British Slang Words and Phrases

From Gang Member To Meeting Prince Charles | Minutes With | UNILAD | @LADbible …

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.

Bonkers

Not necessarily intended in a bad way, "bonkers" means “mad” or “crazy.”

3. Daft

Used to mean if something is a bit stupid. It’s not particularly offensive, just mildly silly or
foolish.

4. To leg it

This term means to run away, usually from some trouble! “I legged it from the police.”

5. 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.

6. Quid

This is British slang for British pounds. Some people also refer to it as “squid.”

7. Dodgy

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can refer to food which tastes out of date or, when referring to a person, it can mean that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.

8. Gobsmacked

This is a truly British expression. “Gobsmacked” means to be utterly shocked or surprised

beyond belief. “Gob” is a British expression for “mouth”.

9. Bevvy

This is short for the word “beverages,” usually alcoholic, most often beer.

10. Knackered
“Knackered” is used when someone is extremely tired. For example, “I was up studying all
night last night, I’m absolutely knackered.”

11. 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.”

12. Taking the piss

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).

13. Pissed

The British sure do love their bevvys. This is another word for being drunk.

14. 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.

15. 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!

16. 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!”

17. Can’t be arsed

“Can’t be arsed” 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.

18. Chuffed

If someone is "chuffed," they are very happy or delighted.

19. Skint

“Skint” is a British expression to mean being broke or having no money. Lacking “fivers” and
“tenners” if you will (see below).

20. Fiver
A five-pound note.

21. Tenner

A ten-pound note.

22. Bog

Not a muddy marsh, but a toilet. Oh, the British!

23. Bog roll

This is the paper you use in the bog, also known as “toilet paper.”

24. Bird

This is British slang for a girl or a woman.

25. 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.

26. Chav

This is a derogatory British slang word for a young hooligan who normally starts fights and
makes trouble. “Chavs” are usually seen as lower class.

27. Git

“Git” is a British expression of insult. It describes a person, usually a man, who is very
unpleasant, incompetent, or is an idiot.

28. 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.

29. Slag off

To “slag someone off” means to make fun of a person by verbally attacking them.

30. 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.

31. 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.

32. Muppet

Another great British insult. A “muppet” is a person who is ignorant and is generally a bit
clueless.

33. 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!"

34. 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.

35. Nosh

“That’s real good nosh!” “Nosh” is a British expression for "food."

36. 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’.”

37. Pied off

This is not a nice feeling. If you’ve been “pied off,” you’ve been rejected or shot down.

38. Bev

This one had most of us confused when we first heard it on Love Island 2019. “Bev” means
a "handsome man."

39. To crack on

“To crack on with something” means to get started or continue with something. For example,
“It’s getting late, I better crack on.”

40. Gutted

Meaning of being bitterly disappointed about something. “I was absolutely gutted when I
heard the bad news.”

41. Blimey

“Blimey” is used as a way of expressing surprise at something, “Blimey, look at that!”

42. 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."

43. 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.”

44. Innit

This is 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."

45. 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.”

46. Minging

This is British slang for “disgusting” or “gross.”

47. Proper

“Proper” is used as an alternative to “very” or “extremely.” For example, “That’s proper good
nosh, innit.”

48. To nick

This is a British expression to mean stealing. As in “I nicked these sweets from the shop.”

49. 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.

Conversational English Slang Words

1. What’s up? – Hey; what are you doing?

“Hey Tom! What’s up?”

“Not much!”

2. I feel you – I understand and empathize with you. Eg. “I feel you. That was really unfair.”
3. I get it – I understand. Eg. “I get it now! Thank you for explaining that.”

4. Same here – I agree.

“I’m having a hard time studying for this exam.”

“Same here.”

5. My bad – My mistake. Eg. “My bad! I didn’t mean to do that.”

6. Oh my God! – (Used to describe excitement or surprise). Eg. “Oh my God! You scared
me!”

7. You bet – Certainly; you’re welcome.

“Thanks for the jacket, Tom!”

“You bet, Sally!”

8. No worries – That’s alright. Eg. “No worries about the mess. I’ll clean it up.”

9. No biggie – It’s not a problem.

“Thanks for tutoring me, Tom!”

“No biggie, Sally.”

10. No big deal – (Same usage as above).

11. No sweat – (Same usage as above).

12. No problem – (Same usage as above).

American English Slang Descriptors

1. Laid back – Relaxed or calm. Eg. “This weekend was very laid back.”

2. Chill – (Same as above).

3. Sweet – Fantastic.

“I passed the test!”

“Sweet!”

