on the game

English

Etymology

UK late-19th century.^[1] However, game as a euphemism for sexual activity dates to at least Troilus and Cressida (1602):^[1] "Set them down / For sluttish spoils of opportunity / And daughters of the game." Compare with the similar euphemism sport.^[2]

Adjective

on the game

(idiomatic, slang, euphemistic) Working as a prostitute.
- 1986 January 9, Edward Jewesbury as Kate's Father, Bells (Blackadder II), episode 1, written by Ben Elton and Richard Curtis:
  Oh please go on the game. It's a steady job and you'd be working from home.
- 1990 November 18, House of Cards, season 1, episode 1, written by Andrew Davies and Michael Dobbs:
  What's he want it for anyway? Don't tell me he's going on the game.

Usage notes

Variously used as "be on the game" or "go on the game".

Synonyms

See also Thesaurus:prostitute

Related terms

gamester (“prostitute”)

Translations

working as a prostitute (euphemism)

Chinese:
Mandarin: 卖淫 (zh)

Finnish: alalla
Russian: на пане́ли (na panɛ́li)

References

1 2 Siefring, Judith, editor (2005) The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press, →ISBN
↑ Holder, R. W. (2008) Dictionary of Euphemisms, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, game (the), page 191

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[Siefring-1] 1 2 Siefring, Judith, editor (2005) The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms, 2nd edition, Oxford University Press, →ISBN

[2] Holder, R. W. (2008) Dictionary of Euphemisms, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, game (the), page 191