The English language can
be very confusing, especially if you are learning British English. In Britain,
like in many countries, they use a lot of slang. Slang is informal words,
phrases and expressions that originate from groups of people or different
regions and is generally more common in conversational English than it is in
written English.
One of the reasons slang is so confusing for English learners is because there are so many regional variations, for example, slang used in Northern England is very different from slang used in London. Also, the slang commonly used in American English is very different from what you find in British English and generally defies everything that you have learned about English, especially when it comes to the literal meaning of the specific words.
If you want to become a proficient communicator in English, an understanding of slang is essential. Even if you are at a beginner or lower intermediate level, some knowledge of slang will help you to understand and follow conversations better.
Below are 50 of the most common slang words that you would need to learn in order to have any chance of understanding a conversation in a variety of social situations with British people.
Good
luck and good studying.
1. Bloke
“Bloke” would be the American English
equivalent of “dude.” It means a "man."
2. Lad
In the same vein as “bloke,” “lad” is used,
however, for boys and younger men.
3. Bonkers
Not necessarily intended in a bad way,
"bonkers" means “mad” or “crazy.”
4. Daft
Used to mean if something is a bit stupid.
It’s not particularly offensive, just mildly silly or foolish.
5. To leg it
This term means to run away, usually from some
trouble! “I legged it from the police.”
6. Trollied / Plastered
These two words are British slang for drunk.
One can get creative here and just add “ed” to the end of practically any
object to get across the same meaning eg. hammered.
7. Quid
This is British slang for British pounds. Some
people also refer to it as “squid.”
8. Dodgy
Used to describe something or someone a little
suspicious or questionable. For example, it can refer to food which tastes out
of date or, when referring to a person, it can mean that they are a bit
sketchy.
9. Gobsmacked
This is a truly British expression.
“Gobsmacked” means to be utterly shocked or surprised beyond belief. “Gob” is a
British expression for “mouth”.
10. Bevvy
This is short for the word “beverages,”
usually alcoholic, most often beer.
11. Knackered
“Knackered” is used when someone is extremely
tired. For example, “I was up studying all night last night, I’m absolutely
knackered.”
12. Lost the plot
Someone who has “lost the plot” has become
either angry, irrational, or is acting ridiculously. For example, "When my
dad saw the mess I made, he lost the plot.”
13. Taking the piss
To “take the piss” means to mock, or generally
be sarcastic towards something. For example, “Don’t be so serious, I was only
taking the piss.” Not to be confused with “being pissed” (see below).
14. Pissed
The British sure do love their bevvys. This is
another word for being drunk.
15. Throwing a wobbly
This British expression means to have a tantrum,
however, tends to be used when describing tantrums thrown by adults, or people
who should otherwise know better.
16. A cuppa
A cuppa is the shortened version of “a cup of
tea.” You might hear the expression “fancy a cuppa?” quite often which is
normally always referring to tea. The British do love their tea after all!
17. Bloody
As British slang, “bloody” places emphasis on
a comment or another word. “That’s bloody brilliant!” for example. It is
regarded as a mild expletive (swear word) but due to its common usage, it is
generally acceptable. For example, “Oh bloody hell!”
18. Can’t be arsed
“Can’t be arsed” is a less polite version of
saying that you can’t be bothered doing something. You might also see this
abbreviated to “CBA” in textspeak.
19. Chuffed
If someone is "chuffed," they are
very happy or delighted.
20. Skint
“Skint” is a British expression to mean being
broke or having no money. Lacking “fivers” and “tenners” if you will (see
below).
21. Fiver
A five-pound note.
22. Tenner
A ten-pound note.
23. Bog
Not a muddy marsh, but a toilet. Oh, the
British!
24. Bog roll
This is the paper you use in the bog, also
known as “toilet paper.”
25. Bird
This is British slang for a girl or a woman.
26. Mug
“Mug” is more specifically London slang and is
associated with the cockney accent. This is not a particularly nice word to
describe someone as it means a fool or a stupid person.
27. Chav
This is a derogatory British slang word for a
young hooligan who normally starts fights and makes trouble. “Chavs” are
usually seen as lower class.
28. Git
“Git” is a British expression of insult. It
describes a person, usually a man, who is very unpleasant, incompetent, or is
an idiot.
29. Cheeky
This is used to describe someone’s behavior.
If someone is being “cheeky,” they are being slightly rude or disrespectful but
in a charming or amusing way. If you are a “cheeky” child, you are being brash
or disrespectful and will probably get into trouble.
30. Slag off
To “slag someone off” means to make fun of a
person by verbally attacking them.
31. Sod
This British expression shares a similar
meaning to “devil” or “thing” and is used to refer to a person, particularly a
man. “You stupid sod!“ or “You lucky sod!” for example.
32. Grafting
"Grafting" is Scottish slang
denoting a lad who is trying to get a girl to like him. A bit like flirting.
You'll hear this one a lot on the British Love Island.
33. Muppet
Another great British insult. A “muppet” is a
person who is ignorant and is generally a bit clueless.
34. Pants
In the UK, “pants” typically refers to
underwear. However, “pants” can also be used as an equivalent of the word
"bad" e.g. "That's pants!"
35. Prat
Yet another classic British slang term of
insult. A “prat” is someone who is full of themselves and, almost invariably,
stupid as well. With a hint of delusion.
36. Nosh
“That’s real good nosh!” “Nosh” is a British
expression for "food."
37. Buzzin’
“Buzzin’” can mean to be tipsy or slightly
drunk, "I'm buzzin' after that pint." It’s also British slang for
being excited or very happy, “I just booked my holiday to Spain, I’m absolutely
buzzin’.”
38. Pied off
This is not a nice feeling. If you’ve been “pied
off,” you’ve been rejected or shot down.
39. Bev
This one had most of us confused when we first
heard it on Love Island 2019. “Bev” means a "handsome man."
40. To crack on
“To crack on with something” means to get
started or continue with something. For example, “It’s getting late, I better
crack on.”
41. Gutted
Meaning of being bitterly disappointed about
something. “I was absolutely gutted when I heard the bad news.”
42. Blimey
“Blimey” is used as a way of expressing
surprise at something, “Blimey, look at that!”
43. Cock-up
Get your mind out of the gutter! A “cock-up”
is a mistake or failure, "I made a total cock-up of it."
44. Kerfuffle
If you’ve gotten yourself into a “kerfuffle,”
you are generally involved in a disagreement with someone. “Kerfuffle” also has
a similar meaning to “fuss.” For example, you can say, “It was all a big
kerfuffle.”
45. Innit
This is the shortened and easier version of
“isn’t it?” It’s seen as a general filler in a conversation or when seeking
confirmation, eg. "Cool, innit."
46. Cracking
When something or someone is “cracking” it
means that the thing or the person is particularly good or excellent. For
example, “He’s a cracking lad” or “That’s a cracking cuppa.”
47. Minging
This is British slang for “disgusting” or
“gross.”
48. Proper
“Proper” is used as an alternative to “very”
or “extremely.” For example, “That’s proper good nosh, innit.”
49. To nick
This is a British expression to mean stealing.
As in “I nicked these sweets from the shop.”
50. Faffing around
“Faffing around” is a very British pleasure.
It means doing nothing particularly productive or taking unnecessary time to do
something that should be relatively quick or straightforward.
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