Compiled by Amme Willowson
This is a compilation of definition of slang terms Jim Carroll has used in his works; the definitions have been provided by the members of the Jim Carroll Mailing List. When looking up for a phrase, look for the main word. For example, for “the H”, look under H, not T. If you have more slang words or phrases to add, please send them to the webmaster. Check back for more words from time to time. Enjoy!
A
B
belly bombs — burgers (sometimes used specifically in reference to White Castle burgers)
blueboys — police
bop on — continue
bumming coin — begging
C
cats — guys
cop — to buy junk
cracking — joking
D
dig — understand, see
drooling mug — drunken facial expression
dry dive — suicide leap
E
F
fairies — homosexuals
fix — a badly needed shot of junk
G
get off — shoot up
gibberish sob drama — sad story
gimmicks — syringes and other stuff used to shoot up
(to) goof on — to joke about someone
got the boot — forced out
H
(the) H — heroin
heat — danger of getting busted by cops
hustling — whoring, or selling drugs
I
J
jack-offs — bored guys
junk — heroin
K
L
lay off — to stop using junk
lead in the ass — slow person
losing your virgin veins — taking your first shot of heroin
M
mojo — charm
mojo juice — methadone
moocher — person who uses other people for things
monkey (also the monkey on your back) — the little voice inside you, telling you to score; heroin addiction
N
nod / nodding — high on drugs
O
OD — overdose
off/offed — to murder/be murdered
old biddies — old ladies
old bugger — old man
old man — father
old peckers — old men
on the sneak — unseen by others
out of the pink — suddenly
P
penguins — nuns
Pepsi-Cola habit — small habit, minor addiction
pull the plug — commit suicide
punk — uncool, weak (this is pre-punk rock!!!)
put your tongue to the rail — take holy communion
Q
R
reds — seconals
S
sap — a stupid guy
scored — acquired
screw my ass — harass and irritate
seedy — dirty, not clean
since the worm turned — since things changed; since a situation has drastically changed
spades — hipster term for African-Americans
spike — a needle
split — go/run
split the take — share the stolen loot
stoned — high on drugs
suckers — losers, played as fools
T
tear ass — RUN!
Tombs — an old jail in New York City
U-Z
use the press — be aggressive
wise ass — flippant
works (set of works) – syringes and other stuff used to shoot up
yack-yack — gossip