It is actually 2 words - under way - and was originally a nautical term meaning that a ship had begun its journey.
Likely to have been of early British Naval origin.
Over time, it has also become a description of an event having started.

Hurry if you want to see the ship leave, because it will soon be under way (not underway.)

The search for the missing child is already under way (not underway.)

Underway by Authorwise May 26, 2011

it's not gay if you're underway

Homosexual acts are acceptable - indeed, not gay at all - if performed on a naval vessel away from port.

"I licked the Able Seaman's balls while he came on my face, but it's not gay if you're underway, am I right?"

it's not gay if you're underway by Cpt. Jack Hoff November 3, 2007

Underwater ‘Parasite’ Cocaine Smuggling

Underwater ‘Parasite’ Cocaine Smuggling — A tactic where gangs use scuba divers to attach cocaine stashes to the hulls of unsuspecting ships.

I make my living as a scuba diver; but, I ain’t no Jacques Cousteau — I’m into Underwater ‘Parasite’ Cocaine Smuggling . It’s dangerous but quite lucrative!!!!!!!

Underwater ‘Parasite’ Cocaine Smuggling by Mind Hunter the Profiler July 28, 2023

underpayed & overworked

Not getting enough money for the amount of work being done.

Getting underpayed & overworked @ any job really sucks.

underpayed & overworked by jpg3 September 29, 2013

UnderWater FlyZone

When you feeling down or upset but there’s always something or some place that makes you feel wanted or happy, even something you look at like a picture, basically anything that makes you feel happy or wanted that’s called your UnderWater flyZone.

Are you ok? Yea I’m just listening to music...that’s kinda my UnderWater flyzone...

UnderWater FlyZone by Isaiah j hecker December 21, 2018

Underwater Ceramic Technician

A fancy name for someone who washes dishes. (Dish pig)

What do you do for work? I'm a doctor"......"Ummm...".....*embarassed* ... "I'm an Underwater Ceramic Technician"...."Wow that sounds impressive!"...."yes..yes it is.

Underwater Ceramic Technician by A Dish Monkey October 16, 2010

Word of the Day on December 12, 2022

Concrete cowboy

A guy who thinks he's a country kinda guy, but in reality lives a comfortable city / suburban life.

Eugene: Look at that dude in the cowboy hat!
Todd: He's just a concrete cowboy.

Concrete cowboy by EugeneJohnson42000 March 16, 2024

Word of the Day on September 20, 2026

hobo loko

any hard liquor that is cheap & potent.. eg. relska, popov, potters, evan williams, kamchatka, fireball, rumpleminze, southern comfort, everclear

hey let's get a drink of that?

go ahead
*takes drink* ugh wtf is that?

everclear & bepsi
fucking hobo loko eeessshh

hobo loko by d i z k o 2 0 8 September 14, 2026

Word of the Day on September 19, 2026

God Shot

A chance happening with profound meaning, an unexpected blessing, a "sign".

Dr. Drew on Celebrity Rehab said "All of a sudden what had been just another Hollywood proposal became for him an unexpected blessing, an opportunity for growth. In drug recovery language, that's called a "God shot."

God Shot by Imogen1564 February 25, 2011

Word of the Day on September 18, 2026

city chicken

A food native to Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania in which cubes of pork and/or veal are put on a short, wooden skewer, breaded, then baked and/or fried.

I've heard that city chicken originated during the Great Depression, when folks didn't have enough money to buy full cuts of meat, so they assembled meat scraps on a wooden skewer, creating a make-shift drumstick. Hence the name.

Are yinz havin' city chicken for dinner?

city chicken by TRF August 31, 2006

Word of the Day on September 17, 2026

Is that cake?

Another way to say is this fake? Like the show real or cake

“Slayyyter just announced another album last night”
“No way, is that cake?”
“Yeah whoops this isn’t real”

Is that cake? by Sexyyred September 15, 2026

Word of the Day on September 16, 2026