is a commonly used term to describe something that was very easy to complete. It's unclear why Britsappear to favour analogue time-telling while Americans go for the digital format. Gutted - is a British term you use to describe feeling devastated or upset. Check out our guide on the top 5 British TV Shows that will help you learn British slang and English in general from the comfort of your own home (Click here). Alright mate. These unique terms and unwritten rules are key to helping you sound like a local. 64. Im cream crackered!. New words and phrases are continuously being added and used. I'm knackered! Something that is "tickety-boo" is satisfactory and in good order. The word could be a variation of "toddle" like a young child's first steps. ", Although the adjective's origins remain largely unknown, early documented uses seem to use the word as synonymous with "smear," further suggesting that someone who is "smarmy" is also "slick" or "slippery. "Simon heard from John that youwere fired. Fluke something that is very lucky or caused by complete chance. his is used to describe feeling very pleased and proud of something either you did, or a close friend accomplished. Libes is a contraction and solely British university slang verb of "a library". Lived in England (2005-2009) 11 mo. What I mean is that this once mighty British Empire that more or less covered a quarter of the world's land surface could not ever have imagined that English would evolve to almost a million words - and almost every single one of them would be . 85. Gormless anegative term used to describe someone who is incredibly foolish or lacking in intelligence. Just roll with it. Minging aslightly derogative term used to describe something that is either disgusting or gross. Offer cannot be booked online. If you're really delighted about something you can even be chuffed to bits. relatively polite way of telling someone to go away and stop bothering you. Cockney Slang uses language in one of the most interesting ways, by rhyming with what you mean but substituting different (and dissimilar) words. Are you going to the footy?. ", "He's obsessed with anything that happens on this street. Although Merriam-Webster is a dictionary of American English, it contains a range of words rarely heard outside Britain. 43. "The dreaded lurgy" originates from 1950s British TV show "The Goon Show," in which one character has to deal with a national epidemic of an unidentified illness. 91. Chips this is the most commonly used term to describe French fries, as in Fish and Chips. Is that ham and tuna? 20. "Be careful when you're driving it's a pea-souper out there.". 7. Pork pies another Cockney rhyming slang phrase that refers to someone who is lying. 94. Some people consider"bloody" offensive (the origins of the word are widely disputed, so we can't be sure why) and it was considered a profanity until the mid-20th century. When they were working on the factory floor, employees had to wear hard clogs to protect their feet. Schoolkidsmight call "bagsy" on items from their friends' pack lunches, like an apple or a cereal bar, thatthe friend isn't going to eat. Hen Do this is the brides equivalent of a Stag Night and is otherwise known as a bachelorette party. Common British Slang Words or Phrases 1. slightly negative term used for someone who repeatedly makes mistakes or is particularly gullible and will believe anything. 99. That's minging.". Backhander aBritish term used to refer to the money used to describe bribing someone. Ill have a bacon butty please. Oh put a sock in it will you!, 73. The book features over 1,000 British Slang words including extra sections on Australian and Kiwi Slang, Cockney Slang and London slang. A British slang word for "nonsense," codswallop came about because of Hiram Codd, a soda salesman who developed a bottle with a glass marble stopper in it and when the bottle was shaken, the carbonation pushed the marble into the neck and formed a seal. A slap and a kick for being so quick!". This is probablyhow the term came about. Being nicked refers to being caught by the police and arrested. Coming in a variety of flavours, this is the British equivalent of a packet of potato chips. Even simple words like 'twas', which nows means 'it was' have changed slowly over time. On your bike, mate. That was a bit of a botch job. Take a gander at the beautiful woman wearing the expensive jewels. I feel really rough, so I cant come out. "Hank Marvin" is Cockney rhyming slang for "starving. Get Free Exclusive British Accent Tips and Tricks To Improve Your Accent. This is not a British slang phrase that trips off the tongue, and it's probably one of the least romantic sounding words ever! General British Slang Bloke Meaning: A man. 61. ", "We should've taken the other route. A Few Spanners Short Meaning: To be dumb or not fully there. Theres nowt wrong with that. Dodgy. Not to be confused with literallybeing disembowelled, someonethat says they're "gutted" is devastated or extremely upset. Scotland's Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Email Sign-up Travel Credit: Receive a $125 per person ($250 per couple). very common and interchangeable word. 69. To "gallivant" means to roam, or to set off on an expedition, with the sole intention of having some light-hearted fun. "Thomasis suchan anorak when it comes to train trivia.". 16 6 sarcastic, unsympathetic, and often rather drunk. Description [ edit] Tinker for metal-worker is attested from the thirteenth century as tyckner or tinkler. 