play onreferring to wordplay that is based on a particular expression.
For instance, eagle freakis a play on eco freak.
policefrom the speech of law-enforcement officers.
pro.pronoun.
prohibitionindicates an expression that came into use during the pro-
hibition of alcohol in the United States during the 1920s and early
1930s.securities market(s)having to do with the stock markets, the bond
markets, or the sale of other financial instruments.
See alsoFind additional or related information at the entry indicated.
sent.sentence.
standard Englishwidely known English, not usually considered slang
or colloquial.
streetsoriginating in the streets of urban America.
tabooindicates an expression that is regarded as out of place in pub-
lic use.
term of addressan expression that can be used to address someone
directly.
tv.transitive. Expressions that are transitive verbs or transitive verb
phrases (a transitive verb and its object(s), modifier(s), and auxil-
iaries) are marked tv.underworldfrom criminal speech or law enforcement.
verbal weaponan expression that is typically used to insult or malign
someone.
Westernspeech typical of Western movies or other stereotypes of the
Old West.
Terms and Symbolsxiii