Welcome to our comprehensive British slang glossary! đđđ
Britain isnât just about the Queenâs Guard and afternoon tea; itâs brimming with a rich tapestry of slang and expressions that might leave even the most adept linguists scratching their heads. Here, weâve handpicked the most quintessential UK slang terms, complete with their meanings, origins, and illustrative examples. Whether youâre a Brit at heart or a fascinated tourist, this guide will be your ticket to mastering the lingo of the land. Dive in and speak like a true Brit! Without further ado, hereâs our comprehensive list of British slang:
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Trouble finding a certain phrase? Click control + F on your keyboard, and type in the term youâre trying to find. Still not able to find it? Let us know down in the comments below!
A
Aggro
- Meaning: Short for âaggravationâ. Itâs used to describe someone being aggressive or causing trouble.
- Origin: Abbreviation of âaggravationâ.
- Usage: âThere was a bit of aggro at the pub last night.â
All mouth and no trousers
- Meaning: Someone who talks a lot but doesnât follow through with their words.
- Origin: Describes someone whoâs all talk without substance, as if they forgot to put their trousers on.
- Usage: âHe claims heâll beat the record, but heâs all mouth and no trousers.â
Anorak
- Meaning: A person obsessively interested in a thing, especially something niche. Can be somewhat derogatory.
- Origin: Refers to the anorak jackets that stereotypical hobbyists might wear.
- Usage: âHeâs such an anorak about train schedules.â
Arse
- Meaning: Refers to the buttocks. Can also mean a person or way of behavior.
- Origin: Old English âĂŠrsâ.
- Usage: âGet off your arse and do some work!â
Arse over tit
- Meaning: Falling over, usually in a clumsy manner.
- Origin: A colorful way to describe someone tumbling down.
- Usage: âI went arse over tit on that icy patch.â
Anti-clockwise
- Meaning: Opposite direction to the way clock hands move, known as âcounter-clockwiseâ in many other places.
- Origin: Descriptive.
- Usage: âTurn the knob anti-clockwise.â
Apples and pears
- Meaning: Cockney rhyming slang for stairs.
- Origin: Classic East London rhyming slang.
- Usage: âIâm heading up the apples and pears to bed.â
Argy-bargy
- Meaning: A disagreement or heated argument.
- Origin: Possibly from âargueâ, repeated for emphasis.
- Usage: âThere was a bit of argy-bargy after the match.â
Arm and a leg
- Meaning: Very expensive.
- Origin: The idea that something is so costly itâs like giving up a vital part of oneself.
- Usage: âThis handbag cost an arm and a leg!â
A&E
- Meaning: Accident and Emergency department in a hospital, similar to the ER (Emergency Room) in the U.S.
- Origin: Abbreviation.
- Usage: âHe hurt his hand and had to go to A&E.â
At loggerheads
- Meaning: In disagreement or dispute with someone.
- Origin: Possibly from the use of loggerhead tools that were heated and used in certain industries.
- Usage: âThe two families have been at loggerheads for years.â
Away with the fairies
- Meaning: Daydreaming or not paying attention.
- Origin: Refers to the whimsical nature of fairies and being in a dreamlike state.
- Usage: âSorry, I missed that. I was away with the fairies.â
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B
Baccy
- Meaning: Tobacco.
- Origin: Abbreviation of âtobaccoâ.
- Usage: âGot any baccy for this pipe?â
Bagsy
- Meaning: Calling dibs on something.
- Origin: Possibly from childrenâs language.
- Usage: âBagsy the front seat!â
Barmy
- Meaning: Crazy or mad.
- Origin: From âbarmâ, meaning fermenting froth in beer-making, implying agitation.
- Usage: âYou must be barmy to jump into that cold water!â
Beeâs knees
- Meaning: Something excellent or of high quality.
- Origin: 1920s American slang. The exact origins are unclear.
- Usage: âThis new song is the beeâs knees!â
Bellend
- Meaning: A derogatory term, calling someone an idiot.
- Origin: Refers to the glans of the penis.
- Usage: âStop being such a bellend!â
Bender
- Meaning: A drinking spree.
- Origin: To bend oneâs elbow while drinking.
- Usage: âHeâs been on a bender since Friday.â
Bespoke
- Meaning: Custom or tailor-made.
- Origin: Originated from when material for a suit was âspoken forâ by a tailor.
- Usage: âShe ordered a bespoke gown for the ball.â
Blimey
- Meaning: An exclamation of surprise.
- Origin: Likely a corruption of âBlind me!â or âGod blind me!â
- Usage: âBlimey, that was a close call!â
Blinkered
- Meaning: Having a narrow or limited outlook.
- Origin: Refers to the blinkers used on horses to keep them seeing straight ahead only.
- Usage: âYou have such a blinkered view of the situation.â
Bodge
- Meaning: To do a clumsy or inelegant job of fixing something.
- Origin: Possibly from âbotchâ.
- Usage: âI tried to fix the sink but I made a bodge of it.â
Bog roll
- Meaning: Toilet paper.
- Origin: âBogâ is slang for toilet.
- Usage: âWeâre out of bog roll!â
Bollocks
- Meaning: Nonsense or something incorrect; also refers to testicles.
- Origin: Old English âbeallucasâ meaning testicles.
- Usage: âWhat heâs saying is absolute bollocks!â
Boot
- Meaning: The trunk of a car.
- Origin: Descriptive of the storage space at the back of a vehicle.
- Usage: âPut the groceries in the boot.â
Brassed off
- Meaning: Annoyed or fed up.
- Origin: Possibly from the use of brass instruments which can be loud and annoying.
- Usage: âIâm really brassed off with this situation.â
Brekkie
- Meaning: Breakfast.
- Origin: Abbreviation.
- Usage: âWhat are we having for brekkie?â
Brill
- Meaning: Short for âbrilliantâ.
- Origin: Abbreviation.
- Usage: âThatâs a brill idea!â
Bubble
- Meaning: To cry or to be in tears.
- Origin: Possibly from the notion of eyes welling up with tears.
- Usage: âThe film was so sad, it made me bubble.â
Bugger
- Meaning: A term of affection or frustration; also used to denote something gone wrong.
- Origin: From Middle French âbougreâ for heretic, referring to Bulgarians of the Bogomil sect.
- Usage: âThe car wonât start! Oh, bugger.â
Bumf
- Meaning: Unwanted or excessive paperwork or documentation.
- Origin: Short for âbum fodderâ, implying its only use would be as toilet paper.
- Usage: âIâve got a drawer full of bumf from the bank.â
Butcherâs
- Meaning: A look. Short for âbutcherâs hookâ in Cockney rhyming slang.
- Origin: Cockney rhyming slang.
- Usage: âGive me a butcherâs at that!â
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C
Chav
- Meaning: A derogatory term used to describe someone perceived as lower-class and displaying brash behavior, cheap clothing.
- Origin: Uncertain. Some theories suggest itâs from âChatham Averageâ or Romany word âchaviâ (meaning child).
- Usage: âLook at those chavs hanging out at the mall.â
Cheeky
- Meaning: Slightly disrespectful, but in a playful or appealing way.
- Origin: Referring to someoneâs boldness or audacity, as if âshowing cheekâ.
- Usage: âHe took a cheeky bite of my sandwich!â
Chinwag
- Meaning: A chat or conversation.
- Origin: From the motion of the chin during talking.
- Usage: âWe had a good chinwag over coffee.â
Chuffed
- Meaning: Pleased or satisfied.
- Origin: Possibly from the sound of steam being released, like a steam engine puffing.
