Appeals list

The list given below contains words and phrases which have appeared in the OED News Appeals Lists since 1995. Items marked with an asterisk appear in the most recent issue of OED News.

Words or phrases which appear on the Appeals List are those currently being drafted or revised for the Oxford English Dictionary for which the documentary evidence is incomplete. Often these are slang or colloquial items which cannot be researched in specialist texts and are most likely to be turned up by a general reader in popular or non-specialized literature.

Usually the appeal is for an earlier example than our current earliest (e.g. ‘antedate 1970’ for a word for which our earliest example comes from 1970), but sometimes the appeal is for an interdating where there is a large gap in the OED's quotation evidence (e.g. ‘interdate 1589-1910’). Occasionally we ask for a postdating (e.g. ‘postdate 1875’), if an editor feels that an item being revised is still current but has failed to find any recent examples through the usual avenues of research.

Words and phrases for which we have already received some helpful information are printed in faint type, like this, followed by their current status in parentheses.

If you can help with any of these appeals, please send information to oed3@oup.com.

acidy adj. (resembling acid; sharp, vinegary):

antedate 1970

(now antedated to 1887)

afferently adv.:

antedate 1968

(now antedated to 1923)

alkalimetrically adv.:

postdate 1924

(now postdated to 2001)

all mouth and no trousers:

antedate 1993

(now antedated to 1987)

all mouth and trousers:

antedate 1966

there is a rotten/bad apple in every barrel:

antedate 1971

(now antedated to 1855)

arith. n. and adj. = arithmetic(al):

interdate 1922-1983; any exx. of = arithmetical

(now interdated; antedate 1911)

arse about face (topsy turvy) (adv. or adj. phr.):

antedate 1990

(now antedated to 1946)

arsey adj. (irritable, arrogant):

antedate 1989

artily adv.:

antedate 1961

ash v. trans. (flick ash from (a cigarette)):

antedate 1939

(now antedated to 1930)

as if! (incredulous int.):

interdate 1902-1981

asteroid field:

antedate 1980

(now antedated to 1947)

astringe v. intr. (bind, constrict):

post-18th-century evidence required

(interdate 1759-1982)

astrophysically adv.:

antedate 1968

(now antedated to 1923)

asynchronously adv.:

antedate 1968

(now antedated to 1892)

attack is the best form of defence:

antedate 1930

(interdate 1799-1914)

authority figure:

antedate 1954

(now antedated to 1948)

awardee:

antedate 1958

(now antedated to 1943)

baby blues = (blue) eyes:

antedate 1972

(now antedated to 1943)

baby shower (U.S.):

antedate 1967

(now antedated to 1937)

bachelor pad:

antedate 1976

(now antedated to 1963)

back issue (of periodical):

antedate 1975

(now antedated to 1868)

backie n. (Children's slang, = a lift on one's back, a lift on the back of one's bicycle):

any written evidence of N & SE English children's usage.

back-to-back, adv. phr. (of parallel testing of two or more comparable items, esp. cars):

antedate 1983

(now antedated to 1979)

my bad int. (my fault):

antedate 1987

(now antedated to 1986)

baku (Japanese mythical eater of dreams):

antedate 1902, interdate 1902-87

batter v. (to beg):

postdate 1935

(postdate 1917, intransitive)

(postdate 1937, transitive)

bawheid n. (Scottish: a person with a round face, a fool):

antedate 1985

Beantowner n. (person from Boston):

antedate 1961

(now antedated to 1915)

to bear in with (Naut. to approach):

postdate 1607 (in contextual use)

(postdate 1686, contextual)

to be in with a chance:

antedate 1982, as in ‘to be in [etc.]’

(now antedated to 1929, as ‘to fall in [etc.]’)

to have been (to have been to the toilet, e.g. ‘Have you been?’; ‘Go to the toilet!’ ‘I've been’):

any evidence

(examples of 1959 and 1958 added; earlier and later still needed)

been there, done that:

antedate 1991

(now antedated to 1983)

bee-stung adj. (of a woman's lips):

antedate 1953

(now antedated to 1858)

Belle Epoque (turn-of-century France):

antedate 1960

(now antedated to 1950)

