Dictionary definition of “black aspirin”

black aspirin

n. 1. (in Australia) a cola-based soft drink. 2. (in U.K. prisons), a kicking assault of a prisoner by guards. Subjects: English, Australia, United Kingdom, Crime & Prisons, Food & Drink, Slang

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Citations: 1991 David Brindle Guardian (United Kingdom) (Mar. 4) “Top security patient ‘died after beating’” p. 5: In the Granada documentary, Mr Johnson was asked about what patients described as the “black aspirin,” beating by staff. He said: “There are occasions when relationships have been less than professional. As far as being able to prove it, that’s a different matter.” 1997 Patrick Cornish West Australian (Dec. 27) “Hangover Cures” p. 4: Coke, often referred to as black aspirin or black Berocca, must be the full strength, non-diet stuff, to get the sugar. 2002 [Q.Z. Diablo] @ Australia Usenet: alt.activism.death-penalty (Jan. 10) “Re: Innocent but this time, dead”: Any early morning seediness is usually overcome by ingestion of the Black Aspirin and a quick shower. 2004 [Rhino] @ United Kingdom Bravehearts’ Kilt Forum (Apr. 2) “Re: Dangerous Ground”: I didn’t bother with the police that time just went round and counselled all of “em against it, offering plenty of “black aspirin” as medication should they need it. 2005 Courier-Mail (Queensland, Australia) (Dec. 17) “What’s the definitive cure for a hangover?”: If you drink water between drinks and then drinka hell of a lot before you go to bed, the hangover is minimised. Then lots of black aspirin [Coke] the next day. 2006 Theodore Dalrymple FrontPage Mag. (Sept. 6) “The Evils of Ideology”: “Don’t you do that in front of the doctor!” he ordered the unconscious man, and I have little doubt that he would have kicked him hard and often—in short, given him what used to be called in prison warders’ parlance “the black aspirin,” which is to say the prison warder’s boot—if I had turned my back for an instant. 2006 Ben Quinn Newcastle Herald (New South Wales, Australia) (Sept. 23) “Hard lines or tickety-boo?” p. 34: Rain, hail or shine, tsunami, avalanche or volcanic eruption, rickets, leprosy or black plague, you will find these zealots angling towards the front of the queue with fold-up chairs for comfort and a thermos full of black aspirin for sustenance.

Posted 6 Oct 06 | Permalink | Tell a Friend