- Usage: âIâm absolutely chuffed with my new bike.â
Clanger
- Meaning: A mistake or blunder.
- Origin: Refers to the sound of something being dropped.
- Usage: âHe dropped a real clanger in the meeting.â
Clobber
- Meaning: Clothes.
- Origin: Possibly from the word âclobâ, meaning a lump or piece.
- Usage: âNice clobber! Going out tonight?â
Cock-up
- Meaning: A mistake or something done wrong.
- Origin: Naval term referring to a mishap with rigging.
- Usage: âThe whole event was a massive cock-up.â
Codswallop
- Meaning: Nonsense.
- Origin: Rumored (though likely apocryphal) to be from Hiram Codd, an inventor of a bottle for fizzy drinks, and âwallopâ, a slang term for beer.
- Usage: âWhat he said is absolute codswallop.â
Cor
- Meaning: An exclamation of surprise or admiration.
- Origin: Possibly a contraction of âGodâ.
- Usage: âCor, look at that!â
Crisps
- Meaning: Potato chips.
- Origin: Descriptive, from the crisp nature of the snack.
- Usage: âCan you grab a bag of crisps from the shop?â
Cuppa
- Meaning: A cup of tea.
- Origin: Abbreviation.
- Usage: âFancy a cuppa?â
Curtains
- Meaning: Refers to the end or death.
- Origin: Refers to the closing of curtains at the end of a performance.
- Usage: âIf he finds out, itâs curtains for you.â
Chunter
- Meaning: To talk or mutter in a low or indistinct manner; grumble.
- Origin: Possible alteration of âchatterâ.
- Usage: âHe continued to chunter about the decision.â
Chap
- Meaning: A man or boy.
- Origin: Shortened form of âchapmanâ, an old term for a trader or merchant.
- Usage: âHeâs a nice chap, isnât he?â
Cracking
- Meaning: Excellent or very good.
- Origin: Possibly related to âcrackâ as something outstanding (from Irish âcraicâ, meaning fun).
- Usage: âThatâs a cracking idea!â
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D
Daft
- Meaning: Silly or foolish.
- Origin: From Old English âgedĂŠfteâ meaning gentle or meek.
- Usage: âDonât be daft, thatâs not how it works.â
Dekko
- Meaning: A quick look or glance.
- Origin: From the Hindi word âdekhoâ meaning look.
- Usage: âGive me a dekko at what youâre working on.â
Dicky
- Meaning: Not feeling well or something malfunctioning.
- Origin: Uncertain. Possibly rhyming slang (Dicky Bird = word) or related to Richard III, who had a crooked back.
- Usage: âThe radioâs gone a bit dicky.â
Dishy
- Meaning: Attractive or good-looking, usually referring to a man.
- Origin: âDishâ in the sense of something desirable on a plate.
- Usage: âThat new actor is quite dishy.â
Dodgy
- Meaning: Suspicious, unreliable, or of questionable quality.
- Origin: Possibly related to the verb âdodgeâ.
- Usage: âI wouldnât buy anything from that dodgy shop.â
Dogâs Bollocks
- Meaning: Something thatâs the very best in its category.
- Origin: Likely from âthe catâs whiskersâ (meaning the same thing) with a more humorous twist.
- Usage: âThis new game is the dogâs bollocks!â
Dosh
- Meaning: Money.
- Origin: Unknown. Possibly related to the word âdashâ, which once meant to sprinkle or to pay out.
- Usage: âHow much dosh did you spend on that?â
Draughts
- Meaning: A board game known as checkers in the U.S.
- Origin: From the Old English âdrag-â, meaning to pull or to draw.
- Usage: âFancy a game of draughts?â
Drop a clanger
- Meaning: Make a mistake or say something embarrassing.
- Origin: Related to âclangerâ, which refers to a mistake.
- Usage: âHe really dropped a clanger during the presentation.â
Duff
- Meaning: Something thatâs broken or not working properly; also means a beating as in âto give someone a duffing upâ.
- Origin: Possibly from the word âduff upâ, meaning to mistreat or manhandle.
- Usage: âThis old carâs duff.â
Duvet
- Meaning: A quilted blanket filled with down or feathers, known as a âcomforterâ in the U.S.
- Origin: From the French word âduvetâ, meaning down (as of a bird).
- Usage: âItâs cold tonight; put another duvet on the bed.â
Do one
- Meaning: Go away or leave.
- Origin: Uncertain. Colloquial and informal.
- Usage: âIâve had enough of this, Iâm going to do one.â
Dodge
- Meaning: A cunning trick or shifty deception.
- Origin: From the action of dodging or avoiding something.
- Usage: âThat was a smart dodge to avoid the traffic.â
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E
Earwig
- Meaning: To eavesdrop on someoneâs conversation.
- Origin: Refers to the insect âearwigâ believed to crawl into human ears and the association with listening closely.
- Usage: âStop trying to earwig on our conversation!â
Easy Peasy
- Meaning: Something very easy.
- Origin: Expanded version of âeasyâ, with the playful rhyme added for emphasis.
- Usage: âGetting that job done was easy peasy.â
Elevenses
- Meaning: A short break taken around 11 a.m. to consume a light refreshment, often with tea or coffee.
- Origin: Refers to the time, 11 a.m., when this break is typically taken.
- Usage: âIâm just making some scones for elevenses.â
Engaged
- Meaning: A public toilet is in use. Also means a phone line is busy.
- Origin: Comes from the idea of being busy or occupied.
- Usage: âWait a moment, the restroom is engaged.â
Ever so
- Meaning: Very or extremely.
- Origin: A way of emphasizing a description.
- Usage: âThank you, thatâs ever so kind of you.â
Excuse my French
- Meaning: An apology for swearing or using a bad word.
- Origin: Itâs a way of apologizing by pretending the swear word is a foreign language.
- Usage: âHeâs a pain in the ass, excuse my French.â
Eggy
- Meaning: Being annoyed or in a mood.
- Origin: Possibly from the delicate nature of eggs and how easily they can be broken.
- Usage: âSheâs been a bit eggy since this morning.â
Ends
- Meaning: A term often used in London to refer to a particular area or neighborhood.
- Origin: Simply short for âend of the streetâ or a specific locality.
- Usage: âWhich ends are you from?â
Ere
- Meaning: Short for âhereâ in phrases like âWhatâs going on here?â
- Origin: Colloquial abbreviation.
- Usage: âOi, whatâs going on ere?â
Ey up
- Meaning: A greeting, much like âHelloâ or âHey thereâ. Mostly used in the North of England.
- Origin: Derived from âhey upâ, where âupâ is an old Middle English word meaning âon the riseâ or âawakeâ.
- Usage: âEy up, mate. Howâs it going?â
Easel
- Meaning: Not to be confused with the tripod stand for artists, in slang, it can mean easy.
- Origin: Rhyming slang, where words rhyme with the intended word.
- Usage: âDonât worry, itâs easel.â
Elbow Grease
- Meaning: Hard physical work, especially when cleaning or polishing something.
- Origin: Refers to the effort of scrubbing, which requires one to use their elbows energetically.
- Usage: âYouâll need some elbow grease to clean that stain.â
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F
Fag
- Meaning: A cigarette.
- Origin: Possibly shortened from âfag endâ, which means the leftover or useless part, referring to the cigarette butt.
- Usage: âDo you have a fag I could borrow?â
Faff
- Meaning: To waste time on unimportant things; dithering.
- Origin: Itâs believed to come from the 17th century word âfaffleâ, which meant to flap about in the wind.
- Usage: âStop faffing about and get on with it!â
Fancy
- Meaning: To like or be attracted to.
