british slang for expensive
A customer. For example, Ive had bugger all to do all day., This is the cockney rhyming slang version of having a gander, to look at something. Not used in polite company. I believe this expression originates in the English county of Cheshire. And today'post is about where it all started - British Slang! If you want to read more about cockney rhyming slang and money, read this BBC article. This expression means to be shocked or astonished. Narky 14. A possible result of a knees-up. exy ( comparative more exy, superlative most exy ) ( Australia, colloquial, slang) Expensive . Grandparents might use it to better communicate with their grandchildren. If a British person tells you theyre off to spend a penny and then they promptly disappear, its because theyre actually going to the toilet. Brap! Anna is the Editor-in-Chief & Content Strategist of Lifehack. Submitted by Walter Rader (Editor) from Sacramento, CA, USA Bog-standard - To be plain, or run-of-the-mill. A toilet. This is cheating, it is almost exclusively used in the English county Devonshire, but Im including it as its fun to say. Did you see that bloke? Last edited on Apr 25 2013. Another London term, for someone or something that is attractive or desirable. We also use the term smackers instead of pounds but rarely in the singular form. For ex: My aunt left me five hundred smackers in her will. (That's not to my liking.) Gutted 11. One of the more boring and technical terms on this list, a car park is in effect, the place outside or attached to a building where people park their cars. fancy, impressive, cool, showy. More common, and common in the north and southwest England. Oh, the Brits. A pejorative term for someone from the upper classes of British society. E.g. The origins of this word are disputed, but all British people will know what you mean if you tell them Im just popping to the loo. See more words with the same meaning: good, okay, cool, awesome, fun . lush: [adjective] great; amazing. For example, He tried to skive off work but got caught by his manager.. Cor blimey, its bloody hot today, innit!. And, as with everything else, practice makes perfect! Batty-fang Low. Also used as an adjective in parts of northern England to mean "fantastic": Thats grand. Usage: "Air force Ones are the cadillacs of feet whips". London's infamous roadmen have their . While all of these expressions may sound fun and interesting, learners should always be careful when using them. In fact, British people say "cheers" all the time without noticing they're doing it - a bit like the way they say "sorry" all . Dench 7. For example. It's important to represent your ends. Check your spam folder if you don't get an email immediately! A Scottish classic which is also popular in Northern Ireland. So, sit back and enjoy the ride! on May 01 2014. Some of the London slang for money is based on animals thought to have originally appeared on ruppe banknotes. I always carry a brolly in my bag-pack. One of the best things about summer is firing up the barbecue and sipping some brews on a hot, sunny day. For example, I ate a bad pizza last night after too many drinks and chundered in the street.. Leg it. See also, Another London term, for someone or something that is attractive or desirable. One of the most productive terms of the war was strafe. There is something oddly onomatopoeic about it and seems to have a dirty quality of itself. A monster online slang dictionary of the rich colourful language we call slang. Cheers. The British Council's Sophie Cannon explains some of the weird and wonderful words and phrases you might encounter. Mostly heard in London, this means "ladies". Submitted by Rob H. from Newton, MA, USA KSWL. Trainers are the British equivalent of the American sneakers denoting athletic shoes. For example, That guy just cut me up in traffic what a wanker.. Feet whips: Can be used to refer to any type of shoe. With FluentU, for example, you can create a personalized flashcard deck based on the words that pop up in the programs English media clips, like movie trailers and interviews. Bobs your uncle is used at the end of a set of instructions that are very easy to follow. on Mar 08 2002. For example, I am absolutely knackered after working all day.. 2023 LoveToKnow Media. This expression became popular around the Industrial Revolution in England when lots of factories burned coal and cities like London were always surrounded by a thick fog of pollution. Need your document in perfect English? As such, you can use it like this, That bob is a good bloke.. "I'm absolutely gutted". 3. It's like being bi-lingual, and forgetting at times which language you are meant to be using. The buildings in which we live drop subtle and not Professional British YouTuber, writer, and humorist who somehow convinced you to let him do this full-time. A word that is popular in the north and amongst youngsters. Last edited on Apr 08 2013. fancy. Possibly caused by telling someone to shut their gob. In this post, we will teach you some common British expressions you can use in casual conversation! 23. Similar to a pillock, a tosser is someone who is annoying or a bit of an idiot. 