Hell be down the local. There are no categories underneath this one. Fivers and tenners If a British friend asks to borrow a fiver from you, he means a five pound note. One pound is subdivided into 100 pence, the singular of which is one penny. For ex: I spent over a hundred quid last weekend without even realising it! British Glossary - jimcofer.com Bare - a lot of something. Bants 4. Alternatively, to not be serious about something (this essay was a jokeare you taking the piss?). Normally used together with "a bit". It is used as a derogatory word for tourists. For ex: I spent over a hundred quid last weekend without even realising it! It is often used as an expression of anger or is used to emphasize a comment. Heard a lot in Wales but also in parts of northern England to mean "great" or "very nice". A person can be peng, but so can food. Cock up a British slang term that is far from the lewdness its name suggests. Boffin - A scientist, inventor or engineer. A shortened version of "family", this is used mostly in London. Most commonly used with schoolchildren trying to get out of school, or dissatisfied office workers trying to pull a sick day. 12 Famous British Slang Words and Expressions to Learn The first form of this is far more common, and is sometimes used internationally. As in I accidentally nicked this pen from work. Another way it can be used is as a term for being arrested. Faff 8. Similar to a pillock, a tosser is someone who is annoying or a bit of an idiot. For even more fun, take a look at these common U.K. expressions. of extreme high quality, expensive to a point that it becomes unattainable. Now that youve got the slang down, youll want to work on your accent. 4. 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. 11 Bloody Brilliant British English Phrases - Babbel Magazine quotations . Blimey is used to show excitement, surprise or shock. A nifty little British term that means rubbish or crap. As such, you can use it like this, That bob is a good bloke.. 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. Wanker fits the closest fit by jerk or asshole, but to a slightly higher value. Im buzzin for this. As in, 'that outfit is beast.'. Used mostly in London to mean "a lot of". Did you take care of that thing? Similarly, a 5 note is sometimes referred to as a "fiver". When someone in England, especially in London, takes the subway train to go somewhere, they usually use this expression. The origin of this phrase is disputed, but the most likely candidate for inspiring the expression is an eccentric wealthy newspaper owner named, Mostly heard in London, this means "men". Last edited on Mar 13 2002. Insulting. Last edited on Oct 23 2012. Gobsmacked a truly British expression meaning to be shocked and surprised beyond belief. Gob is the informal word for mouth, and smack means to hit something with your hand. For example, you might say Im going to Steves birthday do tonight.. An Introduction to English Slang: 30 Wonderful Examples - representing oneself, bigging yourself up. E.g. Ace 20. If youre in London you may overhear many other terms for money and many of these will come from cockney rhyming slang. "I bet that cost a lot of money!". Usually used together with "completely", this means to be drunk. General British Slang Bloke Meaning: A man. Fluke 15. Idris Elba teaches you British slang words, from ting and fit to apples and Alan. 50 Australian Slang Words, Terms and Phrases [Aussie Slang] This shirt makes you look like a proper geezer! Privacy Policy. bog-standard - nothing special bonkers - crazy botched - something going wrong cack-handed - clumsy camp - flamboyant cheeky - sassy chockablock - filled to the brim cobblers - nonsense Bowler - used to refer to the type of hat worn by Chaplin or John Steed.Cagoule - never heard of this but, unless it looks like a blanket with a slit in the center, it's probably not the equivalent of a poncho. (That's not to my liking.) Scroll down to continue reading article , The Ultimate Productivity Guide on Taking Charge of Time, Why am I so Tired and How to Boost My Energy, 51 Slang Terms You May Not Be Familiar With, 12 Top Internet Slang Terms You Should Know About, How to Become a Productivity Ninja by Graham Allcott, How to Make Time Work For You The Time Mastery Framework, The Impact of Procrastination on Productivity, The Forgotten Emotional Aspects of Productivity, How to Calm Your Mind For Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey, 8 Misconceptions of Time That Make You Less Productive. It ultimately harms the end result. Butcher's hook 22. Do not talk to him again; he looks smarmy. Cockney is slang from a certain neighborhood in London. Americans and British people both say "cheers" when they are out drinking and clink their glasses together. Can mean either "crazy" or "angry" depending on the context. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Another London term to mean the area you come from. 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) From a higher social class, Proper denotes actions appropriate to certain circumstances. Follow our writing guidelines and make your words COUNT! The expression is a synonym for lies. If you're heading off on a holiday to the United Kingdom, it'll be handy to have certain British slang definitions down pat. Boss or manager. Originally a reference to gambling but can be used in a broader context now. 