50+ British Phrases and Slangs to Impress Your British Mates

Have you ever been the odd one out in a group of British mates? Here are 50 British phrases
guaranteed to make you feel like one of their own.

Diana Lăpușneanu in Top Language Tips for Effective Learning May 29, 2023

https://www.mondly.com/blog/50-common-british-phrases-to-impress-your-british-mates/

It’s widely known, if not common knowledge, that American and British English vary. Not only in
spelling, but in some of their terms, phrases, colloquialisms, and of course, pronunciation.

It’s completely possible that you walk into a British bar and don’t understand more than half of what
they are saying. If you don’t want to be this person and you want to be able to converse fluently with
your British mates, then we’re here to help you out!

50+ British Phrases and their Meanings

Have you ever been the odd one out in a group of British mates not getting the joke? Do they all belly
laugh while you are left grinning awkwardly alongside them?

Well, the chances of that happening are much slimmer after you get through our list. That, plus
looking for online tutors can better prep you for your next British conversation.

Common British Phrases

In this section, we will look at the phrases that will make you sound more British. Some of them
might be those British phrases you always hear on TV shows or movies.

Alright?

Although it may mean “ok” in North America, it’s the equivalent of “how are you?” in British English.

I’m knackered

I’m tired.

Cheeky

Mischievous or playful.

Bloody

This is a very British thing to say meaning very.

I’m pissed

Not meaning the regular “angry”, in British talk it actually means you’re very drunk and is used quite
a lot when you are out drinking with friends.

Mate

A common one and quite cliché – mate means friend.

Rubbish

It could mean garbage or nonsense, depending on the context.

Cockney

A person native to East London.

Blimey

Similar to the American wow, blimey is used to describe something that takes you by surprise.

Bloke

Similar to guy in America, it is a blanket term to describe a man in general.

Bollocks

One of the more well-known British terms, it actually has a multitude of meanings. It could be used
to symbolize disbelief, or to talk about a man’s private parts.

Funny British Sayings

• I was gobsmacked – The key here being “gobsmacked”. The entire phrase means I was
shocked.

• It’s all gone pear-shaped – It’s all gone wrong/something has gone wrong.

• She’s a sandwich short of a picnic – Or he, meaning the person in question is not very clever.

• He’s mad/He’s crackers – He’s crazy/he’s lost it.

• Have a chinwag – Have a chat.

• What a chav! – Not a funny but a mean phrase, a chav is what the Englishman calls a “low
class” person.

• That’s smashing/ace! – That’s great!

• I’ll ring you/give you a ring – Don’t get all excited expecting a diamond ring, this actually
means the person give you a call on the telephone.

• Have a fag – While the word fag could mean something incredibly rude in America, in
London or surrounding cities and countries it means a cigarette.

• He’s so gobby – This is used to describe a mouthy and rude person.

• Oh, she’s whinging on – Whinging is used to describe a person whining and moaning.

• Ta-ta! – Good-bye!

• Taking the piss – Piss and pissed are quite commonly used and do not denote anything
inappropriate. Taking the piss means to mock or make fun of someone or something.

• The bee’s knees – A phrase you use to describe something you are very fond of.

• Don’t get your knickers in a twist – Don’t get upset/worked up.

• A curtain twitcher – This funny and unique phrase is used to describe a nosy person.

• Poppycock – Nonsense.
 • Quid – Just like we say bucks instead of dollars sometimes, quid is a slang term for the British
pound.

Improve your English, mate

Speak English like a true Brit with Mondly.

Fancy British Words

• Alas – used to express grief, sorrow, regret or concern

• Beastly – very unpleasant

• Bore – someone who talks too much about uninteresting things

• Brick – reliable, trustworthy

• Discombobulate – to confuse or disorient

• Erudite – knowledgeable, well-educated

• Forsooth – in truth or indeed

• Grandiloquent – using lofty or exaggerated language

• Loquacious – talkative or chatty

• Nary – not or never

• Platitude – a trite or overused remark

• Perchance – perhaps or maybe

• Pernicious – harmful or destructive

• Superfluous – unnecessary or excessive

• Terribly – very or extremely

• Verily – truly or indeed

• Quotidian – ordinary or everyday

• Yonks – ages, a very long time

British Slang Words

• All to pot – Referring to something failing miserably.

• Brass monkey – A term used to describe extreme cold.

• Brilliant! – Meaning great, it’s not only seen in British English.

• Bugger all – Nothing at all.

• Bugger off/sod off – Go away or the meaner f*ck off.

• Cheers – Sure, it is still said when toasting, but it also means thank you.
 • Chuffed – A quintessential word to use when describing how ecstatic you are about an
achievement.

• A cock up – Is basically a less formal way to describe a mistake someone has made.

• Do – Not so much a verb as it is a noun, do in England and other British countries actually
means an event you are having, such as a leaving do or a birthday do.

• Dodgy – Shifty, shady, questionable.

• Fortnight – Some of you may already know this slang term means two weeks in time.

• Gutted – To describe how you feel when something utterly saddens you.

• Hunky-dory – normal, fine, cool.

• Posh – Another well-known term that extends past the borders Great Britain, posh means
something that is fancy.

• Proper – Sure, it can mean something that is not inappropriate, but it also means very.

• To nick – To take/steal.

• Boot – When talking about a car, the boot is the trunk.

• Brolly – British slang term for umbrella.

• Dim – Not a compliment, this is used to describe someone that is not very smart.

• Innit? – An even more contracted form of isn’t it?

• Miffed – Annoyed

Stereotypical British Phrases

• Keep calm and carry on – A famous British slogan encouraging people to remain level-
headed in times of turmoil.

• Mind the gap – A warning heard on London Underground trains to remind passengers to
watch out for the space between the train and the platform

• Bloody hell! – An exclamation of surprise or frustration.

• Jolly good! – An expression of approval or satisfaction.

• Bob’s your uncle – A British phrase said to conclude a set of simple instructions or when a
result is reached.

• It’s raining cats and dogs – A British idiom used to describe heavy rain.

• Fancy a cuppa? – The British way to ask someone if they want a cup of tea.

• It’s not my cup of tea – Expressing a lack of interest or preference for something.

• Posh nosh – Refers to high-quality or fancy food.

• Take the Mickey – Making fun of or tease someone.

British Compliments
Think about the elegant British phrases you have heard and see if you recognize any in our list below.

• You look smart/You’re smartly dressed – Smart, in this case, isn’t a reference to your mental
state but more so about being dressed well.

• He’s as bright as a button – “Bright” in British words and phrases means smart. This phrase is
used to describe someone being clever and smart.

• I quite fancy you – Fancy here means like or have a crush on.

• She’s very lush – She’s very attractive.

• I think he’s very fit – Fit not like your physical body, but more along the lines of being super
hot!

• She’s quite tidy, isn’t she? – Another term for good-looking and perfect.

• You look smashing tonight – Austin Powers likes to use this term meaning fantastic.

• He is so buff – No so much strong as it is sexy and handsome.

American English vs. British English

British phrases and expressions are extraordinarily interesting to those who aren’t familiar with their
terms. 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 start writing your 5 paragraph essay, or have
a chinwag with your British mates!

Differences Between American and British English

As mentioned before, British terms, British phrases, British expressions as well as spelling differ by
American phrases and expressions, but what else is there? When we think about British versus
American English, we think about slang terms and pronunciation.

It’s also fun to learn just how different British sayings are. Some very noticeable differences between
the two English languages are:

• Vocabulary – While the two may share the majority of words in the English language, there
are also some differences. For example, apartment in US English is the same as flat in British
English.
 • Spelling – For example, the word color. While Americans don’t spell it with an “ou”, British
English has words such as colour and honour.

• Past Tense Verbs – The British tend to “-t” instead of –ed. Such examples are learned and
learnt, dreamed and dreamt.

Having learned some of the most common British words and phrases, let’s move on to some
frequently asked questions.

Why do the British say ‘cheers’?

‘Cheers’ is an informal manner of expressing gratitude, akin to saying ‘thank you’. When combined
with the word ‘mate’, it forms the phrase “Cheers, mate”, which carries the same meaning as “Thank
you, my friend.”

Can you be British but not English?

People who are English are from the country of England. On the other hand, British people are
people who live in Great Britain (Britain) and the UK. Consequently, being English implies a
distinction from being Scottish, Welsh, or Northern Irish. In contrast, the term British encompasses
anyone originating from Great Britain. This means that everyone residing in Scotland, Wales, or
England is collectively identified as British.

How to speak like a British?

To speak like a British person, it’s essential to prioritize your pronunciation and vocabulary. Keep in
mind that British accents exhibit significant regional variations, so actively listening to native speakers
can aid in emulating specific accents like the esteemed ‘Received Pronunciation’. Additionally,
acquaint yourself with British slang and remain cognizant of grammatical disparities. Finally, it is
crucial to approach the emulation of a British accent with the utmost respect and a sincere curiosity
about British culture. Doing this will help you improve your British accent faster.

Will British and American English diverge?

In a different era with little to no way of communicating, it would be entirely possible for British
English and American English to diverge. However, modern times allow the two to communicate
without restrictions. As time goes by, there’s a chance for more differences to emerge, but it’s
unlikely that British and American English diverge completely.

