cannon" (an unorthodox person with the potential to cause harm). Phrases A air one's dirty linen/laundry To discuss private matters in public. all to cock (Or fall a-cock) Unsatisfactory, mixed up. all mouth and (no) trousers All talk and no action, a braggart, sexual bravado. (The inclusion or otherwise of "no" in the expression is disputed.) all piss and wind All talk and no action. Originally the phrase was, "all wind and piss" (19th century). all tits and teeth a derogatory description for a woman who succeeds by using her physical attributes rather than her brain; an attractive but shallow, cynically manipulative, or even stupid woman. anchors motor car brakes; "slam on the anchors" to brake really hard. argy-bargy An argument or confrontation. arse 1. The buttocks. 2. Someone who acts in a manner which is incompetent or otherwise disapproved of. arse about face Back to front. arse around Mess around or waste time (17th century). arsehole 1. The anus. 2. General derogatory term. arse bandit homosexual (offensive, derogatory). arse over tit Head over heels, to fall over or take a tumble. B ball bag Scrotum. balls up A bungled or messed up situation. (WWI Service slang). bang to rights Caught in the act. bang up 1. To lock up in prison (prison slang). 2. To inject an illegal drug. barking mad (also just barking) completely crazy; insane. barmy crazy or foolish. barney a noisy quarrel or fight. Sometimes claimed to be rhyming slang (Barney Rubble, trouble) but actually dates back to 19th century. bender 1. a drinking binge. 2. A homosexual (derogatory) bent 1. dishonest or corrupt, 2. homosexual (mildly derogatory). bent as a nine bob note Extremely dishonest or corrupt. No nine shilling (bob) note was ever issued, so it would have to be counterfeit. berk (also spelt burk) idiot, stupid person (from Berkeley Hunt, Cockney rhyming slang for cunt) Billy 1. Amphetamines (from Billy Whizz, a British comic strip character.) 2. Friendless (Billy No-Mates) billyo (also spelt billyoh) an intensifier. Going like billyo (travelling quickly). bird 1. Girl, woman. 2. Prison sentence (From the rhyming slang: Bird lime) Birmingham screwdriver A hammer. bizzie Policeman (Scouse). blag As a noun, a robbery or as a verb, to rob or scrounge. Not to be confused with blague, talking nonsense. blah (or blah blah) worthless, boring or silly talk. blim A very small piece of Hashish. Also used as slang