This is the British university slang word for a library. (That's not to my liking.) The expression is a synonym for lies. British Accents: Tips on Understanding Brits! Someone can be completely bonkers or can go bonkers (the latter can also mean losing your temper). on Oct 03 2009. It's important to represent your ends. Check your spam folder if you don't get an email immediately! Mental!) Ends London slang for the area you're from. How are you, mate?. Coming originally from Caribbean English, its most prevalent in London. Oh, wanker. While all of these expressions may sound fun and interesting, learners should always be careful when using them. Crazy. Cuppa 7. To expand these results, click one of the above categories. I got completely wankered last night. When someone spends a lot of time doing very little work, it is called faffing. In use, I just brought some new trainers.. 4. Given the British tendency to mock and satirise anything and everything possible, taking the piss is in fact one of the most popular and widely-used British slang terms. (Download). However, here are a few examples: Safe, sorted, sound, cool or wicked all mean That's good or I understand. That new chippy is the dog's bollocks. For example, that meal was proper tasty or sometimes that was proper., One of the most commonly-used British phrases, rubbish is used to mean both general waste and trash, and to also express disbelief in something to the point of ridicule (in this sense it is a much-more PG-friendly version of bollocks. 1. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Click here to get a copy. Come over to my gaff; we are having a party there. Try English Trackers' professional editing and rewriting service. Bloody How to Learn More UK Slang Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. A gaffe is another word for mistake or blunder.. A pejorative term for someone from the upper classes of British society. This is a slightly politer way to say our next expression: To mock or laugh at someone or something. Some of the London slang for money is based on animals thought to have originally appeared on ruppe banknotes. Smarmy 15. It is a descriptive word, used to describe someone who is extremely lucky for something, without putting in much effort for it. 3. This is a shorter form of the word umbrella.. Thankfully, his journey is made 12% easier by the fact that his accent makes him sound much smarter than he is. 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. Our new defenders the dog's bollocks. El cheapo- He bought the el cheapo model and now he's back to the shop within 3 months to buy a new one. Sam was quids in after he sold his software to Microsoft. It is used when someone is wasting their time or only pretending to work. It is similar to expressions like cool and awesome.. Example: Jack is my best mate, we've been friends since we were kids. Trollied 13. And the best place to get some is in your local chippy. Bean, Eastern Mountain Sports and the like for examples. You may well be invited to a 'do', 'bash', or 'get-together', which are all other words for a party or group gathering. Cockney is slang from a certain neighborhood in London. Dont forget the mushy peas. Bobs your uncle is used at the end of a set of instructions that are very easy to follow. Spend a penny 16. Can also mean to pass something with flying colors. For example, That tackle from the Spanish player was blinding.. Brap! and For example, I dont go over there anymore its full of grockels these days.. 4. It is similar to the American word fancy, however it has a much more entrenched class basis. 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. Do not over-egg your pudding by using too many big words in your essay. We guide you through 100+ words and phrases from the English dictionary that may well have an entirely different meaning to what you first imagined. Someone from Newcastle. exhausted; very tired: He is really knackered after work. While most British people think food is something you eat, its also street slang for drugs. Lets go to another club. and so can a person (The new gaffers mental). For example, The guys on TV last night were taking the piss out of the government again.. Fivers and tenners If a British friend asks to borrow a fiver from you, he means a five pound note. You probably dont need me to describe this, out of all British slang, this is by far the most popular and most commonly used. It is used for emphasis. It is a term denoting your younger brother/ sister, or close family member such as a cousin. Ahhh, English. Ten Very British Behaviours "Brolly" Abbreviation of "umbrella." "Grab your brolly, it's drizzling outside." Pixabay "Budge up" An informal way of asking someone to make room where they are. Taking the piss out of your friends can be done as part of banter. 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. All Rights Reserved. Leg it. Ace 20. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA Apparently we imported the word grand, which means a thousand, from the States. of extreme high quality, expensive to a point that it becomes unattainable. 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". Used when you are talking to a close friend, and is often easily substituted for the American buddy, pal, or dude. The best way to make your speech sound natural is to listen to native speakers and see how they use these expressions. Usage: "Air force Ones are the cadillacs of feet whips". A major effort. FluentU brings English to life with real-world videos. We use this expression a lot. Bovvered - verb describing a lack of interest. Minging (pronounced: ming-ing) is a lovely alternative to the word disgusting or gross. Gutted a British slang term that is one of the saddest on the lists in terms of pure contextual emotion. 'Oh bollocks'; it can also be used to express derision and mocking disbelief, e.g. Another fun ironic way to say this is "It cost a few bob!". A beer. A black eye. The phrase comes from the expression, its cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. Git is a type of version control system that is used for coding and software development, and is popular among software developers all around the world. Used as a signifier for preference. A little bit more affectionate than calling someone a pillock. Knackered a great word and phrase used by Britons to describe their tiredness and exhaustion, in any given situation. differences; what people in the U.K. call a, The same equivalents used in entry number 8 could also be applied here. Some slang words have many uses, while others can sound quite similar to each other but have completely different meanings. 