sl.
• HIGHJACKER a criminal or tramp who robs other criminals or tramps ...1933 US criminals' sl.
• HIGH MOB leading criminals ...1896 UK criminals' sl.
• HIGH MOBSMEN leading criminals ...1896 UK criminals' sl.
• HIGH SHREEVE a nickname for the male leader of a 17th century criminal gang ...1612 criminals' sl. Dict Crime Nash 1992
• HISTORY-SHEETER a person with a criminal record ...1940 Anglo-Indian colloq.
• HUMP a lookout during a crime ...1949 US sl.
• HUSTLER one of a gang of pickpockets who takes part in hustling a person; also, a thief, a criminal; one who makes his living dishonestly or by begging; a pimp ...1825 sl.
• IBM a member of an organized crime family; an Italian businessman ...1997 US sl.
• IN-AND-OUT BOY - a second-rate criminal, i.e. one whose life alternates between being in and out of prison ...1920s sl.
• IN-AND-OUT MAN - a second-rate criminal, i.e. one whose life alternates between being in and out of prison ...1920s sl.
• IN-AND-OUTER - a criminal who is arrested, but never actually charged and jailed ...1970s US criminals' sl.
• IN-AND-OUTER - a second-rate, petty criminal ...1950s US criminals' sl.
• INFORMATION FENCE - a criminal who sells information to crooks ...1940 US criminals' sl.
• JACK-BOY - a street criminal who relies almost exclusively upon force and terror - a hold-up man - an armed robber ...1989 US sl.
• JACK-THE-LAD - (a nickname for) a troublemaker or rogue, esp. one regarded with both admiration and mistrust - someone noticeably sharper, smarter, or smugger than the rest - a young impudent man - a popular villain - also, a wanted criminal...1981 Brit. colloq.
• KA - a known associate of a criminal ...1986 US sl.
• KATH - a habitual criminal ...1910s Aust. sl.
• KATHLEEN MAVOURNEEN - a habitual criminal ...1910s Aust. sl.
• KEY MAN - a person declared a habitual criminal ...1944 Aust. sl.
• KINK - a crook; a larcenous criminal; later, esp. a car thief ...1914 Amer. sl.
• LONE HAND - a thief or criminal who works alone ...1926 US sl.
• LURKER - a petty criminal ...20C Aust. sl.
• LURKMAN - a confidence trickster, a petty criminal ...M19 Aust. sl.
• MAC DADDY - a successful pimp or criminal - esp. one who dresses or behaves in a way characteristic of such a person ...1964 US sl., orig. Black usage
• MACEMAN - an elite criminal ...L19 sl.
• MACK DADDY - a man who is successful as a pimp or (later), a violent criminal - esp. one who dresses or behaves in a way characteristic of such a person ...1958-59 Amer. criminals' & rap music usage
• MAFIA - big-time criminals ...1950s W. Indies Rasta
• MAGGOT - a felon or habitual criminal ...1985 Amer. police sl.
• MALEFACTRESS - a female felon or criminal; an evil-doer ...1647
• MALFEASANT - an evil-doer; a criminal ...1882
• MALFETOUR - † a malefactor; a criminal; an evil-doer ...c1450
• MAN, THE - a crime boss, esp. when he masquerades as a respectable businessman ...1950s sl.
• MAT - a criminal's accomplice; a female criminal ...E19 sl.
• MCDADDY - a successful pimp or criminal ...1950s US Black sl.
• MINDER - a bodyguard hired to protect a criminal ...1924 sl.
• MISTER BIG - an important, influential person, esp. a 'criminal mastermind' ...1930s sl., orig. US
• MOB - * a member of a gang of criminals, esp. thieves ...1826
• MOBBIE - a member of an organized crime organization ...1994 US sl.
• MOBBY - a member of a criminal gang ...1888 US criminals' sl.
• MOB GEE - a member of a mob or criminal gang ...1931 US criminals' sl.
• MOB GHEE - a member of a mob or criminal gang ...1931 US criminals' sl.
• MOB GUY - a member of a mob or criminal gang ...1975 US criminals' sl.
• MOBMAN - a member of a criminal gang ...1936 Aust. criminals' sl.
• MOB-MARKER - a member of the gang who selects the likely targets for robbery ...1934 US criminals' sl.
• MOBSMAN - a member of a gang of criminals; a dressy swindler or pickpocket, esp. formerly, one who operates in a crowd ...1843 UK criminals' sl.
• MOBSTER - a member of a gang of criminals; spec. a member of the Mafia ...1917 colloq., orig. US
• MOGUE - a stupid, strong-arm member of an underworld gang ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• MOKER, MOKKER - the head of a criminal organization; a gang boss ...1926 US sl.
• MOLL - a criminal's or gangster's female companion ...1823 sl.
• MOLL OF THE CROSS - a girl or woman of the Underworld ...1865 UK criminals' sl.
• MOONER - any pathological law breaker whose crimes are against persons rather than property and who derives more excitement than financial gain from his crimes, often committing moral offenses or offenses involving no profit; esp. rapists, transvestites, etc. ...1958 Amer. sl.
• MOONMAN - †* a person, esp. a criminal, who works at night; a robber, thief or highwayman who follows his vocation chiefly by moonlight ...1632
• MOON'S MAN - † a person, esp. a criminal, who works at night; a thief or highwayman ...1907
• MOPE - a policeman's sarcastic term for a person with a long record of petty crimes such as shoplifting ...Bk1992 New York police sl.
• MOST WANTED a person who most eagerly sought after, esp. in connection with serious criminal offenses ...1985
• MOT - a criminal's accomplice; a female criminal ...1829 UK sl.
• MOTOR BANDIT - a person who commits a crime using, or in connection with, a motor vehicle ...1912
• MOTT(E) - a criminal's accomplice; a female criminal ...1829 UK sl.
• MOUSTACHE PETE - an older Italian-American criminal, associated with outdated ways of doing things ...1938 US sl.
• MR. BIG - an important, influential person, esp. a 'criminal mastermind' ...1930s sl., orig. US
• MUG a rough or ugly person; a criminal ...1865
• NAIL a shrewd, imposing criminal ...1812 sl.
• NAILING RASCAL a shrewd, imposing criminal; a person of an over-reaching, imposing disposition ...E19 sl.
• NAILS a shrewd, imposing criminal; a person of an over-reaching, imposing disposition ...E19 sl.
• NAME a known criminal ...1984 Brit. sl.
• NERVOUS FINGER one given to small-time criminality ...1940s US criminals' sl.
• NEWGATE-SAINT a condemned criminal ...Bk1902 sl.
• ODD-MARK FIRM a group or gang that includes various different types of minor criminals, and even a few non-criminal types ...1990s UK criminals' sl.
• OLD FAKE a criminal undergoing his second probation ...c1840 Aust. criminals' sl.
• OLD VULTURE † a companion in crime ...1889 criminals' sl.
• OPERATOR a major criminal ...1920s sl.
• PACK HORSE a criminal who takes the blame for several others ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• PADDY HUSTLER a criminal who targets White people as victims ...1970 US sl.
• PEDIGREE-MAN a recidivist (a criminal who reoffends, esp. repeatedly) ...1923 cant
• PERP the perpetrator of a crime ...1981 US sl.
• POTSIE, POTSY, POTTSY one who accepts the blame for a crime ...Bk1992 gambling sl.
• PUGGIE a hardened criminal ...1965 US sl.
• PUNK a small-time or petty criminal ...1917 sl., chiefly US
• PUNTER a criminal, esp. one who assists as a confederate ...1891 sl.
• QUEER PEOPLE criminals ...1940s UK criminals' sl.
• RABBI an Underworld boss ...Bk2002 US criminals' sl.
• RACKET BOY a member of an organized criminal enterprise ...1953 US sl.
• RACKET BROAD a female criminal ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• RACKET DUDE a thief; a racketeer ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• RACKETEER a person, esp. a member of a gang or crime syndicate, who earns money through a dishonest or illegal business, typically involving extortion, intimidation, or violence; a swindler or extortionist ...1924 orig. US
• RACKET GHEE a member of an organized crime syndicate ...1930s US sl.
• RACKET GUY a career criminal; a racketeer ...1925 criminals' sl.
• RACKET MAN a member of an organized crime syndicate ...1930s US sl.
• RAM - an accomplice in petty crime ...1941 sl., orig. & chiefly Aust.
• RANK - a criminal, a gangster ...1990s W. Indies & UK Black sl.
• RAP PARTNER - someone who is on the same charge sheet as oneself; someone who is jailed for the same crime ...1960s US criminals' sl.
• RAPPER - one who takes or is given the blame for a crime, even if they are not actually guilty ...1940s US sl.
• RINGER a criminal who fraudulently changes the identity of a motor vehicle ...1965 UK sl.
• SAN TOYS villains, criminals ...1900s rhyming sl. for 'The Boys'
• SCAMMER, SKAMMER a petty criminal ...1972 sl., orig. US
• SLAG a petty criminal; such people collectively ...1955 sl.
• SLOW CONNECTOR a second-rate criminal ...1930s US criminals' sl.
• SPACER a convicted criminal ...1920 US criminals' sl.
• SPIV a flashy, sharp individual who exists on the fringes of real criminality, living by their wits rather than a regular job ...20C sl.
• STANDOVER MAN a criminal who uses intimidation; a thug ...1944 Aust. sl.
• ST. GILES'S BREED criminals ...18C sl.
• STREETMAN a petty criminal who works on the city streets, esp. as a pickpocket or drug peddler ...1908 US sl.
• SUS(S) someone suspected of a crime ...1936 Brit. sl.
• TAGEREG a hardened criminal ...2016 W. Indies sl.
• TAILER the member of a criminal gang who remains on guard at a railway station, impersonating a policeman, for the purpose of bullying any victim who discovers he has been swindled, and returns to try to recover his money ...1898 US criminals' sl.
• TAKE MAN the member of a criminal gang who actually steals the money ...1975 Aust. sl.
• TAKE-OFF ARTIST one who does the job then 'takes off' ...1940s US criminals' sl.
• TAKER the member of a criminal gang who keeps watch or entices a victim into a crooked gambling game ...1552 sl.
• TAKES criminals in general ...1945 Aust. criminals' sl.
• TALENT an intelligent, resourceful criminal ...1962 US sl.
• TANGLER a small-time crook who deals in smuggled or stolen property ...1940s sl.
• TANKER a criminal who informs on his accomplices ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• TOPPER a criminal who represents the interests of a cheque forger ...1956 UK sl.
• VILLAIN a professional criminal ...1960s sl.
• VIRGIN a criminal with no convictions ...1970s US criminals' sl.
• WANDELARD †* a criminal, a law-breaker ...1338
• WELFARE KING a male criminal who is extremely successful in defrauding various welfare programs by using many different aliases to obtain an unfair quantity of goods and money ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• WELFARE QUEEN a female criminal who is extremely successful in defrauding various welfare programs by using many different aliases to obtain an unfair quantity of goods and money ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• WHEELMAN the driver of a criminals' getaway vehicle ...1935 sl., orig. US
• WIDE BOY a man who lives by his wits, often dishonestly; a petty criminal ...1937 Brit. sl.
• WIDE GIRL a woman living by her wits, often a petty criminal ...1956 UK sl.
• WIDE-OH a villain; a petty criminal; a rogue ...1988 Sc. sl.
• WIDO a villain; a petty criminal; a rogue ...1935 Sc. sl.
• WISE GUY a professional criminal, esp. a mob member ...1975 US criminals' sl.
• WISE MAN † a criminal who impersonates a police officer ...1904 US criminals' sl.
• WRONGO, WRONGGO a criminal; an undesirable person; a bad person; a wicked person; a villain ...1937 sl., orig. US
• WRONG 'UN a criminal; a thoroughly bad person; an untrustworthy, incompetent person, animal, action, circumstance, or event ...L19 sl.
• YARDIE a member of any of a number of West Indian, and esp. Jamaican, gangs engaged in usually drug-related organized crime ...1986 sl.
• YEGG a criminal of any kind ...1901 US sl.
• YEGG-MAN a criminal who uses violence or force ...1926 US criminals' sl.
• YEGGON † the chief of a mob of crooks ...1925 US criminals' sl.
• YOUNG CUB † a young member of a criminal gang ...1698 criminals' sl.
• ZIP an Italian or Sicilian criminal brought to the US for criminal purposes, esp. murder ...1993 US sl.
crime, criminal - person, other
• BEACHCOMBER a hanger-on among criminals, running errands and performing odd jobs ...1950 US criminals' sl.
• CROOK one whose conduct is crooked; a dishonest person; a swindler, a sharper; a professional criminal or an associate of criminals ...1879 colloq.
• HEAD HUNTER a person who tracks down wanted criminals; a fugitive hunter ...1927 US sl.
• HEELER a criminals' unskilled accomplice; any type of hired thug ...1859 US criminals' sl.
• HENCHMAN a person who does the dirty work of a criminal; a subordinate, esp. one who performs unpleasant tasks ...Bk1980
• MOLISHER a thief's mistress; a criminal's sweetheart ...Bk1859 sl.
• MOLL a girlfriend; a sweetheart; spec. the girlfriend or female accomplice of a gangster or criminal; a female pickpocket or thief ...1823
• MOLLISHER a low-class woman; a thief's mistress; a criminal's sweetheart; a female cohabiting with a man gets his living by thieving ...Bk1859 sl.
• MONISHER, MONNISHER * a girl, a woman; esp. a prostitute; later, also, the girlfriend of a thief or criminal ...1765 sl.
• MONKEY a criminal associate ...1914 criminals' sl.
• MOOCHING KID a young (male) beggar; a young hanger-on, an incipient criminal ...1929 US criminals' sl.
• MOPE a member of the law-abiding public ...2002 US criminals' sl.
• MOT, MOTT a criminal's accomplice; a female criminal ...1829 UK sl.
• RECEIPTER one who shelters or assists outlaws or criminals ...1681 Sc.
• SQUARE PLUG a timorous person who is in moral sympathy with the criminal element, but lacking the courage or inclination to actually participate ...Bk1914 criminals' sl.
• WINGER a person protecting a criminal ...1993
crime, criminal - verbs
• ACCRIMINATE †* to accuse of a crime ...1655
• BOOK to record the name of someone who has committed an offense ...1841 sl.
• DIP to fail in the commission of a crime, esp. theft or robbery ...1975 Aust. sl.
• FAKE DOWN to carry out a crime ...M19 NZ sl.
• FAST LANE to indulge in a crime spree ...1980s Aust. prison sl.
• GAP to watch, to witness a crime ...1949 US sl.
• JUGGLE to engage in criminal business activities ...1994 UK sl.
• MAKE ONE to put together plans for a crime, esp. a robbery, and then carry out that crime ...1970s UK criminals' sl.
• MAKE ONE WITH to commit a crime in partnership with one or more other people ...1970s UK criminals' sl.
• MOONLIGHT to engage in criminal activity at night ...L19 UK criminals' sl.
• PULL A STROKE to commit a successful crime ...c1950 cant
• PULL AWAY to divert attention from the scene of a crime ...1975 Aust. sl.
• PULL IT OFF to commit a crime ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• PULL OFF to commit a crime ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• PUT ONE TOGETHER to plan a crime ...1970s UK criminals' sl.
• RACKETEER to practise any form of criminal deception, trickery, extortion, etc. ...1920s sl.
• RANK to catch in the act of committing a crime ...1920s US sl.
• RECEIPT to harbour or shelter an outlaw or criminal ...1715 Sc.
• SCORE of a police officer: to extract a one-time bribe from a criminal to avoid prosecution ...1972 US sl.
• SINGLE-O to operate as a criminal without confederates; to operate selfishly within a criminal enterprise ...1950 US sl.
• SUS(S) to suspect of a crime ...1953 Brit. sl.
• SWALLOW to abandon life as a professional criminal, to 'go straight' ...20C sl.
• TAB to charge with a crime ...L19 sl.
• TAB UP to charge with a crime ...L19 sl.
• TAKE THE FALL to be accused (and condemned) unfairly of a crime ...1920s US sl.
