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Our guide to British slang words, lingo & expressions includes regional variations from the Queen's English, Cockney, to Welsh colloquialisms.
Aug 9, 2023 · Navigate the myriad of British slang terms and idioms that offer a unique window into UK culture. The British Isles have a rich linguistic history with colloquial expressions like 'bloke', 'cheeky', 'mate', and 'blimey'.
- 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”.
- Bet. Bet is used as a way to confirm or agree with something. Consider it a synonym for okay or sounds good. —Can you pick up Joshua in an hour? —Bet, I’ll be there.
- Boujee. Boujee (also spelled bougie) is mostly used as an adjective describing something extravagant, luxurious, or of high-class taste. Boujee can also describe a person who is materialistic, pretentious, or who prioritizes an upscale lifestyle.
- Curve. To curve someone is to dismiss someone’s flirtatious advances or expressions of interest. In other words, if someone is flirting with you, and you tell them you have a boyfriend or girlfriend, you’ve curved them.
- DMs. DM is an abbreviation for direct message. It refers to a private message sent via a social media platform like Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter).
1. Common British English Slang Words. Here’s a substantial list of British slang words you’re likely to come across: Bloke. Meaning: A man. Example: “That bloke at the pub was hilarious.”. Knackered. Meaning: Exhausted or very tired. Example: “I’m knackered after that long day at work.”.
May 30, 2024 · British and UK slang can sometimes seem like a whole other language with words taking on different meanings and phrases you probably haven’t even heard of before. This list introduces you to a variety of slang words and phrases commonly used in the UK to help you learn British English slang.
Nov 4, 2022 · The world of British slang is vast, and it includes everything from modern abbreviations to terms that have existed for a century. So let’s dive in and learn some other UK originals that you might hear more often if you mingle with the locals.
