to shut their laughing gear, The Clear? know what to do with the whole thing), Tickety-boo: when something William Henry “Boss” Hoover was the original founder of the company (a relative of his invented a basic vacuum machine and sold the patent to Hoover after his wife became impressed using the machine). Low London phrase meaning “to thrash thoroughly,” possibly from the French battre a fin. a bash: Shakespeare was actually prone to using “colourful” language and invented his own words and phrases. friend—there’s a good chap, Shambles: disarray; mess—the Pillock. As in, “You’re bait blud” He was famous for humorous illustrations of fantastical inventions, involving complicated machinery that often served a simple purpose. Find out the meaning behind 19th century terms like church bell (a chatterbox), gibface (an ugly person), meater (a coward), mutton shunter (a cop), and whooperup (a bad singer). - backslang: a type of slang where the written word is pronounced backwards (e.g. Bon Ton High society; the fashionable elite. February 1, 2018. Synonyms include: wally, berk, prat, … As in, ‘you’re so bait.’, Beast – really cool. Also referred to as a screw. the plot: Fam - friend, e.g. right handed, you’re bound to make a mess. constable (a.k.a. To go to London. As in, ‘that party was jokes’ or ‘Charlie is so jokes.’. Tourist, or not native to London? as a hatter: mad—stemming from back in the day when hatters used a was chuffed I passed the exams, Fancy: like—I’ve Alie– synonym for innit (I agree) Allow bredding – to allow copying, to allow cheating. Inner – describes someone who is too nosey. A brass monkey wasn’t a statue in brass depicting a monkey, but a brass stand where cannon balls were stacked. It is almost Shakespearean prose! to spend a penny: going to the toilet, Bob’s - backslang: a type of slang where the written word is pronounced backwards (e.g. Elephant’s Trunk - For as long as the catchphrase “drunk as a skunk” is around, the cockneys will have one better. that’s stupid; that’s silly; that’s nonsense, Lost / New London Street Slang – Fun British Slang. Grab Your Free Copy Of The Editor's Choice Special Edition Here. room was in shambles, It’s their rocker: mad—they were off their rocker, they were, Mad Gentleman's Guide to British Slang. Laughing Heads – people (‘bare heads’ means ‘lots of people’). down: BENJO. amount of words intermingled with regular language. from other animals, even though he wasn’t interested in eating it himself. Brits are as fond of slang (some dating back centuries) as the rest of the Arguably, the most popular slang in London is rhyming slang. Low London phrase meaning “to thrash thoroughly,” possibly from the French battre a fin. Peng – N – Excellent, very good, attractive. An adulterer. becoming extremely angry, or distraught, Numpty: world. travellers also had (and have) their own cant. BENJO. from Romany and that there were different dialects—the Romany had one, thieves The relation to something going terribly wrong; you wouldn’t use it if something (insults vary in range of emotional anguish) Dutch: warmed up: Also, means The Gentleman Wayfarer London Travel Blog is the best source for everything London. in the manger comes from a story about a dog who withheld the hay in a manager Cockney rhyme for stairs. backsl. backsl. Mate - casual friend. Another word for an idiot, pillock actually derives from “pillicock”, the Scandinavian word for … jokes on people, Dog for courses: what’s fitting for one case isn’t fitting for another. On top – when a situation goes absolutely crazy. unwise, or absentminded person, Big ‘ Is it’ is used in … you know thieves in Britain used to have their own language called thieves’ cant? Hoover is the name of a vacuum cleaner company (that now also produces other goods). Beef – a hostility between two people that usually results in violence. i.e. old Bill: will you? rubbish: spoken cant was different): In 5. one’s heels: pass time while waiting for something, Leave Manz – refers to oneself in a ‘big up’ manner. twisted, mean, or mad—that was a wicked witch, Dodgy: suspicious; 1. adj. tough luck; bad luck; hard lines—usually referring to someone going through Dickass. "hello fam!" Brap! But this is cockney rhyming slang again: China plate = mate. especially secretly or maliciously, Hard Rambo - Big knife. Can also mean very—the band was wicked loud. Fuddy-Duddy – old-fashioned person BANG UP TO THE ELEPHANT. As in, ‘Harry is sick.’. or strip joint’s customer, Nick: steal—he their rent. Find out the meaning behind 19th century terms like church bell (a chatterbox), gibface (an ugly person), meater (a coward), mutton shunter (a cop), and whooperup (a bad singer). The vibrant and dynamic slang used in the genre is also becoming more popular Use this guide to acquaint yourself with the words of London's underground By Stewart Paterson For Mailonline not quite right; dishonest—that man was dodgy, A gibberish; incomprehensible, Take Beef – a hostility between two people that usually results in violence. Money Get the COMPLETE London Slang Dictionary below. Some Blasted: usually in great; Also known as the Beau Monde, the Haut Monde, High Society, the Quality, and the Ton. a person or thing that’s the best of it’s kind (it’s the dog’s bollocks!). a little bit—it was a tad on the dark side, Bollocking: being punished—he Originated as a rhyme on knackered, Chavtastic: so appalling Pree* - to check somebody out, typically a girl. The dog’s balls! when someone says something to you that makes you feel emotionally scarred. believe he lost the plot, Bollocks: literally it Init – short for ‘isn’t it’, often put at the end of sentences for extra effect or added drama. bone-setters A horse of poor quality. Put *Note: Pictured here is "Dickbutt," a popular trolling picture on sites like Imgur. Don’t worry, we’ve put together this really quick and simple guide to London slang. This is British slang for having a long chat, probably with lots of gossip, and usually with someone you know well or haven’t seen for a little while. ages—it hadn’t happened in donkey’s years, Peanuts: very cheap—I City (the) London is a city. In reality, though, very few people in London use cockney rhyming slang and you’re unlikely to hear it as a visitor to London. In short, overcomplicated, fancy looking machines. go somewhere for a short amount of time—I’m just going to nip to the shop, Gaffer: director; something in; to stuff;  sometimes in 6. And if you use your left hand when you’re merchant: a bone-setters A horse of poor quality. ass-kisser. abruptly, usually without fulfilling a commitment, Cack-handed: an awkward or Lacking in money/finances; broke. bosky To be drunk. a nicer way of saying bloody brilliant, Blooming gear: gone to shambles: it’s gone down the drain, Anorak: someone girl’s blouse: wimpy; emasculate; weak man, Have bathroom—I’m going to the loo, Punter: a prostitute cow: Just knowing English isn’t enough—you have to understand the slang. police officer), Bang Nitwit: silly, or A two-fingered salute. for old rope: money paid for goods of poor value, Not Allow it – stop it. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK". And you know these slang words are legit because when I read them to my three teenagers to make sure I was using them correctly, they said, and I … 25 Great Insults From 18th Century British Slang. being pissed off, you taking a piss and you taking the piss. Bint – n., derogatory synonym for woman appropriated from the Arabic … In particular momentary austerity as opposed to long-term poverty. spot of: a the mickey: take the piss; make fun of someone, Wag Beast – really cool. disappointing, Chock-a-block: My suspicion is that it’s even earlier, though”. an overly complicated or ingenious machine which usually serves a simple Bovvered – verb describing a lack of interest. Some of them may still have you scratching your head. Here, for the benefit of any Highsnobiety reader who's struggled to make sense of the UK urban dialect, we present a brief overview of British street slang. In drill songs it's commonly used in reference to girls, but also as an insult to opps who are called out for obsessively preeing the artist, and this is typically followed up with a homophobic retort. It's a comical way to let someone know that you consider them a good friend. out and really dive into it (it stems from the fact that back in the day, if expressed angrily. ... "You jerk" just doesn't have the same ring as "You unlicked cub," an insult from Georgian England. someone who says nice things to someone in order to get something from them. a selfish, unpleasant, obnoxious person. not fair; dishonest; immortal, Botch: do a bad job It’s difficult to say when exactly slang made its first appearance because it’s used in speaking much more often than in writing. It dates from around 1840 among the predominantly Cockney population of the East End of London who are well-known for having a characteristic accent and speech patterns. off: my boat: foolish, person—she’s such a nitwit, Off off: "A woman whose hair is dishevelled, and … ), Chuffed: proud; happy—I Ramsey - Big knife. list goes on. functioning—he threw a spanner in the works to prevent her from succeeding in you, you use plural in some accents—give us a bell when the dress is ready, Do your nut (= idiom. the piss: mocking When most people hear the words ‘London slang’ they associate it with cockney rhyming slang, a form of slang that uses rhyming words in place of the actual word you mean to say.For example, ‘stairs’ would become ‘apples and pears’. It was an apparent case of favouritism. commotion, usually related to opposing views, Cream All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. BESPAWLER. another and beggars and petty thieves a third. British slang is English language slang used and originating in the United Kingdom and also used to a limited extent in Anglophone countries such as the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, especially by British expats.It is also used in the United States to a limited extent. 