want v.
SE in slang uses
In phrases
(Aus.) to be hard to please.
Digger Dialects 39: port-holes in your coffin (to want, etc.) — To be hard to please. | ||
(con. WWI) Gloss. Sl. [...] in the A.I.F. 1921–1924 (rev. t/s) n.p.: port holes in your coffin – want. To be hard to please. |
(orig. US) a ritual request that may well herald a fight, but still gives the other person the chance to back down.
We Were the Rats 144: ‘Who said that?’ said Eddie, sitting up. He thought it was Jim. It was Jim, but Pat said, ‘Me. Want to make something of it?’. | ||
Veeck — as in Wreck 190: [J]ust sharply enough to let Clint know he was ready for him any time Clint wanted to make something of it. | ||
DSUE (8th edn) 1307/2: since ca. 1925. | ||
Penguin Bk of Aus. Jokes 387: I’m stupid, okay. I’ve got an IQ of 63. You wanna make something of it? |