Bellini (peach & champagne cocktail):

antedate 1965

bender n. (homosexual):

antedate 1972

be there for:

antedate 1988

(now antedated to 1936)

bicameralism n.:

antedate 1966

(now antedated to 1906)

big girl's blouse:

antedate 1983

(now antedated to 1969)

bike v. trans. (to deliver, or arrange for delivery, by (motor)cycle courier):

antedate 1990

(now antedated to 1987)

bitch-slap n. or v.:

antedate 1991

(noun now antedated to 1987; verb still needs antedating for 1991)

blank v. (also blanked ppl. adj.) (= ignored, ostracized)

antedate 1977

bleatingly adv.:

antedate 1986

(now antedated to 1922)

bn. (written abbrev. of ‘billion’):

antedate 1974

bobbins n. pl. (rubbish):

antedate 1991

bodice-ripper n. (explicit romantic novel):

antedate 1981

(now antedated to 1980)

bookable adj. (Football: e.g. ‘bookable offence’):

antedate 1982

(now antedated to 1975)

bosting adj. (chiefly W. Midlands: excellent, superb):

antedate 1974

bouncy castle:

antedate 1986

box standard (in standard manufactured form; basic, or unmodified. Apparently orig. applied to motorcycles, possibly from 1950s):

antedate 1983

boyf (boyfriend):

antedate 1993

(now antedated to 1990)

brief (n.: barrister, lawyer):

antedate 1970

(now antedated to 1935)

brights (n.: headlights on full beam):

antedate 1961

cane (it) v. (to take lots of drink/drugs):

antedate 1993

caned ppl. adj. (drunk, drugged):

antedate 1994

(now antedated to 1992)

cark (it) v. (to die):

antedate 1977, and any British evidence

cat in the meal-tub:

antedate 1849; any 20^th century evidence

(now antedated to 1839)

antedate 1839; any 20^th century evidence

chance is/was a fine thing:

postdate 1950

(now postdated; antedate 1912)

chance would be a fine thing:

antedate 1981

(now antedated to 1969)

chat-up (a.: designating or relating to flirtatious conversation)

antedate 1986

chip van (n.):

antedate 1953

Chrimbo/Crimbo (= Christmas):

antedate 1989

(now antedated to 1928)

chuffing adj. (e.g. a ‘chuffing train’):

antedate 1920

chuffing n. (e.g. ‘the chuffing of the train’):

antedate 1984

(now antedated to 1948)

claustrophobe n. (a sufferer of claustrophobia):

antedate 1974

(now antedated to 1957)

clean sheet (an instance of no goals being scored in a match):

antedate 1962

(now antedated to 1931)

constipatedly (adv.):

antedate 1961

control freakery

antedate 1990

Crimble (= Christmas):

antedate 1987

(now antedated to 1963)

curvy adj. (of woman or woman's figure):

antedate 1961

(now antedated to 1958)

cwtch (noun: Welsh English, a cupboard or cubby-hole, a hiding place)

antedate 1973 with non-glossarial evidence

cwtch (noun: Welsh English, a cuddle, a hug)

antedate 1992

cwtch (verb: Welsh English, to hug)

antedate 1965

dead leg (noun: numb leg, esp. as a result of a kick etc.)

antedate 1987

deadleg (verb: give someone a dead leg)

antedate 1972

do someone's head in (confuse, annoy, etc.):

antedate 1989

D'oh!, Doh! (Expression of frustration used when a person has done something stupid; popularized by Homer Simpson);

antedate 1993

(now antedated to 1945)

donkey (n.: (S. Afr.) primitive water-heating device)

antedate 1997

donor fatigue:

antedate 1984

(now antedated to 1973)

don't call us .. (we'll call you) (phr.):

antedate 1987, or any exx. in print

(now antedated to 1959; variants also accepted (e.g. with ‘ring’))

doobrey (noun: a 'thingummy')

antedate 1984

dowager's hump:

antedate 1970

(now antedated to 1927)

driven adj. (as by ambition, urgency etc.):

antedate 1932

Dutch pot n. (an earthenware or iron cooking pot):

any 19th century evidence (to interdate 1794 and 1930)

easy peasy:

antedate 1976

editrix:

antedate 1845

fabbo: adj.

antedate 1984

fabby: adj.

antedate 1971

face (phr. out of / off one's face, = drunk/drugged):

pre-1972 and 1972-90 exx. required

antedate 1972

fanny about or around:

antedate 1971

felch v.:

antedate 1972

felching vbl. n.:

antedate 1991

(now antedated to 1989)

fell off (the back of) a lorry/truck:

antedate 1973

(now antedated to 1968)

Fred Nerk (imaginary person):

any evidence

(exx. of Fred Nerk are no longer required; nerk has been dated to 1955)

the full monty:

antedate 1985

full-on adj. and adv. (all-out, unrestrained):

pre-1985 evidence in context

(antedated to 1970 contextually, and to 1893 in glossaries)

gaffer tape:

antedate 1986 (for gaffer tape); antedate 1977 (for gaffer's tape)

