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Originally a term used to describe a shallow pit used for drainage, the word has since gained popularity in the scientific community as a term of approval. As it, "Damn, that journal article you published sure is swale." It is now considered a synonym of cool in the scientific community.
"I can't wait to go the that swale convention on genetic engineering"

"John is definately the most swale doctoral candidate in this place."
Swale by hampshire April 7, 2010
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(noun) A depression in the ground that carries water runoff.
A swale is often dug alongside or diagonally crossing a dirt road or foot trail to control erosion.
swale by Muheli October 9, 2009
Related Words
swale by ken April 25, 2004
A cross between a slut and a whale. A sperm burping jizam junkey!
a fat slut pig whore (swale)
Swale by harpoon a swale April 29, 2008
A shallow ditch used in fields for drainage, also known as an "inverted speed bump" when it crossed a driveway. Something you should not drive through faster than 20 kilometres an hour.
I bottomed out my dad's truck driving through that swale.
swale by LaylaLoveeee May 25, 2011
A phrase occassionaly used by African Americans amongst each other to signify that they share a commonality in the endless struggle, that which is to be black in America. Typically used while performing a handshake, doubling down on a female or going in together on a meal.

Pronounced: (Su-wah-lay)
African American #1 performs a handshake with African American #2 and just as the handshake completes they both lean in and say "Swale" in each others ears.
swale by Poyocake August 12, 2019

steam sale 

me: oh there is a steam sale

STEAM: YES COME TO ME AND I SHALL f!@# YOUR WALLET
steam sale by the homeless dump January 4, 2014
More from Urban Dictionary
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
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