If there’s one essential thing you need to pack on your trip to the UK this year, it’s knowledge of the slang words Brits can’t stop using. Just imagine arriving in London and looking super strange because you can’t communicate with the locals. IMAGINE! Luckily, I’m here to teach you nine common British terms you can’t live without.
1. Bagsy
The equivalent to shotgun in US English, this is what you say when you’re claiming something before everyone else, like the front seat of the car or the last scone (if you don’t know what a scone is, Google it and then sit in shame for a while. Then find a recipe for scones and make some).
2. Chips
Think you know how to order French fries in Britain? You’re wrong! In the UK we have a worryingly high number of words for different types of potato foods. We call French fries just fries, and thicker-cut fries that come from a chip shop are called chips. Then you’ve got thick, triangular chunks which we call potato wedges, which aren’t the same as circular fried slices (otherwise known as chips in other countries) which we call crisps. That’s all before you move onto the more complex crisp types, like Tortilla Chips (which count as crisps but are called chips, but aren’t chips like actual chips). Maybe just stick to healthy foods to avoid confusion?
3. Chuffed
If you’re really pleased or delighted about something, you’re chuffed. If you’re really delighted about something you can even be chuffed to bits. Chuffed used to mean ‘plump’, so I’m not sure why or how it now means delighted. Just roll with it.
4. Dodgy
When something’s questionable for suspicious, we call it dodgy. It’s a funky throwback to 1990s street slang and just fun to say.
5. Miffed
When something’s made you unhappy or annoyed, you could say you’re miffed. This one might not be the coolest slang to use with the younger crowd, but they’d probably use something much more NSFW. Best to stay as polite as you can and use the PG13 version.
6. Quid
This one’s so common you can’t get by without knowing it. In the UK quid is slang for a one pound coin. Be careful to clearly pronounce any words before this that end in an ‘s’ because otherwise it’ll sound like you’re saying squid, which hilarious but inaccurate.
7. Uni
Want to study at auniversity in the UK? Make sure you’re calling it by the right name. In Britain, college means something totally different to what it means in the US, where it’s another word for university. UK colleges are for students aged between 16 and 18, who graduate from there to go to university, which is shortened to just uni. If you don’t get it right, you might end up studying in the wrong place and with people 2 years younger than you. How embarrassing!
8. Gutted
Didn’t get into the uni you wanted to go to? You’re probably really disappointed and upset – otherwise known as gutted. Where this comes from is anyone’s guess, but it probably has something to do with the sad feeling you get in your gut when you’re upset.
9. Skive
Maybe you did get into your favorite uni, but you keep faking illness to get out of classes. Firstly, shame on you. Secondly, there’s a word for this and it’s called to skive. The ‘ski’ part is pronounced like sky not ski. Now get back to class!
FAQs
The use of the slang term 9 is a red flag and indicates that your teen is exhanging digital communications that are inappropriate. Having a parental control app on your child's phone will give you peace of mind by alerting you to your child's exposure to risks encountered on their phone.
What does the slang 9 mean? ›
The use of the slang term 9 is a red flag and indicates that your teen is exhanging digital communications that are inappropriate. Having a parental control app on your child's phone will give you peace of mind by alerting you to your child's exposure to risks encountered on their phone.
What is the American slang for British people? ›
"Limey" (from lime / lemon) is a predominantly North American slang nickname for a British person. The word has been around since the mid-19th century. Intended as a pejorative, the word is not commonly used today, though it retains that connotation.
What words do British use that Americans don t? ›
Here are just a few of our favorite odds and sods of British words and phrases:
- Quid: One pound sterling. ...
- Queue: A line, or to line up.
- Bits and Bobs: Odds and ends.
- Odds and Sod: Bits and pieces.
- Couldnae: Couldn't. ...
- Wouldnae: Wouldn't. ...
- Shouldnae: Shouldn't. ...
- Willnae: Won't.
"The whole nine yards" or "the full nine yards" is a colloquial American English phrase meaning "everything, the whole lot" or, when used as an adjective, "all the way". Its first usage was the punch line of an 1855 Indiana comedic short story titled "The Judge's Big Shirt".
What does 1174 mean in texting? ›
LMIRL = let's meet in real life. 1174 = meet at a party spot. IWSN = I want sex now. CU46 = see you for sex. FWB = friends with benefits.
What is British slang for girl? ›
'Lass' or 'lassie' is another word for 'girl'. This is mainly in the north of England and Scotland. 'Lad' is another word for boy. 'Bloke' or 'chap' means 'man'. Your 'mate' or 'pal' is your friend.
What does "bloody" mean in British? ›
In British slang, bloody means something like “very.” That's bloody brilliant! Things that are literally bloody have blood on them or are made of blood.
What is the most British phrase ever? ›
So here are our most favourite and some of the most well-known British idioms:
- A penny for your thoughts. ...
- Actions speak louder than words. ...
- An arm and a leg. ...
- Back to the drawing board. ...
- The ball is in your court. ...
- Barking up the wrong tree. ...
- Beat around the bush. ...
- Biting more than you can chew.
In British slang, expressing affection with "I love you" can take on various colloquial forms. "I fancy you." "You're my cup of tea." "I've got a soft spot for you."
Hunky-dory: Use this to describe when something is OK, cool, normal or "all good." ("Everything is hunky-dory over here!")
What do Brits call a sidewalk? ›
In the US, the word sidewalk refers to a paved path that people can walk along the side of a road. In the UK, the words pavement or footpath are more likely to be used instead.
What do Brits call Americans? ›
Yankee is sometimes abbreviated as “Yank.” People from all over the world, including Great Britain, Australia, and South America, use the term to describe Americans. (In Spanish, it's spelled yanqui.) Sometimes, it's a negative description.
What do British people call shoes? ›
Trainers is the general word in the UK (and Runners in Ireland) but there are various regional variants. When I lived in Hull they were often called “sannies” which is short for “Sand Shoes”. Not unless they are Sneakers, the brand.
What does the code 9 mean? ›
Code 9 or 999 often mean an officer needs emergency assistance, but in some places it could just mean a bathroom break.
What does 9 mean over text? ›
9 or 99. If you see either one of these number patterns, it's definitely not a typo. 9 is code for parent watching and 99 means parent gone.
What is meant by 9? ›
1. the cardinal number that is the sum of one and eight. See also number (sense 1) 2. a numeral, 9, IX, etc, representing this number.
What does the slang nines mean? ›
"To the nines" is an idiom meaning "to perfection" or "to the highest degree". In modern English usage, the phrase most commonly appears as "dressed to the nines" or "dressed up to the nines".
