"Press down the clutch, put it into gear, then slowly ease off the clutch again. ", "Don't trust him he's a smarmy geezer. "Wow -- you've really splashed out on this party! "Mortal" describes someone highly intoxicated or drunk in a sloppy manner. This phrase is used to confirm or agree with something that another person has just said. Men from east London are also commonly referred to as "geezers.". 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. ", 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. "Pissed" usually means "angry" in the US. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? It's trousers. "What are you up to this weekend? The "wind-up merchant" will often claim to be making their comments as a light-hearted jest when the recipients start becoming irritated. Watering hole - this is one of the many British slang words for a pub. "Faff" comes from the 17th-century word "faffle," which means to flap about in the wind. ", How much the best paid workers in 20 professions earn Seven outdated mens style rules that you can now ignore 16 skills that are hard to learn but will pay off forever. ", "Joe's children are so cheeky -- they tied my shoelaces together last week!". It's another slang word that's been around for a while with uses found in the 1600s, and it was even considered a swear word until the 1900s. "If it all works out as planned, he'll be quids in.". Bap: a bread roll. A gaffe is another word for "mistake" or "blunder.". This colloquialism might be said by someone that has the situation under control. "She's great fun, but she's a few sandwiches short of a picnic.". Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile, [This article was originally published in 2018]. "Mint" might be used when referring to something of the highest calibre. ", 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. ", "Don't trust him -- he's a smarmy geezer. ", It's similar to "scoot over" or "move over. It means literally tilted on one side rather than slightly off or uneasy, as askew can mean in the US. This classic phrase is another way of telling someone that their opinion is not appreciated in the given scenario. Eg, "half past seven," and "ten to six.". I'm slumped. Cockwomble - foolish or obnoxious person. "Those twoare having a proper chinwag I haven't been able to get a word in edgeways for half an hour! ", A British axiom that boils down to the idea that: "If anything can go wrong, then it definitely will go wrong. "That guy's got such swagger -- he's a proper geezer. A "knacker" was the person who slaughtered worn-out horses in the 19th and 20th centuries for their meat, hoofs, and hide. The phrase was first documented in the BBC's "Lenny Henry Christmas Special" in 1987. Codswallop. ", Someone short-tempered or irritated might be described as "shirty.". ", 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. Nothing makes the language more colorful than descriptive words. A disorganised mess or chaotic environment might be described as a "shambles. "Well, this has all gone a bit pear-shaped.". To be 'gutted' about a situation means to be devastated and saddened. Every language has a few phrases that don't always translate well -- and the British English has some absolute corkers. Bob's your uncle -- you're driving!". Someone who's "quids in" has invested in an opportunity that is probably going to benefit them massively. This is probablyhow the term came about. ", "She's come down with the dreaded lurgy. 3. 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. Of course, there also have to be slang options to describe actions and behaviors people engage in on a regular basis. ", "He's obsessed with anything that happens on this street. To "whinge" means to moan, groan, and complain in an irritating or whiney fashion. The phrase was first documented in the BBC's "Lenny Henry Christmas Special" in 1987. Derived from the Newcastle sociolect, "mortal" was made widely known across the country in 2011 by reality TV show "Geordie Shore.". The phrase is reportedly old slang from the Royal Air Forceand was used to described awry expeditions and flights. You'll have a blast and learn more than a few new words that might be ripe for importation when you come back home. "He really cocked up his job interview when he mentioned that he'd shagged the boss's daughter." Collywobbles: Nervousness; butterflies in the stomach. You must be chuffed.". A "knacker" was the person that slaughtered worn-out horses in the 19th and 20th centuries for their meat, hoofs, and hide. On a rainy day in London, you would definitely want a brolly on hand. ", "I was going to go out tonight but when I finished work I was absolutely zonked.". ", Someone that lacks common knowledge might be described as "dim," whilst someone that's intelligent might be described as "bright.". A slap and a kick for being so quick!". Each term is partnered with a description and example. Crazy. He's turned into such a swot! ", "I was absolutely car-parked last night. Gaff. This is still used in English in the phrase "egging someone on" to do something. Hank Marvin is a British musician from the 1960s and 1970s, and is a pretty obscure reference nowadays. The phrase describes the mayhem caused when something is recklesslythrown into the intricate gears and workings of a machine. If someone has done something highly irritating or surprisingin an exasperating fashion, you might say that they've "taken the biscuit. "Would you take a butchers at this broken bike for me? We've got a party at our gaff, if you fancy it? Meaning: Taxi. However, other people believe that "shirty" has connotations of being dishevelled. ", An act which could be deemed as impolite or shameless, but for some reason comes across as funny or endearing to others, would be described as "cheeky. "What are you up to this weekend? "Taking the biscuit" is the equivalent of taking the nonexistent medal for foolishness or incredulity. ", "I'm going to make us spaghetti carbonara for dinner. ", A nosey neighbour, often caught peering out on their street's activities from a curtained window, might be referred to as a "curtain twitcher. 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. However, there is no proof for this theory. 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. 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. 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. Cock Up. "We should've taken the other route. This is still used in English in the phrase "egging someone on" to do something. It means a stupid, often gullible, person who is easily taken advantage of. . ", Brits are known for favouring a drink or two, so much so thatalmost any noun can be used as a substitute for "drunk. 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. You can use it to refer to a person or an object. Now that's a proper breakfast.". Nowadays, it's mostly a way for kids to pull pranks on their friends. 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. "He handles a screwdriver very cack-handedly. 