Bugger all a British slang term used to be a more vulgar synonym for nothing at all. A short period of time. Example: Jack is my best mate, we've been friends since we were kids. Do not talk to him again; he looks smarmy. 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. For example, I had a right kerfuffle with my girlfriend this morning over politics.. It is used for people who are not trustworthy and who make you suspicious of their motives. Gutted 11. 2023 Enux Education Limited. If someone goes mental, it means that they got very angry. But wait before you tighten your seat belts, there is a catch. Used mostly in London to mean "a lot of". This place is much better than the last one, innit? Market reasoning is deeply, essentially smarmy. Our currency is officially known as pounds sterling. 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. bracelets, chains, earrings. This expression became popular around the Industrial Revolution in England when lots of factories burned coal and cities like London were always surrounded by a thick fog of pollution. Submitted by Dan L. from Evanston, IL, USA
Mostly heard in London to mean a "lot of effort" or "annoying". There is something oddly onomatopoeic about it and seems to have a dirty quality of itself. 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. The most commonly used slang term for a pound is a quid and it doesnt have a plural. Mental!) "bloody awful" or "bloody hell". on Dec 10 2000. A thing, person or even a situation, this is a great multi-purpose word. A gaffe is another word for mistake or blunder.. Example in written form: In my new job Ill be earning 75K a year. Press the power button, type the password and Bobs your uncle, you can use the computer now. Did I miss any of your favorite British slang off the list? Quids in 14. "bloody brilliant ". 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. A little bit more affectionate than calling someone a pillock. To criticize. on Sep 21 2009. 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. We use the symbol G when we want to write thousands in shorthand. In British slang terms, dodgy refers to something wrong, illegal, or just plain off, in one way or another. Americans and British people both say "cheers" when they are out drinking and clink their glasses together. 14. Another fun ironic way to say this is "It cost a few bob!". Ace a British slang term that means something that is brilliant or excellent. 15. Untrustworthy. For example, Did you hear about our kid Kevin? 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. Get an instant price to have your English document edited by professionals. Nothing makes the language more colorful than descriptive words. can take anywhere. Last edited on Oct 28 2001. Make sure you do not bodge the car. all from a British perspective, with new slang added every month. That's not my cup of tea. In this post we share the official and unofficial ways Brits refer to money. For example, That guy just cut me up in traffic what a wanker.. Coming originally from Caribbean English, its most prevalent in London. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA
As such, you can use it like this, That bob is a good bloke.. Againa lot of words for drunk. Depending on how it is used, Nick can mean one of two things (three including the name). 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. In fact, British people say "cheers" all the time without noticing they're doing it - a bit like the way they say "sorry" all . For ex: Susan just had a new extension built onto her house, its beautiful but it must have cost her an arm and a leg! British / Australian / New Zealander. Smarmy 15. Calling someone a tosser to their face wont normally go down well. A lively party. Dont talk rubbish.. Therefore one quid, five quid, fifty quid. Last edited on Sep 15 2018. Cor blimey, its bloody hot today, innit!. Are You Spending Your Time on What Is Time-Worthy? It can also generally mean that someone is in a position of advantage in a situation. 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. British slang and dialect is rich and diverse. Example - My new Mercedes car has cost me an arm and leg. This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you Blinding a slang term that is far from something that physically causes someone to lose their sight. Why Do Americans Pronounce It "Aluminum"? 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. 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. The minister has over-egged the pudding by talking about too many things at once in his speech. Thats the game you play with your feet, hence the name. It is believed these terms were imported from India by returning servicemen. The first form of this is far more common, and is sometimes used internationally. If something is very expensive, it's apparently as costly as candy. Rugby, another popular sport which the British invented only for everyone else to beat them at it. meaning: beautiful; attractive. What a great way to start the list. Lost in the Pond | British accent. These extremely informal words and expressions are known as 'slang'. Can also be used as an adjective to describe something from Newcastle. It also has a speaking feature so you can test your pronunciation. Anorak: A person who knows a lot about a particular . London street slang for money, from a shortening of "pounds". One of the most useful swear words in English. Gagging 17. Last edited on Mar 03 2002. 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". A working knowledge of a few important slang words, phrases used in local dialects and colloquialisms will help your understanding of what's really going on in any conversation in the British Isles. 