It is used for emphasis. Distractions: Understanding the Biggest Productivity Killer, How to Deal With Work Stress in a Healthy Way, How Sleep Meditation Can Calm Your Nighttime Anxiety, 30 Meaningful Non-Toy Gifts for Kids This Christmas, The Power of Leverage in Leading the Life You Want, 6 Practical Ways to Boost Your Mental Fitness, Time Poverty: What To Do If You Feel Time Poor, How to Live a Full Life (Without Compromising on What Truly Matters), Achieving Goals: The Ultimate Guide to Goal Achieving & Goal Setting in 2022, What Is Motivation And How To Get Motivated (Your Ultimate Guide), How to Increase Mental Focus and Stay Sharp, How To Get Fit If You Have a Busy Schedule, What Is Motivation And How To Get Motivated, What Is Procrastination And How To Stop It, Achieving Goals: The Ultimate Guide to Goal Achieving & Goal Setting in 2023, Why Am I So Tired And How To Boost My Energy. And so there's a fair bet that, in some way or another, clothes are going to come up quite routinely in conversation. Wally 17. You alright bruv?. Git is a type of version control system that is used for coding and software development, and is popular among software developers all around the world. ), For example, it can be used respectively, in, Can you take the rubbish out please?, and What? I really fancy her is a profession of a love interest, but you could also ask someone: Do you fancy some lunch?. That's not my cup of tea. These are example of British slang, and they can be difficult for non-native speakers to understand and use correctly. This is one of the most popular slang words among students. bog-standard - nothing special bonkers - crazy botched - something going wrong cack-handed - clumsy camp - flamboyant cheeky - sassy chockablock - filled to the brim cobblers - nonsense adjective British Slang. Libes. Fluke 15. Fortunately, these English Slang words are easy to learn. Butters ugly. Our currency is officially known as pounds sterling. We also participate in other affiliate advertising programs for products and services we believe in. Oh, mate, thats brilliant.. We use this expression a lot. And the best place to get some is in your local chippy. Last edited on Jan 22 2000. It means "little", but can be added to almost everything. To pay through the nose - To pay an excessive amount for something Example - These days one has to pay through nose to eat out in a fancy restaurant. Alcohol and words relating to pubs and being drunk feature prominently in British slang. "Hello mate, how are you?" % buffered 00:00 2. Boy and girl twins. Any road - when you hear this, the person isn't asking you to pick a road! There are slang terms for larger amounts of money, such as a 'ton' for 100 or a 'grand' for 1000. It has a similar meaning to making a mess of something. Fancy Dress: not "dressing fancy." Kind of the oppositeif. "bloody awful" or "bloody hell". 23 Brilliant British Expressions to Blend in with the Brits. The 'bag' refers to the gut which contained the chopped meat." 5. Used in Scotland, this word means "pretty" or "beautiful", and is normally used in reference to a woman. However it can be used to describe anything flashy or needlessly classy or expensive. Submitted by TYI I. from Manhattan, NY, USA This classic British insult literally means that someone masturbates, but is used much like pillock and tosser. 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. Sneakers: Another word for running shoes, or "trainers" - light weight shoes having . Let us know in the comments below. "Hold out yer donny bab", meaning "Hold out your hand, small child". Last edited on Mar 10 2018. The origin of the expression is unknown, and is quite old, but is still in general use. 75 British Slang Words 1. Bob's your uncle means like, I thought it was gonna rain. 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.. To have a tantrum or go into a rage. Not a wonderfully melodic word, chunder is part and parcel of British slang terms. on May 01 2014. I prefer taking the Tube to go to work every day. Hes got an ugly mug would be the former, do you take me for a mug?, the latter. A - Z Slang. - representing oneself, bigging yourself up. The art of British slang. But wait before you tighten your seat belts, there is a catch. You can also talk bollocks (speak nonsense, or lie) and if something is a load of bollocks, its not true. It's the equivalent to an arm and a leg in English, which realistically sound much more expensive than sweets. Calling someone a tosser to their face wont normally go down well. Something or someone that is the best it/they could be. Of course, there also have to be slang options to describe actions and behaviors people engage in on a regular basis. It comes from the expression God blind me. So, blimey is used when something so extreme happens that a person wishes that they did not see it. Last edited on Oct 28 2001. Excuse me for a moment; I just need to spend a penny. A man. Your grasp of the slang portion of British English won't be complete unless you master a few of the most common U.K. slang exclamations and expressions. Mate You know you're living the UK when you hear this used like a comma. differences; what people in the U.K. call a, The same equivalents used in entry number 8 could also be applied here. That new chippy is the dog's bollocks. Submitted by Luke G. from Rossford, OH, USA However it can be used to describe anything flashy or needlessly classy or expensive. fancy, impressive, cool, showy. British tradesman slang As inventors of the English language, Brits are constantly looking for new ways to keep conversations fresh and exciting. A person can be dodgy but so can an object: I think I ate a dodgy curry. In this post we share the official and unofficial ways Brits refer to money. Do you want to come round my gaff?. Used in Wales to mean "fantastic". Crazy. Slightly more of an outdated version, this British slang term is still used, and its meaning remains relevant today. Privacy Policy. Get 70% off + 10 languages + 14 day free trial. acting above one's station. In British slang terms, dodgy refers to something wrong, illegal, or just plain off, in one way or another. It is similar to expressions like cool and awesome.. He got merked last week. One of the most useful swear words in English. Perhaps the most interesting slang you'll hear in England is the infamous Cockney Rhyming Slang. As in, 'that outfit is beast.'