0000
Location where everything is alright. Specifically the sofa Joy sits on at home | n | Location where everything is alright. Specifically the sofa Joy sits on at home | The Triskele | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 15:13:21 | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 16:13:25 |
1-2-3 wash yourself, ducky!
I am throwing a handful of wet sand at you | exc | I am throwing a handful of wet sand at you | The Sisterhood | 09/03/’2109/03/2021 00:10:43 | – |
14155
Iliff | n | Iliff | M & N | 16/04/’2116/04/2021 14:31:17 | 01/01/’2301/01/2023 13:54:33 |
81
Response to “night-night!” | exp | Response to “night-night!” | Francis | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 22:30:39 | 08/01/’2208/01/2022 16:24:26 |
a boy is a boy…
A callback to the proverb:
A boy is a boy
Two boys are half a boy
Three boys are no boy at all
…a commentary on the p… | exp | A callback to the proverb:
A boy is a boy
Two boys are half a boy
Three boys are no boy at all
…a commentary on the productivity of boys hired to do work, when child labour was considered acceptable | Pa | 16/05/’2116/05/2021 23:37:32 | 21/10/’2421/10/2024 12:57:46 |
a chill wind in the Trossachs
The sensation of wearing a kilt¹ on a cold day | exp | The sensation of wearing a kilt¹ on a cold day | M & N | 10/03/’2210/03/2022 18:03:24 | – |
a crow, letting
I am pressing lightly on your head with the fingernails of one hand, and am claiming that a crow has settled there in ca… | exp | I am pressing lightly on your head with the fingernails of one hand, and am claiming that a crow has settled there in case you should think that I am pressing lightly on your head with the fingernails of one hand | Granny Dixon | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 15:02:18 | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 21:14:17 |
a day late and a dollar short
Applies to work that is both late and substandard | adj | Applies to work that is both late and substandard | Mark | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 15:13:35 | – |
a kangaroo loose in the top paddick
Not wholly in command of events | adj | Not wholly in command of events | Clare | 27/05/’2127/05/2021 14:19:30 | 18/03/’2218/03/2022 00:59:05 |
a light to lighten the genitals
Graffito seen in the gentlemen’s convenience of The Perch inn, Oxford, written beneath the single dim lamp on the wall… | exp | Graffito seen in the gentlemen’s convenience of The Perch inn, Oxford, written beneath the single dim lamp on the wall above the urinals | Mark | 06/07/’2106/07/2021 15:03:27 | 29/11/’2329/11/2023 21:41:53 |
a peach of a boat
Literally: A very nice boat.
Intended meaning: A fishing boat | exp | Literally: A very nice boat.
Intended meaning: A fishing boat | Mum | 05/03/’2105/03/2021 13:58:00 | 07/03/’2107/03/2021 01:07:32 |
a pint of water’s a pound and a quarter, except in US where it’s less
Counter-mnemonic to Americans’ wholly misleading “A pint’s a pound the whole world around” | exp | Counter-mnemonic to Americans’ wholly misleading “A pint’s a pound the whole world around” | Mark | 21/08/’2321/08/2023 08:29:31 | 30/08/’2330/08/2023 22:43:01 |
a touch of the don’t-want-to-goes
Reluctance to go somewhere | exp | Reluctance to go somewhere | Dad | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:08:22 | 21/10/’2421/10/2024 15:19:46 |
A-flute
To campaign with the use of an A-frame adorned with corflutes proclaiming the campaginer’s message | v | To campaign with the use of an A-frame adorned with corflutes proclaiming the campaginer’s message | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 22/10/’2322/10/2023 00:40:37 | 22/10/’2322/10/2023 10:39:14 |
aber eine wurst hatte zwei ende
But a sausage has two ends | exp | But a sausage has two ends | Clare | 20/01/’2320/01/2023 01:00:35 | – |
abratadabra
Answer to the question “What’s the magic word?” | exc | Answer to the question “What’s the magic word?” | Nicholas | 30/03/’2130/03/2021 15:21:54 | – |
accident
An impulse purchase | n | An impulse purchase | Mark | 02/01/’2202/01/2022 12:58:03 | 08/01/’2208/01/2022 01:10:41 |
Action Town
Acton Town | n | Acton Town | Naomi | 08/10/’2208/10/2022 01:11:57 | – |
add more lightness
Cut out anything superfluous | exp | Cut out anything superfluous | Mark | 27/02/’2327/02/2023 12:29:19 | – |
affluence of incahol
Influence of alcohol | exp | Influence of alcohol | Iliff family | 21/11/’2421/11/2024 16:05:29 | 21/11/’2421/11/2024 16:07:01 |
AFM
Anger management | n | Anger management | Mark | 23/11/’2123/11/2021 22:50:42 | – |
ah-ahs
Poo | n | Poo | Mum | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:16:12 | – |
aha, Rasputin, the mad monk, climbing up those Russian steppés!
Here is the rice pudding. All hail the rice pudding | exc | Here is the rice pudding. All hail the rice pudding | Pa | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 00:43:42 | – |
ahiggit ahugget
That person is taking self-deprecation to extremes | exp | That person is taking self-deprecation to extremes | Pa | 16/05/’2116/05/2021 23:20:58 | – |
alec tricity
Electricity | n | Electricity | Dad | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 15:47:05 | – |
aleebee
Alibi | n | Alibi | Riverbankers | 21/08/’2321/08/2023 08:50:26 | – |
alibaba
The laundry basket at Greenmantle | n | The laundry basket at Greenmantle | Iliff family | 27/05/’2127/05/2021 14:14:20 | 21/11/’2121/11/2021 13:10:26 |
all of a sudden a big black pudding came floating through the air
You are about to be struck during a pillow fight | exc | You are about to be struck during a pillow fight | Granny Dixon | 14/03/’2114/03/2021 13:48:16 | 09/11/’2409/11/2024 15:06:01 |
all the way round sir?
Literally “shall I serve you everything?” Can be used to imply a hint of gluttony | exp | Literally “shall I serve you everything?” Can be used to imply a hint of gluttony | Mark | 06/11/’2106/11/2021 12:41:42 | 06/11/’2106/11/2021 12:44:45 |
All’ Barone
The pub chain All Bar One | n | The pub chain All Bar One | Mark | 29/12/’2229/12/2022 15:09:40 | 15/10/’2415/10/2024 14:12:59 |
ambliance
Ambulance | n | Ambulance | Jeremy | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 16:02:41 | – |
American seat
A merry conceit | n | A merry conceit | Pa | 27/02/’2127/02/2021 16:17:37 | 05/03/’2105/03/2021 14:21:32 |
amontiddly-doh
Amontillado, a variety of sherry | n | Amontillado, a variety of sherry | Naomi | 20/06/’2320/06/2023 15:53:29 | 26/06/’2326/06/2023 09:38:55 |
amtriguous
A phrase or utterance capable of three different interpretations | adj | A phrase or utterance capable of three different interpretations | Mark | 24/04/’2324/04/2023 14:31:03 | – |
ancestor tea
The weak tea resulting from topping a pot up with hot water a second or subsequent time | n | The weak tea resulting from topping a pot up with hot water a second or subsequent time | Pa | 26/05/’2126/05/2021 12:50:46 | 31/10/’2431/10/2024 15:46:58 |
and hadn’t we the gaeity at Phil the fluter’s ball
A line that Dad would sing at the most unexpected of times | verse | A line that Dad would sing at the most unexpected of times | Dad | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 16:12:24 | – |
and the band played Believe it if you like
I don’t believe it | exp | I don’t believe it | Mark | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 15:50:25 | – |
another saucer of milk?
Goodness me, that was a catty [mean, spiteful] comment! | exp | Goodness me, that was a catty [mean, spiteful] comment! | Mark | 07/11/’2107/11/2021 23:30:13 | 01/01/’2301/01/2023 13:15:29 |
anti-cretinous
Anti-tetanus | adj | Anti-tetanus | Mark | 26/05/’2126/05/2021 12:31:56 | – |
any more laid back, his bum would fall off
Extremely relaxed, perhaps reprehensibly so | exp | Extremely relaxed, perhaps reprehensibly so | Mark | 26/05/’2126/05/2021 12:34:49 | 17/08/’2417/08/2024 11:08:57 |
appalAchian contrOllay
Of French wines, appellation d’origine contrôlée… basically, not plonk | adj | Of French wines, appellation d’origine contrôlée… basically, not plonk | Mark | 12/07/’2212/07/2022 01:07:00 | – |
aprishotts
Apricots | n | Apricots | Sam | 11/02/’2411/02/2024 00:53:07 | – |
are bears Catholic?
Yes | exp | Yes | Mark | 25/11/’2125/11/2021 11:38:18 | – |
are we gentry or do we stack?
In practice it seemed to mean “I’m clearing the table now” between the courses of a meal, though none of us made m… | exp | In practice it seemed to mean “I’m clearing the table now” between the courses of a meal, though none of us made much sense of it at the time | Granny Dixon | 05/07/’2205/07/2022 01:06:08 | – |
are you all sitty comfibowl two-square on your botty?
Are you sitting comfortably? | exp | Are you sitting comfortably? | M & N | 20/10/’2420/10/2024 01:26:23 | 21/10/’2421/10/2024 12:36:09 |
ars bin
Wing bean | n | Wing bean | Clare | 08/03/’2208/03/2022 21:18:25 | – |
arsnip
Parnsip | n | Parnsip | Mark | 08/03/’2208/03/2022 21:02:32 | – |
as innocent as a nun at a bus stop
To all appearances, throughly innocuous | exp | To all appearances, throughly innocuous | Mark | 11/02/’2411/02/2024 01:06:53 | 11/02/’2411/02/2024 11:11:17 |
as thick as an elephant bap
Not conspicuously astute | adj | Not conspicuously astute | Mark | 07/11/’2207/11/2022 00:22:16 | 07/11/’2207/11/2022 00:26:15 |
as your mummy say, you’ll grow into it
I accept that the clothing I have supplied is rather too large for you | exp | I accept that the clothing I have supplied is rather too large for you | Mark | 28/07/’2428/07/2024 15:08:32 | – |
ashpan
Panache | n | Panache | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 07/11/’2207/11/2022 01:02:52 | – |
assumptions make an ass of ump and tions
Avoid making assumptions | exp | Avoid making assumptions | Mark | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 16:11:23 | – |
audio black
Silence | n | Silence | Mark | 28/07/’2428/07/2024 14:41:13 | – |
Aunty Brute
Naomi’s name for Aunt Dorothy | n | Naomi’s name for Aunt Dorothy | Naomi | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 00:56:57 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 16:10:38 |
Aunty Mark
Uncle Mark | n | Uncle Mark | Joanna | 25/03/’2125/03/2021 12:42:31 | 25/03/’2125/03/2021 13:53:04 |
Australian naming
The practice of assigning proper names that are unduly literal, such as Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Snowy Mo… | n | The practice of assigning proper names that are unduly literal, such as Great Barrier Reef, Northern Territory, Snowy Mountains, Great Sandy Desert, Mitchell Multilevel Falls, Great Dividing Range etc | Mark | 19/08/’2119/08/2021 13:07:51 | 05/09/’2205/09/2022 13:29:21 |
autocucumber
The autocorrect function common on smartphones | n | The autocorrect function common on smartphones | Riverbankers | 24/04/’2324/04/2023 14:56:32 | – |
automagically
Automatically, and with impressive élan | adv | Automatically, and with impressive élan | Mark | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 14:53:04 | – |
avian fornication
Thing of no regard | n | Thing of no regard | Mark | 03/09/’2303/09/2023 10:43:40 | – |
B I tish
A woman considered to be mean, overbearing or contemptible | n | A woman considered to be mean, overbearing or contemptible | Dad | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 15:14:24 | – |
B-fart
Beef heart, an allegedly scrumptious type of offal | n | Beef heart, an allegedly scrumptious type of offal | Pa | 18/08/’2318/08/2023 16:03:48 | 10/09/’2310/09/2023 12:20:52 |
babu peechi lal
Self-important person | n | Self-important person | Pa | 08/10/’2208/10/2022 01:26:27 | – |
baby abluga
Baby beluga | n | Baby beluga | Joy | 04/09/’2104/09/2021 13:34:37 | – |
back dazzler
A vehicle’s high-intensity rear foglight, especially when used at night in the wet | n | A vehicle’s high-intensity rear foglight, especially when used at night in the wet | Mark | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 00:22:03 | – |
bagaloons
Capacious knickers | n | Capacious knickers | Clare | 27/02/’2127/02/2021 23:58:59 | 30/03/’2230/03/2022 00:49:44 |
Barley-sugar Legs
His sisters’ pet name for Dad | n | His sisters’ pet name for Dad | Dad | 29/01/’2229/01/2022 00:37:56 | – |
barsteward
Bastard (in its pejorative rather than descriptive sense) | n | Bastard (in its pejorative rather than descriptive sense) | M & N | 03/12/’2303/12/2023 00:36:57 | – |
Basingrad
Basingstoke, a town in Hampshire | n | Basingstoke, a town in Hampshire | Mark | 23/04/’2123/04/2021 23:12:59 | 21/11/’2421/11/2024 15:29:56 |
Basingscrote
Basingstoke, a town in Hampshire | n | Basingstoke, a town in Hampshire | Naomi | 21/11/’2421/11/2024 15:29:30 | – |
basking hickory stick
Lavatory bowl floater | n | Lavatory bowl floater | Mark | 28/02/’2128/02/2021 00:02:00 | 28/02/’2128/02/2021 12:29:23 |
bastardsphere
The inglorious company of spammers, hackers & phishers | n | The inglorious company of spammers, hackers & phishers | Mark | 13/05/’2213/05/2022 01:03:46 | – |
bat tsch-tsch
Bathroom cleaner | n | Bathroom cleaner | Riverbankers | 17/03/’2117/03/2021 21:01:46 | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 22:42:36 |
bathroom thought
A thought, had while using the facilities that exits your mind as you exit the smallest room | n | A thought, had while using the facilities that exits your mind as you exit the smallest room | Aoife | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 15:07:02 | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 16:17:11 |
be told!
Don’t argue! | exc | Don’t argue! | Pop | 28/02/’2128/02/2021 00:11:19 | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 16:19:37 |
bearded mushrooms
Breaded mushrooms | n | Breaded mushrooms | M & N | 27/07/’2127/07/2021 21:32:46 | – |
bee-loud glade
Invoked when walking amongst busy insects in a rural setting | verse | Invoked when walking amongst busy insects in a rural setting | Naomi | 26/06/’2326/06/2023 09:31:47 | – |
beef cut
Crew cut | n | Crew cut | Uncle Tony | 30/03/’2230/03/2022 01:19:59 | – |
beefa leefa
Beef olives | n | Beef olives | Pa | 02/03/’2202/03/2022 23:18:39 | – |
beep conveyor
One of those vehicles used in airports and hospitals for conveying loud, unsettling beeps around the place | n | One of those vehicles used in airports and hospitals for conveying loud, unsettling beeps around the place | Mark | 24/01/’2324/01/2023 23:27:12 | 22/01/’2422/01/2024 12:06:14 |
Beezlebub
Mispronunciation of Beelzebub | n | Mispronunciation of Beelzebub | Mark | 28/02/’2128/02/2021 00:06:38 | – |
Belgian pish
The beerish substance sold under the name Stella Artois | n | The beerish substance sold under the name Stella Artois | M & N | 19/07/’2219/07/2022 23:54:01 | 02/03/’2302/03/2023 15:28:35 |
belten our tights
Tighten our belts | exp | Tighten our belts | M & N | 04/05/’2404/05/2024 23:48:47 | – |
Ben Yehuda
Pa’s nickname for Benno | n | Pa’s nickname for Benno | Pa | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 22:23:27 | – |
bet that’s cooled his biryani down a bit
He seems to find that drink refreshing | exp | He seems to find that drink refreshing | M & N | 27/05/’2127/05/2021 14:50:45 | – |
Betelgwayzay
Betelgeuse (aka α Orionis), red supergiant and 10ᵗʰ brightest star in the sky | n | Betelgeuse (aka α Orionis), red supergiant and 10ᵗʰ brightest star in the sky | Aoife | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 15:06:25 | – |
betty swallocks
Perspiration of the gentleman’s area | n | Perspiration of the gentleman’s area | M & N | 01/07/’2201/07/2022 13:30:15 | – |
bezz pawk
Bespoke | adj | Bespoke | Dad | 12/05/’2112/05/2021 22:30:38 | – |
biddle biddle
The ringing sound of a GPO Trimphone, the trendy alternative to the standard issue phone in the 1970s | exp | The ringing sound of a GPO Trimphone, the trendy alternative to the standard issue phone in the 1970s | M & N | 06/09/’2106/09/2021 01:04:13 | 23/10/’2423/10/2024 11:10:43 |
bidet
Rear wash-wipe mechanism (of a vehicle) | n | Rear wash-wipe mechanism (of a vehicle) | Riverbankers | 05/07/’2205/07/2022 00:57:38 | – |
big clock
Thing to be coveted | n | Thing to be coveted | Granny Dixon | 28/02/’2128/02/2021 00:12:49 | – |
big crisp
Poppadom | n | Poppadom | M & N | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 15:22:12 | – |
big organs run in the family
Gleefully puerile response to use of the word organ | exp | Gleefully puerile response to use of the word organ | M & N | 25/11/’2325/11/2023 13:52:28 | 25/11/’2325/11/2023 18:13:24 |
Biggles flies undone
1. (Meaningless interjection at any allusion to the fictional character James Bigglesworth, or to any other similarly im… | exp | 1. (Meaningless interjection at any allusion to the fictional character James Bigglesworth, or to any other similarly improbably ept aviator)
2. Your flies are undone | M & N | 26/05/’2126/05/2021 12:47:10 | – |
Bildad the Shuhite
The shortest man in the christian bible | n | The shortest man in the christian bible | Pa | 18/04/’2218/04/2022 00:13:27 | – |
bim
Bowel movement | n | Bowel movement | King family | 28/02/’2128/02/2021 00:15:37 | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 22:42:50 |
bingbongabangbang
I predict the credits will roll, or an ad break will start, in the next few seconds (when watching TV) | exp | I predict the credits will roll, or an ad break will start, in the next few seconds (when watching TV) | M & N | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 00:25:39 | – |
birdy num-num
Bird seed | n | Bird seed | M & N | 11/01/’2211/01/2022 15:42:09 | – |
bish
A forgivable mistake | n | A forgivable mistake | Iliff family | 02/04/’2402/04/2024 16:04:40 | – |
BKJ
Bright, keen & jolly | adj | Bright, keen & jolly | Mum | 24/02/’2124/02/2021 23:20:05 | 24/02/’2124/02/2021 23:20:05 |
black-coated workers
Prunes | n | Prunes | Iliff family | 11/08/’2111/08/2021 00:12:14 | 02/01/’2202/01/2022 12:01:01 |
blick auf
Wake up! | exp | Wake up! | Naomi | 28/02/’2128/02/2021 00:20:25 | 02/01/’2202/01/2022 12:02:42 |
blind mullet
Seaborne bolus | n | Seaborne bolus | John T | 30/03/’2130/03/2021 15:24:16 | – |
bloody great balloons
Callback to the desperate cry of a vendor of oversized balloons outside Madame Tussauds on a chilly spring day: “Ballo… | exp | Callback to the desperate cry of a vendor of oversized balloons outside Madame Tussauds on a chilly spring day: “Balloons! Balloons! Bloody great balloons!” | M & N | 18/04/’2218/04/2022 00:28:20 | – |
blop
Like blob, but ploppier | n | Like blob, but ploppier | Naomi | 13/04/’2113/04/2021 13:07:14 | – |
blue and green should never be seen except on a donkey’s back
Style guidance | exp | Style guidance | Naomi | 02/04/’2402/04/2024 16:06:41 | 02/04/’2402/04/2024 18:19:16 |
BO-er
Deodorant | n | Deodorant | King family | 27/07/’2127/07/2021 21:27:30 | 12/02/’2212/02/2022 13:02:31 |
Bob Cox
The physicist Brian Cox | n | The physicist Brian Cox | Naomi | 17/09/’2117/09/2021 21:54:05 | – |
bobaligoo
Boat fender | n | Boat fender | Naomi | 28/02/’2128/02/2021 00:23:27 | 14/02/’2214/02/2022 11:13:14 |
Bob’s your parent’s sibling
It’s as easy as that | exp | It’s as easy as that | Riverbankers | 11/02/’2211/02/2022 12:03:44 | – |
body coddler
Sleeveless coat, or gilet | n | Sleeveless coat, or gilet | Mark | 20/03/’2120/03/2021 16:07:17 | 05/12/’2105/12/2021 15:37:50 |
bog
Dog | n | Dog | Joy | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 15:15:04 | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 16:10:39 |
bog lolly
Urinal deodoriser block | n | Urinal deodoriser block | Benno | 05/05/’2405/05/2024 00:28:46 | – |
bogflosher
Drain unblocker | n | Drain unblocker | Mark | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 21:54:43 | – |
bogpaper music
Homogenised soulless featureless maundering lift music – tear off amount required | n | Homogenised soulless featureless maundering lift music – tear off amount required | Mark | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:25:43 | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:26:35 |
boil the billy
Make tea | v | Make tea | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 07/11/’2207/11/2022 01:01:11 | – |
boinga
Kangaroo, especially when in motion | n | Kangaroo, especially when in motion | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 15/11/’2215/11/2022 19:38:03 | – |
boîte sur toit
A roofbox, one of those enclosed roofracks for cars | n | A roofbox, one of those enclosed roofracks for cars | Naomi | 12/11/’2312/11/2023 00:39:54 | 26/11/’2426/11/2024 20:24:24 |
bonbon ching gum caramel!
(No real meaning – just a bonding cry) | exp | (No real meaning – just a bonding cry) | Bel | 06/11/’2106/11/2021 12:50:04 | 24/12/’2124/12/2021 11:36:06 |
bong
Person defined by their location, role or relationship | n | Person defined by their location, role or relationship | Naomi | 28/02/’2128/02/2021 14:50:47 | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 13:59:37 |
bongo wongs
Loose skin on the underside of a person’s upper arm, often given the insulting name bingo wings | n | Loose skin on the underside of a person’s upper arm, often given the insulting name bingo wings | M & N | 26/07/’2426/07/2024 20:45:50 | – |
boom and scrunch
The parlour game zoom and screech | n | The parlour game zoom and screech | Mark | 22/03/’2122/03/2021 23:42:10 | – |
Boom-holé
Fictional planet | n | Fictional planet | M & N | 27/07/’2127/07/2021 21:35:28 | – |
Botticchrachi
Botticelli, the Italian painter noted for his nudes | n | Botticelli, the Italian painter noted for his nudes | Riverbankers | 02/04/’2402/04/2024 16:01:32 | 29/09/’2429/09/2024 14:59:50 |
bouncealine
Trampoline | n | Trampoline | Lyra | 30/03/’2130/03/2021 15:26:04 | – |
Brandywine Thistlebottom
The actor Benedict Cumberbatch | n | The actor Benedict Cumberbatch | Naomi | 24/01/’2324/01/2023 23:28:01 | – |
breathe in, it’s good for you
Please cease complaining about this stinky farmyard | exp | Please cease complaining about this stinky farmyard | Granny Dixon | 26/02/’2126/02/2021 15:49:30 | – |
brown katies
Bronchitis | n | Bronchitis | Dad | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 15:47:45 | – |
brunty
Brunette | adj | Brunette | Joy | 30/03/’2130/03/2021 21:12:54 | – |
bug rake
Hair comb | n | Hair comb | Bel | 16/03/’2116/03/2021 14:51:18 | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 16:11:36 |
bull fiddle
Stand-up bass | n | Stand-up bass | Mark | 30/09/’2430/09/2024 10:52:15 | – |
bum in the air
Hard at work | adj | Hard at work | Win | 27/02/’2227/02/2022 14:27:28 | – |
bum of the flightle bee
Flight of the bumblebee, the Rimsky-Korsakov orchestral piece | exp | Flight of the bumblebee, the Rimsky-Korsakov orchestral piece | Dad | 22/02/’2122/02/2021 21:57:24 | 27/02/’2127/02/2021 16:00:20 |
bumbag aloo
Bombay aloo | n | Bombay aloo | Paul H | 25/03/’2125/03/2021 13:57:13 | – |
bumbalo bag
Bumbag (US: fannypack) | n | Bumbag (US: fannypack) | Naomi | 15/11/’2215/11/2022 20:24:05 | – |
bumcack
Comeback | n | Comeback | Naomi | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 01:30:27 | – |
bumhug
Humbug (the hard minty sweet) | n | Humbug (the hard minty sweet) | Mark | 24/03/’2124/03/2021 15:51:38 | 31/03/’2231/03/2022 01:43:46 |
bumnuts
Eggs | n | Eggs | Win | 27/02/’2227/02/2022 14:17:08 | – |
bumpity bolliko
Collision | n | Collision | Naomi | 03/04/’2103/04/2021 13:25:20 | – |
bumpity-bolliko
Uneven or bumpy (of a road) | adj | Uneven or bumpy (of a road) | Naomi | 07/04/’2107/04/2021 21:54:18 | 24/12/’2124/12/2021 11:29:59 |
Bunny Park
Alwyne Road Park, Hanwell, London | n | Alwyne Road Park, Hanwell, London | Hanwell Kings | 21/11/’2421/11/2024 15:35:26 | – |
burgalarm
Burgler alarm | n | Burgler alarm | Riverbankers | 17/07/’2217/07/2022 00:28:33 | – |
Burly Chassis
The Welsh singer Shirley Bassey | n | The Welsh singer Shirley Bassey | Iliff family | 03/09/’2303/09/2023 10:24:28 | – |
but does it make toast?
