Lets go to another club. Now that youve got the slang down, youll want to work on your accent. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? 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? This is a slightly politer way to say our next expression: To mock or laugh at someone or something. Mate 9. We use the symbol G when we want to write thousands in shorthand. There were bare man at the rave. 14 Online English Speaking Courses to Become a Confident English Speaker, How to Greatly Improve Your English Pronunciation in 15 Steps, Improve Your English Listening Skills: 19 Tips for Getting Better Faster. 75 British Slang Words 1. See also, Another London term, for someone or something that is attractive or desirable. 5. Kerfuffle describes a skirmish or a fight or an argument caused by differing views. Similarly, a 5 note is sometimes referred to as a "fiver". Take the Tube 4. Mostly heard in Manchester to mean "great". He got a new job.. I got completely wankered last night. Testicles. 'Ace' - a British slang term that means something that is brilliant or excellent. A short period of time. Taking the Mickey. A shortened form of isnt it, this can be added onto the end of sentences for emphasis. Short for "brother", this London street slang is used to refer to a male friend. Minging (pronounced: ming-ing) is a lovely alternative to the word disgusting or gross. Dont say soccer to a British person. 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. 'You slept with Kate Upton last night? The 'bag' refers to the gut which contained the chopped meat." 5. Yes, British people have a lot of slang words for money. It is used for emphasis. All Rights Reserved. Some think it has its origins in the French word bon, meaning "good". 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 . Another British slang for this activity is wag off, which means to waste time while at work. Learning directly from native speakers is the best way to become an advanced English speaker. For example, you can use it as a mild expletive to express frustration or exasperation: "Oh bloody hell, not again." The definitions of these slang words appear below the list. This means that something is incredibly expensive. Open yourself up to the delights of the English language, especially the variety that's spoken where English got its start. This is the British university slang word for a library. 1. If someone is annoying you, you can tell them: "shut your gob". A pejorative term for someone from the upper classes of British society. There is something oddly onomatopoeic about it and seems to have a dirty quality of itself. Top UK English Slang Terms 1. 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. Make sure you do not bodge the car. 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. You get a bollocking when youve done something you shouldnt have. London street slang for sneakers (which British people call trainers). All right? Speaking of underwear, while many Americans understand the meaning of this entry, it is nonetheless not widely used in the U.S. Moving on to baby fashion, this is one of the more well-known U.K./U.S. To make instant noodles, just add hot water and Bobs your uncle, they are ready. We put them on when we wake up, we change into new ones before a night out and sometimes, when we're desperate, we even wear them to bed (just me then). For even more fun, take a look at these common U.K. expressions. 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. It is believed these terms were imported from India by returning servicemen. Not used in polite company. Citation from "Episode 3", Little Britain (TV, 2004), Season 2 Episode 3 blacked out to resolve Google's penalty against this site . Crazy. Float my boat - usually used in the phrase, 'yeah, whatever floats your boat' meaning whatever you like. It's the equivalent to an arm and a leg in English, which realistically sound much more expensive than sweets. Bloke. In British slang, "bloody" is a bit like the word "very," which adds stress or importance to the word that comes after it. A mouth. In context, Get the food, put in the microwave, heat it up, then bobs your uncle, ready to eat.. 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. British slang for money A quid The most commonly used slang term for a pound is a quid and it doesn't have a plural. For ex: My aunt left me five hundred smackers in her will. Though, to make things slightly more confusing, that could also be called a "tenner". It stands for kswle which is used to talk about a couple who are being so cute and sweet it's killing you. Sam was quids in after he sold his software to Microsoft. Used mostly in Manchester to mean "very excited/happy". Did you know that the UK has around 40 different dialects of English, each with their own accents and slang? London street slang for money, from a shortening of "pounds". All rights reserved. Short for "of course" and normally followed by a word like "mate" or "bruv". Jammy is in semi-common use in the north west and south west of England. So you're basically claiming something, like the passenger seat of a car. A face, or an idiot, depending on context. So, the context of the word largely determines its meaning. Normally used together with "a bit". The origins of this French slang expression are a mystery. Note how the second word pies rhymes directly with lies. A person who comes from Liverpool. It also has a speaking feature so you can test your pronunciation. 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 example, Dont do that, its not proper! However such a usage is becoming less common. and so can a person (The new gaffers mental). Thats a lovely wee doggie youve got there. Go Online! This is another version of the phrase isnt it. It is commonly used to show agreement rather than to genuinely ask a question. Meaning to vomit or to be sick, chunder is almost always used in correlation with drunken nights, or being hugely ill and sick. 