“We caught him playing with queer.”
(Losing Streak)
Also see Police Terminology, Slang for Common Subjects
Want to know if anyone in the show said “Hang tight,” “Clod kicker,” or “Ain’t no great shakes”? The list below can help.
This is a very unscientific collection of the slang and idioms used in Bay City. It is by no means complete, and it is also by no means perfect. What is one person’s slang may be another person’s standard English. What is one person’s idiom may be someone else’s turn-of-phrase, which may be somebody else’s colloquialism, which may be someone’s localism. Or it may be someone else’s bit of hooey.
All this slanguage is subjective in terms of the time period, regionalisms, the gender/age/race of the speaker, and the context in which they are used. Add that to their definitions being dependent on all of the above and one needs to stay sharp.
A
- “APB” = an “all points bulletin” (Texas Longhorn, Silence, The Fix, Snowstorm)
- “a lock” = something that can’t be disputed (Death in a Different Place)
- “ace in the hole” = an advantage someone has that others don’t know about (Terror on the Docks)
- “ace” = best (The Action, Snowstorm)
- “acting up” = sporadically not working, giving trouble (Pilot)
- “action” = gambling (The Action) sex (Murder at Sea)
- “after the post” = after the post mortem (Texas Longhorn)
- “against the grain” = opposite the usual (Murder at Sea)
- “ain’t no snow white” = not innocent (Iron Mike)
- “ain’t that too much” = isn’t that something (Bloodbath)
- “all a front” = a disguise, trick (Pilot)
- “all America on wheels” = Hutch exclaims this in frustration, reference to Ford Motor’s original slogan (Survival)
- “all clear” = no problems (Silence)
- “all heart” = to have sympathy, often said sarcastically (The Heroes)
- “all points” = all points bulletin (Nightmare)
- “allergic to green” = can’t be bribed (Iron Mike)
- “angel” = someone who watches over you, possibly someone in organized crime (The Heavyweight) a snitch, informant (The Game)
- “angling” = trying to get something by indirect or artful means (The Action)
- “Anglo” = white person (Texas Longhorn)
- “APB” = all points bulletin (The Fix, Silence, Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “ape” = goon, thug (The Action)
- “are you in” = do you agree? (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “are you listed” = are you in the phone book? (Manchild on the Streets)
- “arm-break concession” = loan sharks that play rough (The Collector)
- “armor” = gun (Blindfold)
- “arms” = guns (The Action)
- “as per manual” = by the book (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “assist” = getting help from other cops (The Trap)
- “ate out” = yelled at, scolded (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “ate up” = betrayed (The Heavyweight)
- “automatic” = gun (The Trap, The Committee)
- “ax” = a guitar (Moonshine)
B
- “babushkas” = breasts (The Groupie)
- “back door method” = not the usual way, perhaps underhanded (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “back in the bull pen” = back into a temporary holding area (The Heavyweight)
- “back it up” = explain it (Murder on Stage 17)
- “back of the neck” = helpless (Bust Amboy)
- “backside” = butt (Manchild on the Streets)
- “bad” = good (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “bad shape” = not well (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “bad stuff” = bad drugs (The Heroes)
- “bag” = thing (Texas Longhorn)
- “bag and baggage” = all the things someone owns (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “ball and chain” = wife (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “baloney” = nonsense, bullshit (The Deadly Imposter)
- “bank on it” = count on it (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “bang-up job” = a good job (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
- “barking” = insert favorite censored word here (Pilot)
- “batting a thousand” = getting it all right, having complete success (Cover Girl, Black and Blue)
- “be a cowboy” = take unnecessary risks, be macho (Birds of a Feather)
- “be a soldier” = be brave (Fatal Charm)
- “be there yesterday” = be really fast (Quadromania)
- “Bureau” = FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigations (The Groupie)
- “beat” = area to patrol (Starsky’s Lady, Nightmare, Captain Dobey, You’re Dead, Pilot, Texas Longhorn) exhausted, tired (Fatal Charm)
- “beat bad” = win by a large margin (Gillian)
- “beat it” = get out of here, leave (The Psychic, The Heavyweight)
- “beat to a pulp” = beat excessively (Jojo)
- “beating a dead horse” = doing something useless (The Set-Up)
- “beats me” = I don’t know (Pilot)
- “beaut” = nice thing, beautiful example (Pilot, Starsky’s Lady, I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “beef” = complaint (Losing Streak, The Velvet Jungle, The Committee, The Trap) deal (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “been made” = cover is blown, found out (I Love You, Rosey Malone, Snowstorm, Partners)
- “before the ink gets dry” = right away (Bust Amboy)
- “behind” = butt (Iron Mike, The Groupie)
- “behind the eight ball” = in a vulnerable, unfavorable, uncomfortable position (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
- “bellyaching” = bitching, complaining (Jojo, The Bait)
- “belt out” = sing loudly, enthusiastically (Murder at Sea)
- “bend your ear” = to talk to someone for a long time, usually about something boring (The Heroes)
- “bent” = don’t go by the rules, don’t do the expected (The Psychic)
- “bent out of shape” = annoyed (Fatal Charm, Starsky’s Brother)
- “best shot” = best try, best attempt (Bloodbath)
- “bet on that” = count on that (Bloodbath)
- “bet our action” = bet what we do (The Action)
- “between his horns” = between the ears, in a deadly spot (Silence)
- “beyond the call of duty” = over and above what is required (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
- “big banana” = the one in charge (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “Big D” = steroid (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “big one” = a dollar (Discomania) a thousand dollars (The Bait)
- “big score” = big prize (The Action)
- “big time score” = illegal job that gets a large amount of valuables (Nightmare, The Psychic, The Action)
- “bimbo” = stupid woman (The Heroes, Texas Longhorn)
- “bingo” = confirmation of a guess, occurrence of an idea (Pilot, Manchild on the Streets, The Trap)
- “bird brain” = stupid person (The Bounty Hunter)
- “birds and the bees” = basics about sexual matters (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “bit” = twenty-five cents (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “bite” = take the bait (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “biz” = business (Murder Ward)
- “black and white” = squad car (Bust Amboy)
- “black book” = snitch book, cop’s personal information book (Iron Mike, Pilot)
- “blank check” = total freedom of action (Death Notice)
- “blast” = kill (Survival)
- “bled” = squeezed, pressured (The Bounty Hunter)
- “bleed dry” = completely squeezed, pressured (The Golden Angel)
- “bleed it out” = lose it (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “blew away” = murdered (The Velvet Jungle)
- “blew” = completely destroyed by explosion (The Specialist, Savage Sunday, The Velvet Jungle)
- “blind alley” = a mistaken, unproductive undertaking (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “blood” = another black person (Huggy Bear and the Turkey, Huggy Can’t Go Home) man (The Game, Bloodbath)
- “blood lines back to Noah’s ark” = an extremely old family (Bloodbath)
- “blood race” = get excited (Murder at Sea)
- “bloody” = expletive (Murder at Sea, Jojo, various)
- “blow” = mess it up, throw it away (Pilot, A Body Worth Guarding) explode (Silence)
- “blow away” = kill (The Bounty Hunter, The Trap, The Heavyweight, Foxy Lady, The Velvet Jungle, Birds of a Feather, Pariah)
- “blow his bail” = jump bail (The Committee)
- “blow in” = suddenly arrive from somewhere (Savage Sunday)
- “blow it” = ruin it, mess it up (The Trap, The Heavyweight)
- “blow my cover” = reveal my true identity (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “blow the lid off” = expose (The Committee)
- “blow the whistle” = to tell of illegal or dangerous activities (Manchild on the Streets, Ballad for a Blue Lady, Blindfold, Birds of a Feather, I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “blow you guys out” = freak you guys out (Vendetta)
- “blowing smoke” = posing, acting (The Action)
- “blows my mind” = amazes me (Death in a Different Place)
- “blue coat” = uniformed cop (Pariah)
- “boat race” = a race with a number of non-triers which is said to be fixed (Omaha Tiger)
- “body English” = pool term meaning to put spin on ball, means to do something with a sly deception (Discomania)
- “bogus bread” = counterfeit money (Losing Streak)
- “bonanza” = jackpot (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “boogeyman” = monster made up to frighten children, thing of which someone has an irrational fear (The Deadly Imposter, Snowstorm)
- “book” = bookie (The Action, The Collector)
- “book, the” = the rules (Nightmare, Iron Mike, various)
- “boom-boom girls” = cheerleaders, pom-pom girls (Shootout)
- “booster” = burglar, thief (The Groupie)
- “booze” = alcohol (Death in a Different Place, Manchild on the Streets)
- “bottom line” = final result (Bloodbath)
- “bought it” = believed (A Coffin for Starsky) died, killed (The Committee, Snowstorm, Discomania)
- “bought the store” = believed the whole thing (The Bounty Hunter)
- “bounce” = get out, leave (The Bounty Hunter)
- “bout” = round in a fight (Omaha Tiger)
- “bowl of cherries” = something easy (Discomania)
- “boys upstairs” = Dobey’s superiors (Death Notice)
- “brave soldier” = eager cop (Bust Amboy)
- “bread” = money (Omaha Tiger, Bust Amboy, Fatal Charm, Manchild on the Streets, Losing Streak, The Heavyweight, Savage Sunday, Blindfold, Ballad for a Blue Lady, Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “break” = another chance (The Las Vegas Strangler, The Trap) leave, quit (The Heavyweight)
- “break heads” = get physical (Iron Mike)
- “break my heart” = very disappointing, used sarcastically (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “break my rhythm” = mess up my usual ways (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “break the bank” = win a lot of money, win more than the house can pay you (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “break this thing wide open” = solve it (The Psychic)
- “breathe easier” = relax (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “breathing down my neck” = intense, close pressure or observation (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “breathing fire” = intense, close pressure or observation (Ballad For a Blue Lady)
- “breeze” = easy, simple (The Committee)
- “brew” = beer (Blindfold, Birds of a Feather)
- “bring in” = apprehend, arrest (The Heroes)
- “bring in from the cold” = come in from undercover (Lady Blue)
- “bring to the outside” = bring out in the open (Murder at Sea)
- “bro” = see “brother” (Manchild on the Streets)
- “broad” = woman (The Fix, Snowstorm, Bust Amboy, The Velvet Jungle, Texas Longhorn, Fatal Charm, Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty, Terror on the Docks, Cover Girl, The Vampire, The Groupie)
- “broad daylight” = out in the open, not hidden (Class in Crime)
- “broker” = a go-between in crime, one can ask a broker to get a hit man (The Collector)
- “broke up” = end a romantic relationship (Murder at Sea, The Crying Child)
- “broken his face” = would have been too intense for him (The Committee)
- “brother” = word for a black man used by another black man, used to refer to someone of the same group (Manchild on the Streets, Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “brought along” = supported (The Heavyweight)
- “brown bread and white bread” = Hispanic, Latino, or Chicano man and a white man (Texas Longhorn)
- “brownie” = camera (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “bucks” = dollars (Long Walk Down a Short Dirt Road)
- “budding life of crime” = in the early development of becoming a criminal (The Trap)
- “budding romance” = early development of love (The Trap)
- “bug” = bother (The Specialist) electronic surveillance (Death Ride)
- “bug out” = leave alone (Targets Without a Badge: Part 2)
- “buggy” = car (Survival)
- “building line” = building foundation (Iron Mike)
- “bull” = bullshit, nonsense (The Psychic)
- “bull moose” = extra large (Murder Ward)
- “bum” = loser, punk (Iron Mike, The Heavyweight, Losing Streak)
- “bum rap” = bogus charge, unfair (Huggy Bear and the Turkey, Blindfold)
- “bummed out” = disappointed (The Crying Child)
- “bumming around” = hanging out (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “bump in the dark” = one-on-one fight (The Bounty Hunter)
- “bump off” = kill (The Psychic)
- “buried case” = past case (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “burn” = kill (Death Ride, The Plague, Black and Blue, Ballad for a Blue Lady, Terror on the Docks, Cover Girl, Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart, The Plague, Death in a Different Place, Class in Crime, Huggy Can’t Go Home , Manchild on the Streets, Savage Sunday, Birds of a Feather, Pariah) cheat (Birds of a Feather)
- “burned away” = killed (The Set-Up)
- “burning rubber” = moving fast (Bust Amboy)
- “burns my fuse” = pisses me off (Vendetta)
- “bury” = apprehend, get, hide legally (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “busman’s holiday” = vacation during which one engages in activity that is similar to one’s usual work. (The Deadly Imposter)
- “bus ticket out of here” = chance to leave (The Trap)
- “business in the john” = use the bathroom (The Trap)
- “bust” = arrest (Snowstorm, Murder at Sea, Amboy, Ninety Pounds of Trouble, The Bounty Hunter, A Coffin for Starsky, Blindfold, Iron Mike, Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty, Murder on Stage 17, Silence, Pilot, I Love You, Rosey Malone, Death in a Different Place, The Bait, Manchild on the Streets) jump in, move in quickly (The Crying Child), find out (The Bait)
- “busted wide open” = reveal (The Action)
- “bust ‘em rust ‘em” = tough guy (Texas Longhorn)
- “bust in the chops” = hit in the jaw (The Committee, Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “bust the light” = run a red light (Pilot, Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “busting heads” = getting physically rough (Murder at Sea)
- “busting their runners” = arresting their money/drug/gambling go-betweens (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “butt out” = back off, leave alone (The Velvet Jungle)
- “buy” = believe (Pilot, The Las Vegas Strangler, The Committee, Death in a Different Place, I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “buy it” = die (Snowstorm, The Committee)
- “buy me” = give me (The Action)
- “by the book” = to go by the rules (Snowstorm, Iron Mike)
- “by the same token” = in addition, for the same reason (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
C
- “C-note” = hundred dollar bill (The Action)
- “cahoots” = secret or questionable partnership (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “call the shots” = make the decisions, be in charge (The Specialist, The Game)
- “came through when the chips were down” = was there as support when all else failed (The Heavyweight)
- “can” = bathroom (Death Ride) butt (The Fix, The Specialist) jail (Jojo, The Crying Child)
- “can of worms” = a messy, complicated situation (Vendetta)
- “can take a punch” = can stand up to adversity (The Heavyweight)
- “can the birdseed” = cut the stupid small talk (Vendetta)
- “can you dig it” = do you understand? (The Trap)
- “candy store” = liquor store (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “canner” = punk, lowlife (Pilot, Savage Sunday)
