dope
UK: dəʊp | US: doʊp
n. 1. A slang term for drugs, especially illegal ones.
n. 2. Information or data, often exclusive or insider knowledge.
adj. 3. (Slang) Excellent or cool.
vt. 4. To administer drugs to someone or something (e.g., a racehorse).
The word "dope" likely originated in the early 19th century from Dutch "doop," meaning "sauce" or "dip," referring to a thick liquid. By the late 1800s, it evolved to describe viscous substances like varnish or lubricants, then slang for opium (a thick, tar-like drug). Later, it broadened to encompass all drugs and, ironically, shifted to mean "excellent" in 20th-century African American Vernacular English (AAVE), possibly as a reclamation or ironic usage. The "insider information" sense emerged from early 20th-century racing slang, where "dope" referred to secret tips about horses (sometimes literally drugged).
The athlete was disqualified for using dope.
He gave me the inside dope on the company merger.
That new song is absolutely dope!
Veterinarians warned against doping racehorses.
She was arrested for possessing dope at the airport.