2. a socially inept person. Some think it has its origins in the French word, An exclamation of surprise. In the old days, you had to pay one penny to use the public toilet and the expression to spend a penny has lived on to this day. In this way posh can be used in the following two ways: This has two different meanings depending on location or social classes. A mouth. 1999 March 19, PETER MCALEER, "The Long Kiss Goodnight (R4)", in aus.dvd, Usenet: I am renting my machine, it might be more exy but it gives me time to sus out (with the help of newsgroups like this one), just exactly which machine or . Want to Practice Speaking English with a Native Speaker? Get an instant price to have your English document edited by professionals. A crazy person. We want to make sure youre leaving a professional image of yourself. Bum 8. Making jokes, often at the expense of others in your company. We use this expression a lot. Usually used together with "completely", this means to be drunk. Boss or manager. Have you ever overheard some rather strange terms for money? This place is much better than the last one, innit? Gutted a British slang term that is one of the saddest on the lists in terms of pure contextual emotion. This quiz will be the center of your attention when you discover all the different British slang. Ill be with you in a jiffy. For example, busted can mean "broken" or "ugly," sick can mean "ill" or "very cool," and hip can mean "trendy" or "fashionably un-trendy.". The origin of this one is related to *ahem* morning wood. Essentially, it is an expression of pride at your own actions or achievements. Originally a reference to gambling but can be used in a broader context now. Northern English slang for a cup or mug of tea or coffee is brew, but it can also be generally used for beer. Spend a penny 16. This word is used when something is brilliant or someone performs very well, usually on a test or evaluation. An exclamation of surprise. Fancy Dress: not "dressing fancy." Kind of the oppositeif. Note the use of man in the singular to mean men or even people. It is used to describe someone who is so surprised that it looks like someone hit them. Very different to the bollocks of the previous suggestion, a bollocking is a telling-off or a severe or enthusiastic reprimand from a boss, co-worker, partner, or anyone you like, for a misdemeanour. When youve made a pigs ear of something, youve really messed it up. Hes a good bloke. Minging 23. Last edited on Jan 13 2012. Learn the lingo and you'll soon be conversing like a true Brit. Submitted by Dan L. from Evanston, IL, USA For example, Dont listen to him hes telling pork pies.. spendy college patron pricey ipod whip d.a.r.e. 5. . on Jan 22 2000. Some of these clothing names are used in the U.S., but not in the same way:Anorak: Usually describes a pull-over outwear item (often with a kangaroo pocket in the front) that's made of nylon, GoreTex, etc., and usually rain-proof. Hes making loads of moolah. A short period of time. Cuppa 7. Cockney is slang from a certain neighborhood in London. Minging (pronounced: ming-ing) is a lovely alternative to the word disgusting or gross. 2. Brilliant is not a word exclusively in the British lexicon, but has a very British usage. It is not possible to make a complete list of modern British slang: by the time the list was finished, it would be out of date! The origin of the expression is unknown, and is quite old, but is still in general use. bog-standard - nothing special bonkers - crazy botched - something going wrong cack-handed - clumsy camp - flamboyant cheeky - sassy chockablock - filled to the brim cobblers - nonsense Example in written form: In my new job Ill be earning 75K a year. But don't worry, we're going to help. We opted not to join the Europe-wide currency and have stubbornly kept our pounds and pence. Whats more British than fish and chips? Chockablock 13. It is very expensive! This word is used when some place or thing is extremely crowded or full. Some of these probably aren't used so much now but having not been home for a while I'm not really across which ones ma. I think he bodged the presentation while editing it. Unlike bars, they open in the morning, often serve food, and normally have at least one resident drunk. A penny-pincher is someone who is unwilling to spend money. A bender can last a significant amount of time, and involves large amounts of alcohol or drugs. The definitions of these slang words appear below the list. For example, I left when Darren threw a wobbly.. Cockney Slang uses language in one of the most interesting ways, by rhyming with . Go Online! So, if youre an aspiring Anglophile looking for some new lingo to help fuel your love for all things British, or you just fancy seeing what kind of words the British find themselves using their day-to-day, check out our 50 best British slang terms for you to start using and incorporating into your vocabulary immediately. Used in Wales to mean "fantastic". Our new defenders the dog's bollocks. 14. Lets go to another club. General British Slang Bloke Meaning: A man. A geezer or dapper geezer is a man who is well-dressed in formal clothes. Ace. It is used for people who are not trustworthy and who make you suspicious of their motives. Crazy. A multi-purpose word which can be used as a toast, to thank someone or even say goodbye. For example, 'Cheers for getting me that drink, Steve'. Alcohol and words relating to pubs and being drunk feature prominently in British slang. on Jan 18 2000. A major effort. Faff 8. All rights reserved. The origin of this phrase is disputed, but the most likely candidate for inspiring the expression is an eccentric wealthy newspaper owner named, Mostly heard in London, this means "men". Fag 6. Butchers hook is just another way to tell someone to look. Ends London slang for the area you're from. As an English speaker, it's nice to travel to countries where you can understand the language, like England, Scotland or Ireland. Press the power button, type the password and Bobs your uncle, you can use the computer now. Trainersthose shoes one might wear to go runningare usually known in the U.S. as, Staying on the subject of footwear, it is perhaps hardly surprising that, Those rather old fashioned form of underpantsrecognisable from the presence of an inverted y-shape on the frontare known by several names in the U.S. Generally, posh denotes the English upper classes. Last edited on Mar 19 2011. Submitted by TYI I. from Manhattan, NY, USA 2. You know, one problem we terminal Anglophiles have is that we mostly know these terms because we're freaks of Nature who glom onto any tidbit of British culture, language, television, literature, etc, that we possibly can. Privacy Policy. Think twice before you ask someone if they know a good place to get some food A slang term for the national sportfootball. Submitted by Slinky from Paris, France Knickers - short pants that button below the knee; usually seen on young boys in turn-of-the-century photos.Nappies, plimsolls, y-fronts - words known to us through British television programs.Klecks - did you make this up? [orchestral music] Bob's your uncle, I never really know what this one means. Now that youve got the slang down, youll want to work on your accent. Hes made a complete pigs ear of that project. As well as quid, we have a whole series of words that we use to refer to money, such as: Dosh is uncountable, so you cant have doshes! To take the piss means to mock something, parody something, or generally be sarcastic and derisive towards something. Beer is drunk in pints in the UK, which is still valiantly struggling against the encroachment of the EU-mandated metric system. 3. When someone in England, especially in London, takes the subway train to go somewhere, they usually use this expression. Libes. Translate any file to any language in one click. Rugby, another popular sport which the British invented only for everyone else to beat them at it. However there is one notable difference is that throwing a wobbly tends to be used when describing tantrums thrown by adults, or people who should otherwise know better. This word was popularized by the British artist Lethal Bizzle. Like American English, British English has many unique slang phrases and expressions that you'll commonly hear on the street. This can cause a great deal of confusion if youre exploring the country, or even if youre just looking to stream the latest British TV series. It's the equivalent to an arm and a leg in English, which realistically sound much more expensive than sweets. A little bit coldas if the cold air was nipping at your skin. on Feb 23 2002. Don't be such a plonker. Hes absolutely gutted.. Ace: 'Ace' stands for excellent. 2023 Enux Education Limited. This one is chockablock with people. Submitted by Moo from Santa Cruz, CA, USA One of the most useful swear words in English. For example, Thats a load of tosh about what happened last night, or Dont talk tosh.. Used mostly in London to mean "a lot of". All Rights Reserved. For some reason, you dont go to the localyou go/are down the local. Excuse me for a moment; I just need to spend a penny. Some have claimed that "tom" meaning a prostitute derives from "Thomas More" equalling "w h o r e". 1. Before going deeper into your exploration of British slang words, take the time to discover some slang phrases commonly used in the U.K. Fortunately, in a British slang dictionary, there are quite a few informal phrases commonly used as slang. Countable and Uncountable Nouns: What Are the Differences? British slang is a niche of its own, evolving and transforming and adapting from city to city and from year to year, just as the English language itself has done. Used as a signifier for preference. Taking the Mickey. When someone spends a lot of time doing very little work, it is called faffing. Come over to my gaff; we are having a party there. Let us know in the comments. and so can a person (The new gaffers mental). on Mar 02 1999. Sherbets 12. ; Trainers refer to shoes designed for cross-training. The minister has over-egged the pudding by talking about too many things at once in his speech. It is a descriptive word, used to describe someone who is extremely lucky for something, without putting in much effort for it. If someone is annoying you, you can tell them: "shut your gob". Usually, this expression is used without the verb be. This means that people do not generally add the phrase I am before the expression. "bloody awful" or "bloody hell". Though it may seem strange at first, its pretty simple, it is constructed out of the expressions second word, in this case the way hook rhymes directly with look however, perhaps contrary to expectations, the word hook is often removed, so you may hear someone say have a butchers at this.. Bowler Submitted by Danny Dees To run away. For ex: My neighbour has his own business and hes got heaps of dosh. meaning: beautiful; attractive. You never know when it starts to rain in England. We live it, we breathe it, we make our living from it. It is another way of saying that you will be back soon. Exorbitant - Unreasonably high It's used in the same way "egghead" is used in North America. Bugger all a British slang term used to be a more vulgar synonym for nothing at all. In the dialogue, we were choosing between a cheap cafe or a more expensive pub. Alternatively, to not be serious about something (this essay was a jokeare you taking the piss?). Cockney Rhyming Slang. Another university-related cool British slang word is fresher which means a first-year student. FluentU is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The first form of this is far more common, and is sometimes used internationally. Mate one of the commonly used terms of endearment and affection in British slang terms. An informal term that stands for or means something else than its literal meaning; a shorter way to say a word or phrase "Oh he doesn't float my boat " 10. The slang words in this thesaurus category appear below the table of contents. British / Australian / New Zealander. Course bruv. The British equivalent to the American parking lot or parking garage. In formal English, gaff can also mean a stick with a hook that is used to kill large fish. Here the top 80 most used Irish slang phrases. Boffin - A scientist, inventor or engineer. There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. For ex: Ill be back in a minute, Im just off to spend a penny! From "bourgeois." Though, to make things slightly more confusing, that could also be called a "tenner". Blinkered. Copyright English TrackersDesigned by Niels Loomans. It includes quite a few fun and unique ways for people to express that they are happy or otherwise share positive sentiments. In context, Get the food, put in the microwave, heat it up, then bobs your uncle, ready to eat.. For example,I kicked him right in the bollocks when he wouldnt let me go past.. A not so polite way to ask someone to go away. For those unaware, the expression essentially used in the end of a series of basic instructions. Cor blimey, did you see that? For more usage examples, check out this instructive video by British rapper Bigz. This is a slightly politer way to say our next expression: To mock or laugh at someone or something. Seriously?Sneakers, Tennis Shoes, Trainers - all three are used depending on the type of rubber soled shoe we're talking about. So, as a way of easing you in, here are some of my favorite slang words, phrases and expressions from around the British Isles. Our British slang translator tells us that this is the equivalent of the American English slang words "shotgun" or "dibs". Hes dead gorgeous. Lovely. English slang, colloquial expressions, what's cool to say on the streets in English, get up to speed on what to say in English with our in depth slang pages. We had a bit of a knees-up last night. Imported from Jamaica to the streets of London, this reduced form of "whats going on" is used as a greeting between friends. Can also be used sarcastically in this same sense. Gaff 9. You slept with Kate Upton last night? the British slang, please tell me what is happening here. American life. Did I miss any of your favorite British slang off the list? Smarmy 15. Hunky-dory a neat little piece of British slang that means that a situation is okay, cool, or normal. Lost in the Pond | British accent. British slang for money A quid The most commonly used slang term for a pound is a quid and it doesn't have a plural. He created the word while playing video games with his cousin. We also refer to a ten pound note as a tenner. This shirt makes you look like a proper geezer! "That looks like a total mess". It is not considered appropriate for use in polite company. U.K. slang is nothing if not interesting! A little bit more affectionate than calling someone a pillock. Best British Slang Terms and Phrases. New words come and go like fashions. Have you met Bobs girlfriend? Acting the maggot Bad dose Bags (to make a bags of something) Bang on Banjaxed Black stuff Boyo Brutal Bucketing down Bunk off Chancer Chiseler Ciotg Cod/codding ya Craic Crack on Culchie Cute hoor Delira and excira Deadly Donkey's years Dosser Eat the head off Eejit Earwigging Effin' and blindin' It is used for emphasis. But it can also be a reference to an annoying person: Stop being such an arse. This is a shorter form of the word umbrella.. Bog ( slang) - This is a slang term for a toilet, and has spun off several related terms, such as bog brush (toilet brush) and bog roll (toilet paper).