Browsing page 25 of "D" words

noun

• a person's face. Old UK slang. Origin: the "face" of a watch.

  I didn't like the look on his dial, so I popped a cap in his ass.

  • See more words with the same meaning: British, UK slang (list of).

  Last edited on Jul 24 2010. Submitted by Dean M. from Durban, South Africa on Oct 22 2007.

• extreme approval, great, awesome, fine or meaning to be perfect, precise or better. Originated in the SoCal area.

  That girl is dialed.

  That's dialed.

  • See more words with the same meaning: good, okay, cool, awesome, fun.

  Last edited on Mar 05 2013. Submitted by David from Los Angeles, CA, USA on Mar 23 1999.

• To be prepared, set-up, ready. The state of having dialed-up something.

  Person A: Do you need to pick up some beer before we go?
  
  Person B: I'm dialed.

  That dude is fully dialed!

  Last edited on Mar 05 2013. Submitted by Jesse from Whitehorse, YT, Canada on Oct 18 2001.

• To be very proficient at a given activity. Derived from having someone's phone number on speed dial; the skill is so familiar that it is easily accessed. Used in climbing, rafting, and kayaking sub-cultures, though not exclusively.

  That guy has got that climbing route dialed-in.

  Last edited on Dec 14 2001. Submitted by Che H. from Seattle, WA, USA on Dec 14 2001.

adjective

• I believe the etymology is more about machine dials (and gauges), perhaps even precise micrometer dial settings.
  
  I heard the phrase "dialed-in" long before cellphones became common (in the late 1990s). A Viet Nam war vet neighbor of mine was using this expression in the mid-90s: "We had one guy who was a screw-up, till he got dialed-in." (This neigbor was also, later, an automotive engineer for Toyota and Ford.)
  
  The connotation was usually "The drilling rig is dialed-in." Or, "The pump is dialed-in. Turn it on." Meaning, all of the various gauges and dials are fully within optimal settings.
  
  I believe this has to do with machine dials, perhaps even micrometer dials, as in similar roots to "fully miked-out."

  Last edited on Jan 18 2013. Submitted by Anonymous on Jan 18 2013.

• I'm pretty sure it refers to the adjustment of an old analog radio dial until a station was totally clear. In the old days you had to slowly turn the dial and you would get static if you were off the signal by even a small amount. Thus, dialed in means that you're getting the full effect, the real deal, the best experience.

  Last edited on Feb 13 2019. Submitted by Anonymous on Feb 13 2019.

expression

• Used in shooting to describe the accurate sighting-in of a rifle and telescopic sight using the elevation and windage dials to incrementally adjust the zero, until the point-of-impact eventually lands on the bullseye of the target. Also describes the act of adjusting the scope's dials in order to perform a precise shot without having to aim high to account for distance.

  Last edited on Mar 07 2021. Submitted by Hitchslap on Mar 07 2021.

verb

• to vomit.

  I was just dialing the porcelain phone.

  • See more words with the same meaning: to vomit.

  Last edited on May 13 2011. Submitted by Risa M. from Green Bay, WI, USA on Aug 05 1998.

noun

• a bore, dullard.

  I nearly fell asleep listening to him, he's such a dial tone.

  Last edited on Nov 05 2010. Submitted by Darrek J. from Chicago, IL, USA on Feb 11 2002.

• to make or get something. Possibly originated in reference to ordering a pizza by telephone, etc. Popularized by using the internet, as in "dial-up a website." Now has become a more universal term.

  I'm gonna dial-up a cocktail.

  Last edited on Nov 17 2013. Submitted by Jesse from Whitehorse, YT, Canada on Oct 18 2001.

• slow.

  Hurry up honey, you're being so dial up.

  Last edited on Sep 22 2005. Submitted by Linda S. from PA, USA on Sep 22 2005.