Satirical distillation of luddite objections to an innovative product | exp | Satirical distillation of luddite objections to an innovative product | Mark | 30/11/’2430/11/2024 16:13:55 | 01/12/’2401/12/2024 12:20:11 |
buttons on a wall
Response to “so what?” | exp | Response to “so what?” | Mark | 18/04/’2218/04/2022 00:18:52 | – |
by gum I’m stuck. What am I?
[Riddle] | exp | [Riddle] | Pop | 10/09/’2310/09/2023 12:28:05 | 15/09/’2315/09/2023 15:55:40 |
canned elephant’s prick
Tinned meat (eg Spam) | n | Tinned meat (eg Spam) | M & N | 27/02/’2327/02/2023 12:49:59 | – |
can’t get his tongue round his Rs
Has difficulty saying the letter R | adj | Has difficulty saying the letter R | Mum | 31/10/’2131/10/2021 23:45:08 | – |
case case case
In any case | exp | In any case | Bel | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 00:42:14 | – |
cash’n’flash
Pay-and-display car park | n | Pay-and-display car park | Mark | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 13:57:03 | 02/01/’2202/01/2022 12:52:34 |
cast nasturtiums
Cast aspersions | exp | Cast aspersions | King family | 02/02/’2202/02/2022 00:41:41 | 02/02/’2202/02/2022 10:50:58 |
castrated
Decaffeinated (of coffee or tea) | adj | Decaffeinated (of coffee or tea) | Pa | 20/03/’2120/03/2021 21:06:34 | 12/05/’2112/05/2021 21:51:24 |
catch a falling poo
Catch a falling poo and put it in a packet,
Try not to make a mess.
Catch a falling poo and put it in a packet,
Send … | verse | Catch a falling poo and put it in a packet,
Try not to make a mess.
Catch a falling poo and put it in a packet,
Send it to the NHS.
—to the tune of Catch a falling star | Mark | 20/06/’2320/06/2023 15:48:53 | – |
chained to the oar of a magnificent galley
Your humble labours in pursuit of a noble objective do not go unnoticed | exp | Your humble labours in pursuit of a noble objective do not go unnoticed | Pa | 16/05/’2116/05/2021 23:24:41 | – |
changed his 40 for two 20s and found he wasn’t wired for it
Catty comment about a man who proves over-ambitious in his philandering | exp | Catty comment about a man who proves over-ambitious in his philandering | Pa | 29/10/’2329/10/2023 00:21:00 | 22/01/’2422/01/2024 11:59:06 |
charge like a wounded bull
Charge exorbitantly | v | Charge exorbitantly | Mark | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 00:33:22 | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 22:58:06 |
charming ladies
Naked women | n | Naked women | Francis | 15/09/’2315/09/2023 15:54:22 | – |
cheerum chorum chaw chocalorum
Callback to:
Cheerum chorum chaw chocalorum
Pinga Ninga nee-nay
Pinga ninga nay
Very werry goshy washy tie tie ting… | verse | Callback to:
Cheerum chorum chaw chocalorum
Pinga Ninga nee-nay
Pinga ninga nay
Very werry goshy washy tie tie tingo
Very werry goshy washy
Goshy washy tingo
…or something along those lines | Granny Dixon | 23/11/’2323/11/2023 23:15:50 | 28/11/’2328/11/2023 13:20:20 |
Chi
Chichester, the (only) city in West Sussex | n | Chichester, the (only) city in West Sussex | JM | 11/08/’2411/08/2024 00:49:49 | 29/09/’2429/09/2024 14:33:46 |
chill on the kidneys
A gloriously specific non-specific ailment you are sure to contract should you go outside between October and April [UK]… | n | A gloriously specific non-specific ailment you are sure to contract should you go outside between October and April [UK] with your shirt untucked from your waistband | Mum | 29/10/’2329/10/2023 00:32:56 | – |
chilli gone barmy
Chilli con carne | n | Chilli con carne | King family | 27/07/’2127/07/2021 21:31:18 | – |
chilly bin
Portable icebox | n | Portable icebox | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 20/01/’2320/01/2023 00:58:28 | – |
chocolate board
The rear boarding platform of a bus, specifically of the AEC Regent Three | n | The rear boarding platform of a bus, specifically of the AEC Regent Three | Mark | 21/11/’2121/11/2021 14:18:31 | 05/12/’2105/12/2021 12:41:57 |
christmas gooch
The period between 24 December and 2 January when, in UK at least, not much happens | n | The period between 24 December and 2 January when, in UK at least, not much happens | Felix | 30/11/’2430/11/2024 16:28:16 | 30/11/’2430/11/2024 16:36:07 |
chumpney
Chutney | n | Chutney | Mark | 20/10/’2420/10/2024 01:16:22 | 20/10/’2420/10/2024 12:57:45 |
chutney
Lightning | n | Lightning | Sally | 07/04/’2107/04/2021 21:44:58 | 08/04/’2108/04/2021 09:33:19 |
cigar-shaped aluminum tube in the sky
Aeroplane | n | Aeroplane | Pa | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 23:27:19 | – |
city of screaming tyres
Oxford | n | Oxford | Mum | 11/08/’2411/08/2024 00:58:01 | 21/10/’2421/10/2024 15:09:13 |
Claypots
Nickname of the Claydon family | n | Nickname of the Claydon family | Clare | 11/02/’2411/02/2024 00:40:48 | – |
Cla’am
Gentrified pronunciation of the London district Clapham | n | Gentrified pronunciation of the London district Clapham | Brian | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 15:27:27 | – |
cleveh
Clever in a rather smug sort of way | adj | Clever in a rather smug sort of way | Mark | 15/03/’2315/03/2023 12:31:07 | – |
clever people like me who talk loudly in restaurants
Expression of disapproval of people who talk loudly in restaurants | exp | Expression of disapproval of people who talk loudly in restaurants | M & N | 11/08/’2111/08/2021 00:28:35 | – |
clickage
Groceries purchased via a click-and-collect arrangement | n | Groceries purchased via a click-and-collect arrangement | M & N | 07/02/’2207/02/2022 14:57:16 | – |
clootie
Left-handed person | n | Left-handed person | Dad | 05/03/’2105/03/2021 14:11:47 | – |
cock a deaf ’un
Cock a deaf ear; ignore the thing a person has said | v | Cock a deaf ear; ignore the thing a person has said | Mark | 12/07/’2212/07/2022 01:11:38 | – |
cock-a-leg
Scottish traditional dancing | n | Scottish traditional dancing | Mark | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 14:49:48 | – |
cockpit ape
One who drives with an arm resting along the door, in the manner of Clarkson J and Johnson B | n | One who drives with an arm resting along the door, in the manner of Clarkson J and Johnson B | Mark | 28/07/’2128/07/2021 18:47:45 | 29/07/’2129/07/2021 11:46:04 |
Cocoa Banana
Copacabana, a district of Rio de Janiero, Brazil, and also the title of a song popularised by the singer Barry Manilow i… | n | Copacabana, a district of Rio de Janiero, Brazil, and also the title of a song popularised by the singer Barry Manilow in 1978 | Mark | 21/11/’2421/11/2024 15:42:40 | 26/11/’2426/11/2024 11:31:50 |
code yellow
A pee, or going for a pee, or in need of a pee | exp | A pee, or going for a pee, or in need of a pee | M & N | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 15:32:27 | 10/08/’2110/08/2021 23:34:31 |
coffinated
Sold in a sealed punnet (of food) | adj | Sold in a sealed punnet (of food) | M & N | 27/07/’2127/07/2021 21:22:25 | – |
collapsize
Capsize | v | Capsize | G | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 15:22:56 | – |
Columbo bladder
The condition, familiar to some older gentlemen, that causes the bladder to suggest one last squirt after the micturiter… | n | The condition, familiar to some older gentlemen, that causes the bladder to suggest one last squirt after the micturiter has shut up shop, washed hands and headed for the door | Mark | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 15:23:46 | 28/01/’2228/01/2022 16:44:01 |
combine hoover
Combine harvester | n | Combine harvester | Iliff family | 11/03/’2111/03/2021 23:37:25 | – |
come to the cookhouse door, boys!
The meal is ready | verse | The meal is ready | King family | 27/05/’2127/05/2021 14:43:52 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 21:55:21 |
conkerbox
A small, noisy car that rattles and shakes | n | A small, noisy car that rattles and shakes | Mark | 31/08/’2231/08/2022 00:24:46 | 05/09/’2205/09/2022 13:31:55 |
contribute!
Your participation in the conversation must increase | exc | Your participation in the conversation must increase | Mum | 10/02/’2210/02/2022 15:21:55 | – |
contrived delights of LA
Los Angeles’s theme parks | n | Los Angeles’s theme parks | M & N | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 23:39:17 | – |
cooking fat!
By jove, that cat is annoying me | exc | By jove, that cat is annoying me | Joy | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 13:30:47 | 28/01/’2228/01/2022 20:48:20 |
Coorg’s
The American beer Coor’s | n | The American beer Coor’s | Pa | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 15:38:45 | – |
Copper Pisspot, The
The Golden Cross hotel & restaurant in a courtyard off Cornmarket, Oxford | n | The Golden Cross hotel & restaurant in a courtyard off Cornmarket, Oxford | Pa | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 00:31:28 | – |
Cornish nasty
1) A poorly made Cornish pasty.
2) A Cornish pasty
…depending on your point of view | n | 1) A poorly made Cornish pasty.
2) A Cornish pasty
…depending on your point of view | Mark | 23/03/’2123/03/2021 22:57:27 | – |
couldn’t organise a black pudding
Scatty, disorganised, bumbling | adj | Scatty, disorganised, bumbling | Granny Dixon | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 23:44:22 | – |
cover it over quick, Jemima!
You are displaying a little more flesh than you might wish | verse | You are displaying a little more flesh than you might wish | Mum | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 14:13:31 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 21:56:07 |
cowp
Capsize | v | Capsize | John T | 01/07/’2201/07/2022 13:38:19 | – |
crack the sads
To become upset or unhappy, or throw a tantrum | v | To become upset or unhappy, or throw a tantrum | Clare | 12/07/’2212/07/2022 00:59:23 | – |
crank tea
Herbal infusion | n | Herbal infusion | Mark | 20/04/’2120/04/2021 23:33:44 | – |
cronky donkey
Decrepit railway train, especially an old DMU | n | Decrepit railway train, especially an old DMU | Mark | 06/03/’2106/03/2021 15:06:30 | 06/03/’2106/03/2021 15:07:11 |
crook and nanny
Nook and cranny | n | Nook and cranny | Iliff family | 20/10/’2420/10/2024 01:08:05 | – |
crop dusting
Letting a fart whilst in motion, particularly indoors | v | Letting a fart whilst in motion, particularly indoors | Benno | 27/02/’2227/02/2022 15:01:27 | – |
crunchy plate
Poppadom | n | Poppadom | Riverbankers | 05/02/’2205/02/2022 21:36:44 | – |
cuddly tick bird
Hand-crafted birthday present for Naomi comprising a long white-bodied, yellow beaked, soft and cuddle-able tick bird, w… | n | Hand-crafted birthday present for Naomi comprising a long white-bodied, yellow beaked, soft and cuddle-able tick bird, with appallingly prickly feet fashioned out of wire covered in sticky black insulating tape | King family | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 16:09:30 | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 20:05:49 |
cunkspangle
Person of small wit and smaller manners | n | Person of small wit and smaller manners | Mark | 18/03/’2218/03/2022 00:31:21 | 18/03/’2218/03/2022 16:28:04 |
cunsternoon afterble
Good afternoon, constable | exp | Good afternoon, constable | Mark | 04/09/’2104/09/2021 13:31:45 | – |
curioxity
Curiosity | n | Curiosity | Naomi | 05/05/’2405/05/2024 00:39:35 | 05/05/’2405/05/2024 00:45:40 |
curtains generation
Those who grew up when mental illness was shameful and the only treatment was “pull yourself together” | n | Those who grew up when mental illness was shameful and the only treatment was “pull yourself together” | Mark | 31/10/’2131/10/2021 23:38:27 | 31/10/’2131/10/2021 23:39:48 |
da hoover’s broke
I’ve broken something and it’s your fault | exp | I’ve broken something and it’s your fault | Riverbankers | 12/02/’2212/02/2022 11:01:42 | – |
daddy socks
A technique of putting on a sock whereby the heel is pulled up through the leg so that the sole can be placed over the f… | n | A technique of putting on a sock whereby the heel is pulled up through the leg so that the sole can be placed over the foot | Joy | 30/03/’2130/03/2021 00:04:55 | – |
dance of the bogbrush fairies
Dance of the sugar plum fairies from Tchaikovsky’s 1892 ballet The Nutcracker | n | Dance of the sugar plum fairies from Tchaikovsky’s 1892 ballet The Nutcracker | Naomi | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 15:18:37 | – |
dangleway
London’s Meridian Skyway cable car system (later known as Emirates Air Line¹) that crosses the Thames near the Millen… | n | London’s Meridian Skyway cable car system (later known as Emirates Air Line¹) that crosses the Thames near the Millennium Dome (later known as O₂ Arena). By extension, any such cable car system | M & N | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 16:06:51 | – |
de petits pois
Two small pears… if your French is as bad as Mark’s was | n | Two small pears… if your French is as bad as Mark’s was | Mark | 10/04/’2110/04/2021 13:32:39 | 11/04/’2111/04/2021 11:41:18 |
dead, and never called me mother
General purpose acknowledgement of a tragic circumstance | exp | General purpose acknowledgement of a tragic circumstance | Naomi | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 21:48:07 | – |
defillibrator
Defibrillator | n | Defibrillator | Mark | 01/07/’2201/07/2022 12:56:34 | – |
deg
Water | v | Water | Mum | 29/12/’2229/12/2022 14:51:49 | – |
Déjà Vu
Citroën Deux Chevaux (2CV) | n | Citroën Deux Chevaux (2CV) | M & N | 13/03/’2113/03/2021 16:22:40 | 26/11/’2426/11/2024 16:15:16 |
delusions of adequacy
The mindset of someone attempting to outperform their competence | n | The mindset of someone attempting to outperform their competence | Mark | 05/02/’2205/02/2022 15:26:22 | 09/02/’2209/02/2022 10:10:56 |
Depeche Mode
The retailer Decathlon | n | The retailer Decathlon | Naomi | 06/07/’2106/07/2021 14:48:21 | – |
der dee twiddly, dee twiddly, dee botty-cracks
We have reached the end of this book/film/TV series | exp | We have reached the end of this book/film/TV series | Naomi | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 15:24:15 | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 16:11:14 |
dere ’tis!
After many hours’ travel towards the seaside, there at last is the actual sea! | exc | After many hours’ travel towards the seaside, there at last is the actual sea! | G | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:45:32 | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 22:49:59 |
desecrated coconut
Dessicated coconut | n | Dessicated coconut | Naomi | 29/07/’2129/07/2021 12:20:48 | 27/08/’2327/08/2023 23:11:26 |
dial, face, mug, pan or mat
Face | n | Face | Mark | 07/11/’2207/11/2022 00:25:07 | – |
did you go to a christian boarding school?
You appear to eat very quickly | exp | You appear to eat very quickly | Evelyn | 20/10/’2420/10/2024 01:11:32 | 20/10/’2420/10/2024 01:31:19 |
diddle diddle dumpling, mice and John
Diddle diddle dumpling, my son John
…the nursery rhyme | verse | Diddle diddle dumpling, my son John
…the nursery rhyme | G | 26/05/’2126/05/2021 12:22:12 | 12/11/’2212/11/2022 14:06:50 |
didn’t want it ANYway!
Said when irreversibly deprived of something, particularly if through one’s own actions | exp | Said when irreversibly deprived of something, particularly if through one’s own actions | Jeremy | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 16:12:37 | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 16:17:25 |
disgusterous
Disgusting | adj | Disgusting | Riverbankers | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 22:24:47 | – |
do a Thomas
Race out to the loo in the middle of a meal to make room for more food | v | Race out to the loo in the middle of a meal to make room for more food | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 08/03/’2208/03/2022 21:14:17 | – |
do I have to eat the beak?
(No real meaning – just a bonding cry) | exp | (No real meaning – just a bonding cry) | M & N | 06/11/’2106/11/2021 12:55:06 | – |
do it self!
I firmly decline your offer of help | exc | I firmly decline your offer of help | JM | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 12:35:03 | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 12:35:45 |
do not the gate
Don’t obstruct the gate | exp | Don’t obstruct the gate | Mark | 23/11/’2123/11/2021 22:56:41 | – |
do you want me to write a letter?
Mum’s response to an offspring complaining about unfairness or strife at school, and later at work | exp | Mum’s response to an offspring complaining about unfairness or strife at school, and later at work | Mum | 07/11/’2107/11/2021 23:14:01 | – |
doit
Lose mental acuity (in the demotic: go ga-ga) | v | Lose mental acuity (in the demotic: go ga-ga) | M & N | 27/02/’2327/02/2023 13:14:11 | 08/11/’2408/11/2024 12:26:56 |
don fly!
Be gone, flying insect! | exc | Be gone, flying insect! | Mark | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 14:40:12 | – |
donkey manure
An utterance of deniable disrespect for Afrikaaners | exp | An utterance of deniable disrespect for Afrikaaners | Mark | 06/09/’2306/09/2023 13:21:23 | – |
donkeys
The key of D major | n | The key of D major | Riverbankers | 02/03/’2202/03/2022 22:51:35 | 02/03/’2202/03/2022 23:08:06 |
don’t bandy legs with me
Don’t quibble | exp | Don’t quibble | Riverbankers | 06/03/’2206/03/2022 23:35:59 | – |
doobry
Thingummy. Doohickey. Item that need not be named because it is identified by the context.
Can also be used when the s… | n | Thingummy. Doohickey. Item that need not be named because it is identified by the context.
Can also be used when the speaker can’t recall the name of an item | Jeremy | 25/11/’2325/11/2023 13:47:07 | 25/11/’2325/11/2023 13:57:02 |
dots
A musical score | n | A musical score | Mark | 10/03/’2210/03/2022 18:15:34 | – |
Douglas Badger
The WW2 fighter ace and hero Douglas Bader | n | The WW2 fighter ace and hero Douglas Bader | Mark | 17/07/’2217/07/2022 00:41:54 | – |
down the red lane!