- Origin: Derived from the old French word âfantaisieâ, which means preference or desire.
- Usage: âI really fancy a cup of tea right now.â or âDo you fancy him?â
Fit
- Meaning: Attractive or good-looking.
- Origin: A play on someone being in âfitâ physical shape.
- Usage: âDid you see that guy? Heâs fit!â
Flakey
- Meaning: Unreliable; tends to forget or bail out on commitments.
- Origin: Comes from the idea of something that easily falls apart, like flaky pastry.
- Usage: âI wouldnât count on him, heâs a bit flakey.â
Full of beans
- Meaning: To be lively, energetic.
- Origin: Refers to horses that were fed beans to increase their vitality and energy.
- Usage: âMy kids are full of beans this morning.â
Fortnight
- Meaning: A period of two weeks.
- Origin: From Old English âfÄowertÄne nihtâ, literally meaning fourteen nights.
- Usage: âIâll be on holiday for a fortnight.â
Full Monty
- Meaning: The whole thing, full measure.
- Origin: Possibly referring to Field Marshal Montgomery, a British officer in WWII, who was known for his full breakfasts. Another theory relates it to a strip show where everything is shown.
- Usage: âIf youâre going to have a roast, might as well go the full monty and include all the trimmings.â
Footy
- Meaning: Football (or soccer, as itâs known in the US).
- Origin: Abbreviation of âfootball.â
- Usage: âAre you watching the footy tonight?â
Flog
- Meaning: To sell something.
- Origin: A reapplication of an older meaning, which was to beat or whip, suggesting the idea of pushing or getting rid of something.
- Usage: âIâm going to flog my old sofa.â
Fiver
- Meaning: A five-pound note.
- Origin: Simply derived from âfive.â
- Usage: âCan you lend me a fiver?â
Fringe
- Meaning: Bangs (the part of the hair thatâs cut straight and hangs above the eyebrows).
- Origin: Refers to the edge or border of something.
- Usage: âIâm thinking of getting a fringe.â
G
Gaff
- Meaning: Home or place.
- Origin: Possibly derived from Romany âgavâ, meaning town or village.
- Usage: âCome over to my gaff later for some tea.â
Gaffer
- Meaning: The boss or person in charge.
- Origin: From âgaffâ which originally meant a fishing hook, leading to the meaning of someone who oversees fishing, and then more broadly, someone in charge.
- Usage: âAsk the gaffer if we can leave early today.â
Gallivant
- Meaning: To go around from one place to another in the pursuit of pleasure or entertainment.
- Origin: Late 18th century alteration of âgalantâ (associated with going about and flirting).
- Usage: âSheâs been gallivanting around Europe all summer.â
Gammy
- Meaning: Something thatâs injured or lame. Often used to describe a leg or foot.
- Origin: Possibly from an alteration of the word âgimpy.â
- Usage: âIâve got a gammy leg after that football match.â
Geezer
- Meaning: A man, often particularly used to describe an older man.
- Origin: Originally referred to someone who went around in disguise, from the word âguiseâ. Its meaning has evolved over time.
- Usage: âHeâs a proper old geezer.â
Gobsmacked
- Meaning: Amazed; astounded; utterly shocked.
- Origin: From âgobâ (mouth) and the word âsmackâ, suggesting the idea of being so surprised as if one had been slapped across the mouth.
- Usage: âI was absolutely gobsmacked when I heard the news.â
Gutted
- Meaning: Deeply disappointed or upset.
- Origin: Referring to the idea of having oneâs insides or guts removed.
- Usage: âI was gutted when my team lost the match.â
Guvânor (or Guv)
- Meaning: A term of address or title of respect for a man, often used humorously.
- Origin: Short for âgovernorâ, which was used as a title of respect for men.
- Usage: âAlright, guvânor? Howâs it going?â
Grub
- Meaning: Food.
- Origin: Possibly from the old word âgrubâ meaning to dig, as in digging for food.
- Usage: âWhatâs for grub tonight?â
Give it some welly
- Meaning: Put more effort into something or go faster.
- Origin: Refers to âWellington bootsâ, implying the action of pressing down on a carâs accelerator pedal.
- Usage: âIf we want to get there on time, we need to give it some welly.â
Gander
- Meaning: Have a look.
- Origin: Derived from the way a gander (a male goose) stretches its neck to look at something.
- Usage: âHave a gander at this magazine.â
Gobby
- Meaning: Someone who talks a lot and often loudly, sometimes in a rude manner.
- Origin: Comes from âgobâ, slang for mouth.
- Usage: âSheâs so gobby; she never stops talking.â
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H
Haggle
- Meaning: Negotiate the price of something.
- Origin: Early 17th century, from an Old Norse word meaning âto chop or cutâ.
- Usage: âHe tried to haggle with the street vendor to get a better deal on the scarf.â
Hard lines
- Meaning: Bad luck.
- Origin: Refers to the concept of hard boundaries or limits.
- Usage: âHard lines, mate. Maybe next time.â
Her Majestyâs pleasure
- Meaning: In prison.
- Origin: Refers to the British monarch; being imprisoned is officially done by order of the monarch, hence at âHer Majestyâs pleasureâ.
- Usage: âHe wonât be out for a while; heâs staying at Her Majestyâs pleasure.â
Hunky-dory
- Meaning: Everything is fine; okay.
- Origin: Uncertain, but possibly from an American slang term.
- Usage: âHowâs everything going?â âItâs all hunky-dory.â
Have a butcherâs
- Meaning: Have a look.
- Origin: Cockney rhyming slang: âbutcherâs hookâ = âlookâ.
- Usage: âHave a butcherâs at this photo, mate.â
Hard cheese
- Meaning: Tough luck; bad fortune.
- Origin: The exact origin is uncertain, but cheese has been used in various slang contexts in British English.
- Usage: âYou missed the bus? Hard cheese, mate.â
Hiya
- Meaning: Informal greeting, short for âhi thereâ or âhelloâ.
- Origin: Contraction of âhi thereâ or âhow are youâ.
- Usage: âHiya! Havenât seen you in ages.â
Hols
- Meaning: Holidays.
- Origin: Simply a shortening of the word âholidaysâ.
- Usage: âWhere are you going for your hols this year?â
Honking
- Meaning: Vomiting.
- Origin: Onomatopoeic, from the noise made.
- Usage: âDrank way too much last night and ended up honking.â
Howâs your father
- Meaning: Euphemism for sex or sexual activity.
- Origin: Early 20th century; its origin is uncertain but thought to be from music hall songs that used the phrase as a euphemism.
- Usage: âA little bit of âhowâs your fatherâ after dinner.â
Hooter
- Meaning: Nose.
- Origin: Early 19th century, originally denoting an owl, later (early 20th century) a horn, hence a nose.
- Usage: âHeâs got a huge hooter, hasnât he?â
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I
Innit
- Meaning: Isnât it? Often used rhetorically to punctuate or affirm a statement.
- Origin: Contraction of âisnât itâ.
- Usage: âItâs really cold today, innit?â
Iâm easy
- Meaning: I donât mind; I have no strong preference.
- Origin: Casual expression indicating the personâs ease with any decision.
- Usage: âWhich restaurant do you want to go to?â âIâm easy.â
Itâs monkeys outside
- Meaning: Itâs very cold outside.
- Origin: Likely an abbreviation of the longer phrase âcold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkeyâ.
- Usage: âMake sure you wear a coat; itâs monkeys outside.â
Ivories
- Meaning: Teeth.
- Origin: Refers to the ivory-like appearance of teeth.