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. All Rights Reserved. I will have a butchers hook around the market and see if I can find some nice curtains. 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. An exclamation of surprise. Used mostly in Manchester to mean "very excited/happy". In Scottish English, wally means something that is pleasing or strong. Submitted by Moo from Santa Cruz, CA, USA 100 Brilliantly British Slang Words and Phrases - Content-Writing Short for "of course" and normally followed by a word like "mate" or "bruv". The origins of this word are disputed, but all British people will know what you mean if you tell them Im just popping to the loo. Can also mean to pass something with flying colors. It can refer to your actual family but its often just how youll greet a friend. It means to make a profit. From New York, to California, Louisiana to Hawaii (and so much more! The Beatles were Scousers, for example. This phrase means the same thing as having a tantrum. For example, Thats a load of tosh about what happened last night, or Dont talk tosh.. The term comes from the old English word guiser.. 'Oh bollocks'; it can also be used to express derision and mocking disbelief, e.g. Just popping out 2. 4. It's what the "trendy" Moms are starting to call them now. Ace a British slang term that means something that is brilliant or excellent. Coming originally from Caribbean English, its most prevalent in London. For example, you can use it as a mild expletive to express frustration or exasperation: "Oh bloody hell, not again." I forgot to bring my brolly to the office today and now I will get wet in the rain when I leave. Dont be such a knob. ; and it can also be used as a pejorative He just seems dodgy to me.. Also fashionable among girls and women in the 1970s. It is a term denoting your younger brother/ sister, or close family member such as a cousin. Bobs your uncle is used at the end of a set of instructions that are very easy to follow. However there is one notable difference is that throwing a wobbly tends to be used when describing tantrums thrown by adults, or people who should otherwise know better. on Feb 23 2002. FluentU brings English to life with real-world videos. You slept with Kate Upton last night? 47 British Slang Words And Phrases To Read Over A Cuppa - Scary Mommy But wait before you tighten your seat belts, there is a catch. A more obscure British term, brass monkeys is used to refer to extremely cold weather. Origin: The slang term "whip" refers to an expensive car. Nevertheless, it has a wide range of uses and applicable contexts. 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. Bovvered - verb describing a lack of interest. These men usually wear suits and are quite fashion-conscious. You can find out more about rhyming Cockney slang by checking out this video by YouTuber iswearenglish: It means that something is unpleasant. 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. Nappies is starting to pick up over here, though. 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 . bling bling - booshi - bourgee - dolled up - fancy-pants - fancy schmancy - five-dollar word - flash - high budget - high-tone - lush - mint - pricey - ritzy - shmancy - spendy - steep - swish - tony Full definitions of all the slang words listed above: B bling bling adjective high class. I didn't do my homework and the teacher gave me a right bollocking. Butchers hook is just another way to tell someone to look. 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. To lose the plot can mean either to become angry and/or exasperated to a fault, or in a derogatory if slightly outdated sense to mean someone who has become irrational and/or acting ridiculously. Someone who is a bit stupid or annoying. UK English Slang: 18 Essential Slang Words for English Learners Last edited on Oct 28 2001. Why Do Americans Pronounce It "Aluminum"? Those curtains are a bit naff, dont you think?. Brap! meaning: beautiful; attractive. In context it works like this, Come here and have a gander at what hes doing.. Trainers are the British equivalent of the American sneakers denoting athletic shoes. Anorak: A person who knows a lot about a particular . [orchestral music] Bob's your uncle, I never really know what this one means. 2. Note the use of man in the singular to mean men or even people. You can refer to a person who grassed you up as a "grass". An arse is your rear end (not to be confused with an ass, which is a donkey). Best done at a distance as there may be repercussions. I really fancy her is a profession of a love interest, but you could also ask someone: Do you fancy some lunch?. You probably dont need me to describe this, out of all British slang, this is by far the most popular and most commonly used. 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. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. A penis, but also an annoying person. He created the word while playing video games with his cousin. Submitted by Dan L. from Evanston, IL, USA A Very Funny and Quick Guide to London Slang - Culture Trip Alright? For example, busted can mean "broken" or "ugly," sick can mean "ill" or "very cool," and hip can mean "trendy" or "fashionably un-trendy.". London's infamous roadmen have their . Pissed: drunk. Gutted 11. Hes a good bloke. Rank Meaning: Disgusting. Usage: "Air force Ones are the cadillacs of feet whips". I had three pieces., This is a relatively newer entry to the lexicon of British Slang, most often used by youth. We could see a movie." Taking the Piss To mock or ridicule. If someone is annoying you, you can tell them: "shut your gob". Emma Stone Learns British Slang From Rachel Weisz - Vanity Fair Ten Brilliant British Idioms and Their Meanings - Anglotopia.net This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you We use this expression a lot. Used when you are talking to a close friend, and is often easily substituted for the American buddy, pal, or dude. But it can also be a reference to an annoying person: Stop being such an arse. KSWL. . Submitted by Luke G. from Rossford, OH, USA al. ), read on for an exploration of fascinating, common, odd, rare and unique American slang. For example, Jenny is ace at the lab experiments, or, for the latter definition, I think I aced that exam. One of the definitions of the word pop is to move quickly or suddenly. Its uncountable, so wed say: For ex: My son just bought a new house for three hundred thousand grand. You'll be chatting like a local in no time at all! Oh bollocks; it can also be used to express derision and mocking disbelief, e.g. Calling someone a tosser to their face wont normally go down well. In the end, we decided to splash out on a pub lunch. 'Ace' - a British slang term that means something that is brilliant or excellent. on Feb 05 2002. Cockney Rhyming Slang. We opted not to join the Europe-wide currency and have stubbornly kept our pounds and pence. Tom Scocca, Gawker.com. One of the most useful swear words in English. 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. No one likes someone who tells porkies. "I BET THAT COST A BOMB". Libes. 11 British Clothing Words they Don't Use in America Never get lost again by checking out these fun expressions. 2. To be arrested. Sign up for our weekly newsletters and get: By signing in, you agree to our Terms and Conditions This classic British insult literally means that someone masturbates, but is used much like pillock and tosser. on Sep 21 2009. Hes got an ugly mug would be the former, do you take me for a mug?, the latter. Example: Jack is my best mate, we've been friends since we were kids. British Slang & Colloquialisms - Travel Guide To Britain 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. For example, Did you hear about our kid Kevin? See also galdem. Something or someone that is the best it/they could be. We also participate in other affiliate advertising programs for products and services we believe in. Think rockstars, mid-90s footballers and Prince Harry. The slang words in this thesaurus category appear below the table of contents. 23 Brilliant British Expressions to Blend in with the Brits. Used to be standard wear for young boys until WW2 (getting "long pants" was a rite of passage). Lovely. In the case of the first meaning, the word anorak didn't in fact enter the English language until 1924. Lets go to another club. It can also generally mean that someone is in a position of advantage in a situation. Bog-standard - To be plain, or run-of-the-mill. Submitted by Anthony from Hazlet, NJ, USA 28 British Slang Terms You Should Know | Mental Floss Boy and girl twins. on Dec 06 2002. Another university-related cool British slang word is fresher which means a first-year student. Whether 1 grand or 20 grandnever put an "s" on the end. Youve got to keep the punters happy. American Slang: 321 Fun Examples | Texas, New York Slang & More - Berlitz 1. Last edited on Jul 11 1997. 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. 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. Now youre definitely ready to stream that new British TV show or blend in with the locals on your next trip to the UK. You alright fam?. For example,I kicked him right in the bollocks when he wouldnt let me go past.. The British equivalent to the American parking lot or parking garage. For example, He tried to skive off work but got caught by his manager.. Submitted by Anonymous from Tennessee, USA Citation from "Episode 3", Little Britain (TV, 2004), Season 2 Episode 3 blacked out to resolve Google's penalty against this site . Last edited on Dec 06 2002. For example, That guy just cut me up in traffic what a wanker.. Top UK English Slang Terms 1. Yes! Answer (1 of 44): This word was often used in my childhood in Birmingham by adults when they were giving you a sweet or pocket money. Snog Meaning: A kiss or to kiss. Sherbets 12. on Sep 15 2018. alternative spellings or pronunciations (list of). Bean, Eastern Mountain Sports and the like for examples. Often preceded with the word "quite" or "pretty" because British people dont like to show off. Arguably one of the most hilarious British Slang insults we've heard! Idiot Synonyms | Collins English Thesaurus Ponchos have neither hoods nor sleeves. A mancould be compared to the American term 'dude'. Therefore one quid, five quid, fifty quid. The most commonly used slang term for a pound is a, This expression has negative connotations, so, If youre in London you may overhear many other terms for money and many of these will come from, Some of the London slang for money is based on animals thought to have originally appeared on ruppe banknotes. It is used for people who are not trustworthy and who make you suspicious of their motives. Used to mean "very", particularly in the north of England. Bang up to the elephant This phrase originated in London in 1882, and means "perfect, complete, unapproachable." 