100 Brilliantly British Slang Words and Phrases

https://www.wix.com/wordsmatter/blog/2020/10/british-slang-words/

Did you know that the UK has around 40 different dialects of English, each with their own accents
and slang? This can cause a great deal of confusion if you’re exploring the country, or even if you’re
just looking to stream the latest British TV series.
So, as a way of easing you in, here are some of my favorite slang words, phrases and expressions
from around the British Isles.

01. Arse

What a great way to start the list. An arse is your rear end (not to be confused with an ass, which is a
donkey). But it can also be a reference to an annoying person: “Stop being such an arse”.

02. Banter

Making jokes, often at the expense of others in your company. British people love to banter, and
someone with good banter is likely to be popular. While from the outside it may look like we’re
insulting each other, it's actually a sign of affection.

03. Bare

Used mostly in London to mean "a lot of". “There were bare man at the rave”.

Note the use of “man” in the singular to mean “men” or even “people”. I just threw in an extra slang
term for free.

04. Barmy

Crazy. “That’s a barmy idea”.

05. Bender

British people like to enjoy themselves. A bender can last a significant amount of time, and involves
large amounts of alcohol or drugs. “He went on a week-long bender”. Think rockstars, mid-90s
footballers and Prince Harry.

06. Bloke

A man. Often used with “good” attached. “He’s a good bloke”.

07. Bollocking

You get a bollocking when you’ve done something you shouldn’t have. “I didn't do my homework
and the teacher gave me a right bollocking”.

08. Bollocks

Testicles. You can also “talk bollocks” (speak nonsense, or lie) and if something is a “load of bollocks”,
it’s not true. Not used in polite company.

09. Bonkers

Can mean either "crazy" or "angry" depending on the context. Someone can be “completely
bonkers” or can “go bonkers” (the latter can also mean losing your temper).

10. Bonnie

Used in Scotland, this word means "pretty" or "beautiful", and is normally used in reference to a
woman. Some think it has its origins in the French word bon, meaning "good".
11. Bruv

Short for "brother", this London street slang is used to refer to a male friend. “You alright bruv?”

12. Bugger all

Nothing. “I did bugger all today”.

13. Buzzin’

Used mostly in Manchester to mean "very excited/happy". “I’m buzzin’ for this”.

14. Cheers

A multi-purpose word which can be used as a toast, to thank someone or even say goodbye.

15. Chippy

What’s more British than fish and chips? And the best place to get some is in your local chippy. Don’t
forget the mushy peas.

16. Chuffed

To be happy or satisfied with something. Often preceded with the word "quite" or "pretty" because
British people don’t like to show off. “I’m pretty chuffed with my results on that exam”.

17. Cor blimey

An exclamation of surprise. “Cor blimey, did you see that?” For more usage examples, check out this
instructive video by British rapper Bigz.

18. Course

Short for "of course" and normally followed by a word like "mate" or "bruv". “Did you take care of
that thing? Course bruv”.

19. Creps

London street slang for sneakers (which British people call trainers).

20. Dead

Used to mean "very", particularly in the north of England. “Did you see that bloke? He’s dead
gorgeous”.

21. Dodgy

Untrustworthy. A person can be dodgy but so can an object: “I think I ate a dodgy curry”.

22. Dosh

A British slang term for money.

23. Ends

London slang for the area you’re from. It’s important to represent your ends.

24. 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. They just want a cigarette, guys.

25. Fancy

Used as a verb to show desire for something or someone. “I really fancy her” is a profession of a love
interest, but you could also ask someone: “Do you fancy some lunch?”.

26. Fam

A shortened version of "family", this is used mostly in London. It can refer to your actual family but
it’s often just how you’ll greet a friend. “You alright fam?”

27. Fiver

A £5 note.

28. Food

While most British people think “food” is something you eat, it’s also street slang for drugs. Think
twice before you ask someone if they know a good place to get some food...

29. Footie

A slang term for the national sport—football. That’s the game you play with your feet, hence the
name. Don’t say soccer to a British person. You might get a bollocking.

30. Gaff

Home. “Do you want to come round my gaff?”

31. Gaffer

Boss or manager. Often referred to as "The Gaffer".

32. Gagging

Used in the north of England to mean "thirsty".

33. Galdem

Mostly heard in London, this means "ladies". See also mandem.

34. Geordie

Someone from Newcastle. Can also be used as an adjective to describe something from Newcastle.

35. Gob

A mouth. If someone is annoying you, you can tell them: "shut your gob". Best done at a distance as
there may be repercussions.

36. Gordon Bennett!

An exclamation of surprise. 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.
37. Grand

£1,000. Interestingly, it’s only ever used in the singular. Whether 1 grand or 20 grand—never put an
"s" on the end. Also used as an adjective in parts of northern England to mean "fantastic": “That’s
grand”.

38. Grass up

To inform on someone to the authorities. You can refer to a person who grassed you up as a "grass".

39. Have a strop

To have a tantrum or go into a rage. Used with toddlers, teenagers and adults alike.

40. Innit

A shortened form of “isn’t it”, this can be added onto the end of sentences for emphasis. “Cor
blimey, it’s bloody hot today, innit!”.

41. Jiffy

A short period of time. “I’ll be with you in a jiffy”.

42. Jokes

Used as an adjective, to mean “funny” or just “fun”. “Let’s go into town tonight mate, it’ll be jokes”.

43. Knackered

Extremely tired. A possible result of a knees-up.

44. Knees-Up

A lively party. “We had a bit of a knees-up last night”.

45. Knob

A penis, but also an annoying person. “Don’t be such a knob”.

46. Long

Mostly heard in London to mean a "lot of effort" or "annoying".

47. Loo

A toilet. The origins of this word are disputed, but all British people will know what you mean if you
tell them “I’m just popping to the loo”.

48. Lush

Heard a lot in Wales but also in parts of northern England to mean "great" or "very nice".

49. Manc

Someone from Manchester.

50. Mandem

Mostly heard in London, this means "men". See also galdem.

51. Manor

Another London term to mean the area you come from.

52. Mate

A term of address, usually to a man but not always. “How are you, mate?”

53. Mental

Crazy. An object or event can be mental (“Did you see that goal? Mental!) and so can a person (“The
new gaffer’s mental”). If someone “goes mental”, it means that they got very angry.

54. Merc (or merk or murk)

You’ll find multiple spellings of this word, largely used in London, to mean "to kill". “He got merked
last week”.

55. Mint

Mostly heard in Manchester to mean "great".

56. Minted

Very wealthy. “She’s absolutely minted, mate”.

57. Moolah

Money. “He’s making loads of moolah”. Yes, British people have a lot of slang words for money.

58. Mug

A face, or an idiot, depending on context. “He’s got an ugly mug” would be the former, “do you take
me for a mug?”, the latter.

59. Naff

Tasteless, cheap-looking. Normally used together with "a bit". “Those curtains are a bit naff, don’t
you think?”

60. Nick

To steal.

61. Nicked

To be arrested. Possibly because you nicked something.

62. Nippy

A little bit cold—as if the cold air was nipping at your skin. “It’s a bit nippy out, isn’t it!”.

63. Nutter

A crazy person. “He’s a complete nutter”.

64. Pagan

London street slang for someone untrustworthy.

65. Peng

Another London term, for someone or something that is attractive or desirable. A person can be
peng, but so can food. Check out some peng chicken.

66. Pig’s ear

When you’ve made a pig’s ear of something, you’ve really messed it up. “He’s made a complete pig’s
ear of that project”.

67. Pillock

An idiot, or annoying person.

68. Pint

A beer. Beer is drunk in pints in the UK, which is still valiantly struggling against the encroachment of
the EU-mandated metric system. A British pint is roughly 20% larger than a US one, which means
Brits are 20% more likely to be drunk.

69. Plonker

Someone who is a bit stupid or annoying. A little bit more affectionate than calling someone a
pillock. “Don't be such a plonker”.

70. Porkies

Cockney rhyming slang: pork pies = lies. No one likes someone who tells porkies.

71. P’s

London street slang for money, from a shortening of "pounds".

72. Pub

Short for “public house”, these are the default places for British people to meet and drink pints, and
they are everywhere. Unlike bars, they open in the morning, often serve food, and normally have at
least one resident drunk.

73. Punter

A customer. “You’ve got to keep the punters happy”.

74. Quid

A pound. Like “grand”, quid only ever appears in the singular.

75. Rugger

Rugby, another popular sport which the British invented only for everyone else to beat them at it.

76. Scouser

A person who comes from Liverpool. The Beatles were Scousers, for example.

77. Shag

A not so delicate way to refer to sexual intercourse. Can be a verb (“I'd love to shag him”) or a noun
(“she was a great shag”).
78. Shiner

A black eye. Possibly caused by telling someone to shut their gob.

79. Shook

London street slang for "scared".

80. Skint

To be without money.

81. Slag off

To criticize. “Stop slagging him off behind his back”.

82. Slash

A crude term for urinating. “I'm just going for a quick slash”.

83. Slog

A major effort. Can be combined with "hard" for emphasis. “This project was a really hard slog”.

84. Snog

Much more fun than a slog, this is a term for a french kiss. Can be a noun (“fancy a snog?”) or a verb
(“did you snog him?”).

85. Sod off

A not so polite way to ask someone to go away. “Oh, sod off, won’t you?”.