- “cannon” = cop (Savage Sunday) huge gun (The Trap, Targets Without a Badge: Part 3, Photo Finish)
- “Cantonese” = Chinese food (Deckwatch)
- “canvas kisser” = boxer (The Golden Angel)
- “car fare” = enough money to get home, most likely by public transportation (The Action)
- “carried away” = so enthusiastic you lose your perspective and good judgment (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “carrying” = armed (The Action)
- “case” = closely watch a building or situation for information for the future, surveillance (The Heavyweight)
- “case and priors” = legal file (Jojo)
- “case of the cutes” = someone who becomes suddenly self-assertive (The Hostages)
- “cash in early” = quit (The Action)
- “cat” = guy, dude (Running, Savage Sunday, Pilot, Jojo, Murder at Sea, Gillian, Murder Ward, Long Walk Down a Short Dirt Road, The Fix, Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “cat dragged in” = what suddenly appeared (Birds of a Feather, Sweet Revenge)
- “catches two slugs” = shot twice (Foxy Lady)
- “caution you” = warn you (Nightmare)
- “Central” = central dispatch (Survival)
- “certifiable” = nuts, crazy (Jojo)
- “chariot” = car (Lady Blue)
- “chasing grouse all night” = Hutch uses it referring to Starsky’s wild night of sex (The Heavyweight)
- “chasing our tails all over sunset” = wild goose chase, worthless chase (Bloodbath)
- “cheap book” = a book that can’t handle large bets (The Action)
- “cheap nickel and dimer” = small time crook (Death in a Different Place)
- “cheap thrill” = something fun that doesn’t cost much, often something of small account (Cover Girl)
- “check for a wire” = determine if person has any secret electronic surveillance on him or her (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “check out the plumbing” = use the bathroom (Partners)
- “check out” = die (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island) investigate (Pilot)
- “check your traps” = ask around your beat (The Heroes)
- “cheese it” = exclamation (Murder Ward, Sweet Revenge)
- “chemists” = illegal drug manufacturers (Bloodbath)
- “Chevy” = Chevrolet automobile (Death Ride)
- “Chicanos” = people from Mexico (The Velvet Jungle, Manchild on the Streets)
- “chick” = woman (Jojo, Murder at Sea, Nightmare, Pilot, Fatal Charm, Manchild on the Streets, The Heavyweight, Foxy Lady, Shootout, Texas Longhorn, The Bait)
- “chicken feed” = a very small amount of money (The Golden Angel)
- “chit” = a gambling IOU (Birds of a Feather)
- “chitchat” = small, unimportant conversation (Texas Longhorn)
- “chomping at the bit” = eager, anxious (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “chopped channel and lowered short” = car that has been customized, chassis lowered and modified (Jojo)
- “chopper” = helicopter (The Set-Up)
- “chops” = jaw (Huggy Bear and the Turkey, The Committee)
- “chow” = food (Quadromania)
- “chow down” = eat (Bust Amboy)
- “chow’s on” = time to eat (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “chump” = sucker (Savage Sunday)
- “chump change” = a very small amount of money (The Golden Angel, Birds of a Feather)
- “cinch” = easy (The Fix)
- “city tank” = city jail (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “class jock” = popular athletic kid (Bust Amboy)
- “class up” = smarten up (Death Notice)
- “clay pigeon” = a dupe (Death Ride)
- “clean” = honest (Iron Mike) no fingerprints (Class in Crime)
- “clean as a hound’s tooth” = immaculate (The Groupie, Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “clean out the old pipes” = ease the respiratory system (The Action)
- “clean piece” = a gun that can’t be traced (Birds of a Feather)
- “clean record” = without a criminal past, history (The Trap)
- “clean up your act” = get it together, figure it out (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “clobber” = hit (Murder at Sea, Bust Amboy)
- “clod kicker” = rube, turnip, redneck, unsophisticated (Huggy Bear and the Turkey, Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart, Snowstorm)
- “closet bigot” = a prejudiced person who is trying to keep it a secret (Manchild on the Streets)
- “clowning around” = fooling, playing around (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “code of the subculture” = Rolly refers to this, rules the bad guys live by (Texas Longhorn)
- “coke” = cocaine (Murder at Sea, Bloodbath, Starsky’s Brother, Targets Without a Badge: Part 1) soda pop (The Action)
- “coke freak” = cocaine addict (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “cold shot” = reality, tough, a real bitch (The Action)
- “cold turkey” = cease a behavior suddenly, immediate withdrawal (Partners, The Action) without question, certainly (Shootout)
- “collar” = arrest (Savage Sunday, Snowstorm, Huggy Bear and the Turkey, Manchild on the Streets, The Plague, The Collector, Photo Finish, Birds of a Feather)
- “college boys” = the Feds (The Bait)
- “colored” = black person (Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “come clean” = admit, be honest (Murder Ward)
- “come in from the cold” = come out from undercover (Lady Blue)
- “come up short” = lacking (The Heroes)
- “comfort station” = bathroom (Satan’s Witches)
- “coming down on” = attacking, scolding (Quadromania)
- “coming in for a landing” = arriving, just about finished (The Action)
- “commie” = communist (The Groupie)
- “con” = trick (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “conk out” = fail (Bloodbath)
- “connect” = snitch (The Groupie)
- “connection” = drug meet (Bust Amboy)
- “conquest” = sexual victory, a date (Hostage)
- “conspiracy” = agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime or accomplish a legal purpose through illegal action (Snowstorm)
- “contact man” = person to whom kidnappers relay information and direction (The Psychic)
- “continental kit” = a spare tire mounted on the rear bumper of a car, usually requiring a bumper extension (Running)
- “cook up junk” = manufacture heroin (Bloodbath)
- “cooking the streets” = everybody knows and is talking about it (Nightmare)
- “cool it” = calm down, lay low (Death in a Different Place, The Heroes, Hutchinson for Murder One, Cover Girl)
- “cooped up” = held in a small area, detained (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “cop” = steal (Cover Girl, Photo Finish)
- “cop out” = be a stoolie, fink (Texas Longhorn)
- “copped” = squealed, told (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “copy cat killings” = imitative killings (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “corn business” = in the business of making moonshine (Moonshine)
- “cornpone” = folksy, southern, homespun, as in manner or speech (Death Notice)
- “corny” = silly (Little Girl Lost)
- “cough up” = give up reluctantly (The Groupie)
- “count me out” = don’t make me a part of the plan (Death in a Different Place)
- “counter culture” = going against the norms of society (Texas Longhorn, The Velvet Jungle, The Heroes)
- “courier” = money or information runner (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “cover blown” = been discovered, made (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “cover cop” = under-cover cop (The Psychic)
- “cover our tails” = protect ourselves (The Action)
- “cover” = disguise (Murder at Sea, The Action) protect (The Trap, Gillian, various)
- “covers it” = takes care of it (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “cover your beat” = patrol your beat, have your beat (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “crack” = expert (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island, Terror on the Docks) hostile remark (Partners) solve (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
- “crack job of it” = doing an excellent job (The Velvet Jungle)
- “crack of dawn” = really, really early in the morning (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “crack up” = car accident (Death Notice)
- “crackers” = craz, insane (Lady Blue)
- “cracker” = white person (Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “crackerjack” = expert (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “cracking heads” = getting rough (Snowstorm)
- “crash” = go to sleep (Foxy Lady)
- “crazy like a fox” = smart, but in an unexpected way (Murder at Sea)
- “crease” = shallow wound, flesh wound from a bullet (Shootout)
- “creep” = weasel, lowlife (Pilot, Iron Mike, Bloodbath, Death in a Different Place, Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “crib” = pimp’s collection of hookers (The Bait)
- “crime wave” = explosion of crime (The Bounty Hunter)
- “crooked” = illegal (Bust Amboy)
- “cross” = get in the way of or go against (Pilot, The Heavyweight)
- “cross-pollinating” = dating/sleeping with someone of a different race (Black and Blue)
- “crossing the last T” = carefully finishing a project (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “crucifies” = treats cruelly, criticizes harshly (The Hostages)
- “cruising altitude” = ideal speed (The Action)
- “crumb” = loser, bum (A Coffin for Starsky, Bust Amboy, Iron Mike, The Action)
- “crummy” = rotten (Little Girl Lost)
- “crying out loud” = exclamation of anger or exasperation (The Heavyweight)
- “cuff” = put handcuffs on (Iron Mike, Hutchinson for Murder One, The Trap)
- “cut off” = denied drugs (The Heroes)
- “cut out” = leave, take off (Snowstorm)
- “cut the ice” = do the job, be sufficient (Vendetta)
- “cut with” = diluted or weakened with (The Heroes)
- “cut” = take (The Velvet Jungle)
D
- “DB report” = report of a dead body (Lady Blue, Jojo)
- “DMT” = hallucinogenic (Quadromania)
- “DMV” = Department of Motor Vehicles (The Set-Up, The Heroes, Class in Crime)
- “DMV read up” = Dobey asks for info regarding license plate (The Fix)
- “DR” = daily record (The Plague)
- “dame” = woman (The Fix, Running)
- “darned your socks” = took care of domestically (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “deadbang” = absolute (The Groupie)
- “dead meat” = doomed person, in serious trouble (Iron Mike)
- “dead piece” = gun that can’t be traced (The Collector)
- “dead to rights” = in the very act of making an error or committing a crime, certain (Snowstorm)
- “dealing” = selling drugs (Death in a Different Place, Manchild on the Streets)
- “deli” = cold sandwiches (Ballad for a Blue Lady)
- “deluxe reverse Hondo switch” = tactic for throwing loaded dice, by having two sets, keeping one in sleeve (The Action)
- “demo” = gig, demonstration (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “desert people” = Jewish people (?) (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “dice crib“ = place to gamble (The Action)
- “dicey“ = tricky, complicated (Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
- “dick“ = detective (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “did a number on“ = really affected something, had a big result (Bloodbath)
- “did me“ = got me (Fatal Charm)
- “did time” = served a sentence in prison (Silence)
- “diddly” = nothing (Texas Longhorn)
- “diddlysquat” = nothing (Photo Finish, Blindfold)
- “didn’t come here for a seminar” = get down to business (Iron mike)
- “didn’t have a dime” = has nothing (Gillian)
- “dig” = understand, like or appreciate (Pilot, The Deadly Imposter, Murder at Sea, Huggy Bear and the Turkey, Bloodbath, Targets Without a Badge: Part 1, Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island, I Love You, Rosey Malone, Manchild on the Streets Trap)
- “dig up” = locate (Fatal Charm)
- “dim view” = regard disapprovingly (Partners)
- “dingo” = crazy nut (Death Notice)
- “dink artist” = tennis player (The Golden Angel)
- “dip and sip” = bar (The Trap)
- “dipper” = pickpocket (The Plague)
- “dirty cop” = unethical cop, cop gone bad (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “dirty work” = unpleasant, thankless task (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “dirty your own hands” = do your own dirty work (Death Notice)
- “disappear” = go into hiding (Death in a Different Place)
- “disappearing act” = to vanish (The Groupie)
- “district” = beat, area to patrol (Pilot)
- “ditch” = abandon (The Hostages)
- “do a number” = run a scam (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “do” = kill (Lady Blue, Murder at Sea, Manchild on the Streets)
- “do the drop” = deliver something (The Psychic)
- “do the number” = do the hit, the job (Jojo)
- “do up” = fix (Bloodbath)
- “do your numbers on” = run a scam (Vendetta)
- “doctored” = tampered with (Bust Amboy)
- “does a duck quack?” = obvious affirmative answer (Cover Girl)
- “does it hold” = still true (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “doesn’t hold a candle to” = doesn’t compare (Birds of a Feather)
- “doesn’t smell good” = suspiciously rotten, not something good (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “dog” = hotdog (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “dog-tailed” = followed (Nightmare)
- “doing a solo” = doing a job alone, without backup (The Action)
- “doing an SOS” = asking for help (The Trap)
- “doing fieldwork” = working as a prostitute without a pimp (The Hostages)
- “numbers in cars” = Patricia Talbert says she is way past this, is more grown-up (Pilot)
- “doing time” = in prison (The Heroes, Silence, Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “doll” = woman (Pilot, Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “don’t push it” = don’t force it, tread lightly (Quadromania)
- “don’t start with me” = don’t pick a fight (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “don’t sweat it” = don’t worry about it (The Velvet Jungle)
- “done” = raped (Jojo)
- “done for” = all used up (The Committee, Bloodbath)
- “don’t be a cowboy” = don’t show off or do anything rash (Birds of a Feather)
- “dope” = any narcotic or dangerous drug, usually refers to marijuana or heroin (Bust Amboy, Lady Blue, The Heroes, The Bait, Targets Without a Badge: Part 1) the deal, the information (Murder Ward)
- “double clutch” = drive right into (Partners)
- “double-dog dare” = challenge (Moonshine)
- “dough” = money (The Action, Nightmare, The Game, The Collector)
- “down Mexico way” = in Mexico (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “down the river” = betray (The Set-Up)
- “down the tubes” = into the trash, into the toilet, go bad (Jojo, The Deadly Imposter, Ballad for a Blue Lady)
- “down with the get-down” = understood, along with someone (Black and Blue)
- “downers” = depressant (Manchild on the Streets)
- “drag” = bummer, a disappointment (Partners) dressed in the clothes of the opposite gender (The Psychic)
- “dream dust” = heroin (Bust Amboy)
- “dress up a party” = people or things hired to make a party look better (Death Notice)
- “drop a dime” = make a phone call (Huggy Can’t Go Home, Strange Justice)
- “dropped out of action” = disappeared (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “drought” = time of less drug availability (Bust Amboy)
- “drunk tank” = cell to dry out (Running, The Bounty Hunter, Survival)
- “dry” = no drugs (Bust Amboy)
- “dud” = unsuccessful, disappointing (I Love You, Rosey Malone, The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “dude” = man (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart, Death in a Different Place, The Collector, Manchild on the Streets, Hutchinson for Murder One, The Trap, Quadromania, Cover Girl)
- “duke you” = give you, lead you to (Texas Longhorn)
- “dumped on” = ratted on, turned state’s evidence (Terror on the Docks)
- “dupe” = fool (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “dusted” = kill (Quadromania, The Heavyweight)
E
- “ETA” = estimated time of arrival (Jojo, Murder at Sea)
- “early bird’= first one there (The Trap)
- “ear“ = bug, listening device (Dandruff)
- “ear sore“ = a catchy tune (Discomania)
- “earning our daily bread“ = doing the mundane, perhaps unpleasant parts of job (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “ease off“ = back off (The Committee)
- “easy does it“ = go carefully, don’t hurry (The Action)