G and T (gin and tonic):

antedate 1960

gay (stupid; ‘lame’):

antedate 1978

get one's head (a)round (comprehend, master):

interdate 1922-81

get real!:

any pre-1987 non-glossarial evidence

(antedated to 1980 contextually)

to give someone one (= sex):

antedate 1984

(now antedated to 1973)

glatt kosher:

antedate 1973

(now antedated to 1970)

to go off on one (launch into a tirade):

antedate 1993

grandkid:

antedate 1948

(now antedated to 1913)

granny-sit v.:

antedate 1979

granny-sitting n.:

antedate 1985

(now antedated to 1980)

happy-clappy n. and adj. (of evangelical Christians):

antedate 1990

history (in phr.‘the rest is history’):

antedate 1976

(now antedated to 1877)

history (as in ‘you're history’):

antedate 1983

(now antedated to 1980)

hoodie n. (a hooded jacket, sweatshirt, or other garment):

antedate 1990

Hungarian (attrib., in Computing):

antedate 1986

jigger v. trans. (to adjust (figures, etc), to tamper with):

antedate 1976

(now antedated to 1961, and 1958 in intrans. use)

joined-up writing/handwriting:

antedate 1983

jus (sauce or gravy, in English context):

antedate 1965

(now antedated to 1889)

kebab van (n.):

antedate 1990

keepy-up (the action or game of keeping a ball in the air for as long as possible by bouncing it a number of times off any part of the body except the hands and arms; an instance of this):

antedate 1958

keepy-uppy (n. keepy-up):

antedate 1983

keyboarder n. (a person who enters data into a computer):

antedate 1971

(now antedated to 1954)

kinkily adv.:

antedate 1964

kit (clothing; esp. in ‘to get one's kit off’, to strip):

antedate 1985

labourism, (U.S.) laborism n. (in general use, an outlook emphasizing workers' solidarity):

antedate 1976

lance the boil (fig. use only):

antedate 1993

(now antedated to 1960)

laybacking n. (Mountaineering):

antedate 1955

leeriness n.:

antedate 1976

(now antedated to 1968)

libidinally adv.:

antedate 1967

(now antedated to 1923)

limoncello or lemoncello (a lemon-flavoured Italian liqueur):

antedate 1993

listen up v. (freq. imperative, = pay attention):

antedate 1970

literately adv.

antedate 1978

(now antedated to 1954)

lumber n. (esp. Scottish, = a casual pick-up, a date):

antedate 1966

machinable adj. (capable of being processed by machine):

antedate 1960

(now antedated to 1957)

made up (Liverpool, = happy):

antedate 1980

madreporian adj. and n.:

any evidence

1883 found for adj.

later examples of adj., and any examples of the noun still needed

mailer n. (= catalogue/brochure sent by post):

antedate 1958

ma mie (= my dear):

postdate 1901

(now postdated to 1933)

mannerlessness n.:

antedate 1947

manpower v. (to provide or run (a business, project, factory, etc.) with human labour):

antedate 1991

(now antedated to 1950)

manual adj. (of the gearbox/transmission of a car):

antedate 1962

(now antedated to 1926)

mare n. (colloq., = nightmare, bad experience):

antedate 1996

(now antedated to 1994)

Marie Rose (sauce served with prawns):

antedate 1973

market-ripe (regional, = ready for marriage):

postdate 1891

(now postdated to 1996; interdate 1891 and 1996)

massy adj. (Physics: not massless)

1961 or earlier

(now antedated to 1718)

maternalistic adj.:

antedate 1974

(now antedated to 1935)

medicable adj.

postdate 1919

(sense 2 now postdated to 1996 and extended use added; sense 1 needs 1919 postdated)

mediocrely:

antedate 1987

(now antedated to 1982)

megalitre:

antedate 1971

megiston n. (a very large number):

antedate 1966 and postdate 1972

(now antedated to 1950, postdated to 1992)

Memphian adj. (of or relating to Memphis, Tennessee)

postdate 1861

(now postdated to 1995; interdating 1861-1987 now needed)

mendacious adj.

any 18th century example

(18th century examples now added)

mendacity adj.

any 18th century example

men in black (people believed to visit those who claim to have had an alien encounter):

antedate 1986

(now antedated to 1963)

mess up (beat up; sustain or cause injury to):

antedate 1982 (non-glossarial)

(now antedated to 1915)

M/F, m/f (abbrev. male/female):

antedate 1976

miaow n. (cry of a cat):

antedate 1840

miaow v. (of a cat: to cry):

antedate 1963

(now antedated to 1632)

microfine adj.