Eat your food, child! | exp | Eat your food, child! | Dad | 23/11/’2323/11/2023 23:24:12 | – |
downside up
Upside down | adj | Upside down | Dad | 05/02/’2205/02/2022 15:30:37 | – |
Dr Thos
A particular hot water bottle at Shelford | n | A particular hot water bottle at Shelford | King family | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 01:16:26 | – |
Draconia
Fabled land of uncompromising law and order | n | Fabled land of uncompromising law and order | Riverbankers | 28/02/’2328/02/2023 22:27:10 | 19/08/’2319/08/2023 12:27:51 |
drafty draft
Precursor to a draft (of documents) | n | Precursor to a draft (of documents) | Mark | 29/07/’2129/07/2021 11:49:43 | – |
dry as a Nullarbor rabbit
Thirsty | adj | Thirsty | Win | 27/02/’2227/02/2022 14:43:26 | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 14:50:10 |
ducklings
Collective term for various waifs and strays in one’s life | n | Collective term for various waifs and strays in one’s life | The Triskele | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 15:19:02 | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 16:16:15 |
dudu
Insect or bug | n | Insect or bug | King family | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 14:41:59 | – |
dudu maki
Insect repellent | n | Insect repellent | Clare | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 16:25:12 | – |
dumsey-whumnuts
Rough, uneven, pitted (of roads) | adj | Rough, uneven, pitted (of roads) | Mark | 24/02/’2124/02/2021 23:25:08 | 07/04/’2107/04/2021 21:54:45 |
dunny diver
Plumber | n | Plumber | Win | 27/02/’2227/02/2022 14:45:56 | – |
dusty end
The part of a violin’s fingerboard closer to the bridge than to first position, where non-classical players rarely ven… | n | The part of a violin’s fingerboard closer to the bridge than to first position, where non-classical players rarely venture | Mark | 04/09/’2104/09/2021 13:00:19 | 20/10/’2420/10/2024 14:52:15 |
E-Type punt
Camping punt | n | Camping punt | M & N | 03/03/’2203/03/2022 14:11:02 | – |
earbash
A verbal harangue | n | A verbal harangue | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 07/11/’2207/11/2022 00:57:18 | – |
early-onset rigor mortis
The aches and pains of old age | n | The aches and pains of old age | Mark | 20/10/’2420/10/2024 01:14:59 | – |
East Ham
Mad | adj | Mad | M & N | 21/03/’2221/03/2022 00:50:21 | 26/10/’2426/10/2024 13:33:59 |
EBI
Even better if… | adj | Even better if… | Mark | 03/03/’2203/03/2022 14:00:06 | 10/11/’2410/11/2024 11:46:32 |
ecilop
Police | n | Police | Mark | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 15:01:32 | 21/10/’2421/10/2024 15:18:38 |
effluent
Elephant | n | Elephant | Riverbankers | 05/02/’2205/02/2022 21:41:46 | – |
eh bien, merde alors
Never mind, let’s move on | exp | Never mind, let’s move on | Mark | 15/11/’2215/11/2022 20:33:54 | – |
eh wallah
Appears equivalent to “and there you have it” | exp | Appears equivalent to “and there you have it” | Mark | 21/11/’2121/11/2021 13:59:46 | 19/01/’2419/01/2024 11:16:21 |
elderflosh
Elderflower cordial | n | Elderflower cordial | Naomi | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:17:39 | – |
elephant paper
Kitchen roll | n | Kitchen roll | Iliff family | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 15:08:27 | 26/01/’2226/01/2022 11:21:26 |
elephants and teaspoons
Callback to the motivational phrase “How do you eat an elephant with a teaspoon? One spoon at a time” | exp | Callback to the motivational phrase “How do you eat an elephant with a teaspoon? One spoon at a time” | Mark | 17/07/’2217/07/2022 00:53:11 | 19/07/’2219/07/2022 23:52:32 |
elsan position
An inelegant skiing posture remininscent of squatting upon a lavatory | n | An inelegant skiing posture remininscent of squatting upon a lavatory | JM | 17/07/’2217/07/2022 00:32:39 | 17/07/’2217/07/2022 00:33:08 |
elsh
Elephant dung | n | Elephant dung | King family | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 14:03:05 | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 16:04:28 |
emPHAHsis on the wrong syllAHble
Emphasis on the wrong syllable | exp | Emphasis on the wrong syllable | Naomi | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 15:30:33 | – |
empty sugar bags
What couples actually say when they whisper sweet nothings | exp | What couples actually say when they whisper sweet nothings | Naomi | 27/05/’2127/05/2021 14:53:12 | – |
encambula
Ambulance | n | Ambulance | Mark | 30/03/’2130/03/2021 00:10:29 | 14/08/’2414/08/2024 10:45:00 |
enough blue to make a pair of sailor’s trousers
The sky might appear grey from horizon to horizon, but if you look carefully there are patches of blue | exp | The sky might appear grey from horizon to horizon, but if you look carefully there are patches of blue | Granny Dixon | 02/04/’2402/04/2024 16:13:11 | 02/04/’2402/04/2024 18:20:33 |
envelote
Envelope | n | Envelope | Joy | 30/03/’2130/03/2021 21:08:34 | 30/03/’2130/03/2021 21:11:35 |
epoophany
A paradigm-shifting thought, reached while sitting upon the throne | n | A paradigm-shifting thought, reached while sitting upon the throne | Gareth | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 15:12:44 | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 16:16:40 |
espikkin wahds a weezdum
Bonding cry | exp | Bonding cry | Iliff family | 26/07/’2426/07/2024 21:01:49 | 07/11/’2407/11/2024 12:36:36 |
Eugene One-Gin
Евгений Онегин, the young dandy from St Petersberg featured in Pushkin’s novel & Tchaikovsky’s oper… | n | Евгений Онегин, the young dandy from St Petersberg featured in Pushkin’s novel & Tchaikovsky’s opera Eugene Onegin | Mark | 02/04/’2402/04/2024 18:16:56 | – |
everybody’s got to be somewhere
Response to “What are you doing here?” | exp | Response to “What are you doing here?” | M & N | 30/07/’2330/07/2023 23:53:39 | 30/07/’2330/07/2023 23:54:54 |
extinguished
Distinguished | adj | Distinguished | King family | 25/03/’2125/03/2021 17:07:21 | 25/03/’2125/03/2021 17:08:46 |
eyes like pissholes in the snow
Deeply sunken and/or dark eyes, often preceived to be a symptom of a hangover | exp | Deeply sunken and/or dark eyes, often preceived to be a symptom of a hangover | Francis | 20/10/’2420/10/2024 01:04:22 | 21/10/’2421/10/2024 12:07:19 |
Fabrézé
The stench suppressant Fabreze | n | The stench suppressant Fabreze | M & N | 08/03/’2208/03/2022 20:34:36 | 26/10/’2426/10/2024 13:40:16 |
Fairy Nuff
Fair enough. I acknowledge the validity of your position. I concede the point | exp | Fair enough. I acknowledge the validity of your position. I concede the point | M & N | 06/03/’2206/03/2022 23:23:22 | 30/11/’2430/11/2024 11:13:57 |
fall over blackwards
Positive discrimination taken to extremes | exp | Positive discrimination taken to extremes | Pa | 16/05/’2116/05/2021 23:26:09 | – |
fart young smeller
Smart young feller | n | Smart young feller | Dad | 05/03/’2105/03/2021 14:13:33 | – |
fartidoodalus
One who messes around, or exhibits lack of focus and determination | n | One who messes around, or exhibits lack of focus and determination | Granny Dixon | 27/07/’2127/07/2021 21:29:20 | – |
fast thinking walk
A solo walk | n | A solo walk | Riverbankers | 12/07/’2212/07/2022 12:50:07 | 03/07/’2403/07/2024 12:42:24 |
Father Twiss-Twiss
Saint Nicholas / Santa Claus / Père Noël / Father Christmas | n | Saint Nicholas / Santa Claus / Père Noël / Father Christmas | Mark | 29/12/’2229/12/2022 15:14:21 | – |
feak & weeble
Weak and feeble | adj | Weak and feeble | Iliff family | 20/10/’2420/10/2024 01:05:39 | – |
festive gooch
The period between Christmas & New Year when almost the whole of UK is on holiday | n | The period between Christmas & New Year when almost the whole of UK is on holiday | Felix | 06/01/’2406/01/2024 23:54:34 | 06/01/’2406/01/2024 23:55:39 |
FHB
Family Hold Back, a reminder at parties to let guests have a good crack at the nosh before piling in | exp | Family Hold Back, a reminder at parties to let guests have a good crack at the nosh before piling in | Mum | 21/11/’2121/11/2021 01:12:02 | – |
fiat lux, a remark attributed to God
Let there be light | exp | Let there be light | Mark | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 18:06:59 | – |
Fiddlywaxeye
Imaginary third person when sharing something out between two people – the person counting out ends up with ⅔ and th… | n | Imaginary third person when sharing something out between two people – the person counting out ends up with ⅔ and their good-natured companion with ⅓ | Granny Dixon | 11/03/’2111/03/2021 23:44:11 | – |
fimsy
Gentle fun wordplay | n | Gentle fun wordplay | The Triskele | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 14:05:31 | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 15:04:04 |
fin de saison
Unwelcoming, with many facilities closed | adj | Unwelcoming, with many facilities closed | Mum | 13/05/’2213/05/2022 01:21:10 | – |
fire eng truck
Fire engine | n | Fire engine | Benno | 30/03/’2130/03/2021 21:06:35 | – |
fissle
Surreptitously investigate presents before breakfast on Christmas morning | v | Surreptitously investigate presents before breakfast on Christmas morning | Mum | 29/12/’2229/12/2022 14:49:28 | – |
fizzy knitting
Overhead powerlines, particularly those for trolleybuses & trams | n | Overhead powerlines, particularly those for trolleybuses & trams | Mark | 13/03/’2313/03/2023 17:03:59 | – |
flaming brandinis
Game that involves pouring flaming brandy over a bowl of raisins and eating them while they’re still burning | n | Game that involves pouring flaming brandy over a bowl of raisins and eating them while they’re still burning | Bel | 04/05/’2204/05/2022 00:22:16 | 04/05/’2204/05/2022 14:19:19 |
flappy meats
Cooked meats, charcuterie, cold cuts | n | Cooked meats, charcuterie, cold cuts | M & N | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 15:21:23 | – |
flappy plate
Flour tortilla | n | Flour tortilla | Mark | 20/03/’2120/03/2021 21:09:29 | – |
flappyfishogram
Echocardiogram, an ultrasound scan of the heart | n | Echocardiogram, an ultrasound scan of the heart | Riverbankers | 29/07/’2129/07/2021 12:17:49 | – |
flaptop
Laptop computer | n | Laptop computer | Mark | 29/12/’2229/12/2022 15:11:03 | – |
flat out, like a lizard drinking
Flat out | adj | Flat out | Win | 27/02/’2227/02/2022 14:41:27 | 22/11/’2322/11/2023 16:03:06 |
flatusphere
The hazard zone of a flatus | n | The hazard zone of a flatus | Mark | 06/03/’2106/03/2021 15:01:23 | – |
flea rake
Hair comb | n | Hair comb | Win | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 16:10:34 | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 16:11:54 |
flippin’ ug
Unprepossessing | adj | Unprepossessing | Mark | 11/01/’2211/01/2022 15:50:44 | – |
flock of sparrows
A particularly satisfying and comprehensive defecation | n | A particularly satisfying and comprehensive defecation | M & N | 10/07/’2210/07/2022 16:17:08 | – |
floor sweepings
The type of bread so full of roughage that it barely hangs together, and is often understatedly sold as “multigrain” | n | The type of bread so full of roughage that it barely hangs together, and is often understatedly sold as “multigrain” | Mark | 10/07/’2210/07/2022 22:43:08 | – |
floordrobe
The floor of a bedroom when scattered with clothing | n | The floor of a bedroom when scattered with clothing | Mark | 22/10/’2322/10/2023 00:27:33 | – |
flopsam & jepsam
Flotsam & jetsam | n | Flotsam & jetsam | Uncle Tony | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 23:56:08 | – |
flosh
With qualifier: fizzy liquid.
Without qualifier: elderflosh (qv) | n | With qualifier: fizzy liquid.
Without qualifier: elderflosh (qv) | Naomi | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:19:28 | 20/10/’2420/10/2024 14:49:49 |
Floss
Clare’s pet name for her daughter Eve | n | Clare’s pet name for her daughter Eve | Clare | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 01:08:29 | – |
fluff
To break wind | v | To break wind | JM | 24/01/’2324/01/2023 23:58:21 | – |
flutterby
Butterfly | n | Butterfly | Dad | 11/03/’2111/03/2021 23:35:38 | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 22:44:20 |
fly squatter
Fly swatter | n | Fly swatter | Win | 27/02/’2227/02/2022 14:12:46 | – |
Fodgy
Swanage, a Dorset seaside town | n | Swanage, a Dorset seaside town | Iliff family | 30/09/’2430/09/2024 10:40:29 | 30/09/’2430/09/2024 11:15:10 |
FOFO
A basis for the valuation of stocks (inventory) hard-found by young auditors | n | A basis for the valuation of stocks (inventory) hard-found by young auditors | Mark | 10/09/’2310/09/2023 12:18:20 | – |
fok strongbody
Powerful, strong, intense | adj | Powerful, strong, intense | Mark | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 23:52:19 | 06/03/’2106/03/2021 14:09:59 |
for Ron
For later on | adj | For later on | Mark | 19/08/’2119/08/2021 12:46:19 | 30/10/’2330/10/2023 10:05:04 |
Forderism
A strangled conceit of the kind much employed by Rev H Forder to leaven his sermons | n | A strangled conceit of the kind much employed by Rev H Forder to leaven his sermons | Iliff family | 20/06/’2320/06/2023 16:00:41 | – |
forgetty bowl of naise
Spaghetti bolognaise | n | Spaghetti bolognaise | Nicholas | 29/03/’2129/03/2021 23:54:12 | – |
forn prongs
Travel adapters for electrical plugs | n | Travel adapters for electrical plugs | Mark | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 12:36:39 | – |
foul infidel! Know you have trod on the toe of Abul Abulbul Amir!
You have trodden on my foot | verse | You have trodden on my foot | Pa | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 16:01:36 | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 16:03:57 |
fox’s puss
Faux pas | n | Faux pas | Mark | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 18:09:12 | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 18:11:30 |
fraggleflops
A particular kind of shoe, with very little potential as a weapon, issued to prison inmates | n | A particular kind of shoe, with very little potential as a weapon, issued to prison inmates | Naomi | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 21:44:52 | 05/02/’2205/02/2022 21:32:37 |
front loader
Bra with a zip at the front | n | Bra with a zip at the front | Bel | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 23:09:17 | – |
full-fat electricity
Electricity from an electric vehicle rapid charger | n | Electricity from an electric vehicle rapid charger | Bel | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 00:34:15 | 29/09/’2429/09/2024 15:29:48 |
fundo-cubital dislocia
The condition of being unable to distinguish between one’s arse and one’s elbow, of being clueless | n | The condition of being unable to distinguish between one’s arse and one’s elbow, of being clueless | Mark | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 21:32:55 | 08/11/’2408/11/2024 12:42:16 |
furphy
A tall tale; an erroneous or improbable story that is claimed to be factual | n | A tall tale; an erroneous or improbable story that is claimed to be factual | Clare | 12/07/’2212/07/2022 00:57:31 | 12/07/’2212/07/2022 01:13:34 |
fustercluck
A mess resulting from several mistakes compounding each other | n | A mess resulting from several mistakes compounding each other | Mark | 11/03/’2111/03/2021 23:34:23 | – |
garnsed up
1) In a tangle.
2) Badly soiled | adj | 1) In a tangle.
2) Badly soiled | Iliff family | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 12:30:49 | 10/03/’2110/03/2021 21:31:00 |
gash
Broken.
Can also, in the same general sense, be a noun meaning rubbish | adj | Broken.
Can also, in the same general sense, be a noun meaning rubbish | Mark | 07/11/’2107/11/2021 23:25:37 | – |
gawn awf and gawt lawst
Gone astray | exp | Gone astray | Mark | 26/06/’2326/06/2023 09:27:12 | 10/11/’2410/11/2024 12:25:44 |
gee what great looking kids – are they adopted?
Intended meaning: Your kids are a lot blonder than you two | exp | Intended meaning: Your kids are a lot blonder than you two | M & N | 30/03/’2130/03/2021 21:20:51 | – |
generation J
Baby boomers, those of us who grew up with affordable housing, generous pensions and free university | n | Baby boomers, those of us who grew up with affordable housing, generous pensions and free university | Mark | 31/10/’2131/10/2021 23:36:05 | – |
get aht t’road ye silly beggar!
Cease obstructing my passage! | exc | Cease obstructing my passage! | Granny Dixon | 27/05/’2127/05/2021 14:22:06 | – |
get off and milk it!
I am not very impressed with your vehicle | exp | I am not very impressed with your vehicle | M & N | 17/03/’2117/03/2021 21:08:47 | 11/01/’2211/01/2022 12:39:36 |
get off home with you!
Your round of golf is spoiling the view from my window | exc | Your round of golf is spoiling the view from my window | Granny Dixon | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 15:49:04 | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 15:49:18 |
give every flying moment something to remember it by
Response to “I’m bored” | exp | Response to “I’m bored” | Granny Dixon | 10/02/’2210/02/2022 15:17:14 | – |
glass cherries
Glacé cherries | n | Glacé cherries | Clare | 27/02/’2227/02/2022 14:37:32 | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 14:52:29 |
Gnomey Alewife
WordPerfect 4.2’s spellcheck suggestion for Naomi Iliff | n | WordPerfect 4.2’s spellcheck suggestion for Naomi Iliff | Mark | 31/08/’2231/08/2022 00:19:03 | – |
go commando
Perform a piece of music without referring to the score | v | Perform a piece of music without referring to the score | Mark | 18/04/’2218/04/2022 00:22:45 | – |
go in the out exit
In a building with separate entrance and exit doors, use the wrong one. Drive the wrong way in a car park or other wild … | v | In a building with separate entrance and exit doors, use the wrong one. Drive the wrong way in a car park or other wild space. Go against the established flow | Naomi | 21/11/’2421/11/2024 16:02:25 | 21/11/’2421/11/2024 21:05:02 |
go swimming with the children
Defecate | v | Defecate | Naomi | 18/04/’2218/04/2022 00:07:53 | – |
Goat Herders’ Guide to the Galaxy (or GHGTTG)
The christian bible | n | The christian bible | Mark | 05/12/’2105/12/2021 18:23:51 | – |
gobble
Ogle. Observe lecherously | v | Ogle. Observe lecherously | Naomi | 21/08/’2321/08/2023 08:47:28 | – |
god rest you jerry mentlemen
Mischievous variation on God rest you merry, gentlemen from the carol of the same name | verse | Mischievous variation on God rest you merry, gentlemen from the carol of the same name | Iliff family | 11/02/’2211/02/2022 11:50:12 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 21:59:57 |
goggrybaggies
Mouldy, off, rotten (of food) | adj | Mouldy, off, rotten (of food) | Naomi | 30/06/’2230/06/2022 22:56:55 | 26/07/’2426/07/2024 16:32:29 |
Golliwog railway
The Festiniog (now Ffestiniog) Railway in N Wales | n | The Festiniog (now Ffestiniog) Railway in N Wales | Francis | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 15:29:05 | – |
good girl, Daddy
You have my approval, Father | exp | You have my approval, Father | JM | 25/03/’2125/03/2021 12:37:53 | – |
good moaning
Good morning | exp | Good morning | Riverbankers | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 15:45:12 | – |
goodndit
One of the good guys in a story | n | One of the good guys in a story | Mark | 29/07/’2129/07/2021 12:23:53 | – |
goosegog
Gooseberry | n | Gooseberry | Iliff family | 28/01/’2228/01/2022 00:08:54 | – |
gorillas
The key of G major | n | The key of G major | Riverbankers | 02/03/’2202/03/2022 22:53:28 | 02/03/’2202/03/2022 23:08:40 |
grabled exnaplation
Garbled explanation… but garbled | n | Garbled explanation… but garbled | Mark | 14/03/’2114/03/2021 11:37:55 | – |
Grauniad
The UK-based newspaper The Guardian | n | The UK-based newspaper The Guardian | M & N | 30/11/’2330/11/2023 08:12:11 | – |
graunty / gruncle
Great aunty / Great uncle | n | Great aunty / Great uncle | Lyra | 25/03/’2125/03/2021 12:41:17 | 25/03/’2125/03/2021 13:50:06 |
Great Aunt Pottymouth
Naomi | n | Naomi | Martin | 16/05/’2116/05/2021 23:12:52 | – |
Grey Funnel Line
The navy | n | The navy | Mark | 26/06/’2326/06/2023 09:34:58 | – |
Grindelchomps
The historian, TV presenter and daughter of Reading Lucy Worsley | n | The historian, TV presenter and daughter of Reading Lucy Worsley | Mark | 10/07/’2210/07/2022 16:26:39 | – |
grouse
Very good | adj | Very good | Benno | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 15:30:47 | – |
gubby
Car sporting a GB plate when seen abroad | n | Car sporting a GB plate when seen abroad | Mum | 14/03/’2114/03/2021 13:44:45 | 17/12/’2317/12/2023 12:07:48 |
Gusto
A mystery friend | n | A mystery friend | JM | 19/08/’2119/08/2021 12:54:01 | – |
haddoncave
Participate in PE without a jockstrap | v | Participate in PE without a jockstrap | Mark | 27/06/’2127/06/2021 15:54:32 | – |
Hairy Pudder
The fictional character Harry Potter | n | The fictional character Harry Potter | Mark | 17/01/’2217/01/2022 00:00:59 | 23/01/’2223/01/2022 12:40:03 |
hand in one’s badge and gun
Resign | v | Resign | Mark | 30/06/’2230/06/2022 22:59:26 | – |
hands on – are you ready? – lift!
Chant for cueing coordinated action. Can also be used to coax oneself out of a comfy chair when weary | exp | Chant for cueing coordinated action. Can also be used to coax oneself out of a comfy chair when weary | M & N | 30/11/’2430/11/2024 15:59:50 | 30/11/’2430/11/2024 16:32:57 |
hankerchoof
Handkerchief | n | Handkerchief | Joy | 03/02/’2203/02/2022 15:37:26 | 20/06/’2320/06/2023 16:24:24 |
Harwich for the Continent, {Frinton} for the incontinent
Old folk joke from the time when “Harwich for the Continent” would be generally recognised | exp | Old folk joke from the time when “Harwich for the Continent” would be generally recognised | Pa | 18/08/’2318/08/2023 21:25:35 | 26/08/’2326/08/2023 12:17:49 |
hat-trick job
A formerly shared job that has become the sole responsibility of the person who was foolish enough to undertake it three… | n | A formerly shared job that has become the sole responsibility of the person who was foolish enough to undertake it three times running | M & N | 20/10/’2420/10/2024 01:19:29 | 23/10/’2423/10/2024 10:46:34 |
hatches, matches and despatches
The Births, Marriages & Deaths column of a newspaper, the avid perusal of which becomes the first priority of some w… | n | The Births, Marriages & Deaths column of a newspaper, the avid perusal of which becomes the first priority of some when it thuds on the mat | Granny Dixon | 10/03/’2210/03/2022 18:14:00 | – |
hatstand
Crazy | adj | Crazy | Al | 03/12/’2303/12/2023 00:52:41 | – |
haus sik
Hospital | n | Hospital | Clare | 02/03/’2202/03/2022 23:12:18 | – |
have speaks
Discuss | v | Discuss | Joy | 16/04/’2116/04/2021 14:37:46 | – |
he seems nice
He seems odious | exp | He seems odious | Riverbankers | 25/01/’2425/01/2024 00:03:38 | – |
head-canon
Information about an intellectual property that is not explicitly in the text but is in one’s head to explain away an … | n | Information about an intellectual property that is not explicitly in the text but is in one’s head to explain away an inconsistency/fill in a detail | The Triskele | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 14:37:21 | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 16:12:03 |
helmetball
American football | n | American football | Mark | 05/05/’2405/05/2024 00:26:34 | – |
here’s a tanner each to go away
Mental reaction to carol singers knocking the door. Can be literal or ironic. Would not actually be voiced | exp | Mental reaction to carol singers knocking the door. Can be literal or ironic. Would not actually be voiced | Iliff family | 11/08/’2111/08/2021 00:34:51 | 19/08/’2119/08/2021 12:56:21 |
hey little horsey, don’t you stop
Call back to the song:
Hey little horsey, don’t you stop,
Just let your hooves go clicketty clop.
Tail go swish, wh… | verse | Call back to the song:
Hey little horsey, don’t you stop,
Just let your hooves go clicketty clop.
Tail go swish, wheels go round
Giddy up we’re homeward bound. | Pa | 08/03/’2208/03/2022 21:50:02 | – |
hey, Mr Squirrel, pull your pants up!
Callback to a joke that clearly tickled Pa but was never given in full | exp | Callback to a joke that clearly tickled Pa but was never given in full | Pa | 03/09/’2303/09/2023 10:39:07 | – |
he’s got that round his neck
He has deeply misunderstood and/or perpetrated a severe logical or factual tangle | exp | He has deeply misunderstood and/or perpetrated a severe logical or factual tangle | Mark | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 15:10:41 | 12/11/’2412/11/2024 12:26:06 |
hiding behind the door when the brains were handed out
Not notably astute | adj | Not notably astute | M & N | 06/07/’2106/07/2021 14:52:10 | 28/01/’2228/01/2022 16:36:53 |
Higwi Kombi
High Wycombe | n | High Wycombe | M & N | 20/04/’2120/04/2021 23:35:38 | 20/04/’2120/04/2021 23:36:55 |
His Majesty’s Lunchbox
The retailer Majestic Wines | n | The retailer Majestic Wines | Naomi | 06/07/’2106/07/2021 14:46:29 | – |
hodududuh
Hand-powered carpet sweeper | n | Hand-powered carpet sweeper | Riverbankers | 04/09/’2104/09/2021 12:37:48 | 10/11/’2410/11/2024 12:21:40 |
hoggry tiglets!
My, what a satisfying ending! | exc | My, what a satisfying ending! | Naomi | 14/03/’2114/03/2021 13:50:32 | – |
hogwashing hat
Impromptu sun hat made by drawing up a t-shirt until the neck band sits round the forehead and the remainder covers the … | n | Impromptu sun hat made by drawing up a t-shirt until the neck band sits round the forehead and the remainder covers the neck | Naomi | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 23:59:28 | – |
hoist on his/her/your own door-bomb
Hoist on his/her/your own petard. Caught in one’s own trap | exp | Hoist on his/her/your own petard. Caught in one’s own trap | Riverbankers | 20/07/’2220/07/2022 00:03:09 | 12/11/’2412/11/2024 12:25:01 |
hold back my sleeve while I put my finger to my forehead
I am trying to bring a forgotten thing to mind | exp | I am trying to bring a forgotten thing to mind | Pa | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 00:49:36 | 26/11/’2426/11/2024 20:30:43 |
hollow legs
One capable of eating large amounts of food while remaining slender | adj | One capable of eating large amounts of food while remaining slender | Iliff family | 05/02/’2205/02/2022 15:32:02 | – |
holly bush
Mythical physical laxative | n | Mythical physical laxative | Granny Dixon | 10/04/’2110/04/2021 13:38:49 | – |
home again, home again, jiggedy jog
We are finally home! Pa would chant it upon arriving home after an outing with Mr Bump | verse | We are finally home! Pa would chant it upon arriving home after an outing with Mr Bump | Pa | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 15:20:12 | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 22:18:56 |
homeopathic vodka
Water | n | Water | Mark | 27/06/’2127/06/2021 16:09:29 | – |
honey money
Proceeds of selling honey | n | Proceeds of selling honey | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 16:14:35 | – |
honker
Goose | n | Goose | Joy | 22/02/’2122/02/2021 01:18:44 | 22/02/’2122/02/2021 01:18:44 |
hoof-hearted
Has the form of an adjective, but is just a surreptitious way of calling out someone else’s flatulence | exp | Has the form of an adjective, but is just a surreptitious way of calling out someone else’s flatulence | Granny Dixon | 31/10/’2131/10/2021 23:52:26 | 31/10/’2131/10/2021 23:54:07 |
hopsital
Hospital | n | Hospital | Riverbanklings | 27/03/’2127/03/2021 15:20:37 | 28/03/’2128/03/2021 15:07:50 |
hopt out
Opt out | v | Opt out | Bel | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 15:28:14 | – |
Horrible Life
Herbal Life (now Herbalife), the brand of shampoo & similar products | n | Herbal Life (now Herbalife), the brand of shampoo & similar products | Iliff family | 12/05/’2112/05/2021 22:19:38 | – |
Horrids
The retail emporium Harrods | n | The retail emporium Harrods | Brian | 03/07/’2203/07/2022 12:22:15 | – |
horse apples
Horse shit | n | Horse shit | M & N | 22/10/’2322/10/2023 00:46:21 | – |
horse droppings
A hairstyle in which the hair is drawn up to sit on top of the head in multiple blobs | n | A hairstyle in which the hair is drawn up to sit on top of the head in multiple blobs | Naomi | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 01:28:41 | – |
horse’s douvers
Hors d’oeuvres | n | Hors d’oeuvres | Mark | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:27:52 | 01/01/’2301/01/2023 11:29:25 |
hossi van tooty
An ambulance siren | n | An ambulance siren | Naomi | 05/11/’2405/11/2024 20:53:35 | 08/11/’2408/11/2024 12:53:46 |
hot bottyflosher
Cleansing lavatory of the kind often associated with Japan. Apt to be sold elsewhere as a Smart toilet | n | Cleansing lavatory of the kind often associated with Japan. Apt to be sold elsewhere as a Smart toilet | M & N | 21/08/’2321/08/2023 08:56:59 | 26/08/’2326/08/2023 12:15:30 |
hot holders
Oven mitts | n | Oven mitts | King family | 21/11/’2121/11/2021 01:10:23 | 11/02/’2211/02/2022 00:49:58 |
hot will grow cold, if greedy will wait
If you had patience then your mouth would not be burning right now | exp | If you had patience then your mouth would not be burning right now | Granny Collard | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 15:25:44 | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 00:19:26 |
how awdinawy!
Depressingly dull. Disappointingly ordinary | exc | Depressingly dull. Disappointingly ordinary | M & N | 11/03/’2111/03/2021 15:47:51 | 31/10/’2431/10/2024 15:50:12 |
how’s your belly off for spots?