86. Take a punt

To take a chance on something. Originally a reference to gambling but can be used in a broader
context now.

87. Take the Mickey

Cockney rhyming slang: take the Mickey Bliss = take the piss. This is a slightly politer way to say our
next expression:

88. Take the piss

To mock or laugh at someone or something. Alternatively, to not be serious about something (“this
essay was a joke—are you taking the piss”?). Taking the piss out of your friends can be done as part
of banter.

89. Tenner

A £10 note.

90. The dog’s bollocks

Something or someone that is the best it/they could be. “Our new defender’s the dog's bollocks”.
“That new chippy is the dog's bollocks”.
91. The local

A pub that may be your closest or just your regular favorite. For some reason, you don’t “go to” the
local—you “go/are down” the local. “He’ll be down the local”.

92. Tidy

Used in Wales to mean "fantastic". The Welsh clearly place a high value on tidiness.

93. Ting

A thing, person or even a situation, this is a great multi-purpose word. Coming originally from
Caribbean English, it’s most prevalent in London. Can be combined with other slang for extra effect:
“Check out that peng ting over there fam”.

94. Toff

A pejorative term for someone from the upper classes of British society.

95. Tosser

Similar to a pillock, a tosser is someone who is annoying or a bit of an idiot. Calling someone a tosser
to their face won’t normally go down well.

96. Wagwan (or wagwarn)

Imported from Jamaica to the streets of London, this reduced form of "what’s going on" is used as a
greeting between friends.

97. Wanker

This classic British insult literally means that someone masturbates, but is used much like pillock and
tosser. It is not considered appropriate for use in polite company.

98. Wankered

Usually used together with "completely", this means to be drunk. “I got completely wankered last
night”.

99. Wasteman

A London street insult which seemingly is derived from the idea of someone who is wasting their
lives or is a waste of space.

100. Wee

A Scottish classic which is also popular in Northern Ireland. It means "little", but can be added to
almost everything. “That’s a lovely wee doggie you’ve got there”.

Learn British English slang expressions

[Last updated on 10/12/2024]

https://www.englishradar.com/english-vocabulary/25-brilliant-british-english-slang-words-and-
phrases/

British English slang expressions add personality and charm to everyday conversations. Whether
you’re exploring London, chatting with British colleagues, or just watching British TV shows,
understanding these phrases can enhance your experience.

In this blog, we’ve choosen 25 brilliant British English slang words and phrases to help you sound
more like a local. If you’re an English language learner, you can discover the unique ways Brits
express themselves and expand your English vocabulary with slang expressions that add a British
touch to your English!

1. not my cup of tea

Meaning
describes something that you dislike or are not interested in.

Example
My friend invited me to an art gallery on Saturday, but it’s not my cup of tea.

2. give someone a bell

Meaning
to telephone someone.

Example
Give me a bell later so we can make plans for the weekend.

3. a chip off the old block

Meaning
describes someone who has a similar character or personality to one of their parents

Example
My nephew is a chip off the old block when it comes to computer games. He’s just like his dad.

4. get a move on

Meaning
used to tell someone to hurry up.

Example
You need to get a move on. I don’t want to be late for the cinema.

5. go pear-shaped

Meaning
describes something that goes wrong or has problems.

Example
We were going to buy a new house, but everything went pear-shaped when my husband lost his job.

6. give it some welly

Meaning
used to tell someone to make more effort and use more energy to do something.

Example
You really need to give it some welly so that you can finish this job today.

7. raining cats and dogs

Meaning
describes when it rains very heavily.

Example
I don’t want to go out for a run today. It’s raining cats and dogs.

8. happy as Larry

Meaning
describes when someone is extremely happy.

Example
I’m happy as Larry because we’ve just finished our final university exam.

9. get shirty

Meaning
describes when someone gets angry or annoyed and not in a polite way.

Example
So many customers get shirty when they have to wait on the phone for more than a couple of
minutes.

10. in a (right) pickle

Meaning
describes when someone is in a difficult or problematic situation.

Example
Jack drunk a bit too much wine at the staff party and got himself in a right pickle.

11. fine and dandy

Meaning
describes something as very good or going well.

Example
I’m fine and dandy thanks. I’ve got a great job and still have time to meet up with friends and go to
the gym.

12. throw a spanner in the works

Meaning
describes something (or someone) that creates a problem for a planned activity or project.

Example
This snow storm has thrown a spanner in the works with our holiday. All flights are cancelled!

13. knackered or cream-crackered

Meaning
to be extremely tired or exhausted.

Example
I’ve been working long hours this week and I’m completely knackered (cream-crackered).

14. take the mickey (out of someone)

Meaning
describes when you make jokes about someone or tease them and make them look silly.

Example
We were taking the mickey out of our grandfather because he still can’t send text messages on his
phone.

15. Bob's your uncle

Meaning
used to emphasise that something will be fine or is easy to do (e.g. a task or a set of instructions).

Example
Take the car to the mechanic. They’ll repair it this afternoon, and bob’s your uncle!

16. hold your horses

Meaning
used to tell someone to wait and think about something before making a decision.

Example
Hold your horses. You don’t need to make such an important decision right now.

17. a piece of cake

Meaning
describes something that is very easy to do.

Example
My new job is a piece of cake because I’ve done this so many times before already.

18. in a jiffy

Meaning
describes when something will happen in a very short time (in the future).

Example
Can you just wait for me at the train station? I’ll be there in a jiffy.

19. to whinge (about something)

Meaning
to complain about something in a way that annoys other people.

Example
You’re always whinging about your job. Why aren’t you looking for new one?

20. hang on
Meaning
to wait for a short time.

Example
Can you hang on for a few minutes? I need to do send an email before we go out.

21. a happy bunny

Meaning
to be happy and satisfied with a situation.

Example
I’m a happy bunny because it’s Friday and I have the whole weekend to relax.

22. full of beans

Meaning
to be lively, energetic and enthusiastic.

Example
My best mate is always full of beans first thing in the morning.

23. cheesed off

Meaning
to be angry and annoyed.

Example
He’s really cheesed off because the concert tickets have already sold out.

24. dodgy

Meaning
describes (1) someone as dishonest, evasive, or strange or (2) something as dangerous or low quality.

Example
We think that this electrician is dodgy and need to get his work checked.

25. chinwag

Meaning
an informal conversation between friends.

Example
I had a great chinwag with my old friends about what we used to do at university.

131 top British slang words, expressions & meanings to learn

March 13, 2024

Karolina Assi

https://www.berlitz.com/blog/british-slang-lingo-words-meanings
Have you ever watched a British TV show and struggled to understand what the characters were
saying? If so, you probably wondered why you couldn’t understand anything if you usually have no
trouble understanding movies and TV shows in English.

Here’s the answer to that question that might have been bothering you for a while: although the
characters were speaking English, they were likely speaking a different version of it.

You see, the British English you likely know from famous movie stars like Hugh Grant and Jude Law is
the standard British accent commonly spoken in London and southeast England. But it’s not the only
British accent or dialect there is.

In this article, we’ll go over the regional dialects of British English and British slang terms you might
want to know.

The origins of British slang

The roots of British slang can be traced back through centuries, influenced by historical events and
cultural interactions.

During the Middle Ages, British English absorbed words from Norman French, while the expansion of
the British Empire in the 16th and 17th centuries introduced vocabulary from colonies and trading
partners. Industrialization and urbanization in the 19th and 20th centuries contributed to slang
development, as cities like London and Manchester became melting pots of diverse cultures.

Today, technology and popular culture play a significant role, with the internet and social media
accelerating the spread of slang terms.

Regional variations of British slang and their meanings

Pretty much every English speaker can identify the charming, heavy British English accent. Yet not
many people outside of the United Kingdom know that there are actually almost 40 different accents
across the UK.

You may have heard of a few, like Cockney, Scottish, or Welsh, but what about Geordie, Scouse, or
Brummie? Spoiler alert: Brummie is spoken by Tom Shady in Peaky Blinders.

Aside from the accent, regional variations of British English also include different slang words used in
different regions of the UK. Here are some of the UK’s regional dialects with their most common
slang words and phrases.

The Queen’s English

The standard British accent everyone knows is the Queen’s English, BBC English, or Received
Pronunciation (RP). RP is a term coined by phonetician Daniel Jones. Back in the 1900s, RP was the
accent taught to upper and middle-class boarding school boys in southern England.

It later became more widely spread until it became “Standard English” in the late 19th century and
became, and still is, associated with people of high social standing. It’s also the easiest of all regional
dialects to understand, which is why it’s used by news stations and heard in movies like Pride and
Prejudice or Downtown Abbey.

The Queen’s English is spoken in London and Southern England. Here are some of the most common
slang words and phrases used by people from those regions.
 Slang Meaning Example sentence
word/phrase

Bloke A man or guy I saw that bloke you were talking to

yesterday.

Bloody Intensifier or expletive, used for It's been a bloody awful day.
emphasis

Chap A man or guy, often slightly formal He's a fine chap, isn't he?

Cheers Thank you or goodbye Cheers for lending me your book.

Chuffed Pleased or delighted She was chuffed to receive an award for

her work.

Gutted Extremely disappointed or upset I was gutted when I found out I didn't get
the job.

Knackered Extremely tired or exhausted I've been working all day, I'm absolutely
knackered.