- “easy mark“ = easy to take advantage of (Fatal Charm)
- “easy money“ = money obtained easily, possibly illegally (The Velvet Jungle)
- “easy time“ = small amount of jail time (The Committee)
- “eat it“ = deal with it, take it (The Heroes, The Action, A Body Worth Guarding)
- “eating dirt“ = killed (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “eating out of a tin dish“ = in jail, going to jail (The Action)
- “edge“ = advantage (Bust Amboy)
- “egg money“ = stake, money to start a scam with (The Action)
- “egg all over his face“ = embarrassed, humiliated (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “end of the run“ = end of the shift (Birds of a Feather)
- “energy game“ = natural gas and oil business, off-shore oil (The Action)
- “enforcer” = hatchet man, one whose job it is to execute unpleasant tasks for a superior (Death Notice)
- “est” = Erhard Seminars Training (The Trap)
- “executive” = impressive (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “extra reach” = bigger gun (The Psychic)
- “eyes wide open” = with full knowledge (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
F
- “faded” = as in “you’re faded,” your bet is covered (Ballad for a Blue Lady)
- “fall” = get found out, get in trouble (Bust Amboy)
- “fall behind” = come under (Texas Longhorn)
- “fall guy” = someone who is blamed for someone else’s crime or mistake (The Heroes)
- “family” = people who are members or under the protection of the mob/crime syndicate (Shootout)
- “family man” = married guy with kids (The Crying Child, Starsky vs. Hutch, Photo Finish, Snowstorm)
- “fan” = admirer (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “fanny” = butt (Class in Crime)
- “fancy talk” = boasting talk (Manchild on the Streets)
- “farm out” = sent away (Little Girl Lost)
- “far out” = exclamation meaning “really cool” (The Groupie)
- “fast buck” = easy money (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart, The Psychic)
- “FBI kickback” = requested information from the Feds (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “feds” = federal government, most likely FBI (Starsky’s Brother)
- “feed your arm” = have a heroin addiction (Bust Amboy)
- “feel on him = a read on him (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “fell off the back of a truck“ = stolen property (Starsky’s Brother)
- “fell off the wagon” = went back to drinking, no longer sober (Losing Streak)
- “fence” = buy/sell stolen goods (Little Girl Lost, Death Ride)
- “feygeleh” = gay man (Vendetta)
- “field day” = do something without holding back (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty, The Crying Child)
- “few falls” = couple of rounds in a fight (Omaha Tiger)
- “few kicks” = a little, harmless fun (Ballad for a Blue Lady)
- “field day” = a time of great activity and opportunity (The Vampire)
- “fifteen will get you twenty” = having sex with a minor will get you twenty years in jail (Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
- “fill in” = give missing information (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “finger man” = snitch (Iron Mike)
- “finger” = identify (Nightmare, Little Girl Lost, Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty, Texas Longhorn, Photo Finish, Starsky’s Brother)
- “finish” = kill (Gillian, Jojo)
- “finished” = dead (The Psychic)
- “fink” = betrayer, informant (The Committee, Snowstorm, The Las Vegas Strangler, Iron Mike, The Action) person held in contempt, disapproval (Pilot)
- “firepower” = capacity/ability of weapons (The Action)
- “first class joint” = really nice place (The Action)
- “first name basis” = knows well (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “first thing smoking” = fastest transport (Snowstorm)
- “fish” = guy, dude (Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “fisheye” = suspicious look (Photo Finish)
- “fish out of water” = not at home, not comfortable (Murder at Sea)
- “fit that jacket” = match that description (Lady Blue)
- “five will get you ten” = certainly, for sure (The Heroes, The Heavyweight, Murder Ward, Manchild on the Streets, Blindfold)
- “fiver” = five dollar bill (Murder at Sea)
- “fix” = dose of heroin (The Fix, Bust Amboy, The Heroes)
- “fix a fight” = prearrange the outcome of a fight (The Heavyweight)
- “fix a pattern” = discern a pattern (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “fixed ticket” = clear or drop charges on a minor offense (Bloodbath)
- “fixer upper” = something bought cheaply that needs a lot of work (The Heroes)
- “fixer upper dinner” = a meal meant to introduce people to each other in hopes of romance (The Action)
- “flag waving” = excessive or fanatical patriotism (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “flake” = nutty person (Death Notice, A Coffin for Starsky)
- “flash a piece” = show a gun (A Body Worth Guarding, The Collector)
- “flash” money or props used to impress (The Bait) information (The Heavyweight), show (The Collector)
- “flasher” = indecent exposure (Bust Amboy, Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “flea bag” = cheap and ratty (The Heavyweight)
- “flip your mitts” = put your hands in the air, police demand (Cover Girl)
- “float away” = need to piss badly (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “floating crap game” = a crap game on a boat (The Action)
- “floozy” = a woman regarded as sexually promiscuous and tawdry (Starsky’s Brother)
- “flophouse” = cheap rundown hotel or boarding house (The Heavyweight)
- “flunk Latin” = to be an average student (Bust Amboy)
- “flunky” = one who does menial work without question (The Set-Up)
- “flyer” = an express bus (Nightmare)
- “fold up tents” = give up (The Crying Child)
- “fool around” = not serious, doesn’t mean business (The Heavyweight)
- “fool with it” = mess around, deal with it (Omaha Tiger)
- “for kicks” = purely for fun (Texas Longhorn, The Committee)
- “for love or money” = under any circumstances, usually used in a negative way (Photo Finish)
- “for my health” = for nothing, for the hell of it (Moonshine)
- “for openers” = to start with (Pilot)
- “for starters = start or begin with (Jojo)
- “for the bird“ = ridiculous (The Trap)
- “forget it“ = leave alone (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “forget the games“ = get to the point (Gillian)
- “fox” = woman (Iron Mike)
- “foxy“ = sexy (The Vampire, The Fix)
- “frame“ = set up (Nightmare, Silence)
- “freak“ = weirdo, loser (Bloodbath, Partners)
- “freak of nature” = not normal (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “freaking” = really, very (Murder Ward)
- “free ride downtown” = arrested (The Bounty Hunter)
- “freebie” = get something without paying for it (The Heroes)
- “freelance mechanic” = independent hit man or general thug (Jojo, Sweet Revenge)
- “freeze” = don’t move (The Psychic, Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “from the belly” = deep, sincere (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “from the sticks” = from nowhere, from the boondocks (The Groupie)
- “front office” = guy in charge, department in charge (The Action, Starsky’s Lady)
- “fuddy duddy” = old-fashioned (Birds of a Feather)
- “fruitcake” = a crazy person (Death Notice)
- “full of hot air” = full of big, useless talk (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “funky” = ratty, low class (Death in a Different Place)
- “funny cigarettes” = marijuana (Blindfold)
- “funny farm” = mental institution (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “funny money” = counterfeit money (Losing Streak)
- “fuzz” = cops (Death Notice, Kill Huggy Bear, The Hostages, Silence, Jojo, Little Girl Lost)
G
- “G” = a grand, $1000 (Survival, The Groupie, Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “G.I.” – general enlisted soldier in the army (Strange Justice)
- “g-man” = an agent with the FBI (The Groupie)
- “gambling junkie” = someone addicted to gambling (The Action)
- “gambling spree” = gambling indulgence, outburst (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “gamey” = unpleasant smelling (The Heroes, Photo Finish, Murder at Sea)
- “gay” = homosexual (Death in a Different Place)
- “gear jockey” = big rig truck driver (The Set-Up)
- “gear” = stuff, things (Murder at Sea)
- “geese” = guys (Shootout)
- “geezer” = old man (Survival)
- “get a line on” = get information about (Death Notice, The Groupie)
- “get cute” = get tricky (Pilot)
- “get down to it” = face facts, see the truth (Death in a Different Place)
- “get down with the get down” = be really sharp, cool (Black and Blue)
- “get even tip” = information given by a snitch to punish someone else, no compensation wanted (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “get heavy” = become dangerous, intense (The Heroes)
- “get in on the ground floor” = get in at the beginning (The Committee)
- “get it out on the street” = put information out in public (Death in a Different Place)
- “get it” = get in trouble (Bust Amboy)
- “get loose”= get some time for personal business, perhaps being off-duty (Photo Finish)
- “get me a shovel” = aware that someone is talking bullshit (Quadromania, Deckwatch)
- “get me a tracer” = trace this phone call (Bloodbath)
- “get my drift” = understand (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “get off” = have the right (The Heroes)
- “get off my back” = leave me alone (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “get off the ground” = start (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “get on it” = start moving on it, make headway (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “get on the slab” = do an autopsy (The Avenger)
- “get on the table” = do an autopsy (Jojo)
- “get out” = stop it (The Crying Child)
- “get out of town money” = money used to leave town suddenly and necessarily (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “get some shuteye” = get some sleep (Quadromania)
- “get some Z’s” = get some sleep (Fatal Charm)
- “get the bugs out” = simply fix (Bloodbath)
- “get the kewpie doll” = be the winner (The Heavyweight)
- “get the smarts” = have the intelligence (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “get the word out” = let it be known, get information to the public (The Heroes)
- “get up” = disguise (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “get worked up” = become agitated (Gillian)
- “gets his kicks” = gains pleasure, gets excitement (A Coffin for Starsky, The Bounty Hunter)
- “getting ripped” = getting made or ripped off (Survival)
- “ghetto” = a section of a city occupied by a poor minority group (Black and Blue, Targets Without a Badge: Part 1, Birds of a Feather)
- “gigolo” = man who has a continuing sexual relationship with and receives financial support from a woman (Death in a Different Place, The Groupie, Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “give a break” = give a chance (The Bounty Hunter, Death in a Different Place, The Heroes, The Heavyweight)
- “give a jingle” = call on the phone, or in person (Starsky’s Brother)
- “give a line” = bullshit someone (Death Notice)
- “give it a shot” = try (Bloodbath, The Set-Up)
- “give it a whirl” = try (The Set-Up)
- “give it to me straight” = tell me the truth (Snowstorm)
- “give me a blast” = give me a call (Ballad for a Blue Lady)
- “give some room” = back off, gives some space (The Heavyweight, A Body Worth Guarding)
- “give static” = give trouble, hassle (Snowstorm)
- “give the course” = run for the money, a good opponent (The Heavyweight)
- “give the nod” = give approval to go ahead (The Action)
- “give the time of day” = bother with, pay attention to (Ballad for a Blue Lady)
- “give you a holler” = let you know (Murder on Stage 17)
- “gives me the creeps” = makes me uncomfortable (Bust Amboy)
- “gives the source” = tells/informs who is the boss in a drug deal (Death in a Different Place)
- “glued into” = interested in (Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “go a round” = have a session (The Heavyweight)
- “go back on your word” = break a promise (Pilot)
- “go bananas” = go really crazy (The Golden Angel, Huggy Bear and the Turkey, Murder Ward)
- “go for it” = take your best shot, try (Bloodbath)
- “go in like the Marines” = go in with force and enthusiasm (The Action)
- “go on record” = testify (The Heavyweight)
- “go straight” = follow the rules, be good (Bust Amboy)
- “go that way” = die that way (The Trap)
- “go this route” = go this way, down this path (The Action)
- “go through the numbers” = follow the rules, procedure (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “go up again” = go back to jail (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “goes the other way” = gay (Nightmare)
- “gofer” = a lackey who runs errands. (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “going down” = get in trouble, get caught (The Bounty Hunter) happening (A Coffin for Starsky, Fatal Charm, Manchild on the Streets)
- “going in naked” = going in without backup (The Action)
- “going on” = what’s happening (Murder at Sea)
- “going out” = dying (The Velvet Jungle)
- “going steady” = dating one person regularly and exclusively (Photo Finish)
- “gone bail” = paid the bail, see “went bail” (Strange Justice, Nightmare)
- “gone down” = what happened (Murder at Sea, Bust Amboy, The Action, The Trap)
- “gone legit” = become law abiding, legitimate (Death Notice)
- “gone rotten” = takes bribes (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “gonna rattle” = have to have information forced out (Murder Ward)
- “gonna shake” = tell information (Murder Ward)
- “good clean bust” = arrest with no complications (Iron Mike)
- “good lift” = a good example of fingerprints (The Groupie)
- “good looker” = attractive woman (Fatal Charm)
- “goodnight Irene” = goodbye, it’s over, it’s done (The Golden Angel)
- “goodies” = illicit drugs (Manchild on the Streets) valuables (Lady Blue)
- “goods“ = the stuff (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “gook“ = Vietnamese person, a slur (Starsky vs. Hutch)
- “goon” = punk (The Bounty Hunter, Murder Ward, The Bait, A Body Worth Guarding)
- “gorilla” = thug (The Trap, The Action)
- “got a bead” = got in sight (The Trap)
- “got a line” = got information (Iron Mike)
- “got a lot of fight left in him” = is still capable (The Heavyweight)
- “got a lot of nerve” = ballsy, has chutzpah (Bust Amboy)
- “got blood” = recognize blood (Murder at Sea)
- “got heart” = brave enough (Manchild on the Streets)
- “got him made” = got him cold, without question (The Committee)
- “got involved” = had sex (The Groupie)
- “got me” = I don’t know (The Psychic, Nightmare)
- “got nothing on” = don’t have enough evidence (The Crying Child)
- “got off light” = didn’t do much jail time (The Trap)
- “got pegged” = figured out (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “got the goods on” = have the evidence (Murder Ward)
- “got wise” = figured it out (The Heavyweight)
- “gotta boogie” = got to get going (Quadromania)
- “gotten to” = influenced unduly (The Heavyweight)
- “grab some deli” = go out for sandwiches (Ballad for a Blue Lady)
- “grab you” = what do you think of that? (Snowstorm)
- “grand” =one thousand dollars (Fatal Charm, Survival, Targets Without a Badge: Part 1, Birds of a Feather)
- “grant” = fifty dollar bill (Iron Mike)
- “grape” = wine (The Committee)
- “grapevine” = communication on the streets (Bust Amboy, Terror on the Docks, The Game, The Heavyweight)
- “grease job” = a bribe (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “great big yuk” = big crude laugh (Bust Amboy)
- “green around the gills” = not well, nervous (Starsky vs. Hutch)
- “green light” = permission (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
- “green paper” = currency (Iron Mike)
- “green” = money (Iron Mike, The Action, Savage Sunday, The Bait)
- “greenbacks” = paper currency (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “groovy” = neat (The Deadly Imposter)
