That new chippy is the dog's bollocks. on Feb 23 2002. For ex: Ill be back in a minute, Im just off to spend a penny! Mostly heard in London, this means "men". I'm just going for a quick slash. U.K. slang is nothing if not interesting! Bloody How to Learn More UK Slang Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Can mean either "crazy" or "angry" depending on the context. If you want to read more about cockney rhyming slang and money, read this BBC article. Come over to my gaff; we are having a party there. To have a tantrum or go into a rage. A person can be peng, but so can food. Jammy is in semi-common use in the north west and south west of England. Beef - a hostility between two people that usually results in violence. What a great way to start the list. - representing oneself, bigging yourself up. An exclamation of surprise. One of the more boring and technical terms on this list, a car park is in effect, the place outside or attached to a building where people park their cars. This slang word for a cigarette has no pejorative associations in the UK, but causes all sorts of problems for Brits visiting the US. Batty-fang Low. Fortunately, there are quite a few descriptive British slang terms that paint quite a vivid picture to anyone who knows what the informal words mean. Nevertheless, it has a wide range of uses and applicable contexts. Improve your writing by downloading our English Editing Tips. Northern English slang for a cup or mug of tea or coffee is brew, but it can also be generally used for beer. A British pint is roughly 20% larger than a US one, which means Brits are 20% more likely to be drunk. Mate 9. Meaning to vomit or to be sick, chunder is almost always used in correlation with drunken nights, or being hugely ill and sick. Shortened form of luscious. on Oct 28 2001. It is similar to the American word 'fancy', however it has a much more entrenched class . For evidence of this, subscribe to his popular, 4 Ways British and American Houses Are Very Different, 11 U.S. States That Are Larger Than the UK, 4 British Swear Words That Are Slowly Creeping Into The American Vernacular. The suitcase was chockablock with clothes. Wix has got your covered with thousands of design features, built-in SEO and marketing tools, that will allow you to scale your content, your brand and your business. While "snog" or "blimey" might sound a bit odd to you, it's all part of common slang to Brits. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA Libes. For example, I left when Darren threw a wobbly.. Before this time, coats of this nature may have been referred to as a parkaa word still used in both British and American English. Submitted by Danny Dees For those not in-the-know, kecks is an informal word for. Whether 1 grand or 20 grandnever put an "s" on the end. A lively party. It's what the "trendy" Moms are starting to call them now. For example, Im going away for a fortnight to Egypt for my summer holiday.. Gutted - is a British term you use to describe feeling devastated or upset. For example, you might say Im going to Steves birthday do tonight.. Best British Slang Terms and Phrases. Anorak: A person who knows a lot about a particular . Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA Butcher's hook 22. Ledge 10. But, remember that this is not normal spending. QUIZ. For ex: Wheres my share of the filthy lucre then? Just popping out 2. Therefore one quid, five quid, fifty quid. You alright bruv?. A person can be peng, but so can food. Wed like to share our expertise with you. . Students mostly refer to their university and/or college by just saying uni. Last edited on Oct 28 2001. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. New words come and go like fashions. Ace: 'Ace' stands for excellent. Alcohol and words relating to pubs and being drunk feature prominently in British slang. Normally used together with "a bit". Ten Very British Behaviours "Brolly" Abbreviation of "umbrella." "Grab your brolly, it's drizzling outside." Pixabay "Budge up" An informal way of asking someone to make room where they are. This is the British university slang word for a library. A mancould be compared to the American term 'dude'. So, the English phrase just popping out usually refers to leaving a place or a room with the intention of quickly returning. Used with toddlers, teenagers and adults alike. Ponchos have neither hoods nor sleeves. The tradesmen in our country are certainly no exception, and have invented plenty of words for the techniques and materials they encounter on-site. But wait before you tighten your seat belts, there is a catch. It's the equivalent to an arm and a leg in English, which realistically sound much more expensive than sweets. Do not talk to him again; he looks smarmy. Gaff is just a synonym for home. Although it might sound quite similar to gaffe, its meaning is completely different. It is very expensive! These include, Laurence Brown is a British man writing his way through the truly bizarre world of America - a place he sometimes