This dictionary of British slang contains popular words and phrases you may hear in Britain and will help you with your own spoken English.
Es– is used to describe something amazing. A word popular in Scandinavia and among young people.
Anyway- when you hear this, the person is not asking you to choose a path! They'll probably replace it with "anyway" and the context could be "anyway, you're from China or Japan."
A load of tosh– is used to describe something that is not very good. For example, your teacher may describe your essay as 'a lot of stuff'...hard!
A Kent face– often used in Scotland when someone has seen someone they know, such as "I saw some Kent faces in the library". This idiom has nothing to do with the surname or the place. It is taken from an Old English word meaning 'to know'.
Adam and Eve- co*ckney rhyming slang for faith. "Can you do that Adam and Eve!"
Bee's knees– the phrase does not refer to bees or knees, but is an idiom for excellent. It became popular in the 1920s, along with "cat whiskers".
Bite your arm off- don't be alarmed if someone says this. No one is about to literally bite off part of your anatomy. It is used to describe will. For example, someone might say to you, "They'll bite your arm if you offer to write their essay."
Unscrewed– Since the British are good at hiding their feelings, we still have enough words to describe when we are not happy about something. One of them is "cut off".
Bits en Bobs– is used nowadays when you want to say that you have an odd selection of things, for example: "I have a few things in the fridge. I'll see what I can make". to describe change in your pocket.
Bob is your uncle- the origin of this saying and how it is used today is different. The saying originally meant that you could get or do anything if you had the right connections, as it arose after the twentieth British Prime Minister, Lord Salisbury, famously appointed a cousin to an important political post for which he lacked the relevant experience. . Nowadays it is more common to say that everything is fine.
meat hook– originates from the East End of London and is rhyming slang for look.
Cheerio- No, it's not just a breakfast mix, but also one of the many words used in Britain to say goodbye. "Ta ta" is popular in Northern England and you will also hear "laters" and "see ya".
Remove the cheese– is a whimsical euphemism for unhappiness. Obviously you'd be unhappy if your cheese came off! It can be used in informal and formal situations, for example when someone says, "I'm sorry you ate the last piece of cake."
The garden is wagging its tail– means to have a long conversation and its origins come from a Welsh word meaning 'empty'. It is believed that the word originated in a pub in North Wales, where the landlady made sure people got more drunk than they intended by walking around with a pitcher of beer and refilling people's glasses by saying 'hagewag ' to say - which is Welsh for your cup is empty. .
Don't teach your grandma to suck eggs– you might hear someone years older say this to a younger person if he or she feels that the younger person is being disrespectful by thinking that he or she can teach the older person something.
Foreign– used to describe someone who is attractive.
Don't cry over spilled milk– someone can say this if you do something wrong or actually spill or break it. The essence of the saying is that you don't have to worry about it.
Fed, yes– used among friends and is a loving way to make fun of a friend when he or she has done or said something stupid. Keep in mind that the meaning changes dramatically when you say this to a stranger!
The year of the donkey- The donkey has obviously lived a long time, so when someone says, "I haven't seen your donkey," they are saying they haven't seen you in a long time.
Dijk– is used to describe a place that is not very nice. Someone might tell you, "It's a dive, but the drinks are cheap"
Not peasy- A fun and childish way to express something is easy to do or understand. We challenge you to use it the next time your teacher explains something.
Effective and dazzling– this term is used to describe someone who uses unpleasant language. For example, you might hear, "She was so angry that she blinded and dazzled all the way home!"
eejit– an Irish-based pronunciation of the word “Idiot.”
Pupils– a mid-morning snack before lunch, usually consisting of a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Overcrowded– is a term used to describe someone who is being talked about. You can e.g. hear someone say, "They got their ears off because they were so loud last night."
Full of beans– full of beans means that someone is very energetic and lively.
For God sake– This is a substitute for a bad word. For example, you discover that your bicycle has a flat tire and you exclaim, "Oh, how loud you cried!"
Faff around- When you're fumbling around, you look busy, but you accomplish very little. For example, "I told him to stop fussing and do the dishes."
Beating a dead horse– trying to find a solution to a problem that is unsolvable. For example: "You're flogging a dead horse by asking Martha to move to Britain - she hates rain"
Go to the bathroom– college life wouldn't be college life without its fair share of parties, and if someone invites you to a "do" say yes, because he's inviting you to a party!
Nice– when you are surprised, you are surprised by something or someone. In a good or bad way!
To eat– is slang for food and comes from the Old English word meaning 'grave'. The association with digging for food became the jargon we use today.
Gobby– is used to describe someone who talks a lot and has a lot of opinions, and not necessarily in a good way.
Hammered– is the slang word used to describe someone who is very drunk. You can tell someone is tipsy if they seem a little drunk.
