have had the Richard

have had the Richard

To be damaged or harmed beyond repair. The "Richard" in the phrase is Richard III, which is rhyming slang for "bird" (meaning to cause a negative reaction in an audience). These books look like they've had the Richard—can I please throw them out?See also: have, Richard

have had the Richard

be irreparably damaged. Australian This expression comes from rhyming slang Richard the Third, meaning ‘bird’. In the theatre, get the bird means ‘be booed and hissed at’.See also: have, Richard