American Slang

Dicey - Definition: Risky, dangerous Example: 1) Getting into a fight with Tim is very dicey -- he is a black belt in karate.



Wrong side of the track - Definition: The poor part of town. Example: 1) Chris came from the wrong side of the tracks, but eventually he became a millionaire. Etymology: In many American cities, the neighborhoods where poor people live are typically on one side of a city's railroad tracks, close to factories and sources of pollution. Synonyms: slum


Mystery Meat - Definition: Animal flesh that has been cooked so long and so badly that it cannot be identified; an unappealing food item of unknown origin, typically served to defenseless students in dining halls.
Example: Oh, no… it looks like mystery meat is on the menu again.

Five o'clock shadow - Definition: Facial stubble; a man's beard at the end of the day. Example: 1) Peter has a very heavy beard -- even though he shaves every morning, he gets a five o'clock shadow by lunchtime Etymology: The typical American workday ends at 'five o'clock' in the afternoon. A 'shadow' is a patch of darkness, or a hint of the presence of something. After spending a full day at work for eight or more hours, many men have a noticeable growth of facial hair, which is dark like a 'shadow' and hints at the beard that would grow if left unshaven.

Jane Doe - Definition: An unidentified woman or the average American woman.
Example:
1) The police found Jane Doe number 1 buried under the blanket in the back yard.
2) Jane Doe spends most of her time shopping for the latest fashions.

knucle sandwich - Definition: A punch in the face. Example: 1) If you don't stop bothering me, you're going 2) Sabah gave Peter a knuckle sandwich when she caught him looking at other girls. to get a knuckle sandwich.
Etymology: A 'sandwich' is an assortment of food between two pieces of bread, and 'knuckles' are the bones in your hand. So a 'knuckle sandwich' is a fist that goes straight toward your mouth.

Hole in the Wall - Definition: A small, simple place, particularly a shop or restaurant.
Example: 1) Let's go to the Italian restaurant on Smith Street. It's just a hole in the wall, but the food is excellent. Etymology: This phrase has been used since the early 1800s. A 'hole' is an empty space, and a 'wall' is part of a building. So a 'hole in the wall' is a simple, undecorated space in a building.