. 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. Last edited on Dec 06 2002. Often substituted in friendly circles for exhausted. Countable and Uncountable Nouns: What Are the Differences? Bog-standard - To be plain, or run-of-the-mill. For example, You messed up the Rutherford order? Blinding is a positive term meaning excellent, great, or superb. Last edited on Mar 15 2011. on Sep 15 2018. alternative spellings or pronunciations (list of). 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. Another London term to mean the area you come from. It is used to emphasize almost anything! General British Slang Bloke Meaning: A man. E.g. Another London term, for someone or something that is attractive or desirable. For example, The party was a bit of a damp squib because only Richard turned up.. Gobsmacked a truly British expression meaning to be shocked and surprised beyond belief. Mug In every country there are slang terms for money. Brolly 3. Kerfuffle describes a skirmish or a fight or an argument caused by differing views. Some think it has its origins in the French word bon, meaning "good". Think twice before you ask someone if they know a good place to get some food A slang term for the national sportfootball. Exorbitant - Unreasonably high 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, . Can be combined with "hard" for emphasis. . The phrase comes from the expression, its cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. Thats the game you play with your feet, hence the name. A customer. So then, the extension of that is forgetting which term is used HERE, because I'm willing to wager that most people who have transfixed themselves on the British Isles all these years (speaking from experience here) think in "BRITISH". Hes absolutely gutted.. It's mostly used by CP (which we saw above) while they are watching their favourite couple in a Chinese drama etc. Blimey 19. Go Online! The definitions of these slang words appear below the list. Still, in an unfamiliar country, there's bound to be informal lingo that's you don't recognize. The origin of this phrase is disputed, but the most likely candidate for inspiring the expression is an eccentric wealthy newspaper owner named James Gordon Bennett Jr. 1,000. any expensive, flashy, or shiny jewelry, usually gold or silver, esp. Citation from "Episode 3", Little Britain (TV, 2004), Season 2 Episode 3 blacked out to resolve Google's penalty against this site . Nevertheless, it has a wide range of uses and applicable contexts. Bob's your uncle 5. You probably dont need me to describe this, out of all British slang, this is by far the most popular and most commonly used. Press the power button, type the password and Bobs your uncle, you can use the computer now. Nice one, really.. Extremely tired. Someone can be completely bonkers or can go bonkers (the latter can also mean losing your temper). No other language in the world has been as bastardised as this one! Last edited on Mar 13 2002. I will be quids in if I get that promotion next month. Cost an arm and leg - Something which is very expensive. A penny-pincher is someone who is unwilling to spend money. You do write capitals when you use the internationally recognised abbreviations, therefore GBP for pounds, EUR for euros, USD for dollars and CNY for Chinese yuan etc. So you're basically claiming something, like the passenger seat of a car. Youll find multiple spellings of this word, largely used in London, to mean "to kill". But like most things cockney, its becoming less popular. Submitted by Moo from Santa Cruz, CA, USA It's nice to know what the locals are saying, and it makes it a lot easier to have a conversation without looking (and feeling) like a dolt! 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. 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 . Last edited on Jul 11 1997. Wed like to share our expertise with you. To be arrested. I avoid the morning traffic that way. Submitted by Mark E from BC, Canada Social slang. I loved that movie, it was lush . Example: Jack is my best mate, we've been friends since we were kids. 3. Here the top 80 most used Irish slang phrases. In use, I just brought some new trainers.. Submitted by Josh from NJ, USA Bloody How to Learn More UK Slang Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Used to mean "very", particularly in the north of England. Muck is a substitute for dirt however, in many ways I find it a superior word. 15. Submitted by The Last Don 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. Heard a lot in Wales but also in parts of northern England to mean "great" or "very nice". 