• TRADE UP to escape criminal prosecution or lessen the charges against you by providing the police with information about other criminals ...1981 US sl.
• TUG to distract someone's attention while a crime is being committed ...1970s Aust. criminals' sl.
• TUG A HEAD to distract someone's attention while a crime is being committed ...1970s Aust. criminals' sl.
• WOLF-PACK to engage in criminal gang activity ...1982 US sl.
crime, criminal - phrases
• BANG TO RIGHTS said of a criminal who is caught red-handed ...1904 Brit. sl.
• DEAD TO RIGHTS said of a criminal who is caught red-handed ...1859 Brit. sl.
• ON THE MOVE about to commit a crime, esp. a burglary ...1996 UK sl.
• PLEAD ONE'S BELLY of a pregnant female criminal facing the death sentence: to plead that since she is pregnant, the law should spare her unborn child's life ...18C sl.
CRIMINALLY - adverbs
• QUEERLY in a criminal manner ...L17 sl.
CRINGE, CRINGING - adjectives
• BENECKING †* bowing the neck, cringing ...1705
• CRINGELING * cringing, servile ...1798
• INHOLDING selfish; fawning, cringing, given to flattery ...1871 Sc.
• MEACHING skulking, cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Amer. dial.
• MEECHING skulking, sneaking, creeping softly; cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• MICHING skulking, cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Amer. dial.
• OBSEQUIOUS unduly or servilely compliant; ignobly submissive; manifesting or characterized by servile complaisance; fawning, cringing, sycophantic ...1602
cringe, cringing - nouns
• FAWN † an act of fawning; a servile cringe, a wheedling courtesy ...1590
cringe, cringing - person
• CRINGELING * a cringing creature; a servile flatterer; a fawner ...a1693
• FAWN †* one who fawns, cringes, or flatters; a toady ...1635
cringe, cringing - verbs
• BECK to curtsy; to cringe; to do obeisance ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BEENGE to cringe, to fawn ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BINGE to bow; to cringe ...1724 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• CRUDLE to coax, fawn, or cringe; to shrink or cower with cold, fear, or pain ...Bk1891 Eng. dial.
• MEACH, MEECH to sneak, to slink, to skulk; to idle stealthily or shamefacedly about; to creep about softly; to cringe; to look ashamed ...1746 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• SCHROOCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
• SCRINCH to draw the shoulders together; to cringe ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRINGE, SKRINGE to flinch; to cringe; to shrink, as from pain, cold, or fear; to flinch; to wince; to shrivel, as with sharp cold or dry head ...1790 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial.
• SCROOCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
• SCROOGE to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in ...1892 Amer. dial.
• SCRUCH, SKRUTCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
• SKROOTCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
CRINKLE - nouns
• CRIMPLE † a crease, wrinkle, or fold; a crinkle ...c1440 obs. exc. Eng. & Amer. dial.
crinkle - verbs
• CRIMPLE † to wrinkle, crumple, crinkle, curl ...c1440 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• SCRIMPLE †* to crumple, to crinkle ...1535
• WAFFLE to crease, to crinkle, to rumple ...1825 Sc.
CRINKLED - adjectives
• CRINKLETY-CRANKLETY crinkled, roughly creased ...1904 Amer. dial.
• REEVED UP crinkled, wrinkled ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
CRIPPLE, CRIPPLED - adjectives (now sometimes offensive)
• GAME lame, crippled, crooked, deformed; disabled, injured, sore; of an eye: wavering, uncertain ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• GAMY lame, crippled ...M19 sl.
• HALPED crippled ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• HALT lame; crippled; limping ...c893 arch. & literary
• LEFT-HANDED † crippled, lame, defective ...1629
• LIMPY lame; crippled ...1955 Amer. dial.
• QUEER-GAMMED lame, crippled ...L18 sl.
cripple, crippled - adverbs
• LAMIGERIN in crippled fashion ...Bk1902 Eng. dial.
cripple, crippled - person
• BASKET a cripple, either mentally or physically ...1919 sl.
• BEDDRAL, BEDDREL a bedridden, maimed, or crippled person ...1824 Sc.
• BEDELL a bedridden person; a helpless cripple ...1790 Sc.
• BEDERAL a bedridden, maimed, or crippled person ...1824 Sc.
• BEDRAL, BEDREL † a bedridden person; a helpless cripple ... a1572 obs. rare exc. Sc.
• BEDRIL, BEDRILL - a bedridden, maimed, or crippled person ...1790 Sc.
• BEDTHER a cripple ...Bk1997 Irish sl.
• BETHERELL a bedridden person; a helpless cripple ...1790 Ireland
• CAITIFF † a cripple, one who is deformed and helpless ...1775 Eng. dial.
• DECRIPPIT a cripple, a lame person; one who is decrepit ...1887 Eng. dial.
• GAMMY † a lame or crippled person ...1889 UK sl.
• GEEHUNCLE a lame or crippled person ...1927 US sl.
• GEHUNCLE a cripple ...1954 US sl.
• GIMICK a lame person; a cripple ...1924 US tramps' sl.
• GIMP a lame person or one unable to walk; a cripple; a crippled beggar ...1894 sl., orig. US
• GIMPER a cripple; a disabled person ...1988 US sl.
• GIMPSTER a cripple; a disabled person ...1974 US sl.
• GIMPY a lame person; a cripple; often used as a nickname, or a term of contempt ...1895 colloq.
• HALTER one who halts or limps, as a cripple ...c1440
• HAUCHAL a deformed or crippled person ...1891 Sc.
• HECKIE a cripple moving about with the aid of a crutch ...Bk1866 Sc.
• HECKSTER a cripple, one who uses a crutch in walking ...1825 Sc.
• HIRPLE a lame person; a cripple ...1894 chiefly Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• LAMESTER a lame person; a cripple ...1639
• LAMETER, LAMITER a lame person; a cripple ...1804 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• LAMIGER a lame person; a cripple ...1829 Eng. dial.
• LAMMIGER a lame person, a cripple ...1847 Eng. dial.
• MITTILAT † a crippled person; one whose limbs have been mutilated ...1825 Sc.
• MUSTARD a cripple ...1998 Brit. imperfect rhyming sl. (Mustard Pickle)
• MUSTARD PICKLE a cripple ...1998 Brit. imperfect rhyming sl.
• RASPBERRY NIPPLE a cripple, a disabled person ...1970s rhyming sl.
• WONKY LEGS someone with deformed legs; a cruel term for a cripple ...Bk2004 Brit. sl.
cripple, crippled, verbs
• HAMSTRING to cripple, to destroy the activity or efficiency of ...1641
CRISIS - nouns
• ONE-EIGHT-SEVEN any form of crisis or drama ...1990s sl.
• PANIC STATIONS a crisis, a drama ...1961 sl., orig. naval usage
• UPPING the conclusion; the upshot; the crisis ...1899 Eng. dial.
CRISP - adjectives
• NEPPY crisp, brittle ...1865 Eng. dial.
• SMOPPLE brittle, crisp, crumbling, as 'smopple' wood, or a 'smopple' pie crust ...1731 Eng. dial.
CRITIC, CRITICISM - adjectives
• UNDER FIRE exposed to severe criticism ...1886
critic, criticism - nouns
• AGAINSTISM a being opposed to something, or having an oppositional attitude in general; opposition or criticism ...1944 colloq., orig. US
• ASS BITE harsh criticism ...1973 US sl.
• AUNT SALLY something that is an object of criticism, ridicule, etc. ...1859
• BAD MOUTH malicious gossip or criticism ...N. Amer. sl.
• BASHING criticizing, criticism; defaming ...Bk2006 US sl.
• BAWL-OUT a criticism, an accusation, a scolding ...1915 US sl.
• BLINDSTAM captious or arbitrary criticism ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CRACK a sharp remark criticizing someone ...1923 sl., orig. US
• CRITICOPHOBIA a fear or horror of critics ...1836
• CUT-UP a damaging criticism or review ...1928
• DOG'S ABUSE harsh criticism, verbal abuse ...1892 mainly Irish usage
• FANG JOB criticism, esp. a critical article ...1960s sl.
• FLACK, FLAK adverse criticism; negative feedback ...1968 sl., orig. US
• FLAMER a stiff criticism; a row; a quarrel ...c1805
• GAFF severe treatment, criticism, punishment, or hardship ...L19 US sl.
• HYPERCRITICISM excessive criticism; criticism that is unduly severe or minute ...1678
• JAMMING severe verbal criticism; physical assault ...20C W. Indies sl.
• KICK IN THE PANTS, A a grave or humbling setback; an expression of severe criticism or disapproval ...1933
• KICK IN THE TEETH, A a grave or humbling setback; an expression of severe criticism or disapproval ...1972
• LACING a verbal attack, criticism ...1940s sl.
• LICKS a critical or complaining remark ...colloq.
• OH-SHIT a criticism ...1997 US sl.
• PAN severe criticism ...20C sl.
• PANNING very hard criticism, as a very bad review ...1930s sl.
• RAP a derogatory or highly critical remark; a complaint ...1777 orig. US
• REMARKING a remark; criticism ...1785 Sc.
• SHIT criticism ...2003 UK sl.
• SIDE-SWIPE an indirect or passing criticism ...1924 sl.
• SIGNIFICATION negative or hostile talk, criticism, ritualized abuse ...20C US Black sl.
• SLAM an instance of adverse criticism ...1884 US
• SWIPE an instance of adverse criticism ...1932 sl.
critic, criticism - person
• ACT CATCHER a drama critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• AGINNER one who opposes some specific position or point of view, or who tends to disfavour anything; one who criticizes out of envy, resentment, etc. unfamiliar ...1941 Amer. dial.
• ARMCHAIR CRITIC (depreciative) a person who offers comment or criticism on a subject of which he or she has little or no practical knowledge or experience ...1856
• AUNT SALLY someone who is an object of criticism, ridicule, etc. ...1859
• BACK-SEAT DRIVER someone who criticizes or attempts to direct without responsibility, or who controls affairs from a subordinate position ...1955 sl.
• BAD-MOUTH a person who bad-mouths or criticizes others ...1968 Amer. sl.
• BAGGER an aggressive critic ...1983 US college sl.
• BARKER a noisy assailant; one who attacks with words, etc.; a noisy critic ...1483 chiefly US
• BOOGIE MAN a severe critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• CRICK a drama critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• CRIT a critic ...1743 UK sl.
• CRIX critics ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• DEATH WATCH, THE drama critics ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• DEEMER † one who censures or (unfavourably) criticizes others ...c1410
• DRAMMER DAMNER a drama critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• GADFLY an irritating or provoking person; a person who persistently criticizes or challenges the status quo or those in authority, in an attempt to stimulate change ...1622
• HAMFATTER a vociferous, but non-participating critic ...L19 US sl.
• HARD HITTER a person who is energetic, uncompromising, or direct, esp. in providing unpalatable facts or strong criticism ...1831
• HATA a person with an excessively critical or negative attitude, esp. one who resents the success or happiness of others ...1996 US sl., esp. African-American usage
• HATCHET MAN a person who uses strong written or spoken criticism to attack and destroy the reputation of another ...1938 orig. US
• HATER a person with an excessively critical or negative attitude, esp. one who resents the success or happiness of others; a jealous or envious person ...1991 US sl., esp. African-American usage
• HISTRIOMASTIX a severe critic of playwrights ...Bk1914
• HYPER an extreme or severe critic; an over-critical person ...1689
• HYPERCRITIC an extreme or severe critic; an over-critical person; orig. a master critic (obs.) ...1634
• KNOCKER a disparaging critic; a fault-finder; one who is addicted to captious criticism ...1898 colloq., orig. US
• KVETCH a detestable or unpleasant person, esp., a person who criticizes or complains a great deal ...1936 US colloq., chiefly Jewish usage
• KVETCHER a detestable or unpleasant person, esp., a person who criticizes or complains a great deal ...1968 US colloq.
• LOG ROLLER a critic who makes favourable reviews, expecting the like in return ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• MOME † a carping critic; a querulous fault-finding person ...1563
• MOMIST † a person who habitually finds fault; a harsh critic ...1597
• MOMUS * a person who habitually grumbles or finds fault; a querulous person; a carping critic ...a1586
• MOMUSITE † a supposed follower of Momus (the Greek god of censure and ridicule, who was banished from Olympus for his criticisms of the gods); a person who habitually grumbles or finds fault; a carping critic ...1655 nonce word
• MONDAY-MORNING QUARTERBACK someone who criticizes something (orig. the play in an American football game) only with the benefit of hindsight ...1932 US sl.
• MONSTERER * one who criticizes harshly or savagely ...1999 Aust. colloq.
• NARG a grumbling, criticizing, nagging person ...1824 Sc.
• NICELING † a very fastidious or overnice person or critic; a hair-splitter ...1549
• NIGMANIE a quarrelsome, hypercritical person; one who picks faults ...1920 Sc.
• NIGNAY a quarrelsome hypercritical person; one who picks faults ...1920 Sc.
• NITPICKER a pedantic or captious critic ...1951 sl., orig. US
• PUNDIT a person who makes comments or judgements, esp. in an authoritative manner; a critic or commentator ...17C
• SHARPSHOOTER a shrewd, clever critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• ULTRA-CREPIDARIAN one who ventures beyond his scope; an ignorant or presumptuous critic ...1825
• ULTRACREPIDAST † one who ventures beyond his scope; an ignorant or presumptuous critic ...1640
• ZOILIST a carping critic ...1594
• ZOILUS a censorious, malignant, or envious critic ...1565
critic, criticism - verbs
• DANCE THE CARPET to appear before an official for an investigation of one's work or behaviour; to receive a reprimand, criticism, or punishment ...20C Amer. sl.
critic, criticism - phrases
• DOGS BARK BUT THE CARAVAN MOVES ON, THE suggests that someone or something is impervious to protest or criticism ...1860
CRITICAL - adjectives
• AUTOCRITICAL critical of oneself or one's own work ...1642
• CRITICULAR critical and particular ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DICKY of things, conditions, etc.: uncertain, doubtful, critical, hazardous; rickety, shaky, tottering ...1851
• HYPERCRITIC extremely critical ...1820
• HYPERCRITICAL extremely critical ...1611
• PECKISH short-tempered; easily offended; nagging, hypercritical ...1895 Amer. dial.
• PECKY short-tempered; easily offended; nagging, hypercritical ...1949 Amer. dial.
• PICKETY fussy, particular, fault-finding, hypercritical ...1966 Amer. dial.
• SNOOKY critical, fault-finding ...1910s Aust. sl.
• TICKLESOME difficult, critical, delicate, precarious ...1585 now Eng. dial.
• TICKLISH liable to end in disaster unless treated with great care; needing cautious handling or action; delicate, critical, precarious, risky, hazardous ...1592
• TRITICAL trite and critical ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
critical - nouns
• CRUNCH TIME a critical moment or period when decisive action is needed ...1980s sl.
• DEVIL TO PAY AND NO PITCH HOT a predicament, a critical situation, or a perplexing foul-up ...1963 Amer. dial.
• FLASHPOINT a critical moment beyond which a situation will inevitable erupt into violence
• HELL TO PAY AND NO PITCH HOT a predicament, a critical situation, or a perplexing foul-up ...1927 Amer. dial.
• KANKEDORT †* a state of suspense; a critical position; a predicament; an awkward affair ...c1374
• KANKERDORT †* a state of suspense; a critical position; a predicament; an awkward affair ...c1374
• NUTCUT the critical point in an enterprise or operation ...1972 US sl.
• NUT-CUTTING the most critical and distasteful stage in a project or operation ...1968 US sl.
• TICKLENESS † insecurity, instability; critical situation, precariousness; inconstancy; uncertainty ...c1390
critical - verbs
• COME TO THE BOIL to reach an important or critical stage ...Bk1999
critical - phrases
• BETWEEN THE TINING AND THE WINNING said of being in a critical position, which may result either in ruin or in success; in a state between ruin or safety ...1784 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• WHEN THE SHIT FLIES when trouble suddenly or rapidly breaks out; when a situation suddenly becomes critical ...1966 sl.
