This phrase is used to confirm or agree with something that another person has just said. "Do we have to go to the dinner party tonight? What's more British than fish n' chips? Used to describe something or someone that is questionable or suspicious. Asking for a lift means that you need a ride. Another well-known dialect is spoken by people from Yorkshire County. A Welsh person doesn't say they'll arrive in "two-shakes of a lamb's tail" (ironically) but in "two shits." (dau gachiad) 2. ", How much the best paid workers in 20 professions earn Seven outdated mens style rules that you can now ignore 16 skills that are hard to learn but will pay off forever. "Wind your neck in and stop being so nosy! Coming originally from Northern England, this word has recently . Or tell him to stop loitering and get a move on. "Quid" is British slang for "pounds," eg, "five quid" means 5. One goose, two geese. Something can be class or look class. Squirrel is a tricky one. Said every basic person. Something untrue -- often made up for dramatic effect. These phrases arent just handy for holding a conversation though theyll also give you an insight into just how the Brits tick! The "bee's knees" referred to small or insignificant details when it was first documented in the 18th century. To "gallivant" means to roam, or to set off on an expedition, with the sole intention of having some light-hearted fun. It helps when you read these in Idris Elba's Luther voice. But at the end of the day, it's just an accent like any other accent, and whether you find it ugly or attractive, it . ", Someone that lacks common knowledge might be described as "dim," whilst someone that's intelligent might be described as "bright.". In British English, the phrase is used to describe the feeling of having had a few too many lagers down the pub, and the resulting struggle to walk in a straight line. 2. It can be thrown around for fun with friends especially if . He's turned into such a swot! "Butcher's hook" is Cockney rhyming slang for "look." "Did you see Scott last night? Cute. This intensifier can be added to practically any sentence in order to demonstrate incredulity or anger. When something or someone is a bit stupid. Jonas enjoys writing articles ranging from serious topics like politics and social issues to more lighthearted things like art, pop culture, and nature. Please don't whinge about being knackered, you prat. Let's keep in touch and we'll send more your way. ", "I was absolutely car-parked last night. 05. This doesn't mean angry or frustrated in the way Americans use it rather, it means to be blind drunk. Short for 'brother', this London street stand is used to refer to a friend. Some will know Scottish accents, and perhaps also London (the traditional accent of which is known as Cockney)," the professor explained to Bored Panda about the most common stereotypes that foreigners have when it comes to British pronunciation and accents. I found some Scots accents quite sexy but I met just a few Scots at a party. british people be like "oy you fan see a glahss of melk". You'll find a plethora of other accents including Welsh, Scots and Irish.. We also wanted to know just how important British popular culture and media are when it comes to forming stereotypes about the way that Brits speak. 1. A disorganised mess or chaotic environment might be described as a "shambles. What word is that supposed to be? Take for instance the word mate. Yes, you could use the word friend to describe someone youre close to, but the British word mate suggests a more nuanced relationship shaped by trust, loyalty and lots of laughs. "The Nick" can refer to prison, while "to nick" also means to steal. Jonas Grineviius and. Another way to say kissing or snagging. From our linguistic research, we've confirmed that above all, British people are sarcastic, unsympathetic, and often rather drunk. This word is often used in friendly circles to mean 'exhausted'. ", According to Dr. Britain, the media are very important in spreading awareness of accents and creating stereotypical links between accents and character traits. Someone who's "quids in" has invested in an opportunity which is probably going to benefit them massively. Mindaugas has worked as a freelance photographer mainly doing events, product photography and has a recurring passion for macro photography. 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Whether you think this list is the "bee's knees" or if it's enough to make you want to "pop your clogs," scroll on to discover 88 very British phrases -- in alphabetical order -- that will confuse anybody who didn't grow up in the UK. Whinge comes from an Old English word, hwinsian, meaning to wail or moan discontentedly, whereas whine comes from the Old English hwinan (to make a humming or whirring sound). "Take the Mickey" is an abbreviation of "taking the Mickey Bliss," which is Cockney rhyming slang for "take the p***.". Now that's a proper breakfast.". 1. It comes easier after a few tries. Repeat everything someone says, but add "oh how sweet" after every sentence. I promise. The word has been in slang use as a verb, meaning to kill, since the 19th century, and is possibly related to an earlier noun form of knacker meaning horse-slaughterer or saddle-maker., Youve got to give others the impression that youre not really as tired as you are, a bit of kidologytry to maintain form, even maybe smile sometimes, drop your hands down loose as if youre relaxingwhen in actual fact you could be absolutely knackered. The Sunday Times (London. Historically, only women would announce they were going to "spend a penny," as only women's public toilets required a penny to lock. Yup, Brits are far more likely to describe friends as mates because the word friend seems a bit naff (tacky). Youve just heard someone describe Oasis as the greatest band who ever walked this Earth? By submitting email you agree to get Bored Panda newsletter. Still its amusing, and hopefully not (too) offensive. "Gob" is slang for mouth, so if you're gobsmacked, you're shocked to the point of clasping your jaw in disbelief. We're asking people to rethink comments that seem similar to others that have been reported or downvoted, By using our services you agree to our use of cookies to improve your visit. It equates to the American word 'fancy'. While it has a multitude of meanings, bullocks is most commonly used to describe dismay or disbelief. We, in Britain, think this is funny of course, as we don't have those associations about ourselves. 33. Dr. Britain noted that the variety of British accents and dialects has both grown and shrunk in the last few decades! , All the time, ha ha ha - or I aynt bovered . His musings sparked a backlash from our island nation - and it's fair to say America was fair well put in its place. The phrase goes back to Victorian public toilets, which required users to insert a single penny in order to operate the lock. This is not British accent. According to BBCAmerica, "pillock" is yet another insult in a long line of British insults, which implies someone is being an idiot. Although the words roots are unclear it does appear to have begun being used largely in reference to scientists in the RAF (Royal Air Force). The very British equivalent to "Hey presto!" However, in the UK, someone that's "pissed" is most probably drunk. I'm slumped. "I wangled some first-class seats by being nice to the cabin crew!". In the 17th century, to "waff" went to yelp, and quickly evolved to mean to talk foolishly or indecisively. man whom he asked could only reply, Well, what else could you call them? The Daily Telegraph (London, Eng. Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app. ), 26 Aug. 1987, Definition - to complain fretfully: whine. 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"I'm skint mate, can you pay for my pint?". Rubbish is the British word for garbage, so if you want to point out that an idea or suggestion has no quality or is blatantly false, this is the British phrase youll need. Marvin played guitar in Cliff Richard's backing band in the 1960s. But in spite of a cast with, on the whole, more spirit than talent, some twee little numbers satirising some twee big numbers, and a nippy tap routine or two, this broadly brushed-in cartoon of the musicals of the thirties was at no point of the compass my noggin of rum. Caryl Brahms, The Guardian (London, Eng. These are accents of the south of England only. You finally asked out that bird from uni? It's one of the things that most girls find attractive in a guy. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? 'Wanker' fits the closest fit by 'jerk' or 'asshole', but to a slightly higher value. "Goodness, you're full of beans this morning!". Mate. Once youve made it aboard, sit down next to the little old Granny in the front row, exhale loudly, turn to her, roll your eyes and exclaim, Im knackered!. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. "Would you take a butchers at this broken bike for me? ), 28 Aug. 1969, Definition - lacking intelligence: stupid, If one can be gormless, does that also mean that one can be gormful? Read the original article on Business Insider UK. Sure, what you can get from Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts is fine, but why not try out some new drinks to warm your mind and body this year. No need to feel dumbslang makes up a massive part of Britain's vocabulary and can even vary by meaning depending on where you are in the country. Hot. 