General
ajax
What does ajax mean?
Polari for nearby or close at hand — a clipping of 'adjacent (to)'. Handy in the original cant for flagging that someone (a copper, a mark, a fit fella) was just over there without spelling it out. Nothing to do with the cleaning product or the Greek hero.
"Watch yourself — there's lily ajax."
Origin
Polari (British gay cant), shortened from 'adjacent'.
Frequently asked questions
What does "ajax" mean in Polari?
It means nearby or close by.
How do you use "ajax" in a sentence?
"The bar's just ajax, round the corner."
Where does the Polari word "ajax" come from?
It's clipped from the word "adjacent."
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