antedate 1961

(now antedated to 1959)

midhusband n.:

antedate 1984

mile n. (in phr.: to go the extra mile):

antedate 1957

(now antedated to 1907)

also variant phr. to go the second mile

antedate 1922

milk drink:

antedate 1935

(now antedated to 1863)

milk stout:

antedate 1942

(now antedated to 1936)

the mind boggles:

antedate 1942

(now antedated to 1899)

mind-boggling:

antedate 1964

(now antedated to 1955)

great minds think alike:

antedate 1873

(interdate 1755-1873)

mine n. (my place, house):

antedate 1997

(now antedated to a1825

minority n. (member of minority group):

antedate 1976

(now antedated to 1951)

minted a. (rich):

antedate 1995

minus v. (to subtract):

antedate 1984

(now antedated to c1966)

mirror ball (in dance-hall, etc.):

antedate 1978

(now antedated to 1888)

mirror globe (= mirror ball):

antedate 1965

(now antedated to 1839)

miscarry v., trans. use (to miscarry a baby, fetus, etc.):

antedate 1979

(now antedated to 1872)

miscarried ppl. adj. (of a fetus):

antedate 1981

(now antedated to 1961)

misconnection (any sense):

interdate 1784-1951

(now interdated)

mishit adj. (ball, etc.):

antedate 1978

(now antedated to 1976)

misorder (to make a mistake in ordering merchandise, etc.):

antedate 1988 (also 1985 as a noun)

(verb now antedated to 1962; exx. of noun still needed)

misplace (to lose, mislay):

antedate 1989

(now antedated to 1878)

mission statement:

antedate 1979

(now antedated to 1967)

mississippi-table:

postdate 1801

mistruth n.:

antedate 1959

(now antedated to 1944)

moiré fringe:

antedate 1956

moiré pattern:

antedate 1950

(now antedated to 1949)

monetarily adv.:

antedate 1968, but in Funk's Stand. Dict. 1895

(now antedated to 1869)

monkishly adv.:

antedate 1981, but in 1934 Webster

(now antedated to a1722)

monocleid adj. (locked with a single key):

postdate 1870 (also as a noun)

(now postdated to 1891)

monopolizing, -ising adj.:

postdate 1891

(now postdated to 2000)

mood (be/get in a mood with someone, etc.):

any evidence

moon-box (theatre - device to produce representation of the moon):

any evidence

(now postdated to 2002)

moony, moonie (act of exposing the buttocks):

antedate 1990

moose milk (Canad., = alcoholic drinks):

antedate 1957

(now antedated to 1926, as 'wild moose milk')

mop bucket:

antedate 1941

(now antedated to 1933)

more adj. (followed by a singular count-noun in non-standard grammatical use, e.g. ‘Get more car for your money’):

antedate 1950, or any example

mouth almighty:

any evidence

(antedated to 1875, and perh. to c1837; already have glossarial example 1864)

movie mogul:

antedate 1973

(antedated to 1916)

No More Mr Nice Guy:

antedate 1973

(antedated to 1966)

much maligned:

antedate 1932

(antedated to 1846)

mucky pup (noun: dirty child):

antedate 1984

muggins (card game):

any information

(now have evidence 1855-1994)

mukluk telegraph (word of mouth):

antedate 1945, postdate 1966

(now postdated to 2000)

postdate 1966 (for mukluk wireless)

multiplicatively:

antedate 1914 (appears 1895 in dicts.)

mumpishly adv. (glumly, sulkily):

any examples

(1990 Google Usenet example found)

murder v. trans. (of an item of food or drink):

antedate 1980

(now antedated to 1935)

I could murder a (curry, pint, etc.):

antedate 1986

(now antedated to 1973)

Murphy's law:

antedate 1956

(now antedated to 1955)

mushy peas:

antedate 1981

(now antedated to 1975)

musical statues:

antedate 1955

nails adj. (= hard as nails; as ‘he's nails’):

any evidence

na-na-na/nyah-nyah (etc.) (derisive taunt):

any evidence (esp. Brit.)

(now coverage 1986-1996)

(that which is) naught (or nought) is never in danger (proverb):

postdate 1889

national heritage:

antedate 1941

(now antedated to 1840)

nave plate (hubcap):

antedate 1962

Nazi adj./n. (in general use, = authoritarian):

antedate 1989

(now antedated to 1982)

N.B. (North Britain or North British):

postdate 1930

(now postdated to 1969)

nerve storm n. (nervous frenzy):

antedate 1876

(now antedated to 1874)

nether regions (colloq./euphem., the buttocks or genitals):

antedate 1973

(now antedated to 1952)

net tracery (Archit.):

interdate 1896-1993

never-heard (adjective; as distinct from never-heard-of):

antedate 1989

New Year('s) resolution:

antedate 1971

(now antedated to 1850)

next up (=next):

antedate 1982

(now antedated to 1977)

nibbly adj. (suitable for nibbling):

antedate 1978

niblet n. (a small portion of food):

antedate 1975

(now antedated to 1896)

nickable adj.: stealable

antedate 1989

nickel-and-dime (adjective):

antedate 1937

nickelize (verb):

postdate 1890

niger (noun: kind of goatskin):

postdate 1952

nip and tuck (cosmetic surgery):

antedate 1980

niplet (=nipple):

interdate 1648-1996

(1973 example found)

interdate 1648-1973

nippie sweetie (noun: drink of spirits; sharp-tongued person):

antedate 1985

nippie sweetie (noun: sharp-tasting sweet):

antedate 1987

nippily:

antedate 1961 (possibly used earlier by P. G. Wodehouse in unsourced quote ‘A panther could not have moved more nippily’.)

