NADSAT DICTIONARY

 


Learn to speak the teen (Nadsat) slang language Alex and his droogs use with the help of this dictionary. Thanks to Scott McDonald for providing most of the English <--> Nadsat definitions. An awful lot of thanks goes to Jana Wright for adding to the list and especially for providing the linguistic origins for most of the words in the Nadsat vocabulary. Any additions are welcomed. There are still a few Nadsat word origins marked "unknown" in the list, perhaps you can fill the gaps?

Anthony Burgess made up a teenage argot he calls Nadsat. It is English with a polyglot of slag terms and jargon thrown in. The main sources for these additional terms is Russian. Although there are also contributions from, Gypsy, French, Cockney/English slang and other miscellaneous sources such as Malay and Dutch (possibly via the Dutch influence on Malay) and his own imagination. The large number of Russian words in Nadsat is explained in the book as being due to propaganda and subliminal penetration techniques. This is probably because of the cold war (which was still quite "warm" when Burgess wrote ACO) which, in Burgess's ACO world, has apparently shifted into overdrive.

 

If a meaning can be confused, eg Lomtick (slice) is a noun (as in "a slice of toast"), not a verb, the meaning is clarified by use of an (n.) or (v.) etc.

 

Word Meaning Origins

Appypolly loggy  Apology School boy speak

Baboochka Old woman Russian: babooshka/grandmother

Baddiwad Bad School boy speak

Banda Band Russian: banda/band, gang

Bezoomy Mad Russian: byezoomiyi/mad, insane

Biblio Library Russian: biblioteka/library

Bitva Battle Russian: bitva/battle

Bog God Russian: Bog/God

Bolnoy Sick Russian: bolnoy/sick

Bolshy Big Russian: bolshoy/big

Bratchny Bastard Russian: vnyebrachnyi/illegitimate

Bratty Brother Russian: brat/brother

Britva Razor Russian: britva/razor

Brooko Belly Russian: bryukho/abdomen

Brosay Throw Russian: brosat/to throw

Bugatty Rich Russian: bogaty/wealthy

Cal Shit Russian: kal/excrement, faeces

Cancer Cigarette Standard slang term: ie. cancer stick

Cantora Office Russian: kontora/office

Carman Pocket Russian: karman/pocket

Chai Tea Russian: chai/tea

c.f. English Slang: cha/tea

Charlie Chaplain/Priest Rhyming slang: Charlie Chaplin -> Chaplain

Chasha Cup Russian: chashka/cup

Chasso Guard Russian: chasovoy/sentry

Cheena Woman Russian: zhenshcheena/woman

Cheest Wash Russian: cheestit/to clean

Chelloveck Fellow Russian: chelovyek/person, man

Chepooka Nonsense Russian: chyepookha/nonsense

Choodessny Wonderful Russian: choodesniyi/miraculous

Chumble Mumble Invented slang: chatter + mumble (?)

Clop Knock German: klop/hit

Dutch/Malay: kloppen/to hit

Cluve Beak Russian: klyuv/beak

Collocol Bell Russian: kolokol/bell

Crark Yowl Unknown

Crast Steal Russian: krast/steal

Creech Scream Russian: kreechat/scream

Cutter Money Unknown

Dama Lady Russian: dama/lady

Ded Old Man Russian: ded/grandfather

Deng Money Russian: dengi/money

Devotchka Girl Russian: devochka/girl

Dobby Good Russian: dobro/good

Domy House Russian: dom/house

Dook Ghost Gypsy: dook/magic

Russian: dukh: spirit/shost

Dorogoy Valuable Russian: dorogoi/expensive, dear

Drat Fight Russian: drat/to tear to pieces, to kill

drat'sya/to fight

Drencrom A particular drug Invented slang:

Droog Friend Russian: droog/friend

Dva Two Russian: dva/two

Eegra Game Russian: igra/game

Eemya Name Russian: imya/name

Eggiweg Egg School boy speak

Em Mum Invented slang: 'M' from "Mama"

Fagged Tired English slang: tired

Filly Play Unknown

Firegold A particular drink Invented slang: Unknown

Forella Trout Russian: forel/trout

Gazetta Newspaper Russian: gazeta/newspaper

Glazz Eye Russian: glaz/eye

Gloopy Stupid Russian: glupiyi/foolish, stupid

Godman Priest Invented slang: 'man of God'

Golly Unit of Money Invented slang: related to 'lolly' (money)

