Green’s Dictionary of Slang

an impossibility, something forbidden; also of people.

1942		Berrey & Van den Bark Amer. Thes. Sl.
1971		Time 15 Feb. 28: From now on, drugs are a no-no for revolutionaries.
1989		T. Blacker Fixx 130: Market-wise it’s a no-no.
1993		G. Disher Deathdeal [ebook] [D]ealers who’d become addicts, a big no-no as far as the organisation was concerned.
1997		A. Highcrest At Home on the Stroll 227: Checking out the audience [...] is a real no-no.
1998		Guardian G2 6 Aug. 11: In most black families abortion’s a no-no.
2005		B. Hare Urban Grimshaw 28: Everyone met up at the pub and drinking indoors was a no-no.
2007		N. ‘Razor’ Smith Raiders 246: Giving a gun to some numpty who might shoot his own foot off [...] is a no-no.
2010		K. Richards Life 161: We were getting no-nos from the record company, management, everyone.
2010		Big Issue (SA) 15 Jan.-5 Feb. 9: [heading] Prostitution is a no-no during World Cup.
2011		G. Hayward Corruption Officer [ebk] cap. 22: My partner does the ultimate no-no and comes in behind me.
2020		G. Armstrong Young Team 135: Too much, too soon on rave day is a fuckin no-no.
2023		Rayman & Blau Riker’s 70: [T]hat was, like, a no-no. We was good with each other, and the unity was there and everything, but we were like, nah, you don’t do that.
2024		J. Meades Empty Wigs (t/s) 903: I am wriggling out from under him inciting bruising to ribs and breasts which is professional no-no.
2026		M. James Disappearers 604: He doesn’t want to kiss. That’s a no-no, which is fine, because his breath is a no-no, too .