Lad A young man or boy, often He's a good lad, always willing to help
affectionate out.

Mate Friend or companion Hey mate, how's it going?

Quid Slang for pounds sterling It cost me twenty quid.

Cockney

Cockney is a very characteristic accent spoken in the East End of London, which originated from the
working class Londoners.

The term "Cockney" historically referred specifically to someone born within earshot of the ringing of
the Bow Bells at the church of St Mary-le-Bow in the Cheapside district of London. Over time,
Cockney has come to represent a broader cultural and linguistic identity associated with this area.

Cockney slang often involves replacing a word with a rhyming phrase, where the rhyming part (the
second word) is typically dropped in usage, leaving just the first word as the slang term.

Yes, it’s… well, confusing. But back in the day, this rhyming slang served as a form of coded language
among working-class communities, allowing them to communicate discreetly in public spaces or
among outsiders.

Here are some of the most common Cockney slang words and phrases.

Slang word/phrase Meaning Example sentence

Adam and Eve Believe Would you Adam and Eve it, he won the race!

Apples and pears Stairs Mind the apples and pears as you go up.

Barnet Fair Hair He's always fussing over his Barnet Fair.
 Butcher's hook Look Take a butcher's hook at this view.

Dog and bone Phone I'll give you a ring on the dog and bone.

Frog and toad Road I'll meet you at the end of the frog and toad.

Plates of meat Feet My plates of meat are killing me after that walk.

Ruby Murray Curry Fancy a Ruby Murray tonight?"

Trouble and strife Wife The trouble and strife wants me home early.

Geordie

If you’ve ever been to Newcastle upon Tyne, you probably had great trouble understanding people.
No wonder! Geordie, the regional dialect spoken in Newcastle and the Tyneside region, is one of the
hardest British dialects to understand.

Geordie is filled with unique words, phrases, and pronunciations that might leave you scratching your
head in confusion, even if you're a native English speaker. For instance, you might hear someone
saying "gan doon" instead of "go down" or "howay" instead of "come on."

But it's not just the words themselves that can be tricky. It's also the accent and pronunciation.
Geordies often drop consonants or change vowel sounds in ways that can throw off even the most
seasoned English speaker.

Here are some of the most common Geordie slang words and phrases.

Slang Meaning Example sentence

word/phrase

Belta Great, fantastic That concert last night was absolutely

belta!

Canny Good, nice That's a canny little pub over there."

Divvent Don't Divvent be daft, just get on with it.

Gan doon Go down, go downstairs I'm gonna gan doon to the shops,
want owt?

Hinny Term of endearment for a woman, Alright hinny, how's it gan?

like "dear"

Howay Come on, hurry up Howay man, we're gonna be late!"

Hoy Throw Hoy us that pen, will ya?

Radgie Aggressive person Watch out for him, he's a bit of a

radgie.

Wor lass My girlfriend Wor lass is away visiting her mam this
weekend.
Scouse

If you’ve ever been to Liverpool, you know that its dialect is one of the heaviest and most distinctive
British English accents. If you haven’t been to Liverpool, you may still be familiar with the Scouse
accent thanks to the Beatles.

Scouse can be hard to understand even for native speakers, as its roots lie in various influences,
including Irish, Welsh, and Lancashire dialects. Scouse speakers often speak extremely fast, blending
words together and dropping consonants, which can make it challenging to decipher for those
unfamiliar with it.

Here are some of the most common Scouse slang words and phrases.

Slang word/phrase Meaning Example sentence

Bevvy Alcoholic drink Fancy going for a few bevies tonight?

Blag To deceive or trick He managed to blag his way into the club.

Boss Excellent, great That film was boss, wasn't it?

Boss tha You're the best Thanks for helping out, you're boss tha.

Our kid Younger sibling or close friend Me and our kid are going to the match.

Scran Food, especially a meal I'm starving, let's get some scran.

Sound Good, okay Everything's sound, don't worry.

Welsh

Have you ever heard of Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch? Yes, it’s one of

the longest words in English, with 58 letters, and it’s the name of a small town in Wales.

It's quite the tongue-twister, isn't it? It should give you a pretty good idea of the Welsh dialect, which
is full of consonant clusters like "ll" and "pwll." Some Welsh words, such as cwtch and
"llongyfarchiadau" (congratulations), look like they were written by your cat when it fell asleep on
your keyboard.

Luckily for us, nowadays, the inhabitants of Wales speak Welsh English, which is a combination of the
old Welsh language and Standard English rather than old Welsh.

Here are some of the most common Welsh slang words and phrases.

Slang Meaning Example sentence

word/phrase

Bladdered Drunk He was absolutely bladdered at the party last

night.

Butty Friend or mate Alright, butty, fancy a pint?"

Chopsy Talkative or Don't get chopsy with me!

argumentative
 Cwtch A cuddle or hug Let's have a cwtch to warm up.

Lush Delicious or attractive This cake is lush; you should try it.

Minging Disgusting or unattractive That fish smells minging!

Mun/Munud Moment Wait a mun, I'll be right back.

Tamping Angry or furious She was tamping when she found out.

Tidy Good, nice, or That meal was tidy, wasn't it?

satisfactory

Ych-a-fi Expression of disgust Ych-a-fi, that food tastes terrible!

Scots

If you’ve ever spoken with a Scottish person, you may have struggled to understand what they were
saying. That’s because Scottish English is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, accents to
understand, even for all other English native speakers.

Scottish English, or the Scots dialect, has 5 main varieties:

1. Insular Scots: Spoken in the Shetland and Orkney Islands, influenced by the Norse language.

2. Northern Scots: Includes dialects from the Highlands and Aberdeenshire, known for a strong
rolling "r" sound and unique vocabulary.

3. Central Scots: Found in areas like Edinburgh and Glasgow, widely recognized and featuring
diverse accents shaped by historical and immigration influences.

4. Southern Scots: Covers dialects in the Scottish Borders and Dumfries and Galloway regions,
influenced by English and Scots Gaelic.

5. Ulster Scots: Primarily spoken in Northern Ireland, sharing similarities with Scottish English
due to historical connections.

Here are some of the most common Scots slang words and phrases.

Slang Meaning Example sentence

word/phrase

Bairn Child The bairn is asleep now.

Blether Chat or gossip We had a good blether over a cup of tea.

Bonnie Pretty or beautiful "She's a bonnie lass.

Dreich Gloomy or bleak It's dreich outside today.

weather

Glaikit Stupid or foolish He looked positively glaikit after hearing the

news.

Greetin' Crying or weeping She's been greetin' since she heard the news.
 Haud yer wheesht Be quiet or shut up Haud yer wheesht and let me think.

Ken Know A ken whit yer sayin'.

Tattie-bogle Scarecrow The tattie-bogle in the field was quite frightening.

Wee Small or little I'll just have a wee bit of cake.

Glaswegian

While Glaswegian is part of the various Scots dialects, it deserves a section of its own because of
how particular it is.

Glaswegian is the dialect spoken in Glasgow, which originated from a blend of influences, including
Scots Gaelic, Old English, and immigrant languages like Irish and Yiddish.

It’s characteristic due to its rapid speech patterns, frequent consonant dropping, unique vocabulary,
intonation, and rich use of slang and colloquialisms. So, don’t worry if you can’t understand a
Glaswegian person! You’re certainly not alone.

Here are some of the most common Glaswegian slang words and phrases.

Slang Meaning Example sentence

word/phrase

Boak To vomit The smell of that fish makes me

want to boak.

Boggin' Dirty or filthy You need to clean your room; it's

boggin'.

Cludgie Toilet I'll be back in a minute, just going to

the cludgie.

Gie it laldy To give it your all, to do something with When he starts singing, he really
enthusiasm gies it laldy.

Hoachin' Crowded or full of people The pub was hoachin' last night;
couldn't move!

Messages Groceries or shopping I need to nip to the shops for some

messages.

Nae bother No problem or you're welcome Thanks for helping out, nae bother.

Roaster A silly or annoying person Stop being such a roaster and

behave yourself!

Scooby Clue or idea I haven't got a scooby what you're

on about.

Commonly used British jargon

Now that you can tell apart the different regional dialects in the UK, let’s get down to business. What
are the most commonly used words and phrases in British slang?

Here are 20+ expressions used in British jargon you should know to finally understand what all these
characters in British TV shows are actually saying so you can understand and speak like a true Brit.

Slang Meaning Example sentence

word/phrase

Ace Excellent or great That movie was ace. I loved it!

Bagsy To claim or reserve Bagsy the front seat!

Bits and bobs Various small items or things I need to pick up a few bits and
bobs from the store.

Blag To obtain or achieve something through He blagged his way into the
persuasion or manipulation club without a ticket.

Blimey Expression of surprise or shock Blimey! Did you see the size of
that fish?

Bollocks Nonsense or rubbish What you're saying is a load of

bollocks.

Bonkers Wild You must be bonkers if you

think that'll work.

Brolly Umbrella Better bring your brolly. It

looks like rain.

Budge up Move over or make space Budge up, I need some room
on the bench.

Bugger all Nothing at all I've got bugger all to do this

weekend.

Chav Pejorative term for someone perceived as Those chavs are always causing
lower class or uncultured trouble in the neighborhood.

Chin wag A chat or conversation Let's have a chinwag over a

cuppa.