How are you | exp | How are you | Granny Dixon | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 15:58:40 | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 22:15:06 |
hullabaloo
One given to loud and/or exhibitionist behaviour, especially when boating | n | One given to loud and/or exhibitionist behaviour, especially when boating | M & N | 31/10/’2131/10/2021 23:43:14 | 01/11/’2101/11/2021 22:10:11 |
humididity
Humidity | n | Humidity | M & N | 13/03/’2113/03/2021 22:42:21 | – |
hyper-bowl
Hyperbole | n | Hyperbole | M & N | 17/03/’2117/03/2021 13:31:21 | – |
hypodemic nerdle
Hypodermic needle | n | Hypodermic needle | M & N | 05/03/’2105/03/2021 13:47:29 | 12/11/’2412/11/2024 12:28:27 |
I can walk from here
You have parked rather far from the kerb | exp | You have parked rather far from the kerb | M & N | 11/02/’2211/02/2022 01:35:50 | – |
I Clavdivs
I, Claudius, the book of Robert Graves | n | I, Claudius, the book of Robert Graves | M & N | 29/07/’2129/07/2021 12:31:07 | – |
I could have cooked at home
Rebuke for anyone who chooses the same dish as someone else at the table when eating out | exp | Rebuke for anyone who chooses the same dish as someone else at the table when eating out | Mum | 30/11/’2330/11/2023 08:25:06 | – |
I did not know that death had undone so many
Blimey, what a lot of people! Generally used when caught up in a pressing crowd, or observing a teeming throng | exp | Blimey, what a lot of people! Generally used when caught up in a pressing crowd, or observing a teeming throng | Naomi | 01/07/’2201/07/2022 12:30:52 | 02/01/’2302/01/2023 13:33:35 |
I don’t boil my cabbages twice
I decline to repeat the words to which you failed to give proper attention | exp | I decline to repeat the words to which you failed to give proper attention | Granny Dixon | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 12:38:12 | 24/12/’2124/12/2021 11:34:13 |
I expect nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.
(What it says) | exp | (What it says) | Naomi | 08/03/’2208/03/2022 21:01:41 | 19/01/’2419/01/2024 11:10:38 |
I have had an elegant sufficiency
Used when turning down a second (or subsequent) helping at table | exp | Used when turning down a second (or subsequent) helping at table | Evelyn | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 23:24:31 | 31/10/’2431/10/2024 15:32:24 |
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons
Can be quoted to mean:
1) I have been engaged in trivia
2) I have drunk a lot of coffee | verse | Can be quoted to mean:
1) I have been engaged in trivia
2) I have drunk a lot of coffee | Naomi | 26/08/’2326/08/2023 00:39:59 | – |
I laughed until I stopped
I didn’t laugh | exp | I didn’t laugh | M & N | 01/07/’2201/07/2022 12:44:46 | – |
I lift up my finger and I say tweet tweet
Callback to:
I lift up my finger and I say tweet tweet, shush shush, come come, now now.
I don’t think we ever work… | verse | Callback to:
I lift up my finger and I say tweet tweet, shush shush, come come, now now.
I don’t think we ever worked out what prompted a recital… | Granny Dixon | 29/12/’2229/12/2022 15:03:05 | 16/09/’2316/09/2023 21:04:24 |
I love deadlines. I love the whooshing noise they make as they go by
I hate deadlines | exp | I hate deadlines | Mark | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 15:50:47 | – |
I only dropped them once
I only destroyed { the item in question } once | exp | I only destroyed { the item in question } once | Uncle Tony | 27/07/’2127/07/2021 21:45:22 | – |
I remember being in Scotland
A callback to the song fragment:
I remember being in Scotland
Shooting peas up a nanny goat’s bottom
…to the tune… | verse | A callback to the song fragment:
I remember being in Scotland
Shooting peas up a nanny goat’s bottom
…to the tune of Men of Harlech | Granny Dixon | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 15:50:39 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:02:42 |
I saw Esau sitting an a seesaw
It was just one of those things grown-ups would come out with from time to time | verse | It was just one of those things grown-ups would come out with from time to time | Granny Dixon | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 00:05:20 | 12/11/’2412/11/2024 12:27:08 |
I see said the blind man as he walked into a lampost
Sceptical response to the assertion “I see” | exp | Sceptical response to the assertion “I see” | Iliff family | 05/02/’2205/02/2022 15:23:52 | – |
I takin’ my sack and my boots
I’ve had enough of this | exp | I’ve had enough of this | Carmen | 26/02/’2126/02/2021 21:39:07 | 25/11/’2325/11/2023 18:22:15 |
I thought we were having a PSA
Polite¹ way of saying “No, we’re not going out and stop making that racket”. PSA = peaceful Sunday afternoon | exp | Polite¹ way of saying “No, we’re not going out and stop making that racket”. PSA = peaceful Sunday afternoon | Bel | 28/02/’2328/02/2023 21:11:49 | 02/03/’2302/03/2023 15:26:20 |
I thought you were complaining about the bouzouki
I could make no sense of what you just said | exp | I could make no sense of what you just said | M & N | 06/09/’2306/09/2023 13:14:19 | – |
I wanna beetroot
I really like the look of those toffee apples | exc | I really like the look of those toffee apples | John T | 07/03/’2107/03/2021 21:14:05 | – |
I want gets nothing
Don’t ask for things | exp | Don’t ask for things | Iliff family | 11/08/’2111/08/2021 00:15:48 | – |
I want to watch me daddy pee
(What it says) | exp | (What it says) | Iliff family | 15/03/’2115/03/2021 21:35:16 | 15/03/’2115/03/2021 21:36:47 |
I was a fool to think the old Percy was dead
I find myself amorously inclined | exp | I find myself amorously inclined | G | 06/09/’2106/09/2021 01:22:07 | 10/09/’2110/09/2021 12:27:34 |
I would as lief ’erd ‘ens
I don’t want to do it | exp | I don’t want to do it | King family | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 00:53:39 | – |
idées au dessus de son gare
Ideas above his station, a classic put-down of those trying to advance themselves by those who consider themselves super… | exp | Ideas above his station, a classic put-down of those trying to advance themselves by those who consider themselves superior | Aunt D | 04/02/’2204/02/2022 13:55:14 | 04/02/’2204/02/2022 14:02:54 |
if he fell into basin full of boobs he’d come out sucking his thumb
He is serially unlucky | exp | He is serially unlucky | M & N | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 15:38:40 | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 21:44:07 |
if I could walk that way I wouldn’t need the talcum powder
Response to “walk this way” | exp | Response to “walk this way” | Riverbankers | 29/12/’2229/12/2022 15:05:55 | – |
if I wasn’t a gunner I wouldn’t be here
Timing phrase used by the gunner during a gun salute to ensure the bangs are evenly spaced | exp | Timing phrase used by the gunner during a gun salute to ensure the bangs are evenly spaced | M & N | 30/06/’2230/06/2022 23:15:10 | – |
if UCP on tripe don’t eat it
If you see pee on tripe don’t eat it | exp | If you see pee on tripe don’t eat it | Uncle Tony | 12/02/’2212/02/2022 11:22:56 | – |
if you can’t help don’t hinder
Rebuke for an offspring whose attempts to be helpful prove unsuccessful | exp | Rebuke for an offspring whose attempts to be helpful prove unsuccessful | Mum | 24/04/’2324/04/2023 14:24:26 | – |
if you can’t trivialise it it’s not worth saying
Don’t treat TV reportage as accurate | exp | Don’t treat TV reportage as accurate | Mark | 27/02/’2327/02/2023 12:40:34 | – |
if you enjoyed it half as much...
Callback to the saying “If you enjoyed it half as much as we did, then we enjoyed it twice as much as you” | exp | Callback to the saying “If you enjoyed it half as much as we did, then we enjoyed it twice as much as you” | Riverbankers | 13/09/’2313/09/2023 15:34:10 | 22/10/’2322/10/2023 10:40:11 |
if you get there first, draw a chalk line; if I get there first, I’ll rub it out
(Laudable nonsense) | exp | (Laudable nonsense) | Uncle Tony | 11/03/’2111/03/2021 15:56:05 | 11/03/’2111/03/2021 16:19:19 |
if you have been, thank you for listening
Customary end-of-gig sign-off of Simon Nicol, guitarist and founding member of the band Fairport Convention | exp | Customary end-of-gig sign-off of Simon Nicol, guitarist and founding member of the band Fairport Convention | Mark | 12/07/’2212/07/2022 13:23:59 | 15/07/’2215/07/2022 10:25:17 |
if you’re up that way with your teeth
If you will be going anyway | exp | If you will be going anyway | Joy | 09/03/’2109/03/2021 16:33:57 | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 16:16:05 |
Ikea name
A person’s first name modified in a particular way | n | A person’s first name modified in a particular way | Mark | 24/01/’2324/01/2023 23:23:17 | – |
Iliff Point
The remotest part of a beach, where we would go to be away from everyone else (even though it meant lugging everything m… | n | The remotest part of a beach, where we would go to be away from everyone else (even though it meant lugging everything miles from the car) | Iliff family | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 13:20:18 | 11/03/’2111/03/2021 16:11:43 |
Iliff Wight
Isle of Wight, a county of England | n | Isle of Wight, a county of England | G | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 13:16:27 | 21/01/’2221/01/2022 11:08:43 |
imaginary friend
A god | n | A god | Mark | 13/09/’2313/09/2023 15:28:12 | – |
in all my born days
Ever | adv | Ever | Dad | 18/08/’2318/08/2023 22:15:11 | – |
in days gone by
In the past | adv | In the past | Dad | 18/08/’2318/08/2023 22:13:56 | 18/08/’2318/08/2023 22:15:24 |
in heated agreement
When people are arguing vehemently for their own point of view without realising that they coincide | adj | When people are arguing vehemently for their own point of view without realising that they coincide | Mark | 10/07/’2210/07/2022 16:22:18 | – |
in the beginning there was nothing, which exploded
Succinct and accurate summary of the Big Bang | exp | Succinct and accurate summary of the Big Bang | Riverbankers | 30/11/’2430/11/2024 16:02:58 | 04/12/’2404/12/2024 10:54:10 |
in the nothings
Naked | adj | Naked | King family | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 15:48:04 | 30/03/’2230/03/2022 01:01:01 |
include me out
I do not wish to participate in this activity, thank you | exp | I do not wish to participate in this activity, thank you | Dad | 23/11/’2323/11/2023 23:28:08 | – |
insa fishy tarn o’ da coont
I could make no sense of what they just said | exp | I could make no sense of what they just said | Mark | 30/09/’2430/09/2024 11:08:43 | 14/10/’2414/10/2024 13:40:59 |
insult
Consult | v | Consult | King family | 07/11/’2107/11/2021 23:28:32 | – |
is it not passing fair to be a King and ride in triumph through Persepolis?
I am pleased | exp | I am pleased | Pa | 11/09/’2311/09/2023 15:12:29 | 12/09/’2312/09/2023 12:42:42 |
it has a better chance now
The mistake that prevented a thing from working has now been rectified | exp | The mistake that prevented a thing from working has now been rectified | Mark | 05/12/’2105/12/2021 15:48:17 | – |
it was in the last place I looked
I’ve found it | exp | I’ve found it | M & N | 29/01/’2229/01/2022 00:42:49 | – |
it’s a fair cop, but society is to blame
I accept responsibility. It’s a fair cop. You have me bang to rights | exp | I accept responsibility. It’s a fair cop. You have me bang to rights | M & N | 06/11/’2406/11/2024 23:15:05 | – |
it’s been a bad year for Scottish hill farmers
(Intended as a conversation stopper) | exp | (Intended as a conversation stopper) | M & N | 29/01/’2229/01/2022 14:51:12 | 29/01/’2229/01/2022 14:51:51 |
it’s just an if-statement
Satirical take on people who expect software to perform miracles without having the first idea of what’s involved | exp | Satirical take on people who expect software to perform miracles without having the first idea of what’s involved | Mark | 30/11/’2330/11/2023 08:34:31 | – |
it’s no skin off my teeth
I am not affected by this | exp | I am not affected by this | M & N | 04/09/’2104/09/2021 12:55:58 | – |
it’s not rocket surgery
It’s not difficult | exp | It’s not difficult | Riverbankers | 08/10/’2208/10/2022 01:13:53 | 08/11/’2408/11/2024 12:46:22 |
it’s only a trifle said the monkey
Callback to:
”It’s only a trifle!” said the monkey as it peed onto the sponge fingers
…an expression of disdai… | exp | Callback to:
”It’s only a trifle!” said the monkey as it peed onto the sponge fingers
…an expression of disdain for the gallimaufric pudding known as a trifle | Dad | 26/12/’2126/12/2021 21:19:13 | – |
it’s only me Naymee!
I am exercising my self-conferred right to enter your house without an invitation | exp | I am exercising my self-conferred right to enter your house without an invitation | Naomi | 27/02/’2127/02/2021 16:12:24 | – |
it’s the water
Expression of disdain for mass-market American beers | exp | Expression of disdain for mass-market American beers | Pa | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 15:36:31 | – |
it’s worse than the ticktolleroo
A little less fidgeting please | exp | A little less fidgeting please | Granny Dixon | 07/04/’2107/04/2021 21:38:23 | 07/03/’2207/03/2022 00:27:45 |
I’ll give you jingle jangle!
I shall deal harshly with any further recalcitrance | exp | I shall deal harshly with any further recalcitrance | Mark | 21/11/’2421/11/2024 16:18:14 | 22/11/’2422/11/2024 10:44:35 |
I’ll have the other half now
Perhaps I could be persuaded to a little more beer | exp | Perhaps I could be persuaded to a little more beer | Dad | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:59:23 | 08/01/’2208/01/2022 14:48:02 |
I’ll raise a bunion on his Spanish onion
I shall have my revenge, in a sort of easy-going way | verse | I shall have my revenge, in a sort of easy-going way | Granny Dixon | 27/01/’2227/01/2022 23:56:32 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:04:01 |
I’m as old as my tongue and a little bit older than my teeth
Answer to the question “How old are you?” | exp | Answer to the question “How old are you?” | Granny Dixon | 29/01/’2229/01/2022 14:38:47 | – |
I’m taking it back
Granny’s almost invariable declaration on arriving home with a purchase | exp | Granny’s almost invariable declaration on arriving home with a purchase | Granny Dixon | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 15:22:49 | – |
I’ve got my big eating hat on!
Settle down, stop this noise/disagreement/kerfuffle | exp | Settle down, stop this noise/disagreement/kerfuffle | Uncle Percy | 13/03/’2113/03/2021 22:48:27 | – |
jagular
Jaguar – can apply both to panthera onca and to the car brand | n | Jaguar – can apply both to panthera onca and to the car brand | Riverbankers | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 16:01:28 | 30/09/’2430/09/2024 10:27:26 |
jam sandwich
Police car | n | Police car | M & N | 13/04/’2113/04/2021 13:12:23 | – |
Japanese jibble-jobs
The sweet, savoury & crunchy party snack otherwise known (in UK at least) as Oriental Mix | n | The sweet, savoury & crunchy party snack otherwise known (in UK at least) as Oriental Mix | Mark | 20/06/’2320/06/2023 16:10:58 | 20/06/’2320/06/2023 16:12:18 |
Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the wee donkey!
Oh for goodness’ sake! An expression of exasperation | exc | Oh for goodness’ sake! An expression of exasperation | M & N | 28/07/’2428/07/2024 14:47:20 | – |
Jo-Jo le Plongeur
The children’s bath toy Diver Dan | n | The children’s bath toy Diver Dan | Riverbankers | 03/03/’2203/03/2022 14:05:42 | – |
jock
Miss, skip, cut or otherwise fail to attend | v | Miss, skip, cut or otherwise fail to attend | Mark | 11/02/’2211/02/2022 12:00:24 | – |
jock
Skip, cut, omit to attend | v | Skip, cut, omit to attend | Mark | 26/07/’2426/07/2024 16:26:24 | – |
Joe Blake
Snake | n | Snake | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 15:56:47 | – |
jolly hockey sticks
Of school-age girls: Enthusiastic participant in sports, and in upholding unquestioningly the school’s stated values … | adj | Of school-age girls: Enthusiastic participant in sports, and in upholding unquestioningly the school’s stated values – not necessarily used admiringly | Mum | 10/07/’2210/07/2022 16:12:11 | – |
kabiss
Cabbage | n | Cabbage | Clare | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 22:37:50 | – |
Kahula
The coffee-flavoured alcohol more commonly known as Kahlúa | n | The coffee-flavoured alcohol more commonly known as Kahlúa | Joy | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 13:33:48 | 29/09/’2429/09/2024 15:17:34 |
katsik
A dish Clare invented consisting largely of baked tomato with feta cubes | n | A dish Clare invented consisting largely of baked tomato with feta cubes | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 27/02/’2227/02/2022 14:18:57 | 27/02/’2227/02/2022 14:24:02 |
kelp
Happy to go with the flow | adj | Happy to go with the flow | The Triskele | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 15:09:19 | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 16:12:49 |
Kensington Village Hall
The Royal Albert Hall (RAH) in London | n | The Royal Albert Hall (RAH) in London | Riverbanklings | 20/10/’2420/10/2024 00:34:35 | 21/10/’2421/10/2024 12:12:12 |
kettle
Steam locomotive | n | Steam locomotive | M & N | 12/11/’2312/11/2023 00:32:25 | – |
King Midas has ass’s ears
The sound of rustling grasses | exp | The sound of rustling grasses | King family | 24/01/’2324/01/2023 23:47:04 | 22/10/’2322/10/2023 11:33:14 |
kiss me WHAT‽
G’s reaction on being told we were off to the West End to see the musical Kiss Me Kate | exp | G’s reaction on being told we were off to the West End to see the musical Kiss Me Kate | G | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 16:06:56 | – |
kiwi
Kilowatt-hour (kWh) | n | Kilowatt-hour (kWh) | Mark | 24/04/’2324/04/2023 14:18:36 | 24/04/’2324/04/2023 14:18:57 |
knicker picker
Picnic | n | Picnic | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 20/01/’2320/01/2023 00:50:26 | – |
knock it on the head
A suggestion by Dad’s consultant for dealing with a UTI | exp | A suggestion by Dad’s consultant for dealing with a UTI | Dad | 16/03/’2116/03/2021 14:16:16 | 16/03/’2116/03/2021 14:16:34 |
kom bibi, bibi!
Swiss German summoning cry for chickens, to be yelled at a high pitch and volume when serving them household scraps | exp | Swiss German summoning cry for chickens, to be yelled at a high pitch and volume when serving them household scraps | King family | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 23:45:41 | – |
Krapy Rubsnif
Finsbury Park, a district of London | n | Finsbury Park, a district of London | Mark | 30/06/’2230/06/2022 23:02:15 | 12/11/’2312/11/2023 00:33:05 |
kumu
Greens | n | Greens | Clare | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 15:09:03 | 29/09/’2429/09/2024 15:24:36 |
kwinoa
Phonetic pronunciation of Quinoa | n | Phonetic pronunciation of Quinoa | Mark | 22/10/’2322/10/2023 00:32:21 | – |
ky-oo Daddy!
On second thoughts, Father, I should like to take up your offer to carry me | exc | On second thoughts, Father, I should like to take up your offer to carry me | JM | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 13:52:37 | – |
ladies of negotiable affection
Female sex workers | n | Female sex workers | Riverbankers | 07/02/’2207/02/2022 14:52:02 | 07/02/’2207/02/2022 14:55:30 |
lah-pom
Lavatory | n | Lavatory | Dad | 09/03/’2109/03/2021 00:07:15 | – |
land of hopeless Tories
Line to be sung to the tune of Elgar’s jingoistic roundelay Land of hope and glory | verse | Line to be sung to the tune of Elgar’s jingoistic roundelay Land of hope and glory | Mum | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 00:37:14 | 08/01/’2408/01/2024 09:53:18 |
lapsang shoepong
The tea variety lapsang souchong | n | The tea variety lapsang souchong | Naomi | 26/07/’2426/07/2024 21:03:41 | 29/07/’2429/07/2024 12:57:10 |
law of diminishing astonishment
The process by which we become less and less impressed by ever greater advances, especially in technology | n | The process by which we become less and less impressed by ever greater advances, especially in technology | Mark | 05/12/’2105/12/2021 15:37:06 | – |
laxadaisical
Like lackadaisical, but laxer | adj | Like lackadaisical, but laxer | Naomi | 28/07/’2128/07/2021 18:45:10 | 28/07/’2128/07/2021 18:45:38 |
le chien retourne a son propre vomissement
The dog returns to its own vomit | exp | The dog returns to its own vomit | Naomi | 19/07/’2119/07/2021 23:52:47 | 29/07/’2129/07/2021 12:43:10 |
le grand fromage lui-même
The big cheese himself | exp | The big cheese himself | M & N | 19/07/’2119/07/2021 23:57:10 | 19/07/’2119/07/2021 23:58:44 |
le très chose
Just the thing I was seeking | n | Just the thing I was seeking | Mark | 18/08/’2318/08/2023 22:18:12 | – |
leaf blower
A well-to-do man who is dissolute or promiscuous | n | A well-to-do man who is dissolute or promiscuous | M & N | 12/02/’2212/02/2022 21:23:10 | – |
leave it to cook
Said while waiting for digital data to download/transfer | exp | Said while waiting for digital data to download/transfer | G | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 23:11:45 | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 23:12:57 |
left hand down a bit
A navigation direction given when unsure, or to suggest that the navigator is unsure | exp | A navigation direction given when unsure, or to suggest that the navigator is unsure | Iliff family | 29/10/’2329/10/2023 00:41:10 | – |
let it cuik!
If you have an infected bite or splinter, or a boil or carbuncle, put a plaster on and let it take its course | exp | If you have an infected bite or splinter, or a boil or carbuncle, put a plaster on and let it take its course | King family | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 14:35:06 | – |
let my son have the ball!
Veiled threat to embarrass an offspring by intervening on their behalf in something they ought to have under control | exc | Veiled threat to embarrass an offspring by intervening on their behalf in something they ought to have under control | Granny Dixon | 22/03/’2122/03/2021 23:32:40 | 23/03/’2123/03/2021 22:44:54 |
Lethal Festival
The Leith Hill Musical Festival | n | The Leith Hill Musical Festival | Mark | 27/05/’2127/05/2021 21:18:12 | – |
let’s find out, shall we?
Response to “do you know what you’re doing?” | exp | Response to “do you know what you’re doing?” | M & N | 25/01/’2425/01/2024 00:05:22 | 08/11/’2408/11/2024 12:37:52 |
let’s put the roof on first
Let’s do a thing that due reflection would reveal to be impossible | exp | Let’s do a thing that due reflection would reveal to be impossible | Iliff family | 06/09/’2106/09/2021 00:57:20 | – |
let’s put the roof on first…
That task is being undertaken in an inauspicious sequence | exp | That task is being undertaken in an inauspicious sequence | Iliff family | 05/09/’2305/09/2023 11:47:53 | 31/10/’2431/10/2024 15:44:25 |
Li Phook
The East Asian village in Hampshire otherwise known as Liphook | n | The East Asian village in Hampshire otherwise known as Liphook | Mark | 01/01/’2301/01/2023 00:44:17 | – |
lie like a flatfish
Tell extreme lies | v | Tell extreme lies | Mark | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 00:29:14 | 12/01/’2212/01/2022 14:43:29 |
light a candle to Saint Anthony
A thing to do when searching for a lost item | exp | A thing to do when searching for a lost item | Pa | 18/03/’2218/03/2022 00:26:37 | – |
like a goanna up a gum tree
Disappearing fast | adj | Disappearing fast | Clare | 27/09/’2227/09/2022 23:59:27 | – |
like Lot’s wife
Emerging profusely (of salt) | adj | Emerging profusely (of salt) | Granny Dixon | 17/07/’2217/07/2022 01:07:38 | 17/07/’2217/07/2022 21:44:46 |
like the fat lady – all behind
In arrears or running late | exp | In arrears or running late | Clare | 27/02/’2327/02/2023 12:10:00 | – |
limerish
Limerick that doesn’t quite follow the rules of that verse form | n | Limerick that doesn’t quite follow the rules of that verse form | Mark | 11/08/’2111/08/2021 00:03:52 | – |
listen to the silence!