- “groupie” = an enthusiastic supporter or follower (Dandruff, The Groupie)
- “grub” = food (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “guilt money” = money one gives to someone else to make him or herself feel better about a crummy situation (Pariah)
- “guilt trip” = strong feeling of guilt (The Heroes, Blindfold)
- “gung ho” = enthusiastic (Murder at Sea)
- “gunned down” = shot, presumably fatally (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “gut feeling” = know intuitively without rational proof (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “guys upstairs” = the boss, Dobey’s bosses (Death Notice)
- “gypped” = cheated out of (Texas Longhorn)
- “gypsy” = someone with crude manners (Death Notice)
H
- “hack” = cab (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart) reporter (The Golden Angel) deal with, handle (Blindfold)
- “had better days” = not doing very well (I Love You, Rosey Malone, Discomania)
- “had cold” = no chance of escape from being shot (Snowstorm, The Committee)
- “had it up to here” = have had enough of, reached my limit (The Committee)
- “hairy” = complicated (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “hand in the cookie jar” = caught doing something wrong, stealing (The Groupie, The Action)
- “handle it” = take it, deal with it (The Trap) explain it (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “handle the rough stuff” = deal with the difficult part (The Action)
- “handle their action” = take their bets (Savage Sunday)
- “handle with kid gloves” = handle carefully and gently (The Heroes)
- “hands are tied“ = unable to assist (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “hands in the register“ = stealing (The Heroes)
- “hang“ = charge with (Vendetta)
- “hang in there“ = don’t falter, stay the course (The Action)
- “hang it on“ = pin or blame it on (Death in a Different Place)
- “hang of it“ = gain a proficiency (A Coffin for Starsky, Bust Amboy)
- “hang out to dry“ = abandon someone to danger, to not support (I Love You, Rosey Malone, Manchild on the Streets, Targets Without a Badge: Part 1, Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “hang tough“ = stick with it (Snowstorm)
- “hang up“ = something that makes one uncomfortable (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “hanging by a shoestring“ = remaining by very little (Murder at Sea)
- “hard buck” = hard way to make money (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “hard evidence” = evidence that can’t be disputed (Death in a Different Place)
- “hard nosed” = tough minded, hard headed (Pilot, Iron Mike, Murder on Stage 17)
- “hard to swallow” = difficult to believe (Targets)
- “hardware” = gun (Huggy Bear and the Turkey, Pilot)
- “has certain tendencies” = Hutch suggests a guy with these is gay (Death in a Different Place)
- “has some words” = has information (The Fix)
- “hassle” = bother (Lady Blue) deal (Little Girl Lost)
- “hatchet job” = strong and unfair criticism of someone (The Heroes)
- “hate his guts” = despise (A Coffin for Starsky, The Committee)
- “haul in” = bring in for arrest (The Heavyweight)
- “have a day in court” = have the court decide (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “have some laughs” = party, possibly have sex (Photo Finish)
- “head in the sand” = unaware by choice, in denial (Pilot)
- “heads are going to roll” = people are going to have serious trouble (Strange Justice)
- “heap” = crummy car (Manchild on the Streets)
- “hear me out” = listen to me, right to the end (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “heat” = cops (The Set-Up, Iron Mike, Foxy Lady, The Bait, Silence) pressure (Nightmare, Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “heater” = gun (Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “heaven-sent” = occurring at an opportune time, providential (Death Notice)
- “heavy” = serious (The Hostages, Cover Girl)
- “heavy action” = heavy gambling (The Action)
- “heavy date” = important date (The Trap)
- “heavy fall” = go down hard (Pilot)
- “heavy trade” = the busy time (The Fix)
- “heist” = a robber, a thief (The Collector)
- “held a gun to his head” = forced, pressured (The Heavyweight)
- “he-man” = macho guy (Bust Amboy)
- “hero” = cop (Quadromania)
- “high rollers” = big spenders (The Las Vegas Strangler, The Action, Savage Sunday, Terror on the Docks)
- “highfalutin” = pompous, pretentious (The Crying Child)
- “hinky” = odd, not quite right (Targets)
- “hip to it” = is aware, understand (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “hit” = job, crime target (Iron Mike) kill (Snowstorm, Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart, A Coffin for Starsky) shot (Gillian, The Trap)
- “hit all rooms” = thorough body search (The Action)
- “hit it” = hit the sack, go to bed (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “hit me” = really affected me (Death in a Different Place)
- “hit on” = ask for a date, proposition (Death Notice)
- “hit the deck” = get down, fall down to safety (The Heavyweight, The Bait)
- “hit the heavy bag” = do the hard work (The Heavyweight)
- “hit the road” = get going, leave (Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “hit the streets” = get out and see what’s going on (Silence)
- “hit town” = arrive in town (The Bounty Hunter)
- “hitch” = problem, stipulation (Gillian)
- “hitting the bottle” = drinking alcohol (Quadromania)
- “hitting the tables” = gamble (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “hitting” = giving attention (Quadromania) reaching a certain age in years (Photo Finish)
- “hogwash” = bullshit (Lady Blue, Pilot)
- “hold a candle to” = compare favorable with (Birds of a Feather)
- “hold her hand” = guide her, be a source of comfort (Ballad For a Blue Lady)
- “hold it” = stop (Bust Amboy, The Committee)
- “hold the fort” = keep on top of things, stay in charge (Murder at Sea, Bust Amboy)
- “hold tight” = stay put, wait (The Action)
- “hold your water” = wait (The Deadly Imposter)
- “holding out” = not paying (Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “holding” = go between selling and supplying drugs (Death in a Different Place)
- “holed up” = hiding (Iron Mike, The Trap)
- “home free” = in a secure or comfortable position (Partners)
- “honky” = white person, a slur (Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “honky tonk“ = a bar with musical entertainment common in the south (Moonshine)
- “hophead“ = loser, punk (Cover Girl)
- “hood“ = bad guy (Death Ride, Iron Mike, Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “hook, line and sinker” = the whole thing (The Bounty Hunter)
- “hooker” = prostitute (The Heroes)
- “hop it” = shut up (Murder at Sea)
- “horn” = telephone (The Fix)
- “hornet’s nest” = a dangerous situation (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
- “horse” = heroin (The Fix, A Coffin for Starsky)
- “horse hider” = baseball player (The Golden Angel)
- “hot” = recognizable (I Love You, Rosey Malone) stolen (Death Ride, Nightmare, Blindfold, Starsky’s Brother)
- “hot and heavy” = very intense (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “hot dog” = showy, over-the-top, loud (The Heroes)
- “hot on” = enthused or excited about (The Committee)
- “hot plate” = hot food special at a café (Death Ride)
- “hot streak” = run of good luck (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “hot stuff” = stolen goods (Nightmare)
- “hot tip” = excellent information (Bust Amboy)
- “hot to trot” = ready, willing, eager (Jojo)
- “hotter” = more important (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “hounding” = badgering, bothering (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “house dick” = house detective (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “house to house” = a thorough, building to building search (Deckwatch)
- “how does that grab you?” = what do you think of that? (Snowstorm)
- “how executive” = how impressive (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “how is it” = how’s it going? (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “how’s it shakin’” = what’s happening? how’s it going? (Gillian)
- “hubby” = husband (Texas Longhorn)
- “humbug” = nonsense (Strange Justice)
- “humor us” = do it for us to make us feel better, even though you think it isn’t worthwhile (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “hung up” = addicted (The Fix)
- “hungry” = ready to deal or exchange goods or information (Death in a Different Place)
- “hushed up” = kept quiet (Murder Ward)
- “hustled” = tricked by making opponent think you are not very good (Savage Sunday) cheated, tricked (Birds of a Feather, The Game)
- “hustler” = someone who cheats for a better deal, always out for a fast buck (The Action) male prostitute (Death in a Different Place)
- “hype” = someone who uses a hypodermic needle to inject an illegal drug, heroin addict (The Heroes, Texas Longhorn)
I
- “ID” = identify (Running, Blindfold)
- “IOU” = a promise to pay a debt (The Action)
- “ice” = diamonds, precious gems (Lady Blue, Iron Mike, Blindfold) kill (The Fix)
- “ice skate” = something easy, simple (Black and Blue)
- “I’ll write you letter” = I don’t feel like telling you what I know (The Plague)
- “I’m hip” = I get it, I understand (Texas Longhorn)
- “imported” = from out of town (Pilot)
- “in a flash” = quickly (The Velvet Jungle)
- “in a jam” = in trouble (Lady Blue)
- “in aces” = large quantity (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “in another movie” = somewhere completely different (Ballad for a Blue Lady)
- “in black and white” = clear (The Bounty Hunter)
- “in capital letters” = for sure, big time (The Bounty Hunter)
- “in for” = owes (The Action)
- “in hock” = in debt, owes (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “in line” = following the rules, obeying (Iron Mike)
- “in over you head” = in a difficult situation (The Action)
- “in the clear” = safe (Pilot)
- “in the closet” = hiding homosexuality (Death in a Different Place)
- ‘in the junk“ = in jail (Pilot)
- “in the Mobs“ = with organized crime (The Groupie)
- “in the slams“ = in jail (Snowstorm, The Groupie)
- “in the wind“ = in trouble (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “indisposed“ = using the bathroom (The Trap, I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “inside man” = contact on the inside (Survival)
- “into” = owe (Nightmare, Birds of a Feather)
- “into a shark” = owe money to a loan shark (Nightmare)
- “isn’t talking” = isn’t telling what he or she knows (The Heavyweight)
- “is the Pope a Pole?” = an obvious affirmative (Sweet Revenge)
- “it figures” = expected, I thought so (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “it’s been real” = farewell greeting, but with a negative connotation, person is annoyed at the person to whom he or she was talking to (Cover Girl)
- “it’s your funeral” = it’s your problem, you’ll have to take responsibility (The Golden Angel)
J
- “jabbering” = talking quickly and a lot (The Velvet Jungle)
- “jacked up” = lifted (The Psychic)
- “jake” = okay (Murder Ward)
- “jam” = trouble, tough spot (The Velvet Jungle)
- “jamming with me” = messing with me (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “java” = coffee, though Starsky has to explain this is trucker talk and waitress appears disdainful (The Set-Up)
- “jawing” = complaining, bitching about (The Action)
- “jazzed up” = fancy, fixed up nice (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “jerry” = World War One/Two term for the German enemy (Survival)
- “jeez” = Jesus, used as mild oath expressing surprise (Little Girl Lost)
- “jerk” = punk, loser (Murder on Stage 17)
- “jerked around” = take unfair advantage of, manipulate (Bloodbath)
- “jet setters” = fast living, upper class people (Cover Girl)
- “Jewish Penicillin” = chicken soup (Shootout)
- “jingle” = a phone call (Starsky’s Brother)
- “jive” = business (The Psychic) cheap (Jojo) nonsense, bullshit (Quadromania, Kill Huggy Bear, Lady Blue) unfair, wrong (Manchild on the Streets, Snowstorm) make sense (The Groupie)
- “job” = car (The Game)
- “joe” = regular guy (Savage Sunday)
- “joeing about” = bitching, complaining (The Action)
- “john” = man who solicits a man or woman for sex (Death in a Different Place) regular guy (The Fix) bathroom (Pariah, Shootout, Lady Blue, Bloodbath)
- “joint” = jail (The Bait, Nightmare, The Specialist, The Psychic, Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty, Black and Blue, Blindfold) place, establishment (The Psychic, Iron Mike, The Heroes, Class in Crime, Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “joker” = idiot (The Heroes)
- “juice” = energy, fuel (Bloodbath, The Trap, The Action) inject drugs into (The Fix)
- “juices are flowing” = becoming energized (The Action)
- “jump” = to attack by surprise (Gillian, Murder at Sea) get busy (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “jump to it” = get to it, get busy with it (The Psychic)
- “jump bail” = fail to appear for court date after posting bail (The Bounty Hunter, The Committee)
- “jungle law” = primitive rules, street rules, every person for him or herself (The Bounty Hunter)
- “jumping bad” = giving orders (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “jumping me out” = ordering me around (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “juniflip” = beginner with little experience (Vendetta)
- “junk” = heroin (Bloodbath) drugs (Pilot, The Bait)
- “junkie” = drug addict (Fatal Charm, Death in a Different Place, The Heroes)
- “just deserts” = getting what someone deserves, note the single “s.” (Photo Finish)
- “just for openers” = to start with regarding a long list (The Action)
- “juvie” = child protection (Little Girl Lost)
K
- “keep a tail” = maintain following or observing (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “keep in touch” = stay connected (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “keep it in the closet” = hide homosexuality (Quadromania)
- “keep it under your hat” = keep it a secret (The Heroes)
- “keep on ice” = keep contained and ready (Blindfold)
- “keep your britches on” = relax, be patient (Partners)
- “kick” = sudden surprise (The Action) thrown out of court (Targets Without A Badge)
- “kick around” = take advantage of, beat up (The Crying Child)
- “kick back” = official request for information, “FBI kickback” (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead) bribe (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead, The Velvet Jungle)
- “kick in the head” = an amazing, surprising thing (Murder on Stage 17, Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “kick it” = overcome an addiction (The Fix)
- “kick it in” = surrender (Silence)
- “kicking in the shins” = bothering (Bust Amboy)
- “kid” = amateur, immature (The Heavyweight)
- “kid stuff” = for amateurs (Murder at Sea)
- “kiddo” = child, kid (The Trap)
- “killjoy” = someone who spoils the fun (Savage Sunday)
- “kind of action” = kind of business (The Bounty Hunter)
- “king’s ransom” = a hug sum of money (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “kinky” = difficult, weird (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart, The Bait, The Heroes) sex involving whips and chains, porno (A Coffin for Starsky, Murder at Sea)
- “kit and caboodle” = the whole thing, everything (Texas Longhorn)
- “klepto phase” = kleptomania, temporary pattern of stealing things (The Trap)
- “knee slapper” = very funny joke (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “knife man” = person who did the actual killing (The Deadly Imposter)
- “knock it off” = quit it, stop it (Pilot, The Bounty Hunter, I Love You, Rosey Malone, A Body Worth Guarding)
- “knock it” = disregard or belittle something (Death in a Different Place)
- “knock me out” = really amaze me (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “knock off for the day” = quit work for the day (Death Notice)
- “knock-out” = really important (Photo Finish)