Chuffed to bits Extremely pleased or proud She was chuffed to bits with
her exam results.

Cuppa Cup of tea I could really use a cuppa right

now.

Daft Silly or foolish Don't be daft. Of course, I'll

help you.

Dodgy Suspicious or unreliable I wouldn't trust that dodgy

website. It looks sketchy.
Fag Cigarette He's outside having a fag.

Gobsmacked Astonished or amazed I was gobsmacked when I won

the lottery.

Innit Shortened form of "isn't it" or "isn't he/she," It's raining hard today, innit?
often used for agreement or confirmation in
informal speech

Knackered Extremely tired or exhausted I've been up all night studying;

I'm knackered.

Loo Bathroom or toilet Excuse me, where's the loo?

Miffed Annoyed or irritated He was miffed when he found

out he didn't get the job.

Minging Extremely unattractive or unpleasant That food looks minging. I'm

not eating it.

Minted Rich or wealthy He must be minted if he can

afford to drive that car.

Muppet Fool or idiot You're such a muppet for

forgetting your keys.

Naff Unfashionable or tacky That outfit is a bit naff, isn't it?

Numpty Fool or idiot, often used affectionately or Don't be such a numpty. Read
humorously the instructions properly.

Peng Attractive or appealing, especially in reference That pizza looks peng. I can't
to food or a person wait to eat it.

Plonker Fool or idiot He's such a plonker, always

messing things up.

Posh Upper-class or elegant She comes from a posh family.

Rubbish Nonsense or poor quality That movie was rubbish. I fell

asleep halfway.

Skint Without money or broke I can't go out tonight. I'm skint

until payday.

Skive To avoid work or responsibility He's always skiving off when

there's work to be done.

Snog To kiss passionately They were snogging in the

corner all night.

Sod off Go away or leave Why don't you just sod off and
leave me alone?
 Telly Television Let's stay in and watch the telly
tonight.

Wanker A derogatory term for someone foolish or He's such a wanker, always
annoying boasting about himself.

Wazzock Fool or idiot He's such a wazzock. I can't

believe he did that.

Fun and quirky British lingo

Although the British accent is typically perceived as attractive and charming, British slang can
sometimes sound either somewhat aggressive or straight-up funny.

Here are some quirky British lingo expressions that will make you chuckle.

Slang Meaning Example sentence

word/phrase

Barmy Eccentric He's got some barmy ideas, that's for

sure.

Bodge To do something clumsily or hastily I'll just bodge it together and hope for
the best.

Chunter To mutter or grumble quietly He's been chuntering about the weather
all day.

Codswallop Nonsense or rubbish That's absolute codswallop, don't

believe it.

Doolally Wild He's gone completely doolally!

Faff To waste time or dither Stop faffing around and get to work!

Fuddy-duddy A person who is old-fashioned or He's a bit of a fuddy-duddy, isn't he?

boring

Gormless Clueless or lacking intelligence He stood there looking gormless when

asked a question.

Kerfuffle A commotion or fuss There was a kerfuffle at the party last

night.

Malarkey Nonsense or foolishness Don't pay attention to his malarkey.

Nosh Food, especially a meal Let's go grab some nosh before the
movie.

Piffle Nonsense or trivial talk I don't have time for your piffle.

Snazzy Stylish or impressive I love your snazzy new jacket!

 Squiffy Slightly drunk or tipsy After a few drinks, he was feeling rather
squiffy.

Toodle-oo Informal way of saying goodbye Alright, toodle-oo, see you later!

Tosh Rubbish or nonsense Don't listen to him, it's all a load of tosh!

Wally A foolish or silly person You're such a wally sometimes.

Wangle To manipulate or obtain by He managed to wangle a free ticket to

persuasion or trickery the concert.

Wibble Nonsense or gibberish He's talking absolute wibble, don't listen

to him.

Wonky Unstable or not working properly The table leg is a bit wonky, I'll fix it.

Common slang mistakes to avoid

Here are some common mistakes that non-natives often make when trying to use British slang:

1. Misusing regional slang words

If you're not from the UK, it's easy to assume that all British slang is the same across the country. But
the truth is, there are many dialects across the UK, and the slang is different from region to region.
Using terms like "trouble and strife" or "apples and pears" might be perfectly understood in some
parts of England, but they could leave people scratching their heads in Scotland.

So, take the time to learn about the slang commonly used in the specific region you're in or
interacting with. And always ask the locals for clarification if you're unsure!

2. Using slang words in the wrong context

Some slang terms are considered more casual or even rude, so using them in formal settings or with
people you don't know well can be off-putting. For example, referring to someone as a "mate" or
"bloke" in a professional meeting might come across as overly familiar.

To avoid this mistake, be mindful of the context and tone in which you're using slang. If you’re unsure
if it’s appropriate, just don’t use it!

3. Misunderstanding the meaning of some slang words

As a non-native speaker, it’s easy to misunderstand the real meaning behind certain slang
expressions. To avoid misunderstandings, take the time to learn about the cultural context and
connotations of the slang you're using. Pay attention to how native speakers use these terms and try
to use them in the same situations.

Cheers, mate!

Understanding British slang is like deciphering a secret code. It can be hard at first, but once you
figure it out, it's the missing key to fitting in.
But keep in mind that slang isn't a one-size-fits-all deal. It varies based on things like age, social
group, and context. So, if you're not careful, you might end up saying something out of place or in
the wrong context to the wrong group of people.

To avoid awkward silences and confused looks, pay attention to how the locals use slang in different
situations. If you're feeling a bit lost, don't be afraid to ask for clarification.

With a basic understanding of the nuances between the regional dialects and a bit of practice, you'll
be speaking like a true Brit in no time. If you’re looking for more examples of English slang, you can
explore our fun guide to American slang here, learn more about the differences between American
English and British English here, or visit our English blog, filled with language, culture, and
colloquialisms from around the world. Happy reading!

50 Must-Know British Slang Words and Phrases

https://tandem.net/blog/british-slang-words

1. Bloke

“Bloke” would be the American English equivalent of “dude.” It means a "man."

2. Lad

In the same vein as “bloke,” “lad” is used, however, for boys and younger men.

3. Bonkers

Not necessarily intended in a bad way, "bonkers" means “mad” or “crazy.”

4. Daft

Used to mean if something is a bit stupid. It’s not particularly offensive, just a mildly silly or foolish
piece of UK slang.

5. To leg it

This term means to run away, usually from some trouble! “I legged it from the police.”

6. Trollied / Plastered

These two words are British slang for drunk. One can get creative here and just add “ed” to the end
of practically any object to get across the same meaning eg. hammered.

7. Quid

This is British slang for British pounds. Some people also refer to it as “squid.”

8. Dodgy

This England slang word is used to describe something or someone a little suspicious or
questionable. For example, it can refer to food which tastes out of date or, when referring to a
person, it can mean that they are a bit sketchy.
9. Gobsmacked

This is a truly British expression. “Gobsmacked” means to be utterly shocked or surprised beyond
belief. “Gob” is a British expression for “mouth”.

10. Bevvy

This is short for the word “beverages,” usually alcoholic, most often beer.

11. Knackered

“Knackered” is used when someone is extremely tired. For example, “I was up studying all night last
night, I’m absolutely knackered.”

12. Lost the plot

Someone who has “lost the plot” has become either angry, irrational, or is acting ridiculously. For
example, "When my dad saw the mess I made, he lost the plot.”

13. Taking the piss

This is one of the most commonly used British slang phrases. To “take the piss” means to mock, or
generally be sarcastic towards something. For example, “Don’t be so serious, I was only taking the
piss.” Not to be confused with “being pissed” (see below).

14. Pissed

The British sure do love their bevvys. This is one of the many British terms for being drunk

15. Throwing a wobbly

This British expression means to have a tantrum, however, tends to be used when describing
tantrums thrown by adults, or people who should otherwise know better.

16. A cuppa

A cuppa is the shortened version of “a cup of tea.” You might hear the expression “fancy a cuppa?”
quite often which is normally always referring to tea. The British do love their tea after all!

17. Bloody

As British slang, “bloody” places emphasis on a comment or another word. “That’s bloody brilliant!”
for example. It is regarded as a mild expletive (swear word) but due to its common usage, it is
generally acceptable. For example, “Oh bloody hell!”

18. Can’t be arsed

A commonly used British slang sentence is “Can’t be arsed.” This is a less polite version of saying that
you can’t be bothered doing something. You might also see this abbreviated to “CBA” in textspeak.

19. Chuffed

If someone is "chuffed," they are very happy or delighted.

20. Skint

“Skint” is a British expression to mean being broke or having no money. Lacking “fivers” and
“tenners” if you will (see below).
21. Fiver

A five-pound note.

22. Tenner

A ten-pound note.

23. Bog

Not a muddy marsh, but a toilet. Oh, the British!

24. Bog roll

These British words refer to the paper you use in the bog, also known as “toilet paper.”

25. Bird

This is British slang for a girl or a woman.

26. Mug

“Mug” is more specifically London slang and is associated with the cockney accent. This is not a
particularly nice word to describe someone as it means a fool or a stupid person.

27. Chav

This is a derogatory British slang word for a young hooligan who normally starts fights and makes
trouble. “Chavs” are usually seen as lower class.

28. Git

“Git” is a British expression of insult. It’s chav slang to describe a person, usually a man, who is very
unpleasant, incompetent, or is an idiot.