Goloss Voice Russian: golos/voice

Goober Lip Russian: guba/lip

Gooly To Walk Russian: gulyat/to walk, stroll

Gorlo Throat Russian: gorlo/throat

Govoreet To speak or talk Russian: govorit/to speak, talk

Grazhny Dirty Russian: gryuzniyi/dirty

Grazzy Soiled Russian: gryuzniyi/dirty

Gromky Loud Russian: gromkii/loud

Groody Breast Russian: grud/breast

Gruppa Group Russian: gruppa/group

Guff Laugh Invented slang: short "guffaw"

Gulliver Head Russian: golova/head

Guttiwuts Guts School boy speak

Hen-korm Chickenfeed Invented slang: hen-corn

Possibly Russian: korm/animal feed

Horn To Cry Out Invented slang: sound a horn

Horrorshow Good, well Russian: khorosho/good

Hound-and-Horny corny Rhyming Slang: corny

In-out-in-out Sex Invented slang: obvious

Interessovat To interest Russian: interesovat/ to interest

Itty To go Russian: idti/to go

Jammiwam Jam School boy speak

Jeezny Life Russian: zhizn/life

Kartoffel Potatoes Russian: kartofel/potatoes

Keeshkas Guts Russian: kishka/intestines

Kleb Bread Russian: kleb/bread

Klootch Key Russian: klyuch/key

Knopka Button Russian: knopka/push-button

Kopat To Dig (Eng. idiom) Russian: kopat/to dig (a hole, ditch, etc)

Koshka Cat Russian: koshka/cat

Kot Tomcat Russian: kot/cat

Krovvy Blood Russian: krov/blood

Kupet To Buy Russian: kupit/to buy

Lapa Paw Russian: lapa/paw

Lewdies People Russian: lyudi/people

Lighter Crone (?) Invented slang: related to"blighter"?

Litso Face Russian: litso/face

Lomtick Slice Russian: lomtik/slice (of bread)

Loveted Caught Russian: lovit/to catch

Lubbilubbing Making love Russian: lyublyu/love

Luscious Glory Hair Rhyming Slang: upper story/hair

Malchick Boy Russian: malchik/boy

Malenky Little Russian: malyenkiyi/small

Maslo Butter Russian: maslo/butter

Merzky Filthy Russian: merzkiyi/loathsome, vile

Messel Thought Russian: misl/thought

Mesto Place Russian: mesto/place

Millicent Policeman Russian: militsiya/policeman

Minoota Minute Russian: minuta/minute

Molodoy Young Russian: molodoy/young

Moloko Milk Russian: moloko/milk

Moodge Man Russian: muzhchina/male human being

Morder Snout Russian: morda/snout

Mounch Snack Invented slang: munch?

Mozg Brain Russian: mozg/brain

Nachinat To Begin Russian: nachinat/to begin

Nadmenny Arrogant Russian: nadmenniyi/arrogant

Nadsat Teenage Russian: ending for numbers 11-19

Nagoy Naked Russian: nagoi/naked

Nazz Fool Russian: nazad/literally backwards (adv.)

Neezhnies Underpants Russian: nizhniyi/lower (adj.)

Nochy Night Russian: noch/night

Noga Foot Russian: noga/foot

Nozh Knife Russian: nozh/knife

Nuking (scent) Smelling (of perfume) Russian: nyukhat/to smell, take a whiff

Oddy-knocky Lonesome Russian: odinok/lonesome

Odin One Russian: odin/one

Okno Window Russian: okno/window

Oobivat To Kill Russian: ubivat/to kill

Ookadeet To leave Russian: ukhodit/to leave

Ooko Ear Russian: ukho/ear

Oomny Clever Russian: umniyi/clever

Oozhassny Terrible Russian: ukhasniyi/terrible

Oozy Chain Russian: uzh/snake (?)

Orange Man Malay: Orang/Man (c.f. the Orang Utan ape)

Osoosh To Dry Russian: osushat/to dry

Otchkies Eyeglasses Russian: otchki/glasses

Pan-handle Erection Invented slang:

Pee Father Invented slang: 'P' from "Papa"

Peet To Drink Russian: pit/to drink

Pishcha Food Russian: pisha/food

Platch To Cry Russian: plakat/to cry

Platties Clothes Russian: platye/clothes

Plenny Prisoner Russian: plenniyi/prisoner

Plesk Splash Russian: pleskat/to splash

Pletcho Shoulder Russian: plecho/shoulder

Plott Flesh Russian: plot/flesh

Podooshka Pillow Russian: podushka/pillow

Pol Sex Russian: pol/sex (gender)

Polezny Useful Russian: polezniyi/useful

Polyclef Skeleton key English: poly/many + clef/key

Pony To understand Russian: ponimat/to understand

Poogly Scared Russian: pugat/ to frighten

Pooshka Gun Russian: pushka/cannon

Pop-disk Pop-music disc Invented slang

Prestoopnik Criminal Russian: prestupnik/criminal

Pretty Polly Money Rhyming slang: Derived from 'lolly' (money)

