Sycophancy is self-serving or servile flattery. It probably derives from the Latin sȳcophantia, meaning trickery, and consists of the fawning behaviour of useless two-faced self-seeking toe rag who attempts to win favour by flattering and pandering to the boss. A person who does this is known as a sycophant or more informally as ass-kisser, crawler, toady, lackey, apple polisher, boot licker, fawner, groveler, groveller, or truckler.
by AKACroatalin December 01, 2016
English expression in use by sailors in the Royal Navy before the Second World War. It refers to large, baggy and shapeless underwear that can be male or female attire. When male it refers to the baggy shorts that were issued to both junior and senior rates at the time. When female, it refers to the baggy bloomers type of knickers with elasticated legs, the sight of which is guaranteed to turn off all but the most ardent (or desperate) suitors. In short they are the sort of thing that not even Bridget Jones would wear.
I was goin' to try and pull the bird in the flat opposite 'til I saw her peggin' out her dung hampers on the washing line.
by AKACroatalin March 18, 2015
English expression meaning to have more work that you can possibly deal with. It originated with the Royal Navy and referred to those times when a ship was caught in a severe storm or hurricane. This would require the crew member to work continuously, often for extended periods with little rest, to ensure the safety of the ship. During this time the ship would have green seas coming over the bows so that it appeared as if the bows were under water. When telling of the experience once they were back on shore, the sailors would refer to the ship as being 'bows under' and gradually the expression became associated with the excessive workload incurred at the time as well, so that having an excessive workload requiring continuous application to clear became known as being 'bows under'.
The expression came to be used within the Royal Dockyards to denote times when excessive workloads were experienced. One notable occasion being 1982 when, in response to the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, the Royal Dockyards fitted out ships taken up from trade for Naval service in less than six weeks, Commercial shipbuilders said that this would take more than six months for each vessel, but by carrying out the work in less than a quarter of the time quoted by commercial shipbuilders the Royal Dockyards were 'bows under'.
The expression came to be used within the Royal Dockyards to denote times when excessive workloads were experienced. One notable occasion being 1982 when, in response to the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands, the Royal Dockyards fitted out ships taken up from trade for Naval service in less than six weeks, Commercial shipbuilders said that this would take more than six months for each vessel, but by carrying out the work in less than a quarter of the time quoted by commercial shipbuilders the Royal Dockyards were 'bows under'.
by AKACroatalin March 18, 2015
Besides the usual usages of a child born out of wedlock and a suitable name for someone you don’t like, there are other meanings as well. At one time it was used to refer to a hybrid device or one adapted from one purpose to another; in 1517 it was used to refer to second rate Spanish Sack wines and in engineering it refers to a type of coarse-toothed file.
by AKACroatalin February 12, 2016
Old Cornish slang for the dreadful pins and needles feeling you get in your fingers in cold weather, typically if you’ve been playing in the snow making a snowman.
by AKACroatalin December 30, 2016
This is an American expression which can be used in a number of ways:
1 To obtain an item, by purchase, borrowing or other means;
2 To initiate contact or communicate with a person or persons or an organisation;
3 To understand or appreciate an idea, concept or theory;
The British use the expression get hold of in a similar way.
1 To obtain an item, by purchase, borrowing or other means;
2 To initiate contact or communicate with a person or persons or an organisation;
3 To understand or appreciate an idea, concept or theory;
The British use the expression get hold of in a similar way.
1 “Can you get ahold of any 2 inch 10 brass screws?”
2 “That cunt Malcolm’s gone off somewhere, I can’t get ahold of him.”
3 “His ideas are so abstruse they’re difficult to get ahold of.”
2 “That cunt Malcolm’s gone off somewhere, I can’t get ahold of him.”
3 “His ideas are so abstruse they’re difficult to get ahold of.”
by AKACroatalin November 29, 2016
Royal Navy slang dating back before the Second World War, it means to defecate, crap, shit or take a dump. Nothing fancy, to crimp off a length you merely have to evacuate your bowels.
"That fat fucker of a stoker is getting shitty with me again!"
"What're you goin' to do?"
"Next time the cunt is down the engine room, I'll crimp off a length in his best boots!"
"What're you goin' to do?"
"Next time the cunt is down the engine room, I'll crimp off a length in his best boots!"
by AKACroatalin April 10, 2015