29. Cheeky

This is used to describe someone’s behavior. If someone is being “cheeky,” they are being slightly
rude or disrespectful but in a charming or amusing way. If you are a “cheeky” child, you are being
brash or disrespectful and will probably get into trouble.

30. Slag off

To “slag someone off” means to make fun of a person by verbally attacking them.

31. Sod

This British expression shares a similar meaning to “devil” or “thing” and is used to refer to a person,
particularly a man. “You stupid sod!“ or “You lucky sod!” for example.

32. Grafting

"Grafting" is Scottish slang denoting a lad who is trying to get a girl to like him. A bit like flirting. You'll
hear this one a lot on the British Love Island.

33. Muppet

Another great British insult. A “muppet” is a person who is ignorant and is generally a bit clueless.
34. Pants

In the UK, “pants” typically refers to underwear. However, “pants” can also be used as an equivalent
of the word "bad" e.g. "That's pants!"

35. Prat

Yet another classic British slang term of insult. A “prat” is someone who is full of themselves and,
almost invariably, stupid as well. With a hint of delusion.

36. Nosh

“That’s real good nosh!” “Nosh” is a British expression for "food."

37. Buzzin’

“Buzzin’” can mean to be tipsy or slightly drunk, "I'm buzzin' after that pint." It’s also British slang for
being excited or very happy, “I just booked my holiday to Spain, I’m absolutely buzzin’.”

38. Pied off

This is not a nice feeling. If you’ve been “pied off,” you’ve been rejected or shot down.

39. Bev

This one had most of us confused when we first heard it on Love Island 2019. “Bev” means a
"handsome man."

40. To crack on

“To crack on with something” means to get started or continue with something. To use these UK
slang words in a sentence you’d say, “It’s getting late, I better crack on.”

41. Gutted

Meaning of being bitterly disappointed about something. “I was absolutely gutted when I heard the
bad news.”

42. Blimey

“Blimey” is used as a way of expressing surprise at something, “Blimey, look at that!”

43. Cock-up

Get your mind out of the gutter! A “cock-up” is a mistake or failure, "I made a total cock-up of it."

44. Kerfuffle

If you’ve gotten yourself into a “kerfuffle,” you are generally involved in a disagreement with
someone. “Kerfuffle” also has a similar meaning to “fuss.” For example, you can say, “It was all a big
kerfuffle.”

45. Innit

This is one of the most commonly heard UK slangs. It’s the shortened and easier version of “isn’t it?”
It’s seen as a general filler in a conversation or when seeking confirmation, eg. "Cool, innit."

46. Cracking
When something or someone is “cracking” it means that the thing or the person is particularly good
or excellent. For example, “He’s a cracking lad” or “That’s a cracking cuppa.”

47. Minging

This is British slang for “disgusting” or “gross.”

48. Proper

“Proper” is used as an alternative to “very” or “extremely.” For example, “That’s proper good nosh,
innit.”

49. To nick

This is a British expression to mean stealing. As in “I nicked these sweets from the shop.”

50. Faffing around

“Faffing around” is a very British pleasure. It means doing nothing particularly productive or taking
unnecessary time to do something that should be relatively quick or straightforward.

101 Must-Know British Slang Words and Phrases

1. All right?

Used most commonly as a greeting and certainly not one that requires a response. Brits will welcome
friends and family members alike by grunting these two words to one another.

2. Arse

There could be an entire English dictionary devoted to variations of this single word. Referring to
what in the US would be your ass, this word can be coupled with a variety of other words to create
whole new realms of British slang (see below).

3. Arse over tit

The undignified process of falling over, most commonly occurring when completely arseholed
(drunk).

4. Arseholed

See above. Be sure not to fall arse over tit.

5. Ass

In the British English dictionary, this is not really a curse word, just a donkey. You have been warned.

6. Bagsy

One of the first words learned by children throughout the British Isles, shouting bagsy is a way of
staking a claim on something. The equivalent of calling shotgun, a successful Bagsy is legally binding
in an English court of law (not really).

7. Bloke
A man. What in American English might be called a dude.

8. Baccy

The tobacco that you use to roll your own fags (no, that’s not what you think it is — see below).

9. Bog

Not a muddy marsh, unless you’ve got digestive problems, but a toilet. British people will often find
themselves bustin’ for the bog.

10. Bog roll

The paper you use in the bog.

11. Botched

Something that has not gone according to plan.

12. Barmy

If someone calls you this then they’re not being kind, it means you are bonkers (see below).

13. Bonkers

It means you are a bit barmy (see above!).

14. Cheesed off

Annoyed or displeased. The British population spends most of their time cheesed off with the
weather.

15. Chips

Many an American has come ashore and innocently ordered chips, only to be right royally cheesed
off. In the UK, chips are deep-fried strips of potato, and chunky ones at that. In the US, thin
bastardized versions of British chips might call themselves french fries.

16. Chock-a-block

A place that is very busy. A road, street, or shop full to the rafters could be described this way.

17. Chuffed

Thrilled to bits. Happy. Delighted. Just don’t show it outwardly, we’re British, remember?.

18. Codswallop

A load of rubbish, something that is clearly nonsense.

19. Daft

A bit stupid. Not particularly offensive, just mildly silly.

20. Dishy

A person, usually male, who is very good-looking. David Beckham could be described as dishy, or in
fact, a bit of a dish.

21. Dodgy
Used to describe something a little bit suspicious or questionable. The American English equivalent is
shady.

22. Dosh

Money. Cash. Slang for all types of currency.

23. Dog’s Bollocks

A strange but surprisingly popular term in British slang. If something is exceptionally good it is known
as the dog’s bollocks.

24. Easy peasy

If something is not difficult then it is loudly pronounced as being easy peasy.

25. Faff

Faffing around is a very British pleasure. It’s taking unnecessary time over something that should be
straightforward. A Brit likes nothing more than a good faff.

26. Fag

A cigarette.

27. Fiddlesticks

A harmless curse word held in reserve solely for use by British grandmothers. Dropping a vase of
freshly cut daisies could result in a gently whispered fiddlesticks.

28. Filch

Simply to steal.

29. Flog

To sell something.

30. Fluke

If something happens purely by chance then it is a fluke. It’s a lucky occurrence that doesn't often
happen.

31. Flutter

To bet or place a wager. Most usually used to describe someone who likes to have a small stake on a
horse race, for example, Mr. Smith likes to have a flutter.

32. Full of beans

Someone who is full of energy might be described as being full of beans. It’s possessing endless
quantities of get up and go, almost to the point of annoyance.

33. Gallivanting

Strutting or striding about with a seemingly endless supply of confidence.

34. Gander
To take a look around.

35. Give us a bell

Calling somebody on the telephone. In this instance ‘us’ actually means ‘me’.

36. Gobsmacked

Completely and utterly awestruck in amazement.

37. Gormless

A person who has little clue or idea about what is going on around them.

38. Gutted

Being incredibly upset about something. If your favorite sports team has just lost then you might be
gutted.

39. Haggle

To negotiate or argue over the price of something, entering into a heated and lengthy discussion
about its value and worth.

40. Hanky panky

In American English this would be known as making out.

41. Hard

The British slang definition of hard is somebody who is ready to take on anyone or anything in a fight.
Usually a self-inflicted state of mind after several pints of British ale, a hard man is someone to be
avoided.

42. Hard lines

A way of saying bad luck.

43. Her Majesty’s pleasure

While this sounds like a pleasant invitation to tea at the Palace, it’s best to avoid a stint at Her
Majesty’s pleasure, as it means spending time in prison.

44. Honking

Being violently sick.

45. Jammy

Consistently being on the right side of good fortune. If you are repeatedly lucky you might be
described as jammy.

46. Khazi

British slang for the toilet. Don’t forget your bog roll.

47. Kip

A short power nap, the English word for a snooze.

 48. Knees up

A proper British party, full of warm beer and loud music. Just don’t end up honking.

49. Leg it

To run away, usually from trouble.

50. Lurgy

If you have the dreaded lurgy then you are unwell with either the flu or a cold.

51. Mate

A good friend or acquaintance. Regularly used as a greeting or term of affection.

52. Mufti

A military term that has seeped its way into British slang to mean casual or civilian clothes.

53. Mug

If you are a bit of a mug then you are gullible, and will believe anything.

54. Mush

Slang for your mouth, i.e. shut your mush.

55. Naff

Something that is a bit uncool would be described as naff.

56. Narked

Cheesed off, irritated. If you’re in a bad mood you might be labeled as narked or even a bit narky.

57. Nick

To steal or take something that doesn’t belong to you. If you are then caught by the police/law/fuzz
then you would be nicked.

58. Nitwit

An inoffensive way of describing someone a bit silly.

59. Nosh

Food! You might describe a tasty meal as a good nosh up.

60. Not my cup of tea

A classic British phrase that is trundled out to describe a situation or circumstance that does not
bring one pleasure.

61. Nowt

Originating in the North of England (another instance where an entire subcategory of British slang
terms could be procured) this word has entered mainstream language to mean nothing.

62. Nut
To headbutt someone. Not pleasant.

63. Off-colour

Sick, poorly, or generally under the weather. If you are looking off-colour then the chances are you
don’t look well.

