Those curtains are a bit naff, dont you think?. A black eye. Perhaps the most interesting slang you'll hear in England is the infamous Cockney Rhyming Slang. For ex: My neighbour has his own business and hes got heaps of dosh. 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 It is a descriptive word, used to describe someone who is extremely lucky for something, without putting in much effort for it. QUIZ. Therefore one quid, five quid, fifty quid. 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. 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. In British slang terms, dodgy refers to something wrong, illegal, or just plain off, in one way or another. It means to make a profit. Thats the game you play with your feet, hence the name. A nifty little British term that means rubbish or crap. Used mostly in London to mean "a lot of". 4. Follow our writing guidelines and make your words COUNT! "I BET THAT COST A BOMB". I was gobsmacked when she told me she was pregnant with triplets.. Specifically, when something is exciting or wonderful, particularly when something is good news, brilliant can mean as such. From a higher social class, Proper denotes actions appropriate to certain circumstances. As each generation comes of age, it adds new and creative slang to the culture. Your written English leaves a trace of you: your ideas, your expertise, your brand. For example, 'Cheers for getting me that drink, Steve'. 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.. Translate any file to any language in one click. Making jokes, often at the expense of others in your company. Hes absolutely gutted.. Try it for free! on Jan 18 2000. Anorak: A person who knows a lot about a particular . Submitted by Dan L. from Evanston, IL, USA 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. Im pretty chuffed with my results on that exam. 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. Make sure you do not bodge the car. Click here to get a copy. Example - My new Mercedes car has cost me an arm and leg. on Jan 22 2000. It includes quite a few fun and unique ways for people to express that they are happy or otherwise share positive sentiments. May imply that the person is showing off. In context, Get the food, put in the microwave, heat it up, then bobs your uncle, ready to eat.. Last edited on Dec 10 2000. The family welcomed a "pigeon pair." Elderly birdwatchers, who often stay with families in the country. It stands for kswle which is used to talk about a couple who are being so cute and sweet it's killing you. Gobsmacked 11. To criticize. Check out some peng chicken. Alternatively, to not be serious about something (this essay was a jokeare you taking the piss?). . Submitted by Derek D. from Astoria, NY, USA From "dishy" to "cheesed off," the comedian takes you through some "bog-standard" British words and phras. It can also generally mean that someone is in a position of advantage in a situation. The best way to make your speech sound natural is to listen to native speakers and see how they use these expressions. A possible result of a knees-up. All to pot refers to a situation going out of your control and failing miserably. on Aug 30 2011. U.K. slang is nothing if not interesting! 'You slept with Kate Upton last night? Nevertheless, it has a wide range of uses and applicable contexts. For example, I left my car in the car park this morning.. And if you would like to speak like a native English speaker, it is a good idea to get to know some of these colorful inventions. Some of the London slang for money is based on animals thought to have originally appeared on ruppe banknotes. This classic British insult literally means that someone masturbates, but is used much like pillock and tosser. There's no getting around itclothes are just an important part of everyday life. Although it might sound quite confusing, it means the same thing as other common phrases like as easy as a pie or you are done.. ; and it can also be used as a pejorative He just seems dodgy to me.. Stop slagging him off behind his back. 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. Last edited on Jan 13 2012. One of the best things about summer is firing up the barbecue and sipping some brews on a hot, sunny day. Learning English becomes fun and easy when you learn with movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talks. The 'bag' refers to the gut which contained the chopped meat." 5. A Ace - is used to describe something that is awesome. Look at that!. Knackered 3. For example, I ate a bad pizza last night after too many drinks and chundered in the street.. Gaff 9. Apparently we imported the word grand, which means a thousand, from the States. For example, The birthday party went all to pot when the clown turned up drunk and everyone was sick from that cheap barbecue stuff.. We use this expression a lot. It's nice to know what the locals are saying, and it makes it a lot easier to have a conversation without looking (and feeling) like a dolt! You slept with Kate Upton last night? 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. It is used as a derogatory word for tourists. There are considerable differences between Britain and America when it comes to houses. 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? "That looks like a total mess". Fluke 15. A person can be dodgy but so can an object: I think I ate a dodgy curry. As in, 'I ain't bovvered.'. Press the power button, type the password and Bobs your uncle, you can use the computer now. A major effort. We also use the term smackers instead of pounds but rarely in the singular form. British people like to enjoy themselves. To inform on someone to the authorities. As an English speaker, it's nice to travel to countries where you can understand the language, like England, Scotland or Ireland. As such a form of this expression Have a goosey also exists, but is much more uncommon. Used to mean "very", particularly in the north of England. Bevvy Meaning: An alcoholic drink. Arsed 16. But, remember that this is not normal spending. Kerfuffle describes a skirmish or a fight or an argument caused by differing views. 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". So, sit back and enjoy the ride! British tradesman slang As inventors of the English language, Brits are constantly looking for new ways to keep conversations fresh and exciting. It's mostly used by CP (which we saw above) while they are watching their favourite couple in a Chinese drama etc. For ex: Wheres my share of the filthy lucre then? Beast - really cool. on Sep 15 2011. 