British slang refers to "unconventional words or phrases" the Brits use to express either something new or something old in a new way. "What are you up to this weekend? To "faff" is to waste time doing very little. ", "Miffed" possibly derives from the German "muffen," meaning "to sulk. ", "I heard you got the promotion. Bloody is an adverb used to show anger or surprise. Bloody. Whether you think this list is the "bee's knees" or if it's enough to make you want to "pop your clogs," scroll on to discover 88 very Britishphrases in alphabetical order that will confuse anybody who didn't grow up in the UK. For example, 'His girlfriend broke up with him. This phrase is used to confirm or agree with something that another person has just said. The action of chatting away with thejaw bobbing up and down resembles a chin "wagging" like a dog's tail. The idiom was first used to describe the thick, choking smogs that settled over London, caused by lots of people burning fossil fuels in a close vicinity,as early as 1200. This is probably how the term came about. Although no one is completely sure of the word's origins, it could derive from the words "cod" and "wallop," which historically meant "imitation" and "beer" respectively -- implying that "codswallop" is the kind of rubbish you make up when drunk. 11. ", "I bumped into him towards the end of his four-day bender. Gaff. Bob's your uncle you're driving!". ", Someone that makes comments just to spark controversy or argument might be labelled a "wind-up merchant.". The name of a strongly-brewed cup of English breakfast tea with milk -- the way that tea is most commonly drunk in the UK. Men from east London are also commonly referred to as "geezers.". Cockney rhyming slang for "knackered," if you're "cream crackered" then you're incredibly tired. This intensifier can be added to practically any sentence in order to demonstrate incredulity or anger. ", Someone that's energetic, lively, or enthusiastic might be described as "full of beans.". "When are we going to eat? "The Nick" can refer to prison, while "to nick" also means to steal. It's another slang word that's been around for a while with uses found in the 1600s, and it was even considered a swear word until the 1900s. A disorganised mess or chaotic environment might be described as a "shambles. Although the origins of this phrase are largely unknown, a gaff in the 18th-century was a music hall or theatre, and so it's believed to derive from this. Having made such a big impact following his arrival from Porto in January 2022, there was a real expectation that the 26-year-old could help propel to another Premier League title this season. It works. Wonky - is another word for shaky or unstable. This second theory has been disproved, however, by the slang's documentation predating the popularity of the phrase "by our lady.". "Did you hear what happened to John's old man? Its reported creator, British rapper Lethal Bizzle, elusively told the Guardian that the word "means anything you want. Some people consider"bloody" offensive (the origins of the word are widely disputed, so we can't be sure why) and it was considered a profanity until the mid-20th century. The team at the Business Insider UK office have compiled a list of the best British slang and idioms that define the weird and wonderful British dialect we grew up with. In the UK, the word buzzard denotes to the genus Buteo, generally . ", Benders often last over 24 hours, and so you might say that someone is on "a weekend bender," or a "three-day bender. First up, we have possibly the most useful word in the English language. After "The Full Monty" film was released in 1997, there was some international confusion over the phrase in which it was taken as aeuphemism for stripping. He's a bloody curtain twitcher, but he still won't sign for our packages.". Not to be confused with literallybeing disembowelled, someonethat says they're "gutted" is devastated or extremely upset. ", Something full to the brim, or rammed, could be described as "chockalock. He pulled a blinder there.". Getting a good sense of UK slang terms that describe everyday actions will help prepare you to understand what the locals mean when they're describing actions. "Did you see Scott last night? "I don't mean this as a par, but did you remember to wash this morning? ", "He's obsessed with anything that happens on this street. "Thomasis suchan anorak when it comes to train trivia.". Still, in an unfamiliar country, there's bound to be informal lingo that's you don't recognize. 50 Awesome British Slang Terms You Should Start Using - Lifehack ", "Hey, there's loads of room on that bench. The word could be a variation of "toddle" like a young child's first steps. She's fit.". "Press down the clutch, put it into gear, then slowly ease off the clutch again. "Stop being such a wind-up merchant and be serious for one second! ", In his stand-up show, British comedian Michael MacIntyre said: "You can actually use any word in the English language and substitute it to mean drunk. Schoolkidsmight call "bagsy" on items from their friends' pack lunches, like an apple or a cereal bar, thatthe friend isn't going to eat. Is that ham and tuna? ", It's similar to "scoot over" or "move over. The meaning of this slang has been debated at length. "Those twoare having a proper chinwag I haven't been able to get a word in edgeways for half an hour!". ", Examples include "trollied," "smashed," and "gazeboed. Cockney is slang from a certain neighborhood in London. This second theory has been disproved, however, by the slang's first documentation predating the widespread use of the phrase "by our lady.". A repair job that's been completed in a hurry and will probably fall apart reasonably soon is considered a "botch job. The phrase is sometimes shortened to "give me a tinkle.". 