Privodeet To lead somewhere Russian: privodit/to lead (somewhere)

Prod To produce English slang: shortening of 'produce'

Ptitsa Girl Russian: ptitsa/bird

Pyahnitsa Drunk Russian: pyanitsa/a drunkard

Rabbit Work Russian: rabota/work

Radosty Joy Russian: radost/joy

Raskazz Story Russian: rasskaz/story

Rasoodock Mind Russian: rassudok/sanity, common sense

Raz Time Russian: raz/occasion

Razdrez Upset Russian: razdrazhat/to irritate

Razrez To Rip Russian: razrvat/to rip

Rooker Hand Russian: ruka/hand

Rot Mouth Russian: rot/mouth

Rozz Policeman Russian: rozha/ugly face or grimace

Sabog Shoe French: sabot/a type of shoe (?)

Possibly Russian: sapog/a tall shoe

Sakar Sugar Russian: sakhar/sugar

Sammy Generous Russian: samoye/ the most

Sarky Sarcastic English slang: shortening of 'sarcastic'

Scoteena "Cow" Russian: skotina/colloquial: brute or beast

Shaika Gang Russian: shaika/band (as of thieves)

Sharp Female Invented slang: Unknown

Sharries Balls Russian: shariki/marbles

Shest Pole Russian: pole

Shilarny Concern Unknown

Shive Slice, cut English slang: shiv-a knife

Shiyah Neck Russian: shyeya/neck

Shlaga Club German: Schlager/club or bat (more exactly,

something you use to hit with)

Possibly Dutch/Malay origin: slaag/hit

Shlapa Hat Russian: shlyupa/hat

Shlem Helmet Russian: shlem/helmet

Shoom Noise Russian: shum/noise

Shoot Fool (v.) Russian: shutit/to fool

Sinny Movies, film Invented slang: from cinema

Skazat To say Russian: skazat/to say

Skolliwoll School School boy speak

Skorry Quick, quickly Russian: skori/quick

Skriking Scratching Invented slang: strike + scratch

Skvat To Grab Russian: khvatat/to grab, snatch

Sladky Sweet Russian: sladkiyi/sweet

Sloochat To happen Russian: sluchatsya/to happen

Slooshy To listen, hear Russian: slushat/to hear

Slovo Word Russian: slovo/word

Smeck Laugh (n.) Russian: smekh/a laugh

Smot To look Russian: smotret/to look

Sneety Dream Russian: snitsya/to dream

Snoutie Tobacco, snuff Invented slang: related to snout?

Snuff It To Die English slang: to snuff is to kill

Sobirat To Pick Up Russian: sobirat/to gather (people)

Sod Bastard (idiom) English slang: from sodomite

Sodding Fucking (idiom) English slang: from sodomy

Soomka Woman Russian: sumka/bag

Soviet Advice, order Russian: sovyet/advice, council

Spat, spatchka Sleep Russian: spat/to sleep

Spoogy Terrified Russian: spugivat/to frighten

Staja State Jail Invented Slang: State + Jail

Starry Old, ancient Russian: stariyi/old

Strack Horror Russian: strakh/fear

Synthmesc A particular drug Invented slang: synthetic mescaline

Tally Waist Russian: taliya/waist

Tashtook Handkerchief German: Taschentuch/Hankerchief

Tass Cup French: tasse/cup

Tolchock To hit Russian: tolchok/a push, shove

Toofles Slippers Russian: tuflya/slipper

Tree Three Russian: tri/three

Vareet To "cook up" Russian: varit/to cook up

Vaysay Washroom, toilet French: W.C. (pron. vey-sey)/watercloset

Veck Guy Russian: chelovyek/person, man

Vellocet A particular drug Invented slang: Amphetamine (Speed)/Cocaine?

Veshch Thing Russian: vesh/thing

Viddy To see Russian: vidyet/to see

Voloss Hair Russian: volos/hair

Von Smell (n.) Russian: von/stench

Vred To Harm Russian: vred/to harm

Warble Song English: sing, a bird's song

Yahma Hole Russian: yama/hole, pit

Yahoody Jew Arabic

Yahzick Tongue Russian: yazik/tongue

Yarbles Balls, testicles Invented slang:

Yeckate To Drive Russian: echatz (pron: "yekatz")/to go

Zammechat Remarkable Russian: zamechatelniyi/remarkable

Zasnoot To Sleep Russian: zasnut/to fall asleep

Zheena Wife Russian: zhena/wife

Zoobies Teeth Russian: zubi/teeth

Zvonock Doorbell/Bellpull Russian: zvonok/doorbell

Zvook Sound Russian: zvuk/sound