• WHEN THE SHIT HITS THE FAN when trouble suddenly or rapidly breaks out; when a situation suddenly becomes critical ...a1943 sl., orig. US Military
CRITICIZE - verbs
• BACKCAP to attempt to thwart or ruin by defaming someone; to depreciate, disparage, or criticize meanly ...1887 Amer. sl.
• BAD-MOUTH to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1941 sl., orig. US
• BAD-RAP to criticize unjustly; to malign ...1967 Amer. sl.
• BAG to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1975 Aust. sl.
• BAG ON to criticize someone ...Bk2006 US sl.
• BALL OUT to scold, to reprimand, to criticize loudly ...1899 sl., orig. US
• BASE ON to criticize ...Bk1994 sl.
• BASH to criticize; to join in the destructive criticism of someone or something ...Bk2006 US sl.
• BAWL to scold, to reprimand, to criticize loudly ...M19 sl., orig. US
• BAWL OUT to scold, to reprimand, to criticize loudly ...1899 sl., orig. US
• BLAST to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1953 sl., chiefly journalistic
• BUST ON to criticize ...1960s US sl.
• CANVAS † to 'thrash' a person in writing; to criticize destructively and unsparingly ...1590
• CATCH to carp, to criticize ...1628
• CHIP AT to quarrel with; to criticize adversely ...1880 sl.
• CLOBBER to criticize severely ...M20 sl.
• COP A BAKE to receive a reprimand or a severe criticism ...1980s Aust. prison sl.
• CAST THE FIRST STONE - to be first to accuse or criticize, though not oneself blameless ...Bk1999
• CLOBBER to strike someone; to hit; to thrash or beat up; to defeat; to reprimand or criticize severely ...1944 sl.
• CUT UP to censure, to criticize or review with destructive severity ...1762
• DANCE THE CARPET to appear before an official for an investigation of one's work or behaviour; to receive a reprimand, criticism, or punishment ...20C Amer. sl.
• DISH to criticize someone or something; to spread gossip about someone or something ...Bk2006 US sl.
• DO A DUMP ON to criticize someone or something; to destroy someone or something ...Bk2006 US sl.
• DO A NUMBER ON SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1975 US sl.
• DOG to criticize or bother ...20C teen & high school sl.
• DOWN to disparage; to criticize adversely ...1970 Amer. sl.
• DOWN ON to disparage; to criticize adversely ...1992 Amer. sl.
• DUMP ALL OVER SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize; to treat unfairly ...1966 sl., chiefly US
• DUMP ON SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize; to treat unfairly ...1966 sl., chiefly US
• EAT SOMEONE'S ARSE OFF to criticize severely; to punish heavily ...1940s US sl.
• EAT SOMEONE'S ASS OFF to criticize severely; to punish heavily ...1943 US sl.
• EAT SOMEONE'S ASS OUT to criticize severely; to punish heavily ...1946 US sl.
• FIRE ONE'S SHUCK to light into someone; to criticize severely ...1951 Amer. dial.
• GET AT SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1891 sl.
• GET ON SOMEONE'S BACK to annoy, to aggravate, to nag, to criticize someone ...1959 Aust. sl.
• GIVE SOMEONE A SERVE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1967 Aust. sl.
• GET SOME STICK to receive adverse criticism ...1956 Brit. sl.
• GIVE A PERSON A SERVE to criticize or reprimand a person sharply ...M20 Aust. sl.
• GIVE GYP to punish or admonish; to assault or beat; hence, later, to mock or tease; to criticize ...1887 orig. Eng. dial.
• GIVE THE GAFF to deliver criticism ...L19 sl.
• HAVE A GO AT to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1977 sl.
• HAVE A POP AT SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1922 Brit. sl.
• HYPERCRITICIZE to criticize excessively or unduly ...1812
• KVETCH to criticize or complain a great deal ...c1950 US colloq.
• LET SOMEONE HAVE IT to challenge, to pose a difficult question, to reprimand severely, to criticize ...M19 sl., orig. US
• LIVE IN A GLASS-HOUSE. to lay oneself open to criticism ...c1845 Brit. colloq.
• MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK to criticize with the benefit of hindsight ...1950 Amer. sl., esp. journalists' usage
• NICK †* to criticize, to censure, to speak ill of ...1668
• PAN to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize; often applied to a film, theatrical performance, etc. ...1911 sl.
• POP OFF to rant; to criticize; to brag ...Amer. World War I sl.
• POP OFF AT THE MOUTH to criticize ...1980s sl.
• PULL APART to criticize unmercifully; to analyze thoroughly
• PULL ONE'S PUNCHES to moderate one's criticism; usually used in the negative ...1934 sl.
• PUT THE BLAST ON to scold or criticize harshly or vociferously ...1929 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE GAFF INTO to deliver criticism ...L19 sl.
• RAG ON to nag, to criticize ...1980s US sl.
• RAIL to criticize or reprimand someone ...1987 US sl.
• RAIL ON to criticize or reprimand someone ...1987 US sl.
• RAP to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1906 sl., orig. US
• RAISE HELL to criticize or castigate thoroughly and in anger, to reprimand severely ...1920s sl.
• RAKE ON to humiliate; to criticize ...1980s US college sl.
• READ to express blunt criticism of ...1994 Amer. dial., esp. Black usage
• READ OFF to reprimand, to express blunt criticism of ...B1900 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• READ OUT to reprimand, to express blunt criticism of; to rebuke strongly; to scold ...1958 Amer. dial.
• REDD to correct, to set right; to rebuke, to scold; to sum up the faults of, to criticize ...1819 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• ROAST to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1782 sl.
• RUBBISH to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1953 sl., orig. & chiefly Aust. & NZ
• SANDBAG to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1919 sl.. orig. & chiefly US
• SCANCE to criticize, to be censorious about, to reproach, to taunt ...1801 Sc.
• SCORE to criticize harshly; to berate ...chiefly US & Can.
• SLAG OFF to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1971 sl.
• SLAM to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1916 sl., orig. US
• SLATE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1848 sl.
• SOAK to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1925 US sl.
• SOAK IT TO to punish, to beat up; to criticize harshly ...L19 US sl.
• SWING AT to criticize ...1910s sl.
• TAKE APART to criticize or scold severely ...sl.
• TAKE A POP AT SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1922 Brit. sl.
• TAKE A POTSHOT AT to criticize someone severely ...1920s sl., orig. US
• TAKE A SWING to criticize ...1910s sl.
• TAKE A SWING AT to criticize ...1910s sl.
• TAKE A SWIPE AT to criticize sharply ...1932 sl.
• TAKE BEEF to get into arguments; to face criticism ...1990s US Black sl.
• TAKE HEAT to suffer or endure punishment or criticism ...1920s US sl.
• TAKE LAG to criticize, to attack verbally ...1950s W. Indies & UK Black sl.
• TAKE SOMEONE TO THE CLEANERS to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1963 sl.
• TAKE THE RIP OUT OF to mock, to criticize, to attack verbally ...1990s sl.
• TAKE TO THE CLEANERS - to criticize severely ...Bk1999
• TALK SHIT to criticize someone behind their back ...1960s US college sl.
• TEAR SOMEONE DOWN to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1978 US sl.
• TEE OFF ON to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1955 US sl.
• THROW SOMEONE TO THE DOGS to abandon someone to criticism or attack
• TOMAHAWK to attack savagely or mercilessly in speech or in writing; to demolish in a review or criticism ...1815
• TRASH SOMEONE to criticize someone unmercifully ...Bk1995 US sl.
• ULTRA-CREPIDATE to criticize beyond one's sphere of knowledge ...1800
• USE (UP) to criticize or abuse ...M19 US sl.
• VELLICATE † to carp at; to criticize adversely ...1633
• YARG to talk incessantly; to argue doggedly and tiresomely; to carp, to wrangle, to criticize ...a1838 Sc.
CRITICIZED - adjectives
• GLUED criticized, rebuked ...1960s Amer. sl.
• ON THE PAN being criticized ...1923 US sl.
criticized - person
• SACRED COW - someone who must not be spoken badly of or criticized ...1910 orig. US journalists' sl.
CRITICIZING - adjectives
• KVETCHING characterized by complaining or criticizing; that complains or criticizes ...1966 US colloq., chiefly Jewish usage
• KVETCHY given to or characterized by complaining or criticizing; ill-tempered, irritable ...1965 US colloq., chiefly Jewish usage
criticizing - nouns
• KVETCHING a criticizing or complaining a great deal ...c1950 US colloq., chiefly Jewish usage
• ULTRACREPIDATION the act or fact of criticizing ignorantly ...1800
criticizing - person
• NARG a grumbling, criticizing, nagging person ...1824 Sc.
• SCREECHETTY creaking, creaky ...1892 Eng. dial.
creak, creaking - nouns
• GIRG, JARG, JERG, JIRG a creaking noise ...1820 Sc.
• NEESTER a creaking sound ...1890 Sc.
• NEESTERIN a creaking noise; a squeaking ...1898 Sc.
• NICKER a clatter, a rapping sound, as the crackling of wooden articles when disturbed, a creak ...1881 Sc.
creak, creaking - verbs
• CRAKE † to grate harshly; to creak. as the hinge of a door ...1657 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• FRATCH † to make a harsh or strident noise; to creak, as a cart ...c1440
• GEIG to creak, to make a creaking noise ...1513 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• GIG to creak, to make a creaking noise ...1513 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• GIKE to creak, to make a creaking noise ...1513 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• GIRG † of a door or gate: to make a creaking noise, to grate, to jar, to vibrate ...1513 chiefly Sc.
• HARSH † to give a harsh sound; to creak ...1583
• JARG † of a door or gate: to make a creaking noise, to grate, to jar, to vibrate ...1513 chiefly Sc.
• NEESTER, NEISTER to creak, to squeak, as a rusty hinge or new shoes ...a1838 Sc.
• NICKER to crack, to clatter, to make a clicking sound, to creak ...1931 Sc.
• SCRATCH to creak ...Bk1913-17 Amer. dial.
• SCREAK, SCREEK to squeak, to squeal, to creak; to grate ...1843 Amer. dial.
• SCRICELE to creak; to squeak ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRINGE, SKRINGE to creak; to make a grinding, grating sound; to crackle, as ice when it gives to the tread ...1853 Ireland
• SCRIPET to creak, to grate, as the ungreased wheel of a barrow ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SKREAK, SKREEK to squeak, to squeal, to creak; to grate ...1843 Amer. dial.
• YERR † to make a harsh noise, to creak, to roar, to rattle; to cry out loudly, to shout out, to yell, to howl ...a1000 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
CREAKY - adjectives
• SCREAKY, SKREAKY, SKREEKY, SKRIEKY squeaky, creaky ...1885 Amer. dial.
• SCREECHETTY creaking, creaky ...1892 Eng. dial.
CREAM - nouns
• BOVINE EXTRACT milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• CHALK milk or cream ...1934 US jocular
• COW milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• COW JUICE milk or cream ...World War II Amer. sl.
• DIP a sauce for puddings, ice cream, pie, cake, etc.; also, cream ...1877 Amer. dial.
• HEAD cream upon the surface of milk ...Bk1902 Eng. dial.
• MOO JUICE milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• PUSS milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• REAM cream ...1755 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SEASONING cream or sugar as an ingredient in tea of coffee ...1897 Amer. dial.
• STREAK O' MOO cream in coffee ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• SWEET ALICE milk or cream ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
cream - verbs
• FEATHER of milk or cream: to curdle or form flakes on the surface of coffee or tea ...1816 Amer. dial.
CREAMY - adjectives
• REAMY creamy ...Bk1868 Sc.
CREASE - nouns
• BEGGAR-PLAITS creases in a garment ...1892 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• BEGGAR'S-PLAITS wrinkles or creases in garments as if slept in ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BINK a crease, a fold ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CRIMPLE † a crease, wrinkle, or fold; a crinkle ...c1440 obs. exc. Eng. & Amer. dial.
• GAIR † a crease in cloth ...1825 Sc.
• GALL a crease or wrinkle in cloth ...1787 Sc.
crease - verbs
• BEFRUMPLE † to crease into frumples or clumsy folds ...1611 obs.
• GAIR to crease, to become creased ...1880 Sc.
• GRUGGLE to disorder or disfigure by much handling; to rumple, to crumple, to crease ...1804 Sc.
• MISCOMFRUMPLE to rumple, to crease; e.g. if one female sits so close to another as to rumple or crease her dress by pressing or sitting on it, she is said to 'miscomfrumple' it ...1854 Eng. dial.
• SCREASE to crease ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• TAW to twist; to get crooked or out of shape; to crease, to wrinkle; to entwist, as the end of a rope ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• WAFFLE to crease, to crinkle, to rumple ...1825 Sc.
• WRIMPLE † a crease or fold; a wrinkle ...1499 obs.
CREASED - adjectives
• CRINKLETY-CRANKLETY crinkled, roughly creased ...1904 Amer. dial.
• DOG-EARED worn, creased, and rumpled; shabby, unkempt ...19C Amer. sl.
• WRIZZLED † marked with creases, wrinkles, or corrugations; wrinkled, shrivelled ...1590 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
creased - verbs
• GAIR to become streaked; to dirty; to crease, to become creased ...1881 Sc.
CREATE - verbs
• BASH UP to make, to create ...1940s NZ sl.
• POP UP to create, to make happen, to cause ...1930s sl.
CREATED - adjectives
• CREABLE † that may be created or produced ...a1656
CREATIVE - adjectives
• NATURANT †* creative, generating ...1635
• OUT-OF-THE-BOX creative, original, unorthodox ...1996 colloq.
creative - verbs
• THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX to think creatively or in an unorthodox manner ...1971 colloq.
CREATOR - person
• EFFECTER † a maker, a creator ...1635
• EFFECTRESS † a female maker or creator ...1601
• FABRICATOR one who frames or fashions; a creator ...c1645
• FASHIONER one that gives fashion or shape to; a creator, maker ...1548
CREDENCE - verbs
• FAITH to put credence in ...1951 Amer. dial.
• LEVE † to believe in; to trust, to give credence to a person or thing ...c1175
CREDIBLE - adjectives
• CREABLE † easy to believe, credible ...1480
• LEVEABLE †* that may be believed or trusted; credible, trustworthy ...1382
• LEVELIKE †* credible ...a1300
• LEVELY †* credible ...a1300
CREDIT - adjectives/adverbs
• JAW-BONE on credit ...1862 Amer. sl., orig. Can.
• ON JAWBONE on credit ...1862 Amer. dial.
• ON MACE on credit ...1893 Brit. sl.
• ON ONE'S FACE on credit, for free ...L19 US sl.
• ONTAKING buying or taking on credit; hence, reckless, rash, somewhat untrustworthy in business dealings; dishonest ...1880 Sc.
• ON THE DINGLE on trust, on credit ...1854 Eng. dial.
• ON THE MACE on credit ...1893 Brit. sl.
credit - nouns
• BROWNIE POINT an imaginary award or credit for a good deed ...1953 US sl.
• CRED credit ...1979 sl.
• DAP credit, acknowledgement, respect, self-awareness ...1970s US Black sl.
• FACE credit at a public house ...M18 sl.
• FAIR FUCKS credit, merit ...1992 Ireland sl.
• JAWBONE credit ...1862 Amer. dial.
• LIGHT credit ...E19 sl.
• OBITUARY NOTICE a letter from a creditor ...1920s US sl.
• SOCK credit, 'tick' ...1874 sl.
• TAB ACTION a line of credit at a bar or any other type of business ...1940s US Black sl.
• TAB ISSUE a line of credit at a bar or any other type of business ...1940s US Black sl.
• TICK credit; trust; reputation of solvency and probity ...1668
credit - person
• TALLYMAN one who supplies goods on credit, to be paid for by instalments ...1654
• TALLYWOMAN a woman who sells goods on credit ...1727
credit - verbs
• ACCREDITATE † to accredit; to give credit to someone for something; to vouch for, to sanction or countenance ...1654
• CALL ONE'S JAWBONE to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• FAKE to give heed to; to believe, to credit ...Bk1900 Sc.