- “knock down” = knocked out (The Deadly Imposter)
- “knock someone off” = murder someone (Snowstorm, Bloodbath)
- “knock them dead” = really impress (Murder at Sea, The Groupie)
- “knock your head” = threaten or hurt someone (The Heavyweight)
L
- “lab boys” = guys in the police evidence lab (Bloodbath)
- “Lady Jane” = queen, disparaging term for a homosexual man (Death in a Different Place)
- “lady of questionable repute” = prostitute (Texas Longhorn)
- “laid down” = gave up a fight, quit (The Heavyweight, Jojo)
- “laid it out” = explained (Bloodbath, Savage Sunday, Hutchinson for Murder One, The Trap)
- “laid out” = dead (Shootout)
- “laid out on a slab” = dead (The Action, Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
- “laid some on me” = gave me (Manchild on the Streets)
- “Latino” = someone from Latin America, in this case is Puerto Rican (Texas Longhorn)
- “laundry list” = goods from a heist (Foxy Lady)
- “lay down a couple of yards” = do some of, participate (Losing Streak)
- “lay it on you” = get it for you (The Bait)
- “lay off the sweets” = go on a diet (Partners)
- “lay off” = ease off (Snowstorm)
- “lay some” = give (Iron Mike)
- “layered look, half baked, half staked” = not sufficiently prepared with flash (The Action)
- “lead” = good clue, a line (The Bounty Hunter) a gun (Photo Finish)
- “leaked” = got out, a secret revealed (I Love You, Rosey Malone, Death Ride)
- “lean on” = pressure, threaten (Bust Amboy)
- “leave well enough alone” = don’t pursue (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “legit” = legitimate, straight (Death Notice, Omaha Tiger)
- “let me give you a flash” = let me tell you something (The Heavyweight)
- “let the green ride on” = let the money come to me (The Action)
- “let’s boogie” = let’s get moving (Vendetta)
- “let’s do it” = let’s get going (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “let’s have it” = spill it, tell it all (Texas Longhorn, Iron Mike, A Body Worth Guarding)
- “let’s split” = let’s get going (Nightmare)
- “level with” = be honest with (The Psychic, Kill Huggy Bear, A Coffin for Starsky)
- “lift” = a ride (Fatal Charm) steal (The Trap)
- “lighten up” = go easier, calm down (I Love You, Rosey Malone, The Action)
- “lights out” = time of death (Quadromania)
- “like a stuck pig” = reference to squealing like one, a long, high sound made when injured (Pilot)
- “like the Marines” = strong and enthusiastic (The Action)
- “liking it less than spit” = disliking something intensely (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “Lincoln” = five dollar bill (Iron Mike)
- “line of retreat” = an opening or opportunity to get away (The Trap)
- “line” = job (The Action)
- “lines” = information (The Action, The Fix)
- “listed” = in the phone book (Manchild on the Streets)
- “lit the fuse” = started something in motion (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “little bird” = snitch, fink (Iron Mike)
- “little bit of old times” = sex with an old love (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “little boys’ room” = bathroom (Partners, The Collector, Blindfold)
- “little girl” = cocaine (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “little pretty” = pretty woman (Manchild on the Streets)
- “little show” = a diversion (The Trap)
- “little touch” = an alcoholic drink (Texas Longhorn)
- “live one” = current situation (The Psychic, Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “liven up” = perk up, wake up (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “loaded” = drunk (The Groupie)
- “loaded dice” = dice that have been tampered with (The Action)
- “lock-up” = holding cell at Metro (Texas Longhorn, Strange Justice, Pilot)
- “long gone” = dead (Running)
- “long one” = $1000 (The Bait)
- “long run” = in the end (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “long shot” = a bet made at great odds (Losing Streak)
- “long suit” = strong point (Murder at Sea)
- “long time no see” = haven’t seen in a while (Starsky’s Lady)
- “long yard of green” = big flash, a lot of money, a yard is one hundred dollars (The Action)
- “look out” = person who watches for the cops during a crime (Nightmare)
- “looked the other way” = ignored a crime or bad action as a favor (Iron Mike)
- “looker” = an attractive woman (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “looks cool on the blind side” = everything seems all right, even in the places that aren’t easily visible (Iron Mike)
- “looney tunes time” = crazy time (The Bounty Hunter)
- “looney” = crazy person (Murder Ward)
- “loose ends” = things left over (Murder at Sea)
- “lose your cool” = lose calm thinking (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “loser” = bum, punk (Bloodbath)
- “losing streak” = unbroken series of bad luck, streak of losses (Losing Streak)
- “loudmouth” = moonshine
- “lovelies” = attractive women (The Action, Savage Sunday)
- “low blow” = underhanded attack (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “low” = pretty bad (The Heroes)
- “lucked on” = stumbled across (Murder at Sea)
- “ludes” = Quaaludes (Quadromania, Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
M
- “MO” = method of operation (The Heroes, Death in a Different Place, Lady Blue, Quadromania)
- “macho power trip” = a guy’s action taken to exercise one’s power over another (Partners)
- “made a bundle” = made a lot of money (The Heroes)
- “made“ = recognized, found out (Bust Amboy, I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “madhouse“ = a place of confusion and disorder (Death in a Different Place)
- “magic mushrooms“ = hallucinogenic mushrooms (Lady Blue)
- “main man” = most important person (Iron Mike)
- “major collar” = important arrest (Birds of a Feather)
- “major league” = important level, big time (Jojo)
- “make” = recognize (Pilot, Texas Longhorn) prove (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “make a buy” = purchase drugs (Bust Amboy, Fatal Charm)
- “make a case out of it” = make it a big deal (Snowstorm)
- “make a mint” = make a lot of money (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “make a pass” = exchange something (Pilot)
- “make book on” = count on (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “make it stick” = ensure arrest (Iron Mike)
- “make it” = do it (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “make you book” = bet you (The Committee)
- “making a run for it” = trying to get away, escape (Manchild on the Streets)
- “mark” = victim in a scam (The Action)
- “marked bills”= paper currency marked in a way to identify later (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “marker“ = a term in gambling meaning a commitment to pay up (Ballad for a Blue Lady)
- “mean mistreater” = bad, crabby dude (Texas Longhorn)
- “meat wagon” = coroner’s wagon (Starsky’s Lady, Kill Huggy Bear)
- “mechanic” = hired thug (Jojo, Birds of a Feather, Huggy Can’t Go Home, Sweet Revenge)
- “men’s room” = bathroom (Shootout)
- “menu” = stomach contents (Deckwatch)
- “mess up my action” = get in the way of making a sexual conquest (Murder at Sea)
- “mess” = really hurt or damage (The Action)
- “mess around” = cheat, sexually, on a committed relationship (Photo Finish)
- “messing up the streets” = causing trouble on the streets (Gillian)
- “Mexican Brown H” = kind of heroin (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “Mexican standoff” = a situation where no one can emerge as the clear winner (Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “mind the store” = remain in charge, keep on top of the home base (Murder at Sea)
- “Mr. Big” = guy in charge (Targets Without A Badge)
- “Mr. Nice Guy” = quintessential nice person (The Psychic)
- “mitts” = hands (Starsky vs. Hutch)
- “mix it up” = to fight (The Trap)
- “mob” = organized crime (The Heavyweight, Shootout)
- “monkey” = hired thug (The Heavyweight)
- “monkey suit” = formal outfit (Photo Finish)
- “month of Sundays” = a really, really long time (Blindfold, Moonshine)
- “moonlight” = take a second job, perhaps illegally (Pilot)
- “moonshine” = homemade, rough, illegal alcohol (Moonshine)
- “more like it” = better (Bloodbath)
- “mouth can’t be no prayer book” = not an honest person, can’t be trusted (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “move on” = capture (Long Walk Down a Short Dirt Road)
- “moves” = business (Bust Amboy)
- “moving” = going fast (Bust Amboy)
- “mug book” = photos of convicted felons (Running, The Hostages)
- “mug” = face (Iron Mike, Murder Ward, Partners, Starsky’s Brother)
- “mulched” = kill (Pilot)
- “mule” = person who acts as a courier for something illegal (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “mumbo jumbo” = nonsense (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “mum’s the word” = keep a secret (Murder Ward)
- “murder one” = murder in the first degree (Hutchinson for Murder One, A Coffin for Starsky)
- “muscle” = physical back-up, help (Bust Amboy, Ballad for a Blue Lady)
- “my party” = I’m the one in charge (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
N
- “nabbed” = caught, arrested (Death Notice, Partners)
- “nail to the wall” = have good, no chance of escape (The Committee)
- “nail” = catch, kill (Hutchinson for Murder One, The Trap, The Bounty Hunter, Murder at Sea, The Las Vegas Strangler, Ninety Pounds of Trouble, Iron Mike, A Body Worth Guarding, Snowstorm)
- “naked” = without proper backup or supplies (The Action)
- “Narco” = Narcotics (The Bait)
- “’Nam” = Vietnam War (The Deadly Imposter)
- “narked” = squealed (The Heavyweight)
- “negro” = black person (Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “netted” = captured (The Action)
- “neutral territory” = not either side’s area (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “nickel and dime” = minor (Death in a Different Place, Blindfold, Shootout, Lady Blue)
- “nigger” = black person, offensive slur (Manchild on the Streets)
- “night cap” = last alcoholic drink (Foxy Lady)
- “night is young” = it is still early (The Action)
- “nitty gritty” = specific, practical details, the heart of the matter (Starsky vs. Hutch)
- “nix” = quit, stop (Murder Ward)
- “no false moves” = be straight, no funny stuff (Lady Blue)
- “no good punk” = complete loser (The Committee)
- “no problem” = don’t worry about it (Death in a Different Place)
- “no skin off me” = no account to me, doesn’t bother me (The Committee)
- “no skin off my nose” = no account to me, doesn’t bother me (The Golden Angel)
- “no sweat” = no problem (Partners)
- “no taste bum” = loser (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “nobodies” = people of no importance (Bust Amboy)
- “noise it around” = ask around (The Fix)
- “nook” = place, apartment, pad (Fatal Charm)
- “noise it around” = look for information (Iron Mike, The Velvet Jungle, I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “not a nickel” = nothing (The Action)
- “not holding” = don’t have drugs on me (The Heroes)
- “not in this life” = no, absolutely not (Photo Finish)
- “not my bag” = not my thing (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “not too hot” = not good (Iron Mike)
- “nothing supernatural” = nothing too strange, weird (Bloodbath)
- “number bank” = place to collect and launder money in relation to gambling (Bust Amboy, Kill Huggy Bear)
- “number one boy” = most important employee (Iron Mike)
- “number one man” = most important person (Iron Mike)
- “number” = act (I Love You, Rosey Malone) deal (Murder at Sea, The Trap)
- “number one fan club” = great admirer (The Heavyweight)
- “numbers clearing house” = headquarters for gambling/drug/money exchange (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “numbers drop” = business used by the mob to transfer cash (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “nursemaid” = babysitter, someone to watch over someone else (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “nuts” = crazy (Bust Amboy, The Crying Child, Quadromania, A Body Worth Guarding)
- “nuttier than a pecan pie” = really crazy (Murder Ward)
O
- “OC” = organized crime (The Groupie)
- “OD” = overdose (The Fix, Bust Amboy, The Bait)
- “off” = kill (The Bait)
- “off the cuff” = casually (Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
- “off the hook“ = out of trouble (The Bounty Hunter, Fatal Charm)
- “off your back“ = stay away from (Bust Amboy)
- “okey dokey“ = all right (Fatal Charm)
- “old lady“ = wife or girlfriend (Foxy Lady, Running, The Heavyweight, The Specialist, Murder at Sea, Iron Mike, Moonshine, The Action)
- “old man“ = father (The Psychic, I Love You, Rosey Malone, The Crying Child, The Heavyweight) boyfriend or husband (Blindfold, The Psychic, Targets Without a Badge: Part 2)
- “old watering hole“ = the usual bar to hang out in (Death in a Different Place)
- “on a downer” = depressed, in a sad place (Running)
- “on a plate” = without exertion, effortlessly (Jojo)
- “on ice” = in jail (The Heavyweight, The Collector)
- “on the blink” = broken, doesn’t work (Black and Blue)
- “on the gate” = what a prisoner says as he or she knocks on the interrogation room door when requesting the guard (Iron Mike)
- “on the level” = honest, telling the truth (Quadromania)
- “on the nose” = exact (The Action, Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “on the payroll” = accepting bribes (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “on the street” = out in real life (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “on the take” = will take bribes (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty, Pilot, Iron Mike)
- “on to” = knows about, suspects (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “on your mind” = thinking of (Targets Without a Badge: Part 2)
- “one hundred percent” = no doubts, no problems, trustworthy (Iron Mike, Starsky’s Brother)
- “one night stand” = single sexual encounter between strangers with no expectations to hook up again (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “one tight closet” = really tense (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “open sesame” = came from the words used by Ali Baba to open the treasure cave in the classic tale The Thousand and One Nights. The phrase is used as a sort of superstition. A door opening system. (Blindfold)
- “our little kingdom” = our beat, area to patrol, domain (Texas Longhorn)
- “out cold” = unconscious (The Fix)
- “out gunned” = surpass in military force, defeated (The Trap)
- “out like a light” = unconscious immediately, quickly (Murder Ward)
- “out of hand” =out of control (Pilot)
- “out of line” = completely unacceptable (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “out of sight” = really neat, cool, admirable (Losing Streak)
- “out of the blue” = from nowhere, without context, unexpected (Fatal Charm)
- “out of the red” = solvent, operating at a profit (Omaha Tiger)
- “out of the woods” = out of danger (The Set-Up)
- “out of your gourd” =out of your head, crazy (Murder at Sea)
- “out on the town” = going to bars/dancing in the city (Manchild on the Streets)
- “own backyard” = one’s personal territory/area (Death Ride)
- “over the line” = gone too far, crossed a boundary (Snowstorm)
P
- “PCP” = Phencyclidine, angel dust, hallucinogenic (Quadromania)
- “pacifist” = won’t be tough or aggressive enough (The Action)
- “pack rat” = a kid (Vendetta)
- “packed it in” = gave up, quit (Partners)
- “packs a mean one” = can hit hard (The Heroes)
- “pad” = home, apartment (Snowstorm, Iron Mike, Fatal Charm, The Committee, The Bait, Terror on the Docks)
- “paddy” = white person (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “paid for it” = deserved it (The Heroes)
- “pain in the neck” = trouble (Nightmare)
- “paper hanger” = counterfeiter (Nightmare)
- “paper out” = bail money paid on (The Bounty Hunter)
- “part of the pack” = member of a bunch of bad guys (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “party pooping time” = time to spoil a good time (Bust Amboy)