accidentally calls home and a place he still hasn't quite figured out after seven years, . In this case something being sick is actually a good thing. You can also talk bollocks (speak nonsense, or lie) and if something is a load of bollocks, its not true. Open yourself up to the delights of the English language, especially the variety that's spoken where English got its start. used to relate something to money; "wow, that's fancy!". For example, He tried to skive off work but got caught by his manager.. This expression refers to that time. Quids in 14. Thats a lovely wee doggie youve got there. "bloody awful" or "bloody hell". Answer (1 of 44): This word was often used in my childhood in Birmingham by adults when they were giving you a sweet or pocket money. Hes a complete nutter. Meaning: to make fun of someone, to tease them a lot. A thing, person or even a situation, this is a great multi-purpose word. For example, Dont it that mate it looks minging.. Slang Is Always Evolving. Learn the lingo and you'll soon be conversing like a true Brit. Did you take care of that thing? See REI, L.L. Last edited on Dec 10 2000. Some of these probably aren't used so much now but having not been home for a while I'm not really across which ones ma. Baccy Meaning: Tobacco. Cor blimey, its bloody hot today, innit!. This is commonly used as a greeting that doesn't always need a response. 23 Brilliant British Expressions to Blend in with the Brits. Its like a stronger form of cool, For example, .Yeah Id love to do that, it sounds sick.. It should be easyBritain exported the English language, after allbut there are so many regional quirks that never made it beyond the borders that things can get quite tricky for the non-locals. For example, 'Jenny is ace at the lab experiments', or, for the latter definition, 'I think I aced that exam'. Contents 1. I will have a butchers hook around the market and see if I can find some nice curtains. No-one can snark quite like they do, and there are certain turns of phrase that are so utterly delightful, the rest of the world really should sit up and take note. Example in spoken form: In my new job Ill be earning 75 kay a year. Can be combined with "hard" for emphasis. Learning directly from native speakers is the best way to become an advanced English speaker. Did you know that the UK has around 40 different dialects of English, each with their own accents and slang? For example,I kicked him right in the bollocks when he wouldnt let me go past.. Someone who is a bit stupid or annoying. British tradesman slang As inventors of the English language, Brits are constantly looking for new ways to keep conversations fresh and exciting. For example, The guys on TV last night were taking the piss out of the government again.. For example, Thats a load of tosh about what happened last night, or Dont talk tosh.. In fact, British people say "cheers" all the time without noticing they're doing it - a bit like the way they say "sorry" all . Hes a good bloke. For example, I left my car in the car park this morning.. Possibly the best British insult on the list, it fits a certain niche for a single-worded insult to lobbied out in a moment of frustration, anger, provocation, or, of course, as a jest amongst friends. So, you can actually say the phrase "that ace was ace, Ace!" to your tennis partner! However it can be used to describe anything flashy or needlessly classy or expensive. Another rather delightful and slightly archaic words in this list of British slang terms is kerfuffle. Can be combined with other slang for extra effect: Check out that peng ting over there fam. Now youre definitely ready to stream that new British TV show or blend in with the locals on your next trip to the UK. Brolly 3. Oh, sod off, wont you?. The family welcomed a "pigeon pair." Elderly birdwatchers, who often stay with families in the country. Oh, wanker. Leg it. If you want to know what's going on when you re-watch Harry Potter, or when you see Drake on Insta pretending to be a north London roadman, this list of words should help. 2. "THAT LOOKS LIKE A DOG'S DINNER". A parka is a cold-weather jacket that zips in the front.Jumper: A type of girls' or women's dress that pulls down over the head.Knickers: (Short for "knickerbockers') Short pants that end just below the knee (fastened with elastic or buttons), usually worn with long socks. I will be quids in if I get that promotion next month. In British slang, "bloody" is a bit like the word "very," which adds stress or importance to the word that comes after it. A person can be dodgy but so can an object: I think I ate a dodgy curry. It's used in the same way "egghead" is used in North America. Proper is used as an alternative to very or extremely, something that can give a term extra weight. Sherbets 12. A crazy person. Example: "How about I skive off during lunch? In Scottish English, wally means something that is pleasing or strong. Similarly, a 5 note is sometimes referred to as a "fiver". It is used when someone is wasting their time or only pretending to work. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. So, the context of the word largely determines its meaning. meaning: beautiful; attractive. Wally 17. A gaffe is another word for mistake or blunder.. Beast - really cool. The first form of this is far more common, and is sometimes used internationally. Slightly more of an outdated version, this British slang term is still used, and its meaning remains relevant today. Very different to the bollocks of the previous suggestion, a bollocking is a telling-off or a severe or enthusiastic reprimand from a boss, co-worker, partner, or anyone you like, for a misdemeanour. A man. Gutted Meaning: Being heartbroken or upset over something. And the best place to get some is in your local chippy. Tasteless, cheap-looking. Mostly heard in Manchester to mean "great". any expensive, flashy, or shiny jewelry, usually gold or silver, esp. For ex: I spent over a hundred quid last weekend without even realising it! Although it might sound quite confusing, it means the same thing as other common phrases like as easy as a pie or you are done.. Nice one, really.. of extreme high quality, expensive to a point that it becomes unattainable. differences; what people in the U.K. call a, The same equivalents used in entry number 8 could also be applied here. Click words for definitions. Bare - a lot of something. Knickers - short pants that button below the knee; usually seen on young boys in turn-of-the-century photos.Nappies, plimsolls, y-fronts - words known to us through British television programs.Klecks - did you make this up? Skive (Pronounced sky-ve)a British slang term used to indicate when someone has failed to turn up for work or an obligation due to pretending to fake illness. In the earlier 20th century, the word "bit" was slang for a coin, and the word "bob" was slang for a shilling. bog-standard - nothing special bonkers - crazy botched - something going wrong cack-handed - clumsy camp - flamboyant cheeky - sassy chockablock - filled to the brim cobblers - nonsense To take the piss means to mock something, parody something, or generally be sarcastic and derisive towards something. Press the power button, type the password and Bobs your uncle, you can use the computer now. Something or someone that is the best it/they could be. Bog ( slang) - This is a slang term for a toilet, and has spun off several related terms, such as bog brush (toilet brush) and bog roll (toilet paper). Submitted by Luke G. from Rossford, OH, USA Dont talk rubbish.. Need your document in perfect English? A Ace - is used to describe something that is awesome. For example, Ive had bugger all to do all day., This is the cockney rhyming slang version of having a gander, to look at something. When writing in English you put the currency symbol in front of the digits, so 10, 150 or $20. Can also mean to pass something with flying colors. Submitted by The Last Don Arguably one of the most hilarious British Slang insults we've heard! Alternatively, to not be serious about something (this essay was a jokeare you taking the piss?). Invented by market traders and street merchants, Cockney Rhyming Slang was probably first used to disguise what was being said by passers-by. Example - My new Mercedes car has cost me an arm and leg. Last edited on Feb 23 2002. Anna is the Editor-in-Chief & Content Strategist of Lifehack. It's like being bi-lingual, and forgetting at times which language you are meant to be using. This word is used when something is brilliant or someone performs very well, usually on a test or evaluation. Submitted by TYI I. from Manhattan, NY, USA No collection of slang would be complete without casual terminology used for nouns that are common among those who speak the language or dialect. For example, you can use it as a mild expletive to express frustration or exasperation: "Oh bloody hell, not again." on Mar 03 2002. Brilliant is not a word exclusively in the British lexicon, but has a very British usage. This dictionary of British slang includes popular words and phrases that you might hear in the UK and will help you with your own spoken English. In this post we share the official and unofficial ways Brits refer to money. Whats more British than fish and chips? Stop faffing around and start doing your homework. London slang for the area youre from. Best done at a distance as there may be repercussions. I really fancy her is a profession of a love interest, but you could also ask someone: Do you fancy some lunch?. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. You can refer to a person who grassed you up as a "grass". Mate - this is an interchangeable word that is a commonly used term for a friend or as a greeting to a male you are unacquainted with. Hell be down the local. So, as a way of easing you in, here are some of my favorite slang words, phrases and expressions from around the British Isles. The slang words in this thesaurus category appear below the table of contents. 9. Other British slang words for attractive include fit, lush, a sort, piff, buff, leng. on Aug 30 2011. FluentU is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This word is used when some place or thing is extremely crowded or full. Any road - when you hear this, the person isn't asking you to pick a road! Unlike bars, they open in the morning, often serve food, and normally have at least one resident drunk. Though it may seem strange at first, its pretty simple, it is constructed out of the expressions second word, in this case the way hook rhymes directly with look however, perhaps contrary to expectations, the word hook is often removed, so you may hear someone say have a butchers at this.. Cockney Slang uses language in one of the most interesting ways, by rhyming with . We use K (from kilo) when we write with digits but we also say it when speaking, so that phonetically it would sound like kay. For ex: I spent over a hundred quid last weekend without even realising it! Fresher. The way these words are used in my neck of the woods (East Coast) is:Anorak - a parka with an entirely useless drawstring waist.Jumper - a collarless, sleeveless woman's dress meant to be worn with a blouse or shirt. a foolish or senseless person I knew I'd been an idiot to stay there. In some ways, trainers is the more appropriate term, after all, athletes tend to wear them while training, not sneaking. Bob's your uncle 5. Nice one used almost always sarcastically in common British lexicon, although it can be used sincerely depending on the context. Were mad about English. Did I miss any of your favorite British slang off the list? - Cargasm: A euphoric feeling of joy associated with buying or receiving something expensive or desirable. Check out some peng chicken. Pissed: drunk. Think twice before you ask someone if they know a good place to get some food A slang term for the national sportfootball. Chockablock 13. There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. 2023 Enux Education Limited. fancy, impressive, cool, showy. Mate You know you're living the UK when you hear this used like a comma. Trollied 13. Sounds wicked - wicked means great in British slang. A little bit more affectionate than calling someone a pillock. 2. To inform on someone to the authorities. Home. Last edited on Mar 19 2011. There are no categories underneath this one. This word was popularized by the British artist Lethal Bizzle. He created the word while playing video games with his cousin. In the end, we decided to splash out on a pub lunch. 100 Brilliantly British Slang Words and Phrases, Used in Scotland, this word means "pretty" or "beautiful", and is normally used in reference to a woman. From New York, to California, Louisiana to Hawaii (and so much more! Feet whips: Can be used to refer to any type of shoe. From "bourgeois." Download: British slang is a niche of its own, evolving and transforming and adapting from city to city and from year to year, just as the English language itself has done. Bum 8. Cockney rhyming slang definitely already has two other meanings for the word "tom", namely jewellery (from tomfoolery) and **** (from Tom Tit), which just goes to show that context is everything when trying to understand a Cockney. Narky 14. One of the best things about summer is firing up the barbecue and sipping some brews on a hot, sunny day. From "dishy" to "cheesed off," the comedian takes you through some "bog-standard" British words and phras. This is because, as you might have guessed from the title, there are a number of U.K. clothing words that are either not used stateside or are, at the very least, not very common. For example, I am absolutely knackered after working all day.. Spend more than five minutes around any British woman over the age of 40, and you are very likely to hear the word "lovely." You may well be invited to a 'do', 'bash', or 'get-together', which are all other words for a party or group gathering. Where It Gets Twisted: American And British Slang Words Or before tea, "Have ya washed yer donnies?" The story - possibly an urban myth - is that Bri. "I'm absolutely gutted". I was gobsmacked when I found out that I lost my job. Scroll down to continue reading article , The Ultimate Productivity Guide on Taking Charge of Time, Why am I so Tired and How to Boost My Energy, 51 Slang Terms You May Not Be Familiar With, 12 Top Internet Slang Terms You Should Know About, How to Become a Productivity Ninja by Graham Allcott, How to Make Time Work For You The Time Mastery Framework, The Impact of Procrastination on Productivity, The Forgotten Emotional Aspects of Productivity, How to Calm Your Mind For Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, 8 Misconceptions of Time That Make You Less Productive. Another fun ironic way to say this is "It cost a few bob!". Bloody. An arse is your rear end (not to be confused with an ass, which is a donkey). And, as with everything else, practice makes perfect! 