Salty Bitter or angry Litty again exciting or wild Home Blog 20 of the Most Common British Slang Words. But, don't worry, a 'quid' is just a slang word for 'pound. Cheers - very common alternative for "thank you" or drinking toast. Blaine: A good pick for a yellow cat because this Celtic name means yellow. Contributors: Gareth Thomas, Beydaan Dihoud, Joji Imamiya. Bang up to the elephant This phrase originated in London in 1882, and means perfect, complete, Hunky-dory a neat little piece of British slang that means that a situation is okay, cool, or normal. Not necessarily intended in a bad way, "bonkers" means mad or crazy.. WebHe is so buff No so much strong as it is sexy and handsome. Skint is a British expression to mean being broke or having no money. See an A-Z listing of British slang, colloquialisms and dialect words and phrases. In the UK, pissed means drunk and pissed off means angry. The phrase comes from the expression, its cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey. So 'naff' is a word with an interesting history. Simply put, knackered means really really tired. 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. We also list many of Britain's museums, churches, castles and other points of interest. Used to mean if something is a bit stupid. Porkies - lies, from the Cockney rhyming slang "pork pies" = lies. Bloke would be the American English equivalent of dude. It means a "man.". Jammy Jammy is Your ideal student home & a flight ticket awaits. Example: The guy that just walked past us is such a bev. Smoke - the Smoke, the nickname for London. If youre pretending to be sick so that you cant go to work, youre skiving. To skive off is also the equivalent of playing truant. It means they find you attractive. Web50 Must-Know British Slang Words and Phrases. That guy at the football kept laughing at me for wearing an Arsenal shirt. This is one of the most commonly used British slang phrases. Scrummy - (upper class) slang for delicious, scrumptious. If someone is "chuffed," they are very happy or delighted. Twat - vulgar slang for "vagina." Zoot - a marijuana cigarette, for example used in "Let's "bun" (smoke) a zoot". Kerfuffle is UK slang for a disagreement or fight. (Explained), Is Dolph a Male, Female or Unisex Name? From the 19th century sus law (from "suspected person" which gave police the right to stop and search. 1 Bagsy Shouting bagsy is the equivalent of claiming shotgun on the front seat or dibs on the last cupcake. The Inbetweeners is a popular British comedy that follows a group of four socially troubled friends growing from their teenage years into adulthood. From In fact, different areas within the same region, or even the same city, can have their own distinct British slang words. Fit (adj) So, in the UK fit doesnt just mean that you go to the gym a lot. Web20 Common British Slang Words 1. Here are 8 big reasons to Planning a long-awaited vacation to Croatia? The Great British Bake Off a British television baking competition. Wanker fits the closest fit by jerk or asshole, but to a slightly higher value. Want to become fluent fast? Wank - masturbate, a wanker is an objectionable person. In British slang terms, dodgy refers to something wrong, illegal, or just plain off, in one way or another. This is not to be confused with bev, which is the British slang word for a handsome chap., An informal way of referring to a young woman or a girl, bird is a misogynistic British slang word that is unfortunately used quite often., This is an England expression for something that takes you by surprise and is something you might often hear on Doctor Who., Used in a similar fashion as its American counterparts guy and dude, this British term is used for a man., One of the most popular British slang words, bloody requires no definition. British rap and hip hop artists: Stormzy, Professor Green, Dizzee Rascal, and Wretch 32. Fag - cigarette, "ciggie", hence fag end (stub) and fag packet. For example, Dont be so serious, I was only taking the piss. Not to be confused with being pissed (see below). Im absolutely knackered., If youve ever been at the cashier of a British shop and heard the word quid, then you know how confusing it can be. Yet another classic British slang term of insult. Mate one of the commonly used terms of endearment and affection in British slang terms. Many people wander through the day wishing others a happy St. Patricks Day, but have you ever stopped to think about why? Jake When someone says that everything is Jake, they probably don't mean that everything is currently revolving around a specific person named Jake. Queen mum- Cockney rhyming slang for bum. With its influence on the world of pop culture and its ability to turn any conversation into a Monty Python skit, UK slang is here to stay. Webhandsome pronunciation. All rights reserved. Nicking something is UK slang for stealing. (Adjective) The term hot has been popularized worldwide and is commonly used in the USA and the UK. Doddle - something that is easy to accomplish. For example, I dont go over there anymore its full of grockels these days.. Weve rounded up the top 60 British slang that you need to know to navigate your way through the UK. The expression is a synonym for lies. This England slang word is used to describe something or someone a little suspicious or questionable. Bollocks - testicles or something that is nonsense. Web1. (praise) a. generoso (a) 6. 