Slang in English

Bartek Koziarski
American English
1. For the birds ( useless - bezużyteczny, hollow - bezwartościowy) -
this phrase dates back to WW2 when people discovered that
birds pecked at (wydziobywać) seeds from horse droppings
(odchody).-His opinion on my jacket is for the birds. He knows
nothing about good style.
2. Jonesing – (to have a desire to do something - mieć ochotę, żeby
coś zrobić) - this word derives from (wywodzić się z) heroin
addiction. In the late sixties people said that way about longing
(tęsknota) from this drug.-Let’s make a little break, I’m jonesing
for that sandwich with grilled ham.
3. Get your goat (make sb extremely angry, irritated and annoyed) -
this phrase is the most commonly used slang word in media. In
the past riders set a goat next to the horse to calm an animal.-He’s
got my goat, and I broke his favourite cup.
American English

4. Spill the beans (to give away a secret or a

surprise) - it isn't one history of origin of this
word.-She has already spilt the beans about
the time of her sister’s birthday party.
5. Pass the buck (shift the responsibility on
sb - przerzucić na kogoś odpowiedzialność) -
once in the poker, when the gamer didn't
want deal cards, he could give his buck
(żeton w pokerze) somebody else.-I hate my
boss. He is incompetent and every time he
passes the buck on to one of us.
British English
1. Bits and Bobs (knick-knacks, odds and ends – drobiazgi) - in Great Britain
'bit' was a threepence coin and 'bob' was a shilling.-You should finally sort
out all bits and bobs on our basement shelves.
2. Taking the Mickey (laugh at sb) - it has nothing to do with Mickey Mouse. It is
an example of Cockney Rhyming Slang. First it sounded to take the Mickey
Bliss and many people think who was Mickey Bliss.-I just don’t want to meet
your friend because he’s regularly taking the mickey out of me!
3. Bob's your uncle (this phrase is used to emphasize (podkreślić) how
easily or quickly something can be done) - in 1886, Prime Minister Robert
Cecil assigned an important post (przydzielić ważne stanowisko) to his
unqualified nephew. It result in a huge scandal and people came up with this
phrase. - What you need is to watch these videos and, Bob’s your uncle,
you’ll have all necessary details.
4. Innit - it is a short for a question tag – isn't it (co nie?), e.g. It's him, innit?
5. Jammy (lucky, fluckey) - it is used by young men and schoolboys.
Australian English
1. Oz – Australia

2. Pom – English (Brit) - after sunbathing Englishman's skin was similar to pomegranate

3. Seppo – American – derived from septic tank (szambo)

4. Aussie – Australian

5. Kiwi – New Zealander

6. Ace! - Great!

7. Arvo - afternoon

8. Barbie – BBQ

9. Brekkie – breakfast

10. Bushranger – criminal (bush – krzak, ranger - leśniczy, komandos)

11. Chalkie – teacher

12. Daks – trousers

13. G'day – good morning, good afternoon...

14. Hooroo – Goodbye

15. Nana - banana

Canadian English
1. Eh? - co nie? - Why does nothing like this ever happen for me, eh?
2. Loonie – one dollar coin
3. Pop – fizzy drink, such as a Coca Cola
4. Canuck – Canadian – generally in French part of Canada
5. Zed – in Canada instead of /zi:/ in alphabet
6. Klick – one kilometer
7. Pencil crayons – crayons
8. Snowbirds – Canadians who travel to warmer areas of country when
it is cold
9. What you sayin'? - What are you up to? (co planujesz?)
10. Chesterfield – couch or sofa
Irish English
1. Delira and excira – delighted and excited (zachwycony i
podekscytowany)-Are you delira and excira about it?
2. Donkey's years - for a very long time (przez ruski rok)
- They have lived there donkey’s years – One of theories
says that this saying is wordplay - word 'years' is similar
to word 'ears' - monkeys have them quite long.
3. Eejit – person who plays dumb (głupio się zachowywać).
'Eejit' is less offensive (obraźliwy) than 'idiot'
4. Grands – OK - ‘Don’t be worrying about it, it’s grand’
5. Give it a lash – it has a lot of means for example trying
something
6. Jack's – toilets
7. Banjaxed – something broken
8. Gaff – house
9. Howya/Hewya - How are you?
10. Story horse – Hi buddy, any news?
Scottish English 1. Barry – great (or a name)
- That was a Barry laugh.
2. Bonnie – beautiful - What
a bonnie lass (girl).
3. Hen – girl or woman
- Alright, hen?
4. Baltic – freezing cold
5. The box – telewizor
6. Chookie – bird
7. Fitba' - football
8. Fit like? - how are you?
9. Fir wye? - why?
10. Li'ah'-like that
Internet slang - guessing game – What does it
mean?
1. @
2. 2day
3. 2L8
4. 4EAE
5. 4get
6. ASAP
7. ATM
8. B
9. BF, GF
10. sry
11. YW
Internet slang
- guessing game – What does it mean?
1. BTW
2. C
3. CMB
4. F2f/ftf
5. FAQ
6. HAND
7. n/c
8. R
9. Un4tun8ly
10. Y
11. YOLO
Thanks for
attention