15. For ex: Wheres my share of the filthy lucre then? The family welcomed a "pigeon pair." Elderly birdwatchers, who often stay with families in the country. Submitted by Moo from Santa Cruz, CA, USA It includes quite a few fun and unique ways for people to express that they are happy or otherwise share positive sentiments. "bloody awful" or "bloody hell". Blinkered. These English slang words have made every language have its unique fascinations that are understood only by native speakers. Nappies is starting to pick up over here, though. I loved that movie, it was lush . A pub that may be your closest or just your regular favorite. Bugger all a British slang term used to be a more vulgar synonym for nothing at all. Mostly heard in Manchester to mean "great". In fact, British people say "cheers" all the time without noticing they're doing it - a bit like the way they say "sorry" all . Just popping out 2. Nothing makes the language more colorful than descriptive words. See REI, L.L. Did I miss any of your favorite British slang off the list? For example,I kicked him right in the bollocks when he wouldnt let me go past.. U.K. slang includes some interesting insults. I always carry a brolly in my bag-pack. Some think it has its origins in the French word bon, meaning "good". on Sep 15 2011. Cheeky 5. A penis, but also an annoying person. Interestingly, its only ever used in the singular. 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 Money. The difference is that people from the UK also use "cheers" to mean "thank you". I think the plumber bodged the pipes in the sink. 2023 Enux Education Limited. The German phrase "Gott strafe England!" ("God punish England!") was widely used in German propaganda, and jocularly modified by English . Submitted by Anthony from Hazlet, NJ, USA Another London term to mean the area you come from. Bob's your uncle means like, I thought it was gonna rain. This can cause a great deal of confusion if youre exploring the country, or even if youre just looking to stream the latest British TV series. Wanker fits the closest fit by jerk or asshole, but to a slightly higher value. "Hello mate, how are you?" % buffered 00:00 2. Finally, explore a few U.K. slang terms that are helpful when it comes to describing a person's attitude or expressions of emotion. From a higher social class, Proper denotes actions appropriate to certain circumstances. Blinding is a positive term meaning excellent, great, or superb. In this post we share the official and unofficial ways Brits refer to money. Arsed 16. Master a variety of British insults and you'll be prepared to reply with some snarky put-downs. But don't worry, we're going to help. Submitted by Anonymous from Tennessee, USA Most commonly people use the word minging to describe something that smells bad. Aggro: Though this format of abbreviation seems very Australian, this is a British slang for being aggressive or in your face. Unlike most rhyming slang expressions, it is still in semi-popular use both in London and outside. Shortened form of luscious. Someone who is a bit stupid or annoying. Cock up a British slang term that is far from the lewdness its name suggests. I dont drink coffee but I do like a nice cuppa! Not used in polite company. For example, The papers sent out to the students were all in the wrong language its a real cock up. Also, I cocked up the orders for table number four.. 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' 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. 2. the British slang, please tell me what is happening here. It's mostly used by CP (which we saw above) while they are watching their favourite couple in a Chinese drama etc. See also, Another London term, for someone or something that is attractive or desirable. For ex: My neighbour has his own business and hes got heaps of dosh. Chockablock 13. 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 . Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA These will help you know how to react to what others say, how to express appreciation or end a conversation appropriately. If you're heading off on a holiday to the United Kingdom, it'll be handy to have certain British slang definitions down pat. Usually used together with "completely", this means to be drunk. Boffin - A scientist, inventor or engineer. One pound is often called a quid in the United Kingdom. British people love to banter, and someone with good banter is likely to be popular. % buffered 00:01 3. Its uncountable, so wed say: For ex: My son just bought a new house for three hundred thousand grand. As an English speaker, it's nice to travel to countries where you can understand the language, like England, Scotland or Ireland. on Oct 28 2001. adjective British Slang. London street slang for money, from a shortening of "pounds". Trainersthose shoes one might wear to go runningare usually known in the U.S. as, Staying on the subject of footwear, it is perhaps hardly surprising that, Those rather old fashioned form of underpantsrecognisable from the presence of an inverted y-shape on the frontare known by several names in the U.S. A grand is used when talking in thousands. Thats a lovely wee doggie youve got there. It is very expensive! For example, Yeah, everythings hunky-dory at the office.. Ricky Gervais tests his knowledge of British slang. We use the symbol G when we want to write thousands in shorthand. I believe this expression originates in the English county of Cheshire. Essentially, it is an expression of pride at your own actions or achievements. 2. a socially inept person. on Feb 23 2002. This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you She sought work as an "agony aunt." Cor blimey, did you see that? For more usage examples, check out, London street slang for sneakers (which British people call, An exclamation of surprise. There are slang terms for larger amounts of money, such as a 'ton' for 100 or a 'grand' for 1000. If someone is annoying you, you can tell them: "shut your gob". An object or event can be mental (Did you see that goal? Social slang. For ex: You mean he paid 300G for a house in the suburbs! Yes! If a British friend asks to borrow a fiver from you, he means a five pound note. Hes a complete nutter. For ex: I spent over a hundred quid last weekend without even realising it! One of the definitions of the word pop is to move quickly or suddenly. Similar to a pillock, a tosser is someone who is annoying or a bit of an idiot. Used in Scotland, this word means "pretty" or "beautiful", and is normally used in reference to a woman. From "dishy" to "cheesed off," the comedian takes you through some "bog-standard" British words and phras. There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Best British Slang Terms and Phrases. They just want a cigarette, guys. For example, I ate a bad pizza last night after too many drinks and chundered in the street.. In the dialogue, we were choosing between a cheap cafe or a more expensive pub. 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. Pissed: drunk. 25. Bare - a lot of something. exy ( comparative more exy, superlative most exy ) ( Australia, colloquial, slang) Expensive . A 'knees up' is a more old-fashioned term for a . on Mar 02 1999. For example, Dont it that mate it looks minging.. I had three pieces., This is a relatively newer entry to the lexicon of British Slang, most often used by youth. 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. Slang Is Always Evolving. A not so polite way to ask someone to go away.