In the 1960s, someone that was unfashionable might be nicknamed a "wally," according to dictionary.com. Each term is partneredwith a description and example. "Butcher's hook" is Cockney rhyming slang for "look." Budge up and make some room for us, too!". "Hank Marvin" is Cockney rhyming slang for "starving. Using fun and zany British slang phrases is not always appropriate when you have a formal conversation. 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. The origins of the phrase are largely debated online, however, it's believed that "to nick" as in to steal influenced the slang term for prison, as being imprisoned is similar to being "stolen" away. For example, "five quid" means 5. Something that is "tickety-boo" is satisfactory and in good order. 60 British Slang Words And Phrases You Need To Know ", "Of course my toast had to land on the floor butter-side-down. Let's take a look at the seven most useful slang words to know in English. British slang words & phrases | Oxford International English "When are we going to eat? So, if you're "ready for the knacker's yard," you're exhausted beyond relief. "Press down the clutch, put it into gear, then slowly ease off the clutch again. This probably originates from the "uncool" appearance of anorak coats and the people wearing them. To "splash out" means spending significant amounts of money on a particular item or event. "You look nice. ", "Don't trust him he's a smarmy geezer.". Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Kecks: a bread rolhang on, no, trousers. Its origins are somewhat unclear, but a "bog" is another word for a toilet in British slang, adding to the connotations that something "bog-standard" is unglamorous and unspecial. Not to be confused with literally being disembowelled, someone that says they're "gutted" is devastated or extremely upset. "Take the Mickey" is an abbreviation of "taking the Mickey Bliss," which is Cockney rhyming slang for "take the p***.". 75 British Slang Words And Their Meanings - Parade "Did you hear what happened to John's old man? Congratulations! ", Someone that makes comments just to spark controversy or argument might be labelled a "wind-up merchant.". 'Cheers' meanswell, pretty much everything. "If it all works out as planned, he'll be quids in.". ", Making random words past-tense to mean drunk, Brits are known for favouring a drink or two, so much so that almost any noun can be used as a substitute for "drunk. Nothing makes the language more colorful than descriptive words. "When are we going to eat? However, there is no proof for this theory. ", Something full to the brim, or rammed, could be described as "chockalock. This road is chocka! "Those two are having a proper chinwag -- I haven't been able to get a word in edgeways for half an hour! What I like about this term and its two/three usages is that the following sentence, "Nick got nicked for nicking something" makes grammatical sense. This cheery phrase is widely believed to originate from Northern factory workers around the time of the industrial revolution. Others believe the word is a contraction of the 17th-century phrase "by our lady," and is blasphemous. Bladdered: drunk. Yes! It can be used in both a lighthearted and an irritated fashion. Hank Marvin is a British musician from the 1960s and 1970s, and is a pretty obscure reference nowadays. "Sam did a botch job on these shelves they're wonky!". The origins of the phrase are largely debated online, however, it's believed that "to nick" as in to steal influenced the slang term for prison, as being imprisoned is similar to being "stolen" away. 2. That's minging.". ", "Miffed" possibly derives from the German "muffen," meaning "to sulk.". The action of chatting away -- with the jaw bobbing up and down -- resembles a chin "wagging" like a dog's tail. To "flog" means to sell something usually quickly and cheaply. "You look nice. Lacking in energy; usually after a long period of exertion. ", Similar to "nerd" or "geek" but less derogatory -- someone that takes academic study very seriously might be described as a "swot. A gaffe is another word for "mistake" or "blunder.". The origins of the word are widely disputed. ", Someone that comes across as scheming or untrustworthy might be described as "smarmy. Bloody is an adverb used to show anger or surprise. Someone that's "on the pull" has gone out, usually on a night out, with the intention of attracting a sexual partner. The phrase originates from the game "Chinese Whispers" commonly played at children's parties. Therefore, if you're "having a butchers," you're having a look at something. "Cack" isold-fashioned slang for faeces. "I'm trying to flog my old sofa. If you've "pulled," you've kissed someone. "Innit" is an abbreviation of "isn't it" most commonly used amongst teenagers and young people. This is probably how the term came about. Batty-fang. Historically, only women would announce they were going to "spend a penny," as only women's public toilets required a penny to lock. ", In his stand-up show, British comedian Michael MacIntyre said: "You can actually use any word in the English language and substitute it to mean drunk. mess up, cock up (British, slang), mishandle, fuck up (offensive, taboo, slang), mismanage, muff, make a hash of (informal), make a nonsense of, bodge (informal), misfield, crool or cruel (Australian, slang) in the sense of fumble Definition the act of fumbling Fans cheered a fumble by the home team's star. "Simon heard from John that youwere fired. A "geezer" is a man that could be described as "suave" or "dapper," and is often suited and booted. "Pull" can also be used as a verb. 