- “passing bad stuff” = selling bad drugs (The Heroes)
- “passing out money for muscle” = hiring thugs (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “patch me into a direct line” = ask Dispatch to put you on a direct phone line for a call (Jojo)
- “patsy” = a person easily taken advantage of or blamed (Birds of a Feather)
- “pawn dummy” = someone used to get to something else, manipulated (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “pay dirt” = big success, bingo, the big prize (Pilot, Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island, Silence)
- “pay off” = money paid to blackmailers (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart, Iron Mike)
- “pea shooter” = insignificant, small gun (The Trap)
- “peanuts” = something small and inconsequential (Jojo)
- “peddle” = sell (Nightmare, Texas Longhorn)
- “peeping tom” = someone who secretly watches someone in their house (Birds of a Feather)
- “pegged right” = figured out (The Velvet Jungle, Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “penny ante” = small potatoes, two-bit, minor (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “personal drag” = personal disappointment (The Deadly Imposter)
- “perverted” = sick, twisted (Bloodbath)
- “perverted tunnel waterer” = don’t know what it is, but Starsky doesn’t want to run into one (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “petite anti-rape purse model” = .38 two inch special gun (Deckwatch)
- “phone tipster” = someone who calls in an anonymous tip on the phone (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “phoned” = called (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “physical therapy” = beat up (The Action)
- “pick off” = kill, probably by sniper (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “pick up a spark” = got some information/action (Starsky’s Lady)
- “pick up his tab” = paid for his bill (Iron Mike)
- “pick up the check” = pay for something that isn’t your responsibility (The Trap)
- “pick up with anybody” = go home often with strangers, has discretion regarding sex (Death in a Different Place)
- “pick your brain” = question intently (The Action)
- “picked up” = arrested (Iron Mike)
- “piece of me” = fight me (The Heavyweight)
- “piece of meat” = human obstacle (The Heavyweight)
- “piece” = gun (The Committee, Lady Blue, Snowstorm, Black and Blue, A Coffin for Starsky, A Body Worth Guarding, The Plague, Manchild on the Streets)
- “pig flu” = Dobey tells Starsky and Hutch they have this and should stay away from the station (Bust Amboy)
- “pig” = cop (Running, Bust Amboy, A Coffin for Starsky, Murder Ward, Savage Sunday, Bloodbath, Pariah, The Heroes, The Action)
- “pigeon” = fall guy, person who takes the rap (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “piggy bank” = the jackpot, the goal (Bust Amboy)
- “pill dunker” = golfer (The Golden Angel)
- “pimp” = sell sex (The Bait, Iron Mike, Bust Amboy)
- “pin something” = implicate (Snowstorm, Murder at Sea)
- “pinching pennies” = frugal (The Action)
- “pinhead” = stupid person (The Committee)
- “pit stop” = a break from activity (The Heavyweight, The Action)
- “plainclothes” = cops not in uniform (Silence, The Action, The Heavyweight)
- “plant them deep” = kill and bury (The Action)
- “plant” = covertly place for discovery (Bust Amboy)
- “play chicky” = to be the lookout (Manchild on the Streets)
- “play detective” = figure it out (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “play dumb” = act innocent, despite having information (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “play it by ear” = to decide how to deal with a situation as it develops rather than planning how you are going to react (Deckwatch)
- “play my hand” = show my plan (The Trap)
- “play with a full deck” = be of sound mind (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “play” = fool around (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “played a hunch” = acted on a good guess (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “played a tune on” = beat up (The Action)
- “played the dive routine” = action in a fixed fight (The Heavyweight)
- “playing both ends” = using and getting benefits from both sides of a conflict, without the other side knowing (The Fix)
- “playing footsie” = getting friendly (Iron Mike, The Velvet Jungle, Ballad for a Blue Lady)
- “playing games” = not being serious (Bust Amboy)
- “playing macho” = being extra guy-like (Murder at Sea)
- “playing patty cake” = being a baby (Iron Mike)
- “playing potsy” = acting sexually, fool around (Ballad for a Blue Lady)
- “plowboy” = a hick, someone from down on the farm (The Groupie)
- “plug” = bullet (Deckwatch)
- “plumb” = can pay well (Murder at Sea)
- “point blank” = close, aimed straight at the target (Pilot)
- “poison” = bad news (Nightmare)
- “politics” = sexual orientation (Quadromania)
- “pool” = combine efforts, put together (The Heroes)
- “pooped” = exhausted (Fatal Charm)
- “poorhouse” = establishment maintained at public expense as housing for the homeless (The Fix)
- “pop you” = hit you (Partners)
- “pop” = hit of heroin (The Fix) a sale (The Groupie) an arrest (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “popeye tactics” = macho, over the top actions (The Heroes)
- “poppers” = inhalant (Quadromania)
- “popping pills” = taking illegal drugs/pills (Manchild on the Streets)
- “pops” = disrespectful term for old man (Gillian) shoots (Photo Finish)
- “porn row” = area in town with many pornographic stores (Gillian)
- “posse” = a group of people gathered by law enforcement for assistance (The Groupie)
- “possibles” = possible suspects (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “post” = autopsy (Texas Longhorn)
- “post time” = race time (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “pot of gold” = imaginary fortune (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “powder” = a break (Losing Streak, The Collector, Gillian)
- “powder keg” = explosive, touchy situation (Shootout)
- “powder my nose” = use the bathroom, a woman’s term (Foxy Lady, Savage Sunday)
- “practicing your culture” = what Dobey calls Starsky and Hutch’s undercover work at the beauty salon (Dandruff)
- “presidential portraits” = currency bribes (Iron Mike)
- “pretty boy” = hustler (Death in a Different Place)
- “primes” = probable, very likely suspects (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “priority one make” = Starsky requests this from the station (Pilot)
- “priors” = previous convictions (Murder Ward)
- “private eye” = private investigator (Targets Without a Badge: Part 2)
- “private parties” = working alone, without back-up or boss’s knowledge (Vendetta)
- “private stock” = the good liquor (The Trap)
- “pro” = professional (The Trap, The Heavyweight)
- “professional muscle” = hired, expert fighters/thugs (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “pronto it up” = hurry up (The Psychic)
- “prune” =old person (Foxy Lady, Murder at Sea)
- “psycho” = crazy person (Long Walk Down a Short Dirt Road)
- “puddle jumper” = wimpy motorcycle (Iron Mike)
- “puke” = vomit (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “pull a job” = commit a crime (The Crying Child)
- “pull out all the stops” = do everything possible to make something a success (The Game)
- “pull punches” = make it look rough but go easy on (Murder on Stage17)
- “pull some strings” = exert secret influence to get something (Discomania)
- “pull the plug” = stop, halt (Murder Ward)
- “pulled in” = apprehended, brought in for arrest (The Heroes)
- “pulled sheets” = asked for official records (Iron Mike)
- “pulling” = doing (The Psychic)
- “pulling teeth” = very difficult to extract information from someone (Silence)
- “punch out” = beat up (Nightmare)
- “punk” = loser, bum (Nightmare, Bloodbath, Death Notice, Death in a Different Place, The Crying Child, The Heroes, Snowstorm, Kill Huggy Bear) young person (The Specialist, Iron Mike)
- “pure as the driven snow” = completely innocent (The Action)
- “purse snatcher” = a thief who grabs a purse and runs (Fatal Charm)
- “push my buttons” = know just what gets me mad (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “push or shove” = good cop or bad cop (Snowstorm)
- “pushed” = pressured (The Heroes)
- “pusher” = sells drugs (Bust Amboy, A Coffin for Starsky, The Heroes)
- “put a lid on it” = shut up, knock it off (The Vampire)
- “put away” = get somebody off the street and into jail (Jojo, Murder Ward, The Crying Child, The Heavyweight) kill (Losing Streak)
- “put in a box” = kill (The Heavyweight)
- “put in a cross” = get in trouble, double cross (Fatal Charm)
- “put in cold storage” = kill (The Heavyweight)
- “put in irons” = handcuff (Murder at Sea)
- “put him off” = kill him (Moonshine)
- “put on” = hire (The Fix)
- “put out” = knocked out (The Deadly Imposter)
- “put me through” = connect me through the police radio (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “put the bread on the table” = make a living, have a job (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “put the cap on” = finish off, end (The Heavyweight)
- “put the finger on” = identify, squeal on (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “put together nice” = attractive (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “put up” = pay (The Bounty Hunter)
- “putting on” = giving a job (The Fix)
- “putting you on” = teasing you (A Body Worth Guarding, Terror on the Docks)
Q
- “queer” = counterfeit money (Losing Streak)
- “quite a loaf” = quite a bit of money (Photo Finish)
R
- “R & I read back” = requested information from Records and Identification in their own department (Terror on the Docks)
- “R & I” = records and Identification (Pariah, The Psychic, The Heroes)
- “racket” = loud music (Quadromania)
- “rag business” = the fashion industry (The Groupie)
- “rag trade” = the fashion industry (The Groupie)
- “railroad” = pressure someone (The Bounty Hunter)
- “rain check” = something to claim later (Murder at Sea, Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty, The Heroes, Ballad For a Blue Lady, The Golden Angel)
- “raise the roof” = have desperate, eager sex (Deckwatch)
- “ran a make” = get info from DMV (Pilot)
- “rap” = legal charge for crime (Snowstorm, The Groupie, Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart, Iron Mike, Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island, Murder on Stage 17, Fatal Charm, Huggy Bear and the Turkey, The Action) talk (The Game)
- “rappin” = talking (The Game)
- “rat” = squeal (Jojo)
- “rat in a corner screaming blue murder” = trapped desperate criminal with no way out (Deckwatch)
- “reach” = hands in the air, surrender (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “real doll” = a very attractive woman who is also nice (The Crying Child)
- “really tight” = really close with someone (The Bounty Hunter)
- “reception committee” = people that meet you, most likely your enemy (The Action)
- “recognize his/her own mother” = recognize the obvious person (The Golden Angel)
- “red file” = Starsky suspects that Zane and Canelli are in this file, this file is long (Pilot)
- “red light” = Mars light (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
- “red-light district” = sleazy part of town (Quadromania)
- “redneck” = unsophisticated, poor white person from the southern United States (Huggy Bear and the Turkey, Snowstorm)
- “regular ladder” = series of puncture marks (The Fix)
- “rent-a-cop” = security guard (The Groupie)
- “retire” = get out of illegal business (Death in a Different Place)
- “ride” = car (Jojo, Huggy Can’t Go Home) pressure, lean on, bother (Omaha Tiger)
- “ride shotgun” = provide protection (The Hostages, The Game, Cover Girl)
- “riffraff” = people regarded as disreputable or worthless (Photo Finish)
- “right down the line and all the way” = to the end (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “right into her hands” = placed exactly where she wants you (The Heroes)
- “right off the bus” = a hick, naïve (The Groupie)
- “right on” = you betcha, with ya (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead, Kill Huggy Bear)
- “righteous” = valid, real, very good (Strange Justice, Targets Without a Badge)
- “ring a bell” = sound familiar (Photo Finish)
- “ring through your nose” = emasculated, under the control of someone else (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “rings true” = sounds true (The Psychic)
- “riot act” = warned forcefully, seriously (Fatal Charm)
- “rip off” = trick, scam (Snowstorm, The Psychic, Manchild on the Streets)
- “ripped” = double-crossed (Survival)
- “rippin’ up your beat” = causing trouble (Starsky’s Lady)
- “rips off” = steals from (Little Girl Lost, The Bounty Hunter, Discomania, Fatal Charm)
- “road camps” = dangerous homeless communities (The Bounty Hunter)
- “roll film” = get going (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “rolling” = going, get moving (Jojo, Partners, Lady Blue, Omaha Tiger)
- “rolling” gambling (The Action)
- “rope-a-dope” = pretending to be tired to trick your opponent, to sucker someone (Savage Sunday)
- “rot gut” = moonshine (Moonshine)
- “roughed up” = beat up (Gillian, Death Notice)
- “round” = ammunition for a single shot or volley (The Trap)
- “roust” = stir up, get up (Hutchinson for Murder One, Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty, The Plague)
- “rowing with both oars” = mentally alert (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “royalty” = face card (Murder Ward)
- “rub down” = massage parlor (Gillian)
- “rubbing elbows” = having sex with (Photo Finish)
- “rug rat” = kid (The Trap)
- “rumble” = street fight (Kill Huggy Bear), rumor (Losing Streak)
- “run a make on” = get official information (Bust Amboy, Pilot)
- “run by” = explain (The Specialist)
- “run it down to me” = tell me about it (Foxy Lady)
- “run it down” = figure it out (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “run interference” = deal with problems or difficult matters for someone else (The Bait)
- “run out of gas” = run out of energy (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “runner” = go between, money (The Bait, Pariah, The Action, Targets Without a Badge: Part 2)
- “running a tight control” = police are keeping a close watch (Jojo)
- “running buddy” = someone you hang out with (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “running the girls” = in charge of prostitution, pimp (The Hostages)
- “rush-rush job” = priority job (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “rustle up” = gather together (The Action)
S
- “SOP” = standard operating procedure (The Committee, Snowstorm)
- “SWAT” = “Special Weapons and Tactics,” used in hostage and barricade situations (Deckwatch)
- “747” = commercial airplane (Death Ride)
- “sack” = bed (The Avenger)
- “safecracker” = a thief who breaks into safes to steal (Silence)
- “safe house” = a safe place or sanctuary from harm, a place to avoid prosecution (Death Ride)
- “salt and pepper combo” = white man and a black man (Savage Sunday, Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “same old grind” = same old boring thing (Targets Without a Badge: Part 2)
- “sampling his own stuff” = using the drugs a seller is supposed to be selling (The Heroes)
- “sampling the goods” = using the drugs a seller is supposed to be selling (Snowstorm)
- “sat on it” = purposefully take no action, waited (The Heroes)
- “Saturday night special” = a cheap handgun easily obtained (Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
- “save it” = forget about it (Bust Amboy)
- “save the soap” = don’t get melodramatic, can the bullshit (Birds of a Feather)
- “saved our act” = kept from disaster or getting hurt, kept the job going (Death in a Different Place)
- “saved the day” = prevented disaster or misfortune (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “saved your skin” = saved your life, kept from getting hurt (The Velvet Jungle)
