Dick - Definition and Overview

The word and name Dick has multiple meanings:

• Dick is a time-honoured contraction of the given name Richard. Many famous individuals have used "Dick" as a nickname, including Richard Nixon, who eventually came to be known under the slang term "Tricky Dick".
• Dick is also a slang term used to refer to a private investigator or detective. It is a shortened form of detective. Dick Tracy, the famous fictional police detective, was named for his profession. Private dick is also common for private investigators.
• It is also a vulgarism for penis, and in modern times it is frequently used as an insult or curse word.
• The term "dick around" means to carelessly waste time, as in "Quit dicking around, we have to finish!"
• Dick is also, much less commonly, a surname:
  • For the classic science-fiction author (posthumously a frequent source of film plots and concepts), see Philip K. Dick
• Dick is also an album by Greg Ginn who is the guitarist from a punk rock band Black Flag.
• Dick is also a comedy movie in which two girls cause the downfall of Richard Nixon.