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. Although the origins of this phrase are largely unknown, a gaff in the 18th-century was a music hall or theatre, and so it's believed to derive from this. This classic phrase is another way of telling someone that their opinion is not appreciated in the given scenario. 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. Some entries also feature surprising facts about the phrase's origins, with a few quintessentially British idioms not actually coming from British roots at all. Barm: a bread roll. ", "Yeah, he's been swotting like mad for his Spanish exam. This is probably how the term came about. ", If you get a promotion or meet someone special, you might describe yourself as "chuffed. A "good old chinwag" is a good chat, catch up, or gossip with someone. "I wangled some first-class seats by being nice to the cabin crew!". Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq took three wickets as Lucknow Super Giants restricted Royal Challengers Bangalore to 126/9 in IPL 2023. Barmy. "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. ", A nosey neighbour, often caught peering out on their street's activities from a curtained window, might be referred to as a "curtain twitcher. Crazy. To "gallivant" means to roam, or to set off on an expedition, with the sole intention of having some light-hearted fun. If you're "splashing out," it's implied that you're spending money on a treatto mark a special occasion or celebration. ", "You've made a dog's dinner of that paint job.". This second theory has been disproved, however, by the slang's documentation predating the popularity of the phrase "by our lady.". This is sometimes shortened to "chocka." 4. Going "the fully Monty" meant purchasing a full three-piece suit, a shirt, and all of the trimmings. Something that is "bog-standard" is completely ordinary with no frills, embellishments, or add-ons. This is commonly used as a greeting that doesn't always need a response. "Gob" is slang for mouth, so if you're gobsmacked, you're shocked to the point of clasping your jaw in disbelief. Don't over-egg the pudding. As a result, "pinch punch, first of the month" was a way of warding off witches and bad luck for the near future. To "whinge" means to moan, groan, and complain in an irritating or whiney fashion. In the 1960s, someone who was unfashionable might be nicknamed a "wally," according to dictionary.com. ", "Grab your brolly, it's drizzling outside. Getting a good sense of UK slang terms that describe everyday actions will help prepare you to understand what the locals mean when they're describing actions. However, "the full Monty" actually refers to pursuing something to the absolute limits. The word could be a variation of "toddle" -- like a young child's first steps. Getty Images. 'Gutted' - a British slang term that is one of the saddest on the lists in terms of pure contextual emotion. Nowadays, "bloody" is used widely it's even used in children's films such as "Harry Potter" andis arguably one of the most quintessentially British words on the list. ", "I was absolutely car-parked last night. U.K. slang includes some interesting insults. This word probably originates from the "uncool" appearance of anorak coats and the people wearing them. "He handles a screwdriver very cack-handedly. Benjo. Bollocks - One of the more well-known British terms, it actually has a multitude of meanings. "Goodness, you're full of beans this morning!". This slang term could be a British abbreviation of the French "faux pas," meaning an embarrassing or tactless remark in a social situation. ", Someone that's energetic, lively, or enthusiastic might be described as "full of beans.". ", An act which could be deemed as impolite or shameless, but for some reason comes across asfunny or endearing to others, would be described as "cheeky. We've got a party at our gaff, if you fancy it?". "What are you up to this weekend? 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. The word "shirt" is derived from the Norse for "short," hence short-tempered. 11. On a rainy day in London, you would definitely want a brolly on hand. "Do we have to go to the dinner party tonight?
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