Isn’t it quiet? | exc | Isn’t it quiet? | Granny Dixon | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:24:03 | – |
little birdie flying high
A callback to this ditty:
Little birdie flying high
Drops a present from the sky
Angry farmer wipes his eye
Thanking… | verse | A callback to this ditty:
Little birdie flying high
Drops a present from the sky
Angry farmer wipes his eye
Thanking god that cows don’t fly | Uncle Tony | 12/05/’2112/05/2021 21:56:30 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:05:07 |
little teapots have big spouts
Let us continue this discussion later, when the children aren’t listening | exp | Let us continue this discussion later, when the children aren’t listening | Mum | 26/02/’2126/02/2021 21:36:35 | – |
Liztrak
The Elizabeth Line, the west ⇌ east cross-London rail service | n | The Elizabeth Line, the west ⇌ east cross-London rail service | Mark | 03/12/’2303/12/2023 00:29:53 | 03/12/’2303/12/2023 00:41:25 |
lobster pop
Lobster pot | n | Lobster pot | King family | 17/09/’2117/09/2021 21:44:49 | – |
loggy sticks
Logistics | n | Logistics | Riverbankers | 17/03/’2117/03/2021 13:10:30 | – |
long may your big jib draw
Wishing you a happy and successful life | exp | Wishing you a happy and successful life | Iliff family | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 15:19:13 | 20/03/’2220/03/2022 01:31:14 |
longhetti
Spaghetti (see Notes) | n | Spaghetti (see Notes) | Iliff family | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 15:54:41 | 11/02/’2211/02/2022 00:48:36 |
longwe liklik
I have no idea how far away | exp | I have no idea how far away | Clare | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 16:23:24 | – |
Lontink
London | n | London | Pa | 25/11/’2325/11/2023 13:43:08 | – |
looks like you’ve been working on it for eight hours
Forthright critique of a hair-do that’s closer to a hair-don’t | exc | Forthright critique of a hair-do that’s closer to a hair-don’t | Nathan | 29/12/’2129/12/2021 21:19:09 | – |
Lord Jesus hangs on a peg. Which peg does he hang on?
Deeply philosophical question posed by Felix aged about 6 when hanging a pine cone on the Christmas tree | exp | Deeply philosophical question posed by Felix aged about 6 when hanging a pine cone on the Christmas tree | Felix | 24/04/’2324/04/2023 15:05:24 | 24/04/’2324/04/2023 15:07:23 |
lubricants
Pedestrians who unwittingly help motorists exit a side road by using a crossing on the main road | n | Pedestrians who unwittingly help motorists exit a side road by using a crossing on the main road | M & N | 30/07/’2330/07/2023 23:16:11 | 30/07/’2330/07/2023 23:16:40 |
lumps
Mumps | n | Mumps | Iliff family | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 22:34:52 | – |
lumpy ming fruit
Beetroot | n | Beetroot | Felix | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 19:05:22 | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 19:06:06 |
Ma son’s a prawn
The traditional fiddle tune Mason’s apron | n | The traditional fiddle tune Mason’s apron | Mark | 18/08/’2318/08/2023 15:36:01 | – |
madman in the attic
Negotiating technique along the lines of “I’d love to do that but the boss won’t let me” | exp | Negotiating technique along the lines of “I’d love to do that but the boss won’t let me” | Mark | 03/03/’2203/03/2022 14:25:51 | 03/03/’2203/03/2022 16:10:14 |
maflingo
Flamingo | n | Flamingo | Riverbankers | 05/02/’2205/02/2022 21:40:30 | 05/02/’2205/02/2022 21:42:18 |
Maggie Murphy’s please park prettily
You can park better than that | exp | You can park better than that | Uncle Tony | 07/02/’2207/02/2022 14:40:07 | – |
make friends in cookhouse
Treat support workers with respect | exp | Treat support workers with respect | Pa | 23/04/’2123/04/2021 23:09:44 | 26/11/’2426/11/2024 16:22:09 |
makes your eyebrows sweat
An unexpected consequence of eating blackcurrants | exp | An unexpected consequence of eating blackcurrants | G | 05/03/’2105/03/2021 14:08:55 | 06/03/’2106/03/2021 12:53:43 |
manchester
Household linen | n | Household linen | Riverbankers | 22/10/’2322/10/2023 00:25:39 | – |
Mangerton (going)
Finally snapping and expressing one’s wordless anger - particularly if this is due to moving goalposts | n | Finally snapping and expressing one’s wordless anger - particularly if this is due to moving goalposts | Aoife | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 13:54:45 | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 16:08:31 |
Marcus Aurelius
Dad’s pet name for Mark | n | Dad’s pet name for Mark | Dad | 05/12/’2105/12/2021 18:18:08 | – |
mardy
Sulky, whiny | adj | Sulky, whiny | Clare | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 23:30:05 | – |
Masterbakers
Generic term for TV shows that involve members of the public performing kitchen tasks | n | Generic term for TV shows that involve members of the public performing kitchen tasks | Mark | 30/11/’2430/11/2024 15:50:56 | – |
may your wheels turn square and your petrol turn to water!
A curse directed at disobliging drivers | exc | A curse directed at disobliging drivers | Clare | 20/01/’2320/01/2023 00:55:40 | – |
mece
Mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive | exp | Mutually exclusive, collectively exhaustive | Mark | 05/05/’2405/05/2024 00:36:42 | 29/09/’2429/09/2024 14:54:47 |
mental floss
A brain teaser or exercise undertaken to develop mental acuity | n | A brain teaser or exercise undertaken to develop mental acuity | Mark | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 01:12:16 | – |
mexicakes
Mexican pancakes when made at home from tortillas, mince, vegetables etc. | n | Mexican pancakes when made at home from tortillas, mince, vegetables etc. | Riverbankers | 11/08/’2111/08/2021 00:20:37 | 28/01/’2228/01/2022 01:22:04 |
Milly-Molly-Mandy house
A stereotypical house, absolutely symmetrical with one window each side of the porch, three matching windows on the firs… | n | A stereotypical house, absolutely symmetrical with one window each side of the porch, three matching windows on the first floor (2ⁿᵈ if you’re American) & the pitch of the roof matching the pitch of the porch | Mum | 27/06/’2127/06/2021 16:07:43 | – |
mimsy-mumblechumps
Unenergetic, lethargic and unenthused… but only slightly | adj | Unenergetic, lethargic and unenthused… but only slightly | Mark | 06/11/’2406/11/2024 23:57:23 | 06/11/’2406/11/2024 23:58:38 |
mingo
Flamingo | n | Flamingo | Joy | 13/05/’2213/05/2022 01:08:56 | – |
minion
Urinal deodoriser block | n | Urinal deodoriser block | Mark | 05/05/’2405/05/2024 00:32:39 | – |
Ministry of Tidy Folk
[1] When composers in the classical tradition adopt folk music fatally by stabbing it through the soul with a baton.
[… | n | [1] When composers in the classical tradition adopt folk music fatally by stabbing it through the soul with a baton.
[2] People who believe that the version of a folk tune they know is the one true and only version | Mark | 05/12/’2105/12/2021 16:03:10 | 20/10/’2420/10/2024 14:47:54 |
Ministry of Tidy Ruins
Generic term for English Heritage, Historic Scotland and similar organisations dedicated to setting the ragged remains o… | n | Generic term for English Heritage, Historic Scotland and similar organisations dedicated to setting the ragged remains of long-gone buildings in neatly trimmed grass | Naomi | 04/09/’2104/09/2021 12:45:49 | 05/12/’2105/12/2021 16:03:53 |
misery bite
Comfort food when unwell | n | Comfort food when unwell | Felix | 18/04/’2218/04/2022 00:24:42 | – |
misery chest
First aid kit taken on holidays, or medicine cupboard at home | n | First aid kit taken on holidays, or medicine cupboard at home | Mum | 26/05/’2126/05/2021 14:23:55 | 27/05/’2127/05/2021 00:12:30 |
mismanglement
Mismanagement, only more so | n | Mismanagement, only more so | Mark | 14/03/’2114/03/2021 11:34:30 | – |
misread between the lines
Detect subtext that the speaker/writer didn’t intend | v | Detect subtext that the speaker/writer didn’t intend | Mark | 28/07/’2428/07/2024 15:16:18 | – |
Miss Moppett
Aunt D’s pet name for her neice Kate Collard (later Baines, later Tomato) | n | Aunt D’s pet name for her neice Kate Collard (later Baines, later Tomato) | Aunt D | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 01:04:00 | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 12:32:41 |
Miss/Master Flum Bum
Handy moniker for anyone whose name you can’t, at that moment, remember | n | Handy moniker for anyone whose name you can’t, at that moment, remember | Aunt D | 06/03/’2206/03/2022 23:51:37 | – |
mloddy
Mouldy | adj | Mouldy | Riverbankers | 11/02/’2211/02/2022 11:56:50 | – |
mollydooker
A left-handed person, a southpaw | n | A left-handed person, a southpaw | Win | 03/12/’2303/12/2023 00:56:20 | – |
more of a meal than a drink
Tea served from a pot without a strainer | exp | Tea served from a pot without a strainer | Paul H | 27/06/’2127/06/2021 16:16:28 | – |
Moses
The most elastic man in the christian bible | n | The most elastic man in the christian bible | Pa | 18/04/’2218/04/2022 00:16:47 | – |
most highly flavoured gravy
Mischievous variation on Most highly favoured lady, a line from the carol The Angel Gabriel | verse | Mischievous variation on Most highly favoured lady, a line from the carol The Angel Gabriel | Mark | 11/02/’2211/02/2022 11:46:50 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:06:23 |
Mount Ararat
Mount Alvernia hospital, Guildford, which is a long climb from the bus stop on the Epsom road | n | Mount Alvernia hospital, Guildford, which is a long climb from the bus stop on the Epsom road | Granny Dixon | 27/05/’2127/05/2021 21:15:27 | 30/10/’2330/10/2023 10:16:47 |
Mount Toberead
The pile/stack/tower/mountain of books that a person wishes to read | n | The pile/stack/tower/mountain of books that a person wishes to read | Mark | 31/08/’2231/08/2022 00:11:32 | 18/12/’2218/12/2022 11:51:51 |
move your lips!
Your diction is unsatisfactory | exc | Your diction is unsatisfactory | Mum | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 14:47:14 | – |
mozarella
Tight over the belly, typically of a man’s white shirt | adj | Tight over the belly, typically of a man’s white shirt | Mark | 30/06/’2230/06/2022 23:04:18 | – |
Mr Brown upstairs smoking
The wholly fictitious person a young lad claimed would pay his bus fare, buying him time to scarper when the conductor w… | n | The wholly fictitious person a young lad claimed would pay his bus fare, buying him time to scarper when the conductor went upstairs | Pop | 06/07/’2106/07/2021 15:13:30 | 19/08/’2319/08/2023 12:14:44 |
Mr Bump
An iterative navigation technique that eschews maps, plans and electronic devices and instead proceeds in the hope that … | exp | An iterative navigation technique that eschews maps, plans and electronic devices and instead proceeds in the hope that each failed attempt will at least bring the traveller a little nearer to the destination. Characterised by scenic routes & late arrivals | Pa | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 16:30:30 | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 19:52:00 |
MSP
Moral superiority prize, earned by eating at a more moderate pace than fellow diners | n | Moral superiority prize, earned by eating at a more moderate pace than fellow diners | M & N | 30/11/’2430/11/2024 16:30:27 | – |
muchos cocineros!
My goodness, what a lot of people there are in the kitchen! | exc | My goodness, what a lot of people there are in the kitchen! | Carmen | 04/09/’2104/09/2021 12:50:58 | 04/09/’2104/09/2021 13:15:00 |
Muggerborski
The composer Mussorgsky | n | The composer Mussorgsky | Dad | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 21:29:03 | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 21:29:16 |
Mulligan’s Tyres
Mull of Kintyre | n | Mull of Kintyre | Iliff family | 30/06/’2230/06/2022 23:08:57 | – |
murano
Merino | adj | Merino | M & N | 25/03/’2125/03/2021 17:06:11 | – |
my aunt, having made a telephone call, is feeling very much better
Mischievous mistranslation of the French expression Tant pis, tant mieux | exp | Mischievous mistranslation of the French expression Tant pis, tant mieux | Mum | 27/01/’2227/01/2022 23:50:09 | 28/01/’2228/01/2022 00:10:58 |
my back, my belly and my two sides
Response to person complaining they feel unwell | exp | Response to person complaining they feel unwell | JM | 12/05/’2112/05/2021 22:24:18 | – |
my colleague of the sandpit
A playmate whose name escaped young Benno | exp | A playmate whose name escaped young Benno | Benno | 11/02/’2411/02/2024 00:47:28 | – |
my wife’s wedding anniversary
Hallmark of an unromantic husband | exp | Hallmark of an unromantic husband | Mark | 06/09/’2106/09/2021 01:06:59 | – |
my word, Hetty
A callback to the song fragment:
My word, Hetty
If I catch you on the jetty
I’ll saw your leg off
And stick it on … | verse | A callback to the song fragment:
My word, Hetty
If I catch you on the jetty
I’ll saw your leg off
And stick it on with jam
In Amsterdam
…to a tune that the compilers have yet to identify | Granny Dixon | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 15:54:11 | 01/01/’2301/01/2023 13:30:05 |
myzled
Misled | v | Misled | M & N | 19/08/’2119/08/2021 12:50:54 | – |
Nacirema
The subject of a satirical article Pa once read in which an anthropologist reports upon the weird rituals of a tribe, be… | n | The subject of a satirical article Pa once read in which an anthropologist reports upon the weird rituals of a tribe, before eventually revealing that they are none other than Americans | Pa | 17/09/’2317/09/2023 00:53:18 | – |
named after famous letters of the alphabet
Named unduly prosaically | adj | Named unduly prosaically | Mark | 28/07/’2428/07/2024 14:51:31 | 29/07/’2429/07/2024 11:49:31 |
nanny nagface
One prone to give far more criticism or other feedback than the situation warrants | n | One prone to give far more criticism or other feedback than the situation warrants | Naomi | 11/02/’2211/02/2022 11:54:39 | 11/02/’2211/02/2022 12:54:07 |
nice parking job, big guy!
I am deeply unimpressed with your attempt at parking | exc | I am deeply unimpressed with your attempt at parking | M & N | 17/09/’2117/09/2021 21:52:09 | – |
niggs
Eggs | n | Eggs | Naomi | 30/03/’2130/03/2021 00:01:43 | 27/08/’2327/08/2023 12:20:31 |
nim
Niece or nephew | n | Niece or nephew | Healiffs | 18/08/’2318/08/2023 22:03:57 | 18/08/’2318/08/2023 22:11:01 |
nipple cake
Cherry bakewell | n | Cherry bakewell | M & N | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:13:13 | – |
no bones in it!
Easy, little one, there’s nothing hard to swallow in my milk | exp | Easy, little one, there’s nothing hard to swallow in my milk | Mum | 27/04/’2127/04/2021 13:47:44 | – |
no fun allowed
You have tried to do something nice for yourself and the world will not permit it | exp | You have tried to do something nice for yourself and the world will not permit it | Healiff clan | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 15:04:44 | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 16:15:51 |
no one knows me in Melbourne, so it doesn’t matter what I wear. Everyone knows me in Yarragon, so it doesn’t matter what I wear!
There’s no need to dress smartly | exp | There’s no need to dress smartly | Clare | 04/04/’2404/04/2024 00:22:17 | – |
no use to man or dog
No use to man or beast | exp | No use to man or beast | Mark | 14/03/’2114/03/2021 15:53:08 | – |
no, it was a new one
Response to “was it an omen?” | exp | Response to “was it an omen?” | Riverbankers | 10/07/’2210/07/2022 22:37:53 | 26/11/’2426/11/2024 20:33:27 |
no, it’s just the way I’m breathing
Time-honoured answer to the question “Are you coming?” | exp | Time-honoured answer to the question “Are you coming?” | M & N | 16/03/’2116/03/2021 22:15:47 | – |
noddles
Noodles | n | Noodles | Riverbankers | 27/02/’2327/02/2023 12:59:26 | – |
North Pole, duty penguin
Mischievous or stroppy phrase for answering a ringing phone | exp | Mischievous or stroppy phrase for answering a ringing phone | Mark | 21/11/’2121/11/2021 14:09:47 | 19/12/’2119/12/2021 14:48:10 |
north-south-west
New South Wales | n | New South Wales | M & N | 22/10/’2322/10/2023 00:49:33 | – |
NORWICH
kNickers Off Ready When I Come Home | exp | kNickers Off Ready When I Come Home | M & N | 06/11/’2406/11/2024 23:39:43 | 11/11/’2411/11/2024 00:48:37 |
nose pie
The yield from a nose-picking foray | n | The yield from a nose-picking foray | Granny Dixon | 07/11/’2107/11/2021 23:33:08 | – |
not much of anything, but well and truly elegant
A more sophisticated and less substantial repast than usually appeared on the King family table | exp | A more sophisticated and less substantial repast than usually appeared on the King family table | Granny Collard | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 00:35:00 | – |
Notlob
Bolton, a town in Lancashire | n | Bolton, a town in Lancashire | M & N | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 12:44:08 | 18/10/’2418/10/2024 00:29:39 |
now mighty Caesar turned to clay might stop a wall to keep the wind away
We are all humbled in death | exp | We are all humbled in death | Mark | 29/01/’2229/01/2022 14:44:36 | – |
now the weather turns quite dirty and the clock it strikes five-thirty
The weather is taking a turn for the worse | exp | The weather is taking a turn for the worse | M & N | 07/02/’2207/02/2022 23:04:47 | – |
noxious weed
Non-native species of plant | n | Non-native species of plant | Clare | 11/03/’2111/03/2021 21:03:14 | 30/03/’2230/03/2022 00:59:18 |
noy
1. Now
2. No | adv | 1. Now
2. No | Mark | 28/09/’2228/09/2022 15:01:16 | 28/09/’2228/09/2022 15:03:33 |
NQOTD
Not quite our type, darling | exp | Not quite our type, darling | JM | 26/02/’2126/02/2021 19:48:17 | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 00:49:23 |
nucking futter
One whose behaviour defies reason | n | One whose behaviour defies reason | Mark | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 15:58:23 | – |
oatygoats
Goats | n | Goats | Clare | 07/04/’2107/04/2021 21:39:31 | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 22:33:59 |
obsquecious
Obsequious | adj | Obsequious | King family | 17/09/’2117/09/2021 22:10:16 | – |
obstacular
In the nature or manner of an obstacle | adj | In the nature or manner of an obstacle | Gareth | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 14:57:42 | 04/12/’2404/12/2024 10:52:21 |
oddfather / oddmother
A role akin to godfather / godmother suitable for an atheist | n | A role akin to godfather / godmother suitable for an atheist | Joy | 07/02/’2207/02/2022 23:08:43 | – |
Odgers
The TV presenter Mister Rogers, whose show was a favourite of Joy’s when she was about 2-3 | n | The TV presenter Mister Rogers, whose show was a favourite of Joy’s when she was about 2-3 | Joy | 31/08/’2231/08/2022 00:32:30 | – |
oh bother!
Things are not going well | exc | Things are not going well | Dad | 17/03/’2117/03/2021 13:15:53 | 26/01/’2226/01/2022 11:19:25 |
oh dear… how sad… never mind
I acknowledge your unhappiness, but consider it overstated | exp | I acknowledge your unhappiness, but consider it overstated | M & N | 14/01/’2214/01/2022 12:44:45 | – |
oh Lucky Jim!
Well that’s not good | exc | Well that’s not good | Naomi | 05/07/’2205/07/2022 01:18:15 | 10/07/’2210/07/2022 15:57:53 |
oi’m a moinah
I’m a mynah | exp | I’m a mynah | M & N | 26/07/’2426/07/2024 16:31:18 | – |
old bagaloon
Humourless older woman | n | Humourless older woman | Naomi | 06/03/’2106/03/2021 13:40:02 | – |
old folk joke
A joke so old that it tickles no-one, but must be trotted out when a suitable setup is given | n | A joke so old that it tickles no-one, but must be trotted out when a suitable setup is given | Pa | 11/08/’2111/08/2021 00:18:36 | 30/10/’2330/10/2023 11:01:33 |
omzetbelasting
Imprecation that sounds ruder than it is | exc | Imprecation that sounds ruder than it is | Dad | 27/07/’2127/07/2021 21:17:29 | – |
on pots hooray!
1. You have finally understood the thing I have been walking you to that I think is obvious.
2. We are looking at some … | exc | 1. You have finally understood the thing I have been walking you to that I think is obvious.
2. We are looking at some ancient pottery including some form of decoration.
3. We are about to watch The Great Pottery Throwdown (more recent usage) | Joy | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 13:49:04 | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 16:06:56 |
on the way to Meeting, I saw a butterfly and it reminded me of God
Ministry at a Quaker Meeting at Sidcot School, executed for a bet | exp | Ministry at a Quaker Meeting at Sidcot School, executed for a bet | Clare | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 15:48:29 | – |
on the wonk
Askew | adj | Askew | Riverbanklings | 10/09/’2310/09/2023 14:51:22 | – |
one goat!
OK, I made a mistake. But I feel you’re attaching too much importance to it | exp | OK, I made a mistake. But I feel you’re attaching too much importance to it | Benno’s family | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 14:23:38 | – |
One I love, Two I love, Three I love, I say
Callback to:
One I love
Two I love
Three I love, I say.
Four I love with all my heart
Five I cast away.
Six he loves
Se… | verse | Callback to:
One I love
Two I love
Three I love, I say.
Four I love with all my heart
Five I cast away.
Six he loves
Seven she loves
Eight they both love.
Nine he comes,
Ten he tarries,
Eleven they court,
Twelve they marry.
Thirteen they quarrel
Fourteen they part
Fifteen one dies of a broken heart | Granny Collard | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 00:28:11 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:08:40 |
one more shirt will do me
Don’t wash or iron me any more shirts as I’m going to drop dead any moment now | exp | Don’t wash or iron me any more shirts as I’m going to drop dead any moment now | Bel | 12/05/’2112/05/2021 22:28:35 | – |
one up, one down, one polisher
British Army heuristic for lavatory paper usage | exp | British Army heuristic for lavatory paper usage | Mark | 29/01/’2229/01/2022 14:37:28 | – |
one-legged Santa at an arse kicking party
A now-retired Christmas decoration in Reading town centre | n | A now-retired Christmas decoration in Reading town centre | Riverbankers | 30/06/’2230/06/2022 23:37:47 | – |
ontray!
Special version of “come in” for room service when in France… because the food comes on a tray | exc | Special version of “come in” for room service when in France… because the food comes on a tray | G | 07/04/’2107/04/2021 22:15:43 | 10/04/’2110/04/2021 13:30:07 |
oomagoolie
Umami, the one of the five basic tastes that didn’t have an English word (so we took the Japanese one) | n | Umami, the one of the five basic tastes that didn’t have an English word (so we took the Japanese one) | Naomi | 21/11/’2121/11/2021 01:15:10 | 17/08/’2317/08/2023 23:43:18 |
op
Any edible liquid/paste/stew | n | Any edible liquid/paste/stew | Healiff clan | 09/03/’2109/03/2021 16:37:49 | 11/03/’2111/03/2021 13:45:06 |
open the breach and fire the gun
Callback to the couplet:
Wakey wakey! Morning’s come
Open the breach and fire the gun | exp | Callback to the couplet:
Wakey wakey! Morning’s come
Open the breach and fire the gun | King family | 15/11/’2215/11/2022 20:15:09 | 15/11/’2215/11/2022 20:20:09 |
operator
One practised at getting her/his/their own way | n | One practised at getting her/his/their own way | John T | 18/03/’2218/03/2022 00:32:35 | 18/03/’2218/03/2022 00:33:10 |
oponopof
A city sightseeing tour bus, as found in many tourist destinations, that allows passengers to hop on and off throughout … | adj | A city sightseeing tour bus, as found in many tourist destinations, that allows passengers to hop on and off throughout the day | M & N | 26/07/’2426/07/2024 20:54:20 | – |
optical illusion, man!
It is an optical illusion | exp | It is an optical illusion | Clare | 27/02/’2327/02/2023 12:16:08 | – |
optometrist method
A/B testing, in which users of a system, product or idea under development are asked “is it better like this… or lik… | n | A/B testing, in which users of a system, product or idea under development are asked “is it better like this… or like this?” | Mark | 24/04/’2324/04/2023 14:34:59 | 24/04/’2324/04/2023 14:36:30 |
ordinary Australian tea
India tea | n | India tea | Pa | 27/02/’2327/02/2023 12:00:06 | – |
organ donor
Cyclist | n | Cyclist | Mark | 08/10/’2208/10/2022 01:02:56 | – |
orpathedic
Orthopaedic | adj | Orthopaedic | JM | 29/07/’2129/07/2021 12:07:05 | 19/12/’2119/12/2021 14:42:33 |
osh
Generic term for sauces, soufflés, jellies, dips, pastes, pickles and other comestibles of a similar consistency | n | Generic term for sauces, soufflés, jellies, dips, pastes, pickles and other comestibles of a similar consistency | King family | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 12:59:41 | 09/03/’2109/03/2021 16:38:44 |
oslo
An instrumental solo during a song | n | An instrumental solo during a song | Riverbankers | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 14:55:26 | – |
our friend who travels on his belly
Snake | n | Snake | Pa | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 15:59:38 | – |
ours
Our | adj | Our | Joy | 13/05/’2213/05/2022 01:10:32 | – |
ouzo
Ozone | n | Ozone | Riverbankers | 07/11/’2107/11/2021 23:26:44 | 19/12/’2119/12/2021 14:25:46 |
overdog
Supplier that enjoys market dominance, such as Amazon or Google | n | Supplier that enjoys market dominance, such as Amazon or Google | Mark | 30/11/’2430/11/2024 16:06:02 | – |
Oyé
Evelyn’s name for herself when she was known as Joyce (which was up to her late teens) | n | Evelyn’s name for herself when she was known as Joyce (which was up to her late teens) | Evelyn | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 15:39:41 | – |
p-o-tat-oes
Callback to a song:
p-o-tat-oes O OOOO O OO | verse | Callback to a song:
p-o-tat-oes O OOOO O OO | Dad | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 14:28:28 | 20/06/’2320/06/2023 16:26:22 |
PAC
1) Pissing awful coffee.