- Usage: âHeâs got a set of ivories on him!â
In bits
- Meaning: Upset or in a bad emotional state.
- Origin: Referring to someone being broken down emotionally.
- Usage: âAfter they broke up, she was in bits.â
In the buff
- Meaning: Naked.
- Origin: The word âbuffâ historically referred to a soft, undyed leather, similar in color to Caucasian skin.
- Usage: âHe was caught running around in the buff!â
Itchy feet
- Meaning: A desire to travel or move on.
- Origin: Possibly from the restless sensation one feels when wanting to move or travel.
- Usage: âI think Iâve got itchy feet; I want to see the world.â
Iâll give you a bell
- Meaning: I will call you (on the phone).
- Origin: âBellâ referring to the ringing of the phone.
- Usage: âDonât worry, Iâll give you a bell later.â
Iffy
- Meaning: Uncertain or doubtful.
- Origin: A colloquial term that probably evolved from the word âifâ.
- Usage: âThe weather looks a bit iffy; we might need an umbrella.â
Intâ
- Meaning: Short for âisnâtâ or âarenâtâ.
- Origin: Dialectical contraction often associated with Northern England.
- Usage: âIntâ that Johnâs car?â
In a pickle
- Meaning: In a difficult situation.
- Origin: The term âpickleâ comes from the Dutch word âpekelâ, meaning âsomething piquantâ, and originally referred to a spiced, salted vinegar that was used as a preservative.
- Usage: âI forgot my wallet at home; Iâm in a real pickle now.â
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J
Jammy
- Meaning: Lucky.
- Origin: Uncertain, but might be related to the idea of getting something sweet or good without much effort (like getting jam from a jar).
- Usage: âHe won the lottery? What a jammy bloke!â
Jog on
- Meaning: Go away or get lost.
- Origin: Literally referring to someone starting to jog or move away.
- Usage: âIf you think Iâm going to lend you money again, you can jog on!â
Jolly
- Meaning: Very or extremely; also used to describe something pleasant or enjoyable.
- Origin: From the Old French âjolifâ, meaning âmerryâ or âfestiveâ.
- Usage: âWe had a jolly good time at the seaside.â
Jumper
- Meaning: A sweater or pullover.
- Origin: Possibly from the action of âjumpingâ or âbouncingâ, relating to the movement made when putting on the garment.
- Usage: âItâs getting chilly outside; better put on a jumper.â
Jack-up
- Meaning: To inject oneself with drugs.
- Origin: The term âjackâ has been used as slang for a small amount of something, especially in relation to drugs.
- Usage: âHeâs been jacking-up again, hasnât he?â
Jacksie
- Meaning: Buttocks or rear end.
- Origin: Cockney rhyming slang, though the exact origin is unclear.
- Usage: âHe fell right on his jacksie!â
Jar
- Meaning: A drink, typically referring to a pint of beer.
- Origin: A jar traditionally being a container for liquids.
- Usage: âLetâs head to the pub for a couple of jars.â
John Thomas
- Meaning: A euphemistic term for the male genitalia.
- Origin: Popularized by the novel âLady Chatterleyâs Loverâ by D.H. Lawrence.
- Usage: Not often used in daily conversation due to its explicit meaning.
Jubbly
- Meaning: Good or excellent; also, a type of frozen drink.
- Origin: âJubblyâ was a brand name for a triangular-shaped frozen drink. Over time, it became a slang term for something cool or excellent.
- Usage: âItâs a hot day; fancy a jubbly?â or âThat film was jubbly!â
Janner
- Meaning: A person from Plymouth, Devon.
- Origin: Uncertain, but it may derive from the phrase âcousin Janâ (akin to âJohn Doeâ) which was used in Cornwall and Devon.
- Usage: âHeâs a true Janner, born and raised in Plymouth.â
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K
Knees up
- Meaning: A lively party or dance.
- Origin: Likely comes from the literal act of raising oneâs knees while dancing.
- Usage: âWeâre having a knees up for Sharonâs birthday on Friday.â
Knackered
- Meaning: Very tired or exhausted.
- Origin: Originally referred to a tired old horse that might be taken away by the âknackerâ to be turned into glue or other products.
- Usage: âIâm totally knackered after that workout.â
Kip
- Meaning: A short sleep or nap.
- Origin: Possibly from the Danish word âkippâ which means a short sleep.
- Usage: âIâm going to have a quick kip before we go out tonight.â
Kit
- Meaning: Set of personal equipment or belongings; also refers to clothing, especially a uniform.
- Origin: From the Middle Dutch word âkitteâ meaning a container for liquids.
- Usage: âHave you got your football kit ready for the match?â
Knob
- Meaning: An idiot or unpleasant person; also a euphemism for the male genitalia.
- Origin: Old English âcnobâ, meaning a round handle.
- Usage: âDonât be such a knob.â (Depending on the context, be cautious with its usage.)
Knickers
- Meaning: Womenâs underwear.
- Origin: Shortened from âknickerbockersâ, which were a type of menâs clothing worn in the 19th century.
- Usage: âI canât find my favourite pair of knickers.â
Know your onions
- Meaning: To be very knowledgeable or skilled in a particular area.
- Origin: 1920s, but the exact origin is uncertain.
- Usage: âIf you need advice about cars, speak to Gary. He really knows his onions.â
Korma
- Meaning: Referring to a situation being mild or easy, similar to how a korma is a mild curry.
- Origin: From the dish âkormaâ which is a mild curry.
- Usage: âThat exam was korma.â
Kecks
- Meaning: Trousers or pants.
- Origin: Possibly a variant of âkexâ, a Northern English term for dried stems of certain plants, which then became used to refer to legs and, by extension, trousers.
- Usage: âThose are some nice kecks youâve got on.â
Kettle
- Meaning: A term used to describe the action of police containing a crowd in a restricted area, especially during protests.
- Origin: Short for âkettlingâ, a tactic used by the police.
- Usage: âThe protesters were kettled for hours.â
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L
Lad
- Meaning: A young man, often one who behaves in a boisterous manner. Also associated with âlad culture.â
- Origin: Old English âlĂŠdelâ, meaning leading or conducting, later associated with young men.
- Usage: âHeâs one of the lads.â
Lairy
- Meaning: Flashy, showy, or aggressive.
- Origin: Possibly from âleeryâ, which means wary or cautious, but took on a different tone in UK slang.
- Usage: âThat shirtâs a bit lairy, isnât it?â
Ledge
- Meaning: Short for âlegendâ. Someone who is very admirable or entertaining.
- Origin: Abbreviation of the word âlegendâ.
- Usage: âYou bought me coffee? Youâre a ledge.â
Leg it
- Meaning: To run quickly.
- Origin: Reference to using oneâs legs to escape rapidly.
- Usage: âThe bus is coming! Leg it!â
Lurgy
- Meaning: A fictitious, often humorous disease; used to refer to feeling slightly ill.
- Origin: Popularized by the 1950s British radio comedy âThe Goon Show.â
- Usage: âI canât come out tonight, Iâve got the lurgy.â
Loo
- Meaning: Toilet.
- Origin: Possibly from âguardez lâeauâ (watch out for the water) in French, which was shouted in medieval times before throwing waste water from a window.
- Usage: âI need to use the loo.â
Lost the plot
- Meaning: Gone crazy or behaving irrationally.
- Origin: A reference to a story or narrative going off course.
- Usage: âHeâs completely lost the plot since she left him.â
Lush
- Meaning: Very good, attractive, or appealing.
- Origin: Might be related to the old English word âlusciousâ.
- Usage: âThis cake is absolutely lush!â
Ladette
- Meaning: A young woman who behaves in a boisterously assertive manner.
- Origin: Female version of âladâ combined with the â-etteâ suffix.
- Usage: âSheâs not just one of the lads, sheâs a ladette.â
Lark
- Meaning: Something done for fun, even if slightly mischievous.
- Origin: Possibly from the playful nature of larks, the bird.
- Usage: âIt was just a lark, we didnât mean any harm.â
Lairy
- Meaning: Aggressive or confrontational.
- Origin: Potentially a variation of âleeryâ.
- Usage: âHe got a bit lairy after a few drinks.â
M
Maccy Dâs
- Meaning: Slang term for McDonaldâs.
- Origin: A colloquial abbreviation.
- Usage: âFancy a burger from Maccy Dâs?â
Mad for it
- Meaning: Very enthusiastic or eager.
- Origin: A phrase popularized by the Manchester music scene in the 1990s.
- Usage: âHeâs mad for it every time thereâs a new game out.â
Mate
- Meaning: Friend.
- Origin: From the old French âmatâ, meaning equal or peer.
- Usage: âAlright, mate?â
Miffed
- Meaning: Annoyed or offended.
- Origin: Possibly from âmiffâ, an old term for a trivial quarrel.
- Usage: âShe was really miffed when you forgot her birthday.â
Mint
- Meaning: Excellent or very good.
- Origin: Mint condition â refers to something being in perfect state.
- Usage: âThat concert was mint!â
Mizzle
- Meaning: Light rain or drizzle.
- Origin: A combination of âmistâ and âdrizzleâ.
- Usage: âLooks like itâs starting to mizzle outside.â
Moggy
- Meaning: A cat.
- Origin: Possibly from âMaggyâ, once a common name for a cow, later used as a name for a cat.
- Usage: âThatâs a cute moggy youâve got there.â
Mucker
- Meaning: Friend or mate.
- Origin: From the word âmuckâ (dirt), referencing going through thick and thin together.
- Usage: âHey mucker, long time no see!â
Mug
- Meaning: A gullible person; or to attack someone.
- Origin: Possibly from âmugginsâ meaning a fool, or from âmugâ as a face (making a stupid face).
- Usage: âDonât be such a mug.â or âHe got mugged on his way home.â
Mullered
- Meaning: Drunk or beaten up.
- Origin: Uncertain, though some speculate a relation to âmillerâ and the grinding down or crushing of grain.
- Usage: âGot absolutely mullered last night.â
Mumâs the word
- Meaning: Keep this a secret; donât tell anyone.
- Origin: Possibly from Shakespeareâs Henry VI, Part 2: âSeal up your lips and give no words but mum.â
- Usage: âIâll tell you, but mumâs the word, okay?â
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N
Naff
- Meaning: Unfashionable, lacking in style, or low quality.
- Origin: The origins of ânaffâ are unclear, but it became popular in the 1970s.
- Usage: âThat shirt looks a bit naff, doesnât it?â
Nark
- Meaning: An informer, especially a police informer; or to annoy someone.
- Origin: Originally a Romany word for ânoseâ, it evolved into a term for someone who ânoses aroundâ.
- Usage: âDonât be a nark!â or âThat really narked me off.â
Nick
- Meaning: To steal; or a state of disrepair; or a police station.
- Origin: Possibly derived from Old English âhnecanâ meaning to slay or take someoneâs life.
- Usage: âSomeone nicked my bike.â or âMy phoneâs in the nick.â or âHeâs down at the nick.â
Nifty
- Meaning: Stylish or particularly good.
- Origin: From the 1860s, meaning neat and tidy.
- Usage: âThatâs a nifty jacket youâve got there.â
Nosh
- Meaning: Food; or to eat.
- Origin: Borrowed from Yiddish ânashnâ, meaning to nibble.
- Usage: âIâm starving, letâs get some nosh.â or âIâm going to nosh down on this pizza.â
Nowt
- Meaning: Nothing.
- Origin: From Old English ânÄwihtâ, meaning âno thingâ.
- Usage: âThereâs nowt left in the fridge.â
Numpty
- Meaning: A silly or foolish person.
- Origin: Possibly derived from ânumpsâ, an older term for a blockhead or numbskull.
- Usage: âDonât be such a numpty.â
Nut
- Meaning: Head; or to headbutt.
- Origin: âNutâ is an old term for the head, dating back to at least the 16th century.
- Usage: âHeâs off his nut.â or âHe nutted him during the argument.â
Nutter
- Meaning: A crazy or mad person.
- Origin: Derived from ânutâ, slang for the head or mind.
- Usage: âHeâs a complete nutter!â
Nippy
- Meaning: Cold or chilly; or quick/fast.
- Origin: Possibly from the quick movement of nipples when cold, or simply from the idea of quick movement.
- Usage: âItâs a bit nippy outside.â or âThat carâs quite nippy.â
No bother
- Meaning: No problem or itâs okay.
- Origin: Derived from the standard English usage of âbotherâ meaning trouble or difficulty.
- Usage: âCan you help me with this? â No bother!â
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O
Odds
- Meaning: Small, miscellaneous items or tasks.
- Origin: From âoddâ, meaning strange or different.
- Usage: âIâve got a few odds and ends to sort out today.â
On the pull
- Meaning: Trying to find someone to hook up with or date.
- Origin: Probably derived from the idea of âpullingâ someone in or attracting them.
- Usage: âHeâs going out tonight, and heâs definitely on the pull.â
On your bike
- Meaning: A way to tell someone to go away.
- Origin: Likely a more polite way to tell someone to leave, suggesting they get on their bike and ride off.
- Usage: âYou donât like it? Well, on your bike then!â
Orate
- Meaning: Are you okay?
- Origin: Likely a contraction of âare you alright?â
- Usage: âOrate, mate?â
Out of sorts
- Meaning: Feeling a bit unwell or in a bad mood.
- Origin: This phrase originally referred to printing type that had been used so often it was worn out or damaged.
- Usage: âHe seems a bit out of sorts today.â
Over the moon
- Meaning: Extremely pleased or happy.
- Origin: The phrase comes from a time when the moon was used as a measure of distance.
- Usage: âShe was over the moon with her exam results.â
Owt
- Meaning: Anything.
- Origin: From Old English âÄwihtâ, meaning âaughtâ or anything.
- Usage: âYou want owt from the shop?â
Oxter
- Meaning: Armpit.
- Origin: From Middle English âoxterâ, of North Germanic origin.
- Usage: âIâve got a pain in my oxter.â
Off oneâs rocker
- Meaning: Mad or crazy.
- Origin: Referring to the idea that a personâs rocker, or balancing mechanism, is not working.
- Usage: âHe must be off his rocker to think that!â
Offie
- Meaning: Off-license; a store that sells alcoholic beverages for consumption off the premises.
- Origin: Shortened form of âoff-licenseâ.
- Usage: âIâm going to the offie to grab some beers.â
Oik
- Meaning: A rude or obnoxious person.
- Origin: Probably derived from the Greek âoikosâ for house â an oik was originally a student from a non-prestigious school or non-Oxbridge University.
- Usage: âDonât be such an oik!â
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P
Pants
- Meaning: Rubbish or of poor quality.
- Origin: Likely a shortened form of âunderpantsâ, implying something is as undesirable as used underwear.
- Usage: âThat film was absolute pants!â
Parky
- Meaning: Cold weather.
- Origin: Derived from the feeling one might have in a cold park.