• GET A LIGHT to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• GET ON SOCK to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• GET ON THE NOD to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• GIVE IT ON THE MACE to obtain goods on credit and never pay for them ...19C Brit. sl.
• GIVE ON THE MACE to obtain goods by persuading the shopkeeper to extend credit that one has no intention of paying ...E19 sl.
• GO ON ONE'S FACE to gain credit on the basis of one's wits or appearance ...M19 sl, orig. US Amer. dial.
• GO ON TICK to buy on credit, to run into debt ...1672
• GO TICK to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• HAVE ONE'S LIGHT PUT OUT to have one's credit stopped ...E19 sl.
• JAWBONE to talk someone into extending credit; to buy on credit ...1941 Amer. dial.
• LAKE to give credit to, to trust ...Bk1902 Sc.
• MACE IT to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• PUSH ONE'S FACE to obtain credit by bluff, bluster, or deceit ...c1760 colloq.
• RUN ONE'S FACE to gain credit on the basis of one's wits or appearance ...1839 Amer. sl.
• RUN ONE'S SHAPE FOR to obtain credit ...M19 sl., orig. US
• RUN ON TICK to buy on credit, to run into debt ...1642
• STRIKE A LIGHT to open a line of credit ...E19 sl.
• STRIKE ON THE MACE to live on credit ...Bk1896 sl.
• STRIKE THE MACE to obtain goods by persuading the shopkeeper to extend credit that one has no intention of paying ...E19 sl.
• TAKE ON to buy on credit; to get into debt ...1899 Sc.
• TALLY † to deal on tally or credit; to open or have a credit account with anyone ...1596
• TICK to take credit; to run into debt, leave one's debts unpaid ...1648 sl. or colloq.
• TRAVEL ON ONE'S FACE to gain credit on the basis of one's wits or appearance ...1859 Amer. dial.
• TRUST OUT to supply goods on credit; to give in credit; to loan out money ...1833 Amer. dial.
• WORK THE MACE to obtain goods by persuading the shopkeeper to extend credit that one has no intention of paying ...E19 sl.
credit - phrases
• ON THE ARM on credit; often implying that no payment will be made ...20C Amer.
• ON THE MURRAY COD on credit ...Bk1999 Aust. rhyming sl. for 'on the nod'
• ON THE NOD on credit ...Aust. sl.
• ON PUMP on credit ...Bk1974 Amer. dial.
• ON TICK on credit ...1642
CREDIT CARD - adjectives
• ON THE PLASTIC using stolen credit cards for a variety of frauds and swindles ...1970s US criminals' sl.
credit card - nouns
• PHISH an instance of stealing credit card data on the internet ...2004 US
• PHISHING the act of stealing credit card data on the internet ...1997 US
• PLASTIC a credit card ...1980 sl., orig. US
• PLASTIC MONEY a credit card ...1974 sl., orig. US
• SKIMMING illegally taking details of a credit card by passing it through a special scanner which 'reads' the information contained on the magnetic strip ...Brit. sl.
credit card - verbs
• PHISH to steal credit card data on the internet ...2003 US
CREDITOR - person
• DUN a creditor who makes insistent or repeated demands for repayment of a debt; also, an agent employed by a creditor to collect a debt; a debt collector ...1628
• DUNNER a creditor who makes insistent or repeated demands for repayment for a debt; also, an agent employed by a creditor to collect a debt; a debt collector ...c1654
• EMILY POST a creditor ...1980s Aust. rhyming sl. for 'ghost'
• GHOST one to whom money is owed, a creditor, i.e. one who gives the debtor an unpleasant shock ...1967 Aust. sl.
CREDULITY - nouns
• OMNICREDULITY universal credulity; capacity of believing anything whatever ...1845
credulity - phrases
• I DIDN'T FALL OFF A CHRISTMAS TREE used to reject imputation of credulity ...20C
CREDULOUS - adjectives
• EASY easily taken advantage of or imposed upon; easily fooled; credulous, gullible ..1698
• GOBEMOUCHE designating a person who credulously accepts all news ...E19
• OOLLENLY simple-minded, credulous ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• ULTRAFIDIAN going beyond mere faith; blindly credulous ...1825
credulous - person
• BLUFF a credulous person ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CHIEF a potential victim of a confidence trickster; a credulous person; it is common term of address, used ironically by the con-man when he approaches the victim ...1940s W. Indies sl.
• CREDULIST †* a credulous person ...1788
• DAISY one who is credulous or gullible ...M19 US campus sl.
• GILL, GILLS a gullible or credulous person; a fool ...1592
• GOBEMOUCHE a credulous person who will believe anything, no matter how improbable or absurd; one who is easily deceived; a simpleton ...1818
• GULPIN one who will swallow anything; one easily gulled; a credulous simpleton; a fool ...1802
• SIMON a silly fellow; a credulous gullible person; a simpleton ...1785 sl.
• SIMPLE SIMON a silly fellow; a credulous gullible person; a fool, a simpleton ...1785 sl.
credulous - verbs
• RISE to play into one's hands; to listen credulously ...1856 sl.
CREEK - nouns
• BIGHT a bay, a creek; a projection in a river ...1891 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• CATHOLE a deep place in a river, creek, pond, etc. ...1842 Amer. dial.
• CUT a creek or inlet ...1630
• KILL a natural waterway, esp. a stream, a creek, a channel ...1639 Amer. dial.
• OB a creek, a bay ...1930 Sc.
• REACH a creek ...B1900 Eng. dial.
• VENT † a creek or inlet ...1604
• VOE a narrow inlet of the sea; a creek ...1871 Sc.
CREEP - verbs
• HARL ABOUT to move about feebly; to crawl, to creep ...1871 Sc.
• MEECH to sneak, to slink, to skulk; to idle stealthily or shamefacedly about; to creep about softly; to cringe; to look ashamed ...1746 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• OAG to crawl, to creep, to scramble; to wriggle ...1892 Sc.
• OG to creep, to crawl, to wriggle; to move slowly; to be infected with vermin ...a1838 Sc.
• OOR to creep, to crouch, to cower; to move slowly and feebly; to droop ...1866 Sc.
• RAMP †* to creep or crawl on the ground ...1390
• SCRAFFLE to struggle; to force one's way with difficulty; to scramble; to creep, to roll; to tumble ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SCRAUCHLE to scramble, to creep, to crawl; to move with difficulty ...1885 Sc.
• SCRAWL to crawl, to creep; to move slowly or with difficulty; to hobble; to scramble, to sprawl ...1747 Eng. dial.
• SINUATE * to creep or crawl in a winding course ...1848
• SKRAFFLE to struggle; to force one's way with difficulty; to scramble; to creep, to roll; to tumble ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• SLENCH † to creep or slink away, to sneak ...c1330 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• SNAKE to move in a creeping, crawling, or stealthy manner suggestive of the movements of a snake ...1848
• UNDERCREEP † to creep in stealthily ...1382 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
CREEPING - adjectives
• MEECHING skulking, sneaking, creeping softly; cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• RAMPING †* creeping, crawling ...c1440
creeping - nouns
• OBREPTION † a creeping or stealing upon one unawares ...1642
creeping - person
• SIDITHERUM † a creeping, slow-motioned person ...1855 Eng. dial.
CREEPY - nouns
• JIM-JAMS a creepy feeling; the fidgets; a fit of depression; a state of nervousness or unease ...1896 colloq.
CREMATION - nouns
• ASH CASH a fee paid to doctors for signing a cremation form ...2001 Brit. medical sl.
CREVICE - nouns
• SCORE a crack, crevice, fissure ...1825 Sc.
CRIBBAGE - nouns
• NOB in cribbage, the knave of trumps ...M19 sl.
CRICKET (insect) - nouns
• FALL BIRD a cricket; a cicada ...1967 Amer. dial.
• GRIG a cricket ...1939 Amer. dial.
CRICKET (sport) - adjectives
• CASTLED in cricket: bowled out ...2003 UK
• SKIED in cricket: hit or sent up high in the air ...1868
cricket (sport) - nouns
• AQUATICS a game of cricked played by the oarsmen; the playing-field used by them ...M19 Eton usage
• ASHES, THE mythical prize in English and Australian cricket test-matches ...1882 Eng.
• BALLOON a lofty hit or kick given to a cricket ball, baseball, or football ...1904 colloq.
• BARTER in cricket: a half-volley; a hard hit ...1859-1864 Eng. sl.
• BATS † cricket ...1790 Eng. dial.
• BLOB in cricket: a batsman's score of no runs ...1903
• BOUNCER in cricket: a ball that rises sharply off the pitch ...1913
• BOX a light shield worn by cricketers to protect the genitals ...1950
• CASTLE in cricket: the wicket that a batsman is defending ...1959 UK
• CHERRY in cricket: a new ball ...1953 UK sl.
• COOLIE CREEPER (derogatory) in cricket: a ball that stays low without bouncing ...M19 S. Afr. sl.
• CROCKETTS at Winchester School: cricket (game) ...1859 Eng. dial. sl.
• DAB in cricket: a batman's stroke that deflects the ball gently behind the wicket ...1969 UK sl.
• DAISY-CUTTER in cricket and baseball: a ball so bowled or batted as to skim along the surface of the ground ...1863
• DECK in cricket: the pitch ...1995 UK sl.
• DUCK in cricket: a score of zero/nought ...1868 UK sl.
• FIZZER in cricket: a very fast ball; also, one that deviates with unexpected speed after pitching ...1904 colloq.
• GALLERY-HIT a piece of showy play (primarily by a batsman in cricket) intended to gain applause from uncritical spectators ...1882
• GAM'LIN-STICKS the game of cricket ...Bk1900 Eng. dial.
• GREEN BAGGY the cap worn by Australian test cricketers ...1992 Aust. sl.
• HAYMAKER in cricket: a batsman's powerful but reckless shot ...1954 UK sl.
• HAYMAKING in cricket: powerful but reckless batting ...1986 UK sl.
• LEATHER in cricket and football: the ball ...1868
• MULLIGRUBBER in cricket: a low-keeping bowled ball ...20C Brit. sl.
• OFFIE in cricket: a ball bowled so as to change direction from leg to off when it pitches; off break ...Aust. sl.
• PADDOCK n. a playing field, esp. for cricket ...1839 Aust. sl.
• PAIR in cricket: the score of a batsman who is out for no score in each leg of a match ...2003 UK sl.
• PAIR OF DUCKS in cricket: the score of a batsman who is out for no score in each leg of a match ...2003 UK sl.
• PEG a cricket stump ...1891 colloq.
• RABBIT IN THE THICKET 1. cricket ...1980s Aust. rhyming sl.
2. a wicket ...1980s Aust. rhyming sl.
• RING the boundary of a cricket field ...1872
• RIPPER in cricket, a good ball ...1851 sl.
• SIX-STITCHER a cricket ball ...Aust. sl.
• SIZZLER in cricket: an exceedingly fast ball; an extremely fast horse, etc. ...1961 Brit. sl.
• STICKY DOG a pitch has been drying after rain and is difficult to bat on ...1904 colloq.
• STRINGER in cricket: a difficult ball to play ...Bk1904 sl.
• STUMPER cricket played with a stump ...Bk1904 sl.
• TICE a stroke at croquet or cricket, which tempts or entices the opponent to take aim ...1874
• TIMBER in cricket: a wicket ...1876 sl.
• WRONG 'UN in cricket: the wrong sort of ball to hit ...1897 sl.
cricket (sport) - person
• ALL-ROUNDER a player who is skilled at both bowling and batting ...1863
• AUNT SALLY * a wicketkeeper ...1898 colloq.
• BACK-PLAYER in cricket: a batsman who steps back towards the wicket and plays the ball from behind the popping crease ...1897
• BACK-STOP in cricket: a fielder some distance behind the wicketkeeper ...1773
• BARN-DOOR in cricket: a player that blocks every ball ...1679
• BAT in cricket: a batter ...1756
• BAT PAD in cricket: a fielder positioned close to the facing bat ...1989 Aust. sl.
• BATSMAN one who handles the bat at cricket ...1756
• CENTURION in cricket: one who scores 100 or over ...c1885 colloq.
• DEADHEAD a member of a football or cricket team called upon to play at a pinch ...BK1900 Eng. dial.
• FLANNELLED FOOL (derogatory) a cricketer
• GENTLEMAN in cricket: a non-professional player ...1806
• HAND † a member of a cricket team ...1731
• HEAD BOWLER in cricket: a bowler who bowls tactically, as by varying deliveries with a view to deceiving the batsman into making a mistake, rather than by straightforward repetition of a particular style of delivery; now disused ...1856
• OFFIE in cricket: a bowler who specializes in off-break deliveries ...Aust. sl.
• PACE BOWLER in cricket: a bowler who delivers the ball at high speed; a fast bowler ...1947
• PACEMAN in cricket: a pace bowler ...1972
• PACER in cricket: a fast bowler ...1878
• PAD-PLAYER * in cricket: a batsman who makes use of pad play (when batting, the practice of using one's pads to protect the wicket) ...1888
• RABBIT a poor performer at any game, especially cricket, golf, or tennis; a weak batsman ...1904 sl.
• SCOUT a fielder at cricket ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCOUTER a fielder at cricket ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• STUMPER a wicket-keeper ...Bk1904 colloq.
• TAIL-ENDER in cricket: one lacking skill as a batsman who comes in at the bottom of the order ...Bk2005
• WATCH a fieldsman ...1836
• YABBIE, YABBY in cricket: a wicket-keeper ...1983 Aust. sl.
cricket (sport) - verbs
• BALLOON to hit a cricket ball or baseball, or kick a football, high in the air ...1904 colloq.
• BARTER in cricket: to hit half-volley ...1859-64 Eng. sl.
• BREAK ONE’S DUCK in cricket: to score at least one run ...19C sl.
• BREAK ONE’S EGG in cricket: to score at least one run ...19C sl.
• CARRY YOUR BAT OUT in cricket: to survive your team's innings undismissed ...1934 UK sl.
• CART in cricket: to hit the ball or attack the bowling with unrestrained power ...1903 UK sl.
• CRACK ONE’S EGG in cricket: to score at least one run ...19C sl.
• DAB of a batsman in cricket: to play a tentative stroke that gently deflects the ball behind the wicket ...1985 UK sl.
• DANCE of a batsman in cricket: to swiftly advance beyond the crease to meet the pitch of a ball ...1995 UK sl.
• FAG OUT in cricket: to field ...c1840 Brit. schoolboys' sl.
• SCOUT to field at cricket ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SKY in cricket: to strike a ball into the air ...1873
cricket (sport) - phrases
• OWZAT? in cricket: an appeal to an umpire, how's that? ...1934 UK
CRIME, CRIMINAL - adjectives
• AIRTIGHT of a town or city: absolutely safe for criminal activities since the authorities have been fully and comprehensively paid off ...1940s US criminals' sl.
• ALIVE knowledgeable; aware, esp. of a criminal scheme ...M19 sl.
• ALL SET of a villain: ready for any criminal undertaking ...L18 sl.
• ALSATIAN criminal, roguish ...L17 sl.
• AT IT engaged in criminal activity ...1970 UK sl.
• CRIM criminal ...sl.
• DD said of a criminal who gives up no information at all if arrested ...1950 US sl.
• DEAD-BANG of a criminal case: open-and-shut; irrefutable ...1934 Amer. sl.
• DUE of a professional criminal: considered likely to be arrested whether or not actually responsible for the crime in question ...1996 UK sl.
• FACEY indicating criminal qualities ...2000 UK sl.
• FACINORIOUS † extremely wicked, grossly criminal, atrocious, infamous, vile ...1601
• FACINOROUS † extremely wicked, grossly criminal, villainous, atrocious, vile, infamous, detestably bad ...1548 obs. exc. arch.
• FLASH relating to or characteristic of the criminal underworld ...colloq.
• GAME † dishonest; mixed up with or belonging to the underworld ...1805 UK sl.
• IFFEY involved with criminality ...1930s sl., orig. US
• IFFY involved with criminality ...1930s sl., orig. US
• ILLEGIT illegitimate, criminal ...1910s sl.