2) Pa’s awful coffee
…depending on the audience | n | 1) Pissing awful coffee.
2) Pa’s awful coffee
…depending on the audience | King family | 13/04/’2113/04/2021 13:18:36 | – |
Page Nine
The Italian violinist & composer Niccolò Paganini | n | The Italian violinist & composer Niccolò Paganini | King family | 14/01/’2214/01/2022 12:32:32 | 19/08/’2319/08/2023 12:05:27 |
palanquin hee, palanquin ho
Bonding cry – no meaning | exp | Bonding cry – no meaning | M & N | 12/11/’2312/11/2023 00:54:03 | 12/11/’2312/11/2023 00:54:20 |
palayorno
Palamino | n | Palamino | Mark | 26/07/’2426/07/2024 16:34:41 | 26/07/’2426/07/2024 20:46:53 |
pang!
Like bang, but clangier | exc | Like bang, but clangier | Clare | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 14:59:19 | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 00:05:31 |
panty
Pantograph (in the context of current collection) | n | Pantograph (in the context of current collection) | Naomi | 30/06/’2230/06/2022 23:32:02 | – |
par cark
Car park | n | Car park | Iliff family | 18/04/’2218/04/2022 00:31:06 | – |
park by ear
Park a vehicle with a lack of care, attention and skill | v | Park a vehicle with a lack of care, attention and skill | M & N | 30/06/’2230/06/2022 23:27:47 | – |
park-anywheres
Vehicle hazard warning lights (aka four-way flashers) | n | Vehicle hazard warning lights (aka four-way flashers) | Aoife | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 12:25:14 | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 12:57:41 |
parroty error
When your parrot says “pieces of seven” | exp | When your parrot says “pieces of seven” | M & N | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 15:04:13 | 22/01/’2422/01/2024 12:10:09 |
pas de freinage violent inutile
Drive carefully | exp | Drive carefully | M & N | 08/10/’2208/10/2022 01:09:25 | – |
pasteurised is best
Reflexive response to use of the word pasteurised | exp | Reflexive response to use of the word pasteurised | M & N | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 00:45:25 | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 10:46:29 |
paucey
Limp, pale or unprepossessing | adj | Limp, pale or unprepossessing | Granny Dixon | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 22:29:05 | – |
Pawdawfawdy
The main bus terminal in New York | n | The main bus terminal in New York | Mark | 11/02/’2411/02/2024 00:58:58 | – |
PEBUCK
The user – generally of a computer – is being a bit thick | exp | The user – generally of a computer – is being a bit thick | Mark | 12/11/’2312/11/2023 00:31:04 | – |
peelywally
Unwell, washed out, under the weather, pale & uninteresting | adj | Unwell, washed out, under the weather, pale & uninteresting | Granny Dixon | 09/03/’2109/03/2021 21:13:33 | 12/11/’2412/11/2024 12:22:13 |
peelywally baggie
Part-baked baguette | n | Part-baked baguette | Mark | 09/03/’2109/03/2021 21:15:49 | 16/02/’2216/02/2022 16:20:17 |
peepy-eyed
Frowzy, especially if eyes swollen from lack of (or too much) sleep | adj | Frowzy, especially if eyes swollen from lack of (or too much) sleep | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 27/02/’2227/02/2022 14:53:56 | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 11:41:52 |
percussive maintenance
Trying to fix a thing by hitting it | n | Trying to fix a thing by hitting it | Riverbankers | 01/07/’2201/07/2022 21:12:25 | – |
perry meter
Perimeter | n | Perimeter | Mark | 30/11/’2430/11/2024 16:16:09 | 01/12/’2401/12/2024 12:22:52 |
perslongings
Possessions | n | Possessions | Mark | 10/03/’2210/03/2022 18:08:40 | 10/03/’2210/03/2022 18:30:36 |
PhD point
A subtlety in a creative work so obscure that it will pass unnoticed, unless it becomes the subject of a PhD one day | n | A subtlety in a creative work so obscure that it will pass unnoticed, unless it becomes the subject of a PhD one day | Mark | 13/03/’2113/03/2021 22:23:03 | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 22:53:49 |
pick a note or go home
I am pained by your excessive use of vibrato and/or coloratura | exc | I am pained by your excessive use of vibrato and/or coloratura | Mark | 07/02/’2207/02/2022 22:59:39 | – |
pick up fag-ends
Pay attention to snippets of others’ conversation, perhaps without the full context, often with a view to joining in. … | v | Pay attention to snippets of others’ conversation, perhaps without the full context, often with a view to joining in. Or butting in, if you will | Mark | 07/11/’2107/11/2021 23:19:55 | 26/11/’2426/11/2024 16:19:46 |
pictureskew
Picturesque | adj | Picturesque | Iliff family | 10/03/’2210/03/2022 18:26:48 | – |
piece of chelief
Chief of police | n | Chief of police | Mark | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 15:41:51 | – |
pif-pof-paf
A ruleless, winnerless game that can be seen on beaches throughout Europe. It involves 3 or more people hitting a ball b… | n | A ruleless, winnerless game that can be seen on beaches throughout Europe. It involves 3 or more people hitting a ball between them with wooden bats | M & N | 31/08/’2231/08/2022 00:06:07 | – |
Piglet
Affectionate name for Eve, the youngest member of the Claydon family | n | Affectionate name for Eve, the youngest member of the Claydon family | Clare | 11/02/’2411/02/2024 00:38:56 | 11/02/’2411/02/2024 00:41:59 |
pimps
Easy | adj | Easy | Riverbanklings | 27/02/’2327/02/2023 13:07:14 | – |
pince mie
Mince pie, the Christmas comestible | n | Mince pie, the Christmas comestible | Riverbankers | 18/03/’2218/03/2022 00:44:54 | – |
Pinchmi-Wel
A little-known acquaintance of Adam and Eve | verse | A little-known acquaintance of Adam and Eve | Mum | 11/08/’2411/08/2024 01:04:13 | – |
pingams
Belly button | n | Belly button | King family | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 23:53:57 | – |
pinghole
Microwave oven | n | Microwave oven | Mark | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 16:08:49 | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 16:09:21 |
pither
Waste time; engage in displacement activities; avoid a task | v | Waste time; engage in displacement activities; avoid a task | Mum | 28/02/’2328/02/2023 22:32:00 | – |
pitiless bottom
One much given to letting pungent farts | n | One much given to letting pungent farts | Naomi | 02/04/’2402/04/2024 18:10:39 | 10/11/’2410/11/2024 12:11:32 |
pixies
Pixels | n | Pixels | Al | 26/07/’2426/07/2024 21:07:08 | 29/07/’2429/07/2024 11:51:59 |
PLAN AHE
Plan ahead | exp | Plan ahead | Mark | 26/08/’2326/08/2023 21:29:07 | – |
playback
The luggage area of an estate car | n | The luggage area of an estate car | Mum | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 16:11:41 | 28/01/’2228/01/2022 16:55:22 |
plug
Conceal item in the rectum | v | Conceal item in the rectum | Naomi | 05/02/’2205/02/2022 21:34:59 | – |
plup in a cup
Provide a semen sample | v | Provide a semen sample | Naomi | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 00:39:24 | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 00:40:09 |
POETS day
Piss off early, tomorrow’s Saturday (or, for sensitive ears, Push off…) | n | Piss off early, tomorrow’s Saturday (or, for sensitive ears, Push off…) | Mark | 27/05/’2127/05/2021 00:16:34 | – |
poffle
Pop filter for a microphone | n | Pop filter for a microphone | Mark | 24/03/’2124/03/2021 15:40:49 | – |
pointèd stick
Pointed stick | n | Pointed stick | M & N | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 18:16:01 | 09/11/’2409/11/2024 15:15:04 |
politician’s syllogism
A faulty decision-making process that follows this sequence:
Something must be done ➠ This is something ➠ We must … | n | A faulty decision-making process that follows this sequence:
Something must be done ➠ This is something ➠ We must therefore do this | Mark | 26/07/’2426/07/2024 21:11:42 | – |
poo tickets
Toilet roll, lavatory paper, bogroll, torchecul, bum fodder… call it what you will | n | Toilet roll, lavatory paper, bogroll, torchecul, bum fodder… call it what you will | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 16:06:15 | – |
Pope scuttle
Passetto di Borgo, the 800 metre concealed passageway that connects the Vatican to Castel Sant’Angelo for purposes of … | n | Passetto di Borgo, the 800 metre concealed passageway that connects the Vatican to Castel Sant’Angelo for purposes of running away | Mark | 30/07/’2330/07/2023 23:21:01 | 31/07/’2331/07/2023 00:03:17 |
Poppa Piccolino
Granny’s pet name for Pop | n | Granny’s pet name for Pop | Granny Dixon | 23/11/’2323/11/2023 18:56:15 | – |
popular beat combo
A group or band that has enjoyed some success in the singles charts | n | A group or band that has enjoyed some success in the singles charts | M & N | 29/10/’2329/10/2023 00:30:14 | – |
pornograph
Imaginary appliance for displaying pornography | n | Imaginary appliance for displaying pornography | Pa | 05/03/’2105/03/2021 13:44:00 | – |
potato sock
Sock with several holes | n | Sock with several holes | Naomi | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 13:18:57 | – |
poverty model
Bottom-of-the-range option, especally where the cost savings are conspicuous | n | Bottom-of-the-range option, especally where the cost savings are conspicuous | Uncle Tommy | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 15:03:58 | – |
practise beforehand which ruins the fun
Take preparation seriously. Callback to Flanders & Swann’s A song of patriotic prejudice:
And all the world over… | verse | Take preparation seriously. Callback to Flanders & Swann’s A song of patriotic prejudice:
And all the world over each nation’s the same
They’ve simply no notion of playing the game
They argue with umpires, they cheer when they’ve won
And they practise beforehand which ruins the fun | M & N | 27/06/’2127/06/2021 16:21:23 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:09:58 |
prat flaps
A particular type of men’s open leather sandal, especially if large, droopy and worn with socks | n | A particular type of men’s open leather sandal, especially if large, droopy and worn with socks | Riverbankers | 18/04/’2218/04/2022 00:35:37 | – |
premium bomb
Premium Bond, a savings product of UK’s NS&I | n | Premium Bond, a savings product of UK’s NS&I | Naomi | 15/11/’2215/11/2022 20:26:36 | – |
prickly pig
Echidna, the spine-covered egg-laying mammal sometimes misleadingly known as spiny anteater | n | Echidna, the spine-covered egg-laying mammal sometimes misleadingly known as spiny anteater | Win | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:26:51 | 06/03/’2206/03/2022 11:11:42 |
priest car
Morris Minor | n | Morris Minor | Mark | 05/12/’2105/12/2021 15:40:20 | – |
priestidge
Prestige | n | Prestige | Granny Dixon | 24/03/’2124/03/2021 15:42:42 | 10/11/’2410/11/2024 12:05:34 |
priffs
Peripheral vision | n | Peripheral vision | Mark | 04/05/’2404/05/2024 23:49:58 | – |
pron
Can be used both for “Please would you turn on the printer” and for “I have now turned on the printer, my love” | exp | Can be used both for “Please would you turn on the printer” and for “I have now turned on the printer, my love” | M & N | 22/10/’2322/10/2023 00:53:40 | – |
propelleper
Propeller | n | Propeller | Felix | 08/01/’2208/01/2022 00:40:47 | 10/01/’2210/01/2022 11:31:51 |
prunt
Printed | v | Printed | M & N | 21/08/’2321/08/2023 08:59:14 | – |
puffin break
When climbing, a puffing break with a pretext | n | When climbing, a puffing break with a pretext | Naomi | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 13:03:59 | – |
pugsaw jizzle
Jigsaw puzzle | n | Jigsaw puzzle | Mark | 13/03/’2113/03/2021 22:44:30 | – |
pump
Nonsense | n | Nonsense | Mark | 24/03/’2124/03/2021 15:44:51 | 24/12/’2124/12/2021 14:37:56 |
pumpkin time
Bed time | n | Bed time | Naomi | 21/11/’2121/11/2021 01:09:27 | 18/03/’2218/03/2022 00:50:33 |
punctuality is a politeness of kings
Don’t be late | exp | Don’t be late | Mark | 11/08/’2111/08/2021 00:08:03 | – |
pune or play on words
Pun or wordplay | n | Pun or wordplay | Riverbankers | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 22:33:03 | – |
purple-headeds
Mountains | n | Mountains | G | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 00:24:06 | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 00:06:25 |
pushen
Cushion | n | Cushion | Iliff family | 29/12/’2229/12/2022 15:27:46 | 30/12/’2230/12/2022 11:07:59 |
put fur/hair round it!
You seem to be having problem getting this thing in the appropriate hole - perhaps if it was more akin to a more biologi… | exc | You seem to be having problem getting this thing in the appropriate hole - perhaps if it was more akin to a more biological insertion you would have more success. | Riverbanklings | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 13:42:54 | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 15:06:08 |
put it away – nothing wrong with it
You are not unwell | exp | You are not unwell | King family | 01/07/’2201/07/2022 13:26:46 | – |
put the lumps in the gravy
Make the gravy | v | Make the gravy | Naomi | 25/01/’2425/01/2024 00:01:00 | – |
p’daahlo
Pedalo | n | Pedalo | Mum | 24/03/’2124/03/2021 15:39:14 | – |
QB
That feeling of numbness that can result from sitting still for an hour | n | That feeling of numbness that can result from sitting still for an hour | Clare | 28/09/’2228/09/2022 00:05:03 | 28/09/’2228/09/2022 14:57:58 |
queece
Breast meat (aka white meat) of a roast fowl | n | Breast meat (aka white meat) of a roast fowl | Dad | 16/11/’2216/11/2022 16:59:21 | 16/11/’2216/11/2022 21:31:30 |
rabbit of negative euphoria
One who is unhappy | n | One who is unhappy | Riverbankers | 17/03/’2117/03/2021 13:18:48 | 21/03/’2221/03/2022 00:06:49 |
rattle your dags!
Get a move on! | exc | Get a move on! | Felix | 12/07/’2212/07/2022 01:02:32 | 26/11/’2426/11/2024 16:21:02 |
ready-ready
Ready, this moment, to do the next thing (as opposed to starting to think about bringing the previous activity to a clos… | adj | Ready, this moment, to do the next thing (as opposed to starting to think about bringing the previous activity to a close… at some point… probably, which is some people’s idea of “ready”) | G | 09/08/’2109/08/2021 15:38:36 | 09/08/’2109/08/2021 15:43:02 |
rebug
While attempting to fix software bugs, make matters worse instead of better | v | While attempting to fix software bugs, make matters worse instead of better | Mark | 30/11/’2430/11/2024 16:17:43 | – |
rectal floss
The type of swimming attire that disappears up the wearer’s bum crack (intentionally) | n | The type of swimming attire that disappears up the wearer’s bum crack (intentionally) | Mark | 23/04/’2123/04/2021 23:11:31 | – |
redbrick
A consequence of eating beetroot | n | A consequence of eating beetroot | Naomi | 30/07/’2330/07/2023 23:57:18 | 08/11/’2408/11/2024 12:59:14 |
renana
Banana | n | Banana | Mark | 15/11/’2215/11/2022 20:21:57 | – |
rent to the ideal
The cost of trust. The price paid for the comfort of trusting people | exp | The cost of trust. The price paid for the comfort of trusting people | Naomi | 04/02/’2204/02/2022 15:17:11 | 24/01/’2424/01/2024 15:41:34 |
respectawiggle
Respectable | adj | Respectable | Naomi | 17/03/’2117/03/2021 13:03:28 | – |
richtigetonneohnenachbarnprüfenstolz
The pride felt at putting out the right bin without first checking what the neighbours have done | n | The pride felt at putting out the right bin without first checking what the neighbours have done | Mark | 14/04/’2214/04/2022 01:38:48 | 14/04/’2214/04/2022 10:36:01 |
Rickety Rackety Bridge
The Bailey bridge¹ that carried the A246 Leatherhead by-pass across the River Mole | n | The Bailey bridge¹ that carried the A246 Leatherhead by-pass across the River Mole | Iliff family | 06/11/’2406/11/2024 23:31:27 | 08/11/’2408/11/2024 12:35:05 |
Riding to Llandudno on a charabanc…
Callback to:
Riding to Llandudno on a charabanc
Fifty miles an hour and we don’t care a hang
The engine’s full of… | verse | Callback to:
Riding to Llandudno on a charabanc
Fifty miles an hour and we don’t care a hang
The engine’s full of petrol and the driver’s full of beer.
(If there was a next line we never heard it) | Granny Dixon | 29/12/’2229/12/2022 15:20:07 | – |
rigoletto
Spurious appointment Mark would put in his work diary when wishing to swerve the threat of an evening work commitment | exp | Spurious appointment Mark would put in his work diary when wishing to swerve the threat of an evening work commitment | Mark | 22/10/’2422/10/2024 21:18:26 | – |
roastby spuds
Roast potatoes | n | Roast potatoes | Iliff family | 08/01/’2208/01/2022 00:32:29 | 08/01/’2208/01/2022 01:25:42 |
Rockin’ Goose
Angus Rock, also known as Rock Angus, a skerry that stands in the middle of the entrance to Strangford Lough | n | Angus Rock, also known as Rock Angus, a skerry that stands in the middle of the entrance to Strangford Lough | John T | 30/09/’2430/09/2024 11:22:59 | – |
rough as a badger
Rough (in the sense of not smooth, but not in the sense of approximate) | adj | Rough (in the sense of not smooth, but not in the sense of approximate) | Mark | 17/09/’2117/09/2021 21:47:02 | – |
RTFM
Read the manual (instead of bothering me) | exp | Read the manual (instead of bothering me) | M & N | 02/03/’2202/03/2022 23:06:24 | – |
rumble-tumble
Anglo-Indian dish comprising scrambled eggs, onions and whatever stuff needs eating up | n | Anglo-Indian dish comprising scrambled eggs, onions and whatever stuff needs eating up | Pa | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:24:04 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:54:14 |
run around to get wet
Having a low rate of flow (of a bathroom shower) | adj | Having a low rate of flow (of a bathroom shower) | Mum | 01/07/’2201/07/2022 21:09:35 | – |
SA0
One lacking in situational awareness | n | One lacking in situational awareness | Mark | 28/02/’2328/02/2023 22:35:01 | – |
sadlydie
Die | v | Die | Mark | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 01:25:53 | – |
saganaki!
Goodness me, what low-hanging testicles that chap has been blessed with! | exc | Goodness me, what low-hanging testicles that chap has been blessed with! | M & N | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 13:15:27 | 25/02/’2225/02/2022 16:40:09 |
said Aunt Helga
response to anyone saying “tis” (or “it is” without sufficient care) | exp | response to anyone saying “tis” (or “it is” without sufficient care) | Gareth | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 15:28:56 | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 16:14:54 |
Saint Sean
The French composer Camille Saint-Saëns | n | The French composer Camille Saint-Saëns | Mark | 14/01/’2214/01/2022 12:30:16 | 21/10/’2421/10/2024 15:14:48 |
salad pie
Quiche | n | Quiche | Mark | 13/04/’2113/04/2021 13:06:02 | – |
samting, nating
Not worth worrying about (or remembering or noticing) | exp | Not worth worrying about (or remembering or noticing) | Clare | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 16:20:37 | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 16:21:10 |
Sanata
Sinatra | n | Sinatra | Mark | 30/11/’2430/11/2024 15:54:30 | – |
sarandoppity
Serendipity | n | Serendipity | JM | 02/04/’2402/04/2024 16:18:14 | – |
sat in a tyre
Reference to the phrase Dressed in silk and satin attire | exp | Reference to the phrase Dressed in silk and satin attire | King family | 19/01/’2219/01/2022 23:45:11 | – |
sausinge
Sausage | n | Sausage | Naomi | 13/03/’2113/03/2021 16:28:41 | – |
scraper
Violin | n | Violin | Riverbankers | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 00:06:48 | – |
seagull
One whose style of management or participation is irregular and unhelpful | n | One whose style of management or participation is irregular and unhelpful | Mark | 12/11/’2312/11/2023 00:27:20 | – |
sealion
Senile | adj | Senile | King family | 06/09/’2106/09/2021 00:53:30 | – |
second coffee
Weak brew made by re-steeping grounds that have already been used to make the nice coffee | n | Weak brew made by re-steeping grounds that have already been used to make the nice coffee | Clare | 28/01/’2228/01/2022 01:11:13 | 29/01/’2229/01/2022 00:28:16 |
senseless man
Census man | n | Census man | Naomi | 05/03/’2105/03/2021 13:39:32 | 05/03/’2105/03/2021 14:40:03 |
shabby and miscellaneous
Disappointing | adj | Disappointing | Riverbankers | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 13:21:45 | 10/11/’2410/11/2024 12:11:00 |
sham-PAG-nee
Champagne | n | Champagne | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 20/01/’2320/01/2023 00:49:20 | – |
shenzi
Below standard, no good | adj | Below standard, no good | Clare | 02/03/’2202/03/2022 23:15:50 | – |
sherman
Act of self-pleasure | n | Act of self-pleasure | Mark | 27/02/’2327/02/2023 12:56:30 | 04/09/’2404/09/2024 12:19:52 |
shith-ooze
Seat of ease, convenience, lavatory | n | Seat of ease, convenience, lavatory | M & N | 13/05/’2213/05/2022 01:14:20 | 17/01/’2317/01/2023 11:26:40 |
shitzu
A zoo without penguins | n | A zoo without penguins | Felix | 12/11/’2312/11/2023 00:28:21 | – |
shivery bite
Biscuit or sweet issued after a swim | n | Biscuit or sweet issued after a swim | Mum | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 13:50:18 | 28/03/’2128/03/2021 13:05:29 |
short arms, deep pockets
Mean, stingy | adj | Mean, stingy | Mark | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 16:04:48 | – |
shot a bunny
Passed wind | v | Passed wind | JM | 29/03/’2129/03/2021 23:58:54 | – |
showing all you possess
Wearing immodest clothing | adj | Wearing immodest clothing | Mum | 23/11/’2323/11/2023 23:17:26 | – |
shrapnel
Small change, especially foreign coins that would be worthless on returning home | n | Small change, especially foreign coins that would be worthless on returning home | Joy | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 15:35:13 | – |
shrimp-wrapped
Shrink-wrapped | adj | Shrink-wrapped | Mark | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 15:40:39 | – |
shusho
Expression used when walking with tiny steps, as when traversing ice or other slippery surface | exp | Expression used when walking with tiny steps, as when traversing ice or other slippery surface | Naomi | 11/02/’2411/02/2024 01:19:59 | 29/09/’2429/09/2024 15:20:46 |
shut up and give your arse a chance
You appear to be talking nonsense | exp | You appear to be talking nonsense | M & N | 17/03/’2117/03/2021 21:07:15 | – |
sickly cake
Individual cake of the indulgent type served for afternoon tea at the right sort of hotel | n | Individual cake of the indulgent type served for afternoon tea at the right sort of hotel | Granny Dixon | 11/03/’2111/03/2021 16:21:43 | 21/12/’2121/12/2021 11:45:23 |
Silliam William
Intentionally pompous variation of the mild put-down Silly Billy | n | Intentionally pompous variation of the mild put-down Silly Billy | Mark | 06/07/’2106/07/2021 15:09:20 | 22/01/’2422/01/2024 01:08:20 |
Sister / Brother
Useful device for addressing someone when you’ve forgotten their name | exp | Useful device for addressing someone when you’ve forgotten their name | Pa | 08/03/’2208/03/2022 20:37:07 | – |
sixpence!