15. The phrase was first documented in the BBC's "Lenny Henry Christmas Special" in 1987. Despite the spelling, which initially led me to believe that the word was one of many slang words imported from Hindustani or other Indian languages, it is actually believed to be a corruption of the Italian word "casa", which simply means "house". "I wangled some first-class seats by being nice to the cabin crew!". he British slang term used to describe avoiding the job or duties that you are meant to be completing. A phrase is whispered around a circleand the last person to hear the phrase has to guess what the initial phrase was. Smarmya slightly derogative term used to describe someone who appears particularly unpleasant and tries to showcase how they are better than you. ", "Sod's law" is often used to explain bad luck or freakish acts of misfortune. ", "Give me a call" or "ring me." 98. The term, found in the late 1800s, meant "kill" or even "castrate" early on. In use: "Ugh, mum, I don't want to take Ralph to the pub, he's such an anorak ." Blimey Interpretation: A way of expressing surprise, amazement, or even wonder. It was blatant that they were cheating. Hunky-dory this is a term that refers to something that is going very well. ", Brits are known for favouring a drink or two, so much so thatalmost any noun can be used as a substitute for "drunk. Don't say soccer to a British person. You might buy a "round" of drinks for your friends at the pub, in the understanding that they will each buy you a drink as part of their "rounds" later on. his is a phrase typically used in the south of the country and refers to a sandwich. "By getting pregnant, Mary threw a spanner in the works.". 2. ", Interpretation: In the UK, the word "pants" typically refers to underwear. Check out the fine ass sho-tee rockin' all dat ice. Learning English can be incredibly tough, and understanding British slang is even tougher, but taking your time and using these 100 phrases will soon see you conversing with native speakers like you have been living here for years! Put a sock in it this is a fairly firm and rude way of telling someone to stop talking and to be quiet. In use: "Lad, don't get cheeky with me or you'll go to your room. 49. However, in the UK, someone that's "p*ssed" is most probably drunk. American English is certainly rich in a wide variety of slang words and phrases, both quite old, such as those from the Colonial Times and very new, only recently added to the dictionary. Ive got no time for your pork pies. ", "Sam did a botch job on these shelves they're wonky! ", Something full to the brim, or rammed, could be described as "chockalock. Naff aterm used to describe something that is not very good. 77. ", Benders often last over 24 hours, and so you might say that someone is on "a weekend bender," or a "three-day bender. To "take the Mickey" means to take liberties at the expense of others and can be used in both a lighthearted and an irritated fashion. Other conditions may apply. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. Oh, that cake was very moreish. British vs American Words & Slang: 63 Useful Translations. Bloke. The town boasts a family owned gas station, a darling hotel, and lots of cute vintage shops and art galleries. That was a bit of a botch job. Its brass monkeys out there!, 89. Texas slang. 1. adj. word used to describe something that was truly exceptional. Lend me a quid mate. That was yucky!. Cheeky aBritish term of endearment used when a friend or loved one is being a little rude or disrespectful but in a funny way. Im not being funny, but that meal was minging!. I haggled them down from the asking price. Men's urinals were free of charge. Used to salute or raise a toast while drinking with mates (raise your glasses and clink them together) Cheers to all of you! Give us a bell acommon phrase used to describe wanting someone to telephone you. "Over-egging the pudding" means embellishing or over-doing something to the extent that it's detrimental to the finished product. This site uses cookies. Knackered. 4. GET is owned by The Travel Corporation, a fourth-generation family business driven by the pursuit or excellence and an unrelenting commitment to customer care. While Americans are more likely to say "seven thirty" or "five fifty," Brits will more often than not refer to times in "minutes past" the hour. ", A "par" breaches social and common courtesy, eg, a disrespectful comment could be seen as a "par. Theres nowt wrong with that. Plus, receive travel inspiration, news and latest promotions. 1. multi-use term that can either describe your household waste or something that was very bad or below expectations. The origins of the word are widely disputed. This could be due to the lengths that the person will have to go to in order to complete the task. ", "He skived off school so we could all go to Thorpe Park on a weekday.". Gobsmacked. A Dictionary of American Idioms mark [mark] {n.