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! It's used most commonly when you're trying to get out of a situation by physically running away. ", After "The Full Monty" film was released in 1997, there was some international confusion over the phrase, which it was taken as a euphemism for stripping. "Would you take a butchers at this broken bike for me?". ", "Give me a call" or "ring me." You can use it to refer to a person or an object. He popped his clogs, didn't he", Something that is nonsense, rubbish, or simply untrue might be described as "poppycock. ", In his stand-up show, British comedian Michael MacIntyre said: "You can actually use any word in the English language and substitute it to mean drunk. "How was the hostel?" 100+ Smashing British Slang Words and Terms to Know Something that is "long" is probably also annoying or aggravating. "You look nice. The "bee's knees" referred to small or insignificant details when it was first documented in the 18th century. For example, you might say a chair has a wonky leg. Men's urinals were free of charge. This second theory has been disproved, however, by the slang's documentation predating the popularity of the phrase "by our lady.". "Wow you've really splashed out on this party! "He handles a screwdriver very cack-handedly. ", Although the adjective's origins remain largely unknown, early documented uses seem to use the word as synonymous with "smear," further suggesting that someone who is "smarmy" is also "slick" or "slippery. ", "I was absolutely car-parked last night. ", "Did you see Scott last night? Others believe the word is a contraction of the 17th century phrase "by our lady," and is blasphemous. He popped his clogs, didn't he", Not referring to actual poppies, this quintessentially British idiom derives from the Dutch "pap" and "kak," which translate as "soft" and "dung.". Is that ham and tuna? "The full Monty" historically refers to an old tailor called Sir Montague Burton. The very British equivalent to "Hey presto!" "Don't get caught, or you'll end up in the Nick!". ", "She's come down with the dreaded lurgy. It's unclear why Britsappear to favour analogue time-telling while Americans go for the digital format. The idiom was first used to describe the thick, choking smog that settled over London, caused by lots of people burning fossil fuels in close vicinity, as early as 1200. "By getting pregnant, Mary threw a spanner in the works.". Next up is a British slang word that most people around the world would have heard of and one that's frequently used in everyday life. Historically, "gallant" described someone brave or valiant, so "gallivanting" is a carefree and confident act. as well as other partner offers and accept our, Martin Rler/EyeEm/ master1305/Getty Images, Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures, Bildagentur-online/Universal Images Group via Getty Images, Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images, no one is completely sure of the word's origins. This phrase could be a reference to coffee beans, although these claims have been disputed. This word probably originates from the "uncool" appearance of anorak coats and the people wearing them. Someone that's "on the pull" has gone out, usually on a night out, with the intention of attracting a sexual partner. ", "Par" can also be used as a verb, eg, "You just got parred.". It's common courtesy to offer a labourer or builder working on your house a builder's tea while they're working especially if they're working out in the cold. The phrase goes back to Victorian public toilets, which required users to insert a single penny in order to operate the lock. This phrase could be a reference to coffee beans, although these claims have been disputed. 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, . Screw something up Synonyms | Collins English Thesaurus If someone's "caught the lurgy," they're suffering from cold or flu-like symptoms. As a result, "pinch punch, first of the month" was a way of warding off witches and bad luck for the near future. Someone that lacks common sense might be described as "a few sandwiches short of a picnic.". This classic British idiom may seem stereotypically twee, however, some sources believe that "tickety-boo" in fact derives from theHindu phrase "hk hai, bb," meaning "it's alright, sir. Bugger off: go away; run along. I'm slumped. 