Etymology From Middle English roche, from Old French roche, from Middle Low German roche, ruche (“ray (fish)”), from Old Saxon *rūh, possibly from Proto-Germanic *rūhaz (“rough”). Cognate with Old English ruhha ("a ray"; > Middle English rouhe, rohȝe), German Rochen (“ray (fish)”).
› Certain members of the fish family…
1
Any fish of species in the genus Rutilus, especially
› Certain members of the fish family… › Any fish of species in the genus Rutilus, especially:
Etymology Back-formation from cockroach, as if it were a compound. Marijuana-related meanings by similarity of appearance of the butt, attested since the 1930s.
1
Synonym of roach out.
Yamato roached on his best friend.2025 February 7, Bravado, Blizzard Forums:
I stand by it being a horrible call, but Yamdef getting called out for roaching, there’s definitely some irony going on there.2025 February 7, Skunkyboy, Blizzard Forums:
roach
noun
Etymology Back-formation from cockroach, as if it were a compound. Marijuana-related meanings by similarity of appearance of the butt, attested since the 1930s.
Derogatory, Slang Synonym of cockroach (“as a term of abuse”).
3
Lifestyle, SmokingUS, Slang The butt of a marijuana cigarette.
4
Lifestyle, SmokingUS, Slang An entire marijuana cigarette, blunt, or joint.
In his half hour of free time between brooms it was Willie's custom to smoke his lunch in an alleyway. He'd take just half a roach, only enough to make him feel a new day was starting, no more no less.1957, Alfred Maund, The Big Boxcar, Urbana: University of Illinois Press, →ISBN, page 106:
5
Lifestyle, SmokingUK, Slang The filter of a rolled cigarette or joint, made from card or paper (often of the cigarette paper packet itself).
Last toke is the yellowing fabric of the roach, containing the stuff that is less than tobacco.2000, Zadie Smith, White Teeth, London: Penguin Books, published 2001, →ISBN, page 292:
Etymology Apparently from extended or figurative use of roach (“Cyprinidae”), above. Compare the adjective roached (“styled so that the mane stands up from the neck”).
1
To cut or shave off the mane of a horse so that the remaining hair stands up on the neck.
2
Broadly To cut a person's hair so that it stands straight up.
Etymology Apparently from extended or figurative use of roach (“Cyprinidae”), above. Compare the adjective roached (“styled so that the mane stands up from the neck”).
1
Nautical, Transport Sail material that forms a concave curve rather than straight leech (aft edge) of a sail to increase the sail area over that of a simple triangular sail.
2
A haircut or a similar-looking kind of headdress worn by some of the indigenous peoples of North America, often red.
After long Working of this Coal, it was found upon the rising Grounds, that there lay another Roach of Coal, at the Depth of 14 Yards under it1749, Rog. Mostyn, “Mineralogy”, in Philosophical Transactions and Collections to the End of the Year, volume II, London: Royal Society, →OCLC, page 379:
2
UK, Regional Gritty or coarse rock; especially Portland stone or similar limestone.
The roach, both of the top and bottom beds, is always imperceptibly incorporated with the freestone, which is invariable situated beneath it.1841, C.H. Smith, “Lithology; or Observations on Stone for Building”, in The Surveyor, Engineer, and Architect, →OCLC, page 13: