How To Sound Like A Brit
Nothing will make you sound extra like a Brit than utilizing British slang or British accent phrases!
As an American dwelling in London, I’ve come throughout a lot of British slang phrases. Some British slang I knew rising up (thanks, Harry Potter), however I used to be stunned about how a lot I needed to study since I’ve been right here.
Identical to British dialects of the English language, British slang can fluctuate area by area and even by subgroup, equivalent to class. After all, I can’t cowl every part, and a few of these phrases aren’t essentially unique to the UK. However I’m going to introduce you to some quintessential slang you’ll positively hear if you happen to’re within the UK or if you happen to watch British TV.
To make it simple for you, I’ve listed these British phrases to say in alphabetical order. So be at liberty to learn down the listing or bounce to a phrase you’ve been burning to grasp extra! After the listing, I’ll additionally introduce you to a well-known and engaging coded slang system distinctive to a subset of Londoners.
So what phrases do it’s essential to comprehend that the British are telling you? A few of these are fairly humorous phrases (at the least to an American), so you might be stunned to seek out out.
A last phrase of warning – a few of these phrases are Not Secure for Work (NSFW), so if you happen to’re simply offended this may not be the article for you. I’ve marked these phrases with a § image.
A
- Alright – It is a informal greeting, not essentially an enquiry about your well being. (This confused me so a lot after I first acquired right here!) You would possibly hear it as simply “Alright?” or “You alright?” (But when a Brit says “Are you alright?” then thye could also be asking about your wellbeing.)
- Arse § – Ass. This may consult with each your rear finish or a jerk. “Cease being such an arse!”
B
- Blimey – An expression of shock or astonishment. It tends for use extra amongst an older demographic. “Blimey, did you see that?”
- Blinking – An intensifier just like “bloody” (under), however much less harsh. A typical expression of frustration or unfavorable shock is “Blinking heck!”
- Bloke – A person (principally, a “dude”). “That bloke over there was watching his pint for an hour.”
- Bloody – A really versatile phrase to accentuate the sentiment. It’s a bit harsh, however nothing that might be censored on TV. “It’s bloody chilly immediately!”
- Bollocking – A telling-off. “He acquired a bollocking from his boss.”
- Bollocks – Nonsense or garbage (see under). Additionally used to precise disbelief. Its unique that means refers to testicles, so it’s a bit vulgar. “That’s a load of bollocks!”
- Good – Implausible or glorious. Additionally typically shortened to “brill.” “She handed her driving take a look at? Good!”
- Bruv – Brief for brother, used amongst pals. It’s just like “mate” (under). “You alright, bruv?”
- Bugger § – A mildly offensive time period for somebody or one thing disliked. “This little bugger gained’t go away me alone!” You’ll additionally typically hear the expression “Bugger off!” to imply “Get misplaced!” or “Go away me alone!”
- Bugger all – Completely nothing. (Don’t get this confused with the above!) “I did bugger all immediately.”
- Buzzing – This has two doable meanings. The primary is worked up or enthusiastic. “I’m buzzing for the live performance tonight!” Its unique that means is “drunk,” and will take the shape “buzzed” on this sense.
C
- Cheeky – This has two doable meanings: 1. Impudent however endearing. “She made a cheeky comment about his outfit.” 2. Slightly, unplanned deal with or indulgence. “Fancy a cheeky pint after work?” You’ll additionally hear it typically with getting a “cheeky Nando’s.” (Nando’s is a well-liked fast-casual meals chain.)
- Cheers – Thanks or bye. Fairly multi-purpose, it will also be used for toasts. “I’m off! Cheers.”
- Chippy – A fish and chip store. “I’m going to the chippy. Need something?”
- Satisfied – Happy or proud. “I’m satisfied with my examination outcomes!”
- Come off it – An expression of disbelief or dismissal. “Come off it, you may’t be severe!”
- Crack on – To proceed or proceed with a process or exercise. “We have to crack on with this undertaking.”
- Cracking – Wonderful or spectacular. “That was a cracking purpose!”
- Cricket – An expression of shock or amazement. It’s about the identical as “blimey” (above). “Crikey, that was shut!”
- Cuppa – A cup of tea. Important to British existence (though espresso can be immensely standard). “Fancy a cuppa?”
D
- Daft – Foolish or silly. “Don’t be daft!”
- Useless – Very. “That’s useless helpful.”
- Dodgy – Sketchy. One thing or somebody suspicious or of low high quality. “That’s a dodgy trying kebab van.”