- Usage: âItâs a bit parky outside.â
Pear-shaped
- Meaning: When something goes wrong or awry.
- Origin: Its exact origin is unclear, but it may be related to distorted, misshapen fruit or possibly from aeronautical slang.
- Usage: âThe meeting went a bit pear-shaped.â
Peckish
- Meaning: A little bit hungry.
- Origin: From the word âpeckâ, like a bird pecking at food.
- Usage: âIâm feeling a tad peckish. Shall we grab a bite?â
Peg it
- Meaning: To run away quickly.
- Origin: Possibly related to the motion of pegs in machinery, or from the idea of pegging (throwing) oneself forward.
- Usage: âWhen he saw the police, he pegged it.â
Penny-dropping moment
- Meaning: The moment of realization.
- Origin: From the old action of penny-in-the-slot machines, where the penny drops before the action starts.
- Usage: âI had a penny-dropping moment about how the system worked.â
Perishing
- Meaning: Very cold.
- Origin: Hyperbolic use of the verb âperishâ.
- Usage: âItâs perishing outside!â
Pillock
- Meaning: A foolish or annoying person.
- Origin: Originally a slang term for the male genitals, but now used more widely as a derogatory term.
- Usage: âDonât be such a pillock.â
Plastered
- Meaning: Drunk.
- Origin: Possibly derived from the idea of being âlaid outâ like a wall waiting to be plastered.
- Usage: âHe got absolutely plastered last night.â
Porkies
- Meaning: Lies.
- Origin: Rhyming slang. âPorky piesâ rhymes with lies.
- Usage: âAre you telling porkies?â
Posh
- Meaning: Elegant, stylish, or upper class.
- Origin: Disputed. Some believe itâs an acronym for âPort Out, Starboard Homeâ, the most desired ticket on ships traveling from England to India, while others argue itâs from Romany âposh-houriâ, meaning âhalf-penceâ.
- Usage: âShe lives in a posh part of town.â
Pukka
- Meaning: Genuine or very good.
- Origin: From the Hindi word âpakkaâ, meaning âcooked, ripeâ.
- Usage: âThatâs a pukka job youâve done there.â
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Q
Quid
- Meaning: Slang term for the British pound.
- Origin: Originated from the Latin âquid pro quoâ, which means âsomething for somethingâ.
- Usage: âHe owes me twenty quid.â
Quids in
- Meaning: To be in a position where you are profiting or benefiting.
- Origin: Derived from the use of âquidâ meaning pound, implying a monetary gain.
- Usage: âIf this deal goes through, weâll be quids in.â
Quiff
- Meaning: A type of hairstyle where the front hair is styled to stand up and curve back towards the back of the head.
- Origin: The exact origin is uncertain, but itâs been a popular style in various eras.
- Usage: âHeâs got a massive quiff today.â
Quim
- Meaning: A derogatory slang term for female genitalia.
- Origin: Dates back to the 18th century, but its exact origins are unclear.
- Usage: Not commonly used in modern conversation due to its offensive nature.
Quisling
- Meaning: A traitor, especially someone who collaborates with an enemy occupation.
- Origin: Named after Vidkun Quisling, a Norwegian leader who collaborated with the Nazis during WWII.
- Usage: âHeâs nothing but a quisling, siding with them.â
Quite
- Meaning: In British English, it can mean âto a moderate degreeâ or âveryâ, depending on context.
- Origin: From the Latin âquietusâ meaning âquietâ or âcalmâ, its meaning has evolved over time.
- Usage: âItâs quite cold out.â or âSheâs quite the expert.â
Quavers
- Meaning: A brand of light, curly potato snack. Can also refer to a musical note.
- Origin: The snackâs name might have been inspired by its lightness, much like the musical noteâs short duration.
- Usage: âFancy a pack of quavers?â
Quick-sticks
- Meaning: Quickly or in a hurry.
- Origin: The exact origin is uncertain but may be related to the idea of moving quickly, as with âsticksâ or legs.
- Usage: âGet here quick-sticks!â
Quockerwodger
- Meaning: A wooden puppet controlled by strings. Can also refer to a politician whose actions are controlled by someone else.
- Origin: A combination of âquockâ, an old word for wood, and âwodgerâ, meaning thing or creature.
- Usage: âHeâs nothing but a quockerwodger, doing whatever they tell him.â
Quids for quacks
- Meaning: Money for nothing or very little effort.
- Origin: An alteration of âquids inâ, with âquacksâ possibly being a nonsensical addition for rhyme.
- Usage: âIf we can automate it, itâs quids for quacks.â
R
Rubbish
- Meaning: Trash, garbage. Can also be used to describe something thatâs not very good.
- Origin: Derived from Middle English ârubbousâ meaning debris.
- Usage: âTake out the rubbish.â or âThat film was rubbish.â
Rat-arsed
- Meaning: Very drunk.
- Origin: Origin unclear, but itâs a colorful way to describe someone who is beyond tipsy.
- Usage: âHe got completely rat-arsed last night.â
Row
- Meaning: An argument or a noisy disturbance.
- Origin: Comes from the Old English ârÄwâ which means ârow or lineâ, potentially from the noise made in a line of disputing people.
- Usage: âThey had a right old row.â
Reddies
- Meaning: Money, specifically cash.
- Origin: Referring to the reddish color of British banknotes.
- Usage: âDo you have any reddies on you?â
Rosie Lee
- Meaning: Tea.
- Origin: Cockney rhyming slang. Rosie Lee rhymes with tea.
- Usage: âFancy a cup of Rosie Lee?â
Ring
- Meaning: To call someone on the phone.
- Origin: Refers to the ringing sound phones used to make.
- Usage: âIâll ring you later.â
Rip-off
- Meaning: Something thatâs overpriced or a fraud.
- Origin: Originated in the 1960s in the context of theft.
- Usage: âThat bag is a total rip-off.â
Readies
- Meaning: Cash or money thatâs ready to be spent.
- Origin: Refers to the readiness of the cash to be used.
- Usage: âIâve got my readies, letâs go shopping.â
Ructions
- Meaning: A disturbance or quarrel.
- Origin: Possibly from the word âeruptionâ indicating a sudden outburst.
- Usage: âThere were ructions when he arrived.â
Rumpy pumpy
- Meaning: A euphemism for sexual activity.
- Origin: Thought to have originated in the 1970s, playful and non-specific term.
- Usage: âThey sneaked off for a bit of rumpy pumpy.â
Round
- Meaning: A series of drinks bought for a group at a bar.
- Origin: Refers to the idea of everyone having a turn to buy a âroundâ of drinks.
- Usage: âItâs your turn to buy the next round.â
S
Skive
- Meaning: To avoid work or duty; to shirk.
- Origin: Originated from the French word âesquiverâ, meaning âto dodgeâ.
- Usage: âHeâs trying to skive off work again.â
Slag
- Meaning: A derogatory term often used to describe a woman who is considered promiscuous. Can also mean to criticize or insult someone.
- Origin: Derived from the old Norse word âslaggâ, which refers to metal impurities.
- Usage: âDonât slag her off just because you disagree.â
Sodâs law
- Meaning: A pseudolaw reflecting the principle that things will go wrong at the worst possible moment.
- Origin: âSodâ is derived from âsodomiteâ, and the law refers to the idea that âif something can go wrong, it willâ.
- Usage: âOf course it rained as soon as the BBQ started. Sodâs law, isnât it?â
Starkers
- Meaning: Completely naked.
- Origin: Possibly derived from âstark nakedâ, with âstarkâ meaning completely or absolutely.
- Usage: âHe ran through the field starkers!â
Snog
- Meaning: A long, passionate kiss.