(now antedated to 1932)

nit nurse:

antedate 1985

noddee (person nodded at):

postdate 1868

(now postdated to 2001; interdating evidence, ideally early-mid 20th century, still welcome)

noir (noun: person with black hair):

postdate 1687

no-man's-land (dangerous, hostile place):

antedate 1972

(now antedated to 1926)

nonblocking (non-Computing senses):

any written evidence (esp. pre- 1972)

(1903 evidence found)

non-homosexual n./adj.:

antedate 1961

(now antedated to 1942)

north-eastwards adv.:

interdate 1589-1910

(1870 interdating found)

interdate 1589-1870

nos(e)y (noun: act of looking, out of curiosity):

antedate 1990

notice (noun: announcement read to a church congregation):

postdate 1967

(now postdated to 1999)

noughth adj. (as in noughth week, noughth symphony):

antedate 1985

(now antedated to 1963)

nul points:

any evidence

(1979 and later examples found)

antedate 1979

nummy adj. (US, = yummy; delicious):

antedate 1988

(now antedated to 1923).

nummies n. pl. (US, = ‘goodies’):

antedate 1987

numpty n. (stupid person):

antedate 1988

numpty adj. (stupid, foolish):

antedate 1992

nut (catch for the string on a crossbow):

interdate 1702-1934

(now interdated)

nutcake (mad person):

antedate 1967

(now antedated to 1953)

nutcracker v.

any exx.

(1860-1994 evidence found)

nyaff v. (Sc., = yelp, chatter):

Any exx.

(1808-1985 glossarial evidence found)

Any contextual exx.

to be off (on something) (phr., to begin to speak (about something)):

antedate 1990

off-message adj. (in politics):

antedate 1993

off-switch:

antedate 1897

omissibility (noun):

antedate 1961

one-bar (a.: applied to an electric fire)

antedate 1962

one potato, two potato:

antedate 1963

one-trick pony (or horse) (n.: person/thing with limited talent):

antedate 1980

on-message adj. (in politics):

antedate 1992

ooyah! (int.: expressing pain):

antedate 1959

op. cit. (in an English text):

antedate 1883

(now antedated to 1833)

open (verb: to perform before the main act or event, as in ‘the new band were signed to open for the Beach Boys’):

antedate 1969

opsit (v.: (S. Afr.) to court)

postdate 1955

opsitting (n.: (S. Afr.) courting)

postdate 1969

orange garden:

18th century evidence required

(1723 evidence found)

Orbat (Mil., = order of battle):

antedate 1990

(now antedated to 1975)

organized religion:

antedate 1946

(now antedated to 1852)

orphan (fig., of a thing):

interdate 1697-1936

(now interdated)

Ortonesque:

antedate 1976

other half (partner):

interdate 1667-1845; 1845-1975

(1667-1845 now interdated)

oudstryder (n.: (in South African English) war veteran):

antedate 1942

our kid (Northern; used to or of a sibling):

any pre-1980 evidence

(now antedated to 1957)

outie n. (kind of navel):

antedate 1973

(now antedated to 1972)

outpower (verb: outdo in power):

interdate 1762-1975

outriding (n.: land suitable for riding excursions):

antedate 1989

overcast (noun: in shipbuilding):

any evidence (other than for the expression overcast staff)

1754 found

antedate or postdate 1754

(now antedated to ?c1702)

overmourn (verb: mourn excessively):

interdate 1650-1998

overplot (v.: to provide with an excessively complex plot)

antedate 1961

overshot (adj.: drunk):

postdate 1942

overtop (prep.: over the top of):

antedate 1978

oviary (n.: flock of sheep):

interdate 1656-1998

pad (n.: kind of thick ribbon):

postdate 1895

paip (also pape) (n.: cherry stone; game played with such stones):

postdate 1955

palatiness (n.: countess palatine, or wife of a count palatine):

postdate 1866

palaver n. (a fuss):

antedate 1990

(now antedated to 1892)

to go down the pan (v.: to go to waste, go disastrously wrong)

antedate 1974

*pampelmoes (n.: in this spelling: South African name for a citrus fruit, esp. used to make marmalade):

post-date 1980

panifiable (a.: capable of being made into bread)

postdate 1849

(now postdated to 2002; interdate 1849 and 2002)