F
- Faff – To waste time or fuss unnecessarily. “Cease faffing round and get to work!”
- Fag – Right here’s a key Britsh vs. American accent phrase. That is very totally different from the homophobic American that means. Within the UK this implies a cigarette. “I’m simply stepping outdoors for a fag.”
- Fancy – To love somebody or one thing. “I fancy a little bit of chocolate.”
- Fanny § – Watch out with this one; it’s fairly vulgar within the UK, referring to feminine genitalia. (FYI, a “fanny pack” is known as a “bum bag” within the UK.) “I noticed her fanny as a result of she wasn’t carrying any pants!”
- Match – Engaging (however not essentially in good bodily form!). “Did you see that match bloke within the cafe?”
- Fiver – A 5 pound word, or simply 5 kilos (since cashless funds are used a lot within the UK). “This entire meal solely value a fiver!”
- Fob – To deceive or trick somebody. “He tried to fob me off with a pretend excuse.”
G
- Good enjoyable – Pleasurable or entertaining. “Going to the honest was good enjoyable.”
- Good job – Utilized in expressions expressing aid or gratitude for a lucky end result (principally in the identical approach you would say “good factor”). “It’s a very good job I remembered my keys.”
- Grand – Implausible. That is particularly used within the northern components of the UK and Eire. “You’re coming residence tomorrow? That’s grand.”
- Gutted – Extraordinarily dissatisfied or upset. “He was gutted when his group misplaced.”
H
- Heaving – Extraordinarily crowded. “The bar was completely heaving final evening.”
- Hiya – An off-the-cuff and pleasant strategy to say hello. “Hiya, you alright?”
- Hundred p.c – Completely or for positive. That is additionally used outdoors of the UK, however in my expertise, it’s used right here on a unique degree. (Simply watch “The Traitors,” a massively standard British competitors present. Everybody makes use of it on a regular basis, notably in season one.) It may be used with or with out “a” previous it. “Do you belief me?” “Hundred p.c.”
I
Innit – Brief for “isn’t it,” typically used on the finish of statements to examine for affirmation. Curiously, it might finish any sentence, even the place “isn’t” it might’t be used. “She went to York final week, innit?”
Ok
- Knackered – Very drained. “After the marathon, I used to be utterly knackered.”
- Knob § – An annoying jerk, normally male. It may additionally consult with a penis. It’s just like “wanker” (under). “Her boyfriend is such a knob.”
L
- Lads – Refers to a gaggle of males or boys, typically pals. “The lads are going out tonight.” It may be used pejoratively to consult with a person who shows sure poisonous masculine traits, very like calling somebody a “bro.” So British individuals will typically say “lad tradition” as a substitute of “bro tradition.”
- Bathroom – The lavatory. “The place are the loos?”
- Lot – A bunch of individuals, used equally to how “guys” is used as a genderless plural. “This lot are coming to the social gathering tonight.”
- Love – A time period of endearment, normally on the finish of a sentence. It’s just like “sweetie” or “pricey” however used extra universally, particularly up north. “Right here’s your espresso, love.”
- Beautiful – Nice. “You’re free tonight? Beautiful!”
- Beautiful jubbly – A lighthearted expression of delight or approval. “Discovered £20 on the street, pretty jubbly!”
- Lush – Implausible or enticing. That is used principally in Wales and northern England. “That lady seems to be lush! Are you able to introduce me to her?” It might additionally imply “drunk.”
M
- Mate – Buddy, typically male. “Hey mate, are you able to lend me a quid?” You may also hear the collocation “mates’ charges” for a “family and friends low cost.”
N
- Naff – Retro or lame. “That hat is a bit naff, isn’t it?”
- Nick – To steal. “My brother nicked a fiver straight from my pocket!”
O
- Oh my days – Expression of shock or disbelief, like “Oh my gosh.” “Oh my days, did he actually simply say that?”
P
- Pants – Not the American trousers, however a British approach of claiming that one thing will not be superb. Not that right here it’s an adjective (and when used as a noun, it normally means “underwear” within the UK). “The climate immediately is pants.”
- Pillock – An fool or annoying particular person. “You’re such a pillock. Go away!”
- Pint – A beer (based mostly on the unit of measurement for a big glass of beer within the UK). “Fancy going for a pint after work?”
- Pissed – Completely drunk. It’s a tad vulgar of a phrase. “He acquired pissed on the social gathering final evening.”
- Plonker – A silly or annoying particular person. It’s a bit much less harsh than calling somebody a “pillock.” “Don’t be such a plonker!”