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. We also refer to a ten pound note as a tenner. Tom Scocca, Gawker.com. Slang can vary a lot throughout England. And, as with everything else, practice makes perfect! A do is essentially a party, to my knowledge it doesnt refer to a particular form of party, so feel free to use it as you like. We could see a movie." Taking the Piss To mock or ridicule. To over-egg the pudding is to overdo something with the intent of making it better. Bovvered - verb describing a lack of interest. 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. For example you could say Im feeling proper chuffed I won that., If youre talking to someone else you can use it as such, I bet youre pretty chuffed you won!. It can refer to your actual family but its often just how youll greet a friend. to expose an inappropriate part of one's body. But sometimes, the slang word is a reused word with a new meaning. Usage: "Air force Ones are the cadillacs of feet whips". To bodge something is to make a mistake or do something badly. A Scottish classic which is also popular in Northern Ireland. (Download). exy ( comparative more exy, superlative most exy ) ( Australia, colloquial, slang) Expensive . Submitted by Natalie L. from Thousand Oaks, CA, USA Possibly caused by telling someone to shut their gob. Want to Practice Speaking English with a Native Speaker? When someone is smarmy, he or she is being insincere or fake. Seldom seen these days. 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. Note how the second word pies rhymes directly with lies. The origin of this phrase is disputed, but the most likely candidate for inspiring the expression is an eccentric wealthy newspaper owner named James Gordon Bennett Jr. 1,000. 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. Idris Elba teaches you British slang words, from ting and fit to apples and Alan. To expand these results, click one of the above categories. Bare - a lot of something. (That's not to my liking.) Last edited on Jun 15 2013. Fresher. For U.K. expats such as myself, this can be a source of confusion and hilarity when the conversation's other participant is American. Like American English, British English has many unique slang phrases and expressions that you'll commonly hear on the street. 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. Think rockstars, mid-90s footballers and Prince Harry. Stop faffing around and start doing your homework. Rank Meaning: Disgusting. Blimey 19. And so there's a fair bet that, in some way or another, clothes are going to come up quite routinely in conversation. An exclamation of surprise. It is used when someone is wasting their time or only pretending to work. These will help you know how to react to what others say, how to express appreciation or end a conversation appropriately. bracelets, chains, earrings. A customer. They just want a cigarette, guys. 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. 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. Lets go into town tonight mate, itll be jokes. 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 Mostly heard in London, this means "men". Not a wonderfully melodic word, chunder is part and parcel of British slang terms. Submitted by TYI I. from Manhattan, NY, USA Yes, British people have a lot of slang words for money. This word is used when some place or thing is extremely crowded or full. Most commonly people use the word minging to describe something that smells bad. 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 . So, if your bill comes to 10, that may well be referred to as "ten quid". Get 70% off + 10 languages + 14 day free trial. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA Used as a verb to show desire for something or someone. For example, Dont do that, its not proper! However such a usage is becoming less common. Idris Elba stars in TURN UP CHARLIE which will premiere onNetflix globally March 15:. 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 example,I kicked him right in the bollocks when he wouldnt let me go past.. He created the word while playing video games with his cousin. I prefer taking the Tube to go to work every day. a foolish or senseless person I knew I'd been an idiot to stay there. Leg it. Cheers doesnt quite have the same meaning that it does in other counties of course, it still means celebrations when toasting a drink with some friends, but in British slang, it also means thanks or thank you. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA You can refer to a person who grassed you up as a "grass". For ex: You mean he paid 300G for a house in the suburbs! Last edited on Nov 26 2011. One of the most useful swear words in English. For ex: My aunt left me five hundred smackers in her will. Mental!) U.K. slang includes some interesting insults. Can also be used sarcastically in this same sense. A British pint is roughly 20% larger than a US one, which means Brits are 20% more likely to be drunk. 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. The word relates to the way a goose (a male goose is called a gander) cranes its neck to look at something. 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. You get a bollocking when youve done something you shouldnt have. For example, I cant believe you won that, proper jammy.. In the United States, people from all walks of life use slang. Used when you are talking to a close friend, and is often easily substituted for the American buddy, pal, or dude. A crude term for urinating. 25. For those not in-the-know, kecks is an informal word for. The Beatles were Scousers, for example. This place is much better than the last one, innit? You can also talk bollocks (speak nonsense, or lie) and if something is a load of bollocks, its not true. You are a lush . Countable and Uncountable Nouns: What Are the Differences? Now KSWL is a rather unique slang which doesn't really exist in English. Trollied 13. You never know when it starts to rain in England. Wix has got your covered with thousands of design features, built-in SEO and marketing tools, that will allow you to scale your content, your brand and your business. Mate one of the commonly used terms of endearment and affection in British slang terms. 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I forgot to bring my brolly to the office today and now I will get wet in the rain when I leave. A toilet. Butchers hook is just another way to tell someone to look. Slang Is Always Evolving. 