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. The word relates to the way a goose (a male goose is called a gander) cranes its neck to look at something. In the earlier 20th century, the word "bit" was slang for a coin, and the word "bob" was slang for a shilling. Fag 6. A pub that may be your closest or just your regular favorite. Have you met Bobs girlfriend? For example, You need to wear a coat today, its brass monkeys outside.. Short for "of course" and normally followed by a word like "mate" or "bruv". We had a bit of a knees-up last night. Were mad about English. It is not considered appropriate for use in polite company. on Aug 30 2011. No one likes someone who tells porkies. Mostly heard in London, this means "men". Why Do Americans Pronounce It "Aluminum"? British people often talk about "bits and bobs" so this is a very useful phrase to learn. Some have claimed that "tom" meaning a prostitute derives from "Thomas More" equalling "w h o r e". This is a slightly politer way to say our next expression: To mock or laugh at someone or something. Used with toddlers, teenagers and adults alike. It is believed these terms were imported from India by returning servicemen. If you're heading off on a holiday to the United Kingdom, it'll be handy to have certain British slang definitions down pat. Submitted by Danny Dees After a quick review, you'll be able to confidently go out there and build connections with new friends! ; Trainers refer to shoes designed for cross-training. This expression is generally used in the context of trying to repair something. Hes a complete nutter. Origin: The slang term "whip" refers to an expensive car. 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. on Sep 21 2009. In the old days, you had to pay one penny to use the public toilet and the expression to spend a penny has lived on to this day. For example, His girlfriend broke up with him. But, remember that this is not normal spending. Mostly heard in London to mean a "lot of effort" or "annoying". I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. These men usually wear suits and are quite fashion-conscious. This one is chockablock with people. Last edited on Sep 15 2018. For example, busted can mean "broken" or "ugly," sick can mean "ill" or "very cool," and hip can mean "trendy" or "fashionably un-trendy.". Some of the London slang for money is based on animals thought to have originally appeared on ruppe banknotes. Similarly, a 5 note is sometimes referred to as a "fiver". Originally a reference to gambling but can be used in a broader context now. London street slang for sneakers (which British people call trainers). Stop slagging him off behind his back. A not so delicate way to refer to sexual intercourse. bracelets, chains, earrings. For example, Cheers for getting me that drink, Steve. A face, or an idiot, depending on context. Given the British tendency to mock and satirise anything and everything possible, taking the piss is in fact one of the most popular and widely-used British slang terms. Chuffed 2. The tradesmen in our country are certainly no exception, and have invented plenty of words for the techniques and materials they encounter on-site. Lovely. It is used as a derogatory word for tourists. 'Ace' - a British slang term that means something that is brilliant or excellent. We live it, we breathe it, we make our living from it. It can refer to your actual family but its often just how youll greet a friend. New Zealand slang. This slang word for a cigarette has no pejorative associations in the UK, but causes all sorts of problems for Brits visiting the US. 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.. To take the piss means to mock something, parody something, or generally be sarcastic and derisive towards something. Popular during the Victorian age and popularised further by Charlie Chaplin, the, This is one of those words I truly took for granted when I first moved to the U.S.; never in a million years did I imagine that the word, This word, on the other hand, is one of those I intuitively reconciled would not have much of a presence in the U.S.mainly because of its identity as a slang expression. Boss or manager. Baccy Meaning: Tobacco. Sounds wicked - wicked means great in British slang. Bovvered - verb describing a lack of interest. But there is something wonderfully tender and endearing about it. 2. A black eye. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. 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 . A multi-purpose word which can be used as a toast, to thank someone or even say goodbye. The slang words in this thesaurus category appear below the table of contents. It includes quite a few fun and unique ways for people to express that they are happy or otherwise share positive sentiments. al. Rugby, another popular sport which the British invented only for everyone else to beat them at it. Never get lost again by checking out these fun expressions. He got a new job.. There's no getting around itclothes are just an important part of everyday life. f you hear a word that's not on this list, give a Cockney translator a try. Last edited on Mar 03 2002. on Oct 23 2012. An informal term that stands for or means something else than its literal meaning; a shorter way to say a word or phrase . In context it works like this, Come here and have a gander at what hes doing.. This is a shorter form of the word umbrella.. Try it for free! To bodge something is to make a mistake or do something badly. 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) 9. A crazy person. For example, 'Cheers for getting me that drink, Steve'. So, the English phrase just popping out usually refers to leaving a place or a room with the intention of quickly returning. Thus "feet whips" refers to expensive shoes (the "cars" of your feet). Gutted Meaning: Being heartbroken or upset over something.