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 A possible result of a knees-up. No, git is not British slang. 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 . 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. In the earlier 20th century, the word "bit" was slang for a coin, and the word "bob" was slang for a shilling. So, if youre an aspiring Anglophile looking for some new lingo to help fuel your love for all things British, or you just fancy seeing what kind of words the British find themselves using their day-to-day, check out our 50 best British slang terms for you to start using and incorporating into your vocabulary immediately. For example, He tried to skive off work but got caught by his manager.. 2. Best done at a distance as there may be repercussions. For those unaware, the expression essentially used in the end of a series of basic instructions. Bog-standard - To be plain, or run-of-the-mill. The art of British slang. Last edited on Mar 03 2002. Submitted by Natalie L. from Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
2. a socially inept person. Hes absolutely gutted.. Another fun ironic way to say this is "It cost a few bob!". 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. Come over to my gaff; we are having a party there. Bum 8. Ledge 10. This one is chockablock with people. As in I accidentally nicked this pen from work. Another way it can be used is as a term for being arrested. Used with toddlers, teenagers and adults alike. We want to make sure youre leaving a professional image of yourself. Tom Scocca, Gawker.com. "Hold out yer donny bab", meaning "Hold out your hand, small child". Submitted by Kathy Wilson from University of Mississippi, USA
London's infamous roadmen have their . A not so polite way to ask someone to go away. In the past it was regarded as a swearword but now, due to its common usage, it is generally acceptable. Minging 23. It is used when someone is wasting their time or only pretending to work. 14. Free English Learning Apps That Make ESL Practice Convenient and Cheap, Learn English Through Movies and Film: The Complete Guide, How to Speak English Fluently: 27 Simple Tips for Reaching Your Language Goals. Oh, the Brits. . Lost in the Pond | British accent. Fortunately, these English Slang words are easy to learn. Butters ugly. From "dishy" to "cheesed off," the comedian takes you through some "bog-standard" British words and phras. Those curtains are a bit naff, dont you think?. 2. on Feb 05 2002. Try English Trackers' professional editing and rewriting service. Depending on how it is used, Nick can mean one of two things (three including the name). 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. These will help you know how to react to what others say, how to express appreciation or end a conversation appropriately. Example in spoken form: In my new job Ill be earning 75 kay a year. Over-egg the pudding 21. From a higher social class, Proper denotes actions appropriate to certain circumstances. Aggro: Though this format of abbreviation seems very Australian, this is a British slang for being aggressive or in your face. . So, the English phrase just popping out usually refers to leaving a place or a room with the intention of quickly returning. If a British person tells you theyre off to spend a penny and then they promptly disappear, its because theyre actually going to the toilet. Can be combined with "hard" for emphasis. Did you see that bloke? -Urban Dictionary. Last edited on Jan 13 2012. Seldom seen these days. Specifically, when something is exciting or wonderful, particularly when something is good news, brilliant can mean as such. exy ( comparative more exy, superlative most exy ) ( Australia, colloquial, slang) Expensive . Often preceded with the word "quite" or "pretty" because British people dont like to show off. Meaning: to make fun of someone, to tease them a lot. Rank Meaning: Disgusting. See also galdem. on May 17 2002. Knackered 3. Spend more than five minutes around any British woman over the age of 40, and you are very likely to hear the word "lovely." 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. Chuffed 2. Fivers and tenners If a British friend asks to borrow a fiver from you, he means a five pound note. To expand these results, click one of the above categories. This is cheating, it is almost exclusively used in the English county Devonshire, but Im including it as its fun to say. Slang words and colloquial (informal) expressions are how English speakers talk to each other in daily life. Best British Slang Terms and Phrases. I believe this expression originates in the English county of Cheshire. Extremely tired. Imported from Jamaica to the streets of London, this reduced form of "whats going on" is used as a greeting between friends. 9. Click words for definitions. Lost the plot is one that can actually be discerned by examining the words themselves. Last edited on Mar 15 2011. Rob is the only one on the team who does not faff around in the office. This quiz will be the center of your attention when you discover all the different British slang. on Oct 03 2009. For ex: I spent over a hundred quid last weekend without even realising it! I will have a butchers hook around the market and see if I can find some nice curtains. Fluke 15. A London street insult which seemingly is derived from the idea of someone who is wasting their lives or is a waste of space. For example; you might say Blimey! For example, That guy just cut me up in traffic what a wanker.. And so there's a fair bet that, in some way or another, clothes are going to come up quite routinely in conversation. A lively party. ), For example, it can be used respectively, in, Can you take the rubbish out please?, and What? Privacy Policy. Dench 7. Its like a stronger form of cool, For example, .Yeah Id love to do that, it sounds sick.. 