English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

Slang Dictionary — Modern Slang, Decoded

What does that word actually mean? Our slang dictionary explains modern slang clearly — Gen Z, internet, British and street slang — with real definitions, examples and where each term came from.

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Latest slang terms

Slang for the shotgun ordering of a vast battery of investigations, typically on a GOMER, often to cover oneself rather than to help.

Hospital acronym for 'Get Out of My Emergency Room.' Aimed at the elderly, demented, often non-communicative patient who keeps rolling through the doors with a pile of chronic conditions nothing can really fix. Cruel, weary, deeply gallows. Popularised by Samuel Shem's 1978 novel 'The House of God', though Shem said it was already kicking around Boston wards by the early 70s.

A polite Japanese apology heard constantly in anime, adopted by fans for mock-dramatic contrition.

Originally the village money-lender squeezing the poor — the 'gombeen man' of 19th-century rural Ireland. Now broadened to any small-time chancer or shady operator out for themselves. In Irish politics, 'gombeenism' is the standard slur for grubby local backhanders.

golden sombrero

The dubious feat of a batter striking out four times in a single game.

golden retriever lesbian

The bright, affectionate, can't-stop-smiling half of a couple. Loyal to a fault, endlessly enthusiastic, would carry your bags and your emotional baggage and still wag about it. Often the masc one, often extroverted. Made for pairing with a 'black cat lesbian', because opposites attract.

golden retriever boyfriend

A golden retriever boyfriend is a cheerful, devoted, low-drama partner whose sunny, loving energy resembles the dog breed.

golden retriever

A person whose relationship energy is warm, devoted, cheerful, and uncomplicated, like the dog breed. Often contrasted with a 'black cat' partner.

golden parachute

A contractual agreement guaranteeing a senior executive significant benefits, such as severance, bonuses, and stock, if their employment is terminated, especially following a merger or acquisition.

The youngest in the line-up who's also the most ridiculously skilled. Sings the high notes, lands the choreo, sketches portraits, wins the variety show. Fandom shorthand for 'unfairly gifted'.

The concept that a severely injured patient's chance of survival is greatest if definitive care is delivered within the first hour.

A substantial upfront payment or bonus offered to a desirable candidate as an incentive to join a company, effectively the counterpart to a golden parachute or golden handcuffs.

golden handshake

A substantial severance payment or benefits package given to an employee, often a senior one, on leaving or retiring, typically as a reward or to smooth a departure.

golden handcuffs

Financial incentives, like unvested equity, that discourage an employee from quitting.

A now-abolished rule where the first goal in extra time ended the match immediately.

A golden cross is a chart pattern in which a shorter-term moving average (often the 50-day) crosses above a longer-term one (often the 200-day), taken as a bullish signal of higher prices ahead.

A service member who feigns sickness or otherwise avoids duty; as a verb, to loaf.

gold star lesbian

A lesbian who's never slept with a man — the 'gold star' being the gag-trophy for it. Sometimes a proud self-tag, sometimes a punchline, and increasingly side-eyed: critics say it polices who counts as a 'real' lesbian and quietly knocks bisexual women and anyone with a different history.

A gold star lesbian has never had sex with a man; a gold star gay has never had sex with a woman. Born in the US in the 1990s as a defiant clapback — when the world kept saying 'you just haven't met the right man,' calling yourself a gold star meant 'no, I'm SUPER gay.' Used jokingly, sincerely, or as a stereotype.

Your personal best on one specific segment, even if it did not happen during your best full run. Stack every gold together and you get your theoretical best, the sum of best segments.

A person who pursues romantic relationships primarily to gain money or material wealth.

A one- or two-dollar coin; 'gold coin donation' is a common entry fee at Kiwi events.

Spanish for a stunning goal; used worldwide by commentators and fans to salute a goal of real quality.

Shorthand admission that nobody can work out what is wrong with the patient.