- “saving my paycheck” = saving myself (The Heavyweight)
- “sawbuck” = ten dollars (The Vampire)
- “scam” = information (Iron Mike) plan (The Fix) tricking, bullshitting (The Hostages)
- “score” = have success (A Coffin for Starsky, I Love You, Rosey Malone) rob (Savage Sunday) make a drug buy, connection (Bust Amboy, Pariah, A Coffin for Starsky, The Heroes)
- “scot-free” = without cost or consequence (Jojo)
- “scram” = a guy (The Plague)
- “scratch” = cancel, forget (The Action, The Specialist, A Coffin for Starsky)
- “screaming meemies” = terrified (Savage Sunday)
- “screw loose” = crazy (Pariah)
- “screwball” = crazy person (The Las Vegas Strangler, Long Walk Down a Short Dirt Road)
- “screwing up” = messing up (Pilot, The Heroes)
- “scum” = low life, punk (Bust Amboy, Nightmare, Iron Mike, The Velvet Jungle, Bloodbath)
- “sealed off” = secure the exits (Iron Mike)
- “sec” = second (The Avenger, Death Ride)
- “see you around” = see you later (The Heavyweight)
- “seems to be the juice” = is the main man (The Action)
- “sell it” = make it look real (Murder on Stage 17)
- “sell me” = con me, play me, trick me (The Psychic)
- “sell short” = underestimate (The Hostages)
- “selling bridges” = con jobs (Starsky’s Brother)
- “semi-wasted” = tipsy, partially drunk (Quadromania)
- “send him a cable” = send him a message (Jojo)
- “sent up” = sent to jail (The Crying Child, Fatal Charm)
- “serve some time” = spend some time in prison (Birds of a Feather)
- “set a meet” = arrange a contact (Snowstorm, Fatal Charm)
- “set me up a chilly” = asking a bartender to get you a beer (The Hostages)
- “set up” = deal (Iron Mike) fake (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “set well” = feel okay mentally (Manchild on the Streets)
- “shack up” = to sleep together or live in sexual intimacy without being married (The Fix)
- “shadowbox” = spar with an imaginary opponent (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “shady” = underhanded (Murder Ward, Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “shag” = chase and bring back (Snowstorm, Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island, Foxy Lady, The Trap)
- “shagged all over town” = led us (The Trap)
- “shag me off” = brush me off (Foxy Lady)
- “shake it” = go fast (Quadromania)
- “shakedown” = threaten with blackmail (Death Notice)
- “shark” = scheming guy (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
- “sharp” = on top of things, in good form or shape (The Heavyweight)
- “shelve your conscience” = put your morals aside (Iron Mike)
- “shindig” = party (Starsky and Hutch on Voodoo Island)
- “shoot it all” = risk everything (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “shoot up” = inject with drugs (Murder Ward)
- “shoot” = tell what you know (The Heroes, Deckwatch)
- “shooter” = heroin addict (Texas Longhorn)
- “shooting war” = conflict involving guns (Shootout)
- “shop talk” = talking about work (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “shop this deal” = compare prices/services (The Bounty Hunter)
- “shopping around” = give one’s business to where the prices are better, not shop in one place (The Heroes)
- “short fling” = short distance (Deckwatch)
- “shorthanded” = don’t have enough help (Iron Mike)
- “short strokes” = the end (Bust Amboy)
- “short” = car (The Fix, Jojo) don’t have enough cash (Manchild on the Streets, The Bait)
- “shot at it” = a chance (A Coffin for Starsky, Murder at Sea, Blindfold)
- “show” = appear, show up (Jojo, A Coffin for Starsky)
- “show and tell” = divulge information (The Heroes)
- “show muscle” = intimidate (Gillian)
- “showtime” = time when activity is supposed to start (The Trap)
- “shrink” = psychologist or psychiatrist (Fatal Charm)
- “shuck and jive” = demeaning action for show (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “shuffling paper” = doing meaningless paperwork (Black and Blue)
- “shyster” = unethical, unscrupulous person (Pilot, The Action)
- “sick leave” = time off of job for illness (Bust Amboy)
- “sick” = horrible, awful (The Trap)
- “signed his death warrant” = put into motion to guarantee a death (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “silk” = really, really nice (Iron Mike)
- “simple as pie” = very easy (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “sing in harmony” = agree, see eye to eye (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “singing act” = narked, squealed (The Groupie)
- “sing” = squeal, tell (The Vampire)
- “sing in the choir” = be innocent, guileless (The Collector)
- “single track” = think alike (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “sister” = word for a black woman used by another black person (Manchild on the Streets, Black and Blue)
- “sit on it” = keep it covered, secret (Bloodbath)
- “sit tight” = wait, be patient (The Trap)
- “sitting pretty” = in a good situation (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “skedaddle” = leave, beat it (The Vampire)
- “skid row” = poor, bad part of town (Little Girl Lost, Quadromania, The Avenger)
- “skip” = leave, take off (Silence)
- “sky high” = astronomical, out of sight (The Velvet Jungle, The Specialist, Savage Sunday)
- “slammer” = jail (Jojo, Pilot, The Bounty Hunter, Little Girl Lost, Long Walk Down a Short Dirt Road, Manchild on the Streets, The Heroes, Savage Sunday)
- “slap wrists” = impose a small penalty (Bust Amboy)
- “slave” = hard, dedicated worker (The Fix)
- “sleep it off” = become sober (Long Walk Down a Short Dirt Road)
- “slice of the action” = some of money or goods (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “slick” = cool, smooth (The Action, Class in Crime)
- “slide” = get, receive (The Action)
- “slip off” = die (The Fix)
- “slim to none” = not likely (The Trap)
- “slip a fiver” = surreptitiously give a five-dollar bill (Murder at Sea)
- “slip into something less formal” = woman changes from fancy to casual clothes, often used as a come-on (The Crying Child)
- “slip ups” = problems, mistakes (Bust Amboy)
- “slug” = bullet (Foxy Lady, Snowstorm) low life, bum (Bust Amboy, Jojo)
- “slammer” = prison (Little Girl Lost)
- “slumming it” = temporarily go down a level, visit a place beneath you for a little while (Pilot, Targets Without a Badge: Part 3, The Groupie, Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “smack dab” = precisely (Bloodbath)
- “smack” = heroin (The Bait, Bust Amboy, The Heroes)
- “smackaroo” = a dollar (Photo Finish)
- “small change” = unimportant (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
- “small fry” = of little importance (The Bait)
- “small potatoes” = unimportant (Death Notice)
- “small talk” = unimportant stuff (Murder Ward)
- “smart cookie” = someone who is intelligent and adept at dealing with difficult situations. (Dandruff)
- “smash up” = automobile accident (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “smear” = kill (The Heroes)
- “smell a set-up” = sense a trick (The Bounty Hunter)
- “smell it” = recognize (Blindfold)
- “smell pig” = recognize a cop (The Action)
- “smell something” = suspect (The Heavyweight)
- “smells a buck” = senses there is money to be acquired, probably underhandedly (Death in a Different Place)
- “smell the flowers” = enjoy oneself (The Groupie)
- “smokescreen” = a distraction (Bloodbath, Dandruff, Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “smokes” = cigarettes (Birds of a Feather)
- “smoking” = really exciting, hot (The Action)
- “snappers” = inhalant (Quadromania)
- “snatched” = kidnapped (The Fix)
- “sneakers” = athletic footwear (The Trap)
- “sniffing” = inhaling an illegal substance for a high (Vendetta)
- “snitch” = informer (Fatal Charm, Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty, I Love You, Rosey Malone, Death in a Different Place, The Heroes, Starsky’s Lady, A Coffin for Starsky, Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “snort of loudmouth” = a shot of moonshine (Moonshine)
- “snow” = cocaine (Snowstorm)
- “snuff” = kill, murder (Snowstorm, The Action)
- “snuff out” = kill (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “soapy scene” = emotional moment (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “social call” = friendly visit (The Action)
- “soda pop” = carbonated beverage (Manchild on the Streets)
- “sold you” = betrayed you (The Heavyweight)
- “some time now” = for a while (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “something fierce” = very strongly (Pilot)
- “songbird” = fink, informer (Snowstorm)
- “soul of discretion” = example of tact (Photo Finish)
- “source” = the beginning of a deal, usually drugs (Death in a Different Place)
- “spaced out” = stoned (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “spare the roses” = cut to the chase, get to the point (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “speak of the devil” = mention someone’s name that just appears (Hutchinson for Murder One, The Golden Angel)
- “speed freak” = one who takes speed, uppers (The Vampire)
- “spell it out” = explain explicitly (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “spend the night with the troops” = slum it up with the regular guys (Birds of a Feather)
- “spill it” = tell the information (The Bounty Hunter)
- “spit it out” = tell it right now (The Action, The Game)
- “spitting distance” = really close (Cover Girl, The Golden Angel)
- “splashed” = killed (Pilot)
- “split” = go, take off (Nightmare, The Specialist, The Bounty Hunter, Snowstorm, A Coffin for Starsky, Fatal Charm, Huggy Can’t Go Home, Pilot, Cover Girl, Satan’s Witches, The Fix, Death in a Different Place, Manchild on the Streets, A Body Worth Guarding, The Hostages)
- “spilt up someone’s head” = kill (The Collector)
- “spoil your action” = mess up your business (The Heroes)
- “spoil your day” = disappoint you (The Trap)
- “sport’s section” = butt (Foxy Lady)
- “sporting’” = wearing (Quadromania)
- “sports fan” = general public, bystanders (Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “spots” = sees, recognizes (Murder at Sea)
- “spread them” = assume the position, get ready to be frisked (The Heroes)
- “spring” = cut lose, get out of jail (Little Girl Lost, Jojo, The Bounty Hunter, The Bait, Survival, Sweet Revenge)
- “square something” = make it equal, make it right (Snowstorm, The Hostages)
- “square the rap” = make it all right, let off of consequences of a crime (Snowstorm, Strange Justice)
- “squat” = nothing (The Trap)
- “squawk on your beat” = information off the police radio regarding Starsky and Hutch’s territory (Starsky’s Lady)
- “squeal” = inform, rat on (Bloodbath)
- “squeeze play” = pressure exerted to obtain information or something else of value (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “squeeze” = pressure (The Action, Strange Justice)
- “squeezer” = blackmailer (Murder Ward)
- “stab in the back” = betray (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “stable” = pimp’s collection of hookers (The Bait)
- “’stache” = moustache (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “stake” = seed money, starter cash (The Action)
- “staked out” = surveillance, watched closely (The Bounty Hunter, The Committee)
- “stall” = diversion (Little Girl Lost)
- “stand still” = put up with (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “stand up and be counted” = tell what you know (The Heavyweight)
- “stand up” = don’t show for an appointment (Fatal Charm)
- “stand-up chick” = woman with courage (Jojo)
- “star groaner” = celebrity wrestler/actor (The Golden Angel)
- “stashed” = hidden (Murder at Sea)
- “static” = trouble (Snowstorm, A Coffin for Starsky)
- “stay cool” = don’t get excited, agitated (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “stay put” = don’t move, hold still (Jojo)
- “steamed up” = angry (Nightmare)
- “steer clear” = stay away from (The Heavyweight)
- “steno” = stenographer (Blindfold, The Fix)
- “step on it” = go faster (Quadromania)
- “stick” = stay, hold (Jojo) charge (The Groupie)
- “stick around” = don’t go anywhere (Death in a Different Place, The Heroes)
- “stick close” = stay close by (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “stick it in your ear” = stuff it (Little Girl Lost, Running)
- “stick with the men” = ally with the working people (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “stick with” = stay with, stay close to (Bust Amboy)
- “stick your neck out” = take a risk (The Heavyweight)
- “stiff” = dead body (Jojo) trick, double cross (The Bait) a guy (The Plague)
- “stiff city” = funeral home (Bust Amboy)
- “stiff right cross” = hit in the jaw (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “still in the ball game” = still active, still a part of the action (Quadromania)
- “still on the bus” = real action hasn’t started yet (Deckwatch)
- “stinking” = crummy, wrong (The Las Vegas Strangler, The Trap)
- “stir crazy” = feeling uncomfortable from being cooped up in one place (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “stone fox” = really attractive, sexy woman (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “stoned” = high on pot, marijuana (Shootout)
- “stones” = diamonds, jewels (Iron Mike, Blindfold)
- “stooge” = someone who takes the blame, the fall (The Set-Up) henchman, enforcer (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “stoolie” = fink, informer (Pilot, Snowstorm, The Fix)
- “straight” = honest (Pilot, Little Girl Lost, The Trap, The Hostages)
- “straight” = heterosexual (Death in a Different Place)
- “straight and narrow” = correct, by the book (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “straight lady” = female partner in a comedy team that feeds the lines to the comedian who then makes witty replies (Shootout)
- “straight stuff” = legal, over-the-counter drugs (The Game)
- “straighten up” = start behaving in a more acceptable way (The Heroes)
- “strange bird” = really odd person (The Bounty Hunter)
- “stretching out the hours” = making time last longer (The Heavyweight)
- “street, the” = area, district (The Bounty Hunter)
- “strike one” = first of three chances or attempts (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “string out” = get addicted to and wanting heroin (The Fix)
- “struck out” = didn’t have success (I Love You, Rosey Malone, The Velvet Jungle, The Action)
- “stuck with” = stayed with (Partners)
- “stuff” = drugs (Bust Amboy, The Heroes, Pilot)
- “stuff it” = euphemism for “fuck off” (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead, The Fix, The Committee, A Coffin for Starsky, Kill Huggy Bear, The Bait)
- “stuff that falls off the back of trucks” = stolen goods (Starsky’s Brother)
- “stumeblebum” = idiot (Death Ride)
- “sucker” = loser (Bust Amboy, Bloodbath, Hutchinson for Murder One, The Game)
- “sucking wind” = making no sense, nonsense (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “sugar daddy” = a wealthy, usually older man who gives expensive gifts to a young person in return for sexual favors (Texas Longhorn)
- “supplier” = person who provides drugs (The Heroes)
- “sweat it” = worry about it (The Velvet Jungle)
- “sweating bullets” = really nervous, terrified (The Committee)
- “sweats ice water” = is cool, unflappable (Iron Mike)
- “sweeten the pot” = add something to prize/bribe to make it more attractive (Savage Sunday)
- “swept under the rug” = concealed and hope it won’t be discovered (The Crying Child)
- “swinging singles” = Commodore calls it a “young people’s group” (Murder at Sea)
- “switcheroo” = an unexpected variation (Dandruff)
- “syndicate man” = member of the mob (The Set-Up)
T
- “tag team” = two or more people working together, one at a time (Bust Amboy)
- “take it easy” = calm down, chill out (Gillian, The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “tail gunning” = someone who attacks from the rear as part of a team (The Action)
- “tail in a sling” = hobble, beat up (Pilot)
