reef v. to use (excessive) force, especially when hitting, pulling, or twisting (on something). Editorial Note: Jonathon Green’s Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang has a related definition, “to gouge out, to attack, to remove forcibly” and...
spinster-man n.— «At 44, and still a “spinster-man” as he calls it, he meets a woman at a wedding, and she makes such an impression that he nonchalantly puts his arm in the punch bowl.» —“Music adds a bit of Irish to...
blow a hoolie v. phr. (of weather) to storm; to forcefully gust, blow, and rain. Editorial Note: The stand-alone hoolie ‘a severe storm’ is rare outside of the blow a hoolie construction. It is sometimes spelled hooley. Etymological Note: Perhaps...
TATT n.— «As they say in the medical profession, the Government is “TATT”—tired all the time.» —“Harney driven by ‘political desperation’ when stating problems of A&E units” by Sandra Ryan Irish...
holy moly n.— «Next, the sending of the invitations, the seating arrangement for the top table, where the bride and groom would be enthroned, the arrangements as to whom speaks to whom and where to put the old holy molies (irish term for...
dodgepot n.— «Re Brazil’s goalkeeper—Alan Hansen: “Brazil are great going forward, terrfic, but their goalkeeper is an absolute dodgepot.” Jimmy Hill: “It doesn’t take a genius to see that their goalkeeper is slightly...