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slangpedia.org/british-slang-glossary/British slang glossary | Slangpedia | The slang encycolopedia
Our guide to British slang words, lingo & expressions includes regional variations from the Queen's English, Cockney, to Welsh colloquialisms.
Aug 9, 2023 · Meaning of the Slang Term: GOAT. The British Isles have a rich linguistic history with colloquial expressions like 'bloke', 'cheeky', 'mate', and 'blimey'. Navigate the myriad of British slang terms and idioms that offer a unique window into UK culture.
- A two-fingered salute. This has come up before on MTG, but just to reiterate: stick two fingers up at an American and they’ll be no more affronted than if you’d waved hello or nodded.
- Minger. Popularized by the late, great and hilariously foul-mouthed Big Brother contestant Jade Goody over a decade ago, the term meaning unattractive female is still fair game in Britain.
- Pillock. To American ears, this might sound like some kind of unadventurous English fish. Alas, it’s merely one of many hundred words we’ve evolved to refer to a somewhat idiotic, oafish individual.
- Twit. American Roald Dahl fans might be familiar with this one from reading The Twits – a wonderfully vile tale of a dysfunctional married couple who keep pet monkeys and systematically abuse each other.
Oct 13, 2020 · A list of delightfully descriptive British slang words and phrases taken from across the UK. Once you read this list, you’ll basically become British yourself. Did you know that the UK has around 40 different dialects of English, each with their own accents and slang?
- Bruv
- Oojah
- Innit
- Peng
- Chuffed
- Knackered
- Barmy
- Bants
- Antwackie
- Ace
In the US, we have friend terms like bro and bruh. In the UK, they havebruv. Bruv is short for brother, as in “fellow; buddy.” It’s a familiar term typically used between male friends, close relations, or even actual brothers. Bruvver is one regional (especially Cockney) pronunciation of brother in the UK, and bruvis a shortening of that.
You’ve likely heard of a doohickey or whatchamacallit, but what about an oojah? It’s a handy British word for an object you just can’t quite remember the name of. One of the earliest uses of the term in print appears in a 1917 Washington Postarticle about military slang. That means it’s stuck around for more than 100 years.
It’s a good time to learn some new words, innit? This well known British word is unique because it’s actually a slang contraction. It’s a shortened form of the phrase isn’t it. Innithas roots in the Asian and Jamaican communities in London. It was also popularized by Ali G, a fictional British character played by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.
If something ispeng, that means it’s attractive or appealing. Frequently, the term applies to good-looking people, but it can also be used to describe other things that look good, like clothing or food items. Pengis an example of modern British slang, as evidenced by its use on current popular shows like “Love Island.”
Chuffed means “delighted, pleased, satisfied.” You might say you’re chuffed that your favorite team won the soccer game. This word dates back to the 1800s, when it was originally used to mean “puffed up with fat.” It later became a slang term to express satisfaction. Victorian fiction enthusiasts may also recognize chuffed, though in literature it ...
Long day? Knackered is British slang for “very tired.” It was first recorded in English in the late 1880s from knacker, or “to tire.” It’s related to an earlier sense of knacker that meant “to kill.” Luckily, the meaning today is much less shocking. Though it’s an older word, knackeredis still relevant and used frequently.
Barmy means “crazy; foolish; eccentric.” It’s thought to be an alteration of the word balmy, meaning “foolish.” This sense was first recorded in the 1800s and has an interesting history. Before baker’s yeast was widely available, bakers used a “barm tub” to let bits of dough ferment into leavening. Some would drink this fermented alcoholic brew, ma...
If you meet up for some bants, you’re in for “playful teasing or mocking.” Bants is a shortened form of banter, the English word that means “an exchange of light, playful, teasing remarks; good-natured raillery.” Banter was recorded in English beginning in the 1660s, but bantsis a more recent sense of the word that’s popular among young people in t...
Now, let’s talk about a throwback word. Antwackie isn’t just an older word itself, it actually means “old fashioned.” Generally, it’s slang that’s used to describe people who are old fashioned or out of date. It’s thought to be related to the word antique (perhaps combined with the word wackyfor humorous effect), though the exact origins aren’t kno...
This next word is ace. In British slang,ace means “excellent; first-rate; outstanding.” Whereas Americans might say theyaced a test, ace is used in the UK as an adjective, likethat movie was ace. This usage is most popular in Northern England and among young people.
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.
Aug 3, 2021 · Your grasp of the slang portion of British English won't be complete unless you master a few of the most common U.K. slang exclamations and expressions. These will help you know how to react to what others say, how to express appreciation or end a conversation appropriately.