• INSIDE-OUTSIDE of a crime: fully prepared ...1929 US criminals' sl.
• IN THE RACKET engaged in a criminal enterprise ...c1860 UK criminals' sl.
• KINKY dishonest, crooked, criminal ...1903 Amer. criminal sl.
• MALEFACTIOUS † wicked, criminal ...1660
• MALEFACTORY * ill-doing; criminal ...1871
• MALEFICENT of persons, their acts and dispositions: wrong-doing, criminal ...1760
• MALVERSE † dishonest, criminal ...1791 Sc.
• NO-ACCOUNT worthless; useless; good-for-nothing; insignificant; undependable, untrustworthy, criminal ...1845 Amer. dial.
• OFF of a crime: successfully achieved ...M19 UK criminals' sl.
• OFFENCEFUL † causing offence or displeasure; wrong; sinful; criminal ...1603 rare or obs.
• ON of a criminal enterprise: under way ...1969 UK sl.
• ON SUS suspected of having committed a crime ...1936 Brit.sl.
• ON THE CROSS dishonest, criminal ...sl.
• SILENT of an entry in a criminal's file: showing crimes for which the criminal was not charged but probably committed ...1990 US sl.
• TASTY having a criminal record ...1975 Brit.
• WRONG unsafe for criminal activity ...M19 UK criminals' sl.
crime, criminal - adverbs
• ACROSS THE PAVEMENT of a criminal activity: in a street situation ...1977 UK sl.
• WRONG in a criminal, illegal manner ...M19 sl.
crime, criminal - nouns
• ACCRIMINATION †* accusation of crime ...1655
• ACCUSE †* the act of accusing or charging with crime; charge, accusation ...1593
• ACTION acts of crime; commerce in drugs; illegal activity ...Bk2000 criminal sl.
• ALSATIA a sanctuary for criminals; a lawless place ...1697
• AMERICAN WAY relatively peaceful co-existence by rival organized crime families ...1992 US sl.
• ART photographs of wanted criminals ...20C Amer. sl.
• BIT OF NONSENSE an easily achieved criminal act ...1968 UK sl.
• BIT OF WORK a crime; a robbery ...1996 UK sl.
• BIZ crime ...Bk1998 sl.
• BOYS, THE criminals, rowdies, thugs, etc.; in the 19th century, corrupt politicians or their hangers-on ...a1815 Amer. sl.
• BUM RAP a false criminal charge ...Bk1990 Amer. sl.
• CACKLE-BLADDER a small bladder of chicken blood held in the mouth and used by criminals to counterfeit the coughing up of blood ...1930s US criminals' sl.
• CAPER a criminal undertaking ...1867 sl.
• CHAT a criminal 'job' or undertaking ...L19 sl.
• CRIB a location where thieves gather to plot; a dwelling for thieves, prostitutes, etc. ...Bk2006 US criminals' sl.
• CROSS, THE dishonest or fraudulent practices, criminal activities ...E19 sl.
• CYBERCRIME the illegal use of computers and the internet; crime committed by means of computers or the internet
• DAISY BEAT a cheat or swindle or minor crime ...1889 rhyming sl.
• DEAD PIGEON a criminal enterprise, a double-crosser ...1964 US sl.
• EARNINGS proceeds from crime ...1974 S. Afr. sl.
• EVILLING acting in a deliberately negative manner, e.g. riotously, argumentatively, criminally ...1930s US Black sl.
• FACT † an evil deed, a crime ...1539
• FAKEN † fraud, guile; wickedness, crime ...c924
• FALL DOUGH money set aside by a criminal for bribing policemen or obtaining bail if he is arrested ...1910 US criminals' sl.
• FALL MONEY funds saved by criminals to pay lawyers, secure cash bail, and to bribe officials ...1893 Amer. criminals' sl.
• FAMILY the criminal fraternity ...M18 sl.
• FAMILY PEOPLE the underworld of thieves, robbers ...L18 cant
• FANCY, THE the underworld ...M19 Aust. & US
• FEAT † an evil deed; a crime ...1481
• FIXIT a criminal enterprise in which cars are given new identities ...1972 UK sl.
• FORM a criminal record ...1958 Brit. sl.
• FRAME a (criminal) conspiracy or plot ...1911 sl. orig. US
• FRAME-UP a (criminal) conspiracy or plot ...1900 sl. orig. US
• GAME any criminal or illicit livelihood or vocation; any trick or device with sinister design ...1738 UK sl.
• GAME, THE † illicit or criminal activity; stealing, burglary ...1739 criminals' sl.
• GARAGE a subset of a criminal organization ...1975 US sl.
• GIG a criminal act; a swindle ...20C sl.
• HABITUAL, THE a criminal charge alleging habitual criminal status ...1972 US sl.
• HIT CAR an automobile used to make a getaway from the scene of a murder or to carry a kidnapped victim to the place where he is to be killed ...1969 Amer. criminal & police sl.
• HUMBLE a false criminal accusation or charge ...1940 US sl.
• HUMBUG false or trumped-up criminal charges ...1972 US sl.
• HUSTLE a criminal scheme or activity ...1970s US sl.
• INSIDE JOB a crime committed by or with the connivance of someone living or working in the place where it happened ...1908 sl.
• JACKET the police prison file on a criminal, recording previous convictions, etc.; one's criminal record ...1950s sl.
• JOB a robbery; a criminal undertaking ...1722 sl.
• KEY the declaration, under the Habitual Criminals Act, that one is an habitual criminal; an indefinite sentence under this act ...1944 Aust. sl.
• LAGGING MATTER any crime punishable by transportation ...E19 UK criminals' sl.
• LAGLAND the underworld ...M19 sl.
• LAHTER † a vice, sin, crime ...c900
• LAW n. a type of criminal activity ...M16 UK criminals' sl.
• LEMON AND LIME crime ...1990s rhyming sl.
• LIFE, THE the criminal lifestyle; the lifestyle of prostitution ...1916 US sl.
• MAIL a rumour; a report; a racing tip; information on crime ...1960s Aust. sl.
• MALEFACT † a criminal act; an offense; evil-doing ...1534
• MALEFACTION evil-doing; an instance of evil-doing; a criminal act ...1602
• MALVERSE † a crime ...c1700 Scot
• MOB a criminal gang ...L18 sl., orig. US
• MOB, THE organized crime; the mafia ...Amer. sl.
• NURSERY RHYME crime ...1990s Brit. rhyming sl.
• OC organized crime ...1975 US sl.
• ONE a crime ...1910s UK criminals' sl.
• OUTSIDE JOB a crime committed by someone not otherwise associated with the place where it happened ...1925 sl.
• PAPER an underworld contract to have someone killed ...1983 US sl.
• PEDIGREE a criminal record ...1911 sl.
• POSSE a gang of Black (esp. Jamaican) youths involved in organized or violent crime, often drug-related ...1986 sl., chiefly US
• PREVIOUS previous criminal convictions; a criminal record ...1935 Brit. sl.
• PRIORS prior convictions; a criminal record ...1978 US sl.
• RACKET a criminal enterprise; a swindle or a means of deception ...1894 UK sl.
• RACKETS, THE organized crime ...1920s US sl.
• RAILROAD any arrest and allied criminal proceeding that ignores the facts, evidence, truth etc. and concentrates on a speedy conviction, the guilt or innocence of the person notwithstanding ...L19 US sl.
• RANK a failed crime, esp. when foiled by the authorities ...1920s US criminals' sl.
• RAP 1. a criminal conviction ...1903 sl., orig. & chiefly US
2. a criminal specialty ...1990s US criminals' sl.
• RAPPER a crime for which someone other than the guilty person is punished ...20C US sl.
• RECEIPT the harbouring or entertainment of outlaws or criminals; a shelter ...1631 Sc.
• SCORE a one-time payment from a criminal to the police to avoid prosecution ...1972 US sl.
• SINGLE-O a crime committed without an accomplice ...1930 US sl.
• SOD BUSTER a business that appears to be legitimate but is in fact a front for criminal activity ...1982 US sl.
• SQUEEZE an impression of an object made for criminal purposes ...1882 sl.
• STOPPO a getaway after committing a crime; a quick getaway by car from the scene of a crime ...1935 Brit. sl.
• SUS(S) suspicion of having committed a crime ...1936 Brit. sl.
• TALENT members of the criminal underworld ..1879 Aust. sl.
• TICKLE a successful crime or illegal deal ...1938 sl.
• TOOLS any implements used in the commission of crime, e.g. housebreaking implements, guns, pistols, or other weapons ...E19 UK criminals' sl.
• UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, THE the 'grapevine' or that system of communication which subsists in the underworld, esp. between convicts and the outer world ...1879 UK criminals' sl.
• UNDERGROUND WIRES, THE the 'grapevine' or that system of communication which subsists in the underworld, esp. between convicts and the outer world ...1918 US criminals' sl.
• UNDERWORLD the world of thieves, prostitutes, tramps, sexual degenerates, and confidence men ...19C Brit. & US usage
• UNICORN a woman and two men, or two women and one man in league for criminal purposes ...L19 sl.
crime, criminal - person
• AARON, THE a criminal, especially a gang leader ...17C thieves' sl.
• ACCIDENTAL CRIMINAL one who commits a criminal offense without intending to do so ...Bk1992 legal usage
• ACE a clever crook ...Bk1945 criminals' sl.
• ALIBI IKE any criminal who regularly asserts alibis when questioned about a crime ...1915 US sl.
• ALSATIANS members of London's criminal underworld ...18C sl.
• AMATEUR a professional criminal who has not been in trouble with the police ...1930s UK criminals' sl.
• BAB a criminal ...1920s Aust. & NZ sl.
• BABBLER a criminal ...1920s sl.
• BABBLING BROOK a crook; a criminal ...1919 Aust. rhyming sl.
• BAD ACTOR a confirmed criminal, esp. a murderer ...Bk1975 Amer. criminals' sl.
• BAD BOY a tearaway, a young criminal ...1929 US sl.
• BAD BWAI a villain, a criminal, a rebellious young male ...1999 W. Indies & UK Black teen sl.
• BAD BWOY a villain, a criminal, a rebellious young male ...1999 W. Indies & UK Black teen sl.
• BADDIE an unpleasant person, spec. a criminal, a hoodlum, a tough guy; a mischievous person ...1939 sl.
• BADDY a bad person; a criminal; a villain, esp. in a film or play ...1937 sl., orig. US
• BADGE † a criminal having wounds and scars resulting from the burning of the hands or face as a punishment for crimes ...a1790 UK criminals' sl.
• BAD GUY a malefactor, esp. a violent criminal ...1965 US police sl.
• BAD-HEAD a tearaway, a young criminal ...1996 Caribbean English
• BAD-JOHN a gangster; an important criminal ...1973 UK Black sl.
• BADMAN a desperado, an outlaw, a gunman; a violent or ruthless criminal; a villain ...1855 chiefly US
• BAD NUMBER an ex-convict; any dangerous criminal ...Bk1945 criminals' sl.
• BAD SEED a person who never does anything well; a person who veers from the straight and narrow and acts like a criminal ...Bk2004
• BAG LADY a woman who delivers or, esp. collects illicit payments ...1977 Amer. criminals' sl.
• BAGMAN a man who delivers or, esp. collects illicit payments; a bill collector ...1935 Amer. criminals' sl.
• BANDIT a villain, a criminal ...1970 UK sl.
• BANDULU a bandit, a criminal, one who lives by guile ...20C W. Indies Rasta
• BARON a major criminal ...1910 UK & US criminals' sl.
• BARRACUDA a violent, aggressive person, esp. a criminal ...1935 US sl.
• BASKET MAN a graft collector for a criminal gang ...1930s US criminals' sl.
• BAT a denizen of the criminal underworld ...1935 US criminals' sl.
• B.B. the head of an organized crime syndicate, or some equivalent figure; a 'Big Boy' ...1930 US sl.
• BELL WETHER † the leader of a gang of criminals, because the wether in a flock of sheep usually wears a bell around his neck ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• BENE COFE a friend; literally, a good fellow; hence in cant, a fellow criminal ...1608 sl. UK criminals' sl.
• BENE COVE a friend; literally, a good fellow; hence in cant, a fellow criminal ...1611 sl. UK criminals' sl.
• BESTER a criminal who deceives his peers ...1865 UK criminals' sl.
• BIG BOY the head of an organized crime syndicate, or some equivalent figure; a gang leader ...1928 US criminals' sl.
• BIG FELLA the head of an organized crime syndicate, or some equivalent figure ...1934 US criminals' sl.
• BIG FELLOW the head of an organized crime syndicate or some equivalent figure ...1934 US criminals' sl.
• BIG JUICE 1. a White gang-boss; a big-time crook ...1971 US Black sl.
2. any criminal with high-level police protection ...Bk1988 criminals' sl.
• BIG-LEAGUER a major criminal ...1955 US sl.
• BIG MITT an underworld leader ...1925 criminals' sl.
• BIG SHOT the leader of a gang of criminals; the head of a gang; a pretentious criminal of no importance ...1920 criminals' sl.
• BIG STICK WIELDER a machine gunner ...Bk1945 criminals' sl.
• BIG STUFF a criminal who operates on a large scale ...1927 criminals' sl.
• BIG-TIMER a criminal involved in large-scale, high-volume operations ...1937 police & media sl.
• BIG WINEY a criminal who is highly regarded by peers in the underworld ...Bk1992 US convicts' sl.
• BIRDS OF A FEATHER rogues of the same gang; also, those of the same profession ...1618 UK criminals' sl.
• BITCH a habitual criminal ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• BLACK HAT a villain or criminal, esp. one in a film or other work of fiction; a 'bad guy' ...1959 colloq., orig. US
• BLACKLEG a professional criminal ...1930 US criminals' sl.
• BOYS, THE criminals, rowdies, thugs, etc.; in the 19th century, corrupt politicians or their hangers-on ...a1815 Amer. sl.
• BUTTON a low-ranking member of a crime syndicate ...1966 Amer. police & criminals' sl.
• BUTTON MAN a low-ranking member of a crime syndicate ...1969 Amer. police & criminals' sl.
• CARRIER the member of a criminal gang who watches the roads, inns, etc., in order to carry information to the gang of a booty in prospect ...1725 sl.
• CAT'S UNCLE a criminal ...1936 Amer. dial.
• CHESTER a second-rate criminal ...1940s US criminals' sl.
• CHISELLER a small-time criminal; hence, one who is of no-account ...1928 Amer. sl., esp. criminals' usage
• CHISLER a small-time criminal; hence, one who is of no-account ...1930 Amer. sl., esp. criminals' usage
• CHOIR BIRD a mendicant villain who, recently released from prison, returns to robbery, specializing in stealing horses ...M16 UK criminals' sl.
• CHUMMY someone suspected or accused of or charged with a crime ...1942 Brit. police sl.
• CLEANSKIN a person without a criminal record ...1943 Aust.
• COCKATOO a criminal's lookout or sentinel ...1934 Aust. sl.
• CRIM a criminal ...1909 US & Aust. sl.
• CROOK a professional criminal or an associate of criminals; a swindler or dishonest person ...1877 colloq.
• DAGEN - an artful criminal or near-criminal ...sl.
• DAGGER - a hanger-on; a criminal associate ...1980s Aust. sl.
• DAISY-CHAIN a criminal who is handcuffed to two prison officers ...20C Irish sl.
• DANGLER - a beggar or criminal ...1928 US criminals' sl.
• DEAD NAIL - a shrewd, imposing criminal; a person of an over-reaching, imposing disposition ...E19 sl.
• DEAD ONE - a reformed or retired tramp or criminal ...1900s US criminals' sl.
• DEAD PIGEON - one who has been caught breaking a rule or committing a crime ...1910s US prison sl.
• DEADWOOD - a person caught outright committing a crime ...1992 US sl.
• EAR - a person who is not a part of the criminal underworld but who reports what he hears to those who are ...1964 US sl.
• EARNER - a member of an organized crime enterprise who produces high profits, however unpleasant his character may be ...1995 US sl.
