Uncle (n.): pawnbroker. ‘Uncle was an outlet though often getting things for nought [by] threatening to gom us’ (Clerk 1971 [c.1900]: 69). Recorded from m.18c.; derivation unclear; probably a euphemism.

Under the arm (phr.): second rate, very inferior; unpleasant; unwell. ‘Under the arm – worst, terrible’ (Anon. 1964a: 20). ‘I'm under de arm, doctor. I am feeling rather poorly, doctor’ (Shaw et al. 1966: 54). ‘British ale which is under the arm’ (Brown 1989: 28). ‘I'm feelin under dee arm, doctor I am feeling rather poorly, doctor’ (Spiegl 2000b: 104). Recorded from e.20c.; derivation unclear.

Under the crotch (phr.): very unwell. ‘I'm feelin under der crotch, doctor I am feeling worse than poorly’ (Spiegl 2000b: 106). *NR; emphatic version of under the arm.

Under the doctor (phr.): being treated by a doctor; by extension, on sick leave. ‘I wus undher the doctor for tree weeks’ (Shaw 1957a: 12). Recorded from m.19c.; an extension of ‘under’, ‘subordinate to, controlled by’; used with special reference to medical supervision.

Up the chute (phr.): in trouble; pregnant. ‘Up ther shute: To be in serious trouble’ (Lane 1966: 98). ‘E's got ‘er up ther shute: He has made her pregnant’ (Lane 1966: 98). ‘Are y'sure it's you … What's put her up the shoot?’ (Bleasdale 1975: 163). Recorded from m.20c.; an Australian coinage; derivation is clear.

Up the entry eyes (phr.): sexually promising. ‘She's got up-de-entry eyes … She has a come hither look’ (‘Postman’ 1966a: 6). ‘She got up-dee-entery eyes She gave me a come-hither look’ (Spiegl 2000b: 92). *NR; derivation is clear (‘entry’ is ‘back alley’).

Up the pole (phr.): crazy, at wit's end. ‘Up the pole: Crazy, irresponsible’ (Lane 1966: 112). Recorded from e.20c.; derivation unclear; distinct from the Irish English ‘up the pole’, ‘pregnant’.