Slang Dictionary — Modern Slang, Decoded

Prowling is scrolling far back through a person's old posts, tags, and comments, like an archaeologist excavating their digital past.

Also called 'ground provisions' — starchy staples like yam, dasheen, eddoes, cassava, and green banana that accompany meals.

The complete, transparent record of an NFT's creation and every subsequent owner, provable on-chain — a key selling point over traditional art.

A white processed cheese blend of cheddar, Swiss, and provolone, used on St. Louis-style thin-crust pizza cut into squares.

The agreed code of conduct — how a submissive addresses, moves around, and behaves toward a dominant, plus the rituals and etiquette that go with it. Protocol can be a private thing between two people or a shared house style at a leather party. It's often graded (low/high protocol) depending on the occasion. Rooted in Old Guard leather culture, the heavily ritualised club scene that also gave us the 'safe, sane and consensual' ethos.

The window of time after training when protein intake is believed to be especially beneficial for recovery and growth (the 'anabolic window').

Housing that isolates a prisoner from general population for their own safety. Requesting it is called 'checking in' or 'PC-ing up.'

'Protection' is a racket in which criminals demand payment from a business in exchange for not harming it, dressed up as a security service.

A Cornish phrase meaning something is satisfactory or first-rate.

Used to mean 'really' or 'thoroughly'. Ubiquitous in Northern and Mancunian speech.

The Geordie spelling of proper used as an intensifier — slapped in front of any adjective to crank it up. Same job as very, dead, or well in other dialects. If something's propa canny, it's seriously good.

A crafter who makes props such as swords, staffs, and gadgets, often for other cosplayers, and who may not wear costumes themselves.

An object or accessory, such as a weapon, wand, or gadget, carried or worn to portray a character more convincingly.

Promotional copies of an album, often signed, distributed to industry contacts and broadcasters rather than sold — sometimes leaking into the resale market.

A casual phonetic spelling of "probably," indicating likelihood.

Attributing your own emotions, insecurities, or behaviors to another person.

Steadily increasing the demand on muscles over time — more weight, reps, or sets — to keep forcing adaptation.

A traditional handmade rug pegged from strips of cloth; also 'clippy mat' or 'hookie mat'.

Short for progression. The phase where you're still learning a fight, wiping over and over to push a little further each pull.

A person who repeatedly presents seeking a sick role, tests or admission without genuine acute need.

A cynical, intentional foul committed to break up a promising attack or deny an obvious goalscoring opportunity.

Actions taken mainly to look busy and engaged, such as sending late-night emails or padding meeting attendance, rather than to actually get meaningful work done.

A full theatrical performance walked at a ball, not just a look but a whole staged number: costume, props, set pieces, and often a crew of supporting performers backing the star. The most ambitious thing you can bring to the floor, judged on spectacle and execution.

The point at which a product satisfies a market's need well enough that growth becomes self-sustaining.