Slang – a type of informal language constricted by context and usually employed by a specific group of people. Today’s lesson is on British slang, or unique informal words and phrases used by people around the UK. You will find 25 examples of British slang below.
Proper – meaning ‘very’, ‘great’ or ‘extremely.
Cracking – meaning excellent, perfect, great. Can be used referring a person or an object.
Innit – a shortened version of the phase ‘is it not?’, used seeking affirmation.
Blimey – an expression of suprise or shock, typically used in a positive setting.
Bloody – although considered a curse word, due to its common use ‘bloody’ has become an accepatable expression of extremeness. Anything from excitment to horror can be emphasized with this phrase. It is recommended to leave it out in formal contexts though.
Gutted – meaning to be extremely disappointed.
Gobsmacked – literally means to be hit in the mouth, meaning suprise on a great scale, shock.
Plastered – meaning drunk or even blackout drunk.
Buzzin‘ – to be excited or happy, however it can also mean to be slightly drunk or tipsy, however nowhere near plastered.
To crack on – to start doing something or to continue doing something that was left in the process.
To take a piss – meaning to make fun of someone in a sarcastic way, usually is not viewed in a light-hearted way and can start fights.
Pants – meaning underwear, may cause a little bit of confusion when visiting other countries.
Slag off – meanning to verbally make fun of someone.
Chav – a slang expression for ‘a man’, however it is used in a deragatory sense and refers to lads/blokes that make trouble and ae viewed as hooligans.
Cheeky – rude or disrespectful but to an extant so it does not cross the line from being charming/funny to untolerable.
Bonkers – meaning crazy, can be used in a good sense as mind blowing.
A cuppa – a shortened expression for the phrase ‘a cup of tea’, this refers to specifically tea and will not be understood as an invitation to drink any other beverage.
Bird – referred to a woman or a girl meaning lady.
Bloke – ‘a man’, a friendly and familiar way to address a person, usually male.
Lad – also meaning ‘a man’, however lad is directed at younger males and boys.
Fiver – meaning a five British pound note – five quid.
Tenner – meaning a ten British pound note – ten quid.
Skint – meaning to be out of money, to have no funds or to put it simply, to be ‘broke’.
Knackered – meaning extremely tired even to the point of barely being able tp stay awake.
Quid – slang word for British pound used in informal contexts interchangably.
Test your knowledge about British Slang by taking our vocabulary quiz. Click here for the quiz.