A-Z Database
Rhyming slang for a curry, Ruby Murray/curry, dates from the early 1960s. Ruby Murray was a popular British singer in the 1950s.
A row, quarrel or disturbance is of American origin from the late 19th century but has now passed into Standard English. The origin remains uncertain...
Ruddy became an inoffensive euphemism for bloody from the late 19th/early 20th century but the original word is Old English from before the 1100s and...
American theatre slang for a wig or hairpiece dates from c. 1940.
Rugger is upper class student slang for rugby and is probably one of the first examples of what lexicographers call ‘The Oxford –er’. Soccer from asso...
Means a rough and ready estimation, measurement or way of working and dates from the 17th century. Therefore, it has nothing whatsoever to do with any...
To rule the roost is to dominate, to be in control and dates in this form from the 18th century. Before this, from at least the early 1500s, the expre...
Means to manage or govern with strict or harsh discipline. The source is the New Testament Revelation 2: 27 “And he shall rule them with a rod of iron...
US slang for a street or gang fight dates from the 1940s.
Rumbled is British informal for being found out or caught out, especially when doing something dubious or illegal. It dates from the late 19th century...
The rhyming couplet, rump pumpy, is jocular British slang for sexual intercourse, and dates from the late 1960s. It is not known who actually coined t...
Dash around without purpose; this expression will be as old as the practice of slaughtering chickens that often run, jerk and move after decapitation....
Means to outclass and overcome an opponent and dates in this figurative sense from the late 19th century. The expression derives from hunting during t...
see Give someone a run for their money.
To run interference means to help clear the way for another, deal with problems, obstacles etc and dates from the early 20th century. The expression d...