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. Now that youve got the slang down, youll want to work on your accent. I avoid the morning traffic that way. Never get lost again by checking out these fun expressions. Bean, Eastern Mountain Sports and the like for examples. It has a similar meaning to making a mess of something. Hes dead gorgeous. Blimey is used as a way of expressing surprise at something, often used when seeing or looking at something surprising or impressive instead of shocking or upsetting. Answer (1 of 6): As other answers have said "quid" is the British equivalent of "bucks", but there are a few slang terms for specific sums of money or denominations of banknote. We use this expression a lot. 4. While American slang has become nearly universal with the influx of TV shows, films, and other media filling the screens of a significant majority of the media-viewing global population, there is so much more available once you dig beneath the surface of British slang terms and can discover some real gems beneath the surface. See also galdem. There were bare man at the rave. on Apr 07 1998. Follow our writing guidelines and make your words COUNT! If youre interested in languages and slangs, you shouldnt miss these articles: Featured photo credit: Pixabay via pixabay.com. Foreign-exchange 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 This quiz will be the center of your attention when you discover all the different British slang. English slang, colloquial expressions, what's cool to say on the streets in English, get up to speed on what to say in English with our in depth slang pages. For example, you can use it as a mild expletive to express frustration or exasperation: "Oh bloody hell, not again." This expression means to be shocked or astonished. To bodge something is to make a mistake or do something badly. 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! It ultimately harms the end result. Take the Tube 4. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA
Submitted by Luke G. from Rossford, OH, USA
A person who comes from Liverpool. "Hold out yer donny bab", meaning "Hold out your hand, small child". Something or someone that is the best it/they could be. on Jan 22 2000. So you're basically claiming something, like the passenger seat of a car. on May 17 2002. Tasteless, cheap-looking. Crazy. 5. The difference is that people from the UK also use "cheers" to mean "thank you". This is a slightly politer way to say our next expression: To mock or laugh at someone or something. Meaning: to make fun of someone, to tease them a lot. Students mostly refer to their university and/or college by just saying uni. to expose an inappropriate part of one's body. A person who is not very intelligent or is not very good at his or her job is called a wally. This expression is used as an insult. It can refer to your actual family but its often just how youll greet a friend. Thus "feet whips" refers to expensive shoes (the "cars" of your feet). Bender Brolly 3. There are no categories underneath this one. Cockney Slang uses language in one of the most interesting ways, by rhyming with . This project was a really hard slog. 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 crazy person. Boy and girl twins. Bob's your uncle 5. To be gutted about a situation means to be devastated and saddened. In formal English, gaff can also mean a stick with a hook that is used to kill large fish. For example, you might say Im going to Steves birthday do tonight.. Bloke is an extremely common term denoting a man, usually it is used in reference to an ordinary man, akin to the US average joe, but it it not uncommon to hear it used to describe a man generally. on Jul 11 1997. These are example of British slang, and they can be difficult for non-native speakers to understand and use correctly. You alright fam?. For example, Thats a load of tosh about what happened last night, or Dont talk tosh.. 2. a socially inept person. Perhaps the most interesting slang you'll hear in England is the infamous Cockney Rhyming Slang. Learn the lingo and you'll soon be conversing like a true Brit. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA
Fag 6. The Beatles were Scousers, for example. Minging 23. differences; what people in the U.K. call a, The same equivalents used in entry number 8 could also be applied here. Submitted by Josh from NJ, USA
Last edited on Dec 06 2002. Its a bit nippy out, isnt it!. London's infamous roadmen have their . A pub that may be your closest or just your regular favorite. 10. Bants 4. 75 British Slang Words 1. For example, Dont listen to him hes telling pork pies.. adjective British Slang. 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. Do not over-egg your pudding by using too many big words in your essay. Ace 20. . Someone from Newcastle. Cockney Rhyming Slang. fancy, impressive, cool, showy. . 'Ace' - a British slang term that means something that is brilliant or excellent. This is commonly used as a greeting that doesn't always need a response. 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' I didn't do my homework and the teacher gave me a right bollocking. A toilet. Idris Elba teaches you British slang words, from ting and fit to apples and Alan. We also use the term smackers instead of pounds but rarely in the singular form. I forgot to bring my brolly to the office today and now I will get wet in the rain when I leave. A British pint is roughly 20% larger than a US one, which means Brits are 20% more likely to be drunk. It's mostly used by CP (which we saw above) while they are watching their favourite couple in a Chinese drama etc. Fancy Submitted by Danny Dees
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. 2. Submitted by Mark E from BC, Canada
And today'post is about where it all started - British Slang! The expression is a synonym for lies. Short for "of course" and normally followed by a word like "mate" or "bruv". For example, 'Jenny is ace at the lab experiments', or, for the latter definition, 'I think I aced that exam'. There are slang terms for larger amounts of money, such as a 'ton' for 100 or a 'grand' for 1000. There's no getting around itclothes are just an important part of everyday life. I believe this expression originates in the English county of Cheshire. Used when you are talking to a close friend, and is often easily substituted for the American buddy, pal, or dude. It means "little", but can be added to almost everything. A customer. Cheers. Last edited on Apr 25 2013. acting above one's station. A British slang term for 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. However it can be used to describe anything flashy or needlessly classy or expensive. E.g. Normally used together with "a bit". on Jan 18 2000. Wed like to share our expertise with you. Brap! Some of the London slang for money is based on animals thought to have originally appeared on ruppe banknotes. A Ace - is used to describe something that is awesome. Unlike bars, they open in the morning, often serve food, and normally have at least one resident drunk. Very wealthy. Let us know in the comments below. Welcome to Britain, where the food is heavy and the slang is almost completely impenetrable. Short for public house, these are the default places for British people to meet and drink pints, and they are everywhere. 