"Mortal" describes someone highly intoxicated or drunk in a sloppy manner. Blimey. ", "He's obsessed with anything that happens on this street. It means literally tilted on one side rather than slightly off or uneasy, as askew can mean in the US. The "bee's knees" referred to small or insignificant details when it was first documented in the 18th century. . "Wind your neck in and stop being so nosy! ", "I bumped into him towards the end of his four-day bender. ", Examples include "trollied," "smashed," and "gazeboed. However, "the full Monty" now usually refers to taking something as far as it can go, similar to "the whole nine yards.". Men's urinals were free of charge. You might buy a "round" of drinks for your friends at the pub, in the understanding that they will each buy you a drink as part of their "rounds" later on. After "The Full Monty" film was released in 1997, there was some international confusion over the phrase in which it was taken as aeuphemism for stripping. Hank Marvin is a British musician from the 1960s and 1970s, and is a pretty obscure reference nowadays. ", It's similar to "scoot over" or "move over. So, if you're "ready for the knacker's yard," you're exhausted beyond relief. Chopsing. Marvin played guitar in Cliff Richard's backing band in the 1960s. A slap and a kick for being so quick!". He's a bloody curtain twitcher, but he still won't sign for our packages.". A "fag end" is also the ratty bits towards the ends of a reel of fabric, which are the worst and the cheapest bits of the reel. "She's great fun, but she's a few sandwiches short of a picnic.". "Gob" is slang for mouth, so if you're gobsmacked, you're shocked to the point of clasping your jaw in disbelief. An adjective used to advocate something that is impressive or agreeable, dench is the equivalent of "solid" or "cool" when used in response to someone else. Editor's note: An earlier version of this story was published on November 3, 2017, on Business Insider UK. Someone who's "quids in" has invested in an opportunity that is probably going to benefit them massively. ", "Give me a call" or "ring me." He's turned into such a swot! mess up, cock up (British, slang), mishandle, fuck up (offensive, taboo, slang), mismanage, muff, make a hash of (informal), make a nonsense of, bodge (informal), misfield, crool or cruel (Australian, slang) in the sense of fumble Definition the act of fumbling Fans cheered a fumble by the home team's star. 7 British slang phrases to spice up your conversation There are two basic types of conversations - formal and informal. "How was the hostel?" The term is usually used to refer to a nap, but it can also mean a long sleep. Historically, only women would announce they were going to "spend a penny," as only women's public toilets required a penny to lock. ", Someone that's energetic, lively, or enthusiastic might be described as "full of beans.". He was mortal.". That's minging.". "Would you take a butchers at this broken bike for me? You don't want to be called a few sandwiches short of a picnic." From "chockablock" to a "full Monty," the Brits have a wide range of interesting phrases. Open yourself up to the delights of British slang words and talk like a local in no time. "Being cheeky" means being funny or humorous, but slightly mischievous at the same time. Do you know anyone that might be interested?". Low London phrase meaning "to thrash thoroughly," possibly from the French battre a fin. To "splash out" means spending significant amounts of money on a particular item or event. ", Although the adjective's origins remain largely unknown, early documented uses seem to use the word as synonymous with "smear," further suggesting that someone who is "smarmy" is also "slick" or "slippery. "Did you hear what happened to John's old man? 47 British Slang Words And Phrases To Read Over A Cuppa - Scary Mommy ", "Miffed" possibly derives from the German "muffen," meaning "to sulk. Wangle - means to get or do something that is a bit devious. The phrase is reportedly old slang from the Royal Air Force and was used to described awry expeditions and flights. This is probablyhow the term came about. Derived from the Newcastle sociolect, "mortal" was made widely known across the country in 2011 by reality TV show "Geordie Shore.". "Take the Mickey" is an abbreviation of "taking the Mickey Bliss," which is Cockney rhyming slang for "take the p***. Around the same time, the word "cod" was a little-known slang term for a . ", "We should've taken the other route. 60 British Slang Words And Phrases You Need To Know Derived from "mint condition," which refers to something pre-owned that retains its pristine condition, although something that's just "mint" doesn't have to be pre-owned. To "flog" means to sell something usually quickly and cheaply. ", "Miffed" possibly derives from the German "muffen," meaning "to sulk. The meaning of this slang has been debated at length. Something that is "long" is probably also annoying or aggravating. Hank Marvin is a British musician from the 1960s and 1970s, and is a pretty obscure reference nowadays. "Shhh, he's on the dog and bone.". three up Indulging In sexual congress Involving more than two and less than 4 peoples . Insert any . ", "I haven't seen Tom since he started revising for his exams. ", Although the adjective's origins remain largely unknown, early documented uses seem to use the word as synonymous with "smear," further suggesting that someone who is "smarmy" is also "slick" or "slippery. . Some believe it's derived from the Dutch word "blute," meaning "bare." ", A situation which has quickly evolved into an accident waiting to happen might be described as "gone pear-shaped.". This is probably how the term came about. Not to be confused with literallybeing disembowelled, someonethat