sleighride n.
1. in US drug use [pun on SE snow/snow n.1 (2)].
(a) the taking of cocaine; also attrib.
![[US]](/static/img/flags/us.png "United States") | ‘Experience’ in et al. Songs of the Amer. West (1968) 324: Next I took a short sleigh ride, / An’ felt the wide world was mine. | |
| Und. and Prison Sl. 67: sleighride party. (From snow.) A party which features the taking of cocaine. | |
| Criminal Sl. (rev. edn). | |
| Traffic In Narcotics 315: sleigh ride. A spree after indulging in drugs. Also a drug addict. | |
| Narcotics Lingo and Lore. | |
| [ | | Long & Faraway Gone [ebook] ‘Plenty of room in Santa’s sleigh.’ Wink, wink. Santa’s sleigh—snow—cocaine. Get it?]. |
(b) rarely, the taking of morphine (which is also white) or heroin.
| ‘Dict. Und.’ in Flynn’s mag. cited in Partridge DU (1949) Sleigh-ride, n. A jab of morphine from a hypodermic syringe or the resulting state of intoxication. | |
| Amer. Tramp and Und. Sl. 172: Sleigh Ride. – Originally a debauch on heroin, ‘snow,’ amplified to include any dream or state of elation induced by drugs. | |
| World’s Toughest Prison 818: sleigh ride – A debauch on heroin. |
2. (US Und.) a deception, a trick [pun on snow v.].
| Judge (NY) 91 July-Dec. 31: Sleigh-ride- a run a round, the raspberry. | |
| Phila. Eve. Bulletin 5 Oct. 40/5: Here are a few more terms and definitions from the ‘Racket’ vocabulary: [...] ‘sleigh ride,’ a trick. | |
| Amer. Tramp and Und. Sl. 172: SLEIGH RIDE. – [...] used to indicate an absolutely impossible or unlikely idea or action, or to refer to the cheating or fleecing of a victim. [...] ‘We gave him a sleigh ride’ – we cheated him by a false story or by sharp practice. | |
| Dict. Service Sl. n.p.: a sleighride . . . recounting imaginary exploits. | |
| Hoodlums (2021) 144: Somehow he would get the money. If necessary, take Martin for a sleigh ride. | |
| Undercover 108: [T]hey would have to produce certifiable results [...] or that would be the end of the sleigh ride. |
In phrases
to take cocaine or morphine.
| It’s a Racket! 238: sleigh ride—To go for a ‘sleigh ride,’ i.e. to use morphine or cocaine. | |
| ‘Junker Lingo’ in AS VIII:2 27: Bernice or burnese is crystallized cocaine prepared for inhaling into the lungs. To go on a sleigh ride is to inhale the bernice and experience the consequent exhilaration. | |
| Criminal Sl. (rev. edn) 166: on a sleigh ride Under the influence of cocaine. | |
| Traffic In Narcotics 309: Go on a sleigh ride. To experience the exhilaration of inhaling crystallized cocaine. | |
| ONDCP Street Terms 10: Go on a sleigh ride — To inhale cocaine. |
1. to take cocaine.
| Gay-cat 304: Snow—cocaine The user of cocaine is called a ‘snow-bird,’ and the act of using the drug termed ‘taking a sleigh ride’. | |
| ‘Gats in the Hat’ in Gun Molls Sept. 🌐 I’ll take a little trip and get me a real sleigh ride. | |
| Criminal Sl. (rev. edn) 232: take a sleigh ride To inhale cocaine. |
2. to take morphine (which is also white).
| Chicago May (1929) 260: Taking a sleigh ride—getting morphine. |