Elder Dictionary

Elderly Terms, Meanings and Definitions

Glossary

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play hooky

To skip school class or classes by never attending.
Me and the boys are going to play hooky and head to the drive-in.

Added on July 14, 2021 by danielslaughter

pocketbook, noun

/pock-it-buhk/

A place where currency, especially coins, are kept on one's person, usually during difficult economic times. Similar to a wallet or purse, but much more difficult to open.
The price of gas these days is sure hard on my pocketbook.

Added on May 10, 2011 by gramps

pot calling the kettle black, phrase

Used to tell someone they are guilty of the exact same thing they are pointing out in someone else; hypocritical.
Why did you tell Mary not to be a slut, when you sleep with every guy that moves? That's like the pot calling the kettle black!

Added on May 11, 2011 by Nick N.

pretner

/pret-ner/

A common lazy mispronunciation of "Pretty Near."
I'm pretner exhausted this fine evening.

Added on May 8, 2011 by Terra M.

put the moves on, phrase

An attempt to have intercourse with someone.
After my date with Sandy last night, I tried to put the moves on her. Then her old-man chased me out of the house with a shotgun.

Added on May 18, 2011 by Nick N

quibble, verb

/qwib-ill/

A trivial argument.
Sorry we're late Sir. Ma' spent the afternoon quibbling about the price of Campbells soup going up a copper with the clerk at the grocery store.

Added on May 13, 2011 by danielslaughter

rabbit ears, phrase

/rah-bit eerz/

Indoor television antennae, usually covered with balls of aluminum foil used for getting the 2-3 channels available. Must be frequently repositioned.
That's right Susie! Hold the rabbit ears right like that so we can see Walter Cronkite clearly.

Added on May 14, 2011 by Cheryl S

raincoat, noun

See: rubber
Make sure you put the raincoat on your one eyed trouser snake.

Added on July 9, 2011 by Turner

ralph, verb

To throw-up.
He ralphed on the front lawn after the party.

Added on May 11, 2011 by Pat P.

range, noun

Gas stove top.
Livia is making one mighty fine feast in the kitchen on that brand spanking new range.

Added on May 20, 2011 by Anonymous

rheumatism medicine, phrase

/ru-ma-tiz-um/

Strong alcoholic drink, often whiskey based. May also be a synonym for "snake bite medicine."
Son, pour me another glass of my Rheumatism Medicine before my symptoms flare up again.

Added on May 14, 2011 by Cheryl S

rolly-polly

A physically plump individual, typically with rosy cheeks, who may resemble Santa Clause.
My granddaughter is pretty rolly-polly, so lets have her hand out presents this year.

Added on May 9, 2011 by danielslaughter

rome wasn't built in a day, phrase

An expression implying you cannot get to the end result right away; you have to build up to it.
Dan, you can't go from sitting at a desk all the time to standing all the time; Rome wasn't built in a day.

Added on March 1, 2012 by Brent

rotary, noun

A telephone. Originated from an old technology where pins and gears would have to be physically rotated on a device to place a phone call through to a switchboard center.

Added on May 8, 2011 by danielslaughter

rounder, noun

/`roundər/

A person who frequents bars and is often drunk or a person who parks in cars against the advice of educational videos of the day.
His mother frowned upon his new girlfriend as she had a reputation as a rounder.

Added on May 9, 2011 by Ken Clinkenbeard