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This is Westcountry slang dating back to before the First World War. Skates are very slippery fish and the name was applied to people who had slippery natures in that they were untrustworthy, would try to avoid giving information or were just not very likeable. The use of the name expanded to include people who were wheeler dealers or people who do a lot of ducking and diving but no actual work. The name is disparaging but at the same time may hold just a hint of reluctant admiration. It is, however, a warning as a skate has no conscience and is totally unscrupulous and untrustworthy. The term is believed to have been used extensively by the British armed forces and was used to describe someone who was a slippery customer, fishy and who avoided their share of the work.
"Watch yourself with him, he's a bit of a skate."
Skate by AKACroatalin April 19, 2015
A military term for, dicking around and avoiding working in your shop. Most of the time you are supposed to skate around away from your supervisors and to other shops or the bathroom. Max skate time would be around 15 min.
Hey where's smith at?
I think he's skating in the smoke pit again.
Well if he's going to skate he better have a fucking clipboard
Skate by LostinOregon June 17, 2015
Military terminology meaning any service member who avoids his duties.
Private Jones is a real skate. This is the fifth time this month he avoided garbage detail.
skate by Arnie Schiffer May 11, 2008
"Look baby, if you ain't gonna give me no ass, Imo hafta skate."
skate by The Hawk October 3, 2002
Its skateboard not rollerblade(fruit booter).
skate by cartman5000 July 27, 2004
to not work. doing a leisure activity during a time where regular work is supposed to be done. term commonly used in the military. can be used as skater, skated, skating.
I was supposed to fix that truck today, but I decided to skate instead.
skate by Wild, kid Jorge August 26, 2008
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square grouper

Nickname given to bales of marijuana thrown overboard or out of airplanes. Origin is reportedly from members of the US Coast Guard in the area of Southern Florida.
"Base we've got some square groupers floating outside of Miami harbor."
square grouper by slipsheet November 6, 2004
Word of the Day on October 7, 2026
A girl who does ballet and only talks about ballet. Her schedule is filled with dance classes which does not allow her to do any other activity.
"Hey, do you know that girl Sally?"

"Yeah, she's kind of annoying. All she ever talks about it ballet."

"Wow, what a Bunhead."

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"Yeah... I know."
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Word of the Day on October 6, 2026

trucker's tan 

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I had a trucker's tan after driving for 10 straight hours on a sunny day.
Word of the Day on October 5, 2026
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Every time I walk into the toy aisle, I catch myself kidulting over the latest action figures and LEGO sets!
kidulting by Emotional Cruiser October 12, 2025
Word of the Day on October 4, 2026
British slang for a scientist or technical expert, esp . when the speaker is not certain of the expert’s specific field of study. Not necessarily derogatory, but typically used by persons without a technical background. In the US, the equivalent would be “egghead”, “squint”, or “geek.”

Origin of the word is unknown. Started sometime in World War 2. Given the typical evolution of British slang, could easily have started because what these experts did was confusing or “baffling” to the common person.
According to the boffins downstairs, the murderer used a serrated blade.
Boffin by Agnon February 11, 2023
Word of the Day on October 3, 2026

Pee Calculus

When you have to pee in a movie but don’t want to miss anything, and must do the following mental equation: will the amount I have to pee cause enough discomfort to diminish my attention capacity for the remainder of the movie to an extent which is greater than the amount of the movie I would miss by making a mad dash to the restroom.
I saw Satantango last night, wonderful film but by the 5th hour I had to start doing pee calculus.
Pee Calculus by anorlondo October 1, 2026
Word of the Day on October 2, 2026
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