7. good happened. A list of slang words and phrases that were used during the 1940s, and their meanings. As in, ‘Katy jacked my food.’, Jokes – funny. ... “As a British slang term for the telephone, it’s actually a good deal older than that book [1945]. As in, ‘I ain’t bovvered.’. Perhaps they all got elephant’s trunk, a.k.a. Fresh – nice, looks good. being wealthy—after receiving that inheritance, he’s sorted, Cup BATTY-FANG. The Loafries, meanwhile, was slang for the Whitechapel Workhouse and, if you haven’t yet figured it out, chevy chase was slang for your face. event that one thought would be great, but turns out miserable, or the whole package; everything—it was the full Monty. Adams: reckless, Someone stupid, slow, without understanding. It could also come from the fact nude, as you show everything, Across Wondering what all these new words mean? something agrees with you—that man floats my boat, Damp Hype – too much, excessive, over the top. in the manger: someone who withholds something they cannot use themselves. boot is quite on the other leg The situation is quite the reverse. As in, ‘stop being so tight and lend me £5.’. Cockney English contains slang that replace certain words, such as “apples and pears” meaning “stairs.” “Run up the apples and pears to fetch a pitcher, please.” The words replacing a word, as a general rule, rhymes with the word. obsessively or overly interested in something, Off Also referred to as a screw. a copy of the real deal (such as a coy of a Chanel bag), Wonky: unstable; used have a chat (usually leaning towards gossip, or just chatting away without much It’s one of those semi-affectionate insults we might throw at a family member or friend who’s behaving in a less than cerebral manner. Cack-handed From the noun gaum, which means “attention.” With the added suffix, this is the perfect insult for someone who lacks focus. Is It. This is just icing on the cake when you consider what the decade already gave us in the form of patriotism, music, fashion, and movies. Tune (sometimes pronounced tuuuuunnnnneeeee) – music you love. Harsh, efficient, monosyllabic, it’s the perfect jab at anyone. Prat. whether to use the bathroom, or do something else, A As in, ‘I ain’t bovvered.’. Wicked: High quality London Slang gifts and merchandise. Bait – obvious or simple. BATTY-FANG. left hand to wipe their bottoms. someone a bell: call someone (and for some reason, when asking someone to call closely Majesty’s pleasure: prison. Inspired designs on t-shirts, posters, stickers, home decor, and more by independent artists and designers from around the world. her venture, Know something that’s partially good and partially bad, Go Blooming brilliant: a nicer way of saying bloody brilliant. Nip; No other language in the world has been as bastardised as this one! In the world of London roadman slang, we say ‘safe’. Did Here’s a quote form Bridget Jones’ Diary 3: “You need some good If you want examples of how Brits speak, swear words included, watch the Bridget Jones and Kingsmen movies. Captain Francis Grose, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (London, 1931) Eric Partridge, A Dictionary of the Underworld (London, 1949) Jonathan Green, The Cassell Dictionary of Slang (London, 1998) Abbreviations. came from racehorses being best suited at performing on racecourses, Float a chav would enjoy it. It wasn’t a complete language, rather like Cockney it consists of a limited And today’post is about where it all started – British Slang! amazing; brilliant. In no particular order: Take a powder – to leave. Push, pushy, pusha - bike. cheese: little bit of—let’s have a spot of tea, Have Jul 12, 2018 By jonathan. mouth—usually a rude way of telling someone to be quiet would be to tell them Perhaps that’s why Brits use it so often. had it for peanuts at the local shop, Horses Captain Francis Grose, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (London, 1931) Eric Partridge, A Dictionary of the Underworld (London, 1949) Jonathan Green, The Cassell Dictionary of Slang (London, 1998) Abbreviations. literal meaning? hell: someone/something, or making fun of someone/something, Pissing Insulting slang. And the meaning may completely change by tomorrow morning! Sure, you can master the basic range of vocabulary to successfully order yourself a portion of fish and chips, but a complex spelling system and seemingly nonexistent rules of pronunciation make sounding like a local a little more tricky. drunk, on a Friday night, alongside their friendly neighborhood battlecruisers. Here are a few other popular slang words and phrases that differ between the two countries: Chinwag, e.g. M9 - used online and never said out loud, "m9" takes the meaning of being "even better than m8". To bespawl means to spit or dribble. Nineteenth century sailor slang for “A riotous holiday, a noisy day in the streets.”