Adam and Eve — Cockney rhyming slang for believe. C Cheerio — No it is not just a breakfast cereal but also one of the many words used to say goodbye in the UK. Dishy — is used to describe someone who is attractive. H Hammered — is the slang word used to describe someone who is very drunk.
Hunky-dory — is just a cool way of saying that something is just fine! J Jammy — if you are a lucky person you might be described as flukey or jammy. M Minted — if someone is described as minted it means they are rich, so become their best friend immediately! Q Quid — is slang for one-pound sterling.
Quack — is slang for a doctor that is suspected of not have the correct qualifications Queen mum — is Cockney rhyming slang for the backside bum. Queen of the south — is Cockney rhyming slang for mouth. R Reem — is English slang for something being nice, good or cool and originates from Essex.
Rosie lee — is cockney rhyming slang for a cup of tea. Shirty — is one way to describe someone who is ill-tempered. T Taking the piss — If you hear this being used it means one person is shocked at what another person is doing or saying. Trundle — means to move slowly and clumsily. U Umpteen — means a relatively large, but unspecified amount, of something and is generally used when someone is annoyed.
T — is slang for vodka and tonic. W Watering hole — this is one of the many British slang words for a pub Wonky — is another word for shaky or unstable. Wind-up — If you wind someone up it means you are teasing or taunting them. Z Zonked — is used when someone is sleeping or by someone who is expressing they are super tired.
Catch a few Zzzzzzzzzz — is used when you want to go to sleep. We hope you find this dictionary of British slang useful for your time here! A brief history of the English language. Learn more. Why is the United Kingdom flag called the Union Jack? What are the best apps for learning English? View our Cookie Policy. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.
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Account icon An icon in the shape of a person's head and shoulders. It often indicates a user profile. Log out. US Markets Loading H M S In the news. Executive Lifestyle. An event that disrupts the natural, pre-planned order of events could be described as a "spanner in the works.
The phrase describes the mayhem caused when something is recklessly thrown into the intricate gears and workings of a machine. The phrase goes back to Victorian public toilets, which required users to insert a single penny in order to operate the lock.
Although it sounds crude, the phrase is actually considered a polite way of announcing that you are going to visit the bathroom. Historically, only women would announce they were going to "spend a penny," as only women's public toilets required a penny to lock. Men's urinals were free of charge. If you're "splashing out," it's implied that you're spending money on a treat to mark a special occasion or celebration.
Similar to "nerd" or "geek" but less derogatory -- someone that takes academic study very seriously might be described as a "swot. If someone has done something highly irritating or surprising in an exasperating fashion, you might say that they've "taken the biscuit. To "take the Mickey" means to take liberties at the expense of others -- and can be used in both a lighthearted and an irritated fashion.
When someone makes a great speech while skirting around a subject or saying little of any value, you might say that they're talking "waffle," or that they're "waffling. In the 17th century, to "waff" went to yelp, and quickly evolved to mean to talk foolishly or indecisively. Although its origins are largely debated, the term's meaning has evolved over the last 50 years alone. In the s, someone that was unfashionable might be nicknamed a "wally," according to dictionary. If you want to tell someone to not concern themselves with issues that don't directly affect them, you might tell them to "wind their neck in.
This classic phrase is another way of telling someone that their opinion is not appreciated in the given scenario. Someone that makes comments just to spark controversy or argument might be labelled a "wind-up merchant.
The "wind-up merchant" will often claim to be making their comments as a light-hearted jest when the recipients start becoming irritated. If you're "winding someone up," you're making them tense or irritated in the same way you wind up a Jack-in-the-box before it pops. Read the original article on Business Insider UK. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later?
Start your Independent Premium subscription today. Recommended The 30 most misused phrases in the English language The one phrase you should never have on your dating app bio 'Your call is valued' voted most irritating phone phrase. More about phrases English Language. Already subscribed? Log in. Forgotten your password? Want an ad-free experience? View offers. Some, however, do drink far too much and end up getting themselves into trouble.
How are British people when it comes to greetings and speech? As a result, manners are extremely important to British people and failing to observe them is seen as incredibly rude. Our English language school in Manchester is the perfect place to learn the language while interacting with the people who speak it! Explore NCG Close. Live Chat Contact. Courses Back Close.
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