- Origin: Possibly from the Old Norse âsnoggaâ, meaning âto snuggleâ.
- Usage: âThey had a good snog at the end of the date.â
Scran
- Meaning: Food.
- Origin: Originated from the British naval slang.
- Usage: âIâm starving, letâs get some scran.â
Skint
- Meaning: Having no money; broke.
- Origin: Potentially derived from âskinnedâ, implying nothing left.
- Usage: âI canât go out tonight, Iâm skint.â
Spend a penny
- Meaning: A euphemism for going to the toilet.
- Origin: Refers to the old practice of having to pay a penny to use a public restroom.
- Usage: âExcuse me, I need to spend a penny.â
Slap-up
- Meaning: A large and luxurious meal.
- Origin: Thought to derive from the idea of food being slapped onto a plate.
- Usage: âWe had a slap-up meal at that new restaurant.â
Sorted
- Meaning: Organized, arranged, or resolved.
- Origin: From the traditional definition of âsortâ, to arrange or set in some kind of order.
- Usage: âGot my weekend plans all sorted.â
Smarmy
- Meaning: Ingratiating and wheedling in a way that is perceived as insincere or excessive.
- Origin: Unknown, but has been in use since the late 19th century.
- Usage: âHeâs such a smarmy salesman.â
Shirty
- Meaning: Irritable or short-tempered.
- Origin: Possibly from the idea of someoneâs collar getting tight when theyâre angry.
- Usage: âDonât get shirty with me!â
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T
Tosser
- Meaning: A derogatory slang term for a person considered to be foolish or contemptible.
- Origin: Derives from âtoss offâ, a slang term for male masturbation, but its usage has broadened to be a general insult.
- Usage: âDonât listen to him; heâs a complete tosser.â
Telly
- Meaning: Television.
- Origin: Simply a shortened form of the word âtelevisionâ.
- Usage: âWhatâs on the telly tonight?â
Twit
- Meaning: A silly or foolish person.
- Origin: Unknown, but has been in use since the early 20th century.
- Usage: âYou can be such a twit sometimes.â
Todger
- Meaning: A colloquial term for the male genitalia.
- Origin: Unknown.
- Usage: âHe got hit right in the todger with that football.â
Take the piss
- Meaning: To mock, ridicule, or take advantage of someone.
- Origin: Possibly related to old slang meaning being âannoyedâ or âdisgruntledâ.
- Usage: âAre you taking the piss out of me?â
Tickety-boo
- Meaning: Fine, okay, or in satisfactory condition.
- Origin: Likely from the Hindu âáčhÄ«k hai, bÄbĆ«â, which means âItâs alright, sirâ.
- Usage: âEverythingâs tickety-boo on my end.â
Tart
- Meaning: Refers to a woman who dresses in a provocative manner. Also refers to a loved one or sweetheart, similar to âdearâ or âdarlingâ.
- Origin: Shortened from âsweetheartâ.
- Usage: âHello, tart. How was your day?â
Tosh
- Meaning: Nonsense or rubbish.
- Origin: Possibly from Romani âtajoâ, meaning âthingâ.
- Usage: âThatâs complete tosh!â
Two Bob
- Meaning: Two shillings in pre-decimal currency. Used in phrases to indicate something is cheap or of low quality.
- Origin: Refers to the British pre-decimal currency system.
- Usage: âIt looks a bit two bob, doesnât it?â
Throw a wobbly
- Meaning: To get very angry or to throw a tantrum.
- Origin: Possibly from the visual of something wobbling out of control.
- Usage: âShe threw a wobbly when she found out.â
Tuppence
- Meaning: A small amount of money. Historically, it referred to two pennies.
- Origin: From the old British coinage system.
- Usage: âI wouldnât pay tuppence for that.â
Top up
- Meaning: To refill a drink or increase the amount of credit on a mobile phone or card.
- Origin: Literal meaning of adding to the top of something.
- Usage: âCould you top up my wine, please?â
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U
Up the duff
- Meaning: Pregnant.
- Origin: The exact origin is uncertain, but itâs been in use since at least the early 20th century.
- Usage: âDid you hear? Sheâs up the duff.â
Uptight
- Meaning: Anxious or angry in a tense and overly controlled way.
- Origin: Thought to originate in the late 1930s from âup-tightâ, meaning in a state of tension or high alert.
- Usage: âDonât get so uptight about it.â
Use your loaf
- Meaning: Use your head or think about it.
- Origin: Cockney rhyming slang â âloaf of breadâ = âheadâ.
- Usage: âCome on, use your loaf!â
Uni
- Meaning: Short for âuniversityâ.
- Origin: Simply an abbreviation.
- Usage: âHeâs off to uni next month.â
Uppers
- Meaning: Stimulant drugs, especially amphetamines.
- Origin: Refers to the stimulating, âupperâ effect of the drugs.
- Usage: âHeâs been taking uppers all night.â
Under the weather
- Meaning: Feeling ill or out of sorts.
- Origin: Possibly nautical in origin, referring to sailors who went below deck due to illness, thus being under the weather.
- Usage: âIâm feeling a bit under the weather today.â
Up for it
- Meaning: Eager or willing to try something out or participate.
- Origin: Simply a direct meaning of the words, indicating oneâs readiness or willingness.
- Usage: âAre you up for a game of footy?â
Up sticks
- Meaning: To move from oneâs current place of residence.
- Origin: Possibly from the idea of picking up oneâs belongings (like a tent or campsite) to move.
- Usage: âTheyâve upped sticks and moved to the coast.â
Up oneâs street
- Meaning: Suited to oneâs tastes or abilities.
- Origin: Likely derived from the idea of something being in oneâs neighborhood or area of expertise.
- Usage: âCooking? Thatâs right up her street.â
Uckers
- Meaning: A board game played in the Royal Navy, similar to Ludo.
- Origin: Shortened form of âUckers Buckerâ, a variation of the name âLudoâ.
- Usage: âFancy a game of uckers?â
V
Vexed
- Meaning: Annoyed, frustrated, or worried.
- Origin: From Old French vexer, or Latin vexare meaning âto shake, jolt, or annoyâ.
- Usage: âI was really vexed when he didnât show up on time.â
Vardo
- Meaning: A traditional Romany wagon or caravan.
- Origin: From the Romani word for wagon.
- Usage: âThey traveled around the country in a colorful vardo.â
Veg out
- Meaning: Relax to the point of complete inertia.
- Origin: Derived from the word âvegetableâ, implying the inactive state of vegetables.
- Usage: âAfter a long day at work, I just want to veg out in front of the TV.â
Veryish
- Meaning: Somewhat or nearly.
- Origin: Derived from the word âveryâ with the â-ishâ suffix.
- Usage: âThe color is veryish like the one I wanted.â
Vim
- Meaning: Energy or enthusiasm.
- Origin: Possibly from Latin âvimâ, the accusative case of âvisâ meaning âforceâ or âpowerâ.
- Usage: âShe tackled the project with vim and vigor.â
Vino
- Meaning: Wine.
- Origin: Shortened form of the Spanish/Italian word âvinoâ, meaning wine.
- Usage: âLetâs crack open a bottle of vino.â
Vex money
- Meaning: Emergency money carried by a woman in case a date goes poorly.
- Origin: From the term âvexâ, meaning to be annoyed. The idea is having money in case one is annoyed or inconvenienced.
- Usage: âAlways have some vex money with you just in case.â
Vapours, the
- Meaning: A dated reference to a swooning fit or a state of nervousness or anxiety.