47 British Slang Words And Phrases To Read Over A Cuppa - Scary Mommy A slap and a kick for being so quick!". The meaning of this slang has been debated at length. ", "Don't trust him he's a smarmy geezer.". "Mortal" describes someone highly intoxicated or drunk in a sloppy manner. Congratulations! So, if you're "ready for the knacker's yard," you're exhausted beyond relief. A bender can last a significant amount of time, and involves large amounts of alcohol or drugs. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. To "flog" means to sell something -- usually quickly and cheaply. Lacking in energy; usually after a long period of exertion. "Did you hear what happened to John's old man? This road is chocka! "Butcher's hook" is Cockney rhyming slang for "look." Historically, "gallant" described someone brave or valiant, so "gallivanting" is a carefree and confident act. "Tinkle" refers to a phone's ring, while "blower" is slang or telephone and refers to the device that predated phones on Naval ships. I'm slumped. However, other people believe that "shirty" has connotations of being dishevelled. "Innit" is an abbreviation of "isn't it" most commonly used amongst teenagers and young people. It is often deemed as unnecessary or over-the-top. It works. and ", A British axiom that boils down to the idea that: "If anything can go wrong, then it definitely will go wrong. If the joker forgets to say "no returns of any kind," the recipient can say "a slap and a kick for being so quick," accompanied by a slap and a kick. "Do we have to go to the dinner party tonight? A "fag end" is also the ratty bits towards the ends of a reel of fabric, which are the worst and the cheapest bits of the reel. 60 British Slang Words And Phrases You Need To Know Low London phrase meaning "to thrash thoroughly," possibly from the French battre a fin. This cheery phrase is widely believed to originate from Northern factory workers around the time of the industrial revolution. Derived from "mint condition," which refers to something pre-owned that retains its pristine condition, although something that's just "mint" doesn't have to be pre-owned. ", A task performed in an awkward or uncomfortable fashion, usually clumsily, would be described as "cack-handed.". If you're "winding someone up," you're making them tense or irritated in the same way you wind up a Jack-in-the-box before it pops. "Be careful when you're driving it's a pea-souper out there.". ", A situation which has quickly evolved into an accident waiting to happen might be described as "gone pear-shaped.". Dench is the equivalent of "solid" or "cool" when used in response to someone else. ", An event that disrupts the natural, pre-planned order of events could be described as a "spanner in the works.". This is more commonly known in the US as "Murphy's law. You don't want to be described as "dim," "a mug," or "a few sandwiches short of a picnic." All The Threes. The "wind-up merchant" will often claim to be making their comments as a light-hearted jest when the recipients start becoming irritated. "Taking the biscuit" is the equivalent of taking the nonexistent medal for foolishness or incredulity. "Hank Marvin" is Cockney rhyming slang for "starving. "If it all works out as planned, he'll be quids in.". Calling "bagsy" is the equivalent of calling "shotgun" or "dibs" when something, like the front seat of the car, is offered up to a group. "Well, this has all gone a bit pear-shaped.". It was first recorded in English in the late 1880s from knacker, or "to tire.". In the US, buzzard denotes vultures, but also a contemptible or rapacious person to use definition 3 from the online Merriam-Webster.The most common phrase I'm personally familiar with is to say you old buzzard, usually said to some old guy who you are half-jokingly saying is lecherous or a cheater or some other un-good thing.. We've got a party at our gaff, if you fancy it? ", "I was going to go out tonight but when I finished work I was absolutely zonked.". 50+ Common British Phrases to Impress your British Mates "Pissed" usually means "angry" in the US. "Quid" is British slang for "pounds," eg, "five quid" means 5. "Would you take a butchers at this broken bike for me? Schoolkids might call "bagsy" on items from their friends' pack lunches, like an apple or a cereal bar, that the friend isn't going to eat. No returns of any kind" is a school playground rhyme often exchanged between friends on the first day of a new calendar month, accompanied by a pinch and a punch to the recipient. "Don't get caught, or you'll end up in the Nick!". ", Someone short-tempered or irritated might be described as "shirty.". Blimey. ", A nosey neighbour, often caught peering out on their street's activities from a curtained window, might be referred to as a "curtain twitcher. When they were working on the factory floor, employees had to wear hard clogs to protect their feet. Derived from "mint condition," which refers to something pre-owned that retains its pristine condition, although something that's just "mint" doesn't have to be pre-owned. "I wangled some first-class seats by being nice to the cabin crew!". ", Someone that's energetic, lively, or enthusiastic might be described as "full of beans.". An obvious and indiscreet mistake or blunder. Do you know anyone that might be interested?". The origins of the phrase are largely debated online, however, it's believed that "to nick" as in to steal influenced