• ENFORCER - a strong-arm man, esp. in an underworld gang ...1929 sl., orig. US
• ERIFF - a young or novice criminal ...L17 sl.
• EWE - a young and beautiful female member of a criminal gang ...L17 UK criminals' sl.
• FAATER - a criminal; a defaulter ...Bk1866 Sc.
• FACE 1. a person; in police use: a known criminal ...1944 sl.
2. a professional criminal, usually an armed robber with no territorial ambitions ...1960s UK criminals' sl.
• FACER - a staller - a criminal who places himself in the way of persons who are in hot pursuit of his accomplices ...1859 Amer. sl.
• FAIKE - an experienced, senior criminal ...L19 UK criminals' sl.
• FAIRY HAWK - one who attacks (and robs) homosexuals; a criminal who preys on homosexuals ...1960s US gay sl.
• FAMILY MAN - a man who is a professional criminal or a trusted associate of criminals; a member of the criminal fraternity; a thief ...1749 sl.
• FAMILY WOMAN - a female member of the criminal fraternity; a thief ...L18 sl.
• FLY MAN - a professional criminal ...c1919 Glasgow cant
• FRIGHTENER - a member of a criminal gang employed to intimidate the gang's potential victims ...1962 sl.
• FUNKER - a petty criminal, rated as the lowest order of thieves ...19C sl.
• GAME - † one deceitful or connected to the underworld ...1910 criminals' sl.
• GAME LIGHTERMAN † one deceitful or connected tot he underworld ...1910 criminals' sl.
• GAMESTER a criminal practitioner ...1694 UK sl.
• GAME WATERMAN † one deceitful or connected tot he underworld ...1910 criminals' sl.
• GANDY DANCER a petty criminal; a tramp ...1919 US sl.
• GANEF, GANEV a thief, a crook; a swindler; a gangster; an amateur pickpocket ...1839 criminals' sl.
• GANGBUSTER an officer of a law enforcement agency noted for its successful (and often aggressive) methods in dealing with organized crime ...1936 sl., orig. & chiefly US
• GANGSTA a gangster; a criminal, esp. a member of organized crime or an urban gang ...1988 orig. US
• GAY CAT a small-time criminal, usually a vagrant or the lookout in a robbery ...1916 criminals' sl.
• GAY CAT SPOTTER a small-time criminal, usually a vagrant or the lookout in a robbery ...1916 criminals' sl.
• GHEE ONE HUSTLES WITH a partner in a crime ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• GHEE WITH THE BOODLE a member of a group of criminals who keeps or controls the money ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• GILES'S BREED criminals living in the parish of St. Giles, now London, W.C.1. ...1785 UK criminals' sl.
• GIP ARTIST a short-changer or other swindler; a confidence man; a professional crook; a skilful cheat ...1935 Amer. sl.
• GRAFTER a small-time criminal, such as a pickpocket or thief ...1866 US sl.
• GRIFTER a small-time criminal ...1915 US sl.
• GUN an armed criminal ...1859 Amer. sl.
• GUN MOLL an armed female thief or other criminal; the female companion of a male gunman or gangster ...1908 US sl.
• GUNNY an armed criminal ...1950s Amer. sl.
• GUN-SLINGER a western gunfighter; an armed criminal ...1928 sl., chiefly US
• HAB a habitual criminal ...1963 US sl.
• HABITCH a habitual criminal ...1956 Amer. legal usage
• HABITUAL a habitual criminal, drunkard, etc. ...1884 colloq.
• HACKSTER * a violent criminal, esp. one who fights with a sword or knife; a cut-throat, a murderer; a thug; an assassin ...1574
• HACKUM † a bragging, self-assured criminal ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• HAIRPIN a female associate ...Bk1962 Amer. criminals' sl.
• HALF A BUTTON a criminal who is on the fringe of full membership of the US Mafia ...1975 US criminals' sl.
• HALF-ASSED WISEGUY a criminal who seeks admission to the Mafia ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• HAM-FATTER a criminal novice; a rookie ...1929 US criminals' sl.
• HARD a tough person, esp. a criminal; a thug, a hoodlum ...1864 sl.
• HARD CASE a hardened criminal; an outlaw; a person who is difficult to dangerous to deal with; a tough, ruthless, aggressive person ...1836 colloq., orig. US
• HARD GUY a serious, violent criminal ...1916 US sl.
• HARDHEAD 1. a villain; a criminal ...1933 Aust. sl.
2. a criminal who uses explosives to break into safes ...1949 US sl.
• HARD ONE a criminal character; a tough guy ...1908 US sl.
• HARLOT † a vagrant, beggar, or criminal ...ME
• HASHER one who never succeeds in a criminal enterprise ...1935 US sl.
• HATTER - † a criminal, esp. a thief, working on his own ...c1893 Aust. sl.
• HAZER - one who distracts the police and passers-by in the aftermath of a smash-and-grab ...1925 UK criminals' sl.
• HC - a habitual criminal ...Bk1988
• HEADBREAKER - a thug; a criminal who uses extreme physical force to collect outstanding debts or to inflict punishment ...1986 US sl.
• HEAD BULLY OF THE PASS - a gang boss or top criminal who levies a tax on all games of chance in the area of which he is in control ...c1698 sl.
• HEAD BULLY OF THE PASSAGE BANK - a gang boss or top criminal who levies a tax on all games of chance in the area of which he is in control ...c1698 sl.
• HEADBUSTER - a thug; a criminal who uses extreme physical force to collect outstanding debts or to inflict punishment ...1955 US sl.
• HEADCRUSHER - a criminal who uses extreme physical force to collect outstanding debts or to inflict punishment; one who beats or kills others on orders from a gang leader; a mob enforcer ...Bk1980 Amer. criminals' sl. Jonathan
• HEAD CULLY OF THE PASS - a gang boss or top criminal who levies a tax on all games of chance in the area of which he is in control ...Bk1776 sl.
• HEAD CULLY OF THE PASSAGE BANK - a gang boss or top criminal who levies a tax on all games of chance in the area of which he is in control ...Bk1776 sl.
• HEAD HUNTER - a criminal who specializes in preying on other, successful and thus wealthy, criminals ...1991 Aust. criminals' sl.
• HEAVY - a thug, a villain, esp. a violent criminal ...1916 sl.
• HEAVY HITTER - a violent criminal; a hired thug ...1975 US sl.
• HEAVY MAN - a thug, a criminal or law-breaker who is prone to use violence ...1926 US sl.
• HEAVYWEIGHT - a violent criminal; a thug ...1914 US criminals' sl.
• HEEL * an opportunistic burglar; a sneak thief; a pickpocket; a petty criminal ...1902 US criminals' sl.
• HEP-GHEE a person who knows that a crime is being committed ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• HIGHBINDER * a violent criminal; a vandal; a gangster; a thug; an unruly or disreputable person; a rowdy person, a rogue; one of a gang which commits outrages on persons and property ...1806 US sl.
• HIGHJACKER a criminal or tramp who robs other criminals or tramps ...1933 US criminals' sl.
• HIGH MOB leading criminals ...1896 UK criminals' sl.
• HIGH MOBSMEN leading criminals ...1896 UK criminals' sl.
• HIGH SHREEVE a nickname for the male leader of a 17th century criminal gang ...1612 criminals' sl. Dict Crime Nash 1992
• HISTORY-SHEETER a person with a criminal record ...1940 Anglo-Indian colloq.
• HUMP a lookout during a crime ...1949 US sl.
• HUSTLER one of a gang of pickpockets who takes part in hustling a person; also, a thief, a criminal; one who makes his living dishonestly or by begging; a pimp ...1825 sl.
• IBM a member of an organized crime family; an Italian businessman ...1997 US sl.
• IN-AND-OUT BOY - a second-rate criminal, i.e. one whose life alternates between being in and out of prison ...1920s sl.
• IN-AND-OUT MAN - a second-rate criminal, i.e. one whose life alternates between being in and out of prison ...1920s sl.
• IN-AND-OUTER - a criminal who is arrested, but never actually charged and jailed ...1970s US criminals' sl.
• IN-AND-OUTER - a second-rate, petty criminal ...1950s US criminals' sl.
• INFORMATION FENCE - a criminal who sells information to crooks ...1940 US criminals' sl.
• JACK-BOY - a street criminal who relies almost exclusively upon force and terror - a hold-up man - an armed robber ...1989 US sl.
• JACK-THE-LAD - (a nickname for) a troublemaker or rogue, esp. one regarded with both admiration and mistrust - someone noticeably sharper, smarter, or smugger than the rest - a young impudent man - a popular villain - also, a wanted criminal...1981 Brit. colloq.
• KA - a known associate of a criminal ...1986 US sl.
• KATH - a habitual criminal ...1910s Aust. sl.
• KATHLEEN MAVOURNEEN - a habitual criminal ...1910s Aust. sl.
• KEY MAN - a person declared a habitual criminal ...1944 Aust. sl.
• KINK - a crook; a larcenous criminal; later, esp. a car thief ...1914 Amer. sl.
• LONE HAND - a thief or criminal who works alone ...1926 US sl.
• LURKER - a petty criminal ...20C Aust. sl.
• LURKMAN - a confidence trickster, a petty criminal ...M19 Aust. sl.
• MAC DADDY - a successful pimp or criminal - esp. one who dresses or behaves in a way characteristic of such a person ...1964 US sl., orig. Black usage
• MACEMAN - an elite criminal ...L19 sl.
• MACK DADDY - a man who is successful as a pimp or (later), a violent criminal - esp. one who dresses or behaves in a way characteristic of such a person ...1958-59 Amer. criminals' & rap music usage
• MAFIA - big-time criminals ...1950s W. Indies Rasta
• MAGGOT - a felon or habitual criminal ...1985 Amer. police sl.
• MALEFACTRESS - a female felon or criminal; an evil-doer ...1647
• MALFEASANT - an evil-doer; a criminal ...1882
• MALFETOUR - † a malefactor; a criminal; an evil-doer ...c1450
• MAN, THE - a crime boss, esp. when he masquerades as a respectable businessman ...1950s sl.
• MAT - a criminal's accomplice; a female criminal ...E19 sl.
• MCDADDY - a successful pimp or criminal ...1950s US Black sl.
• MINDER - a bodyguard hired to protect a criminal ...1924 sl.
• MISTER BIG - an important, influential person, esp. a 'criminal mastermind' ...1930s sl., orig. US
• MOB - * a member of a gang of criminals, esp. thieves ...1826
• MOBBIE - a member of an organized crime organization ...1994 US sl.
• MOBBY - a member of a criminal gang ...1888 US criminals' sl.
• MOB GEE - a member of a mob or criminal gang ...1931 US criminals' sl.
• MOB GHEE - a member of a mob or criminal gang ...1931 US criminals' sl.
• MOB GUY - a member of a mob or criminal gang ...1975 US criminals' sl.
• MOBMAN - a member of a criminal gang ...1936 Aust. criminals' sl.
• MOB-MARKER - a member of the gang who selects the likely targets for robbery ...1934 US criminals' sl.
• MOBSMAN - a member of a gang of criminals; a dressy swindler or pickpocket, esp. formerly, one who operates in a crowd ...1843 UK criminals' sl.
• MOBSTER - a member of a gang of criminals; spec. a member of the Mafia ...1917 colloq., orig. US
• MOGUE - a stupid, strong-arm member of an underworld gang ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• MOKER, MOKKER - the head of a criminal organization; a gang boss ...1926 US sl.
• MOLL - a criminal's or gangster's female companion ...1823 sl.
• MOLL OF THE CROSS - a girl or woman of the Underworld ...1865 UK criminals' sl.
• MOONER - any pathological law breaker whose crimes are against persons rather than property and who derives more excitement than financial gain from his crimes, often committing moral offenses or offenses involving no profit; esp. rapists, transvestites, etc. ...1958 Amer. sl.
• MOONMAN - †* a person, esp. a criminal, who works at night; a robber, thief or highwayman who follows his vocation chiefly by moonlight ...1632
• MOON'S MAN - † a person, esp. a criminal, who works at night; a thief or highwayman ...1907
• MOPE - a policeman's sarcastic term for a person with a long record of petty crimes such as shoplifting ...Bk1992 New York police sl.
• MOST WANTED a person who most eagerly sought after, esp. in connection with serious criminal offenses ...1985
• MOT - a criminal's accomplice; a female criminal ...1829 UK sl.
• MOTOR BANDIT - a person who commits a crime using, or in connection with, a motor vehicle ...1912
• MOTT(E) - a criminal's accomplice; a female criminal ...1829 UK sl.
• MOUSTACHE PETE - an older Italian-American criminal, associated with outdated ways of doing things ...1938 US sl.
• MR. BIG - an important, influential person, esp. a 'criminal mastermind' ...1930s sl., orig. US
• MUG a rough or ugly person; a criminal ...1865
• NAIL a shrewd, imposing criminal ...1812 sl.
• NAILING RASCAL a shrewd, imposing criminal; a person of an over-reaching, imposing disposition ...E19 sl.
• NAILS a shrewd, imposing criminal; a person of an over-reaching, imposing disposition ...E19 sl.
• NAME a known criminal ...1984 Brit. sl.
• NERVOUS FINGER one given to small-time criminality ...1940s US criminals' sl.
• NEWGATE-SAINT a condemned criminal ...Bk1902 sl.
• ODD-MARK FIRM a group or gang that includes various different types of minor criminals, and even a few non-criminal types ...1990s UK criminals' sl.
• OLD FAKE a criminal undergoing his second probation ...c1840 Aust. criminals' sl.
• OLD VULTURE † a companion in crime ...1889 criminals' sl.
• OPERATOR a major criminal ...1920s sl.
• PACK HORSE a criminal who takes the blame for several others ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• PADDY HUSTLER a criminal who targets White people as victims ...1970 US sl.
• PEDIGREE-MAN a recidivist (a criminal who reoffends, esp. repeatedly) ...1923 cant
• PERP the perpetrator of a crime ...1981 US sl.
• POTSIE, POTSY, POTTSY one who accepts the blame for a crime ...Bk1992 gambling sl.
• PUGGIE a hardened criminal ...1965 US sl.
• PUNK a small-time or petty criminal ...1917 sl., chiefly US
• PUNTER a criminal, esp. one who assists as a confederate ...1891 sl.
• QUEER PEOPLE criminals ...1940s UK criminals' sl.
• RABBI an Underworld boss ...Bk2002 US criminals' sl.
• RACKET BOY a member of an organized criminal enterprise ...1953 US sl.
• RACKET BROAD a female criminal ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• RACKET DUDE a thief; a racketeer ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• RACKETEER a person, esp. a member of a gang or crime syndicate, who earns money through a dishonest or illegal business, typically involving extortion, intimidation, or violence; a swindler or extortionist ...1924 orig. US
• RACKET GHEE a member of an organized crime syndicate ...1930s US sl.
• RACKET GUY a career criminal; a racketeer ...1925 criminals' sl.
• RACKET MAN a member of an organized crime syndicate ...1930s US sl.
• RAM - an accomplice in petty crime ...1941 sl., orig. & chiefly Aust.
• RANK - a criminal, a gangster ...1990s W. Indies & UK Black sl.
• RAP PARTNER - someone who is on the same charge sheet as oneself; someone who is jailed for the same crime ...1960s US criminals' sl.
• RAPPER - one who takes or is given the blame for a crime, even if they are not actually guilty ...1940s US sl.
• RINGER a criminal who fraudulently changes the identity of a motor vehicle ...1965 UK sl.
• SAN TOYS villains, criminals ...1900s rhyming sl. for 'The Boys'
• SCAMMER, SKAMMER a petty criminal ...1972 sl., orig. US
• SLAG a petty criminal; such people collectively ...1955 sl.
• SLOW CONNECTOR a second-rate criminal ...1930s US criminals' sl.
• SPACER a convicted criminal ...1920 US criminals' sl.
• SPIV a flashy, sharp individual who exists on the fringes of real criminality, living by their wits rather than a regular job ...20C sl.
• STANDOVER MAN a criminal who uses intimidation; a thug ...1944 Aust. sl.
• ST. GILES'S BREED criminals ...18C sl.
