The British English speakers are believed to have the most exhaustive slang vocabulary as well as the most researched and documented one.
Several British slang dictionaries and research studies have been published and as surprising as it may seem, the earliest ones was a seven-volume British slang dictionary published in 1889.
It may be overwhelming to even the British folk to remember and actively use all slang phrases and words in their conversation but below is a list of some of the more commonly used and understood British slang words that could spice up your conversation and make you feel at home in the UK and may come in handy when indulging in ‘English’ fun:
1. Flog: To flog means to sell something, as in:“I managed to flog my stolen Xbox for a pretty good price”
2. Crickey: Crickey is an exclamation of surprise, equivalent to the American ‘Holy shit’ expression. As in when your wife walk in with a ton of shopping bags, you can say “Crickey! Have you gone mad woman?”
3. Blimey: This is another commonly used British slang word that expresses surprise, similar in use to the word ‘Crickey’. As in: “Blimey! You’re much uglier in person now that we’ve finally met.”
4. Yampy: A word used to state someone madness. Mostly sued in Birmingham. As in: “You’ve gone yampy if you think you can win from me at Russian Roulette, gimme that gun.”
5. Twock: Means to steal or burgle. Interestingly this word is derived from the police term TWOC for ‘taken without owner’s consent’.
6. Snap: Slang term used in Birmingham for ‘food’. Usage: “I’m off to McDonalds to get some snap”
7. Tosh: Nonsense or Nonsensical. As in: “He speaks nothing but tosh after the third beer.”
8. Spawny: Means ‘lucky’. As in: Spawny the pregnancy test came back negative.”
9. Skint: Means broke or bankrupt or without money. As in: “I’m not buying you another hooker! I’m skint.”
10. Skive: A term used whenfaking illness or injury to avoid a commitment such as work or school. As in: “He skived off school only to later bump into his teacher at the gay bar.”
11. Paste: To thoroughly beat the crap out of someone.
12. Paddy: To throw an anger fit or tantrum. As in: “He’s going to throw a paddy soon as he starts losing at the cock fight.”
13. Numpty: A stupid or unwise person. Also could be incompetent. As in: “he and his numpty friend better drive my lambo carefully.”
14. Nob: Refers to a person of high social status or more accurately, a snob. As in: “I nicked this watch from some nob in a fancy suit at the hotel.”
15. Miffed: Is the slang for getting offended or upset at something or someone. As in: “He got all miffed about losing his girlfriend, tell him to grow a pair.”
16. Marbles: Used to signify intelligence, or sanity. As in: “Have you lost your marbles?”
17. Laughing Gear:This is a metaphor for ones ‘mouth’. Equivalent to the American ‘pie hole’.
18. Gutted: When you say ‘you’re gutted’, it means you’re in a state of depression or despair, feeling very low.
19. Antwacky: Means something that’s gone out of style. Comes from the improper pronunciation of the word ‘Antique’
20. Beltas: A proclamation of joy.
21. Blart: Used to state someone is crying or sobbing. As in: “he started blarting cuz his girlfriend dumped him.”
22. Chobble: To chew something loudly, as in: “you better stop chobbling those rocks cuz my ears hurt.”
23. Clamming: Means to starve, as in: “thank god you brought Chinese, I’ve been clamming all day.”
24. Dancers: Interestingly, this is the slang British word for stairs. Used as: “get your butt up those dancers and go to sleep.’
25. Deaf it: Used when you ask someone to stop bothering about something, as in: “deaf it pal, why do you even care?”
26. Deek: This is said about a quick peek. As in: “yeah I’ll catch up soon as I deek the neighbors window.”
27. Dibble: One of my favorites, comes from Officer Dibble from Top Cat. Means the police. The fuzz.
28.Fettled: Means to be fixed, mended or repaired. As in: “I’m going to the shop to get my ride fettled.”
29. Row: Pronounced as the word that rhymes with ‘cow’, means having an argument. Having a row.
30. Smashing: Means something that is amazing or brilliant. As in: “you had a baby? That’s smashing!”
31. Yem: Is the slang for ‘home’
32. Trabs: This unique word is used to describe ‘shoes’. As in: “Got these trabs pretty cheap on a sale.”
33. Slummock: Means to slouch or idle around.
34. Scrikin: Means ‘crying’. Mostly referred to children.
35. Salfords: Used in Manchester to refer to socks. As in: “my idea is going to knock your Salfords off.”
36. Paggered: Means ‘Exhausted’. Originates from Newcastle.
37. Ozzy: Another favorite of mine, going to the ozzy means going to the ‘hospital’.
38. Netty: Another Newcastle slang word used to denote a ‘toilet’.
39. Newtons: Check out the state of those newtons is what someone would say when they want you to check out someone’s ‘teeth’.
40. Nebby: Used for someone who is overy nosy and inquisitive.
41. Hinny: Refers to a female partner or wife. Might have stemmed from the word ‘honey’
42. Jarg: A fun way to say something that’s fake. As in: “got this jarg hand bag a the store, I thought it was genuine.”
43. Steaming: The state of being extremely drunk or extremely angry.
44. Wag off: Means to waste time. As in: “I do nothing but wag off at work.”
45. Lag: A convict. Especially someone who is serving a long term sentence.
46. Knees up: Used as an adjective for liveliness. Maybe to describe a party.
47. Kerfuffle: A fight or argument caused by varying views.
48. Honk: Means to vomit.
49. Gaffer: Refers to your boss or foreman. As in: “let’s ask the gaffer if we can get the hell out of the office for a break.”
50. Fence: This actually means a person who is deals in stolen items or property. As in taking something to a fence to see how much money you can get.
I hope you like these slang words and phrases commonly used in Great Britain. If you know some of the British slang phrases, please let us know as well in the comments section and help the community.