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) 3. The definitions of these slang words appear below the list. Cockney is slang from a certain neighborhood in London. A major effort. It is another way of saying that you will be back soon. Sunnies - sunglasses Furphy - a strongly believed untrue story or rumour Billy - a teapot for boiling water Cossie - a swimming suit Prezzy - a present Brekkie - a breakfast Chrissie - Christmas Bikkie - a biscuit To cost big bikkies - to be too expensive Exy - shorter variant of "expensive" Footy - Australian football Lippy - lipstick 2. spendy college patron pricey ipod whip d.a.r.e. Blimey 19. 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. An object or event can be mental (Did you see that goal? There are considerable differences between Britain and America when it comes to houses. A mouth. A Scottish classic which is also popular in Northern Ireland. Go Online! While all of these expressions may sound fun and interesting, learners should always be careful when using them. So, the word gobsmacked literally means to be hit in the mouth. Not used in polite company. I think the plumber bodged the pipes in the sink. Cheeky 5. You get a bollocking when youve done something you shouldnt have. For those unaware, the expression essentially used in the end of a series of basic instructions. Insulting. 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. on Aug 30 2011. Origin: The slang term "whip" refers to an expensive car. 'You slept with Kate Upton last night? Tom Scocca, Gawker.com. This is a shorter form of the word umbrella.. 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. For example, The guys on TV last night were taking the piss out of the government again.. 23 Brilliant British Expressions to Blend in with the Brits. If someone is annoying you, you can tell them: "shut your gob". Similar to a pillock, a tosser is someone who is annoying or a bit of an idiot. Master a variety of British insults and you'll be prepared to reply with some snarky put-downs. This is the British university slang word for a library. noun Definition of prostitute as in hooker a woman who engages in sexual activities for money was caught procuring the services of a prostitute Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance hooker whore courtesan madam streetwalker madame bawd tart hustler drab sex worker cocotte call girl woman of the street floozy tramp floozie siren hussy chippy temptress A not so polite way to ask someone to go away. A mancould be compared to the American term 'dude'. Bob's your uncle means like, I thought it was gonna rain. Another London term to mean the area you come from. I will have a butchers hook around the market and see if I can find some nice curtains. A monster online slang dictionary of the rich colourful language we call slang. The British equivalent to the American parking lot or parking garage. Here the top 80 most used Irish slang phrases. In context it works like this, Come here and have a gander at what hes doing.. This word is used when something is brilliant or someone performs very well, usually on a test or evaluation. It includes quite a few fun and unique ways for people to express that they are happy or otherwise share positive sentiments. For example, 'Cheers for getting me that drink, Steve'. 4. As in, 'I ain't bovvered.'. It is similar to the American word 'fancy', however it has a much more entrenched class . It is similar to the American word fancy, however it has a much more entrenched class basis. For example,I kicked him right in the bollocks when he wouldnt let me go past.. 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. used to relate something to money; "wow, that's fancy!". That new chippy is the dog's bollocks. A word that is popular in the north and amongst youngsters. Top UK English Slang Terms 1. Im buzzin for this. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. The term comes from the old English word guiser.. 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. It is used to describe someone who is so surprised that it looks like someone hit them. El cheapo- He bought the el cheapo model and now he's back to the shop within 3 months to buy a new one. For example, 'that is a tad expensive'. 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.. exhausted; very tired: He is really knackered after work. He got a new job.. of extreme high quality, expensive to a point that it becomes unattainable. It is used as a derogatory word for tourists. Youve got to keep the punters happy. An informal term that stands for or means something else than its literal meaning; a shorter way to say a word or phrase Last edited on Dec 10 2000. Jammy is in semi-common use in the north west and south west of England. For even more fun, take a look at these common U.K. expressions. For ex: I spent over a hundred quid last weekend without even realising it! Ricky Gervais tests his knowledge of British slang. 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. 1. A person can be peng, but so can food. Its uncountable, so wed say: For ex: My son just bought a new house for three hundred thousand grand. All rights reserved. Dont say soccer to a British person. We say a heap of dosh or heaps of dosh. Submitted by The Last Don
Much more fun than a slog, this is a term for a french kiss. Fortunately, these English Slang words are easy to learn. General British Slang Bloke Meaning: A man. You may well be invited to a 'do', 'bash', or 'get-together', which are all other words for a party or group gathering. So, sit back and enjoy the ride! Alcohol and words relating to pubs and being drunk feature prominently in British slang. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA
It means to make a profit. Gaff is just a synonym for home. Although it might sound quite similar to gaffe, its meaning is completely different. Oh, mate, thats brilliant.. Boffin - A scientist, inventor or engineer. No collection of slang would be complete without casual terminology used for nouns that are common among those who speak the language or dialect. You can refer to a person who grassed you up as a "grass". And, as with everything else, practice makes perfect! Now KSWL is a rather unique slang which doesn't really exist in English. 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.