2. Cream-crackered - = knackered, thus extremely tired, exhausted. Here is a quiz for you to test your knowledge. Teen 2023 Slang Words New List: GOAT Greatest Of All Time Dope Awesome. If you've been pied off, it means you've been rejected or shot down. (Adjective) Dishy is British slang for a very attractive person. Cockwomble - foolish or obnoxious person. Example: That dishy man over there keeps looking at you! Does he already have a girlfriend? To sack off is to avoid doing something or to give up doing something - normally something that you didnt want to do in the first place. Pigs in Blankets - small sausages wrapped in bacon. Glow up. Numpty - stupid or ineffectual (informal). To use these UK slang words in a sentence youd say, Its getting late, I better crack on., Meaning of being bitterly disappointed about something. For example, Yeah, everythings hunky-dory at the office.. You might already know that the UK uses the word pants for underwear while Americans use it to mean trousers. "Cool, innit. Dont call it soccer in front of a British person, unless youre prepared to get a bollocking., When you do something that you shouldnt, you might get a bollocking., If your mate tells you about something terrific happening, you can reply with Get-in!, A cuppa is UK slang for the stereotypical parched Brits favourite drink, a cup of tea., Although the Americans might ask this with genuine concern, the Brits use this as a casual greeting and often pair it with a slight nod., This British slang phrase means tired or exhausted and originates from the 19th and 20th century term for the person who slaughtered worn-out horses for their hoofs, hide, and meat., This is British for being happy or satisfied, specially about an achievement. It is used as British slang for the word handsome or handsome man and is used to describe a person with a fit and healthy body as well. Of course, you want to be more discreet, so we listed 10 British slang words you could use. E.g. To get you started we have some suggestions for some great British artists below. (Explained), Is Harper a Male, Female or Unisex Name? Lacking fivers and tenners if you will (see below). Britain-Visitor.com provides travel information on Britain's cities and the essential when and where and how to get there. The term used to describe the person who cleared dead animals away in the slaughterhouse but is now used to say youre exhausted. As in "We threw everything except the kitchen sink at the problem.". WebAs you've probably noticed, the slang synonyms for " handsome According to the algorithm behind Urban Thesaurus, the top 5 slang words for "handsome" are: wassim, everett, 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. Enter Tandem. Bampot - a foolish, unpleasant, or obnoxious person. 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. Registered address: Unit 7, The Foundry Business Centre, Marcus Street, Birkenhead, England, CH41 1EU. So, lets crack on and get to the list of British slang words innit! This is British slang for a girl or a woman. Machair - fertile low-lying grassy plain in the Outer Hebrides. This one's a mouthful but it's one you need to know to avoid feeling confused. Kettles - watches - from kettle and hob = watch (Cockney rhyming slang). Rank - bad, horrible or smells unpleasant. You stupid sod! or You lucky sod! for example. ", To crack on with something means to get started or continue with something. It has become a popular British slang around the UK today. For example, Mrs Walkers pie was absolutely scrummy. Nutmeg - soccer term to dribble or pass the ball through the legs of an opponent. In the North of England, proper can also be used for emphasis in the same way as the word very'. It is common slang in the UK, especially with younger folks. Fit is a way of saying that a person is attractive, or sexy. Some of these new international slang words are used in Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada and the UK (and even in non-English speaking countries). For example, I left my car in the car park this morning.. For example, Oh bloody hell!. Nowhere is this more true than in Britain, where slang makes up a large part of the vocabulary and can vary massively according to where you are in the country. I told him to stop mugging me off.. As such a form of this expression Have a goosey also exists, but is much more uncommon. (animal) a. hermoso (a), bello (a) 4. WebThe definitions of these slang words appear below the list. Big standard, however, is British slang phrase for average or normal.. Ditching is the American slang word for the British slang word: skive. G.O.A.T: if people called you this, theyre actually praising you because it means Greatest of All Time and is a popular term in basketball in the US. However, pants can also be used as an equivalent of the word "bad" e.g. WebDefinition: to control or play upon by artful, unfair, or insidious means especially to one's own advantage Manipulate has an etymological connection with words such as 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. For example, The party was a bit of a damp squib because only Richard turned up.. Webhandsome adjective 1. Ice Cream Vans - mobile ice cream vendors (read more). Bread - money from Cockney rhyming slang "bread and honey" = money. WebNowadays, "bloody" is used widely it's even used in children's films such as "Harry Potter" and is arguably one of the most quintessentially British words on the list. The common British words we see already seem so fancy and sometimes even whimsical and learning them will surely give you a leg up next time you have a chinwag with your British mates! Lost the plot - to become upset, angry, irrational. And as mentioned in comments it might as well have a phone number You might notice the British call their friends mate, fam or bruv. Ye - archaic spelling for "the" - the definite article or archaic for "your" - possessive pronoun. Sassenach - non-Highlander (usually referring to the English). comely. Boracic/brassic - no money, broke, skint from boracic lint = skint. Here are 50 British phrases guaranteed to make you feel like one of their own. Sober-water: A jocular allusion to the uses of soda water. A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z, Abdabs - terror, fright as in "the screaming abdabs.". Still on the theme of money, skint means that you don't have any. Are You Spending Your Time on What Is Time-Worthy? British slang appears often in British pop, rap, and hip hop. What Is Incentive Motivation And Does It Work? For example, My wife gave me a real bollocking for getting to pick up the dry cleaning on my way home from work.. Cheeky has long been used in the UK to describe something