The smogs were compared to pea soup due to their colour and density. ", "Par" can also be used as a verb, eg, "You just got parred.". Kecks: a bread rolhang on, no, trousers. "Tinkle" refers to a phone's ring, while "blower" is slang or telephone and refers to the device that predated phones on Naval ships. While Americans are more likely to say "seven thirty" or "five fifty," Brits will more often than not refer to times in "minutes past" the hour. ", Atask performed in an awkward or uncomfortable fashion, usually clumsily, would be described as "cack-handed.". 40 Quirky British Slang Words - Meanings of Popular Britishisms I'm slumped. If you're "zonked" or "cream crackered," you might want to take a nap. After "The Full Monty" film was released in 1997, there was some international confusion over the phrase in which it was taken as a euphemism for stripping. ", An event that disrupts the natural, pre-planned order of events could be described as a "spanner in the works.". ", "Don't trust him he's a smarmy geezer. So, if you're "ready for the knacker's yard," you're exhausted beyond relief. "I could just about deal with the dog barking at 5:30a.m., but the lawnmower at 3 a.m. really takes the biscuit.". To "whinge" means to moan, groan, and complain in an irritating or whiney fashion. In "over-egging the pudding" analogy, someone is over-exciting, or over-mixing, the batter too much before it bakes -- resulting in a tough or dense cake. Its origins are somewhat unclear, but a "bog" is another word for a toilet in British slang, adding to the connotations that something "bog-standard" is unglamorous andunspecial. It's 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. Although it's more often used as a synonym for raincoat, an anorak is something slightly different in playground slang. It may originate from subcultures, criminals during the 16th century in saloons and gambling houses, or the codes certain vulnerable communities use to survive. GOBSMACKED: A quintessentially British slang term that refers to being stunned and surprised beyond belief. The phrase is reportedly old slang from the Royal Air Forceand was used to described awry expeditions and flights. "That guy's got suchswagger he's a proper geezer. I want to receive exclusive email updates from YourDictionary. Barm: a bread roll. 47 British Slang Words And Phrases To Read Over A Cuppa - Scary Mommy "This week's done me in already, and it's only Tuesday. British Slang Words and Phrases - Tandem ", "Oh. He's turned into such a swot! To "spend a penny" is a polite euphemism for going to the toilet. "Pinch punch, first of the month. However, other people believe that "shirty" has connotations of being dishevelled. The "bee's knees" referred to small or insignificant details when it was first documented in the 18th century. It's nice to know what the locals are saying, and it makes it a lot easier to have a conversation without looking (and feeling) like a dolt! This cheery phrase is widely believed to originate from Northern factory workers around the time of the industrial revolution. Meaning: Taxi. ", A situation which has quickly evolved into an accident waiting to happen might be described as "gone pear-shaped.". ", "I haven't seen Tom since he started revising for his exams. "What are you up to this weekend? This road is chocka! ", When someone makes a great speech while skirting around a subject or saying little of any value, you might say that they're talking "waffle," or that they're "waffling.". ", 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. Something that is "long" is probably also annoying or aggravating. "Cack" is old-fashioned slang for faeces. "Pissing it up" in British English A British slang word for "nonsense," codswallop came about because of Hiram Codd, a soda salesman who developed a bottle with a glass marble stopper in it and when the bottle was shaken, the carbonation pushed the marble into the neck and formed a seal. 23 Brilliant British Expressions to Blend in with the Brits The phrase was first documented in the BBC's "Lenny Henry Christmas Special" in 1987. ", "Don't trust him -- he's a smarmy geezer. Some entries also feature surprising facts about the phrase's origins, with a few quintessentially British idioms not actually coming from British roots at all. "Shhh, he's on the dog and bone.". This is a shambles! "You look nice. ", "You've made a dog's dinner of that paint job.". If you want to tell someone to not concern themselves with issues that don't directly affect them, you might tell them to "wind their neck in.". "Hank Marvin" is Cockney rhyming slang for "starving. "Taking the biscuit" is the equivalent of taking the nonexistent medal for foolishness or incredulity. Next up is a British slang word that most people around the world would have heard of and one that's frequently used in everyday life. 'Cheers' meanswell, pretty much everything. Bloody is an adverb used to show anger or surprise. It is often deemed as unnecessary or over-the-top. To be 'gutted' about a situation means to be devastated and saddened. 3. "Don't you worry, Alan, I'm on it like a car bonnet.". ", Similar to "nerd" or "geek" but less derogatory someone that takes academic study very seriously might be described as a "swot. In the 17th century, to "waff" went to yelp, and that quickly evolved to mean to talk foolishly or indecisively. In the UK, the word buzzard denotes to the genus Buteo, generally . Let's take a look at the seven most useful slang words to know in English. If you're "splashing out," it's implied that you're spending money on a treat to mark a special occasion or celebration. "Is it just me or is that painting a bit skew-whiff?". "If it all works out as planned, he'll be quids in.". The word could be a variation of "toddle" -- like a young child's first steps. 11. ", It's similar to "scoot over" or "move over. ", Benders often last over 24 hours, and so you might say that someone is on "a weekend bender," or a "three-day bender. "Skiving" is the act of avoiding work or school, often by pretending to be ill. "Skive" is derived from the French "esquiver," meaning "to slink away. "You signed that contract? 2017. "She's great fun, but she's a few sandwiches short of a picnic.". 05. A "knacker" was the person that slaughtered worn-out horses in the 19th and 20th centuries for their meat, hoofs, and hide. This phrase became mainstream in the USA in the 1920s despite its British origins,but its popularity in the Stateshas dwindled since the turn of the century. English Slang. Although the origins of this phrase are largely unknown, a gaff in the 18th-century was a music hall or theater, and so it's believed to derive from this. "You look nice. ", "Miffed" possibly derives from the German "muffen," meaning "to sulk. "Take the Mickey" is an abbreviation of "taking the Mickey Bliss," which is Cockney rhyming slang for "take the p***.". 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. ", "I was absolutely car-parked last night. ", "Don't trust him he's a smarmy geezer.". ", "I'm going to make us spaghetti carbonara for dinner. Liverpool rescue three points, chase top-four finish after surviving 04. "The full Monty" historically refers to an old tailor called Sir Montague Burton. However, there is no proof for this theory. Budge up and make some room for us, too!". Although it sounds crude, the phrase is actually considered a polite way of announcing that you are going to visit the bathroom. This phrase could be a reference to coffee beans, although these claims have been disputed. ", "She's come down with the dreaded lurgy. Although this sounds like an analogy about the chemistry of baking, or putting too many eggs in a cake batter, "egg" actually comes from the Anglo Saxon "eggian," meaning to "excite." "Pop" has evolved from "cock," and when someone "cocked" their clogs, the toes of their clogs pointed up in the air as they lay down dead. The origins of the word are widely disputed. Open yourself up to the delights of the English language, especially the variety that's spoken where English got its start. Although its origins are largely debated, the term's meaning has evolved over the last 50 years alone. Marvin played guitar in Cliff Richard's backing band in the 1960s. 2. It's Sod's law. Apples and Pears = Stairs. He pulled a blinder there.". Although its origins are largely debated, the term's meaning has evolved over the last 50 years alone. You don't want to be described as "dim," "a mug," or "a few sandwiches short of a picnic." ", A nosey neighbour, often caught peering out on their street's activities from a curtained window, might be referred to as a "curtain twitcher.