the slang term for prison, as being imprisoned is similar to being "stolen" away. This road is chocka! ", "Oh. "Those two are having a proper chinwag -- I haven't been able to get a word in edgeways for half an hour! Nowadays, it's mostly a way for kids to pull pranks on their friends. Barmy. A "geezer" is a man that could be described as "suave" or "dapper," and is often suited and booted. Therefore, if you're "having a butchers," you're having a look at something. This classic phrase is another way of telling someone that their opinion is not appreciated in the given scenario. Cock Up 'Cock up' - a British slang term that is far from the lewdness its name suggests. A disorganised mess or chaotic environment might be described as a "shambles. Just your bog-standard dorm, really.". A "knacker" was the person that slaughtered worn-out horses in the 19th and 20th centuries for their meat, hoofs, and hide. Bob's your uncle -- you're driving!". Urban Dictionary: Three-Up Although this sounds like an analogy about the chemistry of baking, or putting too many eggs in a cake batter, "egg" actually comes from the Anglo Saxon "eggian," meaning to "excite." "Mint" might be used when referring to something of the highest calibre. The origins of the word are widely disputed. This phrase could be a reference to coffee beans, although these claims have been disputed. It must have been Chinese Whispers.". "Quid" is British slang for "pounds." Therefore, if you're "having a butchers," you're having a look at something. "Flogging" also refers to whipping a racehorse in order to make it move faster, so there is some speculation into whether you flog goods in order to make them shift faster, too. Now that's a proper breakfast.". three up Indulging In sexual congress Involving more than two and less than 4 peoples . "Take the Mickey" is an abbreviation of "taking the Mickey Bliss," which is Cockney rhyming slang for "take the p***. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. "Chinese whispers" are rumours that have been circulated and watered down until they only vaguely resemble the truth. Some believe it's derived from the Dutch word "blute," meaning "bare." "What did you do on your day off from work? This is probablyhow the term came about. The phrase is sometimes shortened to "give me atinkle.". Since then, the phrase has evolved and refers to something popular or cool. Although its origins are largely debated, the term's meaning has evolved over the last 50 years alone. ", "Joe's children are absolute rascals they tied my shoelaces together last week!". However,"the full Monty" actually refers topursuing something to the absolute limits. You don't want to be described as "dim," "a mug," or "a few sandwiches short of a picnic.". ", "He skived off school so we could all go to Thorpe Park on a weekday.". Chopsing. Bap: a bread roll. Insert any . 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. ", "Of course my toast had to land on the floor butter-side-down. What I like about this term and its two/three usages is that the following sentence, "Nick got nicked for nicking something" makes grammatical sense. "Being cheeky" means being funny or humorous, but slightly mischievous at the same time. Cockney rhyming slang for "knackered," if you're "cream crackered" then you're incredibly tired. ", "When I got home, he was already zonked.". Barmy. Unrelatedly, "Clangers" was also a children's TV show from the 1970s about pink mouse-like creatures that lived on the moon. All right? Therefore, if you're "having a butchers," you're having a look at something. British Insults, Slang & Phrases: The Ultimate Guide - englandexplore It's usually used to describe a woman between the ages of 18 and 50, particularly one who is attractive. ", A British axiom that boils down to the idea that: "If anythingcan go wrong, then it definitelywill go wrong. or "Et voila!". British Slang & Colloquialisms - Travel Guide To Britain It can be used in both a lighthearted and an irritated fashion. So, let's crack on and get to the list of British slang words innit! "That's when all of the lights came on, and so we legged it. If you're going to have a roast, have the full Monty!". ", "Sam did a botch job on these shelves they're wonky! Meaning: Taxi. ", If someone has done something highly irritating or surprising in an exasperating fashion, you might say that they've "taken the biscuit.". Nowadays, "bloody" is used widely it's even used in children's films such as "Harry Potter" andis arguably one of the most quintessentially British words on the list. Leg it. Although the origins of this phrase are largely unknown, a gaff in the 18th-century was a music hall or theatre, and so it's believed to derive from this. He pulled a blinder there.". Bird. "Pull" can also be used as a verb. A "fag end" is also the ratty bits towards the ends of a reel of fabric, which are the worst and the cheapest bits of the reel. "The full Monty" historically refers to an old tailor called Sir Montague Burton. This is sometimes shortened to "chocka." "The Nick" can refer to a prison. Going "the fully Monty" meant purchasing a full three-piece suit, a shirt, and all of the trimmings. "What's in that sandwich? "I was going to go out tonight but when I finished work I was absolutely zonked. "I'm going up the apples to bed.". Some people think the expression actually derives from the British term for mouth, "gob," and the shock-inducing sight that results from someone hitting it. "Hank Marvin" is Cockney rhyming slang for "starving. This phrase is used to confirm or agree with something that another person has just said. Have a gander I believe this expression originates in the English county of Cheshire. A gaffe is another word for "mistake" or "blunder.". 