Charlie

   a substitute word for a taboo subject

   It may mean a homosexual male, the police, an enemy (especially the Viet Cong), a prostitute, the male or female genitalia, menstruation (in the phrase Charlie's come), a stupid person (or right Charlie), cocaine or crack drugs (also as Charlie girl), etc.

    'By goles, Jon, we'll see murder done, so we will!' 'I'll run for the Charlies.' (Fraser, 1997, writing of the Regency period)

    They could sure as shit believe that Charley was shooting at them. (Herr, 1977)

    Charlie girl, coke, cocaine. He's big. Cannabis too. (Fiennes, 1996 — of a dealer)

   If you are told Charley's dead, your trouser zip may be undone, or, in the days when they were worn, your petticoat was showing under your skirt.

   Charlies, a woman's breasts, is obsolete.