light-hearted but a little rude or risqu. However, it is now used to describe any activity that is a little bit naughty but nice. The British slang word for girl is bird., If youre excited, you might want to say youre buzzin. Have you ever been the odd one out in a group of British mates? WebSynonyms for HANDSOME: graceful, elegant, fine, magnificent, majestic, proud, luxurious, glorious; Antonyms of HANDSOME: unhandsome, unfashionable, dowdy, - cheers, good health (Welsh). For example, You messed up the Rutherford order? You'll hear this one a lot on the British Love Island. For example, When my girlfriend saw the mess Id made, she lost the plot.. Do you fancy a cheeky pint after work?. In context it works like this, Come here and have a gander at what hes doing.. This British slang word is another example of the people's fondness for emphasis as it means "very. Vibe - atmosphere, feeling. There is nothing like French slang, or argot, to sound like, and connect with the locals. Stop being such a melt.. They are meant for comprehension rather than reproduction. I need to go to the loo.. One can get creative here and just add ed to the end of practically any object to get across the same meaning eg. Bev means a "handsome man. To mug someone off is to take advantage of someone or make a fool out of them. How confident do you feel with British English slang expressions? Stitched up - to trick someone so that they are placed in a difficult or unpleasant situation. Piece - piece of bread, sandwich (Glaswegian). This is used to describe someones behavior. But, as the British like to be different, we also use it for something else. Unlike most rhyming slang expressions, it is still in semi-popular use both in London and outside. I was gobsmacked when she told me she was pregnant with triplets.. All to pot Referring to something failing miserably. UK slang in general can seem like a whole different language, but there are also quite a few regional differences amongst inhabitants. Kerfuffle describes a skirmish or a fight or an argument caused by differing views. For example, I cant believe you won that, proper jammy.. However, when the noun trolly is turned into the adjective trollied, it is used to describe someone as being Britain-Visitor.com also offers information on British culture including British cuisine, history and the arts. The word became popular on the Love Island television show where viewers hear the British slang constantly. Slang words or phrases develop over time. Brass monkey A term used to describe For example, That tackle from the Spanish player was blinding.. Fortnight a British slang term more commonly used by virtually everyone in the UK to mean a group of two weeks. Its like a stronger form of cool, For example, .Yeah Id love to do that, it sounds sick.. 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. With Mondly, the award-winning language learning app, youll speak any language from day 1. Kecks (kex) - trousers or sometimes underpants - mainly used in northern England and Northern Ireland. Trolley dolly - air stewardess (informal). But there is something wonderfully tender and endearing about it. Buff also means a physically well-toned person. This one will have you in stitches, uses popular British slangs, and is great to watch with the family. Can we stop at a cafe? WebAn affectionate greeting that is generally used for men but not exclusively, and based loosely on the English term my handsome, but lacking the all-important noun. 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Polari- secret language used by gay men to avoid detection before homosexuality was decriminalized in 1967. Queer the pitch- spoil the business in hand already discussed. How to say handsome. 1 (adjective) in the sense of good-looking. It can either be used to describe a boy or a girl. Essex girl - brash, materialistic young woman supposedly common in Essex and the Home Counties. These two words are British slang for drunk. For example, I was up studying all night last night, Im absolutely knackered., Someone who has lost the plot has become either angry, irrational, or is acting ridiculously. For example, Thats a load of tosh about what happened last night, or Dont talk tosh.. More of an usual term, a damp squib in British slang terms refers to something which fails on all accounts, coming from the squib (an explosive), and the propensity for them to fail when wet. I doubt a straight guy would say that to a straight guy. Its not particularly offensive, just a mildly silly or foolish piece of UK slang. He got a new job.. Further, "The Nick" is UK slang for the prison. My bird. E.g. WebWeve shown you the 100 Australian Slang Words & Phrases. Used when you are talking to a close friend, and is often easily substituted for the American buddy, pal, or dude. The bees knees a rather lovely term used to describe someone or something you think the world of. babe magnet Baldwin cheese DILF dreamboat FILF GQ Harrison himbo jack ladies' man McDreamy Berk - idiot from Cockney rhyming slang Berkeley Hunt = c*nt. This is one of the many British terms for being drunk. E.g. 4. A more obscure British term, brass monkeys is used to refer to extremely cold weather. If you are a cheeky child, you are being brash or disrespectful and will probably get into trouble. Mug is more specifically London slang and is associated with the cockney accent. Essentially, it is an expression of pride at your own actions or achievements. It can also mean fuss., A long study session might make you want to take a quick kip, meaning a short nap., Used in a similar sense to bloke, lad is UK slang for younger men and boys., If you are said to lose the plot, you might want to take a step back. Tart - (archaic) slang for prostitute or woman of easy virtue. Though it may seem strange at first, its pretty simple, it is constructed out of the expressions second word, in this case the way hook rhymes directly with look however, perhaps contrary to expectations, the word hook is often removed, so you may hear someone say have a butchers at this..