3. The origin of the expression is unknown, and is quite old, but is still in general use. To over-egg the pudding is to overdo something with the intent of making it better. British slang is a niche of its own, evolving and transforming and adapting from city to city and from year to year, just as the English language itself has done. Someone from Newcastle. The minister has over-egged the pudding by talking about too many things at once in his speech. He got merked last week. I will not be going out today; it is a pea-souper out there. Acting the maggot Bad dose Bags (to make a bags of something) Bang on Banjaxed Black stuff Boyo Brutal Bucketing down Bunk off Chancer Chiseler Ciotg Cod/codding ya Craic Crack on Culchie Cute hoor Delira and excira Deadly Donkey's years Dosser Eat the head off Eejit Earwigging Effin' and blindin' A possible result of a knees-up. However, in informal American English, geezer means odd or crazy and is usually used to refer to old men. Before going deeper into your exploration of British slang words, take the time to discover some slang phrases commonly used in the U.K. Fortunately, in a British slang dictionary, there are quite a few informal phrases commonly used as slang. Cockney rhyming slang: take the Mickey Bliss = take the piss. Submitted by Slinky from Paris, France to expose an inappropriate part of one's body. Chuffed is used more or less all over the UK, it seems to be decreasing in popularity, but is still in relatively common usage. Possibly because you nicked something. The definitions of these slang words appear below the list. Blinding a slang term that is far from something that physically causes someone to lose their sight. However it can be used to describe anything flashy or needlessly classy or expensive. For example, 'that is a tad expensive'. Ace. This project was a really hard slog. Hunky-dory a neat little piece of British slang that means that a situation is okay, cool, or normal. It can refer to your actual family but its often just how youll greet a friend. 1999 March 19, PETER MCALEER, "The Long Kiss Goodnight (R4)", in aus.dvd, Usenet: I am renting my machine, it might be more exy but it gives me time to sus out (with the help of newsgroups like this one), just exactly which machine or . Perhaps one of the most internationally famous British slang terms, bollocks has a multitude of uses, although its top ones including being a curse word used to indicate dismay, e.g. What I like about this term and its two/three usages is that the following sentence, Nick got nicked for nicking somethingmakes grammatical sense. While all of these expressions may sound fun and interesting, learners should always be careful when using them. Last edited on Mar 13 2002. To run away. Ace a British slang term that means something that is brilliant or excellent. Bob's your uncle means like, I thought it was gonna rain. Making jokes, often at the expense of others in your company. Mug What I mean is that this once mighty British Empire that more or less covered a quarter of the world's land surface could not ever have imagined that English would evolve to almost a million words - and almost every single one of them would be . - Bumpkin: A term used to describe someone from . For example, I ate a bad pizza last night after too many drinks and chundered in the street.. You can find out more about that in this wiki post. For even more fun, take a look at these common U.K. expressions. Roadman: Roadman comes from the 21st century slang word, describing a boy (normally at a teenage age) as someone who thoroughly knows the ins and outs of his area, and the people in the area - he will also be involved in popular events such as trapping, driving (cruising), parties etc. Bowler The origins of this French slang expression are a mystery. Shes pretty posh. For example, You got the job? Hes making loads of moolah. To be gutted about a situation means to be devastated and saddened. ; and it can also be used as a pejorative He just seems dodgy to me.. on Jan 18 2000. In British English, the phrase is used to describe the feeling of having had a few too many lagers down the pub, and the resulting struggle to walk in a straight line. ), read on for an exploration of fascinating, common, odd, rare and unique American slang. I avoid the morning traffic that way. Bollocks; and, of course, it also refers to the scrotum and testicles. A Scottish classic which is also popular in Northern Ireland. Origin: The slang term "whip" refers to an expensive car. A brief essay outlining the parameters of this dictionary and information on slang can be read in the slang introduction which, to avoid disappointment, I'd recommend reading before . For example, I cant believe you won that, proper jammy.. the British slang, please tell me what is happening here. on May 01 2014. I think the plumber bodged the pipes in the sink. Fancy Dress: not "dressing fancy." Kind of the oppositeif. Similar to a pillock, a tosser is someone who is annoying or a bit of an idiot. This can cause a great deal of confusion if youre exploring the country, or even if youre just looking to stream the latest British TV series.