turps

English

Etymology

Clipping of turpentine + -s (diminutive suffix).

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /tɝps/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /tɜːps/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)ps

Noun

turps (uncountable)

1. (informal) Turpentine or turpentine substitute.
2. (slang, Australia, New Zealand) Any alcoholic drink.
   • 2005, Paul Smitz, Australia & New Zealand on a Shoestring‎^[1], page 72:

     Generally, big nights on the turps take place in The Rocks and around Kings Cross — where you'll hear and smell the action pretty quickly.

   • 2006, Gregor Paul, Hard Men Fight Back: Kiwi Sportsmen Who Beat the Odds to Live Their Dream‎^[2], page 199:

     Crazy sessions on the turps were all part of the culture.

   • 2010, Alex Bartoli, Rachel: A Story of Obsessive Love : A Novel‎^[3], page 110:

     She caught my eye, and called out, “Just showing off the studio. Keep the turps flowing.”

Derived terms

• on the turps

See also

• Wikipedia article on turpentine
• Wikipedia article on turpentine substitute

Anagrams

• Prust, spurt