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. Im pretty chuffed with my results on that exam. Sherbets 12. on Sep 21 2009. Your written English leaves a trace of you: your ideas, your expertise, your brand. 11. Cockney Slang uses language in one of the most interesting ways, by rhyming with . The origin of the expression is unknown, and is quite old, but is still in general use. Money. 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. Someone who is blinkered is narrow-minded or narrow sighted - they only see one view on a subject. A British slang term for money. We also use the term smackers instead of pounds but rarely in the singular form. Students mostly refer to their university and/or college by just saying uni. We use this expression a lot. Submitted by Luke G. from Rossford, OH, USA
Get 70% off + 10 languages + 14 day free trial. Some of these clothing names are used in the U.S., but not in the same way:Anorak: Usually describes a pull-over outwear item (often with a kangaroo pocket in the front) that's made of nylon, GoreTex, etc., and usually rain-proof. For example, I cant believe you won that, proper jammy.. Baccy Meaning: Tobacco. Bodge something 6. Think rockstars, mid-90s footballers and Prince Harry. As each generation comes of age, it adds new and creative slang to the culture. You probably dont need me to describe this, out of all British slang, this is by far the most popular and most commonly used. Whether 1 grand or 20 grandnever put an "s" on the end. 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. Daylight robbery- so expensive it isn't worth it. When youve made a pigs ear of something, youve really messed it up. For example, I dont go over there anymore its full of grockels these days.. on Dec 10 2000. Submitted by Anonymous from Tennessee, USA
For example, Dont it that mate it looks minging.. This word is used when some place or thing is extremely crowded or full. 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. Brap! Note the use of man in the singular to mean men or even people. Submitted by Josh from NJ, USA
Slang Is Always Evolving. British people love to banter, and someone with good banter is likely to be popular. Bloody How to Learn More UK Slang Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Submitted by Dan L. from Evanston, IL, USA
Gutted - is a British term you use to describe feeling devastated or upset. Hunky-dory a neat little piece of British slang that means that a situation is okay, cool, or normal. exhausted; very tired: He is really knackered after work. 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. 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. Contents 1. And, as with everything else, practice makes perfect! For ex: I spent over a hundred quid last weekend without even realising it! No other language in the world has been as bastardised as this one! Usually used together with "completely", this means to be drunk. While from the outside it may look like were insulting each other, it's actually a sign of affection. A word that is popular in the north and amongst youngsters. 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. Last edited on Jun 15 2013. The Hitchhiker's Guide has this to say about John Rabon: When not pretending to travel in time and space, eating bananas, and claiming that things are "fantastic", John lives in North Carolina. With FluentU, for example, you can create a personalized flashcard deck based on the words that pop up in the programs English media clips, like movie trailers and interviews. ; Trainers refer to shoes designed for cross-training. Finally, explore a few U.K. slang terms that are helpful when it comes to describing a person's attitude or expressions of emotion. Wed like to share our expertise with you. Can also be used as an adjective to describe something from Newcastle. For example, The party was a bit of a damp squib because only Richard turned up.. Thats the game you play with your feet, hence the name. A shortened version of "family", this is used mostly in London. See also mandem. This is commonly used as a greeting that doesn't always need a response. Bare - a lot of something. Invented by market traders and street merchants, Cockney Rhyming Slang was probably first used to disguise what was being said by passers-by. A term of address, usually to a man but not always. From "bourgeois." After a quick review, you'll be able to confidently go out there and build connections with new friends! Mostly heard in London to mean a "lot of effort" or "annoying". Can mean either "crazy" or "angry" depending on the context. 2. Grandparents might use it to better communicate with their grandchildren. How are you, mate?. A - Z Slang. Dont talk rubbish.. A monster online slang dictionary of the rich colourful language we call slang. You can find out more about that in this, Pavarotti he was a famous tenor so a Pavarotti is a tenner (10), If you want to read more about cockney rhyming slang and money, read this. Press the power button, type the password and Bobs your uncle, you can use the computer now. 14. Have you met Bobs girlfriend? A grand is used when talking in thousands. fancy. Need your document in perfect English? 2. It is considered Cockney slang and uses rhyming words to create a unique expression. This project was a really hard slog. 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. bracelets, chains, earrings. Ahhh, English. Therefore one quid, five quid, fifty quid. I think the plumber bodged the pipes in the sink. A person can be peng, but so can food. Insulting. While all of these expressions may sound fun and interesting, learners should always be careful when using them. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA
This is one of the most popular slang words among students. "I'm absolutely gutted". on Feb 23 2002. The best way to make your speech sound natural is to listen to native speakers and see how they use these expressions. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA
From New York, to California, Louisiana to Hawaii (and so much more! Feet whips: Can be used to refer to any type of shoe. Ends London slang for the area you're from. Hes made a complete pigs ear of that project. Writers who can turn any piece of writing into a dream read!Show me their credentials! Fag 6. Faff 8. This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you It comes from the older English word faffle, which means to flap around in the wind. For example, I left when Darren threw a wobbly.. Hes a good bloke. Northern English slang for a cup or mug of tea or coffee is brew, but it can also be generally used for beer. Seriously?Sneakers, Tennis Shoes, Trainers - all three are used depending on the type of rubber soled shoe we're talking about. One of the definitions of the word pop is to move quickly or suddenly. For example, The guys on TV last night were taking the piss out of the government again.. For U.K. expats such as myself, this can be a source of confusion and hilarity when the conversation's other participant is American. Submitted by Scott McNabney from Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
Course bruv. A pub that may be your closest or just your regular favorite. If someone goes mental, it means that they got very angry. Possibly caused by telling someone to shut their gob. Fresher. Stop slagging him off behind his back. It means "little", but can be added to almost everything. 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. Can also mean to pass something with flying colors. Cracking 18. Very wealthy. Used in Wales to mean "fantastic". So, sit back and enjoy the ride! I always carry a brolly in my bag-pack. Oh, mate, thats brilliant.. Gutted 11. 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) 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! This shirt makes you look like a proper geezer! 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, Yeah, everythings hunky-dory at the office.. To be gutted about a situation means to be devastated and saddened. The British equivalent to the American parking lot or parking garage. For example, I left my car in the car park this morning.. To have a tantrum or go into a rage. Wanker fits the closest fit by jerk or asshole, but to a slightly higher value. In use, I just brought some new trainers.. A crazy person. Alcohol and words relating to pubs and being drunk feature prominently in British slang. Master a variety of British insults and you'll be prepared to reply with some snarky put-downs. A break in the routine. Used to mean "very", particularly in the north of England. Knackered a great word and phrase used by Britons to describe their tiredness and exhaustion, in any given situation. Also fashionable among girls and women in the 1970s. 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. 1. They just want a cigarette, guys. Let us know in the comments below. 13. Used mostly in London to mean "a lot of". "bloody brilliant ". For some reason, you dont go to the localyou go/are down the local. When someone in England, especially in London, takes the subway train to go somewhere, they usually use this expression. Like grand, quid only ever appears in the singular. It can also generally mean that someone is in a position of advantage in a situation. Also used as an adjective in parts of northern England to mean "fantastic": Thats grand. Some think it has its origins in the French word, An exclamation of surprise. Usually used in conjunction with mate. Our currency is officially known as the "pound sterling", but many more informal terms exist to describe money in the UK. Last edited on Jul 24 2013. differences; what people in the U.K. call a, The same equivalents used in entry number 8 could also be applied here. Want to Practice Speaking English with a Native Speaker? meaning fancy, stunning or anything that looks extraordinarily good. A Few Spanners Short Meaning: To be dumb or not fully there. Of course, there also have to be slang options to describe actions and behaviors people engage in on a regular basis. Cor blimey, its bloody hot today, innit!. Its uncountable, so wed say: For ex: My son just bought a new house for three hundred thousand grand. Bang up to the elephant This phrase originated in London in 1882, and means "perfect, complete, unapproachable." 6. - Cargasm: A euphoric feeling of joy associated with buying or receiving something expensive or desirable. It is not possible to make a complete list of modern British slang: by the time the list was finished, it would be out of date! It is used to emphasize almost anything! Foreign-exchange students. 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. 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. Cuppa 7. Before this time, coats of this nature may have been referred to as a parkaa word still used in both British and American English. The slang words in this thesaurus category appear below the table of contents. A man. Bob's your uncle means like, I thought it was gonna rain. Alternatively, to not be serious about something (this essay was a jokeare you taking the piss?). To take a chance on something. A geezer or dapper geezer is a man who is well-dressed in formal clothes. You can also talk bollocks (speak nonsense, or lie) and if something is a load of bollocks, its not true. 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. Last edited on Mar 10 2018. New words come and go like fashions. The phrase comes from the expression, its cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. This phrase means the same thing as having a tantrum. 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.