on Sep 15 2011. So, as a way of easing you in, here are some of my favorite slang words, phrases and expressions from around the British Isles. Dont be such a knob. Mate is what you call someone, usually a friend and often male but it's also expanded to use between females in recent times. Cuppa is just another way of saying a cup of tea. Its a Southern English slang that came from the phrase cup of and was shortened to eventually just cuppa.. Taking the piss out of your friends can be done as part of banter. Do not talk to him again; he looks smarmy. Thankfully, his journey is made 12% easier by the fact that his accent makes him sound much smarter than he is. For ex: You mean he paid 300G for a house in the suburbs! In formal English, gaff can also mean a stick with a hook that is used to kill large fish. London slang for the area youre from. Here the top 80 most used Irish slang phrases. A not so polite way to ask someone to go away. It comes from the older English word faffle, which means to flap around in the wind. Can be a verb (I'd love to shag him) or a noun (she was a great shag). Cockney Slang uses language in one of the most interesting ways, by rhyming with . Used as a signifier for preference. Slang Is Always Evolving. Its important to represent your ends. We could see a movie." Taking the Piss To mock or ridicule. While most British people think food is something you eat, its also street slang for drugs. The rules about capital letters and currency are the following: you dont use a capital letter to spell out the whole name, therefore: pounds, euros and dollars. There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. For example, Im going away for a fortnight to Egypt for my summer holiday.. An object or event can be mental (Did you see that goal? Muck is a substitute for dirt however, in many ways I find it a superior word. 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). For those unaware, the expression essentially used in the end of a series of basic instructions. Northern English slang for a cup or mug of tea or coffee is brew, but it can also be generally used for beer. Used mostly in London to mean "a lot of". Arguably one of the most hilarious British Slang insults we've heard! No other language in the world has been as bastardised as this one! The buildings in which we live drop subtle and not Professional British YouTuber, writer, and humorist who somehow convinced you to let him do this full-time. You probably dont need me to describe this, out of all British slang, this is by far the most popular and most commonly used. The origin of the expression is unknown, and is quite old, but is still in general use. Alternatively, to not be serious about something (this essay was a jokeare you taking the piss?). A term of address, usually to a man but not always. They just want a cigarette, guys. If youre in London you may overhear many other terms for money and many of these will come from cockney rhyming slang. This phrase means the same thing as having a tantrum. Usually used in conjunction with mate. 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.. The suitcase was chockablock with clothes. 2023 Enux Education Limited. It is used when someone is wasting their time or only pretending to work. For ex: If I can sell all this stuff second hand then Ill be quids in. Get an instant price to have your English document edited by professionals. Mostly heard in Manchester to mean "great". Youll find multiple spellings of this word, largely used in London, to mean "to kill". 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. Think rockstars, mid-90s footballers and Prince Harry. I was gobsmacked when I found out that I lost my job. We also refer to a ten pound note as a tenner. Nevertheless, it has a wide range of uses and applicable contexts. New words come and go like fashions. For ex: I hate going out with John, hes such a penny-pincher that he never offers to buy everyone a round of drinks at the pub. Open yourself up to the delights of the English language, especially the variety that's spoken where English got its start. But, remember that this is not normal spending. Can be combined with other slang for extra effect: Check out that peng ting over there fam. As well as quid, we have a whole series of words that we use to refer to money, such as: Dosh is uncountable, so you cant have doshes! Cor blimey, did you see that? For more usage examples, check out this instructive video by British rapper Bigz. An exclamation of surprise. A major effort. Last edited on Dec 06 2002. on Jan 18 2000. But like most things cockney, its becoming less popular. 2. Much more fun than a slog, this is a term for a french kiss. U.K. slang includes some interesting insults. A Scottish classic which is also popular in Northern Ireland. E.g. For example, Yeah, everythings hunky-dory at the office.. "I'm absolutely gutted". The best way to make your speech sound natural is to listen to native speakers and see how they use these expressions. 5. 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, . 