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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.
- Contents
- Top British Slang Terms
- Bonus: Cockney Rhyming Slang
- How to Learn More British Slang
Because slang is casual language, some of these might not be appropriate for younger learners. Also, some words that are fine to use in Britain may be considered offensive in other places! I’ll explain all of that, though.
Cockney rhyming slang originated in East London in the 18th century. While some of the terms listed below have spread to other parts of the UK, it’s less likely you’ll hear all of them outside of London. The key trick behind Cockney rhyming slang is that the second word often rhymes with the actual word you want to say. Here are some common example...
Exposure (seeing and hearing the language) is the key to learning new English words, including British slang. You may have to look a little harder, but there are plenty of sources out there. The problem with slang is that it is always changing and there are trends (like fashions or clothing styles). A word that was commonly used in the ’80s or ’90s...
- 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”.
- 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.
- 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”.
- Barmy. Crazy. “That’s a barmy idea”.
- Bevvy. Let's start off with the British short form of beverages commonly used for beer. This is not to be confused with "bev", which is the British slang word for "a handsome chap."
- Bird. An informal way of referring to a young woman or a girl, "bird" is a misogynistic word that is unfortunately used quite often. Example: "Check out the bird to your right, Harry.
- Blimey. This is an English expression for something that takes you by surprise and is something you might often hear on Doctor Who. Example: "Blimey! That watch is expensive.
- Bloke. Used in a similar fashion as its American counterparts "guy" and "dude", this British term is used for a "man." Example: "I can't be arsed about that bloke's problems!"
Aug 3, 2021 · Fortunately, there are quite a few descriptive British slang terms that paint quite a vivid picture to anyone who knows what the informal words mean. bog-standard - nothing special; bonkers - crazy; botched - something going wrong; cack-handed - clumsy; camp - flamboyant; cheeky - sassy; chockablock - filled to the brim; cobblers - nonsense
- Mary Gormandy White
- Staff Writer
This dictionary of British slang includes popular words and phrases that you might hear in the UK and will help you with your own spoken English.
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2 days ago · James Prior. No Comments. Updated May 30, 2024. If you’ve ever come across British slang words and you live anywhere other than the UK, it’s understandable if you’re confused by what they mean! But, fear not! This ultimate list of British slang words covers the popular slang words and phrases that you might hear in the UK.
