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The Queen’s English is spoken in London and Southern England. Here are some of the most common slang words and phrases used by people from those regions. Slang word/phrase. Meaning. Example sentence. Bloke. A man or guy. I saw that bloke you were talking to yesterday. Bloody.
- Love/luv. The term love in Britain is often written as luv, and it gets used simply as a title most of the time. For example, if a woman runs into a man in the street he might say “Watch where you’re going, luv!”
- Honey/hun. Another word that tends to get shortened slightly in common usage – this happens often with terms of affection. Honey is a word that’s typically used between couples, but rarely by strangers.
- Sweetheart. Another term that involves sweetness, sweetheart is used as a term of affection between loved ones and also as a familiar term of address, as in hun or luv.
- Dear/dearie. This is another old term of endearment, dating back to at least the early 14th Century. It comes from the Old English deore meaning precious, valuable, costly, loved, beloved.
Beyond “mate,” “sir” or “madam” there are many words Brits call strangers with whom they are interacting. You would probably expect a shop assistant to call you “sir” or “miss” when serving you, but it is also socially acceptable for the assistant to call you “darling,” “dear” or “love.”. Don’t be offended; it ...
- Bruv
- Oojah
- Innit
- Peng
- Chuffed
- Knackered
- Barmy
- Bants
- Antwackie
- Ace
In the US, we have friend terms like bro and bruh. In the UK, they havebruv. Bruv is short for brother, as in “fellow; buddy.” It’s a familiar term typically used between male friends, close relations, or even actual brothers. Bruvver is one regional (especially Cockney) pronunciation of brother in the UK, and bruvis a shortening of that.
You’ve likely heard of a doohickey or whatchamacallit, but what about an oojah? It’s a handy British word for an object you just can’t quite remember the name of. One of the earliest uses of the term in print appears in a 1917 Washington Postarticle about military slang. That means it’s stuck around for more than 100 years.
It’s a good time to learn some new words, innit? This well known British word is unique because it’s actually a slang contraction. It’s a shortened form of the phrase isn’t it. Innithas roots in the Asian and Jamaican communities in London. It was also popularized by Ali G, a fictional British character played by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.
If something ispeng, that means it’s attractive or appealing. Frequently, the term applies to good-looking people, but it can also be used to describe other things that look good, like clothing or food items. Pengis an example of modern British slang, as evidenced by its use on current popular shows like “Love Island.”
Chuffed means “delighted, pleased, satisfied.” You might say you’re chuffed that your favorite team won the soccer game. This word dates back to the 1800s, when it was originally used to mean “puffed up with fat.” It later became a slang term to express satisfaction. Victorian fiction enthusiasts may also recognize chuffed, though in literature it ...
Long day? Knackered is British slang for “very tired.” It was first recorded in English in the late 1880s from knacker, or “to tire.” It’s related to an earlier sense of knacker that meant “to kill.” Luckily, the meaning today is much less shocking. Though it’s an older word, knackeredis still relevant and used frequently.
Barmy means “crazy; foolish; eccentric.” It’s thought to be an alteration of the word balmy, meaning “foolish.” This sense was first recorded in the 1800s and has an interesting history. Before baker’s yeast was widely available, bakers used a “barm tub” to let bits of dough ferment into leavening. Some would drink this fermented alcoholic brew, ma...
If you meet up for some bants, you’re in for “playful teasing or mocking.” Bants is a shortened form of banter, the English word that means “an exchange of light, playful, teasing remarks; good-natured raillery.” Banter was recorded in English beginning in the 1660s, but bantsis a more recent sense of the word that’s popular among young people in t...
Now, let’s talk about a throwback word. Antwackie isn’t just an older word itself, it actually means “old fashioned.” Generally, it’s slang that’s used to describe people who are old fashioned or out of date. It’s thought to be related to the word antique (perhaps combined with the word wackyfor humorous effect), though the exact origins aren’t kno...
This next word is ace. In British slang,ace means “excellent; first-rate; outstanding.” Whereas Americans might say theyaced a test, ace is used in the UK as an adjective, likethat movie was ace. This usage is most popular in Northern England and among young people.
Feb 13, 2015 · Dear. After a few decades and several children, 103 words can seem far too many. ‘Dear’ is the only real addition to the standard ‘darling’ that most couples will need, with perhaps a ‘love’ and a standard ‘darling’ thrown in here and there. Come the 60-year anniversary, many British couples are content with a few grunts over ...
May 16, 2024 · From the animal kingdom. Our furry and feathered friends inspire a lot of different terms of endearment, each symbolising different qualities we admire in our loved ones. Dove/Turtle Dove: These birds represent peace, gentleness and loyalty, symbolising a deep and committed bond. Lamb: Suggesting innocence, purity, and sweetness, “lamb” is ...
Oct 31, 2024 · 33. Bollocks. While it has a multitude of meanings, bullocks is most commonly used to describe dismay or disbelief. 34. Bloody. You probably don't need a definition, as this is by far the most ...
