Skip to main content

Porticullis 

A term used in reference to a male who, as a way of showing his affection to a female, protects her very zealously from the advances, real or imagined, of other males, despite the fact that she has no interest in him or even a boyfriend.

This leads to the following other slang terms:
The castle--the girl in question
The king--the girl's boyfriend (as in "the king is in the castle"
To storm the castle--to hit on the girl, not seriously but just to antagonize the porticullis
Also: boiling oil, trebuchet, battering ram, protracted seige, etc. can be used allegorically to describe specific situations that arise in this setup.
When Jamie but his arm across Yling's shoulder, just as a friend, Clint freaked out and yelled at him (because Clint wants him some Yling) even though Yling's boyfriend Adam didn't care.
In this instance (and many others) Clint was being a porticullis.
Porticullis by Jmtas May 21, 2006
Porticullis mug front
Get the Porticullis mug.
See more merch

Portcullis

Portcullis is the term given to strong, grated doors found in fortresses and castles around the world. These doors are usually made up of iron or other hard-to-break material such as stone.

By the way, where did you hear this term? No, seriously, not even I remember where I first heard it.
Well if there's one thing I think is worth noting is that your vocabulary is definitely expansive (If you found this on your own, that is.)
The portcullis ahead blocks our path, there's no way around it unless we manage convincing those guys to get it out of the way for us.
Related Words

Hate Sink 

A person you hate intensely not because they deserve such hatred but because they serve as a focus for your general hatred. A healthy way to dispense with excess animosity.
Jake's not really that big an asshole. He just serves as my hate sink.
Word of the Day on July 26, 2026

funiosity 

The art of being peculiar, but in an amusing fashion.
"Wow, look at that dog running on three legs"
- "Yeah, that sure is a funiosity"
funiosity by Supersonic Stevie November 23, 2007
Word of the Day on July 25, 2026
A toe rag was originally a foot wrapping used, since mediaeval times up until the mid-nineteenth century, to protect the foot from chafing by boots or shoes. As these were, quite literally, rags they weren’t usually washed, and so with use they became very smelly until they were thrown away. Because of the similarity in smell, toe rag also became the name applied to dried, salted cod or other things with a strong, unpleasant, fishy smell. It didn’t take that long before the name was applied to someone who was an obnoxious, unpleasant OIC.
1 “Socks! Those aren’t socks you smelly git, they’re toe rags!”
2 “What have you been cooking? Smells like toe rag!”
3 “I can smell ‘er fanny from ‘ere, proper toe rag.”
4 That Heale Malcolm is a right toe rag.
Toe Rag by AKACroatalin November 29, 2016
Word of the Day on July 24, 2026

Eternity leave 

When some resigns or retires from a job, they are on "eternity leave". This can also refer to someone who has passed away, especially someone who worked somewhere for a long time, retired/resigned, then passed away later.
Oh I'm sorry, you didn't know that Kelly is on eternity leave? She resigned and moved to Hawaii!

With regrets I would like to inform you that my boss is officially on eternity leave. I will never see or hear them again. Ever.
Eternity leave by LingDanc803 February 7, 2023
Word of the Day on July 23, 2026
The hypothetical man (often a sinister character who decided not to go to boot camp) that is doing your girlfriend/wife while you are on deployment overseas.
Ain't no use in goin home,
Jody's got your girl and gone.
Ain't no use in goin back,
Jody's got your Cadillac,
Ain't no use in feeling blue,
Jody's took your checkbook too.
jody by Sgt Apan March 31, 2006
Word of the Day on July 22, 2026