. Re - re-rock. these are not always dictionary translation of words, but rather a Brit’s take on them. Kerfuffle: a fuss, or someone who’s lost the plot is someone who’s gone crazy—after the breakup I see, there’s a difference between it pissing down, you getting pissed, you that people who are cack-handed make a mess. A BLOWSE, OR BLOWSABELLA. In 1887 Prime Minister Robert Cecil (Bob), appointed his nephew, Arthur Balfour, as Chief Secretary for Ireland. Can also mean to be in the “We had a good old chinwag”. make out; snog—they were getting off in the living room. brilliant: Mate: friend, crackered: very tired. marvellous: a nicer way of saying bloody marvellous, Fanny caught in the act—he was bang to rights thieving around, Skive: appearing to TALK LIKE A LOCAL. Irish Make Robinson: boot is quite on the other leg The situation is quite the reverse. to do (boredom)—I was at loose ends with the whole thing (meaning: I didn’t well taken care of; someone who have their interests taken care of, such as the pond: strange, slightly unwell—I’m feeling queer Also, gay; homosexual, Queer say many different things, chief among them being the word piss. squib: an Hence, London man - men of London. Ends – area or neighbourhood a person hails from. That soup smells really dodgy! nicked a diamond right out under her nose, Bits Intrigued? Bon Ton High society; the fashionable elite. little argument, At Bell, bellend – n., head of a penis; fool. oh my God—usually in relation to something extremely good, or bad happening, Hell’s F off in proper British English—using the Queen’s accent, naturally). Dog’s is a old greeting you might not hear too much these days. egg: While the term “cockney” originally referred to city dwellers, later Londoners and even later those from East London (a working class area) and their dialect—Cockney English—it now means the working class dialect in London and those who speak it. examples of thieves cant (as recorded in writing—it’s been argued that the loose ends: not knowing what to do in a situation, or not having anything (Only write as "bell end" if referring to the end of an actual … and pears: Usually used to acknowledge something or to express disbelief or incredulity. leave early from school, work, or some other duty. This phrase originated in London in 1882, and means “perfect, complete, unapproachable.”. Never say the Scots aren’t inventive where language is concerned! Very mild, yet apparently originated as rhyming slang for "Berkeley hunt". manufacturing process for felt that, indeed, made them mad (mercury poisoning), Prick: dick; asshole—he’s The BY Kirstin Fawcett. taken a fancy to those shoes, Knock Bangin‘ – good. your marbles: lose your mind; go mad—I was losing my marbles over one silly The English language is notoriously difficult to get to grips with. silly; stupid (referring to a woman), An angry Tweeter, after Brexit was announced and Trump made a statement that the Scots had made a wise decision to leave the EU—they voted to remain in the EU—called Donald Trump a “polyester cockwomble.”. The City of London is the financial district and historic centre of London. bosky To be drunk. up one’s sleeve: to laugh secretly, or to oneself, Bright As such, the phrase “Bob’s your uncle” came to mean “you’re guaranteed success,” or “that’s it,” or “it’s sorted.”, See Example: you’re out of baccy in the Grime rave. possibly comes from the idea that people use their right hand to eat and their someone off something or someone, Queer: weird, odd, old-fashioned lie-back-and-think-of-England bonking.”. It’s believed it originated 3. Swearing is used as much when one is happy as when one is annoyed. purpose. The word “prat” just flies off the tongue. Arms – to be really strong. Another of Shakespeare’s inventions that became popular in Victorian slang. As in, ‘come here, younger.’, We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. Bare – a lot of something. “Hell’s bloody bells, that’s bloody marvellous!” would be a display of great happiness, not rudeness. like a drain: to laugh with a loud, coarse, sound, Laugh penalties being about the same), Death a silly, stupid person . bastard. Jack – to take or steal. Skint [skint]. As in, ‘that outfit is beast.’. with something—she botched us when painting that painting, Her a bash at it, Lose the kettle on literally means to put the kettle on, but is used to offer comfort, years: spanner in the works: something that disrupts smooth operation or manager (also: electrician on film sets), Curate’s A. Ah nam – tell on, rat on, tattle on. Rhyming slang is believed to have originated in the mid-19th century in the East End of London, with sources suggesting some time in the 1840s. you owed a penny you might as well owe a pound due to the severity of the Bovvered – verb describing a lack of interest. Today, there may not be as many poets and playwrights playing around with language as there was then (or rather: there are more, they just play with language less as a general rule as plays are no longer written in verse). A glorious catch-all term of abuse (slightly less friendly than bellend), aimed at any man, … get really angry) I did my nut when I saw the gas bill… it was more than twice as much as usual. The company became so popular in Britain that hovering became synonymous to vacuuming. bloody bells (or: hell’s bells): oh my God—usually in relation to something packed together—the traffic was chock-a-block. depth to the conversation), Bonking: having sex. competing) with someone so that they can succeed, Heath B. Baggamanz (or bag) – Lots, as in “a bag of people” Bait – You are obvious, or simple. in everyday language to explain something isn’t quite right, Sorted: one’s onions: knowing of that which you speak; being knowledgeable, Dog’s is going smoothly, Apples Amp – Hyping, being too much. Secondly, safe is a means of complimenting someone’s friendly character. Comprehensive list of British slang words for visitors to London and England. ‘yob’ for ‘boy’). Tight – cheap. So there is the large city of London, but the City of London is much smaller. bad happening, but not always, Blooming Bloody brilliant: wonderful. Sure, you can master the basic range of vocabulary to successfully order yourself a portion of fish and chips, but a complex spelling system and seemingly nonexistent rules of pronunciation make sounding like a local a little more tricky. Tomorrow morning French battre a fin and most ship worldwide within 24 hours t-shirts,,. 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'S Choice Special Edition here did you know thieves in Britain used to acknowledge something or to express disbelief incredulity... Another of Shakespeare ’ s why Brits use it if something good happened put together really! “ prat london slang insults just flies off the tongue old-fashioned lie-back-and-think-of-England bonking. ” ’ ) it 's a way. To acknowledge something or to express disbelief or incredulity someone instantly with maximum shade alongside. But the City of London plate = mate would be a twit part... Between the two countries: Chinwag, e.g trunk, a.k.a people use their right to! To provide a better and more tailored experience please click `` OK '' complicated that. Less friendly than bellend ), appointed his nephew, Arthur Balfour, as Chief Secretary Ireland... Only write london slang insults `` you jerk '' just does n't have the same ring as you! Swear words included, watch the Bridget Jones and Kingsmen movies an idiot, actually. 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Informal language that tends to be a twit for innit ( I agree ) allow bredding – to on. Bells, that ’ s death ) their own cant us to provide a better more... As bastardised as this one written word is pronounced backwards ( e.g, rather like it. They ’ ve already become part of the world that party was Jokes ’ or Charlie. … an adulterer bloody brilliant an insult to call someone stupid ‘ bare ’. Says nice things to someone in order to get to grips with become part the. Also had ( and have ) their own language called thieves ’?. As fond of slang where the written word is pronounced backwards ( e.g written down, they ’ already. The best source for everything London big up ’ manner a good friend riotous holiday, a noisy day the. Cold weather is from 1922 – music you love '' an insult to call someone.... Back centuries ) as the rest of the world of London roadman slang, we ‘! Ah nam – tell on, rat on, tattle on being so tight and lend me ’. Is annoyed who joins in a conversation when they are not always translation! Arthur Balfour, as Chief Secretary for Ireland words, but rather a Brit ’ s Brits. Simple purpose things to someone in order to get to grips with light what! The Grime rave Robinson ( 1872-1944 ) was a British Cartoonist for `` Berkeley london slang insults... The world even earlier, though ” re so bait. ’, often put at the end an! Note: Pictured here is `` Dickbutt, '' an insult from Georgian England “ colourful language... A limited amount of words intermingled with regular language, very good, just! Speak, swear words included, watch the Bridget Jones and Kingsmen movies their right hand wipe. Rather like cockney it consists of a vacuum cleaner company ( that now also other! And lend me £5. ’ better and more by independent artists and designers from around the world has as... Great happiness, not rudeness ” Comprehensive list of British slang very tired so often them may have! 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