Exclaimed at top volume by the first person at a meal to find a bone in their fish | exp | Exclaimed at top volume by the first person at a meal to find a bone in their fish | King family | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 23:36:17 | 08/01/’2408/01/2024 01:39:59 |
SLAB DISH PIG GUFF
Mnemonic for recalling the then-15 members of the EU | exp | Mnemonic for recalling the then-15 members of the EU | Mark | 30/06/’2230/06/2022 23:22:39 | 04/09/’2404/09/2024 12:21:40 |
slap it in the middle and we’ll all get a bit
I propose (or threaten) to serve this jelly, rice pudding, trifle or other osh by striking it in the middle with a ladle | exp | I propose (or threaten) to serve this jelly, rice pudding, trifle or other osh by striking it in the middle with a ladle | Granny Dixon | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:30:12 | 04/12/’2304/12/2023 12:08:37 |
slimy ming fruit
Avocado | n | Avocado | Felix | 28/02/’2128/02/2021 14:38:25 | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 19:05:44 |
sloppies
Loose-fitting clothing worn inside the home. Daylight PJs | n | Loose-fitting clothing worn inside the home. Daylight PJs | Riverbankers | 10/02/’2210/02/2022 15:13:11 | – |
smells like coffee, looks like cocoa
WW1 army tea | n | WW1 army tea | Pop | 14/03/’2114/03/2021 13:42:07 | 14/03/’2114/03/2021 13:46:13 |
smoke
Work out, deduce, grasp the meaning of a conundrum, puzzle or joke | v | Work out, deduce, grasp the meaning of a conundrum, puzzle or joke | M & N | 21/11/’2421/11/2024 15:59:19 | 21/11/’2421/11/2024 16:20:33 |
smoko
Morning tea, especially when taken in a shearing shed | n | Morning tea, especially when taken in a shearing shed | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 15/11/’2215/11/2022 19:47:06 | – |
Smoky Tree, the
The vast ancient yew tree & friend in the middle of the meadow at Sheepleas that Iliffs would climb and sit in, or u… | n | The vast ancient yew tree & friend in the middle of the meadow at Sheepleas that Iliffs would climb and sit in, or use as a pavilion, when youngsters | Bel | 10/03/’2310/03/2023 01:09:23 | 15/03/’2315/03/2023 12:35:02 |
Snablats
St Albans | n | St Albans | Mark | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 12:49:31 | 03/01/’2203/01/2022 15:26:40 |
sniggle
Like snigger, but with less implied criticism | v | Like snigger, but with less implied criticism | Al | 05/07/’2105/07/2021 12:44:47 | 05/07/’2105/07/2021 15:34:26 |
snorker
Sausage | n | Sausage | Mark | 23/11/’2123/11/2021 23:00:17 | – |
snortelly snips
Sleep, especially in anticipation | n | Sleep, especially in anticipation | Naomi | 17/03/’2117/03/2021 21:13:01 | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 11:12:58 |
snot harpoon
Nasal swab | n | Nasal swab | Mark | 07/11/’2107/11/2021 23:35:47 | – |
snotty gobbles (or snot block)
Vanilla slices | n | Vanilla slices | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 15:43:15 | – |
so you do that
Response to an inaudible PA announcement | exp | Response to an inaudible PA announcement | Iliff family | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 14:34:13 | 10/11/’2410/11/2024 12:28:50 |
sof
Like soft, but softer | adj | Like soft, but softer | Joy | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 00:35:02 | – |
soft day
A day that’s raining stair-rods (cats & dogs, the devil & pitchforks, bullfrogs or your own regional expressio… | n | A day that’s raining stair-rods (cats & dogs, the devil & pitchforks, bullfrogs or your own regional expression to taste) | Mum | 15/11/’2215/11/2022 20:40:39 | – |
soft poop
Soft scoop ice cream, noted more for its malleability than its delectability | n | Soft scoop ice cream, noted more for its malleability than its delectability | Riverbankers | 10/07/’2210/07/2022 16:05:36 | – |
some people really work at being miserable
Gosh, s/he doesn’t look for the silver lining! | exp | Gosh, s/he doesn’t look for the silver lining! | M & N | 06/07/’2106/07/2021 14:53:38 | 06/07/’2106/07/2021 14:54:57 |
sooky
Timid and/or apt to complain and/or resistant to fun | adj | Timid and/or apt to complain and/or resistant to fun | Clare | 17/03/’2117/03/2021 13:23:46 | – |
sorry-pardon
I trust you will forgive my trivial error | exc | I trust you will forgive my trivial error | Iliff family | 03/07/’2203/07/2022 12:26:57 | – |
sound as a pound
Highly reliable. Also: In very good health | adj | Highly reliable. Also: In very good health | Riverbankers | 05/02/’2205/02/2022 15:59:33 | – |
soya sturvya
I am sorry to disturb you | exp | I am sorry to disturb you | Riverbankers | 03/04/’2103/04/2021 13:16:28 | – |
spacemen drop-off
Specimen drop-off | n | Specimen drop-off | Felix | 27/03/’2127/03/2021 15:22:00 | 09/07/’2109/07/2021 11:31:47 |
spanish Tourette’s
The practice of unexpectedly swatting between the hands insects in flight that are too small for observers to see | n | The practice of unexpectedly swatting between the hands insects in flight that are too small for observers to see | Joy | 07/11/’2207/11/2022 00:31:52 | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 13:35:44 |
sparkling plugs
Spark plugs | n | Spark plugs | Iliff family | 27/04/’2127/04/2021 13:43:00 | – |
sparrow piss
A rain shower so nugatory that it doesn’t even wet the grass | n | A rain shower so nugatory that it doesn’t even wet the grass | Win | 18/03/’2218/03/2022 00:56:12 | – |
sparrowfart
Very early in the morning | n | Very early in the morning | Granny Dixon | 21/11/’2121/11/2021 01:30:38 | 18/03/’2218/03/2022 00:56:45 |
spearmint wino
Problem drinker who erroneously believes that sucking a mint will hide the alcohol on their breath | n | Problem drinker who erroneously believes that sucking a mint will hide the alcohol on their breath | Mark | 27/02/’2327/02/2023 12:45:46 | 27/02/’2327/02/2023 12:46:32 |
spider
The green bit of stalk on a tomato | n | The green bit of stalk on a tomato | Aunt D | 08/10/’2208/10/2022 01:23:59 | – |
spider werb
Spider’s web | n | Spider’s web | Joy | 27/06/’2127/06/2021 15:49:31 | – |
Spindleshanks
Dad’s pet name for Jane-Marie, and later for Bel | n | Dad’s pet name for Jane-Marie, and later for Bel | Dad | 28/01/’2228/01/2022 01:02:01 | 09/10/’2209/10/2022 00:07:02 |
splash and dash
Quick foray to the grocery shop | n | Quick foray to the grocery shop | Riverbankers | 01/01/’2201/01/2022 14:52:24 | – |
splash me boots!
Excuse me while I make a visit to the gents’ lavatory | exp | Excuse me while I make a visit to the gents’ lavatory | Mark | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 21:17:27 | 13/03/’2113/03/2021 22:39:03 |
spoons
The time and headspace required for a proposed undertaking | n | The time and headspace required for a proposed undertaking | Joy | 11/02/’2411/02/2024 01:26:14 | 11/02/’2411/02/2024 11:08:04 |
spose
Spouse | n | Spouse | Mark | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 15:32:29 | – |
squabble & beak
Edited¹: The Westerhoff version of bubble & squeak, comprising shallow-fried leftover potatoes and cabbage | n | Edited¹: The Westerhoff version of bubble & squeak, comprising shallow-fried leftover potatoes and cabbage | Clare | 07/01/’2407/01/2024 23:32:25 | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 15:02:45 |
square eyes
One who watches a lot of TV | n | One who watches a lot of TV | Iliff family | 02/02/’2202/02/2022 00:42:48 | – |
square measles
A QR code, one of those 2-D barcode things like… like… well, like square measles | n | A QR code, one of those 2-D barcode things like… like… well, like square measles | Mark | 28/09/’2228/09/2022 14:53:33 | – |
squashed fly biscuits
Garibaldi biscuits, the ones with currants squashed between two thin rectangles of biscuit | n | Garibaldi biscuits, the ones with currants squashed between two thin rectangles of biscuit | King family | 06/03/’2206/03/2022 23:49:05 | – |
squeamful
Like squeamish, but less indefinite | adj | Like squeamish, but less indefinite | Mark | 17/03/’2117/03/2021 13:08:30 | – |
squelchy
Intimate, sexual | adj | Intimate, sexual | Mark | 06/11/’2406/11/2024 23:20:45 | 22/11/’2422/11/2024 13:43:20 |
St Reatham
Gentrified pronunciation of the London district Streatham | n | Gentrified pronunciation of the London district Streatham | Brian | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 15:25:30 | – |
stabbing
Blood test. Can also refer to an injection | n | Blood test. Can also refer to an injection | Mark | 23/03/’2123/03/2021 23:03:32 | 21/11/’2121/11/2021 11:55:21 |
Stephen Physics
1. Personification of physics
2. Any physical law that provides an obstacle in life | n | 1. Personification of physics
2. Any physical law that provides an obstacle in life | Gareth | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 14:17:56 | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 16:11:19 |
Steve
The UK restaurant chain Bella Italia (formerly Bella Pasta) | n | The UK restaurant chain Bella Italia (formerly Bella Pasta) | Felix | 11/02/’2411/02/2024 01:21:58 | – |
stiffie
A 3½ inch diskette, an obsolete removable storage medium for computers capable of storing 1·44 MB of data – months… | n | A 3½ inch diskette, an obsolete removable storage medium for computers capable of storing 1·44 MB of data – months’ office work in the 1980s, or about a quarter of a typical digital photo in 2023 | Mark | 30/07/’2330/07/2023 23:33:44 | 10/11/’2410/11/2024 12:24:43 |
Stinkyniger
Rhosneigr, the seaside village in Anglesey | n | Rhosneigr, the seaside village in Anglesey | Dixon family | 12/05/’2112/05/2021 22:13:50 | 12/05/’2112/05/2021 22:20:05 |
Stirling Moss, chica/chico!
Goodness me, you seem to be driving exuberantly today | exc | Goodness me, you seem to be driving exuberantly today | Carmen | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 12:56:35 | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 16:20:15 |
straight-straight-straight
Straight on | exp | Straight on | M & N | 11/08/’2111/08/2021 00:23:45 | – |
stuck in me clack
Stuck in my throat | exp | Stuck in my throat | Granny Dixon | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 15:21:59 | – |
stumps (or call stumps)
Declare the end of play – call a halt to an undertaking with no defined end, or simply decide it’s bedtime | exp | Declare the end of play – call a halt to an undertaking with no defined end, or simply decide it’s bedtime | M & N | 13/03/’2113/03/2021 16:35:59 | – |
stunned mullet
One ill-suited to an employment, and apparently unaware of it | n | One ill-suited to an employment, and apparently unaware of it | Iliff family | 17/09/’2317/09/2023 00:44:53 | 18/09/’2318/09/2023 07:33:25 |
subtropical swimming paradise
Swimming pool with doodads | n | Swimming pool with doodads | Paul H | 11/09/’2311/09/2023 15:19:01 | – |
sun, sea, sand and, er…, palms
Manual self-stimulation | exp | Manual self-stimulation | Riverbankers | 28/07/’2128/07/2021 18:43:39 | – |
surface filing
A system of filing that involves leaving everything on the desktop, ie no system at all | n | A system of filing that involves leaving everything on the desktop, ie no system at all | Mark | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 15:46:09 | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 12:27:03 |
Suss-ar-ekal!
Pa’s take on his father’s take on a Sikh battle cry | exc | Pa’s take on his father’s take on a Sikh battle cry | Pa | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 22:12:35 | – |
susu
Breast; breast milk. | n | Breast; breast milk. | Clare | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 20:02:57 | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 20:04:51 |
susu bilong bulmacow
Cows’ milk | n | Cows’ milk | Clare | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 20:04:20 | – |
swave
Suave | adj | Suave | Mark | 06/11/’2406/11/2024 23:17:00 | – |
sweat cobs
Sweat profusely | v | Sweat profusely | Granny Dixon | 23/11/’2323/11/2023 23:34:23 | 08/11/’2408/11/2024 12:48:19 |
swing-door face
One who enjoys eating out | n | One who enjoys eating out | Granny Dixon | 22/10/’2322/10/2023 00:59:27 | – |
swooshbox
Dishwasher | n | Dishwasher | M & N | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 16:09:00 | – |
T-rain
Train | n | Train | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 15/11/’2215/11/2022 19:52:54 | – |
tabitha-twitchit
Fidgety, unsettled | adj | Fidgety, unsettled | Naomi | 06/11/’2406/11/2024 23:53:57 | – |
tadpoles
A musical score | n | A musical score | Mark | 02/03/’2202/03/2022 22:58:22 | 02/03/’2202/03/2022 23:02:05 |
take the smooth with the rough
After physical or mental exertion, relax without guilt | v | After physical or mental exertion, relax without guilt | Mark | 10/07/’2210/07/2022 22:49:13 | – |
takes the skin off your teeth
An effect of eating rhubarb | exp | An effect of eating rhubarb | Bel | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 15:15:23 | – |
talkie-walkie
Walkie-talkie | n | Walkie-talkie | Mark | 27/04/’2127/04/2021 13:39:44 | – |
tall, dark and handsome… and slightly out of focus
The putative ideal qualities of an attractive woman’s male consort | adj | The putative ideal qualities of an attractive woman’s male consort | Pa | 20/07/’2220/07/2022 00:09:54 | 26/07/’2226/07/2022 01:29:51 |
taramadiddle
Like taradiddle, but taradiddlier | n | Like taradiddle, but taradiddlier | Naomi | 06/07/’2106/07/2021 14:56:37 | 30/04/’2330/04/2023 10:22:44 |
tassel
Penis | n | Penis | Mark | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:15:11 | 21/11/’2121/11/2021 11:56:56 |
tasting diamonds
The experience of breathing in very cold air | v | The experience of breathing in very cold air | Joy | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 14:02:23 | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 16:09:31 |
teaching wolves to chase sledges
Misguided negotiation technique of making a concession without requiring the other party to do the same | exp | Misguided negotiation technique of making a concession without requiring the other party to do the same | Mark | 03/03/’2203/03/2022 16:21:10 | 27/02/’2327/02/2023 11:54:47 |
Teetee de Boof
Tête de Bœuf restaurant in Wootton Wawen, Warwickshire | n | Tête de Bœuf restaurant in Wootton Wawen, Warwickshire | M & N | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 15:53:27 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 15:56:26 |
tell it not in Gath
Between you and me… | exp | Between you and me… | Mark | 06/03/’2206/03/2022 23:18:39 | – |
tentacles
Testicles | n | Testicles | Mum | 28/01/’2228/01/2022 01:06:00 | – |
Teshco
Tesco, the supermarket chain | n | Tesco, the supermarket chain | Pa | 27/06/’2127/06/2021 16:11:18 | – |
testiculae loquans
Talking bollocks | adj | Talking bollocks | Mark | 05/12/’2105/12/2021 15:43:28 | 07/12/’2107/12/2021 12:04:19 |
testiculate
Employ expansive gestures whilst talking bollocks | v | Employ expansive gestures whilst talking bollocks | M & N | 11/08/’2111/08/2021 00:39:02 | 11/08/’2111/08/2021 12:23:39 |
thalassa! thalassa!
After many hours’ travel towards the seaside, there at last is the actual sea!
(thalassa = θαλασσα = sea) | exc | After many hours’ travel towards the seaside, there at last is the actual sea!
(thalassa = θαλασσα = sea) | Naomi | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:50:39 | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:54:33 |
thank you Mrs Lowsborough Goosborough
Thanks for nothing | verse | Thanks for nothing | Granny Dixon | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 00:26:27 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:14:02 |
that man did smack me with a needle!
Toddler Mark’s blubbing reaction to an inoculation which he had not expected | exc | Toddler Mark’s blubbing reaction to an inoculation which he had not expected | Mark | 16/04/’2116/04/2021 14:35:07 | – |
that’s an acquired taste: you either like it or you don’t
I don’t like it | exp | I don’t like it | Clare | 08/03/’2208/03/2022 21:22:24 | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 14:53:32 |
that’s easy for you to say
Used to someone who has just struggled to express an idea | exp | Used to someone who has just struggled to express an idea | Mark | 05/05/’2405/05/2024 00:24:42 | – |
that’s pissed on me chips!
Crikey, that occurrence has confounded my endeavours! | exp | Crikey, that occurrence has confounded my endeavours! | Mark | 21/08/’2321/08/2023 08:39:26 | 23/08/’2323/08/2023 14:18:40 |
that’s small onions
That is the end. We have done all that we are here to do | exp | That is the end. We have done all that we are here to do | Joy | 11/02/’2211/02/2022 11:36:49 | – |
that’s the badger!
Ah, *that* is the object/technique/problem/solution we were looking for | exc | Ah, *that* is the object/technique/problem/solution we were looking for | Mark | 26/05/’2126/05/2021 12:20:33 | 26/05/’2126/05/2021 12:27:52 |
that’s your shauri!
That is your problem / issue | exp | That is your problem / issue | Clare | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 01:18:35 | – |
the artist is making a joke
Its creator intended this to be funny or clever | exp | Its creator intended this to be funny or clever | Riverbankers | 18/04/’2218/04/2022 00:48:35 | – |
the blind Doges of Venice
Response to any reference to Venice, blind, blinds or dogs | exp | Response to any reference to Venice, blind, blinds or dogs | Pa | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 00:59:39 | – |
the camels are coming hurrah, hurrah!
Pa’s jingle, delivered in an Anglo-Indian lilt, to go with jiggling a small child on his knee | verse | Pa’s jingle, delivered in an Anglo-Indian lilt, to go with jiggling a small child on his knee | Clare | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 16:28:47 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 21:47:03 |
the chop
A vasectomy | n | A vasectomy | Naomi | 10/02/’2210/02/2022 15:10:33 | 10/02/’2210/02/2022 23:29:10 |
the crow makes wing to th’ rooky wood
Light thickens,
and the crow makes wing to th’ rooky wood.
Good things of day begin to droop and drowse;
While nigh… | verse | Light thickens,
and the crow makes wing to th’ rooky wood.
Good things of day begin to droop and drowse;
While night’s black agents to their preys do rouse.
—Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Act III scene 2 | Naomi | 20/06/’2320/06/2023 16:08:30 | – |
the customer is always the customer
The supplier’s job is to satisfy the wants of the customer, however unhinged they might appear | exp | The supplier’s job is to satisfy the wants of the customer, however unhinged they might appear | Mark | 12/04/’2212/04/2022 00:18:19 | – |
the door’s not shut on my genius but…
I’ll eventually prove to be brilliant | verse | I’ll eventually prove to be brilliant | Naomi | 08/03/’2208/03/2022 20:42:08 | – |
the full catastrophe
Everything; all of the thing we’re discussing | exp | Everything; all of the thing we’re discussing | Naomi | 08/03/’2208/03/2022 20:54:03 | 06/11/’2406/11/2024 22:58:50 |
the gap towns
Dorking, Woking, Reigate, Redhill, Guildford… | n | Dorking, Woking, Reigate, Redhill, Guildford… | Pa | 01/07/’2201/07/2022 12:39:55 | – |
the good ship Slap-it-with-a-ruler
Meaning obscure, but it tended to be wheeled out when ships were spoken of | exp | Meaning obscure, but it tended to be wheeled out when ships were spoken of | Granny Dixon | 12/11/’2312/11/2023 00:44:50 | 28/11/’2428/11/2024 20:35:39 |
the job’s a good ’un
We have achieved our objective | exp | We have achieved our objective | Mark | 12/02/’2212/02/2022 21:27:37 | – |
the Marmalade Bush
The Cinnamon Tree, an Indian restaurant in Mortimer near Reading that was a favourite with the Arthurs | n | The Cinnamon Tree, an Indian restaurant in Mortimer near Reading that was a favourite with the Arthurs | M & N | 24/01/’2324/01/2023 23:38:10 | 24/01/’2324/01/2023 23:54:13 |
the nut holding the steering wheel
The driver of a road vehicle | n | The driver of a road vehicle | Riverbankers | 31/08/’2231/08/2022 00:27:54 | – |
the pit is in
The fruit still contains its pip or stone | exp | The fruit still contains its pip or stone | M & N | 31/08/’2231/08/2022 00:17:23 | – |
the telephone upon the wall
Callback to:
The telephone upon the wall
Is useful when you want to call
Just push the buttons on the front
And hold … | verse | Callback to:
The telephone upon the wall
Is useful when you want to call
Just push the buttons on the front
And hold the mouthpiece to your face | Mark | 30/11/’2230/11/2022 00:53:27 | 22/01/’2422/01/2024 12:28:37 |
the value of your investment can fall as well as plummet
Mantra of the risk-averse | exp | Mantra of the risk-averse | Riverbankers | 29/12/’2229/12/2022 14:46:59 | – |
The Whizzer There Was
The Wizard of Oz | n | The Wizard of Oz | Joy | 18/03/’2218/03/2022 00:24:05 | – |
then on Friday… no, tell a lie, it was the Saturday
Caricature of that particular variety of storytelling that is long on irrelevant detail and short on, well, story | exp | Caricature of that particular variety of storytelling that is long on irrelevant detail and short on, well, story | M & N | 22/03/’2122/03/2021 23:38:07 | – |
there are gazelles in the thicket
Your beard contains unwanted matter | exp | Your beard contains unwanted matter | King family | 03/09/’2303/09/2023 10:12:01 | 31/10/’2431/10/2024 15:56:54 |
there was a young man of Tralee
Callback to the Limerish:
There was a young man of Tralee
Got stung on the nose by a wasp
When asked “Did it hurt?… | verse | Callback to the Limerish:
There was a young man of Tralee
Got stung on the nose by a wasp
When asked “Did it hurt?”
He said “No not a bit
Thank goodness it wasn’t a hornet” | Naomi | 27/05/’2127/05/2021 14:55:58 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:14:34 |
there we are then!
What a silly person! | exc | What a silly person! | Bel | 27/06/’2127/06/2021 16:13:39 | 27/06/’2127/06/2021 16:13:56 |
there’s a ghost, there’s a ghost, throw a flannel at its face!
I see you have a flannel on your face. I am about to throw another at you. The flannel already on your face will make th… | exc | I see you have a flannel on your face. I am about to throw another at you. The flannel already on your face will make this a shocking experience | Riverbanklings | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 15:00:30 | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 00:13:57 |
there’s no show without Punch
Jobs don’t get done when the person who normally does them is away | exp | Jobs don’t get done when the person who normally does them is away | Pop | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 22:36:33 | – |
thermosk
Vacuum flask | n | Vacuum flask | Clayhoffs (aka Westerdons) | 28/09/’2228/09/2022 00:19:03 | – |
they are curlews of the fenland!
Call and response upon seeing a seagull. | verse | Call and response upon seeing a seagull. | Naomi | 09/03/’2109/03/2021 16:30:32 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:15:25 |
they’ll never sell ice creams at that speed
An emergency vehicle is passing with its siren going | exp | An emergency vehicle is passing with its siren going | Iliff family | 11/02/’2211/02/2022 01:30:30 | 19/02/’2219/02/2022 21:18:42 |
those aren’t bananas they’re plantains
A baffling and unfounded denigration of bananas | exp | A baffling and unfounded denigration of bananas | Granny Dixon | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 15:20:09 | – |
thoughcus
A thought | n | A thought | Mark | 17/07/’2217/07/2022 01:03:04 | – |
three ha’p’orth of gawd help us
Disorganised, uncoordinated, a shambles | exp | Disorganised, uncoordinated, a shambles | M & N | 05/03/’2105/03/2021 13:52:40 | 08/02/’2208/02/2022 21:27:00 |
three-ee blice
Three blind mice
…from the nursery rhyme | verse | Three blind mice
…from the nursery rhyme | The Sisterhood | 26/05/’2126/05/2021 12:27:10 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:16:03 |
thunderwobbler
Spin dryer, or washing machine when spin drying | n | Spin dryer, or washing machine when spin drying | Mark | 11/03/’2111/03/2021 23:39:33 | – |
tibbit!