Horses for courses– this is a popular saying that means that we all have different tastes and what is good for one person is not necessarily good for another.
Hunky-dory– is just a fancy way of saying that something is perfectly fine!
I have come across all kinds of special things– is a strange saying used to describe someone who gets sick very quickly.
I'm not kidding, but I don't have all day– this is a popular saying in Wales and simply means hurry!
I'm easy- The next time you're at a restaurant and your friends are unsure about what to order, just say "order anything. I'm easy." It's a signal that you're happy with what they order.
I'm going to Bedfordshire– is rhyming English slang for when someone is tired and wants to go to bed. Do you understand?
Outside they are copper monkeys– used when it is bitterly cold. The origin of this saying refers to the brass handles of doors, which get very cold. This bit makes sense, but the monkeys in this proverb are confusing, even to the British.
Yum– if you're a lucky person, you might be described as fluke or jammy.
Jim too bad– is slang for pajamas, and as a student you hear, “I think it's time to put on my jim-jams and go to bed – I'm exhausted!” - a lot of!
Able to– is slang for half a liter of beer. For example: "Let's meet up for a few pots after the lecture."
Jiffy- this is a typical British saying that means you want to do something right away. You can say it to show that you're eager, for example, "If you make dinner, I'll be right there."
Kneel up- when someone says he went down on his right knee this weekend, he's talking about a wild party. Your answer should be: why wasn't I invited?
Kerfuffel– is trouble or trouble. For example: "What's this about? I'm only two hours late!"
Keep your hair up– Can you lose your hair if you get too angry or excited? That's what this idiom suggests. For example: "Hold on to your hair - I just accidentally deleted your dissertation."
Kip– means sleep
Last order– you hear the bar staff in the pubs shout this and ring the bell at 11 p.m. or on Sundays at 10.30 p.m. to tell customers that they have 20 minutes to finish their drink.
Lurgie- Stay away if someone is lurking. This means they are sick and possibly contagious.
Disappoint– can be used in many ways and means that you didn't like the experience. For example: "That movie was such a disappointment"
Lairy– used to describe a loud/brash person. For example: "Tom gets a little clammy after a few drinks."
do not do that– means that you want someone to stop doing or saying something that you find disturbing or annoying.
Paid– if someone is described as rich, it means he or she is rich, become his best friend immediately!
Mittens– a mitten is a kind of glove. But the British shortened the word and turned it into slang for hands. For example: "I would like to buy a new camera!"
Watch your P's and Q's– means you are on your best behavior. For example: "My parents are very conservative - watch your P's and Q's."
Miffy– is another way of saying you're confused or annoyed. For example, "She's very upset that she wasn't invited to the party."
Not my cup of tea– is a saying used when you don't like something. For example: "My girlfriend likes football, but it's not my thing".
Numpty– if someone does or says something inappropriate, wrong or a bit stupid, you might hear a Brit say, "Du numpy, you're wearing your T-shirt backwards."
Naf– used to describe something that is in poor or inferior taste. Example: "I don't like my apartment, the furniture is a bit boring."
Nee– is slang for food. For example: "Shall we have something to eat before our lecture?"
Old chestnut– if you tell the same joke or story too many times, your bored friends may say in a sarcastic voice, "Oh no, not that old chestnut again."
On the other hand– means you're drinking too much alcohol, and you can hear the British say, "Are you up for it tonight?"
Oh my giddy aunt– is another expression for “Oh my God!” and is used to show shock or surprise.
One of the– a term used to describe something unique. For example: "I bought this unique dress from a fashion student."
Opportunities and all that– another way of saying 'bits and pieces'. For example: "My glasses were in the drawer with all the stuff."
A breeze- describing something as a "piece of cake" means that you think it is easy to do. For example, you can say, "This essay is a piece of cake."
Beep beep– an old-fashioned way of saying goodbye.
Plonk– is used to describe wine and the reference is that it is not the best quality wine.
Pork- if you are accused of telling a "pork", this is serious. It means someone thinks you're lying. The saying comes from an old co*ckney rhyme in which pork pies was used and "pies" was replaced by "lies" and later shortened to "porkies".
Style– If you get tired of someone talking, you can ask him or her to put a sock in it. It's fine to use among friends, but even if you think your teacher is a little wrong, we advise you to keep that thought to yourself!
Quid– is slang for a pound sterling.
Queen- term of endearment used by the British to refer to Queen Elizabeth II (the current queen)
Quasimodo– is co*ckney rhyming slang for soft drink.
The tweet– is jargon for a doctor who is suspected of not having the proper qualifications
Queen Mother– is co*ckney rhyming slang for the backside (butt).
Queen of the South– is co*ckney rhyming slang for mouth.