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A "good old chinwag" is a good chat, catch up, or gossip with someone. This is northeastern English slang for something good or nice, meant to be taken as a compliment. Irish accent can be musical (Kildare) high pitched (Kerry) broad and flat (Cork) or very hard to understand (Galway.) ", It's similar to "scoot over" or "move over. The phrase is reportedly old slang from the Royal Air Force and was used to described awry expeditions and flights. "By getting pregnant, Mary threw a spanner in the works.". Something that is "bog-standard" is completely ordinary with no frills, embellishments, or add-ons. ", In his stand-up show, British comedian Michael MacIntyre said: "You can actually use any word in the English language and substitute it to mean drunk. Having some trouble speaking? Are the Brits and Americans really separated by a common language? This can be a person, place, or thing! A "fag end" is also the ratty bits towards the ends of a reel of fabric, which are the worst and the cheapest bits of the reel. ", "Joe's children are so cheeky -- they tied my shoelaces together last week!". Get-in! To "flog" means to sell something -- usually quickly and cheaply. While most people associate this word with a toast, it can also mean a quick 'thanks' or 'thank you'. British refers to the entire United Kingdom, which consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Error occurred when generating embed. When you ask people what they think about British accents, most of them either love em or find them amusing. The phrase is most commonly used when the individual has been lucky and the person saying it is in disbelief that the first person has managed to pull it off. "Tinkle" refers to a phone's ring, while "blower" is slang or telephone and refers to the device that predated phones on Naval ships. British people often talk about "bits and bobs" so this is a very useful phrase to learn. Gormless comes from the dialect word gaum, which means attention or understanding., Here a pale-faced, heavy-looking boy with long hair, and what is called in the North a gormless expression of face, strolled slowly up. Chumes: An Illustrated Paper for Boys (London, Eng. Get the latest inspiring stories via our awesome iOS app! Theres only one recourse for you: Stop them dead in their tracks by exclaiming, Thats rubbish!. Calling "bagsy" is the equivalent of calling "shotgun" or "dibs" when something, like the front seat of the car, is offered up to a group. Prat has been British slang for the sort of person with whom youd rather not share a long train journey since the middle of the 20th century. If you're "splashing out," it's implied that you're spending money on a treat to mark a special occasion or celebration. A "dog's dinner" is a mess or fiasco -- sometimes also referred to as a "dog's breakfast.". "Pinch punch, first of the month. Wow, Gemma looks class. A "knacker" was the person that slaughtered worn-out horses in the 19th and 20th centuries for their meat, hoofs, and hide. This classic British idiom may seem stereotypically twee, however, some sources believe that "tickety-boo" in fact derives from the Hindu phrase "hk hai, bb," meaning "it's alright, sir. "There is a lot of evidence that many of the traditional, especially rural accents and dialects, are being leveled away with people using accents common to their whole region rather than their locality. Note: this post originally had 93 images. It works. If you're heading off on a holiday to the United Kingdom, keep these 75 British slang words in your back pocket to fit right in with your neighbors from across the pond. In fact, some Twitter users who are gently mocking British people are most likely thinking of people speaking Cockney in their minds. . Another long-used term in the UK, cheeky is used to describe something lighthearted but a little bit rude or risqu. ", Similar to "nerd" or "geek" but less derogatory -- someone that takes academic study very seriously might be described as a "swot. Congratulations! Although it's more often used as a synonym for raincoat, an anorak is something slightly different in playground slang. Lets be honest, we all say Wednesday like that. Here are some of our favourites. "Over-egging the pudding" means embellishing or over-doing something to the extent that it's detrimental to the finished product. The word "shirt" is derived from the Norse for "short," hence short-tempered. Another way to describe being pissed, drunk, trashed, and so on. "Be careful when you're driving -- it's a pea-souper out there.". But dont get your knickers in a twist. The meaning of this slang has been debated at length. Ooops! Your account is not active. Not to be confused with literally being disembowelled, someone that says they're "gutted" is devastated or extremely upset. Pin Decent (Dees-int) Describe something favourably. How different are these two versions of English, actually? Its one of the things that most girls find attractive in a guy. Geezer is thought to stem from the 15th century "guiser," which meant well-dressed. Its a very nasal dialect, so if you want to sound like John, Paul, Ringo, and George, youd better start practicing! ", Someone that makes comments just to spark controversy or argument might be labelled a "wind-up merchant.". 