• STREETMAN a petty criminal who works on the city streets, esp. as a pickpocket or drug peddler ...1908 US sl.
• SUS(S) someone suspected of a crime ...1936 Brit. sl.
• TAGEREG a hardened criminal ...2016 W. Indies sl.
• TAILER the member of a criminal gang who remains on guard at a railway station, impersonating a policeman, for the purpose of bullying any victim who discovers he has been swindled, and returns to try to recover his money ...1898 US criminals' sl.
• TAKE MAN the member of a criminal gang who actually steals the money ...1975 Aust. sl.
• TAKE-OFF ARTIST one who does the job then 'takes off' ...1940s US criminals' sl.
• TAKER the member of a criminal gang who keeps watch or entices a victim into a crooked gambling game ...1552 sl.
• TAKES criminals in general ...1945 Aust. criminals' sl.
• TALENT an intelligent, resourceful criminal ...1962 US sl.
• TANGLER a small-time crook who deals in smuggled or stolen property ...1940s sl.
• TANKER a criminal who informs on his accomplices ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• TOPPER a criminal who represents the interests of a cheque forger ...1956 UK sl.
• VILLAIN a professional criminal ...1960s sl.
• VIRGIN a criminal with no convictions ...1970s US criminals' sl.
• WANDELARD †* a criminal, a law-breaker ...1338
• WELFARE KING a male criminal who is extremely successful in defrauding various welfare programs by using many different aliases to obtain an unfair quantity of goods and money ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• WELFARE QUEEN a female criminal who is extremely successful in defrauding various welfare programs by using many different aliases to obtain an unfair quantity of goods and money ...Bk1992 criminals' sl.
• WHEELMAN the driver of a criminals' getaway vehicle ...1935 sl., orig. US
• WIDE BOY a man who lives by his wits, often dishonestly; a petty criminal ...1937 Brit. sl.
• WIDE GIRL a woman living by her wits, often a petty criminal ...1956 UK sl.
• WIDE-OH a villain; a petty criminal; a rogue ...1988 Sc. sl.
• WIDO a villain; a petty criminal; a rogue ...1935 Sc. sl.
• WISE GUY a professional criminal, esp. a mob member ...1975 US criminals' sl.
• WISE MAN † a criminal who impersonates a police officer ...1904 US criminals' sl.
• WRONGO, WRONGGO a criminal; an undesirable person; a bad person; a wicked person; a villain ...1937 sl., orig. US
• WRONG 'UN a criminal; a thoroughly bad person; an untrustworthy, incompetent person, animal, action, circumstance, or event ...L19 sl.
• YARDIE a member of any of a number of West Indian, and esp. Jamaican, gangs engaged in usually drug-related organized crime ...1986 sl.
• YEGG a criminal of any kind ...1901 US sl.
• YEGG-MAN a criminal who uses violence or force ...1926 US criminals' sl.
• YEGGON † the chief of a mob of crooks ...1925 US criminals' sl.
• YOUNG CUB † a young member of a criminal gang ...1698 criminals' sl.
• ZIP an Italian or Sicilian criminal brought to the US for criminal purposes, esp. murder ...1993 US sl.
crime, criminal - person, other
• BEACHCOMBER a hanger-on among criminals, running errands and performing odd jobs ...1950 US criminals' sl.
• CROOK one whose conduct is crooked; a dishonest person; a swindler, a sharper; a professional criminal or an associate of criminals ...1879 colloq.
• HEAD HUNTER a person who tracks down wanted criminals; a fugitive hunter ...1927 US sl.
• HEELER a criminals' unskilled accomplice; any type of hired thug ...1859 US criminals' sl.
• HENCHMAN a person who does the dirty work of a criminal; a subordinate, esp. one who performs unpleasant tasks ...Bk1980
• MOLISHER a thief's mistress; a criminal's sweetheart ...Bk1859 sl.
• MOLL a girlfriend; a sweetheart; spec. the girlfriend or female accomplice of a gangster or criminal; a female pickpocket or thief ...1823
• MOLLISHER a low-class woman; a thief's mistress; a criminal's sweetheart; a female cohabiting with a man gets his living by thieving ...Bk1859 sl.
• MONISHER, MONNISHER * a girl, a woman; esp. a prostitute; later, also, the girlfriend of a thief or criminal ...1765 sl.
• MONKEY a criminal associate ...1914 criminals' sl.
• MOOCHING KID a young (male) beggar; a young hanger-on, an incipient criminal ...1929 US criminals' sl.
• MOPE a member of the law-abiding public ...2002 US criminals' sl.
• MOT, MOTT a criminal's accomplice; a female criminal ...1829 UK sl.
• RECEIPTER one who shelters or assists outlaws or criminals ...1681 Sc.
• SQUARE PLUG a timorous person who is in moral sympathy with the criminal element, but lacking the courage or inclination to actually participate ...Bk1914 criminals' sl.
• WINGER a person protecting a criminal ...1993
crime, criminal - verbs
• ACCRIMINATE †* to accuse of a crime ...1655
• BOOK to record the name of someone who has committed an offense ...1841 sl.
• DIP to fail in the commission of a crime, esp. theft or robbery ...1975 Aust. sl.
• FAKE DOWN to carry out a crime ...M19 NZ sl.
• FAST LANE to indulge in a crime spree ...1980s Aust. prison sl.
• GAP to watch, to witness a crime ...1949 US sl.
• JUGGLE to engage in criminal business activities ...1994 UK sl.
• MAKE ONE to put together plans for a crime, esp. a robbery, and then carry out that crime ...1970s UK criminals' sl.
• MAKE ONE WITH to commit a crime in partnership with one or more other people ...1970s UK criminals' sl.
• MOONLIGHT to engage in criminal activity at night ...L19 UK criminals' sl.
• PULL A STROKE to commit a successful crime ...c1950 cant
• PULL AWAY to divert attention from the scene of a crime ...1975 Aust. sl.
• PULL IT OFF to commit a crime ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• PULL OFF to commit a crime ...Bk1974 Amer. sl.
• PUT ONE TOGETHER to plan a crime ...1970s UK criminals' sl.
• RACKETEER to practise any form of criminal deception, trickery, extortion, etc. ...1920s sl.
• RANK to catch in the act of committing a crime ...1920s US sl.
• RECEIPT to harbour or shelter an outlaw or criminal ...1715 Sc.
• SCORE of a police officer: to extract a one-time bribe from a criminal to avoid prosecution ...1972 US sl.
• SINGLE-O to operate as a criminal without confederates; to operate selfishly within a criminal enterprise ...1950 US sl.
• SUS(S) to suspect of a crime ...1953 Brit. sl.
• SWALLOW to abandon life as a professional criminal, to 'go straight' ...20C sl.
• TAB to charge with a crime ...L19 sl.
• TAB UP to charge with a crime ...L19 sl.
• TAKE THE FALL to be accused (and condemned) unfairly of a crime ...1920s US sl.
• TRADE UP to escape criminal prosecution or lessen the charges against you by providing the police with information about other criminals ...1981 US sl.
• TUG to distract someone's attention while a crime is being committed ...1970s Aust. criminals' sl.
• TUG A HEAD to distract someone's attention while a crime is being committed ...1970s Aust. criminals' sl.
• WOLF-PACK to engage in criminal gang activity ...1982 US sl.
crime, criminal - phrases
• BANG TO RIGHTS said of a criminal who is caught red-handed ...1904 Brit. sl.
• DEAD TO RIGHTS said of a criminal who is caught red-handed ...1859 Brit. sl.
• ON THE MOVE about to commit a crime, esp. a burglary ...1996 UK sl.
• PLEAD ONE'S BELLY of a pregnant female criminal facing the death sentence: to plead that since she is pregnant, the law should spare her unborn child's life ...18C sl.
CRIMINALLY - adverbs
• QUEERLY in a criminal manner ...L17 sl.
CRINGE, CRINGING - adjectives
• BENECKING †* bowing the neck, cringing ...1705
• CRINGELING * cringing, servile ...1798
• INHOLDING selfish; fawning, cringing, given to flattery ...1871 Sc.
• MEACHING skulking, cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Amer. dial.
• MEECHING skulking, sneaking, creeping softly; cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• MICHING skulking, cringing; self-deprecating, obsequious; contemptible, useless, good-for-nothing ...1792 Amer. dial.
• OBSEQUIOUS unduly or servilely compliant; ignobly submissive; manifesting or characterized by servile complaisance; fawning, cringing, sycophantic ...1602
cringe, cringing - nouns
• FAWN † an act of fawning; a servile cringe, a wheedling courtesy ...1590
cringe, cringing - person
• CRINGELING * a cringing creature; a servile flatterer; a fawner ...a1693
• FAWN †* one who fawns, cringes, or flatters; a toady ...1635
cringe, cringing - verbs
• BECK to curtsy; to cringe; to do obeisance ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BEENGE to cringe, to fawn ...Bk1911 Sc.
• BINGE to bow; to cringe ...1724 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• CRUDLE to coax, fawn, or cringe; to shrink or cower with cold, fear, or pain ...Bk1891 Eng. dial.
• MEACH, MEECH to sneak, to slink, to skulk; to idle stealthily or shamefacedly about; to creep about softly; to cringe; to look ashamed ...1746 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• SCHROOCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
• SCRINCH to draw the shoulders together; to cringe ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
• SCRINGE, SKRINGE to flinch; to cringe; to shrink, as from pain, cold, or fear; to flinch; to wince; to shrivel, as with sharp cold or dry head ...1790 Sc. & Eng. & Amer. dial.
• SCROOCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
• SCROOGE to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in ...1892 Amer. dial.
• SCRUCH, SKRUTCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
• SKROOTCH to crouch, to cringe, to draw oneself in; to shrink (back, down, etc.) ...1860 Amer. dial.
CRINKLE - nouns
• CRIMPLE † a crease, wrinkle, or fold; a crinkle ...c1440 obs. exc. Eng. & Amer. dial.
crinkle - verbs
• CRIMPLE † to wrinkle, crumple, crinkle, curl ...c1440 obs. exc. Eng. dial.
• SCRIMPLE †* to crumple, to crinkle ...1535
• WAFFLE to crease, to crinkle, to rumple ...1825 Sc.
CRINKLED - adjectives
• CRINKLETY-CRANKLETY crinkled, roughly creased ...1904 Amer. dial.
• REEVED UP crinkled, wrinkled ...Bk1904 Eng. dial.
CRIPPLE, CRIPPLED - adjectives (now sometimes offensive)
• GAME lame, crippled, crooked, deformed; disabled, injured, sore; of an eye: wavering, uncertain ...1790 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• GAMY lame, crippled ...M19 sl.
• HALPED crippled ...Bk1905 Eng. dial.
• HALT lame; crippled; limping ...c893 arch. & literary
• LEFT-HANDED † crippled, lame, defective ...1629
• LIMPY lame; crippled ...1955 Amer. dial.
• QUEER-GAMMED lame, crippled ...L18 sl.
cripple, crippled - adverbs
• LAMIGERIN in crippled fashion ...Bk1902 Eng. dial.
cripple, crippled - person
• BASKET a cripple, either mentally or physically ...1919 sl.
• BEDDRAL, BEDDREL a bedridden, maimed, or crippled person ...1824 Sc.
• BEDELL a bedridden person; a helpless cripple ...1790 Sc.
• BEDERAL a bedridden, maimed, or crippled person ...1824 Sc.
• BEDRAL, BEDREL † a bedridden person; a helpless cripple ... a1572 obs. rare exc. Sc.
• BEDRIL, BEDRILL - a bedridden, maimed, or crippled person ...1790 Sc.
• BEDTHER a cripple ...Bk1997 Irish sl.
• BETHERELL a bedridden person; a helpless cripple ...1790 Ireland
• CAITIFF † a cripple, one who is deformed and helpless ...1775 Eng. dial.
• DECRIPPIT a cripple, a lame person; one who is decrepit ...1887 Eng. dial.
• GAMMY † a lame or crippled person ...1889 UK sl.
• GEEHUNCLE a lame or crippled person ...1927 US sl.
• GEHUNCLE a cripple ...1954 US sl.
• GIMICK a lame person; a cripple ...1924 US tramps' sl.
• GIMP a lame person or one unable to walk; a cripple; a crippled beggar ...1894 sl., orig. US
• GIMPER a cripple; a disabled person ...1988 US sl.
• GIMPSTER a cripple; a disabled person ...1974 US sl.
• GIMPY a lame person; a cripple; often used as a nickname, or a term of contempt ...1895 colloq.
• HALTER one who halts or limps, as a cripple ...c1440
• HAUCHAL a deformed or crippled person ...1891 Sc.
• HECKIE a cripple moving about with the aid of a crutch ...Bk1866 Sc.
• HECKSTER a cripple, one who uses a crutch in walking ...1825 Sc.
• HIRPLE a lame person; a cripple ...1894 chiefly Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• LAMESTER a lame person; a cripple ...1639
• LAMETER, LAMITER a lame person; a cripple ...1804 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• LAMIGER a lame person; a cripple ...1829 Eng. dial.
• LAMMIGER a lame person, a cripple ...1847 Eng. dial.
• MITTILAT † a crippled person; one whose limbs have been mutilated ...1825 Sc.
• MUSTARD a cripple ...1998 Brit. imperfect rhyming sl. (Mustard Pickle)
• MUSTARD PICKLE a cripple ...1998 Brit. imperfect rhyming sl.
• RASPBERRY NIPPLE a cripple, a disabled person ...1970s rhyming sl.
• WONKY LEGS someone with deformed legs; a cruel term for a cripple ...Bk2004 Brit. sl.
cripple, crippled, verbs
• HAMSTRING to cripple, to destroy the activity or efficiency of ...1641
CRISIS - nouns
• ONE-EIGHT-SEVEN any form of crisis or drama ...1990s sl.
• PANIC STATIONS a crisis, a drama ...1961 sl., orig. naval usage
• UPPING the conclusion; the upshot; the crisis ...1899 Eng. dial.
CRISP - adjectives
• NEPPY crisp, brittle ...1865 Eng. dial.
• SMOPPLE brittle, crisp, crumbling, as 'smopple' wood, or a 'smopple' pie crust ...1731 Eng. dial.
CRITIC, CRITICISM - adjectives
• UNDER FIRE exposed to severe criticism ...1886
critic, criticism - nouns
• AGAINSTISM a being opposed to something, or having an oppositional attitude in general; opposition or criticism ...1944 colloq., orig. US
• ASS BITE harsh criticism ...1973 US sl.
• AUNT SALLY something that is an object of criticism, ridicule, etc. ...1859
• BAD MOUTH malicious gossip or criticism ...N. Amer. sl.
• BASHING criticizing, criticism; defaming ...Bk2006 US sl.
• BAWL-OUT a criticism, an accusation, a scolding ...1915 US sl.
• BLINDSTAM captious or arbitrary criticism ...Bk1911 Sc.
• CRACK a sharp remark criticizing someone ...1923 sl., orig. US
• CRITICOPHOBIA a fear or horror of critics ...1836
• CUT-UP a damaging criticism or review ...1928
• DOG'S ABUSE harsh criticism, verbal abuse ...1892 mainly Irish usage
• FANG JOB criticism, esp. a critical article ...1960s sl.
• FLACK, FLAK adverse criticism; negative feedback ...1968 sl., orig. US
• FLAMER a stiff criticism; a row; a quarrel ...c1805
• GAFF severe treatment, criticism, punishment, or hardship ...L19 US sl.
• HYPERCRITICISM excessive criticism; criticism that is unduly severe or minute ...1678
• JAMMING severe verbal criticism; physical assault ...20C W. Indies sl.
• KICK IN THE PANTS, A a grave or humbling setback; an expression of severe criticism or disapproval ...1933
• KICK IN THE TEETH, A a grave or humbling setback; an expression of severe criticism or disapproval ...1972
• LACING a verbal attack, criticism ...1940s sl.
• LICKS a critical or complaining remark ...colloq.
• OH-SHIT a criticism ...1997 US sl.
• PAN severe criticism ...20C sl.
• PANNING very hard criticism, as a very bad review ...1930s sl.