Panglossianism:

antedate 1975

(now antedated to 1968)

antedate 1968

pani puri (n.: Indian dish of filled cakes)

antedate 1987

(now antedated to 1969)

panna cotta (n.: Italian dessert):

antedate 1987

pass the parcel (n.: children's game):

antedate 1968

(now antedated to 1967 in allusive use; literal antedatings sought)

pastlessness (n.)

antedate 1977

paster n. (U.S., an adhesive label):

postdate 1906

(now postdated to 1992)

patio rose (noun: miniature variety of rose):

antedate 1981

(now antedated to 1941 (colour), 1955 (flower)

patten sandal noun:

postdate 1874

Paul-Pry (v.: to pry)

postdate 1924

pause (v.: to suspend a device using the pause button, as in ‘I paused the tape’)

antedate 1981

peak (v.: (chiefly N.Z.) to baulk, fail to ‘deliver’)

postdate 1971

Peakish (a.: relating to the Peak District of England)

interdate 1681-1991

pear-shaped adj. (= awry, wrong):

any evidence

(now antedated to 1983)

peasy (a.: very easy)

antedate 1989 (cf. easy peasy, currently documented from 1976)

pee off (v.: to leave):

antedate 1940

pee ... off (v.: to annoy a person):

antedate 1946

peed-off (a.: annoyed):

antedate 1990

(now antedated to 1948; further pre-1962 examples sought)

perfect timing

antedate 1976

(now antedated to 1901)

pegall (n.: kind of covered basket)

postdate 1936

peg doll (n.)

antedate 1950

pelter (n.: animal, person, etc., capable of moving fast)

postdate 1901

pemmicanize (v.: compress, condense)

postdate 1935

petaliform (a.: having the form of or resembling a petal)

postdate 1876

(now postdated up to the present)

pick and mix (also pick 'n' mix) (n.: varied range of sweets etc.)

antedate 1961

pick-and-mix (also pick-'n'-mix) (a.: made up of diverse elements or items)

antedate 1961

(now antedated to 1959)

pick up (v.: break up or dig up with a pick)

postdate 1894

pickle (n.: a troublesome child)

interdate 1915-1999

(now interdated)

picksome (a.: fastidious, picky)

postdate 1957

pick up steam (v.: accelerate):

antedate 1944

(now antedated to 1930)

piece of piss (something easy):

antedate 1974 (in contextual use)

piecing lead n.: (printing: a lead used to separate lines when a wide measure of type is used):

postdate 1888

pigeonhole (v.: to furnish with or create pigeon-holes; to divide into pigeon-holes)

antedate 1879

pig-ugly (a.)

antedate 1983

pink v.: (apply rouge to the face, cheeks, etc.):

interdate 1792-1998

pink-faced adj.:

antedate 1812

pinnaclet n.: (a small pinnacle):

antedate 1905

pirnie n.: (a conical woollen nightcap):

postdate 1910

to piss on from a great height v.: (to humiliate utterly):

antedate 1992

pitchable adj.:

interdate 1486-1939

pivotable (a.):

antedate 1899

pivot shears n.:

interdate 1398-2004

planetography n.:

interdate 1735-1936

plank (n.: stupid or inept person)

antedate 1981; also any evidence of 1980s use outside NW England

plantswoman (n.):

antedatedate 1968

plausibilize (v.):

interdate 1655-1984

to play away (from home) (v.: to be unfaithful, commit adultery)

antedate 1988

plinky-plonk (a.)

antedate 1971

(now antedated to 1926 (plinky-plank))

plinky-plonky (a.)

antedate 1989

plumb (n.: a deep hole in the bed of a river, the sea, etc.)

postdate 1913

pneumonia blouse n.: (a low-necked thin blouse):

antedate 1902

pocket-burner n.: (something expensive):

antedate 2001

point n.: (a post at which a police officer is stationed):

post-date 1972

point n.: (a rough diamond adapted for glass-cutting):

any evidence

point n.: (a pin used to locate a sheet when printing):

post-date 1963

politicking vbl. n.:

antedate 1928

(now antedated to 1886)

polygraph n.: (an instrument, operating on the principle of the pantograph, for simultaneously producing two or more identical copies of a drawing, document, etc.):

antedate 1803

pony n.: (an act of defecation; faeces; nonsense):

antedate 1958

pony a.: (worthless, useless):

antedate 1964

pony and trap n.: (an act of defecation; faeces; nonsense):