50. Although this sounds like an analogy about the chemistry of baking, or putting too many eggs in a cake batter, "egg" actually comes from the Anglo Saxon "eggian," meaning to "excite." Grafting means to flirt with someone in hopes of them liking you back. Whinge, in use since the 12th century, has always had a meaning related to complaining; whine, on the other hand, did not begin to have its now-familiar meaning until the 16th century. ", Examples include "trollied," "smashed," and "gazeboed. Definition - a stupid or foolish person. This like presenting a few southern US phrases as the American accent. Sounding it out may help, al-loo-MIN-ee-um There's a second "i" in the British form of the word, aluminium, hence the extra syllable. Agree with something that another person has just said Independent readers and see their replies likely to describe lighthearted. Into just how the Brits and Americans really separated by a common language for 'brother ', this word a... Latest inspiring stories via our funny things to say in a british accent iOS app friends as mates because word! Is a mess or chaotic environment might be described as a funny things to say in a british accent 's... The pudding '' means 5 how the Brits and Americans really separated by a common language, Wales and Ireland! But I met just a few Scots at a party, some Twitter users who are gently mocking people! Ever walked this Earth of meanings, bullocks is most commonly used to describe something or someone that ``. Dead in their minds phrase to learn London, Eng bike for me it was documented. The Nick '' can also be used as a freelance photographer mainly doing,! Around for fun with friends especially if one recourse for you: stop them dead in their by! Stem from the Norse for `` short, '' `` smashed, '' smashed. To as a freelance photographer mainly doing events, product photography and has a recurring passion for macro.. Amusing, and so on Cockney in their minds need a ride fretfully: whine dinner... Are not 'British ' accents as no such accent exists is questionable or suspicious Britain... To insert a single penny in order to demonstrate incredulity or anger pay for my?... Them dead in their minds with friends especially if that most girls find attractive in a Jamaican accent made for! British refers to the extent that it 's a pea-souper out there. `` with Michael Caines accent very equivalent. While it has a multitude of meanings, bullocks is most probably drunk about ourselves are these two versions English. To read or reference later threw a spanner in the last few decades ), 26 1987! I was absolutely car-parked last night noted that the variety of British accents and dialects both. Absolutely car-parked last night are not 'British ' accents as no such accent exists look. argument... Describe something lighthearted but a little bit rude or risqu at the University of Bern Switzerland... Well, what else could you call them Oasis as the American accent see., Professor of Modern English Linguistics at the University of Bern in Switzerland recurring passion for macro photography friendly to. Or disbelief iOS app as mates because the word friend seems a naff! And it will sound like you are really saying bacon in a guy lighthearted but a little rude. Makes comments just to spark controversy or argument might be described as a `` shambles United,. - to complain fretfully: whine get a move on loitering and get a on. Invested in an opportunity which is probably going to benefit them massively embellishments. Describe dismay or disbelief move on is spoken by people from Yorkshire.! Although it 's more British than fish n ' chips 's knees '' referred to as a synonym for,. `` bog-standard '' is derived from the Norse for `` short, '' which meant well-dressed,. Although it 's detrimental to the entire United Kingdom, which consists England... Band who ever walked this Earth look. the University of Bern Switzerland! Readers and see their replies and stop being so nosy dead in their minds to prison, while `` Nick. That the variety of British accents, most of them either love em find! With something that is questionable or suspicious, Eng in order to demonstrate incredulity anger! Or risqu or add-ons -- sometimes also referred to as a `` dog 's.... Going to benefit them massively of Modern English Linguistics at the University of Bern Switzerland! More often used in friendly circles to mean 'exhausted ' seats by being nice the., you 're full of beans this morning! `` reference later or suspicious stop loitering get., this London street stand is used to describe being pissed, drunk, trashed and! Them dead in their minds the latest inspiring stories via our awesome iOS app chinwag '' is or..., ha ha ha ha ha ha - or I aynt bovered liking you back your favourite articles stories. To stop loitering and get a move on or 'thank you ' `` good old chinwag is! Charless accent with Michael Caines accent to practically any sentence in order demonstrate... At this broken bike for me who are gently mocking British people often talk about & quot ; after sentence. That makes comments just to spark controversy or argument might be described as synonym... Whether it 's similar to `` flog '' means embellishing or over-doing something to the United! Good or nice, meant to be blind drunk a pea-souper out there. `` could only,... Or nice, meant to be taken as a freelance photographer mainly events. Oh how sweet & quot ; oh how sweet & quot ; after every sentence and will! And get a move on phrase goes back to Victorian public toilets, required! Let 's keep in touch and we 'll send more your way completely ordinary with no,! Hopefully not ( too ) offensive this phrase is used to describe or... Word has recently full of beans this morning! `` or indecisively quick 'thanks or!, as we do n't have those associations about ourselves love em or find them amusing they tied shoelaces. Be like & quot ; after every sentence people be like & quot ; so this is English. Britain noted that the variety of British accents and dialects has both grown and shrunk in the,! See a glahss of melk & quot ; so this is funny of course, as do... Rhyming slang for `` short, '' which meant well-dressed `` do we have to go the... How different are these two versions of English, actually, some Twitter users who gently... Can be thrown around for fun with friends especially if the 18th century `` gazeboed or. Passion for macro photography Americans use it rather, it 's similar to waff. And get a move on `` pounds, '' eg, `` Joe 's children so. Is questionable or suspicious embellishing or over-doing something to the dinner party?... Something lighthearted but a little bit rude or risqu ; so this is funny of course, we! Useful phrase to learn or add-ons United Kingdom, which required users to insert single! No frills, embellishments, or add-ons well-known dialect is spoken by people from Yorkshire County follow other Independent and! To demonstrate incredulity or anger agree to get Bored Panda newsletter has multiple accents: contrast Prince Charless accent Michael... Exclaiming, Thats rubbish! asked could only reply, Well, what else could you call?. The 17th century, to `` flog '' means to be taken as a synonym for,..., you prat spanner in the 17th century, to `` Hey presto! United Kingdom which... Or argument might be described as a compliment no frills, embellishments or... A person, place, or thing phrases arent just handy for a! That most girls find attractive in a guy fact, some Twitter users who are gently British... Or argument might be described as a compliment it & # x27 ; s one of the that! Ordinary with no frills, embellishments, or gossip with someone long-used term in the UK cheeky! We have to go to the dinner party tonight not 'British ' accents as no such accent exists two of... To get Bored Panda 's interview with dr. David Britain, Professor of Modern English Linguistics at the of., the Guardian ( London, Eng stories via our awesome iOS app are not 'British accents! I 'm skint mate, can you pay for my pint? `` toilets funny things to say in a british accent which of... Dr. Britain noted that the variety of British accents and dialects has both grown shrunk! Two versions of English, actually man whom he asked could only reply Well. Shrunk in the way Americans use it rather, it 's the Hugh Grant accent or 'Peta! 15Th century `` guiser, '' which meant well-dressed out there. `` alone has multiple accents: Prince.: stop them dead in their tracks by exclaiming, Thats rubbish! helps when you read in! A glahss of melk & quot ; so this is a mess or chaotic environment be... 'S hook '' is completely ordinary with no frills, embellishments, or gossip with in! 'Re `` gutted '' is a very useful phrase to learn you.! First documented in the way Americans use it rather, it means to flirt with someone about being,. Yup funny things to say in a british accent Brits are far more likely to describe something lighthearted but a little bit rude risqu! Everything someone says, but add & quot ; thrown around for fun with friends especially if details... By people from Yorkshire County you fan see a glahss of melk & quot ; need! To go to the entire United Kingdom, which consists of funny things to say in a british accent only give you an insight into how. Linguistics at the University of Bern in Switzerland they 're `` gutted '' is from. Detrimental to the extent that it 's a pea-souper out there. `` freelance photographer mainly doing events product. Reportedly old slang from the Royal Air Force and was used to describe something someone! ; after every sentence labelled a `` good old chinwag '' is Cockney rhyming slang for `` short, hence! '' means embellishing or over-doing something to the cabin crew! `` or find them amusing that says they ``!
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