6. Possibly caused by telling someone to shut their gob. Stop slagging him off behind his back. It is very expensive! Don't be such a plonker. Bog ( slang) - This is a slang term for a toilet, and has spun off several related terms, such as bog brush (toilet brush) and bog roll (toilet paper). Like grand, quid only ever appears in the singular. Beast - really cool. A possible result of a knees-up. 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. What are some British slang words for "pound" (the money)? - Quora For example, I ate a bad pizza last night after too many drinks and chundered in the street.. When youve made a pigs ear of something, youve really messed it up. The Welsh clearly place a high value on tidiness. -Urban Dictionary. To inform on someone to the authorities. I prefer taking the Tube to go to work every day. For example, I cant believe you won that, proper jammy.. Here are 11 such words. Ends London slang for the area you're from. Fresher. I think the plumber bodged the pipes in the sink. An informal term that stands for or means something else than its literal meaning; a shorter way to say a word or phrase Also used as an adjective in parts of northern England to mean "fantastic": Thats grand. English Slang | Street Talk Savvy For U.K. expats such as myself, this can be a source of confusion and hilarity when the conversation's other participant is American. 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' For example, 'that is a tad expensive'. In use, I just brought some new trainers.. British Slang, Phrases and Insults: Complete Guide (2021) Have you met Bobs girlfriend? Gutted Meaning: Being heartbroken or upset over something. British Slang Terms & Expressions for Money - English Editing Blog 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. Mate You know you're living the UK when you hear this used like a comma. Im cheating a bit with this one, as this is used almost exclusively used around Manchester and the North of England. on Mar 08 2002. 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. While from the outside it may look like were insulting each other, it's actually a sign of affection. All right? Slags and toms, me old china. - phrase meaning and origin - Phrasefinder 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, . A major effort. 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. A Quick Guide to Slang in the UK and America - Eurocentres We also use the term smackers instead of pounds but rarely in the singular form. 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? A London street insult which seemingly is derived from the idea of someone who is wasting their lives or is a waste of space. Check out some peng chicken. 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. Sometimes brilliant can be shortened to just brill to give it a more casual feel. Bloody How to Learn More UK Slang Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Tradesman Slang From Around The World | Tradesman Blog I'm just going for a quick slash. Knackered 3. See more words with the same meaning: good, okay, cool, awesome, fun . This word was popularized by the British artist Lethal Bizzle. For example, That tackle from the Spanish player was blinding.. Gutted - is a British term you use to describe feeling devastated or upset. Meaning to vomit or to be sick, chunder is almost always used in correlation with drunken nights, or being hugely ill and sick. all from a British perspective, with new slang added every month. on May 17 2002. A Few Spanners Short Meaning: To be dumb or not fully there. Mate 9. Last edited on Feb 23 2002. 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. Slightly more of an outdated version, this British slang term is still used, and its meaning remains relevant today. For example, Dont listen to him hes telling pork pies.. Definition of knackered | Dictionary.com - Meanings and Definitions of f you hear a word that's not on this list, give a Cockney translator a try. For example, I left when Darren threw a wobbly.. We want to make sure youre leaving a professional image of yourself. Daylight robbery- so expensive it isn't worth it. Lost the plot is one that can actually be discerned by examining the words themselves. Cockney Slang uses language in one of the most interesting ways, by rhyming with . Or before tea, "Have ya washed yer donnies?" The story - possibly an urban myth - is that Bri. Oh, mate, thats brilliant.. It's used in the same way "egghead" is used in North America. This is another version of the phrase isnt it. It is commonly used to show agreement rather than to genuinely ask a question. UK Slang Words Every Student Should Know | Casita.com For example, You messed up the Rutherford order? Learning English becomes fun and easy when you learn with movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talks. Look at that!. One of the most productive terms of the war was strafe. The slow way to perfection is years of study and practice; the fast way is to put it into the hands of our professional editors! spendy college patron pricey ipod whip d.a.r.e. This is a polite or indirect way to tell someone that you need to use the toilet. 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. Grandparents might use it to better communicate with their grandchildren. Youll find multiple spellings of this word, largely used in London, to mean "to kill".