any non-glossarial evidence

poo(h) n.: (faeces, as a count noun):

antedate 1981

poo(h) v.: (to defecate):

antedate 1975

poorness n.: (poverty, indigence):

interdate 1797-1932

to pop one's clogs v. phr. (to die):

antedate 1989

(now antedated to 1977)

pop-gun v.: (to shoot a popgun at):

any evidence of literal sense

popple n.: (a bulge caused by a bubble in manufactured metal):

interdate 1635-2001

pop sock n.:

antedate 1972

popular beat combo n.:

antedate 1990

pork scratchings n.:

antedate 1982

porky (in full porky-pie, rhyming slang for ‘lie’):

antedate 1985

to make a porridge v.: (to make a mess):

antedate 1969

portcullis (verb: to furnish with a portcullis; to close with or as with a portcullis)

interdate 1773-1932

portrayment n.:

postdate 1891

poseable (a.):

antedate 1965

posedown (n.: the final stage in a bodybuilding competition)

antedate 1978

post-coital (a.)

antedate 1922

post-coitally (adv.)

antedate 1968

posterial (a.: of or relating to the posterior)

interdate ?a1475-1834

post-geniture (n.: the fact of being born after another in the same family)

interdate 1658-1924

postholder (n.: a person who occupies a post; one holding a particular job, office, etc.)

antedate 1961

postillate (v.: to make notes or comments on)

interdate ?a1475-a1864

postlike a.: (resembling a wooden post):

interdate 1617-1976

post-maritally adv.:

antedate 1952

pot (also pot down) (v.: to cook, stew)

any (esp. 20th-century) evidence

potch (verb: to slap, smack)

post-date 1973

pot-ear (noun: a pot handle)

interdate ?c1475-1952

potentacy (noun: the state or rule of a potentate; supreme power)

interdate 1715-1916

poutish (adj: somewhat pouting)

interdate 1725-1913

power base n.: (a source of authority or support):

antedate 1943

power-egg n.: (an ovate housing for an engine on an airship):

antedate 1961

powermonger n.: (a person who wields or deals in power):

interdate 1654-1879

powermongering n.: (the action of a powermonger):

antedate 1965

powermongering a.: (that acts as a powermonger):

antedate 1972

praemunire facias (noun: a writ charging a sheriff to summon a person accused of asserting or maintaining papal jurisdiction in England)

interdate c1475-1929

prairie chicken (noun: a newcomer)

antedate 1911, or post-date 1976

prairie skirt (noun: a long, full skirt with a gathered waist)

antedate 1965

prat (noun: an idiot, a fool)

interdate a1542-1968

prat digger (noun: a pickpocket)

any non-glossarial evidence

prat digging (noun: the action of stealing from a hip pocket)

post-date 1927

pressmanship (journalism):

interdate 1882–1996

press-mark v. (to give (fabric) a press mark; to mark with an iron):

antedate or post-date 1948

prêt-à-porter n. (clothes sold ready to wear):

antedate 1959

prêt-à-porter adj. (sold ready to wear):

antedate 1957

pretend adj. (imaginary, imitative):

interdate 1768–1920

Prim (= primitive Methodist):

antedate 1979 (non-glossarial)

priming (n.: a sufficient amount, a sufficiency)

postdate 1904

Primroser (a member or supporter of the Primrose League):

post-date 1891

primroser (a person who seeks or gathers primroses):

any evidence

prince v. (to behave as a prince):

interdate a1616–1855

prince v. (to make a prince of):

interdate 1656–1873

princess-president (a person who is a princess and also a president:

any evidence

principality (the office or position of principal of a college, university, etc.; principalship):

post-date a1882

to have a problem with (to object to):

antedate 1989

(now antedated to 1975)

*private highway (n.: a private road):

antedate 1724

*procuratorate (n.: in China, a department of the law courts):

antedate 1918

*proke (v.: chiefly Irish English, to poke):

any twentieth-century non-glossarial evidence

*prosumer (n.: a consumer pro-active in the development of a product):

antedate 1974

*prosumer (n.: an amateur using products designed for professionals):

antedate 1987

pullishee (n.: (in Scotland) apparatus for hanging clothes out to dry):

postdate 1963

pull-quote (n.: attention-grabbing quotation):

antedate 1986

punch one's (full) weight (lit. in Boxing, or fig.):

interdate 1955-1989

punk (n.: rubbish, nonsense, foolish or empty talk):

postdate 1973

punt (v.: drive around aimlessly):

antedate 1989

to put it about v. (to be promiscuous):

interdate 1817–1975

put (someone) in office, esp. ellipt, as ‘put () in’:

antedate 1986

put/set the cat among(st) the pigeons:

antedate 1950

(now antedated to 1945)

quad bike (n.):

antedate 1989

quarter-fee (n.: in sense of a feudal duty of money or service equivalent to one-fourth that required to maintain a single knight):

antedate 1891

rah-rah skirt:

antedate 1982

(now antedated to 1981)

rave v. (= attend a rave party):

any pre- or post-1992 evidence

(now antedated to 1988 and postdated to 1994)

reality check:

antedate 1973

(now antedated to 1938)

recreational adj. (of drug use):

antedate 1972

(now antedated to 1938)

