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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

turps en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • /tɝps/ (General-American)
  • /tɜːps/ (Received-Pronunciation)
  • (Australia) audio

Etymology

Clipping of turpentine + -s (diminutive suffix).

Meanings

  1. (informal, uncountable) Turpentine or turpentine substitute.
  2. (Australia, New-Zealand, slang, uncountable) Any alcoholic drink.
    • ‘No flamin’ good for anyone, wimmin. Leave ’em alone, I says. Stick to the old turps, I says.’ 1960, J. E. Macdonnell, Don't Gimme the Ships, Melbourne: Horwitz Publications, page 111:
    • Generally, big nights on the turps take place in The Rocks and around Kings Cross — where you'll hear and smell the action pretty quickly. 2005, Paul Smitz, Australia & New Zealand on a Shoestring, page 72:
    • Crazy sessions on the turps were all part of the culture. 2006, Gregor Paul, Hard Men Fight Back: Kiwi Sportsmen Who Beat the Odds to Live Their Dream, page 199:
    • She caught my eye, and called out, “Just showing off the studio. Keep the turps flowing.” 2010, Alex Bartoli, Rachel: A Story of Obsessive Love : A Novel, page 110:

Deriveds

on the turps · turpsy