} A suitable victim for a con or swindle. omething that is very lucky or caused by complete chance. More likely, a person who has a very strong interest, perhaps a bit obsessive, in niche subjects. Typically used in London, it has expanded to other regions of the country. "Skiving" is theact of avoiding work or school, often by pretending to be ill. "Skive" is derived from the French "esquiver," meaning "to slink away. Skive off the British slang term used to describe avoiding the job or duties that you are meant to be completing. On your bike, mate. ", Something unpleasant, unappetising, or highly unattractive might be described as "minging.". Meaning of the Andes in English the Andes noun [ plural ] uk / n.diz / us / n.diz / a large group of mountains in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina: Interestingly, though it deals with traditional indigenous clothing in the Andes, this book is not about textiles or weaving. Someone silly or incompetent might be described as a wally. Visit the UK and keep your ears open for new phrases to add to your list. Also, try watching some of the popular soap operas such as Eastenders, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, as this will help you to understand how certain terms are used in a real-life situation. If you're "winding someone up," you're making them tense or irritated in the same way you wind up a Jack-in-the-box before it pops. ", Interpretation: Wanting, liking, or thinkingIn use: "Fancy a cuppa?" ", "Of course my toast had to land on the floor butter-side-down. Gutted is a British term you use to describe feeling devastated or upset. Recently I conducted an activity at my school to spread a bit of information about common British slang. ", This quintessentially British idiom derives from the Dutch "pap" and "kak," which translate as "soft" and "dung.". This slang term could be a British abbreviation of the French "faux pas," meaning an embarrassing or tactless remark in a social situation. ritish slang phrase used to describe amazement, I was gobsmacked, it was so good!. Daft afriendly term that is not offensive and used to describe something that is a little stupid or silly. 62. Ditching is the American slang word for the British slang word: "skive." G.O.A.T: if people called you this, they're actually praising you because it means Greatest of All Time and is a popular term in basketball in the US. Someone that's "on the pull" has gone out, usually on a night out, with the intention of attracting a sexual partner. 10. If the joker forgets to say "no returns of any kind," the recipient can say "a slap and a kick for being so quick," accompanied by a slap and a kick. classic term used to describe something that does not take your fancy or is not something that brings you enjoyment. 60 British phrases that will confuse anybody who didn't grow up in the UK. I selected the words to be used from a list found at: 88 very British phrases that will confuse anybody who didn't grow up in the UK. To "whinge" means to moan, groan, and complain in an irritating or whiney fashion. Youre looking sad, do you want a cuppa?. sed to describe a feeling of being hungry or craving something that is not quite a full meal. Hank Marvin is a British musician from the 1960s and 1970s, and is a pretty obscure reference nowadays. The Luxe Nomad is all about immersing in the local culture. "Hello mate, how are you?" % buffered 00:00 2. ", Someone short-tempered or irritated might be described as "shirty.". 23. Pronounced "nackered" (with a silent "k" as in "knee"), knackered is a popular term describes the state of being worn out or exhausted. I cant be arsed to go to work today. If something is really nice, fun, or thrilling, you might tell it's "lit.". phrase often used in the South and London regions that describes a big party, packed with drinking and dancing. Ace. No returns of any kind" is a school playground rhyme often exchanged between friends on the first day of a new calendar month, accompanied by a pinch and a punch to the recipient. 3. 41. Cheers is the most common among popular English slang words and phrases. For example, 'Cheers for getting me that drink, Steve'. Usually in a hotel or restaurant around 4 pm. "In use: "That was a tidy bit of fun. A widely applicable descriptor of negative connotation; a nuisance. After "The Full Monty" film was released in 1997, there was some international confusion over the phrase in which it was taken as aeuphemism for stripping. "That guy's got suchswagger he's a proper geezer. This is more commonly known in the US as "Murphy's law. "That's when all of the lights came on, and so we legged it.". That was bonkers!. Her majestys pleasure despite its pleasant sound, this phrase refers to someone who has spent time in prison. Hench - a tall lad with strong muscles. Perhaps the most interesting slang you'll hear in England is the infamous Cockney Rhyming Slang. Protect your vacation with travel insurance. ", "Par" can also be used as a verb, eg, "You just got parred.". Snog Meaning: A kiss or to kiss. Splash out acommon British term used to describe spending more money than you should have to treat yourself or a loved one. The term is likely to be the mispronunciation of "box standard", an informal term for goods that come straight from the manufacturer's box with no customization or . One of the most effective ways to learn British slang and to pick up those phrases and terms to make you sound like a modern British person is to spend time with English speakers. Offer excludes Edinburgh Tattoo and Floriade departures. term used to describe going out for the evening with the sole intention of attracting someone of the opposite sex. Im absolutely gutted. Never kiss your girlfriend by the garden gate! ", Interpretation:A common Scottish phrase that means "pretty" or "beautiful" normally in reference to a woman or lass. Gobsmacked a British slang phrase used to describe amazement, I was gobsmacked, it was so good!. Elevenses - Late morning snack and cup of tea (second breakfast). Jammy avery commonBritish slangterm for someone who is always very lucky and fortunate, often more than should be normal. "You look nice. 47. As in as soccer, as in football, as in soccer.In use: "Fancy a game of footie in the park? If you're really delighted about something you can even be chuffed to bits. A "knacker" was the person that slaughtered worn-out horses in the 19th and 20th centuries for their meat, hoofs, and hide.