A-Z Database

A-Z Database

All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
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Fundi

South African informal for expert, derives from the Nguni umfundisi for teacher. Although the word may be centuries old in Nguni, it has only been par...

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Funny bone

Bumping one’s elbow is known as hitting one’s funny bone because of the peculiar, tingling sensation that sometimes occurs. This sensation is not caus...

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Funny Farm

Originally, American slang for a mental institution; dates from the late 1950s but is now generally encountered throughout the English-speaking world.


Fur burger/fur pie

American slang for female genitalia and/or cunnilingus, dates from the early 1960s.


Fuzzy-wuzzy

Originally, from the late 19th century, British military slang for a Sudanese warrior, from the Sudanese method of dressing hair. Later, it became gen...

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FYI

Commonly used acronym for ‘for your information’ which according to the OED derives from the language of memoranda c. 1941.


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