64. Off your trolley

Someone who is described as such is usually behaving in a crazy manner.

65. On your bike

A not so polite way of telling someone to go away.

66. Pants

Tricky for our US cousins to get their heads round, but British pants are our undergarments. They go
underneath our trousers. To show one's pants is very uncouth.

67. Parky

Used to describe cold weather. Not drastically cold, just a bit chilly.

68. Pear-shaped

When something has not gone entirely to plan, it is said to have gone a bit pear-shaped.

69. Piece of cake

When something is easy peasy it could be described as a piece of cake. No food or confectionery
necessary.

70. Pinch

Another word for stealing, or purchasing something at a heavily discounted rate.

71. Pissed

This doesn't mean annoyed or angry as in American English. It means blind drunk.

72. Plastered

Another British slang term for being drunk. Anyone would think the Brits like a drink.

73. Porkies

Spreading lies. Anyone not being straight with the truth could be accused of telling porkies.

74. Porridge

Doing a stretch in porridge means serving time in prison.

75. Prat

A low-key curse work for a stupid person. Pratting around could also be used to describe someone
behaving in a foolish way.

76. Put a sock in it

This is a fairly rude way of telling someone to be quiet.

77. Quid

Slang word for a British pound.

78. Rubbish

Everything a Brit throws in the bin is called rubbish. Not trash or garbage, but rubbish.

79. Scrummy

A word to describe something deliciously tasty.

80. Skive

To skive off work or school is to bunk off or play truant. Hopefully not getting caught in the process.

81. Sloshed

Yep, another way to describe being drunk, pissed, blotto, trashed, plastered…

82. Smarmy

A person, usually male, who is too smooth for their own good and comes across not as charming, but
saccharine sweet to the point of repulsion.

83. Snog

A kiss.

84. Snookered

Appearing in the English dictionary thanks to the ancient game of snooker, to be snookered means
you are in a situation from which you can see no obvious escape.

85. Sod’s law

when something can go wrong, it will, owing largely to Sod’s law.

86. Shirty

Someone who is demonstrating signs of irritability might be described as getting shirty.

87. Spend a penny

This means going to the bathroom. Originating from a time when public toilets charged one penny
for their services.

88. Squiffy

On the way to being drunk. Not quite sloshed but only a few drinks away.

89. Starkers

Nude. Naked. Without clothing.

90. Strop

A public display of displeasure might be described as having a strop.

 91. Swear

In the United Kingdom to swear is the same as to cuss or curse.

92. Ta

Short for thanks.

93. Toodle pip

An old English word that means goodbye.

94. Twee

Small, dainty, or quaint. A very British term to describe lots of aspects of life in the United Kingdom.

95. Taking the biscuit

if you are taking the biscuit when you are starting to push your luck. A similar phrase in American
English is to take the cake.

96. Waffle

To endlessly drone on about nothing. Someone talking incessantly would be described as waffling on.

97. Welly

If you give something welly you’ve given it a really good go.

98. Wobbler

To have a tantrum or throw a strop.

99. Yakking

Talking too much.

100. Yonks

A general term for a long period of time, i.e. We haven't visited there for yonks.

101. Zonked

– is used when someone is sleeping or by someone who is expressing they are super tired.

A Slang Words Phrases

https://www.oxfordinternationalenglish.com/dictionary-of-british-slang/

Ace

– is used to describe something that is awesome. A word that is popular in the north and amongst
youngsters.

Any road
– when you hear this, the person isn’t asking you to pick a road! They are most likely substituting it
for “anyway” and the context could be “any road are you from China or Japan.”

A load of tosh

– is used to describe something that is not very good. For example, your lecturer might describe your
essay “as a load of tosh” …. harsh!

A Kent face

– commonly used in Scotland when a person has seen a person they know, such as “I saw a few Kent
faces in the library”. This idiom has nothing to do with the surname or the place. It is taken from an
old English word that means “to know”.

Adam and Eve

– Cockney rhyming slang for believe. “Can you Adam and Eve it!”

B Slang Words Phrases

Bees knees

– the phrase does not relate to bees or knees but is an idiom for excellent. It became popular in the
1920s along with “cat’s whiskers.”

Bite your arm off

– don’t be alarmed if someone says this. No one is about to literally bite off any part of your
anatomy. It is used to describe willingness. For example someone might say to you ”they will bite
your arm off if you offer to write their essay.”

Brassed off

– considering the Brits are good at hiding their emotions we still have plenty of words to describe
when we are not happy with something. One of which is “brassed off”.

Bits ‘n Bobs

– is used these days when you want to say you have an odd selection of things for example you could
say “I have a few bits’n bobs in the fridge. I’ll see what I can make”. However, it was originally used to
describe loose change in your pocket.

Bob’s your uncle

– the origins of this saying and how it is used today differ. The saying originally meant you could get
anything or do anything if you had the right connections because it came about after the 20th British
Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury, famously appointed a nephew into an important political post for
which he didn’t have the relevant experience. Today it is more commonly used to say everything is
OK.

Butcher’s hook

–originates from the East End of London and is a rhyme slang for take a look.

C Slang Words Phrases

Cheerio
– No it is not just a breakfast cereal but also one of the many words used to say goodbye in the UK.
“Ta ta” is popular in the North of England and you will also hear “laters” and “see ya”.

Cheesed off

– is a quirky euphemism for being unhappy. Obviously, you would be unhappy if your cheese went
off! It can be used in casual and formal situations for example someone could say “I’m cheesed off
that you ate the last piece of cake.”

Chin wag

– means to have a long chat and its origins come from a Welsh word meaning empty. It is believed
that the word originates from a pub in North Wales where the landlady would ensure people drunk
more than they intended by going around with a jug of ale and toping people’s glasses up by saying
“chin wag” – which is Welsh for your cup is empty.

D Slang Words Phrases

Don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs

– you may hear someone more senior in years saying this to a younger person when they feel the
youngster is being disrespectful by thinking they can teach the older person something.

Dishy

– is used to describe someone who is attractive.

Don’t cry over spilt milk

– someone may say this if you get something wrong or actually spill or break something. The essence
of the saying is that you shouldn’t worry about it.

Daft cow

–is used amongst friends and is an affectionate way of making fun of a female friend when they have
done or said something silly. Be aware the meaning changes dramatically when you say this to a
stranger!

Donkey’s years

– Apparently donkey’s live for a long time so when someone say’s “I haven’t seen you for donkey’s”
they are saying they haven’t seen you in a long time.

Dive

– is used to describe a place that isn’t very nice. Someone may say to you “It’s a dive but the drinks
are cheap”

E Slang Words Phrases

Easy peasy

– A fun and childish way of expressing something is easy to do or understand. We dare you to use it
next time your lecturer is explaining something.

Effing and blinding

– this expression is used to describe someone who is using unpleasant language. For example, you
might hear “She was so angry that she was effing and blinding all the way home!”

Eejit

– an Irish-based pronunciation of the word “Idiot.”

Elevenses

– a mid-morning snack before lunch that normally includes a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Earful

– is an expression used to describe someone who is being told off. For example, you may hear
someone say “They got an earful for being so loud last night.”

F Slang Words Phrases

Full of beans

– full of beans means someone is very energetic and vivacious.

For crying out loud

– This is a replacement for a rude word. For example, you discover your bike has a flat tyre & you yell
“Oh, for crying out loud!”

Faff around

– If you’re faffing around you look busy, but you’re achieving very little. For example: “I told him to
stop faffing around and wash the dishes.”

Flogging a dead horse

– to try and find a solution to a problem that is unsolvable. For example: “You’re flogging a dead
horse by asking Martha to move to the UK – she hates rain”

G Slang Words Phrases

Going to a do

– student life wouldn’t be student life without a fair dose of parties and if someone invites you to a
“do” say yes because they are inviting you to a party!

Gobsmacked

– if you are gobsmacked you are amazed by something or someone. In a good or bad way!

Grub

– is slang for food and comes from the old English word meaning ‘dig’. The association with digging
for food morphed into the slang we use today.

Gobby

– is used to describe someone who talks a lot and has a lot of opinions, and not necessarily in a good
way.

H Slang Words Phrases

Hammered

– is the slang word used to describe someone who is very drunk. You can say someone is tipsy if they
appear to be a bit drunk.

Horses for courses

– this is a popular saying that means that we all have different tastes and what is right for one person
isn’t necessarily right for another person.

Hunky-dory

– is just a cool way of saying that something is just fine!

I Slang Words Phrases

I’ve come over all peculiar

– is a peculiar saying used to describe someone who becomes unwell very quickly.

I’m not being funny but I haven’t got all day

– this is a popular saying in Wales and simply means hurry up!

I’m easy

– next time you are in a restaurant and your friends are debating what to order just say “order
whatever. I’m easy”. That’s a signal that you’re happy with whatever they order.

I’m off to Bedfordshire

– is rhyming English slang for when someone is tired and wants to go to bed. Get it?

It’s brass monkeys outside

– is used when it is bitterly cold. The origins of this saying refer to the brass handles on doors which
get very cold. This bit makes sense but the monkeys bit of this saying is baffling, even to the Brits.

J Slang Words Phrases

Jammy

– if you are a lucky person you might be described as flukey or jammy.

Jim jams

– is slang for pyjamas and as a student you’ll hear “I think it’s time to put on my jim jams and get into
bed – I’m exhausted!” – a lot!