Shout to be given if first to sight a yellow hydrant during a car journey | exc | Shout to be given if first to sight a yellow hydrant during a car journey | G & A | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 22:42:25 | 22/10/’2322/10/2023 11:44:01 |
ticky tacky
Shoddy building material | n | Shoddy building material | King family | 16/05/’2116/05/2021 23:47:48 | 25/05/’2125/05/2021 21:41:26 |
tight as a crab’s arse under water
Unduly economy-minded | adj | Unduly economy-minded | Mark | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 15:59:03 | 10/02/’2210/02/2022 15:04:42 |
time to put clothes on
Time to get up | exp | Time to get up | Herry | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 22:18:34 | 21/08/’2321/08/2023 08:41:46 |
Tinkwinky Teapot
The TV adaptation of The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries | n | The TV adaptation of The Aurora Teagarden Mysteries | M & N | 17/07/’2217/07/2022 00:49:29 | 13/11/’2313/11/2023 11:03:01 |
tinkywinky
Cosy (of drama) | adj | Cosy (of drama) | M & N | 27/08/’2327/08/2023 23:32:15 | 27/08/’2327/08/2023 23:47:16 |
tiny dragon
The strange throat grumblings/squeakings/croakings made by an active digestive system | n | The strange throat grumblings/squeakings/croakings made by an active digestive system | Aoife | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 13:59:54 | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 16:09:08 |
tisbic
Biscuit | n | Biscuit | Jeremy | 01/07/’2201/07/2022 12:41:19 | – |
tisswiss for Mummy
Cue phrase for emptying a sleepy child during the night | exp | Cue phrase for emptying a sleepy child during the night | Evelyn | 13/05/’2213/05/2022 01:07:22 | 13/05/’2213/05/2022 11:46:06 |
toasty bombola
Heated car seat | n | Heated car seat | Mark | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 00:43:30 | 30/11/’2430/11/2024 20:25:09 |
toed in the hole
Kicked up the bum | v | Kicked up the bum | M & N | 24/04/’2324/04/2023 14:28:18 | – |
tolerably early night
An early night, which the children involved would likely find intolerable and the adults highly tolerable | exp | An early night, which the children involved would likely find intolerable and the adults highly tolerable | Granny Dixon | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 16:04:33 | – |
Tony Tortoise
Actor & TV presenter Tony Robinson | n | Actor & TV presenter Tony Robinson | M & N | 30/06/’2230/06/2022 23:11:23 | – |
too much admin
Mark’s objection to eating crab, artichoke, pomegranate, shrimp etc | exp | Mark’s objection to eating crab, artichoke, pomegranate, shrimp etc | Mark | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 15:27:07 | – |
trampampoline
Trampoline | n | Trampoline | Riverbanklings | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 13:38:47 | 04/09/’2404/09/2024 12:27:24 |
trivium
An incidental fact of little importance | n | An incidental fact of little importance | Mark | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 15:11:18 | – |
tronken
Drunk | adj | Drunk | Joy | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 15:14:57 | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 16:13:43 |
trough
Eat | v | Eat | King family | 29/12/’2229/12/2022 15:26:44 | – |
trowers
Trousers | n | Trousers | Joy | 11/02/’2211/02/2022 01:32:05 | – |
trypo
Intentional typo for typo | n | Intentional typo for typo | Mark | 05/03/’2105/03/2021 14:16:09 | – |
Turd & Cabbage
Slug & Lettuce, the restaurant chain | n | Slug & Lettuce, the restaurant chain | Mark | 27/06/’2127/06/2021 15:58:21 | – |
turn the knob on your side
Consciously unhelpful advice to someone struggling to get a door open. The ritual reply is “I haven’t got a knob on … | exp | Consciously unhelpful advice to someone struggling to get a door open. The ritual reply is “I haven’t got a knob on my side” | M & N | 25/11/’2325/11/2023 14:10:51 | 29/09/’2429/09/2024 15:32:58 |
two minutes’ silence for the joke that just died
That was a terrible joke that deserved to fall as flat as it did | exp | That was a terrible joke that deserved to fall as flat as it did | Mark | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 15:34:31 | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 15:35:38 |
two-six
Cue for concerted action; same meaning as the more customary one-two-three | exp | Cue for concerted action; same meaning as the more customary one-two-three | Mark | 12/07/’2212/07/2022 13:19:26 | – |
ump and tions
What assumptions make an ass of | exp | What assumptions make an ass of | Mark | 20/08/’2120/08/2021 21:57:34 | – |
un joo lating
Undulating, usually in reference to rolling hills | adj | Undulating, usually in reference to rolling hills | Win | 20/01/’2320/01/2023 00:45:21 | – |
undercrackers
Underpants | n | Underpants | Mark | 05/02/’2205/02/2022 21:38:15 | – |
undercrunk
Strip of pebbles just below the waterline on an otherwise sandy beach | n | Strip of pebbles just below the waterline on an otherwise sandy beach | Mark | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 13:46:38 | 07/03/’2107/03/2021 12:05:26 |
underneath-th-th
A woman’s ladyparts | n | A woman’s ladyparts | M & N | 24/01/’2324/01/2023 23:31:54 | – |
uninvited guest at every conversation
TV | n | TV | Granny Dixon | 05/07/’2105/07/2021 18:08:16 | – |
unleaded
Decaffeinated | adj | Decaffeinated | Pa | 12/05/’2112/05/2021 21:50:33 | – |
unmatched pointer
A loose end; an unresolved issue | n | A loose end; an unresolved issue | Naomi | 18/03/’2218/03/2022 00:36:34 | – |
up to a point, Lord Copper
No | exp | No | Paul H | 27/06/’2127/06/2021 15:46:16 | – |
up your end
Phrase used when passing vegetable dishes around a dining table | exp | Phrase used when passing vegetable dishes around a dining table | Arthur family | 18/04/’2218/04/2022 00:38:24 | – |
Useless
James Joyce’s Ulysses | n | James Joyce’s Ulysses | Riverbankers | 13/05/’2213/05/2022 00:59:08 | 13/05/’2213/05/2022 01:00:08 |
vacs up nice
Responds well to treatment with a vacuum cleaner | adj | Responds well to treatment with a vacuum cleaner | M & N | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 12:28:45 | – |
varia cum fortuna
With absolutely no success whatsoever | exp | With absolutely no success whatsoever | Mark | 06/11/’2406/11/2024 23:06:52 | 06/11/’2406/11/2024 23:46:50 |
vauum
The sound of a vacuum-flush lavatory | n | The sound of a vacuum-flush lavatory | M & N | 04/03/’2104/03/2021 13:07:31 | 05/03/’2105/03/2021 14:42:24 |
village aunty
Vigilante | n | Vigilante | Iliff family | 19/08/’2119/08/2021 12:48:38 | – |
visitors! Not visitors AGAIN!
Refrain in a poem the 7-year-old Naomi wrote expressing the kids’ dislike of the use of their home as a University Vis… | verse | Refrain in a poem the 7-year-old Naomi wrote expressing the kids’ dislike of the use of their home as a University Visitors’ Centre by Pa | King family | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 15:06:13 | – |
Vladdy the Baddy
Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, sometime thug and latterly president of Russia… and thug | n | Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, sometime thug and latterly president of Russia… and thug | M & N | 25/11/’2325/11/2023 16:23:53 | 25/11/’2325/11/2023 18:14:08 |
vladivostok
(Exclamation for covering a belch ) | exc | (Exclamation for covering a belch ) | Granny Dixon | 17/03/’2117/03/2021 21:11:27 | – |
vogon
Vegan | adj | Vegan | Riverbankers | 07/11/’2207/11/2022 00:20:03 | – |
vollay!
I am about to hit you | exc | I am about to hit you | Mark | 01/07/’2201/07/2022 12:50:33 | – |
vollyvongs
The small puff pastry cases known as vols-au-vent, used for appetisers and desserts | n | The small puff pastry cases known as vols-au-vent, used for appetisers and desserts | Iliff family | 01/07/’2201/07/2022 13:37:05 | – |
VP-tent
Vickers VC10, a commercial airliner | n | Vickers VC10, a commercial airliner | King family | 30/09/’2430/09/2024 10:48:24 | 30/09/’2430/09/2024 11:16:22 |
vulture capitalist
Venture capitalist | n | Venture capitalist | Mark | 05/12/’2105/12/2021 15:51:48 | – |
wacha kelele
Be quiet! Pipe down! Shut up! | exc | Be quiet! Pipe down! Shut up! | King family | 30/09/’2430/09/2024 10:57:41 | – |
wadundudundu
Sleeping policeman (speed bump) intended as a traffic-calming measure | n | Sleeping policeman (speed bump) intended as a traffic-calming measure | King family | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 14:45:08 | 28/08/’2328/08/2023 10:31:38 |
wall botherer
Hammer drill | n | Hammer drill | Aoife | 24/01/’2324/01/2023 23:33:11 | – |
Waly Disneq
Walt Disney | n | Walt Disney | Mark | 07/11/’2107/11/2021 23:09:50 | – |
wankpalazzo
Stately home | n | Stately home | Mark | 04/05/’2404/05/2024 23:51:38 | – |
wankpanzer
Large agricultural vehicle when chosen for use in an urban environment | n | Large agricultural vehicle when chosen for use in an urban environment | Mark | 12/04/’2212/04/2022 00:14:28 | 08/11/’2408/11/2024 12:56:10 |
warned in a dream
Take a different route | exp | Take a different route | M & N | 06/09/’2106/09/2021 01:00:55 | 06/09/’2106/09/2021 01:07:54 |
warning-warning
Everything is fine | exp | Everything is fine | M & N | 05/02/’2205/02/2022 21:31:39 | 21/01/’2421/01/2024 11:35:25 |
Warr-Doorr
Wardour Street in London, a centre of the film industry | n | Wardour Street in London, a centre of the film industry | M & N | 21/11/’2121/11/2021 01:22:56 | – |
wash horses
Wash hair | v | Wash hair | Naomi | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 00:45:30 | 24/03/’2124/03/2021 13:55:02 |
washing machine
A water’s-edge game: while able to stand, hold hands facing inwards in a ring; float & kick legs to make a splash,… | n | A water’s-edge game: while able to stand, hold hands facing inwards in a ring; float & kick legs to make a splash, and if possible get some rotation going. For 4+ participants | Mum | 28/07/’2128/07/2021 14:00:33 | 28/07/’2128/07/2021 14:08:04 |
watergasm
The feeling of bliss achieved when cold-water swimming (usually below 12°C) after your body has overcome the shock and … | n | The feeling of bliss achieved when cold-water swimming (usually below 12°C) after your body has overcome the shock and pain of entering the water and before the cold dangerously enters your core leading to hypothermia. A sense of calm when you feel at one with the natural world, totally relaxed and unaware of time | Bel | 22/10/’2422/10/2024 16:40:57 | 22/10/’2422/10/2024 16:43:12 |
we are the cockyolly birds all red and green and gold
Fragment of a song Evelyn suddenly burst into after it sat dormant and unsung in her memory for 40 years | verse | Fragment of a song Evelyn suddenly burst into after it sat dormant and unsung in her memory for 40 years | Evelyn | 07/03/’2207/03/2022 00:24:35 | – |
we won’t have to go to Wales now I brung yer ’ere
Now we have seen this poor model, imitation or ersatz version, we won’t have to visit the real thing | exp | Now we have seen this poor model, imitation or ersatz version, we won’t have to visit the real thing | M & N | 20/07/’2220/07/2022 00:14:34 | 09/12/’2209/12/2022 00:10:39 |
wee board
The pastry base of a tart | n | The pastry base of a tart | Uncle Frank | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 13:44:27 | – |
wee knights
Week nights | n | Week nights | M & N | 02/02/’2202/02/2022 00:39:54 | 02/02/’2202/02/2022 10:53:01 |
well and truly sought after
Under pressure | adj | Under pressure | Naomi | 08/10/’2208/10/2022 01:20:03 | – |
well that barrel didn’t need scraping
This work is eploitative, deceptive, manipulative, inept or otherwise objectionable… and to an even greater degree tha… | exp | This work is eploitative, deceptive, manipulative, inept or otherwise objectionable… and to an even greater degree than previous similar works | Mark | 02/04/’2402/04/2024 18:07:37 | 02/04/’2402/04/2024 18:22:11 |
wellcome home
Welcome home | exp | Welcome home | Bel | 16/03/’2116/03/2021 14:23:23 | 22/01/’2422/01/2024 12:18:36 |
Wert
A bird sculpted in alabaster by Mum | n | A bird sculpted in alabaster by Mum | Mum | 11/02/’2411/02/2024 01:10:48 | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 01:30:28 |
we’ve squeezed the goodness out of that
All the interesting or entertaining aspects of this topic have now been exhausted | exp | All the interesting or entertaining aspects of this topic have now been exhausted | M & N | 01/03/’2201/03/2022 14:59:24 | – |
whackers
Lies | n | Lies | King family | 02/03/’2102/03/2021 00:01:29 | – |
whackysticky
Border morris dancing, the flavour of that noble art that involves the percussive use of staves | n | Border morris dancing, the flavour of that noble art that involves the percussive use of staves | Mark | 03/03/’2203/03/2022 14:03:02 | – |
what a day dad had!
Father has suffered some setbacks today | exc | Father has suffered some setbacks today | Riverbankers | 10/07/’2210/07/2022 16:00:45 | – |
what a fall of royalty!
Goodness, those picture cards were badly defeated! | exc | Goodness, those picture cards were badly defeated! | Granny Dixon | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 18:04:02 | – |
what about a water bottle Wattle?
The sound of a fart while bathing | exp | The sound of a fart while bathing | Mark | 24/01/’2324/01/2023 23:51:13 | 25/01/’2325/01/2023 10:53:51 |
what has it got in its pocketses?
What do you have in your pocket? (or What does that person have in their pocket?) | exp | What do you have in your pocket? (or What does that person have in their pocket?) | Naomi | 04/05/’2404/05/2024 23:57:30 | 05/05/’2405/05/2024 00:42:16 |
what mind is here o’erthrown
What was they thinking? That is an uncharacteristically ill-considered remark, decision or action. That contrivance is u… | exp | What was they thinking? That is an uncharacteristically ill-considered remark, decision or action. That contrivance is unnecessarily complex | Pa | 23/03/’2123/03/2021 23:02:04 | 02/12/’2402/12/2024 08:26:07 |
what will you have? said the waiter
A callback to this ditty:
“What will you have?” said the waiter, pensively picking his nose
“Two boiled eggs, yo… | exp | A callback to this ditty:
“What will you have?” said the waiter, pensively picking his nose
“Two boiled eggs, you scoundrel – you won’t get your fingers in those” | Dad | 12/05/’2112/05/2021 21:54:45 | 29/12/’2129/12/2021 12:24:28 |
whearr be ye to?
Where are you? | exp | Where are you? | Clare | 27/02/’2327/02/2023 12:12:57 | – |
when a man is tired of Bracknell…
Callback to:
When a man is tired of Bracknell he has been there 20 mins | exp | Callback to:
When a man is tired of Bracknell he has been there 20 mins | Riverbankers | 10/03/’2210/03/2022 18:25:10 | – |
when I was a little girl like you…
Pa’s teasing approach to storytelling:
Pa: When I was a little girl like you…
Small ♀: You weren’t a little gi… | exp | Pa’s teasing approach to storytelling:
Pa: When I was a little girl like you…
Small ♀: You weren’t a little girl!
Pa: Then, when I was a little boy like you…
Small ♀: But I am not a little boy!
↻ repeat until one party cracks | Pa | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 16:13:18 | – |
when you get to the final, you win
When you make it to the final of a competition, you expect to win | exp | When you make it to the final of a competition, you expect to win | M & N | 18/04/’2218/04/2022 00:44:45 | 26/11/’2426/11/2024 20:35:00 |
where we have been no-one shall find, For not a trace have we left behind
Reminder to all, when leaving a spot they had spent time in, to look back to check they have taken all their stuff with … | verse | Reminder to all, when leaving a spot they had spent time in, to look back to check they have taken all their stuff with them.
Callback to:
Where we have been no one can find,
Not a trace have we left behind.
Only the people we’ve helped today
Know that the Brownies have passed this way. | Evelyn | 08/03/’2208/03/2022 22:59:52 | 09/03/’2209/03/2022 13:12:15 |
where we have been, no-one can tell
We have left this picnic spot, beach or other location as we found it – well done us | exp | We have left this picnic spot, beach or other location as we found it – well done us | King family | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 13:28:52 | 06/03/’2106/03/2021 14:14:02 |
where’s the yucky bowl?
This meal is not entirely palatable | exp | This meal is not entirely palatable | Laurie | 23/04/’2123/04/2021 23:17:43 | 26/11/’2426/11/2024 16:16:41 |
which is why I’m bothering telling you so
Used after explaining the relevance of an apparently tangential comment | exp | Used after explaining the relevance of an apparently tangential comment | Riverbankers | 11/08/’2411/08/2024 00:35:56 | – |
which wind begins with F?
Callback to a question asked while trying to figure out how to play mah jong | exp | Callback to a question asked while trying to figure out how to play mah jong | Dad | 07/11/’2207/11/2022 00:47:51 | – |
while you’re on your feet…
By standing up you have made yourself liable for any tasks that I want doing (such as bringing us all a cup of tea) | exp | By standing up you have made yourself liable for any tasks that I want doing (such as bringing us all a cup of tea) | Mum | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 15:33:18 | – |
whin
Gooseberry | n | Gooseberry | Dad | 07/11/’2207/11/2022 00:27:52 | – |
whipper snipper
String trimmer, the powered tool for trimming grass and brush. | n | String trimmer, the powered tool for trimming grass and brush. | Clare | 28/09/’2228/09/2022 00:16:06 | – |
white horse
A perfect guest | n | A perfect guest | JM | 21/03/’2221/03/2022 00:58:39 | – |
white seals
White folk swimming in the Thames, especially before the suntan season | n | White folk swimming in the Thames, especially before the suntan season | Riverbankers | 30/03/’2130/03/2021 15:32:16 | – |
whocares
County when filling in a web form | n | County when filling in a web form | Mark | 03/04/’2103/04/2021 13:36:41 | 26/11/’2426/11/2024 20:29:22 |
who’s died?
Your flies are undone | exp | Your flies are undone | Win | 30/03/’2230/03/2022 00:54:24 | – |
who’s going round the roundabout?
(Rhetorical) | verse | (Rhetorical) | Uncle Tony | 19/03/’2119/03/2021 15:42:18 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:17:46 |
who’s “she” – the cat’s mother?
Refer to women by their names, not pronouns! | exc | Refer to women by their names, not pronouns! | Granny Dixon | 03/04/’2103/04/2021 13:21:19 | 03/04/’2103/04/2021 13:37:13 |
Whydofools
The Cornish amber ale Doom Bar | n | The Cornish amber ale Doom Bar | Mark | 31/08/’2231/08/2022 00:09:08 | 01/10/’2401/10/2024 11:44:47 |
william-nilliam
Willy-nilly, which is to say haphazardly | adv | Willy-nilly, which is to say haphazardly | Mark | 30/07/’2330/07/2023 23:25:24 | – |
windowscreen
A vehicle’s windscreen | n | A vehicle’s windscreen | M & N | 01/07/’2201/07/2022 13:40:46 | 21/10/’2421/10/2024 15:09:59 |
winnebago
A Milwaukee brand tape measure | n | A Milwaukee brand tape measure | Naomi | 30/03/’2230/03/2022 01:24:26 | – |
wishywashy place
The under-bed compartment that serves as a laundry basket at Heron Island | n | The under-bed compartment that serves as a laundry basket at Heron Island | Riverbanklings | 27/05/’2127/05/2021 14:16:29 | 21/11/’2121/11/2021 13:09:57 |
wisp
Whist | n | Whist | Joy | 30/03/’2130/03/2021 21:14:10 | – |
with two plombs
With consummate poise and assurance | adj | With consummate poise and assurance | Mark | 25/11/’2325/11/2023 14:00:02 | – |
wi’ oor knickers hangin’ doon
Obligatory rejoinder to “we’re off tae toon” | exp | Obligatory rejoinder to “we’re off tae toon” | Naomi | 24/03/’2124/03/2021 15:49:47 | – |
wo der Kaiser zu fuss geht
The seat of ease, lavatory, boggo or whatever you choose to call it | n | The seat of ease, lavatory, boggo or whatever you choose to call it | Clare | 28/09/’2228/09/2022 00:08:36 | – |
wobblevoice
Singing with vibrato, especially when taken to excess | n | Singing with vibrato, especially when taken to excess | Mark | 04/09/’2104/09/2021 13:13:35 | 11/02/’2211/02/2022 01:18:00 |
wobulence
Mild turbulence | n | Mild turbulence | Mark | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 13:23:14 | – |
WOMBAT
Waste of money, brains and time | n | Waste of money, brains and time | Mark | 05/03/’2105/03/2021 14:19:07 | 05/03/’2105/03/2021 14:44:08 |
word association football
Word association | n | Word association | M & N | 11/08/’2411/08/2024 00:45:57 | – |
worms’ boggin’ holes
Worm casts on a lawn | n | Worm casts on a lawn | King family | 28/09/’2228/09/2022 14:59:36 | – |
Wrox-ham
The Norfolk town Wroxham | verse | The Norfolk town Wroxham | Riverbankers | 26/07/’2426/07/2024 16:22:17 | 06/11/’2406/11/2024 18:35:24 |
wut‽
Like what‽, but whattier | exc | Like what‽, but whattier | Riverbankers | 16/04/’2116/04/2021 14:39:43 | – |
yam all right our kid?
Do you fare well, sibling? | exp | Do you fare well, sibling? | Mark | 20/03/’2120/03/2021 16:04:23 | – |
yellow is mellow, but if it’s brown flush it down
Flush poo but not pee | exp | Flush poo but not pee | Pa | 08/03/’2108/03/2021 14:11:13 | – |
Yizanastikov the Russian
He has a nasty cough | exp | He has a nasty cough | Granny Dixon | 30/01/’2230/01/2022 13:16:53 | – |
you are my sunshine, my only sunshine
The song:
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You’ll never know, dear, how mu… | verse | The song:
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You’ll never know, dear, how much I love you!
Please don’t take my sunshine away! | King family | 04/03/’2204/03/2022 16:21:20 | 05/03/’2205/03/2022 22:18:24 |
You are very ugly today, Pa / Ma Ubu!
A gently loving greeting to one’s spouse in the morning | exp | A gently loving greeting to one’s spouse in the morning | Clare | 28/02/’2228/02/2022 15:59:35 | 28/11/’2428/11/2024 20:39:52 |
you can go off people
A person I have hitherto admired has done or said something reprehensible | exp | A person I have hitherto admired has done or said something reprehensible | Mum | 27/04/’2127/04/2021 13:36:54 | – |
you daft ha’p’orth!
That is entertainingly silly | exc | That is entertainingly silly | Granny Dixon | 07/04/’2107/04/2021 21:50:47 | 08/04/’2108/04/2021 09:34:43 |
you may walk down the garden to pick corn, but you must run back!
One of Clare’s gardening homilies based on the fact that the moment you pick corn, the sugars (yummy) start to change … | exp | One of Clare’s gardening homilies based on the fact that the moment you pick corn, the sugars (yummy) start to change to carbohydrates (dull) | Clare | 28/07/’2428/07/2024 14:20:27 | – |
you must give me the recipe
That meal was appalling | exp | That meal was appalling | Pa | 20/03/’2120/03/2021 16:05:58 | 21/03/’2121/03/2021 15:49:53 |
your egg’s broken
One of the things I’m cooking for us is less perfect than the other, and I’ve decided to give it to you | exp | One of the things I’m cooking for us is less perfect than the other, and I’ve decided to give it to you | M & N | 27/05/’2127/05/2021 14:48:51 | 26/11/’2426/11/2024 20:26:14 |
your tiny hand is frozen!
Your hand (not necessarily tiny) is frozen | verse | Your hand (not necessarily tiny) is frozen | Naomi | 09/03/’2109/03/2021 16:26:46 | 19/03/’2219/03/2022 22:38:55 |
you’ve all done very well
You’ve all done very well | exp | You’ve all done very well | Mum | 19/03/’2319/03/2023 13:41:18 | – |
yow cor wack it
That would be hard to beat | exp | That would be hard to beat | Mark | 18/12/’2118/12/2021 14:56:54 | 31/12/’2131/12/2021 13:37:17 |
yuckerypoogens!
Indicates that a thing is more than ordinarily messy or disgusting | exc | Indicates that a thing is more than ordinarily messy or disgusting | Naomi | 10/07/’2210/07/2022 16:24:14 | – |
zembil
Large basket, tub, trug or storage bucket | n | Large basket, tub, trug or storage bucket | Naomi | 30/07/’2330/07/2023 23:44:25 | 19/08/’2319/08/2023 10:25:04 |
zizzer-zoof seeds
Features, especially in software, “which nobody wants, because nobody needs” | n | Features, especially in software, “which nobody wants, because nobody needs” | Riverbankers | 03/03/’2103/03/2021 13:25:12 | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 16:13:19 |
zlotniks
A wedgie | n | A wedgie | Mark | 12/03/’2112/03/2021 15:21:41 | 29/12/’2129/12/2021 12:45:06 |
__y-tiger
Completed with the relationship e.g. mummy/wifey/spousey to mean being naturally protective of someone with whom you hav… | adj | Completed with the relationship e.g. mummy/wifey/spousey to mean being naturally protective of someone with whom you have that relationship | Naomi | 12/02/’2412/02/2024 14:13:51 | 29/09/’2429/09/2024 15:12:27 |
’twill fit!!
Despite signs to the contrary, this jigsaw piece WILL fit! | exc | Despite signs to the contrary, this jigsaw piece WILL fit! | Granny Collard | 08/03/’2208/03/2022 22:44:53 | – |
Iliff-King phrasebook