2. Budge up and make some room for us, too!". If you're taking a trip to the UK, however, there are a few key slang phrases that it's difficult to survive without. Its reported creator, British rapper Lethal Bizzle, elusivelytold the Guardian that the word "means anything you want. A "geezer" is a man that could be described as "suave" or "dapper," and is often suited and booted. Cockwomble - foolish or obnoxious person. Although it's more often used as a synonym for raincoat, an anorak is something slightly different in playground slang. The phrase is mostcommonly used when the individual has been lucky and the person saying it is in disbelief thatthe first person has managed to pull it off. If someone has done something highly irritating or surprisingin an exasperating fashion, you might say that they've "taken the biscuit. This classic phrase is another way of telling someone that their opinion is not appreciated in the given scenario. I'm Hank Marvin.". Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions In the 17th century, to "waff" went to yelp, and that quickly evolved to mean to talk foolishly or indecisively. ", Someone on a spree of excessive drinking and mischief is "on a bender. Synonyms miss, mistake, slip, fault, ", "Yeah, he's been swotting like mad for his Spanish exam. Batty-fang. To "spend a penny" is a polite euphemism for going to the toilet. "Skiving" is the act of avoiding work or school, often by pretending to be ill. "Skive" is derived from the French "esquiver," meaning "to slink away. "She's great fun, but she's a few sandwiches short of a picnic.". ", Something unpleasant, unappetising, or highly unattractive might be described as "minging.". When in doubt, refer to this list so you can carry on conversations with ease, even with the locals. ", Someone that comes across as scheming or untrustworthy might be described as "smarmy. When they were working on the factory floor, employees had to wear hard clogs to protect their feet. ", An informal way of asking someone to make room where they are sitting for you to sit down, too, would be asking them to "budge up. "Goodness, you're full of beans this morning!". The smogs werecompared to pea soup due to their colour and density. ", An event that disrupts the natural, pre-planned order of events could be described as a "spanner in the works.". Historically, "fags" were the cheaper cigarettes made of lower grade tobacco, however, the slang has spread to encompass all cigarettes. If you're "splashing out," it's implied that you're spending money on a treatto mark a special occasion or celebration. 40 Slides. Knackered is British slang for "very tired.". Bloke. Although its origins are largely debated, the term's meaning has evolved over the last 50 years alone. The termcomes from the Scottish slang word "ming," meaning faeces. "Over-egging the pudding" means embellishing or over-doing something to the extent that it's detrimental to the finished product. Someone silly or incompetent might be described as a wally. ", A "par" breaches social and common courtesy, eg, a disrespectful comment could be seen as a "par. Now that's a proper breakfast.". Crazy. "We should've taken the other route. Another word for screw something up: to twist out of shape or distort | Collins English Thesaurus "Don't get caught, or you'll end up in the Nick!". "Butcher's hook" is Cockney rhyming slang for "look." British people like to enjoy themselves. An adjective used to advocate something that is impressive or agreeable, dench is the equivalent of "solid" or "cool" when used in response to someone else. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. ", "I was going to go out tonight but when I finished work I was absolutely zonked. British slang & colloquialisms: see an A-Z listing of British slang, colloquialisms and dialect words and phrases including Cockney rhyming phrases. Something that takes a lot of effort and probably isn't going to be worth all of the effort, either, could be described as "long." "This week's done me in already, and it's only Tuesday. The idiom was first used to describe the thick, choking smogs that settled over London, caused by lots of people burning fossil fuels in a close vicinity, as early as 1200. Some believe it's derived from the Dutch word "blute," meaning "bare." Ten Brilliant British Idioms and Their Meanings - Anglotopia.net When we get home, I'm going to take a quick kip.". "Wind your neck in and stop being so nosy!". This cheery phrase is widely believed to originate from Northern factory workers around the time of the industrial revolution. "Shhh, he's on the dog and bone.".
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