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. Calling "bagsy" is the equivalent of calling "shotgun" or "dibs" when something, like the front seat of the car, is offered up to a group. It's common courtesy to offer a laborer or builder working on your house a builder's tea while they're working especially if they're working out in the cold. If you're traveling between various regions, keep your ears open and try to notice the differences. Someone that's "on the pull" has gone out, usually on a night out, with the intention of attracting a sexual partner. Not to be confused with literally being disembowelled, someone that says they're "gutted" is devastated or extremely upset. The "wind-up merchant" will often claim to be making their comments as a light-hearted jest when the recipients start becoming irritated. ", 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. Knackered is British slang for "very tired.". It's used most commonly when you're trying to get out of a situation by physically running away. "Hank Marvin" is Cockney rhyming slang for "starving. "I don't mean this as a par, but did you remember to wash this morning? A repair job that's beencompleted in a hurry and will probably fall apart reasonably soon is considered a "botch job. The phrase goes back to Victorian public toilets, which required users to insert a single penny in order to operate the lock. It's derived from "mint condition," which refers to something pre-owned that retains its pristine condition although something that's just "mint" doesn't have to be pre-owned. "Wow you've really splashed out on this party! A "good old chinwag" is a good chat, catch-up, or gossip with someone. "The Nick" can refer to prison, while "to nick" also means to steal. A "fag end" is also the ratty bits towards the ends of a reel of fabric, which are the worst and the cheapest bits of the reel. The phrase is most commonly used when the individual has been lucky and the person saying it is in disbelief that the first person has managed to pull it off. Dick: an idiot. 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. A "dog's dinner" is a mess or fiasco -- sometimes also referred to as a "dog's breakfast.". Slang can vary a lot throughout England. If you're "zonked" or "cream crackered," you might want to take a nap. Historically, "gallant" described someone brave or valiant, so "gallivanting" is a carefree and confident act. He was mortal.". The idiom was first used to describe the thick, choking smog that settled over London, caused by lots of people burning fossil fuels in close vicinity, as early as 1200. Menu. For example, you might say a chair has a wonky leg. "Wind your neck in and stop being so nosy!". This phrase is used to confirm or agree with something that another person has just said. To "pull a blinder" involves achieving something difficult faultlessly and skilfully. British Compliments Think about the elegant British phrases you have heard and see if you recognize any in our list below. "Oh, nothing exciting to report. However, there is no proof for this theory. I'm slumped. Do you know anyone that might be interested?". ", "Of course my toast had to land on the floor butter-side-down. ", 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.". He was a wreck.". Next up is a British slang word that most people around the world would have heard of and one that's frequently used in everyday life. An obvious and indiscreet mistake or blunder. Leg it. Bender. For even more fun, take a look at these common U.K. expressions. "Skiving" is the act of avoiding work or school, often by pretending to be ill. "Skive" is derived from the French "esquiver," meaning "to slink away. "Innit" is an abbreviation of "isn't it" most commonly used amongst teenagers and young people. "Pull" can also be used as a verb. 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. Although no one is completely sure of the word's origins, it could derive from the words "cod" and "wallop," which historically meant "imitation" and "beer" respectively -- implying that "codswallop" is the kind of rubbish you make up when drunk. 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. "Don't you worry, Alan, I'm on it like a car bonnet.". . Historically, "fags" were the cheaper cigarettes made of lower grade tobacco, however, the slang has spread to encompass all cigarettes. It works. Eg, "half past seven," and "ten to six.". Some people think the expression actually derives from the British term for mouth, "gob," and the shock-inducing sight that results from someone hitting it. Meaning: To screw something up. I just threw in an extra slang term for free. 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. "If it all works out as planned, he'll be quids in.". If you've "pulled," you've kissed someone. "You signed that contract? . Therefore, if you're "having a butchers," you're having a look at something. "Don't get caught, or you'll end up in the Nick!". 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. English Slang. In the 17th century, to "waff" went to yelp, and quickly evolved to mean to talk foolishly or indecisively. 05. "Those two are having a proper chinwag -- I haven't been able to get a word in edgeways for half an hour! Still, in an unfamiliar country, there's bound to be informal lingo that's you don't recognize. "This week's done me in already, and it's only Tuesday. A "knacker" was the person that slaughtered worn-out horses in the 19th and 20th centuries for their meat, hoofs, and hide. You don't want to be described as "dim," "a mug," or "a few sandwiches short of a picnic." The very British equivalent to "Hey presto!" "The Nick" can refer to a prison. "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. Used to describe someone physically attractive, usually referring to their physique. "What's in that sandwich? ", "Yeah, he's been swotting like mad for his Spanish exam. The term probably came about due to the fact that it rhymes with "knacker." 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. To "gallivant" means to roam, or to set off on an expedition, with the sole intention of having some light-hearted fun. All The Threes. "Stop being such a wind-up merchant and be serious for one second! Others believe the word is a contraction of the 17th century phrase "by our lady," and is blasphemous. Cock up: Make a mess of something. The word "shirt" is derived from the Norse for "short," hence short-tempered. It can also refer to someone already asleep or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. "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. Each term is partneredwith a description and example. A "geezer" is a man that could be described as "suave" or "dapper," and is often suited and booted. Batty-fang. I'm Hank Marvin.". 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. Something untrue often made up for dramatic effect. ", Someone that makes comments just to spark controversy or argument might be labelled a "wind-up merchant.". This road is chocka! 40 Slides. as well as other partner offers and accept our, Martin Rler/EyeEm/ master1305/Getty Images, Brendon Thorne/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures, Bildagentur-online/Universal Images Group via Getty Images, Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images, no one is completely sure of the word's origins.
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