Jar

– is slang for a pint of beer. For example: “Let’s meet after the lecture for a few jars.”

Jiffy

– this is a quintessentially British saying meaning you’ll do something immediately. You might say it
to show you are keen, for example: “If you’re cooking dinner I’ll be there in a jiffy.”

K Slang Words Phrases

Knees up

– if someone says they went to “a right knees-up over the weekend” they are talking about a wild
party. Your response should be why wasn’t I invited?

Kerfuffle

– is a fuss or commotion. For example: “What’s all the kerfuffle about? I’m only two hours late!”

Keep your hair on

– can you lose your hair if you get too angry or excited? That’s what this idiom suggests. For example:
“Keep your hair on – I only accidentally deleted your dissertation.”

Kip

– means sleep

L Slang Words Phrases

Last order

– you will hear bar staff, in pubs, shout this and ring a bell at 11pm or at 10.30pm on Sunday to let
customers know they have 20 minutes in which to finish their drinks.

Lurgy

– if someone has the lurgy stay away. It means they are ill and possibly contagious.

Let down

– can be used in a multitude of ways and means you thought the experience was not good. For
example: “That film was such a let down”

Lairy

– used to describe a loud/brash person. For example: “Tom gets a bit lairy after a few drinks.”

Leave it out

– means you want someone to stop doing or saying something that you find upsetting or annoying.

M Slang Words Phrases

Minted

– if someone is described as minted it means they are rich, so become their best friend immediately!

Mitts

– a mitten is a kind of glove. But Brits have shortened the word and made it slang for hands. For
example: “I’d love to get my mitts on a new camera!”

Mind your P’s and Q’s

– means to be on your best behaviour. For example: “My parents are very conservative – mind your
p’s and q’s.”

Miffed
– is another way of saying you are confused or annoyed. For example: “She is really miffed that she’s
not been invited to the party.”

N Slang Words Phrases

Not my cup of tea

– is a saying used when something is not to your liking. For example: “My boyfriend loves football
but it’s not my cup of tea”.

Numpty

– if someone does or says something inappropriate, wrong or a bit silly you might hear a Brit saying
“You numpty you’ve got your T-shirt on back to front.”

Naff

– is used to describe something that is of poor or inferior taste. Example: “I don’t like my flat, the
furniture is a bit naff.”

Nosh

– is slang for food. For example: “Shall we get some nosh before our lecture?”

O Slang Words Phrases

Old chestnut

– if you tell the same joke or story too many times your bored friends may say “oh no not that old
chestnut again “ in a sarcastic voice.

On the lash

– means to drink excessive amounts of alcohol and you may hear Brits saying, “Are you out on the
lash tonight?”

Oh my giddy aunt

– is another expression for “Oh my God!” and used to show shock or surprise.

One off

– an expression used to describe something unique. For example: “I bought this one-off dress from a
student studying fashion.”

Odds and sods

– another way of saying ‘bits and pieces.’ For example: “My glasses were in the drawer with all the
odds and sods.”

P Slang Words Phrases

Piece of cake

– to describe something as a “piece of cake” means you think it’s easy to do. For example, you might
say “this essay is a piece of cake.”

Pip pip
– an old-fashioned way of saying goodbye.

Plonk

– is used to describe wine and the reference is that it isn’t the best quality wine.

Porkies

– if you are accused of telling a “porkie” it’s serious. It means someone thinks you are lying. The
saying comes from an old Cockney rhyme that used pork pies and substituted “pies,” for “lies” and it
later got shortened to “porkies”.

Put a sock in it

– If you have had enough of someone talking you can tell them to put a sock in it. It is totally fine to
use amongst friends but even you think your lecturer is going on a bit we advise you keep the
thought to yourself!

Q Slang Words Phrases

Quid

– is slang for one-pound sterling.

Queenie

– affectionate term Brits use to refer to Queen Elizabeth II (the current Queen)

Quasimodo

– is Cockney rhyming slang for soda water.

Quack

– is slang for a doctor that is suspected of not have the correct qualifications

Queen mum

– is Cockney rhyming slang for the backside (bum).

Queen of the south

– is Cockney rhyming slang for mouth.

R Slang Words Phrases

Reem

– is English slang for something being nice, good or cool and originates from Essex. In fact, to learn
how to speak like someone froEssex you should watch The Only Way Is Essex.

Rank

– is slang for something that is horrible, in bad taste or actually smells unpleasant.

Rinsed

– can be used in a couple of ways. The first is if you defeat someone in an argument, fight or other
competition. The second context is when someone pays over the odds for something.
Rosie lee

– is cockney rhyming slang for a cup of tea.

S Slang Words Phrases

See a man about a dog

– is what you say when you jokingly don’t want to reveal where you are going, such as going to the
toilet.

Stop faffing around

– If you hear this and it’s aimed at you. Finish off whatever you are doing fast! The implication is you
are taking too long or you are not doing it efficiently.

Skive

– If you don’t want to go to that 9 am lecture (understandable) or rather spend the afternoon in the
student’s union then suggest skiving off to a couple of like-minded people, but be prepared to be
labelled a skiver by your more studious class fellows.

Shirty

– is one way to describe someone who is ill-tempered.

Stitched up

– is when someone has taken advantage of you. For example, when a classmate nominates you to
lead a presentation you can certainly claim to “have been stitched up.”

Shagged

– This can mean a number of things some ruder than others. But the most common use is when
someone is expressing how tired they are.

T Slang Words Phrases

Taking the piss

– If you hear this being used it means one person is shocked at what another person is doing or
saying.

Throw a spanner in the works

– you are likely to hear this saying when something goes wrong or someone makes a mistake.

Tickety-boo

– means OK and may have originated from a Hindi word meaning everything is fine. It’s one of those
nice-sounding words you will hear when someone wants to express everything is going exceptionally
well.

The offie

– The off-licence is the equivalent to an American convenience store, licenced to sell alcohol.

Trundle
– means to move slowly and clumsily.

U Slang Words Phrases

Umpteen

– means a relatively large, but unspecified amount, of something and is generally used when
someone is annoyed. For example, you may hear a Brit saying “For the umpteenth time, I said no I
will not take the dog for a walk!”

Up for it

– slang for being enthusiastic/willing to participate. For example: “I like bowling, I’m up for it
tonight.”

Uncle ned

– British slang for bed

Up the spout

– when you have wasted something such as money. For example, “Everything I earned over the
summer has gone up the spout trying to keep this flat warm.”

Under the cosh

– is used when you feel under pressures or restricted. For example: “She is under the cosh to deliver
that project on time.”

V Slang Words Phrases

From the valley’s

– an expression used to describe people from Wales, owing to the number of valleys (which is the
low area between hills) in Wales.

V.A.T

– is slang for vodka and tonic.

Veg-out

– is slang for relaxing. As a student, you’ll want to veg-out every time an essay has been submitted.
To veg-out properly you have to order pizza and find a really naff movie to watch in your jim-jams.

Vibe

– is slang for feelings, atmosphere, mood. For example, you may go to a club and say “I like the vibe
in here the music is reem.”

Vino

– is English slang for cheap wine.

W Slang Words Phrases

Watering hole – this is one of the many British slang words for a pub

Wonky
– is another word for shaky or unstable. You can use it to refer to a person or an object. For example,
you might say a chair has a wonky leg.

Wangle

– means to get or do something that is a bit devious. For example: “I wangled an extension on my
essay by telling the lecturer my cat died.”

Wee

– is a Scottish word for small. In England it’s a euphemism for urine. Confused? Don’t be. If a Scottish
person says they want a wee drink they want a whiskey. If an English person says they want a wee
direct them to the nearest toilet!

Wind-up

– If you wind someone up it means you are teasing or taunting them.

Well in it

– an expression used when someone is in trouble

X Slang Words Phrases

X-ray eyes

– you might use the expression “have you got x-ray eyes” to question what a friend is telling you. For
example, “How do you know Yinbo ate the rest of the pizza – do you have x ray eyes?”

Xtra

– is used to describe something that is very good. You may hear “that double chocolate chip ice
cream is xtra!”

Y Slang Words Phrases

Your round

– if you go to a pub with a group of friends it is most likely that one person will buy the whole group
a drink. This will continue until everyone in the group has bought a drink. If it is your turn someone
may say “It is your round”.

You’re a keeper

– used affectionately to describe someone who is nice or someone who has a good attribute. For
example, you might hear “You can cook – you’re such a keeper.”

You what

– mostly Brits use this when they haven’t heard or understood what was said. On some ocasions it
might be used when someone disagrees with you. You’ll know which one it is by their tone and body
language.

Yakking

– used to describe someone who talks too much about things that aren’t of interest to you. Example:
“My lecturer wouldn’t stop yakking on and on today.”
Yonks

– when you haven’t seen someone for a long time. Example: “God, I haven’t been to a lecture for
yonks!”

Yank my chain

– if you tease someone about something they are sensitive about they could say to you “stop yanking
my chain” to tell you to stop it.

Z Slang Words Phrases

Zonked

– is used when someone is sleeping or by someone who is expressing they are super tired.

Zebra crossing

– is often used to describe the black and white horizontal markings on the road where pedestrians
can cross.

Catch a few Zzzzzzzzzz

– is used when you want to go to sleep.