Nothing will make you sound extra like a Brit than utilizing British slang or British accent phrases!
As an American residing in London, I’ve come throughout a lot of British slang phrases. Some British slang I knew rising up (thanks, Harry Potter), however I used to be shocked about how a lot I needed to be taught since I’ve been right here.
Identical to British dialects of the English language, British slang can fluctuate area by area and even by subgroup, equivalent to class. After all, I can’t cowl every little thing, and a few of these phrases aren’t essentially unique to the UK. However I’m going to introduce you to some quintessential slang you’ll undoubtedly hear when you’re within the UK or when you watch British TV.
To make it simple for you, I’ve listed these British phrases to say in alphabetical order. So be at liberty to learn down the checklist or bounce to a phrase you’ve been burning to grasp extra! After the checklist, I’ll additionally introduce you to a well-known and interesting coded slang system distinctive to a subset of Londoners.
So what phrases do you’ll want to comprehend that the British are telling you? A few of these are fairly humorous phrases (at the least to an American), so chances are you’ll be shocked to search out out.
A closing phrase of warning – a few of these phrases are Not Secure for Work (NSFW), so when you’re simply offended this won’t be the article for you. I’ve marked these phrases with a § image.
A
- Alright – It is a informal greeting, not essentially an enquiry about your well being. (This confused me so a lot once I first bought right here!) You would possibly hear it as simply “Alright?” or “You alright?” (But when a Brit says “Are you alright?” then thye could also be asking about your wellbeing.)
- Arse § – Ass. This may consult with each your rear finish or a jerk. “Cease being such an arse!”
B
- Blimey – An expression of shock or astonishment. It tends for use extra amongst an older demographic. “Blimey, did you see that?”
- Blinking – An intensifier just like “bloody” (beneath), however much less harsh. A standard expression of frustration or unfavourable shock is “Blinking heck!”
- Bloke – A person (mainly, a “dude”). “That bloke over there was gazing his pint for an hour.”
- Bloody – A really versatile phrase to accentuate the sentiment. It’s a bit harsh, however nothing that will be censored on TV. “It’s bloody chilly as we speak!”
- Bollocking – A telling-off. “He bought a bollocking from his boss.”
- Bollocks – Nonsense or garbage (see beneath). Additionally used to specific disbelief. Its authentic which means refers to testicles, so it’s a bit vulgar. “That’s a load of bollocks!”
- Sensible – Unbelievable or wonderful. Additionally typically shortened to “brill.” “She handed her driving take a look at? Sensible!”
- Bruv – Brief for brother, used amongst buddies. It’s just like “mate” (beneath). “You alright, bruv?”
- Bugger § – A mildly offensive time period for somebody or one thing disliked. “This little bugger received’t depart me alone!” You’ll additionally usually hear the expression “Bugger off!” to imply “Get misplaced!” or “Depart me alone!”
- Bugger all – Completely nothing. (Don’t get this confused with the above!) “I did bugger all as we speak.”
- Buzzing – This has two attainable meanings. The primary is worked up or enthusiastic. “I’m buzzing for the live performance tonight!” Its authentic which means is “drunk,” and should take the shape “buzzed” on this sense.
C
- Cheeky – This has two attainable meanings: 1. Impudent however endearing. “She made a cheeky comment about his outfit.” 2. A little bit, unplanned deal with or indulgence. “Fancy a cheeky pint after work?” You’ll additionally hear it usually with getting a “cheeky Nando’s.” (Nando’s is a well-liked fast-casual meals chain.)
- Cheers – Thanks or bye. Fairly multi-purpose, it will also be used for toasts. “I’m off! Cheers.”
- Chippy – A fish and chip store. “I’m going to the chippy. Need something?”
- Happy – Happy or proud. “I’m satisfied with my examination outcomes!”
- Come off it – An expression of disbelief or dismissal. “Come off it, you possibly can’t be critical!”
- Crack on – To proceed or proceed with a job or exercise. “We have to crack on with this venture.”
- Cracking – Wonderful or spectacular. “That was a cracking objective!”
- Cricket – An expression of shock or amazement. It’s about the identical as “blimey” (above). “Crikey, that was shut!”
- Cuppa – A cup of tea. Important to British existence (though espresso can be immensely well-liked). “Fancy a cuppa?”
D
- Daft – Foolish or silly. “Don’t be daft!”
- Lifeless – Very. “That’s useless helpful.”
- Dodgy – Sketchy. One thing or somebody suspicious or of low high quality. “That’s a dodgy trying kebab van.”
