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What is British slang?
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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.
- 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”.
- Pissed.
- Nowt.
- Us.
- Trainers.
- Wanker.
- Hunky-Dory.
- Cheers.
- Bugger all.
- Bollocks.
- Bloody.
This doesn't mean angry or frustrated in the way Americans use it– rather, it means to be blind drunk.
Coming originally from Northern England, this word has recently entered the mainstream British slang and means 'nothing'.
This one is interesting and can be a bit confusing at first. In British slang, some people use the word "us" rather than 'me' when talking about themselves. For instance, instead of 'come with me', one might say 'come with us'.
Trainers are the American equivalent of "sneakers". If you think about it, it makes more sense– athletes train in shoes, they don't sneak.
Possibly the best single-worded British insult on the list, wanker fits closest by 'jerk' or 'a-hole'.
A fun little piece of British slang that means a situation is cool, okay, or normal. Related: 300 Words to Describe Yourself
While most people associate this word with a toast, it can also mean a quick 'thanks' or 'thank you'.
This is slang used for 'nothing at all'. When you've sat on the couch all day watching Netflix, you've done bugger all.
While it has a multitude of meanings, bullocks is most commonly used to describe dismay or disbelief.
You probably don't need a definition, as this is by far the most popular British slang. Historically, it was seen a cuss word– it's now so commonly used that it is generally acceptable.
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.
- A cuppa: A cup of tea. Commonly used when someone wants to express a desire for a hot beverage, particularly tea. Example sentence: “I fancy a cuppa after that long walk.”
- All right: A greeting or inquiry about one’s well-being. Used as a casual way to say hello and check in on someone. Example sentence: “All right, mate? How’s it going?”
- Arse: Buttocks or backside. A more informal and potentially humorous term for the posterior. Example sentence: “I nearly fell on my arse when I slipped on the ice.”
- Banter: Playful and teasing conversation. Often used in the context of joking and light-hearted exchanges. Example sentence: “We always have good banter at the pub.”
Sep 6, 2023 · 30 British Slang Terms You Should Know. By Chris Deeley | Sep 6, 2023, 5:16 PM EDT. Whatever you do, don’t mess up the meanings of ‘punter.’ / mattjeacock/E+/Getty Images. Read More. Welcome to...
Aug 3, 2021 · Vocabulary. Slang. 100+ Smashing British Slang Words and Terms to Know. By. Mary Gormandy White, M.A. , Staff Writer. Updated August 3, 2021. Image Credits. If you're heading off on a holiday to the United Kingdom, it'll be handy to have certain British slang definitions down pat.