- Pong – A foul scent. It may be used as a noun or a verb. “There’s a pong coming from the kitchen.”
- Pop – To shortly go to someplace. “I’m simply going to pop to the toilet, after which I’ll be prepared.”
- Correct – An adjective (typically used like an adverb) used for emphasis, just like “actually” or “completely.” “I can’t consider it. He solely had one pint, and now he’s correct pissed!”
Q
Quid – A pound (as within the British foreign money). It’s the British equal to a “buck.” “It value me fifty quid.”
R
- Proper job – A tough or difficult process. “Fixing the automotive was a proper job.”
- Row – An argument or disagreement. (It rhymes with “now.”) “That they had a row about cash.”
- Garbage – Rubbish, but additionally used to explain one thing of poor high quality or to precise disagreement. “Your argument is garbage.”
- Rugger – Rugby. “You watching the rugger immediately?”
S
- Shag § – To have intercourse or the act of intercourse. “I hear they broke up however are nonetheless shagging.”
- Shattered – To be exhausted or very drained. It’s principally the identical as “knackered” (above). It doesn’t essentially imply you’re upset about something (one thing that basically confused me the primary time I heard it!). “You should be shattered after that lengthy flight.”
- Smash – To do one thing extraordinarily properly or efficiently. “You actually smashed the presentation.”
- Snog – To kiss passionately or make out. “I noticed them snogging within the nook.”
- Sod off § – Go away or get misplaced. “I advised you million instances to sod off!” “Sod” will also be utilized in different expressions, equivalent to “sod it” or “sod all” (just like “rattling it”).
- Soz – An off-the-cuff abbreviation for “sorry.” “Soz for being late.”
T
- Ta – Thanks. That is notably widespread in northern England. “Ta for the tea, love.”
- Take the piss – To mock or make enjoyable of somebody or one thing. It may additionally consult with exploiting a state of affairs for one’s personal achieve. “He’s all the time taking the piss out of his pals.”
- Tenner – A ten pound word (or ten kilos in immediately’s cashless society). “A pint value me a tenner in that pub! They’re taking the piss out of their clients.”
- Tipple – A drink, normally alcoholic. “Look after a tipple?”
- Tosser – An annoying or idiotic particular person, principally just like a “pillock.” Once more, that is normally used for males. (The Brits have a variety of phrases for this type of particular person.) “Shut up! Don’t be such a tosser.”
- Tuck in – To eat eagerly or with enthusiasm. Additionally used as “tuck into.” “Let’s tuck into this scrumptious meal.”
U
- Uni – College. “She’s beginning uni subsequent month.” Notice that “school” doesn’t imply “college” within the UK and is an earlier degree of education.
W
- Wanker § – An fool or a despicable particular person, normally male (and initially refers to somebody masturbating). Used disdainfully and positively not the perfect for well mannered firm. “He’s a whole wanker.”
- Wee – A bit or small, used particularly in Scotland and Eire. “May I’ve a wee bit extra sugar in my tea?”
- Depraved – Superior. “He’s depraved at soccer.”
X
- X – Actually that means a kiss (just like the X in XOXO), that is typically used on the finish of a message to convey affection. It doesn’t essentially impart any romantic emotions and can be utilized amongst pals. It’s solely utilized in writing. “How have you ever been? Hope to catch up quickly x”
Cockney rhyming slang
Now I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out Cockney rhyming slang. It’s form of like a uniquely British model of pig latin, however it requires extra mind energy.
Cockney rhyming slang is a playful and inventive type of language that began within the East Finish of London. It entails changing widespread phrases with phrases that rhyme with them, typically dropping the rhyming phrase so as to add a component of obscurity. It’s been stated that it was initially developed to outwit eavesdroppers and authorities.
For instance, as a substitute of claiming “Use your head!” somebody talking in Cockney rhyming slang would possibly say, “Use your loaf of bread!” – and even additional abbreviated (and extra confounding to these not used to it), “Use your loaf!”
Phrases are sometimes utilized in pairs with the latter rhyming with the true that means. For instance, if somebody was despatched to the “bucket and pail,” they have been most likely despatched to “jail.” “Stairs” turns into “apples and pears,” however individuals would possibly simply say “apples” as a substitute, dropping the rhyming phrase.
It’s not one thing you may simply decide up. My housemate really gave me a glossary of rhyming Cockney slang when she realized I used to be writing this text!
Crack on with British Slang
I hope you had a cracking good time studying extra about British accent slang phrases. There’s a lot extra to find out about, so crack on! (See what I did there?)