- “tail” = butt (Pilot, The Fix, Savage Sunday, Snowstorm, The Plague, Huggy Can’t Go Home) follow (Kill Huggy Bear, The Committee, I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “take” = total (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “take a bath” = in debt (The Collector)
- “take a breath” = relax (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “take a contract out on” = hire someone to kill someone else (Pilot)
- “take a crack at” = attempt, try (Pilot)
- “take a dab” = try some (Bust Amboy)
- “take a dive” = make believe failure for advantage (The Heroes)
- “take a fall” = get caught, get arrested (The Bounty Hunter) give up in a fixed fight (The Heavyweight)
- “take a heavy fall” = go down hard (Bloodbath)
- “take a hike” = get out of here, beat it (Iron Mike, The Heavyweight)
- “take a powder” = take five, take a break, go away (Losing Streak, The Collector)
- “take care of” = kill (Gillian, Starsky’s Brother, The Hostages)
- “take cheap” = take lightly (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “take five” = take it easy, take a rest (The Las Vegas Strangler, The Heavyweight)
- “take it easy” = relax, calm down (Omaha Tiger)
- “take it from the top” = start from the beginning (Lady Blue)
- “take it or leave it” = decide (The Action)
- “take off” = get out of here (Savage Sunday)
- “take off the kid gloves” = get rough (Nightmare)
- “take the fifth” = invoke the right to remain silent on the grounds of self-incrimination (I Love You, Rosey Malone, Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “take the position” = get ready to be frisked (Iron Mike)
- “take the weight” = able to deal with it (Manchild on the Streets)
- “take to the cleaners” = win over, decimate (The Action, I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “take you with me” = if I die, I am going to kill you first (The Trap)
- “take your head off” = kill you, really cut you down (Little Girl Lost)
- “taking a bath” = deep in debt (The Collector)
- “taking your falls” = catching the blame for someone else (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “talked down to” = patronized (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “talks” = reveals information, admits (Death in a Different Place)
- “tank” = jail (Jojo, The Bounty Hunter)
- “tanked up” = drunk, high (Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
- “tap” = wire, recording device (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “tap dancing” = being evasive (Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “tapped out” = broke (The Hostages)
- “taste” = alcoholic drink (Black and Blue)
- “taxi dancer” = a professional, paid dance partner, not a prostitute, not a dance teacher (Starsky vs. Hutch)
- “ten spot” =$10 bill (Shootout, Starsky vs. Hutch)
- “ten will get you twenty” = see “five will get you ten” (Pilot)
- “terminal relationship” = long term, important relationship (Bust Amboy)
- “thanks a million” = thank you very, very much—often used sarcastically (The Heavyweight)
- “that’s all she wrote” = the end, that’s all (Bloodbath)
- “that’s something else” = that’s interesting (Death Notice)
- “that’s gold” = that’s perfect, that’s valuable (Lady Blue)
- “the man” = cop, authorities (Manchild on the Streets, Black and Blue)
- “they” = those in control (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “third degree” = interrogation using torture or undue pressure (Dandruff, Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “threads” = clothes (Photo Finish, Blindfold)
- “throw in the towel” = give up, surrender (Death in a Different Place, The Heroes)
- “throw the block to” = mess up, confuse, get in trouble (The Game)
- “throw the book” = enforce the rules to the letter (Bust Amboy, The Trap)
- “throw to the wolves” = put someone in a dangerous situation without protection (Pariah)
- “throwing” = hosting (Bust Amboy)
- “thug” = goon, hoodlum (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “thumbs in your ears” = hands up, surrender (The Trap)
- “ticked off” = angry, pissed (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “tickled pink” = happy, very pleased (Moonshine)
- “tie one on” = get drunk (The Crying Child)
- “tight with a dollar” = frugal (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “tight” = good friends, close (The Heavyweight)
- “tin horn turkey” = petty amateur inept person (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “tin horn cops” = petty braggart that pretends to be more important than he or she actually is (Silence)
- “to boot” = on top of, as well (Moonshine)
- “tongue” = person who deals, fink, snitch (Iron Mike)
- “too much” = great (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “too pat” = suspiciously too perfect (Death in a Different Place)
- “top cop” = best cop (Iron Mike)
- “top dog” = person in charge (Huggy Bear and the Turkey)
- “top gun” = main muscle (Birds of a Feather)
- “top of the line” = the finest (Iron Mike)
- “torch” = arsonist (The Bounty Hunter, Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
- “touch base” = communicate something, have contact (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “touch and go” = dangerous, uncertain condition (The Action)
- “tough cookie” = someone who succeeds despite odds, is very determined (The Hostages)
- “traced” = can be followed through paperwork and evidence, example guns or money (The Committee)
- “tracer” = to trace an incoming phone call (Bloodbath)
- “track record” = record of past results (The Heroes)
- “trafficking” = pushing drugs (Murder Ward)
- “traveling money” = money used to get out of town (Death in a Different Place)
- “tricks” = johns, guys who solicit prostitutes (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “tried a number“ = tried to cheat (Birds of a Feather)
- “trigger man“ = the one in charge (Pilot)
- “tripped on him” = recognized him (The Psychic)
- “trucked in” = came in, showed up (The Hostages)
- “try anything cute” = attempt to trick (Fatal Charm)
- “trying to pull” = trying to do, probably underhandedly (Fatal Charm)
- “tube” = television (Manchild on the Streets, Pilot, The Plague)
- “turkey” = loser, punk (Bust Amboy, A Coffin for Starsky, I Love You, Rosey Malone, The Crying Child, Manchild on the Streets, The Heavyweight)
- “turkey shoot” = a situation where the aggressor has an unfair advantage (Snowstorm)
- “turn” = show up (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “turn me cold” = erase my good luck (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “turn on” = sexually excited (Savage Sunday)
- “turn rotten” = become unethical, takes bribes, goes bad (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “turn tail” = run away (Murder at Sea)
- “turn that turkey” = bring that bad guy in for arrest (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “turn your toes up” = die (Terror on the Docks)
- “turned it over” = sold it quickly (The Heroes)
- “turning tricks” = prostitution (Bust Amboy)
- “turning up” = appearing (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “turnip” = rube (A Coffin for Starsky, Jojo)
- “turns you on” = gets you excited (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “twilight zone” = weird (Satan’s Witches)
- “twist my arm” = force (The Bait)
- “two-bit bag man” = small time hood (Death Ride)
- “two-bit” = of small account (Nightmare, Bloodbath, Death in a Different Place, Pariah, Running, The Psychic, Birds of a Feather, Death Notice)
- “two way street” = something that benefits both interested parties (Targets Without a Badge: Part 1)
- “two will get you one” = bad bet (Murder at Sea)
- “tying into” = getting into (The Heavyweight)
U
- “U.C.” = under control (Dandruff)
- “under the table” = secret, hidden (The Bounty Hunter)
- “under the weather” = drunk (The Deadly Imposter)
- “under your hat” = keep a secret (The Committee)
- “under your skin” = really bothered, in a personal way (Omaha Tiger)
- “under” = undercover (The Committee)
- “underworld” = mob world (The Set-Up)
- “units” = squad cars (The Trap)
- “up on the table” = out in the open and being considered (The Trap)
- “up the river” = put in prison, origin: Sing Sing prison, 30 miles up the Hudson from NYC (The Set-Up)
- “up the wager” = make a bet larger (The Heroes)
- “up to his eyeballs” = in really deep (The Action, Birds of a Feather)
- “uppers” = stimulant (Manchild on the Streets, Death in a Different Place)
- “uptight” = tense, nervous, rigid (Death Notice)
- “uptown” = fancy, high class (Cover Girl, Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “user” = one who uses drugs (The Heroes)
V
- “VC” = Viet Cong (Strange Justice)
- “Vegas fever” = uncontrollable urge to gamble (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “velvet glove approach” = with extreme care and gentleness (Photo Finish)
- “ventilate” = kill by a gut shot (Bloodbath)
- “vice bull” = a male rapist, Starsky threatens to have Jojo put in a cell with one (Jojo)
- “vigorish” = the amount charged by a bookie for his services (Savage Sunday)
W
- “wad” = large amount of money (The Heroes)
- “walk” = released from jail or prison (Bust Amboy)
- “walking a beat in a bean field” = regulated to a lower job, demoted (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “walking a thin line” = very close to the edge, risky (Hutchinson for Murder One)
- “walking around like a zombie” = emotionally disconnected from the world (Starsky’s Lady)
- “walking around money” = pocket change for little necessities (Little Girl Lost)
- “walking a hog” = riding a motorcycle (Moonshine)
- “wallpaper” = kill by shotgun blast (Photo Finish)
- “waltz routine” = avoid answering the question (The Action)
- “want the moon” = want the impossible (Bloodbath)
- “warm up” = practice (The Trap)
- “was holding” = go-between in a drug deal (Death in a Different Place)
- “wash out” = doesn’t provide answers, pans out, useless (A Coffin for Starsky, Fatal Charm)
- “Washington” = one dollar bill (Iron Mike)
- “waste” = drunk (Quadromania) killed (Running, Gillian, Bust Amboy, Dandruff, Shootout, Pariah, Pilot, Black and Blue)
- “wear it on your sleeve” = be obvious about something (Death in a Different Place)
- “weasel” = punk, creep (Jojo, The Bounty Hunter) snitch (Starsky’s Brother)
- “weasel out of” = back out of a commitment or situation in sneaky way (Strange Justice)
- “weed” = pot (Starsky’s Brother)
- “well-preserved” = adjective for a person who looks younger than his or her actual age (Photo Finish)
- “welsh” = go back on one’s word, cheat (Ballad for a Blue Lady)
- “went bail” = paid bail, see “gone bail” (Strange Justice)
- “went down” = happened (Bust Amboy, I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “went independent” = prostitute without a pimp (The Hostages)
- “went snafu” = didn’t work out, failed (The Action)
- “wet behind the ears” = inexperienced, young (The Specialist)
- “wetback” = Mexican, a slur (The Velvet Jungle)
- “whacko” = crazy (The Bounty Hunter, Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty, Quadromania, The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “whaling the tar” = keep hitting someone hard, completely defeat (The Deadly Imposter)
- “what are the numbers” = what’s the address (The Game)
- “what it is” = greeting, hello (Pilot, Manchild on the Streets)
- “what’s eating you?” = what’s bugging you? (Starsky vs. Hutch)
- “what’s happening” = what’s going on (The Velvet Jungle)
- “what’s shakin’” = what’s going on (The Bait, Death Notice, Omaha Tiger)
- “what’s the beef” = what’s the deal (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “what’s the line” = what’s the information (The Action)
- “what’s the sweat” = what’s the deal (Kill Huggy Bear)
- “what’s your game” = what are you about, what’s your deal (I Love You, Rosey Malone)
- “wheel man” = driver of the get away car (Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “wheels” = car (Survival, The Bait)
- “wheelie around town” = driving fast in one’s car, not be serious (Savage Sunday)
- “wheels of justice” = workings of the justice system (The Committee, Blindfold)
- “where he’s coming from” = understand a person’s motives and reasons for acting a certain way (Omaha Tiger)
- “whipped” = exhausted (The Heavyweight, Tap Dancing Her Way Right Back Into Your Heart)
- “white elephant” = a rare possession that is expensive to maintain, of dubious value (Omaha Tiger)
- “whippo” = punk, lowlife (Starsky’s Lady)
- “white on rice” = will stick very close to (A Body Worth Guarding)
- “white on white” = sneaky, white, bureaucratic white guy, reference to his suit (Targets Without a Badge: Part 3)
- “whitewash” = cover up (Pariah)
- “whitey“ = white person, slur (Manchild on the Streets)
- “whole ball of wax“ = everything (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “whole shooting match“ = everything (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “whooped“ = beat up (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “wild goose chase” = lost cause (Captain Dobey, You’re Dead)
- “will advise“ = tell (The Trap)
- “wilted his carnation” = made him nervous (Iron Mike, The Set-Up)
- “wind up” = hook (Bust Amboy)
- “wind up on a slab” = end up dead (Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
- “window shopping” = not really serious about committing (The Committee)
- “wing ding” = terrific (The Las Vegas Strangler)
- “wino” = drunk (Gillian, Iron Mike)
- “wipe that smile off your face” = don’t look so happy (The Action)
- “wipe your dipstick” = do better than, show up (Bloodbath)
- “wire us in” = get us in the loop for information (Nightmare)
- “wire” = secret communication device worn under clothing (The Action, Foxy Lady, Hutchinson for Murder One, Pilot)
- “wire tap” = see “wire” (The Groupie, Starsky’s Brother)
- “wired into” = connected (The Psychic)
- “wise guy” = a punk who thinks he can quit drugs at any time (Pariah)
- “won’t stick” = charges won’t hold (Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty)
- “word is out” = people know (The Bounty Hunter, The Heroes)
- “work out” = exercise (The Golden Angel)
- “work out a deal” = trade information or something else of value (Death in a Different Place)
- “work over” = beat up (Jojo, Starsky and Hutch Are Guilty, The Action, Silence)
- “worked the inside” = working from within an organization (Snowstorm)
- “worked up” = bothered (Gillian)
- “working girl” = prostitute (Pilot, Huggy Can’t Go Home)
- “working in the blind” = working without complete, full knowledge (The Bait)
- “works the streets” = hustles, turns tricks or does other small crimes (Death in a Different Place)
- “world marches on” = despite bad things happening, things will continue as before (The Crying Child, Nightmare)
- “world on his back” = under a lot of pressure and worry (The Heavyweight)
- “worm in our apple” = a bad person within a bunch of people who are good, a spoiler (Death Ride)
- “write checks with your mouth that you can’t cash” = don’t say what you can’t back up (The Heavyweight)
Y
- “yahoo” = idiot (The Action, Ninety Pounds of Trouble)
- “yard” = one hundred dollars (The Action)
- “yellow” = cowardly (Moonshine)
- “you got me” = beats me, I don’t know (Gillian, Murder at Sea)
- “you dig” = you understand (The Bounty Hunter, Murder Ward)
- “you follow” = do you understand (Pilot)
- “you game” = you ready? you up for it? (The Game)
- “you got it” = understand, is it clear (Jojo)
- “you got to ask” = isn’t it obvious (A Coffin for Starsky)
- “you’re faded” = your bet is covered (Ballad for a Blue Lady)
- “you’re on” =offer is accepted (Bust Amboy)
- “you’ve got ears” = you know, so you tell me (The Trap)
- “young blood” = kid (Manchild on the Streets)
- “yo-yo” = idiots (The Velvet Jungle, Bust Amboy) snitch (Texas Longhorn, Savage Sunday)
Z
- “zero” = loser, a nothing (Bust Amboy)
- “zilch” = nothing (The Action)
- “zip” = nothing (Class in Crime, Savage Sunday, The Game, The Avenger)
- “zonk out” = quickly go to sleep (The Avenger)
- “zoom over” = arrive quickly (I Love You, Rosey Malone)