Red Leicester (= cheese):

antedate 1966

red mercury (explosive substance):

antedate 1992

(now antedated to 1991)

redolently:

antedate 1890

(now antedated to 1870)

reedily:

antedate 1961

(now antedated to 1958)

re-exporter:

antedate 1934

(now antedated to 1919)

scag n. (poor or scruffy person):

any examples

(now dated 1939-2000)

schneid (short for schneider):

in Cards antedate 1967; in Sport antedate 1971

scotch marmalade:

any evidence

(now dated 1800-1992)

scrunchie (n.):

antedate 1989

shitload n.:

antedate 1972

(now antedated to 1962)

shoot from the hip (lit., of a gunslinger):

postdate 1869

literal use now postdated to 1991 (1990)

further postdated to 2003

shreddies (n.: underpants):

antedate 1989

(to use a) sledgehammer to crack a nut:

antedate 1973

(now antedated to 1929)

smart casual:

antedate 1982

(now antedated to 1936)

snake-bite n. (= a drink of cider & lager mixed):

antedate 1983

something for the weekend (condom):

antedate 1990

(now antedated to 1987)

sorted! int.:

any evidence

(1997 evidence found)

antedate 1997

space n. (= personal space):

antedate 1981

(now antedated to 1976)

space junk n.

antedate 1979

(now antedated to 1960)

spar (n.: (in Caribbean English) friend, buddy):

antedate 1977

spod n. (dull or inept person):

antedate 1989

spoddy adj.:

antedate 1993

(now antedated to 1990)

stonker n. (= something impressive of its kind; a whopper):

antedate 1987

stonking adj. (= considerable; excellent):

antedate 1980

storming adj. (fantastic, brilliant):

antedate 1991

(now antedated to 1988)

sulphate v. intr. (to become sulphated):

interdate 1898-1982

swipe v. trans. (to pass a credit card through an electronic reader):

antedate 1986

(now antedated to 1981)

Swiss Army Knife (or Swiss Army Penknife):

antedate 1973

(now antedated to 1935)

take an early bath (Sport euphem.: get sent off):

antedate 1969

(now antedated to 1948)

to take bad (to become ill; in active construction, not ‘to be taken bad’):

any evidence

(now antedated to 1853; antedate 1853 or interdate 1853-1979)

termiting n. (the extraction of termites for food):

antedate 1968

texting n.:

antedate 1982

(providing, etc., text: now antedated to 1955)

(sending text messages: antedate 1999)

thing (in phr. to do the (lunch, work, etc.) thing):

antedate 1989

(now antedated to 1986)

throw one's rattle out of the pram/cot v.: (lose one's temper, throw a tantrum):

antedate 1988

throw one's toys out of the pram/cot v.: (lose one's temper, throw a tantrum):

antedate 1989

tikka masala (n.):

antedate 1975

tipitiwitchet, tippitiwitchet, etc. (US, = Venus fly-trap):

interdate 1763-1940

off one's tits:

antedate 1994

(now antedated to 1993)

toast (finished, ‘done for’, as in ‘you're toast’):

antedate 1987

(now antedated to 1983)

tom yam, tom yum (kung/gung) n. (Thai soup)

antedate 1978

(now antedated to 1977)

to touch (or hit) a raw nerve:

antedate 1962

(now antedated to 1899)

trailer trash (US derog. & offensive):

antedate 1984

(now antedated to 1943)

treacle tart n.:

antedate 1919

(now antedated to 1893)

trebly adj. (of esp. recorded sound):

antedate 1978

(now antedated to 1975)

unsung hero(ine):

antedate 1934

(now antedated to 1899)

vital signs:

antedate 1969

(now antedated to 1871)

*vox (n.: vocals, freq. as part of the credits on record sleeves, etc.):

antedate 1984

to watch one's (or someone's) back:

antedate 1974

(now antedated to 1951)

wazzock n. (stupid or annoying person):

antedate 1984

Wellington (in names of dishes, esp. Beef Wellington):

antedate 1965

(now antedated to 1947)

wife-beater (sleeveless T-shirt, vest):

antedate 1993

wonga n. (money):

antedate 1989

worldlet n. (little world):

antedate 1926

(now antedated to 1925)