• RAP a derogatory or highly critical remark; a complaint ...1777 orig. US
• REMARKING a remark; criticism ...1785 Sc.
• SHIT criticism ...2003 UK sl.
• SIDE-SWIPE an indirect or passing criticism ...1924 sl.
• SIGNIFICATION negative or hostile talk, criticism, ritualized abuse ...20C US Black sl.
• SLAM an instance of adverse criticism ...1884 US
• SWIPE an instance of adverse criticism ...1932 sl.
critic, criticism - person
• ACT CATCHER a drama critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• AGINNER one who opposes some specific position or point of view, or who tends to disfavour anything; one who criticizes out of envy, resentment, etc. unfamiliar ...1941 Amer. dial.
• ARMCHAIR CRITIC (depreciative) a person who offers comment or criticism on a subject of which he or she has little or no practical knowledge or experience ...1856
• AUNT SALLY someone who is an object of criticism, ridicule, etc. ...1859
• BACK-SEAT DRIVER someone who criticizes or attempts to direct without responsibility, or who controls affairs from a subordinate position ...1955 sl.
• BAD-MOUTH a person who bad-mouths or criticizes others ...1968 Amer. sl.
• BAGGER an aggressive critic ...1983 US college sl.
• BARKER a noisy assailant; one who attacks with words, etc.; a noisy critic ...1483 chiefly US
• BOOGIE MAN a severe critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• CRICK a drama critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• CRIT a critic ...1743 UK sl.
• CRIX critics ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• DEATH WATCH, THE drama critics ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• DEEMER † one who censures or (unfavourably) criticizes others ...c1410
• DRAMMER DAMNER a drama critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• GADFLY an irritating or provoking person; a person who persistently criticizes or challenges the status quo or those in authority, in an attempt to stimulate change ...1622
• HAMFATTER a vociferous, but non-participating critic ...L19 US sl.
• HARD HITTER a person who is energetic, uncompromising, or direct, esp. in providing unpalatable facts or strong criticism ...1831
• HATA a person with an excessively critical or negative attitude, esp. one who resents the success or happiness of others ...1996 US sl., esp. African-American usage
• HATCHET MAN a person who uses strong written or spoken criticism to attack and destroy the reputation of another ...1938 orig. US
• HATER a person with an excessively critical or negative attitude, esp. one who resents the success or happiness of others; a jealous or envious person ...1991 US sl., esp. African-American usage
• HISTRIOMASTIX a severe critic of playwrights ...Bk1914
• HYPER an extreme or severe critic; an over-critical person ...1689
• HYPERCRITIC an extreme or severe critic; an over-critical person; orig. a master critic (obs.) ...1634
• KNOCKER a disparaging critic; a fault-finder; one who is addicted to captious criticism ...1898 colloq., orig. US
• KVETCH a detestable or unpleasant person, esp., a person who criticizes or complains a great deal ...1936 US colloq., chiefly Jewish usage
• KVETCHER a detestable or unpleasant person, esp., a person who criticizes or complains a great deal ...1968 US colloq.
• LOG ROLLER a critic who makes favourable reviews, expecting the like in return ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• MOME † a carping critic; a querulous fault-finding person ...1563
• MOMIST † a person who habitually finds fault; a harsh critic ...1597
• MOMUS * a person who habitually grumbles or finds fault; a querulous person; a carping critic ...a1586
• MOMUSITE † a supposed follower of Momus (the Greek god of censure and ridicule, who was banished from Olympus for his criticisms of the gods); a person who habitually grumbles or finds fault; a carping critic ...1655 nonce word
• MONDAY-MORNING QUARTERBACK someone who criticizes something (orig. the play in an American football game) only with the benefit of hindsight ...1932 US sl.
• MONSTERER * one who criticizes harshly or savagely ...1999 Aust. colloq.
• NARG a grumbling, criticizing, nagging person ...1824 Sc.
• NICELING † a very fastidious or overnice person or critic; a hair-splitter ...1549
• NIGMANIE a quarrelsome, hypercritical person; one who picks faults ...1920 Sc.
• NIGNAY a quarrelsome hypercritical person; one who picks faults ...1920 Sc.
• NITPICKER a pedantic or captious critic ...1951 sl., orig. US
• PUNDIT a person who makes comments or judgements, esp. in an authoritative manner; a critic or commentator ...17C
• SHARPSHOOTER a shrewd, clever critic ...Bk1942 Amer. theatrical sl.
• ULTRA-CREPIDARIAN one who ventures beyond his scope; an ignorant or presumptuous critic ...1825
• ULTRACREPIDAST † one who ventures beyond his scope; an ignorant or presumptuous critic ...1640
• ZOILIST a carping critic ...1594
• ZOILUS a censorious, malignant, or envious critic ...1565
critic, criticism - verbs
• DANCE THE CARPET to appear before an official for an investigation of one's work or behaviour; to receive a reprimand, criticism, or punishment ...20C Amer. sl.
critic, criticism - phrases
• DOGS BARK BUT THE CARAVAN MOVES ON, THE suggests that someone or something is impervious to protest or criticism ...1860
CRITICAL - adjectives
• AUTOCRITICAL critical of oneself or one's own work ...1642
• CRITICULAR critical and particular ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
• DICKY of things, conditions, etc.: uncertain, doubtful, critical, hazardous; rickety, shaky, tottering ...1851
• HYPERCRITIC extremely critical ...1820
• HYPERCRITICAL extremely critical ...1611
• PECKISH short-tempered; easily offended; nagging, hypercritical ...1895 Amer. dial.
• PECKY short-tempered; easily offended; nagging, hypercritical ...1949 Amer. dial.
• PICKETY fussy, particular, fault-finding, hypercritical ...1966 Amer. dial.
• SNOOKY critical, fault-finding ...1910s Aust. sl.
• TICKLESOME difficult, critical, delicate, precarious ...1585 now Eng. dial.
• TICKLISH liable to end in disaster unless treated with great care; needing cautious handling or action; delicate, critical, precarious, risky, hazardous ...1592
• TRITICAL trite and critical ...Bk1942 Amer. sl.
critical - nouns
• CRUNCH TIME a critical moment or period when decisive action is needed ...1980s sl.
• DEVIL TO PAY AND NO PITCH HOT a predicament, a critical situation, or a perplexing foul-up ...1963 Amer. dial.
• FLASHPOINT a critical moment beyond which a situation will inevitable erupt into violence
• HELL TO PAY AND NO PITCH HOT a predicament, a critical situation, or a perplexing foul-up ...1927 Amer. dial.
• KANKEDORT †* a state of suspense; a critical position; a predicament; an awkward affair ...c1374
• KANKERDORT †* a state of suspense; a critical position; a predicament; an awkward affair ...c1374
• NUTCUT the critical point in an enterprise or operation ...1972 US sl.
• NUT-CUTTING the most critical and distasteful stage in a project or operation ...1968 US sl.
• TICKLENESS † insecurity, instability; critical situation, precariousness; inconstancy; uncertainty ...c1390
critical - verbs
• COME TO THE BOIL to reach an important or critical stage ...Bk1999
critical - phrases
• BETWEEN THE TINING AND THE WINNING said of being in a critical position, which may result either in ruin or in success; in a state between ruin or safety ...1784 Sc. & N. Eng. dial.
• WHEN THE SHIT FLIES when trouble suddenly or rapidly breaks out; when a situation suddenly becomes critical ...1966 sl.
• WHEN THE SHIT HITS THE FAN when trouble suddenly or rapidly breaks out; when a situation suddenly becomes critical ...a1943 sl., orig. US Military
CRITICIZE - verbs
• BACKCAP to attempt to thwart or ruin by defaming someone; to depreciate, disparage, or criticize meanly ...1887 Amer. sl.
• BAD-MOUTH to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1941 sl., orig. US
• BAD-RAP to criticize unjustly; to malign ...1967 Amer. sl.
• BAG to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1975 Aust. sl.
• BAG ON to criticize someone ...Bk2006 US sl.
• BALL OUT to scold, to reprimand, to criticize loudly ...1899 sl., orig. US
• BASE ON to criticize ...Bk1994 sl.
• BASH to criticize; to join in the destructive criticism of someone or something ...Bk2006 US sl.
• BAWL to scold, to reprimand, to criticize loudly ...M19 sl., orig. US
• BAWL OUT to scold, to reprimand, to criticize loudly ...1899 sl., orig. US
• BLAST to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1953 sl., chiefly journalistic
• BUST ON to criticize ...1960s US sl.
• CANVAS † to 'thrash' a person in writing; to criticize destructively and unsparingly ...1590
• CATCH to carp, to criticize ...1628
• CHIP AT to quarrel with; to criticize adversely ...1880 sl.
• CLOBBER to criticize severely ...M20 sl.
• COP A BAKE to receive a reprimand or a severe criticism ...1980s Aust. prison sl.
• CAST THE FIRST STONE - to be first to accuse or criticize, though not oneself blameless ...Bk1999
• CLOBBER to strike someone; to hit; to thrash or beat up; to defeat; to reprimand or criticize severely ...1944 sl.
• CUT UP to censure, to criticize or review with destructive severity ...1762
• DANCE THE CARPET to appear before an official for an investigation of one's work or behaviour; to receive a reprimand, criticism, or punishment ...20C Amer. sl.
• DISH to criticize someone or something; to spread gossip about someone or something ...Bk2006 US sl.
• DO A DUMP ON to criticize someone or something; to destroy someone or something ...Bk2006 US sl.
• DO A NUMBER ON SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1975 US sl.
• DOG to criticize or bother ...20C teen & high school sl.
• DOWN to disparage; to criticize adversely ...1970 Amer. sl.
• DOWN ON to disparage; to criticize adversely ...1992 Amer. sl.
• DUMP ALL OVER SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize; to treat unfairly ...1966 sl., chiefly US
• DUMP ON SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize; to treat unfairly ...1966 sl., chiefly US
• EAT SOMEONE'S ARSE OFF to criticize severely; to punish heavily ...1940s US sl.
• EAT SOMEONE'S ASS OFF to criticize severely; to punish heavily ...1943 US sl.
• EAT SOMEONE'S ASS OUT to criticize severely; to punish heavily ...1946 US sl.
• FIRE ONE'S SHUCK to light into someone; to criticize severely ...1951 Amer. dial.
• GET AT SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1891 sl.
• GET ON SOMEONE'S BACK to annoy, to aggravate, to nag, to criticize someone ...1959 Aust. sl.
• GIVE SOMEONE A SERVE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1967 Aust. sl.
• GET SOME STICK to receive adverse criticism ...1956 Brit. sl.
• GIVE A PERSON A SERVE to criticize or reprimand a person sharply ...M20 Aust. sl.
• GIVE GYP to punish or admonish; to assault or beat; hence, later, to mock or tease; to criticize ...1887 orig. Eng. dial.
• GIVE THE GAFF to deliver criticism ...L19 sl.
• HAVE A GO AT to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1977 sl.
• HAVE A POP AT SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1922 Brit. sl.
• HYPERCRITICIZE to criticize excessively or unduly ...1812
• KVETCH to criticize or complain a great deal ...c1950 US colloq.
• LET SOMEONE HAVE IT to challenge, to pose a difficult question, to reprimand severely, to criticize ...M19 sl., orig. US
• LIVE IN A GLASS-HOUSE. to lay oneself open to criticism ...c1845 Brit. colloq.
• MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK to criticize with the benefit of hindsight ...1950 Amer. sl., esp. journalists' usage
• NICK †* to criticize, to censure, to speak ill of ...1668
• PAN to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize; often applied to a film, theatrical performance, etc. ...1911 sl.
• POP OFF to rant; to criticize; to brag ...Amer. World War I sl.
• POP OFF AT THE MOUTH to criticize ...1980s sl.
• PULL APART to criticize unmercifully; to analyze thoroughly
• PULL ONE'S PUNCHES to moderate one's criticism; usually used in the negative ...1934 sl.
• PUT THE BLAST ON to scold or criticize harshly or vociferously ...1929 Amer. sl.
• PUT THE GAFF INTO to deliver criticism ...L19 sl.
• RAG ON to nag, to criticize ...1980s US sl.
• RAIL to criticize or reprimand someone ...1987 US sl.
• RAIL ON to criticize or reprimand someone ...1987 US sl.
• RAP to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1906 sl., orig. US
• RAISE HELL to criticize or castigate thoroughly and in anger, to reprimand severely ...1920s sl.
• RAKE ON to humiliate; to criticize ...1980s US college sl.
• READ to express blunt criticism of ...1994 Amer. dial., esp. Black usage
• READ OFF to reprimand, to express blunt criticism of ...B1900 Eng. & Amer. dial.
• READ OUT to reprimand, to express blunt criticism of; to rebuke strongly; to scold ...1958 Amer. dial.
• REDD to correct, to set right; to rebuke, to scold; to sum up the faults of, to criticize ...1819 Sc. & Eng. dial.
• ROAST to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1782 sl.
• RUBBISH to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1953 sl., orig. & chiefly Aust. & NZ
• SANDBAG to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1919 sl.. orig. & chiefly US
• SCANCE to criticize, to be censorious about, to reproach, to taunt ...1801 Sc.
• SCORE to criticize harshly; to berate ...chiefly US & Can.
• SLAG OFF to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1971 sl.
• SLAM to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1916 sl., orig. US
• SLATE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1848 sl.
• SOAK to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1925 US sl.
• SOAK IT TO to punish, to beat up; to criticize harshly ...L19 US sl.
• SWING AT to criticize ...1910s sl.
• TAKE APART to criticize or scold severely ...sl.
• TAKE A POP AT SOMEONE to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1922 Brit. sl.
• TAKE A POTSHOT AT to criticize someone severely ...1920s sl., orig. US
• TAKE A SWING to criticize ...1910s sl.
• TAKE A SWING AT to criticize ...1910s sl.
• TAKE A SWIPE AT to criticize sharply ...1932 sl.
• TAKE BEEF to get into arguments; to face criticism ...1990s US Black sl.
• TAKE HEAT to suffer or endure punishment or criticism ...1920s US sl.
• TAKE LAG to criticize, to attack verbally ...1950s W. Indies & UK Black sl.
• TAKE SOMEONE TO THE CLEANERS to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1963 sl.
• TAKE THE RIP OUT OF to mock, to criticize, to attack verbally ...1990s sl.
• TAKE TO THE CLEANERS - to criticize severely ...Bk1999
• TALK SHIT to criticize someone behind their back ...1960s US college sl.
• TEAR SOMEONE DOWN to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1978 US sl.
• TEE OFF ON to speak or write critically or disparagingly of; to criticize ...1955 US sl.
• THROW SOMEONE TO THE DOGS to abandon someone to criticism or attack
• TOMAHAWK to attack savagely or mercilessly in speech or in writing; to demolish in a review or criticism ...1815
• TRASH SOMEONE to criticize someone unmercifully ...Bk1995 US sl.
• ULTRA-CREPIDATE to criticize beyond one's sphere of knowledge ...1800
• USE (UP) to criticize or abuse ...M19 US sl.
• VELLICATE † to carp at; to criticize adversely ...1633
• YARG to talk incessantly; to argue doggedly and tiresomely; to carp, to wrangle, to criticize ...a1838 Sc.
CRITICIZED - adjectives
• GLUED criticized, rebuked ...1960s Amer. sl.
• ON THE PAN being criticized ...1923 US sl.
criticized - person
• SACRED COW - someone who must not be spoken badly of or criticized ...1910 orig. US journalists' sl.
CRITICIZING - adjectives
• KVETCHING characterized by complaining or criticizing; that complains or criticizes ...1966 US colloq., chiefly Jewish usage
• KVETCHY given to or characterized by complaining or criticizing; ill-tempered, irritable ...1965 US colloq., chiefly Jewish usage
criticizing - nouns
• KVETCHING a criticizing or complaining a great deal ...c1950 US colloq., chiefly Jewish usage
• ULTRACREPIDATION the act or fact of criticizing ignorantly ...1800
criticizing - person
• NARG a grumbling, criticizing, nagging person ...1824 Sc.