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. London street slang for someone untrustworthy. Why you need to know American slang. A more obscure British term, brass monkeys is used to refer to extremely cold weather. For example, His girlfriend broke up with him. However, here are a few examples: Safe, sorted, sound, cool or wicked all mean That's good or I understand. You probably dont need me to describe this, out of all British slang, this is by far the most popular and most commonly used. 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, . - Bumpkin: A term used to describe someone from . That new chippy is the dog's bollocks. But wait before you tighten your seat belts, there is a catch. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. on Apr 07 1998. Like grand, quid only ever appears in the singular. So you're basically claiming something, like the passenger seat of a car. Fancy Dress: not "dressing fancy." Kind of the oppositeif. Gaff is just a synonym for home. Although it might sound quite similar to gaffe, its meaning is completely different. Example: "How about I skive off during lunch? In every country there are slang terms for money. Our currency is officially known as the "pound sterling", but many more informal terms exist to describe money in the UK. Last edited on Sep 15 2018. I feel there is something appropriate about it. Ledge 10. British people often talk about "bits and bobs" so this is a very useful phrase to learn. Submitted by Luke G. from Rossford, OH, USA Before this time, coats of this nature may have been referred to as a parkaa word still used in both British and American English. To be gutted about a situation means to be devastated and saddened. 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. Example in spoken form: In my new job Ill be earning 75 kay a year. Cheeky 5. These extremely informal words and expressions are known as 'slang'. You can find out more about that in this wiki post. Last edited on Jul 24 2013. Gutted 11. A penis, but also an annoying person. A not so polite way to ask someone to go away. 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, busted can mean "broken" or "ugly," sick can mean "ill" or "very cool," and hip can mean "trendy" or "fashionably un-trendy.". 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. It is considered Cockney slang and uses rhyming words to create a unique expression. I think the plumber bodged the pipes in the sink. Rugby, another popular sport which the British invented only for everyone else to beat them at it. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates. Last edited on Apr 25 2013. Check out some, This classic British insult literally means that someone masturbates, but is used much like. Privacy Policy. Againa lot of words for drunk. We want to make sure youre leaving a professional image of yourself. Dont forget the mushy peas. It is very expensive! British people love to banter, and someone with good banter is likely to be popular. Contents 1. Ill be with you in a jiffy. 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! A little bit more affectionate than calling someone a pillock. Ace a British slang term that means something that is brilliant or excellent. See REI, L.L. Submitted by Josh from NJ, USA on Sep 15 2018. alternative spellings or pronunciations (list of). Check your spam folder if you don't get an email immediately! Oh bollocks; it can also be used to express derision and mocking disbelief, e.g. Used in the north of England to mean "thirsty". Americans and British people both say "cheers" when they are out drinking and clink their glasses together. 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. Similarly, a 5 note is sometimes referred to as a "fiver". - representing oneself, bigging yourself up. For example, you can use it as a mild expletive to express frustration or exasperation: "Oh bloody hell, not again." Can also mean to pass something with flying colors. Our British slang translator tells us that this is the equivalent of the American English slang words "shotgun" or "dibs". Nice one, really.. Thus "feet whips" refers to expensive shoes (the "cars" of your feet). ; Trainers refer to shoes designed for cross-training. Dont say soccer to a British person. Did you know that the UK has around 40 different dialects of English, each with their own accents and slang? Some have claimed that "tom" meaning a prostitute derives from "Thomas More" equalling "w h o r e". It's what the "trendy" Moms are starting to call them now. 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. 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. 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. Submitted by The Last Don Click words for definitions. This is a slightly politer way to say our next expression: To mock or laugh at someone or something. Lost in the Pond | British accent. Dench 7. I had three pieces., This is a relatively newer entry to the lexicon of British Slang, most often used by youth. This expression has negative connotations, so filthy lucre would refer to money that has been illegally acquired. This is the British university slang word for a library. Or before tea, "Have ya washed yer donnies?" The story - possibly an urban myth - is that Bri. If someone is annoying you, you can tell them: "shut your gob". If someone goes mental, it means that they got very angry. Have you met Bobs girlfriend? Pissed: drunk. To have a tantrum or go into a rage. Now that youve got the slang down, youll want to work on your accent. Used with toddlers, teenagers and adults alike. However it can be used to describe anything flashy or needlessly classy or expensive. I got completely wankered last night. Home. The bees knees a rather lovely term used to describe someone or something you think the world of. Lovely. Ponchos have neither hoods nor sleeves. What a great way to start the list. There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Coming originally from Caribbean English, its most prevalent in London. Hes a complete nutter. This expression refers to that time. Any road - when you hear this, the person isn't asking you to pick a road! 23 Brilliant British Expressions to Blend in with the Brits. 24. 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). 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. For example, I had a right kerfuffle with my girlfriend this morning over politics.. Nappies is starting to pick up over here, though. Cockney Slang uses language in one of the most interesting ways, by rhyming with . 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. This is one of the most popular slang words among students. So, the context of the word largely determines its meaning. 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.