- Origin: Historically, believed to be related to fumes from the womb affecting the brain, a once-popular medical theory.
- Usage: âShe got the vapours when she saw the price tag.â
Veg
- Meaning: Short for âvegetableâ or âvegetarianâ.
- Origin: Simply an abbreviation.
- Usage: âAre there any veg options on the menu?â
Village bike
- Meaning: A derogatory term referring to a woman who is considered promiscuous.
- Origin: The implication being that everyone in the village has âhad a rideâ.
- Usage: (This term is derogatory and should be avoided)
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W
Waffle
- Meaning: To speak or write at length in a vague or trivial manner.
- Origin: Possibly related to the weaving pattern of a waffle, going back and forth without clear direction.
- Usage: âHe tends to waffle on without making a clear point.â
Wag
- Meaning: A humorous or mischievous person; also refers to truanting from school.
- Origin: Shortened form of âwaghalterâ, a 16th-century term for a mischievous boy.
- Usage: âHeâs such a wag, always up to some prank.â
Welly
- Meaning: Effort or force. Also refers to wellington boots.
- Origin: âWellyâ for force might come from âgive it some wellyâ, meaning to put effort into something; the boot is from the Duke of Wellington.
- Usage: âPut some welly into it!â or âItâs raining; best wear your wellies.â
Whinge
- Meaning: To complain persistently and in a peevish or irritating way.
- Origin: From Old English âhwinsianâ meaning âto whineâ.
- Usage: âHe does nothing but whinge about the weather.â
Wind up
- Meaning: To tease or to irritate someone intentionally; or to conclude something.
- Origin: Possibly from the winding motion, as in winding a clock, leading to the idea of âsetting someone offâ.
- Usage: âAre you winding me up?â or âLetâs wind up this meeting.â
Wonky
- Meaning: Not straight; shaky or unsteady; not reliable.
- Origin: Unknown, first known use in the 1910s.
- Usage: âThat shelf looks a bit wonky.â
Wotcha
- Meaning: A greeting, short for âwhat cheerâ or âwhat do you sayâ.
- Origin: Derived from âwhat chere be with you?â which is Middle English.
- Usage: âWotcha mate, howâs it going?â
Wanker
- Meaning: A derogatory term used to describe someone acting in an undesirable manner.
- Origin: British slang, referring to masturbation.
- Usage: âDonât be such a wanker.â
Wardrobe malfunction
- Meaning: An unintended exposure of bodily parts.
- Origin: Popularized after the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show incident involving Janet Jackson.
- Usage: âShe had a minor wardrobe malfunction during the event, but handled it gracefully.â
Whack
- Meaning: Out of order; not right. Also can mean to hit something.
- Origin: Old English âwhacianâ, meaning âto strikeâ.
- Usage: âThatâs totally whack.â or âI might whack the TV to get it working.â
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X
X-rated
- Meaning: Suitable for adults only because of sexual or violent content.
- Origin: Originally a film classification in the UK from the British Board of Film Censors (now the British Board of Film Classification). It was introduced in 1951 and was replaced by the â18â rating in 1982.
- Usage: âThat movie isnât for kids; itâs X-rated.â
X-marks-the-spot
- Meaning: A phrase used to indicate a precise location, especially on a map or diagram.
- Origin: Often linked with pirate tales where X would mark the location of hidden treasure on a map.
- Usage: âYouâll find the building right here, X-marks-the-spot.â
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Y
Yak
- Meaning: To talk incessantly.
- Origin: Possibly onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of constant chatter.
- Usage: âShe just yaks on and on about her holidays.â
Yank
- Meaning: To pull with a jerk; also a colloquial term for an American.
- Origin: For pulling â Old English âgeoncâ, meaning âto pullâ; for American â Short for âYankeeâ, which has origins dating to the American Revolutionary War.
- Usage: âYank that cord!â or âHeâs a Yank, from New York.â
Yonks
- Meaning: A very long time.
- Origin: Possibly a corrupted version of âdonkeyâs yearsâ, which also means a long time.
- Usage: âI havenât seen him in yonks.â
Yob
- Meaning: A rude or uncouth person.
- Origin: Itâs âboyâ spelled backward and is believed to have been used as a code by Victorian prison guards to refer to troublesome inmates.
- Usage: âDonât hang around with those yobs.â
Yuppie
- Meaning: A young professional person working in a city.
- Origin: 1980s: abbreviation of âyoung upwardly mobile professionalâ.
- Usage: âThe city center is full of yuppies.â
Yarn
- Meaning: A long, often elaborate narrative of real or fictive adventures; an entertaining tale.
- Origin: Old English âgearnâ, in the sense of âspun threadâ.
- Usage: âHe always has a good yarn to share about his travels.â
Yammer
- Meaning: To talk persistently and loudly.
- Origin: Middle English, from Old English âgeomrianâ to lament; akin to Old High German âjammernâ to moan.
- Usage: âSheâd yammer on about her problems to anyone whoâd listen.â
Yowser
- Meaning: An expression of excitement or enthusiasm.
- Origin: Perhaps a variant of German âJawohlâ or simply an expressive formation.
- Usage: âYowser! Thatâs an impressive trick.â
Z
Zeds
- Meaning: Sleep.
- Origin: From the letter âZâ, often associated with sleeping sounds in comic strips.
- Usage: âI need to catch some zeds before the big day tomorrow.â
Zonked
- Meaning: Extremely tired or exhausted; sometimes used to mean intoxicated or drugged.
- Origin: 1960s, perhaps echoing the sound of a heavy object hitting the ground.
- Usage: âAfter that long hike, Iâm absolutely zonked.â
Zigzag
- Meaning: A pattern made up of small corners at variable angles.
- Origin: Late 17th century, from French. Itâs imitative, from the sound of something moving to and fro.
- Usage: âThe road goes in a zigzag up the mountain.â
Zoot Suit
- Meaning: A manâs suit with high-waisted, wide-legged, tight-cuffed trousers and a long coat with padded shoulders.
- Origin: 1930s and 1940s, especially in the Hispanic community in the US. From âzootâ which is possibly a reduplication of âsuitâ.
- Usage: âHe wore a zoot suit with a reet pleat.â
Zilch
- Meaning: Nothing at all.
- Origin: 1960s, perhaps from US slang âzilchusâ meaning âworthless personâ, of unknown origin.
- Usage: âHow much money do you have? Zilch.â
Zappy
- Meaning: Lively, energetic.
- Origin: 1960s, of unknown origin; perhaps related to zap.
- Usage: âIt was a zappy tune that got everyone on their feet.â
Zine
- Meaning: A magazine, especially a self-published or underground publication.
- Origin: Shortened from âmagazineâ.
- Usage: âShe publishes her poetry in a quarterly zine.â
Zoom
- Meaning: Move or travel very quickly; or increase suddenly and significantly.
- Origin: Onomatopoeic; mimicking the sound of a fast-moving object.
- Usage: âHe zoomed past me on the motorway.â
Zed Cars
- Meaning: Police patrol cars.
- Origin: From the 1962-1978 BBC television drama series âZ-Carsâ.
- Usage: âCall the Zed Cars to the scene.â
Zhoosh
- Meaning: Make more exciting, lively, or attractive.
- Origin: 1970s, possibly from Polari, the coded language used by some gay men in Britain in the mid-20th century, from Romani âĆŸuĆŸoâ âclean, neatâ.
- Usage: âShe zhooshed up her outfit with some flashy accessories.â
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Thatâs it for our list of British slang! Thanks for continuing to expand your vocabulary with us. Did we miss something? Let us know down below in the comments —.
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