4. Cool – (Same as above).

5. Lame – The opposite of cool or fantastic. Eg. “That’s so lame that you can’t go out
tonight.”
6. Bomb – Really good. Eg. “That sandwich was bomb.”

7. Bummer – A disappointment. Eg. “That’s such a bummer. I’m sorry that happened.”

8. Shady – Questionable or suspicious. Eg. “I saw a shady guy in my neighborhood last

night.”

9. Hot – Attractive. Eg. “He/she is hot.”

10. Beat – Tired. Eg. “I was so beat after that soccer game.”

11. Sick – Awesome. Eg. “Those shoes are sick!”

12. Epic – Grand or awesome. Eg. “That was an epic party last night.”

13. Ripped – Very physically fit. Eg. “Tom is ripped!”

14. Cheesy – Silly. Eg. “The romantic comedy we watched was very cheesy.”

15. Corny – (Same as above).

16. Flakey – Indecisive. Eg. “John is so flakey. He never shows up when he says he will.”

17. It sucked – It was bad/poor quality. Eg. “That movie sucked.”

English Slang for People & Relationships

1. Babe – Your significant other; an attractive individual. Eg. “Hey babe!” or “She’s a babe.”

2. Have a crush – Attracted to someone romantically. Eg. “I have a big crush on him.”

3. Dump – To end a romantic relationship with someone. Eg. “She dumped him last May.”

4. Ex – An old relationship or spouse. Eg. “That’s my ex girlfriend.”

5. A turn off – Something that’s repulsive. Eg. “Bad cologne is a turn off.”

6. Party animal – One who loves parties. Eg. “Jerry is a party animal.”

7. Couch potato – A lazy person. Eg. “Don’t be a couch potato! Let’s go for a hike.”

8. Whiz – A really smart person. Eg. “Sally is a whiz at math.”

9. Chicken – Coward. Eg. “Don’t be a chicken! Go ice skating with me.”

10. Chick – A girl or young woman. Eg. “That chick is hilarious.”

11. Getting hitched – Getting married. Eg. “Tom and Sally are getting hitched.”

12. Tying the knot – (Same as above).

13. They got fired – They lost their job. Eg. “Did Jerry get fired?”
American Slang for Social Events

1. Hang out – To spend time with others. Eg. “Want to hang out with us?”

2. I’m down – I’m able to join. Eg. “I’m down for ping pong.”

3. I’m game – (Same as above).

4. I’m in – (Same as above).

5. A blast – A very fun event. Eg. “Last night was a blast!”

6. Show up – Arrive at an event. Eg. “I can’t show up until 7.”

7. Flick – A movie. Eg. “Want to see a flick on Friday?”

8. Grub – Food. Eg. “Want to get some grub tonight?”

9. Wasted – Intoxicated. Eg. “She was wasted last night.”

10. Drunk – (Same as above).

11. Booze – Alcohol. Eg. “Will they have booze at the party?”

See Also: Common English Idioms [Infographic]

American English Slang for Actions

1. Pig out – To eat a lot. Eg. “I pigged out last night at McDonald’s.”

2. Crash – To fall asleep quickly. Eg. “After all those hours of studying I crashed.”

3. Lighten up – Relax. Eg. “Lighten up! It was an accident.”

4. Screw up – To make a mistake. Eg. “Sorry I screwed up and forgot our plans.”

5. Goof – (Same as above).

6. Score – To get something desirable. Eg. “I scored the best seats in the stadium!”

7. Wrap up – To finish something. Eg. “Let’s wrap up in five minutes.”

8. Ace – Pass a test with 100%. Eg. “I think I’m going to ace the exam.”

9. Cram – To study a lot before an exam. Eg. “Sorry I can’t go out. I have to cram tonight.”

10. Bail – To leave abruptly. Eg. “I’m sorry I had to bail last night.”

11. Ditch – To skip an event. Eg. “I’m going to ditch class tomorrow to go to the beach.”

12. Busted – Caught doing something wrong. Eg. “I got busted for turning in homework late.”
Miscellaneous American Slang Words

1. Freebie – Something that is free. Eg. “The bumper sticker was a freebie.”

2. Lemon – A bad purchase. Eg. “That phone case was a lemon.”

3. Shades – Sunglasses. Eg. “I can’t find my shades.”

4. Shotgun – The front seat of a car. Eg. “Can I sit shotgun?”

5. In no time – Very soon. Eg. “We’ll have our homework done in no time.”

6. Buck – One dollar. Eg. “It only costs a buck.”

7. Rip-off – A purchase that was very overpriced. Eg. “That phone case was a rip-off.”