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. Bum 8. 14. Perennially on a quest to uncover all of the memos that Britain and America lost in the Pond, something he tackles with reckless abandon over on his. The definitions of these slang words appear below the list. Money. 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. Hes making loads of moolah. on Sep 21 2009. Submitted by Danny Dees Citation from "Episode 3", Little Britain (TV, 2004), Season 2 Episode 3 blacked out to resolve Google's penalty against this site . In the United States, people from all walks of life use slang. For ex: I spent over a hundred quid last weekend without even realising it! I was gobsmacked when she told me she was pregnant with triplets.. To take a chance on something. It means to make a profit. Geezer 10. Cor blimey, did you see that? For more usage examples, check out, London street slang for sneakers (which British people call, An exclamation of surprise. Therefore one quid, five quid, fifty quid. However, here are a few examples: Safe, sorted, sound, cool or wicked all mean That's good or I understand. A gaffe is another word for mistake or blunder.. Like grand, quid only ever appears in the singular. Sneakers might be a simple Classic Keds shoe; Tennis Shoes are "improved" sneakers with strategically placed enforcement in the sole and upper, designed for the specialized purpose of playing tennis and more expensive than sneakers (see also Running Shoes, Basketball Shoes, et. % buffered 00:01 3. Bare - a lot of something. These will help you know how to react to what others say, how to express appreciation or end a conversation appropriately. Submitted by Anthony from Hazlet, NJ, USA . Butcher's hook 22. You know, one problem we terminal Anglophiles have is that we mostly know these terms because we're freaks of Nature who glom onto any tidbit of British culture, language, television, literature, etc, that we possibly can. Lovely. A - Z Slang. 2. To have a tantrum or go into a rage. It is used to emphasize almost anything! Did you know that the UK has around 40 different dialects of English, each with their own accents and slang? He went on a week-long bender. Our currency is officially known as the "pound sterling", but many more informal terms exist to describe money in the UK. Master a variety of British insults and you'll be prepared to reply with some snarky put-downs. It is used for emphasis. Come over to my gaff; we are having a party there. Bloody How to Learn More UK Slang Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Countable and Uncountable Nouns: What Are the Differences? For example, Jenny is ace at the lab experiments, or, for the latter definition, I think I aced that exam. 15. Example in written form: In my new job Ill be earning 75K a year. How are you, mate?. But sometimes, the slang word is a reused word with a new meaning. To expand these results, click one of the above categories. Bang up to the elephant This phrase originated in London in 1882, and means "perfect, complete, unapproachable." 6. Hes absolutely gutted.. Someone can be completely bonkers or can go bonkers (the latter can also mean losing your temper). Download: I didn't do my homework and the teacher gave me a right bollocking. Her Majesty's Pleasure - HMP, which is Her Majesty's Prison. A not so delicate way to refer to sexual intercourse. Note the use of man in the singular to mean men or even people. Knackered 3. high bling moola expensiver abercrombie and fitch buckle n-gage audemar crapintosh intel bathing apes miracle whips computer luxuria crys mercedes quiznos posh stink hdtv rolly doom 3 playstation 3 gross rip-off bill gatin' a10 hidden dear respectacles maximillian . Sherbets 12. Coming originally from Caribbean English, its most prevalent in London. The Wix website builder offers a complete solution from enterprise-grade infrastructure and business features to advanced SEO and marketing toolsenabling anyone to create and grow online. Knackered a great word and phrase used by Britons to describe their tiredness and exhaustion, in any given situation. Insulting. 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. Used as an adjective, to mean funny or just fun. The British equivalent to the American parking lot or parking garage. For example, 'that is a tad expensive'. So, quids in means that someone has made moneyusually more than what they expectedfrom something. 23 Brilliant British Expressions to Blend in with the Brits. While from the outside it may look like were insulting each other, it's actually a sign of affection. Thus "feet whips" refers to expensive shoes (the "cars" of your feet). Now KSWL is a rather unique slang which doesn't really exist in English. For example, 'Cheers for getting me that drink, Steve'. When someone in England, especially in London, takes the subway train to go somewhere, they usually use this expression. 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 . Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions British people often talk about "bits and bobs" so this is a very useful phrase to learn. Gaff is just a synonym for home. Although it might sound quite similar to gaffe, its meaning is completely different. It is used to describe someone who is so surprised that it looks like someone hit them. He got a new job.. That new chippy is the dog's bollocks. Libes. Submitted by Moo from Santa Cruz, CA, USA The difference is that people from the UK also use "cheers" to mean "thank you". As such when you hear it in use, even if you arent familiar with expression you can often tell what is being said by the rhyme and the context it is being used in. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA For example, You messed up the Rutherford order? American life. It stands for kswle which is used to talk about a couple who are being so cute and sweet it's killing you. Translate any file to any language in one click. You can also talk bollocks (speak nonsense, or lie) and if something is a load of bollocks, its not true. on Mar 13 2002. In the nineteenth century, people needed to give a penny to use public washrooms in England. This is commonly used as a greeting that doesn't always need a response. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA 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. It is similar to the American word fancy, however it has a much more entrenched class basis. London's infamous roadmen have their . For some reason, you dont go to the localyou go/are down the local. There were bare man at the rave. For example, Did you hear about our kid Kevin? Thats the game you play with your feet, hence the name. Yes, British people have a lot of slang words for money. on Mar 08 2002. Therefore one quid, five quid, fifty quid. Used to be standard wear for young boys until WW2 (getting "long pants" was a rite of passage). A person can be peng, but so can food. A possible result of a knees-up. One of the more delightful British slang terms in this list, scrummy is used as a wonderfully effusive term for when something is truly delicious and mouth-wateringly good. This term comes from cockney rhyming slang,[1] a form of communication originated in old east London by merchants to communicate with each other in a way that is disguised and incomprehensible to outsiders. One pound is subdivided into 100 pence, the singular of which is one penny. Tom Scocca, Gawker.com. In context, Get the food, put in the microwave, heat it up, then bobs your uncle, ready to eat.. For example, My wife gave me a real bollocking for getting to pick up the dry cleaning on my way home from work.. Synonyms fool jerk (slang, mainly US, Canadian) ass plank (British, slang) charlie (British, informal, old-fashioned) berk (British, slang) prick (taboo, slang) wally (slang) prat (slang) plonker (slang, old-fashioned) twit (informal, mainly British) chump oaf (old-fashioned) exy ( comparative more exy, superlative most exy ) ( Australia, colloquial, slang) Expensive . Oh, sod off, wont you?. Last edited on Nov 26 2011. Baccy Meaning: Tobacco. Usually, this expression is used without the verb be. This means that people do not generally add the phrase I am before the expression. Yes! Over-egg the pudding 21. For example, I dont go over there anymore its full of grockels these days.. So, you can actually say the phrase "that ace was ace, Ace!" to your tennis partner! Our new defenders the dog's bollocks. Untrustworthy. Last edited on Jul 11 1997. Bob's your uncle 5. Anna is the Editor-in-Chief & Content Strategist of Lifehack. Short for "of course" and normally followed by a word like "mate" or "bruv". on Apr 07 1998. . "That looks like a total mess". As such, you can use it like this, That bob is a good bloke.. 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. For example, I left when Darren threw a wobbly.. The bees knees a rather lovely term used to describe someone or something you think the world of. The word relates to the way a goose (a male goose is called a gander) cranes its neck to look at something. This word is used when some place or thing is extremely crowded or full. 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. Last edited on Mar 19 2011. You slept with Kate Upton last night? For example, it can be used to mean illegal He got my dad a dodgy watch for Christmas; it can be used to mean something food-related that is nauseous or nauseating I had a dodgy kebab last night and I dont feel right. The Beatles were Scousers, for example. 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 . Mate You know you're living the UK when you hear this used like a comma. Bowler - used to refer to the type of hat worn by Chaplin or John Steed.Cagoule - never heard of this but, unless it looks like a blanket with a slit in the center, it's probably not the equivalent of a poncho. Fancy Best done at a distance as there may be repercussions. In some ways, trainers is the more appropriate term, after all, athletes tend to wear them while training, not sneaking. Fag This slang word for a cigarette has no pejorative associations in the UK, but causes all sorts of problems for Brits visiting the US.