I am often asked by my students about the phenomena of slang language. If you watch a British film or visit the United Kingdom, you will find frequent, unofficial terms which are used in everyday life, but just like phrasal verbs, they will cause confusion! So, to avoid asnswering the same question time and time again, I have intruduced this page. Please let me know if a phrase or term should be added! These are those I can think of right now! Needless to say, these are strictly informal terms. They should not be used in formal communications!
Must-Know British Slang Words and Phrases
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 a mildly silly or foolish piece of UK slang.
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; It means drunk.
7. Quid:
This is British slang for British pounds. Some people also refer to it as “squid.”
8. Dodgy:
This England slang word is 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 For example, it can refer to food which tastes out of date or, when referring to a person, it can mean that they are a bit sketchy.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.” Can also mean something is broken beyond repair.
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:
This is one of the most commonly used British slang phrases. 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 one of the many British terms for being drunk. (Please note, the Americans say 'wasted'. In America, 'pissed' means angry; the British equivilent is 'pissed off'.
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! The Americans, famously, don't.
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:
A commonly used British slang sentence is “Can’t be arsed.” This 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:
These British words refer to 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 working class.
28. Git:
“Git” is a British expression of insult. It’s chav slang to describe 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, whether in person or otherwise.
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."
Nosh-British-slang-fish-and-chips.
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. To use these UK slang words in a sentence you’d say, “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 one of the most commonly heard UK slangs. It’s 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.