50 British Slang Words to Spice up the Conversation
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. 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:
List of 50 British Slang Words
Here is a list of British Slang Words to spice up your coversation:
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 when faking 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.”
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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. Means to arrest or transport someone for a crime..
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.