says they're "gutted" is devastated or extremely upset. The term probably came about due to the fact that it rhymes with "knacker." ", "I could just about deal with the dog barking at 5:30 a.m., but the lawnmower at 3 a.m. really takes the biscuit.". It means a stupid, often gullible, person who is easily taken advantage of. sarcastic, unsympathetic, and often rather drunk. "Lurgy" is probably based on a mispronunciation of the word "allergy. Like a local: 11 bits of London slang you should know Geezer is thought to stem from the 15th century "guiser," which meant well-dressed. and Top editors give you the stories you want delivered right to your inbox each weekday. "What are you up to this weekend? "Well, this has all gone a bit pear-shaped.". Some people consider "bloody" offensive (the origins of the word are widely disputed, so we can't be sure why) and it was considered a profanity until the mid-20th century. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider Someone silly or incompetent might be described as a wally. Although no one is completely sure of the word's origins, it could derive from thewords "cod" and "wallop," which historically meant "imitation" and "beer" respectively implying that "codswallop" is the kind of rubbish you make up when drunk. Congratulations! ", Something full to the brim, or rammed, could be described as "chockalock. When they were working on the factory floor, employees had to wear hard clogs to protect their feet. "Be careful when you're driving it's a pea-souper out there.". British people like to enjoy themselves. Others believe the word is a contraction of the 17th century phrase "by our lady," and is blasphemous. An obvious and indiscreet mistake or blunder. The word could be a variation of "toddle" like a young child's first steps. The origins of the phrase are largely debated online, however, it's believed that "to nick" as in to steal influenced the slang term for prison, as being imprisoned is similar to being "stolen" away. 2017. You must be chuffed.". He was a wreck.". The very British equivalent to "Hey presto!" These will help you know how to react to what others say, how to express appreciation or end a conversation appropriately. This is still used in English in the phrase "egging someone on" to do something. If you've "wangled" something, you've accomplished or attained something through cunning means. Although no one is completely sure of the word's origins, it could derive from the words "cod" and "wallop," which historically meant "imitation" and "beer" respectively -- implying that "codswallop" is the kind of rubbish you make up when drunk. If you're "winding someone up," you're making them tense or irritated in the same way you wind up a Jack-in-the-box before it pops. ", If your favorite football team were to lose, you'd be "gutted.". That's minging.". Some entries also feature surprising facts aboutthe phrase's origins, with a few quintessentially British idiomsnot actually coming from British roots at all. When in doubt, refer to this list so you can carry on conversations with ease, even with the locals. ", "Yeah, he's been swotting like mad for his Spanish exam. "I'm trying to flog my old sofa. "I could just about deal with the dog barking at 5:30a.m., but the lawnmower at 3 a.m. really takes the biscuit.". The name of a strongly-brewed cup of English breakfast tea with milk -- the way that tea is most commonly drunk in the UK. "Stop being such a wind-up merchant and be serious for one second! ", "I'm Hank Marvin" means "I'm hungry" or "I'm ravenous.". You'll quickly pick-up contrasting meanings between other English speaking countries and common English slang words. "When are we going to eat? Bollocks - One of the more well-known British terms, it actually has a multitude of meanings. A "good old chinwag" is a good chat, catch up, or gossip with someone. "Don't get caught, or you'll end up in the Nick!". "Did you hear what happened to John's old man? Finally, explore a few U.K. slang terms that are helpful when it comes to describing a person's attitude or expressions of emotion. The phrase was first documented in the BBC's "Lenny Henry Christmas Special" in 1987. This is a shambles! 100+ Smashing British Slang Words and Terms to Know A "knacker" was the person that slaughtered worn-out horses in the 19th and 20th centuries for their meat, hoofs, and hide. In the 1960s, someone that was unfashionable might be nicknamed a "wally," according to dictionary.com. "If it all works out as planned, he'll be quids in.". For example, "five quid" means 5. ", Someone that makes comments just to spark controversy or argument might be labelled a "wind-up merchant.". "Don't put down a leaking mug on top of the newspaper, you wally!". A "good old chinwag" is a good chat,catch up, or gossip with someone. "Lurgy" is probably based on a mispronunciation of the word "allergy. "That guy's got suchswagger he's a proper geezer. "Those two are having a proper chinwag -- I haven't been able to get a word in edgeways for half an hour! Although the origins of this phrase are largely unknown, a gaff in the 18th-century was a music hall or theatre, and so it's believed to derive from this. "That guy's got suchswagger he's a proper geezer. ", Someone that comes across as scheming or untrustworthy might be described as "smarmy. A slap and a kick for being so quick!". Stop faffing around and start doing your homework. This is sometimes shortened to "chocka." Although it might sound quite similar to gaffe, its meaning is completely different. If you're taking a trip to the UK, however, there are a few key slang phrases that it's difficult to survive without. To "whinge" means to moan, groan, and complain in an irritating or whiney fashion. "Thomas is such an anorak when it comes to train trivia.".