Reem– is English slang for something nice, good or cool and originates from Essex. In fact, you should watch The Only Way Is Essex to learn to speak like someone from Essex.
town– is slang for something that is horrible, has a bad taste, or actually smells unpleasant.
Flushed– can be used in different ways. The first is when you beat someone in an argument, fight or other competition. The other context is when someone pays a lot for something.
Rosie Lee– is co*ckney rhyming slang for a cup of tea.
See a man over a dog– is what you say when you jokingly don't want to reveal where you are going, for example when you go to the toilet.
Stop barking- If you hear this and it's addressed to you. Finish what you're doing quickly! The implication is that you are taking too long or you are not doing it efficiently.
plaque- If you don't want to go to that lecture 9 (understandable) or would rather spend the afternoon at the student union, so suggest you go to some like-minded people, but be prepared to be labeled a slicer by your more studious classmates .
Shirts– is a way of describing someone who is in a bad mood.
Sewn up– is when someone has taken advantage of you. For example, if a classmate nominates you to lead a presentation, you can certainly claim that you are "bonded."
Shaved- It can mean a number of things, some are bolder than others. But the most common use is when someone expresses how tired he or she is.
Taking the piss- If you hear this, it means that someone is shocked by what someone else is doing or saying.
Throw a wrench in the works– you'll probably hear this statement when something goes wrong or someone makes a mistake.
Tickety-boe– means OK and may be derived from a Hindi word meaning everything is fine. It's one of those beautiful words you hear when someone wants to say that everything is going exceptionally well.
Offie– The liquor store corresponds to an American supermarket with a license to sell alcohol.
Rolls– means moving slowly and clumsily.
Countless– means a relatively large but unspecified amount of something and is usually used when someone is annoyed. For example, you hear a Brit say: "For the umpteenth time I said no, I don't want to walk the dog!"
To the extent that– jargon for being enthusiastic/willing to participate. For example: "I like bowling, I'm looking forward to it tonight."
Uncle down– British slang for bed
Pick up the phone– when you have wasted something like money. For example: "Everything I earned this summer went into keeping this apartment warm."
Onder cosh– used when you feel pressured or restricted. For example: "She is tasked with delivering that project on time."
From the valley– a term used to describe Welsh people because of the number of valleys (the low area between the hills) in Wales.
VAT– is slang for vodka and tonic.
Vegetarian– is slang for relaxation. As a student, you want to go crazy every time an essay is submitted. To eat well, you have to order pizza and find a really boring movie to watch in your Jim-jams.
Stemming– is jargon for feelings, atmosphere, mood. For example, you can go to a club and say, "I like the atmosphere here, the music is cool."
Wine– is English slang for cheap wine.
Water pool– this is one of the many British slang words for a pub
Wonky– is another word for shaky or unstable. You can use it to refer to a person or an object. For example, you can say that a chair has a crooked leg.
Wangle– means getting or doing something that is a bit sneaky. For example: "I got an extension on my essay by telling the teacher that my cat had died."
Klein– is a Scottish word for small. In England it is a euphemism for urine. Confused? Do not be. When a Scotsman says he wants a small drink, he wants a whisky. If an Englishman says he wants something, send him to the nearest toilet!
Settlement- If you turn someone on, it means you are teasing or mocking them.
Good at that– an expression used when someone is in trouble
X-ray– you can use the phrase “do you have x-ray eyes” to wonder what a friend is telling you. For example: "How do you know Yinbo ate the rest of the pizza? Do you have x-ray eyes?"
extra– used to describe something that is very good. You may hear “that double chocolate ice cream is extra!”
Your round– if you go to a bar with a group of friends, there is a good chance that one person will buy a drink for the entire group. This continues until everyone in the group has purchased a drink. When it's your turn, someone can say, "It's your turn."
You are a keeper– used affectionately to describe someone who is sweet or someone who has a good quality. For example, you might hear, "You can cook, you're such a keeper."
You what- usually the British use this when they have not heard or understood what was said. In some cases it can be used when someone disagrees with you. You'll know which one it is by their tone and body language.
The jacket- used to describe someone who talks too much about things that don't interest you. Example: “My teacher kept going on and on today.”
Yes- if you haven't seen someone for a long time. Example: “God, I haven't been to a damn lecture!”
Empty my chain– if you're teasing someone about something he or she is sensitive about, he or she may tell you "stop pulling my chain" to tell you to stop.
All of them– used when someone is sleeping or by someone who indicates that they are super tired.
Pedestrian crossing– is often used to describe the black and white horizontal markings on the road where pedestrians can cross.
Catch some Zzzzzzzzz– used when you want to sleep.
We hope you find this English slang dictionary useful for your time here!