F
- Faff – To waste time or fuss unnecessarily. “Cease faffing round and get to work!”
- Fag – Right here’s a key Britsh vs. American accent phrase. That is very totally different from the homophobic American which means. Within the UK this implies a cigarette. “I’m simply stepping exterior for a fag.”
- Fancy – To love somebody or one thing. “I fancy a little bit of chocolate.”
- Fanny § – Watch out with this one; it’s fairly vulgar within the UK, referring to feminine genitalia. (FYI, a “fanny pack” is known as a “bum bag” within the UK.) “I noticed her fanny as a result of she wasn’t carrying any pants!”
- Match – Enticing (however not essentially in good bodily form!). “Did you see that match bloke within the cafe?”
- Fiver – A 5 pound notice, or simply 5 kilos (since cashless funds are used a lot within the UK). “This entire meal solely price a fiver!”
- Fob – To deceive or trick somebody. “He tried to fob me off with a pretend excuse.”
G
- Good enjoyable – Pleasing or entertaining. “Going to the truthful was good enjoyable.”
- Good job – Utilized in expressions expressing aid or gratitude for a lucky end result (mainly in the identical means you would say “good factor”). “It’s job I remembered my keys.”
- Grand – Unbelievable. That is particularly used within the northern components of the UK and Eire. “You’re coming dwelling tomorrow? That’s grand.”
- Gutted – Extraordinarily dissatisfied or upset. “He was gutted when his crew misplaced.”
H
- Heaving – Extraordinarily crowded. “The bar was completely heaving final evening.”
- Hiya – An off-the-cuff and pleasant technique to say hello. “Hiya, you alright?”
- Hundred p.c – Completely or for certain. That is additionally used exterior of the UK, however in my expertise, it’s used right here on a special stage. (Simply watch “The Traitors,” a massively well-liked British competitors present. Everybody makes use of it on a regular basis, significantly in season one.) It may be used with or with out “a” previous it. “Do you belief me?” “Hundred p.c.”
I
Innit – Brief for “isn’t it,” usually used on the finish of statements to test for affirmation. Apparently, it will possibly finish any sentence, even the place “isn’t” it will possibly’t be used. “She went to York final week, innit?”
Ok
- Knackered – Very drained. “After the marathon, I used to be fully knackered.”
- Knob § – An annoying jerk, often male. It may possibly additionally consult with a penis. It’s just like “wanker” (beneath). “Her boyfriend is such a knob.”
L
- Lads – Refers to a bunch of males or boys, usually buddies. “The lads are going out tonight.” It may be used pejoratively to consult with a person who shows sure poisonous masculine traits, very similar to calling somebody a “bro.” So British folks will usually say “lad tradition” as an alternative of “bro tradition.”
- Bathroom – The lavatory. “The place are the loos?”
- Lot – A gaggle of individuals, used equally to how “guys” is used as a genderless plural. “This lot are coming to the occasion tonight.”
- Love – A time period of endearment, often on the finish of a sentence. It’s just like “sweetie” or “pricey” however used extra universally, particularly up north. “Right here’s your espresso, love.”
- Pretty – Nice. “You’re free tonight? Pretty!”
- Pretty jubbly – A lighthearted expression of enjoyment or approval. “Discovered £20 on the street, beautiful jubbly!”
- Lush – Unbelievable or enticing. That is used largely in Wales and northern England. “That lady seems lush! Are you able to introduce me to her?” It could additionally imply “drunk.”
M
- Mate – Buddy, usually male. “Hey mate, are you able to lend me a quid?” You may additionally hear the collocation “mates’ charges” for a “family and friends low cost.”
N
- Naff – Retro or lame. “That hat is a bit naff, isn’t it?”
- Nick – To steal. “My brother nicked a fiver straight from my pocket!”
O
- Oh my days – Expression of shock or disbelief, like “Oh my gosh.” “Oh my days, did he actually simply say that?”
P
- Pants – Not the American trousers, however a British means of claiming that one thing isn’t superb. Not that right here it’s an adjective (and when used as a noun, it often means “underwear” within the UK). “The climate as we speak is pants.”
- Pillock – An fool or annoying particular person. “You’re such a pillock. Go away!”
- Pint – A beer (based mostly on the unit of measurement for a big glass of beer within the UK). “Fancy going for a pint after work?”
- Pissed – Completely drunk. It’s a tad vulgar of a phrase. “He bought pissed on the occasion final evening.”
- Plonker – A silly or annoying particular person. It’s a bit much less harsh than calling somebody a “pillock.” “Don’t be such a plonker!”
- Pong – A foul scent. It may be used as a noun or a verb. “There’s a pong coming from the kitchen.”
- Pop – To rapidly go to someplace. “I’m simply going to pop to the toilet, after which I’ll be prepared.”
- Correct – An adjective (typically used like an adverb) used for emphasis, just like “actually” or “completely.” “I can’t consider it. He solely had one pint, and now he’s correct pissed!”
Q
Quid – A pound (as within the British foreign money). It’s the British equal to a “buck.” “It price me fifty quid.”
R
- Proper job – A troublesome or difficult job. “Fixing the automotive was a proper job.”
- Row – An argument or disagreement. (It rhymes with “now.”) “That they had a row about cash.”
- Garbage – Rubbish, but additionally used to explain one thing of poor high quality or to specific disagreement. “Your argument is garbage.”
- Rugger – Rugby. “You watching the rugger as we speak?”
S
- Shag § – To have intercourse or the act of intercourse. “I hear they broke up however are nonetheless shagging.”
- Shattered – To be exhausted or very drained. It’s mainly the identical as “knackered” (above). It doesn’t essentially imply you’re upset about something (one thing that actually confused me the primary time I heard it!). “You have to be shattered after that lengthy flight.”
- Smash – To do one thing extraordinarily effectively or efficiently. “You actually smashed the presentation.”
- Snog – To kiss passionately or make out. “I noticed them snogging within the nook.”
- Sod off § – Go away or get misplaced. “I informed you million occasions to sod off!” “Sod” will also be utilized in different expressions, equivalent to “sod it” or “sod all” (just like “rattling it”).
- Soz – An off-the-cuff abbreviation for “sorry.” “Soz for being late.”
T
- Ta – Thanks. That is significantly frequent in northern England. “Ta for the tea, love.”
- Take the piss – To mock or make enjoyable of somebody or one thing. It may possibly additionally consult with exploiting a scenario for one’s personal achieve. “He’s all the time taking the piss out of his buddies.”
- Tenner – A ten pound notice (or ten kilos in as we speak’s cashless society). “A pint price me a tenner in that pub! They’re taking the piss out of their prospects.”
- Tipple – A drink, often alcoholic. “Take care of a tipple?”
- Tosser – An annoying or idiotic particular person, mainly just like a “pillock.” Once more, that is often used for males. (The Brits have a number of phrases for this type of particular person.) “Shut up! Don’t be such a tosser.”
- Tuck in – To eat eagerly or with enthusiasm. Additionally used as “tuck into.” “Let’s tuck into this scrumptious meal.”
U
- Uni – College. “She’s beginning uni subsequent month.” Be aware that “school” doesn’t imply “college” within the UK and is an earlier stage of education.
W
- Wanker § – An fool or a despicable particular person, often male (and initially refers to somebody masturbating). Used disdainfully and undoubtedly not the perfect for well mannered firm. “He’s a whole wanker.”
- Wee – A bit or small, used particularly in Scotland and Eire. “May I’ve a wee bit extra sugar in my tea?”
- Depraved – Superior. “He’s depraved at soccer.”
X
- X – Actually which means a kiss (just like the X in XOXO), that is usually used on the finish of a message to convey affection. It doesn’t essentially impart any romantic emotions and can be utilized amongst buddies. It’s solely utilized in writing. “How have you ever been? Hope to catch up quickly x”
Cockney rhyming slang
Now I might be remiss if I didn’t point out Cockney rhyming slang. It’s sort of like a uniquely British model of pig latin, however it requires extra mind energy.
Cockney rhyming slang is a playful and artistic type of language that began within the East Finish of London. It includes changing frequent phrases with phrases that rhyme with them, usually dropping the rhyming phrase so as to add a component of obscurity. It’s been stated that it was initially developed to outwit eavesdroppers and authorities.
For instance, as an alternative of claiming “Use your head!” somebody talking in Cockney rhyming slang would possibly say, “Use your loaf of bread!” – and even additional abbreviated (and extra confounding to these not used to it), “Use your loaf!”
Phrases are sometimes utilized in pairs with the latter rhyming with the actual which means. For instance, if somebody was despatched to the “bucket and pail,” they have been in all probability despatched to “jail.” “Stairs” turns into “apples and pears,” however folks would possibly simply say “apples” as an alternative, dropping the rhyming phrase.
It’s not one thing you possibly can simply decide up. My housemate truly gave me a glossary of rhyming Cockney slang when she discovered I used to be writing this text!
Crack on with British Slang
I hope you had a cracking good time studying extra about British accent slang phrases. There’s loads extra to study, so crack on! (See what I did there?)
