Idiom idiom
oily rag
Slang Cockney rhyming slang · East London
Meaning
fag
Examples
“He keeps an oily rag in his pocket for quick repairs.”
“The mechanic wiped his greasy hands on an oily rag after fixing the engine.”
“The workshop smelled of gasoline and old metal, with an oily rag discarded carelessly upon the workbench.”
Origin
Meaning a cigarette and referring to its soiled state when smokers are employed in a mucky profession.
Anchors to
Last updated June 7, 2026