[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.leave it out ! stop it!; shut up! Since the early 1980s.lech or letch, n.a lecherous person (usually male), as in he s a real lech.lech or letch, v.esp.in to lech after/for/over, to lust after, to behavelecherously towards, as in to lech for young girls; she was leching afterher boss.lecky, adj.electric, as in lecky blanket, lecky kettle.Later 20th century.left carrying the can, be to be made the scapegoat; to be burdened withunwanted responsibility.Since the mid-20th century.See also carrythe can.left-footer a Roman Catholic.The term was originally used byProtestants in Northern Ireland, referring to the Catholics turf-cuttingstyle: Catholics traditionally used spades with the lug on the left side,whereas Protestants used spades with the lug on the right.lefty a socialist or communist.From 1936.legal eagle a lawyer.Adopted from the USA in the late 1940s.leg it to run or hurry; to run away or escape, as in when they saw the police,they legged it.Since before 1859.legit, adj.and adv.legitimate(ly), as in don t worry, it s all legit.legless 1 extremely drunk, as in I got completely legless last night.Sincearound 1965.2 (of a film) unsuccessful, a flop.See legs, have.leg-opener a strong drink, esp.gin, given to a woman in the hope that it willmake her a willing (or unresistant) sexual partner.Since around 1945.leg over, get (one s), v.to have sexual intercourse.Later 20th century.leg-over, n.sexual intercourse, as in a bit of leg-over.Later 20th century.leg-pull a good-natured, innocuous hoax or deception.Since the later19th century.From pull (sb s) leg.legs, have (of a film) to have staying power at the box-office.See alsolegless 2.leg-up assistance, esp.in to give (sb) a leg-up, to assist (sb); also in figurativesense of to assist.Late 19th 20th centuries.lemon 130lemon 1 something undesirable or useless, such as a car that has manydefects.2 a foolish or embarrassed person, as in I felt a bit of a lemon.les (pronounced lez) a lesbian.Since around 1930.letch see lech.let (one s) hair down to relax and enjoy oneself thoroughly; to behavein an uninhibited way.Since around 1925, but not very common inthe UK before around 1950.let off steam to give vent to pent-up exuberance or anger.level to speak or act honestly or frankly.Adopted from the USA around1950.In British usage to level with is more common, as in I ll level withyou; I don t think he s levelling with us.level money the most appropriate exact multiple of £100.A term usedby second-hand car dealers since around 1945.liberate to gain illicitly or deviously; to steal.From around 1944.lickety-split at full speed, in a great hurry.Adopted from the USAaround 1918.lie down on the job to loaf.Used in Australia since around 1925; laterused in the UK with the added implication of inefficiency.life of Riley (or Reilly), the a carefree and comfortable life, esp.in to livethe life of Riley.Possibly of Anglo-Irish origin.lig, v.to freeload; to take advantage of free drinks, free admittance toconcerts and parties, etc.A term used by the media and in pop androck music since the early 1980s.Hence ligger, a freeloader, and ligging,freeloading.lights on no one home of below average intelligence.Since the later1970s.like, adv.as it were; somewhat.Used at the end of a phrase or sentenceto express vagueness or hesitation, as in it was a bit dark, like; he was juststanding there, like.likely story, a an ironic expression of profound disbelief, as in he said hefound the money lying in the street: a likely story!likewise I agree; I share the sentiment.Used in the UK to reciprocate acompliment (or an insult), also in the phrase likewise, I m sure!limb, out on a in a dangerous situation; at a grave disadvantage.Adopted from the USA around 1945.limey an British person; a British sailor.Used in the USA and Canadasince the early 20th century and adopted in Australia around 1943.An abbreviation of limejuicer, a US term derived from the practice ofserving lime juice on British ships to prevent scurvy.limit a person or thing that is (beyond) the extreme of what one canbear, as in that s the limit! Adopted from the USA around 1908.See alsodizzy limit; giddy limit.131 local yokellimo (pronounced limmo) a limousine.Motorists slang, since around1960.Also, in the later 1980s, stretch limo, a particularly longlimousine.line a measure of powdered drugs laid out in a narrow strip on a mirroror similar surface for easy inhalation.line of country one s vocation or profession; one s particular interest orhobby, as in what s your line of country?; that s not my line of country, you dbetter ask Mary.lip cheek, impudence, as in don t give me any more of your lip, young man!liquid lunch a lunchtime drinking session, usually in place of a solid meal.lit or lit up 1 slightly drunk.From around 1930.2 under the influenceof drugs.Originally US, since before 1938.little black book a notebook in which the telephone numbers ofpotential partners are kept.Used mainly in Australia since about1930.In British usage the term may refer to any secret list of names,as in you d better watch out, or he ll have you down in his little black book.little boys (or girls ) room, the the (men s or women s) lavatory.Euphemism adopted around 1944 from US servicemen.little friend the menstrual period, considered a welcome sign of non-pregnancy.Canadian and Australian euphemism.Since around 1920.little girls room see little boys room.little number 1 any object or gadget, as in I bought this little number forNigel.Later 20th century.2 a dress, as in a classy little number.Later 20thcentury.3 a young woman, esp.as regarded sexually, as in she s a hotlittle number.Since around 1945.little something, a 1 a dash of spirits, as in would you like a little somethingin your coffee? 2 a snack between meals.The phrase was popularizedfrom 1926 by A.A.Milne s Winnie-the-Pooh, as in time for a littlesomething [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ]