"Shhh, he's on the dog and bone.". 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. "Be careful when you're driving it's a pea-souper out there.". A "dog's dinner" is a mess or fiasco sometimes also referred to as a "dog's breakfast.". "And did you see thatequalising goal in the last minute of injury time? This phrase became mainstream in the USA in the 1920s despite its British origins,but its popularity in the Stateshas dwindled since the turn of the century. 7 British slang phrases to spice up your conversation There are two basic types of conversations - formal and informal. ", "I'm going to make us spaghetti carbonara for dinner. "Our Christmas dinner had everything from sprouts to Yorkshire puddings. 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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. "The dreaded lurgy" originates from 1950s British TV show "The Goon Show," in which one character has to deal with a national epidemic of an unidentified illness. The team at the Business Insider UK office have compiled a list of the best British slang and idioms that define the weird and wonderful British dialect we grew up with. Crease up: To laugh heartily (so one's face creases up). The "boot" is the compartment at the back of the car known as the "trunk" in American English. If you're "zonked" or "cream crackered," you might want to take a nap. ", 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. "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. ", Although the adjective's origins remain largely unknown, early documented uses seem to use the word as synonymous with "smear," further suggesting that someone who is "smarmy" is also "slick" or "slippery. ", "Par" can also be used as a verb, eg, "You just got parred.". Some believe it's derived from the Dutch word "blute," meaning "bare." "Goodness, you're full of beans this morning!". ", "He skived off school so we could all go to Thorpe Park on a weekday.". This classic British idiom may seem stereotypically twee, however, some sources believe that "tickety-boo" in fact derives from theHindu phrase "hk hai, bb," meaning "it's alright, sir. An obvious and indiscreet mistake or blunder. The word "shirt" is derived from the Norse for "short," hence short-tempered. To "faff" is to waste time doing very little. ", It's similar to "scoot over" or "move over. "Wow -- you've really splashed out on this party! Benjo. The term probably came about due to the fact that it rhymes with "knacker." He pulled a blinder there.". This could be due to the lengths that the person will have to go to in order to complete the task. This colloquialism might be said by someone that has the situation under control. 50 Must-Know British Slang Words and Phrases. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Open yourself up to the delights of the English language, especially the variety that's spoken where English got its start. Sailors would blow down a pipe to their recipient, where a whistle at the end of the pipe would sound to spark attention. If someone's "caught the lurgy," they're suffering from cold or flu-like symptoms. ", Something full to the brim, or rammed, could be described as "chockalock. Although its origins are largely debated, the term's meaning has evolved over the last 50 years alone. Since then, the phrase hasevolved and refers to something at the "height of cool. "Don't put down a leaking mug on top of the newspaper, you wally!". "The full Monty" historically refers to an old tailor called Sir Montague Burton. A "botch job" can also refer to anything that's been done haphazardly, like a work assignment. The idiom was first used to describe the thick, choking smogs that settled over London, caused by lots of people burning fossil fuels in a close vicinity,as early as 1200. Are yougoing on the pull?". This is probablyhow the term came about. A "dog's dinner" is a mess or fiasco -- sometimes also referred to as a "dog's breakfast.". Do you know anyone that might be interested?". It may originate from subcultures, criminals during the 16th century in saloons and gambling houses, or the codes certain vulnerable communities use to survive. "I'm trying to flog my old sofa. I just threw in an extra slang term for free. Don't be alarmed if a Londoner tells you to go up the apples and pears - they haven't lost their mind or grasp of the English language, they're just talking about going up stairs. ", "Miffed" possibly derives from the German "muffen," meaning "to sulk. According to the Metro, the playground ritual originates from the medieval times, when a "pinch" of salt was believing to make witches weak, and the "punch" resembled banishing the witches entirely. ", "What's happened here? 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. "What are you up to this weekend? ", Similar to "nerd" or "geek" but less derogatory someone that takes academic study very seriously might be described as a "swot. To be 'gutted' about a situation means to be devastated and saddened. For example, 'His girlfriend broke up with him. ", When someone makes a great speech while skirting around a subject or saying little of any value, you might say that they're talking "waffle," or that they're "waffling.". If you're "winding someone up," you're making them tense or irritated in the same way you wind up a Jack-in-the-box before it pops. ", Someone that's energetic, lively, or enthusiastic might be described as "full of beans.". He's turned into such a swot! The origins of the word are widely disputed. "Take the Mickey" is an abbreviation of "taking the Mickey Bliss," which is Cockney rhyming slang for "take the p***.". Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. Marvin played guitar in Cliff Richard's backing band in the 1960s. . The phrase was first documented in the BBC's "Lenny Henry Christmas Special" in 1987. Of course, there also have to be slang options to describe actions and behaviors people engage in on a regular basis. Schoolkids might call "bagsy" on items from their friends' pack lunches, like an apple or a cereal bar, that the friend isn't going to eat. An informal way of referring to a young woman or a girl, "bird" is a misogynistic British slang word that is unfortunately used quite often. Some believe it's derived from the Dutch word "blute," meaning "bare." "Over-egging the pudding" means embellishing or over-doing something to the extent that it's detrimental to the finished product. ", After "The Full Monty" film was released in 1997, there was some international confusion over the phrase, which it was taken as a euphemism for stripping. "Stop being such a wind-up merchant and be serious for one second! The smogs werecompared to pea soup due to their colour and density. In the 17th century, to "waff" went to yelp, and quickly evolved to mean to talk foolishly or indecisively. If you want to tell someone to not concern themselves with issues that don't directly affect them, you might tell them to "wind their neck in.". Start your Independent Premium subscription today. If you've "pulled," you've kissed someone. "How was the hostel?" "That's a barmy idea". It's most often used to say something is unsatisfactory, like "blows" or "reeks," rather than actual trash. This intensifier can be added to practically any sentence in order to demonstrate incredulity or anger. A slap and a kick for being so quick!". You don't want to be called a few sandwiches short of a picnic." From "chockablock" to a "full Monty," the Brits have a wide range of interesting phrases. The phrase was first documented in the BBC's "Lenny Henry Christmas Special" in 1987. In "over-egging the pudding" analogy, someone is over-exciting, or over-mixing, the batter too much before it bakes -- resulting in a tough or dense cake. ", Although the adjective's origins remain largely unknown, early documented uses seem to use the word as synonymous with "smear," further suggesting that someone who is "smarmy" is also "slick" or "slippery. "We get it you've injured yourself. "Simon heard from John that youwere fired. I'm Hank Marvin.". ", A "par" breaches social and common courtesy, eg, a disrespectful comment could be seen as a "par. ", 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. I'm Hank Marvin.". "Don't put down a leaking mug on top of the newspaper, you wally!". "Mortal" describes someone highly intoxicated or drunk in a sloppy manner. It's nice to know what the locals are saying, and it makes it a lot easier to have a conversation without looking (and feeling) like a dolt! The "wind-up merchant" will often claim to be making their comments as a light-hearted jest when the recipients start becoming irritated. U.K. slang is nothing if not interesting! Nowadays, "bloody" is used widely -- it's even used in children's films such as "Harry Potter" -- and is arguably one of the most quintessentially British words on the list. or "Et voila!". Something untrue -- often made up for dramatic effect. Just your bog-standard dorm, really.". Another word for screw something up: to twist out of shape or distort | Collins English Thesaurus Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Budge up and make some room for us, too!". "Be careful when you're driving -- it's a pea-souper out there.". This phrase is used to confirm or agree with something that another person has just said. ", Atask performed in an awkward or uncomfortable fashion, usually clumsily, would be described as "cack-handed.". ", 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. Menu. The meaning of this slang has been debated at length. ", A British axiom that boils down to the idea that: "If anything can go wrong, then it definitely will go wrong. I'm cream crackered.". Eg, "half past seven," and "ten to six.". Preferably with more than one female. Editor's note: An earlier version of this story was published on November 3, 2017, on Business Insider UK. Someone who's "quids in" has invested in an opportunity that is probably going to benefit them massively. ", Someone that makes comments just to spark controversy or argument might be labelled a "wind-up merchant.". Someone on a spree of excessive drinking and mischief is "on a bender." It's usually used to describe a woman between the ages of 18 and 50, particularly one who is attractive. "Goodness, you're full of beans this morning!". Daps. "How was the hostel?" "Do we have to go to the dinner party tonight? Do you know anyone who might be interested? f you hear a word that's not on this list, give a Cockney translator a try. Men from east London are also commonly referred to as "geezers.". The smogs were compared to pea soup due to their color and density. "You look nice. "Mug" likely originated in London with Cockney slang. ", "Sod's law" is often used to explain bad luck or freakish acts of misfortune. Although it's more often used as a synonym for raincoat, an anorak is something slightly different in playground slang. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets screencap, no one is completely sure of the word's origins, Britsappear to favour analogue time-telling, Wikimedia Commons/Sabine Crossen/Puzzle Productions, reportedly old slang from the Royal Air Force, only women would announce they were going to "spend a penny,". When they were working on the factory floor, employees had to wear hard clogs to protect their feet. "He handles a screwdriver very cack-handedly. ", "I bumped into him towards the end of his four-day bender. The idea is when someone popped, or cocked, their clogs, the toes of the clogs pointed up in the air as they lay down dead. Although it might sound quite similar to gaffe, its meaning is completely different. Batty-fang. Geezer is thought to stem from the 15th century "guiser," which meant well-dressed. 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 andunspecial. "Quid" is British slang for "pounds," eg, "five quid" means 5. Benders can last over 24 hours, and so you might say that someone is on "a weekend bender," or a "three-day bender. On a rainy day in London, you would definitely want a brolly on hand. ", "Grab your brolly, it's drizzling outside. RCB, who were 62/0 at one stage, suffered a batting collapse. 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. "What a long day. "I wangled some first-class seats by being nice to the cabin crew!". By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our. For example, you might say a chair has a wonky leg. Derived from the Newcastle sociolect, "mortal" was made widely known across the country in 2011 by reality TV show "Geordie Shore.". It must have been Chinese Whispers.". "Flogging" also refers to whipping a racehorse in order to make it move faster, so there is some speculation into whether you flog goods in order to make them shift faster, too. "He handles a screwdriver very cack-handedly. ", A task performed in an awkward or uncomfortable fashion, usually clumsily, would be described as "cack-handed.". The phrase is most often used to describe heavy road traffic. We've got a party at our gaff, if you fancy it?". "Would you take a butchers at this broken bike for me? "Be careful when you're driving it's a pea-souper out there.". Now that's a proper breakfast.". This is a shambles! The team at the Business Insider UK office have compiled a list of the best British slang and idioms that define the weird and wonderful British dialect we grew up with. The word "shirt" is derived from the Norse for "short," hence short-tempered. 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. three up Indulging In sexual congress Involving more than two and less than 4 peoples . "How was the hostel?" "Is it just me or is that painting a bit skew-whiff?". ", "I bumped into him towards the end of his four-day bender. Unrelatedly, "Clangers" was also a children's TV show from the 1970s about pink mouse-like creatures that lived on the moon. Meaning: Taxi. ", "He's going on a date with Amber? To run away. This phrase could be a reference to coffee beans, although these claims have been disputed. British Compliments Think about the elegant British phrases you have heard and see if you recognize any in our list below. Cockney is slang from a certain neighborhood in London. It works. "By getting pregnant, Mary threw a spanner in the works.". The phrase describes the mayhem caused when something is recklesslythrown into the intricate gears and workings of a machine. "Hank Marvin" is Cockney rhyming slang for "starving. It works." It works." Examples include . ", An informal way of asking someone to make room where they are sitting for you to sit down, too, would be asking them to "budge up. This is still used in English in the phrase "egging someone on" to do something. "I don't mean this as a par, but did you remember to wash this morning? Chopsing. Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. 3 see PISS ON v ["to treat contemptuously"]. Although it's more often used as a synonym for raincoat, an anorak is something slightly different in playground slang. "A bacon sandwich and a builder's tea. ", "Miffed" possibly derives from the German "muffen," meaning "to sulk. Dench is the equivalent of "solid" or "cool" when used in response to someone else. It includes quite a few fun and unique ways for people to express that they are happy or otherwise share positive sentiments. Something that takes a lot of effort and probably isn't going to be worth all of the effort, either, could be described as "long." Are you going on the pull?". "What's in that sandwich? A "good old chinwag" is a good chat,catch up, or gossip with someone. "Joe's children are absolute rascals they tied my shoelaces together last week!". Although it sounds crude, the phrase is actually considered a polite way of announcing that you are going to visit the bathroom. He's absolutely gutted.' 26. This is a shambles! ", If someone has done something highly irritating or surprising in an exasperating fashion, you might say that they've "taken the biscuit.". ", A "par" breaches social and common courtesy, eg, a disrespectful comment could be seen as a "par. So, if you're "ready for the knacker's yard," you're exhausted beyond relief. ", "I was going to go out tonight but when I finished work I was absolutely zonked.". The phrase was first documented in the BBC's "Lenny Henry Christmas Special" in 1987. ", "Give me a call" or "ring me." Dodgy: Suspicious, dubious. Although it's more often used as a synonym for raincoat, an anorak is something slightly different in playground slang. "Over-egging the pudding" means embellishing or over-doing something to the extent that it's detrimental to the finished product. Bob's your uncle -- you're driving!". Since then, the phrase has evolved and refers to something popular or cool. The "boot" is the compartment at the back of the car known as the "trunk" in American English. We've got a party at our gaff, if you fancy it?". Meaning: A pair of sneakers. A phrase is whispered around a circleand the last person to hear the phrase has to guess what the initial phrase was. We've got a party at our gaff, if you fancy it? ", "He's obsessed with anything that happens on this street. I feel so mugged off right now.". ", Benders often last over 24 hours, and so you might say that someone is on "a weekend bender," or a "three-day bender. Something that is "long" is probably also annoying or aggravating. ", "He skived off school so we could all go to Thorpe Park on a weekday.". Some believe it's derived from the Dutch word "blute," meaning "bare." Others believe the word is a contraction of the 17th century phrase "by our. The name of a strongly-brewed cup of English breakfast tea with milk -- the way that tea is most commonly drunk in the UK. "Don't get caught, or you'll end up in the Nick!". Knackered: tired, but very. ", Something full to the brim, or rammed, could be described as "chockalock. ", "Don't trust him he's a smarmy geezer. To "whinge" means to moan, groan, and complain in an irritating or whiney fashion. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter. All right? This phrase is used to confirm or agree with something that another person has just said. This classic phrase is another way of telling someone that their opinion is not appreciated in the given scenario. "Taking the biscuit" is the equivalent of taking the nonexistent medal for foolishness or incredulity. From "chockablock" to a "full Monty," the Brits have a wide range of interesting phrases. Knackered is British slang for "very tired.". Others believe the word is a contraction of the 17th-century phrase "by our lady," and is blasphemous. To "pull a blinder"involves achieving something difficult faultlessly and skilfully. "Butcher's hook" is Cockney rhyming slang for "look." ", Someone short-tempered or irritated might be described as "shirty.". "Tinkle" refers to a phone's ring, while "blower" is slang or telephone and refers to the device that predated phones on Naval ships. Cock Up 'Cock up' - a British slang term that is far from the lewdness its name suggests. He popped his clogs, didn't he", Not referring to actual poppies, this quintessentially British idiom derives from the Dutch "pap" and "kak," which translate as "soft" and "dung.". "That's when all of the lights came on, and so we legged it. "Taking the biscuit" is the equivalent of taking the nonexistent medal for foolishness or incredulity. Gaff. Is that ham and tuna? Going "the fully Monty" meant purchasing a full three-piece suit, a shirt, and all of the trimmings. This classic phrase is another way of telling someone that their opinion is not appreciated in the given scenario. However, "the full Monty" now usually refers to taking something as far as it can go, similar to "the whole nine yards.". However, there is no proof for this theory. It's trousers. To "spend a penny" is a polite euphemism for going to the toilet. The very British equivalent to "Hey presto!" "Pop" has evolved from "cock," and when someone "cocked" their clogs, the toes of their clogs pointed up in the air as they lay down dead. If you're heading off on a holiday to the United Kingdom, it'll be handy to have certain British slang definitions down pat. Just your bog-standard dorm, really.". "What are you up to this weekend? Therefore, if you're "having a butchers," you're having a look at something. ", "I was going to go out tonight but when I finished work I was absolutely zonked. "The full Monty" historically refers to an old tailor called Sir Montague Burton. ", "Sam did a botch job on these shelves -- they're wonky! Open yourself up to the delights of British slang words and talk like a local in no time. "Pissed" usually means "angry" in the US. Nineteenth-century sailor slang for "A riotous holiday, a noisy day in the . Someone that's "on the pull" has gone out, usually on a night out, with the intention of attracting a sexual partner. ", "I'm going to make us spaghetti carbonara for dinner. Its reported creator, British rapper Lethal Bizzle, elusively told the Guardian that the word "means anything you want. Bob's your uncle you're driving!". ", Examples include "trollied," "smashed," and "gazeboed. He's a bloody curtain twitcher, but he still won't sign for our packages.". However, "the full Monty" actually refers to pursuing something to the absolute limits. It was first recorded in English in the late 1880s from knacker, or "to tire.". If you've "pulled," you've kissed someone. Three-up To marry and have three kids as soon as possible, in spite of the environmental impact 'Gutted' - a British slang term that is one of the saddest on the lists in terms of pure contextual emotion. This colloquialism might be said by someone that has the situation under control. "What did you do on your day off from work? It can be used in both a lighthearted and an irritated fashion. ", Someone that makes comments just to spark controversy or argument might be labelled a "wind-up merchant.". ", "Hey, there's loads of room on that bench. While Americans are more likely to say "seven thirty" or "five fifty," Brits will more often than not refer to times in "minutes past" the hour. ", "I was absolutely car-parked last night. This slang term could be a British abbreviation of the French "faux pas," meaning an embarrassing or tactless remark in a social situation. "Faff" comes from the 17th-century word "faffle," which means to flap about in the wind. This road is chocka! Someone who's "quids in" has invested in an opportunity which is probably going to benefit them massively. For example, "five quid" means 5. He popped his clogs, didn't he", Something that is nonsense, rubbish, or simply untrue might be described as "poppycock. Apples and Pears = Stairs. The phrase is reportedly old slang from the Royal Air Force and was used to described awry expeditions and flights. While the phrase is misogynistic in nature, it's still commonly used. The word could be a variation of "toddle" like a young child's first steps. Congratulations! This is an England expression for something that takes you by surprise and is something you might often hear on Doctor Who. If you want to tell someone to not concern themselves with issues that don't directly affect them, you might tell them to "wind their neck in.". "Pop" has evolved from "cock," and when someone "cocked" their clogs, the toes of their clogs pointed up in the air as they lay down dead. This road is chocka! This phrase could be a reference to coffee beans, although these claims have been disputed. "Did you see Scott last night? ", Someone short-tempered or irritated might be described as "shirty.". "Wind your neck in and stop being so nosy!". Now that's a proper breakfast.". When they were working on the factory floor, employees had to wear hard clogs to protect their feet. You'll be chatting like a local in no time at all! Whether you think this list is the "bee's knees" or if it's enough to make you want to "pop your clogs," scroll on to discover 88 very Britishphrases in alphabetical order that will confuse anybody who didn't grow up in the UK. "And did you see that equalizing goal in the last minute of injury time? Going "the fully Monty" meant purchasing a full three-piece suit, a shirt, and all of the trimmings. Someone silly or incompetent might be described as a wally. In the US, buzzard denotes vultures, but also a contemptible or rapacious person to use definition 3 from the online Merriam-Webster.The most common phrase I'm personally familiar with is to say you old buzzard, usually said to some old guy who you are half-jokingly saying is lecherous or a cheater or some other un-good thing.. ", "Yeah, he's been swotting like mad for his Spanish exam. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. "The Nick" can refer to prison, while "to nick" also means to steal. The origins of the word are widely disputed. Historically, only women would announce they were going to "spend a penny," as only women's public toilets required a penny to lock. ", "Of course my toast had to land on the floor butter-side-down. "Chinese whispers" are rumours that have been circulated and watered down until they only vaguely resemble the truth.

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